Inkling: security envelope art

Here’s another fun project you can do with the envelopes you get with junk mail and bills. Before throwing out any envelopes, check the inside of the security envelopes. Many of these envelopes have amazing patterns that can be used for a variety of crafts – cards, gift tags, even framed art.

For the tree, I used security envelope paper with a floral design for the leaves and a wood grain pattern for the trunk and branches.

 

I used the same wood grain for the bird’s nest and a blue speckled pattern for the eggs.

The birds on a wire were made with a few different patterns for the birds and lined paper for the wire.

So don’t throw out junk mail or bill envelopes before checking the insides. Just don’t forget to pay those darn bills.

Sew and Tell: thanksgiving napkin rings

I haven’t decided how I want my Thanksgiving table to look. Should I go with a more formal look with a white crisp tablecloth or a colorful and casual feel?

I made two sets of napkin rings and I’ll need to decide which ones I’m going to use.

 

For the first set I used a brown pinstripe suiting fabric for a tailored look.

The second more casual set was made with a beige cotton fabric.

Napkin rings are easy to make and can be just the finishing touch for your place settings. All you need are paper towel or bathroom tissue rolls, fabric and embellishments.

1. Cut your paper towel rolls – I cut mine to 1-1/4”.
2. Cut out a piece of fabric long enough to wrap around the roll and wide enough to tuck into the inside of the roll.
3. Mine measured 2-3/4” x 5-1/2”.
4. Glue your fabric onto the roll with fabric or craft glue. 

Add your embellishments and let dry.

 I still have to decide which set I’m going to use but deciding how to set your table is part of the fun. 

Etceteras: halloween cake stands

I was inspired by these kirigami cut outs. They’re so pretty and each one is like a snowflake – unique. You can find these on the blog Omiyage.

I’m going to try to make some pretty flowers and snowflakes with colorful paper but in the meantime, I thought I could use this same process to make spider webs for Halloween. I used baking parchment paper to make spider web doilies to serve up Halloween treats.

The two smaller cake stands are small plates on top of candle holders. I’m sure you’ve seen this done before. Search the blogs and you’ll find some amazing cake stand creations. Just make sure you securely glue the plate to the candle holder.



For the large cake stand, I simply cut out a piece of black and white fabric with pinking shears.

Touches of color with an orange gros rain ribbon or fall candle and you have a simple Halloween treat display.

Now I need to go bake some treats to put on those empty plates.

Guest Blogger: the stationery place

Today I’m a guest blogger at The Stationery Place. If you haven’t checked out The Stationery Place, you need to head over there. Lyndsey posts about beautiful stationery and all kinds of paper goodies.

It’s Halloween Week at The Stationery Place. Check out my post on a non-sugar Halloween Treat - Mini Composition Books with a Halloween Twist.

Thank you Lyndsey for having me at The Stationery Place.

Etceteras: fall place cards

Even though it’s not even Halloween yet, it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and other fall events. If you’re having the Thanksgiving meal at your house, you may want to use place cards at your table.

These place cards were made with materials that I had on hand.

• Card stock
• Fabric (coffee stained muslin left over from my fall mobile project)
• Martha Steward Ribbon style tags
• Leaves (from the garden)
• Glue

Fold your card stock into a small tent card. Cut your fabric so it’s a little larger than one side of the tent card. Glue on your fabric using fabric glue or Mod Podge. Trim the fabric edges or you can fringe them.

To fringe fabric, use a needle and pull out one thread at a time.

 Add your embellishments and guest’s names.

If you don’t plan on using place cards, these cards can be used as “Thanksgiving” cards. Simply replace the guest name with something that you’re thankful for and scatter them around the table.

Place cards…done. One thing checked off my Thanksgiving to-do list.

Etceteras: swirling leaves

I was leaving the market the other day and the autumn leaves were swirling all around the parking lot. So I did what any normal person would do… I ran around grabbing leaves.

If you follow my blog, you’re thinking… more leaves. But these were practically handed to me.

I think autumn leaves look so pretty when displayed simply. A small vase, perfume bottle or jar - add a few leaves and you have a perfect centerpiece or even better, a display for your mantle.

 

I may have to go back to the market and get more leaves.

The Inspiration Board: after the rain

It drizzled here the other day. And then it rained for two days. Between the drizzle and the rain I took a few pictures. I’m not a photographer but I love taking pictures.

With a digital camera, your computer and the amazing free photo editing programs now available, anyone can turn pictures into works of art. For these photos, I used FotoFlex. A free online photo editing tool.

The possibilities are endless.

You can play with color.

You can take an ordinary picture...



and antique it or...

 

turn it into pop art…

The drizzly rain was refreshing but hopefully the sun will be shining again soon.

Etceteras: paper flower wreath

Ever since I made these little paper flowers, I wanted to make some more. That became an understatement when I decided to make a wreath using the paper flowers. I learned that it takes quite a few flowers to make a wreath.

To make this paper flower wreath, I used a variety of rice paper in earth tones and a small embroidery hoop as a base.

Once you roll a large quantity of flowers…roll some more and then some more. I actually thought I had enough flowers at this point. You can find the flower tutorial here.



I glued the flowers onto the hoop with a hot glue gun.

 

I love the way this turned out.

The brown, beige and soft pink colors are a nice break from the vibrant autumn tones that are all around us right now.

Inkling: leaf cards

My obsession with leaves marches on. Leaf mobiles, leaf centerpieces, pressed leaves and now, I can add leaf note cards to the list.



I created these leaves in a drawing program and then applied different colors to them creating three different note cards.

Fall Leaves

Green Leaves

Last Leaf

I printed these cards on watercolor paper. I love using watercolor paper for projects. The texture gives the card a rich and interesting look.

A sampling of my leaf obsessed projects and a quote that sums up why I love leaves.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

Albert Camus