Branching Out: Texas eReader Sleeve

Recently I was pondering different ideas for my journal covers, and decided to branch out into Kindle/eReader sleeves. At the same time, Rachel is breathing down my neck about all manner of Texas flair. (OK, not really breathing down my neck...she's just very passionate about her newfound state!) Despite never having been there, I decided to add a little Texas flair to this project.

 

 For this, and all my journal designs, I begin by sketching the design in my sketchbook. When I get it how I want it, I trace off each of the sections and cut them out for templates. Very scientific.

I have realized I work very spontaneously in that I don't plan ahead. I don't pick all the colors, or decide on the beads beforehand. I just go with it and make it up as I go along. For this project, I wasn't planning on the beads but it just seemed to be what needed to happen.

That, and I seem to have the knack for adding tedious details to everything I do. My latest project involves a few dozen french knots. That should tell you something right there!

This and That

I have about a million projects going on right now, and I am trying to finish some of them. Such a novel idea. One of the bigger projects I have going on is my stairs. They were covered with some hideous orange/gold shag carpet that was so old it shredded when I tore it off. The crumbly mess you see is the remains of the carpet padding. I have big pinterest-inspired plans for the stairs, and I imagine this one will take me a while.

Another project I have been working on for a long time is this mosaic window. A while back I something similar on Pinterest (evil Pinterest!) and I knew I had to make it. I have never done mosaic before so I am basically winging it and have probably violated every rule there is. I just started grouting and I have to say...it's a royal pain. I need to get over it and finish this baby so I can hang it up!

And one more (finished!) project: a journal for the Etsy shop! This one is a barn swallow and I really had fun beading the edge. It is tedious and fairly time consuming but as we all know, I enjoy a project like that now and then!

I have been working on a few more design ideas for journals. What ideas could you see stitched onto a journal?

Peacock Embroidered Journal

Despite the fact that I have been pretty radio silent lately, I have managed to churn out some projects. This journal will be making its appearance in our up-and-coming Etsy shop! This design started out in my sketchbook and I decided it would transfer well to felt. 

There are little bugle beads sewn on the feathers. It is made with wool blend felt. 

The edges are finished with a blanket stitch, adding a bead to every stitch. I really like the look of this edging even though it takes a bit longer.

P.S. Keep your eyes on Friday as we will be making the move to our new blog! We will continue to keep this blog active for the time being, but will not be adding new posts. It should redirect to the new site, where we have transferred all our existing posts. If that sounds confusing, imagine me trying to figure out how to do it all! I haven't had a computer class since high school, where we learned DOS commands and how to save onto a floppy disc and played with our pet dinosaurs. 

Little Blue Truck Journal

Last week I had a baby shower for a friend. The theme was Little Blue Truck, because I like a good book theme. While preparing for the baby shower, I realized I have something like mental illness. I came to this realization when I was half way through carving a Little Blue Truck stamp. To stamp the napkins. Because who does that? The ladies at the shower teased that I made the ink myself too, and when I was done made blue hair dye for a friend. And hey, that's not a bad idea. ;) Instead of a 'traditional' gift for the baby, I decided to make a journal. The mom likes to journal and so I made this for her to write for the baby. The front says 'Dear Grayson,' and the back says 'Love, Mom'. 

The Latest Journal: This One's For You, Rach! :)

Felt Journal Cover

I finished another journal cover this week and this one is my favorite so far. I busted out my sketchbook and came up with the dandelion idea, which I loosely transferred to the felt using a dressmaker's marker. I finished it with the blanket stitch and wove red floss through the edge because I love the way it looks. I really must make myself a journal one of these days. But Rachel, yours is next! :)

Another Journal

Felt Journal Cover

I made this journal as a Christmas gift. I used No Big Dill's book jacket tutorial and combined it with Anna Maria Horner's owl ornament tutorial . I used a running stitch in a swirly pattern to create the background texture. 

Close up: I totally should have straightened up the little flashy things before I took the picture!

And my favorite part! I have a vintage table scarf that has a really neat edging. It was done using a blanket stitch, with a contrasting thread woven through the edge. I used the same idea here, with thicker needlepoint thread to weave through the white edging.