Sashiko Style Stitches

I love sashiko stitching, and have tried doing it many ways with a variety of fun patterns. For these projects I make it even simpler using stencils and easy-erase marker pens.

Watch the video below for this fun process, and to see how I use the pens, stencils, and beautiful thread,

Travel Watercolor Journal

A fun and easy project!

You can make this into any type of journal you would like. I really wanted to make mine into a watercolor journal, so I used watercolor paper and a fun watercolor decoupage paper for the cover.

Tips

  • Download the template and follow the dimensions. Use a paper cutter and score board if you have them
  • Use gel medium or your favorite decoupage medium
  • Get the decoupage paper slightly wet before applying to reduce wrinkles
  • Use plastic to smooth the decoupaged paper to reduce wrinkles and prevent ripping
  • Fold the cover at the crease while the decoupage medium is still wet to reduce paper tearing
  • Use an awl or similar pokey tool to reduce hole size and prevent tearing
  • Try different types of paper signatures and different sizes of signatures (more or fewer pages per signature)
  • Use sting, wire, or plain wrapped elastic if you need to substitute elastic with barbs

Supplies

  • Cardstock
  • Decoupage medium (I used a gel medium)
  • Decoupage paper for the outer and inner cover
  • Watercolor paper or other paper for the inside signatures
  • An awl or other pokey tool

Tiny Leather Journal

Hi Guys! Welcome back! I have started playing around with water colors and other fun mediums. For this project I wanted a fun little watercolor journal I could take with me. You can fill it with watercolor paper, drawing paper, lined paper, or recycled paper you have lying around for notes! Get creative and make it your own!

I also really liked the embossed look for this journal. If you have embossing tools, use what you have, or don’t emboss it at all.

Lastly, not all people have random scraps of leather lying around. If you have an old piece of clothing or furniture that is going to be tossed or donated, you can cut it up from there, or use fabrics, papers and card stocks! For flimsier materials, be sure to add an extra cardstock or stiff layer, as we did in this video, to ensure the journal closure works well.

Supplies you will need:

  • Journal template (download below)
  • Leather, fabric, or cardstock for cover
  • Watercolor paper or other paper of your choice to fill
  • Elastic strips with barbs or toggles
  • Small hole punch or similar
  • Fusible web
  • Heavy paper for inside cover
  • Carbon paper for tracing pattern
  • Scissors and craft knife
  • Perforating tool (optional)
  • Embossing tools (optional)
  • Sanding block or paper (optional)

Or purchase a precut leather cover

Theater Class is now available!

The full Theater Class is ready to access! Learn step-by-step in near-real time to complete a fun and dynamic project. Once you have the basic concepts you can customize the templates and ideas to any theme.

The course includes nearly 3 hours of educational content broken into 7 sessions. All template downloads are in the course content area, along with a supplies list. Kits with supplies sold separately (limited supply).

The course is included with the kit, free of charge.

Nautical Theater Box

I made this theater box using several nautical images and themes. You could use it as a stand-alone project, or add a small hole to the bottom and add a light. Once you understand the concept you could create any number of theater boxes in any color scheme or theme.

There is a class preview below with all the primary information you will need to complete this project. A full-length course is coming soon that is easier to follow in real-time and has more tips and info.

You can also purchase the kit with the supplies to create the same nautical-themed theater seen in the class preview video.

Project Supply List

  • 90lb card stock
  • 50pt chipboard
  • Nautical papers
  • Heavy black card stock
  • 3/8” thick foam board
  • 1/4” double stick tape
  • ½ “ double stick tape
  • Printed templates
  • Carbon paper
  • White paint
  • Gray paint
  • Decoupage medium
  • Small metal frame (optional)
  • Cutting mat
  • Exacto (craft knife)
  • small paint brushes
  • metal straight edge
  • scissors,
  • hot glue,
  • pencil,
  • distressing ink , and other crackle or distress stamps if desired

Daisy Chain Stitch Pocket

Download the free template for the whimsical botanical design and a daisy chain stitch diagram.

We also used one of our fun Monahan aged papers for this project.

I just took an old book and decoupaged the cover. I plan to fill and modify the pages later. But you could also cover a journal or photo album.

Star, Snowflake Stitch

A fun way to easily spruce up your Christmas décor!

Steps:

  • Draw square grid to the size you prefer
  • Do straight stitch diagonally across the grid. Top stitch across the square, behind stitch across the grid joint.
  • Do opposite diagonal through squares across grid
  • Do straight running stitch horizontally through middle of X that is half way between the grid line and the center of the X
  • Do straight running stitch vertically through X half way between the grid line and center of X

Paper Bulbs

These ornament bulbs can be used on a tree, hung from anywhere, or strung in a row. Customize them by using different papers, different shape templates, and different sizes!

Template Downloads

Steps:

  • Decide your template, print/cut/etc.
  • Select your paper (20 sheets)
  • If painting/stamping do that first
  • *If stamping, follow video directions (cut first)
  • Fold paper in half
  • Place template on fold line
  • Trace and cut 20
  • Unfold each page. Glue center line and re-fold
  • Glue top and bottom lines over folded papers. Stack and attach.
  • After glue sets, add hanger on spine
  • Glue the top and bottom lines for front and back papers, wrapping around and attaching
  • Embellish as you like with glitter, beads, tassels

    Glass, Paint, and Paper

    One of the best parts of this project is that you could use it to place food on! You can make a custom glass food tray for charcuterie, cookies, and more! Another great aspect to this board is that it shows a lot of dimension and is easy to do!

    You can use any combination of stencils, stamps, and papers you want, but here are the items I used for this project. Get creative and blend your paint colors, use different colored embossing power, or even cut decoupage paper to size and decoupage behind the different elements!

    Products

    Roycycled Bushel Basket Stencil
    IOD Sunflowers Stamp
    Roycycled Rivets decoupage paper
    IOD Fruitful Harvest Stamp

    Tips:

    • Use a sturdy glass that will not break easily
    • Clean the glass before working with it
    • Use extra fine embossing powder to reduce heat time
    • Work in a climate controlled area (do not heat cold glass)
    • Hold your stencil or stamp steady when applying watermark ink to glass. If it smears wipe clean and start over
    • Reuse your excess embossing powder. Have paper under your project to collect it.
    • Wait for embossing to cool before beginning next element
    • Emboss one element at a time for best results.
    • Mask off previously embossed areas
    • Emboss “front” element first, working your way “back”
    • Paint over the entire embossed element on the back. No need to stay within the detail lines
    • Protect the back with sealer and additional paper, paint, or protective layer
    • Try adding feet, sides, or handles for a more ornate tray!

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