Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Love this Season!!

Unlike our fearless leader, Julia of WOYWW, I did spend this Sunday at home and got lots of time in the Fun Room. None since then, but such is the season....lots to do. At the end of the day, I collected my makes in the center of the table and this is what it looked like. 


Somewhere along the line I even tidied up the window sill. I don't know about you fellow WOYWW'ers, but I was getting sick of that color wheel. 


At one point in the day, my sweetie came in the room and mentioned that my work space had shrunk a bit...you know, down to about a 12 x 12 square.  The rest of the table looked like this slightly messy pile to my left. Oh well. You know it's true what they say - if you see it, you'll use it. 


I was busy making these little (3" x 4.5") composition book covers for my sisters, mom, and a few girl friends. Late Saturday night I started pulling out some papers and then stopped - duh. I make paper. So that's what I started with. Lots of luscious Dylusions sprays, some stencils, and some paint. And because I am getting wiser in my old age I gave the papers a coat of clear Gesso. I love the intensity of Dylusions, but sometimes I'm not so excited to have it react with the next layers. Enter the gesso. It gives the paper a great tooth and I can do just about anything next. You need to make sure the first layer is TOTALLY dry. As in maybe overnight. Even though I thought it was dry, I had a little bit of run when I did a final coat of matte medium to seal everything. In this case it was nice, as little streaks of color helped blend it all together.

Wait. That doesn't make sense. Maybe I missed a section. Whatever. Make sure it's dry...lol.


So I pulled out some scraps, some Art Chix and Pringle Hill Studios images, my trusty white and black pens and went to town.


The banner was stashed up on the window sill and since I didn't want it there I kind of threw it down on my desk. A few hours later, I had a little a-ha moment. Another happy accident. 


Oh, yes. I also used some of my favorite 7 Dots Studio Paper - the Dreamer line. I totally love that paper - it will blend with just about anything! I also used some stickles which I've rediscovered. The new mercury glass is a combination of silver and gold and just so festive!


One of the hardest things was finding ribbon that would match. You would think a girl with literally shoe boxes of the stuff wouldn't be in the predicament, but I am just about out of seam binding which I normally color myself....and I was at a loss. Eventually I got pretty close. My sweetie asked why the ribbon - I thought if you were throwing this in your purse or whatever it would be nice to keep it closed. 

I'm going to do a couple of larger book covers for some other friends....but at least I get to check this particular project off the list. Funny. That makes it sound like a chore. It was anything but. Things like this are why we call it the Fun Room. 

And if you've made it all the way here without knowing what WOYWW is, please be sure to check out the The Stamping Ground blog where you can join us as we look in at desks around the world. 

Enjoy!

17 comments:

  1. Those composition book covers are fantastic. I'm totally impressed. And I'm sorry, but I don't agree with the see it, use it philosophy, Just yesterday I had all my piles of various stamped and divided parts ready. Then I ran out of room and when I shuffled a few things, I couldn't find ANYTHING. I had lost a whole stack of stamped bits. I was sick and spent wasted time looking. So, I'm going to continue to be anal (grin). I'm happy that you were able to spend the weekend making creative crafts. Have a great WOYWW from #1.

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  2. Great book covers, you seem so organised. Love the pen pots. Thanks for visiting and your comment. I'm glad my post made you smile, Eliza and I are a little wackadoodle when we are together, and apart. Nothing beats having fun and laughing at ourselves. Have a fab week and thanks for sharing. Happy crafting DeDe #5

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  3. Those notebooks are beautiful. I know everyone will them. The more crafting I do, and don't clean, the smaller my crafting space gets. #12

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  4. Wowza, Sara, your little notebook gifts are divine! What a lot of work, but as you say, fun, and what brilliant results you got!! They will be treasured! Happy WOYWW and have a great week!! Hugs, Darnell #22

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  5. The books look fabulous, what lovely gifts they make! Your desk looks very busy - hope you don't store your wooden stamps on the window sill permanently as they won't like the sun on the rubber! Have a creative week. Helen 24

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  6. Thanks for the book covering and ribbon idea, your are super. BJ#37

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  7. Love both your desk and those amazing creations Sara - would LOVE for you to share your work with us at Inspire Me Monday (our mixed media artists and paper crafters would LOVE it!)

    Have a wonderful day!

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

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  8. Love the look of your desk and I love those little books. The Cavalier King Charles reminded me of my little dog that I used to have. So pretty. Will try the spray and gesso technique soon - thanks for the tip.
    Hugs, Neet and thanks for your earlier visit (8 x 8 papers) xx

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  9. Love those little books, Sara!! I want to come and play in your room and I don't even papercraft!!! Lol. Your ribbon stash sounds interesting though, maybe I could have a furtle through that :-) Hope you're keeping well and happy!
    Hugs, LLJ 43 xx

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  10. Your mini art journals are beautiful! I love everything from the artistic covers you've created to the ribbons you've added. I love them so much I pinned them to my Pinterest board!! You know, it is so true that we use what we see--and I guess that's why when I'm creating I have to pull down everything and make a huge mess. Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #10

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  11. Ooh, Sara, your room almost looks like Julia's! I'm so jealous that both of you have big beautiful windows to look out on! Such beautiful altered books you have there. I haven't yet dabbled in altered art forms, but your work is stunning! Happy WOYWW!

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  12. Great books! Well done on the happy accidents too - mine always make things worse not better! #44

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  13. They are wonderful, Sara, and they will make great gifts. I know exactly what you mean about the workspace getting smaller and smaller... the trouble is how to have everything in your eyeline/within reach of your hands so that you use it!
    Alison x

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  14. Hi Sara Great Books!! I sure they will be loved! I believe in the see it and use it method, which is why my desk is tidy! ;)
    If things get to crazy, I am afraid I'll throw something good out! Also I've spent years in production sewing and training, and you have to stay very organized in a small area or things don't get done, it has totally rubbed off into my crafting!! I think I would enjoy crafting with you very much, on the desk next door!
    Hugs, Have a great week, TFS Ginny #16

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  15. Very organized - and productive!

    I didn't get to photograph my table this week- but here's my Giveaway!
    http://lulu-too-beaucoup.blogspot.com/2013/12/giveaway-plus-texture-freebie-for-your.html

    Peace,
    LuLu

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  16. Oh I like the colors you used on your composition covers. They are going to be great gifts. I still love writing in composition books. The shelves you liked on my post were from Ikea and I put three up to display photos and art. I call that wall my inspiration gallery.

    Have a blessed say and thanks for the visit.
    Belinda (7)

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  17. What an awesome space!! I love altering those little books too!!
    Thank you for visiting me! So sorry I'm late :(
    xxDaniella#8

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