Origami Booklet

This pattern is widespread on the Internet, but HERE is a video that shows you how. The pictures of booklets are ones that I made recently. The larger version uses a standard piece of printer paper and was the memorial booklet for my mother in law. As you can see it has a front, 6 inside pages and a back and I added a ribbon on the spine. The smaller version was 1/2 sheet of printer paper as I wanted to get more booklets per page. All you need is paper, bone folder (optional as I used my trusty fingers) and scissors.

These are quick and fun to make. I used MS Publisher to put text and images on mine, but yours could be blank, used as a small note pad inside a purse or car. You could even use it as a mini scrapbook. Please share how you would use your little booklet.

Paper Boxes

I love boxes...actually I love anything that will contain something else and boxes fit that category. You would think I would be very organized with my love for containers, but I'm hopelessly not...I just have lots of boxes with things in them and they aren't very organized. I'm digressing, but you get my meaning.

I found these paper boxes from "Don't Eat the Paste" and fell in love with them. I think they would make great gift boxes with the holidays coming up around the corner. I like the wrought iron gate one best, but will try out both.

Have fun and head on over to Don't Eat the Paste for both of these patterns FRACTALS and GATE.

Scrapbook Paper Madness

I love looking at and sometimes buying scrapbook paper. I don't have a scrapbook and don't make pages but I love the papers. I do use them to make scrabble tile pendants and altered art pendants, just not scrapbooks. I would love to do one of these wall projects like using the paper for the mat of a framed photo and adding embellishments to the frame. Such great ideas here.

So, if you are like me and love paper, but don't scrapbook, here are some great ideas for displaying and using them. For instructions, please see the Better Homes and Gardens web site HERE.

Envelope Books

While out searching the Martha Stewart site, I stumbled across this cool craft for creating an envelope book. I'm thinking this would be great to keep track of all my jewelry receipts by month or you could save those holiday card envelopes (same size) and create a more colorful one and it would have more meaning as you could write on the front of the envelope things that made that holiday special.

There are two ways to bind the book and that is with paper binding or cloth. I may try this first with paper and let you know how it turns out. Check out the instructions HERE on Martha Stewart.com.

Crochet Bath Puffs

Okay are we getting ready for those holiday gifts yet. Here is a simple easy bath puff you can make a give as a gift. Why not mix it with some homemade soap that you can find at a craft show during the holidays or some bath gel. I use one of the net bath puffs, but this one might just replace that one.

I'll be off to the fabric store tomorrow to get me some yarn. Thanks to Crochet Spot for the tutorial. BTW, Rachel from Crochet Spot also indicates that cotton, although super absorbent does get quite heavy and you would probably do better when making this to use nylon yarn. Here is her Cotton Experiment.

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size: approximately 5” (13 cm) in diameter
Materials:

• Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 190 yards / 4 oz)
• Crochet Hook K (6.5 mm)
• Scissors

Crochet Pattern: Bath Puff

Round 1: ch 3, 30 double crochet in third chain from hook, place marker
Round 2 - 3: 6 double crochet in each double crochet around
Finish off weaving end into bath puff.
Strap Row 1: chain 30, slip stitch in first ch made forming loop, attach to center of bath puff.

If you need some basic instructions on how to crochet, check out this site.
Enjoy, I'll post a pic of mine when I get it finished.

Festivals and Fairs in WA State

It is almost Fair time here in Washington. A lot of the county fairs are starting up and the Western Washington State Fair will start in September. It's amazing that this summer has flown by so fast and September will be here before you know it.

Here are a few Festivals and Fairs coming up in August here in WA State. For an events list in your area, please check out the Festival Online Network....link at right.

Pierce County Fair
08/06 to 08/09 2009
Frontier Park - Graham, WA

Sumner Arts Festival
08/07 to 08/08 2009
Main Street - Sumner, WA

Auburn Good Ol' Days
08/07 to 08/09 2009
Downtown - Auburn, WA

Clark County Fair
08/07 to 08/16 2009
Clark County Fairgrounds - Ridgefield, WA

Fox Island Fair
08/08 to 08/08 2009
Nichols Community Center, 690 9th Avenu - Fox Island, WA

Skagit County Fair
08/12 to 08/15 2009
1410 Virginia Street - Mount Vernon, WA

A Taste of Edmonds
08/14 to 08/16 2009
Civic Playfield - Edmonds, WA

National Lentil Festival
08/21 to 08/22 2009
Downtown and Reaney Park - Pullman, WA

Orting's Festival in the Park
08/16 to 08/16 2008
Downtown City Parks - Orting, WA

These are just a few, HERE are more. Go out and enjoy yourself and have a corn dog for me.

Paper Lace

Livy, from A Field Journal has some of the most wonderful ideas for decorating at weddings and bridal showers and this paper lace is just beautiful and looks easy. You could also use it in a little girls room or to decorate in your home for a special occassion like anniversary or birthday. Whatever you choose, this would look stunning. Thanks Livy for sharing your ideas.