congratulations! & journal ideas*

i hadn't time to do a proper post, but i found a box of my old journals & i thought you might like to see some photos for ideas...the first journal i had i bought at 12 or 13, it was one of those light blue school notebooks, & i used it until about 17.


then i upgraded to a small black notebook{about $4} for several years. while in America{at about 21} i saved up for a special {$16} journal & took a whole bunch or quarters & dimes into Borders :) i sort of thought a beautiful journal a luxury rather than a necessity, so i just used spare change.


now, im glad i tried to find & make beautiful things, because i find anything that makes the heart sing to be extremely valuable & incredibly worthwhile! since then, i seem to write more frequently & can fill two journals a year {except since blogging :) hardly any time} & one day, i began making the journals i wanted to buy but couldn't find...


collages


mixed threads


flower meanings {& other print-outs}


little thankful cards hanging from a friendship band


beginning the journal{my name is pronounced with a "sh" like chevrolet


a cover page{an introduction}


stamps & textured paper{vellum & faux suede, so soft!}


ribbons as bookmarks


& precious photos



& {if you haven't read the comment i wrote} the winners are Rini {of Catharina Maria} & a special something for everyone else so please email me your mailing addy's to gowithwisdom@hotmail.com

loveliest thoughts

time for a giveaway!!!

a journal bound with silk & edged in french beaded lace, a place to line with your thoughts/dreams/wishes/hopes/ponderings/experiences/days of loveliness...

feel so welcome to leave a message on this post if you haven't won a journal from me before, & i'll draw a winner next Friday...loveliest thoughts

dangling postcards ~

something i've been wanting to do for a long time...
step 1:
gather postcards, photos you've taken, pages from books
{i was so excited to find these Anahata postcards in Mombasa the other day, i also used some i'd been saving from the bowerbird stories at finders keepers last year}
step 2:
also collect scissors, string/lace/ribbon, a hammer & eyelets-i like to get the gold eyelets from Spotlight because they're only about $3 & come with the tool, sticky tape...
step 3:
deign the layout lengthways & also decide what you will layer on the back


step 4:
lay the two papers back to back{sometimes you will only need the one if it is coloured both sides} & poke a whole with the scissors in the top & bottom


step 5:
place the eyelet through the pages & hammer firmly until secure
step 6:
tie together with bits of ribbon
step7:
sticky tape to the roof
{you could stick a fabric flower or bow at the top to cover the tape}
step 8:
enjoy!
:)


i'd like to write quotes on the back of mine where i've used blank paper...



i also want to make a photo chandelier with photos of the family & attach the layers around a few gold hoops...
hope you have a lovely weekend!!!

a box of beautiful

you will need:
{a} matchbox/s
pretty paper
paint & paintbrush
scissors
tissue paper
glue


first of all paint the inside of the box...


then cut alog the top right edge of the outer part


& cover it with patterened paper. then glue the middle in so it opens like a book.
{i also cut a rectangular piece of tissue paper which i inserted between the bottom layers to add a dainty texture}


i made little books to go in.
you could either cut a book & fold it straight in half, or score along two lines in the middle to make a spine.


cut or tear out some pages for the book


& staple right in the centre of the spine {i like to put the staple so the straight part is on the outer edge}


i embellished with words from a dictionary i once found in a drawer


& then cut some french lace for the front & made tissue paper flowers{which sort of look like crowns}


i added a little brad to fasten{i couldnt find the right colour so i painted them}
& attached a length of ribbon to hold it closed...


...a little box that holds a lot of sentiment!!! lovely thoughts

~ buttons galore!

Hi everyone!

i thought you might like this fun & versatile idea... of collecting buttons & creating sort of a button collage!

first, lay them out on a piece of paper, to make sure they are placed in the design you most love.


then stitch them on :)

Ojo de Dios{Gods eye}

remember making these in school?

these are a smaller version...very small, with toothpicks :)
you will need:
toothpicks
embroidery floss or twine
beads
glue


begin by crossing the toothpicks into a diamond shape. then follow these instructions, or
dab a little glue in the centre & begin winding the thread about 4 times one direction, then swap & wind about 4 times on the other diagonal opening.
after that, begin at one stick & wind under & loop over, wind under the next one, loop over it, wind under the nest loop over...there are better instructions here but maybe these photos might help




once that is finishe tie it off & maybe add a bit of glue to keep it in place. then glue some sparkly beads onto each point of the tootpicks.


finally, tie a little string, ribbon, or fabric strip on so it can be hung up as an ornament







may your days be full of rainbows!!!

a special box

a place to organize needles & keep emerging artwork...
you will need:
a wooden box
paint & paintbrush
coloured paper & scissors


paint the box


cut out some papers in alternating colours{or use the same one if you prefer!} the same size as the compartments & glue them down


fill with special things


lovely thoughts