Happy 4th!

 

Cat-Theme Desk Sitters

Cat-Themed Desk Sitters

With Playful, Quirky Phrases!

These cat-themed Desk Sitters started out as simple wooden Jenga blocks and were transformed into these fun little creations.

For this collection, I used FolkArt Chalk Paint in Cascade, Castle, Vintage Mustard, and Spanish Moss.

If you'd like to see how they're made, check out my posts from June 9 and June 13, where I share my process.

I've had a wonderful time crafting these and have completed a total of 30 Desk Sitters! I think it's time to take a break —for now, at least!

Marbled Paper Design Notebooks

I'm finally putting more of my beautiful Pepin papers to use! The covers for these handmade spiral notebooks were created using designs from the Pepin Marbled Paper Designs Collection. Each sheet was cut to size and adhered to book board  & bound with The Cinch.

Each notebook has 40 sheets (80 pgs) unlined, cream-colored paper. Been hoarding these lovely Italian writing papers from Rossi1931. Wonderfully smooth and a joy to write on.

    Notebook sizes:    

Fisher Space Pen

       5" x 7"
       4" x 6.5" 
       4" x 5"
       3.5" x 5" 

 The chrome pen shown in the photo is a Fisher Space Pen—a pressurized ballpoint pen that writes upside down, in extreme temperatures, and on a variety of surfaces. At just 3.75" long, it's the perfect compact size.

This one was a souvenir from one of our trips to Disney. I couldn't resist bringing it home simply because it was so unique! ☺

New Collection of Desk Sitters

Completed another batch of Desk Sitters made from Jenga blocks!

This time, I used several beautiful FolkArt Chalk Paint colors: Cascade, Castle, Vintage Mustard, and Spanish Moss. I love how these shades work together to give each piece its own unique character with a fun, quirky phrase added.

If you'd like to learn more about my process, check out my previous posts from June 9 and June 13.

Bauhaus Notebooks

I've had a collection of these Bauhaus-style large papers from Pepin that I've been holding onto, and finally decided to use them as covers for these pocket notebooks.

They are spiral bound using The Cinch Binding Machine, and all feature cream-colored paper. Two of the notebooks contain lined pages, while the other two are unlined.

2 notebooks: 4" × 5.5", 40 sheets (80 pages total each)

1 notebook: 4" × 6", 40 sheets (80 pages total)

1 notebook: 4.75" × 6.5", 54 sheets (108 pages total)

As Wikipedia describes it, “Bauhaus style is a minimalist and functional design approach that emerged in early 20th-century Germany, focusing on simplicity, geometric shapes, and the unity of art and industry. It emphasizes practicality and the idea that the design of an object should be based on its intended function.”

Plains Coreopsis

aka Coreopsis Tinctoria

This flower, also known as Coreopsis tinctoria, has begun sprouting in clusters just outside our back door. A few years ago, we scattered a mix of wildflower seeds in this area, and it's rewarding to see them finally putting on such a colorful display.

Recently, we had several tall trees removed that had been shading this spot. With more sunlight reaching the ground and plenty of rain over the past several weeks, the conditions have been just right. The combination of extra sunshine and abundant moisture has encouraged a variety of wildflowers to bloom.

According to Wikipedia, the Zuni people traditionally used the blossoms of Coreopsis tinctoria to produce a rich mahogany-red dye for yarn. Before coffee was introduced by traders, they also brewed the flowers into a hot beverage.

It's always fun to discover what has been quietly waiting beneath the surface, just looking for the right conditions to bloom.

Pretty Handmade Paper Notebooks

I used a selection of my decorative handmade papers to create the covers for these pocket-sized notebooks. Made in India, these beautiful papers have a wonderfully soft, fabric-like feel.

Two of the notebooks feature pages made from Natural Lokta Paper. The remaining notebooks contain Handmade Cotton cold-pressed paper in Mint Green, Peach, and Pink, all with natural deckle edges.

 

 Each notebook is hand stitched using a simple three-hole pamphlet stitch and finished with waxed linen thread.

Approximate notebook sizes:
• 2 notebooks: 4.5" x 5.5"
• 1 notebook: 3" x 4"
• 1 notebook: 4.5" x 6.5"
• 1 notebook: 4" x 7.5"

Each notebook has one signature. Used 10 folded sheets which created 20 pages and doubled equals 40 writing pages.