New Year's Eve Ukie Dinner

3-Layer Stacked Holopchi. Delicious!

Smothered with butter and onions 😋 

Homemade Borscht. Hearty & Tasty!

Notes From Abroad

Notes from Abroad

by Erica M. Szuplat

     My niece's talent is inspiring! I'm so impressed!

     Read the full article in The August Drift & Dribble  Literary Society. A Narrative Sketchbook.

     You can also visit her website here at Erica Szuplat 

      Such an accomplished artist! So proud of her achievements :)

Letters From Father Christmas

 

Mini Holiday Notebooks - it's a Cinch!

These are several mini Holiday theme notebooks bound using The Mini Cinch.

Papers used were from Stamperia, Echo Park, Graphic 45 and a scrapbook pad from Recollections.

Below is a video flip through of the mini notebooks. 

 

Christmas Mini Cinch Books

What a joy binding these mini Christmas books!

Using my new 'We R Memory Keepers Mini Cinch Bookbinding Machine', did make it a cinch!
 

The Longest Night

                                          Big Panda and Tiny Dragon

                                                James Norbury 
 

More Sticky Note Packs!

 

Mini Sticky Note Packs

I loved making these cute little Sticky Note Packs! Simple to craft and make sweet mini stocking stuffers!

Great way to use up your paper scraps. I used some Stamperia Scrap paper stash I had. You only need a piece 2" x 4.5". I used the 'vintage' pack of sticky note pads I got off Amazon that measure 2" x 1.5". You score your paper at 13/8th, 15/8th, 31/8th and 33/8th. I used double sided tape to adhere the backs of the notepads. Used mini magnets for closures and added little gem stones on the front.

Lots of variations and tutorials online. I found Karolina Krafts tutorial easy to follow.

Happy Crafting! 
 

Accordion Christmas Village

Another paper crafty holiday project. An accordion Christmas Village. 

Used the 'Holiday Tidings' 12x12 Scrapbook Paper Pad by 'Recollections'.

A fun and easy project resulting in a flip, flap holiday village.
 

See the video flip thru below 

 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/sleigh-bells

License code: PRJTLULFHDU9SIBX

 

Retro Holiday Recipe Box

 This was a delightful little paper crafting project!

A fun way to preserve those favorite holiday recipes or special recipes that have been handed down.

Also makes a lovely gift for that friend who just loves to cook! 

Gnome Hidden Note Cards

More Holiday Paper Crafty Projects :)

Cute little project I stumbled upon over at 'For Your Junk Journal'.

These are in 2 sizes; smaller one measures 3"W x 6"H and the larger Gnome is 4"W x 7"H. 

A gift card fits in the larger Gnome. Fun little note cards!

More Holiday Paper Crafting!

 

I printed out a vintage copy of The Night Before Christmas and adhered the pages to chipboard and bound it with Linen Tape using the Tab method.

Paper crafting...great way to ease the stress of the Holiday Season :) 

Measures 3.75" x 5". 

Note,Tea or Gift Card Pockets

Made a bunch of these easy to fold Note Pockets or often known as Tea Pockets or Favors. You'll find many on the internet often much more decorated and frequently a Craft Fair item.

I folded mine using 6" square paper. I used Recollections 'Holiday Tidings' 6x6 double sided paper pad.

Holiday Village Shops

A fun little ring bound photo album to create. Or if you prefer, you could use the backs of the tabs to write favorite holiday phrases or sentiments.

If interested, you can find this kit at My Porch Prints. Here is their easy to follow video tutorial . 

Sometimes I just prefer a simple cut and paste project...must take me back to my childhood when I spent hours doing just that; cutting and pasting! 

Below is my short flip thru video

 Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/home-for-christmas

License code: DBPOLBUSYTPYWH6N

 

 

Flip Flap Folio Winter Village

Another little meditative project of just cutting and pasting. Cutting is a breeze these days thanks to my ScanNCut!

This project and more can be found over at My Porch Prints. 

A short flip thru below 

 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/giulio-fazio/anticipation-and-joy License code: HRGQGXS33AKSLY1T

Origami Book ~ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas

An old classic Christmas Poem creatively bound in an origami book.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas' was first published anonymously in 1823. And according to Wiki; "The poem has been called arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American and is largely responsible for some of the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-19th century to today."

The construction of the book pages start by folding 4 inch square size papers and you end up with an adorable little book 2 inches square. A sweet 'freebie' project offered by My Porch Prints here.

View a short flip thru of my book below 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/giulio-fazio/magical-moments

License code: LVF5VTKIDR8WSVVP

 

 

25 Days Till Christmas

Another Chunky Holiday Junk Journal with lots of Tim Holtz Classic Nostalgic Christmas Ephemera!

Don't recall the particular scrapbook paper pad I used as the base, but there are lots of tabs, tags, pockets clips and stickers throughout. Tab binding method using TH linen holiday tape. I incorporated many tea-stained notepads creating plenty of pages for journaling and list making.

This little chunky journal measures 5"W x 6.5"H x 1.5" thick.

You can view a short flip thu below 

 
 

Ho Ho Hum ...

 

Christmas Tag Box ~ 25 Days

Another relaxing project completed for the month of December. A box of 25 Christmas Tags each numbered and decorated with pockets, a few notepads added for shopping lists and the backs have room for recipes or just lists of favorites.

Once again ScanNCut saves the day and does all the fussy-cutting!

If interested, you can find the project over at My Porch Prints. I did alter mine a bit and added other images and found just the right wooden box to store them in.

Short flip thru below

 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/ra/snowy-road

License code: RZRLTSIETOOM8KNC

 

'Cricut' Cards

These are the first cards I created with my Cricut Explore 3. They have a vast library of projects to choose from in their Design Space.

 I chose to make a few cards using Cricut Fine Point (0.4mm) Markers. It was amazing to watch as it drew the delicate designs. And of course there was some cutting involved in crafting the cards as well.

I'm loving my new Cricut!  

Jolly-Holly Day Pocket Junk Journal

Crafted this little Junk Journal-ish style book using left over Recollections Holiday Scrapbook Paper. Pages are pockets created by folding the papers in half. Did a Tab Binding using TH linen tape. Lots of flips, flaps, tags and pockets. Used red and white twine to tie it all up! 

Measures 4"W x 7"H

Needed those ear muffs this morning, thermometer read 28 degrees!
 

You can view a short flip thru below

 

 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/gingerbread-boy

License code: HJUXUBRZVDLSHXYR

Blizzard Books

I crafted these Blizzard Books following a Hedi Kyle design. Only 1 paper measuring 13"x 29" to fold each book. Used Kraft Wrapping Paper at 30" x 120". No sewing or adhesives!

You can make them in a variety of sizes. My finished size is 4"W x 6"H. I used them to hold a variety of handmade papers. Great gift for a paper lover! You can store ATC cards, photos or make a smaller size and you can store business cards.

Excellent tutorial by Paula B Krieg. 

Short flip thru of my Blizzard Books below 

 

November 27, 2025

 

Chunky Holiday Junk Journal

It's not TH, but it's cute! Put together this Holiday Junk Journal with the tab binding technique using TH linen holiday tape. 

Used a double-sided holiday scrapbook pad, assorted colored printer paper, rub-ons, stickers, and clips through out. Lot of flips, flaps, tags, tabs & pockets. Measures 4" x 6" x 1.5" thick

You can view a flip through in the video below

 If you'd like to see some Tim Holtz Holiday Junk Journals I've made here are the links to previous posts:

Mini Christmas Junk Journal

Christmas Junk Journal

Christmas Accordion Folio Junk Journal 

 

 

'Cricut' Pie

Crafted this 3D Pie and Sunflower Card with my Cricut Explore 3. The Cricut was an early Black Friday Deal so how could I pass it up :)

Mats are definitely less expensive than the Brother ScanNCut as are some of the other accessories. Find it easier to navigate their software in Design Space. Amazingly their Design Space has millions of cuttable SVG files! I'll never leave my craft room!

Maybe I should have done a bit more research when searching for a cutting machine; I may have chosen the Cricut over the ScanNCut. 

The ScanNCut's proprietary file is FCM and any SVG's imported must be edited and frankly isn't that simple. SVG files are a popular format known for their scalability and ability to maintain quality at any size. But, the ScanNCut does just that easily; scans and cuts.

A crafter can never have too many tools! 
 

ScanNCut Gift Boxes & Bags

Using my Brother ScanNCut I completed several more projects. I made these pretty and fun little gift bags & boxes.

Pillow Box - 7.75"W x 5.5"H x 1.5"D

Autumn Gift Bag - 5.5W x 6.5"H x 2.25"D

Trunk Slide Boxes -3.5"W x 2.75"H x 1.5"D

Bird House Gift Bag - 2.75"W x 4"H x 2.75"D

Bookmark - 2"W x 6"H 

 All of these were free projects on the Brother CanvasWorkspace

Paper Lantern

 

 I made this lantern with the Brother ScanNCut. Another free project available on their CanvasWorkspace. 

I downloaded their project file into my ScanNCut machine and cut the required pattern pieces. CanvasWorkspace also provides a PDF  'recipe pattern' with each project which offers clear instructions on assembly.

I placed black 12" x 12" cardstock onto my cutting mat and  loaded it into my machine. The intricate pattern pieces took several minutes to cut. For the vellum pieces to reveal the light shining through, I used my paper cutter since they were just simple rectangular pieces.

The lantern is square measuring 5.5" x 5.5" by 9.25" H. I placed an LED battery operated candle inside. 

Scan N Cut

I'm enjoying learning my new Brother ScanNCut machine! It's quite an impressive little machine which doesn't take up a lot of space. Measures 20.9"W x 6.8"H x 8.4"D. Sits on the corner of my desk.

I was able to create these first few projects right out of the box! Although I've since connected it wirelessly, it has the ability to be a stand-alone machine without a computer or mobile device.

 It Features a total of 682 built-in designs, including 100 quilt patterns, and 9 letter fonts, this Brother Cutting Machine produces detailed work. 

It can cut a variety of materials such as paper, fabric, vinyl, foam, and balsa wood up to 3mm thick. 

Not only can it scan & cut, it can draw, write, emboss, rhinestone, and foil all with the proper accessories. 

The free CanvasWorkspace editing software allows you to create, edit, convert and send cut data to and from the machine. It has a desktop version and an online version each with hundreds of additional free downloadable projects easily transfered to a USB device which inserts into your ScanNCut. Loving it!

Mini Twig Book Series

I crafted a few more mini twig books. I believe I've begun a Twig Book Series :) 

Here's my previous post describing the first Twig Book I ever made. 

All natural, organic materials and the books measure 3" x 3.5".

My own little 'Nature Library' !
 

Easy Notebooks

Simple and easy notebooks to construct. No glue and no stitching!

Notebook on left is plain card stock cover. Used one sided scrapbook papers for the pages. Punched two holes & added eyelets. Bound with twine.

On the right is a TH double sided cardstock cover. Punched holes and bound with metal fasteners and vintage parchment papers. Easy Peasy!

Short video of a flip through below

 

'Perfect Binding' Notebooks

I created several of these notebooks using a method called 'perfect binding'. I used glue on the spine of folded pages and no stitching. Pages lay flat.

Measure 3.5" x 5.5" x .25"thick

The notebook covers were digital images printed onto cardstock paper I purchased from TheBooksmithShop on Etsy.

I used a variety of papers including parchment and heavier printer paper. The end papers (recycled newsprint) I used were from NormansPrintery also on Etsy. 

Step by step demo for perfect binding here.
 Video for quick flip thru below

 

Sashiko Boro Notepad Wallets

I sewed more of my quick and easy projects; reversible fabric basket & notepad wallets/card cases.

You can find an easy to follow tutorial to sew the fabric baskets (reversible!) at Sotak Handmade.

You'll find many variations on sewing the fold-over wallet/card cases. Did a little sashiko stitching on one. My finished size is 3.5" x 5" 

Used variety of handmade papers to sew the notepads using a 3-hole pamphlet stitch. 

Fabric used: Boro Patchwork Sevenberry and dobby weave-all 100% cotton.

Watch a short video below for a flip through

 

The Writer

I used text pages to fold this Expanding Origami Book / Box after viewing the video demo here. By folding several units you're able to create a little expanding book. A design created by Ayako Kwate.

And of course I needed a box to put this little book in so I crafted another Tato Box, also out of text pages. Yasutomo Art & Origami demonstrate how to fold these boxes here.

You can view a short video below. 

Mini Twig Bound Book

 Made my first Twig Book! Used all organic, natural papers. 

Pages are handmade plant papers. Cover is Natural Mulberry Paper. Dark brown paper is 100% cotton rag handmade paper. Image (CherylFrancisART) is printed on Lokta handmade printable paper. Used natural hemp cord for binding. 

Measures: 3" x 3.5"

Easy to follow demo here

 

 

It Snowed last Night!

It snowed last night and this morning the thermometer read 25 degrees! 

Only a few years ago around this time we were having temps in the 90's with feel like temps around 100 degrees! 

Crazy!
 

A Touch of Blue

I removed the pages from an old book, already nicely tattered, to use as the book cover for this Junk Journal I bound. I used black book tape on the spine to reinforce it. Decoupaged the 'o' onto the front. I sewed in three signatures using a 3 hole pamphlet stitch. Measures 6" x 8".

I coffee stained all the papers. I then printed digitals that I resized and layered onto the papers. Digis from CherylFrancisArt & LoveJunkJournals.

 Bare junk journal ready to journal in, personalize and fill up!

If interested in making your own Junk Journal check out Nik The Booksmith on YouTube. She has tons of tutorials on binding and creating junk journals.

Watch below to see a flip though of my book...love the crinkling sounds of the pages as I flip through :)

 

Mini Zines in a Box

These were fun zines to work on :) 

'Outside of the Box' is a painted over tin and then covered with magazine pages inside and out. The base of the zine is a digitally printed collage onto handmade paper. I used magazine text throughout.

'express create' was a black tin and I painted over it. I covered it using Dina Wakely Mixed Media Collage Papers. I also used the papers to create the mini zines, adding a variety of text onto the pages.

I decoupaged the colorful slide box with assorted batik fabric pieces. I folded the little zines using more Dina Wakely papers and added a variety of text.

If you'd like, you can view a flip through of all my mini zines in the video below. 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): 

https://uppbeat.io/t/oliver-massa/brighter-days 

License code: F0YWLLHGUU3HWUVG

Origami Gift Bags with Tiny Treasures

 

I made these origami gift bags using 12" square scrapbook papers. 

The finished size is 

4.25"W x 4"H x 3"D

 Easy to follow tutorial at Kimigami.

 

I filled these with tiny treasures. Watch the short video below to see what's inside! 

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): 

https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-valley

 License code: S3GLKG1TZPLNZFPO

 

I sewed the little stuffed pocket "Heart Note' using Tilda cotton fabrics. I made my Origami Frame Book using assorted scrapbook papers. To craft your own 'Origami Frame Book', check out Liberty Grove Paper Arts.

Shibori Origami Gift Bags

I folded (no gluing!) these sweet little origami gift bags using 8.25" shibori origami double sided paper.

They measure 3"W x 2.75"H x 1.5"D.

If you'd like to make some, you can find an easy to follow tutorial over at Kimigami on YT. 
 

Golden Autumn

                                      "Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

                                 fluttering from the Autumn tree." 

                                                         ~ Emily Bronte 

                               

There are always flowers ...

There are always flowers for those who want to see them
                 ~ Henri Matisse

All Hallows' Eve

 Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower and every Pumpkin is a lantern                

                ~Albert Camus 

 

Autumn ~ Enjoy the Short Video

 

Wet Rainy Windy Raw Fall Day in the Woods

 ... evokes a tranquil and reflective atmosphere, 

perfect for enjoying the season 

Hand Forged Pumpkin

I love this! So rugged and rustic looking.

These are horseshoes hand forged into a pumpkin by my ever so talented hubby :) 

Bat's all folks! 

Hope your Halloween is a total scream! 

Hand Forged Candle Holder

                           This is a candle holder hand forged by my sweetie. Isn't it cool?!