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I was out treasure hunting and look at these fascinating items I found! I don't know anything about them other than they appear to be handcrafted. I also found two interesting books that I couldn't pass up, which I'll post separately.
Here are the two books that I just couldn't leave behind and brought home from my treasure hunt.
DANCING COLORS PATHS OF NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN ~ Published 1992
SEVEN ARROWS by HYEMEYOHSTS STORM
Copyright 1972
Below are two video flip throughs of the books...
Music:pixabay; Dreamwalker's Path; Captain_Sleepy/Sacred Earth Dreams; Captain_Sleepy
Variety of vintage ephemera with a combination of Tim Holtz papers was used.
Filled with lots of pockets, tags, tabs and space for journaling.
Below is a short video clip:
(Music: Spatial Awareness-Charlie White)
Great Find!
Color in the Garden Fragrance in the Garden ~ Copyright 1953
If you'd like, you can view a slide video flip through of the three books below: Music: Dreaming - Helios
"Magnolias are prized for their large, magnificent flowers, they are vibrant and fragrant and also packed with plenty of meaning.
The scientific name “magnolia” dates from the 1700s and pays tribute to Pierre Mangol, a French botanist.
Symbolic of many qualities, making them an incredibly diverse statement flower. One of the primary meanings of magnolias revolves around endurance and perseverance. This relates to the toughness of the flowers and the astonishing longevity of the species – magnolias have been around for millennia."
According to Petal Republic
These miniature Blizzard Books measure approximately 1.75 × 2.5 inches. The pages are folded from Sumi Art Paper (washi/rice paper), while the covers are made with Bauhaus and Marble Design Papers from Pepin. Each book features 14 pockets and a pleated-closure cover.
To make a book this size, you'll need a piece of paper measuring 5.5 × 26 inches. I cut mine from a roll of washi paper to achieve the required length. For the cover, you'll need a piece of paper measuring 5 × 12.5 inches.
I followed the instructions in Hedi Kyle's The Art of the Fold to create both the Blizzard Books and their pleated-closure schoolbook covers. The entire project is made by folding alone—no sewing, glue, or staples are required.
If you don't have a copy of Hedi Kyle's book, you can also find the video tutorial links I shared in a previous post.
Below is a short slide video:
I used Echo Park Scrapbook Papers, pastel lined index cards and colored cardstock for the pages of these mini notebooks all bound with The Cinch.
These miniature Blizzard Books measure approximately 1.75 × 2.5 inches. The pages are folded from Sumi Art Paper (washi/rice paper). The orange book, including both its pages and cover, is folded entirely from the same handmade paper from India. The covers for the other three books are folded from screen-printed designs on recycled newspaper by Norman's Printery, which I believe are no longer available.
I followed the instructions in Hedi Kyle's The Art of the Fold to create both the Blizzard Books and their pleated-closure schoolbook covers. Everything is made entirely by folding—no sewing, glue, or staples required!
Paula B. Krieg also offers easy-to-follow tutorials for both projects on her
YouTube channel. In one video, she explains how to calculate proportions,
customize the Blizzard Book/Card Carrying Case, and in another demonstrates the folding process. In another, she shows how to fold the Pleated Closure Book Cover.
Very delighted with the treasures I found 😊!
After all, they say...Presentation is everything!
I had hoped to get out and photograph the many mushrooms growing in our area before the torrential rains swept through, but I didn't make it out until after the storm had passed. By then, these resilient little fungi had endured sheets of rain and even a brief barrage of hail. The National Weather Service issued an emergency tornado warning for our area and urged everyone to take shelter. Thankfully, no tornadoes touched down in our county.
We were fortunate to experience only a few downed tree limbs and scattered debris, which were cleared with simple clean-up. There were no confirmed reports of storm-related injuries. However, the county experienced significant impacts, including widespread downed trees and downed power lines causing outages and blocked roadways.
Though battered by the storm, the mushrooms seemed all the more beautiful for it. Their weathered caps and worn edges gave them a quiet character and charm, as if each one carried a story of resilience written by the wind and rain.
View a brief slide video below:
Sweet wildflower greeting cards are transformed into beautiful, sturdy covers for these handcrafted mini notebooks.
Each cover is made by mounting two cards back-to-back for durability and charm.
Select cards are also featured inside as pockets, secured at the top and bottom to hold pastel cardstock journaling inserts.
Inside, coordinating pastel papers, lined index cards, and delicate floral line-art pages create a soft, cohesive look throughout.
Bound using The CInch
Dimensions: 3.5" W x 5" H
View a short video flip thru below - ASMR
This was a great 'scrap busting' project! Typically these are referred to as 'post-it note holders' or 'sticky pad note holders'. At the moment I was out of 'sticky pads' so I decided to refer to these as just 'desktop easel note holders'. I had lots of paper off-cuts so I trimmed them to size to fit into the holders.
Here is an easy to follow video tutorial by Einat Kessler. She provides you with cutting dimensions, and demonstrates how to score, fold and glue to make this DIY Easel Note Box.
I made one box with the dimensions she provided and then adjusted the measurements and made two more slightly larger Note Boxes.
I have tons of notebooks, but I'm always reaching for a piece of scrap paper to just write a little note. These will be handy to have around my craft room!
This was a great find, even includes some of the previous owners' handwritten and saved recipes.This hardback cookbook, titled 'Balanced Recipes,' was copyrighted 1933 by the Pillsbury Flour Mills Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The cookbook features a durable metal cover with the title embossed on the spine and a decorative design on the front.
The pages are bound by a secure metal ring binding system, and the tabs separating the sections are intact. Inside, the book includes classic recipes prepared under the personal direction of Mary Ellis Ames, head of Pillsbury's Cooking Service.
Below is a short slide video of the cookbook
You can find basic information about The Art of Hand Block Printing here.
If interested, you can do a google search for a more in depth explanation of this traditional textile technique that involves hand-carving wooden blocks to create intricate patterns onto fabric and various surfaces using natural dyes.
Disclosure: I'm not an affiliate, don't receive a commission for the product. Just sharing my honest appreciation for the product.
I used double-sided holiday scrapbook paper from the Carta Bella Collection to cover both the notebooks and to make the dust jackets. I added tuck spots to the front and back covers of the books and inserted holiday theme tags in each.
Makes a thoughtful little holiday gift!
If you'd like to know how to make your own, check out The Posh Paper Lady.
You can view a short slide video below:
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/home-for-christmas
License code: DBPOLBUSYTPYWH6N
Snail Convention
While researching 'snails' I learned something rather astonishing...at least unbeknownst to me.
There is a snail slime extraction market industry. They harvest mucus from snails for a variety of uses, particularly cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
"The global snail slime extract market was valued at USD 555 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 850 million by 2032. Key growth drivers include rising consumer demand for natural skincare and the proven efficacy of snail slime in skin repair and anti-aging"... According to 24marketreports.com
Wow! once again...who knew?!!
I love these beautiful William Morris design papers from Pepin. They make such elegant covers for these handmade top-spiral notebooks, which I bound using my Cinch Book Binding Machine.
Each decorative paper was carefully adhered to bookboard that I cut to size, creating sturdy, durable covers designed to last.
The collection includes two reporter's notebooks (also known as tall spiral memo pads), each measuring 3.75" × 8.25". They contain 40 lined, cream-colored sheets (80 pages).
The smaller notebook measures 4" × 5.5" and contains 36 unlined, cream-colored sheets (72 pages).
These notebooks are perfect for journaling, note-taking, lists, sketching, or tucking into a bag to carry wherever inspiration strikes.
As a kid, I spent hours drawing. We didn't have much, but we always had a pencil and paper.
I've always loved the look of loose watercolor with pen and ink (aka line & wash) and have experimented with them a bit over the years. Hmm, maybe it's time to pick up the pencil and brush again...
Seeing it jogged my memory. I remembered winning an earlier award back in grade school. We were assigned a project to use leftover scraps of colored construction paper from a previous project to create a brand-new piece of art. They liked my 'scrappy art'!
No wonder I'm so good at 'scrap busting' !😊
I used double-sided scrapbook paper from the Carta Bella Collection to cover both the notebooks and to make the dust jackets.
Makes a thoughtful little gift!
If you'd like to know how to make your own, check out The Posh Paper Lady.
You can view a short slide video below:
For the two books that measure 4 inches square I've used high quality double-sided Japanese Shibori Origami Papers. The smaller book that measures 3 inches square, I've used a collection of Origami Papers from Yasutomo featuring unique designs created by Artist Karen Elaine.
Liberty Grove Paper Arts has an excellent video tutorial if you'd like to make your own Origami Frame Book.
Below is a short slide video of the three books.
Two Mini Laminated Traveler’s Notebooks
Each notebook set includes:
Both notebooks were handcrafted using beautiful Stamperia scrapbook paper off-cuts from my personal stash, making each set unique.
These fun, pocket-sized traveler’s notebooks measure approximately 3" x 5" with a 0.75" spine—perfect for journaling, note-taking, lists, or creative inspiration on the go!
You can view a short video flip thru below - ASMR
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Each notebook contains 40 sheets of paper (80 writing surfaces). |
"Sumi-e-Washi-Rice" papers were used for the pages, which lend well to pencil sketching and pen and ink. Each notebook measures 3.5" x 5" and is hand sewn with durable waxed linen thread using a traditional five-hole pamphlet stitch. Ivory parchment paper endpapers add a lovely detail.
The mini sticky note pads are 1.5 x 2 inches. The finished notebooks are 2 inch squares. I bound them using The Mini Cinch. An easy project to use up lots of my stash.
I was inspired by 'craftytinas', she showed how to use up lots of leftover scraps for this project. I made mine simple and just left the black bookboard exposed as the base and used cute summer stickers to decorate.
A simple, 'scrap busting' project!
I created this Origami Frame Book and coordinating Tato Box using Yasutomo origami papers.
Colorful cardstock was cut to size to insert into the frames which created the base for the lovely botanical images. The artwork comes from the Fern Fables collection by Iron Orchid Design Transfers. They add a beautiful nature-inspired touch.
I decided to let the images trail and transfer onto the frames, and I was happy with the result.
A simple hemp cord tie provides a charming and functional closure for the book.
The Origami Frame Book and Tato Box measure 3 inches square. The book includes 10 pages, counting both front and back covers. When fully open, the book extends to 30 inches.
The Origami Frame Book was made following the video tutorial by LibertyGrove Paper Arts, while the Tato Box was created using the tutorial provided by Yasutomo demonstrated by Karen Elaine.
You can view a slide video below
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| Thinking COOL thoughts in the 90 degree temps! |
Smallest at 3" x 4" and largest at 5" x 7". I used my handmade distressed papers for the pages. Largest booklet has 16 sheets (32 pgs). Smaller booklets have 8 sheets (16 pgs) and one having 6 sheets (12 pgs).
Using select digital images from KBandFriends I printed these onto cardstock to create the covers and ephemera.
Below is a short slide video featuring the pamphlets.
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad is a classic summertime dessert that's light, refreshing, and incredibly easy to make.
Ingredients
1½ cups Cool WhipDirections
In a large bowl, mix the Cool Whip and whipped cream cheese until smooth. Drain
the canned fruit thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming watery. Gently fold in the marshmallows, mandarin oranges,
pineapple, and maraschino cherries. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
Just before serving, I like to add extra fresh fruit if I have it on hand. Sliced bananas, strawberries, and green grapes are all delicious additions and add even more color and flavor.
There are many variations of Ambrosia Salad. The classic version typically includes shredded coconut, so feel free to stir in about 1 cup if you enjoy it.
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These pocket notebooks are handcrafted using the pages of a vintage 1982 Cape Cod and Islands Atlas and Guide Book as their covers.
The maps feature locations including Downtown Falmouth, Provincetown Harbor, and Martha's Vineyard, making each notebook a small piece of Cape Cod history.
While bookcloth is traditionally used on the outside of a book, I wanted the vintage maps to take center stage. By adhering the maps to sturdy bookcloth, I created covers that are both durable and beautiful. The bookcloth also becomes an attractive interior lining, giving each notebook a finished, handcrafted look inside and out.
Each notebook measures 3.5" × 5" and is hand sewn with durable waxed linen thread using a traditional five-hole pamphlet stitch. Parchment paper endpapers add an elegant finishing touch.
Each notebook contains 36 cream-colored pages (72 writing surfaces). One notebook features graph paper, one has lined pages, and one contains blank pages, offering a variety of options for writing, sketching, or journaling.
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Cat-Themed Desk Sitters With Playful, Quirky Phrases! |
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!
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:
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| Fisher Space Pen |
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! ☺
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.
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.
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.”
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| 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.
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.
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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.
I was out treasure hunting and look at these fascinating items I found! I don't know anything about them other than they appear to be ...
