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.
If you're interested, you can read more about it at the Extension Gardener.
One interesting fact I learned is that it's endangered in Canada. According to Wikipedia, it's also listed as endangered in Illinois and threatened in Maine. In New York, it's considered exploitably vulnerable.
"The Creek Indians called it 'pipsisikweu' and used it for medicinal purposes as did many Native Americans.
It's amazing to think that something so rare in parts of its range decided to sprout right outside our door!
When coiled up, its size wasn't nearly as impressive as when it stretched out to its full length. Using the dimensions of the bricks as a reference, we estimate the snake was at least 6 feet long.
Fortunately, this is a non-venomous snake. Even better, it can prey on other snakes—including venomous species such as the copperhead—so we consider it a welcome visitor!
If you're interested in learning more about these fascinating reptiles, including their habitat and other interesting facts, you can find additional information on Wikipedia.
I followed a video tutorial on YouTube by CelticCreations79—a short, easy-to-follow 3-minute video that includes both the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. Here's the link to the recipe I used.
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These four are perched on unfinished Jenga blocks that have been cut in half, giving them a simple pedestal to rest upon.
For a closer look at how they came together, see my earlier posts from June 13 and June 9, where I share more of the process.
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| Continued descent into spiral bound madness! |
The 3 taller notebooks are classic 'Reporter's Notebooks', measuring 3.75" x 8.4", while the smaller notebooks were made from the leftover off-cuts, giving them a unique, handcrafted touch.
Inside, the white paper notebooks feature a mix of unlined, lined and graph cream-colored recycled paper. For a fun twist, the pink and lavender notebooks are filled with sturdy cardstock pages, perfect for writing, sketching, or crafting.
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| More Colorful Mini Notebooks! |
These are four laminated mini notebooks, created in a style similar to my Chunky Colorful Notebook posted on 6/12/26.
Measure 3.5 x 5 inches and feature durable laminated covers. Inside, you'll find a variety of interactive elements, including pockets, flip-outs, journaling cards, envelopes, and additional tags secured with colorful paper clips.
Created using scrapbook papers from Echo Park, resulting in bright, cheerful designs that are both functional and fun for journaling or note-taking.
View 2 ASMR flip throughs below:
Cut the Jenga blocks in half heightwise, and width of the rice paper was a perfect fit. The blocks were painted with FolkArt Cottage Green Milk Paint, then I adhered the artwork using Mod Podge. Distressed the blocks for a vintage look, added the text and sealed everything with a few final coats of Mod Podge.
For a few of the other desk/shelf sitters, I used FolkArt Vintage Mustard Chalk Paint and experimented with an IOD Fern Fables 2026 Collection transfer design. I love the extra character and charm these details added to the finished piece.
Measure 2.5" W x 3.75" H x 1.5" D.
Inside you'll find a playful mix of flips, flaps, mini envelopes and pockets filled with journaling cards from Echo Park Scrapbook Papers. Additional tags & cards are secured with cheerful paper clips.
Perfect for photos, journaling, note-taking or creative doodles, this mini notebook is as functional as it is fun!
Enjoy a flip through video below...ASMR paper sounds.
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| Jenga Blocks transformed into Desk Sitters! |
Using digital artwork from my stash (CherylFrancesArt) that I had printed onto rice paper, I created my very first Desk (aka Shelf Sitter) Sitters!
Cut the height of the Jenga blocks in half and the width of the paper was the perfect fit. Painted the blocks with FolkArt Cottage Green Milk Paint bought ages ago, attached the artwork with Mod Podge, distressed the blocks, added the text, and sealed everything with a few more coats of Mod Podge to create a vintage chippy paint look.
Measure 2.5 W x 3.75 H x 1.5 inches thick.
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For these two little 4" x 6" notebooks papers used were from Echo Park; the Bookish collection and a floral collection from Carta Bella adding additional cardstock papers for note keeping.
Journaling cards and color paper clips were added in the Wildflower book.
Laminated the covers and bound using The Cinch.
Cheerful pocket size notebooks!
If you'd like, you can view a video flip through below.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/lazy-sunday-afternoonLicense code: KXCL1P59P1TWEIR0
The elements throughout included more blank funky bird greeting cards, washi tape, colorful paper clips for envelopes & retro journaling cards (Echo Park Scrapbook Paper) and colored cardstock.
The book measures 4 x 5 inches.
Another simple project using blank greeting cards!
Below is a short video flip through
Made the pen holders by adding a loop onto colorful binder clips. I glued coordinating pastel elastic ribbons onto the binder clips using Gorilla Super Glue.
The binder clip pen holders are removable!
Simple method to make pen holders for any of your favorite notebooks!
Easy to follow tutorial for pen holder clips here.
Used double sided tape to adhere two cards back to back to create the covers and binding them with The Cinch. For the pages I used colored cardstock.
Fun little pocket size notebooks to toss in your bag!
Easy, Peasy!
Also created boho stickers using digital images and printing them onto matte clear laser/inkjet full sheet labels.
For the covers I glued two cards back to back on the top and bottom leaving an opening for side pockets. I also added a few of these pockets throughout the notebooks.
If interested, you can view a short video flip through of the notebooks below.
Bound these pretty little notebooks/memo pads using The Cinch.
Used a box of blank greeting cards for covers and pastel and white lined index cards for pages.
Covers were cut to size from the cards and glued front and backs together to create sturdier covers.
Lucky that the backs of the cards were also colorful!
Notebook dimensions: 2"x3", 2"x4", 2"x5", 3"x5" and several at 3"x 4".
Lovely garden of notebooks!
Used mini bulldog clips (.75"), chipboard, Echo Park Scrapbook Paper off-cuts & Gorilla Super Glue. Pads used were 3.5" x 5" lined notepads, mini sticker pads (1.5" x 2") and 3" sq. Post-it Note pads. Used the Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper to round the corners of the boards covered with scrapbook paper front & back.
I used a tiny bit of super glue on the backs of the clips to attach them to the chipboard which was cut slightly larger than the pads.
The pads can be removed and new ones added when empty. Added colorful mini pens and some charms I had.
Fun & simple project! Who doesn't love a mini?!
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has been admired for its
beauty, resilience, and
its symbolic connection to
love, purity, and strength.
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| Emily Carr 1871 - 1945 |
Clearly, and in as few words as possible, I had answered these questions from myself to myself, wording them in my little note book, presenting essentials only, discarding everything of minor importance....This saying in words as well as in colour and form gave me double approach."
Hundreds and Thousands is the record of the life, work and thoughts of a great individualist, an extraordinary woman.
Read her bio here
Measures 5" x 8.5" with a laminated cover. Spiral bound using The Cinch. A cheerful, undated/perpetual planner:)
Created weekly and monthly templates printed onto colored cardstock and added folders to store papers.
Each month is separated with a colorful, plastic tabbed blank index card. Lots pockets and sticker elements.
Additional papers and cut-a-parts used are from Echo Park Scrapbook Pad Collections.
View a short video flip through below
Created weekly and monthly templates and printed onto colored cardstock with additional folders for notes.
Included tabs for each month along with lots of flips, flaps, pockets and sticker elements.
For added interest, colorful paper clips were used to include cut-a-parts from Echo Park Scrapbook Pad Collections.
View a short video flip through below
Used double sided scrapbook/cardstock for the cover. For the pages I used single sided scrapbook paper. Rounded the corners of the pages with my Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper. Images on the paper create interest and the white back sides leave plenty of space for notes or journaling. Lies flat for easy writing.
You can view a quick flip-thru below.
Make a wish! For the magic to be at its best you must blow all the seeds off with one breath!Each time you wish upon a dandelion you are sending anywhere from 54 to 172 seeds into the air.
It is said that the 3 phases of a dandelion represent the sun, moon and stars. The yellow flower represents the sun, the white puff ball represents the moon and the dispersing seeds represent the stars.
May all your wishes come true!
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Love this little 4”x 6” Dandelion Book I made entitled ‘the Story’. You can read about the materials used and construction of the book here in a previous post.
View a short flip thru below.
At the end of winter, there is a season in which we are daily expecting spring, and finally a day when it arrives.
Heny David Thoreau
— Journal, 8 March 1853
This sweet little 3.5 inch Honeycomb notebook was bound using my Cinch Bookbinder. I cut the hexagon shapes using my Cricut Explore 3 Craft Cutting Machine.
Added a few chipboard accents to the cover from the Carta Bella Honey Bee Collection.
A simple little notebook, but oh so cute!
Cut the cover for this upcycled mini notebook from a card board box. The pages are from plain brown kraft paper.
The flowers were cut from a variety of colored cardstock using my Cricut Explore 3 and then mod podged to the surface.
I bound the little notebook using The Cinch bookbinding machine. It measures 3"W x 2.5"H.
Another fun little crafty project!
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The basket was made with a 12" x 12" double sided scrapbook paper following this origami folding technique here.
Here's a tutorial for the cute little origami rabbit.
Echo Park Papers were used for both.
The flip up Spring Theme notebook measures 3" x 4".
The side flip mini notebook also bound using The Cinch and themed Farm Fresh is 3 inches square.
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I can't stop! I enjoy constructing these little mini cinch bound notebooks.
Another origami basket, but this one I made slightly smaller by using an 11" square piece of double sided scrapbook paper from Bunnies & Baskets Collection from Echo Park.
The mini cinch notebooks measure 2 inches square. Made the covers by using papers from the same paper collection and added pastel colored, lined index cards cut to size.
OMG! I think they are just adorable, nestled together in this sweet little pastel plaid, spring basket!
You can find a tutorial here for the origami basket.
bricolage noun
bri·co·lage ˌbrē-kō-ˈläzh
Yum! Chocolate lover's delight!
This recipe was from my Betty Crocker cookbook. A 1974 paperback issue that has been much used, well thumbed, tattered and taped.
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Many versions of this recipe online, including video tutorials and ingredients necessary to bake this scrumptious cake.
AKA known as Chocolate Cobbler or Lava Cake.
So Easy! This recipe actually makes its own fudgy chocolate sauce! Just serve warm and add whipped topping or your favorite ice cream. So delicious!
I discovered an easy to follow video tutorial to construct this sweet origami basket demonstrated by Easy Origami and Crafts.
Used a 12 x 12 sheet of double sided scrapbook paper from an Echo Park collection entitled 'My Favorite Spring' to fold the origami basket. Any size square sheet of paper may be used.
Papers from the same collection were used to make covers for my mini 2.5" x 3.5" cinch notebooks. For the pages I used pastel, lined index cards cut to size.
So cute! A basket full of minis!
Happy Spring!
Some recipes throw in bacon, didn't have any so used a jar of mushrooms I had. As directed in the recipe, I used shredded cheddar and also sprinkled grated parmesan on each layer. Lastly, in addition to the butter the recipe called for, I melted 2 more tablespoons and lightly drizzled the top before putting it into the oven.
There are many variations to this recipe and often they start out prepping the food in the pan on top of the stove, then into the oven to grill for the last several minutes. This recipe appealed to me because it was a "one pan meal"! Love Easy Peasy!
Layered everything in my 10" Lodge Iron Skillet and popped it into the oven at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. Amazingly tasty for so few ingredients!!
Happy St. Paddy's Day!
Papers used were from Echo Park and Graphic 45.
If interested you can view a short video flip through below.
Thanks for visiting!
Music: Traces of Tomorrow / Citizen Music
Completed another batch of Desk Sitters made from Jenga blocks! This time, I used several beautiful FolkArt Chalk Paint colors: Cascade, Cas...
