How-To's Day: CRAFTED Upcycled Stitched Stationery

Since this week (and next) is the big build up for CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles, I thought I would share a project I did for their gift bags. I created sets of stationery using upcycled paper that I saved from a friend also using CRAFTED's rubber stamp with their logo for the design, then stitched onto the paper adding paper detailing. The paper shapes are also upcycled out of old maps, magazines, and anything else I could find that had a nice pattern or color.

In case you need some more details on Upcycling, we define it as using materials that could be trash or recycled but are saved and re-purposed into the materials for a new use. Here, the main material for the card utilizes this really wonderful handmade looking paper that came from a friend getting furniture delivered from Restoration Hardware. All of her furniture was wrapped in this very nice, double-sided, natural looking paper and I saved every piece possible for supplies.  I made sure to swap sides of the paper placing some designs on the  light tan side as the front and some on the reddish brown, further mixing up the assorted nature of the stationery.

Stitching on paper may even be more enjoyable that sewing on fabric... You will just have to try it out and see how much you enjoy it ;) It works just like sewing "regular projects" just keep in mind it really dulls out your sewing needles so if you do enjoy sewing on paper you should keep some needles that are just for paper.

I was able to also source some fancy old envelopes that didn't have any matching cards that fit inside. Once I had those together I was able to determine what size to cut the paper for the cards. The cards are just one piece, not folded and are more a quick note or a thank you.  With the one sided card you get to see and feel all the stitching on the back too, which I think is pretty cool.

Here is a round-up of all my card variations-

I really like projects where you can make multiple variations and just play around with your materials.  Using similar techniques and materials while creating a series makes each one feel similar and together but allows the freedom to have a different story or theme on each card. Sometimes you can create a pattern or image that is unexpected and can open the door on a new project you have not yet imagined, so this can be a really great project too if you have a creative block or just want to shake things up!

We'd love to see what you come up with. Please share comments with us on what you came up with or post to our Facebook to share with others.

XOXO, KC

How-To's Day: Mercury Glass Wedding Votives

Alessandra really liked the look of Mercury Glass which can be quite pricey.  Wanting votive glasses and candles filling the two-stories of the historic Montauk Club would be a challenge if not for this easy DIY project.

For this project you need Looking Glass Mirror-Like Paint and a spray solution of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Solution = 1 part Vinegar to 1 part Water

After pooling loose votives from various sources we came up ~300 short from our target so Alessandra ordered some votive holders to complete the project.  This project is WONDERFUL for upcycling (Making  use of recycled items as materials while saving energy and resources that would be used in recycling) and is a great way to refresh new life into old jars and other glass items.

Spray the votives or item you are working on with a light layer of the silver paint.

Here Alessandra is showing off her technique rolling the paint around in the glass to make sure there wasn't a big glob. Set aside to dry.  After around 3 minutes you can spray a light amount of the vinegar and water solution inside the painted area and lightly dab the paint with a paper towel creating the variation in the paint making it look "cracked".

As the layers of paint build up you can control the opacity more, just make sure the beginning layers you have a light touch with the vinegar solution because it strips the paint creating the technique.  It is super helpful that this paint reacts to vinegar because clean-up is a breeze with non-diluted vinegar unlike regular spray paint.

Layer #1 down! As you can see it is very light and you will need several layers to create a wonderful effect.

Ale` finishing up a votive

We worked on this project in sections which is helpful to not get burned out mid-project. It also helped the enjoyment level by being in beautiful Prospect Park where we could sit out and work in the grass.

Now for some examples from the big day :)

Along side the mercury glass votives and flower centerpieces, we used vintage number cards from Etsy seller 30one for the table numbers shown above.

Here the candles around the cake shows off the hint of pink this Brooklyn Bride highlighted in her Navy & Pink celebration. The bow theme (which will be highlighted in a soon-to-come post) is continued on the two -tiers of their cake which was two of my favorites: red velvet and carrot cake. As a wedding gift and added touch they received the Kate Spade New York "Grace Avenue" Dessert Serving Set which was the perfect addition to the fabulous cake table.

We had a wonderful time working on these votives and we hope you enjoy making some for yourself too.
Happy Making!
XOXO, KC

How-To's Day: Make a KEY piece of Art- Sunprints

Did y'all get the clues yesterday to figure out what the project was today? SUNPRINTS! I had so much fun soaking up some vitamin D and making some amazing graphic pieces for our living room.  Usually people like to do ferns and leaves on Sunprints, which comes out really cool. There are endless possibilities for this medium to create some awesome pictures that are not just your average fern prints- Check out the Flickr Sunprint Community Here. 

How- To: Make an Awesome Organizer

(Here is the finished upcycled organizer made using return envelopes)

Completing our 2011 business tax renewal has reinforced how necessary a book like this is to have handy. It is a simple way to use ordinary materials to help with your filling and organizing of receipts or other small important items for safe keeping.  

March is the perfect time to be  tailoring up taxes and organizing items while doing spring cleaning. Re-organizing your life is extremely therapeutic. Now is one the best times to be realistic with increasing changes to your lifestyle that will make the most of the upcoming year.

When I sort the mail every evening I look forward to separating all the return envelopes for projects like this.  Now that we file everything electronically and pay bills online these things can pile up!

For this project take collected envelopes, or take a couple of days to collect them  from your mail.  You could use any envelopes you may have already too, just make sure they are the same length/size.

Here are the supplies I used for this project.  You need envelopes, scraps of paper for decoration, glue stick/ adhesive of your choice, various paper punches, paper tape, and old stamps. Optional- label maker or alphabet stamps for labeling.

If you don't have a 1.5 Xyron create-a-sticker it is a handy tools to keep in your tool box, and it is super helpful for even distributing adhesive to small items.

By running the paper strips threw the sticker maker the details get glue on them evenly.

The White Pearl erasers are another one of my must haves when it comes to getting glue and schmutz off paper projects.

Here I just covered up the pre-printed areas and attached a previously used stamp to make it look like a decorated letter.

The paper tape I used is like packing tape so it is really thick.  I found it at Staples before Christmas and started using it as our main packing tape because it is really strong and still recyclable.  Below are some examples of sprucing up the envelopes.  Even if you don't end up compiling these envelopes into the organizer you can use these as the conduit for appreciation notes to your friends or co-workers.

These envelopes are all decorated differently but with the same couple of items to tie them all in to each other.  I made 10 envelopes for this booklet.  They all have stamps and a saved strip of ruled paper on the bottom to mimic the long bar code stickers the post office puts on things.

This is where I was hoping to use this stamp that hasn't come in the mail yet :( 

I used a P-touch instead... you can use any method you'd like to label the envelopes.  

Make sure the flap is to the right. The holes will be punched and the book will be bound to the envelopes original bottom.

We save the cardboard boxes that come into the house for future supplies.  You can use cereal boxes or pizza boxes for the cover of the organizer.  Any type of thicker paper or cardboard can make a great support/ material for all types of projects.

I cut two strips of pizza box just a smidge bigger than the envelopes.  On both of them I laid down paper tape to mimic old-fashioned book binding for the covers.

There is such a range of binding machines and products like the one below online. You can check out this helpful post to consider if having one of your own would be useful. You can also go to a copy store and have them bind your items for a nominal feel.

Punched Envelope

Using 18mm plastic coiling slowly twist on the coil from right to left.

There are special pliers you can purchase for the coiling, but I just use normal pliers on these.

Finished front cover above and fanned pages below.

This book will be an easy way to organize and sort receipts. It could also be a coupon organizer or with some tweaks to the decorations a beautiful place to keep scraps of paper organized in your top office drawer.

Hope this project can inspire you to keep the small items organized in this up cycled book.


Back to the grind-
XOXO,
KC

Yesterday, I had an exciting trip to Biola University to meet with a group of students who will be working with us on some ways to help us spread the word and get more donations of "trash" to help with growing demands.  We are super pumped to be chosen to participate with the class and it will be really awesome to hear the ideas the students come up with for us!  We are always on the hunt for materials and if you have any items on our "Wish List" (there is a tab on the top of this blog) we will gladly take any items off your hands :)

Currently, we are aggressively collecting magazine subscription cards and used gift cards for our address books.

Between juggling some new opportunities, prepping our taxes, and preparing our inventory for the upcoming spring shows we have been super busy.  At the end of the day making things is my number 1 priority and I hope y'all understand why to elevate the quality of our tutorials we will be featuring a larger project on the 1st Tuesday of every month.  If you have any suggestions or items you'd like to see featured on our tutorials please let us know on our Facebook site.

How-To's Day: Make Small Enclosure Envelopes

Did you get an awesome calender for Christmas? I love page-a-day calenders of all different themes but it is always so sad when they are done!  Maybe you still have your 2010 Calender set aside because you can't part with it, or you just have some small scraps of paper that you'd like to utilize- Well here is a great project for you!

Here are the supplies you need: 

Scrap Paper (5.25" x 5.25"), Envelope Template, Pen or Pencil, Scissors & Glue Stick.

*optional Paper Backed Tape for sealing* 

Here is the envelope template I use.  I found an envelope I liked and traced around it on a scrap piece of cardboard box:

(Make sure for this smaller size that fits a business card the template is just under 5" wide and just over 5" long.)

How- To: Make Small Enclosure Envelopes

Step 1: Trace around envelope template

Step 2: Cut out paper where you traced the lines.

Step 3: Fold side flaps to the center.

Step 4: Fold up bottom and top flaps.

Step 5: Use glue stick to glue side flaps secure.

Step 6: Glue bottom flap up to center.

Step 7: OPTIONAL use a small strip of paper backed double-sided tape leaving one side of the paper on until your ready to secure the envelope shut.

You'll be hooked on making these once you test them out!!! They will fit a business card or equivalent size enclosure card and make a fun decorative way to utilize every last paper scrap!

Time to get back to work-

XOXO,

kc