For the LOVE of Paper

I've been in love with paper since I was young.  I started scrapbooking in the early 90's while pregnant with my son before it was "cool".  There were no supplies so I used page protectors and colored paper.  I still have those books and I wouldn't change them for anything.

When I was in elementary school we made paper beads out of the color comics in the newspaper or magazines for fun in art.  I'm not sure what sparked this again but I thought why can't I make them with all of this scrapbook paper I have around?  And then I started researching how to do it easier than with bamboo sticks or toothpicks.  I would roll them while we watched tv or movies and it was meditative.  I soon had a large gallon size bag of rolled colorful beads.  So then I started looking for ideas on what to do with all these beads.  And I found loads of them.

I found this necklace on Etsy for $80.  I loved it but wasn't going to pay that much money for a necklace made with paper.  So I started searching.  Most people call me the google queen because I can find just about anything with google.  I made this in 2 hours.  I needed smaller jump rings which I got later.  Everyone loved it.

I got some memory wire and beads and made these types of bracelets and this one for me.  I love how it turned out, so simple and easy.  I've made several for friends.  I use a product to coat the beads that makes them waterproof and sturdy.

I made my Mom this set for Mother's Day.  She loves these colors.  Sadly I forgot to take photos of the others before I mailed them off.

I've also started making cards.  When I finished April and all of the National Letter Writing Month I was still in card mode.  It was so much fun and I had joined Random Acts of Mail so I kept on.  I made 2 graduation cards for friends and one for a local policeman who lost his son.  I make gelli plate cards too just not as often as I'd like.  I love to do flowers the most.

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New Adventures

Last year Randy made me a homemade simple loom out of a piece of wood with nails at the top and bottom. It was really heavy and I made 2 tapestries on it and went on to something else.  I think I tend to have A.D.D. when it comes to crafts because I've tried just about everything there is out there now.

I love Instagram and had been seeing people posting all of these weaving photos.  I found Maryanne Moodie's feed through Elise Cripe.  She posted a cute little kit with a beginner loom and all you needed to start on your weaving adventures.  I mentioned this to Randy and guess what I got for Mother's Day?  He's so great with surprises.  I immediately sat down and started warping and weaving or is that wefting?  I've watched multiple YouTube videos, learned some new information and ordered used books.  I've called about classes, found one local that will be in August that I can take and drove to a yarn store in Baton Rouge, LA.  I guess you could say when I get interested in something I dive right in and go all out.  I investigate it fully then see what I can do.  I even researched rigid heddle looms and so did Randy but just the warping on those gave me anxiety and a headache so I'm going to stick to the frame loom for right now and maybe when I get enough courage and some instruction behind me I'll venture out and learn more.

To say this year has been all about learning is an understatement.  I've broadened my horizons and just went for it.  I've taught myself new things, tried new types of art and figured it out as I went along.  Last year I wouldn't have even tried.  I'm very proud of myself.

The beginner loom and my first try with the kit yarn.

2nd tapestry

My 3rd is on the left.  I did all the new things I learned while watching youtube videos.  The 4th I tried to make a heart and added very long rya to the end.  I love how it turned out.

And my 5th one which I'm super proud of because I did a pattern all on my own.  I used all cotton thread for this one and just a regular stick from the yard because I couldn't find any dowel rods the right size.  It looks very southwestern to me.

I'm currently knitting a scarf for this fall with some yummy wool I bought at the yarn store but I got the greatest yarn to weave with and most was on sale so I'll be back at it soon.

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Ihanna's DIY Post Card Swap

I received 7 postcards in the swap.  All are beautiful.  It was so much fun and I hope to do it again next year.

Documented Life Planner

Summer is in full swing and it just keeps getting busier it seems.  I'm going to share my pages from the last post to current.

I'm so glad I've been able to keep up with each week this year.  I also keep up with the weekly days and decorate those too but I'm not going to share those here.  It's been like writing in a journal for me.  It's going to be great to be able to go back and see what I did through the year in December.  I plan to do this same thing for next year as well.

Thanks for visiting.