Category : Creativity

622 posts

Soap Making
So I took a drive today out to my friend Patty’s house so she could show me how to make soap. 
I’ve admired and used her awesome soap for quite a while, 
so when she said she’d show me…
I knew I had to find a time to do it. 
That day was today… 
As I found out later what we made today was cold process soap. It used lye but wasn’t cooked on the stove as I thought it would be.
 
She explained that this soap has a “curing time” of about a month which if I’m understanding correctly, hot process soap is ready pretty much
right away.
This photo is showing the mixing process after 
the lye dissolved in water has been added to the oils.  
She is using a deep pot and a stick blender. 
I was really shocked how quickly the saponification
happened.
This was actually the second batch we made but I had forgotten that I had my little pocket camera with me. I was too busy learning.
For this batch, Patty wanted to try out some new pigments she had purchased. We decided on ultramarine blue and titanium white going for a marbled effect. The scent we used was called “rise and shine”. It smelled divine!!
Her hubby stepped in to lend an extra hand while filling the mold.
Now I have to wait for a month until I see the finished product!! AHH!! I’m not known for my patience. If it didn’t take the better part of an hour to drive to her house, I’d be there on Tuesday when she un-molds it. I’m pretty sure she cuts it at that time as well. Yet another question I’ll have to ask.

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Light box
I finally made myself a light box for photography!! 
I’ve seen many tutorials on the web but put it to the back of my to-do list. Well, now it’s to-done.  It may not be the prettiest light box but I didn’t have to buy a thing.
I have to show you the huge difference that it makes even without adding any additional light from a lamp.

This was a picture I took yesterday on my sofa table. 
I thought the dark wood of the table would really make the vintage ornaments pop. 
And they do…but not in the way I was really looking for.

Now look at this picture taken inside the light box!
What a difference!
I’m definitely going to have much better photos from now on…at least for the small stuff.
Now I just need to figure out where to store it so it doesn’t get damaged or dirty but is still very accessible.

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Making cards
Ok…so the thumb still hurts but I can’t seem to 
not use it. 
No matter what it is in life…I use that thumb. 
So I might as well make some cards…right?
I made a lot of cards…
they are like chips…bet you can’t eat just one…er…make just one.

I’ve had a couple people ask me lately about my photo cards for the holidays.  Gifts and such I’d assume.
Which got me thinking…I should really sit down and make a bunch with all the photos I already have!

I also made a few more fabric collage cards. 
I really enjoy making these. 
They are what you might call a labor of love.

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Stacks and stacks of books
When I read about Seth Apters latest collaboration idea I loved it! 
I have tons of books….both ones I’ve created and vintage ones.
Of course, being the procrastinator that I am…I didn’t even start to gather anything until about 25 minutes ago. Boy, was I in for a surprise… I had way more books that I ever realized. 
My stack on the coffee table had to be moved to the buffet where I could use the wall to prop them up!

My book arts stack is very colorful…and fluffy.

I tend to make books that don’t have a chance of
ever laying flat. 

They must sit splayed open inviting a passerby to pick it up.

 

The edges of altered board books are probably my favorite. 
With the ripped papers hanging slightly over and the different colors of paint grazed 
across the edge by happenstance.
I also use stacks of books in decorating my house. This stack currently sits on the mantle.

As a little lift for a plant to get it some much needed sun.

For some height on a shelf.

And lastly the set of books
I refuse to stack.
They are the first thing you see when walking into my house. 
I have my Grandpa’s medical books and his Norwegian Seminary book, my dad’s Bible plus some poetry books from the 1800’s.

Thanks for stopping by today. 
Now I must set my house back to rights…geesh…what a mess I made.

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Little bits of creativity

I’ve been working on a few things over the last couple weeks.

I made the cover for my ABC_alteredbookclub 8th Anniversary swap book. I’m waiting on the last page to arrive before binding.
I used Citra Solv paper for the background then cut the flower from a photograph I took a few years ago.
I added the paper flower and “Joy” brad for interest.

Since we have a few September birthdays in our family I’ve been busy making cards. This one is for my mom. She loves butterflies and flowers.

Lastly, I’ll share a little peek at a mixed-media painting I’ve been working on. It’s not finished…definitely a work in progress.

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Tea Time round robin theme
 
This was the last book for me to work in during our 6 player round robin. It has been so much fun! 
This last book is heading back home to  Canada, hopefully later today.

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Round Robin pages

This is the second to last book in the round robin for me. The theme was “questions of love”. 
I’m not exactly sure I hit what Jana was looking for in the most literal sense but I’m happy with my results.

I’ve titled this spread Secret Embrace

The image is from the cover of an off romance novel.
This is a tribute to Gina Wise…she did some really fun arches for last years ABC 7th anniversary swap with this same technique.

This one is titled Ecstasy

The image is from a late ’60s hairdressing guide. I loved the expression, so it drove the direction of the page.
 

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