Fall Garland

Pheewww, glad I got that out of my head/chest, but enough of black abysses and demons- ahem- at least for a while… Now off to fall and all its beautiful colors… those deep yellow, ochres, and oranges (for a lack of a better word that describes that particular color). You know what I mean right??

What better way to preserve those found beauties than a garland?  I was missing a fall garland in my collection of garlands, and my pockets are full of leaves, acorns, pine cones, etc… basically anything that I like I pick up, and everything that has a little twig is perfect for a fall garland.

These leaves had started to dry up, and I love the way they curl up. I don't know if their color will stay, but I'm not after preserving them that way. So they will or they will not stay that color, I don't mind.

All I did was tie them with a piece of thread, nothing more… this would be a perfect thing to do with kids, I think.

And then hang besides all the rest of the garlands... I would have love to be able to do more, but alas, my mind is in the stitching, and it seems that is all it really cares about at the moment.

But I really wanted to show you my new garland and how nice it looks… anyway, I wish you a happy weekend ahead… may you find time to walk in the woods, to breathe all those beautiful colors in, and maybe make a garland or two…

All the best,
Giova

An easter garland DYI with Urban jungle bloggers

I'm so happy to be back for the easter edition of Urban Jungle Bloggers. It was exactly a year ago that I joined for the first time, you can see it here, and what made me realize how a year had gone by, was to be able to see how much my plants have grown since then. You can see the one below is the tiny one I placed as Judith's place setting.

For this edition I wanted to do something very easy to make. If you follow this blog you probably know I'm a "bit" drawn to garlands. And of course this time my plant takes center stage, as well as the mini-chicks and my favorite chocolate of all.

These garlands, which you can make in no time, look perfect as a back drop for your easter brunch, as a craft idea for the children to make on easter day, or just make a few and send them to your pen pals.

And don't forget to bring out the chocolate eggs while you're doing this.

What you'll need is:

• old book pages
• scissors
• washi-tape
• watercolors
• string

And then:

-Simply cut the shape of an egg, as many times as you want, and paint in your favorite spring colors, with your preferred patterns. 

-I made them all the same size, but of course you can make them any size.

-Once they have dried, simply attach them to the string with a long piece of washi-tape, on the back part.

-Voilà, nothing more, nothing less! Easter egg decorating the easy way.

I do hope you get in the mood for making garlands and eating lots, and lots of chocolate eggs!!

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series with the idea to get some green into our homes. Every month Judith and Igor invite bloggers to share ideas for creating an urban jungle through styling challenges, DIYs, green tips and tricks. Every month there is a different theme on the topic.
You can follow and get more inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook.

Have a lovely weekend ahead,
Giova

How to make a scraps of fabrics garland

I think it is not a secret that I absolutely love garlands (in fact I'm a bit obsessed with them, always have), and I really like coming up with new ideas to make them.

Recently I've been thinking about a present I needed to make and thought of this garland which I'm sharing with you today (a garland born out of necessity). I'm also selling them on my Etsy shop just in case you don't feel like making any. (wink, wink).

Either way, I would also like to touch (lightly) on a subject that I find a bit frustrating; I don't mind a bit sharing my ideas, also that you make these or the other things that I've made for the blog to share with friends or family, is the reason why I share my ideas in the first place. But from this to actually find someone selling the exact same things on Etsy is quite annoying, frustrating, maddening … In the end people will do whatever they want, and I think this is a battle I will never win. I just needed to get  that out of my chest (sort of)!! ok, pheewww!!!

These are quite easy to make once you decide on the fabrics and colors you'll choose, which is always the hardest part for me.

What you'll need:

• 7 pieces of fabric
• 2 ribbons or lace
• 1 piece of thick thread
• button, safety pin and charm
• threads in your favorite colors - I used 2 different ones per garland
• a favorite word, and some glue

How to:

-Cut a 65 cms piece of thread and start from the lower part.
-Attach a charm so it gives weight to the string.
-Embroider the first piece of fabric directly to the piece of thread so it won't allow any sliding or
 moving. Each piece of fabric measures 1x1 or 1x2 cms (aprox).
-Glue your favorite word to the first piece.
-Leave between 3 or 4 cms of space between each piece.
-I embroidered a word on the next piece, but you can omit this part
-Then add a piece of lace
-Followed by another piece of fabric, then 2 bias bindings, then a ribbon, and 2 other pieces of fabric
- I attached a button and a safety pin
-The final piece is a piece of old paper with a type written word

There is not a right or wrong way of doing this, which ever way you prefer to place or add things, will look great (I think). I simply followed the same pattern in all the garlands as I didn't want to think too much.

So what do you think? Do you think my friend will like the one I made for her? I surely hope so.

These end up being really light and would be perfect as snail  mail gifts. Even if I say so myself, I think they are quite happy garlands.

I wish you a very creative week ahead,
Giova

Found Objects Garland

I hope you believe me when I tell you that I found all these little things the same day. It was actually a great day. One of those where the weather is perfect, every one is in a good mood, and you find the perfect things to create yet another garland.

It was also a great day because I saw my friend Jone (only for an hour or so), but enough time so we could talk for a little bit and hug each others. 

I think this is a happy day found objects garland!

You could gather your found objects in a week or maybe two? Or  maybe it can be your found summer objects garland like this one? Since I like garlands or strings so much, this is the best way I find to display what I like, and the reason why you see so many garlands in this blog!

I simply tied a piece of cream thread to all the objects, and added a piece of paper with the date (so that I can remember the special day).

I'm always looking for things on the street. I keep a plastic bag in my purse where I keep all the things I find.

Lately I've been looking for anything rusty. I saw this and I'm now obsessed with trying to dye fabric using rusty objects. So far this is all I've been able to gather, but I think it will be a nice collection soon.

Do you look down and keep the things you find? Do you make something with it, or you just keep it in bottles or boxes?

Wishing you a great start of the week,
Giova

DIY- Tissue circles and Confetti garlands

The other day I was thinking I don't like how messy confetti is, but I find it quite beautiful when it is contained. I already pick my share of things from the floor every day, and the thought of itsy bitsy pieces of paper everywhere makes me sweat.

I've been thinking about this garland for quite a while, but didn't get around to making them until now. My idea was to hang them by a window so that when the light hits them you can see all the pretty colors. Perfect for blue summer days (if you're lucky enough to get them)!

As you can see it wasn't a very blue day, but still I like the effect. What do you think?

 You will need:

• glue (preferably not a very strong one otherwise it will tear the tissue paper or wrinkle it)
• scissors
• thin thread
• clear tape 
• paper confetti
• white tissue paper (one big piece makes 4 garlands, each garland has 7 circles)
• you can use a punch hole for the circles if you're aiming at a more consistent look

Cut the circles or any other shape you prefer, and put glue on one side. I found the rougher side of the tissue paper much better than the smooth part for the glue.

Place a thin layer of the paper confetti on the side you just glued and then put glue on the other side, and simply sandwich them together trying to smooth the paper out. Make sure you let it dry on an appropriate place so it won't stick - tissue paper is very delicate.

Then simply cut a piece of thread and place the confetti circles how you want them to look. I used a very thin piece of clear tape.


Some suggestions:

• the more the merrier, meaning garlands look great when there are a whole bunch of them
• perfect to send to your pen pals and a perfect addition to the flat project
• you can always get just one or two colors of paper confetti, for example blue or red for tomorrow's 4th of July celebration, or red or green for Christmas
• place a plastic under before putting the glue, as it bleeds through the tissue paper
• use them to decorate your gifts or parties
• for many more garland ideas go here

**I just wanted to say sorry for not showing up on Monday, but a bunch of books and the World Cup are keeping me quite busy.

Until next week. Wishing you a happy weekend and lots of fireworks on the 4th!!
Giova

Paper Doilies Garlands

I knew I was missing a very important garland for my collection.  Hand dyed paper doilies, of course! As usual, it is quite easy to make, and you need nothing more than a bit of patience.

What you'll need:

• paper doilies
• thread and needle
• food coloring

Tips:

• Don't let the doilies in the water too long otherwise they tear
• Don't dry them flat otherwise they get too wrinkled
• I dried them on top of a heater in the shapes you see, but please be careful
• If you don't want purple looking fingers, wear gloves
• I added a lot of food coloring!!

Wouldn't an entire wall filled with paper doilies garlands look incredible?? Or a hanging from a tree for a summer party? Or for a wedding?

I can dream, can't I? Unfortunately my stash of small paper doilies is running very, very low, and I couldn't make more (insert sad face here).

Have a very crafty day, and don't forget that a most wonderful surprise snail mail GIVEAWAY is going on!
Giova

#12 - Hearts on a String

Paper on a string is my favorite. Not only is it very easy to make, the variations are endless. And well, there is also one for each season, you can see them here, here and here.

I got back from my work trip to NYC on friday. I did what I had to do, which is place orders for my store and find new companies to work with. What I didn't expect (it never crossed my mind), was that I would get terribly sick the day after arriving there. So much for making plans and thinking I would get to do so many things! No! I barely made it to the NYNOW.  I'm still recovering, my body seems to be taking it's precious time to heal.

I haven't even had the chance to send my Valentine's notes out. How about you?? Did you make any nice Valentine's gifts or cards??

Have a great monday!!
Giova

A Christmas String of Paper

I love strings of paper. I love making them and giving them away. If you've been a follower of this blog you probably have seen some versions. They are here,  here and here, if you haven't seen them before. Basically a string for each season, and all that was missing was the Christmas string.

This is the easiest and quickest craft (perfect for this time of the year).

What you'll need:

• any type of paper - I've used old book pages, carta varese, japanese paper
• Christmas stamps
• hole punchers
• thread and glue dots if you're not using the sewing machine

Arrange the cut outs however you like them, there is no wrong way of course. Glue or sew them.

Wrap them nicely and give them away. They are perfect to include with your Christmas card as they don't add any more weight or make the envelope bulky.

Wishing you a great start of the week, and of the month (of course).
Giova

DIY - 6 Paper crafts using old books

Now with old books in my house I've been crafting like a mad woman. This little card, was given to me by Julie at the end of the workshop. It is the one to blame, for it has unleashed an "old book rampage."

She used a really beautiful rubber stamp she had made, and just added a string to tie it.

Lets start with some pretty flowers.  How about a bouquet of neon flowers? Perfect to tuck in with your letters, or to add on top of your presents.

As if my house needed more buntings!  I like how the neon color looks against the old paper. The string is just a bunch of scraps and selvedge tied together.

Strings are really my favorite thing to make. I used some hole punchers, and  I just drew the other pieces. And then to give it a bit of weight I added a few buttons.

I left this one simple, but I really want to make one with a lot of rubber stamps printed on the  paper.

Is never too early to start thinking about the Christmas card you'll send to your friends, or is it??

I bought this note pad at the supermarket, ugly cover, nothing special. Now I think it is pretty darn cute.

Simply cover with an old page that has a nice illustration. Then use your favorite washi- tape, and rubber stamps.

And well... you know me. I had to make some envelopes using the paper. I wouldn't feel "complete" if I hadn't made some.

I'm glad I'm putting the pages of those old books to good use. I'm also glad I discovered that crafts using old books are really incredible because not much is needed. The whole beauty is in the old page (is that corny enough?).

Okeydokey, this is it! I promise I won't be covering lamps or tables with the paper. Or that next week there will be a post with 10 "new" ideas for old book pages.

Have fun and a happy weekend!
Giova.

A String of Shells

We have been back in Holland for more than 2 weeks already, and every time we see the sun shinning (which is not very often), we jump in the car and go to the not very popular beach.

One of my favorite pastimes is gathering shells, and then putting them on a strings (I love strings of things). A very easy craft and one that I'm sure your recipient would love. I'm not including this in my flat project as it exceeds the dimensions. But it is something I would definitely include in a package for a pen pal.

What you'll need:

• shells - especially watch out for the ones with holes otherwise this won't be an easy craft
• thread in your favorite color, and needle
• tassels, pieces of fabric, anything that you want to add to your string
• origami paper for the box

Then just string the shells how you want them. Adding pieces of fabric, or beads along the way. I always start mine from the bottom part.

Have fun putting it together. There is really no right way or wrong way to do this.

I really think that this string makes for a really nice gift. Or at least it is something that I would love to receive.

Then make a little "Masu" box with your origami paper. This box was made by my son, and he used the scissors for a part, which I'm almost certain in origami you don't use them. You can find instructions here and here.

I hope you will be inspired to make your own little string, and to share with friends the nice shells you picked this summer.

The shells I pick usually go in a small glass bottle with a label of the name of the beach. How do you keep your shells or the things you gather from nature? Is there a especial way you keep them?

Have a wonderful weekend and if you go to a beach keep this string in mind!
Giova.

PS: I leave today for Copenhaguen (haven't been there since I was 18). I'm helping with a project, and they were willing to pay for my travel expenses (so if you know me, you know I can't keep myself out of an airplane for too long). I hope to instagram the bejesus out of that amazing city.

A String of Joy

Obviously it is inspired by Dottie Angel and her "have a heart" string (which can be found in her book), but in my case what brings me joy is paper, mail, and stamps. And what a better thing than to have all of them together in another of my favorite things, a garland!
   
           
      GATHER: (basically what you heart desires, but this is what I got)

• all the nice scraps of paper you have lying around
• stickers
• stamps
• squeeze punch scalloped circle from Fiskars
• hole punch from Martha Stewart

I've sewn mine (which is what I do with everything lately), but you can just get a long piece of thread and attach the stamps to the scalloped rounds with either glue, washi-tape or stickers.
Oh, and don't forget to decorate both sides if your sending it to your pen pal (you don't know where it will hang so better to have both sides covered)!!

Have a happy Monday, and don't forget to enter the GIVEAWAY full of snail mail goodies, plus if you don't end up a winner I will send you a handwritten letter (I promise)!!!

Giova.