Handwritten Goodness

I never tire of writing about handwritten treasures. So much so that when I was asked to adapt Gifted Memories for the blog, Handwritten, I was thrilled. 

This year, I made a pact with myself to compose at least one handwritten note, card or letter per month. The year is half over and I have penned eight so far. Two of the eight were long enough, however, to warrant being typed.

I realized that I lose desire to craft a note when I resort to using  the same box of cards even with the variety of colors and patterns to choose from. I go straight into procrastination mode. So I thought it would be a good idea to have a selection of cards readily available to ensure that my handwritten, thank you's, congrats and everything in between will continue on.

Recently, I made a card with just a stamp and a color pencil.. I wanted it to coordinate with the gift bag and tissue paper. 

It's quick and easy to create something pleasing to the eye with a stamp. I made a few so that I would have them readily available.

Sometimes, when I handwrite a letter, I don't quite like how my lines run off course or the spacing is a little wonky. This occasional mishap is not a complete loss though as I cut and reuse the front of the card and a postcard stamp.  The next time I need to send a short message, I have a postcard ready and waiting,. 

Speaking of postcards, I found these vintage postcards at an estate sale. Postcards bring on instant nostalgia for me. I'm not sure if I will use these in the traditional way or incorporate them in one of my handmade journal creations.

Every so often I  display and re-read some of the handwritten letters and notes I have received. They're special!

Having a bad day? They're an instant  pick me up! No kidding. Every time my eyes fall on them, they illicit a smile. 

I encourage everyone to dwell in a handwritten experiences. You never know, you might just find a handwritten treasure waiting in your mailbox as well. 

Another Journal to Fill

I created yet another journal that I hope will be filled with memories, reflection, random thoughts or whatever her fancy. It was a present for my mother for Mother's Day.

My mother's faith is a significant part of who she is so I used scrabble pieces and paper clips to form the section dividers. She loved it!!! And I loved making it.  

The best part is I used found objects found around my home.  It started with a box I repurposed from a package I received. It was the perfect size for the cover.

I layered the front and back with muslin using mod podge

to make the cover sane as I did for this one.

I used a scrapbook paper on the inside cover.

The library pocket was made from the corner of a manilla envelope. These days, I look at the mail I receive in a whole new way. Anything can be repurposed and upcycled.  I found a template for the library cards which I printed 4 to a page on heavy cardstock.

I couldn't find paper the exact size that I needed so I cut and trimmed  pages from a  half used composition notebook. 

Included labels and photos from her younger days to spark writing content.

Soon after I completed  it,  I was shopping at TJ Maxx and stumbled upon color pencils wrapped in a fabric holder that was almost identical to the cover! I thought they would be a nice compliment to the journal.

I have a thing for notebooks and journals with blank pages to fill and I love repurposing odds and ends to create something meaningful. There are so many ideas rattling around inside my head so I think I found yet another creative obsession calling:)

What creative obsession that is currently monopolizing your thoughts?

Handmade Journal Love

I made this special journal for a very special girl, my niece Jaden. 

The cover is a gessoed canvas, made from recycled cereal boxes and cardboard mailing envelopes. Although I used rubber stamps to embellish it, I hope she will redesign it and make it into whatever she wants it to be.  

Inside, is filled with all different paper types and sizes

and embellishments too!

I think I love the tab details the most. It gives it that extra little pizazz.

Positive messages, a must!

and prompts to stimulate thought. 

Most importantly, this journal is a place where she can write down her thoughts, get lost in her imagination, forgo perfection, color outside the lines and express who she is.

"Let your heart come out and play" as you "dwell in possibility" dear Jaden.


How about you? When, where and/or how do you come out and play?

Opening a Drawer to Thankfulness

Nothing gives me more pleasure than making with whatever you find lying around. And so an orphaned drawer turned Thanksgiving centerpiece remains on the table because like many simple things, it makes me smile.

I was planning to construct a box from leftover pieces of wood, however,  in my search for suitable pieces of wood, I found  this drawer and thought, why not?

Found some old hardware and wooden knobs and well. 

Removed the drawer front and decided on the round pull. Cleaned it up just enough to retain it's old world charm.

Reinforced the bottom and added the knobs for feet.

Made some chalkboard paint using some leftover unsanded grout and flat paint.

So simple and quick. Using what you have makes for the best kind of crafting.

Yep,  our official day of giving thanks is over, however, this drawer will remain open as a reminder to bask in thankfulness all year long.

A Little Holiday Angst

I love the holiday season, really I do, but it seems like every year it comes around faster and faster. No sooner than you pack away the holiday decorations, then it's time to pull them out again and start all over. Is it just me who feels that way? I sure hope not.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love that the  focus is on blessings, family and food. Speaking of food, although there is nothing better than sitting down to a nice spread,  quite honestly, I find the process of getting it to the table a bit overwhelming. I envy people who look forward to preparing their holiday meals. For me, however, by the days end, I'm exhausted. I sound like a holiday Debbie Downer, don't I?  I assure you, I'm not.

Now when it comes to table decor, that's where I love to dwell. Although my table never looks quite like the grandiose ideas and pics I see in blogland and on Pinterest, I have to say I sure have fun trying. LOL.

I love tablescapes, however, I don't love the storage requirements that come with accumulating tabletop accessories and multiple sets of dinnerware. Instead, I prefer to repurpose  reinvent, rearrange and use what I have. I have to say, it's extremely hard to resist all that retail tabletop goodness, especially around the holidays, but I'm getting good at doing just that.

I love this centerpiece box. I am putting this on the top of my DIY to do list.

You can find instructions for this one at The Idea Room.

I'm on the hunt for grey plaid napkins. I'm turning into gray fanatic.  Haven't found any just yet so I might even settle for a grey print or solid grey.

I found these linen napkins at Anthroplogie. The color description reads neutral but they sort of have grey undertones, I think.

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Although they are adorable, the $118 price tag, most definitely is not. Ouch!

And since blue is my other favorite color, these caught my eye as well.

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This lovely is $12. A set of 6 for $72? That's still a little pricey for napkins. Perhaps, I will  resort to making them as well. Hopefully, it all will come together in time for the big day.

How about you? Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Do you enjoy the large meal preparation?

Repurposed T-shirts

Can you recognize the origins of this crocheted piece?




I don't know why, but I have a fondness for undershirts, specifically white undershirts that are no longer suitable for their intended purpose. Yet after they have yellowed or lost their shape, their softness lingers, making them deserving of repurposing.

I wanted some color so I dyed some of them in varying shades of blue and grey.

Next, I ripped the shirts into strips and started crocheting the strips together. Since I was making a bath mat, I wanted to capitalize  on the natural  softness; however, the softness disappeared into the texture.

I needed some inspiration and happened upon this Pin.

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Immediately I was smitten and used some blue yarn I had laying around to try out this technique.

I like the result, however, due to the thinness of the yarn there was openings I really didn't want. I will have to invest in some thicker yarn and give it another try.

I do enjoy the experimental  phase of  maker projects; it gets the creative wheels turning,and imagining different scenarios while incorporating inspiration all around. It doesn't matter that things don't work out as intended. Making is a process that doesn't need to be rushed but savored.

To be continued......

What have you repurposed lately?