Today, I did my take on one of Beth's Romantic Gothic Ghost designs. I kind of combined her instructions for the wall hanging and the trick or tote bag and used them on a canvas bag that I already had. Plus I cheated a bit, I used glue, didn't sew. And even more cheating? She left one of her ribbon roses over here after making the how-to video. I scooped it up and glued it down!
I also made a few more cuffs. I have some special people in mind for them. But the white velvet was looking a little too bright, so I dipped each in my leftover coffee and they look much better. I happened to have the coffee out, to follow Beth's directions for tea dying the bag. But I used coffee instead.
That is whats nice about the class, there are great images to use, and lots of ideas for you to take on as your own and run with. Or you can do the detailed step by step process too. Either works!
Its not too late to sign up and make some gorgeous, ORANGE -FREE fall decor for your own home.
And don't forget, you can win one of my completed projects from the class by leaving any comment any time this month.
Usually, I don't join in on many swaps. Especially at Silver Bella. The first year that I went, I was clueless and didn't know that how magnificent the swaps were. Then, the next two years, I was vending and BUSY getting ready.
This year I am not vending. Carol isn't either. We are calling ourselves the Slacker Bellas. No vending, no Glitter Lounge, we are just kicking back and enjoying the experience!
So I had to join in on some swaps since I finally had time. I'm doing Michelle's journal plus a private swap with a few close friends.
I was so lucky to find a 1941 autograph book from a school kid in Nebraska. How perfect for the pages of the swap!
(I'd say little Marie is an art major, see her flower? And did she really write Gorget me not?)
We needed 15 pages, which didn't seem that tough. Till I realized it was all 4 sides. Hmm, that is really SIXTY pages.
But once I got going, they were pretty simple to do.
I covered a piece of card stock with a crazy quilt patchwork of wallpaper, and trimmed each out with old millinery, lace, ribbon, and an old envelope.
These were then folded in half, so that is two pages right there.
The outsides were simply covered in sheet music or ledger paper, then I added a page from the 1940s autograph book over that, as a flap to lift up and write on the back or glue a photo underneath.
No two were exactly alike even though they were all made the same way.
60 sides went much quicker than I'd have thought and I loved making them. If I'd had more time, I'd still be sitting there making page after page, there was something soothing about having a groove going. To be making the same idea over and over, but each a bit different.
Having a similar plan for each one was enough to allow me to day dream as I worked, but they still needed enough attention to detail that I wasn't bored with them and had fun sifting through my piles of leftovers and scraps to create the layered pages.
And while I'm talking swaps… I need to remind all of the Dorothys to head on down that yellow brick road to the nearest PO and get their tags in the mail to me back here in Kansas by Sept 30.
The packages are coming in, and I have not opened them all yet. I've peeked here and there and have found some wonderful things- can you believe this Tinman????????? It is the coolest thing ever! Its by Amy Cooper and she also made this cute as can be, ruby slipper tote for me!
I might be able to slip my own little Toto, Agnes Rosebud into it.
Thanks, Amy!
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PS- I'll be in Texas for a few days, yep, Roundtop!
I've always wanted to go.I know I'll be spending too much, so I'm having a sale in the Boutique to replenish my funds. Type in this code at checkout:
Roundtop
and you'll get 20% off of every purchase!
I usually join in too many swaps and then forget the dates then send it out just in the nick of time after staying up WAY to late to put it all together! Oh well…at least I don’t flake out and completely forget!!
I am so happy you became a swapper!!!
your little journals are really cute. Love the tinman and that ruby slipper bag is adorable.
hi Karla !
your journal pages are amazing ! i’m doing the #2 swap -piggy backed with michelle and i’m very anxious to see everyones journal pages. just fabulous. plus, it’s my first bella experience and i can’t wait to meet the bloggin world 🙂
only 7 more weeks – eek !
How lovely Karla!!
Beautiful journals~~cute but you two are not a slackers!! you will have a fab time creating, enjoying your time and less stress~~no setting up and tearing down a booth!!
xo
K
I’m lovin the cuff’s!!!! And the tote is pretty awesome. Oh swaps… It’s a LOVE HATE relationship. Love to sign up, love to get them, HATE to have a million of the same thing to make over & over. Hate to wait to the last minute to finishe. LOVE the results! See ya Sunday! HUGS! Charlene
Karla…those books are beautiful! Love all the little touches of trims. Your blog is a feast for my eyes. Thanks for the daily treat I get when I visit your site. Patty in Kansas
Wonderful creations karla. Love those cuffs and your amazing bag.
Sounds like a lot of fun with the swaps.
~ Tina
60 pages, wow! I love the ones you have shown, so pretty!
Karla,
they are marvelous, -love the crasy paper quilt, the flowers on envelope-the front so beautifull-everything-
and the new cuffs, are gorgeus ,too, love you dipped them in coffee…
Have a beautifull day,
hug ,Dorthe
Karla, how inspiring you are! Loved your on line class. I hope you and Beth do another one soon! Have a Blessed day- Kim
LOVE your journal pages-gorgeous as always…so glad I am in that swap with you! Pack your bags and get your boots on…I’ll see you in TEXAS on Friday!
xo suzanne
Karla,
Your SB journals are soooo pretty. Unfortunately, I am not in that swap. I am however doing 4 other swaps and need to get busy with all of them! Such a cute ruby red slipper tote and the tinman is awesome!!
Karla, I love the journal pages. Swaps are fun, but I get stressed when I sign up for a lot, and then have to scramble to get them finished. I am going to cut back on swapping, so that I can also quilt. Have a great day.
Tags are almost done — just working to revisit my “Scary Dorothy” tag. She doesn’t look scared — she looks creepy. Her creep factor may be out of control, so it might be back to the table!
Love the journals — I know the swap standard is high, but I know you’re at the top of the pack!
Karla, They are all lovely!! I bet you had fun making them and the recipents will be ever so thrilled!
Sandy
karla,
ur pages rock, not in that swap but have plenty on my plate. cant wait to meet u at silver bella!
by the way what is the glitter lounge?
tabitha
Karla your pages are SENSATIONAL!!! Thank you! Can’t wait to see them in person!!
That bag and cuffs are absolute works of art! So gorgeous!
Your Bella experience sounds great this year! Enjoy it. And I love the expression Slacker Bella. 🙂
Karla, Those books are wonderful. I can see why you want to do more…they just seem to fly right out of you so naturally! I love those cuffs, too
Slacker Bella is hilarious. I hadn’t a clue, either. It’s amazing how professional those swaps are. And the classes…it didn’t blow my mind that my teachers were so talented. It just blew my mind that all the people sitting next to me were incredibly talented!!!
Bless your heart for having the party for those Freshman and especially my little sister, Julie!
Suz
Aaaaaaaaa! That journal for your SB swap. Oh. Dear. G…..
OH… have fun at Roundtop. something I have on my bucket list to do!! and love the cuff bracelets!!
Your books are so, so pretty! And the canvas bag!!! EEEk!
Roundtop sounds so wonderful and is on my lists of “one day”… LOL
I love the journal pages…. me thinks I want to take an online class on making these (any suggestions?). I’m loving the cuffs, too…. my Dorothy tags are going in the mail tomorrow. Happy Wednesday! 🙂 mercedes
OK, I’ve tried, really I’ve tried. But I cannot figure out how there are 4 sides to pages in a journal. Help me out here so I can get to sleep! I do very much like your wallpaper patchwork with all of the ribbons, lace, ruffles and flower foofing. So very Karla.
Karla, I’m doing the other journal swap at SB, and had to do the 60 pages too! It was the most fun I’ve had in AGES!! I didn’t want to stop so I did that portfolio, too (posted on my blog several days ago)! Your pages are GORGEOUS!! I love that tin man like crazy, too!
Your pages and your book are GORGEOUS!!! Hopefully I’ll get to play with you at Silver Bella one of these years. Have fun with my buddy Lisa at Round Top!
Lovely swap.