Match Book Note Pad Tutorial

Here is another craft idea using paint swatch samples...a match book note pad. I love little note pads that are small enough to fit in your pocket. I use them all the time for shopping lists because if I do not have a list god only knows what will end up in my shopping bag with my gold fish memory.

What you will need:

• Paint swatches
• Paper
• X-acto™ Knife or Scissors
• Ruler
• Stapler
• Pencil
• Bone folder or butter knife

1. Using a bone folder or the wrong side of a butter knife, score along the bottom edge of the top color block on the swatch. Fold the edge.
   
   
   ** Scoring a piece adds a notch to the paper that makes it easier to fold. Place the ruler on the fold line and take the bone folder and run it along the length of the fold. If you do not have a bone folder you can use the back side (the un-serrated edge) of a butter knife. Do not press too hard, you do not want to rip or tear the paper.
   
   
2. Using fig. 2 for reference, measure from the fold line to the bottom of the swatch (A). Divide that measurement in half then add .75" inches to that measurement. Using that number (Measurement B), measure from the fold and lightly mark the swatch.
3. Score the new marked area and fold. If done correctly, the to flat should fall short of reaching all the way to the bottom to allow for the staple.
4. Next we are going to measure the folded swatch from the vertical position so we can figure out how big the inside paper should be for the pad. Measure the width and subtract .125" (1/8"). Now measure the height, you will subtract between .125" and .25" depending on how thick you want your book. The more pages you add the shorter the height will need to be.
   
   Note: I made several books ranging from 12 pages to 20 pages. For the 12 page book I only subtracted .125" from the height, however the 20 page note pad required the inside pages to be .25" shorter. You will have to be the judge for what will work best.
   
   
5. Cut a bunch of papers using the measurements from step 4. Double check that they fit in the folded swatch.
   
   
6. When the paper notes pages are in place staple the papers and the small flap together just below the edge of the top flap.
   
   
   

Written by: Kolleen Kilduff from Design by Night

Book Purse Tutorial

If you are a book worm, this is a tutorial for you. This artful tutorial by Hungry Panda will be sure to bring out the inner librarian in you! For step by step instructions with photography on how to make a book purse visit Hungry Panda's site by clicking here.

Recyled Wrapping Paper Necklace

While you are unwrapping all those presents this holiday season remember to recycle that wrapping paper! Large pieces can be reused and smaller pieces can be made into cards, envelopes, accessories and more. To kick start those recycled wrapping paper ideas, Design by Night has created a tutorial for a wrapping paper necklace. You can easily take this tutorial and apply it to other accessories.

Supplies:
Wrapping Paper
White Glue
Scissors or X-acto Knife
Ruler
Chain
4-Jump Rings
2-eye head pins
1-Lobster Clasp
Jewelry Pliers
Hot Glue
Felt (that compliments wrapping paper)
Piece of paper
Pencil

1. Cut several pieces of wrapping paper 2” wide. Vary the size from 10” to 36”.
   
   
   
2. Take one of the pieces and fold it in half. Fold this half in half two more times making about a half inch high strip.
   
   
   
   
3. Starting at an end, start to roll the paper on itself to create a tight coil. The coil will be larger or smaller depending on the length of the paper.
   
   
4. When you get to the end, use the white glue to finish the coil. Hold in place until it is dry.
   
   
5. After you have several coils you like, on a piece of paper arrange the coils into a design. When you get a design you like trace around the outside of it to create a backer template.
   
   Cut out the template and use it to cut out a piece of felt to use as a backer. Take your shapes and arrange them on the felt. Trim felt where necessary to avoid overhang.
   
   
6. Using the hot glue gun, glue the eye pins on opposite sides of the shape. This is how you will attach the chain to your paper pendant.
   
   
   
7. Hot glue the shapes to the felt backer.
   
   
   
8. Figure out how long you want your necklace and cut 2 pieces of equal chain.
9. Add a jump ring to one end of the chain and attach it to one of the eye head pins on the pendant. Repeat step with other side.
   
   
   
10. Attach jump rings to both open ends of chain, making sure to add the lobster clasp to one of them.
    
    

Written by: Kolleen Kilduff from Design by Night

Recycled Scarf Vendor Apron Tutorial

Just like Batman, a super crafter needs a great (and stylish) utility belt. In the craft world a good apron can be that utility belt! If you are going to work a craft show, bake sale or yard sale in the near future wouldn't it be great to have scissors, tape, pen, paper and change all at hand?

If you have an old scarf and 30 minutes Mad About Pink's Vendor Apron tutorial can help you make a useful vendor apron with great panache! So go down to the bat cave, take out that sewing machine and get to crafting!

To view the full tutorial click here.

Recycled Bottle Cap Magnet Tutorial

One of the great things about where I work is that I am surrounded by a group of very creative people who are very open with sharing their ideas. So to give credit where credit is due, the inspiration for this tutorial came from Susan from Sew Country Designs.

Supplies:
Recycled metal bottle cap
Recycled color magazine (I used a free local magazine called the Urbanite)
Scissors
White Glue
1 Quarter
1” wide clear tape
Recycled magnet (free business card magnets or giveaways will work, if not you can buy magnets at craft stores)
Aleene’s Paper Glaze
E-6000 Adhesive
Ruler

1. Use the quarter to trace a circle around an image from the magazine. Take the tape and carefully place a piece over the circle.
   
   
   
   
2. Take a small piece from the cover (which is usually a heavier weight paper) and mount it to the back of the traced image with a light coating of glue. Trim out the image circle.
   
   
3. Glue the back of the circle and place it in the bottle cap. Place the quarter over the image to stop curling until it is completely dry.
   
   
4. Starting along the edge and moving in a circle, apply an ample amount of Aleene’s Paper Glaze. Continue around the circle, working your way around and inward until the image is coated.
   
   
   Be careful not to shake or move the glaze too much because it will form bubbles. If bubbles form you can take a pin and carefully pop them. Your image will appear cloudy at first, however as the glaze dries it will become clear.
   
   
5. Cut a piece of magnet that will fit on the back of the bottle cap.
   
   
6. When your glaze is completely dry (I usually let it sit overnight to be sure), take the E-6000 adhesive and glue the magnet to the back of the bottle cap. Let it dry several hours before you use your magnets.
   

Written by Kolleen Kilduff from Design by Night

Friday Finds: Etsy Road Trip!

Take an Etsy road trip. Some of my favorite creations made from upcycled license plates by Etsy artists. Who knew old license plates could be so beautiful?!


Recycled License Plate Wall Quilt by carolsennstrom



Mosaic Vintage License Plate Belt Buckle by randitan




Recycled License Plate Map Wall Art by recycledartco



Missouri License Plate Guitar by runningonempty

Written by: Lola Miren

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is!

Wardrobe Refashion is a community which has had an online presence since early 2006. Based in Melbourne, Australia, owner Nichola Prested started up the site after deciding to quit buying new manufactured clothing in a bid to do her part for the planet, save money and improve her sewing skills.

Participants of the blog pledge to abstain from the purchase of new manufactured clothing for the period of 2, 4, 6 months or LIFE. They pledge to refashion, renovate, and recycle preloved items with their own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium or make their own from scratch.

Those who fall off the wagon must confess on the blog by displaying a ‘Get out of Refashionista Jail FREE’ card.



This refashionista turned a thrift store tablecloth into a very cute skirt!

The Pledge:

I __________________ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 / 4 / 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed__________________.

The Rules

1. No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.

2. In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!

3. You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.

4. You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

Nichola is taking new members after June 15th. I'm joining---anyone with me?!

Keeping Baltimore Green with Baltidome!

There is a new website in town to keep you up to date on all things green in Baltimore! Baltidome is a growing resource to help local folks reuse, recycle and restore in an effort to keep Baltimore beautiful. On this site you can locate local thrift shops, recycled art, furniture restoration experts and even a list of all local farmers markets and events! Be sure to check back often for new ways you can keep B-more green!

making greenstarstudio a little greener

... and a little easier to hug.
loving a Knitimal™ is easy to do.
loving a Knitimal that has already been loved, uses existing reclaimed fabric and is STILL made without any new electricity or machines? SO much easier.

while i love knitting, and the process of generating a piece of soft sculpture, completely from scratch, there is something to be said for working with materials that have already been produced are in need of some good lovin'. see, i have this sweater... well, i HAD this sweater, and i loved it wholly. wear and tear wore and tore the dear thing until wearing it wasn't an option anymore. it was either put patches all over it (easily a dozen would've been necessary) and hope that knit wool defied its natural tendencies to unravel, OR scrap it. with all the trash piling up, that hardly seemed an option.

...making a brand new kind of Knitimal out of it, however, seemed the only option.

As a consumer, i try to be as environmentally savvy as possible--- i buy local and handmade whenever possible, i re-use water bottles, recycle everything, use bio-degradable doggie waste bags and such. As an artist, i am trying to be as aware as possible of my footprint and perhaps more important, my artwork's footprint. i create new things in a world that already HAS a lot of things... so i try to balance the scales a little. with the Knitimals, i hand knit and hand sew the pieces and i already don't use a sewing machine (the only electricity i need to work is a lightbulb in my studio... and it is energy efficient). i buy yarn locally and in massive batches, so i don't have to drive too often to get it; my 2D work is primarily collage based and i keep and use scraps of everything... so why not apply that to the art dolls as well? exactly my point.

and so, in honor of Earth Day, i am happy to introduce "re-nay", the first (of many) Recyclimals (Recycled Knitimals). one beloved sweater, cut up and pieced back together by hand, stuffed with clean, reclaimed soft poly filling and bits of old sweater. she's just as super soft as an original Knitimal, those soft sculpture sweeties made with only the finest materials and like all Knitimals, she was made without a pattern and is completely unique.

recyclimals, like knitimals are "art dolls"--- they make great gifts for new babies, art lovers, doll collectors and those-hard-to-shop-fors who love the one-of-a-kind. each knitimal comes with a hand drawn name tag (which features the 'story of the knitimals'), a 'caring for your knitimal' tag and a "certificate of auth-yarn-ticity™".

Do you have an old sweater that you LOVE but it no longer fits or a blanket from your childhood that you just cannot bear to part with? I'll turn your favorite old sweater into a handmade piece of art out of something you already love!

to adopt a Recyclimal (or any other earth friendly find, please visit me here
(and, to do just a little more good... now through June 1st, 5% of all my etsy sales will benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, the greenstarstudio May charity)