BURLAP JOURNAL

I welcome this Monday with sleepy eyes; and a full heart : )
I just spent a lovely week with one of my (2) daughters and her family.
They came to visit from beautiful Montana~ with 3 of my (7) grandkids!  WAAHOOO~
(Please note - that is a Very Big wahoo: )
They left before dawn this morning to go home.
(insert tear drops here)
 But! My other daughter and her family will be here in just a few days!
I am ultra blessed~ (yikes, I've gotta get bed sheets washed!... : )
Here is a Burlap journal   TOTALLY and COMPLETELY
inspired by Lilla from (click>) Just Lilla's blog
I saw one of her notebook/journal/photo holders last year and had to try it.
I have entered this journal case in the "SIMPLY NEUTRAL TUESDAYS" event found at  (click here >) Apples Apricots
Blog!!  This is my first 'linking' : ) I'm starting to feel all grown up! lol
I find the most beautiful things on this blog; and those who visit and follow Wen.

OK, This case was a gift for my sister~
The outside is burlap (it opens from left to right) and ties shut with a pretty 1" wide twill tape (seam binding.)

The inside is lined with a lightweight muslin type fabric. I did some stamping with a harlequin stencil & 'script' stamp.   On the right is a burlap 'pocket' and the left side pocket was made from some cotton (extra wide) lace/edging. This was not too difficult, and lots of fun to do!
I filled the inside with a card (below) and several vintage post cards and misc. ephemera~ The left side pocket is large enough to hold a paper notebook or even a 'tablet' or Kindle.

This is the card I slipped into the book.  It was made with Maja Design scrapbook papers from Sweden.  ( >)  Maja Design  They are gorgeous!  They rip, tear, and 'distress' beautifully. I added the little wooden boat and anchor (I made a teeny sail from linen)~
There is a strip of burlap on the card (following the burlap theme of the case) and a bit of Gesso medium added for texture~
This was a gift for my sister as she took a journey of sorts - to a Ladies Retreat with her church.
She was working thru some difficult times with the help of Jesus : )

On the front I sewed some scrapbook paper, corrugated board and burlap. Then added some bits of this and that.  I lined the edge with laces and a banner style bunting (I guess you call it!?!)  I glued some white buttons on a heart I 'die cut' (>)   from a Sizzix die  (I used a piece of natural batting for the heart.)

Thank you!! ever so much for looking in today~
Blessings to you,
Karen O

Paper Bag Mini Album~

Happy Tuesday!

Today I am sharing a paper bag album I made, for a lady in my Griefshare group : j
It is 3 bags; bottom part folded up- and I used my square-hole binding machine.
(We R Memory Keepers Cinch Book Binding Tool with Square Holes,) - - -
But instead of adding the wire binding, I simply used multi-colors of seam binding to tie the bags together!
This book is covered in soft patterns and papers from Bo Bunny and Prima.
It also includes some lace, fabric, micro-beads, and some  Diamond glitter glass from (click >) Rene Harrisons Etsy shop.   There are lots of little tags & such for photo's or journaling~
 The whole thing then (barely) ties closed with the vertical white ribbon~ WHEW!

THANKS to any and all who choose to stop in and take a look!

I included a supply of photo corners for her to add some pics : )

One of the inside pages~  I used some embossing folders for 'texture' on the tags.
That beautiful butterfly stamp is from (>) Gunhild at Stempelglede stamps in Norway~

This is the last page - the back page is the 'open' end of the paper bag; large enough to hold a small book or a few treasures!

And here is the back cover; just so you can see it: ) The ribbon is secured in the back and wrap's around to tie in the front~


THANK YOU!! I'm off to see some NEUTRALS!
I want to take a peek over at Apple Apricot for  (>)"Simply Neutrals Tuesday" !!
Love love to be inspired by the beautiful entries there~
Have a blessed week~ Karen

(Linen & Fabric Photo Album)
Fall is near . . .  but Summer is STILL here!  : )

                                                                  Linen and fabric photo Album (about 9"X6")

As I peruse Blogland a little bit, I see posts of pumpkins, blazing fall trees and Autumn décor ~
There's talk of it "finally cooling down", and  "easing in" to the times of holiday seasons.
Well - -not quite yet for me. : ) Not. Quite. Yet!

I believed I mentioned earlier that our Colorado Winter's are very looong~
I still want to enjoy the warm Summer days; it is my favorite time of year.  I never like to let it go~

We ARE experiencing chilly (I call it "sweatshirt") mornings! But days are often in the  80's.
I'll take it please.  As long as I can.  But the cooler weather IS on it's way and soon I'm afraid.
Oh, I know I will "yield" to the Autumn, to the holiday seasons, and the cold air  that finally drives me inside. . . . but for now - I will gladly BASK in the sunshine; and soak in all I can!

This is a linen photo album I made in July of last year,  and gave to very dear friend~
I was inspired by some of the creations of Lilla @ (click here>) http://justlilla.blogspot.com and 
Susie Q @ ( > )  http://suziqusthreadworks.blogspot.com/  I love to be inspired by their works~
This album contains vintage lace, buttons, hankies, doilies, netting, tulle; cheesecloth etc.;  and there is also some new fabrics & misc. mixed in~ I did some rubber stamping too~ It ties closed w/the wide silk ribbon.
The 'photo's'  inside are only 'suggestions'/place holders  printed on paper. Some are images for Maja Design (>) http://majadesign.nu/ and some are actual family pics.   (can you find me?)

             Just a close-up of the front top corner.

                     First pages~

           Here are a few pockets to hold photo's, ephemera and memorabilia.

I am smiling, almost laughing right now! Because as of today, I do not have any followers except . . . me! : )  So I'm just talking to myself! as I'm saying all this stuff - : J    But that may not always be the case, so,  Hmmm! . . .  I can 'express my self to no one'  in hopes that someday someone will hear me! ; ) HA! all in fun~
Blessings to you for a beautiful week-end~
Karen

Some of my Canvas Bag creations~

Over the last year I purchased  bulk canvas to make some tote bags~
It's been a lot of fun! and easier than I thought ; )
With just a few basic sewing techniques and some lace; these humble bags were born!  Most
were made with an inside pocket as well.  If you can sew straight lines, (and have a little patience)
you can make one too~

Here I used some canvas (lite-weight)  pleated  'ribbon'  in 3 different neutral colors~
Very easy but takes some time. I actually took time to change out the thread and bobbin  to match the darker color of ribbon! (yes 'mam) But you surely wouldn't have to~
 **Be sure to sew the ribbon on BEFORE you sew the side seams closed!  I used the Selvage edge for the top of the bag; so no  hemming at all!!  The handles are not hemmed.  They are strips of canvas; reinforced with a Zig-Zag stitch along each side. Easy-Peasy~

An ideal larger sized bag - for my daughter; she takes her kids to the library quite often.

 The Handles are made from wide cotton lace folded in half length-wise;  and the bag top is on the selvage edge. ZERO

hemming here!

                           Just a close up.
Most of my laces are from estate sales and vintage shops; but some is new.  The mini rosette's ribbon are  from  (click here>) Prima.

For this one I did not  hem the handle.  I ripped 2 strips, added the dark ribbon in the center and reinforced the ripped edges with double Zig-Zag stitching~  I did NOT turn the edges 'in' on the sides.  I just did a rustic stitch; leaving the rough edges exposed~

 The back side

  A smaller sized bag for my 3 yr. old grand daughter!  The black rosette is (click here>) Maya Road.
I used the good corner  (of a damaged hanky)  for the rose to sit on.
I simply used some wide & stiff seam binding (twill tape) ribbon for the handles~

This was the first one I ever made I do believe~  It is  canvas covered with a vintage handkerchief.
You can see I placed the  'fancy'  corner in the bottom right. : )
Then another piece of wide lace on top; and some crocheted lace  and a rosette twisted from a piece of old hanky.  The bad lighting and my 'genius' camera skills make the handle look yellowed; but it's not! (Whew)

What a privilege that you stopped in today!!!
Thank you and blessings for a great week~

Here in CO we are still experiencing very warm weather during the day (with chilly mornings.)
And I am SOOO HAPPY for that! As our winters are looong~
I want every drop of summer I can get!
~ Karen

Generations Wedding Album

Generations  Wedding  Album

Hi and welcome!
Starting over in Blogland isn't easy!! But here goes my second post : )

I thought perhaps I would post an album I made a while back... for myself!
(How often does that happen?!?  Not very ; ) Don't often make things 'just for me', but I
acquired some great old family photo's and wanted to create a keepsake~

I created an album of wedding pictures from some of my late husbands family; and mine as well~
Though I made this over 2 years ago, I wanted to make sure it got into my blog.
It is my most cherished creation and one of the pic's dates back to my Great-great Grandparents on my fathers side~

There is something about vintage B&W pictures that... makes me want to create!
I want to see them displayed with beautiful papers, laces and bits of ephemera.
I am often inspired and filled with idea's when old photo's are in my hand.
Thank you so very much for stopping by~
Karen

This is the cover (about 6"X6")
Made with white corrugated board, some vintage sheet  music (a gift from my father!) and the chipboard is from (click here>) Blue Fern Studio's. I traced and cut out a mannequin from black paper for backdrop.
Most of the papers used in this album are from Prima; (>) http://www.primamarketinginc.com/  the Almanac and Printery collections~

This page above is my mother's parents~ Juliette and Michael Renee (his middle name); they were French Canadian.
The fussy-cut bird and nest was G45 Little Darlings paper. The chipboard vines are Blue Fern Studio's and the bird cage is a die cut.

My husbands grandparents (mothers side);  Kate (Catherine) and Chuck -  but we all called him "Poppy"~  He was a gardener by trade and had several green houses where he made his living. Grandma Kate was a kindergarten school teacher for many years.

The chipboard is again, Blue Fern. That cute hanger from Tim Holtz.

Here is my parents! Isn't my mother a beautiful bride!

I used lots of home made flowers (Prima papers) and the butterfly; Blue Fern.

This is my fathers grandparents~ I've heard some stories about them!!! Can you see the twinkle in their eyes?  All of the buttons used in this album are vintage - from grandma's jar.

My husbands parents~ With the Grooms parents (Grandma & Grandpa "O") on the left; and  the Bride's parents (Kate & Poppy) on the right. I used some wedding Applique, home made flowers, lace, ribbon and the beautiful bird paper is My Minds Eye. 

What a fun page this was!

Alan's Great-Grandparents above (at their Anniversary party - there was no wedding photo)~ I've always known them as 'Oma & Westy'  He was quite the old salty dog!  Joined the army by lying about his age ; ) and claims he helped chase Pancho-Villa through Mexico~


There are a few more pages...  but I think I will end with this one below.  My fathers parents~
Again, a mix of BF Studio's chipboard, hand made flowers, corrugated board, lace, netting, and Prima papers~

I am so thankful you joined me today!!!! Much blessings to you and I hope you can get out and enjoy the beautiful day God has gave, : ) ~Karen

Starting over... And some of my older grungier paper crafting!
Hi and Welcome!  I was a blogger for a short time - - and have returned to try again! : ) Please let me explain~
I recently  read a post from Rue @  An Old Fashioned World.blogspot.com (I found her on the   'Saturday Spotlight'   from Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage…) Anyway,   She was talking about how she had (deliberately) erased 4 or 5 years of blog posts as she  . . . ' moved on to a new life ' . . . and as she continued, she said "Looking back, I consider it to be one of the dumbest things I've ever done." Dear Rue, I can concur. It was about a year and a half ago.  I had been blogging only about a year? And it WAS experimental - I said so myself! I gave full discloser to my (6?) followers! : ) that if it got to be too much for me (I have a full time job, and at that time my husband was disabled w/ MS) well I told them I would have to stop. OK, it wasn't my husband OR my job that caused me to stop; it was (Mr.) Google himself. I had soo much trouble with it (I am woefully behind in PC/IT knowledge) and also some …'intrusions' and unanswered e-mails trying to fix things...  *sigh*  I got angry, fed-up - - and quit! BUT, The worst thing about it all  is,  that out of anger, I deleted ALL of my 50 some posts.  UGH : P I HAVE done  'more dumber things'  Rue, (PS I don't even 'know' Rue, but I feel like I do : ) But I do regret the delete's immensely~ WITH THAT being said, I have been sensing this return for several months now~ I WANT to try again, and I   T H I N K   I can handle the pitfalls; come what may! Even if there is no one out there - even if no one reads - even if it's just me; talking  and posting my  'crafting'  photos…    : ),  even so, I want to try again. I don't even know for sure  why the 'draw'  back to blogland; maybe the start of my own  'new journey'  in  life -  - But at any rate, here I go! I am mostly a paper crafter, but I also dabble in fabric and lace journals and small projects~ The name Roosterhead  came about  because I have been collecting Rooster and chicken décor for many years.   Well, in my early years of scrapbooking I found a great (Stampin' Up) rooster stamp and decided to use it as a signature on the backs of my cards and projects. The thing is, I felt like the 'whole rooster' was a bit too big looking - so I just used the head part of the stamp; and Roosterhead Designs was born!
This is where I live~ (well, in a house, in the city  : )
Winter of 2011  Colorado Springs, CO
I'd like to post some of my older work~  This is some of my  'grungier'  older work!!
A paper bag card using Maja Design papers from Sweden~ A Christmas card using lots of burlap! Some corrugated board and a 'pik' from Michaels  I used some Gesso white medium on the corrugated board to resemble snow. 2 'Paper Bag' cards with tag inserts. Vintage white buttons were used on the heart~ This is a journal.  I used scraps of all sort on here! A Kraft card with layers of scraps and tags~ The image is actually from product packaging!  My mothers family.  She is the girl front and left - with pigtails and a white dress. ^ A birthday card made from Kraft paper, lots of corrugated board, and  and an old family photo : )  A few paper bag cards and sentiment tags; made with Maja Design papers~
And finally, a cover for a mini album; which I haven't finished yet!! There is fabric, lace, corrugated board, burlap, vintage buttons and 'fussy-cut' paper! WHEW! The hearts are cut from batting material~ Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! for peeking in today~ Karen