Dyeing Seam Binding

I just love making books. . .mini-albums for photos, journals, books from old books, you name it, I love it!  Even though I do love making books (did I already say that?), I think the embellishing is my favorite part.  Ribbon is my go to embellishment every time and even though I have way too much ribbon, I never seem to have the right color.

Solution:  Just pull out the Rit ® Dye, plastic bowls, scissors, and LOTS of white seam binding.  I use Hug Snug Seam Binding by Lawrence Schiff Silk Mills, Inc.  I order mine from Amazon.  It grabs the dye and I can custom dye my seam binding to match my projects.

Let’s dye some seam binding! 

What you need: 

1.     Cut off several yards of seam binding for each color of dye that you want to use.

2.   Fill each of the plastic bowls (not too full) with hot water, add dye color (I eyeball it and test the color on a paper towel).

Stirring to mix the dye and add your seam binding.

4.   Microwave on high for about 25 seconds.  Don’t heat too much as you might set your seam binding on fire!

5.   Remove from microwave being careful not to burn your fingers and rinse with cold water until water is clear.

6.   Pat dry with paper towel.  Do not worry if some color bleeds onto the paper towel as when the seam binding is dry the color is permanent!

7.   Dry.  I like to pin mine to clothes hangers and air dry on my porch.

Now this is what you have!  Isn’t it beautiful?  Looks just like little desserts.

Roll onto “spools”.  I made mine from cardstock cut t 4-1/4” by 3 ½”, cut small slits at top and bottom and fold back the middle section, punch a hole in the top and hang onto a ring.

Or you can just put your seam binding in storage bags, glassine bags, plastic containers, etc.  I just love looking at mine hanging in my studio.

Okay, here are some small books I made and then embellished with my dyed seam binding.

And more books that I have made.  I will do a tutorial on how I made these later.

While I had my dye out I thought I would try 2-color dyeing.  This is what I got.  Not what I had in mind, but still cute, nonetheless.

And I had some leftover beet juice (we like the beet pickles) so I threw a scrap into it.  The result was a light pink.

Have a wonderful day!

“Breathe in inspiration and trust yourself!”

Oh my gosh

I got so excited that I forgot to tell you how to put these jars together.  These are pint jars and I cut my scrapbook paper to 2 1/4" by 11".  Cut out your desired object in the center.  Roll the paper up and drop into the jar . . . it will unwind a bit . . . fill with candies of your choice.  Add tulle bow and tag to jar around the lid. 

So sorry!

Enjoy!

EASTER

Jelly Bean Jar for your children or grandchildren and who doesn't love jelly beans???

Easter is just around the corner so I thought I should make a little something for some of the younger grandchildren.  I am sure that this has been done hundreds of times, but this is how I put mine together.

I used the following:

Ø  An older tag punch from Marvy

Ø  Plain White Cardstock from Hobby Lobby – Pre-cut for card making

Ø  Stamp from May May Made It . . . I love her stamps!  Great quality and selection is awesome.  I am a member of her stamp of the month club which is really economical.  Go check it out at

Maymaymadeit.com.

Ø  Stampin Up Ink pad, Pear Pizzazz

Ø  Plain canning jars from Wal-mart

Ø  Tulle from Hobby Lobby

Ø  Twine from Michael’s Dollar Section

Ø  Brother Scan N Cut to cut out the bunnies

Ø  Scrapbook paper from Michaels

Ø  Jelly Beans from the $5 and Under Store

Now, of course, you can use whatever you have and cut out the section with scissors and you can use thread or yarn to tie on tag and you can use plain ribbon.  The possibilities are limitless and as economical as you can make it.  You can also upcycle old pickle jars.

Here they are . . .  What do you think?

They make up quickly and I think they are so stinking cute.  See what you can create for your children and grandchildren.  Just have fun!

            "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser."
                          -- Anonymous

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays!

Spring is almost upon us!  I cannot believe it!  We have had such a warm winter that my friends and I are very upset as we couldn’t wear our knitted shawls.  Well, maybe next winter.

I have been very busy making birthday cards, mini-scrapbooks, and card folios.  We have 2 grandsons, a daughter-in-law, a very good friend that have birthdays just in April.  I just love birthdays!  It is a celebration of another year and anticipating the year to come.

Here are some pictures of the cards I have been making:

 

And the inside of the cards . . .

These are the card folios that I will give along with their birthday present:

 And the inside of these folios for your note cards . . . 

And this is just one of the little mini-scrapbooks made from one 12 x 12” piece of cardstock.  I did add tags inside for journaling and/or pictures which took another 8 x 10" piece of cardstock.  All-in-all this book is very quick and economical as well as stinking cute.

 

I hope you get inspired from these and go make some pretty cards, mini-scrapbook, or card folios for someone special. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you have a wonderful week!

               “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.  Art is knowing which ones to keep!”

                                           --Anonymous