SS DT: 12x12 Layouts | Autumn Thoughts

Hello! I'm on the Simple Stories blog today with 2 layouts using the Hello Fall collection.

Wow, it's now Fall already! I am so inspired by this collection because fall is my favorite season among the 4 seasons! Singapore does not experience the four seasons (It is really summer all year round), so I am always enjoying the photos taken by my friends with different seasons.

The layouts I have done this time are taken by my ex-colleague and a good friend who has taken so many nice photos! I am always so inspired by his photography. These pictures are taken by JC Soo, at Liberty Memorial. Alongside with the photos, I also documented some of my favorite autumn quotes. It is a good way to store my memory of things I like at this point of time!

Be Thankful

For my first layout, I got inspired by the hexagons on the Warm & Cozy pattern paper. Love the colors in this collection; it really enhances the colors in my photo!



I started layering with the hexagons on the background. The fussy cutting of hexagons was so therapeutic; I actually cut all of the pattern paper into individual hexagons. I did not use up all of it though; I will leave the rest for another layout. The hexagons highlight one of my favorite fall quote – “Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree” 

For the title, it was easy to pick from the bits and pieces pack! Just the word I was looking for! A little stitching across the title helps to create more attention to the title. 

There are so many elements in the Bits & Pieces pack that I used in this layout. The leaves and acorns are so cute! I like to use leaves as fillers – they help to reduce empty spaces and yet at the same time, do not over clutter the layout.

More embellishments added to the layout. I like this tag – thankful - from the sticker sheet. Just paste it on, and add some more zig zag stitching to join the photo and the tag. Below the tag, I added some more layers of embellishments from the bits and pieces pack. There are simply too many goodies in this pack! 

On the other end of the photo, I added this cute little chipmunk with the wooden logs. This melts my heart! Layering the embellishments one on top another creates a scene, and in this case, due to the lighter color of wooden grain background, achieves a very good contrast!

Autumn

For my second layout, the main inspiration comes from the 2x12, 4x12 & 6x12 Elements pattern paper. I am really inspired by the papers in this collection! Everything else comes into place with this collection. 

First, I chose a dark woodgrain as the background to serve contrast against the lighter elements I would be placing on the layout. Next, I did a fussy cut on the scroll from the 2x12, 4x12 & 6x12 Elements pattern paper. This element inspired me to create a portrait layout with vertical elements. In this layout though, I opted for hand stitching with some DMC thread. I wanted a bold contrast of stitching to enhance this layout; especially so since the background is dark, while the scroll had a lighter shade. I added the title at the top of the scroll, just above the photo. I like how the colors are concentrated at the top of the alphabet. This title came from the sticker sheet. 

Surrounding the scroll, I have added some fussy cuts of the beautiful florals from I {heart} Fall pattern paper. It is a continuation from the florals existing from the scroll page. I have also die cut some leaves and added them in between the papers to act as fillers. 

Some more goodies in the Bits & Pieces pack! I like to use embellishments associated with the photos. The simple yet eye catching trees in this pack works wonders! 

Another cluster, backed with leaves as fillers to showcase a perfect embellishment – Autumn is here. All I needed to do was to fill up the space with another of my favourite fall quote – “How beautifully leaves grow old, how full of light and color are their last days.”

I am such a Fall girl, and this collection has granted me a great journey into Autumn! Hope you have enjoyed the walk through, and thanks for dropping by today.

Supplies:

• https://simplestories.com/product/collection-kit-58

• https://simplestories.com/product/combo-cardstock-stickers

• https://simplestories.com/product/bits-pieces-24

• https://simplestories.com/product/warm-and-cozy

• https://simplestories.com/product/sweater-weather

• https://simplestories.com/product/harvest-season

• https://simplestories.com/product/piles-smiles

• https://simplestories.com/product/falling-you

• https://simplestories.com/product/i-heart-fall

• https://simplestories.com/product/4x6-horizontal-elements-18

• https://simplestories.com/product/2x12-4x12-6x12-elements-18

For those residing in Singapore, Simple Stories is available at Made With Love! :)

 Visit Simple Stories for more inspirations!

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MWL Big Shot Party - Christmas Bendi Card

I can't wait for Christmas! For October big shot party, I am using some fabulous Sizzix dies to create this 3D Bendi Card! Oh how I love creating 3D scenes. Especially Christmas ones. With the new Sizzix dies, creating scenes are so easy!

This card is super special! It can be folded flat for posting, yet at the same time, it can be fixed with 2 bends to showcase a 3D card! When I make cards, I like to build something within it to make it look a little more special.

All class schedules are available on Made With Love FB page and in our store at 313Somerset. Don't miss out~ !

Thanks for dropping by my blog today! 

MWL DT: Long Stitch Binding & some tools I use!

Hello fellow crafters! I am back today with a project for Made With Love! This time, I am inspired by long stitch binding to come up with not only 1 but multiple designed long stitch books! 

The long stitch structure had its heyday in the middle ages when it was popular across the Europe. Typical materials were leather, vellum and cartonnage. 

There are many reasons why I am keen to make use of long stitch binding in my frequently used books, and here are some of them:

1. Cover Materials

The long stitch sewing can be combined with various other structures, whether it is exposed spine, hard cover binding, or soft cover binding. This allows me to work with different kind of materials and explore more into the different "feel" when it comes to cover making.

2. Variety of end product

Not only can it be used as a notebook stitch, it can also be used for making mini albums and scrapbooks. There is also an added possibility of different types of cover. Sometimes, I add a flap to the cover so it locks the notebook in place. I could also leave it to expose the sides of the signature. 

Long Stitch Binding, otherwise also known as Lattice Binding

Long Stitch Binding, otherwise also known as double star binding

3. Variety of patterns

The stitching along the spine is visually appealing and can be altered to form patterns and weaves. Another long stitch technique is done in conjunction with chain stitch. The possibilities are never ending - it's up to your own exploration and imagination! 

Weaving and Alternate Long Stitch

Long Stitch with chain stitch

4. No glue, no fuss

The text block is sewn directly through the cover material which eliminates the need of linings, tapes, hinges, sanding and adhesives common in other types of bindings. Often long stitch bindings are completely glue-free. I like that there is no fuss that goes around this stitching method.

5. Variation of binding strings

Long stitch allows you to explore the use of different strings for the binding, be it waxed thread, twine or even leather threads. Different sewing threads can give a different outlook to the entire project.

Twine

DMC Thread

Waxed Thread

That is why I explore much into this simple yet complicated stitching. There are so many ways to elaborate on the long stitch binding and it is bound to give a different feel with different binding techniques, materials, and colors.

~Some Tools I Use~

If you are keen to get started on book binding, you will need some simple tools to help you along this wonderful journey. Personally, these are the tools which I typically use on a daily basis:

1. Penknife / Craft Knife

Having a sharp blade is very helpful when you want that perfect edge for the signatures. While the book publishers have machines to cut the straight edges, we book binders depend on the craft knife to accomplish the same purpose.

2. Piercer

This tool is another important tool for book binding. It allows us to make small holes prior to the binding process. The size of the hole depends on the type of piercer you use, which in turn is dependent on the thread that you use. 

3. Bone Folder

This is such an important tool when it comes to cover making, or signature preparation. Nothing can crease the way a bone folder functions, and this makes a huge difference for book binding.

4. Paper Trimmer

Book binders nowadays are super lucky. At least you have paper trimmers to help with the cutting of the pages. It is so much easier with this tool, and your time gets reduced significantly. My preferred choice of paper trimmer is from Fiskars, since it has the sure-cut guideline and ensures more accuracy in trimming papers.

5. Cardboard Trimmer

In the cases where I am making a hard bound book, I tend to use a rotary trimmer to cut the chipboards. Compared to the old manual way of doing, this definitely saves you energy and time! 

7. Needles

Of course, you will need some needles to get started. I usually go for tapestry needles when I bind to avoid pricking my fingers, but sometimes, I opt for normal sharp sewing needles. It really depends on the type of thread you are using, and the material you are doing the binding on.

Hope you enjoyed this walk through long stitch binding and the materials required to start book binding! If you are looking for the tools I used, do check out Made With Love. Book binding can be a whole load of fun without much expensive and bulky tools! There is so much more to learn about book binding, so be sure to catch the book binding workshops available at Made With Love!

Thanks for dropping by my blog today! 

MWL Big Shot Party: Bendi Card [ 15 Oct 2016~]

Description: We can't wait for Christmas already! This month we shall build a scene with the Sizzix Snowglobe die set and construct a winter bendi card to welcome the long awaited for season!

Techniques: Bendi card construction, embossing