MWL DT: Binded Album | Taiwan Getaway Album (with heart stitching)

Hello! Today, I am back with an album for Made With Love! Time has flown really fast, and it is already heading into the second week of February! February is a month of love, and I always try to do something special for my hubs. This month, I am inspired by the Crate Paper Oasis Collection - I am really into a mood of travelling! Therefore, I thought, why not combine a travel album with a love theme? That could really hint my husband! *evil laughs*

Of course I had to include stitching alongside with this album! This time, I am choosing a leather spine combined with the chipboard covers. I like the softness of the spine, and makes the album super versatile during the flipping process. This is the Sizzix Turquoise 3"x 9" leather, very useful for album spine making or die-cutting embellishments to make a pretty necklace! 

This stitching combines some knowledge of construction and long stitch binding. The heart has a random consistency in the stitching, whilst the long stitch on the top and bottom side enhances the contrast towards the centre heart. I get a satisfaction highlighting sewing features on the spine. 

Yes, that is my super loved mint typewriter from We R Memory Keepers! This is such a jewel! You will need this for every single project! This time, I used the typewriter to create a background for my album page. You could type your sentiments or some thoughts and layer them on your projects too. The background was a page I lifted from Dictionary.com - oh yes, I typed the meaning of the word Oasis!

The Crate Paper Oasis Collection has a superb selection of pattern papers and wide range of embellishments, which makes it super easy to decorate the pages! I enjoyed playing with this collection, especially including the use of stamps, chipboard pieces, gold puffy phrases and vellum on my pages!

This is one of my favorite page in the album. Here, I have used a variety of embellishments on the pages! Changing my usual style a little using chipboard and vellum to layer the pages. I am loving this new look! 

Well, let's hope this album reminds the husband to bring me on a trip soon! Hope you enjoyed this walk through the album. Thanks for dropping by my blog today! 

*All materials used are available at Made With Love. 

• Sizzix - Turquoise 3"x 9" Leather
• Crate Paper - Oasis Collection pattern papers, vellum sheet, chipboard, stamp and puffy phrases
• We R Memory Keepers Typecast - Mint

MWL Workshop: Sew Xmas [Dec 2016~]

Description : This intense stitching class is going to get you hooked for more! We will be using a range of stitching methods to create unique pieces of handmade work in this class. Let your Christmas shine in style!

Techniques Learnt: Secret Belgium Binding, Album Construction, Weave Stitch

MWL DT: 5 Questions (and a hand stitched wedding album!)

Hi everyone! I am joining alongside with the other Made with Love design team members who will be answering 5 questions for our DT posts. This marks a special edition and hope you get to know us better!

For first, I would like to share a recent project I have done. I believe in simplicity- so cardstocks, some simple/basic pattern paper and diecuts aid the creating process in most of my works. 

Here is my recent work:

In this 8.25" album, I used primarily cardstocks for the album cover and spine. The navy blue cardstock really helps to enhance the stitching. Here I used single coptic method to stitch the names. Since I was going to use the Sizzix Plus Ampersand die set on the front cover, I decided to use a smaller N in the stitching. The front and back covers were embossed by the Sizzix Plus Embossing Folders - Botanical Swirls. Embossing is a beautiful method. It gives texture and yet not too much detail. It is just enough for other decorations to take place above it! 

Here is a closer look at the front cover:

Using the Big Shot Plus machine really expands my possiblities of crafting and book binding! Want to know more about the Big Shot Plus? Be sure to make a trip down to Made with Love and the friendly staffs will be able to show you a demo.

All products used are available in Made With Love.

Ok, now its time for the 5 Questions (and 5 answers) :

1) Who am I ?

This year marks a new beginning to my life. I am a new wife to my dear husband, who is super supportive of my other love life - paper crafts and book binding. I began book binding as little as age of 5, but concentrated on it more during my teenage years (up till now and beyond!). It was by chance I got to pick up scrapbooking 10 years ago, and I never looked back since. It has been a wonderful journey merging 2 things I love in my projects. Currently, I am on a few design teams - Made With Love, Simple Stories and Maya Road. I am also an instructor at Made With Love alongside with the creative brains. 

2) What is my creative style ?

I was known to many for my browns and vintage style in the earlier days. Throughout the journey, my style has changed towards brighter tones. I really like the changes along this journey, it helps me explore more into the creative process and experience different moods. Embrace the changes! It is fun to look through the past works and see how different your style will change! Afterall the creative process is one filled with joy and experience!

3) What inspires me ?

Everything. I like to stare at building structures, artwork of posters or a stitching design on a sweater. They give me the inspiration I need. It can be in the form of structure on a layout or a stitching pattern I use on my books.

4 What I love about being Singaporean ?

The harmony of different races living in one country. This is especially special for me since I have travelled to countries. Because of the racial harmony, there is also a well balanced spread of food choices in the food courts! Oh well, where else can one find such a spread of food just in one place? I am super proud to be a Singaporean!

5) What do I wish for ?

Health. For my family and for my friends. There is nothing more important than health. With good health, everything else is possible.

There you go! Hope you got to know a bit more about me. Do stay tuned to the DTs who will be sharing their answers to the 5 questions too!

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 DT: Single Coptic Stitch with name - Mini Album

Hi crafters! It's me today sharing my mini album as Made With Love DT and I had so much fun with stitching this time round!

I wanted to personalize the album for my friends. My best friends. There are so many albums I want to document our friendship so I reckon that an album with a named spine might be useful. Think of how they look if you create a few albums and put them side by side on the book shelf?

This form of sewing uses the single coptic stitch. There is so many possibilities with one form of sewing, and I am happy to be expanding the stitches to create the spine I want.

This mini album took me 2 hours to sew and another half hour for decoration. I have to say that the sewing time was long, but definitely worth my efforts! Here's a look into the album.

Sewing cultivates my patience. Really it does. There are so many ways to make the sewing process a lot easier, but nothing can make the perfect sewing except if you are patient enough to go through each and every step with accuracy. One wrong step at the initial stage, and you could go hay wired in the next steps to come. With every practice, the stitching becomes easier, and there would be less room for errors. There is no short cut in sewing, and as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

I can't say this enough. Each binding is unique to the receiver. I can create different types of binding to suit the occasion, and I can alter the stitches to make it work for me. That is why I keep binding. This is also why it intrigues me every time when I see a particular pattern I want to add to my album. Or maybe I see an apple on the table, and the next thing I know, I would pick up my pencil to draft the sewing pattern on my notebook. (okay, maybe not apple, but you get the point.) 

I like this kind of challenge. It spurs me to think of new ways to showcase my albums. It pushes me to be more patient with every mistake I make (yes, I tend to re-do the entire album until I get it right.) But that's how we learn right?

Look forward to my book binding classes! There is something new which you can pick up to customize your own album!

All materials used for this project are available at Made With Love. Don't forget to also look out for more book binding projects / classes available only with Made With Love. 

Thanks for dropping by my blog today! 

MWL: Starburst with a French Twist

There is no other season like Christmas. To me, it always holds a special place in my heart. Christmas is a season of giving, love and happiness. I am inspired very much by this season which fills the air with so much joy. This season just sums up the whole year with a bang! :)

This time, I would like to share a starburst album for the season. I love how this turned out, Graphic45 has really a great collection - Christmas Card Collection - and the rest flowed easily.

As for the sewing, I wanted to make something special this season. I needed stitches that were expandable - so as to allow expansions on the pages for the 3D embellishments in the album - and the album still can close nicely to fit in a box for the receiver. Of course, the correct die always proves to be the best inspiration ever! I used the Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Border Stitchlits. With these in mind, I altered the French stitch with a twist and viola! Let's take a closer look at the stitches:

And now, when the album opens, it opens out like a star:

On the sides, I randomly added pop up images as well as colored Maya Road tags for additional images or journaling. My current favourite coloring tool is the Kuratake Zig Clean Color Real Brush - enable the water color function and check out the effects!

Hope you like this album which I share this time! Supplies used are available at Made With Love. Do also check out Made With Love for more book binding class schedules! :)

See you around and have a great season of love and joy! :)