Tagged: arts and crafts

October 26, 2014

Crafting With A Cause, Part 1

For any of you who don’t already know this, I LOVE CRAFTING! So how can you take something you already love to do and make it better? You can craft for a cause!

I spend ~~way too much~~ a little time each day watching crafting videos on Youtube. I do this so I can learn new techniques, see what other crafters are making and see what new crafting products are out there. Youtube is like Pinterest because I can start with one video and end up ten videos later on someone else’s channel about an entirely different craft. It was through this wonderful web of videos I stumbled upon craft challenges with a cause.

One Youtube channel that really got my attention is Bethsscrrapbookroom. Beth is so funny and her sense of humor is so much like mine. Anyway, I came upon a video where she was asking crafters to make cards, or other items, for people who are currently undergoing breast cancer treatments as October is breast cancer awareness month. She is going to mail the submissions to patients in five of the top cancer research hospitals in the United States.

Since I am not a card maker, I decided to enter her challenge by submitting some small junk journals so patients could document their journeys. I also sent Beth an ATC (artist trading card) because she collects them. I am not an ATC maker, so this part of the challenge really scared me.

Here are some pictures of the items I sent her.

Three mini junk journals for cancer patients.

Note to journal recipients.

ATC for Beth’s collection.

Package of Christmas goodies for Beth to craft with.

Everything packaged and ready to go!

Last Sunday, October 19th, Beth made the videos that showed my entries. I say “videos” because as she was showing my entries her video time ran out so she had to start another one to finish. If you would like to see my 15 minutes of fame you can check out Beth showing my entries at these addresses:

First video

My items start around 17:20 minutes into this video

Second video

My items finish about 6:55 minutes into this video

Like I said before, Beth is very funny and has such a good heart I think you would enjoy watching both videos in their entirety. You will also get to see some wonderful entries by other crafters.

So if crafting is your passion too, see if you can find a craft challenge with a cause and spread your talent and love to others who need it right now!

June 16, 2014

Junk Journal Swap Part 1

Just for fun my friend Camilla and I decided to do some arts and crafts swaps with each other. Our first swap consisted of mini Christmas albums. You can see my posts from December 12 & 29, 2013 to see those.

This time we opted for something a little more fun and relaxed so we decided to exchange junk journals. The rules we had to follow were simple. First, they had to be at least 1″ thick and second, we were not allowed to buy anything new to use in the journals. The idea made us use up stuff we already owned and to collect other junk papers as fillers. It’s amazing how every piece of paper takes on a new life when you are making junk journals. You turn every box, bag, envelope and scrap of paper over and over in your hands wondering how to incorporate it into your journal.

I changed my mind a ridiculous amount of times as to the theme for Camilla’s journal. The more I looked at Pinterest and YouTube the more overwhelmed with themes I came. Finally I decided on an “elegant” junk journal. I called it “A Ladies Junque”. I actually made it so thick I think Camilla will have to take some pages out as she adds her stuff! To spare you from having to look at every page, I only photographed a couple random pages. Enjoy!

: Front Cover of Junk Journal

: Calendar page and corrugated cardboard.

: Flash card and scrapbook paper

: Envelope and piece of notepad paper sewn to vellum

: Flower cut-out holding tags and a book page

: Sheet music, and old card and envelope holding tags

: Back of envelope and side of a Russel Stovers bag

: Ballerina picture holding tags and vintage receipt folder with picture of lady

: Piece of a brown bag with paper lace and lace tape

: Old cabinet card back, note card and old journal paper

: Stamped paper and envelope from a bill

: Floral piece of cardboard from scented drawer liner packaging

: Back of receipt envelope, note card and page from vintage Avon catalog

: Flash card, stamped envelope with tags inside

: Receipt envelope filled with tags, cards, etc…

: Side view of really fat junk journal

I hope Camilla enjoys this album and has lots of fun filling it up. I will show you the journal she gave me, probably as my next post. If you would like to get yourself a junk journal to fill (here comes the shameless advertisement) I have several in my Etsy shop right now. The address is: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MossyCottage. I also can make themed junk journals on request.