This is My Life

One of the projects I've mentioned I plan to have a go at is to write and scrapbook my life story for my own children and for future generations.  I am reading a good book on how to go about this that I got from my local library, the book is called "Your Life Your Story" by Cherry Gilchrist and I would recommend it if you are thinking of doing the same:

(Available at Amazon  ISBN:978-0-7499-4270-0)

I am working through the book and one of her suggestions that I like the idea of was to use a ringbinder that you can separate (using subject dividers) into different ages of your life. This will help because you can write about areas of your life as you remember them but they will be separated into their own 'compartments'. You will be building your story separately but still be working towards completing the whole thing. (Hope thats clear!?)

Anyway, the point is, I wanted a ringbinder that I will enjoy using (it needed a certain 'look') and I came up with this:

It was a plain red ringbinder that I have modified to make it look like 'one of those books' from the TV series of the same name (older readers will know the one I mean!)

I put flock letter stickers (very touchy feely!) onto some gold card:

and added Paperchase photocorners around the edge.  I also embossed the line around the frame using a blunt point and a ruler....

..and glued gold card triangles onto two of the corners:

I think I'm going to enjoy writing in my 'luxury book' - and also think it would make a great gift to make for someone else (fully completed if possible!)

See you tomorrow,

qwiksave

Inspirational Blocks

My 100th post - yay!

You remember those old building blocks I bought last week? Well today I started on my first bit of altering:

I think they look great just as they are, I've been painting some, sanding them and inking them.  But if I leave  them around on my craft table I may find further uses for them, do some more alterations.. maybe make them into magnets...?

As its the tail end of Easter I couldn't not have an Easter related post so I 'spotted these and thought of

you' (as the ad says!):

Aren't they a hoot? They were found in an old (1970's) craft book:

(Copyright 1978 Octopus Books Ltd)

..along with this felt appliqued bedspread and matching 'headboard' picture. It has step-by-step instructions in it too! :-)

(For lovers of vintage images, like myself, do check out this blog:  http://doecdoe.blogspot.com/  )

See you tomorrow,

qwiksave

x

Altering Time

Another of the crafts I did when I've been off was to alter my kitchen clock.  If you remember a previous ranting post I made a while ago, I mentioned how I wanted to alter my plain, white kitchen clock:

Here is my 'offending' item, just waiting for its transformation...

I took the plastic cover off, distressed round the outside edge with Stazon ink and then stamped the gears into the centre....

..I also inked the inner rim of the clock with a permanent marker..

.

..and there you  have it!

I also added more distressing (ink) to the plastic glass front but it made the clock look more like a dirty workshop clock than a kitchen clock so I wiped it off again. 

I should point out that my house is of the old Victorian type, rather than a modern new build, so it lends itself more to the grungey messy vintage look.

While I'm on, I thought you might also like to see the finished altered bag that I have finally completed:

All I need now is a fun night out to take it to now!

Dazzle, dazzle.

See you tomorrow!

qwiksave x

Boring Filofax?

Never to pass by a bargain when I see one (as regular readers will know) I couldn't resist snapping up this Real Leather Filofax for £2 in a charity shop recently:

It's in excellent condition and the label states its definately Real Leather:

I HAD to have it, if only for the simple reason that I've seen these selling in places like Paperchase and WHSmiths for nearer the £40 mark.

The problem is, I think the pages in it are really DULL. They don't inspire me to write creative stuff in it or even use the address pages.  So tonight, for my craft I have started altering a few pages:

Ah! That's better!  Only another 200 pages or so to go!...