Recycling old books

Recycled book 

I have been trying to come up with an idea of making my own books/journal that fits my style. There is a lot of information on making your own books but I was looking for something that would use what I have on hand. I realized that I would have to research binding, glue and a whole new set of research to be able to do this. I sat here thinking and started playing with the idea of using old books that are of no value. This is what I came up with.

I told you in an earlier post of the great Tim Holtz paper my best friend, Valerey, got me and how I couldn't wait to use it. Well I didn't wait I took her paper and created my own recycled journal I absolutely love this idea. I like the look of writing on the pages that are printed and have pictures on .Maybe it was a guilty little bad thing from being told not to write in school books.LOL.

I uses Mod Podge puzzle saver to glue the pages .This seemed to make them stronger so the pocket I made was sturdy. The pocket is just a simple gusset folded pocket and was easy to make. I was thinking that it would be difficult be surprisingly it was very simple. After figuring out what paper and the design of layering the paper I ended up with a nice sturdy journal that maybe saved a stump. Either way I will be exploring different ways to use books. My scribbling in the book needs work > I have awful handwriting ……….Must learn
Calligraphy below are several images of the book with before and after images.

Here are some links to other recycled books that I just love ! Check them out and see what you can make today!


http://www.flickr.com/photos/30022596@N06/3109033149/A wonderful recycled book tree Will look good at at Christmas .


http://www.flickr.com/photos/balancedcrafts/4271557131/ A very unique idea. Pencil holder


http://www.flickr.com/photos/lizbits/2285999512/This is very unique paper pendent.A must see!
Remember

Have fun doing what your Love and Love what you are doing!

POCKET ON INSIDE 

Back inside cover

Second inside page 

Before and after 

Halloween Surfing

Halloween Surfing 

Image from the Graphics fairy 

Halloween is my favorite thing and I spend most of the year thinking about this holiday .Surfing the net for new spooky things I can create or learn. That got me thinking about blogging .I decided to not put my obsession for all thing HALLO in this blog but instead start its own place that it deserves. So a little bit back I started the Dark Hallow blog to give HALLOWEEN it’s rightfully due. I only blog there when the spooky inspiration hits me or when I  find interesting things  and think others might as well . I have posted my all time fav Halloween movie, The Halloween Tree, as the first post, with a clip from YouTube of the cartoon. And some cool free things you can get for Halloween. At this moment I am looking at Photoshop brushes and have seen cool free Halloween brushes that will become my next post on the D.H. (Dark Hallow) blog. So go on over later and check out all the cool things that are Halloween. I am so into pumpkins……..is that wrong?

Remember

Have fun doing what you Love and Love what you are doing

Tim Holtz Paper Pack- Great Gift!

Tim Holtz Retro Grunge

Yesterday I got a call from my best friend, Valerey. She had a gift for me (but as usual I had to walk over to get it. Didn't I mention she lives across the road?) So I got on some shorts and in my house coat and night gown I walked on over ,expecting krispy kreme donuts( she works in city and they have a store there ,umumumumm).No donuts(darn it ) but
Tim Holtz paper packs ! Not just one but 2!! She bought me his Retro Grunge and Seasonal paper stash.

She got his NEW pack but that's ok .She knows I have a thrifty heart and would never buy a lot of paper .That I would buy something after I research for best price and then think hard before buying. So her thoughtfulness in buying this gift for me was one of the best kinds of gift!! The TIM HOLTZ ON SALE PAPER STASH gift!

 She also shared some charms with me and yep they were on sale to. I do believe she could open up a scrapbook store with all the things she has .She even has a scrapbook/computer room .And the computer desk is fighting for its life! Her addiction has been coined 'Val's crack habit' (scrapbook stuff has her hooked solid) She shares (sometimes) but she is kind of a supply neat freak and me not so much. Meaning she likes to keep all her paint,dye and such clean and in boxes, me, I just dump em in a old purse and promptly forget where they are and not so much on keeping pain off the labels ……………….. Yea so her sharing is only if I am desperate enough to beg (not always, she is kind sharing and generoussss……………well not with her scrapbook crack) Below are some images of the paper I got .Even though it is not his new line I am very happy with it and am already thinking things to create with this wonderful gift! 

Tim Holtz Retro Grunge

Tim Holtz Seasonal

Tim Holtz Seasonal

Tim Holtz Seasonal

Tim Holtz Seasonal

Bird Charm

Tim Holtz Seasonal

Tim Holtz Retro Grunge

 
Thanks Valerey I LOVED IT!

Remember Have fun doing what you Love and Love what you are doing!

Clay Steampunk Gears and Pieces

WhysperFairy molds

Steampunk supplies are not hard to find and if you do a proper research you can find them at a reasonable price. Only to have the shipping be more than the product. Seeing as I like to create with clay, I decided to look for molds to create my own gears. I searched long and hard and ended up ordering from Etsy shops (I LOVE ETSY) I got several gears and clock faces. They are great! I have listed the shops and images of the gears below. As well as some of the uncooked clay gears that I created with these molds.

moldsrus

moldsrus

moldsrus

moldsrus

moldsrus

WhysperFairy

moldsrus

 

 
I have also made molds from parts that I took off of machinery that had broken. You never know what you can find inside machines. Everything can be married into a classy piece of art. I used clay that was to dirty to use in any project to make my molds. I will say the only thing wrong with using hard clay molds is that they are not flexible. That makes it harder to remove and that means more trimming later to give it a clean edge look. Hopefully in the future I will be able to buy mold making products, but, as of right now they are too expensive.

Check out the Etsy shops I listed for their wide range of molds. I have had no negative experiences with these molds and would recommend the shops to anyone wanting to make their own parts. Explore your talent with creating your own molds. You will be surprised  at the objects you can use to make interesting molds. Every time I walk around my home I catch myself saying "I wonder what is inside that? I bet it has great parts for Steampunk!"

I think the kids look at me like I have lost my mind. After all when you get up at 3 am and find your mother sitting at the table with wires and tools scattered around and then realize that what they are seeing is our old small oven that only half worked is all over the table , maybe mom has finally went over to the other side! Lol. IT'S ALL GOOD COME ON OVER, WE HAVE COOKIES.   

My next big thing will be learning to paint my clay so that it has the right color and feel of old gears. That will take some more research and time.Haven't I told you yet that I love researching? I wonder if that can be listed as a hobby.

As always

Have fun doing what you Love and Love what you are doing!


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Deviantart / Flickr

You can see more of my stuff on  Deviantart.. I will be adding new material there as soon as they are finished. I also have some vintage images on Flickr. They are free to use as long as credit is given.Here is the Flickr linkhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/inspiredcreativity/  and the Deviantart link is  http://lilbitinspir.deviantart.com/gallery/.
Below are a few examples of the images on flickr

                                                                               













Hope you enjoy the images and as always
Have fun doing what you Love and Love what you are doing!

Steampunk Watch Band Bracelet

 

Click for larger view

Click for larger view

I have been in the creative mood and last night made another steampunk piece. Again most of the hardware is old broken watch parts and jewelry pieces that were basically junk and piled up in the box. You know the kind you can't seem to throw away for some reason? Well now you can keep those hidden treasures and recycle them into true one of kind pieces. I am including a breakdown of the material I used making this piece and up-close pictures Just ignore the string of glue on some of the pieces .I was in such a hurry to share I didn't get all the strings off. Even though it is dry it is still easy to get the little pieces of glue off. Just be careful not to pull off your gears!!

 

Click for larger view

I used E-6000 glue again to hold this together. The watch band was connected to the star with zipper chains off a purse( chain that was on the zipper pull as decoration) .I used Tim Holts gears ,cogs and watch hand( from ebay seller Grab Bag Man ) The tiny parts are from Time and Management (on esty)The base piece that I used was a piece of jewelry from the Wal-Mart bead and craft section. It had 3 chains hanging from it that I took off and saved for something else. The watch band was to a man's watch that was given to one of my girls (I don't ask anymore why they bring things home. Maybe stuff is calling to me)

I just sat down and got everything laid out on my board and started setting things together .Lot of trial and failures but in the end it became what it wanted to be. I never set down with intent to create something in particular. I just sort of play with my supplies and it seems to create itself. It is the same way I draw. Sometimes it can be frustrating and then I have to remind myself that if I am having this must trouble it is not ready to be created. Those are the times I have to just put it up and try again later. Yea I think I am a little bit eccentric. The crazy lady. But that's ok …. I like me just fine. I am still evolving and never plan on stopping.

As always

Have fun doing what you Love and Love what you are doing!