molly irwin

kitchen linens book giveaway

Newer visitors amidst this daily holiday memory-keeping project may not be aware that I like to talk about all sorts of home arts in this space. Making things to wear and use in the kitchen continues to be a priority, as much for the instant-gratification with the sewing machine as for custom aspects of getting just what I want, in just the right quality fabrics. 

Today I have a holiday gift for you. The Kitchen Linens Book, by EllenAnne Geisel is more of a pretty and inspirational than instructional read. If you like the look of 1930s through 50s vintage textiles you'll be taken with the lovely photos and anecdotes throughout. The book also includes embroidery transfer patterns in the style of the example seen on the cover, so you can create your own vintage-inspired napkins, towels, aprons or whatever strikes your creative fancy.

I have two copies to give, but unfortunately can only do a US mailer on this particular giveaway. If you would like to be considered for a copy of 'The Kitchen Linens Book' and have a US mailing address, leave a comment before Sunday evening, December 13. I'll close comments at 9PM Eastern and make a random selection for the giveaways.

Happy Holidays!

December daily :: day 10

  

The whole layout is on flickr. It's kind of hard to see the photos that way though, so here's a closer view of yesterday. Digital grid background: designer digitals, text strip:self-created, stamp: autumn leaves. The holly print paper is one of my favorites this season. It's sold out now, but purchased earlier online at Hollanders from their Florentine paper selection.

We have some cold weather here, but nowhere near as blustery as other parts of the US. Expecting another dusting of snow tomorrow.. Weekend plans include ''The Grinch', and a holiday party with actual grown-ups. Uninterrupted conversation. Imagine ...

Have a happy and festive weekend, friends. 
 

December daily :: day 9

  

For this day I did a collection of holiday decor images from around the house simply framed in swiss dot card stock, with an edge stitch. My journaling tells the story of some of our Christmas items. I'm enjoying all the little thread bits hanging out here and there throughout the book, so I don't cut them too close. I may or may not add a stitched accent along the right side of the text when I complete the back side; not sure. That might detract from all the horizontal lines.

The framed silhouettes (photo, lower R) are something I put together this week. I've had the paper silhouettes cut from book text, done for a while now and decided to use them in this newly painted red frame -- also something that's been sitting around unoccupied.

A few weeks ago I gathered a bunch of things that needed a little something and had a spray painting session in the back yard. I know the door frame looks okay in the creamy shade, but you'll just have to believe me ... I tried it with several photos and none of them looked right. Most of our walls are light-colored and the frame just got lost on the wall. Also, it had what was supposed to be a vintage or distressed effect, but to me it just appeared as though it had been in a smoke-filled room for 50 years.

 

Getting a silhouette shape is just a matter of taking a photograph of your child in profile. Print in the desired size (on plain light weight everyday use paper) and give the back side a quick pass with a repositionable glue stick to hold it in place while you cut. Position the photo on top of the card stock and carefully cut around the outline. Peel away the photo layer from the finished paper.

I think were I starting this from scratch I might prefer traditional black silhouettes against a white ground, but these were ready to use. There's a monogram type text brad on each child's image. This will brighten a spot in my kitchen this season and I think I'll put it away with Christmas things in January. 
 

December daily :: day 7+8

  

Is it strange that one of the first things I purchased for paper crafting was the silent setter for attaching eyelets? Long before I bought a sheet of patterned paper or fiskars straight edge cutter, I had to have this. Funny how we make purchasing decisions sometimes. I liked the look of little tags with a proper metal ring. It's been infrequently used over the last year or so, but it works like a charm and I do love it. I was reminded of that tag appeal, and knew I wanted to incorporate that look into this album when I saw this layout on Anthropologie's site this season. Pretty sure there'll be another layout coming along that will look almost exactly like that puzzle page.

I've made other notes about projects, photography and holiday inspiration in a tumblr blog. I'm finding it fun, quick and easy to just slide ideas there and link to sources. Are you on tumblr, too?

December daily :: day 6

 

We interupt this green/natural-schemed album to give you three pages of a Sunday city excursion. Our outing in DC just seemed to want to be -- much like the city itself -- more bold and angular, desiring of a stronger palette. The number of photos I wanted to feature seemed to merit the use of more space. The escalator photo at NGA is taken in the same spot as last year.

materials: Black dot pattern part of the digital holly jolly paper pack printed on Bazzill Basics swiss dot card stock, red metal photo turns, brads, and circle tab: 7 gypsies, postage mark 

day 6, parts II and III

  

text rub--ons: We R Memory Keepers, Christmas white-out line, Bergen ribbon, Vintage santa postage 

    

clock transparency: Heidi Swapp, Red velvet brad from an assortment pack (?), red epoxy tag: Making memories, small polka dot pattern: designer digitals, snowflake and large circle patterns part of the holly jolly digital paper pack. Coaster from the brewery.

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December daily :: day 4+5

A photo edged with the threading water punch. Handmade envelope with white rub-ons from We R Memory Keepers, white out line. On the back side is a photo for day 5. This shows a lot of restraint for a 'first day of snow' layout. I'm not sure that's intentional. I tried adding glass beads to the embroidery thread, but gave up when they wouldn't fit over the needle.

 

There's journaling on the back of the tag.

I also tried a white-on-white effect using rub-ons but they sort of got lost in the swiss dot card stock. There's a word/snowflake rub-on over the little squares as well. I'll use another technique or material in the future. Lessons, lessons ...

I'm calling it finished. Moving on. 

wonderful

 

The snow today in the Washington, DC area was pretty rare for this time of year.  Pretty lovely too. I couldn't stop taking aim at the lights, and water and snowy pines. All around me a storybook backdrop for this Christmas season to unfold. I do wonder sometimes how much our love for Christmas sentiment is based on personal experiences vs. the fictional tales we tell ourselves over and again through, books, movies and music. As I sloshed toward the strand of lights at the tree lot a glimpse of Frank Capra's version of the season came to mind. If Andy Williams says so on the car radio it must be the most wonderful time, indeed. All I know is that today and tonight my imagination teems with remembrances of seasons past and ideas for the coming weeks. It will likely be gone tomorrow, but the snowfall makes my Christmas spirit official. Here's wishing you the same. 
 

December daily :: day 3

Admission: I've been feeling like I haven't really hit a stride yet with this project. I'm still stretching; warming up. From the very minimal to what I felt was slightly forced and overdone the next day.

What to do? Yesterday Ali suggested there were some nice layouts this month in the designer garden at Two Peas, so off I went seeking inspiration. Within minutes I found this charming layout by Jennifer Johner. I love her generous use of white space coupled with plenty of fun tactile bits triangulated across the page; the use buttons and thread in particular.

Today I present my verson of Jennifer's design. A knock-off if you will; referred to as "lifting" (as in someone's wallet?) in the scrapbook world. It's the Prad-O (not Prada) bag from a street vendor, but borrowing this design from Jennifer has me feeling invigorated, if slightly disingenuous. I don't think I've ever done that before. Not in such a direct manner at least.

[ click image to enlarge ]

The blurry photo is the best I got ... that's just the type of night it was. The background is a subtle half-tone vintage ledger printed on Bazzill Basics swiss dot (thought that would work with the financial references in my journaling.) Red patterned paper (left) and green floral swirl from the Holly Jolly Pack, green ribbon (right), is from the Christmas ribbon brushes, Vintage santa postage., Vintage penmanship elements, and assorted tapes. Silver # 3: Paper Valise. The red flower brad is from assortment pack I've had for a while. Abalone buttons from years of collecting garment extras.

 

I knew I wanted to use some hand-stitching in my DD this year, so these shiny buttons just felt right.

In years to come my family won't look at this page and know it was someone else's design, they'll only know it captures the mood of our outing pretty well. But for now, I'm grateful to Jennifer Johner (whom I'm very happy to discover) for sharing her concept and talent.

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December daily :: day 2

I am LOVING the ideas and suggestions that you all have shared regarding volume of gifts for your children. What a great conversation. Thank you! I definitely plan to respond individually after I get my boy outside in the sunshine for a bit today.

Here's day two with some details:

   

Once again I printed out the photos as a whole, then added some hand stitching with embroidery thread and a hand-cut tag made from Anna Aspnes celebrate word overlays, with the decorative brad by Making Memories. Other elements include the light green pattern from the Holly Jolly paper pack, pine swag from Katie Pertiet's Clean clusters no. 2, and one of her ledger journal bracket spots. Green dot paper from Bo Bunny Press.

Oh and the peppermint bark recipe is from Savory Sweet Life.

Now, to the sunshine we go ...
 

Question: how many gifts do you give your children?

   

I'm always concerned that the pile under the tree might not be enough; a disappointment. This inevitably leads to a couple of last minute purchases no matter how prepared I might be. I need to get out of this cycle and do away with that guilty pressure. I'm thinking a "main gift", a game, a book, and something practical/to wear should be enough. I wish I could stick to that. What's your perspective, if you don't mind sharing? Have you any sage advice to offer?