{scissor variations}

pretty apothecary

 

{this post originally appeared in march/09}

 

a quick + easy up-cycle for your storage jars

Gather Together:

assorted jars

vintage labels

glue stick

bone folder- for burnishing if necessary-- you can also easily smooth out the labels with your fingers

masking tape + ruler (optional)

The particular jars I used were quite tall and slim, so I decided to measure 4 inches up from the bottom.

I then placed a piece of masking tape at the 4" mark on each jar, so when the jars were lined up together there would be some symmetry happening...because I like symmetry, don't you?

I then applied glue to the labels + placed them on the top edge of the masking tape + smoothed them out. I then removed the masking tape.

i love the simplicity of these + the labels add just a touch of specialness

 

spring place cards

 

 

{this making post originally appeared in April/09}

 

Gather Together:

Peat Pots

-         Available at your local garden center or hardware store

 

Veneer business cards (available here)

-         or you can find sheets of veneer at some hardware stores; cut them to business card size

-         you can also use cardstock or watercolor paper for texture if desired

 

Decorative Hole Punch

-         punch shown is from Martha Stewart crafts

 

Spanish moss

-         shredded basket paper or other desired filler (feathers, etc)

 

Tiny eggs or other embellishment (optional)

 

Scissors

+ Corner Rounder (optional)

{the corner rounder is a larger industrial type model - I think I paid $150.00US for it 5 years ago}

 

Hole punch your shape out of veneer cards.

I chose to offset the shape on one side.

 

 

Round corners, if desired.

 

 

Cut a 1/2" slit on opposites sides of your peat pot.

I chose to not use the center of the peat pot, but rather 1/3 as my guideline for the cuts on either side.

This also allows room in front of the card to add other decorative elements or candy.

If using for an event that is ongoing over several hours you might also like to add a small weight to keep your pot from tipping over.

 

 

Add filler.

 

 

Write names on cards + insert into your placecard pots

--add other embellishments if desired.

 

These were literally completed in minutes at pennies per pot-

-less than .15 cents each!

 

 

 

These would also be lovely for a Wedding reception

--so many ways to adapt this

+ now is the perfect time to stock up on peat pots!

 

Variations:

 

• place the veneer card vertically + add your guests' initials
• fill with smaller wrapped candy or jelly beans (something that if tipped over won't cause too much alarm)
• write names on the cards in a contrasting ink---have a calligrapher do them if they are for your wedding day. REMEMBER to test your ink on the veneer first as some inks/pens may bleed.
• fun for Mother's Day or a Birthday too! Just change the punch design!

 

{ I will be posting some other peat pot samples this month}

Copyright 2009 Janice Rusnak/Papier Valise

ribbon + string storage tins

 

 

 

Gather Together:

tin cans, preferably with a lid

-maybe you have some fun + colorful tea or candy tins in your kitchen cupboard

 

One of my cans is shallow, the other quite tall.

This is something to consider before proceeding with your project as you need to be able to “set” your grommet—are you able to reach easily into a taller tin to do this?

*** see tip below for taller tin cans

 

 

¼"  grommets + setter

- you can find these in the sewing shop or also at the hardware store

 

Safety goggles

 

Drill + bits (3/16" + 5/16" bits)

 

 

Determine where you want your grommet hole to be.

For the smaller round bucket type tin I wanted the hole in the lid.

For the taller candy tin I wanted the hole in the bottom.

 

Use a smaller drill bit (3/16") to “start” your hole.

Then use a 5/16" bit to make the hole larger and ultimately the size you want your hole to be, so that your grommet will easily fit into it.

 

I used these drill bits based on the size of the grommet I would be inserting into the drilled hole.

 

 

 

Sometimes with these types of food tins the metal is quite thin + when you reverse your drill back out of the hole it will buckle the metal a bit and leave sharper edges. Having a piece of wood for the tin can to fit over will eliminate this problem, as the drill bit will then also be reversing out of the more solid wood piece and will not be pulling at the tin as much.

 

Make sense?

 

 

 

 

Insert your grommet into the top or "right" side of your tin lid.

 

  Now, flip the lid over to the wrong side.

Grommet setting for a tin with drilled hole in top lid:

Flip the lid over and using the grommet setter and tool, set your grommet.

Do not do this on your lovely kitchen table. An old piece of wood is a good thing to use.

Or go out on the stoop and pound away.

 

 

Grommet setting for a taller size tin with bottom drilled hole:

Place the drilled hole over the grommet setter (peek through the open top to line it up).

Reach in and carefully place your grommet tool.

***On top of your grommet tool place a short small piece of wood inside -you will need to hold the piece of wood steady with your hand.

Why?

Because you will not be able to reach your arm in AND try and set the grommet at the same time. Nope.

The wood acts as an extension of your arm.

 

Then using a rubber mallet or hammer, pound on top of the piece of wood to “set” the grommet.

 

See how nice the "set" grommet looks?

If you wish to hang your tin on a hook, you will need to drill a hole in the backside.

This hole does not need a grommet.

Insert your spool of ribbon or ball of string.

{this crafting segment was made possible with the assistance of craft man}

 

 

Variations...crafting is always about the variations:

 

• paint your tin with a paint recommended for metal surfaces
• drill holes in the side of your tin to add a wire or ribbon handle, similar to these
• the taller tin even has room to store a pair of scissors inside
• depending on the metal you can also use the tin as a mini magnetic message board
• use a vintage advertising tin with an interesting color or design

• embellish the tin further with other found objects

judging an envelope by its return address

 

 

 

 

Bank statements

Car Insurance

Investment Statements (actually, do judge that one by the return address)

 

 

 

Of course we all know it is what is on the inside that counts-- in this case tiny little patterns

 

.

..this one has tiny little envelopes!

 

 

...maybe this one needs some color

 

 

folding over, folding under

 

 

 

Security Envelope Rosettes

 

cut strips from your security envelopes

-depending on how excited you were to open your envelopes, you may need to cut smaller strips and piece them together to create longer strips if your envelope has tears in it

 

accordian fold your paper strips

 

 

my rosettes used 2 longer strips, accordian folded and then glued together end to end to create the rosette

 

secure in the center with glue

--this can be tricky, as it will want to "pop out" and be a lampshade instead

( I used extra strength glue dots, but a glue gun is best)

 

the smaller rosette used strips that were 1 1/4" wide

 

I glued labels to the center of my strips for the pattern on the smaller rosette. I added some centers + ribbon onto the larger rosette.

 

....more envelope love coming soon

 

{everything is a garland} series: tiny spring garlands

 

 

 

Gather Together

punches

decorative paper (I used origami + vintage papers)

glue stick

stringing material: thread, twine, embroidery floss, string, etc

Punch out your shapes.

I made my garlands 2-sided + sandwiched the stringing material in between the 2 punched out shapes.

If using animal shapes as I did and you want to do this remember to punch some animals from the decorative side and then flip the paper over and punch some shapes from the "underside"--so when putting them together they "fit".

Alternate different shapes, knot sequins in between or buttons. If using animal shapes have the animals face each other. Alternate colors.....whatever suits your fancy.

 

The vintage paper medallions are sandwiched between brown + white tying string--this is also one of my favorite ways to gussy up a gift package.

origami crane garland

 

 

{or what to do with the rest of that waxed scale paper}

This book, Amazing Origami for Children by Steve + Megumi Biddle is, in my opinion, one of the best origami books for introducing someone to the wonderful art of paper folding.

The easy to read + understand instructions coupled with the diagrams that show the hand positions are a perfect formula for folding success.

We all know of the "crane", perhaps the singular most popular origami figure.

.....and now that we all know about the wonders of waxed scale paper

I decided to pair them together:

Once you have folded a flock of cranes, stringing them together is easy.

You've probably seen these strung together before, but not often mentioned is that because of the way the cranes are folded, it creates a perfect threading hole in the bottom of the crane body:

  

.....also worth mentioning is the way the paper is folded during the process creates a small "x" on the body top for you to use as the piercing guide for your needle + thus insuring a balanced "hang" of your garland or mobile:

 

   

You can knot sequins in between each crane as a "resting place" so that they don't end up all willy nilly on top of one another.

Unless willy nilly is your thing.

Note:

If using the same waxed scale paper that was used to make the flowers here, it comes in rectangular sheets--you will have to fold it to create a square, then cut off the excess end paper before folding your crane. Do not worry about the fold that will be created/creased when you do this, as this is in fact the first fold of the crane instructions and will not affect the "look" of your finished crane. 

e.t.a.

waxed scale paper also comes in smaller pre-cut square sizes

333 {faux tissue} paper flowers for $24.99

 

 

 

...yes, 333

 

  begin with this

     + also use these

  ...then begin doing this

 until it looks like this

   you will then need to do this

..... pull tighter 

  fan out the pleats

 + begin to separate the layers

  ...a little more

now peel back the layers on the other side 

  

   tie string ends together + thread a ribbon for hanging

 

Gather Together

"

8" x 11" sheets of waxed scale paper ( not household waxed paper), purchased at a restaurant supply store. It has a lovely milky white translucence

scissors

string or wire for tying your accordian folded paper

 

The waxed scale paper is easy to work with and is not so delicate, so it can handle the peeling back of the pleated layers without feeling too precious.

I actually did tear the paper a few times, but I just kept separating the layers and pulling towards the center--where the string was tied. 

You could not tell where the tears were --so there was no need to start all over on another flower and no expensive paper was sacrificed.

 

When you tie your accordian folded paper do not cut the string ends (or wire if using), but leave the ends hanging on the back side of your flower. Once you decide how you will use your flowers, you can use the string ends for creating loops to hang or as a "pass through" for a longer length of hanging ribbon or wire.

I used 6 sheets of paper per flower

It was easy to manipulate and re-shape the flowers as needed -perfect if you need to store them before transporting them to a venue + they will not go limp----perfectly suitable for an outdoor event.

You could also put 2 flowers together back to back to create a very full blossom.

Finished flowers are approximately 7- 8" in diameter based on the paper size used.

 

 

 

pretty recycling

 

 

 

 

We’ve all seen this project before,

but today I was reminded of it once again as I was sorting the recycling.

 

 

 

Gather together

metal food cans ~ empty + washed

decorative paper (wall paper, graph paper, pages from a favorite magazine, old food labels a color copy of a child’s drawing)

 

glue stick

scissors

 

 

Cut labels or other paper to the same height as your can.

If the label does not go all the way around, no worries, cut another piece of coordinating paper to fill in the space ( my labels did not go all the way around so I cut a piece of vintage paper to fit the gap)

Glue your label to the can.

 

 

Your project is finished.

 

Unless…. you want to punch some holes in either side and add some handles for hanging.

I used a crop-o-dile. A dremel drill or nail and a hammer would work as well---let’s make this easy (although I will admit the crop-o-dile cuts through cans like butter).

 

 

I used vintage chain, a section of an old tape measure + a length of number ribbon.

These would be pretty hanging on a door knob--or filled with fresh flowers and left on a neighbor's door knob...maybe when the weather is a bit warmer (in these parts anyway).

 

More can love:

• If you have the opportunity to purchase canned food products from an Italian grocer save those wonderful cans for desk storage. I am especially fond of the tomato cans
• Use the cans as they are, with the labels they came with. Elevate that bean can to a place of stature on your desk top- filled with pens + pencils
• Some cans do not have paper labels but have the logo directly printed on the metal-great for small flower bouquets, especially several of them grouped together
• the prettiest of pew markers--cover with decorative paper to suit your wedding colors or theme, fancy the exteriors wth bits + bobs, a monogram perhaps

a simple idea = craft room happiness

 

itty bitty wire bunting

 

gather together

A piece of wire

I used 19 gauge, annealed, approx 20” in length

 

 

1” wide Ribbon-

I used grosgrain

 

 

Vintage monograms

-or other tiny fabric embellishment

 

 

Tacky glue

 

 

Cut your ribbon into several 3” long strips.

I like odd numbers best for the “symmetry” factor.

Snip the bottom of each ribbon strip to create a “V”.

 

 

Turn your ribbon piece over to the wrong side and “turn down” from the top a ¼” seam.

Iron—this will create your “pass through” for the wire.

 

 

Run a very thin bead of tacky glue under the edge of the folded over ribbon to seal the seam.

If your glue tip is not small enough to create a thin strip of glue—use a bamboo skewer to help spread the glue {my all time favorite crafting tool}.

 

 

Repeat with all of your ribbon pieces.

 

 

Turn your ribbon pieces over to the right side.

Glue 1 set of tiny monogram initials about half way down.

 

 

Thread your tiny flags onto the wire.

 

 hang and admire the wiry wonkiness of your itty bitty bunting

 

 

variations:

• experiment with different textures + widths of ribbon--try velvets or moirés
• you can stitch your "pass through" instead of using glue, either by machine or by hand--use thread or embroidery floss as a decorative element
• embroider an initial onto each tiny "ribbon flag" to spell out a name or a special occasion greeting
• stitch a tiny locket onto each flag
• experiment with different gauges and colors of wire

²bunting

Function:

noun

Etymology:

perhaps from English dialect bunt (to sift)

Date:

1711

1: a lightweight loosely woven fabric used chiefly for flags and festive decorations

{merriam webster}

©J.Rusnak+Papier Valise 2009

30 Minute How To: Vintage Accordion Folder

 

 

 

 

Vintage Accordion Folder

© J.Rusnak +Papier Valise 2009

{for personal use only}

 

These folders are a great way to organize receipts, ticket stubs or use as a reference folder

 

You will need:

1 pre-folded metal tab folder

6 - 9 x 12” catalogue style envelopes ( we used Envirotech recycled envelopes)

Glue Stick

Bone Folder

Paper Cutter

Optional: Tabs for labeling pockets

 

 

Cut envelopes in half, so that they measure 5” high, while still maintaining their original 9” width.

 

This will involve trimming each half a bit.

 

Trim from the open “cut” sides (not the flap side or the already sealed bottom of each envelope)

 

 

You will have 12 pockets.

 

Set aside one “flap” pocket.

 

With the remaining 5 “flap” pockets—glue + seal the flaps, to create your pockets.

 

You will also have the 6 pockets created naturally when you cut off the envelope bottoms.

 

 

Stack loose pockets on top of one another--all open sides together.

Begin gluing.

Using the width of your glue stick as a guide, run a length of glue down the center backside of 1 pocket (shortest side to shortest side)

 

Take the next pocket and stack it on top, burnish with a bone folder or brayer.

Repeat, until all of your pockets have been glued on top of one another.

This creates your accordion “pocket”.

 

{4th photo below shows how accordion "forms" by only gluing the center portion of the envelopes to one another}

 

 

Take the last “flap” pocket that you set aside and using a bone folder, score a line approximately ¼” above the natural flap fold line ( see above photo).

 

Fold over.

 

This creates a flap that will easily tuck into the next pocket to create a secure keeping pocket.

You can also use the flap to cover several pockets at once and tuck it wherever you wish on your accordion folder (see below). You will also need to glue the bottom to create a secure pocket.

Once you have glued the bottom, you can then glue and stack this last pocket.

 

 

Glue your accordion pocket within your metal tab folder.

 

Cover the entire front pocket with glue and place on the inside cover. Cover the last pocket with glue and adhere to the back of your metal tab folder.

 

   

 

If desired you may wish to add tabs to your pockets--

we used vintage fold-over tabs, adhesive label tabs and vintage paper tabs.

 

 

 

 

More Variations + Uses:

• use rubber stamps to personalize your tabs
• adhere photos or vintage labels to the cover to personalize
• use a large bulldog clip to keep your folder closed when not in use

• add large grommets to the center edge of the front cover + the center edge of the back cover and run a ribbon through from front to back to add a decorative closure

• add a fabric embellishment to the cover such as a flat style millinery flower, or a length of ribbon for contrast

• perfect for keeping track of birthdays, label your pockets by month or by person--tuck in cards and gift suggestions

• social event tracker--i'm keeping my ticket stubs, video rental slips + library card slips for a special project later in the year and this will help me stay organized by month

• holiday reference--a perfect idea folder for smaller magazine clippings