Crafting a Journal While Stranded

Nov 17: Just finished my #junkjournal for #nikthebooksmith #desertedislandchallenge See the flip through at https://youtu.be/kdVTTsHgrUw

I've been having fun in the craft side of my studio lately! Nik the Booksmith issued a journal making challenge called "The Deserted Island Journal Challenge".

We were challenged to make a journal from scratch with just a few items:

I was limited to 8 items:

#coffeedyedpaper

#fabritac glue

#scissors

#needle and #3plybamboothread

#guttedbook cover

Approximately 12x12" #fabric

One 12x12" sheet of #scrapbookpaper #Authentique #seamaiden #mermaid

#TimHoltzDistressInk #vintagephoto

This was so much fun, though challenging!

I really missed my pen. Here's the finished book and the measly leftover scraps!

I'm almost finished with a surprise addition to this minimal journal. Subscribe to my craft channel to be notified when it will be public! Wait until you see how I blinged it all up!

I have a new YouTube channel just for my handmade journals and sketchbooks. Please visit, subscribe, like and comment! 

As always, I will post tutorials, demonstrations and other fine art watercolor videos on my original YouTube channel. Please subscribe to that one if your interest is more on the "watercolor fine art" side.

Sunday Painters Origami Project

Origami Business Card Holder

It seems like I never have my business cards with me when I'm out painting or sketching. I have a whole box of business cards in the studio at home, but I need something to carry a few. So I end up grabbing some, putting a rubber band around them and stuffing them into my bag. Usually, the ones on the outside get ruined, or the rubber band breaks and they all get mixed up with other things in the bottom of the bag. Waste!
I have purchased those plastic holders before, but I need one for every bag I have. There must be some way that I can create my own unlimited supply of card holders without special scissors, glue or fasteners. The answer? Origami!

Oh, I know! You hear the word "origami" and your eyes roll back into your head, drool starts from the corner of your mouth and you feel like eating a whole box of chocolates.

Maybe you should have a cup of tea first, just to calm you down.
Follow the EASY directions here and you will be excited about accomplishing the simplest and easiest project you've ever done.
See? Even I can do it!