Valentine's Week :: Sweet Pamphlet Notebooks

This Friday is Valentine's day! Are you excited for it? For the most part it's just another day however, it's fun planning ways to encourage other people. We can get so busy in life and Valentine's is a great opportunity to let others know that we think of them and that they are loved. So with that this weeks posts will be dedicated to Valentine's. I'll be sharing a few ideas for decorating, gift giving, and a special makeup tutorial from an amazing makeup artist.
First up this week are these sweet little pamphlet notebooks that are not only cute, but super easy to make:

Pamphlet Notebooks

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Supplies: (4) sheets of text paper 5 1/2in x 8in, (1)decorative paper 5 1/2in x 8in, needle, thread, awl, and scissors

1. Trim your text & decorative papers down to 5 1/2in x 8in using a paper trimmer or with a ruler, x-acto knife, and cutting mat. you can trim the decorative paper slighter longer than 8in. and trim it down after you finish the book.
2. Fold your 4 sheets of text paper in half and smooth out the spine with a bone folder. Repeat process with your decorative paper.
3. Use an awl to punch a hole into the center of the signature (the 4 sheets of folded paper) and the cover, then punch another hole about an inch from the top and an inch from the bottom.
4. Insert threaded needle through the center hole, either from the inside or outside of the book leaving a 3” – 4” tail of thread.
5. Next insert needle into one of the outer holes, then skip the center hole and proceed to the opposite outer hole.

Bring thread back into the center hole and on the opposite side of the longest stitch to create a second tail. Gently pull thread taut and tie off. Cut excess thread as desired and your done.
You could make a few and bundle them together with ribbon or bakers twine. sweet.

notes: for the text paper I used a nice writing paper since I'm giving the notebooks as gifts, not copier paper. The decorative paper is actually Rifle Papers gift wrap that I found at Oh, Hello Friend. It's thinner than I would normally use, but I love how pretty it is

xo, jen

Oops...Made You Cute!

A while ago I picked up 4 chairs at my local Goodwill store. Plain, inexpensive, and perfect for our outdoor gatherings. The plan was to paint them, but I just never got around to it. So a couple of months ago, while at Home Depot, I came across some fabulous colors of "Oops" paint. Oops paint are containers of paint that were a "mess up" color or maybe someone changed their mind about wanting the paint. Home Depot then sells those containers of paint at a reduced price. The "oops" colors that I liked were the small "try me" containers and were only .50¢ a pop. score. Needless to say I bought all of them and FINALLY got around to painting those chairs.

• First they were wiped down, lightly sanded, and wiped clean again.
• Then I painted them with a flat paint brush giving them two coats. Since the paint was flat, the drying time between coats was quick. Although I used a flat paint brush, a foam roller brush probably would've been a better choice.
•  That's it! I didn't put any type of clear varnish on top, but since the paint is flat I will before the chairs are used again.

They're so cute! Our guests loved them and so do I. Have you painted anything lately?

xo, jen

Made :: I Love My New Book

A couple of weeks ago I decided that it was time for me to make a book. great decision. The book I decided to make had a lot of tedious steps and pieces to it, but I absolutely love it. The spine is perfect, the binding sewn tight and beautiful. I love it so much that I don't even want to write in it until I make another one. I hardly have time as it is, but I really want to make more books. So I guess it's just like anything else in life...you just gotta carve out time for the things you enjoy.

xo, jen

Today :: Busy

In the words of Ice Cube, "Today was a good day." It's Friday and it was busy at work. Everyone was trying to get their projects and books finished before fast approaching due dates. The workday went by quick and everyone was pleased with their work. That makes me very happy. Here's a very small glimpse of what went on:

1. the press ready for printing 2. Becky admiring her handy work 3. Becky adding a little bling to her print 4. Sophie so happy with her first "perfect" perfect bound book 

Have a great weekend and Happy Easter!

xo, jen

Made :: Pom-Pom Banner

This upcoming weekend a friend and I are decorating for a baby shower. Weather permitting, the shower will be held outdoors in the backyard. Since flowers are the theme, the outdoor area takes care of some decorating elements. The idea is to keep it simple and pretty.
My friend is making a tassel banner (cute) and I decided to make a pom-pom banner. Do you remember making pom-poms when you were younger? They were so fun to make and guess what? They're still fun to make. It was my first time using a pom-pom maker so I was a little slow with the first batch made. as a kid we used our hands/ fingers. Overall they turned out well and can't wait to see them hanging up at the shower.

xo, jen

note: I bought my pom-pom maker ($6) and yarn ($2.99) at Joann's. I did use a coupon so the cost was even less. 

Oscar Party:: Roundup #2

Another roundup:

Oscars Party:: Roundup #1

Last night were the Oscars. Here's roundup one from our evening:

The Oscars

The Oscars are this Sunday!  Have you watched any of the movies up for Best Picture? I've watched three of the films. I'm so excited. A friend and I are planning a party. Honestly, I don't think I've ever watched the Oscars in it's entirety. Why? I don't know. Maybe now that I'm older and at a less stressful place in life I can relax a little and enjoy something like the Oscars? Whatever the reason, it's exciting.
So we're trying to pull everything together and make it a spectacular evening for our friends. Here's a pic of some of the fabulous stars that will be out Sunday night. Are any of you planning a party?

xo, jen

Valentine Roundup :: No. 3

Roundup number three. I think it's safe to say that every DIY posted here is super cute! There are so many floating out there over the web, it's really hard to pick just two for each post. This first one is from Made Made DIY. This would be great valentine for a husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, or you can make prints of each family member make it a "family" valentine. You have options.

This little gem from Giddy Giddy is so darling that I must also do this one. I love it and already have ideas for my words and who to give them to.

I hope you've enjoyed these few roundups and if I find myself with some extra free time, I will post more. If you decide to try one or all of them, please share a pic. Have a great weekend!

xo, jen 

Valentine DIY Roundup:: No.2

Valentine roundup two!!! Fun, fun, fun just waiting to happen.

1. How about Orange- these are so stinking cuuute! I want some on my walls. Just might have to try these out this weekend.

2. Mer Mag- I really like that these are so different. A valentine outside the box.

xo, jen

Valentine Roundup::Purl Bee

This week I'll be sharing Valentine's Day DIY's from some of my favorite online blogs/websites. Some are new and some are oldies, but always goodies! One of my fave websites is Purl SOHO. I fell in love with the site right around the time I was learning how to sew. I would just lose myself reading the blog and perusing their wonderful selection of fabrics and notions. Fortunately, on my last couple of trips to NYC, I was able to stop into the cute little shops to pick up a few yards of japanese fabric. They've since outgrown their cute small spaces and now have a large space in SoHo. Oh, but for those of you out here on the West Coast, they have a warehouse in Tustin that you can visit & pick up items. The hours there are limited so it's probably best to call before heading over. Anyway with no more delay here are two of their cute and simple valentine DIY's. Enjoy

1. Valentine Pins- simple and great to make with the kids for their valentine exchanges, make for your girlfriends, yourself, etc.

2. Valentine Pouch- so adorable. fairly simple if you know access to a sewing machine and know how to sew. you can fill them with valentine sweets or a special little gift.

xo, jen