Hand bound books I completed this past weekend. One is a journal and one is a watercolor sketch book.

Books, Books, Books....

Today's project: Finish binding this journal.
The front is hand painted 'prive' (French for 'private'). I am in love with the color of this journal. Mix it with the waxed linen thread in chocolate brown and I can't stop looking at it.
I love how constructing these books allows be to use my hands, paintbrushes, paper, needle and thread and sometimes even fabric. I can really mesh lots of my interests into one project!

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I'd like to share some of my favorite children's books with you. Each of these series holds a special place in my heart and it has been delightful to reread these as an adult and mother. These books are timeless. Wisdom, humor, and truth are woven into these stories. I recommend purchasing these books for your child's library. Your family will cherish them forever.


Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka series by Maj Lindman
If you did not have the privilege of reading these books as a child, you simply have to read them now...to yourself and your children. My mother read these books as a child...so special. The original hardcover books are collector's items and cost a pretty penny. However, this delightful series has been released in paperback and you can find them at most online bookstores. There is also a series about 3 brothers called Snip, Snap, and Snur so your son can also join in on these adventures.


Frances series by Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban
Have you met Frances? She is the cutest little girl badger you will ever read about. Her stories are well written and classic. Frances lives with her parents and little sister. She is often getting herself into little situations and has to figure out how to deal with her decisions. I love Bread and Jam for Frances and must warn you about Bedtime for Frances - You will be fighting off invisible tigers and laundry giants if you read this right before your kids settle down (but you still should read it!)


Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
You probably read Ramona in grade school or some of Beverly Cleary's other works. We are reading this very book (Beezus and Ramona) at night to our children and I am just captivated by the way Beverly Cleary writes. She uses detailed descriptions and everyday situations to paint a lively and humorous world. It is a totally different experience reading these as an adult now - all moms will smile with understanding while reading these aloud~ Also look for the Henry Huggen's series for boys. He makes appearances in the Ramona books.

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Embroidered Valentine Napkin Tutorial

Supplies:
A. Four cocktail napkins in assorted colors
B. Scissors
C. Embroidery needle
D. Disappearing fabric pen
E. 1 skein of embroidery floss in cream
F. small embroidery hoop (not pictured)

Step 1:

Using your fabric pen, transfer your phrases onto the napkins. I wrote my phrases in pretty script with a Sharpie on white paper. I lightly taped my written phrases onto the back of the napkin and then held them both up to a window. A light table works well to. Or, if you would rather use transfer paper, follow the transfer instructions from the manufacturer.

Step 2:

Cut a generous amount of embroidery floss. I cut 4 pieces (2 feet long each).

Step 3:

Position your embroidery hoop over the words. Begin embroidering with your preferred stitch. I used a simple back stitch. Click here to see my back stitch tutorial.

Step 4:

When you reach the end, knot and cut thread. You are finished!

Felt Barrette Tutorial

Inspired by Angry Chicken. I tried my best to sew them on my machine, but I could NOT sew on the lines very straight. So, I improvised and hand stitched some barrettes instead.
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Supplies

A- Felt (I love wool felt, but the craft felt works well to)!
B- Fabric pen
C- Embroidery or Craft Thread
D- Scissors
E- Needle
F- Snap Barrettes (I found them for a good price at a beauty supply store)

Step 1

Trace barrette twice onto your felt using your fabric pen.
Step 2

On one of your traced felt barrettes, mark in-between the back snap as shown in picture (in red).
Step 3

Cut out your barrettes about 1/8" from the trace lines.
Step 4

Cut a slit from red dot to red dot.
Step 5

Thread your needle and knot your thread on one end.
Step 6

Sandwich the two felt barrette pieces together and bring thread up through the skinny end of the top felt piece (this will hide your knot).
Step 7

Blanket-stitch up to the wide end of the felt sandwich and stop stitching.
Step 8


Slide the metal barrette into the sandwich sliding the skinny snap through the slit in the back felt piece. See the pictures. Now snap the metal barrette shut.
Step 9

Continue to blanket-stitch back to the starting point, enclosing the metal barrette as you go. Turn barrette over (as shown in picture), knot and cut your thread.
Finished Barrette:





Don't forget to visit the rest of my blog! I also have a forest fawn stuffie pattern for sale here. My instructions are accompanied by full color photographs and I give permission for you to sale your fawn creations!