Three Things : Fabric (& a giveaway)

Threethings_fabric

(Unikko - Orange, Mirabelle Red (Alexandar Henry), Alfie Barkcloth (Yellow))


One of my favorite parts of my recent creativity travel was working with fabric in my projects. I have been playing with bits of it with my sewing machine and starting to collect small pieces here and there (haven't gotten into any clothes sewing yet).


Here's a fabric layout I made in Christina Lazar Schuler's class at Inspired called Textile Anthology (check her Etsy store for available kits):


Fabricpage


She talked about making an entire album of fabric pages (the one above is 8x8). I like that idea and I also love that this sort of page  can just go in my regular albums as well (put it into a page protector or add grommets to fit to your album rings).


So why fabric? I like to think of it in the same way I think of pattern paper - a decoration. A bit of color. The cool thing about fabric is that it also lends texture to your project. We can all use a bit more texture in our lives. Fabric can be added to a layout with adhesive or stitched on by hand (I actually really liked the process of hand-stitching the photo on the layout above) or with a machine (quick and easy). Try using it in place of patterned paper on your next project. It's also especially great for covering chipboard albums.


Currently I am storing my fabric pieces in my metal shelf:


Fabricstorage


Here are three of my favorite sites for checking out fabric include Sew Mama Sew (love searching by color), Purl Soho (especially loving their contemporary collection), and Repodepot. You can also search etsy for vintage fabric sellers like Shabby Vintage Mom who has some cute bundles of vintage fabrics.


Dottedline


Fabricscrap


The giveaway today is for Donna Downey's newest book Fabric Scrapbooking. It's very much a project-based book with step by step instructions and supply lists to walk you through each project.


Fabricscrap2


To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment below. I will close comments and pick a winner on Wednesday night around 7pm (April 23).

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

1595 thoughts

  1. Irene says…
    04/22/2008

    I like how you do the fabric layout! Saw that book at LSS... great ideas in there

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Annette says…
    04/22/2008

    love all your recent projects you've been posting. fabulous, just like all your stuff. great giveaway, thanks. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Stéphanie Pouliot says…
    04/22/2008

    Thanks for sharing your journey with us and love all that you create! I'm turning one year older on this wonderful Earth day and love sharing my b-day with our planet! Can't wait to get my hands on Donna's book!
    And love your fabric collection!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. denali says…
    04/22/2008

    Looks like FUN! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Stephanie says…
    04/22/2008

    Thank you for your constant inspiration!!! I have been wanting to try to incorporate fabric into my projects - this book might just be the incentive I need :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Beth D says…
    04/22/2008

    I love fabric and a few years ago I wanted to try quilting but I just never got going. Now I feel inspired to pull out some of the fabric I bought and use it on my papercrafting! Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Paula says…
    04/22/2008

    Awesome look, I would love to win the Fabric Scrapbook. Please pick me.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Amy Cannon says…
    04/22/2008

    As a young child I learned how to sew with my mother for 4-H... I cried the whole time. Now that I am a mother I am learing to appreciate fabric. I just made my first baby quilt by myself (with some help of my mother) and it has become a new interest of mine. So to introduce my scrapbooking to fabric would be awesome with this book!
    thanks!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. ~liz says…
    04/22/2008

    rutro we've got a problem Houston now I will HAVE to start collecting fabric. Ouch

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Jackie Hughes says…
    04/22/2008

    What a cool page you made on the fabric! I'd love to read Donna's new book~~Jackie

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Christina in MI says…
    04/22/2008

    I love Donna's books. I have 2 of her 4 so I'm excited to read the new ones. Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Ani B says…
    04/22/2008

    Love the album. Your blog is always so inspiring.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Lindsey Wente says…
    04/22/2008

    Pick me I want that book so bad!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. alicia says…
    04/22/2008

    I am learning how to quilt and I love it--I just wish fabric was as cheap as scrapbook paper!

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. mary bright says…
    04/22/2008

    OOOOOOO. I've really been wanting that book. Haven't seen it anywhere yet. Love that page. I'll have to try that.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Sesil in Chicago says…
    04/22/2008

    Love the work you are showing and techniques you learned at the inspired event. Thanks for sharing. Love to play with fabric. :)SESIL

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. traci says…
    04/22/2008

    this is exactly why i come to your blog,
    u always open my eyes to something new to do.
    i have actually been checking out some fabric stores around my house but haven't found anything worth buying.
    my goal is to learn how to use a sewing machine.
    thanks for the fabric store links...off to check them out!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Bethany says…
    04/22/2008

    I love fabric but so rarely buy it (or use it on a page). Your layout and fabrics are definitely inspiring...and so is Donna!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Wendy T says…
    04/22/2008

    Ali...thanks for your blog. I love checking it and being inspired. Without even knowing...a lot of my friends are checking it too! Love that! Would love to have Donna's new book! Have looked at it several times, but just have not splurged...I'm crossing my fingers! Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Elisa Bohm says…
    04/22/2008

    Hi Ali,
    I just wanted to thank you for your work. I recently got Life Artist and it inspired me to start my own blog as a suplement to my scrapbooking. I love it. I love how easy it is to keep them all updated via video an pictures on the blog. Thanks for the inspiration and instruction. Your work has really enriched my life. I can't thank you enough.
    Elisa

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Katrina Henry says…
    04/22/2008

    Very fun! I received a sewing machine from my mom (a big time seamstress) for my last birthday & have slowly begun using it/gaining confidence. Sounds like a neat book & I'll definitely be checking out those sites for cool fabrics. Thanks Ali!
    Katrina

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. renee says…
    04/22/2008

    i've used fabric for accents. never thought of a page..how cool..this book looks like one for me...
    thanks ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Angela says…
    04/22/2008

    Ali, you always have the best ideas! I visit your blog almost every day for inspiration. (Sometimes more than once a day!)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Dale Anne says…
    04/22/2008

    LOVELY Fabrics and FABULOUS layout!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. rena says…
    04/22/2008

    roses are red-
    violets are blue-
    i would love a new book-
    to work and search through!
    ~rena

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.