Three Things : Fabric (& a giveaway)
(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):
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:
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.
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.
To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment below. I will close comments and pick a winner on Wednesday night around 7pm (April 23).
What a beautiful layout! Love the idea of an all fabric album! Thank you for inspiring me so much, Ali!!! :)
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love fabric and love the idea of a fabric scrapbook....off to find my sewing machine.
Carla
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Sounds like a cool book - I have two other books by Donna Downey already and I love them - such inspiration for sure!
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very cool Ali! Donna's book looks awesome!
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Fashion comes to life!!!! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing.....Crystal
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Thanks for the inspiration and great giveaways!
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I bought a sewing machine about six months ago in hopes of incorporating some stitching into my scrapbooking. I only got it out of the box last week! Yikes.
That idea books looks fabulous!
I always am inspired by your blogs.
Thanks so much!
--Margalyn
Seattle, WA
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I love working with fabric but don't do it often enough really, so this give away might be just the thing to inspire me a little bit more.
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I too, am falling in love with fabric. Donna has done some incredible things with her fabric albums and they have totally Inspired me! I loved, loved Fabric Anthology. I too, found the stitching relaxing and also really gratifying. I sat next to CD Muckosky in Christina's class and she put gesso on her fabric to mute the colors a little. The effect was stunning plus she had a firmer surface to work with and her pictures didn't have to compete with Heather's gorgeous fabric as the focal point. I love this new horizon in scrapbooking and the new opportunities for creative expression.
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Oooooh! I love this! My two favorite things together: fabric and scrapbooking. I love reading your blog.
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i love the fabric you chose and your project. i haven't done much with fabric in my scrapbooks so this would be a fun book to have.
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Sewing addictions starts small--you'll be making Simon some clothes soon enough!
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This is perfect I've been trying to get into using fabric in my layouts but haven't known where to start. This book sounds like it'll be a great help in getting me going with fabrics!
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Love that picture on your LO...what a treasure. I as always think that LO is perfect.
Blessings,
Holly t.
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Oh my gosh, does that ever look like fun! I'd love to add a little bit of fabric to my life.
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I am going to have to hit my fabric stash and try a LO. As always thanks for the inspiration!
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What a great project you did! I would love to start working more with fabric! Maybe the book would help me!!?
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i'm obsessed with making quilts right now...and this post just makes me want to make one even more...
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Hi Ali, I've been a fabric person all my life starting with when I was a little kid sewing my own clothes and then later my children's clothes and then quilting. I have drawers and drawers of quilting fabrics all color coded and such. When I started scrap booking, I liked it because it was so similar to quilting: patterns and colors and designs. I have really liked Donna Downey's work and I have 3 of her books. She's got great ideas like you have. Haven't got the fabric one, yet. I've actually been thinking of reducing my fabric collection. I'd be happy to share some with other scrappers if they might be interested. If they were to contact me by email, I could send them some.
Thanks! Nora
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I am a fan of fabric, especially since I started taking sewing classes through my local Continuing Education program! Donna's book would be a great inspiration for me to weave my love of fabric into my scrapbooking.
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Ali:
I can't wait for Donna's new book. I've been sewing since I was in 8th grade....my passion right now is quilting. But a fabric album or page in a scrapbook is very interesting. Love the page on your blog today. Thanks for the giveaway!
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I have been moving back to the concepts of sewing and cooking. It seems to embody the idea of 'simplistic living': my greatest goal.
Would love to add to my DD collection of books!
g
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This post was perfect timing for me Ali! I host a live ATC at my local art shop, and our theme for May is fabric. I'm borrowing my mom's sewing machine and getting my feet wet. Your layout gave me some great ideas! Thanks for sharing!
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I have seen Donna's book advertised. Looks very cool. I can't wait to try some fabric in my alblums!!
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I would love to learn how to use fabric more in my scrapbooking.
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