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).

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1595 thoughts

  1. Penny in Missouri says…
    04/22/2008

    Thanks for the chance to win Donna's book--I enjoy your blog daily with my lunch.

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

    I have been scrapping for four years now (after the birth of my first son) and love watching the evolution of my style. I love to try new elements and am excited about implementing fabric. This book would be great inspiration (just as you always seem to be for me). Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. janna says…
    04/22/2008

    i've never tried using fabric with my scrapbooking, other than in tiny little scraps... but it all looks so lovely, it's time to try!
    thanks for letting me play!
    janna

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Irene Lenihan says…
    04/22/2008

    That looks like so much fun. And it would be away to use up my stash of quilting fabrics. Since scrapbooking seems to take up most of my time these days it would make good use of my fabric.

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

    i bought her other book - designing w/ photos - so i'd love to win this one - put my name in please :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Elizabeth says…
    04/22/2008

    I am a sewer well not very often these days but am loving the integration adn inspiration for using fabric must get my machine out - love you LO

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

    Just pulled out my sewing machine again after a few months of dust collected. Whew! Didn't realize how much I missed it. (Even got my 5-year-old daughter to sew a pillowcase to match her new sleeping bag for a family camping trip. A great time!) Looking forward to some new projects. Thanks for the ideas.
    Stitching again, Lydia

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Denise says…
    04/22/2008

    Thanks again for the fun ideas and helping me think "outside the box". Love Donna's books.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Jill says…
    04/22/2008

    This looks like a super fun book...anxious for some inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Katarina Florance says…
    04/22/2008

    I have gotten into the fabric crafts lately too. I love the depth they add (an invitation to touch). I am looking for some fabric crafts to make for a couple people who are "interactive art" people in my life.
    Thanks for your great site too...I love to read your ideas.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Denise says…
    04/22/2008

    Thanks again for the fun ideas and helping me think "outside the box". Love Donna's books.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Brianne says…
    04/22/2008

    Hey Ali! I am such a huge fan of yours! Thanks for this opportunity. I don't use much fabric in scrapbooking so this would be a great source of inspiration. Thanks! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Julie says…
    04/22/2008

    Thank you for all the inspiration, not only with regards to scrapbooking, but life in general!! I cant wait to look at my fabric with a new vision in mind.
    Julie

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

    Thanks again for the fun ideas and helping me think "outside the box". Love Donna's books.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Stacy Trimble says…
    04/22/2008

    Love the giveaways :) Thanks for letting us all play.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. TERRI says…
    04/22/2008

    Enter me. This book looks so cool.

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

    my mom sewed and I haven't ventured into it yet, but I think its why I love patterened paper and working with it so much. my fav fabrics for texture are cordoroy and velvet and I love the sheer look of organdy. cool post today, the fabric arts are hot!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Heidi Sonboul says…
    04/22/2008

    oh ali... please pick me! NO LIE... I've been using fabric for over a year now... and I'd love to have a book that teaches NEW ideas! here are two lo's I did using fabric just to show you that it's the truth!
    [IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_of_paper/P9228394Medium-1.jpg[/IMG]
    [IMG]http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d39/Queen_of_paper/P7295893Medium.jpg[/IMG]

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  19. Amy Ragland says…
    04/22/2008

    Very cool! I haven't seen this book in person yet. It looks so fun!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Susan says…
    04/22/2008

    I feel an urge coming on. Looks like I am finally going to wander and know what to do in the fabric aisle at my craft store.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Catherine says…
    04/22/2008

    Hi Ali, luv your fabric page. So creative. Would be delighted to have Donna's book, looks fab from the photos. Thanks for the opportunity.
    Catherine A

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Melissa Villalobos says…
    04/22/2008

    I love the idea of incorporating sewing & fabrics on my pages...her book is definitely on my wishlist!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Heather Owens says…
    04/22/2008

    I can't wait to check out this book...

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Henny Lee says…
    04/22/2008

    I live in South East Asia. I'm a fan of your blog and your column in CK mag. Simon is sooo cool.
    The fabric you show here look delicious.
    I've been scrapbooking only for about 3 years now. I absolutely always incorporate ribbons on my minibooks and layouts. Love the texture of fabrics. Just love 'em. But I have never tried pasting a whole piece like you did. I wish I could have that book.... But I guess it would be too costly for you to send over.... That's ok. I probably can scraplift your layout here.
    God bless you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Susan Westberg says…
    04/22/2008

    This is such a great concept. I've used a little fabric on project, just not on my pages. Thanks for hosting the contest.

    Reply 0 Replies

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