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. tammy perkins says…
    04/22/2008

    Thanks for this chance to get a cool book. Would love to check it out.

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

    Oh, me me! I love fabric! :)

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

    oh i love you and donna both! i'd love to win that book! thanks ali!

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

    Wow this looks like fun! And Donna always does the coolest stuff!

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

    Donna Downey is awesome...and I had no idea she has a new book out! WOWZERS and I need it!
    Fabric scrapbooking is a great idea since everyone has clothes that are either too small or too large for them that could use...oh but wouldn't it be cute to use pieces of your baby's old clothes (your favorites of course) as you are scrapbooking for them!!!!!!!!!! EEK gotta do it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. kimberly Ackerman says…
    04/22/2008

    Love that you show the hand stitching because I am sure that 20 years later my middle school sewing teacher shudders when she thinks about me sitting in front of one of her sewing machines.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Melissa Grogan says…
    04/22/2008

    I love fabrics.. but never know quite what to do with them. So I have a bunch of fabric that is all 1940's reprints. I love them, but have no idea what to do with them. :)

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

    I haven't used fabric on any pages yet, but love the idea. Would also love to have Donna's book! :-) Thanks so much for all the inspiration, Ali. Your blog is my daily medicine!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. elizabeth wickland says…
    04/22/2008

    I LOVE scrapping with fabric, but I've never seen Donna's book. I would love to see what she does with it! She has such great style...

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. LizT says…
    04/22/2008

    Very cool Ali... I love how you and Donna inspire us! I was just on her site looking at her fabulous acrylic album (inspired by you) with her added touch of fabric to it. Loving all these way cool new ideas!!!

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

    Working with fabric was already on my summer "to do" list...how perfect this book would be for that!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. mariliese horsewood says…
    04/22/2008

    Ali, I always love looking at the stuff you feature on your blog. Can I have this book please???? I would love to try out using fabrics in my projects, and this looks like a great book to have. See you in Provo (hopefully)!

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

    Hey Ali! You're such an inspiration. Donna is too and I would love to win her books. Thanks for doing the giveaway and for the constant inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Angi Smith says…
    04/22/2008

    I am willing to follow you to see what fabric scrapbooking is all about. Texture, you say. I am listening...

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Anna Aspnes says…
    04/22/2008

    I love using fabric on pages. I tear up old clothes and everything...Love the resources in this post Ali. Thank you.

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

    awesome!

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

    Don't know if I already posted, but I would really like a chance to win!
    Thanks, Paula

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

    I love the idea of using fabric in the same ways I use patterned paper, but I have stayed away from it because I wasn't sure what to do. I would love to get my hands on Donna's book and try some new things.
    You are both very inspiring...

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Mary Finn says…
    04/22/2008

    OMG....I never thought of using fabric for cards or scrapping, but you are 110% right!!! What a great look (and feel depending on the fabric) and yes, texture. I so want to try it out!! Just when you think there are no more fresh ideas, another one comes along. This never gets boring!!! Thanks!!!!!

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

    love your fabric ideas!!!
    been dying for Donna's new fabric book!!
    thanks, Stacy

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Jill in Chicago says…
    04/22/2008

    I'm joining in with comments. Love your give a ways. That is so kind of you. I check your blog constantly and truly enjoy your inspiration!

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

    I love the idea of using fabric for scrapbooking - I am going to give it a try. Thanks for making the book available, it sounds like a great source of inspiration.
    Renee

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

    Hi Ali. Love fabric. Just got back into it after taking a break for a while. Making some fabric yo-yo's for some layouts. Would love to have DD's book. Like your layout. Cool colors.
    Regina

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. jen smith says…
    04/22/2008

    i would so enjoy this book.

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

    love your blog!
    wishing and hoping i´m the lucky number!

    Reply 0 Replies

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