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. Alaina says…
    04/23/2008

    I love it! You never cease to amaze with your creativity...it just never runs out. I can't wait to try something like that. I especially love the hand stitching! Are those threaded knots for the center of the flower? Love it!! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Arianne says…
    04/23/2008

    I have all her other books (just recieved desining layaouts yesterday) and would really, really, really love this one too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. gabriella says…
    04/23/2008

    Ali,
    You are an inspiration! Thank you and I would love to try my hand at fabric scrapbooking.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Cynta says…
    04/23/2008

    love your blog, love how you inspire others

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Nathalie says…
    04/23/2008

    Oh, I love to go to the fabric store but I have never "dared" using fabric on a LO... Donna's book would surely help!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Cindy says…
    04/23/2008

    Ali:
    Your layout is super! I really like the idea of adding fabric to scrapbook pages. Would love to get tips and ideas from Donna's book.
    Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Katie says…
    04/23/2008

    Thank you for sharing!! I love your style and simplicity.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Heather B says…
    04/23/2008

    These books look really neat! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Colby says…
    04/23/2008

    I have recently developed a great LOVE for fabric! It's so versatile and adds so much color.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Anna A. says…
    04/23/2008

    I need to start scrapbooking again. Maybe my fabric stash is the right thing to get me going. Love the Alexander Henry fabric - I just used a bunch on my little guy Henry's quilt. Thanks for sharing. ;)
    Anna

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Jeanine Baechtold says…
    04/23/2008

    Oh this is so great! Fabric is another passion, whether designing or playing!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Juliann says…
    04/23/2008

    Since fabric is my favorite creative medium, I will throw my name into the hat. How great to combine fabric and scrapbooking!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Jody Heit says…
    04/23/2008

    I made hand-crafted dolls, bunnies and bears for years and have tons of fabric left in my good intentions piles. I'm now excited to use some of those pieces with my love of scrapbooking. I knew I was saving all that fabric for something good!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Heidi says…
    04/23/2008

    What a fun giveaway!
    Heidi in Edmonds, WA

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. carrie c. says…
    04/23/2008

    Yowza. A kazillion comments but it's worth a shot for Donna's book!!
    Thanks Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Jeanette says…
    04/23/2008

    Oh, I love fabric and have a ton of it. Would love new ideas of how to use it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Geralyn says…
    04/23/2008

    I've seen fabric used before, but I've never explored using fabric on my own layouts. What a beautiful layout, and a fun giveaway :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. jodigoins says…
    04/23/2008

    Fabric! Love it! I save parts of my daughter's dresses. I used one that I brought back to her from Mexico as the lining of a purse I made for her. Love the idea of using fabric in scrapbooking.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Annette says…
    04/23/2008

    I love fabrics and paper mixed--- I just need a kick in the pants to do it. Perhaps this book will help me put my thoughts into actions.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Becca Chase says…
    04/23/2008

    Oh how fun!! I must go dig through the boxes in the garage to find my fabric...or better yet, attack my Mom's massive collection! =0) Thanks for the constant inspiration!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Jane says…
    04/23/2008

    I love fabric and have gotten quite a nice little stash over the past few years. I am a little intimidated on how to use it. I am so glad Donna came out with a book. I also have some cotton fabric from some of my Mom's favorite outfits. She is gone now - but what a wonderful way of remembering her and weaving it into my albums. Thanks Ladies!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Jamie Kuhnhausen says…
    04/23/2008

    Hi Ali,
    What a fun giveaway!! I love Donna, love fabric, and I love your blog. I like using fabric paper on my pages; but haven't done much with actual fabric. Can't wait to try.
    You are an inspiration! Have a FABULOUS day!
    Jamie

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Kelly P. says…
    04/23/2008

    Fabric gives that extra bit of texture and depth to pages. It is also a great way to use up scraps. I have always wanted to do a page with pieces from my daughter's favourite dresses that she has grown out of (she is 8 now) with pictures of her in the different dresses. I love layering fabric with ribbon and also using it with good old mod podge on the front of journals etc. Michael Miller Memories has some GREAT fabric paper in 12 X 12 sheets and 1/2 yard cuts. Check out their website at:
    http://www.michaelmillermemories.com/product.htm
    Thanks for all the inspiration Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. EmmaJ says…
    04/23/2008

    Thanks for listing the fabric sites you like. I have been sewing really simple craft projects lately and have been looking for new places to buy fabric.

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Heidi says…
    04/23/2008

    Holy Cow!! You have a lot of comments!! lol Loving the way your photo looks like it was printed on fabric just by surrounding it with fabric items. Very thought provoking.

    Reply 0 Replies

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