Second only to Christmas, Halloween has become the most commercialized holiday in this country, with entire catalogs devoted to creating million-dollar monsters and fairies. But homemade costumes need not be hooky or cheap. Instead they offer a chance to unleash our inner magician, who with a modest potion of paper, scissor, and some glue, can transform themselves into any creature of their imagination.

Of course it all boils down to materials. Using Egg Press’ expressive collection of wrapping paper, along with Studio Carta tight weave cotton ribbon in Halloween hues, we conjured our own enchanting rabbit, in about as much time as it takes to say, “Hocus Pocus, Alakazam!”

Step 1: Using a flexible, lightweight cardboard or poster board (we used a manila envelope) make a simple sketch of a creature or critter of your choice. Cut this out.

Step 2: Choose a paper for the underlying layer of your mask. (We used selects from their Blue, Orange and Yellow Collection.) Place your cardboard cutout onto the back to this paper. Trace and cut.

Step 3: Using an Exact-o knife cut out the eye holes of your base mask. Then brush glue onto the back of your paper and paste over the base layer. Again, cut out the eyes.

Step 4: Choose another piece of paper for your accents. Using the edges of your mask as a template, draw these details onto the back of your second piece of paper. Cut these out.

Step 5: Apply glue and paste you accent pieces onto your mask.

Step 6: Punch holes into the sides of your mask.

Step 7: Measure two lengths of ribbon long enough to tie around you head. (We used Tight Weave Cotton Ribbon in dark indigo.) Give yourself a little extra. You can always trim.

Step 8: Thread the ribbons through your holes and tie.

That’s it. Of course the sky (or your imagination) is the limit on what you can do. Swap papers for a different look. Add a sequin or two. Try a fox or an owl. Or wouldn’t a lion with a Studio Carta ribbon mane look cool?

Spring has sprung! And with it weddings, babies, and all things “new beginnings.” In celebration of this season of rebirth, for our 3rd project Angela and I chose to resurrect one of her old talents: bookmaking. (In fact it was the pursuit of elegant bindings for her books that led Angela to begin importing Italian ribbons in the first place!)

Though Angela, who studied and taught at Minnesota Center for Book Arts, is a pro, this keepsake book is easy enough for anyone to tackle. Success is in the supplies. Made with beautiful Rifle Paper Co. Gift Wrap and Studio Carta Cotton Ribbon, our keepsake book is perfect for storing momentos from spring’s (or any season’s) most treasured events.

Materials:

• Rifle Paper Co. Gift Wrap or other fine paper *
• Studio Carta Tight Weave Ribbons
• two 8×10 pieces of bookbinding archival board, available at specialty online stores such as: Talas or Hollanders
• acid-free booking binding glue
• small brush
• bone folder, also available at Talas or Hollanders
• Studio Carta Paper Scissors with Gold Handle
• Studio Carta Ribbon Scissors
• hammer
• ruler
• X-Acto or utility knife

* When considering the entire line of Rifle Paper Gift Wrap and Studio Carta Ribbon, the possibilities are endless. Just let the occasion be your guide. For example, if you’re making a book for the parents of a baby boy, perhaps you could use Rifle Paper Co.’s Blue Toile Gift Wrap with Studio Carta Tight Weave Ribbon in Chartreuse. Or for a wedding Rifle’s Spearmint Blossoms Gift Wrap would look smashing with a bit of Studio Carta Metallic Tight Weave in Natural with Gold Stripe. (See even more colorful combinations on Rifle Paper Co.’s site.)

For our book, Angela and I selected spring-time pairing of Rifle Paper Co.’s romantic wildflower gift wrap with Studio Carta Tight Weave Cotton Ribbon in Peach.

Step 1: If you have not already done so, cut your archival cardboard to the desired size. We chose 8×10. To create your outside cover, lay the cardboard onto your paper and, using this as a template, measure and mark your paper so that it is a couple centimeters, or about 1/2 inch, larger all around. Cut out your paper. Repeat for the other cover.

Step 2: Working quickly brush the glue onto the back of your paper. Then transfer your cardboard to the center and press down, working out any air bubbles with your hands or bone folder.

Step 3: Cut the corners of your paper, leaving about a millimeter between the edge and the cardboard.

Step 4: Fold the first side over. Then using your bone folder, press the corner paper in towards the next fold so it lays against the cardboard edge. Then fold the second side down. Repeat as you go around.

Step 5: When you are done, gently work out any air bubbles with your bone folder. Then lightly tap down on all your corners, so that your cover doesn’t have any sharp edges. Repeat this whole process with the next piece of cardboard.

Step 6: Once you have the outsides of each piece of cardboard covered, it’s time to cover the inside. First measure and cut two pieces of paper so that each is slightly smaller than the cardboard. Again, working quickly, glue the smaller paper so that it covers the inside of each piece of cardboard.

Step 7: On each cover, create 4 slits for your ribbons. First measure the width of your ribbon. Then starting about 1 1/2  inches or 4 centimeters from the top (short side), and about 1 inch or 2.5 centimeters from the edge (long side), make a mark, length-wise, that measures the width of your ribbon. Repeat at all four corners of each cover.

Step 8: Using a small chisel or utility knife, hammer or cut the four slits you just measured. Repeat on the other piece of cardboard.

Step 9: Lay the cardboard covers side by side leaving about 1/4 inch or one centimeter gap in between. Using these as a template, cut two long pieces of ribbon that measure 10 or so inches (25 centimeters) longer, on each side, than your opened book. Then, starting in the middle, thread each end of the ribbon from the outside, across the inside, and back out to the outside. Repeat on the bottom.

That’s it. Though there are many steps, Angela was able to make this book in about 20 minutes!

Angela uses her keepsake books to house treasured correspondence from loved ones.

Wedding bouquets are expensive. But they don’t have to be. Sometimes all you need to make a special arrangement are simple flowers and some outstanding ribbon.

With this idea in mind, Angela Liguori and I set out to make a simple posy as the second installment of our monthly DIYs. All it took was a bunch of tiny daisy-like clusters (white asters or feverfew), several yards of Studio Carta ribbon, and about ten minutes time. The cost? Under $20. The results? An inspired springtime bouquet, perfect for May Day, weddings, or any special occasion.

Materials:

• Any small daisy-like cluster flower. Angela and I wanted feverfew which will be abundant in my garden next month. (Note: if you pick the flowers from your own garden, the cost is even less!) Until then, white asters from the florist possessed a similar demure charm.
• 1 yard each of Studio Carta Italian cotton ribbon, including loose weave in peach, metallic loose weave in peach and gold and calligraphy ribbon featuring the fine lettering of Maybelle Imasa Stukuls. (Here’s a peak at a calligraphy course I took from her at Angela’s last year.)
• floral shears, ribbon scissors and pins (optional)

Step 1: Remove the lower leaves and blooms from each stem. Then gather your flowers into a bunch and trim the ends to an equal length, about 7 inches from the base of the flowers.

Step 2: Tie your first yard of peach ribbon around the stems, near, but not right up against, the base of your flowers. Don’t worry if you don’t have equal lengths of ribbon on each side of the bouquet. It actually looks better if they are slightly askew. Also you want your bunch to be secure, but you also don’t want to tie the ribbon so tight that your flowers squish together. Then tie your second, metallic peach ribbon right over the first.

Step 3: Gently thread the calligraphy ribbon under the first two. Pull one end through so that it hangs about the same length as the stems, leaving the other end long. Secure with a small pin pushed towards the center of the bouquet.

That’s it! It couldn’t be easier to achieve this simply elegant posy, perfect for May Day or Mother’s Day. We also think they would be especially charming grouped together as bridesmaids or a flower girl bouquets. Add a dash more of Maybelle’s calligraphy ribbon to a smaller cluster, and you could even make striking, matching, boutonnieres for your groomsmen.

If you missed our inaugural DIY collaborative, be sure to visit Quail Eggs and Peacocks. Up next for June: a handmade wedding album or baby book.

Instead of using potatoes and any old ink for our annual wrapping paper project, this year we got serious. Mom made real stamps (!!!!) and actually bought professional block printing ink. The kids didn’t really notice the difference. (They’re approach is more, err, extemporaneous.) But I fell in love. Block printing is my new passion.

Olie’s “flock”

Mom’s attempt birds and gnomes

white dogs

]]> http://designskool.net/annual-diy-wrapping-paper-2014-edition/feed/ 4 http://designskool.net/salty-knits-by-marnie/ http://designskool.net/salty-knits-by-marnie/#comments Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:49:45 +0000 http://designskool.net/?p=30095

For years Marnie’s knits have been the best kept secret in Orleans, MA. So happy to share them with the rest of the world on Remodelista today. Here are some more “behind the scenes” shots from our day of gathering weathered marine twine for Marnie’s “salty knits”. For more see Pot Holders Knit from Ocean-Tossed Twine.

An unexpected gift arrived from England just in time for Valentine’s Day,
One of Alessandra’s exquisite hot pads.
I put it in a quiet corner where I could admire its simple loveliness.
A persimmon clementine seemed the perfect complement.
Eventually, I will move it to a more functional place,
The kitchen, no doubt.
But for now it’s on a pedestal.
A personal object.
A connection.
Art.

faded denim WWII laundry bag

Indigo is always good for fall, I think. Today I’ve been admiring these denim military bags from A Beautiful Revolution.

stenciled denim WWII laundry bag

denim WWII laundry bag

denim WWII laundry bag with yellow print

Not denim, but still fabulous…

vintage tartan bag

1940’s canvas duffle

Don’t you just love the small things in life?

Myself, I seem to be having a pot holder moment.

The latest hot pads to catch my eye: these patchwork beauties by Alessandra Taccia of La Casita. Unfortunately, they are sold out now, but Alessandra is always stitching up more original goods. Which is why it’s so fun to revisit her shop.

There is something quite alluring about the humble potholder. Often staying in the background, these useful kitchen textiles quietly preform their feats of daring, quite content to let those brash table linens take all the glory. Which is why it’s so special when one of these little workers takes the time to dress up a bit, like Cinderella going to the ball. But nothing too fancy or above their station. These proletariats are proud of their utilitarian nature. Just an extra stitch to give them some texture, or a beautiful weave that complements their tactile duties. And perhaps the boldest of these demure mitts may even don a dashing loop, as if to say, “Excuse me, but have you noticed that I might just be pretty enough to be kept out of the drawer?”

Above: Canvas potholder as mini work of art. Designer Edie Kahula Pereira of Specialty Dry Goods hand embroiders her simple, yet textured potholders from 100% natural, recycled US goods.

Above and below: Specialty Dry Goods pot holders in denim.

Above: Another maker of an understatedly lovely pot holder is Japanese designer Miyako Tsuchiya. Hand sewn from a tactile cotton, linen blend these mitts are available through Everyday Needs.

Above: Specialty Dry Goods pot holders are also available at General Store and through Alder & Co.

drinking straws made from real straw!

Relatively new to Etsy, Golden Biscotti is a trim little shop featuring select items of pure and elemental charm. Simplicity reigns at this Swiss atelier, whose minimalists practices serve to enhance the intrinsic beauty of natural materials – paper, wood, and clay. Here ornamentation is sacrificed in favor of balance of form. Texture, rather than color, provides allure. As restrained as Ikebana, the results are like a quiet revelation. Serene and graceful, as precious and as intimate as solitude on a misty morning.

porcelain plates

hand folded paper garlands

maple boards

mat made from hemp cord