Craft: Book Covers Explained

So I figured I may as well take pictures as I made this book cover for myself this past weekend. I must say I ABSOLUTELY love it as I never have to worry about loosing  my place (bookmarks hate me) or smooshing my book (I'm not very gentle with the contents of my purse). I picked up this fabric at the awesome thrift store that I got my suitcase from. It was only $1 so I was pretty happy! And it's so cute and so appropriate for the winter weather Calgary is throwing at us right now (4cm of snow anyone?). Here's a bit of an explanation of how I make these:

1. Roughly measure the book you want to cover (I picked a size that is the usual for the books that I read), and add a centimeter or two to each side
2. & 3. These go hand in hand. Basically wrap the fabric on the book in a "mock" cover to see if it all fits
4.  Fold the sides that the pages will slip into, pin, and sew in place (I hand-stitch so I go over these twice to ensure that it wont unravel)
5. Sew on a bookmark (this was elastic that I had in my sewing kit, but ribbon works nicely as well)
6. Make a closure by sewing a fabric tube (fold a piece of fabric over and sew one side) and attaching to the back of the cover. Attach a button to the front cover and fit a loop from the tube to the button. I used the elastic here as well incase some books are thicker than others.

That's about it. Because I am sewing machine impaired I hand-stitched this entire thing. I assure life would be so much easier if you used a sewing machine for these. Remember that measuring is the most important part. You don't want it too be too tight or too loose on your book. These make amazing gifts for those of us who still read paper books!

Book Review: Liz Curtis Higgs

That's one handsome looking dude eh? Oh random people who pose for cover art. As cover artists go I would say that this guy is like the Fabio of Christian novels! Anywho! This was a three book series: Thorn In My Heart, Fair is the Rose, and Whence Came a Prince. I didn't expect to commit to a new series when my stepmom handed me the first one. I was kinda hooked after that... which wasn't great because each book is about 500 pages. You know after three books I now feel like a few friends are gone (I'm sappy I know).  Essentially it is a retelling of the story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah from the Book of Genesis but set in 18th Century Scotland. It's all about boy falls in love with girl, but secretly get married to her sister (who isn't as pretty), and then a whole lotta heartache. Basically you are upset the whole time you read the books, but have no fear as last few chapters make you feel better! Oh Love! Oh Scotland! Oh descriptions of pretty clothing! I'm not sure I sold it well, but seriously... read it!

Craft: Book Covers

So this is a bit stingy on the way of a tutorial, but I think it might be very easy to figure out... maybe when I make one for a notebook I'll remember to take pictures (fingers crossed). I made this Bible cover for a wonderful woman in my life who has an amazing ministry called Total Woman that's run right here in Calgary! I made her a Bible cover and few years ago and it was still alive when I made her the new one (sometimes a girl just needs a new accessory). And yes a Bible can totally be an accessory! She asked for purple and I made sure that this baby came with a snap closure and a ribbon book mark. Really though the more I look at it the more I want to make one for myself! Hummm weekend project perhaps!

Craft: Thanksgiving Addition

What's that? Oh... Canadian people are saying "Brittany, Thanksgiving was a month ago!" In answer to that... yes it was, but this was decorating our mantel since then and I forgot about it! OOPS! So this was a last minute decision on my part, but it still worked out 90% like I wanted it too! While talking to a wonderful Englishman via Skype I cut out those lovely leaves from construction paper (and yes we had 15 people for dinner so it made quite the strand). I recommend talking to interesting people while cutting out shapes, as it makes the task less daunting. ANYWAYS! You then carefully ask your guests to fill the leaves with things they are thankful for (I may have had to be persuasive with a few people) and string them along a thread (I will choose a nicer thread next time). Hang along your mantel or on a wall and it makes for lovely and inspiring decorations!

Here's what I learned on how to improve:

• Thicker cardstock
• Different leaf shapes for variety
• Twine to stick with an earthy feel (perhaps not purple yarn)

Happy really late Thanksgiving Canada (or early if American)