A Field Journal

Wintering

2012-02-07T22:46:00.000-08:00

A quiet January came and went. Filled with wintery things like ice skating after work (quite awkwardly), practicing crochet stitches and delivering a few straggling Christmas presents (shown above). I suppose the year is off to a slow start but I refuse to worry too much about that, especially on a sleepy, rainy evening like this one. So far I've been happily dreaming more than doing — about getting organized and starting new projects. And I've been trying to cherish free time, rather than fret about how it seems ever insufficient. How is 2012 treating you, friends?

Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

2011-12-21T00:11:00.000-08:00

I made these ribbons last winter as part of a freelance assignment for Making Memories. Their Bravissimo line launched last spring, and allowed crafters to make customizable, award-style ribbons. I joined Suzonne, Cathe and Gail in developing prototypes for a second round of Bravissimos, which unfortunately did not make it to production. Nevertheless, I thought I'd post them for a bit of Christmas inspiration. If you'd like to try making these from scratch, I absolutely recommend using a scoring board — it's the secret to getting picture-perfect folds. Striped paper and edge punches also add fun effects, and don't be afraid to experiment with non-traditional paper-craft items like tulle, jingle bells or mini ornaments.

Holiday Card Display

2011-12-20T12:18:00.000-08:00

This year I've been doing some photography work for the stationery company Minted. At the start of the holiday season, we collaborated with West Elm to come up with creative card displays. I styled the shot the photo above using Minted holiday cards and some felt accessories from West Elm; check out the full post on West Elm's blog, Front & Main.

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-11-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

I'm back from a relaxing weekend with friends and family; definitely a much-needed break at the end of a busy month. I finally had some time to work on a just-for-fun project, so I made these Pilgrim hat place cards out of scrapbook papers, trims and findings.

A Martha Stewart Halloween Giveaway

2011-10-31T00:02:00.000-07:00

When I was invited to review the recently released book, Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday Crafts, I couldn't resist. I remember reading library copies of Martha Stewart Living when I was 9 or 10, and I think it's safe to say I've been hooked ever since. If you've followed this blog a while, you also know that holiday crafts top my list. So, this book is a natural fit. It's a beautiful, thoughtfully styled hardcover, full of ideas (225 of them!). I thought there would be no better way to review it than to attempt one of the projects. To celebrate Halloween I made some of the "Pumpkin Pouch Party Favors" found on page 213. (You can see my version in the top photo above.) Read more...
And now, what I'm most excited to share: a giveaway! The lovely folks at MSLO have provided two signed copies of Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday Crafts to be awarded to two A Field Journal readers. Please leave a comment on this post to enter, and be sure to provide an email address so that we may contact you if you win. Good luck! Contest will be open until Friday Nov 4. Contest has ended; winners Laura & Annie have been contacted via email. Congratulations!

Golden Hours

2011-10-28T00:23:00.000-07:00

Late in the summer, my brother and I rode out across the old Bonsall bridge. There the abandoned roadway floats above the California oaks that rise from the dry riverbed. On the far side, foxtail and wild yarrow grow up through cracks in the pavement, and in that particular hour they were caught in a halo of expiring light. The weeks since have passed quickly, turning those golden afternoons to violet dusks, cold and clear. Every now and again, the air has the scent of damp earth and wood smoke. It's nearly November. We must catch up.

Summer Sewing

2011-08-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

We reached the island well after sunset, swathed in a haze of salt air and fading light. The place was Two Harbors, a small outpost on the Catalina isthmus. We spent three days there, camping in canvas-walled cabins overlooking the cove. That first night we hiked along the bluffs under a black sky, looking down at the port lights reflecting off the water. Summer nights here are scented; coastal sage and native grasses, wild licorice, warmth and dust.

For this trip I did a little last-minute sewing. The Two Harbors Tote, a sturdy, drawstring, beach bag with rope handles for a bit of nautical flair. I found some coordinating fabric by chance, which resulted in the Seafarer Clutch — just the thing for ferry tickets and collected shells. I illustrated step-by-step instructions for both projects so you can see how I made them and maybe try them yourself. Click here or on the banner above to download.

Kids' Crafternoon

2011-07-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Last autumn I had the opportunity to contribute to the Kids' Crafternoon series of books, a collaboration between Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up and and the Australian publisher Hardie Grant. The Papercraft volume, out this month, includes some classic pinwheels and rolled flowers I made. Below are photos I took of them just before I shipped them Down Under to be styled for the book:I've also included a few pages scanned from the finished book in this post — I love how kid-friendly the instructions are with their practical tips and step-by-step illustrations. Now for the best part: a giveaway! Hardie Grant has provided me with a copy of the book to send to one lucky reader. Please leave a comment on this post to enter (everyone is eligible, just be sure I have a way to contact you), and I'll announce the winner right here next week.
Update: The lucky winner is Comment 23 — Jenni. Congratulations! Comments are now closed.

Fans & Fireworks

2011-06-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

Click the photo above for a larger view.

It was just before the light reaches the time of tall shadows. The sun, low in the sky, caught the dust that hangs above the road. A thousand flecks of gold in the still, heavy air. It was then summer arrived. The season for simple things. Night breezes, page-turners, the whir of an old electric fan. And, that quiet sort of reverence for home and country.

With those things in mind, I designed these handheld fans for the Fourth of July. You can print and make them yourself; here's how: Click here to download clip art, print on cardstock and cut out. Score and fold along white line. Unfold and lie flat. Now, working perpendicular to your first fold, score at half inch intervals. Fold accordion style. Shape into circle and glue at top using tab. Let dry. Glue wooden sticks to each of the remaining ends and tie or glue sticks together.

A couple of notes: The wooden sticks can be found at Michaels. I stained them using a water-based stain by FolkArt (found with the acrylic craft paints) - it's perfect for these kinds of projects (where it would be too inconvenient to break out the hardware store stuff). Also, a bone folder and scoring board or ruler are extra helpful here — they'll give you those even and crisp folds every time.

Feedsack for the Fourth

2011-06-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me that I should start sharing some of the projects from my Victoria columns that went un-posted last year. I thought I'd revisit these cocktail napkins (from the July/August 2010 issue) since we're coming up on the Fourth of July. To make these, cut 10" squares of material and edge with 1/2" double fold bias tape. You can customize the look using a bias tape maker and fabric of your choice. The bias tape shown above uses reproduction feedsack cottons by Windham Fabrics. Stay tuned this week for a free printable project, just in time for the Fourth!

In Country Living

2011-06-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

Last summer I made and photographed a doily cocktail umbrella craft for the paper goods shop, Papermash . (If you missed that post, you can see it here). This year I was asked to recreate the project for the June issue of Country Living; which is on newsstands now. Click on the scan above to read more detailed instructions or visit countryliving.com. (Photographed by Victoria Pearson, and written by Jourdan Crouch.)

The Wind and the Sea

2011-05-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we drove out to the point, where grey skies broke to windswept clouds over the ocean. I hadn't been to the lighthouse since I was a girl, too young to remember anything but the bright of sand and whitewash. I had forgotten the rooms and their strange quiet. The artifacts (circa 1880s), touched only by sunlight and dust. Can you imagine a life here? Overlooking the vast and ancient sea, the lore of a thousand years adrift on the current.

Wont you take a walk with me?
Down where the shore meets the wind and the sea.
I once sought my fortune there,
'Neath torrid sails, in tepid air.
In that place of crest and swell,
Where golden chest and porcelain shell,
Tarnish in the blackened deep,
Forgotten in a lasting sleep.

Little Brown Bunny

2011-05-01T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hello again! I'm back with the second project I promised you last week. I usually enjoy coming up with my own crafting ideas — it's often my favorite part of the process, but every now and then I come across a tutorial I just cannot resist. Each spring I'm reminded of this charming how-to by Jennifer Murphy for Martha Stewart, and I decided this was the year I'd make a pom-pom bunny of my very own. What have you been up to this fine May Day? I'm off to do a little spring cleaning and savor the remains of the day.

In Your Easter Bonnet

2011-04-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hello dear friends! I did some crafting over Easter weekend, and wanted to share the results with you this week and next. First up are these miniature silk and satin bonnets (4.5" across widest part of brim); they're based on this 1830s bonnet from the Old Sturbridge Village collection (the pale blue, deep rose and aged muslin ties on that particular piece are just gorgeous). To make a miniature version of my own, I drafted a pattern which you can download for personal use by clicking here. For more photos, instructions and supply tips, click here to read on.

Instructions: To begin cut the pattern from light-weight cardboard and cover each piece in material. I adhered the fabric by running it through my Xyron sticker maker and then applying it to the cardboard pattern piece. Assemble the bonnet using a strong, quick-drying fabric glue (I use Fabri-tac) and line the inside of the bonnet with cardstock for a clean look. I also added part of an oversized cupcake liner to create a ruffled look under the brim. Finally add your trims.

Trims: I didn't have any vintage millinery, so instead I had to be resourceful in the silk flower department (which I'm usually not a fan of). The velvety roses shown above began as brownish hydrangea petals plucked off an artificial stem. I dyed them with fabric dye and then cut out individual petals and refashioned them into rose blooms. I also found an stem of small fabric flowers that were suited to this project. Additional trims used: floral pips, grosgrain ribbon, faux bois ribbon, gold microbeads, iridescent sequins. For leaves, I treated yellow-green silk with fabric stiffener, let dry and cut out leaf shapes.

She Hates California, It's Cold and It's Damp

2011-04-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Road trips that start in the early morning are sublime. Filled with the promise of open highway and burgeoning daylight. Punctuated by quiet breakfasts, beachfront diners and old tunes on the radio. The cares of yesterday get lost in this world of scenic routes, unfolded maps and gas station postcards. It’s certainly true — sooner or later, wanderlust gets the better of us and we take to the road.A couple of weeks ago, I took a weekend trip with Brett along the central California coast. It was stormy sort of weekend - hence my title for this post (a peculiar lyric from this song) - but I managed to take some photos and compiled them in a little online magazine/travel journal. Click here or on the mini magazine below to read (Flash required).

The Wearing of the Green

2011-03-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

Black Watch is my most favorite of Scottish tartans. Navy and emerald interwoven, deep and dark like India ink. Last winter I had a simple skirt in mind, made from this plaid - one with a high, pleated waist and a self-tie belt. I found a remnant in a soft wool-rayon blend, with a nice drape and set to work. It was put aside numerous times - because, dear friends, I am the laziest of sewers - but I finished it in time to wear this winter and now, into spring. I based my skirt on this helpful tutorial, but added a lining and downplayed the paper bag waist.

A Belated Valentine

2011-02-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! February is just flying by, and so far it has been full of exciting changes. I turned twenty-three, relocated to a new city and started my first post-college job. Earlier this month I began working as a Jr. Graphic Designer at Stampington & Co. — an arts and crafts magazine publisher. Their range of publications includes Artful Blogging, Somerset Studio and so many others (I'm still getting to know them all!). That being said, I've been extra busy adjusting and getting settled, so I'm afraid this Valentine project I've been preparing for you is a little belated. I hope you'll still take the time to flip through this "Old-Fashioned Valentine Craft Booklet" to learn how to make vintage-inspired, classic Valentines. A free sheet of Victorian scraps is included as a download on page 6. Just click the mini-magazine below to read, or follow this link.

Snow Day

2011-01-21T01:45:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we took a day trip to a nearby mountaintop. To muted skies and snowfall, and violent winds that whip in and out of an evergreen wood. All of us girls had cameras along for the journey; the photos above were taken by me, my mother and my brother's girlfriend Samantha. I gave them special treatment in Photoshop for a little extra winter wonder.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

I hope you had a wonderful time ringing in the new year! For New Year's Eve I made three simple projects that can easily be adapted for other celebrations. Glittered Banner: For the banner I printed text onto sturdy paper and cut out. Bold, sans-serif fonts work best for this, the font used here is called Market Deco. When cutting out the letters, be sure to leave small tabs at the top for hanging. I gave each letter a base coat of silver paint, brushed with white glue and applied glitter. When dry I folded the tab over embroidery floss and glued in place. For additional projects, please click to keep reading.
Fringed Noisemakers: This is just a simple alteration of store-bought noisemakers which can be easily disassembled and recovered with the paper of your choice using spray adhesive. I added a homemade tissue paper fringe to the ends. To make fringe, cut strips of tissue paper about 3 inches wide (cut several layers at once to make things easier). Layer about 25 strips on top of each other and stitch down the center (by machine). Make a series of snips perpendicular to the stitch along both sides of the tissue paper strip. Your snips should be 1 cm or so apart. When done cutting, glue around the opening of the noisemaker and gently fluff the tissue paper layers.
Silver Leaf Tray: To corral confetti, clocks, champagne glasses and noisemakers I used a bargain metal tray, redone with a silver leaf finish. See my full tutorial for silver leafing at the Project Wedding blog!

Fir, Boxwood, Cedar & Light

2010-12-26T02:00:00.000-08:00

Cold air, early night and a stark landscape elevate the beauty of the simplest things in winter - a candle's flame, a ring of evergreens, the tarnished trinkets that reflect the delicate light. Such thoughts inspired the scene above; the wreath uses a sturdy Fraser fir wreath as a base, complements of Green Valley Christmas trees. In the center I added some cedar sprigs and a ring of bright green boxwood cut from the yard. Glass ornaments add a subtle luster."Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light, The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight."

O Christmas Tree

2010-12-25T23:59:00.000-08:00

This year, Green Valley Christmas Trees kindly treated me to a mail-order tree to decorate and share with you here. I chose a 4 ft Fraser Fir and it's just stunning, even at this small size. I love the neat definition of the branches in this particular type of tree. I knew it deserved some first rate trims. I decorated it with some store-bought finds as well as 32 handmade ornaments (whew!), in five styles (one of each is pictured below). I know, Christmas day has come to a close, but I wanted to provide templates and brief/informal tutorials just in case you'd like to try these next year.
Click the photo above for a larger view.

The Felt Pinecones, were inspired by my mom's friend Denise who made little brown ones to top off a woodsy s'mores kit. I also used Suzonne Stirling's tutorial for Family Circle as guide (she has a much tidier method for transferring the pattern to the felt, and other great tips). Here's how I made mine: Gather the template, scissors, a pen, felt, fabric glue and a wooden skewer. Use the template to trace and cut 6 small, 8 medium and 12 large felt pinecone layers. Then stack them on the skewer in the following order 1 S, 3 M, 12 L, 5 M, 5 S. Stagger the points to make the pinecone look realistic and dab a little glue between some of the layers to help secure it - especially top and bottom layers. Trim away excess skewer. Form the point of the pinecone by pinching it at the bottom and securing with glue. Finish the top by cutting a felt circle about the size of a nickel. Poke a hole in the center and thread ribbon through for hanging. Attach to pinecone with glue.
For the Paper Cone, download the template and trace onto patterned card stock. Cut out, then score and fold along the dashed lines. Glue closed using the tab and let dry. Decorate with desired trims. For mine, I sewed a crepe ruffle from a party streamer (this makes a great garland as well; set your machine to the longest stitch and it should gather as you sew). I also added velvet ribbon, a wired pom pom handle and holly leaves made from cut paper, velvet flocking powder and a bead.
The little putz-style Church Ornaments are my absolute favorites! The template I used is from the Little Glitter Houses site (scroll to the bottom of the page for the church). I scaled the template down a bit in order to make it appropriately sized for an ornament, and used thin white cardboard and Tacky glue to construct them. Poke a hole in the roof of the steeple and thread with a loop of string for hanging before completely assembling. Also, cut an "X" with a craft knife in the back wall of the church, so you can poke a light through when you hang it. I free-handed the windows and cut them out with a craft knife, adding window frames cut from card stock as well as a door. The rest is just painting, glittering and decorating. For the pipe cleaner wreath, bend a pipe cleaner over on itself and twist it together, then wrap around a circular object to give it its shape, and glue to church. Cover the seam with a bow.
For the Glitter Ice Skates, I used watercolor paper because it's sturdier than card stock, and I happened to have a pad of it that was going unused. I find it works well though. Using the template, cut two skate shapes and one blade for each ornament. Glitter the skates with iridescent white glitter and the blade with silver glass glitter (I gave the blades a coat of silver paint and let it dry first). Once the glitter is dry poke holes through one side of the skate with a sturdy pin and sew on "laces" with silver embroidery floss and a needle. To complete the ornament glue together the two skate shapes with the blade and a loop for hanging sandwiched in between. Place under a heavy book or clamp together with clothespins as it dries. As a final touch, glue on a 1" pom pom as shown
For the Glitter Leaf, use the same method as the ice skate. The leaf shape is provided on the template. Cut two and glitter the sides that will face out (leaves are not symmetrical). You can give them a base coat of paint the same color as the glitter if desired. String a loop of ribbon through a bead before gluing between two glittered leaf shapes. Clamp and let dry.

Dear Santa

2010-12-21T17:42:00.000-08:00

Once I was one of many children writing to Santa, coloring holly leaves around the edges of the page and asking how to spell every other word. For this year's Christmas card, I designed my own stationery set with those old days in mind, recalling the classic colors and the unwavering belief that my mailed letter would make its way to the north pole. Of course, any letter traveling that far should go by air, so vintage airmail envelopes and labels provided inspiration as well. In Illustrator I made an envelope, two patterns for the envelope interior, a sheet of labels, and flat cards with plenty of room for a handwritten message.

Peppermints & Candy Canes

2010-12-20T04:28:00.001-08:00

These candy gift tags were an assignment I did for HobbyCraft, a UK publication. The story was unfortunately cut at the last minute, but I wanted to post some of the photos now that it's Christmastime. To make these, gather colored card stock, scissors and glue. Use the template to cut out the shapes and assemble as shown. You can add crepe paper "wrappers" to the peppermints, by gluing an additional paper circle to the back of the tag, sandwiching gathered crepe paper pieces between the layers. As a final touch, I dusted the finished tags with crystal glitter. Use these to embellish a package or decorate the tree!

A Year of Victoria

2010-12-17T03:05:00.000-08:00

My year as the Artist in Residence at Victoria magazine has come to a close and I wanted to share my last project (the snowy scenes above) from the November/December issue. I also wanted to take a moment to say what a rewarding experience it has been and how blessed I feel to have had this opportunity to learn and to contribute!

I'll Have a Blue & Red Christmas

2010-12-10T01:50:00.000-08:00

Hello again! I'm so excited to share this batch of projects I made and photographed for Adore Home, a beautiful new online magazine created by Australian designer, Loni Parker. I loved working with this color palette - it's fresh, fun and oh-so-cheery. Read more about how to make the gift wrappings, paper pom poms and cookies shown above in the current issue of Adore Home magazine.