National Letter Writing Month: Supplies

It's National Letter Writing Month! Writing letters is something very few of us do any more--email, facebook and text messages have made it pretty obsolete. It's super fun to get mail other than bills, at least I think so, and with Valentine's day quickly approaching, what better time to make a special letter for the people in your life?

Above I have a picture of some super cute supplies that anyone can use to whip up a batch of fancy cards: washi tape, ribbon, cardstock, stamps, stickers, paints, zig-zag scissors, baker's twine and more! You can also make some super cool custom envelopes for your cards with this tutorial.

I made this cute little card in just a few minutes, and it would surely brighten anyone's day. Maybe you can take this opportunity to make a batch of cards to send out to people you haven't talked to in awhile to brighten their day. :)

Destash Giveaway! (CLOSED)

Photo via Instagram

Hey everybody! If you follow me on social media, you should already know that I have been making big strides to clean up my craft area. I took a good hard look at the stuff I've been collecting and decided I needed to be really honest about what I was probably not going to end up using any time soon (or at all!). So far, I have a huge grocery sack filled with fabrics, scraps, ribbon, thread, baker's twine, hole punches, etc. that needs a new home.

I decided to share it with you guys as a giveaway (I actually have enough stuff for 2-3 giveaways (I haven't even gone through my paper supply or jewelry stuff yet!). As a result, I am having a giveaway here today! One winner will be selected using the widget on the bottom of this post, the other winners will be selected from my social media fans: simply "like" the destash giveaway post on my facebook page, or retweet about the giveaway on twitter (make sure to tag @craftinomicon so I can find your entry). Update: Congrats to Angie Burrington Wenzel for winning the FB/Twitter follower prize package!

All of the supplies I am giving away are kept in my smoke free, pet free home. Many are in the original packaging. Fabric includes: full yardage, large scraps and fat quarters. There may even be a crafty book or two involved. I am going to be cramming flat rate boxes to the brim! This giveaway is open worldwide, entrants living outside the US will need to be patient as I know these can take awhile to get through customs.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Art Journaling: Supplies

I know a lot of people who list journaling as something they'd like to do. Sometimes it is even a New Year's resolution. These same people usually talk, at length of how they started out pretty well, but eventually puttered out. Maybe "dear diary" journal writing just isn't your style! With one successful series behind me (on embroidery techniques) I have decided that March will be the month of the art journal! There will be lots of other projects too, but for those of you interested in journaling, and specifically art journaling: get ready for some awesome ideas, tips and tricks to make this a successful year (or month at least) in keeping a journal.

I have compiled this little list of supplies that you may want so you can follow along in March with all the great journal ideas I have for you!

To start, you will need the journal itself. I typically opt for some sort of sketchbook. To make it something I use more regularly, a small size that can fit easily into any bag, purse, etc is key for me. I also like my journals to have a coiled wire binding. This way, I can fold the whole thing open and lay it flat on a table, hands free, if I paste in a recipe or project idea I want to look at while crafting/baking etc. later on. Don't limit yourself though, If you want to paste your ideas into an old book (I'm a fan of science type journals: botanical survey books can be great!) feel free. The beauty of an art journal is you can be as free with it as you like! Just have some kind of book. You can even hole punch paper and use loose binder rings to fasten it together as you go (great if you like using varieties of paper for different media--you can insert watercolor paper just as easily as graph paper or copy paper).

Next, and especially if you have had trouble sticking to any kind of journaling in the past, find supplies that make you WANT to journal. I found these great woodless colored pencils the other day and I can't wait to use them!

I also typically have gel pens in several colors around the house, I love the way they feel in my hand when I write, so I want to write a lot! I also recommend making yourself a decorative (as well as protective) book cover. I like to use felt or other fabrics, in bright colors. Keep your journal where you will see it and the bright color will draw your eye and remind you to pick it up and write! SO pick out a fabric, felt or decorative paper you would like to see on your cover (you can also recycle the cover of an old hardcover book from a flea market if you'd like).

Have a large stack of magazines you have been meaning to get rid of, but you just can't bring yourself to do it because you know there was something in there you had to keep? Well, flip through them, tear out the things you wanted to keep and save them aside. We'll be adding these to your journal in several fun ways :)

Pick out at least one art or craft supply that you have never used before but would like to try. I purchased some stickers and my first roll of Washi tape the other day at collage and plan on using some of the tape to embellish pages throughout my journal. This is a great time to get a sample set of oil pastels, paints, stamps, stencils, etc and try them out!

Have a variety of papers to incorporate. I always get scrap book paper and cardstock when I find it on sale. Often, I have so much I don't know what to do with it: Embellish pages in your journal, make envelopes to add to pages as pockets, cut out fun shapes and more!


Some optional supplies you may want:

markers
graph paper (especially handy for quilters/embroidery buffs)
various glues
rulers
scissors
crayons
pencil sharpener
binder clips (make some fancy ones like these!)
paper punches (edge and corner punches can make your finished journal look extra cute with decorative edges)
Ribbon (decorate pages or use it as a bookmark)
tape
stickers
stamps
ink pads
paints
paint brushes
Buttons, velcro, etc to make a closure on your cover (there will be tutorials on this stuff later)
needles and thread (you can sew paper too!)

Gather up your supplies and get ready for some fun! Tutorials start on March 1st!

Latest Crafty Haul

I'm not trying to make you all jealous, but check out the awesome goodies I managed to score during the Grand Opening celebration of the new Sellwood location of Collage here in Portland! I love that we have so many local art and craft supply stores here, and I try to patronize as many of them as I can as often as I can!

I'm not sure what all of these cute supplies are going to become, but all those cute stickers just made me smile! I definitely have two mega themes going on in this purchase: sea creatures and adorable stuff from Japan.

I super love this sheet of paper, I think I might Mod Podge some onto some cute storage tins? Maybe cover up an unsightly corkboard? I might also just sit here admiring it all day. You know, whatever works. I believe my new octopus stamp is going to be gracing some stationery here in the near future as well.

I'm sure some of these stickers will be finding their way to my little nieces in Wisconsin, and I have a mind to share the felt Kawaii kitty love with my Bestie in Atlanta.

Also, believe it or not, that washi tape you see pictured above is the first roll I've purchased. Ever. I'm afraid it won't be the last. Anyone have any particularly great projects they've done with washi tape? I'm seeking inspiration.


Anyone in Portland (or visiting in the near future), I'd highly recommend this shop. So so cute and in such a great neighborhood (not that the Alberta Street location isn't also in one of my fave neighborhoods here!). Plus, if you go to this location you can stop and have lunch or dinner at the super yummy Jade Teahouse (get a slice of Vietnamese wedding cake for me if you do!) right across the street!