Craft it Forward Button: Grab it for your own blog
In early February, I launched my first Craft it Forward. Here’s how it works. The first five people to comment on the original post receive something handmade with the gardening nirvana touch. In return, they agree to pay it forward, crafting their own unique item for the first five people on their list. Craft it Forward encourages community, creative spirit and camaraderie. It also encourages flexibility, so I expanded my list from five to seven based on interest in the project. Isn’t it fun making your own rules?
Further, in the era of the internet, who doesn’t like ‘real’ mail? If you haven’t started your own Craft it Forward, today is a good day to get one going.
First up: A Living Journal
This manilla-covered journal has heavy-duty art paper, appropriate for ink, paint and pencil. You can see the original, unadorned journal here. Recipient #1 is a talented artist in her own right. She paints, sketches, sculpts fabric ‘dolls,’ along with myriad other projects. I’ve been on the receiving end of her own talents, including a set of tie-dye tea towels and a hand-felted, one-of-a kind, purse.
I crafted the cover, using as assortment of ribbon in rainbow order, with some peace signs thrown in (her favorite) for additional interest.
Peace and a rainbow of ribbons
Closeup
An attached, expandable envelope lines the inside cover, great for collecting bits of inspiration. For now, I’ve tucked in a few seeds she can plant in her garden.
A Peak Inside…
The journal came wrapped in a sleeve of silky-strong paper too nice to toss, so I fashioned it into a simple bookmark, using other scraps on the face of the envelope.
Creative Journal by Dyan Reaveien of dylusions
I trimmed the wrapper and used it as a bookmark
Personalization, gardeningnirvana style
Finishing touches include her first initial made from a balsa wood letter, then covered in paper and inked along the edges. It’s embellished with flowers (of course)!
I hope she enjoys filling it as much as I enjoyed crafting it. Perhaps a year from now she’ll let us take a peak into a few pages and I can feature her work on gardeningnirvana.
Life is art, live yours in colour!
What’s inside?
Are you Crafting it Forward?
For additional Craft it Forward inspiration:
- Boomdeeadda: Boom Box Number Three
- Geometry: Where it all started
- Just Something I Made: Celebrating Random Acts of Kindness
Gardening Nirvana 
That is so lovely Alys! I love the envelope on the inside cover and the adorable little tie. You have created such a personal and thoughtful gift – she’ll love it I’m sure! x x x
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Thanks for saying so, PJ. She commented earlier on this post. I know she’ll put it to good use, too.
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Really cute Alys! I love the all the colours and Peace signs. So 70’s and hypnotic. Remember Goldie Hawn all painted with “sock it to me baby” inked on her? LOL, the 70’s were awesome for music, TV, art and clothes. You’re so smart to reuse the wrap as a bookmark. You’re right, too cute to toss out. I’ll have to visit the links in depth when I’m done packing…xoxo
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So nice of you to take a break from you packing to say hello. You’ve been knocking out your own CIFs. So inspiring yourself.
Yes, who could forget Goldie Hawn. I wanted to be her, so carefree and sexy and funny to boot. That show was a trendsetter. Like nothing else.
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What’s with WP, I just found a giant file of unread messages ?
LOL, I tried to look up CIF on Google and it says it means ‘Cost, Insurance, Frieght’ .
I guess I’m more of a newbie at this than I thought. You’re such a hipster Alys, HA, What is CIF? Sock it to me!
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Oh-oh. I better go check my unread file as well. Thanks for reminding me.
That Google is just not keeping up. CIF = Craft It Forward. We’ll have to make our own entry in the Urban Dictionary. 😉
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LOL, right CIF….now why didn’t that come to my mind. Honestly. Good thinking, we should update the Urban Dictionary…we are voyagers, trail blazer…….LOL. Go team CIF!
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Not as brave as Alyster is (climbing into tea strainers and such) but we’re a close second heading out in wigs and lashes!
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I had such a riot, are we brave or crazy? LOL, it’s a fine line. A line that’s fun to cross with someone as good hearted as you sweet Cali girl. It felt like being out with high school girlfriends and we could act like silly kids for just a while. I finally and reluctantly, took the lashes off. xoK
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That’s it exactly! We were in our own little world, playing silly. Being a grown up is overrated.
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OHMYGOODNESS! Its so cool ALys! So creative! I am hoping the tie dye remarks involves me! Love it. Lala
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It’s all you, Laura! I’m so glad you like it.
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Oh, it’s really beautiful! I’m sure the recipient is going to love it AND find it very useful, as well.
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Thanks GJ! Once I had the idea, it was great fun putting it to work. I discovered a new adhesive tape as well that holds the ribbon firmly in place.
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Really gorgeous! Just love it! Great idea with the ribbons and so practical, too. Crafting It Forward is a marvelous idea.
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Thank so much! I’m really having fun with it.
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So creative!!! love the colors!
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Thank you, LB. I love color. The more vibrant, the better.
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