Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Feb 6, 2012, 9:24 am
"Kids nowadays have a lot of crap and even though we were poor we had more. We all sat together at dinner time. None of this business of one here and one there. We had family. We had more." A bit of what an 85 year old sweet lady said to me in the grocery store (yep she told me her age too). She sto...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Feb 3, 2012, 5:48 pm
I couldn't resist—just one more to top off the week. This is a simple wine tag that uses the same style and technique as the projects I posted this week. The only difference is that the two strips of scraps are overlapping and one side of each is not trimmed. Use the blank space to stamp a sentime...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Feb 2, 2012, 3:51 pm
Today I thought that instead of Inspired By I'd show you a couple more scraps ideas. They are simple ways to use scraps for wrapping goodies when you're short on supplies. Strips card/tag (large box) - Using double-sided tape wrap the gift with the seams on the top instead of the bottom of the gift....
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jan 30, 2012, 2:12 pm
Here's a very simple card idea of how you can used the scraps project I posted a Saturday. Simple is easy, quick and gives great results. I simply used scraps, a Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper tool, basic kraft card stock and a glue stick—that's it! This idea can be used for so many other simple proj...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jan 28, 2012, 11:48 am
As any paper crafter will tell you scraps are just something that goes along with the territory. So, what do we do with all those scraps? I'm going to periodically show you ideas that will help you use what you have and put all those little treasures to good use. Keep in mind that if you happen to h...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jan 27, 2012, 3:16 pm
- Spring cleaning is starting today. I can't wait to clear out so many things around here. - Spring illustrations are coming along. - Tutorials are forthcoming. - And... I am now accepting advertisers. More about that below. Friday Tidbits - Dreamy! I want this to be my studio. You can all come over...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jan 26, 2012, 10:43 pm
My grandmother used to say something like: "If you're in a hurry dress up slowly." I've been reminding myself of that all week long. Go slower. Just think. I feel like I want to run, run, run with all the ideas that I've been having. I'm so inspired and yet I haven't created anything tangible—rar...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jan 24, 2012, 1:03 am
I made this specifically to wear to the paper craft class that I taught at ALT Summit. It was entirely a last minute thing. If I'm completely honest I think it was a procrastinating-on-other-last-minute-things kind of project. In any case, I love it and got many compliments on it. So, here are the i...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jan 23, 2012, 12:29 am
I didn't take a camera with me—just my iphone. As expected my photos are scarce and not very good. There are only 2 with people in them. I guess I talked to much to be worried about shots. The reality is that it's what you don't see here that is what I will remember most about the summit. • insp...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 24, 2011, 8:00 am
Today I was going to show you my second ornament for the season and I just didn't have time to finish the tutorial in time. I will be posting it as soon as I get some breathing room. In the meantime, here is a list of some of my tutorials (new and old) that would work well for the holidays. Top row:...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 22, 2011, 3:12 am
Dear creative colleague, I want you to have your own journey. I want you to enjoy the discovery of your own strengths and talents. I want you to look forward to developing your next idea. I want you to relish the start of a new project. I want you to succumb to failure so that you can learn how...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 21, 2011, 4:06 pm
So here it is! You had to know this was coming, right? I've been planning it for weeks and weeks. I kept changing my mind about some of the designs. In the end I think I accomplished what I wanted—something fun, contemporary and versatile. I wanted to include some boxes that can be used even after...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 20, 2011, 4:03 pm
...comes the hard work. I'll be showing you a little something new tomorrow. It's looking rather wonderful, if I do say so myself. I've never made it a secret that sewing isn't my thing. It gets me nervous to sit in front of the sewing machine. It doesn't feel like a friendly place for me. Nothing ...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 17, 2011, 1:22 pm
There were so many ways they could've gone. The majority of you that voted wanted me to work in paper (such anguish -- haha!), so I did. I'm not quite sure how I ended up with this version, but it certainly wasn't my first attempt. Surprisingly, the biggest challenge was making something that would...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 14, 2011, 9:44 am
The majority has spoken, so I will be doing a 3D paper shape for the ornament. As of this moment I have no idea what it will look like. Time constraints may limit what I can do but even I'm curious to see what I come up with. Thank you so much to everyone that has participated in my ornament survey...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 12, 2011, 3:51 pm
Ok, I need your help. When I finished using a roll of painter's tape, I was left with this cardboard ring. I decided that it should become a holiday ornament (no use denying that time of the year is nearly here!), but after painting it white (to have a nice place to start from) I got derailed. I hav...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 11, 2011, 2:50 pm
I received a copy of Homemade: The Heart and Science of Handcrafts and I was quite surprised by the format and the size of the book. It is a thick volume, of almost 800 pages, rich in information and an incredible variety of projects from which to choose from. The chapters cover crafts and techniqu...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 7, 2011, 11:00 pm
I went through my Flickr sets and decided to pick out my absolute favorite pieces and here they are. The fact that they are all white is no coincidence. I love white (surprise, right?). Interestingly our house and my wardrobe are anything but just white. I'm not afraid of color per se. I think that ...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 6, 2011, 12:04 pm
I sat here for a while trying to express what I feel about Steve Job passing away and the words wouldn't come (at least not coherently). A lot of my feelings have to do with the of "aha! moment" I had last month and what I'm doing about it. Much of what he said in this commencement address, has reso...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 4, 2011, 1:49 pm
I have a little freebie for this month. The details are in October's newsletter. If you haven't subscribe you can do so by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page. I only send out newsletters once a month, so don't worry I won't be flooding your inbox. Yes, I said I wasn't going to add any f...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Oct 3, 2011, 3:31 pm
I never can decided if October or March is my favorite month of the year. In any case, the mere fact that we can open all our windows and enjoy cool weather, without having to resort to the air conditioning, is wonderful—maybe more like awesome! This is also my most productive time of the year. C...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 27, 2011, 10:00 am
Die cutting is a practice that is spreading throughout the paper craft industry. It is the best way to produce simple to intricate paper cut outs in a matter of minutes. Machines that work with dies and need to be activated manually with the help of a crank will not be covered here. I will only cove...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 23, 2011, 1:45 pm
I've had a week of introspection. After last week's bout with hesitancy and doubt, it's really nice (read: HUGE relief!) to finally feel on track again. I've been reading, sketching, playing (see above - a collaboration with little C) reading some more and taking a lot of time thinking of where I'm ...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 21, 2011, 12:22 pm
"Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new." — Brian Tracy While the above is definitely true, I can't deny the warm fuzzies when I work on something that is more 'me'. When was the last time you were out of y...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 21, 2011, 12:12 am
Stepping out of my comfort zone is not something I do easily. But I gave it a shot with this and I flopped—sort of. Ink pads and me—we're still working on maintaining an amiable relationship. However, I am surprised that I that this red square is growing on me. It isn't my typical of me—maybe ...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 18, 2011, 3:10 am
This flower is very easy to make and it's a great way to use scraps of paper. When I look at it, it reminds me of a stylized poinsettia. Who's ready to think about the holidays? (not me!) Here are some ideas on how you can use this flower: - As an embellishment for gifts, gift tags or a wreath - Mak...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 15, 2011, 9:19 pm
I was in a bad spot today. Very bad. One of those that freezes you up and nothing gets accomplished. The reason? My brain was working against me—completely. It's scary when the very thing that lets me soar in creative moments, is also the one that sabotages me when the floodgates of self-doubts ar...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 14, 2011, 11:50 am
Remember what I said about repetition? If you pair it up with symmetry you have a winning combo and easy to make artwork. I used a pumpkin but you can use any shape. Fold each shape in half and glue them back to back. Done! Tip: Anyone of these shapes can be used as table decor or hung from a mobile...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 13, 2011, 12:33 pm
Typically, I'm not one to put a lot of effort in decorating for Halloween. I do it because the kids enjoy it, but that's about it. However, with my new designs and C's excitement about them, I'm feeling a bit different. The pieces you see here are what I created for my shop, but I already promised m...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 9, 2011, 9:46 am
Aside from being beautiful, these Anthropologie pieces I saw the other day (and remember this one?), prove a well known point. Even the simplest of shapes can have a strong impact when shown as a group. How easy is it to put together some string and paper circles or strips of knit fabric? Sometimes...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 8, 2011, 6:52 pm
I'm not that great at asking for help. Today I got some without asking. I met with a friend that wants to start her own blog (you go J!) and although she wanted my advice, she ended up helping me. She gave me ideas to act upon and now I'm going to be held accountable to someone other than anyone und...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 7, 2011, 12:09 am
I am the first one to be surprised at the fact that my most recent project is another flower collection, because I've always described myself as the non-flower-y type. Aside from the occasion natural flower arrangement, I don't really use flowers in our home decor and there are very limited instance...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Sep 1, 2011, 1:00 am
In my head it was one thing. Once it was cut, it was completely another. It took me by surprise—a good surprise. It is, once again, proven that stepping up to the plate is better than not doing so at all. A surprise, good or bad, is better than the lull of nothing. New work is always so refreshing...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Aug 29, 2011, 9:06 am
Last week I was in a complete rut. I think it happens when I have too many ideas, I'm tired and I just don't know what to focus on. So, over the weekend I decided to make something simple—super duper simple. Materials- Cardstock- Martha Stewart Crafts patterning tape in two different widths (look...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Aug 26, 2011, 10:08 am
There's a fine line between taking a break and just not wanting to jump in and just swimming. That's where I'm at right now. Have I enjoyed my time away? Yes and no. Yes, I loved having more time with the family and getting the school schedule going again. It's so nice to be back to our lovely rout...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Aug 10, 2011, 4:40 pm
I thought of posting the photo of a white flag at some point this week (nope, not kidding) but I decided you'd appreciate flowers a bit more. Take them as my "I'm giving up on my summer blogging" for the next few days image. I know if I don't do this now I'll regret not focusing on the kids while th...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Aug 5, 2011, 12:30 am
If you're stuck and need new geometric inspired ideas look no further than the architectural treasures in your area or the ones you find in cities you visit. This is a little study in form using the capitol photo as inspiration and more are coming. Friday TidbitToday I don't have link to share. I j...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Aug 3, 2011, 6:38 pm
Ribbon + balsa wood = twirling fun. It was her idea.
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Aug 1, 2011, 9:20 pm
We were in Austin for a few days and had a great time—even if we went from hot to hotter! The change of scenery was very needed. Some things we saw are inspiring me and already affecting one of my current projects. Above: Austin state capitol dome. Layers + layers - so many possibilities. Below: S...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 25, 2011, 11:31 am
Type and print out a large bold letter that is at least 4 in (10 cm) tall, trace the printout on card stock if you can't print out just an outlined letter, cut out random shapes—but be sure to leave a border so it won't fall apart. Done! Great for:- a card- gift tag - framed artwork- practicing so...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 22, 2011, 12:55 pm
A little something that I made while watching some fluff TV. I hand drew the lines on the back (I like that they're crooked and not perfectly lined up) and then poked the holes with a pushpin placing the paper over a piece of cork. I used simple tape to hold down the ends of the threads on the back ...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 21, 2011, 11:21 am
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Do what you love. There is simply no other way to put it. When you're finally on the right path the work doesn't seem like work. It feels like it's what you're meant to do and it is reflected in the opportunities that start peeking around corners. I can't ...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 20, 2011, 10:57 am
Now that I have a hang of my binding tool I gave it another try. The first two pages have tree cut outs and the rest are plain white pages. I cut out the trees with the cutting machine but I've made them many times using the method you can see in this video. I'm much happier with this book! Happy W...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 20, 2011, 7:00 am
When I was in college and a design intern at a local firm, one of my jobs was to put together proposals that were bound with a wire-o machine. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the repetitive task—unless they were needed in the blink of an eye. I've been wanting to put together a calendar or som...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 19, 2011, 7:00 am
As you can tell the paper cuff design got me started. As I kept going I ended up with three GeoBursts. They can be easily replicated with a circle ruler or by simply hand drawing triangles or rectangles that overlap each other. Handmade versions would have great character. I've been asked many times...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 18, 2011, 7:00 am
Well... I didn't expect to be gone so long. It's been all about the family and trying to be a good hostess. Phew! I finally got a chance to touch some paper with a simple idea that I just had to work on. I'm not big on accessories. I prefer smaller earrings and simple rings, but I find cuffs are ano...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 11, 2011, 3:54 pm
I'm in the midst of getting the house ready for company and I always end up working on things that aren't really urgent but I get a whim for. My framed Bloom Box cover (part of my Paper Quilt) is an example of what is probably procrastinating on what really needs to get done. But seriously, isn't ha...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 8, 2011, 1:53 pm
I've been pouring over a stack of magazines and books for the past few days and now I'm ready for some sketching. I think this is one of my favorite things to do. After some mom/kids time I'll be ready for... Quiet timeCoffeeMoleskineBlack pen Friday Tidbits- A personal one... the new A Little Hut s...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 7, 2011, 3:33 pm
My Paper Quilt is now being sold on Lettering Delights as separate boxes (make up your paper quilt design set up) or as a set as the Intricate Designs Gift Box Collection (so you can make the paper quilt yourself!). I'm thrilled to have my work on LD's site! It's the first time I license any of my w...
Comment - Like

Patricia Z. posted an article on A Little Hut - Jul 6, 2011, 4:55 pm
One day, several weeks ago D wondered why I don't have a hobby. He was surprised to learn that my hobby is my work—my work is my hobby. I know... I'm lucky. I hope that many of you feel the same about what you do every day. There is nothing more rewarding than ending the day with satisfaction abo...
Comment - Like