A new line of prayer flags are now up!!

I have been working on a new set of prayer flags for more than a year now as they other set was losing pieces as they faded with the sun and wind.  I had some black fabric that was not stable so I decided to sew small scraps to each side to make some colourful flags!!  I stitched a strip of scraps to one side and flipped the rectangle of black fabric over and stitched another line of scraps over the first seam.  I moved up the flag and added another two rows and repeated this process until I had covered both sides of the black fabric.  That was one flag.  I made forty of them.  They are substantially heavier than the last set but very colourful!!!  I did add fabric strips on both ends.  

As previous I left about 5 feet at the leading edge at the house and then overlapped the top edge over the paracord and stitched each one into place with a wavy line leaving about 6" between them.  I used line green polyester embroidery thread.  The ones from 2021 were still well attached at the top though the covering on the paracord was completely gone leaving only the strands inside.  They were still holding very well.  

We put the new set up yesterday.  They were pretty well as long as the last set. 

We set out the new set, undid the old set at the house and I climbed the neighbour's tree (I did get permission) and cut down the old set.   I was surprised that the tree had started growing over part of the cord in the four years since we put up the last set.  After cutting the cord I removed as much as I could so the tree could go on growing as it needed to.  So this time we secured the new set using a tie down straps with grommets on both ends instead of tying it directly to the tree.  That will allow the tree to grow and still secure the flags sufficiently!!

The final adjustment was made on the house end setting the flags high enough not to be in the way and still with some slack so they would move nicely with the wind.  

Love them!!!    Therese

 

All occasion card featuring washi tape, ribbon, brad and embossed feather

While in the cardmaking mood I made this card!!  I started with a black card and trimmed out a background from a scrap of scrapbooking paper.  I added three strips of washi tape  - blue, feathers and gray.  It took a little to get some of the older tapes to come off the roll in one piece.  I stamped and embossed the feather on a scrap of cardstock and then watercoloured it to coordinate with my background.  I trimmed a blue layer and added black ink to the edge and then used my distressing tool to distress the edges of both layers.  I like the way the black edge is softened by the distressing.  I added a star brad and a short piece of ribbon to this focal element before adding it to my card using 3D foam tape.  I like how it turned out.  Therese
 

All occasion card featuring a fun pennant background, embossed vellum and two watercoloured hearts

 I started with a large envelope and trimmed a green card to fit.  I added the pennant background.  I trimmed the bottom off the piece and turned it over to reveal the orange which works really well.  I tore a piece of vellum and embossed it with a burst (TH) and then I added the two hearts using a brad.  The hearts were die cut from hand decorated watercolour paper which I made up a while back.  They have been textured by the old cutting plate I used which gives them a lot of texture.  I mounted this focal element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  Another special occasion!!  Therese

Crafting - repackaged the little fire starters

 I have decided to repackage the little pine cone fire starters I made a while back!!  They are harder to handle and store when they have wax on the outside of them so I tore some rectangles of brown paper (box stuffing from online purchases) and wrapped each one and tied the ends with thin cording.  This way they store easily without transferring wax to any surface and are still easily used to start a fire.  I am working on reimagining fire starters that do not have any exposed wax.  I used bags from when I purchased bananas at the grocery store.  So many reuses in this project!!!  Therese

Sewing - little flannel handwarmers filled with white rice

I have made several batches of these cute little handwarmers with flannel we received at the fabric sale.  I took them as a project to my quilting campout weekend and sold quite a few to the ladies there.  The remainder will be at the Rhubarb Tea tomorrow.  

They are two 4" squares of flannel stitched all they way around leaving an opening.  Trim the corners and turn inside out, press and fill with a slight quarter cup of white rice and then stitched all they way around again which seals the opening as well as strengthened the integrity of the unit.  I added a tag that indicates that they need 20 seconds in the microwave when used as a handwarmer.  On the other side of the tag I put instructions for use as a cold pack - 3-4 hours in the freezer.  As you can imagine they have many other uses.  For example, they can be tossed into a container as a "Corn Hole" game or they can be placed in a saucer or small container and used as a pin cushion as well.  It was a very good use of the flannel scraps!!  Remember to store them in the pockets of your winter jacket and you will find them when you need them.  Therese

 

Event - Gramma Link Africa "Everything Rhubarb" Tea on Saturday, June 21st

 

You are all invited to come and join us for tea and some rhubarb pie.  There will be LOTS of rhubarb on the bake table as well so shop for supper and put some in the freezer!! We have some very accomplished bakers and always have a great variety of wonderful baking, jams, etc.  We will have our merchandise for sale as well so a lot of handmade items - aprons, potholders, bowl cozies, etc.  Lots to choose from as well as small quilts!!!  Therese

All occasion card featuring a sunflower over a sunflower background embellished with a bit of ribbon

Another card for an up coming family event.  I started with a brown card, added a torn background of really great sunflower gift wrap and then added my sunflower (Biblical Impressions).  The sunflower was stamped and embossed with gold embossing powder and then watercoloured.  After it was dry, I added paper piercing, a green layer and added it to my large card using 3D foam tape.  Going to a special person who loves sunflowers!!

Therese
 

All occasion card featuring a cup of coffee over a hand decorated background embellished with flags and eyelets with string

Another card for upcoming family events!!  I started with a navy card to fit in a large envelope.  I trimmed a piece of hand decorated paper in blues and added some small paper pierced paper flags on the left hand side.  I covered them with a red strip of cardstock and then added three pewter eyelets into which I tied a piece of white string which I watercoloured to a bit of a gray to coordinate.  I added this large embellished background to my card.  I stamped the coffee mug (Stamp Barn) in black, watercoloured it and added paper piercing before adhering it to my card front.  Love the blues!!  Therese
 

All occasion cards featuring collaged backgrounds, embossed strips and layered lighthouses

I made these cards for my son and sons in law for Father's Day.  I found the light house photos in my stash which I took in PEI on one of our trips there.  These were sized and colour printed.  I layered them onto black and added a decorative border on the right hand side using decorative scissors, paper piercing, border punches and scored lines.  For two cards, I trimmed a collage to fit on my off white cards and adhered them into place.  For the third card I used a colour printed background for my background.  For the strips I started with a blue strip of cardstock and added green and other blue strips to make up my element which I then embossed and paper pierced.  They are unique but similar.  I glued the strips to my backgrounds and then mounted my light houses over them using 3D foam tape.  Therese