Sewing - more fabric tea cup coaster in lots of different colours!!!

I have been experimenting with making fabric tea cup coasters so I can make up a couple sets as gifts for our vocalists and her accompanist at our upcoming Spring Tea.  I am using scraps so it was easy enough to find pieces that were 5" square or so to make the body of the cup and a strip for the handle.  The two photos above are one double sided set and same with the two photos below.  I added the same lace to each side of the one coaster.  They stitch up relatively easily and making sure the handles faced the correct side was what I had to be most careful with.  It did require changing the thread ( top & bobbin) several times but that is what finished them nicely.  I am really happy with the way they worked out.    Therese

 

Sewing - another fabric tea cup coaster in two coordinating fabrics

I made another coaster using coordinating fabrics to see if there was an advantage to have coordinating fabrics.  The look is nice and there is less contrast in the handle but in the end I am using small scraps so it works better for me to make them double sided and interesting - double the fun!!! So I will make the next batch that way!!  You can find the pattern on my sister's blog - Tea Cup Coaster Pattern.  The original pattern from Enchanted Rose is no longer available.  

Therese

 

Gramma Link Africa Fabric sale - April 20th

We held our 2024 Gramma Link Africa Fabric Sale on Saturday.  It took a few days of extra prep to be ready but with the help of the guys the tables were filled with fabric and notions and yarn of every kind!!!!!!!!!  You can see here our new banner which better represents our group and the grandmothers we support through our fundraising.  It took a while to get the right wording, photo and layout but it is now ready to go.  It is the first time we use it and we are all really happy with how it looks!!!  

We have been collecting and sorting fabric and notions since January and all the work has come to this!!  So much great fabric and a room full of notions and yarns.  We set up on Friday and opened the doors at 9am on Saturday with a line up out front!!!  

We have a large group of volunteers who show up regularly and help measure fabric and sort notions.  Volunteers shopped after set on Friday.  It is wonderful to be able to touch and coordinate and find the right colour of thread for our next projects!!!  The knitters also had a lot to choose from!! There were notions for everyone - thread, ribbon, embroidery thread, magazines and books, quilting patterns, buttons, rick rack, sewing needles and so much more!!!!  It was a fun day and by 2pm all the rooms were picked up and the floors were swept!!!  Therese

 

Sewing - two aprons with matching potholders - Gramma Link Africa merchandise

 I cut these out a few days ago and they have been sitting waiting for time to sew.  With the fabric sale last week there were a few extra days committed to that process.  I made them both from the easy pattern I used for the few I have made in the past which is this one from Instructables.  I made coordinating poly cotton ties in blue and green to coordinate with this fun plaid which is cotton.  I found blue and green solid cotton to finish off the potholders which have 3 layers of flannel inside.  They will be for sale at our next GA event - Rhubarb Tea in June.  

Therese

Sewing - fabric tea cup coasters

Tea cup coasters!!  How fun!!  I have made this one as a sample to see if they would suit an occasion that is coming up!!!  More info to come!!

Therese

 

All occasion card featuring a gold embossed cup of coffee, brads, ribbon and hand decorated background

A special card for a special person!!!  This card features a beautiful cup (The Stamp Barn) which I gold embossed on ivory cardstock.  I watercoloured the cup, added three brads and green ribbon then tore the bottom edge.  Tied a bit of gold thread to the ribbon.  I layered it onto a piece of the same cardstock as the card and then tore the bottom of that layer as well.  Added my hand decorated background to my large card base and then mounted my layered image to it using 3D foam tape.  Glad to get started on the cards I will  need in the next little while.     Therese

 

Sewing - flip top fabric pouches in colourful combinations

I worked on a few flip top pouches on the weekend.  I needed one for my phone charger and cord and thought I would make a few for the Gramma Link Africa merchandise table.  They are quite easy to make. Great way to use up your fabric scraps. You can easily stitch a few scraps together to get the size you need and it then creates a colourful fun pattern on the pouch.  I found this tutorial on line at Paper & Glue.  I changed the dimensions for the fabric to 5.5" x 12" to get a square pouch which can double as a coaster when you need one.   I added a little twill tape loop on the inside and outside so it can be secured inside a bag or you can secure your keys to it.  They are very easy to open and close, but best not to stuff them too full!. 

What can you stuff them with????  Well, much more than I had imagined when I made the first one for my phone charger and cord.  The sky is the limit really!! You can change up the size to accommodate anything you would like to keep clean and secure!!

Any device cords that are being unruly at your house from ear buds to I Pods to chargers!!

Battery packs  - make custom ones to fit perfectly and keep them safe and clean.

Snacks - anything dry like Cheerios & crackers for the kiddos.  

Snacks  - dried fruit &  nuts for yourself!!!  

Medication such as pain and allergy meds or even your prescriptions.  Add a few bandaids, too.

Feminine & prevention products along with sun screen, lotion & sanitizer.  

Make up like lip gloss, lipsticks, wipes, cleanser, etc.

Accessories - scrunchies, barrettes, hair ties, etc.

Jewelry - bracelets, earrings, bangles, brooches, etc. 

Fold up a reusable bag and insert into the pouch so you always have one!!

Tea bags so you can have your favorite with any cup of hot water. Use the pouch as a coaster. 

Travel light with just a credit card, cash, bus pass and your keys.  

Put your business cards in one and always have some neat ones to hand out. 

Sticky notes are always handy and the pouch keeps them clean.  

You can always use them to wrap small gifts like jewelery, gift cards, tickets, etc.  

and you will be giving "A gift in a gift" with no waste!!! 

I am sure there are many more options but these are the suggestions I found online!!

Therese

 

Sewing - a tote bag with flying geese as an accent on both sides

Another tote bag for the merchandise table at our next Gramma Link Africa event in June.  Beautiful cotton fabric with a blended lining in burnt orange - coordinates beautifully!!!  I created the flying geese using quilting scraps in gray, yellow and orange (lining fabric).  I made one row for each side so they run into each other on the sides.  I added the burnt orange fabric to the inside of the handles to echo the lining colour.  Boxed the lining and the bag, inserted the handles in between the outer and lining and stitched them together leaving an opening so I could turn it inside out.  Worked really well!  It was only the second time I have made a bag this way.  The first time I stitched this wine bag.   There are two rows of top stitching at the top with double stitching over the handles area. I also added a row of stitching below each of the buttons which adds another bit of stitching to strengthen the handles. I added a little twill tape loop under one of them which gives a place to secure your keys.  I hand stitched the buttons in place to finish off the bag!!!  I love how it turned out!!    Therese

 

Sewing - wine bag in a fun fabric and fully lined

My sister visited a few days ago and we worked on a pattern for a wine bag.  She is hoping to make a few for sale at her sale later this year.  It was fun to play with fabric and sort out how to go about making the bag.  We had done some online research and also had a couple of bottles to use to test the pieces before we assembled them.  It worked out quite well.  We added one layer of flannel to the main fabric to give it a bit of stucture and cushion.  We stitched it to the fabric with decorative stitching in wavy lines.  We boxed the bottom of the outside and inside and then rotated the lining a quarter turn so it would not be sitting on top of the boxed corners of the main fabric.  Helps to keep the bottom even.  We topped stitched a couple of rows at the top of the bag and double stitched where the handles are for extra support there.  It stands on its own which is really nice!!  Soft enough to fold and store until the next time a person is bringing wine along to a meal with family or friends.  Special enough for you to bring home with you and use it again the next time around!!!  It measures 12" tall, 11.5" around, 3" square bottom a 10" handle.  Looking forward to making a few more with some sort of accent to help jazz them up a bit.  Therese
 

March Card Club - Card #3 - stamped images on book pages with ribbon and coordinating backgrounds

For our last card, I had stamped images on a rectangles of book pages.  We then embellished them with a bit of watercolour.  I added some to my edges as well.  Next, we tied on a coordinating satin ribbon with a double knot.  This element was adhered to a rectangle of coordinating cardstock which we trimmed on the bottom with punches or decorative scissors.  After adding our backgrounds to our cards we added our focal element with 3D foam tape.  It was fun to dig through my stamp collection and find stamps that fit the size I needed - some had never been stamped before.  I used black embossing powder on mine but they could easily have been stamped in any black permanent ink for the same effect.  A quick and easy card to finish off our creative evening!!  Therese

 

March Card Club - Card #2 - flowers, balloons and butterflies with banners

For our second card we had fun drawing as well.  We drew a stalk and stem for the flowers, a string for the balloons and a flight path for the butterflies (no sample of that one).  We drew a pencil line and then went over it with a fine tip Sharpie and then embossed our strip.  After adding our focal element we wrapped a length of bakers twine around and tied it off in a bow or double knots.  We adhered these to our card using 3D foam tape for dimension.  Next, we created our banners!!  Added a strip of double sided tape to the back of the strip and then placed our little strips of decorative paper onto it until we completely filled it.  Add another strip of double sided tape and adhered it to our card.  We trimmed the ends of our papers  - banner ends where we removed a triangle or flagged ends where we cut diagonal lines.  Then, added a little bit of glue to keep our banners in place!!  This a great way to use up scraps and really create interest and texture on your card.

Therese

March Card Club - Card #1 - squiggles and watercolour art piece with a coordinating background

It was so great to be back with friends making cards!!!  Our first card featured this neurographic art technique.  I had printed a central image on a 3" square or white cardstock and we added squiggly lines all around and through with fine tip Sharpie marker just going from one side to another and some all the way to the opposite side.  We then softened all the intersections with curvy lines and filled in them in.  I added a black border around mine as well.  Next, we watercoloured our line drawing using a single colour in our image and other colours all they way around.  I should have considered my background before getting started.  I had added pink areas which did not really work with my holly background paper.  I changed them to red and that was better.  After they were dry we mounted our art to a larger square and then mounted it over the background which was already glued to our coordinating card front.  I added three little circle punchies to mine but not everyone did which still worked very well.  It was fun to create art.  You can check out the tutorial I followed here (MIX576)  on Splitcoast Stampers.

  Therese 

Slow Stitching - a Christmas stocking with embroidery and a buttonhole stitch all the way around

 One of my grandson's came to me at Christmas time and asked if I could make him a Christmas stocking like his cousin's.  It had to have his name and be gingerbread in colour.  I found some brown felted wool in the stash my daughter sent my way a while back.  There was enough but I had to piece the front by adding a few inches at the top.  I decided to incorporate that joint in my design.  The original design of the stocking was my sister's about 40 years ago when she had made some for DH and I with our names and hand stitched details.  Over the course of the years between us we added three more for our children.  My daughter has kept the tradition alive and made some for her children using felted wool.  I drew the pine branch and ornament with inspiration from online.  It was hard to get any lines to stay on the wool as handling the wool removed the lines.  I eventually resorted to basting the elements I needed in white thread and then doing the embroidery over the thread.  That worked very well and the basting was easily removed afterwards.  I added a dark brown lining to the back and the front and then stitched the tops.  Next, I laid them both with right sides out and pinned the edges really well and did button hole stitch all the way around using a very heavy weight thread in dark brown.  That worked well.  It was several weeks of slow stitching to get it all done.  It was good to get it finished.  It will get dropped off when we visit next and be ready for next Christmas!!  

I will be joining the creatives at Kathy's Quilts for their Slow Sunday Stitching.  Therese

All occasion cards featuring embossed backgrounds, glittered elements and tied banners

I have been working on card kits for my class on Tuesday and these cards were made up as I was working out how to make a card design work for my class.  I started with the little glittered flower and wanted to add a banner to this card.  This card was created with this element from a rejected design.  I positioned the flower on the embossed layer and then added the stem, leaves and ground with a black fine tipped Sharpie marker. I added one of the banners I had already created by folding short strips of decorative paper over a length of bakers twine.  I secured the strips using double sided tape on the back and folding them over the twine.  I secured the end of the twine to the back of my layer using double sided tape as well.  I tied separate lengths to the banner - one on each end.  That worked well.  I had cut off the edges to get rid of the holes I had made so  I added a punched border with a clear glitter line next to it which I glued to the back of the panel.  I added this large element to a pink card front. 

These next few cards are the next iteration of my design where I used an embossed layer of white cardstock (4" x 5.25"), added a coordinating banner over the focal element.  With these I drew the details before embossing which made it easier to get nice smooth lines on the smooth surface.  I embossed the panel and then added the focal element and the banner in the same way as above - adding little bows on the sides and securing the banner ends to the back of the panel with double sided tape.  The trouble with this design was that I was having difficulty in consistently getting the banners properly secured to the twine. If it was difficult for me, it was going to be harder for the class participants so I opted for a different design.  These were fun cards and I love how light and bright they are - very spring like!!  Therese

 

Sewing - zippered pouches with Japanese cat fabric and coordinating colours

 

I made up a couple of zippered pouches while I was at it.  I used upcycled zippers and coordinating fabric.  I made the red one first and found that the end pieces were too bulky looking especially with the contrasting thread.  The other one looks neater.  Again I  put the zippers in first and then bound the edges in seam binding to finish them off neatly.  I did add a seam all the way around to help give the pouch a bit of structure.   On the red pouch you can see that there is a cat being caught up by an octopus tentacle in the upper left hand corner.  I hope there will be some people who will like this fabric as much as I do!!!  Therese

Sewing - book marks with the fun Japanese cat fabric

I had a few scraps sitting on my cutting table and thought they would be great for making book marks.  I simply trimmed plain fabric to the same size and stitched all the way around and then a bit of an all over design inside the book mark.  I added a little ribbon/twill tape flag at the top while I was sewing the outer seam.  I raveled the cat fabric to create a bit of a fringe.  I had hoped to do the same to the back fabrics but the red and blue were so tightly woven they resisted raveling but the yellow one was similar in weave so it raveled nicely.  Therese
 

Sewing - composition book cover with a journaling book mark

I decided to try something new - I made up a cover for a composition book using two layers of fabric with a rectangle flannel in the center where the book will be!!  I am very pleased with out it worked out so I will be coming up with scrappy tops which I can layer with solid fabrics for the inside.  I stitched my flannel piece to the inside piece, layered on my top and stitched all the way around leaving an opening to turn the whole thing inside out.  After that stitched all the way around to secure the pieces and close up the opening.  I then added lines of stitching to quilt the layers to each other. I   laid my composition book in the middle of the finished cover and figured out where to fold it to make the it the right height and then folded in the both sides to create the flaps that the composition book covers tuck into.  I removed the book and pressed the cover really well so I could mark where I had to sew the flaps to keep everything together.  Four little seams and flipped it back around and my book fits in really well.  You have to leave a bit of give when you sew your seams to allow for the thickness of the fabric cover.  Sew it too close and it is too tight to easily insert the book covers.   

  

I created a journaling bookmark to go with my composition book journal. This bookmark has room for two writing instruments in its front pocket which means you will always have something to write with when you are ready to journal.  It measures just over a 1.5" wide and 7.5" long and the pocket comes up to about 5.75".  I used two layers for the back - bright yellow for the front and a plain yellow for the back.  I created the pocket using a scraps of yellow and green.  I added red binding to the top and bottom which was just what I had on my sewing table.  The elastic is foldable soft elastic and I cut it to 11" to work with the journal.  You layer your pieces and sew all the way around leaving a gap so you can turn it inside out.  Press it really well and then add stitching all the way around to secure the pieces to each other and close up the opening.  I think these are really neat and would be really handy for any journal.  

You can see below the inside and back side of my journal cover.  I am looking forward to using this technique to create some really fun and colourful journal covers in the future.  These are reusable - simply replace the filled composition book with a new one and you are good to go!!!  Therese

 

Sewing - mug rugs from leaf fabric

 I have had this fabric for a while and ran across it again recently and set it aside for mug rugs.  I trimmed four of the images, added two layers of flannel for batting and a deep purple for the backing.  Sewed them together leaving an opening so I turn them inside out.  Pressed everything neatly and then ran a line of stitching all the way around to secure the layers and close up the opening.  I added stitching on the lines in between the leaf designs to quilt them all the layers together.   Therese

Sewing - a cute red flower embellishment for my cat bag

I thought my cat bag needed a bit of something so I went looking for inspiration on line hoping to find maybe a cute little fabric fish I could make up to add to it.  No such luck!  I did find a fabric flower that I found acceptable so I went ahead with that the other morning.  I found a tutorial at Notches Sewing on You Tube that worked very well.  

It starts off with a pentagon shape that fits in a 6" circle.  I gave it a try and was not precise enough that my measurements were not exact so I just found a petagon on line and placed it in a 6" circle in Corel Draw and printed it out.  Success!!  The sides are all 3.5"!!!  I trimmed out the pentagon and then cut two pieces of red cotton fabric using this pattern and placed them right sides together and stitched a 1/4"  seam all the way around leaving a gap of about 1.25".  I turned this shape inside out and then pressed it neatly to get a nice flat pentagon.   I then stitched all the way around about 1/8" from the edge which secured everything and closed up the opening.  What you see on the front will be the front of the flower.   Next, I followed the instructions in the video  - measured and marked the center of all the sides, measured two inch towards the middle on each point, drew a curved arch between the points next to the center of the side, through the 2" mark and the back down to the just next the center mark on the next side.  Repeat until you have five arched lines.  I used a removeable ink pen - first time - and it worked well. The lines are where the gathering happens so it may not be too serious if you draw in some light pencil lines.   Next, you sew quarter inch stitches on the arches using a 20" of double heavyweight thread (needs to be sturdy and that long) knotted on the end so it will not pull through.  You start stitching from the back (important) and follow the arches always coming to the edge with your needle to the front (important).  Once you get back to where you started you pull on your threads to gather each petal and then tie off with double knots.  The points of the pentagon create the petals.  Works really well and makes a nice sturdy flower.  You can then add it to your project, add a clip or barrette, add a brooch pin - whatever you want.   I used the threads at the back to stitch it to my cat bag!!!!  It was just what I was looking for - a very 3D fabric embellishment.  I would have preferred something more related to the cat theme but this will do purrfectly!!!!!!  Therese

 

Sewing - pet bowl mats for cats

It seemed appropriate to make some cat themed pet bowl mats this week as I had made some dog themed ones last week.  I used the Japanese cat fabric on the back and a strip on the front of this first mat.  I used the colours in the fabric - yellow, blue and red to make up a couple of strips to frame the cat fabric on the front.  I used toweling as batting and sewed the strips on QAYG to add the front to the batting and backing.  I used the backing to self bind the mat which worked really well.  

For my second mat I started with one of my cat squares which I made quite a while back and still have a good supply of.  I added strips all the way around (QAYG) until I had the height I needed for the mat. I added two more pieces to the left to make it the size I needed (12" x 17").  I cut a piece of  Japanese cat fabric for the bac, added two layers of flannel for batting and then bound the edges with a bright blue fabric.  I added stitching through out the mat to secure all the layers together.  Fun!!!  Therese

 

All occasion card featuring a spring bird mounted over a collage background of blues and greens

 Another family card!!  This one also features a collage background.  I used scraps of blue and green decorative paper to make a serendipity background.  Says spring to me!!  Once it was dry I trimmed it to fit on my large ivory card and adhered it in place.  I added a green strip of cardstock embossed with polka dots which has a flagged end.  The digital bird (Clipartix) was laser printed and watercoloured.  I added paper pierced lines on all four sides before mounting it to a green cardstock.  I used a border punch (SU) on the green piece and then embossed two lines using my score tool.  Mounted the image to my card using 3D foam tape.  It will be on its way shortly.  Therese

Sewing - tote with cute cat fabric with a cute fabric embellishment

I was into my stash a few weeks ago looking for something and rediscovered this fun cat fabric - cats on the ocean waves with large fish and surf boards!!!!!!!!  The fabric is printed in Japan and I really liked the design.  I decided to make up a tote bag with some of it!!  I worked out the layers for this bag - navy blue for the top and bottom and cat fabric in between.  I used some of my fun aqua floral fabric for the inside - a light fabric helps you see what is inside.  I trimmed the inside fabric and laid out the fabrics and sewed them into place one at a time QAYG fashion.  I was careful to keep everything well aligned and it worked out well.  I added wavy lines to quilt the outer fabric to the lining.  I made up  handles and inserted them at the top between the navy and lining fabric.  I sewed them to the lining and then folded over both fabrics and stitched them together from the outside.   To finish off the bag neatly I used a technique where you lay the wrong sides together and sew a small seam.  Then you flip the wrong sides out and stitch again using a wider seams which incorporates the previous seam allowance inside the seam.  Makes for a neat finish inside the bag.  I boxed the bottom corners at 3" which gives the bag some structure without too much width.  It would be perfect as a library book bag or general tote for the car when you are just buying a few things.  It worked out really well!!!  NOTE:  I have added a little red 3D fabric embellishment to my bag and you can check it out here.  Therese

Sewing - Two aprons - large and medium with a safari fabric

 I made these aprons this past week.  I was homebound due to having tested positive for Covid and not being really ill - coughing and runny nose - so I decided to take some time for sewing.  I have had this fabric for a little bit and could not find inspiration to make anything else other than aprons so I just made them up.  We are needing adult and child size matching aprons for our merchandise inventory for Gramma Link Africa so I made a set.  The fabric was not quite wide enough for both so I added black strips on the side where they will not interfere with the look of the safari fabric but give the needed coverage.  I added them with felled seams so there would be no raw edges.  I have used this pattern from Instructables before and I was fortunate that it gave measurements for two sizes.  I had to create the casing for the small one and then I was on my way.  These sew up quickly and then I added light blue ties made from fabric from my stash.    Therese

All occasion card featuring a truck die cut, some die cut trees over a collaged background

 Working on cards for special occasions for family members.  I started with a large ivory card and then created a collaged landscape using scraps of paper.  Once it was dry I added the trees which I found in my stash and then the blue truck - also from my stash. My sister owns this die and I cut a bunch a while back.  I used a clear glitter gel pen on the hub caps, door handle, lights and windshield.  

Therese

All occasion card featuring a gold embossed grass image, vellum and textured cardstock

I made up this card for a friend you recently lost her husband.  They had been over 50 years married though he was only 76.  

I made up an off white card using textured cardstock, added a torn strip of vellum and then added my gold embossed stamped image of grasses.  I watercoloured the image before adhering it over the vellum.  

Therese

 

Sewing - braided fleece and mesh dog toys

 I rescued a scrap of blue fleece from our fabric sorting last week and wondered what I could use it for in the way of creating a sellable item.  After a bit of research on line I decided to make up some dog chew toys.  I cut the scrap into 2" x 20" pieces and then trimmed the same size scraps from a mesh t shirt from my fabric stash.  I layered three of them and tied a knot pulling hard so it would be tight.  I then braided the lengths until I had about 3" left and tied another knot.  I flagged the ends to make them interesting.  I ended up with 10 of them.  I will bring them to add to our merchandise bins when I go to sorting this week.    Therese