November Card Club - Card #3 - starry night background paper with a silver embossed "peace on earth" focal element

Our last card was the fastest and it was good this time around because the stitching on the first card did take longer than usual.  I chose black cardstock for this set and added "starry night" background paper.  It is actually gift wrap that my sister bought years ago which is so sparkly and multicoloured - it does starry night really well.  The little "peace on earth" was stamped on coloured cardstock (2" x 3") and embossed with silver embossing powder.  A coordinating layer was cut to back this one to create our focal element.  I provided clear gel pens to colour the dove, earth and leaves.  I tried shimmery watercolours on the light pink one and that worked well too!!  Quick and easy!!! 

So we had a wonderful evening listening to Christmas carols and getting creative which always happens with this group!!!  We have very little snow and it has been relatively mild so it hardly feels like we are only three weeks from Christmas!!!  It was so nice to spend a creative evening with friends and get started on our Christmas!!!  Therese 
 

November Card Club - Card #2 - stamped background embellished with red dots and a multilayered pine cone with a bow

 For our second card I worked up this design for the cards.  I stamped several finely patterned green decorative paper with two leaf /branch stamps (Peaceful Wishes -SU) in several colours of green ink.  I cut them to 4" x 5.25" for the backgrounds and matched them up with coordinating cards.  I stamped the pinecone from this set with brown ink on off white cardstock  (1.25" x 2.25")  and clear embossed them.  I provided red cording for the bow which they could stitch on and tie OR tie and add with double sided tape.  Both worked well.  We layered these onto a gold layer and then to a red layer to create our focal elements.  We distressed our edges and added paper piercing as we wished.  Before adhering our background to our card front we established our layout (portrait or landscape) so we could detemine where to stamp our greetings.  The greetings were stamped with Veramark and embossed with gold embossing powder.  With all the pieces ready we added our backgrounds to our card fronts and then mounted our pinecones with 3D foam tape to finish off our cards.  Therese

November Card Club - Card #1 - hand stitched snowflake with embossing and vellum with a greeting

It was great to see my creative friends again for another session of cardmaking!!! We were making Christmas cards this month and with any hopes at all we will be able to send them and have them delivered before the season arrives!!  Fingers crossed!!     We started with hand stitching the snowflake using white perle cotton onto a square of cardstock.  You can see below the diagram I created for the holes I would need to stitch the snowflake which we used as a template for making the holes in the cardstock.  We used bull clips to hold the template to the square and then laid this onto a foam layer and used a push pin to make holes where we needed them to be.  By holding this sandwich to the light it was very easy to see any holes we had missed punching.  With all the holes we needed we removed the template, threaded our large needles with about 50" of thread and started stitching.  The diagram below gives step by step instructions for stitching one of the branches of the snow flake so we held our cardstock with one branch pointing directly up and started with coming up in hole #1 and continued until we had that one branch stitched.  Then we started on the leg that was to it's left and repeated the same procedure.  Now it was just a matter of doing it four more times and securing the two ends to the back with tape.  Everyone persevered and got their snowflake stitched with some undoing and getting back on track but they all looked great at the end.   

Next, we embossed our stitched square using a snowflake embossing folder where we could line up our snowflake with one of the snowflakes and have it perfectly embellish our hand stitched one with an embossed one.  Worked really well!!  I added lines of paper piercing with my pattern tracing wheel to the four sides of mine.  For our next layer we tore the edges of a strip of vellum, layered it between the card and the snowflake and stamped our greeting with Versamark on the vellum and embossed it with white embossing powder.  We secured the vellum with double sided tape in the area that would be covered with the snowflake and then added the snowflake using 3D foam tape.  We also added a small piece behind the greeting which secured the bottom and was not visible through the vellum.  I did add some paper piercing to mine with my pattern tracing wheel. 

I did add some tiny snowflakes to mine as I had in my sample.  Completely missed that step while we were working on our cards so the other girls missed out on that with their cards.  

Therese

Sewing - card wallet with an elastic

I made this card wallet for one of my grandsons for this birthday.  I made one earlier this month for another grandson but forgot to take a photo.  I used the dimensions that my sister, Sylvia, used for the ones she made. I uses 2 pieces of 5" x 11" - one the outside, the other the lining.  One piece of 5" elastic placed at 3.25" from the bottom edge.  You simply sew all the way around leaving an opening and turn it inside out.  The you stitch all the way around at 1/8" which closes up the opening.  Fold both ends to the middle leaving a bit of a gap so you can see the cards and stitch the ends of each folded flap to create to pockets.  You have to keep the elastic out of the way when sewing that pocket.  I made these for them so that they can carry a card or two along with a bit of cash with them instead of their larger wallets.  I added a little loop so they can use a carabiner to attach them to their backpacks or a belt loop.  Therese

Sewing - gift card holders for a project

I have worked on getting a good collection of gift card holders ready for sewing for a project I am working on.

I have put partial pockets on each end and ribbons in the middle of each side so they can be tied to secure the gift card and will look like a gift.  They can be hung on a tree for presentation.  

I will be sewing those up when I have a few minutes and will share the results when they are finished. 

Therese

Sewing - two small hot pads

I had two small pieces of wool sweater left over so I created two small hot pads with them.  I added cotton batting and two layers of cotton.  With the flannel I used to cover them and their cotton covers I expect these will hold up very well to any hot pan as well.  I tested them and there was only a slightly warm feeling after a minute of the hot iron set at cotton.  These hot pads measure 12" x 10.5" and 11.75" x 10.75". 

I will be making removable, reversible and washable cover for them  Therese

 

Sewing - hotpads using knitted wool, cotton batting, metallic thermal batting and flannel

 This was the beginning of the creation of another set of hot pads.  A wonderfully lofty wool sweater was cut up to create the core of the hot pad.   I added cotton batting on one side and stitched several seams to keep everything in place.  I added a layer of metallic thermal batting on the other side.  I tested this combination using a piece of scrap cotton over my sandwich on my ironing board and left my iron set on cotton on it for one minute and there was no transfer of heat to the ironing board. With the flannel wrap and the final cotton cover I expect it will stand up to most any hot pan.  

 I created a cover with two layers of flannel.  I trimmed the corners, turned it inside out and inserted this sandwich into the opening I had left on the long side.  I folded the sandwich into thirds to get it through the opening and then spread it out inside getting the corners to align and everything to lay flat.  After a good press I stitched about 1/8" from the outside edge which closed the opening.  Next, I added another row of stitching about 2.75" or so from the outside edge to properly secure the batting sandwich to the cover.  This piece should not require laundering as I will be making a cover for it using four different fabrics to allow the top to show off any one of the fabrics.  You can check out the other ones I made here and here.  Therese

I made four of these with the pieces I cut from the sweater.  

16" x 11.5"

17" x 11"

12.5" x 10

13" x 9.5"

Cardmaking - die cut photo with an inked card front and a paper leaf

I kept this one simple so the photo would really stand out.   The photo is one my sister Sylvia, has used in the many photo calendars we receive every year for Christmas.  They spend the year on our desks and in the new year the photos get added to the card making supplies and show up over time on my cards.  

This one was taken on our trip to Canmore a few years ago!!  I die cut it with two square Nestibilities to make a double frame.  I backed it with orange - coordinates very nicely.  I chose a blue card front and green strip which really work with the colours in the photo.  I stamped the blue card front with the "Worn" from Stampin UP which works really well for subtle colour.  The left I found in my stash and was appropriate in colour and the season.   

I will be sending it soon in hopes it arrives in time with our rotating postal strike.  Therese
 

Sewing - fabric bread basket for a request from Chili event - 9" square and sturdy

We had a request from a customer at our Chili for A Cause event who was looking for two large fabric bread basket - 8" x10" square!!  I suggested that we could make several and see which ones she wanted.  One person will make a rope bowl one, someone else offered to make a felt one and I volunteered to make a fabric one!!!  

I used this Debbie Shore tutorial to make mine.  I used a 20" square of heavy weight light beige cotton fabric, a 20" square of sturdy polyester batting and a 20" square of decorative cotton in teal, brown and beige.  I laid them with good sides facing each other and laid the batting on top and stitched all the way around leaving a gap to turn it inside out.  After pressing it I stitched all the way around the outside edge to close the opening and start the quilting.  I stitched in a continuous line all the way around the square about 3/4" or so apart getting closer and closer to the middle until I had about a 1" square in the center.  I marked the darts on each side and stitched them and then stitched them down.  I layered two buttons and added them to each flap on the outside securing them to the inside.  I was really happy to find buttons in the right colour!!!!  It measures just over 9" on each side and is about 4.5" high.  Quite sturdy and holds it's shape very well.  It can easily be folded onto itself and be stored flat when not in use.  

It was a fun project and I expect will be just what this person wanted.  

Therese

 

Sewing - fun fabric bowl cozies for GA

I made up some bowl cozies this week as there was request at the Chili For A Cause event we held on Wednesday for some.  I made up 10 of them with some very cool fabric I had on hand!! They are made with 10" squares of fabric and cotton batting - 2 of each.  I stitched one fabric to one batting and then did the same for the other two pieces with cotton thread.  Then I rounded the corners using a template I drew on cardboard using a glass. I  folded them in half and marked and stitched a dart - 1" across and 2" long on the fold on both sides.  I stitched the darts and repeated the same darts on the other two sides.  I trimmed the darts after sewing to reduce the bulk. Then I placed two with fabric facing fabric and stitched all the way around leaving a small gap for turning them inside out.  Once turned inside out I top stitched all the way around the outside  edge which conveniently closed up the gap.  Then I added two more rows of stitching from the top of a curves to the other curve passing through the middle.  Just nicely secures both pieces together and helps the middle create a bottom for the bowl.  I really enjoyed playing with fabric and coordinating the patterns and colours.  I made up 10 of them!!!  Therese

 

Cardmaking - TH funky bird with glossy background, seam binding in pewter eyelets

This card was created in the A2 card format.  The background used glossy cardstock, ink watercolour on the surface and then was embossed and highlighted with a purple ink pad.  Very bold!!!  I added another strip of inked glossy, two eyelets and then a length of pewter seam binding tying it in a double knot on the front.  My bird is more subdued than the other ones but it still works for this card.  

Therese
 

Cardmaking - TH funky birds over a wax resist backgrounds with glittery embellishments

I am working on cards upcoming family events.  I have had these funky birds (TH) sitting on my desk since the last time I made cards with them.  I really love the look of them and that they are very appropriate for many occasion if you start your greeting with  "A little bird told me...." .  I cut a large card for fit in my envelope and added a green rectangle to the bottom of the image which was embossed with stars and I punched out three of  them. I added paper piercing with my pattern tracing wheel and once this large element was adhered to my card I added a double row of glittery stars on the right hand side.  I watercoloured the bird to coordinate and then mounted it to my card front with 3D foam tape once it was dry.  Totally fun cards to make!!

For this card I added a pink layer at the bottom which I punched with a border punch and then embossed with the D'vine Swirl embossing folder and added an embossed line in between using my Score tool.  Added little pink heart embellishments, paper piercing and a fun coordinating bird.  

This background was created with crumpled wax paper which was ironed onto the surface of glossy card and coloured with ink pads.  I embossed the floral swirl and then highlighted with turquoise Distress ink.  I embossed a green rectangle with the same embossing folder and added some clear glitter with a gel pen.  The fussy cut little bird was watercoloured to coordinate. 

I love the personalities of these birds!!!!  This card has the glittery heart embellishments on both sides of the image with two rectangles added - one at the top and the other at the bottom.

I used paste paper for this background and added watercolour to give it more interest.  The two rectangles were embossed and added to the top and bottom.  I added it to my card front and found it still needed a bit of something so I used a scallop border punch (SU) on the edge and added little gold embellishments and a row of paper piercing.  Still needing something I added paper piercing to a strip of yellow and added it to the left hand side and that was better!!  Done

So fun to create with these!!!

Therese

 

Sewing - 4 sets of potholders for the GA

I made up four sets of potholders for our Chili for a Cause Event on Wednesday!!  These have cotton batting, metallic insulating fabric and flannel inside and are about 7.5" square with a loop in the binding.  

A set with white doves on sparkly red fabric with a dark burgundy backing.  

A set with orange and yellow stripes with a fun backing of swirls. 

A set with holly and pine branches and a red backing - great for Christmas!

A set with a winter scene fabric with a dark green leafy backing.  

Therese 

 

Sewing - two sets of potholders with my hand stitched circle fronts

Here are the two sets of potholders that I created using my hand stitched circle fronts.  I really like how they turned out and the backing fabric coordinates so nicely!!!  I did a self binding with the backing and added a loop for hanging in the process.  I added one line of stitching all the way around the circles to keep all the layers together  - 2 cotton batting and 1 metallic insulating fabric.  They will be at the Chili for a Cause we are having this coming Wednesday!!  

Therese

 

Sewing - potholders that coordinate with my latest hot pad

 While all the fabrics were out and available I decided to create a set of potholders that coordinated with my latest hot pad.  It features all four fabrics that make up the removable, washable and reversible cover and turned our really well.  They will make a very nice prize for our summer event!!

Therese

Sewing - another hot pad with a removable and washable cover - 12" x 16"

I have made up another hot pad for a different occasion and made it 12" x 16" because that is the size that worked best with the piece of flannel I had on hand.  I layered in two layers of cotton batting with a layer of metallic insulated fabric in between.  I used cotton thread in order to make it all as heat resistant as possible.  I made a reusable, removable and reversible cover for it using some coordinating fabrics.  It makes is easy to have a special look for several occasions with four different choices.  You can see the fabrics below.  I cut the four pieces of cotton 13" x 17" and used 1/4" seams to assemble it and this one fits just a bit better than the last one on the pad that I made.  Makes a perfect gift for anyone who wants to keep their table and counters undamaged when handling hot dishes from the oven.  This one will accommodate a 9" x13" inch or several smaller ones such as 8" x 8" along with a loaf pan, etc.  

I was late getting it ready so it will be set aside for a family event in the summer instead.  

Therese

 

Slow Stitching - finished the stitching on the circle potholders

I have been working on these potholder fronts for a while.  These were two sets made up from cutting holes in coordinating fabric and then backing the hole with a different colour and applying the hole I cut to a different backing.  I repeated those steps three times to get the layered look of these fronts.  I used the other two colours of thread on each circle - on the brown I used blue and yellow thread, etc.  It was a very fun project and I am ready to make up the potholders.  

Therese

 

Cards - a few IWIN cards from the pieces I had left on my table

After delivering the cards for IWIN to my daughter on the weekend I made up the last of the supplies I had cut into cards for the next delivery.  

Therese

 

Cards - Thinking of you cards for IWIN

IWIN has prepped for their fall backpacks and will need 82.   I needed a few more cards to add to the ones my sister and I have prepped since the spring.  I dug out some papers, butterflies and Thinking of you greetings and got started.  

This fun birdie paper is always fun to work with.  I used the 1.75" SU punch with laser printed greetings layered onto scalloped ovals - both from SU.  The little butterfly stickers worked quite well with the colours so put these cards together.  

Another set using a different background paper and the little butterfly stickers.  It was fun to play around and use different tools with each of them.  Clear gel pen, paper piercing, embossing, etc.  I see there is one that has a butterfly die cut.  My sister brought along a few of these when we worked on cards the last time 

Another fun paper that worked well with the butterfly stickers and I found a butterfly die cut in the right colour for the last one.  

The last few were made with this wonderful butterfly paper!!!!! They did not need too much embellishment!!

Therese

 

Sewing - large hot pad with a removable washable cover with four different looks

I have been playing with this idea for a while and decided I would give it a try.  A hot pad that has a removable & washable cover.  This way you just wash the cover and with the four different fabrics included in the cover it can span several occasions and appeal to a wider audience.     The pad (13" x 16") is made up of two layers of cotton batting with a metallic insulated layer in between.  I laid two layers of cotton flannel cut to 14" x 17" right sides together and pinned them to the "inside" piece. I stitched all the way around leaving a gap to turn it inside out.  After turning it inside out I removed the pins.  I should have counted them because I missed one and had to undo my edge seam to remove it.  I restitched my gap by hand after removing the pin.  I added a line of stitching all the way around at about 1.25" or so.  It will not need much washing if it is always used with the cover.  The cover is made up of four pieces of cotton fabric pieces with an accent strip - two vertical - 2 horizontal.  Just the way the pieces worked out.  There is a winter scene with mountains and a starry sky, one with fun flowers in white vases, a beautiful batik in browns, yellow and orange flowers and a floral with a dark pink strip.  It should cover most seasons and occasions and certainly should provide some options for anyone who is looking for a certain colour or design.  I cut the pieces 14" x17" and sewed  3/8" seams when I was assembling it.  It makes a double sided tube with two fabrics on the outside and two on the inside.  By turning it inside out it features the other two fabrics.  I just folded the pad in half and lined up the two long edges with the seams in the cover and flattened it out inside.  It is a bit snug so will use 1/4" seams next time.  I used cotton thread as well to make it all cotton.  It is a flexible item that is perfect for your table when you have a large casserole dish or two smaller ones.  Protects your table and looks beautiful all the while.   Therese