Quilting - a top made of diamonds

I brought some small scraps home from sorting last week without realizing they were diamonds. Some were sewn together on one of the angles into lengths and the remainder were loose.  I stitched them together to make strips and sewed them side by side.  I started with the middle where I sewed two to make a chevron shape but found that the diamonds must have been a different size because the strips were longer.  I will see about trimming this flimsy down to size and backing it for a donation to Linus Project.  I love all the colours and the movement in the way the lines come together.  

Therese
 

Cardmaking - more butterfly cards for IWIN

I made these today to be included in the package I will be sending to IWIN through my daughter in Calgary.  We expect to be visiting for Easter and birthdays.  I love this paper.  It is one I created using digital papers and images.  I added some greetings using a chalk writing font and one with layered ovals.  I did add fiber to the two top cards and a little flower to the one on the bottom left.  It was fun to be creating with this paper and good to have the cards ready to go!!  Therese
 

Sewing - a book bag featuring LONDON fabric and a zippered outer pocket

Another bag (14" x 14" or so  with the LONDON fabric.  Very suitable as a bag for a trip to the library or a quick stop at the grocery store on the way home.  I used the LONDON fabric on the front and black fabric for the back.  I added a zippered pocket to the back along with a few loops which a person can use to secure items to the bag - decorations, keys, etc.  The pocket is topped with a strip of LONDON fabric and black fabric for the lower piece with the zipper added in between.  I lined this bag with red poly cotton broadcloth.  The handle is made from the LONDON fabric and goes side to side for hands free carrying of the contents.  Therese

Sewing - a book lined bag featuring LONDON fabric with a outer zippered pocket

 It has been wonderful to sew with this LONDON fabric.  I am very near the end of the piece I got from the Gramma Link Africa Fabric Sale  a while back.  I made this bag 15" by 15" or so and used the LONDON fabric for the front and black fabric for the back.  I added a zippered pocket to the back (10.5" x 11.5'').  I added fabric ends to the zipper and then added the top from the LONDON fabric and the bottom from the same black fabric I used for the back.  I added a strip of red fabric (poly cotton) which I stitched in a few places which allows a person to add a carbiner and attach items to the outside of the bag - keys, decorations, etc.  I lined the bag with the same red poly cotton fabric.  A good size for a walk about bag - add a wallet and there is enough room for books from the library or a few groceries for your next meal.  Therese

Sewing - adding a nice finish to the end of a tie

I added a little cloth piece at the end of my ties for my apron to finish them off nicely.  I started with a piece of fabric (2" x 2") and hemmed the bottom edge.  I folded it over the bottom edge of the tie, pinned it and then stitched across and up to the hemmed edge.  I trimmed off the excess fabric and pulled the fabric over the end which revealed the right side of the fabric and finished the tie.  You can leave it open or stitch it closed.  Therese

 

Sewing - an adult apron made from medium weight cotton fabric in a block printed design - GA

I have had this fabric in my GA stash since last year.  I have the intention of making a bag with it but having LONDON fabric for bags right now I checked it out and there was enough to make an adult apron so I made one up.  It is a design I found on Instructables - Sew an adjustable Chef's apron - in several different sizes.  I made a very long tie (132") which allows them to be brought to the front to be tied.  I did add a pocket on the right hand side big enough for a phone, keys or glasses, etc.  It is very adjustable and suitable for most adults.  It is headed to the merchandise table at a future Gramma Link Africa event.  Therese
 

Cardmaking - a large card embellished with embossed vellum, die cut photo and some die cut leaves

I worked on cards for family this week!!  I started with a large tan card and added a hand decorated piece of paper which I had embossed with leaves at the top, birch trees in the middle and bubbles on the bottom.  I added some light brown ink to highlight the embossing a little bit.  It also filled in some of the white edges on the embossed areas which was good.  Added this to my card front.  I embossed a strip of vellum (SU) with a torn edge and added a slit into which my photo would fit and secured it with double sided tape.  I added the bird photo which I had die cut with Nestibilities then added three little leaves I had sitting on my desk from a previous cardmaking session. They were the perfect colours!!

Therese
 

Sewing - fun London fabric for two sets of potholders - GA

 I made up a couple of sets of potholders with what was left of the LONDON fabric I had in my GA stash.  They have interesting graphics and recognizable as images from London.  I used black fabric for the backing and cotton batting, flannel and cotton terry for the inside layers.  I brought the backing to the front, folded it twice and stitched it down.  I included the loop on the last corner.  These will be included in our Gramma Link Africa merchandise for our future events.  Therese

Sewing - medium hot pad with a removeable and reversible cover - GA

I made a cover for another of the hot pads I made a while back.  It is about 13" x 10" and had cotton, metallic insulation and knitted wool batting with a cotton flannel to hold all the layers together.  I stitched up a cover (sleeve) for it using four different cotton fabrics - red guitar, checkered green, rust cross hatch and multi coloured uneven stripes.  The pieces were all the same size (14" x 11") and I stitched two together on the long edges to make a tube.  And again for the other two.  I turned one inside out and inserted it in the other one (right sides together) and stitched both ends leaving a gap of about 4" on one of the ends.  I turned the whole thing inside out and pressed it flat.  I hand stitched closed the opening I had left and then added top stitching to both top and bottom edges and to the two side seams which should allow it to be restored to it's rectangular shape after it is washed. Pick your favorite fabric on the day you use it and after using it simply remove the cover and wash it to be ready for next time.  Small enough to fit in most drawers and enough variety to rise to every occasion.  It will accommodate several small hot dishes or a 9" x 13" casserole. Going into Gramma link Africa merchandise inventory.   Therese

 

Cardmaking - sympathy card featuring a butterfly and dove

 A friend of ours has passed away and I have made a card for his wife and their family which we know reasonably well.  

I started with a yellow card after I choose the paper I was putting in the circle.  I found the green paper next and cut a circle from it and then cut the yellow paper just a bit bigger.  I stamped the green layer with a script stamp in light green ink, secured the yellow circle behind the opening with tape and applied this large element to my card front.  I die cut a silver body for the fabric butterfly and secured it to the edge of the opening with double sided tape.  Wanting a less typical greeting I stamped the words onto white cardstock and embossed with silver, cut the top and bottom with a thin metal die (first time I used it!!) with a wavy edge and trimmed it to the same width as my decorative background.  Really love how that worked out.  I added a small silver dove sequin with 3D foam tape to finish it off.  

It is always sad to lose people who are part of your community.  

Therese

 

Sewing - 12 bright quilt squares with hand stitched collage hearts in their centers

These are very bright and joyful!!!  I finished stitching the hearts while on holidays after Christmas and have finally added some bright fabrics to them.  I used a light weight substrate and added pieces log cabin style and then trimmed them (9").  It was a fun day of stitching and they are beautiful all together.  I will have to see what I can sash them with to make a small blanket for a child.  It was so fun to dig out fabrics from my brights bin and make them into wonderful squares.  Therese
 

Sewing - trivets with wool and cotton batting

 I had a made up some hot pad inserts from a wool sweater, cotton batting and cotton.  I have finally given the two small ones cute cotton covers.  I tied the corduroy one - love the pattern of red and orange floral shapes and a classic white and black design for the other one which I machine stitched with diagonal lines.  They are about 6" square and suitable to be used a trivets for a tea pot, a small pie or a warm bowl of soup.  They would be great coasters for a large mug as well.  Therese

Sewing - medium hot pad with a double denim reversible cover

 I made a double denim cover for the medium hot pad insert (wool, cotton batting and cotton)  I had made which I also covered in dark flannel and tied in 5 places with blue crochet thread (8.5" x 8").  This cover is not double but I did make a deep hem and added lace on the bottom edge.  Again, it is pillow case style and the hot pad is easily inserted and can be settled to the bottom by shaking it a little.  All cotton and wool it is the perfect size for any side dish.  Therese

Sewing - hot pad - wool and braided cotton - covered with flannel and a double sided reversible pillowcase cover

Another hot pad project!  For the hot pad (9.5" x 13")  is made up of a braided cotton mat with a layer of wool fabric stitched to it.  I covered this with a dark flannel.  It was too thick for the sewing machine so I simply hand tied it in six places to keep all the layers secure.  

I created a double pillowcase cover with blue and white bands on one side and a intricate floral on the other side making it reversible.  This design worked well and is how my sister, Sylvia, made hers.  The hot pad is easily inserted and can be shaken to the bottom just like you would a pillow in a pillow case. 

I added some wavy lines of chain stitches on the striped cover and then added white stars to them.  It gives one side a bit more texture and interest.  I stitched up the side seams to keep the two pieces together and more stability when it gets washed.  All natural fabrics - cotton and wool. 

Therese

 

Upcycling - braiding used bedding

I have been going through a few boxes and found some older bed covers which I decided to dismantle and have braided the tops for making projects.  I have yards of braided cotton. I have researched ways to use this braided cotton and will be blogging those projects as I go.  Have considered dyeing the braids and then using them in projects.  They will certainly make mats and trivets.  Therese

 

Sewing - removable and reversible cover for a large hot pad - GA

I made a cover for one of the large hot pads (insulbrite, knitted wool, cotton batting) I made a while back using four different fabrics.  It is removable for washing and also reversible with four different options.  The pad measured 11" x 17".  I cut my rectangles to 11.75" x 18.75" and sewed a 1/4" seam when I was putting it together.  I left an opening on one side and turned it right sides out and then hand stitched the opening closed.  I top stitched both edges and then added two more rows of stitching to keep the cover integral when washing it.  We have such beautiful fabrics available for sewing!!

Therese

 

Sewing - jar openers with an extra strip - GA

I made up five jar openers for our next Gramma Link Africa event.  I cut three pieces of shelf liner to six inches and had leftovers that allowed me to make two more if I pieced the shelf liner.  I decided to add a small strip of fabric that covered the joint and it also works as stabilization of the pieces to each other.  I cut 8" cotton squares for each square of shelf liner.  I started with the pieced ones so I laid the two shelf liner pieces to the wrong side of the fabric, laid the strip (both edges pressed to the middle) over where they joined and stitched both edges.  I was very happy to see that I did not have to use paper to protect my sewing foot from the rubbery shelf liner.  Excellent!!!  To finish used the self binding method I use for quilts and potholders.  I folded the raw edges in, then folded the edge over the shelf liner and stitched into place all the way around. This does not need any protection from the shelf liner.  So as I went on I cut strips for the full ones too and added them in the same way as I had for the ones that were pieces.  It worked perfectly!!  No need for paper!!  Works for me!!  I will make more now that I found a way to avoid using paper and having to tear it away from the stabilization stitches.  Therese
 

Sewing - a book bag with little embroidered flowers Gramma Africa

With the leftovers from my first bag I created a smaller book bag (15.5" x 16") with handles (21") and a lining similar to the other bag.  I used a strip of the embroidered flowers as the accent for this bag - love it!!  This one does not have boxed corners and is suitable for running errands, a trip to the library or book club!!!

 

Cardmaking - a few butterfly cards for IWIN and two more to my stash

 I was in cardmaking mode after finishing all the cards for donation and so when I found a few interesting backgrounds in the box I decided to use them to make up a few more cards.  I made three butterfly cards which I can add to my IWIN stash.  The floral cards I will add to my stash and they will come in handy later.  The blue butterfly has a wax resist background with watercolour, the pink one is a rose embossing folder (SU), the rainbow ones are background paper adhered to cardstock and embossed.  I simply added focal elements and embellishments and mounted them onto card fronts.  

Therese

Sewing - a large tote bag in blue and yellow blend fabric - Gramma Africa

I started the weekend of sewing with this project!!  I am using cotton poly blend which we received last year in our fabric sale donations.  We bagged these scraps for our sale last year and I am storing them at home for this year's sale.  I opened a bag of each colour  - blue and yellow - and started creating a large piece of fabric using the long scraps to their best advantage and created the main fabric for this bag.  I had in my stash a band of embroidered flowers which was the inspiration for this bag.  I cut them apart and added white cotton to the back of each one to give them opacity.  I added blue sashing all the way around to make the width of my bag (16").  I did have to add several more strips to my fabric to make it the same width.  I cut off a strip of about 4" and stitched my floral piece in between the two.  I cut my fabric to about 19"  (17" plus 2" for the bottom) to create the front.  I added wide strips to which I had stitched pockets on each end for my sides.  I cut another piece to 19" to make the back piece and stitched it to each side to make a cylinder.  I cut two strips of blue for the strap (49") and stitched them together to make the handle.  I trimmed a 3" or so piece for the inside of the bag to which I stitched my lining pieces.  I created a pocket with a zipper and a little loop and stitched it to my lining piece before I added the blue strip.  Nice neat finish for inside.  I pinned the strap ends in place and tucked them about 3.5" deep on each side and basted them in place along with another loop on the top edge.  I assembled the bag by sewing the top seam which joined the outer bag and the lining and secured the handles in place.   I stitched the boxed corners on the bag and the lining. I turned it inside out through an opening I left in the lining.  I did some topstitching on the top edge, secured my straps with a bit more stitching and did the same to the boxed corners to the bottom.

I added a length of twill tape (12")  on the front of the handle which allows the handle to be adjusted to a shorter length for carrying on your arm instead of over your shoulder.  To adjust, you simply untie the bow, loop the handle to the length you want and retie the twill tape really tight over the looped area!!

I stitched up the opening in the lining and the bag was done!!  Therese

 

Cardmaking - cards for donation - a few more

 I made a few more cards with a few supplies I found along the way.  The ones with handmade paper were samples I found in the box I was decluttering and were ready to go!!  The blue one is one my sister sent me and I refurbished it with a new insert and envelope.  The feather one was a background I found in the box and worked into a collage card.  These will be added to the previous collections and dropped of later today.  Therese

Sewing - a set of floral potholders for Gramma Africa

I brought these pieces home from sorting fabric last week and thought they worked well together.  I love the blue fabric with little fruit!!  I added a strip of the floral fabric to the blue and should have paid more attention when I added the loops. They should have been in the same corner. I think it still works!!  I used a layer of terry cloth and two layers of flannel for batting.  Another useful addition to our merchandise!! 

Therese

 

Cardmaking - cards for donation featuring images on paper coloured with coloured pencils and layered

 I have been working at decluttering my creative space and in the process of cleaning out a box I found these images printed on bond paper.  They were likely found unsuitable for the project at the time and were stowed away for later use.  Unfortunately, the location was not conducive for me finding them again.  I will work on that!!  Because they were printed on bond I was hesitant to watercolour them so decided to use a dry medium  - pencil crayons  - instead.  I don't use them very often but they worked very well in this case.  

Before starting the colouring I had cut white cardstock bases, trimmed decorative papers and layers for the images so it was fairly easy to pick at colour for the flowers. It was fun to pick colours and layer them to get some shading and variation. My fingers got a workout so fortunately I did not do all the images in one day. I added paper piercing to the images, adhered them to the layers, added the backgrounds to the card fronts and then added the focal elements. I am happy with how they turned out!!!

Therese

Cardmaking - map hexagons, a torn and distressed car collage and a ribbon banner

 Another card for a grandson!! He is old enough to have his driver's license!!  I cut the hexagon paper with maps (Melstampz) for the background for my large warm blue card.  I tore around the car collage and distressed the edge before adding a bit of blue watercolour to tone down the white background.  I added 5 pewter eyelets to add some texture.  I created a coordinating banner using cording and short pieces of ribbon.  I punched holes on each side near the fold and secured the end of the cording inside the card front using regular tape.  I secured the collage with 3D foam tape and added two pieces of cording - one on each side - that goes through an eyelet and to the back of the card front.  I secured them with tape as well.  I will put a fun insert in order to hide the ends.  He has been reading car magazines for quite a few years now and I am sure is looking forward to getting a car!!!  Therese

Cardmaking - cards for donation reusing card fronts

I had a request for more cards from the admin person at our church so I got started on making some . These cards are made reusing card fronts and matching them with envelopes I have on hand.  It was fun to work with these image and add elements to make them to fit into the envelopes.  I like the one of a wharf  where I added an embossed piece of red cardstock with a circle embossing folder on the bottom and punched out a few holes before adding it to the card.  Most have paper piercing, embossed layers, embossing on the image, etc.  

Therese

 

Sewing - three pet bowl mats for Gramma Africa merchandise

I worked on sewing projects over the Family Day weekend.  I managed to make good use of this dog fabric which I have had in my GA bin for a while.  For this first one I added the last strip of dog fabric to the back of a brown denim rectangle using a decorative stitch which I am hoping to use for raw edge fabric applique in the future.  I added a cotton terry cloth as the batting and then a layer of the bone fabric.  I turned over the edges and stitched them down with the same stitch and double stitched the corners as I went.  I then added some quilting lines to get all the layers nicely secured to each other.  If I had anticipated where the edge stitching would be I could have trimmed my dog fabric a little more but that is the way it goes sometimes!! 

For this mat I used dog fabric and bone fabric sandwiching a layer of terry cloth in between.  I did a self binding with the dog fabric which worked really well.  This one is a  little lighter because it does not have any denim.  Maybe someone will like a mat that is a little lighter in weight.  I stitched quilting lines between the dogs to secure all the layers together.  

For this last one I  added the last of the bone fabric to the denim layer and stitched it down with the decorative stitching.  I added terry cloth and then brought the dog fabric forward to self bind the mat.  I added lines of stitching to quilt all the layers together.  

These are about 12" x 16".  It was good to finish off some fabric from the bin and make three useful items for our next sale.  

Therese