Christmas cards featuring a tall tree, greeting and a gold star

 I made up a set of Christmas cards as a prize for a family event I will be attending in July. 

I found a set of envelopes in my stash that would work and then got started.  I chose to make them panel cards and used white glossy cardstock which I have LOTS of and don't use it often.  In this case the glossy is almost completely covered by the decorative paper on the front and the back is matt which worked well for adding the message paper.  The first one is the only one where I modified the glossy because there was not enough contrast between it and the background paper.  Just a bit of ink around the edges did the trick.  The trees were all cut from green decorative paper, embossed and highlighted with ink.  All have a little brown tree trunk and a gold die cut star (SX).  The greetings were all from my stash and coordinated very nicely. I included a paper clip for those who might want to add this card to their card string.   I am very happy with the result!! 

I will be scheduling the cards to show up one set a day for the next week so come back and see the rest of them!!

Therese

All occasion card featuring watercoloured shore birds with all sorts of paper piercing and some threaded eyelets

Again, I coloured these shore birds in the same way I did the image on this card this card.  I added paper piercing to the image and then layered it onto a green rectangle of cardstock which I border punched (SU), paper pierced an then added an embossed line with my score tool.  I then added three coordinating eyelets to which I added three lengths of coordinating crochet thread before mounting to my  hand decorated background paper (saran & watercolour) which I paper pierced with wavy lines and then embossed a frame with my score tool.  I added double sided tape at the back and secured the end so my thread to the back.  This large element was mounted to a large gray card!!  I really like the look of the woven threads on this card.  

Therese

 

All occasion card featuring a watercoloured watermilll scene, seam binding and a diamond background paper

 The watermill scene was watercoloured and paper piercing was added once it was dry.  I trimmed a green card to fit in my large envelope.  I added a length of coordinating seam binding to the background paper and then added it to my card front.  I mounted my image to my card using 3D foam tape and then tied on a short piece of the same seam binding to simulate a bow.  One of my first cards for June!!

Therese

Event - Everything Rhubarb at Gaetz United - good food shared with friends

 

We will be celebrating rhubarb again this year with the Gramma Link Africa group.  Make a date with your friends and come and enjoy a couple of hours with a cup of tea and some good food.   Lots of baking and many wonderful handmade items that will be perfect for gifts this year!!! 

 I look forward to seeing many of you at our event this year.   Therese

May Card Club - Card #3 - quick and easy cards with little collages over some fun backgrounds

I always try to have a quick card as our last one.  These ones feature little collages as the focal elements.  They were trimmed from a 12" x 12" sheet of scrapbook paper with my postage stamp decorative scissors.  I chose backgrounds which echoed the warm colours in the collages.  For this first one, I stamped several large stamps (diamonds- SU, script  -     ) in different inks onto a ledger scrap book paper.  We embossed our coloured cardstock rectangles, adhered our small collages and then tied cording underneath then tore off the bottom to leave an interesting wavy edge.  These were added to our card fronts over our backgrounds using 3D foam tape.  Someone suggested that maybe we could emboss our backgrounds as well.  For sure!!  I also added watercolour to the edges of the last three!!  We will meet next in September!!

Therese

 

May Card Club - Card #2 - clear embossing resist with watercolour on decorative paper with embossed focal elements

For our second card we also did a resist technique using clear embossing powder!!  Also very fun!!  We used decorative paper cut to 4" x 5.25" and used stamps with embossing ink to decorate our paper.  Again, it is transparent so you are just guessing as to the placement of the images.  We applied our clear embossing powder and heated the paper which revealed the images.  The clear embossing powder protects the original design from the effects of the watercolour we applied to the paper afterwards.  Again, a very unique and artsy result for these backgrounds.  We again dried our backgrounds using the heat gun on low.  For these cards, I provided cardstock that coordinated with the colour of the background paper to ensure that everything coordinated.  We embossed (CB) our white squares of cardstock and then layered them onto a square of the same cardstock as the card.  I distressed the edges of my coloured cardstock and used my pattern tracing tool to add some paper piercing to my embossed element.  Mounted this focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  

I used different colours of the same background paper for all the cards - pink, green and yellow.  You can see from the cards above that the watercolour can significantly change the character and colour of the card.  I had provided laser printed images as well if anyone preferred that for their focal element.  I made a few up with images - the little hedgehogs and the cute cactus.  They other two are small embossing folders from Cuttlebug - actually the thanks and flowers are two different embossing folders.  Paper piercing on all the images.  Some very creative cards came out of these card kits!!! Therese

 

May Card Club - Card #1 - wax crayon resist & watercolour, a metal embellishment and some doodled lines

It is always a good time when you spend time with like minded people doing creative fun!!  My friends were back for cardmaking yesterday and we did some very creative & artsy cards!!

For our first card we did wax resist using white wax crayon on white cardstock.  The cardstock was cut to 4" x 5.25", we placed them on the raised side of embossing folders and rubbed wax crayon ( on its long side) all over our paper until the raised areas were well covered in wax.  You really can't see where it is so you just go around several times with good pressure. Next, we added watercolour!!  It is best to add very saturated colour so the while crayon really shows up!!!  We used the heat gun on low to aid the drying process.  I let them choose which metal embellishment they wanted and then we cut a hole in their backgrounds using a 1.25" square Nestibilities.  

I gave them all black cardstock which allowed them to make their background any colour they liked!! We glued our backgrounds to our card fronts and then added the metal embellishment which had 3D foam tape on the back.  We finished off our cards by adding some lines and dots with a fine tip black Sharpie marker.  Totally artsy cards that are very unique!!!  A very fun evening!!!  Therese

 

All occasion card featuring a stylized dandelion with a watercolour wash background with layers, brads and a little turquoise bow

Another card for a family birthday!!!  Here is a dandelion (Sweet Clipart) which I did with this new colour wash technique I tried out a few weeks ago.  I ran the pattern tracing wheel on all four edges, layered it onto a turquoise decorative paper with a torn bottom edge and then onto a coordinating purple cardstock.  I added three little coordinating brads and tied a little turquoise bow on the yellow brad using a shiny heavy weight thread.  Love how it turned out!!!  Therese
 

Sewing - tape for making quilt ruler non slip

Having read up a bit on how to make my quilting rulers non slip I found a video that was recommending this tape for applying to the backside of the rulers to keep them for slipping when cutting fabric.  I was using a 6" square ruler to trim 4" squares.  The squares were just slightly over the 4" and so not very much needed to be trimmed off but I was having trouble getting the ruler to be stable with so little fabric to provide resistance to the ruler.  I am sure this will work very well.  I cut 1" pieces for both of my square rulers and one of my long rulers. Six pieces for the square - corners and middle and every six inches on the long one on both edges.  I bought it at the local Pharmasave for $3.77 - 10 yards x 1" wide".  Will have plenty for any other rulers in the future.  Therese

 

All occasion cards featuring glittered poppies, paper piercing with ribbon flags over a striped background

For this card I started with a large warm yellow card.  I trimmed strips from a piece of decorative paper until I had enough to cover the front. I glued them on with even spacing.  The poppies (PVDorg) were coloured in the same way as I have done several others - laser printed and then a overall wash of clear water.  I then added colour in and let it move around a bit then added colour to the poppies and those ran a bit too.  Love the look!!  Left to dry naturally and then pressed.  I added clear glitter to the dots, paper pierced each side and mounted it to a dark pink cardstock.  I added pink and gold ribbon flags before mounting this large element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  This one is off to my daughter in law for Mother's Day!!

Therese

 

All occasion card featuring a few simple daisies with a tied ribbon over a pieced background with seam binding

I started with a large gray card and added the purple plaid background which had to be pieced from scraps so I added a piece of coordinating seam binding to hide where they join.  I ran the pattern tracing wheel on all four edges before adhering it to my card front.  The little daisies were laser printed and then I added a large wash of just water and started adding colour to the puddle until I was happy with it.  I then added just a bit of purple to the flower petals and it ran very nicely outside the lines!!  I really like how it turned out.  Gives a softer painterly look to the flowers.  I paper pierced around the edge an then layered it onto a double piece of coordinating cardstock.  Next, I added some purple satin ribbon to each corner - tying a bow in the upper left hand corner.  I mounted them to my card front using 3D foam tape.  This one is off to my youngest daughter for Mother's Day.    Therese
 

Birthday card featuring a watercoloured fabric background, stitched pieces of cake and candle along with some sequins

Another card featuring some watercoloured (Inktense) fabric for the background, little rectangles stitched on to create a cake and two hand cut pieces to create the candle and flame.  Totally fun to make!!!!  I used Inktense watercolours to colour wash my ivory background fabric.  Once heated the watercolour because permanent.  I dug up a few fun fabric scraps and trimmed out five little rectangles to create the cake.  Found some small coordinating scraps and trimmed them into a candle and a flame.  A birthday cake it born!!  I know the recipient will love it!!!!  I layered it with a piece of flannel and then a backer piece and stitched it onto the front of my card.  It can be removed used as a little mat or framed as art.  I did add some small iridescent pink and gold sequins to make it more interesting.  It is off in tomorrow's mail!!!  Therese
 

A large all occasion card featuring a fabric mat with stitched candles

 I have revisited using fabric on my handmade cards.  I used a piece of cotton from a pocket and used Inktense watercolours to give it a wash.  I cut some candles from scraps of fabric and watercoloured the flames using the Inktense as well.  I stitched the candles on with blue thread, and then stitched on the flames using yellow thread.  Nice to be able to use little ends of spools on these small projects.  I added a flannel and then a backer of the same fabric and stitched all the way around several times.  I chose to leave the edges raw.  To keep the layers together I stitched on some blue rick rack across the candles.  I added a little bow using yellow crochet thread to finish off my card.  I stitched it to my card front using the same crochet thread - you can see the small yellow stitches to the right above the rick rack and to the right of the green candle on the left.  It can be removed and used as a mug rug or displayed as a little quilt.  Glad to be back to card making!!!  Therese

All occasion card featuring a scrappy woven background with a sunflower with a button & yarn accent

For this card I laid down a long piece of double sided tape down the side of the card and added strips of coordinating papers varying their distance from the edge.  Next, I used longer strips of paper and wove them into the strips that were adhered to the card front.  I added another length of double sided tape once I ran out of room for weaving in strips.  The sunflower (Sweetclipart) was laser printed on white cardstock and then a wash of water was brushed over most of it.  Gently, colour was added and allowed to expand into the water all ready present.  I added until I was happy with the background then I added a few different colours into the flower itself and its leaves.  It was then allowed to dry completely on its own then pressed overnight.  I really like the look - more painterly than just watercolouring the image.  I made several so they will be showing up over time on cards in the future.  I added paper piercing to the image using my pattern tracing wheel and the mounted it onto a double green piece of cardstock.  I watercoloured a fussy cut paper button, tied it to the image with white crochet thread and then wrapped three lengths of yarn around the button.  Will do the trick as a card for my oldest daughter for Mother's Day.    Therese
 

Sewing - black and gray picnic placemat with a zippered pocket

I made another picnic placemat from precut pieces from my stash. The dimension worked out quite well.  I sewed the back to the front right sides together and left the zipper open a bit so I could turn it over.  I top stitched to the left of the zipper to create the pocket and then all the way around the perimeter.  I did forget to put in the ties so had to undo the seam and insert them and restitch.  I was aiming for about  12" x 18" but with the size of the precut pieces I was a bit off on some of them.  They will work quite well regardless with enough room for a place and a pocket for utensils and a napkin.     Therese

 

Sewing - picnic placemat in blue plaid and gray with a zippered pocket

Another picnic placemat!!!!!  I am enjoying the process!!  Again I upcycled a zipper and the backing is also an upcycled pant leg.  Again, these are precut squares I acquired and squaring them changed their dimensions and therefore created a bit of an unmatched pattern.  I do like that the seams do not align which gives much fewer bumpy seams.  For this one I laid the front and back good sides facing and stitched all the way around leaving the zipper open a bit so I could turn it inside out.  I stitched to the left of the zipper to create the pocket and then did the top stitching all the way around.  I did add several other lines of stitching to quilt the placemat.  The ties were a little heavy so I cut the length into two instead of just folding it over and including it in the seam.  Side by side they were much more manageable and they still work very well to tie the placemat once it is rolled up.  Therese

 

Sewing - picnic placemat with a zipper pocket in rust, brown and ivory

Another picnic placemat made with precut squares from my stash.  I acquired these precut so quite a few  had to be trimmed to be square and therefore lost their ability to be the same size which changed the proportions of my pieces in relation to each other but that worked fine in that all the seams did not line up which in this heavier fabric can make for fairly bumpy seams.  I had to add some fabric on the right to make the pocket large enough.  The colours worked well but the background could have been more interesting.  I did audition quite a few and this was the one that worked the best.  I sewed this one all around with the two good sided facing and included the tie in that seam.  I was going to leave a opening for turning over but realized that if I left the zipper open a bit that would work just as well.  Worked really well.  I stitched left of the zipper to create the pocket and then continued all the way around and did top stitching on the perimeter.  I added several other rows of stitching to quilt the remainder of the placemat.  I am upcycling zippers for these and am finding that the little ending pieces really help to incorporate the zipper in the total design.   Therese

 

Al occasion card featuring a hand painted background with an inked design along with a cute little cat

Our oldest granddaughter has a birthday coming up and I made a card for her.  I watercoloured a background and then added a black frame with a black Sharpie then a scene which reflects this year - solar eclipse, trip overseas and learning to drive!!!  The cat (Clipart Queen) resembles one of her best buddies!!!  I layered the large art piece to a blue card and then coloured the little cat, fussy cut it  and added to the art piece with 3D foam tape.  

Therese

 

Sewing - picnic placement with a zippered pouch featuring a flying geese pattern

Picnic placemats are perfect for those times when you have decided to eat at the park and find the table is in less than ideal condition.  Everyone can just roll out their placemat and has a clean surface to eat on.  This placemat also features a zippered pocket which can hold utensils and a napkin allowing the kids to set the table without fear of the utensils ending up on the ground.   After eating the utensils can be wrapped in the napkin (paper or cloth) and stowed away in the pouch until they get home and can be washed.  The tie keeps the rolled mat tidy on the way there and back and takes little room to store in between.  Made of heavyweight fabric which is washable also allows for quick clean ups.  Having a few on hand means you are ready to go as soon as the food is packed!!  Quick and easy!!  

I made up the front of the placemat using precut squares from my stash.  I incorporated four flying geese into the design.  I added the little green ends to the tie so you will always know which placemat it is without having to untie it so everyone can easily find their favorite.  I incorporated the zipper easily by adding tabs on each end.  I cut the backing about 3/4" bigger on all sides than the front, laid the front over it and stitched the two together on the left hand side of the zipper which creates the pocket.  I added a few more lines of stitching to the left to quilt the two piece to each other.  I then folded over the backing to the front and stitched it.  I added the tie to the back in the seam on the left hand side.   I am looking forward to making some unique picnic placemat for our merchandise table at our Gramma Link Africa events and for prizes at our summer family reunion.    Therese

Sewing - three flip top pouches for packaging the fabric tea cup coasters

I made  Flip Top pouches to package the two sets of fabric coasters I made this week.  I started with the black and red one without realizing that the bird would be on the front and upside down!!!!  Had I reversed that panel the bird would have been on the back and maybe even upside right.  I will have to go back to my instructions and leave myself a note to double check my fabric for next time.  I used nice bright fabrics and added coordinating solid poly cotton for the linings.  These stitch up quickly once  you have cut your rectangles.  I did  have to adjust my numbers to make a pouch big enough to accommodate the coasters and got it on my first try which was good - except for the bird!!  I will add two tea related cards and hand them over to the Spring Tea coordinator.  Loving these little flip top pouches for neatly wrapping a gift which is also a gift.  You can check out my first posting for the flip top pouch which has the link to the tutorial I used the first time.  Therese
 

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