Sewing - playing card holder - beautiful birds, a bit of batting and some buttons

How fun is this!!!!!  One of the sewers talked about making some playing card holders for her grandchildren earlier this year and I have finally make one!!  We had several for sale at the Rhubarb tea a few weeks ago and they were popular so I thought I would make a few for a family get together this summer.  It makes it much easier to hold playing cards for little kids and any adult with arthritis or less strength in their hands.  

You will need:

** Two CDs - we have a few hanging around.  

** Two circles of fabric - 6.5" 

I found a plate the right size, traced around it and cut them with scissors

** Two circles of batting - 6.25"

I traced the same plate on the batting and cut inside of the line. 

** Two buttons larger than the hole in the CDs

** Two yards of very strong thread - heavy quilting or upholstery

A needle

Lay the batting on the wrong side of the fabric and pin in place.  Thread your needle and sew

a line of running stitch all the way around the outside edge of the circle.  Place the CD over the batting and pull one end of the thread while holding the other end.  This will draw the edge of the fabric/batting over the edge of the CD.  Pull really tight and tie off with several knots.  Trim thread leaving a couple of inches. Repeat with the second set of fabric/batting/ CD. 

Put the two sections with CD's facing each other.  Feel for the holes in the CDs and pull your threaded needle through all the layers and add your button.  Stitch through the second hole and back through all the layers.  Add several more stitches and then pull the thread tight to cinch the centers together.  Tie them off and trim the threads close.  Other tutorials bring the thread up under the button.   I found this very hard to do but on second thought if I did it before I tightened the thread that would work and gives a better finish because you tie the thread ends under the button.  Next time!!  Done!!!  You can see in the bottom photo that there is a nice space there between the two layers where you can insert your cards and the fabric provides enough friction that they stay in place but they are easily removed and rearranged.  Perfect!!!  

NOTE:  I made a few more!!!!!!!!!  Some fun kids ones!!  They don't have to be the same on both sides so there could be a "adult" side and "kids" side but what you don't see everyone else can see so it is fun either way!!  This would be a fun fabric scrap buster - 2 - 6.5" squares and some batting!!!

Therese

 

All occasion card with a embossed heart background and a doodled heart

 Our anniversary is coming up! I made this card for DH to let him know how much I appreciate our years together!!  

I cut a decorative background from a scrapbooking piece of paper.  I embossed the area to the right of the border with a heart embossing folder (CB) and then highlighted with ink. I added some cording and tied it in place.  I trimmed a square of ivory textured cardstock and used a paintbrush with water to create a heart shape in the middle of it.  I started adding colour slowly with little taps of colour - green, yellow and blue.  They all ran into each other and with the water roamed all around inside the shape.  Being too exuberant with the moving of the colour/water mixture I ended up with a drop running off the edge.  So be it!!  After it was dry I added little hearts inside the heart with a fine tipped black marker.  I added paper piercing with my tracing wheel, layered it onto a pieced backer and then distressed the edges.  Mounted it to my card using 3D foam tape.  Therese

All occasion card featuring a cute little hedge hog holding flowers over a fun background

 I started with the little hedge hog which I watercoloured using the same technique as this card.  I added paper pierced on all four edges using my pattern tracing wheel.  I added three little ribbon flags and then mounted the image to a larger layer.  I found this fun paper that was the right colour.  I had tried an origami technique and so it had all sorts of fold lines.  I thought it looked cool so I embossed it with polka dots and trimmed it to size and mounted it on my purple card front.  Another fun card for a special person with a birthday!!  Therese

Card kits - Card #3 - embellished tags with ribbon over a large decorative paper background and coordinating card

For the third set of card kits I decided to embellish some tags!!!  The tags were die cut (SX) in a variety of colours and embellishments were added along with some ribbon.  Some were colour printed tags, trimmed and embellished with rhinestones and other fun elements.  

For this card I added faux stitching to the outside edge of the tag and them embossed with Swiss Dots (CB).  I added a double ribbon tied in the hole and secured them with double sided tape.  The leaf die cut was embellished with clear glitter (gel pen) and adhered to the tag with double sided tape.  This large focal element was added to the card front after the background was added.  The background was also embellished  with clear glitter.  

They will be a double blessing as I am sure she will have fun putting the cards together and they will bless family and friends as she sends them on their way.  Therese

 

Card kits - Card #2 - large coloured focal elements over a full background with strip of colour in between

For the second set of 8 card kits I embellished colour printed images and used them as focal elements.  They are all different so the cards will be fun to make up.  This one and three others are baby themed because there are babies coming in her extended family.  This baby boy one was made up as the sample so it would be ready for the weekend when she goes to see the new baby.  

For this card I added several lines of paper piercing to the hand decorated background (paste paper) using my pattern tracing wheel and added a strip of yellow to echo the yellow in the onsies on the clothesline (PIxabay) over the background on my card front.  I added some paper piercing to the colour printed image then adhered it to the card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

 

Card kits - Card #1 - embellishments layered onto a strip of paper over a fun background

 I have made up a set of card kits for a friend who is an avid cardmaker and is undeterred by a health condition that has reduced her eyesight.  I have made the kits with only a few layers and added 3D foam tape to the back of the embellishments with bright blue release paper which provides very good contrast which will make putting together the cards easier for her.  

For this set of 8 cards I have used a full background on a contrasting card front - already folded to make that step easier.  A strip of cardstock which spans the width or the height which can be adjusted if needed by trimming to the edge of the card if she wishes.  Fun layered embellishments to adhere to the strip as she wishes.  She is very creative so these are only guidelines and I am sure she will make them her own.  Therese

Slow Stitching - sock dryer balls embellished with wool scraps and decorative stitching

After finding a tutorial on how and why we should be making sock dryer balls I decided to make a few out of my collection of socks which needed mending on the toes or heels but otherwise were still in very good shape.  I folded one pair into a bundle and then went looking for what else I needed to make the dryer balls a little more decorative than described in the above tutorial.  I found a long needle, some mending wool yarn and some felted wool scraps which would do nicely!!  I stitched both of the openings on the folded sock bundles with the yarn keeping the seam as short and smooth as possible.  Next, I trimmed a few scraps of felted wool that would be big enough to cover the seams.  I pinned them in place and used blanket stitch with the black mending yarn to secure them to my dryer balls.  It was fun to pick colours and trim shapes to make them unique and interesting.  I did finish up my length of yarn by running stitching through the innards of the dryer ball as well to help keep them secure as they bounce their way through a new life.  I keep my current wool dryer balls in the dryer so they are always where I need them.  

NOTE:  I made a few more!!!!  Therese

 

All occasion card featuring a watercolured bee an blue strips over yellow lines

I used another of the images I watercoloured loosely when I was making this cardthis card. I features a cute little bee with shimmerly wings. I ran my pattern tracing wheel on all four sides and also to create a flight path for the bee.  I cut a large blue card to fit in the envelope from my stash.  I layered on some yellow striped paper and then added three blue strips of cardstock which I embellished with some paper piercing with my tracing wheel.  I added the faux stitching with a black sharpie marker.  

For a special person who likes these colours!!  

Therese
 

All occasion card featuring a stack of cups, some ribbon flags over a hand painted decorative paper background

I made this card for DH for Father's Day!!  I started with a large envelope and trimmed out an ivory card to fit.  I added the hand decorated background paper after adding several lines of paper piercing to it.  I watercoloured the stacked cups (Cre8tive Hands), added four lines of paper piercing with my pattern tracing wheel and then layered it onto a brown rectangle.  Added some little ribbon flags secured with double sided tape and then added this focal element to my card with 3D foam tape.  

I am very grateful that I shared child raising duties with him!!

Therese
 

Quiting Retreat in Goodridge

 My first quilting retreat!!!!!  I joined two of my sisters in Goodridge and another 18 or so quilters for a retreat this past weekend.  There was a lady there selling fabric, ironing stations and tables in the middle for layout quilts before starting the sewing.  Everyone came well prepared with all they needed - sewing machines and tools, meals prepped for the weekend, dishes for the potluck on Saturday evening and something for the snack table.  Coffee and hot dogs for Saturday were provided.  It was really nice to see so many beautiful projects being created and to share with others.  There were about half that were camping out - most sharing a trailer/RV with friends.  It was unfortunately, a rainy weekend so there was no campfire on Saturday.  Everything was taken in stride and the weekend was good.  I worked on several projects but did not get anything completed.  Happy with my weekend!!!  Therese

All occasion cards packaged in a reused box

 I have also packaged 10 all occasion cards from my stash as a prize for the family event this summer.  I used a box that previously held Christmas cards.  My sister has been picking up boxes that will hold A2 sized cards at the REUSE center for me.  I cut an opening on the sleeve large enough to remove the graphic and added a clear plastic (transparency) on the back of the opening to keep the cards clean.  This box perfectly holds 10 cards!!    Therese

Christmas cards packaged in a clear box (chocolates)

In my stash I found the perfect box to package my panel Christmas cards for my family event this summer - a beautiful clear box from chocolates!!!  They all fit very nicely and will be visible.  I put the message so it is visible on the back.  Perfect!!!!

Therese

 

Christmas cards with a tall tree, greeting and gold star - set 7

  Here is the next set of Christmas cards that I have included in my box.  It will be a prize

at a family event this summer.  

Here is the first set and the others follow along one day after the other.

Check tomorrow for the next set.  

Therese

Christmas cards with a tall tree, greeting and gold star - set 6

  Here is the next set of Christmas cards that I have included in my box.  It will be a prize

at a family event this summer.  

Here is the first set and the others follow along one day after the other.

Check tomorrow for the next set.  

Therese

Christmas cards with a tall tree, greeting and a gold star - set 5

  Here is the next set of Christmas cards that I have included in my box.  It will be a prize

at a family event this summer.  

Here is the first set and the others follow along one day after the other.

Check tomorrow for the next set.  

Therese

Christmas cards with tall tree, greeting and gold star - set 4

 Here is the next set of Christmas cards that I have included in my box.  It will be a prize

at a family event this summer.  

Here is the first set and the others follow along one day after the other.

Check tomorrow for the next set.  

Therese

Christmas cards with a tall tree, greeting and gold star - set 3

  Here are the next set of cards that I included in my box which is a prize for a family event this summer.

First set is here. Check yesterday for the second set and tomorrow for the next set tomorrow!!

Therese

All occasion card featuring birds at the shore, a paper button with fiber and some seam binding on a fun background

I started with watercolouring the birds and then added paper piercing with my tracing wheel one it was dry.  I mounted my image to my background paper and then added a paper button embellished with fiber to a ribbon slide which I strung on a piece of seam binding below it.  I mounted this large element to my large tan card.  

Therese

 

Christmas cards with slim trees, background paper, greeting and a gold star - set 2

 Here are the next set of cards that I included in my box which is a prize for a family event this summer.

First set are here. Check for the next set tomorrow!!

Therese

All occasion card featuring watercoloured roses, striped background and some ribbon

The roses were watercoloured using the same technique as this card. this card.   Four rows of paper piercing using my tracing wheel and then layered onto another layer.  I trimmed out a green card to fit my large envelope.  I added ribbon to my striped background and then mounted it to my card front.  I added my focal element using 3D foam tape.  Tied on a short piece in bright pink to simulate a bow.  Off to a friend who has a birthday coming up!!

Therese
 

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