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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Therese

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

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

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

Therese

 

Sewing - braided fleece and mesh dog toys

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

Sewing - pet bowl mats with dogs and bones

Pet bowl mats for Gramma Link Africa.  These will be on our merchandise table in June when we have our Rhubarb Tea and again in the fall at our Chili for a Cause.  At fabric sorting last week one of the girls was wowing about this cool dog fabric and then out of the box came the bone fabric!!  I had already prepped the flannel batting for three of these so I indicated I could use the fabric for making up the outside layers for the pet bowl mats.  They came home with me and I washed them up.   I used the plaid fabric on the back of each of the mats.  All cotton therefore very washable!!  They are about 13" x 18".  

I used other coordinating cotton scraps from my GA stash to create three unique mats.   I like how they turned out.  I gave another go at making flying geese and they turned out well.  I added spacers to get the width I needed for my mat, framed that in black and then added the bone fabric.  

I 

I cut a 7" square of the large dog fabric and added pieces all the way around.  I did darker to the upper right and lighter on the lower left.  After it was done and I took a photo it would have been better to put the dark on the lower left which would have better framed the image once I added the black strip.  I created a length of short pieces where I incorporated some of the bone scraps for the right hand side. 

I cut a length of the large dog fabric to 7" along the width of the remnant.  I used a long piece on this mat and a square on the above mat.  I have a square left that would make a unique potholder for a dog lover!!!  I added two strips to each side to finish off the mat.    Therese

 

Sewing - a cut little purse with a bright inside

I brought home some scraps from our fabric sorting last week.  The black fabric with the bright embroidered polka dots seemed perfect for making a small purse for a little girl.  There was just enough fabric to make up the purse pieces and I found a small piece of black quilting cotton in my stash to make the strap.  The inside was made from a scrap of beautiful quilting cotton which really makes it fun.  I had never made a small bag like this before so I searched for one on line.  I found one that was about the right size for this project and printed the fabric and cut my pieces - one from the bright cotton for the lining and one for the back from the polka dot fabric.  One of each for the front of the purse and a strip of each for the strap.  The strap is just over 30" and the overall size of the bag is 8" wide and 7" tall.  The instructions asked for a 3" wide strap.  I thought it was a bit much but decided to follow the instructions.  I had to go back on line to check if I had put the strap in correctly because it interfered immensely with the folding of the flap to the front.  After checking the photos on line I had correctly followed the instructions but being as they did not work well I decided to make some adjustments.  I removed the strap and resewed the seams.  That finished the bag so then I unraveled one side of the strap and resewed it to be 3/4" wide.  Then I played with several placements before sewing the strap ends to the inside of the bag as close to the back as I could on each side.  This way the flap comes through and is barely hindered by the strap.  I added a large black snap and then covered my stitching on the flap with a green button.  Done!!  I am happy with the final product but will be looking for a different pattern for making a small purse for next time.    Therese
 

Sewing - large bag from outdoor fabric, button closure and a cool way to shorten the handle

I worked on this fun bag this week.  It is outdoor fabric that would be used for covering cushions on patio chairs, etc.  The colours were really cool and one of the girls found these fun buttons that coordinated very nicely.  It was a smaller piece so I made the best use of it.  I cut two widths of the piece to make the handle and made the bag from what was left.  It is about 18" wide, 6" deep and 15" tall.  This durable fabric would be perfect to use for a trip to the beach or for taking the kids to the play ground.  It is very spacious and the fabric will hold up to wear and tear.  It will need hand washing because the buttons are made of wood.

I added a cool feature - a length of black twill tape which I stitched to the side of the handle which can be used to shortened the length of the handle.  I tied it in a bow and it looks cool that way.  To shorten the handle you undo the tie make several folds in the handle and wrap the two ends around a couple of times pulling them tight and retying.  It works really well.  A good feature for such a long handle.  

The inside seams are finished making a really neat inside.  It is nice to have a bag with a light inside when you go looking for "stuff".  I only realized just now that it would have been even better if I had used white thread on those seams!!  Next time!!!   Therese

 

All occasion cards featuring birds with fluffy tails along with ribbon/seam binding and glue seals

These are the final cards that I made up from kits from my last cardmaking session.  I love these little birds which are simply created by folding a circle in just less than half so you can create their belly in a different colour.  These are best made with double sided paper but because these were not I simply coloured the belly area on the back of the paper - makes it nice because you can colour it any colour you wish.  They are so fun with their fluffy little tails!!  Card #1 - a stamped background with a little green bird and a gray seam binding and silver glue seal.  A nice soft look!! Card #2  - a black and white background with a tricolour ribbon across and a green glue seal.  I added clear glitter around the eye to give it a bit of definition against the black background.  Card #3 - very similar to the last one but with a very dramatic paper pieced background.  

Therese

 

All occasion cards featuring embossed arches, die cuts and punchies and fiber

I am still working on getting the card kits from my last cardmaking session finished.  It has been fun to play around with the elements and get these cards made up.  Card #1 features two gold hearts with a flourished embossed layer and a gold fiber tie.  Perfect for an anniversary - especially a 50th!!  Card #2 - this one has a flurry of butterflies which would be appropriate for sympathy card or any occasion for a butterfly lover.  Card #3 - another wonderful sparkly balloon in bright colours would be suitable for anyone's birthday!!!

Therese

 

Sewing - bowl cozies in fun fabrics

We have been sorting fabric for our upcoming sale.  A friend of mine asked me to finish up a project she started a while back  - some bowl cozies.  They were fun to make and featured plain yellow on one side and a very cute bee fabric on the other.  These have to be made with all cotton materials - outer fabric, batting and thread - as to keep them safe from melting in microwaves.  She provided all I needed including precut batting so I made up all four of them.  I misunderstood the instructions so these are a little larger and shallower that they should have been.  In the end, that is not so serious but I did have to rectify my mistake by adding several seams on the sides of the tucks in order to keep the batting well centered once these are washed which they no doubt will require at some point.  I was supposed to incorporate the batting and fabric in the seam when I was sewing the darts.  I only trimmed the fabric after I was finished sewing.  Had I trimmed the triangles out before sewing it was have been much more evident that I had to sew all four layers to each other.  My first time making bowl cozies so I have learned my lesson and I was glad to be able to rectify my mistake without taking them apart.    These are headed to our merchandise table for our Gramma Link Africa events later this year.  I did make several more with flannel which I had on hand so there is a good selection of colours in this little stack.  So nice that they are reversible so you can use the side you like the best.  

Therese

 

All occasion cards featuring cute images, fun brads, and embossing with ribbon/ seam binding/ twill tape/ lace

I am just getting back to the extra card kits I made up for cardmaking a while back.  It has been fun to play with these and make them interesting.  All the images are from Cre8tive Hands.  They are all very cute and so appropriate for all occasion cards because of their flexibility.  Card #1 has a yellow and gray theme with a cute little elephant which would be appropriate for a new baby card or a child's birthday.    Card #2  features a flighty little heart butterfly with a floral background and yellow and green colour scheme.  Card #3 is perfect for a birthday!!  Your best friend or the little girl next door with is bright colours.  Card #4 would be perfect for a boy with both a robot and dinosaurs which would span a few years of interests.  Card #5 with its pink and green colour scheme and it's HB brads would do any feminine birthday.  Card #6 is a gender neutral baby card with a fun little baby carriage.  Card #7 features two little cats and a heart which would be perfect for a cat lover for any occasion.  I made a few in landscape format and also varied the embossing, the border punches, the "ribbon" and the brads.  Lots of fun to be playing with cards!!!  Therese

 

All occasion card featuring feather moths, a watercoloured flower and a splattered background

Here is a nice bright card!!  I started with little double feathers which I turned into moths/butterflies!!  These are stickers which I coloured with Sharpies to coordinate with my splattered background.   I thought it would be good to add a flower.  I found this one in my stash - silver embossed and fussy cut.  I simply watercoloured it to coordinate!!  It is very whimsical and fun!!!  I just added bodies to the feather wings using a brown marker.  

Therese
 

Sewing - Flying Geese bag with black guitar fabric

Here is the finished bag!!!  There are a few things I would change up for the next one.  I was not as diligent in keeping my lining even as I added strips so the bottom of the bag seems visually off because of that.  I should have left a larger margin on my lining so I could finish it off by machine.  I ended up finishing this one by hand because it was easier to fold over and stitch that way that trying to get a line of stitching in just the right place on the sides.  It worked out quite well in the end.  It is all finished inside and out with no raw edges and I made the handles so it would be reversable but in the end I boxed the bottom and that sort of made it less reversible because the triangles are on the bottom.  I suppose I could have stitched them to the sides and that might have been better - not sure.  Anyway,  it was great to have tried something new and the end result is very decent though not perfect!!  

Live and learn!!!  I like the look of the flying geese strip on the front and the fabrics out the outside all coordinate quite well.  

I will plan a bit better next time and watch the lining for shifting as I go along!!  

Therese

 

Sewing & Quilting - flying geese strip with black guitar fabric added to a QAYG bag

I have never really done any traditional quilting but there are several blocks and combinations that I like so with this fun guitar fabric I decided to have a go with making some "flying geese".  I found a tutorial for five different ways to make flying geese and one of them use a few squares to make four with no waste.  I checked it out and decided it would be worth a try.  Here is another site that has instructions for the no waste flying geese which makes four.  This link will bring you to a page where there is a chart of sizes and what size you need to cut your squares. I made mine 2" x 4" using one 5.25" square of the blue guitar fabric and and four 2 7/8" squares of gray fabric (two of one pattern and two of another).  It worked out so well!!  I have never done this before and I got them very near perfect.  Great tutorial!!  I sewed them all together to make a strip and then included the strip into a bag I was creating using a QAYG method.  I made up the handles and then sewed them into the top seam with extra stitching to make a good solid connection.  I prepped strips in blues, grays and blacks using what I had.  It worked out really well.   I had planned to have the turn around at the bottom but I forgot so it was added on the back of my bag where I overlapped the two two strips over the guitar fabric and over stitched.  Check out my next post for the finished bag!!  Therese
 

All occasion card featuring song sheet background, gold embossed mesh and serendipity heart die cuts

Another heart card!!  This one is for my DH for Valentines!!  He loves music so I like to include some reference to music when I make cards for him.  In this case I used sheet music which I tore into four pieces and then painted it to coordinate with my serendipity heart die cuts.  I trimmed gold embossed mesh for this hearts as well and add them little gold brads to them.  I mounted them with double sided tape onto my card front!!  I added a white faux stitching line to finish off my card!!  Really happy with it!!  Therese
 

GA - Sewing - black guitar fabric apron and to sets of potholders

       

 I volunteered to do some sewing for the Gramma  Link Africa group and the Fabric Sale coordinator brought in this fabric - black guitars on a textured blue background.  I offered to make an apron and coordinating potholders.  I was not sure how much fabric there was.  I made an apron and two sets of potholders and there was rectangle left.  Not sure what I could make with it but I will think of something. 

 I used this Instructables tutorial for the apron.  It has measurements for both an adult and a child apron and it is relatively easy to do.  I had made two before so I have the pattern for the armhole facing ready to go.  I just drew the lines I needed on the back of my folded fabric and cut it out.  Then cut out the facings and made up a long tie.  Great instructions!! 

Therese

All occasion card featuring hearts tissue paper collage background and elements with vellum

I was on a roll with the heart theme and dug out another piece of hand decorated paper which I made a while back.  I collaged hand cut tissue paper hearts onto white tissue paper using thinned white glue and added gold glitter glue to the last coat to make it all shimmery.  I just had scraps left but managed to make the background for this card and die cut three hearts.  To not take away from the delicate look of them I used a strip of vellum to give a bit of contrast between the background and the hearts.  I used tiny gold brads to hold the hearts in place.  When I added this to my large green card is seemed to need a bit of something so I stamped a border of green hearts ( Pink Cat Studio).  That was better and I simply glued my very large element to my card front!!!  

 

All Occasion cards featuring bright embossed hot glue accents

 These are the last of the embossed hot glue elements I created a while back.  The purple one was very bright on that black hand decorated background and I was pleased to find some paper that coordinated with it perfectly!!!  I added paper piercing to the edges of my little flower, mounted it to silver cardstock and then onto my black card with the purple background!!  The second one I created onto a background which was a reject for a set of cards I had created a while.  In this case, the colour I had added completely overwhelmed the little flower digital I had printed on the the white cardstock.  I have been looking for a way to make these work and this hot glue technique worked very well.  I did manage to find some papers that coordinated with it which are also two hand decorated papers.  All this mounted on a blue card front.  

Just a little note on how these were created - they are super easy and quick!!

Choose any substrate you like - decorative paper, cardstock, etc.  Outline in very light pencil the shape you would like to create.  Get your embossing powder ready to use - any colour you want.  Use hot glue - any colour - and squeeze out glue following your outline and just go with it.  There will be threads but some of these will disappear when you emboss your image with embossing powder.  As soon as you are finished your image sprinkle on a generous amount of embossing powder.  The embossing powder will start to melt where the glue is the hottest.  Pour off the excess and heat with your heat gun until the embossing powder it all melted and smooth!!  A fun and interesting accent.  For the arty ones I simply made a couple of lines of glue and then pulled a bamboo stick through them to create more texture before adding the embossing powder.  The sky is the limit with this technique!!!  Have a fun!!  You can find a tutorial here on Splitcoast Stampers.   Therese