Sewing - potholders with on point square created using flying geese blocks

Another set of potholders for Christmas!!  These are not technically "Christmas potholders" but the colours certainly would lend themselves to that theme!!  I made this set from 4 large flying geese blocks which I created using one 8 3/4" square of the patterned fabric and four 4 5/8" squares of the red fabric.  I stitched two FG blocks together down the middle twice to create two blocks with on point squares.  The trimmings were just the right size for making the hanging loops.  I used a mostly red fabric for the backs and added little squares cut from those scraps to secure the loops.  Worked out perfectly!!  I used several layers of flannel for the inside and bound them by folding the backing to the the front and stitching all the way around.  I added quilting lines in the triangles in red thread and then a box with diagonals in brown thread in the center on point square.  I see on this front potholder it is hard to see where the seam is on the front - the line closest to where the diagonal lines meet in the center is where the seam goes up and down.  I really like how they turned out.  It would be fun to make a quilt with on point squares created using this technique.    Therese

 

Birthday card featuring washi tape, printed greeting and fun folded ribbon flags

 A birthday card for one of my grandsons!!  I started with a large red card, added layers of washi tape trimmed to the edges except the white one which I added to a piece of white cardstock before adhering it into place.  The foiled gold feathers was not adhesive so I added double sided tape on each end which worked well.  The birthday greeting is laser printed, layered on red with some fun folded ribbon flags on the left hand side which are secured with double sided tape.  I added the greeting with 3D foam tape.  All of my grandson have grown so much this year!!!  Therese

Sewing - a fun bag using a substrate fabric covered with strips in a quilt as go manner

I created a new bag for my donation to Morning Star - an organization that supports women.  They are always looking for bags!!  I started with a rectangle of the inside fabric (16" x 32") of heavier weight cotton and simply stitched strips of coordinating poly fabrics to the surface.  These were scraps that I had set aside to sew together into a long strip when I went to the Quilting Retreat earlier this year.  It was a project that I did not get to but was stilled stored in a ziplock bag in my Project box. 

  I just sewed strips 16" long and added them to this substrate in a quilt as you sew manner until it was completed covered.  I stitched the two side seams and pressed them open.  I stitched triangles 1.5" deep and 3" wide" on the two bottom corners to create a boxed bottom.  I pressed the triangles up the side and then cut a strip to cover them (17" or so x 2" wide) and pressed both sides in.  I sewed theses strips over the seams and the triangles - one on each side - to nicely finish off the inside.  I cut and sewed two strips together to make handles (24" or so) and then used another piece to finish off the top of my bag.  Lastly, I stitched the two handles to each side of my bag about 5" apart and double stitched them with X to reinforce them.  A totally fun project!!  Therese

 

Sewing - potholders for Christmas featuring the hourglass block and blue fabrics

For this set I used the floral fabric with pansies - Mom's favorite flower  - and some blue fabrics.  I created two blocks, added terry cloth/flannel batting and used the pinstripe fabric for the backs.  Again, I used this new technique for adding the hanger.  You can check out my first set here.  Therese

 

Sewing - potholders for Christmas using scraps in an hour glass block pattern

 For this set of hour glass potholders I used a subdued floral and a coordinating mottled fabric.  I backed them with a coordinating solid, the same terry cloth/flannel batting and added quilting lines in each triangles.  You can check out my first set here.   I don't usually choose such a light colour for the back of my potholders but this matched so well.  Therese

Sewing - potholder for Christmas which feature an hourglass quilt square

 I am trying to learn different quilt square designs and for these ones I found the hourglass pattern.  It is a beginner one that uses two squares laid good side facing and you mark from one corner to the other and then a quarter inch to each side and then stitch down both sides of the center.  You cut from corner to corner - the ones that are not marked which gives you two large triangles.  Now cut each of these in half  - down the center on the marked lines.  This gives you four triangles.  The triangles can then be laid over each other with opposite colours touching and stitched on the long side.  You stitch both sets and then stitch these large triangles back together and you get two hour glass blocks.  You need two squares 1.5" bigger than you want them to be finished.  

Perfect for making a set of potholders!!!  I used a red fabric with widely spaced florals for the back and the same toweling/flannel batting.  Again, the same technique for adding the hanger.  You can check my first set here.  

Sewing - Christmas potholders for Christmas

For this set of potholders I used poinsettia triangles again and added a green strip and hanger and backed this set with green fabric with the same batting as last time.  I added a decorative wavy stitch to the strip and large triangles to each of the sides.  Therese

 

Christmas cards featuring round layered tags, ribbon and decorative paper backgrounds

I made up these cards using the few extra round greetings I had on hand after finishing the kits for my friend.  I added the backgrounds to my coordinating cards and then assembled the tags.  The were manipulated digitally to remove the background and then sized so they could be laser printed and then die cut using my round Nestibilities.  That worked out well and then I layered these onto red scalloped circles which I coordinated to my backgrounds.  I added little coordinating ribbon flags and then mounted them to my cards fronts using 3D foam tape.  It worked out well for me - another four cards for my Christmas cards stash!!  

Therese

 

Christmas cards featuring sanded embossed shimmer cardstock and a layered stamped greeting

These two cards came out of an attempt to make up some card kits for a friend and was another one that did not pan out for her due to the complexity of cutting out the frame.  I started with white card fronts and embossed quarter sheets of shimmer cardstock with a new to me embossing folder that features holly.  I sanded the embossing to reveal the white core.  I embossed two pieces of green scrap cardstock with just the frame and trimmed it close to the embossed edge.  It nests perfectly over the one on the background and that works really well.  Unfortunately,  was not as impressed with the contrast between the papers.  To improve the look I stamped joy and a star on the green frame and then embossed them.  It was better and then I decided to emboss the edge as well.  Just gently ran the gold stamp pad over the raised edge just enough to get the embossing powder to stick.  That worked very well and framed the greeting very nicely.  It still needed something!!!! I decided to watercolour the inside of the frame with blue green watercolour and that helped a lot!!  I am not sure if it is perfect but it is good enough to make these up into cards for this year!!  Will have to maybe worked with different colours  next time!! Therese

 

Christmas cards featuring embossed greetings embellished with snowflakes

 I was making up Christmas cards kits for a friend of mine and came up with this design!!  It ended up being too fiddly for making up for her but I did put together the two extras I had made up with the Christmas Greeting embossing folders I have in my collection.  I embossed red shimmer cardstock which has a white core.  I did not like the crackled look that comes with that process so I decided to simply watercolour the front with red which coloured the white cardstock that was showing through and that was much better.  I added little snowflakes to my embossed layers.  For the one on the left I added fiber snowflakes to the embossed ones in the design which I attached with tiny black brads.  I tried white ones and it was not as punchy as I wanted them and the black ones work much better.  For the one on the right I added little flower punchies that fall out when I punch one of my MS border punches. I save the little flowers and have used them quite a few times on my cards to represent small snowflakes.  So I used three of them here on this card to cover little embossed snowflakes.  It still needed a bit of something so I added a green satin ribbon with a short length tied to it to simulate a bow.  Worked really well!!  So two more cards to add to my Christmas card stash which has been very neglected this year!!  Therese

Sewing - potholders with Christmas fabric for Christmas

My Mom used to be the one who made potholders for everyone for Christmas.  Now that she has passed I have taken over!!  She was more organized that I am so she made them over the course of the year between her other sewing projects.  I am a bit behind so I made several sets over the weekend.  I used poinsettia fabric triangles for these ones.  I added a strip of coordinating green fabric in between to make them the 7.5" inches I needed.  I found this fun red polka dot fabric in my "red" fabric stash to make the back.  The batting is terry cloth from towels and flannel from used receiving blankets cut to size.  I made my hangers different than the last time.  It is a technique I found on line at Apple Green Cottage.  You can check it out here. I like that they hanger does not stick out and so you can use it more like a trivet if you want.  I only requires an extra triangle of fabric (2" square cut in two) for each one and gives a very neat finish.  I probably will use this for my future potholders.  A few more to go!!