Sea glass wind chime for our friends

I have finally prepared this wind chime for our friends who live out east.  We visited their summer place a good many years ago and I collected this sea glass while we were there.  I promised to make them something with the pieces and though it is very late I am very happy with it.  It was my third attempt at securing the sea glass.  I had originally wire wrapped all of the pieces but the wire did not hold up (coloured aluminum) and so I had started over with different wire.  When I revisited that process I was less happy with how they were turning out so I searched online for ways if securing glass without wire.  I found several "new to me" ways and chose to use cording and glue for this project.  I added the marbles at the bottom for a bit of weight.  I found the wire wrapping for them on line - easier than it looks!!  I used a double length of this fish fly wrapping cord and tied double square knots at each stop.  I started at the bottom and tied a set double square knots to secure the marble, left a bit of cording and make another set of double square knots, added the sea glass and then tied another set of double square knots.  I did add ridges to the glass using a drill press and diamond bit so the cording 
 would sit more tightly around the glass.  I just kept tying knots and adding glass until I had created the first row.  I did the same for the next two rows.  I added a little dollop of GOOP at each juncture where the glass and knots met which secured the knots to each other and to the glass.  It is barely noticeable.  The video I watched used E6000 instead.  Once all three were ready I tied them to a little piece of drift wood.  I braided a hanger and added little dollops of GOOP to all those connections as well then trimmed the ends of my cording.  I did add a swivel joint on the hanger which should allow the chime to respond to the wind more easily.  I am happy with how it worked out!!  I will be packaging it and sending it off to them this week!!

Therese 

Christmas cards ready to be delivered

I have refurbished Christmas cards for a local charity.  I will drop them off this week.  There is likely to be a greater need this year with so many choosing to stay home.  I am happy to be able to use my talents and resources to prepare these and grateful for the donation of cards to refurbish.  

Therese
 

Denim coaster set #2

I managed to get another set of denim QAYG coasters made up in the last few days.  I really like how they look and that they are very sturdy with the three layers of denim in them.  The irregular colour of the frayed edges makes them interesting as well.  You can check out how I made them and the other set here.

Therese

 

A birthday card featuring Lego blocks in primary colours, some green mesh ribbon and a layered greeting

I made this card for a special boy having a birthday soon!!  He loves Lego! I created this background a while back and decided to use it for his card.  I watercoloured all the blocks in blue, red and yellow.  Once it was dry, I added a green mesh ribbon and mounted the while thing to a green card.  The greeting (Desert Diva) was laser printed, trimmed, colour washed and then I distressed the edges.  I mounted this element to a red rectangle and then to a bright yellow one echoing the colours of the blocks.  I mounted the layered greeting to the front of my card.  

Therese
 

Denim coasters for gifts

This past week I went looking for a few ideas of small gifts to make for the upcoming Christmas season.  I found several that I will pursue and this is the first one.  It is denim coasters created from denim scraps from worn out jeans.  I found this tutorial at Just Jude which was very helpful in getting the structure of the coasters made.  I really wanted square ones and found several on line with fringed edges so I decided to go in that direction.  I really like the mixture of the different "blue" denims and decided to add a touch of yellow for hope & joy considering that this upcoming season is not likely to be comparable to anything we have had in the past.  

 

I started by collecting a supply of denim pieces from my stash.  It was fun to remember where they all came from. I trimmed strips from my pieces.  After sewing a few I decided I liked to have my stitching lines across the grain so I will  keep that in mind when cutting my next strips.  I cut 4" squares from older denim which I used as a base for my QAYG stitching.  I started with a small piece in the middle and stitched it in place.  Next, I stitched a different strip to one side and folded it back and stitched it down.  I used the half width of my presser foot as a guide. On hindsight, I expect a quarter inch foot would have been better. 

I continued adding strips (some pieced) around all the edges until I had surpassed the edges of my base.  Next, I cut a 4.5" backing piece from newer denim (on lower right in above photo), placed it on the back of my QAYG piece and stitched it in place leaving a 1/4" margin all the way around.  I did go around several times to solidify the coaster and ensure it would be sturdy enough to be washed when necessary. Next, I trimmed the front even with my backing.  The next task is to ravel the edges with a seam ripper or an equivalent tool until the edges are fluffy.  It does take some time but not much attention.  Often threads need to be cut because the fabric was a bit off the grain but those simply need to be cut to the right length to blend into the edge.  I will be making a few more before moving on to the next project!!  Therese

NOEL

 We received this metal letters for Christmas from our daughter a while back and we decided to get them powder coated red for this Christmas season!!!!!!!!  They look fantastic!!  We have mounted them above the door on the back workshop.  They will be blessing us and everyone who travels the adjoining street the whole Christmas season!!  They are about 12" tall.  DH drilled holes for screws in them before we had them powder coated.  The stainless steel screws will live in the holes all year round so there will be no problem finding the screws when it is time to put them up again.  That will keep the water out of the siding during the summer.  I love how they turned out and the cost was very reasonable for powder coating!!    Therese

A birthday card featuring a cute digital greeting with a cupcake, an embossed strip and lots of little ribbon flags

 For this card I first chose the decorative paper and then found a coordinating green card to which I adhered it.  I watercoloured the little cupcake digital greeting (Melonheadz) and added clear glitter with a gel pen and the used a corner rounder on its edges.  I sponged its edges before I mounted it to a coordinating layer which had also been corner rounded.  Next, I embossed a pink strip and then flagged its end.  Then, I added a strip of double sided tape and adhered a whole lot of little ribbon flags to it.  Love little ribbon flags!!  I mounted the strip over my background and then mounted my focal element over the strip using 3D foam tape.            Therese

Cards going to a new home

I have prepared a bag of cards I have refurbished and made for donation that is ready to be dropped off!!  I love that these wonderful creations get at least one more chance at blessing others as they have me.   I always put inserts in my cards so that others can refurbish them and reuse them.  

Therese

Birthday card featuring a paper pieced background, a digital sailboat image, a small greeting and ribbon flags

Another family birthday card!!

This one started with a deep blue green card and I added a paper pieced background to loosely simulate a horizon line between sea and sky.  I watercoloured the laser printed image (digital from CLKER), mounted it to a yellow layer and added a little birthday greeting (stamped and trimmed) and three little ribbon flags - red, green and yellow.  I mounted this large focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  I am really enjoying my paper piecing from the scraps of my crafting.  So much more interesting than one single colour!!

Therese

All Occasion cards for my exchange partners featuring collage paper backgrounds, punchies and stitching

I wanted to try something new when I was creating my Card Exchange cards so I decided to try a new way of making collage backgrounds - a hybrid between serendipity and the ones I have been making by adhering pieces together with tape on the back.  I started with a sheet of printed bond paper and started gluing paper scraps to it.  After filling the sheet I felt the collage needed more texture and interest so I glued on torn strips and pieces here and there at angles.  That was better!!  The cards I was using as inspiration had stitched punchies on them so that is what I added next.  I trimmed my backgrounds to fit on the ivory cards I cut to fit into my large envelopes.  

For my first card I chose 1 3/8" circles from my stash and arranged them on my background.  I played with all sorts and finally settled on red and white.  I embossed them with two different embossing folders, added a bit of glue in behind so they would stay in place and then used my sewing machine to  stitch across the lines.  That worked quite well.  I added a yellow handmade paper circle and a little green star to one of the circles to create a focal element.  Liked that!! 

For my second card, I trimmed my background to fit on my large ivory card.  I added green lace to the back of a green strip with torn edges and placed it across my background.  Next, I added three embossed heart punchies (SU) and stitched them in place with my sewing machine.  I die cut some smaller hearts from some green/gold paper and glued those in place over the larger hearts.  That was good!!

For my third card (below) I created my collaged background directly on my card front.  It is a little harder to get the pieces to be exactly the right size but in the end you only see the edges so whether they line up in the middle does not really matter.  I cut a piece of yellow cardstock just the right size to fit 12 1 3/8" circle punchies.  I chose white, red and warm red punchies and embossed them with three different embossing folders.  I used a bit of glue on the back to keep them in position and used my sewing machine to stitch them into place.  Liked that!  I adhered it to my card front over my background and decided to do something different to fill in the extra area on the right.  I punched little V's using my chevron punch (SU) from red cardstock and adhered them in place.  Liked that!!  I added an embossed 1.25" yellow circle punchie onto one of the red circles and added a tiny red star to the middle.  Really happy with this card too!!  The circles are very bold in solid colours.  My inspiration cards had been the opposite - decorative paper punchies on solid cardstock - and therefore more subtle.   Will try that next time!!  These are off in next week's mail!!

Therese

 

A birthday card featuring layers, a cute little digital greeting and beautiful fabric ribbon

For this birthday card I started with the pink card and then found the flourished decorative paper.  While digging in my stash for my last card I found this beautiful fabric ribbon which I auditioned in quite a few ways on this paper until I came upon this arrangement.  After trimming to both to size I adhered the ends to the decorative paper over the blue which just peeks out from the top and bottom.  Really like how that worked out.  I did a custom edging on the greeting using a Cuttlebug tag die.  I trimmed my greeting to the width of the tag and then I laid my cutting plate to just cut 1/8" on the left hand edge and then did the same on the right hand side to give me two slots and the nice rounded corners of the tag.  Fun!!  I watercoloured the butterfly kisses greeting (Melonheadz) and added clear glitter with a gel pen. I gave it an interesting background using a  pink decorative label punchie in pink and adding vellum half circles (1") to each end to create some contrast and texture.   I strung this embellished greeting on white ribbon and added that to the top fabric ribbon and then tied on a short piece using a single knot to simulate a bow.  After adjusting the greeting on the ribbon I secured it in place with two small pieces of 3D foam tape.  I really like how this one turned out!!!    Therese
 

All occasion cards featuring reused images from stationery

I found a set of older stationery in my stash that worked perfectly for creating slimline cards in #8 envelopes.  Love it when a plan comes together so well.  I cut my card fronts and then trimmed the images to suit the card.  Mostly, I had to just trim the images to fit the card and adhere it to the fronts. For the one that needed a bit more I used a border punch and some ribbon and on a few I used my score tool to add some embossed lines on the sides.  These are off  to a volunteer organization that supports the vulnerable. Therese 

All occasion cards featuring lemons, chickens, peppers and pumpkins layered with backgrounds and embossed strips

 

I found these images in my stash a while back and thought they would make nice cards.  I think they were originally place cards - there was a portion above the image that was die cut and folded to the back and the front features a large open space where a name could be added.  I trimmed off the back folding piece and then fussy cut off any portion of the black line that had not been cut off in the die cutting process.  I found some smaller envelopes in my stash which worked well for the layout I had in mind.  I cut the cards and backgrounds, added embossed strips that coordinated and then tied ribbon or fiber to them.  I assembled them one at a time after all the supplies were ready to go.  They are so cute!!

I will be donating them to a local group that support the vulnerable.  

Therese

A birthday card featuring some glittered flowers, fabric lace and a greeting with bling

I started this card with a pink card front and added a pink floral background.  Next, I added a torn purple strip which I had embossed with Swiss Dots (CB) to which I added some white fabric lace.  The greeting (Desert Diva) was trimmed and sponged and then mounted to a custom layer of pink cardstock which was embellished with pink rhinestones and some clear glitter.  I used my Decorative Label punch (SU) to add a decorative edge to my rectangle in the same way I used the Scalloped Oval punch to make decorative  edges on my greetings for this card.  I like having more than one way to use my tools!! I adhered my greeting to the decorative layer and mounted it over the lacy strip using 3D foam tape.  I added two glittered flowers in the same way!!  Therese
 

All occasion cards featuring embossed layers and elements, ribbon or fiber and decorative paper

This is the last set of card kits I had started creating for my September class which was cancelled.  They have backgrounds of decorative paper adhered to coordinating card fronts.  I added coordinating fiber or ribbon the the embosses strips after flagging their ends.  I adhered these to my card front over the backgrounds.  The focal elements are die cuts.  I added thread antennae to my butterflies before mounting them to my card using 3D foam tape.  The flower has had pink thread added to it to define the petals and then a large pink rhinestone added to the center.  It was also mounted to my card using 3D foam tape.  Cards without greetings are always handy as they can serve for several different occasions!!

Therese

 

Birthday cards featuring floral stickers, ribbon and wax resist backgrounds

These were another set of cards I created as kits for my September class which was cancelled.  The flower stickers are very dimensional and have lots of texture!!  At the time I had also found a set of butterfly stickers which coordinated nicely so I decided to combine them to create the focal elements for the cards.  I adhered the stickers to ivory cardstock and trimmed them to size before adding some green stippling and distressing the edges.  Each kit had a length of ribbon which was used to add a length across the image which left a short piece to tie to it with a single knot to simulate a bow.  They all had wax resist backgrounds which I created a while back. I started with ivory cardstock, rubbed clear wax over them while on a texture plate and then added green watercolour.  Once they were dry I stamped the flourishes in green.  These background were adhered to my card fronts and the large floral elements were added with 3D foam tape.  The greetings were added to finish off my cards.  Some have small font greetings punched with the Word Window punch (SU).  Others have layered circle punchies which are stamped and then layered with coordinating cardstock and then bound with a brad with a sequin.    Therese

 

All occasion cards featuring fabric feathers, ribbon and embossed layers

I had already started on making card kits for my last class which was scheduled for September.  Due to the guidelines being recommended about gatherings I decided to cancel my class and the other day I found the kits I had started.  I decided to put them together because I am not sure when my next class will take place. 

these featured handmade fabric feathers which were just the most fun to make!! You can check out my original post where I used denim and my next variation where I used a heavy weight floral fabric.   I started with card fronts that coordinated with my backgrounds and adhered them in place.  The left hand card has a collaged background where I used washi tape to adhere the pieces together on the front.  What a concept!!   I added my ribbons to my embossed layers and then added the feathers using a silver brad.  This layer was then added to the next strip of coordinating cardstock.  I flagged the ends of both of them on the left hand card and only the top one on the right hand card.  I mounted these large elements to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

Christmas cards featuring decorative paper, embossed doves and layered font greetings

These card kits were created prior to getting these Christmas Card kits ready.   These are in my first set of card kits which I made just recently.  They were created with sponging on the edges of the dove and the greeting and again could not be achieved with extra tools.  But once I decided on an extra layer for the dove I added one to these kits too.  The extra sponging adds a bit of dimension.  I layered the doves to their layers and the font greetings to the scalloped oval punchies (SU).  I mounted the decorative paper to the card fronts and then mounted the dove images to my cards using 3D foam tape.  Next, I added the little embossed strips of coloured cardstock and then mounted the layered greetings with 3D foam tape over them.  A bit of a different look!!           Therese

 

Christmas cards featuring a large gold embossed Peace on Earth on vellum over decorative paper

These two kits were sitting on my desk after my last card making session when I created these Christmas Card Kits.    Again, it is so nice to be making cards from kits because all the pieces are ready to go.  I mounted the decorative papers to their respective card fronts.  I trimmed the vellum greetings and then removed the release paper from the double sided tape I had placed on the back below the letters and adhered the vellums to my card fronts.   Love the look of these cards and I am glad to have a few for my stash.

These two card kits were created prior to working out that I could put double sided tape on the back of my vellum greeting.  The vellum is trimmed and mounted to the decorative paper - my own watercolour - using a gold brad with a star sequin mounted below it.  This is then adhered to my card front.  Having a star and brad for these kits meant that making up the kits required a push pin and I was going for kits that only required glue and scissors to put together.  So a couple more for my stash!!

Therese

 

Christmas card from a kit featuring an embosssed PEACE, embossed silver strip and decorative paper with gold and silver

This is another kit from my desk from the last batch of Christmas Card kits I made last week.  I love this subtle and elegant colour combination - gold, silver, white and taupe.  With the pieces all ready it was a breeze to get this card made up.  I adhered the handmade decorative paper to my card front, added the embossed silver strip after flagging its end and then mounted my PEACE image which is gold embossed (SU) with 3D foam tape after tearing the bottom edge.  I am glad to have a few kits from this last session of cardmaking to make up and add to my stash.    Therese
 

Christmas cards featuring a little "O holy night", an embossed strip, ribbon and decorative paper

These two cards were sitting on my desk from my last batch of Christmas Card kits.  They came together fairly quickly.  The cards are white and I added the decorative paper.  The one on the right is the other side of the diagonal green and blue one on the other card in the link.  I flagged the ends of my strips and adhered them in place.  The little "o holy night" images were glued to the blue scalloped circles (SU) and I added clear glitter to the star and rays.  I mounted these focal elements to my card fronts with 3D foam tape and added the little ribbon knot with double sided tape.    Two more for my stash!!    Therese

 

Christmas card featuring an embossed ornament, embossed cardstock strips and poinsettia background paper

I have been cleaning up my creative space and found this card kit from my summer Christmas Card Kits.  The embossed ornament is a die cut which I cut from white cardstock.  I started with a red card, added the poinsettia paper and then two strips of green embossed cardstock - one landscape and the other portrait.  I mounted the ornament image over where they cross using 3D foam tape.  Another card to add to my stash which I will be needed very soon!!

Therese

Tree quilt with leaves

I worked on a quilt top today which turned out exactly as I had imagined.  I used some neutral oatmeal coloured fabric for the background and stitched in three lengths from my roll of stitched 2.5" pieces.  It took a while for me to figure out how I would angle the trees in the fabric.  In the end I stitched my background and cut it apart in order to insert the "trees" -  a strip of stitched pieces.  Worked very well!!  Next, I cut out 36 little green leaves from scrap fabric.  These will be slow stitched in place along the trunks of the trees.  I may consider some slow stitching to the background as well once I finish the leaves.  We shall see!!  It does look a little plain right now.  Once that is finished I will complete the quilt with a batting, backing and binding!!  Likely will be a while before it it done but that is the nature of quilting with slow stitching!! I really like the look and feel of stitching on my quilts.  Therese
 

Slow Stitching - large leaves - blanket stitched edges and filling in

I am progressing with my current slow stitch project - my border with large leaves.  I have now finished my double blanket stitched edges on all the leaves.  I did one set of blanket stitch with the line a generous eighth inch from the edge and then went around again with another row of blanket stitch with the line on the edge.  I really like how it has finished the edges and given them some presence.  

I used different colours of thread which also gave the edging some interest.  Have the double row of stitching has also nicely filled between the lines of stitching.  Should protect the edges from fraying too much.  You can see below that I have started filling in the leaves with running stitch.  I drew one line to begin with to keep the stitch straight and I have using different colours of thread to give some interest and texture to the interior of the leaves.  It will be quite a while yet before this project will be complete but I am looking forward to doing running stitch and using a variety of colours of thread.  It will be a fun project and one that will not require too much concentration which is the benefit of a slow stitching practice.  Will post an update when I move on to the next leaf.     Therese