March Card Club - Card #3 - stamped images on book pages with ribbon and coordinating backgrounds

For our last card, I had stamped images on a rectangles of book pages.  We then embellished them with a bit of watercolour.  I added some to my edges as well.  Next, we tied on a coordinating satin ribbon with a double knot.  This element was adhered to a rectangle of coordinating cardstock which we trimmed on the bottom with punches or decorative scissors.  After adding our backgrounds to our cards we added our focal element with 3D foam tape.  It was fun to dig through my stamp collection and find stamps that fit the size I needed - some had never been stamped before.  I used black embossing powder on mine but they could easily have been stamped in any black permanent ink for the same effect.  A quick and easy card to finish off our creative evening!!  Therese

 

March Card Club - Card #2 - flowers, balloons and butterflies with banners

For our second card we had fun drawing as well.  We drew a stalk and stem for the flowers, a string for the balloons and a flight path for the butterflies (no sample of that one).  We drew a pencil line and then went over it with a fine tip Sharpie and then embossed our strip.  After adding our focal element we wrapped a length of bakers twine around and tied it off in a bow or double knots.  We adhered these to our card using 3D foam tape for dimension.  Next, we created our banners!!  Added a strip of double sided tape to the back of the strip and then placed our little strips of decorative paper onto it until we completely filled it.  Add another strip of double sided tape and adhered it to our card.  We trimmed the ends of our papers  - banner ends where we removed a triangle or flagged ends where we cut diagonal lines.  Then, added a little bit of glue to keep our banners in place!!  This a great way to use up scraps and really create interest and texture on your card.

Therese

March Card Club - Card #1 - squiggles and watercolour art piece with a coordinating background

It was so great to be back with friends making cards!!!  Our first card featured this neurographic art technique.  I had printed a central image on a 3" square or white cardstock and we added squiggly lines all around and through with fine tip Sharpie marker just going from one side to another and some all the way to the opposite side.  We then softened all the intersections with curvy lines and filled in them in.  I added a black border around mine as well.  Next, we watercoloured our line drawing using a single colour in our image and other colours all they way around.  I should have considered my background before getting started.  I had added pink areas which did not really work with my holly background paper.  I changed them to red and that was better.  After they were dry we mounted our art to a larger square and then mounted it over the background which was already glued to our coordinating card front.  I added three little circle punchies to mine but not everyone did which still worked very well.  It was fun to create art.  You can check out the tutorial I followed here (MIX576)  on Splitcoast Stampers.

  Therese 

Slow Stitching - a Christmas stocking with embroidery and a buttonhole stitch all the way around

 One of my grandson's came to me at Christmas time and asked if I could make him a Christmas stocking like his cousin's.  It had to have his name and be gingerbread in colour.  I found some brown felted wool in the stash my daughter sent my way a while back.  There was enough but I had to piece the front by adding a few inches at the top.  I decided to incorporate that joint in my design.  The original design of the stocking was my sister's about 40 years ago when she had made some for DH and I with our names and hand stitched details.  Over the course of the years between us we added three more for our children.  My daughter has kept the tradition alive and made some for her children using felted wool.  I drew the pine branch and ornament with inspiration from online.  It was hard to get any lines to stay on the wool as handling the wool removed the lines.  I eventually resorted to basting the elements I needed in white thread and then doing the embroidery over the thread.  That worked very well and the basting was easily removed afterwards.  I added a dark brown lining to the back and the front and then stitched the tops.  Next, I laid them both with right sides out and pinned the edges really well and did button hole stitch all the way around using a very heavy weight thread in dark brown.  That worked well.  It was several weeks of slow stitching to get it all done.  It was good to get it finished.  It will get dropped off when we visit next and be ready for next Christmas!!  

I will be joining the creatives at Kathy's Quilts for their Slow Sunday Stitching.  Therese

All occasion cards featuring embossed backgrounds, glittered elements and tied banners

I have been working on card kits for my class on Tuesday and these cards were made up as I was working out how to make a card design work for my class.  I started with the little glittered flower and wanted to add a banner to this card.  This card was created with this element from a rejected design.  I positioned the flower on the embossed layer and then added the stem, leaves and ground with a black fine tipped Sharpie marker. I added one of the banners I had already created by folding short strips of decorative paper over a length of bakers twine.  I secured the strips using double sided tape on the back and folding them over the twine.  I secured the end of the twine to the back of my layer using double sided tape as well.  I tied separate lengths to the banner - one on each end.  That worked well.  I had cut off the edges to get rid of the holes I had made so  I added a punched border with a clear glitter line next to it which I glued to the back of the panel.  I added this large element to a pink card front. 

These next few cards are the next iteration of my design where I used an embossed layer of white cardstock (4" x 5.25"), added a coordinating banner over the focal element.  With these I drew the details before embossing which made it easier to get nice smooth lines on the smooth surface.  I embossed the panel and then added the focal element and the banner in the same way as above - adding little bows on the sides and securing the banner ends to the back of the panel with double sided tape.  The trouble with this design was that I was having difficulty in consistently getting the banners properly secured to the twine. If it was difficult for me, it was going to be harder for the class participants so I opted for a different design.  These were fun cards and I love how light and bright they are - very spring like!!  Therese

 

Sewing - zippered pouches with Japanese cat fabric and coordinating colours

 

I made up a couple of zippered pouches while I was at it.  I used upcycled zippers and coordinating fabric.  I made the red one first and found that the end pieces were too bulky looking especially with the contrasting thread.  The other one looks neater.  Again I  put the zippers in first and then bound the edges in seam binding to finish them off neatly.  I did add a seam all the way around to help give the pouch a bit of structure.   On the red pouch you can see that there is a cat being caught up by an octopus tentacle in the upper left hand corner.  I hope there will be some people who will like this fabric as much as I do!!!  Therese

Sewing - book marks with the fun Japanese cat fabric

I had a few scraps sitting on my cutting table and thought they would be great for making book marks.  I simply trimmed plain fabric to the same size and stitched all the way around and then a bit of an all over design inside the book mark.  I added a little ribbon/twill tape flag at the top while I was sewing the outer seam.  I raveled the cat fabric to create a bit of a fringe.  I had hoped to do the same to the back fabrics but the red and blue were so tightly woven they resisted raveling but the yellow one was similar in weave so it raveled nicely.  Therese
 

Sewing - composition book cover with a journaling book mark

I decided to try something new - I made up a cover for a composition book using two layers of fabric with a rectangle flannel in the center where the book will be!!  I am very pleased with out it worked out so I will be coming up with scrappy tops which I can layer with solid fabrics for the inside.  I stitched my flannel piece to the inside piece, layered on my top and stitched all the way around leaving an opening to turn the whole thing inside out.  After that stitched all the way around to secure the pieces and close up the opening.  I then added lines of stitching to quilt the layers to each other. I   laid my composition book in the middle of the finished cover and figured out where to fold it to make the it the right height and then folded in the both sides to create the flaps that the composition book covers tuck into.  I removed the book and pressed the cover really well so I could mark where I had to sew the flaps to keep everything together.  Four little seams and flipped it back around and my book fits in really well.  You have to leave a bit of give when you sew your seams to allow for the thickness of the fabric cover.  Sew it too close and it is too tight to easily insert the book covers.   

  

I created a journaling bookmark to go with my composition book journal. This bookmark has room for two writing instruments in its front pocket which means you will always have something to write with when you are ready to journal.  It measures just over a 1.5" wide and 7.5" long and the pocket comes up to about 5.75".  I used two layers for the back - bright yellow for the front and a plain yellow for the back.  I created the pocket using a scraps of yellow and green.  I added red binding to the top and bottom which was just what I had on my sewing table.  The elastic is foldable soft elastic and I cut it to 11" to work with the journal.  You layer your pieces and sew all the way around leaving a gap so you can turn it inside out.  Press it really well and then add stitching all the way around to secure the pieces to each other and close up the opening.  I think these are really neat and would be really handy for any journal.  

You can see below the inside and back side of my journal cover.  I am looking forward to using this technique to create some really fun and colourful journal covers in the future.  These are reusable - simply replace the filled composition book with a new one and you are good to go!!!  Therese

 

Sewing - mug rugs from leaf fabric

 I have had this fabric for a while and ran across it again recently and set it aside for mug rugs.  I trimmed four of the images, added two layers of flannel for batting and a deep purple for the backing.  Sewed them together leaving an opening so I turn them inside out.  Pressed everything neatly and then ran a line of stitching all the way around to secure the layers and close up the opening.  I added stitching on the lines in between the leaf designs to quilt them all the layers together.   Therese

Sewing - a cute red flower embellishment for my cat bag

I thought my cat bag needed a bit of something so I went looking for inspiration on line hoping to find maybe a cute little fabric fish I could make up to add to it.  No such luck!  I did find a fabric flower that I found acceptable so I went ahead with that the other morning.  I found a tutorial at Notches Sewing on You Tube that worked very well.  

It starts off with a pentagon shape that fits in a 6" circle.  I gave it a try and was not precise enough that my measurements were not exact so I just found a petagon on line and placed it in a 6" circle in Corel Draw and printed it out.  Success!!  The sides are all 3.5"!!!  I trimmed out the pentagon and then cut two pieces of red cotton fabric using this pattern and placed them right sides together and stitched a 1/4"  seam all the way around leaving a gap of about 1.25".  I turned this shape inside out and then pressed it neatly to get a nice flat pentagon.   I then stitched all the way around about 1/8" from the edge which secured everything and closed up the opening.  What you see on the front will be the front of the flower.   Next, I followed the instructions in the video  - measured and marked the center of all the sides, measured two inch towards the middle on each point, drew a curved arch between the points next to the center of the side, through the 2" mark and the back down to the just next the center mark on the next side.  Repeat until you have five arched lines.  I used a removeable ink pen - first time - and it worked well. The lines are where the gathering happens so it may not be too serious if you draw in some light pencil lines.   Next, you sew quarter inch stitches on the arches using a 20" of double heavyweight thread (needs to be sturdy and that long) knotted on the end so it will not pull through.  You start stitching from the back (important) and follow the arches always coming to the edge with your needle to the front (important).  Once you get back to where you started you pull on your threads to gather each petal and then tie off with double knots.  The points of the pentagon create the petals.  Works really well and makes a nice sturdy flower.  You can then add it to your project, add a clip or barrette, add a brooch pin - whatever you want.   I used the threads at the back to stitch it to my cat bag!!!!  It was just what I was looking for - a very 3D fabric embellishment.  I would have preferred something more related to the cat theme but this will do purrfectly!!!!!!  Therese

 

Sewing - pet bowl mats for cats

It seemed appropriate to make some cat themed pet bowl mats this week as I had made some dog themed ones last week.  I used the Japanese cat fabric on the back and a strip on the front of this first mat.  I used the colours in the fabric - yellow, blue and red to make up a couple of strips to frame the cat fabric on the front.  I used toweling as batting and sewed the strips on QAYG to add the front to the batting and backing.  I used the backing to self bind the mat which worked really well.  

For my second mat I started with one of my cat squares which I made quite a while back and still have a good supply of.  I added strips all the way around (QAYG) until I had the height I needed for the mat. I added two more pieces to the left to make it the size I needed (12" x 17").  I cut a piece of  Japanese cat fabric for the bac, added two layers of flannel for batting and then bound the edges with a bright blue fabric.  I added stitching through out the mat to secure all the layers together.  Fun!!!  Therese

 

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