Slow Stitching - some fun and colourful card holders made with scraps and CDs

I made up some card holders on the weekend.  I had all the supplies cut out and ready to go so in a few hours I was able to get 12 of these made up.  They are not complicated - 6.5" circles  (2), 5.5" of lightweight batting (2), used CDs (2) and buttons (2).  I hand stitched a gathering thread on the outer edge of each fabric circle, added a batting layer and a CD then pulled the thread to secure all of these pieces to each other.  Repeat for the other side of the card holder.  It is wise to use strong thread for this process because if the thread breaks you have to start over.  Next, you place your two sides with the good side facing out on both sides and stitch a button on each side through the center openings in the CDs.  This required heavyweight thread because it is the crucial part of the substructure that makes the card holder work well.  I collected some bright buttons from our stash for the fabric sale which were perfect for most of these cardholders.  I have come up with a little trick to hide my thread in the process of securing the two sides together.  After clipping my two sides together with a bull clip I insert my needle through the holes in the center of the CDs on one side leaving a length of thread and then thread through one button from the bottom, back through the top and through the two sides again.  I usually do three layers of thread and before sending  my needle back through the last time (to the side where I started and I have a length of thread) I insert a wire below the button right up to the threads in the center  When I insert my needled through this sandwich I make sure that the wire is between the threads and the needle and I pull it through.  Next, I pull both ends of the wire which brings the thread with it.  I pull until I have enough thread to tie off (2-3") and then cut the thread.  This way I can tie several knots with the two ends which makes it quite secure.  I then trim the threads close to the edge of the button and scoot then until the edge.  Keep both sides nice and tight to each other and secures the button very well.    These are off to our inventory bin for our Gramma Link Africa which will be for sale at our events this coming year.    These sell very well as they make holding a large amount of card very easy and also enables little or shaky hands to manage any amount of cards.  

Therese

Sewing - table topper in blue, green and pink with a variety of quilted squares

I also managed to get this table topper (15.5" x 25.5") made up.  I had chosen all the fabrics and already sewn the little quilted squares.  They were placed in our cotton scraps bin which will be available at the Fabric Sale on Saturday, April 25 at Gaetz United.  They were bagged and some of the smaller parts were already sewn so I simply made up six squares from what was in the collection of pieces - hence none are the same.  I framed them in a solid coordinating green cotton and then added a cotton knit batting and a blue backing.  I added some of the backing on both ends to get a few more inches of length for this table topper.  I added quilting lines around each square to secure the three layers to each other.  It will be added to our inventory for our table at the Spring Tea at Gaetz United on Saturday, May2, 2026.  

Therese
 

Quilting - a baby quilt featuring hand stitched stars in yellow thread on white squares with pink, green and yellow pinwheel squares

I made up this baby quilt this weekend.  The squares had all been stitched up so it was a matter of sewing them together, adding a cotton batting and a flannel backing which were already cut to size.  It took the better part of the day but it is now done.  The pink and yellow are cotton scraps that we acquired last year for our Gramma Link Africa fabric sale.  Those solid cotton scraps will be packaged for our Fabric sale this year which takes place on Saturday, April 25 at Gaetz United Church in Red Deer.  There are variety of colours and some of the scraps are quite large.  This is my first "real" quilt where I cut all the pieces and stitched them into squares.  I framed the hand embroidered stars with pink cotton and then stitched them all together to make a quilt top.  I put a pink themed flannel on the back that features a teddy bears in pink , yellow and brown.  Worked really well with the front.  I brought the backing to the front for a self bound edge and them stitched in white around the stars and added diamonds to all the pinwheels in green thread.  I also over stitched all the horizontal lines as well which should provide enough quilting for this baby quilt.  It measures 39" x 48".  It will be available at the Fabric Sale as an example of what can be done with the cotton scraps we will have for sale.    Therese

 

Quilting - scrappy diamond quilt

A scrappy quilt made up from a LOT of diamond shaped pieces of a variety of different fabrics!!  Some were already sewn in strips and I stitched the remaining to finish up the quilt top.  They were not all the same size and all on the bias which is always tricky to sew so I did not bother trying to match the seams.  I made a very scrappy look which I like.  It came out to about 35" x 69".  I found a piece of fleece that would accommodate the size trimmed it to fit.  I pinned the fleece to the front of the quilt and then stitched all the way around leaving a 4" gap.  I trimmed off the extra triangles left on the edges and bottom and then turned it inside out.  I top stitched all the way around which secured the opening.  Next, I pin basted it to keep it as flat as possible and quilted it by tying knots from the front to the back in every second diamond in each row.  It does not show very much from the front and there are lots of fuzzy ends on the back which contrast with the fleece.  It finished at 34" x 68" which makes this quilt the perfect couch blanket!!! It will be off to its next home this week!  Therese

 

Cardmaking - sympathy card with a handmade paper background, embossing and a serendipity butterfly die cut

We have had a death in our extended family so I have prepared this sympathy card for the family.  It is never easy to lose a loved one.  

I started with a large blue card and added a handmade paper background which I embossed with a decorative frame.  I cut out the inside of the frame and added the serendipity butterfly with 3D foam tape.  It still needed something so I added paper piercing on both edges of the embossed area.  

Therese

 

Cardmaking - another set of cards from March card club

 One of the girls was not able to make it but sent along her requests for finished cards so I made up a set for her from the card kits I had prepared!!!  Therese

March Card Club - Card #3 - embossed & sanded backgrounds with embossed serendipity die cuts

 For our last card we made sanded backgrounds!!  These were cut from decorative paper and embossed before we sanded them.  Some were quite resistant to sanding which surprised me.  Usually paper succumbs more easily to sanding!!  Anyway, we added a bit of ink to the resistant ones to help highlight the embossing.  We added ribbon and tried on a short piece before adhering this large element to our card fronts.  The focal elements were die cut from embossed serendipity paper which I had in my stash and were added using 3D foam tape.  A quick and easy card for our last one!!  It was a great evening of creative fun and connecting.  Therese

March Card Club - Card #2 - stripy background with a long slim image

 For our second card we played with strips of decorative paper!!!  It was no holds barred as we created backgrounds with strips - some this way, others butting up to them, some overlapping, etc!!  I had printed some vertical and horizontal images to accommodate different orientations in the card design.  I left spaces in between the strips on the blue one and none on the green one.  I could have put them all horizontally and layered the image on that way was well.  SO MANY possibilities!!!!  Butterflies and ferns are from  CLKER.  The longest time was spent on deciding between options!!  Therese

March Card Club - Card #1 - pinwheel backgrounds with a round images over metallic scalloped circles

 

It was great to be crafting with friends again!!! The group was smaller this time around but it was a great evening none the less.  

For this card I cut rectangles of decorative paper to fit fully cover my 4" x 5.25" layer.  I then layered two of the same colour and trimmed them - two cut diagonally in one direction and the other two cut diagonally in the other direction which when all put together created two pinwheels in contrasting colours.  It took a bit to get all the triangles in their proper places.  It was easiest if we made up the rectangles with the contrasting triangle and then placed them on our substrate.  Once on the substrate it was easy enough to glue them down properly.  We made sure our edges were as even as possible because if the middles did not line up as well they were going to be covered by our focal element.  We then adhered our pinwheel background to our card fronts and coloured our images.  The birds  are from Birdie Brown and the poppy is from  Cruzine.  We layered our coloured images onto the metallic scalloped circles and added them to our card fronts using 3D foam tape.  That finished our cards!!  Therese

Cardmaking - fabric motifs of leaves and teapot/coffee pots on neutral cards

I was asked by one of my friends if I make cards using fabric.  I certainly  have used fabric many times to make cards so I indicated that I had.  She asked if I would bring some along this week to our fabric sorting so she could take a look.  With such short notice I managed this dozen cards using motifs trimmed from fabric.  The leaves is from fabric I bought years ago to make cards and these were already trimmed ready to go!!  I trimmed green and burgundy cardstock layers and stitched the fabric to them using neutral thread.  I then distressed the edges of my small cards with TH Antique Linen ink and then adhered the large focal elements to them.  The teapots/coffee pots were a similar process.  These ones I had previously cut to make cards and were already adhered to white cardstock squares.  I stitched them to black squares of cardstock.  I added washi tape to the top and bottom of my cards and then adhered the large focal elements in centered in between.  I was previously unsure how to proceed which is why they had been set aside.  So glad to have them made up into cards.  Therese

 

Quilting - a top made of diamonds

I brought some small scraps home from sorting last week without realizing they were diamonds. Some were sewn together on one of the angles into lengths and the remainder were loose.  I stitched them together to make strips and sewed them side by side.  I started with the middle where I sewed two to make a chevron shape but found that the diamonds must have been a different size because the strips were longer.  I will see about trimming this flimsy down to size and backing it for a donation to Linus Project.  I love all the colours and the movement in the way the lines come together.  

Therese
 

Cardmaking - more butterfly cards for IWIN

I made these today to be included in the package I will be sending to IWIN through my daughter in Calgary.  We expect to be visiting for Easter and birthdays.  I love this paper.  It is one I created using digital papers and images.  I added some greetings using a chalk writing font and one with layered ovals.  I did add fiber to the two top cards and a little flower to the one on the bottom left.  It was fun to be creating with this paper and good to have the cards ready to go!!  Therese
 

Sewing - a book bag featuring LONDON fabric and a zippered outer pocket

Another bag (14" x 14" or so  with the LONDON fabric.  Very suitable as a bag for a trip to the library or a quick stop at the grocery store on the way home.  I used the LONDON fabric on the front and black fabric for the back.  I added a zippered pocket to the back along with a few loops which a person can use to secure items to the bag - decorations, keys, etc.  The pocket is topped with a strip of LONDON fabric and black fabric for the lower piece with the zipper added in between.  I lined this bag with red poly cotton broadcloth.  The handle is made from the LONDON fabric and goes side to side for hands free carrying of the contents.  Therese

Sewing - a book lined bag featuring LONDON fabric with a outer zippered pocket

 It has been wonderful to sew with this LONDON fabric.  I am very near the end of the piece I got from the Gramma Link Africa Fabric Sale  a while back.  I made this bag 15" by 15" or so and used the LONDON fabric for the front and black fabric for the back.  I added a zippered pocket to the back (10.5" x 11.5'').  I added fabric ends to the zipper and then added the top from the LONDON fabric and the bottom from the same black fabric I used for the back.  I added a strip of red fabric (poly cotton) which I stitched in a few places which allows a person to add a carbiner and attach items to the outside of the bag - keys, decorations, etc.  I lined the bag with the same red poly cotton fabric.  A good size for a walk about bag - add a wallet and there is enough room for books from the library or a few groceries for your next meal.  Therese

Sewing - adding a nice finish to the end of a tie

I added a little cloth piece at the end of my ties for my apron to finish them off nicely.  I started with a piece of fabric (2" x 2") and hemmed the bottom edge.  I folded it over the bottom edge of the tie, pinned it and then stitched across and up to the hemmed edge.  I trimmed off the excess fabric and pulled the fabric over the end which revealed the right side of the fabric and finished the tie.  You can leave it open or stitch it closed.  Therese

 

Sewing - an adult apron made from medium weight cotton fabric in a block printed design - GA

I have had this fabric in my GA stash since last year.  I have the intention of making a bag with it but having LONDON fabric for bags right now I checked it out and there was enough to make an adult apron so I made one up.  It is a design I found on Instructables - Sew an adjustable Chef's apron - in several different sizes.  I made a very long tie (132") which allows them to be brought to the front to be tied.  I did add a pocket on the right hand side big enough for a phone, keys or glasses, etc.  It is very adjustable and suitable for most adults.  It is headed to the merchandise table at a future Gramma Link Africa event.  Therese
 

Cardmaking - a large card embellished with embossed vellum, die cut photo and some die cut leaves

I worked on cards for family this week!!  I started with a large tan card and added a hand decorated piece of paper which I had embossed with leaves at the top, birch trees in the middle and bubbles on the bottom.  I added some light brown ink to highlight the embossing a little bit.  It also filled in some of the white edges on the embossed areas which was good.  Added this to my card front.  I embossed a strip of vellum (SU) with a torn edge and added a slit into which my photo would fit and secured it with double sided tape.  I added the bird photo which I had die cut with Nestibilities then added three little leaves I had sitting on my desk from a previous cardmaking session. They were the perfect colours!!

Therese
 

Sewing - fun London fabric for two sets of potholders - GA

 I made up a couple of sets of potholders with what was left of the LONDON fabric I had in my GA stash.  They have interesting graphics and recognizable as images from London.  I used black fabric for the backing and cotton batting, flannel and cotton terry for the inside layers.  I brought the backing to the front, folded it twice and stitched it down.  I included the loop on the last corner.  These will be included in our Gramma Link Africa merchandise for our future events.  Therese

Sewing - medium hot pad with a removeable and reversible cover - GA

I made a cover for another of the hot pads I made a while back.  It is about 13" x 10" and had cotton, metallic insulation and knitted wool batting with a cotton flannel to hold all the layers together.  I stitched up a cover (sleeve) for it using four different cotton fabrics - red guitar, checkered green, rust cross hatch and multi coloured uneven stripes.  The pieces were all the same size (14" x 11") and I stitched two together on the long edges to make a tube.  And again for the other two.  I turned one inside out and inserted it in the other one (right sides together) and stitched both ends leaving a gap of about 4" on one of the ends.  I turned the whole thing inside out and pressed it flat.  I hand stitched closed the opening I had left and then added top stitching to both top and bottom edges and to the two side seams which should allow it to be restored to it's rectangular shape after it is washed. Pick your favorite fabric on the day you use it and after using it simply remove the cover and wash it to be ready for next time.  Small enough to fit in most drawers and enough variety to rise to every occasion.  It will accommodate several small hot dishes or a 9" x 13" casserole. Going into Gramma link Africa merchandise inventory.   Therese

 

Cardmaking - sympathy card featuring a butterfly and dove

 A friend of ours has passed away and I have made a card for his wife and their family which we know reasonably well.  

I started with a yellow card after I choose the paper I was putting in the circle.  I found the green paper next and cut a circle from it and then cut the yellow paper just a bit bigger.  I stamped the green layer with a script stamp in light green ink, secured the yellow circle behind the opening with tape and applied this large element to my card front.  I die cut a silver body for the fabric butterfly and secured it to the edge of the opening with double sided tape.  Wanting a less typical greeting I stamped the words onto white cardstock and embossed with silver, cut the top and bottom with a thin metal die (first time I used it!!) with a wavy edge and trimmed it to the same width as my decorative background.  Really love how that worked out.  I added a small silver dove sequin with 3D foam tape to finish it off.  

It is always sad to lose people who are part of your community.  

Therese

 

Sewing - 12 bright quilt squares with hand stitched collage hearts in their centers

These are very bright and joyful!!!  I finished stitching the hearts while on holidays after Christmas and have finally added some bright fabrics to them.  I used a light weight substrate and added pieces log cabin style and then trimmed them (9").  It was a fun day of stitching and they are beautiful all together.  I will have to see what I can sash them with to make a small blanket for a child.  It was so fun to dig out fabrics from my brights bin and make them into wonderful squares.  Therese
 

Sewing - trivets with wool and cotton batting

 I had a made up some hot pad inserts from a wool sweater, cotton batting and cotton.  I have finally given the two small ones cute cotton covers.  I tied the corduroy one - love the pattern of red and orange floral shapes and a classic white and black design for the other one which I machine stitched with diagonal lines.  They are about 6" square and suitable to be used a trivets for a tea pot, a small pie or a warm bowl of soup.  They would be great coasters for a large mug as well.  Therese

Sewing - medium hot pad with a double denim reversible cover

 I made a double denim cover for the medium hot pad insert (wool, cotton batting and cotton)  I had made which I also covered in dark flannel and tied in 5 places with blue crochet thread (8.5" x 8").  This cover is not double but I did make a deep hem and added lace on the bottom edge.  Again, it is pillow case style and the hot pad is easily inserted and can be settled to the bottom by shaking it a little.  All cotton and wool it is the perfect size for any side dish.  Therese

Sewing - hot pad - wool and braided cotton - covered with flannel and a double sided reversible pillowcase cover

Another hot pad project!  For the hot pad (9.5" x 13")  is made up of a braided cotton mat with a layer of wool fabric stitched to it.  I covered this with a dark flannel.  It was too thick for the sewing machine so I simply hand tied it in six places to keep all the layers secure.  

I created a double pillowcase cover with blue and white bands on one side and a intricate floral on the other side making it reversible.  This design worked well and is how my sister, Sylvia, made hers.  The hot pad is easily inserted and can be shaken to the bottom just like you would a pillow in a pillow case. 

I added some wavy lines of chain stitches on the striped cover and then added white stars to them.  It gives one side a bit more texture and interest.  I stitched up the side seams to keep the two pieces together and more stability when it gets washed.  All natural fabrics - cotton and wool. 

Therese

 

Upcycling - braiding used bedding

I have been going through a few boxes and found some older bed covers which I decided to dismantle and have braided the tops for making projects.  I have yards of braided cotton. I have researched ways to use this braided cotton and will be blogging those projects as I go.  Have considered dyeing the braids and then using them in projects.  They will certainly make mats and trivets.  Therese

 

Sewing - removable and reversible cover for a large hot pad - GA

I made a cover for one of the large hot pads (insulbrite, knitted wool, cotton batting) I made a while back using four different fabrics.  It is removable for washing and also reversible with four different options.  The pad measured 11" x 17".  I cut my rectangles to 11.75" x 18.75" and sewed a 1/4" seam when I was putting it together.  I left an opening on one side and turned it right sides out and then hand stitched the opening closed.  I top stitched both edges and then added two more rows of stitching to keep the cover integral when washing it.  We have such beautiful fabrics available for sewing!!

Therese

 

Sewing - jar openers with an extra strip - GA

I made up five jar openers for our next Gramma Link Africa event.  I cut three pieces of shelf liner to six inches and had leftovers that allowed me to make two more if I pieced the shelf liner.  I decided to add a small strip of fabric that covered the joint and it also works as stabilization of the pieces to each other.  I cut 8" cotton squares for each square of shelf liner.  I started with the pieced ones so I laid the two shelf liner pieces to the wrong side of the fabric, laid the strip (both edges pressed to the middle) over where they joined and stitched both edges.  I was very happy to see that I did not have to use paper to protect my sewing foot from the rubbery shelf liner.  Excellent!!!  To finish used the self binding method I use for quilts and potholders.  I folded the raw edges in, then folded the edge over the shelf liner and stitched into place all the way around. This does not need any protection from the shelf liner.  So as I went on I cut strips for the full ones too and added them in the same way as I had for the ones that were pieces.  It worked perfectly!!  No need for paper!!  Works for me!!  I will make more now that I found a way to avoid using paper and having to tear it away from the stabilization stitches.  Therese
 

Sewing - a book bag with little embroidered flowers Gramma Africa

With the leftovers from my first bag I created a smaller book bag (15.5" x 16") with handles (21") and a lining similar to the other bag.  I used a strip of the embroidered flowers as the accent for this bag - love it!!  This one does not have boxed corners and is suitable for running errands, a trip to the library or book club!!!

 

Cardmaking - a few butterfly cards for IWIN and two more to my stash

 I was in cardmaking mode after finishing all the cards for donation and so when I found a few interesting backgrounds in the box I decided to use them to make up a few more cards.  I made three butterfly cards which I can add to my IWIN stash.  The floral cards I will add to my stash and they will come in handy later.  The blue butterfly has a wax resist background with watercolour, the pink one is a rose embossing folder (SU), the rainbow ones are background paper adhered to cardstock and embossed.  I simply added focal elements and embellishments and mounted them onto card fronts.  

Therese

Sewing - a large tote bag in blue and yellow blend fabric - Gramma Africa

I started the weekend of sewing with this project!!  I am using cotton poly blend which we received last year in our fabric sale donations.  We bagged these scraps for our sale last year and I am storing them at home for this year's sale.  I opened a bag of each colour  - blue and yellow - and started creating a large piece of fabric using the long scraps to their best advantage and created the main fabric for this bag.  I had in my stash a band of embroidered flowers which was the inspiration for this bag.  I cut them apart and added white cotton to the back of each one to give them opacity.  I added blue sashing all the way around to make the width of my bag (16").  I did have to add several more strips to my fabric to make it the same width.  I cut off a strip of about 4" and stitched my floral piece in between the two.  I cut my fabric to about 19"  (17" plus 2" for the bottom) to create the front.  I added wide strips to which I had stitched pockets on each end for my sides.  I cut another piece to 19" to make the back piece and stitched it to each side to make a cylinder.  I cut two strips of blue for the strap (49") and stitched them together to make the handle.  I trimmed a 3" or so piece for the inside of the bag to which I stitched my lining pieces.  I created a pocket with a zipper and a little loop and stitched it to my lining piece before I added the blue strip.  Nice neat finish for inside.  I pinned the strap ends in place and tucked them about 3.5" deep on each side and basted them in place along with another loop on the top edge.  I assembled the bag by sewing the top seam which joined the outer bag and the lining and secured the handles in place.   I stitched the boxed corners on the bag and the lining. I turned it inside out through an opening I left in the lining.  I did some topstitching on the top edge, secured my straps with a bit more stitching and did the same to the boxed corners to the bottom.

I added a length of twill tape (12")  on the front of the handle which allows the handle to be adjusted to a shorter length for carrying on your arm instead of over your shoulder.  To adjust, you simply untie the bow, loop the handle to the length you want and retie the twill tape really tight over the looped area!!

I stitched up the opening in the lining and the bag was done!!  Therese