Fabric Friday

Today's Fabric Friday is a two-part post.  This week I am sharing what I call an envelope clutch.  You could use it as just a clutch, or tie it with a bit of ribbon and add a tag.  Then you have the perfect gift wrap and you can give two gifts in one!  Next week you'll see what was packaged inside.

To make the envelope clutch start by snipping and ripping two squares of fabric the same size.  I used the Spice Cake Designer Fabric from Stampin' Up!  With wrong sides together use the Fabric Adhesive Roll and and iron the two pieces to each other.  On your work surface turn the fused fabric square so it is placed "on point."  Fold the side points/corners inward, fold the bottom point/corner up, press flat, and then use strips of Adhesive Roll to fuse the envelope in place.  Press the top point/corner to finish the envelope.

For the flower I used six pieces of the scallop shapes from the Perfect Pennant Bigz L Die.  First get the pieces soaking wet then ring out the excess water.  On a terry cloth towel rub the scallops to fray the edges.  Wrinkle and crunch the flowers, spray with starch, and let air dry.  If you are in a hurry you can put them in the oven at 200' for about ten minutes.  Once the scallops are dry, layer them on an Antique Brad.  Hot glue the flower to the front flap of the envelope.

I tied the envelope clutch with Victoria Crochet Ribbon and added a gift tag.  The tiny tag is a simple one inch square of woodsheet stamped with a greeting from Creatively Yours.  I slipped the tiny tag in an envelope made with the Petal Card Double Punch.  A flower and pearl finish it all off.

Have a totally stichin' weekend, Elizabeth

P.S.  All the Create with Connie and Mary projects feature the fall products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  Join today and see all the tutorials!

Rich-Lucious-Gorgeous

This stunningly beautiful card was made by my great stampin' friend from Iowa Dena R.  I love the texture in the scallop layers of DSP and the ribbon.  It's so SO pretty--it is velvet.  You can find it in the Holiday Mini Catalog along with the DSP and stamp sets, Gently Falling and Hand Penned Holidays.  

On Create with Connie and Mary Holiday Edition, we are featuring fall and Thanksgiving products from the Holiday Mini this week.  The thing is though you must be a subscriber to see them!  At a price of $34.95 US for the six weeks means 36 step-by-step tutorials…that is less than $1 a day for great ideas to use in your stamp camps or to make as gifts! 

Happy fall stampin',

Elizabeth

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Scaredy Cat

I really like how this card turned out.  The tag greeting was inspired by the indian colored candy corn and I think it is pretty cool looking.  But, what I really like is the spider wed background. 

I love when you take a simple technique and it looks like a million bucks.  I embossed the spider web and then took a sanding block to the raised edges to reveal the white core of the Pick Your Poison DSP.

Another really cool trick that I have been doing like crazy on everything right now (I am a bit addicted) is what I call "Glitter Sanding."

All you need for this technique is SUPER CHEAP hairspray and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  I put mine in a salt shaker for lighter applications.  For heavier sanded looking glitter I pick up the glitter with my finger tips right out of a Gladware container.  First spray your project with hairspray then sprinkle the glitter, then spray one more time.  It's that easy and looks great for holiday projects.

To check out more Halloween themed ideas head over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and see whats going on!

 

Happy Halloween craftin, Elizabeth

A Saturday Challenge

It is Saturday today and that means it's time for a challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary.  Click right here and see more cards featuring this layout and then enter your own card too.


My card is a bit twisted and cuckoo, but that works perfect for Halloween.  Back when I was a kid we had these extra large cardboard skeletons with hinged limbs.  You could pose the skeleton in all kinds of contortions.  I thought I was so clever to put one hand on his head and one on his hip.  With that in mind I decided to emboss the skeleton from the Piece of Poison stamp set, cut it out, and then chop it up and amputate it.  I used mini brads (which are ultra mini) to hinge and put him all back together so I could pose the skeleton to show off the "trick or treat" banner.

One thing I like to do with Halloween stuff is to add cobwebs.  To do this I get my hot glue gun ready, squirt glue on a grubby sponge, pounce a second old sponge on top and back and forth, then pull the sponges apart to create "spidery" webs.  Wrap and stretch them across your card!

Don't forget to check out more Halloween cards at Create with Connie and Mary.

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Stampin' Supplies

Stamps: Piece of Poison

Ink: Versamark

Papers: Basic Gray, Wild Wasabi, & Very Vanilla Cardstocks,  Pick Your Poison DSP, and Pick Your Poison Quick Accents

Accessories: Letterpress Plate, Sponges, Decorative Label Punch, Wild Wasabi & tangerine Tango Embossing Powders, Mini Brads, Basic Rhinestones

Other: Hot Glue Gun

Happy craftin, 

Fabric Friday

If you remember from a previous Fabric Friday post I said I was sharing some upcycled blue jean fabric projects.  Here is what I said on 8/19/11:

"For today I am sharing 'Part Three' of the old jeans that were recycled into cute things.  Last week I shared the jeans apron which was 'Part Two.'  I have yet to show 'Part One' but I promise you'll see that project too.  I am just feeling a little like George Lucas ;0)

So now in keeping with the spirit of the re-release of Star Wars, I give you "Blue Jeans, A New Use" or "Part One."

Of the three recycled jean projects this was the first thing I made--a blue jeans bag.  I started by chopping the legs off of the pants.  I had planned to simply stitch the new bottom together, however it did not lay flat.  To correct that I picked the stitches out of the crotch seam far enough to adjust the front pieces so everything would lay flat.  It sounds complicated but it was truly only about a two minute fix.

I covered two sizes of buttons with the Flirtatious Designer Fabric from Stampin' Up! to totally jazz up the front of the bag.  More Flirtatious fabric was used to make a simple long sash for threading through the belt loops.  I covered a yard of canvas strapping with more fabric for the shoulder strap.  If you look close you'll see a single line of top stitching to anchor the inner strap in place.

Just for fun and flair I added a cute tag one of the front belt loops.  I used the stamp set called Creatively Yours which is such a great collection of images.  They are all absolutely perfect for this upcoming season with all the hand crafting.

If you enjoy looking at other hand crafted projects there are fun linking parties over at Passionately Artistic and The Shabby Nest.

Happy stitchin', Elizabeth

Halloween is Coming!

I totally get into making Halloween things.  I like making all sorts of things like cards and treats, or decorations perfect for the season.  I think it's because I like the colors and the fact that the shabbier, grubbier, and sparklier the better!

My card today was one I sent out in a swap. I used the Piece of Poison stamp set and the Trick of Treat Letterpress Plate.  Stay tuned for a quick and simple step by step tutorial using multiple embossing plates.  

I do have to share with you that this week at Create with Connie and Mary all of the projects are showcasing the Halloween products (my favorites) in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog.  There is a new project and tutorial each day.  It's not too late to join.

My project over at Create with Connie and Mary will post on Friday and it is WAY TOO COOL.  I used lots of things from the Holiday Mini.  It's all Halloween, it sparkles and shines, but you can only see it there so don't delay.

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Forever Young

In the words of Alphaville "I want to be forever young."  I would love  to feel young cause lately I hate how stiff I am.  I get up and it takes several steps to work out all the kinks--what's with that?  Let's not even talk about being able to read without squinting.   

My card today features a great new stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog called Forever Young.  I must say I think this set is timeless.  I stamped the tree image on textured cardstock which, for me, enhanced the timeless appearance and created a classic linen or hand-stitched look.

To give the aged look on the card I lightly inked up the Framed Tulips embossing folder with Crumb Cake Classic Ink.  I was happy with the row of pearls and the 1/8" Ivory Taffeta ribbon to define the lower third of the card.

Enjoy &

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

Early Bird Gets the Worm

That's right you all know the saying "early bird gets the worm."

But did you know the worm ends today?

Today is the very last day for the early bird savings for the

Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary.

Click over to the site and see all the free preview projects and tutorials.

The Edition starts tomorrow and lasts SIX FULL weeks.  

DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY!

Happy craftin,

One Last Chance to Win!

You still have time to win a FREE subscription to the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary.  

But don't wait until it's too late.  Hop over to the Create site and learn how you can get your one last opportunity to win--it's super easy and you'll love the FREE tutorial.

My Halloween card is made using a stamp set from the Holiday Mini catalog called Piece of Poison.  The images in the set are SUPER cool.  You can get way more ideas and inspiration from the Holiday Edition at Create with Connie and Mary using this set and EVERY other product in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog.  I am telling ya to co check it out--you'll love it.

Have a fun and fabulous weekend, 

Elizabeth

Fabric Friday

Today's Fabric Friday features a trio of memo boards.  One of the trio showcases cork board and push pins, the second includes a pocket perfect for stashing a note pad, and the third highlights magnets on a magnet board.

Each board is based on a 12" x 12" stretched canvas.  Before covering the canvases with the Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric I wrapped batting around each canvas.  For the cork board I simply cut the cork into 5" squares, added the silver Jumbo Brads, and then hot glued the squares to the panel.

I hot glued the magnet sheet to the fabric panel and then added my very own hand made magnets.  I actually put Jumbo Brads in the clock flowers from the back side to make perfect magnets.

For the note pad board I included a pocket which I detailed with a few more of the Jumbo Brads.  My favorite thing about this board is the top stitching.  I don't usually care for top stitching, but the 1" top stitching looks cool.

Happy fabric craftin'
Elizabeth

Leftovers Make for a Quick Project

This frame is small and the opening is 2" x 3" and just large enough for a small scrap of Beau Chateau fabric I had sitting on my stamp table.  I layered the fabric under the glass and then added the Side Note postage stamp, Boho Blossom punched flowers, and the "With Love" banner on top of the glass.

One of my very favorite stamp sets in the Holiday Mini Catalog is the Hand Penned Holidays.  That is the set I used here and on my last post.  It is such an awesome set.  Keep checking back because I have used it lots and have more to share.

To see more great holiday projects click over to Create with Connie and Mary.  Today, 9/14, you have another chance to win a FREE subscription to the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary.  Go check out a super cool Halloween handmade gift.

Happy craftin, Elizabeth

A Mini Catalog CASE

I absolutely love Halloween decor.  I don't know why, I just do.  So, when I saw this Stocking card on page 35 of the Holiday Mini Catalog I thought I would use the layout of the card as my inspiration for a Halloween card.

If you are looking for more holiday inspiration join us at Create with Connie and Mary for our Holiday Edition.  Jump over to the site to see today's preview project, get a free tutorial, and see how to win a subscription to Create with Connie and Mary.

My Preview Day is Here! (Blog Candy Alert)

I have two posts today because today is my preview day for the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary, and it's Fabric Friday.  My first project today is super cool.  But first I have to ask, "Do you want a chance to win a FREE subscription to Create with Connie and Mary?"  If you do, just leave a comment on my blog today and be entered to win--it's that easy.

I call my AWESOME project, and I might add quick and fun, a Mica Snowflake Gift in a Card.  It's an ornament perfect for mailing as it is lightweight and they whip up in no time.

I have used a bunch of new accessories from the brand new Holiday Mini Catalog.  But the two stars of my snowflake project ornament are the Shaker Frames and the Mica Flakes.  For a full color step by step tutorial click over to Create with Connie and Mary to download the file.  You will find even more great stuff there.  All the preview projects are there, or will be there in the next few days.  They are free and give you a perfect idea of what you get with the subscription series.  Go and have some fun.

BLOG CANDY ALERT!  Don't forget to leave a comment on my blog today to be entered to win a FREE subscription to the Holiday Edition of Create with Connie and Mary.

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Warmest of Wishes

Ink:  Versamark

Papers:  Cherry Cobbler & Whisper White Cardstock, Silver Glimmer, & Frostwood Lodge DSP

Accessories: Snowflake Bigz Die, Top Note Bigz Die, Shaker Frames, Mica Flakes, Clear Envelopes, Snowburst Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Silver Shimmer Paint, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Holly Berry Designer Buttons, In Color Glimmer Brads, Pewter Embossing Powder, Simply Scored, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Heat Tool, Padded Envelopes

Have a memorable time creating handmade gifts for the upcoming Holiday Season.

 

Fabric Friday

Greetings and happy Fabric Friday.  When working with fabric one thing I like to do is to challenge myself exactly how I can fit die cut fabric pieces together and how to make something to use for everyday or for the holidays.  Today's Fabric Friday project meets all three of those ideas.  I used the Pennant Bigz XL Die (retired) to cut my Deck the Halls Designer Fabric from Stampin' Up! which is perfect for the holidays; however it's just neutral enough to work in my home any time of the year.

This runner is made up of 50 large pennant shapes arranged in two rows of 25.  I was able to cut six pennants from each fat quarter piece of fabric giving me 18 from each Designer Fabric package.  In all I used three full packs of Deck the Halls Designer Fabric.

First I stitched the pennants in a "point up" then "point down" manner with wrong sides together.  Once both rows were complete I pressed open all the seams and then stitched both rows, right sides, together.  Next, I pressed the long center seam open and then laid the runner out on muslin to create a pattern for a lining.  With right sides together I pinned and then stitched around the outer edges leaving an eight inch opening.  I trimmed the corners, turned the runner right side out through the 8" opening, and then pressed the edges.  Last step was to hand stitch the opening adn give it one last pressing.  The finished runner measures 91" long by 15 1/2" wide.  

Happy fabric craftin, Elizabeth

Do the Math

Yes, it's back to school time and I just have to say I am glad it's not me!  My son is a freshman in high school and the only math class he could get is Trigonometry.  I can't remember any of that math so I guess he will not be getting any tutoring from me.  Instead I will create stampin' tutorials.

So, here is the math problem for you. 

Holiday Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! + Create with Connie and Mary = Fabulous Tutorials

My card that I have posted here today was made using my very favorite new stamp set from the Holiday Mini called Piece of Poison.  We featured this set in our booth at the Santa Clara Scrapbook Expo.  I love it and if you want more holiday ideas join us at Create with Connie and Mary.

Be sure to check out the Create blog to get your free preview tutorials starting tomorrow, September 6th. 

Happy craftin',

Elizabeth

Fabric Friday

I am a few hours early for Fabric Friday, but what the heck here we go.  What do you get when you mix a canvas remnant from the fabric store, Spice Cake Designer Fabric from Stampin' Up!, and the Petal Cone Bigz L Die?  A very whimsical big flower pillow!

I cut six heart shapes using the Petal Cone Bigz L Die in my Big Shot.  Yes, the Big Shot can cut fabrics with ease.  It's important to remember that if the die does not have any scorelines you can cut up to eight layers of fabric at a time.  If it does have scorelines, which this die does, you should only cut three layers at a time.  

To assemble the flower I stitched each heart piece to the next using the "tab" piece that is part of the die cut.  I pleated and top stitched each heart shape in half to create some dimension and then used fusible fabric adhesive to adhere the scallops behind each heart.  Once those steps were complete I top stitched the outer edge of the six heart flower.  To attach the flower to the pillow front I did some more top stitching but only between each heart thus leaving little pockets.

When making pillows I like to go the quick and easy route which is to not include a zipper.  Instead I add enough fabric in the pillow back pieces to overlap and then tuck (shove) the pillow form through.  For this pillow I decided to also add a quick gusset pleat to each corner giving the pillow a more box shape.

The added tag is made from a woodsheet.  I stamped the large Hello Doily background stamp for some color.  The handmade stamp comes from another new set called Creatively Yours.  It's an eight piece set that is perfect for you if you love to create holiday gifts.  You can find it on page 162 in the Idea Book and Catalog.

Thanks for stopping by to see another Fabric Friday.

Happy craftin, Elizabeth