One by one I am getting the quilting and binding done on the stack of quilt tops I pieced this summer.

Today's finish is called Pick of the Crop. I started with a length of fabric that featured single apples in frames of sticks. These were cut down to a standard size and then bright red, yellow and green scraps were stitched on in a Courthouse Steps arrangement.

I used solid red and a golden tone to build sashing with cornerstones.

I quilted by first stitching an outline around each apple and then filling everything except the apple backgrounds with a medium meander.

The binding is a mottled coppery-brown that matches the backing fabric.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

With one large panel and many bits left over from the wolf quilt I made this spring I put together another quilt. I cut the bits into single wolf images and used a mix of green scraps to make some wonky framed blocks with them.

The larger panel got center stage and was bordered with a wide swath of green and black circle fabric (left over from lanterns quilts). The individual wolf blocks were spaced around the outside and separated with black strips. 

Binding in black echoes the inner thin black border.

I quilted around each of the wolves throughout the quilt, around the black separating bars and then did a meander through the circles.

The backing is the same black used in the borders and the binding.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Friday, 24 October 2014 10:25 PM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

No it hasn't been 'that long' since I did any quilting. Instead, I used up a lot of my scraps and stash and worked on creating 8 quilt tops one after the other. Now I am gradually sandwiching, quilting and binding them.

The first one completed is from scraps of a wide floral stripe. I had used some of the stripes for borders on the 'Strippety Serendipity' quilt. For this one I cut the remainder of the fabric into the stripes, preserving the purple separating striped areas.

Each floral stripe got side borders of green. The resulting band was measured for width and then blocks were cross-cut from it at the same measurement to make squares.

These squares were turned so that they went _ | _ | _ | across, making sure that the birds in the blocks went in every direction so there is no 'right side up' to this perfectly square quilt. 

I used the reserved purple stripe for the first border, a pink dot for the second border and the green from the blocks for the binding.

I quilted in the floral blocks by outlining the main blooms:

On the back is a cheery tone-on-tone pink. I used red thread in the bobbin  and it blends nicely:

You also get a peek at the birds going in different directions in this view.

This is quilt #25 for Passages.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST

Updated: Friday, 24 October 2014 10:23 PM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have one more technique using the Damask stencil from My Favorite Things to create a Christmas card.

This time I wanted to use the smaller motif for the design. I selected some tone-on-tone green dot paper and laid on the stencil. Then I dispensed a thick roll of Stickles red glitter glue above the top of the motif.

I used an old gift card as a squeege to pull the glitter glue into the openings of the stencil.

You might have to add more glitter glue to the top and squeege again to get enough fill.

Lift away the stencil and CLEAN IT. Here's your first ornament.

When this ornament is dry you can add another and another (otherwise you risk getting wet glitter on the back of your stencil and ruining your design.

When all my ornaments were dry I trimmed the piece, added some die-cut branches and drew in some hangers and caps with gold gel pen. I also used the gel pen to sketch in some outlines.

This was mounted to a red card base to enhance the ornaments.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Today, I again have two techniques, this time using very different approaches to the Jumbled Letters stencil from My Favorite Things.

The first technique starts with watercolor paper and uses Distress Inks.

I used the foam applicator tool to cover the surface with three colors of Distress Ink.

Then I laid the stencil over the top and used a damp rag to try to scrub away color.

It may not be what I wanted but I trimmed it down and used it anyway. I love the card that resulted when I used black Dazzles on it. Nobody has to know that this was not the look I was going for!

And then there was the technique that worked as planned...

This technique uses Versamark, Pearl-Ex powder and clear detail embossing powder.

I used cream cardstock for this technique. First, I treated the cardstock with an anti-static bag.

Then I placed the stencil and mooshed Versamark Ink through the open spaces.

I used a soft paintbrush to dust on the Pearl-Ex powder (I used antique gold).

Gently dust away surplus Pearl-Ex and then add clear embossing powder. It will still stick to the Versamark!

Heat set the embossing powder.

Repeat after me: "ooooh, aaaaah".

Trim and turn into a card front. I decorated mine with cardstock stickers.

Want more? The last stencil tutorial is tomorrow - though I might have a bonus one next month!

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have two techniques again today, both involving text as a design element and both using the Wildflowers stencil from my recent order from My Favorite Things.

I wanted to try stamping through the stencil to see if it was thin enough to allow the stamped image to imprint right to the edges. I needed to use a very open bloom for this so I chose the face-on daisy.

I selected the 'unreadable text' stamp.

The stencil areas not to be imprinted were masked off with torn post-its.

Then the stamp was inked all over while laying face-up on the table.

The masked stencil was placed on the inked stamp.

Then the dark yellow cardstock was placed on the stencil and I used my fingers to work the area over the stencil to transfer the stamped image through it to the paper. DO NOT CLEAN THE STENCIL.

The result of a single impression.

I inked the stamp and placed the stencil again and made a second impression on the cardstock. DO NOT CLEAN THE STENCIL.

Then I laid the cardstock with the image facing up and arranged the stencil over one of the stamped areas.

I used a bit of sponge to smear the ink on the stencil into the open area thereby turning it into a silhouette.

Realign the stencil and smear into the second flower and stem. You end up with this:

After trimming to size I used the text stamp to add decoration to the four corners. This was then mounted to a bordering color and decorated with a die-cut tag.

I wanted to continue with the theme of text decoration but had an idea about using journaling as the 'fill'.

I placed the poppy stencil on white cardstock and used a very fine line marker to write within the bounds of the silhouette. When I got to the stem I made the journaling vertical, leaving out the leaves entirely.

I used the second poppy stencil to add more journaling. Then I placed the sprig and drew in the circles and a single line of stem.

The result was a lot of fun but not quite there.

I used the wrinkle free distress technique from Tim Holtz to color the background.

After trimming to size I used some 'Old Paper' Distress Ink direct-to-paper to tone the edges.

It got a very simple finish by mounting it to a rust-colored bordering panel.

This might be a fun technique to use on a scrapbook page, too.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Today’s technique is a total departure from papercrafts and uses I the Damask stencil. What a variety of ideas popped into my head for this stencil order from My Favorite Things .

Once upon a time I had an inspiration to buy some Shrinky Dink plastic. So I did... buy it. I did not use it, but I did buy it.

Well the perfect project came along when I got the Damask stencil.I also selected a couple of Spellbinders dies to cut the plastic with.

To get perfect placement of the Damask, the shrink plastic needs to be cut first. I did this in the Cuttlebug - one piece at a time (do not try to cut more than one layer).

You will need to have two of each shape.

Line up your stencil on the shrink plastic shape. Use a PERMANENT marker to trace and color in your stencil design. I used Copic for the first set.

Copic markers are pretty juicy so you can see where some color ran on the left side. This can be cleaned up with some blender solution and a cotton swab.

See, no more blob.

An alternative is to use Sharpies or Bic Mark-It pens as the tips are more rigid and their inks are not as runny. That's what I did with the second set with a much cleaner result.

Next you need to punch a hole in the end. I used a 1/4 inch standard hole punch.

Then take a permanent marker and run it around the edge of the shrink plastic shape.

These are my two sets of earrings, ready for the oven:

Screeeeech! Did you say 'oven'?

Well, in reading the instructions (always a good idea) to see what temperature and time it would take for these pieces, I saw and was reminded that the shrinking could be done with a heat tool! 

Immediate gratification - I'll take that.

So I laid the shrink plastic one at a time on my heat station and zapped it with the heat tool.

What fun to watch it wriggle and squirm. When it was shrunk I slapped a COLD craft iron over it to make it entirely flat.

The addition of earring wires and some beads (to one pair) finished off these cute gifts.

What an easy and elegant use of a stencil!

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have two techniques today using the Wildflowers stencil. My recent order from My Favorite Things was certainly a bonanza of inspiration.

The first time I used this stencil  I focused on the poppies. So I'd like to address the other two types of blooms today.

For the first, I used watercolor paper, fine-line permanent marker, and Distress Marker.

I used the marker to trace the outline of the four-petal blooms. I used both sizes in both the front and reverse images and mixed the stems as well. The plan was to create a pleasing arrangement.

Because the stencil is firm it will not easily allow the pen to push it out of shape during this drawing process - a nice feature that prevents stray lines.

Then I started adding some simple details - bursts in the centers, radiating lines from the bursts, veins in the leaves, dots in the centers.

When the ink was dry I colored in all the image with a neutral Distress Marker.

By banding in the same color as the marker and a simple sentiment stamped on white, this makes a calm card.

The other set of flowers on this stencil are daisies (or sunflowers). I decided to use Copic markers with the airbrush tool.

This requires a lot of masking so you don't get overspray into unwanted areas of the card. I used scrap cardstock and torn post-it notes.

I first laid the stencil where I wanted it and then masked around the area I was using. Then this area was sprayed with the air gun.

A new bloom was selected, placed, masked, and sprayed.

All of the blooms were applied and then the stems and leaves were added in the same manner.

The Copic color from the spray is easily cleaned off the stencil with rubbing alcohol or Copic blender solution.

Since the floral arrangement was so tall I decided to turn this into a tall card. The sentiment was stamped on white cardstock and banded in yellow to match the flowers.

An elegant silhouette.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have a second technique today using the Scrolled Background stencil. This is from my recent order from My Favorite Things .

From way-way-way back I have on hand some Heritage Handicrafts Dimensional Paint.

This paint has a pearlescent finish to it. I remembered it being kind of 'loose' so it squished under the stencil before. Not any more. Sitting on the shelf several years will firm it right up. LOL!

I taped the stencil to the cream colored cardstock and scooped out the very thick paste. Then I used an old gift card as a squeege to scrape the paint into the openings of the stencil.

I lifted the stencil carefully and you can see how clean the image is.

While reading the jar to see how long it would take to day, I noticed that it said 'if you want more dimension, you can dry it with a heat gun'. Yes, Please!

Oh, I think I'm in love! Look at that surface!

Alas, all that puffiness is just air and a touch will collapse all those little pillows. So I touched it like crazy and ended up with a beautiful texture anyway.

From this I made a card with heart stickers, some in cardstock and some puffy.

You gotta know I am saving all the trimmings of these techniques as 'table scraps' for use on future projects.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have another technique to show you today using the Graduated Dots stencil. This is from my recent order from My Favorite Things.

This technique uses Versamark, clear embossing powder, Distress Inks and StaZon Ink.

I am using cream cardstock as I wanted a light neutral but not too white. First, run an anti-static bag over the whole paper.

Tape the stencil in place with some low-tack tape or a post-it. This will hold it in place while you mush the Versamark pad down over the stencil. You want to make sure your holes are all filled.

Then carefully lift the stencil off, turn it over and apply to a second sheet of cardstock. Rub thoroughly over the stencil to transfer the Versamark that was left on the surface.

Heat set the embossing powder

Now you have a positive and a negative of the design with an embossed resist.

I used the positive design first.

I selected four Distress Ink pads in earth tones

These were pressed direct to paper over the surface.

I used a cloth to buff the color off of the embossing

I selected a stamp of 'unreadable text' and black StaZon ink.

The text was stamped randomly and unevenly over the surface. The StaZon allows the ink to adhere to the embossing, making it permanent.

The card I made with this features a strip of houndstooth scrapbook paper and some floral stickers from my stash.

With the smaller dots at the bottom, I used a sponge tool to make a green 'ground' area.

I then sponged on the orange to create a 'tree' area.

And, finally, the blue was sponged on for the sky

I used black StaZon to stamp trees, tall ones on the outside edges and low ones in the middle.

I also added some grasses to the foreground

The card made from this is banded in teal to bring out the color in the sky. A stamped greeting is banded and popped up on foam tape.

TWO IMPORTANT NOTES about this technique: 1) be prepared with TWO sheets of cardstock so you get your positive and negative. 2) when you do you initial mushing of the Versamark, be generous so your reverse imprint will have plenty of ink to transfer.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have very different stencil today from the recent My Favorite Things order.

The stencil I am using today is Jumbled Letters . It has whole alphabets carefully arranged to not spell out anything or be in alpha order. Letters sometimes appear more than once and there is a mix of upper/lower case and a range of sizes. Over all it has the feeling of graffiti to me.

I had a blank book on hand that I've been wanting to alter and this seemed like the perfect project. I laid out Distress Markers and a bulb sprayer to apply the ink.

I've had that sprayer for eons and used it originally for my Momento brush markers. When I saw that Tim Holtz had a version on the market it reminded me that I had this one and I kept my fingers crossed that the Distress Markers would fit. First I had to find the thing. After lots of searching it turned up... in the drawer with the Momento markers.

Since the cover was cream colored I selected all earthy tones for the sprays. I laid the stencil off kilter on the cover and spritzed with one color of marker.

Then I moved the stencil and sprayed with another color. This was repeated until I liked the cover. The flexibility of the stencil allowed it to ride up and over the button and metal plate without issue.

Then I did the same on the back cover:

On the inside pages I used one color per panel to help define them:

Back on the front cover, I lined up letters one at a time and traced them with a darker marker, for the title.

This is the final product, ready for content.

Now I just have to decide what the story is!

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have another stencil tutorial today from the recent My Favorite Things order.

The stencil I am using today is Damask . It has two styles/sizes of elements in the design, each appearing three times. These can be used just as they appear on the stencil or they can be used one at a time to create a different effect.

I actually have TWO projects for you today – one a huge success and one a so-so result.

When I first saw the stencil in the MFT store my immediate thought was "Christmas ornament". So that is the first thing I had to try when I got the stencil.

I started with Distress Markers, white cardstock, and a pine bough stamp.

I used the markers to color directly on the stamp and used it twice across the top of the paper.

I lined up the stencil with one large unit under the left of the bough and used a Distress Marker to color through it.

I added some Liquid Pearls in dots on the ornament.

I used the edge of a card and a fine pen to make a hanging string for the ornament:

Then I added two colors of Stickles in swooshes on the stencil colored parts and between as fillers.

I bordered it with a dark green and added a gold Dazzles greeting to finish with this beauty:

And now for something totally different.....

Still using the Damask stencil, I wanted to try it out with Distress Stains. The only one I have is Picket Fence so I pulled out dark purple to create on:

I pounced the stain (it has a foam top on the bottle) through the stencil.

The result of one unit. Note that the stain is very liquid so it gives a mushy design instead of sharp edges.

I adjusted the stencil and pounced again.

I repeated this until I had a whole page filled.

You can see how the bright white fades to a flat white as it dries.

I wanted to use a set of vellum stickers of pansies that I had on hand. So I bordered the card in bright yellow and added a yellow bordered stamped greeting. I mounted the pansies on a light solid and cut them out to use on the card.

Oooh, yes, I like it!

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have another stencil tutorial today from the recent My Favorite Things order.

The stencil I am using today is the Wildflowers . It features four styles of flower silhouettes with two versions of each. These can be combined in a number of ways – turning the stencil over to make a mirror image, mixing the stems and leaves, using different types of flowers together – for a wide variety of looks.

The technique today uses Distress Markers.

Lay the stencil on watercolor paper. Use the brush end of a marker to outline the shape inside the stencil.

Continue with other colors, moving stencil as needed to complete an arrangement.

Use an aquabrush to draw the ink in from the outlines to the open spaces in the leaves and stems.

Add some detail lines inside the flowers.

Use the aquabrush to spread this color inside the flowers.

After trimming, I bordered my panel and combined it with a popped up stamped sentiment to create this card.

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 9:32 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I’m back with another stencil tutorial from the My Favorite Things order.

The stencil I am using today is the Scrolled Background . It really reminds me of wrought iron.

I've been able to use other stencils in the Cuttlebug to make raised impressions and I've used ink on embossing folders to make a 'letterpress' effect. I wanted to try to combine these techniques using this stencil.

I started with three light colors of Distress Ink pads.

These were pressed onto the surface of the stencil, overlapping some intersections for good coverage.

I loaded the Cuttlebug with the A plate, the B plate, a rubber mat, and the plain white paper.

Then came the B plate along with a shim of chipboard.

NOTE: this would be easier with a larger machine like the Big Shot as the stencil is really tight in the opening of the Cuttlebug. If I were going to do this again I might trim off 1/8 inch from the edge of the stencil.

And look what you get after cranking it through!

Yummy, yes?

I trimmed it down and combined it with some floral stickers and a popped up stamped greeting to create this card:

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I have some fabulous new stencils from My Favorite Things that I have been playing around with. So over the next several days I will show a wide variety of techniques with my five new toys!

As soon as my order was in I started brainstorming a list of techniques I wanted to try - some generic and some inspired by the stencils themselves!

Once I had the these stencils in hand I was very satisfied with my order because they are heavy enough to lay flat but still flexible so they can manouver around lumpy things on projects. They do not crease easily and there are a good variety of designs to choose from.

The stencil I'm using today is graduated dots which has three sizes of dots on one sheet.

The technique is alcohol ink print-making and the supplies I used are:

Ranger alcohol inks in three colors

and a blending tool with a felt pad.

I taped the stencil to a glossy cardstock with tissue tape.

Then I inked up the felt pad with multiple drops of each alcohol ink and pounced over the stencil.

Nice rich color fills all the holes.

Then I put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle:

Like this

I was able to get three prints, spraying alcohol between each impression.

From the initial print (directly tapping the ink through the stencil) I made this card:

The trims were stickers, stamped sentiments and rhinestones from my stash of supplies and colored card bases for bordering.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 11:11 PM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

More scraps left by the granddaughters were some woodgrain embossed on white cardstock. They were squareish so I added some scraps to top and bottom to get them up to A2 card size.

I used some Distress Ink to make the woodgrain more defined and then found some vellum leaves in the sticker drawer.

I added words from the Tim Holtz book of word stickers, using those printed on Kraft.

I had two styles of leaf in different sizes so I made sure the leaves on each card were consistent.

These are both built on kraft card bases.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I picked up a new embossing folder a while back and hadn't used it yet. Then, after the granddaughters left, I found a scrap left behind from one of their projects... a blue cardstock with the chicken wire embossed on it.

Some of the white core showed through so I used my sanding block to expose even more and love the result.

I made a card base by combining this scrap with some linen-look paper and then went to the sticker box to see what I could find that would suit these papers.

I came up with a fall scene using stickers from three sets. The cats and pumpkins are one set, the scarecrow is another set and the stars are yet another.

I used a blue marker to draw in some ground for everything to rest upon.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I decided to go all flashy with this teabag folding and paper embroidery card.

I started with a medallion made of wrapping paper - cream, printed with gold and black. It also has more of a fancy fold, adding to the glamour.

I chose a shiny gold metallic cardstock to stitch on and worked the design in black and brown threads. A metallic brad holds the medallion in place and I added sticky back rhinestones to every other scallop.

So hard to photograph shiny metallics!

I used a cream base card to match the medallion and added a gold Dazzles sentiment sticker to the bottom.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

I think this teabag folding card with paper embroidery looks almost quilted. It must be the way the stitching looks like a Texas Star quilt block.

I didn't have a cream colored thread to match the medallion so chose to use something that would echo some background lines in the paper. This border is a little small for the medallion but the way I arranged them in layering makes it look planned.

I used some sticky backed tinted teardrops around the border to pull in more blue and they show up better than I expected on the dark blue background.

I went with a cream card base to feature the medallion more and mounted it with a single brad.

I cut apart a Dazzles gold sentiment and mounted half at the top and half at the bottom.

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Here is another of the four cards I made combining teabag folding and paper embroidery.

This one is my least favorite for several reasons:

-- the frame is just a smidge too small for the medallion, making it look crowded

-- the yellows are a poor match

-- there was no way to align the points with the beads without covering the beads, making the whole thing off kilter

-- I was disappointed after I rounded the top corners

-- not enough space to add sentiment or decor but looks unfinished without it

I guess that means "If I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't"!

Ddd

Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink