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In & Out of Studio 3D
Monday, 16 March 2015
Country Girl
Topic: Quilting

This quilt that I just finished has some history! Many years ago my mom thought she'd like to make a quilt out of old jeans. She chose a log cabin as her pattern and laboriously drew around templates and cut the pieces out with scissors. As soon as she started with the actual sewing, she realized that she had no patience for the process and put all the pieces away.

Eventually, those pieces of denim were gifted to my sister who used up a lot of them in her quilt-making - with much more success! Then she put away the leftovers.

Well, a couple of years ago my birthday gift box came with a stack of these leftover denim scraps. I kept only the ones that were 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 and they have been sitting in my 'I don't know what to do with these' bin since then.

A few weeks ago, I ran across an idea on Pinterest on how to use denim in quilts without sewing through two layers of heavy fabric. You just splice the pieces together by sewing in a 1" wide strip of designer fabric. The seam allowances of 1/4 inch on each side allow the denim to butt up against the next piece with no overlapping. Genius!

Since I had long, skinny blocks I used this splicing on all the pieces end to end, creating one long strip. Then I put a 1" strip on one whole edge, cut the long strip in half and sewed these two together. I continued in this manner (like making a jelly-roll race quilt) until I had a quilt top!

One additional strip on the unfinished side and matching ones on the ends made a skinny border.

I didn't want to create another border or binding and the finish on the existing border would be 1/2 inch. So I decided to make it a turned quilt. To do this, I laid down the batting, then the backing (face up) then the quilt top (face down). I pinned it all and stitched 1/4 inch all around - leaving an opening for turning.

I pressed the seam allowances in the opening then un-pinned it all and turned right side out.

The border was pinned and stitched in the ditch all around. Then I pinned the top while smoothing it into place. The quilting is a serpentine stitch up the middle of the long strips.


The prints are all scraps from a recent quilt top that I've yet to put the backing on. They were pink/teal/white/brown and featured paislies/tiny flowers/roses.


I added in some tone on tone fabric in pink and teal and some green scraps with a bit of the pink in them.


This finishes up at roughly 43 inches on the short side. It is not square but I don't know what the longer measure is. I made sure to offset the 'bricks' as I knew they would never line up just right. With this arrangement it really doesn't matter.


Here's a peek at the quilting.


This fun teal polka dot is the backing. You can see the quilting on the back is very attractive, too.

Final count: leftover denim scraps=0

This decades long family project is officially done!

Ddd 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Sunday, 15 March 2015
J Is For Job
Topic: Paper Embroidery

The paper embroidery group finished up with the original alphabet swap and were already up to J on this second round. For the first round we got to make whatever we wanted that matched the letter. This time, the host is assigning the word we use for our theme.

Our assignment was J is for Job. Since I am retired, I decided to allude to my career of 30 years as a public library manager. So I went with the theme of 'reading'.


Now that I'm retired I do have more time to read!

You may recognize this as my bookmark pattern. I just moved the text to the right to balance it out for use on a card format.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Saturday, 14 March 2015
Fabulous Shoes
Topic: Paper Embroidery

For a challenge, I made a paper embroidery card with the theme of 'shoes'. I know there are some out there that are gaga over shoes, but I am a tennies girl and wear them daily. I do have a few dress shoes but they are all flats.

At my age, I can't afford to fall off my shoes!

I was surprised and pleased to discover I had some peel-off stickers of shoes and I chose a stitched frame to show them off.


I did the stiching on a print with dress forms to stay with the fashion theme. The panel is mounted on shiny gold to go with the shoe stickers.

The text sticker is  from the same sheet as the shoes.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Friday, 13 March 2015
Time To Put Up the Tree
Topic: Paper Embroidery

I've gotten a bit behind on doing 2 Christmas cards a month for the paper embroidery group. These are not swapped, just put into our stash for our own use when the season arrives.

I did get one done this month, though.

I stitched on a paper that is printed with a fair isle knit pattern. The threads (all metallic) did not show up well on it so I used a light alcohol marker to create shadow areas and now it looks better.


Not ready for Christmas yet, but it's a start.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Thursday, 12 March 2015
Let's Grow Some Spring Flowers
Topic: Paper Embroidery

I don't know what kind of flowers these are but I stitched them in the spring so I am calling them spring flowers. This was the theme of a challenge on one of my groups.

I stitched with bright yellow, lime green and true orange and then backed it with an orange cardstock to match the flower centers.

The cardstock sticker matched the colors perfectly and is a sweet sentiment!

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Wednesday, 11 March 2015
Bright and Beautiful
Topic: Techniques

Another month, another 'Tim Tag'. I am continuing on my plan to complete all 12 of Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2015. We are now up to March and here is the tag that Tim made and posted instructions for:


So here are the steps I followed - with different products and/or processes while aiming to get a similar result.

--cut a heavy piece of patterned cardstock, printed with a lace design

--create a collage of tissue tapes while leaving some areas of the background exposed

--on a non-stick craft sheet, squirt some acrylic paint in various colors. I used 'one-stroke' paints in lavender, pink, red, blue and yellow

--mist with water and mix it into each color to make them thinner

--swish the collage through the paint

--mist the paint with water to allow it to blend

--use heat tool to dry completely

--use archival ink in jet black to stamp butterfly - I used my hand carved stamp

--while still wet, apply clear detail embossing powder

--hit with a heat gun to complete embossing the butterfly

--stamp and cut a mask for the butterfly

--put on the mask then place a stencil over the top

--use a stiff card to squeege texture paste through the stencil

--remove the stencil and the mask

--sprinkle with gold detail embossing powder

--LEAVE TO DRY FULLY WITHOUT HEATING

--after completely dry, use heat gun to melt the gold embossing powder

--cut into tag shape of desired size

--apply adhesive to the entire back using the Xyron machine

--stick the tag to heavy black cardstock

--trim the black down to a thin outline

--use hole punch at the top of the tag

--use punches to create a black 'hole reinforcement' and glue it on

--press two Distress Ink pads to the non-stick craft sheet

--mist with water

--wad up a length of seam binding and press it into the color. mist it with water to spread the color

--crinkle the binding and dry with heat tool

--thread binding through the hole in the tag and knot it

--connect a charm to the ribbon with a pin

--attach a key charm with the ribbon

--glue other metallic charms to the surface

Here is the result of my effort:


For the last two months I have made display pieces instead of tags. I did make a tag this month but I have no idea how I might use it.

Ddd

 

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 184
Topic: Sketch Challenge

This one just grew one step at a time. Here is the sketch for OWH 184:

In all that sorting through the fancy diecuts I came across one that looked like a doily. I decided to feature lace elements on this card.

The background is a lace print. On top of that is a kraft print with banners formed out of half-doilies.

Then I created the vertical piece with a tan strip with white lace sticker borders up each side. The doily on top is lined up carefully with one edge of the vertical strip and then a pre-stamped sentiment block went on popped up on foam tape.

The sentiment block was the only thing with black on it so I used a fine line marker to trace each of the other elements.


Ooops. A slip of the pen on the lower part of the doily outline created a need for an element of disguise. So I placed a small glittery butterfly over it. I added two more to make it look planned.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PDT
Monday, 9 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 183
Topic: Sketch Challenge

As I was making this batch of sketch cards I had this metal heart that I kept wanting to use but it never fit in. Then I picked up OWH sketch 183 and knew it had found a home.


 

I also had another of those fancy diecuts and knew that would make a perfect frame for the heart. The heart was plain and flat so I ran it through the Cuttlebug in an embossing folder to add texture. Oh, yes!

Since I had a heart I selected paper for the background with 'love' text all over it. I layered this with a coordinating color in a simple print and a band of light green print.

That crosswise stripe was way too plain so I cut down and mounted a pre-stamped sentiment over it.


Every time I tested something for the dots on the right top it took away attention from the heart and sentiment, so I decided to leave them off entirely.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Sunday, 8 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 182
Topic: Sketch Challenge

The sketch for OWH 182 has the potential to produce a very busy card.


But by selecting papers with low contrast it actually came off as very low key.

The scribbly background has a cream tone rather than white. I selected the book text because it has the same cream and black.

The ogee in peach was pulled into the text element by coloring with alcohol markers.


This really turned out nicely.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 181
Topic: Sketch Challenge

Here's a card that is rather wrong-side-out in construction. It is OWH 181:


The bordering is all a part of the background sheet. The individual panels are cut out and arranged on top of it.

I had two stamped stars already colored so I trimmed them to size. the other pink blocks were chosen to match the colors in the stars. The backing (borders) are in blue for the same reason.

The text is all actually one stamp. I placed tape over the parts I didn't want to print and then inked the stamp. The tape was peeled and I stamped in the first section. This was repeated for the other two parts of the stamp to complete the card.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Friday, 6 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 180
Topic: Sketch Challenge

OWH sketch 180 is actually very plain:


I ran across the topiary sticker in my stash and decided to mount it on a black strip as that would match the bordering on the other elements.

I already had a sentiment stamped on a plain color block so chose to add another plain block behind it.

I selected a 'fretwork' paper as the backing paper.


I really like this one, much to my surprise when I first saw the sketch!

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Thursday, 5 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 179
Topic: Sketch Challenge

Hmmm, I found the measurements on this sketch to be a little confusing. I'm not at all sure what that extra piece is on the right side and if the top right panel is cut as indicated over half of it is hidden. Take a look at OWH 179


Oh, well. I'll just pick out the parts I like!

I started with the floral and the striped paper background. Then I pulled coordinating papers and banded them with two tones of dark gray.

How lucky I was to have on hand a sticker sentiment that exactly matched the colors.

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 178
Topic: Sketch Challenge

When I saw the sketch for OWH 178 I knew I already had the feature element colored up


That is a LOT of bordering! But it does lend a rather formal feel to the sketch. I chose papers that I thought looked class, in keeping with the colored flower. 

Putting the square brads on diagonal really elevates them.


I popped up the center panel on foam tape.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 177
Topic: Sketch Challenge

I think this sketch (OWH 177) is rather clunky


I tried to salvage it by using a lighter element in place of the feature panel and used florals to further soften the look. These are vellum stickers.

I pulled colors from the florals for the blocks of backing and used black bordering for the contrast.


I used black rhinestones as shown but dropped them lower for balance.

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Monday, 2 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 176
Topic: Sketch Challenge

With all the wide open spaces on OWH sketch 176 I knew it was going to be 'all about the papers'.


I actually worked from the bottom up since the first paper I selected was the XOXOXs. I next pulled the two grays and then the red dot. This arrangement allows them to alternate so they stand out better.

I went back to the bin of fancy diecut labels and decided to use a red insert stamped with a sentiment.


Where the sketch uses three dots along the bottom edge I pulled in three red heart brads.

Ddd

 

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 175
Topic: Sketch Challenge

As soon as I saw this sketch I knew exactly what element I wanted to use for it. Here is OWH sketch 175


That block of squares was perfect for a leftover teabag fold of a 'quilt' that I had in a bin waiting to be used. While I was there I ran across the onesie stamped on plaid and trimmed out.

This was shaping up into a very nice baby card! So I selected soft colors for the backgrounds and stamped a scripture to add on.

I brought the purple back in by using three 'button' brads where indicated on the sketch.


As a last element I stitched around all four edges before mounting on the base card.

Ddd

 

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Saturday, 28 February 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 174
Topic: Sketch Challenge

The catalog of the OWH sketches that I have printed out has 4 to a page. So I work on all four, one after the other. This is why I still had the fancy diecut labels out on the desktop when I started to work on OWH sketch 174

I also had a regular round element out and decided they looked good when layered together. So the scrollwork would stand out I decided to use solids for the blocks. And to maintain a fresh look, I made all the borders in white.

This also coordinates the borders with the base paper of chevrons.


I decided to use some gold peel-off stickers for a little extra zing.

Ddd


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Friday, 27 February 2015
Operation Write Home - sketch 173
Topic: Sketch Challenge

It certainly is easier to get started making a card when you have a sketch to work from - as long as the sketch is inspiring to you!

I was inspired by OWH sketch 173


I had a label diecut that was near to the right size and with a backing cut to the size of that in the sketch is exactly right. Now, what to do with it? Use a rubon!

I chose colors from the rubon for the base card and the two panels as well as the feature border. The rubon sheet had the bow used above the basket and the floral corner elements.


What with the corner elements I decided to leave the big dot off of the sketch.

I raised the feature up on foam tape.

Ddd

 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Read To Me
Topic: Quilting

I've wanted to make a bookcase quilt for quite a while. Every so often I would search for patterns but never really found anything that was just what I envisioned.

Then I decided to just design my own in EQ7. 

I decided to do paper piecing as it seemed like the easiest way to get it precise. The hardest part was getting the grain lined up which was necessary since I had selected a wood grain for the background.

I selected scraps that I thought might have been used on hardback book covers. After they were all sewn together I used a range of warm grey alcohol markers to shade the edges of the spines to create the illusion of them being curved. It worked very well.


I quilted by stitching in the ditch around each panel and then around each book.


I love the casual 'arts and crafts' look that I achieved on this. I created more dimensionality by using two tones of the wood print -dark behind the books and light for the shelves and bookcase frame.

This one will be for me to keep and hang on the end of the fireplace.

Ddd 


Posted by studio3d@ccgmail.net at 12:01 AM PST
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Room Re-Do
Topic: In the studio

Due to the need to have a lower surface for sewing I gave in and rearranged my quilt studio.

Several goals - move as little furniture as possible, overhead batting must remain accessible, all machines must be near the (scarce) outlets, need to close up the work triangle, don't lose access to the bookcases.

I measured and made a scale drawing of the room on graph paper. Then I did the same with all the pieces of furniture. I colored the furniture with highlighter and then cut them all out. I arranged the paper furniture in the paper room and took a photo with my phone. I repeated this about a dozen times and then I could scroll through them until I settled on one.


 

 

The plan I decided to use allowed me to leave the large cutting table with its support bookcases in place. YAY! But, alas, I wanted more seating room after I had done it this way and ended up moving the whole thing 8 inches.

Here is the view from the door as you enter:

Once inside the room, along the left wall is a desk that houses an embroidery machine and my old Janome. If I want to use one of these it can be moved over to the work table. Next is my loom that I've had for over 40 years. It has not been used for about 30 years though.

Back in the corner is a set of end tables with a lamp that illuminates the ironing board. Continuing around the corner to the right is the ironing board. You can just see the bottom edge of the batting roll mounted up next to the ceiling.

Continuing on to the right - in the other corner - is the new sewing station. It is a standard height table.

To the right of this is the cutting table. For this photo I moved back to the other side of it, which is the side I used to cut from. Now I cut from the same side as the sewing station which makes my work triangle (cut, sew, press) all together.

This table is essentially a 3/4 inch plywood sheet cut down to 4 x 7 feet and covered with a flannel-backed vinyl. It is supported by 4 bookcases which raises it to a comfortable height for cutting. I use them for supplies and actually cleaned them all out and organized them as part of the room renovation.




Under the table, in an open area, I store large plastic bins of odd (non-quilting) fabrics and random bits of batting.

That clear plastic case you see on top of the bins is where I keep kits. When I have selected a pattern and all the fabrics for a quilt, I cut and label all the pieces and put it in a gallon ziplock bag. When I want to sew I can just grab a bag and get right to it. Here are the 7 kits I currently have prepped.

When standing at the table, if you turn around you will be facing a closet. In these top two drawers are scraps sorted by color and the bottom two have yardage I haven't decided what to do with.

I actually took every bit of the scraps out, sorted each bin so matching fabrics were together, pressed every piece and put them back neatly, Gained me a lot of breathing room in the folders.

On the bottom of the closet I have some bins with stash of fabrics that are 1 yard and over and have been used for a project already.

And that's the big room finish! I was hankering to get back to the machine so I did some paper piecing, assembled some blocks, bordered a project and then used the table to sandwich and pin-baste the two projects that I have been working on (no sneak peeks as one of them is a gift that is not ready to reveal)

Ddd


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

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