Can't See the Forest
Topic: Paper Embroidery

Assignment: Make paper embroidery cards with the theme 'trees'

I have LOTS of tree patterns for embroidery so it was hard to choose one. However, I had only done up this one as a beaded Christmas tree so I thought I'd try to make it look more like it was in a natural setting.

I stitched both trees on brown cardstock using green thread (different ones on each tree) and stamped ground underneath using markers and a 'grass' stamp. I also added and colored a little bird on the ground then cut out the tree and ground. Beingd each I placed a printed blue cardstock to serve as the sky then backed with a green textured dot cardstock and a brown folded card base.

On this one I decorated the tree with golden Liquid Pearls:

This one got green rhinestones:

I didn't add any greetings as these can be stamped in the sky area before sending.

Ddd

 

 

 

OWH Inspiration
Topic: Stamping

Some months ago Operation Write Home challenged us to create cards using this shirt as an inspiration:

Since I wasn't going to have my computer in the studio to refer to I simply made notes to myself: "Swirls in red/teal/green/blue/orange, birds, scroll with text, angel wings, hearts."

Working with those notes I created a card starting with a light blue cardstock with a subtle swirl background on it (from a Tim Holtz paper pad). I used multiple colors of distress inks to tint the background and then sprayed liberally with a silver shimmer mist. I dried with a heat gun then stamped matching swirls at the top and bottom along with some dotted flowers and two different bird silhouettes. I attached silver peel-off borders as well as a large scrolly heart and two hearts with wings. The text across the center is a clear sticker. 

I used a coral colored folded cardstock base and placed dots of silver Liquid Pearls in the centers of the dotted flowers.

Ddd

 

 

 

 

Dots and Scallops and Pearls, Oh My!
Topic: Multi-Technique

I picked up some bits and bobs from the scraps pile and started layering and combining based on color palettes. I pulled out multiple colors of my favorite cardstock with raised dots to back them and created two cards.

First up is this square card. I had gotten the punched flower from a friend when she sent a card to me. The heart image was clip art from a book and I trimmed with a craft knife leaving a narrow border. The leaves of the flower were glued flush to the heart while the bloom has foam tape behine. This was all layered onto increasingly large blocks of the dotted cardstock in colors to match the images. As a final step I used Liquid Pearls in yellow on the stamens of the flower and the lacy scallops of the heart.

For the second card I started with a blue dotted cardstock and created a tall card base. I had on hand the peachy circles, snowflake dots, and the lacy strip of Color Me border. I cut a couple of additional borders with a scallop punch and layered all of these together. The two circle layers are held together with blue brads. I added Liquid Pearls to the Color Me border and Stickles to the snowflakes. As a final step I punched a large scallop border on the right edge of the card base and backed it with a white strip.

No greetings oneither of these leaves them open to being sent on any occasion.

Ddd

 

 

 

Ruffles and Posies
Topic: Quilting

I found some awesome floral fabric on clearance that I couldn't resist and then found a complementary floral backing fabric as well, also on sale. Colors went so well with strips I already had cut left over from the origami quilt. I designed a layout based on the 'courthouse steps' block and created this lap quilt for my niece:

I dis have to purchase the black polka dot as well because I didn't have enough of either of the two black solids I had on hand to make all the strips. I'm glad of that because I think this fabric really makes the quilt.

I made myself a new challenge to incorporate a ruffle in the binding and you can see that a little better here - as well as a view of the backing fabric:

I quilted the whole thing in the ditch of the large blocks and then did free-motion shadow quilting around the blossoms on the front. Here you can see an example of that:

This completes 5 full-size quilts, one lap quilt, and two wall hangings in 13 months. Can you guess that I like this new hobby?

Ddd

 

 

 

 

Go Big Red - Go For The Gold
Topic: Color Challenge

Color Challenge: Make a card using only Red and Gold!

This is harder than one might imagine - using only two colors. I also found that it was hard to find supplies in my stash that matched in the red category. In the end I was successful, I think - you be the judge.

I started with a scrapbook paper printed with a photo of red roses. This was layered onto gold cardstock and these over a red folded card base. Then I used more of the gold and a Spellbinders Shapeabilities die to cut and emboss a rose frame and two separate roses. The frame was cut around the edges and the two additional roses glued over top along the left edge. The one in the center left is popped up on foam dots. Then I used a Cuttlebug die to cut the sentiment from the same gold cardstock and glued it inside the frame.

I does not photograph as well as it looks in person.

Ddd

Three Flowers on Layers
Topic: Sketch Challenge

For a sketch challenge I created 4 cards, using flowers for the round element in each case. Most of them use paper flowers that I colored with mist sprays - layering some flowers, layering some colors. I attached all of these with brads and /or glue dots. In one case I had some silk flowers and used those.

I pulled out a set of black/white papers my grandson gave me for my birthday that I hadn't used yet. Then I pulled out a set of papers from a Tim Holtz distress pad. Pulling together various embellishments such as ribbon, accent strip papers, stamps, tags, etc. these are the four cards I produced.

 

I was very pleased with how all these came together.

Ddd

So Sweet
Topic: Stamping

Another dollar bin stamp set, cupcake! I love cupcake stamps and own several but hardly ever use them, for some reason. I used masking to stamp this one three times and colored with Copic and Bic markers. I used two tones for the cupcake tops and red for all the heart toppers.

I colored up one like this:

And then liked the second one so much I colored up the third just like it.

All were mounted on red cardstock to match the hearts. The hearts were treated with glossy accents for shine and the stars all got stickles. A stamped greeting from the same set finishes them.

Ddd

 

 

 

Sketchy Flowers
Topic: Stamping

Here's a set of clear stamps that I've had for a while but not used. Each flower is separate so I attached 5 of them to a block and stamped all together. The stems I drew in by hand then I used Copic and Bic markers to color them.

For the first three I went with three tones ofa single color family, banded the image with black card and attached to a matching folded card base. I also added text stamping and applied stickles to parts of the flowers.

On the last one I really went wild with the markers, using purples and golds on the flowers and then colored with oranges and blues in the background. I added a few doodle dots along the stems, stamped a text greeting and mounted on purple cardstock.

I placed purple rhinestoneson the flowers before decorating them with Stickles.

I really like the effect of this card but it is SO time consuming and I hate to think how much of the ink it used up in my markers!

Ddd

 

 

Lonely Tree
Topic: Stamping

I needed more masculine cards for Operation Write Home and used the opportunity to use this stamp from the one-dollar bin. I stamped it on glossy cardstock and used Copic and Bic markers to color it. I colored four of them, trimmed them out and used a mix of papers, cardstocks and ribbons to complete them.

I used different bits of trim to stamp the text for each card.

Ddd

 

 

Feathered Friends
Topic: Stamping

I picked up a new stamp on sale and wanted to ink it up. I had an assignment to make masculine cards and this was perfect for it. I stamped on glossy cardstock and colored up all 5 images with Copic and Bic Alcohol Markers in exactly the same way. I used a variety of Nestabilities dies to cut them out and then combined with different papers, cardstock and ribbons to make 5 cards.

Here they are:

I used stamping on some of the to add text.

Ddd

Snowflakes Keep Falling On My Head
Topic: Dry Embossing

I wanted to try out a technique I was reminded of a while back and selected the snowflake embossing folder for the Cuttlebug. I inked up the inside of the folder with Distress Ink and then impressed a piece of glossy cardstock with it. I messed up with the first piece but saved it and did the procedure again. With the old one I used a circle punch and punched out 5 of the snowflakes. These I mounted on the good piece with foam tape. The feature piece was attached to a turquoise folded card base.

I cut a strip of the turquoise and punched a scalloped edge on it, attached it to the card and added a clear text sticker. Each of the popped up snowflakes got a turquoise rhinestone.

Ddd

 

 

Snowflakes Are Crystals
Topic: Paper Embroidery

Assignment (Several months ago): Make a paper embroidery card for Christmas.

I chose to use a snowflake pattern of my own since I already had it pricked out. Then the problems started:

1. The thread color was too close to the paper color so the snowflake didn't show up very well - solution: stitch beads to the ends of all the branches.

2. Still not enough definition - solution: use a grey marker to shade the branches.

3. Decided to stamp snowflakes around the background and the feature faded away again - solution: cut all the stamping away by making a shaped unit.

4. Mounted snowflake to a folded card base that was too close to the color of the snowflake - solution: add darker borders to top and bottom.

5. Too plain - solution: added silver peeloffs, silver liquid pearls, silver stickles atound the card. Added silver stickles to the snowflake at the intersections.

So... here it is:

For a rough ride, it turned out okay.

Ddd

Late Tree Trimming
Topic: Paper Embroidery

Assignment: Make a Paper Embroidery Card Incorporating Fabric

This was a head-scratcher for me so I started by embroidering a X-stitch style border onto fabric-print scrapbook paper while I pondered a center motif in fabric.

I finally decided to use some scraps to create a layered tree by free-hand cutting 4 trees. I ran a line ov gathering stitch up the center of each separately, gathered each, layered them and stitched through all 4 layers. I then roughed up the edges of each layer and stitched the stack to the border layer. I used markers to color the white thread to match the fabric.

I layered this panel onto folded green cardstock and used sticky glitter dots to decorate the tree. Here is a closeup of the tree where you can see the layers and decorations better.

Ddd

 

 

 

Cattails and Dragonfly
Topic: Paper Embroidery

On assignment: Make a Paper Embroidery Autumn Card

I think cattails for fall are a particularly appropriate image andI always liked this one with the dragonfly. I used verigated thread to simulate the irridescent quality of the wings in the sunshine.

I rounded the corners on the right of the panel and cut a strip for the stamped greeting from the same cardstock. Both are mounted to a cream folded cardstock.

Ddd

Puppy Love
Topic: Paper Embroidery

A newer free pattern I picked up last year finally got stitched. I chose brown swiss dot paper and stitched with a different brown thread. This is not stitched by the directions as I wanted to have an open face on my version. I just calculated which holes to use based on how open I wanted it to be. I also used tiny google eyes instead of stitching on beads as the directions did and I used liquid pearls to give him a nose that matches the folded card base.

I used rub-ons to give him a little heart and to add the text.

Ddd

 

Cut And Tuck
Topic: Techniques

I found this cut and tuck lattice pattern in an old on-line magazine and tucked it away a long time ago. Then recently I signed up for a swap that required some kind of paper cutting. Perfect place to use it. The pattern included all the cutting lines and the little flower pot as well. It is a very easy process to put it together but the effect is elegant.

I finished it off with eyelash yarn woven through for the vines, mini ribbon roses  and a paper vine across the bottom. The text tag is popped up on foam.

Ddd

 

 

Operation Write Home Sketch 88
Topic: Sketch Challenge

Time for another sketch challenge for Operation Write Home.

I started out staying true to the sketch with this pink and black card made from table scraps and some self-stick flowers:

...and this which includes a piece of wrapping paper, two cardstocks and a diecut flower from a friend:

This one almost follows the sketch except the center bar is scooted up and the whole feature piece it toward the top of the card. This uses more of the wrapping paper and more of the self-stick flowers:

This one uses the right layout but I tilted the elements for some interest. These are still self-stick flowers, just a different style:

Then I went way off sketch and started arranging the elements to suit myself (because I was bored). This uses three scraps from the page-a-day scrapbooking calendar as well as a three-layer silk flower held together with a brad and attached with a large glue dot:

This one uses table scraps and felt flowers:

One with ColorMe paper, printed paper, diecut border and a layered silk and felt flower:

...and one with printed cardstock, more of the diecut border and layered silk/felt flowers.

So, what else do they have in common beyond cutting all the parts the same size and attaching flowers? They all use the same stamp set. On the ones that didn't stamp clearly enough I went over the letters with a black fine-line marker and added balls at the ends of the letters for a more casual feel.

Ddd

 

Leaves Falling in January
Topic: Quilting

I made this quilted banner back in September and just realized I needed to post it!

This is created 100% from scraps and donation fabrics including the batting and backing! I designed it on CorelDraw on the computer. This is the first quilt I have 'birthed' rather than sandwiched and bound and also the first on which I have included a hanging sleeve.

I designed this specifically for the end of our fireplace. The banner is hung with a ribbon attached to the ends of the wooden slat that runs through the sleeve.

In the picture below you can see some of the free-motion stitching by which I quilted it. The swirls are meant to represent blowing winds.

For scale, each of the leaves is a 10" x 10" block.

Ddd

OWH Sketch 87
Topic: Sketch Challenge

Time for another sketch challenge from Operation Write Home

I found this to be a little difficult to work with as I kept feeling like the rectangles were too large. Maybe it is just that I stamped too large of image on them though. Anyway, I soldiered through (lol) and came up with 6 cards.

I'll start with my least favorite - The colors were fairly dull so I went over them with a yellow marker. Big mistake! The blues all turned green and the pink turned orange. I already had orange so that was not really an improvement. I rounded the corners to make the panels less stark and used some bright colors in the backing papers to help them blend in.

I stayed with the butterfly theme with this stamp composed of dots. I stamped in three colors but the blue and green are too close in hue to differentiate them much. I mounted these on a dot-textured cardstock and chose some scraps that echoed the colors and/or the dots. The greeting is stamped.

Since I had the dot-textured cardstock out I cut some into panels to stamp these fish. I think it looks like bubbles in the water and I added some blue swishes with marker for them to swim in. These are colored with watercolor markers as are the rest of the cards. I used some of the green background I had cut for the first butterfly card and added a ColorMe paper scrap behind that.

I used more of the ColorMe paper scrap tocreate a band to back this scene. These are three stamps from the same set and they seem most suited to this card layout. I used a fine-line marker to doodle lines around most of the panels and the card base then added a meandering line of stamped hearts to fill the right-hand space and reinforce the theme.

This is actually the first image I pulled out to stamp with but not the first I put together. That background is more of the ColorMe papers with a stamped greeting. I pulled out some old text-print scrapbook paper bor a backing strip.

And, finally, my favorite... I messed with the layout and ended up with a different orientation. I colored with very bright markers and added Stickles to the cupcake papers and the sprinkles. Then I used glossy accents on the cherries. Rounding the top corners made them more casual and the snips of fancy borders bring it back to the girly side. A very bright, glittery cardstock base and a yellow accent strip make this an eye-popping treat.

Now I wish I had cheated with the orientation on all of them and I might have liked them better.

Ddd

2011 Year End Wrapup
Topic: Multi-Technique

I noticed on lots of the blogs I follow that people are offering a year-in-review highlighting their favorite projects of the year. Thought I'd do the same and, WOW, is it hard! First I came up with a list of favorites that was way too long and then started paring it down. I even solicited help from family but finally ended up doing the last cuts by myself. It's like saying one of your kids are not among your favorites!

So I finally ended up with the top ten, plus a bonus! I couldn't cut one more! LOL!

In no particular order:

PROJECT 1: I like this one for the combination of techniques used to construct it. I used alcohol inks to color transparency, layered it over stamping on pink paper with multiple images of cherries, placed under a jar-shaped aperture, added a scored gold jar lid and a blue ribbon of fabric, and stamped a text label.

PROJECT 2: This card features atechnique using a scoring mat to create 'tiles'. I scored white cardstock, stamped with flowers and butterfies in blue, colored with more blue, and used blue distress ink on the background. I embellished with an embossed and diecut butterfly and a stamped diecut.

PROJECT 3: I  created these sheep from embossed diecut scallops after sketching a slide illustration at church (yes, I sketch all over my church bulletin). They were one of those things that came out exactly as I envisioned (love it when that happens). Used diecut letters for the text.

PROJECT 4: I have admired watercolor quilts for many years and even made a faux one with 1-inch squares of wallpaper from a sample book (many years ago). However, this project was when I was very new to quilting and used a grid-marked press on interfacing. One cuts the fabrics to 2-inch squares and lay them out on the grid and press. Then the whole thing is folded on the grids and stitched with 1/4-inch seams. Voila! I also learned to do stippling for the quilting on this one which won a red second-place ribbon later in the year.

PROJECT 5: I love this technique that creates a shaft of sunlight effect. Stamp the image, mask the light shaft, apply blue ink to the corners, color the image in the light area. The black borders and bright colors in the framing really enhance the effect.

PROJECT 6: This effect is created by stamping on the inside of an embossing folded before impressing the image. I used distress ink to showcase the embossing. The rest is just layering and stamping a greeting.

PROJECT 7: A test of my drawing skills. This started with a plain piece of paper with a denim print on it. I used markers to draw all the jeans details and cut a slit for the pocket opening. The rivets are brads and the belt label is a sticker. Printed paper mounted behind gives a nice lining to the pocket which was used to hold a gift card.

PROJECT 8: Ooooh, how I love this one! A stamp with dogwood blossoms was stamped repeatedly around the edge and colored with markers. I used multiple sizes of a Nestabilities die to cut and emboss the aperture and stamped inset. All layers/pieces were distressed with 'old paper' ink.

PROJECT 9: This necklace is made up of 1/4-inch squares of actual fabric adhered to a backing fabric with Steam-a-Seam2 and enhanced with threads in the 'ditch'. It is sandwiched between 2 pieces of microscope glass and bound with foil tape.

PROJECT 10: This project shows my best work on Copic coloring. I used an image from a swap and colored her to match the stitched background.

BONUS PROJECT: And here is the bonus project. I reprised my paper teapot making with 'one more for a friend' (the original won a blue ribbon at the County fair in the fall). I designed a cup to go along with the teapot. The color is off, but this is purple (her favorite color) and includes a rose (her favorite flower). The teapot (she collects them) features a rose-shaped button on the top for a knob on the lid.

Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Happy New Year!

Ddd