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Since the birdhouse was so colorful in this version I wanted to keep the background fairly neutral, thus keeping the focus on the image.
I used table scraps with low contrast and soft hues but cut and arranged them in a casual style.
The addition of a pink border on the image separates it from the background.
I made use of those gold Thank You stickers again.
Ddd
I had a lot of left over of this birdhouse. I had colored this in many different ways during the session with no power.
I trimmed this version down to nearly square and combined table scraps in a variety of coral patterns. The border on the feature is popped up on foam tape to separate it from the similar colored background.
The sentiment is a gold peel-off sticker.
Ddd
I have had SO much fun creating with the stencils I got from My Favorite Things and had one more technique I wanted to try using the Graduated Dots stencil - painting on fabric.
I chose from my stash a piece of printed quilting cotton to work on.
I cut 12 squares from the fabric to work on. Then I cut up some sponge to apply the paint with.
The paint was applied through the stencil by tapping until solid coloring was achieved.
I made two panels of each color and washed the stencil between colors.
After 24 hours drying time the fabric was ironed on the front (which reminds me of the time I looked at the settings on my iron and, upon seeing 'acrylic' wondered why you would want to iron paint?) Well, this is such an occasion, but most likely not what they meant.
The paint jar said to also press the fabric on the back.
AND NOW WE SWITCH TO A SEWING LESSON!
I had this wonderful painted fabric and just started creating on-the-fly to see what I could make with it.
I started by trimming all the blocks down to 5 7/8 inches square. This strange measurement came about because that was the size the smallest one was and they all had to be the same.
Each block was then quartered.
The result was a mix of 48 awesome dotted fabrics.
I worked to find a layout I liked - semi-random.
I remembered I had some iron-on interfacing with 1-inch grid marks on it - left over from making a watercolor quilt. And I also decided at this point that I wanted to make two pieces of 'fabric' out of my squares.
I laid out half of the blocks, face up, on the 'sticky' side of the grid, centering the blocks inside of a 3 inch alignment. This left a little bit of adhesive exposed between the blocks.
This was covered with a pressing cloth and ironed to adhere the fabric squares to the backing.
I folded the piece, right sides together with a crease along the marked grid.
I set the stitch length to 2 and stitched 1/4 inch from the edge of the fold.
I continuee with all of the seams which went in this direction. Here's how it looked at this point.
I turned to the back and clipped almost to the stitching line at each of the intersections.
This clipping is what allows the fabric to be folded in the other direction without binding at the intersections.
I folded along the marked grid and turned the seams in opposite directions to reduce bulk.
Then I stitched 1/4 inch from the fold.
On the next pass the seams fell in the opposite directions so they would lay flat.
I worked my way across and when done, pressed all the seams from the back.
And then pressed from the front.
I trimmed off all the stray edges of the interfacing.
And now I had two pieces of 'fabric' from which to make???? something!
I DECIDED TO MAKE MY NEW FABRIC INTO A PURSE:
First I measured to see what size I had to work with (everything from hereon out was made up as I went along). My fabrics measured 14 7/8 by 10 inches.
I cut two pieces of unbleached muslin to the same size, to use for a lining.
From the original un-painted fabric I cut 4 strips at 1 1/2 x 22 inches. These would become the handles.
I set the stitch length to 1.5 and stitched the two lining pieces together 1/4 inch from the edge on one long side and both short sides. I backstitched at the top edges.
I placed the feature fabric right sides together, carefully matching the seams on the feature blocks, and stitched down the short sides and across the long edge at 1/4 inch. I also backstitched the ends of this.
I put my hand inside the bag and made the corners lay with the seams on top of each other.
I measured up 2 inches from the corner and stitched straight across (this is called 'boxing the corners).
I trimmed away at 1/4 inch from the seam.
These steps were repeated with the lining.
I set these pieces aside to tackle making the handles.
I placed two of the strips together and stitched up one long side. Before stitching the end I placed a long cord inside and stitched over it. Then I kept pushing it back against the completed seam as I stitched the other long edge.
To turn the strip, I just pulled on the cord and voila!
I cut the end off to release the stitched-in cord.
I worked to square the seams and pressed them flat.
Then I top-stitched 1/8 inch from both edges with a 3.0 stitch length.
I added a magnetic snap to another piece of the plain fabric and built a 'tab' around it that looks like the handles. I also attached the other half of the magnetic snap to the feature fabric.
The lining was turned wrong side out and the bag was slipped inside of it.
The side seams were opened flat and pinned together.
The remainder of the top edge was pinned together.
The stitch length was set back to 1.5 and I started on the front straps and sewed right around to the back and to the front again. I did this with a 1/4 inch seam allowance and backstitched the beginning, the end and over each of the handles and the tab.
This left an opening between the handles on the front.
The bag was turned right side out through this opening.
The lining was tucked inside the bag.
The edges of the opening were turned in and stitch length was set to 3.0. I then started at one side seam and top-stitched at 1/8 inch around the top edge.
I turned the entire bag wrong-side out and folded at the side seams.
I used a 2.0 stitch length to make a 1-inch seam through all layers, 1 inch from the side seam. (yep, I backstitched both ends of the seam).
I turned the bag right side out and... tah dah!
ARE YOU READY FOR THE BIG REVEAL?
Squeal! Is that the cutest? And no pattern required!
And I really did make it up as I went along.
Ddd
Jeremiah 29:11 - This Bible promise is the basis for the naming of this new quilt, for a young lady named Honesty. Isn't that a beautiful name? I think she needs a bit of encouragement and this promise was made for that: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We can all use a promise like that!
I made this quilt all from scraps symbolizing the way God takes what we consider to be rags, leftovers and of no account and turns them into something beautiful. The rotating bands symbolize that there is no direction we can go where He will not be with us. And the diamonds show us right in the center of His will.
Honesty loves purple so that is the feature color. But the beauty of one color is intensified by contrast so a bit of teal is added. The fabrics are patterned with flowers and butterflies - symbols of hope.
I left all the layers under the diamonds so they would have a volume and puffiness to them and stitched in the ditch around them.
The rest of the quilting is swirls and loops up and down each of the color bars.
I used a verigated thread for the quilting.
Ddd
Since this quilt was put together from bits and pieces and scraps I decided to call it This and That. It is from a pattern called Junctures which is basically a half log cabin with a cornerstone.
I started with the wide stripe of green and selected fabrics that used colors in common with it.
An up-close view of the fabrics shows how they work together even though they are very different from one another.
I quilted with stitch in the ditch along the insides of the green bars of the blocks. Then I tied the quilt at the intersections of the green bars and the dark green blocks.
This is the first quilt I have tied so I can add that to the list of techniques learned. This is Passages quilt 28.
Ddd
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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:
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
