GA merchandise - a strip pieced table runner in coordinating ivory and maroon fabric scraps

I created this table runner with the pieced backing I was working on for the other table runner.  I had no plan other than wanting diagonal lines.  I trimmed some of my scraps to 2.5".  The thinner strips I added to each side of the red square and then started adding strips to each side - piecing if needed to make the length I needed.  I had cut 3 large squares and 2 little ones but found that adding that many interspersed would make the table runner too long so I did the large red square and two smaller red squares added to the 2.5" strips.  I added some strips at both ends that go perpendicular to the strips.  I like the way they work together and it was easy enough to add what I needed to finish the ends square.  I added polyester batting and a cotton backing in an ivory colour.  I laid the pieces over each other and stitched all the way around leaving a gap so I could turn it inside out.  I hand stitched the opening, top stitched around the edge and then followed the stitching lines (stitch in the ditch) to add quilting to the runner.  It finished at 45" x 11".  I will bring it to the church when I go to town next.  

Therese
 

GA merchandise - table runner

I took this table runner flimsy home after the fabric sale and just this week decided to get it finished.  I had previously pulled fabrics which I thought would work well for the back.  I did not  have enough of any to make the whole back so I thought I would piece one.  As I worked with the fabrics it occurred to me that the quilting on the front would not compliment the back so I abandoned the idea and found cotton fabric in my stash to back this one.  I added polyester batting and stitched all the way around leaving an opening so I could turn it inside out.  Worked out really well!!  I hand stitched the opening, top stitched all the way around and then added lines of quilting that followed the outline of the squares.  It finished 11" x 42" to the tips of the points.  Glad to have it finished.  I will return it to the bin when I am in town next time.  It has been very nice to be sewing again.  

Therese

 

A red, white and blue plaid tote bag

Another tote bag I created on the weekend.  I had some scraps of the plaid fabric which were quite triangular so I sewed them together to make a square for the front of the bag.  I covered the diagonal seams with dark blue strips of denim which I sewed on raw edged with decorative stitching.   I added strips of red fabric all the way around to finish this side and then stitched on a loop which I created using scraps of denim and red.  For the others side I used the larger triangles and covered the diagonal seams with strips of red fabric again raw edged with decorative stitching.  I used a  scrap of fabric to make the pocket including a jeans zipper near the top. I folded over the edges and topstitched it in place.  I used red and plaid to make the handles.  This one measures 17.5" wide, 16" tall and has 2.5" bottom and 24" handles.  Therese

 

All occasion card featuring a beautiful decorative paper background and a gold embossed butterfly

A card for my sister who lost her husband a few weeks ago.  It is always hard to lose a loved one!!! 

I found this beautiful decorative paper in my stash and thought it was perfect for the card I was making for her.  I trimmed it to fit on my large blue card, paper pierced the four sides and then added a tiny strip of the same cardstock just below the butterfly.  I gold embossed the butterfly, fussy cut it and then painted the edges with gold watercolour to remove the white edge.  I watercoloured it to coordinate with the background!!  I love the way it turned out!!!

Therese
 

All occasion card featuring a gold embossed fussy cut butterfly over grosgrain ribbon with brads

 A card for a family who has lost their Dad.  It is always hard to lose a loved one!!!

I started with a large dark brown card and then trimmed the leafy background.  I added a piece of coordinating grosgrain ribbon with double sided tape to it and then added the three copper brads on the left hand side.  I adhered this large element to the card front and then added the focal element with 3D foam tape.  The focal element is a gold embossed butterfly (Magenta) which I fussy cut and then painted the edges with gold watercolour to remove any white edge.  I watercoloured the different areas to coordinate with the background.    Therese

Think of you cards featuring beautiful butterfly paper, embossed strips and layered oval greetings

I spent a few hours this afternoon making up the last 14 cards I have committed to making for IWIN for the fall.   I found this wonderful butterfly decorative paper in my stash a few months ago I thought it would make such great cards for this program.  I had printed the oval greetings a while back so I punched them out with the oval punch (SU).  I trimmed the paper so I made the best use of the butterflies and allowed some to be prominent though it was fairly easy and there was very little waste!! I chose to have some be landscape and others portrait but in the end some pieces that worked both ways.   I chose cardstock which highlighted the largest butterflies, then picked colours for the strips which I embossed to reflect other colours in the paper.  Finally, I punched out the scallop ovals (SU) to coordinate with all the elements.  I did a bit of paper piercing with my pattern tracing tool, punched holes in some of the scallops, used my clear gel pen to highlight some areas and generally just had a calm and relaxed afternoon making cards.  I appreciate being able to make cards for this program which is so instrumental in helping people who are vulnerable find their way forward in the world.  

Therese

 

Gift wrap bookmarks for gift cards

We are having a Climate Change Fashion Show with the GrammaLink  group at Sunnybrook United in Red Deer and I am preparing some environmentally friendly merchandise to sell there!!  

These are little fabric bookmarks I made recently which are also a way of packaging a gift card that leaves no waste!!!!  I am calling the concept "It's a Wrap".  I have several other ideas that will with work as gifts and will also gift wrap a gift card.  

As you can see above the gift card tucks very neatly into the pocket on the bookmark!!!  It could be placed inside a previously read book and presented to a book lover for any occasion with a gift card to their favorite book store.  With a little hanger of crochet thread it could be hung on the tree for Christmas!!! ( I will likely add those).  The brochure can be turned over and used as a tag and then recycled.  It leaves no waste!!!         

It was totally wonderful to be sewing again and I expect I will make a few more of these.  I have been using scraps which have been sent my way during the sorting for our fabric sale.  I made a rectangle about 16" to 18" long about 2.75" wide and flipped the top down and the bottom up after I hemmed the edge.  I stitched a slot for a piece of cardstock to be slipped in the inside before I flipped up the bottom and stitched it down. I did add some little strips of fusible webbing to the edges so they would be less likely to fray.  I stitched across at about 3.25" or so to create the pocket for the gift card.  Some of these are headed to my grandchildren when we see our daughter tomorrow.  The others will be available at the Climate Change Fashion Show.       Therese

 

Climate Change Fashion Show

You are all invited to join us for a very different fashion show created by a member of the Calgary Grandmothers group with the emphasis being on Climate Change!!  We will have some fun and the opportunity talking about how we can all participate in the process of reducing our impact on climate change.  

There will be environmentally friendly merchandise for sale and we will all enjoy refreshments as well.  

Hope to see you there!!!

Therese

 

Denim tote bag with a raw edge applique of triangles embellished with vintage metal buttons

My second bag for the weekend!!! Another one created with old blue jeans.  I created the border by sewing the triangles to the rust rectangle with straight stitch really close to the raw edge.  I then stitched this piece to a dark piece of denim.  I then added this dark piece to several pieces of patchwork denim to create the outside of the bag.  I used yellow thread to do my decorative stitching on the bag and the handles.  The back of the bag features a piece of denim with a pocket still intact and makes a great pocket for the outside of the bag.  I created a rust and brown pocket for the inside of the bag.  I added a little piece of rust fabric with two triangles to the back near the pocket.  I stitched the vintage metal buttons with yellow thread before I sewed in the lining which is a striped fabric.  Easier to find "stuff" when the inside is light.  The bag is 17.5" wide by 15" tall with a 3" bottom.  Therese

Denim tote bag with a patchwork border

I had a great sewing weekend and worked on this this denim tote for my grand daughter.  They are headed to university this fall and I have made several bags for them to embellish and hopefully sell to her fellow students over the course of the year.  They are taking Art and Design along with Business Management.  I have started using up my stash of denim for this purpose.  I started with the little strip of decorative fabrics and then worked everything else around it though it did not end quite where I had planned - it should have been a bit higher up to allow for more place to embellish.   I added decorative stitching to my seams and on the back I sewed together a few of the pieces with raw edges just using several rows of stitching to keep the pieces together.  I used red thread for most of the decorative stitching and added a red pocket to the back before adding the lining.  I added a double loop next to the pocket which is a good place to keep your keys safe but still very available.

  I found a very cute little pin which I added to the top loop. This side is made up of quite a few more pieces but it makes the patchwork more interesting!!  I added a seam to the middle of the pocket to help keep things organized.  The inside is fun and funky floral fabric and I added a pocket there too!!!  It is 19' wide by 15" tall including a  3" bottom with 23" handles.   Therese

 

All occasion card featuring double embossed vellum, mettalic cardstock and watercoloured flowers

I am back at working on getting cards ready for my upcoming family special occasions.  

For this card I started with a large lilac card and I chose the polka dot decorative paper for the background.  I found the floral image in stash which I fussy cut.  I then decided to frame it with silver metallic paper strips and then decided on double embossed triangular corner pieces.  I laid my strips on my background, moved them a little and drew a very light pencil line.  I positioned my vellum scrap with a square corner in place and trimmed it to the line.  I did the same for the other three corners.  I embossed them with a flourish embossing folder, brushed the high areas with a purple ink and embossed them with a pearl embossing powder.  They turned out great!!!!  I adhered them to my background with double sided tape and then added the silver metallic strips with double sided tape as well.  I trimmed the strips to the edge of the background and then adhered this large element to my card front.  I watercoloured the flowers to coordinate and added it in the middle using 3D foam tape.   Therese

All occasion card featuring a watercoloured daisy, embossed strip and decorative paper background

Another one for my stash!!!!!!  I started with a large blue card, added the decorative paper background and the coordinating strip of embossed cardstock.  I coloured the flower )?) to coordinate, added four lines of paper piercing,  layered  with green cardstock and mounted it to the front of my card using 3D foam tape.   Therese