BIRDS DELIGHT

Even though we are still in the middle of winter here in Northern Maine it was time for some spring colors. This card is just the perfect card for any happy occasion. the daisy are made with the SU flower punch and finished off with pearls that were white and I colored with a yellow sharpie to match my paper. 

I used the SU set Merci to stamp the yellow card stock

The white card stock is embossed with an embossing folder

I started making my cards again and left the insides blank so that I can use them for any occasion. 

MEASUREMENTS

Base white card stock - 4 1/4 X 11

Black - 4 1/8 x 5 3/8

Yellow - 4 x 1 1/2

Bottom white - 4 x 3 1/2 emboss with embossing folder

STAMPS USED

SU - Merci

CTMH - Doodle Alphabet for the bird

SIMPLY DAMASK

At first I did not know if I would like the simplicity of this card, but I love how it came out. The way it opens and closes is totally different than any other card I have done. I have seen this on several cards and decided to give it a try. Below you will find the measurements to make this card. 

Inside view of the card so you can see how it opens. I stamped the inside with a single stamp image to keep the simplicity theme. 

MEASUREMENTS

Card Base

 I used brown card stock cut at 8 1/4 x 4 1/4 and then scored it on the long side at 5 1/2

Printed Paper brown and teal damask - Cut 1 @ 5 3/8 x 4 1/2 for the base back cut 2 @ 2 5/8 x 4 1/8 for the flap front and inside.

Top part of card

I used a darker brown and cut it at 3 1/3 x 9 3/8 fold in half 

I used SU Kraft card stock for the inside matting's. Cut 2 @ 3 3/8 x 4 1/2.

For the front facing cut one from Dark brown card stock  at 3 3/8 x 4 1/2 

Assemble you card as seen above.

I used the SU set called Carte Postale with craft white SU ink and finished it off with pearls in the corners

CARD CADDY 2

My Card Keeper instructions is my #1 seller. What better way to keep all your homemade cards then in a card keeper you made. You can make as many as you need and design them to match your craft studio/room. The original one I made was one in blacks and whites but I sold it and had to make another one for myself. I decided to go with all greens this time as my craft room already had plenty of black decor.

The paper flowers are handmade using my scallop punches sizes 1 and 1 1/2. As you can see for the labels I used the same paper punches.

The original post and first one I made can be seen 

HERE

PRIMITIVE HEARTS AND STARS RAG QUILT

I love these two combination of turquoise flannel fabric match together. This one was a fun one to make. It is a twin size so that I have plenty to cuddle with on a cold winter day.

Be sure to applique each of you applique before you sew the blocks together. I however did not do that and had a harder time sewing on the applique because of this. My throat on my sewing machine is not overly large so I had to keep rolling and moving the blanket around.

APPLIQUE FIRST

Below is my pattern for this rag quilt ENJOY!!!

The squares are 9 1/2 x 91/2

Use 1/2 seam allowance

this is a 7 x 9 square pattern

Once you have the blanket all sewn together clip it every 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch depending on how much ragging you want. Wash and shave.

I found an AWESOME sweater shaver at Amazon.com that is electric and battery operated. It is also a much larger one that the traditional small ones I have used.

Hop on over to AMAZON to check out all the great sweater shavers. This is a must have tool for any rag quilter.



20 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING INSTRUCTIONS

I love making handmade gifts for the holiday season and that includes the packaging it comes in. 

Whats so great is that you can tailor each project with your own collections of stamps, embellishments and supplies once you get the base of the project assembled. 

Many techniques are used so that you are not only creating great gifts, but you will also learn great techniques to use for your own projects. 

What better way to show your loved ones your care than by giving them a handmade gift. 

Gift items to be made:
• Nested Boxes
• Cake Box
• Ring box
• Gift card holders
• Gift Bags
• Large Treat bag
• Snowman Soup for Two
• and many more gifts 

You can get the instructions by going to my CRAFTSY pattern site. 

CLICK HERE to get the instructions

 

VINTAGE RECIPE BOX

I took my recipe box tutorial I wrote and decided to step it up to add some new features. I am always searching for my conversion charts, measurements and cooking temps. I decided to add them all to the recipe box so I have them right in front of me at all times.

The top of the lid has 4 pull out tags with abbreviations, and measurements conversions to refer to when I need them. 

The back side of the box has more conversion charts for tablespoons and ounces to ml.

The inside lid has cooking temperatures for cooking foods at just the right temperature.

There are 12 dividers and 50 recipe cards. I created the recipe cards in Microsoft word along with the labels for the dividers

You can purchase the finished recipe box while supplies last at my Etsy store or you can make your own and design your own style by purchasing my instructions at my Craftsy pattern site.

Click HERE to go to CRAFTSY to get the instruction 

EASTER CARTON

I wanted something different to give out at Easter time to all my friends and family along with the the goody baskets for the kiddies. This came out perfect as they are filled full of treats that I know each family loves. The color combinations are endless as we all know Easter is an area of color. 

Make two and place them back to back to give more treats if there are more family members than the cartons. I like to tailor each tall carton to each individuals favorite treats. 

These carton's are 6-1/8 x 1-1/2" each and are just the right size. 

You can get the instruction by going to Craftsy.

EASTER CARTON INSTRUCTIONS 

This is in PDF you will need ADOBE reader to view it.

PEEPS TREAT BOX

Peeps are my all time favorite holiday treat. There is just something about the marshmallow and sweet sugar that is a perfect combination. I created theses to give to all my Family and friends for the upcoming Easter gathering. I used digital art to add just the perfect finish for the top of the box. The digital artwork can be found at "Meljen's Designs" She has so many wonder digital stamps to pick from. Once I printed my digital stamp I colored it in with my prisma colors and stamped the whole image with versamark and added my glitter. I heat set it with my embossing gun.

Close up of the images on the boxes

This cute little box fits 4 peeps perfectly

The instructions can be be found at

CRAFTSY

PRIMITIVE PAPER STAR INSTRUCTIONS

I am a big fan of "PRIMITIVE DECOR" and I have been looking everywhere for just the right Christmas ornaments for my tree this year. I want to have as many handmade items added to my tree this year and as tattered and primitive as it can be. I searched all over. "I SEAM TO SEARCH ALOT" and I should know by now I always end up making it myself, so I have to so stop searching and begin designing right of :-).

I looked at one of my small tin stars I had and just knew there had to be a way to fold the card stock to create the star.

By Golly I did find a star online with the score lines drawn on it for folding, so I went right to work on how I interpreted it visually for others.

Begin with a star cut out by hand or if your lucky enough like me to have a cricut cutter cut out a star the size you want it to be. You can also make them several diffirent sizes.

"BE SURE IT IS A 5 POINTED STAR"

I cut mine out to be a 6" star

You will then score from one star point to a star hill as I call it.

Below is a star with the scoring marks done in pencil for you to see where to score

Once you have scored all you lines you will then fold up all the points.

I call this creating the hills.

You will then create the Vallie's

Now that you have all your score lines folded you will then fold them all together to give shape to the star.

Once all folded together squeeze it at the top

Open the star and push down in the center. Your star is now complete.

I sponged the edge of the star with Burgundy ink to give it a rustic feel and adhered it to a folded Rosette ornament with two dimensionals.

PINK PETALS VINTAGE APRON ENSEMBLE

This Apron set was created for two little sisters as Christmas gifts. I took a standard apron child's pattern that I had from a couple years ago and altered it by adding ruffles and a ribbon rose on the pocket. I also added some flower eyelet white trim to the top of the pocket.

This one was a little tricky to complete as I wanted it to be a reversible apron with the ruffles not sewn into the sides of the apron. After using my seam stripper a lot I finally did figure it out.

I just love the hat and mitts!

I had to do many attempts at the hat sizes for the two little ones I made this set for.

I created them to be an extra small and small apron and hat sizes so that they were a custom fit for a 3T and 6T. I made a flower rose with Grossgrain 1" ribbon by gathering it and sewing it together.

Below are the instructions for adding ruffles to a reversible apron pattern.

PINK PETALS VINTAGE APRON INSTRUCTIONS

RIBBON CARNATION TUTORIAL

Start with a 15" length of ruffled/gathered ribbon. I found this great ribbon at MARDENS for .20 a yard "I KNOW RIGHT BARGAIN"

I thread a needle with coordinating thread and start on the end of one side of the ribbon. You will then take the ribbon and start gathering it together in a circle and sew it in place as you go to form the carnation. Set aside and start the hairband.

Cut a piece of fabric 2 x 32 and iron it in half length wise wrong sides together (just like you make your own binding). Take it to you sewing machine open it up so that you can match the two ends with right sides together and sew the ends with a 1/4 seam.

This now creates the casing for the elastic to feed through. Fold the casing back together to have it look like binding casing again so that all wrong sides are together and hidden. I then sew a straight stitch on the very edge of the open end of the casing. Leave a 1" opening to feed elastic through.

Cut a piece of 1/4 elastic 16" and feed it through with a safety pin. Sew the two ends together and close opening. Your band is now down. Sew the Ribbon Carnation to the band. Carnation hairband is now done. !!!

LINKED PARTIES



RICH FALL PEASANT DRESS

This is another style peasant dress I made for a set of sisters for Thanksgiving. I love the rich deep colors and they complement each other. With so  many fabric prints created today the styles and deigns are limitless. I combine several prints of fabric that I probley wouldn't have done years ago.

I bought some ruffled ribbon at MARDENS and just hadn't used it yet until I created this cute little carnation from it, now I am going to go buy a bunch more just to have a surplus of the ribbon. Having the ribbon already ruffled/gathered makes it very easy to create this beautiful flower.

Instructions can be found HERE to make the flower.

I made matching hairbands to go with the dresses. They are very easy to make. Just take the ribbon and keep gathering it together in a circle and sew it together as you go. I used the same fabric as the ruffles on the dresses to make the band part of the hair piece. I cut a piece of 1/4 elastic. and create a casing from the fabric. I actual create the casing like I would make a 1" binding.

Instructions can be found HERE.

LINKED PARTIES

Pumpkin Poop Treats

It's hard to believe that it is already fall here in Northern Maine.

I thought I would bring a goody but oldy back out and offer the instructions for this cute little treat favors. They are great for any fall party or even for Thanksgiving.

You can get the instructions by clicking on the link below.

The poem is included in this post at the bottom that I place on the back of the box.

PUMPKIN POOP TREAT BOX INSTRUCTION

Pumpkin Poop

I started to carve a pumpkin

With my carving knife and scoop,

But the pumpkin got so scared

That he took a little poop!

It looked so cute and funny

Just like a candy treat.

So I am sharing it with you now

Because you are so sweet