Free Valentines and Projects!

This week I wanted to make something to add to my tree, but I am limited on time and wanted something quick and easy. I searched the web and found a wonderful place with free printables that you can use on a tree or just to decorate. I was also looking at her vintage cards that you can stand on a shelf, might print those out, this weekend.

I printed my designs out on card stock so they would be stiff enough to hang and the aged card stock gives the prints, more of an aged look, instead of using white.

I also printed out some by accident with regular paper, since I forgot to put a piece of card stock in. I used the paper hearts for the back of my hearts and just used a stick glue to put them together. I used a piece of black floss and made a hanger by threading it through the middle. Simple project to do while you watch tv.

I changed my kitty doll with the one dressed in red, to match the setting, better.

My camera was acting up again so I took a photo without the flash. It yellowed the photo, but the valentines are that color in person. I reduced the sizes of the hearts and the envelope to fit my tree. I used the hearts with flowers and the one with writing on it. You can find the designs for these and a lot more at Wings of Whimsy.

Another thing I wanted to try was, dying velvet. I read about dying velvet online and it all depends on what type  you have. I have no idea what type I had, but I assumed it was not natural fibers and I was right, it took the Rit Dye. The bad thing was, I used brown and without thinking, put the red piece in with the others, so the dye bath turned reddish brown.

The original colors I used were, bright red, tan and white. The red got darker and has a nicer mottled look, the tan turned browner and the white is a pinkish brown. Next time I will have to try it without the red. I like how it comes out, after washing and drying, gives it a nice aged look.

And I am also working on a new project. I wanted something simple that I could use for Valentines and spring and decided to use a pattern by Quilts by Cheri, called Live Simply. This is one of  her older patterns and there is a fourth block, but I decided to do three and make a longer piece for my wall. Once I finish the stitchery, I can put them together.

My camera flash decided to go wonky and for some reason when I take a shot, facing down, my lens starts moving on its own, so I guess it needs to go to a shop and see what is wrong and maybe get a good cleaning.

I am also using washable, one sided, fusible to see how I like it. I will talk more about what I do and don't like, after I finish the piece and my brain is working again;) I hope everyone has a good weekend.

Friday Finish and Winner!

I finally finished my first robin piece. It is a design by Sarah Sporrer. The pattern was given to me by my friend Karen, along with some of her older patterns in the monthly series. It was fun to work on and a nice piece to hang for spring.

I added a few extra words on mine, the chirr-up is what a robin call sounds like and is said to sound like  cheer up, so I thought that would be fun to add. I hope you enjoy my newest piece. It is much darker and prim in person.

It is raw edge with fusible, and I hand quilted the piece with dmc floss, thought it is hard to see in some places. Also, the robin is standing on a carrot. I saw the design and saw a carrot, then I actually read the directions and saw that it said white for the snow, lol. So, somehow my brain came up with a carrot instead of snow, but I think it makes it fun;)

And now for the winner.... The winner is .......... Jacquie! Please email me with your choice of epattern from my ecrater site. I had fun reading all of your ghost stories and I think we all have similar stories and folk lore in our areas.

I wish you all a wonderful Easter and blessings no matter what spiritual path you follow.

Friday Finishes giveaway!

This week I worked on a wall hanging, using a design by Jennie of Elefantz. She offered this design on her blog and you can still find the free design, along with other inspirational sayings. They are wonderful designs to make for a friend who could use some comforting words.

I wanted to get an outdoor photo but it was too windy today. The fabric I used is a dark red/purple, so it all depends on your computer screen. I did the fabric appliques with raw edge fusible.

Another thing I did was a small fraktur piece. I found a pack of watercolor postcards and wanted to try one with a simple design. I used watercolor pencils and then I used a bit of gloss medium on the colors so I could antique the background and it kept the colors from running but with flash it cast off too much glare. I was thinking this would be fun to do and send to friends, but not sure how well the card would hold up, especially if it got wet or torn. I usually use regular watercolors so I can get better colors and shading, but this was a practice run to see if I could keep my hands steady for the ink outlines and painting, not too bad for a rush piece.

For the next one, I will antique the paper first, then use a spray finish to protect the whole card. Would you like to be a card tester? Leave a comment that you would like to receive this card and I will pick a winner and announce it on Monday night. I will mail the card to the winner and we shall see if it holds up or gets ruined in the post. Sorry, but this giveaway is for US post, only.

Friday Finishes and a New Pattern!

I am finally getting more done and finished two pieces this week. The first piece is a punch needle design based on an antique fraktur and my own touches. I loved the naiveté of the rabbit and it is a fun design to try with different color schemes. I wanted mine to stay in neutrals except for the pops of color in the flower.

The original piece is 6" x 4" and was finished with walnut ink to give it an aged look. The design is for sale in my ecrater store, or you can click on the link to the left. This is an E-pattern so you receive a pdf pattern with a color photo, line drawings and a basic color chart. Mine was done for a punched piece, but you can also use it for rug hooking, stitchery or appliqué.

I did not add an edge to this piece, I liked the simplicity of a raw edge. The back was done with a dark green wool. I took a photo outside today, and I got a lighter piece, but I still lost the antique look of the walnut stain.

Another piece I finished was Hearts and Vines by Kathy Cardiff. The pattern was in Primitive Quilts and Projects, Spring 2013. The original is done in wool and it is a beautiful piece, but I thought it would be fun to make it into a quilted piece.

On the original she had her initials and date, so I added a saying and the quilted keys to mine. I also used watered down walnut ink, so the piece is much darker and yellowed in person.

Prizes and Surprises!

This week I was the lucky winner of Cheryl Lynch's giveaway. I won a package of goodies that she got from market and it was filled to the brim. I got three bags, beautiful rick rack and ribbon, a pattern to make a bike bag, a ruler and as you can see, so many things that I will have a fun time using them and making some fun pieces with them. I can't wait to try the Trans web fusible for my art pieces. Be sure to visit Cheryl's blog, she has wonderful inspiration and a wonderful new book for embellishing your quilts.

This weekend my husband got me a screen house for the porch, but I think it is a giant bug catcher. I saw this guy flying around, he was interesting and weird with the long tail in back, have seen anything like it. I have never seen a bug this big.

Then I saw this one, later one. I think I found it's mama, lol. It is a Giant wasp, something I have never seen before.

And Moki is being Moki, it was humid again, today.