Slow Stitching - No. 046 - Kantha Motifs

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024.

This week's prompt Nakshi Kantha Motifs which is part 2 of last week's Kantha Stitches.

I chose the fish as my motif.  I drew a circle which I stitched in black stem stitch. Then added my 2 fishes going around in it.  The central element is a lotus flower reflected.

I chose two different shades of green threads and alternated them on each fish.  

I used blue thread and seed stitches for inside the circle.

I used the Double Running Stitch in blues for the background quilting stitches. Alternating with single running stitches in darker blue. 

Inktober 2024 - 12 Doodle Around

Inktober 2024 Challenge

12 - Doodle Around

Dip Pen with Black Daler-Rowney Acrylic Ink

on Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper.

I created the circle then just drew shapes leading out from it.

I then filled each shape with marks being careful to not touch wet areas with my hand.  Not easy but possible with patience.

Triangles, circles, straight lines, wavy lines, scallops all came into play on this piece.

 

Inktober 2024 - 11 Wheat

Inktober 2024 Challenge

11 Wheat

Micron Black Marker & Watercolor on Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper.

Wheat is common in the western provinces. I have drawn wheat many times on ceramics, cards, etc.

I created my circle for the wheat the watercolored around it. Blue sky and golden yellow wheat fields. I added a granary in the background.  I colored the wheat stalks in the circle.

I added a black marker after the watercolor. 

Inktober 2024 - 07 Boxed In

Inktober 2024 Challenge

07 Boxed In

Feeling a little bit like that this week.

I cut 3 squares measuring 3", 2" and 1". I traced these in pencil into a geometric design on my 5x7 Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper. 

I used my dip pen with Rotring Payne's Gray acrylic ink to trace the boxes.

I added the pop of yellow in the .75" circle. 

Slow Stitching - No. 040 - Enso Circle

K3N Cloth Tales Slow Stitching Challenge 2024

Week 40 - Enso Circle - Zen Buddhist philosophy - symbolizes an expression of life, showing both the beginning and end

My top layer is linen and my foundation cloth is similar.

I used a large tip permanent Sharpie marker to make my mark.

It is quite open.

I couched variegated yarn onto my marker shape. I have green to blue in the colors. The inner one I stitched in blue and the outer one in green. 

I like the puckering of the fabric which has taken place.  I place the pieces so the color were offset.

It looked a little empty so I put a shell button in the bottom.

Slow Stitching - No. 033 - Nature of Cloth

This week's prompt in the K3N Cloth Tale's Slow Stitching challenge is "Nature of Cloth".  

Kathryn explored her bundle of fabric.  How does it feel? Does it pass the needle test? Does it ravel? Does it have texture?

Once we had selected our fabrics then we were to make a fabric collage.

I chose a corduroy, wool plaid, orange cotton, yellow cotton and a small triangle of mustard colored silk. 

I placed a circle of stitching around the intersection of these fabric pieces.  Then random running stitching, seed stitching, with a sprinkling of French Knots.  This was a lot of fun to make.

Car Coasters - Set 2

I wanted to improve on my first set of car coasters, you can see here. 

I made these bigger so finished they are 3.25 inches in diameter. 

I used heavy navy felt for the large circle.  

Then I added the half circle of royal blue felt. 

A length of royal blue grosgrain ribbon to fit in the notch and help me take them out for laundering.

I sewed all the way around with a zigzag stitch with blue thread.  This seam captured the bottom of the half circle and the ribbon.  Then I went across the top of the half circle to stabilize the center.

I decided to add some cotton (2 thin layers) to the bottom to improve how the coaster absorbs moisture. These were captured in the seams then I trimmed them to be smaller than the navy large circle.

I decided to add a bit of stitching to the ribbon.  I found some purple to pink yarn in my stash and split into 2 strands and added a shape on the ribbon.

This gives me a bright spot to see them at the bottom on the cup holder and an idea where there pull ribbon is.

They fill the cup holder much better. 

We shall see if they work well.  I will post after some use.

Here they are in the car.

The felt fully covers the bottom of the holder. 

The tabs fit in the notches.

Coordinate well with my blue water bottle in the car.

Happy with these.

Christmas Tree Scent Ornaments

For those of us who put up artificial Christmas trees wouldn't it be nice to still have the smell of a real tree during the holidays?

I love the smell of a real tree.  I received one of these last year for my tree and I was on the search for the right scent.  I discovered that it can be tricky.  I believe we always had spruce trees at Christmas when I grew up.  Others will have different types of trees in their tradition therefore a different scent.

There are quite a few Christmas tree blends available as well.

I bought Pine Needles last year which was not quite right.  I will add Spruce this year in a blend and see how that goes.

I have hung these on a tree ornament stand.

I started with traditional green triangle trees for the first set.  I cut them 3.5 inches high and 3 inches wide at the base.  Triangle trees are very efficient in materials.  I cut 2 exactly the same size. I embelished the front triangles. On the left with red embroidered garland with gold e bead ornaments. On the right with small round felt button ornaments tied on with gold thread.  Of course the need a star and a trunk. 

Once the fronts were done, I layered them together, put my trunk and my hanging thread in between and sewed very close to the the edge all the way around.  The stars were added on last with a bit of hand stitching.

I made 3 felt ball wreaths with these non traditional colors of white, black and aqua.  I strung them onto string cotton thread and tied them really tight.

I added a white thread hanging loop.

For these ornaments I would recommend put the oil on the black balls so no discoloration will show.  For the other ornaments I would put the oil on the back so again if the oil causes some discoloration it will not be on the front.

I made some round ornaments featuring reindeer die cuts.  The white one is sporting the red nose of Rudolph. 

The reindeer were layered on a medium circle then onto the 3.25 inch circles.  The reindeer and the medium circle were attached to the front large circle then they were sewn together very close together in coordinating thread with the hanging thread in between.  

The one on right I tried making my own grey hanger and on the second I just put a small circle of felt in between the large circles and stitched it in. 

I made one with a white snowflake die cut on red medium circle on dark green large circles. Then used a small felt circle for the hanger. 

On the right, I made a non traditional colored one with purple, white and some blues.  The focal element are white and blue layered hearts to which I stitched some silver ebeads. I added an tiny felt button with silver ebeads again on the right hand side. These were stitched together with a small purple felt circle hanger with white thread loop. 

I ended up finding some die cuts in my stash which I used to make a couple more.

The pink and white dove has a pearly ebead for a eye and again is in not traditional colors. The wings are stitched on both sides and it has a felt hanger.

The gingerbread man was cut from ginger looking felt and blanket stitched around both layers with a piece of red fabric put in between for the hearts and a bit of white for the eyes.  The mouth was outlined with black permanent marker.  Just a simple thread loop to hang.

These can just be ornaments on your tree with out having scent added to them.  If you are going to add essential oil to them be sure to put it on the back in order to avoid discoloration on the front of the ornament.

Small Gift - Oil Diffusers - Felt Stacks

These are my felt stack oil diffusers.  I up cycled tealight holders to hold a stack of felt circles.  The circles were cut 1.5 inches in diameter and stacked until they filled the cavity of the holder.

 I believe this one has 10 layers of royal purple felt. I added a silver flower accent topped with a 12mm crystal glass faceted bead.  The purple thread runs from the bottom through the accents then back down to the bottom of the felt stack where it was securely tied.  The heavy glass holder ensures that oil drops don't damage the surface the diffuser sits on.  

I worked with a winter theme for this diffuser.  I chose a blown glass tealight holder.  I cut 1.5 inches felt circles in turquoise, aqua and light blue felt and layered these into the stack.  I topped the stack with a white diecut snowflake and a 12mm clear crystal glass bead.  The accents are held in place with a turquoise thread.  Starts at the bottom through the accents and back down the other side of the bead then back down to the bottom.  The thread is knotted securely fastening the layers together.

This diffuser features pink and grey felt stack.  The holder is a clear glass heavy with smooth sides.  The felt stack was topped with a white diecut daisy and a 12mm clear crystal glass faceted bead. This accent is held in place with grey thread which starts on the bottom, thread through the accents and the goes back down the stack and is tied securely on the bottom.  The glass holder protects the surface from oil drop damage.

Exchange Cards - May

These are my cards for May.  Turquoise, white and silver is the color scheme.

The white card base has a designer paper layer with a plaid pattern.  

I created the focal point with SB Circle Nestablities in 3 sizes.  The large white was embossed with the Cuttlebug Script folder, then the middle circle is turquoise solid card stock then a silver foil layer embossed with the  Cuttlebug Diamond in the Rough folder. I added a white daisy confetti with a blue tiny brad.  

The greeting is color printed and punched with the Stampin Up Modern Label.  It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I flipped the designer paper over and used the polka dot side for this card and changed the orientation to landscape.

I cut the squares layers with the Sizzix Square Thinlits in the same colors as the first one. I added a little note brad in the center.

Gift Box of All Occasion Cards - Donation

I made a gift box of all occasion cards for an upcoming charity event.

I included 12 cards with white envelopes with blank inserts.  A few have greetings but most can be used for any occasion.

I started with a black card base.  I cut a 6 inch circle with my Creative Memories Cutter.  I then cut the circle in half.  I aligned the straight edge to the right hand side of the card and adhered it to the card front.  I trimmed the top and bottom of the half circle to the card edge.  I used the wonderful music designer paper.

I added a black die cut flower and then a metallic Prima and a small black die cut one.  These are held in place with a mini gold brad.


This is a similar card with the straight edge on the left hand side this time.

I aligned 9 handmade paper flowers by Prima in warm tones along the curved edge.  I alternated the colors from tan, ivory and a rosy taupe color.

They are held in place with a tiny copper brad with a small black sequin in the center.

This card features polka dot designer paper by Fancy Pants Designs - Like Father Like Son - Stud Muffin.
I ripped the right hand side of the designer paper then adhered the straight side to the left hand side of a forest green card.  I added a piece of celery grosgrain ribbon wrapped around the card front and knotted it.

I created the greeting accent with a warm green scalloped circle, topped with a 1.25 circle of the same color as the card, then a 1" circle stamped greeting in chocolate brown.

With the wonderful colors in this designer paper several options were possible for the car color.  Here I have selected a terra cotta colored card base.  I ripped both edges then adhered it to the card front.  I wrapped a piece of celery grosgrain ribbon across the front of the card and taped the ends on the inside of the card.

I created an accent with a scallop circle, then a blue smooth circle then 2 layered butterflies.  I held these pieces together with a white tiny brad. The accent was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Very similar cards with the half circles on the left edge then the right hand side.

An accent was created with silk and handmade paper flowers.  This is  held in place with a green mini brad.

I added a grey knitting ribbon wrapped around the card front and knotted on the front.  I added a few more from my stash to make a total of 12.

Exchange Cards

I`m sending off cards to my exchange friends today.

For this card I used Medium Outdoorsy Olive card stock as the card base. The designer paper is polka dots by Imaginesce - Kewl Stuff - Hot Spots which I cut with the Stampin Up Sunburst thinlit. I cut my designer paper before I ran it through the Big Shot so it was the exact size I needed (4.00 x 5.25 inches).  It was adhered to the card front leaving a small border.

I then punched a 2 inch circle from Dark Outdoorsy Olive and a 1.75 inch circle from the same color as the card.

I added a copper metallic butterfly with the Martha Stewart punch.  It is held in place with a tiny copper brad.

This accent was attached to the card front with 3D foam tape.

This card features Kraft as the card base.

The sunburst is by Carta Bella - Beautiful Moments by Carina Gardner - Happy Thoughts.

The paper was cut to 4.00 x 5.25 then run through the Big Shot with the Stampin Up Sunburst thinlit. It was adhered to the card front.

I punched a white 2 inch circle then a Kraft 1.75 inch circle and added a gold metallic butterfly done with the Martha Stewart punch.  It is held in place with a gold tiny brad.

This layer was adhered to the card front  with 3D foam tape.

Christmas Card Order - Layered Cards

More cards in the Christmas Card order. 

This is the QuicKutz Nativity Border die cut in black card stock.  It was mounted in front of a gold stars on a white background card stock.  I chose a black card to repeat the black in the foreground.

I added a punched gold star with the Creative Memories Sparkle punch from sticker paper and adhered it to the star above the stable.

This is a lot of gluing to get it well adhered to the card.

This is a nativity graphic I found on the web. 

I created a graphic which included the holy family and a greeting. This was then printed on vellum and embossed with silver powder. It was trimmed close the border.

The vellum was layered onto a piece of blue alcohol ink background card stock I created a while ago. 

I added 4 tiny pewter colored brads in each corner.  I placed 3D foam on each corner and adhered this layer to the blue card front.

I chose several pieces of alcohol ink backgrounds. This card features some aqua background paper with coordinating card stock.

I created this card using the Penny Black Manger die on copper metallic card stock.  I added it to a green ornament die cut. This is the Sizzix Ornament #2.  It is held in place with a tiny copper star brad.  I added some dark brown seam binding on the ornament hanger. 

I embossed a piece of cream pearl card stock with the Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls folder.  I added it to the front of a dark brown card. 

The ornament was then adhered to the front the card with 3D foam ornament. 

I did a few with a cooler green colored ornament as well.

The order will be delivered today!

Christmas Card Challenge - White Circle - Doily Wreath

This card is for my blog Christmas Card Challenge for July which is White Circle.

I chose a white doily for the main element which measures 4.5 inches.  I chose to put it on an A6 white card.  I glued some white fabric snowflakes around the interior circle of the doily.  I then put a few iridescent sequins held in place with tiny white brads.

I used a greeting from my stash in a purple color and tacked it below the wreath and trimmed it to the card edges. 

I placed a few more fabric snowflakes & sequin combos with a couple on the greeting and a couple in each top corners.

I wanted a subtle white on white textured card.  I really like the texture the doily provides.



I am pairing this card with a Pop Tone Black Licorice A6 black envelope which was provided by Paper Garden.

Have you started on your Christmas cards?  Summer time with a slower pace is a good time to get started or get a stack of cards made.

Cool Tool - Plastic Canvas Circle

This is a cool tool.   It is a circle of plastic canvas.  I use it to create even paper piercing holes on my card projects.  Using a push pin, I align the pin in the right hand corner of each hole which produces a even circle of holes on my card.

Check my next post for the card.

Card Club - June - Floral Metal Accent

I chose the metal accent first.
I then cut a white circle with Spellbinder smooth circles at 2 3/8" just a bit larger than the metal circle. I cut the coordinating scallop circle from pink card stock.  I chose pink ribbon which matched the pink scallop.  I embossed a piece of white card stock with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. I placed a piece of ribbon across the bottom third of the embossed layer and tape the ends to the back.  I then tied the shorter piece onto it.  This layer was then adhered to the card front.
I then assembled the scallop accent by adhering the white circle to the pink scallop.  I tacked this layer to the card front.  I then used a push pin to make holes for the 3 small brads.  These are blue which matched the card of the card. I pushed the prongs through the holes and spread them apart on the inside of the card.

Card Club - Oct - Glitter Circle Trio

I used some card stock with selected flowers glittered as a starting point for this set of cards. I punched the glitter card stock with the Stampin Up 1.25 inch circle punch.  I punched the next layer with the 1 3/8 inch circle punch from deep purple card stock.  I printed my large greeting layer on white card stock in a color to match the card.  The white layer is adhered then the solid circles then the glitter circles.

The other set of card stock was in more muted color tones so I chose an olive card and a lighter purple card stock for the solid circles.

Card Club - Sept - Felt Owl

Here's a cute felt owl. I chose a black card then put a turquoise layer embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I cut the Tim Holtz Cameo Frame from black card stock and cut the die in half. I placed a .5 stripe of yellow across the card over the bottom edge of the Cameo diecut.  The circle is cut from white with Spellbinder Nestabilities and placed over the yellow strip.   I cut the branch he is sitting on from dark green card stock with the Stampin Up Small Leaves sizzlet.  The owl was then adhered in the centre of the white circle.

Card - Holy Family Snow Globe

I created this card for a project that did not come together so I'm posting the cards now.
I started with a photo of a holy family porcelain art piece.  I applied a filter to it to have only the edges highlighted in a dark green color, probably Always Artichoke.  I cropped it into a circle.  I created the base digitally and filled it with a rich jewel toned pattern.  I color printed the greeting and wrapped it around the circle of the family.  I cut a piece of acetate with my Spellbinder Circle Nestabilities which exactly matches the size of the snow globe.  This suggests the glass part of the snow globe and it is held in place with a tiny brass star brad.

Challenge - Star Card

I made this card for one of my groups. The challenge was a resolution for your crafting this year.  I have some many that it's hard to pick. Add variety to the standard sized cards I usually make. 
I started with the tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers. The card was a bit harder than I expected because your measuring has to be right on.  I started with a 8.5" equilateral triangle of designer paper. You then have to fold each point to the center at 4.25" of the opposite side. That was pretty easy.  The next one is trickier because you want to fold just enough to have the fold join in the middle.  It was about 1/3 of the remaining flap.  I added a piece of white in the inside for my message.  To decorate the front I cut a white scallop with my Spellbinder nestabilities then cut the corresponding smooth circle from an aqua paper.  I mounted a green and then red Stampin Up! Five petal punchie with a small white five petal punchie.  I put a aqua blue tiny brad in the center which holes all but the white layer.  This was then adhered to the white layer.  This accent was only adhered to one of the flaps to allow the card to still open.