Sewing Project - Repair my Bedspread

My Mom made me a bedspread 16 or more years ago.  She asked me what I wanted and I wanted bright and fun fabric.  She often used second hand fabric and I recognize fabric from Dad's shirts and other garments she made along the way.  I really loved the quilt. Nice and thin but heavy.

It has started to wear and I needed to address the damage before it was too late to save the bedspread.  She is no longer here and I have improved my sewing skills so it is all good. 

The damage is on the top and bottom edges. I do rotate the quilt regularly which explains why both edges are affected.  It is where I handled it a the top when I am in bed.

The front pieces were damaged as well as the backing and in some place even the binding was showing wear.

There were a couple of places where the fabric was ripped or very thin.

I zigzagged the large holes to stablize the fabric.  This will be covered by the fabric I am going to add.

For the hole I place a tiny piece of blue fabric under the hold and used he blanket stitch to finished off the edges all the way around.

There was one polygram piece that was just too thin to really repair so I chose to applique a full piece over it.

It took a bit to find a piece that was bold enough in pattern to match the rest.  The zigzag piece is the replacement and I cut it to be exactly the same size as the other.

I hand stitched small stitches along all the edges with sewing polyester thread.

I was hoping for poly cotton fabric when I went shopping but only found polyester fabric. It was the right color and there was enough and the price of $2 was right so it came home with me.

After washing the fabric, I set out to design a way to cover the damage without it looking to much like that is what I did.

I cut the band 8 inches tall. The fabric was 70" inches wide so I cut 3 strips to have enough to cover the width of the bedspread 2 times (top and bottom).

Once I had sewn the 3 pieces together I cut it in half.  I aligned it 2.5 inches away from the edge on the back side and stitched it down.  I also made a seam in the binding of the quilt along which I was gong to fold. I iron the remaining fabric to the front of the bedspread.  Then I fold up the edge to have the band measure 3.5 inches. I pinned it very carefully and then top stitched it down.  I folded the fabric in on the edges and top stitch those at the same time.

For a while before I started this project I thought I would add additional stitching to the band but I don't think it needs it.

More stitching would make it stiffer and that is where I handle it all the time so I don't think that would feel nice.

It took the better part of the day but the quilt will now last another 10 years.  

Super happy with the end product.

I washed it and put it back on the bed.  Wonderful!

Card - Birthday - Watercolor and Flowers

This card is for my aunt who celebrates her birthday soon.  

I chose a SU Crushed Curry textured A2 card base. 

I cut a piece of water color paper left over from the paper I made for these pieces.  I adhered it to the card front.

I wrapped a length of Crushed Curry grosgrain ribbon along the left hand side and knotted it a the top. 

I added 3 handmade paper flowers on the right and held them in place with coordinating mini brads.

I added a SU Modern Label greeting in the bottom right hand corner with 3D foam tape.

I added a quarter sheet insert and envelope.  It is ready to go.
 

Cards - All Occasion - Gold Decorative Paper

 I found a sheet of this decorative paper at the ReUse Center a while back. I have used it as a background for photography but now it had to be used.

I recognized that almost any card color would work with it so then it was to decide embellishments.  

I need cards for my card box.

I chose SU Soft Sky A2 card base. I ripped a piece of the paper and adhered it to card front with ds tape and some glue stick. 

I cut a label with one of the labels from the Chalk Talk die set which included the small oval hole die.

I chose a gold ribbon to go across the bottom so I had to use the SU Slot punch to make a hole in the fold to allow the ribbon to go through.  Once pulled across I taped the ends to the inside of the card.

I cut a star from the gold decorative paper and adhered it to the label.  The insert had to be adjusted a bit to allow for the slot in the fold.  I used the slot punch again.  A half sheet insert and a white envelope.

For this card I chose a red A2 card base and again ripped a piece of the gold decorative paper to fit the card front.  I use double sided tape and glue stick to ensure adhesion.

I wrapped a piece of gold grosgrain ribbon across the front and taped the ends to the inside.  

I cut a heart with one of Sizzix Hearts thinlit die set.  I embossed it with the D'vine Swirl folder.  I mounted it over the paper and ribbon with 3D foam tape.

A half sheet insert and white envelope and an another card in the box.

This card has a SU Crushed Curry textured card stock base in the A2 size. 

I ripped a piece of the decorative paper for the card front and used DS tape and glue stick to stick it to the front.

I added a length of So Saffron rick rack along the left side and taped the ends to the inside.

I chose a SU Really Rust and So Saffron quarter sheet pieces of card stock and ran them through the Big Shot with the Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die.   Then I choose the alternating sized flowers and layered them.  I did embossed the 3rd one with the Swiss Dots folder. I added a gold round sequin on to the gold mini brad which holds all the layers to the card front.   I added a half sheet insert and white envelope.

I chose a SU So Saffron A2 card base for this card. 

I ripped a piece of the gold decorative paper and adhered to the card front. 

I ran a length of So Saffron rick rack along the top edge of the card and taped the ends to the inside. 

I cut a star from SU Daffodil Delight card stock with the SU Star thinlit dies and glued a gold star sequin onto it with a Bling Zot.  Then this accent was adhered tot he card front with 3D foam tape.

A half sheet insert and white envelope and I had a set of 4 cards.

Card & Basket - Thanks

I made a large card for a group of guys who worked on my place in recent days.

I started with a half sheet card so an 8.5x11 inch piece of card stock folded in half. 

This Island Indigo - a rich deep blue. I chose to use this holey gold decorative paper and was thrilled to see the blue show through like small bits of water.

I had some satin ribbon to match. I punched 3 holes at the top and did an inny outy knot in which I captured the length of ribbon that held the star.

The yellow star is cut with the Sizzix Star Primitive #2 from Summer Sun card stock. Then embossed with the Cuttlebug Thanks Words folder trying to align the "Thank You" to be visible.  I punched a hole in the top and strung the ribbon through. It is also held in place with 3D foam tape. This was a last minute card but it worked out so well. Full insert helped to cover all the names and a white envelope.

I delivered a basket of healthy food for the guys.  

Crackers and cheese, snap peas, tomatoes and carrots. 

I did throw in a box of hot chocolate for dessert.

I lined the basket with lime green tissue paper.

The basket was a nice sturdy one with metal accents which suited the situation.

 

Card - HB - Blue Birdie

A blue bird card for a friend celebrating a birthday this week.

I chose a SU So Saffron A2 card base.  Then a piece of blue watercolor designer paper but to leave a narrow border.

I added a length of rick rack along the left hand side and taped the ends to the back.  This was then adhered to the card front with ds tape.

I punched the bird with the SU Bird Builder punch. Punched the branch again in green.

The bird was assembled and then adhered to the card front with 3D tape. 

Quarter sheet insert and it is on its way! 

Card - Slow Stitch - Pink & Brown Stripes

With my challenge slow stitch project finished for this week I needed another.

I just dipped into my stash of scraps and chose coordinating strips of fabric.

I started with the print and added solids that matched. I hand stitched them in the quilt as you go fashion onto a foundation cloth. Once I was done I trimmed the piece to 4x6 inches. I stitched a brown seam binding all the way around. 

I placed it onto a SU Regal Rose A7 card base and stitch it in the 4 corners. I added the button and the double butterfly accent with stitches as well.  

The butterfly accent was created with the Sizzix Wingged Beauties die set for the brown and Martha Stewart butterfly punch for the pink in the same color as the card base.  I added a white insert and white envelope. 

Unfortunately, the card box does not handle these bigger cards so well.

Slow Stitching - No. 024 - Crazy Patch Work - Stitching

I worked on the stitching all week because I knew it was going to take some time.

Week 24 - This is part 2 of the Crazy Patch Work challenge from last week.

I worked all week because I knew it was going to be a lot of work to get all the stitching done.  I added 3 accents pieces - a bead, a button, and yellow double holed thingy.  Then there is lace, rick rack, and gold cording.

I used French Knots, Seed Stitches, Couching Stitch, Cretan Stitch, Sheaf Stitch, Chain Stitch, Running Stitch, and Stem Stitch. This project increased my comfort zone with using different stitches.  The Elegant Stitches book was very helpful. 

The color scheme was totally based on the center piece of fabric.

Home Upgrades - Bathroom Vanity

Plumber was in last week to fix a slow draining bathroom sink.  That is a brand spanking new shiny P-Trap which was installed as the ring on the old one just broke off when it was handled to be put back together.

The vanity needed to be cleaned and once I got in there I decided that it could do with a paint job. I don't like the brown wall on the left hand side. Yes, that is my poor drywall repair when a previous plumber came in made a hole and never returned to repair it. The bottom of the cabinet is just particle board and has had wetness issues which I inherited.

I decided to paint the inside of the cabinet.

I dug out a partial small can of Bulls Eye 123 Primer.  There was just enough to do this small job.  

I have used this great product with very good success.  This is leftover from painting the vanity doors.

With that brown wall and the fact that the drywall repair had not been painted and the bottom being damaged I thought it could use a good coat of sealer.

It was much brigther in there after the primer was on.

The brown wall is streaky but that will be covered when the paint goes on.

I let it dry 4  hours before I put the coat of paint on it.

This the paint I have been using for all the work done in my place.

It is a warm white and very good paint.  Covers well and costs a pretty penny but worth it.

This looks so much better.  It is all sealed, it is white and is all nice a clean.  I let this dry for 4 hours.

Love it!

I put the isolation valve covers back on and marked the hot and cold.

I was ready to put everything back in the cabinet and have my place back again.

There have been so many times where I regular life has been disrupted.  

The majority of the laundry room is still in the living room.

With flooring to be done this summer there will be plenty more.

Well that was a full days work but it looks wonderful.

I am very grateful to have some of my energy back so I can tackle some of these projects even if it is not on my time line.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The flowers in the flower beds and gardens around the neighborhood are looking good.

The zinnias from the park, the lilacs from the other park, alium in the front yard of a neighbor and the poppy from another.  I am so grateful to have flowers to photograph. I have not even been to the community garden yet.

There is no slowing down ahead.

The Beachcomber by Josephine Cox is the book I finished this week.

In the summer of 1952 two people arrive in the pretty seaside hamlet of West Bay, Dorset to start a new life.

Kathy Wilson has come to rebuild her life in the cottage she has inherited.  Having lost a husband,being in another bad relationship, and seeing the truth about her mother and sister she has moved to the seaside.  The cottage needs work but she is up for it.

Tom Arnold, an architect in a large firm in London has been adrift since the tragedy.  He decides he needs a new start away from the city and the memories. 

Over the summer Kathy leans on Jasper who had been left to care for the cottage when her father left, she gets to know Tom as he wanders the beach, and comes to know the truth about cottage and her father.

One of my best finds at the ReUse Center.

A Solo Classic from Cross fountain pen manufacturer.  It is 30 years old but like brand new.  It was often given as recognition gifts in the 1990s.  My research supports the idea that many of these were never used. It came with the converter to be filled from a bottle of ink so I will purchase some.

After some research, I decided to buy this Parker blue ink which I hope may be some what permanent versus the washable which certainly is not.

Looking forward to using this pen in art and writing.

I spent a few hours with my aunt in her cold garage as the rain came down most of the day which dampened the attendance to this event.  Too bad. 

Some of my sisters were at the quilting retreat.

I headed off the reception of the Senior Show in the afternoon.

Look at that bright and shiny chrome P-Trap under the bathroom sink.  This is a result of having the plumber in today to snake the drain because of very a slow draining sink.

He did find iron chips in the drain a couple of floors down and resolved the issue after get out the big guns of a snake. Everything was reassembled and he indicated all was good.  He headed off and I started to clean the cabinet. 

Already there was a puddle so I chased him down and asked that he return to see what was up.  Upon closer inspection the ring attaching the trap to the back drain just fell apart.  That means a new part so he was off to the nearby supply store.  Back in 15 min he installed this shiny new thing and then after some careful checking to ensure no leaks he made his exit for the second time that day.  

It has been good since.  There is a plan to refurbish this space.

We also had a plumbing inspection done today but thanks to the work I had done last March there were very few recommendations. Isolation valves on the taps under this sink were recommended.

Cards - Christmas Ornament

I make another set of Christmas cards today as I had plumbers in for an inspection and a slow draining bathroom sink.

I glued some of the mosaic gift wrap to light card stock and pressed it over night.

I chose Cuttlebug 2 in 1 Ornament set die to cut the ornaments.  I then cut the hangers from silver designer paper and glued them with Quick Dry Adhesive.

I chose Orchid Opulence card bases in the A2 size. 

I chose Soft Sky for the embossed layer and used the Stampin Up Pine Bough folder.  I trimmed the layer before I embossed it. I glued it to the card front.  I added a silver star sequin to the center of the ornament and a short white grosgrain ribbon to the ornament and adhered it to the card front.

I had some left over inserts in the landscape orientation so I went with it.  White envelopes and I have 5 more cards in the Christmas Card box.

Cards - Christmas Snowflakes

This background paper is wrapping paper.  I liked the color scheme so I brought it home from ReUse despite having too much designer paper already.

I cut it to leave a border on the A2 card of SU Ballet Blue card stock. 

I cut the snowflakes with the Stampin Up Snow Flurry Bigz die from white and Tempting Turquoise card stock. 

The solid circle is punched with the 1.75 inch punch.  These were layered and aligned along the left hand side of the card.  All held in place with a white mini brad.

Full half sheet blank insert with a white envelope.

This card features a SU Lovely Lilac textured A2 card base.

A background of lovely mosaic purple toned wrapping paper.

I cut the snowflakes with the Snow Flurry Bigz Die.  Punched a circle of 1" from the same card stock as the card base.

All held in place with a mini brad in a warm purple color.

I added a banner along the bottom edge from the card base card stock.

I may add a greeting later.

Full white insert to cover the brad tabs showing on the inside of the card.  White envelope to finish.

This was very versatile paper because I made 4 cards with 4 different colored card bases.

This card base is Orchid Opulence in an A2 size with landscape orientation.

I cut the snowflakes with SU Snow Flurry Bigz die.  The middle snowflake was cut from Pacific Point card stock.

These are all held in place with a purple mini brad.

I complete forgot that I would use silver on some of these cards. It is what it is.  

Full half sheet insert and white envelope.

The card base on this card is Bashful Blue in an A2 size.

I cut the snowflakes with the Stampin Up Snow Flurry Bigz die.

The smaller snowflake is Brilliant Blue and the stack of die cuts are held in place to the card front with a snowflake specialty brad.

I added a strip of the card color under the snowflake stack.

Full half sheet insert and white envelope.

Glad to have a few Christmas cards in my box as it is nearly half way through the year.

Happy with these.

Slow Stitching - No. 023 - Crazy Patch Work

Week 23 of the Slow Stitching  Challenge on K3N Cloth Tales Channel. @k3n.clothtales

This week's prompt is Crazy Patch Work.  This will be a 2 week challenge where we will create out patchwork piece in week one and then embellish it in week two.

I started with the grapes fabric in the center and chose solid fabric contained in the print. Pink, tan, orange, yellow, purple and gold.

I chose to enclose all my raw edges. Wonky angles is good.  The 3 top pieces were my last and it took a while to work out now to get the fabrics to the edge. I stitched all the way around as well but I see that I stitched it from the back so my long stitches are on the front.  That's okay they will be hidden with I applique it to my squares.

I was very happy to find I own one of the books Kathryn recommended for Crazy Patch Work stitches. 

Earlier this year I was on the hunt for embroidery stitch books because digital does not work as well for me. The seniors rummage sale this spring I found 3 books.  

Elegant Stitches by Judith Baker Montano was one of them.  Kathryn pointed out that there is a crazy patch work section.  I will have to study the stitch and practice to be ready to embellish this piece next week.

I will curate embellishments too! Lace? Buttons? Seqins? Yarn?  Who knows what will fit into the color scheme I have chosen.

I hope I have good floss colors as well.

Art Show - Senior Show - Watercolors

A bit of a different theme to my pieces for the Senior Show this year.  I usually submit photography but with a very short time line I decided to do some abstract watercolors.  

I taped down several pieces of 140lb watercolor paper to plastic boards and just applied color from my small watercolor palette.  I wanted quite a few so I could choose the best when it came to framing.

These dried over night and were completely flat when they were released from their tape the next day.

Title: Early Morning Light

Size: 11.00 x 14.00 inches

Medium: Watercolor

Mat: 11x14 Cream Double with 2 openings

Frame: 11x14 Metal Silver Brushed

The pieces were cut from one large piece to ensure that the lines in the pieces continued to flow across to the other opening.  Makes me think of sun over water.  I like that the right one is more blue than the left one.

 Title: Incoming Storm

Size: 8.25 x 10.25 inches

Medium: Watercolor

Mat: 8x10 White Archival Mat with smaller opening

Frame: 8x10 Metal Medium Grey wider profile

This piece with the very dark blue on top made me think of dark storm clouds.  The lines down on the left make me think of falling rain.  The red ground could be PEI or Arizona.

Title: Plum Hues

Size: 13.00 x 11.00 inches

Medium: Watercolor

Mat: 13x11 White Archival Single with 8x10 opening

Frame: Metal 13x11 Rose Gold / Copper 

This one is quite abstract.  It could be flowers and leaves.  The plum color matched the frame very well.  I like the way the colors mingled and created some darker hues in areas.

These have been submitted to the Senior Art Show being hosted by the Allied Arts Council at the Spruce Grove Gallery.  The reception will be held Saturday June 8th at 1pm.  If you can join us that would be wonderful.  There are over 60 entries in this show there is bound to be pieces for everyone.  

Come and enjoy the art and meet some of our artists.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I found White Pelicans at Beaumaris Lake this week!

The water was blue and it was very good.

Not the best shots but they are only the firsts.

Teatime for Firefly by Shona Patel

A story set in India. In prewar WII Layla Roy lived with her grandfather and she was educated. They had great discussions and she was able to debate and express her self.  One day, a young man came to visit her grandfather - Manik Deb. He was handsome, well spoken, had very good English and could rub shoulders with the British.  He is betrothed to a girl down the way.  He has a good job.

Suddenly, it is heard that Manik has taken a job on an Assam tea plantation.  Why? The marriage is eventually withdrawn as the girl is not moving to hinterland of northern India.  What was he thinking.

He had his eye on Layla.  Now with his future clear he can marry Layla.  He does and takes her far away from her home and she is meant to mingle with wives of tea planters.  She is in charge of servants and Manik works long hours.  It all works out in the end.

The White American Pelicans have arrived in Sherwood Park as well at the Heritage Hills Wetlands.

The story continues with not great photos but I will persevere.

My plan to give away the cards I make is working well.

The recipients are appreciative.

This set is headed to my niece.

The Red Winged Blackbirds are back in all the wetlands.

This was a the Heritage Hills Wetlands.  

I only had a bit of time so that is what it is.

Card - Happy Birthday - Night of Navy

A card for my brother who is celebrating a birthday this week.

I chose a beige card base with navy and red accents.

The red layer was embossed with a recent thrift store purchase.  See below.

I punched a navy 1.75" circle and added a 1 3/8 circle greeting on beige cardstock.

I trimmed the embossed layer to place the circle off center, then ran a length of Night of Navy seam binding along the left hand side.

I attached the 2 circles over the embossed circle and held them in place with a navy mini brad.

A quarter sheet insert and an envelope and it is ready to deliver. 

No company branding on these but considering that the price was 2 for $1 and I have all the Stamping Up circle punches and Nestabilities dies which will cut circles I decided that it was a good investment.

One is masculine and the other would work for feminine cards it was a great combo.

There is some room in the embossing folder storage box which is priority as well.

Photo Cards - Abstract

I created these 2 cards with a print I produced for a art show earlier this year which just did not work.

It was a 4x10 photo print of ice broken in a puddle in the spring.

I decided to trim it to a size I could place on cards.  I then layered it with a piece of Lovely Lilac card stock.

Then this was adhered to a black A2 card base.

A white quarter sheet insert and white envelope finished the card.

It is pressing under books overnight.

This is the other half of the print.

I used the same light purple card stock layer.

I mounted this one on a Basic Grey A2 card base.

A white quarter sheet insert and white envelope finished the card.

Glad to have another 2 cards into the card box.

Slow Stitching - No. 022 - Comfort Blanket

Slow stitching with K3N Cloth Tales Challenge.

Week 22 - Comfort Cloth and Blanket Stitch.

I created a small blanket.

I chose the flannel which defined the colors for the project.

I found my top layer and then cut some rectangles in red and black.  Some stitched with white or red.

I then used the blanket stitch again to assemble my small blanket to the flannel plaid backer.

It could have used a layer of batting as well but I only came to that conclusion once I was done the outside edge.

It is what it is.

I really like this one.

Cards - Watercolor - No Greetings

I used some of the leftover watercolor pieces from my entries for the senior show.

Here I have cut a 4 inch piece of watercolor then I mounted it to a SU Cool Caribbean A2 card base.

I added a embossed strip of SU Coral Calypso mounted on the left hand side with a teal blue large dot brad attached.

I added a quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.

I pressed it over night and it is ready for the card box.

I gave my niece another set of cards on the weekend so the box needs refilling.

This card started with a 4.00 x 5.25 inch piece of watercolor paper.

I chose a SU Groovy Guava A2 card base.

I placed a piece of SU Coral Calypso grosgrain ribbon across the watercolor piece and taped the ends to the back. 

I added 5 small handmade paper flowers held in place with tiny brads.  I colored the dark flowers with the leftover watercolor on my palette. Handy!

This layer was adhered to the card front with double sided tape.

I added a quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.  Sitting in my card box.