Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallets

I used my new collage fabric to make 3 more foldover wallets today.

The first one I did not pay attention too much to where my folds would be.  The next couple I did audition which would be the front and the back.  I had a bit of leeway as the piece of fabric needed to be trimmed back some.

I put a red elastic on this one.

The new collage fabric allowed me to make 3 wallets with none of them being exactly the same.

I chose to put a black elastic on this one because of the little black bees on the fabric on the right hand side.

This one has the light fabric on the left hand side which is quite a contrast.  I think it works though.

Again, a red elastic for this one.

I chose to use clips to hold the sandwich together when sewing these wallets.

The silver fabric you see if the RFID fabric and I think it is best if there are not holes in the fabric where the cards will be.  

The fabric is incorporated into the 2 side seams then the fold over flaps are aligned with the edge of the fabric so that the full outside of the pockets are protected.

Fabric Scraps - New Fabric

This fabric will amp up the look of the fold over card wallets. 

I picked a bunch of small fabric scraps in yellows, browns, and oranges.

I set my sewing machine to zigzag pattern #5 and the stitch length to just below 0 and stitch width to 4. It creates a blanket stitched look with the sewing machine.

I cut a foundaton piece of thin polycotton broadcloth to 12 x 16 inches. I just placed one piece and stiched around and kept adding pieces. To have the looks the raw edge of the fabric needs to face left as I am stitching. I have started using up my spools of thread as mostly I use cones these days.  I emptied 3 bobbins during this project. Excellent. 

This piece is not trimmed.  My plan is to cut this piece into 3 pieces of 5 x 11 inches for fold over card wallets.   The process creates a new piece of fabric from fabric scraps.  Stash busting!!!

Here's a close up of the over stitching I did along the raw edges of the small pieces of fabric I used to make this new fabric.

It somewhat mimicks blanket stitch.  Choice of thread will determine whether it shows up a lot or just blends into the overall color scheme of the fabric.

I think I should have overlapped the fabric a bit more than I did.  When I made it into a wallet depending on where the fold was it was possible to have the background fabric show.

Sewing Project - Fold Over Wallet

This is another version of a card wallet. 

This one has 2 pockets with an elastic closure.

The special thing about this one is that I put a piece of RFID fabric covering the full back of the wallet.  So when it is closed the cards inside are protected.

The RFID fabric I purchased at Marshall's Fabrics in the city.

The piece of fabric for this one was 5 inches wide and  10.5 inches tall (front and lining).  I think I will make it longer next time. The RFID fabric measures 4.25 x 5.5 inches.  That is wide enough to be captured in the side seams without extra bulk. It is quite stiff. I added the elastic in the side seams so 3 seams and you are done.  This one looks very lack lustre.   

I am working on making more interesting fabric from scraps.

Sewing Project - Card Wallets

I am way behind on my product for the Christmas Store.  I found these card wallets which I thought worked really well.  The wallet has 2 secure pockets as well the center pocket which is just open.  I love the contrast between the print and the solid fabric which creates a petal pattern in the middle of the wallet.  Sew on snaps keep the front and back pockets closed. 

You can carry all kinds of cards in this wallet. Loyalty cards, library card, business cards, and maybe even credit cards.  I prefer to carry those cards protected with RFID. 

It starts with a circle measuring about 11.50 inches in diameter.  I added an extra layer in the middle center to stiffen the wallet a bit.  It was sewn to the back lining before I sewed the circles together.  Once stitched I turned the right side out and ironed fold in half along the stitch lines of the bit of extra fabric. I top stitched all the way around to finish off the circle and close the slit.

I ironed the circle in half with the patterned right side up. I measured 4 inches from the fold and sewed a seam creating the petals. I then opened the petals and aligned that seam with the fold in the middle of the circle. Ironed that very well.

I folded the piece in half backwards keeping the petals on the front and now on the back.   I marked the top of the petals and marked the place on left and right edges. I sewed the edges closed.  I hand stitched the snaps on the front and back pockets.  And that was it

Here's the second one I made with feather fabric and red solid fabric.

I paid better attention to the sewing of the circle and I think it turned out well. 

Sewing Project - Nightgown Upgrade

I am feeling better from being quite sick with COVID.

I have been home for 9 days and just feeling able to do more than the basics of taking care of myself.

I bought this nightgown this summer but I found it just a bit too short.  When I was on a visit with my sister a while back I found some black starry organza and thought "That should do the trick".

I cut the organza to 12 inches high and the width of the fabric. I cut 2 lenghths and created a loop with two rench seams.  I then folded the loop in half so that the fold was on the bottom.  I alloted the excess fabric in pleats along the way to the point where the full loop fit along the hem of the garment.  I sewed the raw edges along the hem.

Now I had to make it pretty.  Again, in the last few weeks I found a roll of wide frilly ribbon which I thought could play a part in this project. I pinned the ribbon on top of the raw edges of the organza and that cleaned up all the edges.

Now the garment is 6 inches longer to just below the knee and I am surrounded by gold and silver stars as I head for dream land.  Works for me.

There was a manufacturers label on the garment but it was aligned vertically instead of horizontally.  This made it difficult to hang on the hook in my bedroom closet.

I added a twill tape loop on the back neckline so that it hangs more easily in the closet.

Really happy with this small sewing  project.

I have missed my sewing so much in the last year. 
Today was the 1 year anniversary of the flood at the old condo.  I have been in renovation mode for that long.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

We have had this big white bird resting at the little pond for a few days.

I spent some time sitting in the wet grass taking a lot of shots in hopes of getting a good one.

This is an Egret as it has black legs where as a White Heron has yellow legs.  This has been talk that there has been a white heron in the vacinity and it has attracted the long lenses.  It would be very much out of it range to be in Alberta I understand.

Thrilled to see this bird.

I attended a client open house this week where I met a few other folks who had purchased properties.

It was held at a farm with a flower cutting garden, a large pumpkin patch and good food provided by the Rolling Deli.

The food was excellent.

I asked for a few flowers instead of a pumpkin.  My mom had a flower cutting garden and had fresh flowers in a vase on the table all summer. 

I was thrilled the hostess shared a few flowers with me.

Cosmos, Zinnias, Straw Flowers were a few.

The Clockmaker's Wife by Daisy Wood was a great book.  A great World War II story about a plot to bomb Big Ben.  Big Ben is the great bell of the Great Clock of Westminster which stands at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, England.

1940 England - Nell Spelman is the wife of Arthur Spelman who takes care of the clock.  Due to the horrendous bombing in London Arthur sends Nell and the baby Alice to the country side. When Arthur disappears Nell is compelled to go back to London to find out what is happening. 

2021 New York Ellie is Alice's daugther. Alice is very old and needing care. Ellie discovers a beautiful watch which belongs to her mother but Alice does not know it's history. Ellie decides to go to England find long lost relatives and dig to see what happened.

Turns out that Nell discovered a plot to bomb Big Ben and gave her life to save the treasure. Alice lost her mother when she was a few months old.  She was eventually reunited with her father Arthur but he was not open to discussing the war.

This week was a flurry of preparation to host my first group of family in my new place.

I only had a mis mash of small dessert bowls and I was sure that I would find what I wanted in thrift stores.  When that did not happen I decided to check out what IKEA had in the way of dishes.

After considering several options in the marketplace I chose these.  OLIVTRAST are beverage vessels made of tempered glass. I love the textured glass and the size is great for tea, coffee, juice or dessert.  They stack beautifully which is great for my little place.

Super happy with these.

I found a new cotton rug for the kitchen.

It has yellow and grey and warm tones which works well with the floor.  It is a big darker than the other one I have.

It will show dirt less and therefore easier to maintain on an ongoing basis.

It is 100% cotton.

With my anti skid mat from IKEA - STOPP it works out very nicely.

The cost was under $10 which was a bargain.

I picked up my new glasses on Friday.  I chose to get another pair despite my prescription really not changing much because I should have a spare set of glasses.  

The pair I got 4 years ago have been great but I would be lost to do much if something happened to them.

A lighter frame than the other pair. Love the teal color.

I have had this tiered serving tray for quite a while. In the past there were turquoise melanine plates that were fit into it.  

The new place just did not work with turquoise so I was on a quest to replace them with clear glass platters.

At FIND store in the city I found 2 identical platters measuring 11.5 inche diameter for $4 dollars each. These are vintage glass made by the Federal Glass Company with the Heritage pattern.  

I love the flower in the center and the dots of glass on the bottom which create sparkle.  Nice to have that check off as I will be hosting my immediate family soon.

I was looking for a clear glass cream and sugar set for this new place.

At Goodwill on Friday I found this set of a water pitcher, creamer and sugar bowl in fine blown glass.

Black accents are okay.

The price was again under $10.00.  A steal in my opinion.

They are beautiful.  I am not sure if they are crystal.

They are not marked so not sure if they may be made in China.  Very likely.

I invited some my aunts and uncles who live nearby for coffee on Saturday.

I made apple crisp and served it with vanilla ice cream in my new dessert dishes.

I pulled the extra 2 pine chairs for the dining room table.  I added small leaf table at the end.  I need to look at fabric place mats but this time I used what I had which were plastic ones.

We had a great visit and it was the inaugural session of hosting for me in this new place.

Looking forward to many more.

The Little Italian Hotel by Phaedra Patrick.

Ginny is planning a surprise trip to Italy for their 25th wedding anniversary.  When out for a special supper she announces the surprise she does not get the response she anticipated. Her husband has news of his own. He is leaving and wants a divorce.  WOW!

She is unable to cancel the trip because the deadline has passed. She changes the booking hotel to a small one nearby which allows her to bring a few folks with her.  On her radio show she puts out the call for people who need time away to heal to join her on this trip. Yes, complete strangers.

The little hotel in Italy is grateful for the 3 week booking of 5 rooms.  Nico should be remodelling and modernizing his hotel but he promised his mother on her deathbed to keep the charm of the old.

Each guest is nursing a hurt and it takes a while for her gain their trust so they are willing to share the truth.  Daily activities are planned and each guest get to chose and plan on activity revealing a little bit about themselves.   Once back home, Ginny is not sure what life is going to be like.  There is a nice twist at the end of the book.

Card Making - More

The card making continues. The card bases are Barely Banana from the Scrapping Kit - "In Full Bloom".  The stickers are wonderful.

I added a layer of vellum from the Botanical Garden Vellum 6x6 inch pack.

On the left, I cut a layer of vellum.  I adhered the stickers then I could put some double sided tape behind them to attach to the card. A yellow day with bees a buzzing. Once attached I added a leaf border sticker across the bottom of the vellum.  On the right I chose some of the designer paper and ripped the right hand side away from me not to leave a white core edge. I added some vellum to complete the right hand side. Taped togehter then adhered to the card front. I added a couple small stickers on the right bottom corner. 

Here I have chosen Lavender Lace card stock which was not part of the kit but matches well.

I used vellem again on both cards. Double sided tape behind the stickers placed on the front of the vellum pieces. Bees and flowers from the Simply Scrapping kit. White quarter sheet inserts with white envelopes. 

I will be sending off the leftovers from the kits to the thrift store and I have just that little bit less in my craft room.  I want to use that watercolor background paper soon.  It has been a bit of whirl wind session of card making but I acheived the number of cards for both events I was plannng for. The trip south was great. Loved being able to get away again after being stuck close to home unpacking.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I was down south to see my neice recently.  One morning the backyard was suddenly filled with birds.  All kinds.

These are Northern Flickers but check out the orange tail feathers. When they fly one sees the splash of color right away.  So glad to see these birds must be migration time. 

This is one of the casualities of the move.  This is a set of heart shaped dishes I received from my Mom and Dad for high school graduation I think. That is over 50 years.

At least I still have one instact dish.  I am so grateful.  I packed the boxes so it is one me.  They are beautiful dishes and they did not have lots of money so to get something was very special.

I had my regular eye exam this week and have ordered a pair of glasses despite my prescription not changing much.  This will give me spare pair of spectacles in case there is a mishap with the pair I am wearing.

Those who have been wearing glasses for a long time have been recommending this move forward but as you know I have been pretty busy.

I am loving that beautiful morning sun in my east facing windows.

Love the sunshine yellow color.

The curtains are sheer enough to let the light in and give me my privacy.  The back of the building does not have a lot of movement but some neighbours wander the back area.

A Week at the Shore by Barbara Delinsky.  Mallory gets a call which calls her back to where she grew up.  A small shore town on Rhode Island. Her father is not doing well.  

She and her 13 year old daughter arrive to the house on the bluff with some many good and bad memories.  Annie her sister who lives in the house with the father feels threatened with the older sister arrives unannouced.

Mallory's old boyfriend Jack is now a veterinarian in the town so she runs into him pretty quickly. They ended their relationship 20 years ago when his mom passed away under mysterious circumstances involvin a boat and her father the judge.

The book started a little slow and the end was a bit predictable.  To think in 7 days a relationship can become physical, emotional, and supportive seems a little over the top.  In my experience forgiveness with several people does not happen that easily.  Enjoyed the book.

I stopped at my sisters in central part of the province for 2 days.  During my visit the skies darkened and rain drops came down.  Only about 1/8 of inch which was not enough to soak the garden.

It was so nice to be out and about visiting family again after being tied to the old place with the the threat of floods.  And then having to unpack here which took much longer than I anticipated.

Feels really good to be free to travel a bit these days.

Starting to rebuild my plant collection. 

Some did not survive the trip to the hotel and then back home weeks later in the middle of winter.

The African Violet needs to be replaced yet but this spider plant in a 2" pot came home with me this week.

There were 2 plants so I have given them each a pot and hopefully one will be hanging in the bedroom soon.

My niece gave me a macrame plant hanger that will work in the bedroom.

Watercolor Card - Landscape

I whipped up some waterolor paper this morning.  I used 140lb cold press paper measuring 11x15 inches.  Fortunately, I unpacked my glass shelf and a couple of plastic craft work sheet and taped the paper down.

I decided to use some Stampin Up reinker in water based dye ink which works the same as watercolor but will match the card stock I have.  I chose Always Artichoke, Only Orange, Baroque Burgundy. 

I used regular salt on one sheet, coarse salt on another and cling wrap on other.

I trimmed the watercolor paper after I decided what my bottom layers were going to be. I chose deep green card stock, deep red card stock and More Mustard card stock.  Ripped the top edges and layered them front to back and then taped the back with clear tape. I trimmed the watercolor paper to fit just below the top edge of the accent. I adhered it to a More Mustard card base in the A7 size. I adhered the ripped paper accent to the bottom of the card. With the scrap of green I cut a Sizzix Pine Small which I inked the edges with Always Artichoke ink pad. I then glued it in place ont the right hand side. I punched a 1 inch circle from Summer Sun card stock and adhered it on the left hand side. I then used the watercolor I had used this morning and painted with like colors to help it blend in the sky. I added 3 birds with my black Micron marker.

I put it to press for several hours. I gave it a white insert and a warm yellow envelope. I will see her tomorrow! Yeah!

Card Making - Sets Continue

I switched to the "In Full Bloom" Simply Scrapping Kit for these cards.

I picked the Sage Shadow card stock from the 12x12 kit and trimmed it down to make two A2 cards with a few left over pieces.

On the left, I cut the desinger paper to 4.00x5.25 inches and then wrapped a wide piece of Baja Breeze gros grain ribbon around it and taped the ends to the back. I adhered the layer to the card front. I created an accent by punching a bee from the DSP with the .75 inch circle punch then added a 1" punched circle in Barely Banana card stock. Layered these and adhered over the ribbon.  On the right is the other designer paper in the kit. I ripped the right hand edge of the DSP layer leaving to show the white core of the paper. I added a strip of white card stock on the left and then added another circle bee accent like in the previous card.

Contiued with the same scrapping kit. 

Cut each of the designer papers to the leave a small border. The A2 card bases are Barely Banana card stock 12x12 cut to 8.5 x 11 cut in two for these cards. 

On the left, I created an accent with a strip of Sage Shadow with Barely Banana  squares and bling brads. The strip was mounted with 3D foam tape to accommodate the brad backs which are quick thick.  On the right, I made slits in the designer paper to accommodate a strip of Barely Banana card stock making sure I did  not cover the yellow elements. I taped that strip down on the back with scotch tape. I added a narrow strip of Lavendar Lace cardstock over the yellow and adhered with double sided tape. 

Each card gets a white quarter sheet insert and a white envelope.

Card Making - Sets Continue

I switched the designer paper to Well Worn which gives me masculine cards for variety.

These a DSP Splits which means I cut the designer paper to 4.00 x 5.25 inches then cut again at 3.5 inches.  

This designer paper is double sided so I can just turn the small piece over and tape it on the back scotch tape and I have the same size layer to work with. on the left I add a piece of Crumb Cake card stock and a strip of Not Quite Navy.  I used my square punch to punchout some square to repeat the pattern on the left hand side of the card. I then glued a few of the small punchies on the right hand side with Bling Zots. 

Another set of cards with theWell Worn Designer Paper Set.

I cut the designer paper to leave a small border on the Crumb Cake card base.  On th left I created an accent with the Tim Holtz Bracket die in Cajun Craze, then a strip of Crumb Cake then a strip of Not Quite Navy.  I adhered these the added 3 holes. I strung some shiny cord through them and knotted it at the center front. I added a star brad through the center hole.  This accent was then adhered to the card front. On the right, I created an accent with a piece of So Saffron card stock riipped on the right. Added a strip of Cajun Craze and a narrow strip of Not Quite Navy.  I then poked holes on either side of the navy and using a large needle stitched the criss cross pattern over it with yellow yarn. 

Again, A2 size with white quarter sheet inserts and white envelopes.

Card Making - Card Sets Continue

Still working with the Friends and Flowers Simply Scrapping Kit. 

The card base color is Certainly Celery. I added a layer of vellum from the SU Botanical Garden Vellum 6 inch pack. Using the large orange flower stickers in the kit I was able to add double sided tape to the back of the vellum to ensure it stayed in place. The photo corners are stickers from the scrapping kit.  Left Tempting Turquoise and right Only Orange.  I added small leaf stickers to both cards. Again, I am alternating the orientation to ensure variety. 

There is a lot of stuff in these scrapping kits. 

Here the card base is A2 and the color is So Saffron. Left is turquoise floral desinger paper with yellow scallop stickers above and bellow the square sticker. I added the same DSP over the square and then a yellow flower sticker onto the DSP.  The other has a turquoise square sticker and the same floral DSP. Another smmal flower sticker.

White quarter sheet inserts and white envelopes. 

Back to Card Making - Card Sets

I need a few cards for upcoming events so I spent a couple of days in the craft room.

I am working with the Stampin Up "Friends and Flowers" simply scrapping kit.

I chose Whisper White card bases in the A2 size. I chose one of the designer papers in the kit which is Tempting Turquoise with white flowers. I added some white seam binding across the width of the cards and tied in a knot in front.  The left card has a daisy accent created with my large daisy punch with a circle center all held with a tiny white brad.  The right hand card has a button accent with white thread through the holes placed in the bottom right hand corners.

This set of cards is working with the same scrapping set. I chose the striped designer paper. 

On the card on left I chose some sticker from the set to cover the raspberry stripes. I used one of the square stickers and topped it with a square of designer paper. I added a greeting in the turquoise strip - Thinking of You from the Teeny Wishes set stamped in Chocolate Chip. The right hand card highlighted the raspberry color and I chose the square sticker in that color, added a square of turquoise floral DSP, a flower sticker along with a leaf sticker. The center of the flower is another of the stickers. 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The tomato plant which my sister brought back at the end of June is producing fruit.  My Mom used to order seeds in February, start plants inside in April and put plants in the garden late May and got results in July to September.  That takes patience.

I did keep it watered and with good sun from the east for long enough each day I got tomatoes. There are still some to come.  Better results than the place downtown.

The marigolds are doing well too!

Very happy! 

I finished this book recently.  A Vintage Affair bye Isabel Wolff.

Phoebe has opened a vintage dress shop filled with wonderful dresses, coats, handbags, and much more.

She gets a call from Mrs. Therese Bell a french woman who is interested in selling some of her vintage clothes. They meet at the elderly lady's home and spend time going through the treasures. There is a blue coat though that is off limits and not for sale.

Emma is Phoebe's best friend who has recently passed away under very difficult circumstances. 

There are 4 men - A remarried father, Guy the ex, Miles the older man with a spoilt 16 year old daughter and Dan the color blind newspaper reporter.

The story has WWII backstory which I loved.  It all turns out well but not with a few curves.  Wonderful story!

With the help of my aunt's husband the shelf I prepared was installed this week.  

It helped to get stuff off the floor and put away instead of in the way.

It is all light stuff up there - coolers, plastic bags, the canner, and some paint boxes.

The brackets are from IKEA - Krokshult which I really love.  The shelf is smooth knotty pine from HomeDepot. I did have to put about a foot off the end.  I sanded it by hand and was really happy with the final result.

I attended the Allied Arts Council's Open Art Competetion reception on Friday night.

There are over 100 pieces of art in this and on the walls of the Spruce Grove Art Gallery. 

Wonderful evening - seeing fellow artists, good food, and good conversations.

The best part was having the awards in the Black Box Theatre where everyone could see the winning art, the artists receiving their prizes and all seated and comfortable.  What a great idea!  The theatre holds 175 and it was very nearly full. Great support for art and creators.

I did not have art in any shows this year due to renovation at the old place due to flood, listing and selling my place down town, buying a new place in the west, renovation the new place before I could move in, packing and moving, and then unpacking into a smaller place.

I brought the last of the moving boxes to the ReUse center this week!  Yeah.  It felt really good.

I found a cobalt blue plant pot at ReUse this week.  What an amazing find. No damage as far as chips or cracks.  

The inside and outside have evidence of the surface being affected by sitting in some kind of liquid.  That is near the bottom.

Not sure which plant will be placed in it but what a great addition to the living room.

I found a small cobalt blue votive holder which will be added to the couple I already own.  They will look great with candles inside.

I purchased a new to me shower curtain this week because the lace one has yet to show up from packing boxes despite there is very little left.  There are several missing pieces still.

I am sure they will show up but I was tired of seeing the bathroom looking unfinished so I bought one I could live with long term so the other one not appear.  I have been living with just the liner for months.

Beautiful green foliage at the bottom with embroidered butterflies stitching on going up the curtain. Very transparent so does not darken the showering space at all.

Five dollars well spent.

Slow Stitching - August 2025 - Week 4

My August piece is complete.  The theme for my piece this month was Friends. I am following Kathryn at K3NClothTales - Comfort Coverlet 2025. 

I finished the background in running stitch and white thread.

A reminder of my friends and how much they mean to me.

I have no plan for September yet as I have been unpacking for ages.

I am sure inspiration will provide something.

Slow Stitching - August 2025 - Week 3

Comfort Coverlet 2025 - August - Week 3.

My theme for this month is Friends.  

I have diecut fabric with my Bigshot machine from fabric which I associate with each of these friends.

I have started a running stitch background around the stars with a matching colored floss.

Watercolor HB Card

This is a card for an aunt who is celebrating a birthday this week.

I trimmed the watercolor panel to align with the left and right hand side of the SU Marina Mist card base. Placed the ripped edge at the bottom and the clean edge along the top.

I added an SU Old Olive grosgrain ribbon wrapped around the card front and knotted it.

Watercolor Card - Congrats on Grad

This card is for my grand neice who graduated from high school.

The ceremony was June 8th which 4 days after I took possession of this place that needed so much work that I could not get away.

We are celebrating this weekend as they are in town.

The card is SU Elegant Eggplant.  The seam binding is SU Marina Mist.  I layered the 3 pieces of watercolor over and below the ribbon which was wrapped around and knotted to the front of the card.  Added a SU Word window greeting.

They are headed to college soon.

Watercolor Sympathy card

Today is the Celebration of Life for my brother-in-law who passed away July 20th. He struggled with health issues for the last few years and his body just gave up.

This card is for my sister on this difficult day.

The card base is SUSummer Starfruit in the A2 size with portrait orientation.

I trimmed the edge to leave a small border and ripped the bottom edge leaving the white edge showing.

I chose a blue strip of cardstock to coordinate.  

I cut a dove with my Sizzix Dove die from textured white cardstock. I painted it with pearl and the blue strip as well.  Adhered both to top part of the card.

I added a SU Modern Label punchie greeting in bottom right hand side.