Cards - A2 - Serendipity Paper

I created a 8.5 x 11 sheet of serendipity paper when I created cards with the origami paper this week.   

I cut it into 4 pieces to make the best use of it.  That means A2 cards.

I started with So Saffron card base to measure 4.25 x 5.5 folded.

I adhered my collage paper to the front leaving a small border. 

I cut a strip of the same card stock and added a length of Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon.

I added Spellbinder charm die cut hung with ivory crochet cotton.

A white quarter sheet insert and an ivory envelope.

For this card I chose the same yellow card base and adhered the piece of collage paper to the front leaving a small border.

I added a length of Early Espresso card stock across the landscape (wide) card in the top half

I cut a Sizzix Primitive Star with the yellow medium die. It was mounted onto the brown strip with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert and ivory envelope.

I was lucky to get 50 of these envelopes at the thrift store this week for $2.00.

Another wide card.

The card base is Early Espresso and the collage paper was trimmed to leave a small border.

I added a card stock strip of brown and topped with a narrower strip of So Saffron card stock.

I punched a pine tree from dark brown card stock and adhered it with Scotch Quick Dry adhesive on the left hand side.

A white quarter sheet insert and an ivory envelope to complete the card.

The fourth card in this series made with serendipity paper.  I used origami papers 3x3 collaged to card stock.  

I chose a ginger colored card stock and adhered the trimmed collage paper to the front.

I added a strip of the same card stock to the front once I had added a length of dark brown grosgrain ribbon across it.

I hung a square charm cut with Spellbinder die set.

I added a white insert and an ivory envelope.

Not my normal color scheme but they worked out well.

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 1

I chose tea for the subject of my April slow stitching square.

I chose a mottle blue piece of cotton fabric which I invisible basted to a thin cotton foundation layer.

I chose to create a tea bag and tag which adds a border around my square.

The tea bag has been running stitch around the edge of it with seed stitches towards the bottom to represent the tea.  

The green tag is at the other end onto which I added TEA lettered in turquoise.

The string was embroidery with stem stitch in a grey floss. 

Cards - A7 - Bands and Ribbon

Another set of A7 cards.

I started this one with a pack of origami paper 3x3 inches with travel and writing theme.

I just selected a few and glued them down to the front of my ivory card base.

I chose a light green card stock strip to overlay on the front and embossed it with a Stampin Up Script folder.  I then used SU Tea Stain ink to highlight the writing.  I added a length of Always Artichoke seam binding which I touched with the same ink to help it fit in.  I knotted onto the strip. I adhered it to the card front with double sided tape. 

Added a white insert and an off white envelope from my stash of free ones from years ago.

This designer paper is leftover from a previous card making session.

I love the colors.  I chose a Lost Lagoon card base and adhered the designer paper cut to leave a small border.

I chose a piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock and embossed it with a Cuttlebug folder.  I knotted a length of Baja Breeze seam binding around it and trimmed the ends.

The strip was adhered to the card front in the landscape (wide) orientation.  This seems to have a bit of a Christmas vibe.

Added a white insert and off white envelope.

I started with a designer paper leftover.

I added a Stampin Up Island Indigo card base.  I trimmed the patterned paper to leave a small border and adhered it to the front.

I added a card stock strip in Pumpkin Pie and embossed it with the D'vine Swirl folder.  I rubbed the swirls with a More Mustard ink pad. 

I added a coordinating knot of satin ribbon and adhered the strip to the card front.

I finished the card with a white insert and an off white envelope.

 

Cards - A7 - Die Cuts

Another few cards today.  Again, A7 (5.25x7.25 inch) envelopes.

I started with an ivory card base.  I cut a piece of textured turquoise card stock to leave a small border.  

I cut a Tim Holtz Cabinet die cut from left over Stampin Up More Mustard card stock from yesterday's session. Trimmed a piece of watercolor designer paper to fit the middle of the die cut. 

The floral accent is a large daisy punchie in turquoise, topped with a small More Mustard one held in place with a turquoise mini brad. 

The cabinet die cut was then adhered to the turquoise layer with 2 more blue mini brads top and bottom.

I added the finishing border with a warm grey colored pencil and also added lines on the large daisy die cut.  A white insert and an ivory envelope to finish it off.

For this card the base is SU Tempting Turquoise card stock in 12x12. 

I used the negative piece from the Cabinet die cut to layer onto the card front leaving a tiny border. 

I placed a piece of the watercolor designer paper behind the More Mustard layer. 

I cut a Sizzix Leaf Stem die cut from warm green card stock then embellished it would pencil crayons. I cut a couple more leaves and added them below the opening.

I added a pencil crayon line along the inside of the die cut in a warm grey.

A white insert and an ivory envelope were added.

For this card, I chose a warm green card base. 

I ripped left over card stock in the More Mustard and the Tempting Turquoise and layered them with a piece of the watercolor designer paper.

I cut a flower with the Sizzix Flower Daisy #4 die from turquoise card stock.  I glued it to the front of the card with Scotch Quick Dry adhesive.

I added some texture to the flower with colored pencils. 

I mounted a tiny button in the center of the flower with a Bling Zot.

A white insert and an ivory envelope completes the card.

Cards - A7 - Florals

I needed a distraction today so I put my hands to making some cards for my stash.

I found some A7 (5.25 x 7.25 inches) envelopes which were free when received so nice to destash.

The floral designer paper I chose is by Anna Griffin in this grey brown color cut to about 4 inches. 

The dark layer is some Early Espresso in Co-ordinations style which means it has a colored core and folding the card stock reveals that color so I used it for the layer and band instead.

The script paper at the bottom designed by Blue Fern Studios - Paisley & Vine - Bohemian. 

The card base is Stampin Up Sahara Sand.  A white sheet insert and ivory envelope.

This card has the same components.

I cut the floral paper to leave a large board all the way around then cut a Early Espresso layer leaving a narrower border.

SU Sahara Sand is the A7 card base used in the landscape orientation.

I cut a band of the dark brown card stock and flagged the end. Using 3 ivory mini brads I adhered it to the 2 other layers.

This full layer was then adhered to the card base with double sided tape.

A white insert and an ivory envelope.

For this card I chose a Stampin Up More Mustard card base to fit in an A7 envelope.

I cut the floral designer paper by Anna Griffin in the mustard color to leave a wide border all the way around.

I layered a piece of Early Espresso card stock behind leave a narrow strip on the left and right sides. These were adhered to each other with double sided tape.

I cut a strip of the dark brown card stock and then added 2 Stampin Up Five Petal punchies in the dark brown and the More Mustard colors with a tiny flower punch in the center all adhered to the layers with a More Mustard mini brad. 

A white insert with an ivory envelope.

A Stampin Up More Mustard base to fit in an A7 envelope.

The Early Espresso but to leave a small border all the way around and the mustard floral by Anna Griffin cut a bit smaller to provide an even brown border on all sides.

I added a band running top to bottom on the left hand side of the floral piece.

I punched a Martha Stewart butterfly punchie in More Mustard and adhered it to the 2 previous layers with a yellow mini brad.

This was all adhered to the card front in the landscape orientation.  White insert and an ivory envelope. 

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 4

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 4. "My Favorite Colors"

I am still working with my favorite colors. I felt the middle of the circle needed something else.

I decided to add 2 squares of white stitching to the center.  They were supposed to be less regular than they turned out to be. 

I then added a star of white stitching in the middle of the squares.  I have a really hard time making thing irregular.  

You can see that I decided to finish the seams along the 1 inch border.  I think I will be assembling these pieces with stashing with a backing fabric to hind all the stitching when all the pieces are done.  

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 3

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 3.

I continued to add stitching to the remaining bands of color. I stayed with my four colors and added yellow circles to the turquoise band.  

Then tight waves in navy on the yellow band.  Then wider waves in turquoise on the pink band. I used a scrapbook tool to mark out the waves onto the fabric. 

I then added a circle of tiny white rick rack couched down with pink thread. 

It is looking pretty good.
 

Sympathy Watercolor

I did this watercolor as a sympathy card for a cousin who loss her Dad recently.  He passed away fairly quickly so it will be an adjustment to life without him.

I reused some watercolor paper that had art on the other side.

A simple landscape with a river, trees, hills and birds in the sky.

I used a small Winsor and Newton set I picked up at the ReUse Center recently.

I added definition with a Micron black marker.

Mounted on SU True Thyme A2 card base.

Headed out of town for the funeral today.

Cards - Watercolor Abstract

I wanted to add some cards to my stash so I chose to reuse the bright watercolors I created in this post.

I cut the watercolor art into pieces.  In this card 4x5.25 inches.  I then used a Micron fine black marker and outlined the shapes in the watercolor.

I followed the idea of neurographic art and rounded the intersections of the black lines.  I added a border all the way around. Added circles to some of the white dots.

I used a black marker to darken the edge of the watercolor paper.

Mounted on Stampin Up Island Indigo card stock with a quarter sheet insert on the inside paired with a white envelopee.

For this card I cut the watercolor art to 3.5 inches square.

Again, added black marker lines around the shapes in the watercolor.  Soften the intersections and circled some of the dots in the art.

Added a black border all the way around.

I mounted it leaving even edges around 2 side onto a SU Gumball Green A2 card base.

Added a white insert and envelope.

This one had a good variety of colors so there was a good choice of colors for card base.

In this card, I chose SU Pacific Point in the A2 size.  These I did mount all in the portrait orientation but they could be landscape (wide) as well.

I love the bright spot of pink in this piece of watercolor. 

Again, black marker to outline the shapes in the watercolor with a border all the way around.

A white quarter sheet insert and envelope.

The card base on this card is an A2 in the SU Kiwi Kiss color.

The watercolor was cut to 3.5 inches square.

Mounted to the card front with double sided tape.  I added white quarter sheet insert and an envelope.

Pressed under books over night and is now sitting in the box.

These were fun to do and allowed my art to shine again.

 

Tree Scent Ornaments - A few more

Colonial Candle Co. Angel Candle Hugger Vintage Made in Taiwan in the 1950s. Made of porcelain and measures 2.5" tall.

It holds an ivory felt candle which I fashion myself with a yellow flame at the top. It hangs from a warm toned ribbon gathered around her wings.

She is an oil diffuser where pure essential oil is placed on the felt and the scent is dispersed into the space.

Can be used with tree scented oils to provide a Christmas Tree scent to your artificial tree. She also stands so can be used in other spaces.

Use in any personal space to disperse a calming scent as you drink your favorite beverage and relax.

A wonderful clear glass heart ornament that features a frosted cupid playing its flute.

The felt diffuser is a small pink heart whose edge has been blanket stitched all the way around.  

A small E bead has been added to the front where it has been stitched to the pink satin ribbon hanger.

I can be given to a loved one as a token of affection and is practical.  It allows one to diffuse scent in a personal space and on the Christmas tree during the holiday season.

It measures 3.5 inches tall

The diffuser features a wooden kitty cat.  It has eyes and black whiskers.

Its tummy holds a black felt ball which is the diffuser.

Place a few drops of  pure essential oil of your choice onto the felt ball and the scent will fill your personal space.

It makes your morning tea or your afternoon snack break a time to relax.

It can be hung but it also stands on it own making it move with you as needed.

Another small frame turned into a tree scent ornament.

I chose a seasonal theme for this diffuser by stitching a bright green Christmas tree on green felt. I added a yellow star at the top and brown trunk at the bottom.

I used French Knots for the red ornaments along the branches.

I crocheted a hanger from cotton floss in the same red as the ornaments.  It was stitched directly to the felt oval to ensure it is secure.

The gold frame features enameled green decoration around the edge.

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 2

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 2.

I started slow stitching some texture to my 4 bands of color.

On the navy band I added Sashiko stitching with white thread.  I am happy with the consistency of my stitches.  

I really need a palm thimble to do much more of the beautiful stitching.  I have found a tutorial to my my own so I will move forward with that project and post it when I am done.

I plan different patterns on each of the colors.

Sewing Project - Bread Bags

I decided to make myself some bread bags to bring home my Country Grain loaves from COBS because the plastic bags are stacking up.

I chose 100% cotton fabric in yellows, greys and white. This was a large piece of fabric that I have used for many projects.

I used the COBS plastic bag as a template - 18.5 inches tall x 11.5 inches W.

I wanted the seams finished on the inside and a generous gusset at the top so the measures were generous.

The first one I did was put together with out too much attention to measures of the beginning piece of fabric.

The second one was too large and had to be reduced to match the first one.  

The measurements of the fabric would be 26.00 wide to be folded in half and 20.00 inches tall with 1.5 inches for the gusset at the top.

I chose cotton twill tape for the string in the gusset.  

I added a buttonhole on the front of the gusset on the front of the back before I sewed down the gusset. 

A large safety pin to pull the twill tape through.

I added a tab of yellow cotton to the ends of the tape to give me purchase to pull the bag closed.

I then boiled them in tea for about 10 minutes to even out  the colors.   Once rinsed they were dried.

I added a "My Bag" tag to these bags and they are included in on my "My Bag Line" page.

I then chose to add some slow stitching to the front of the bags onto the light square.  There are 5 circles in different colors where the top was outline stitch and the bottom was the running stitch.

I don't know what the staff at COBS will think of the idea but we shall see.

For information on the line. 

Tree Scent Ornaments - Silver Plated Frames

 My tree scent ornaments sold well at the Christmas Store in the Allied Arts Council Gallery this year so I am starting to make more for next year.

I found 3 very cute silver plated cat frames while shopping at the thrift store with my niece this weekend.  The price was right so I took them home.

I decided to embroider small felties to put in them as the diffusers. I enjoy my slow stitching.

This one features a cat sitting in the sun with flowers growing in the garden.  The flowers mirror the potted flowers on the windowsill and the sun is warm and wonderful

A variety of greens for the garden in the beyond the window.

I mostly kept the pieces intact except the easel back which would not work for ornaments.

I added some fusible pelon to the back of the stitched work to hide the stitching and add some depth. I added a piece of white card stock to which I affixed the silver plated sticker.

I added a color coordinated 1/8" satin ribbon as a hanger which has been hand stitched to the embroidery piece itstelf.

I returned the glass for a spacer and allows the frame to be returned to that purpose if so desired.

The screws on the tabs needed to be tightened and I was done.

I created the night time scene with the full moon in the sky accompanied with silver stars stitched with silver metallic thread onto navy felt.

The moon is grey thread and the outline stitch.

I created a span of water below showing the reflection of the moon in it.  A few ripples in the water were added with a few grey stitches.

The cat is gazing out from its windowsill into the night.

I added a navy satin ribbon hanger and reassembled the layers into the frame and it was done.

I added a distant landscape outside the window with a beautiful warm sun.

The sky features a white cloud and a black bird.

The landscape is created with a variety of green threads with the outline stitch.  The are very closely stitched side by side to hide the blue felt sky.

The cat sits on the sill while enjoying the scene outside.

Slow Stitching 2025 - March - Week 1

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - March - Week 1.

This month I have chosen as my theme - "My Favorite Colors". Pink, Navy, Yellow and Turquoise. Pink for flowers, Turquoise for our blue skies, Yellow for Sunshine and Navy for jeans.

I picked some fabric from my stash and placed bands of these colors diagonally on my foundation piece. I sewed them on in a Quilt as You Go fashion. Starting in the center and moving out.

I left a 1" margin around the edge unattached. 

I invisible basted the colors layer to the cotton foundation piece along the outside border at about 1 inch.

Slow Stitching 2025 - Feb - Week 4

K3N Cloth Tales Comfort Coverlet 2025 Slow Stitching project - Week 4.

I visit several wetlands with my camera during the summer.  It seem appropriate to add this element to this piece.

I have birds, clouds and a sun in the sky. I have trees and water ripples in the center.

In the foreground I put a duck and cattails with water ripples.

Since this was the last week on this piece I added a fall leave and a winter snowflake on the right hand side.

I think I will be assembling my 12 piece together at the end with a backer fabric to hide all my stitching.

Next week we move on to March's piece.

Cards - Charity

Three more cards for IWin.

The designer paper is Stampin Up Painted Blooms. Nice watercolor design.

I chose SU Lucky Limeade A2 card base for this card.  I added a piece of DSP trimmed to leave a small border.

I adhered the glitter butterfly to 100lb card stock then cut the oval with the Creative Memories cutter.  I added a border of Thalo Blue watercolor pencil then brushed it with water brush.

I created a greeting accent with a Modern Label in blue and taped a Word Window greeting to it.  

I adhered the oval accent to the card front then added the greeting with 3D foam tape.

This card base is SU Summer Sun in the A2 size.

A layer of floral designer paper adhered to the card front.

I adhered the silver glitter butterfly sticker to a piece of vellum trimmed to leave a large border.

I added a Not Quite Navy card stock strip along the top attached with 3 silver brads. 

I added the round greeting in the top right hand corner with 3D foam tape.

On this card the A2 card base is Always Artichoke.

Trimmed another piece of designer paper to leave a small border.

I adhered the butterfly sticker to a piece of Regal Rose card stock then trimmed it with the CM oval cutter.

I added an Always Artichoke mini brad to the head of the butterfly.

The greeting is a combination of a Modern Label Punchie and a Wordl Window greeting.

Cards - Charity - Glitter Butterflies

I came across glitter butterfly stickers at the thrift store and decided that they would make great cards for IWin.

There was a variety to sizes so the smaller ones would be just right for A2 cards.

I chose Stampin Up Painted Blooms designer paper. I chose 4 colors of card base - Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, Island Indigo and Blackberry Bliss.

For this card I pressed my butterfly onto a piece of Not Quite Navy card stock then cut the oval with my Creative Memories cutters.

I added an innie outie bow in Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon, and a Modern Label punchie greeting in pink.

This card features a large butterfly stuck to a white 110lb card stock. 

I chose a Regal Rose A2 card base and I added squiggles around the outer edge of the card and the oval. 

The butterfly was cut the same process as described above.

A Regal Rose grosgrain ribbon in an innie outie bow with a tiny white brad in the center.

A SU Word Window punchie greeting mounted with 3D foam tape. 

The A2 card base for this card is Stampin Up Blackberry Bliss.  

I cut a piece of the same designer paper paying attention to the color of the flowers so I had some purple ones showing.

I cut the butterfly the same way on Not Quite Navy card stock.  I added stitching around the edge with a white pigment marker.

I added a purple mini brad on the head of the butterfly to repeat the color.

The oval was mounted with 3D tape and the SU Small Oval punchie greeting as well.

It's hard to say if I like the white or colored bases for the butterflies best.

Here it was white based again cut the same way. The CM cutters are wonderful because you can see your layer and then choose from 3 different widths of borders.

Another layer of Painted Blooms DSP.

A stitched border created with a pencil crayon was a great match.

I added a piece Island Indigo satin ribbon on the butterfly oval and a layered Modern Label punchie with a Word Window for the greeting.

Each card has a white quarter sheet insert.

Cards - Charity - Glitter Butterflies

I made a quick watercolor of a fisherman for a guy that is celebrating a big birthday - 80.  It was a surprise party with about 30 people.  

He was out fishing that morning so that the preparations could take place without him knowing.

They caught no fish but arrived back on time on a story his friend created as to why they needed to be back.

I recycled a piece of watercolor paper with boring color and painted this little scene.

In this case the fisherman had no fish.

I adhered it to a Bravo Burgundy A2 card base and placed a white insert on the inside.

The party was a wonderful success. The work was shared by many so it was light and manageable.

Cards - Charity Set 2

I chose a SU Cherry Cobbler card base in A2 size.  I trimmed a piece of designer paper in kraft with white polka dots and adhered to the card front.

I added a couple pieces of SU designer paper in chevron pattern in red to the the card front.  

I stuck the wood butterfly to the SU Artisan Label Punchie with a Zot and then it to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

I adhered the SU Small Oval punchie greeting to the horizontal piece of designer paper.

The chevron paper is from a Stampin Up designer paper pack.

I wrapped a piece of red and copper metallic ribbon around the top and then taped the layer to the A2 card front.

I created an accent with a red SU Decorative Label punchie topped with a SU Small Oval greeting punchie and the wood butterfly.

A Zot holds the butterfly and double sided tape for the rest.

Each card has a quarter sheet white insert.

The dark brown card base is topped with a gold polka dot on kraft card stock.

I added a kraft and gold ribbon along the left hand side. The brown SU Artisan Label punchie is topped with a wood butterfly held in place with a Zot.

The SU Small oval punche greeting is placed in the bottom right hand corner.

This brown card base again topped with the gold polka dot card stock.

This time I used the SU Decorative Label punch and topped it with the SU Small Oval punchie greeting.

The wood butterfly in the top left hand corner stuck with a Zot.

These will get to my sister who has the contact for this card donation.

Cards - Charity

I set out this morning to make cards for IWin which is a charity which helps vulnerable women.  When they finish their program they get a card in their backpack to remind them that someone is thinking of them.

Each card needs a Thinking of you greeting and a butterfly.

I found a bag of wooden butterflies at the thrift shop the other day and brought them home.

I have been at a disadvantage to making cards for this project because of my home situation.  Back home and feeling like crafting again.  Not all is unpacked but I move forward.

I chose this designer paper with flowers printed in green. I trimmed it to leave a small border and adhered it to the front of a A2 card in SU Summer Sun.

I punched a Stampin Up Artisan punchie in Always Artichoke and adhered the butterfly with a Zot. I placed the short length of SU chevron ribbon under it and followed the pattern to trim it.  I added the greeting in the bottom right hand with a shadow of a green oval punchie.

For this yellow card base I trimmed a piece of floral designer paper to leave a small border. Wrapped the red ribbon along the bottom edge and taped the ends to the back.  It was adhered to the card front with DS tape. 

I added the yellow SU Decorative Label punchie, topped with the SU Small Oval greeting then topped with the wood butterfly accent held in place with a Zot.

Love the bright colors in this card.

Carrying on with the green floral designer paper I added it to an SU Always Artichoke card base.

I added a card stock strip on the left hand side and adhered with double sided tape.

I made the wood butterfly and the SU Small Oval greeting punchie touch and attached with a Zot and tape.

This card features a water colored piece of the green floral designer paper.  It was not very thick so I had to be really careful with the amount of water. I adhered it to the card front.

I combined the wood butterfly and the greeting in the bottom right hand corner.  

A Zot for the butterfly and DS tape for the SU Small Oval greeting punchie.