Valentine Cards for you!

Are you ready for Valentine's Day?  I'm slowly getting there!  I know my 5 year old daughter would be happy with store-bought cards, but hey, what fun is that for me?  Right?  So, I made some and thought I would share with you!  There are two different cards and an envelope.  Please note that these are for your personal use only, not for resale.

I found this cute little vintage clip-art from Free Pretty Things for You.  Sew sweet!  Keren has so many lovely goodies to share with you and she also does custom orders for blog design, banners, and buttons.  Check out what she designed for Renee's blog, Sewn with Grace.  I want that little mannequin - more sweetness.  You'll get plenty side-tracked at Renee's, too!

You can download the cards and envelope below.

Download card here

Download card here

 

Download envelope here

As you can see, you'll get four cards from one sheet.  I cut my cards so that they measured 4" x 4.5".  The envelope, when finished will measure 4.5" x 5".  Since there is a place on the card to put names for the recipient and the giver, an envelope is not necessary.

These little cards could be embellished in lots of ways - cut the edges with fancy scissors, add glitter, a bow to the little girl's hair, etc.  Have fun with them!  Below is a quick review of how I made the envelopes using the Martha Stewart scoring board that I posted about here.

 *Note, I colored the scored lines in with pencil so that they were more visible in the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

An alternate envelope that works just as well is a 5" x 5" card.  Instead of the dimensions used above, score all four sides at 3 3/8".  You can go here for a great video and explanation of how to use the scoring board for envelopes.

I hope you enjoy the cards and envelope. Unfortunately, I sliced the "you-know-what" out of my right index finger on, of all things, my cutting blade before I started making the cards this morning.  Thank goodness for the safety features on the blade, right?  Actually, I was on the phone, in a hurry, and didn't take the time to install the blade properly.  After I bled what seemed like buckets and nearly passed out, I made it to the bathroom for a band-aid and then got back to work!  So, hopefully the instructions make sense.

Be sure to visit Keren at Free Pretty Things for You and let her know you love her clip art!  If you have any questions, please email me!  Happy Valentine's Day!

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Seriously?

No, I'm not here to complain!  I wanted to share my special birthday presents with you that came from BFF Harriet.  She immediately thought of me when she saw this...

I can be very sarcastic and apparently say that a lot.  (I confess.)  It is perfect for my studio!  And, she made this awesome box for me using her Photoshop and painting skills!  Didn't she do a great job?  It will also go in my studio - I can think of many uses for this handy goody!

Thanks Harry!  You know me so well!

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No way!

I must have been an extremely good girl this year, cuz Santa came to my house early!  I was "random number" for a giveaway not once, but twice!

First, I received an email from the lovely Paige Hill, Internet Marketing Manager of Where Women Create, letting me know that I was the winner of the AccuQuilt Go!baby from their Fabulous Friday post in November.

I started squealing, jumping up and down, and carrying on.  My husband came to see what the ruckus was all about.  I explained in great, but exasperated detail (from the prior jumping around), but still I got that, "oh that's nice, dear" look.  He didn't "get" it.  But, he will after I dazzle him with all the projects I'm going to fly through!  Can I get a "uh huh, you know that's right"?

To sweeten the pot, AccuQuilt let me pick the three dies that I wanted!  More squealing.  That was a difficult choice.  So many cool dies to choose from.  I opted for "Rose of Sharon", "Funky Flowers", and "2 1/2" Strip Cutter".  I have been wanting to make a new quilt for my daughter's room and these will be perfect.  I was going to have to cut a bazillion flowers out by hand, but not so much now!  I thought the 2 1/2" strip cutter would be great for making bias, too.

I received everything yesterday, but before I could even get it out of the box to play, I got an email from the sweet Stephanie Brieger, Assistant Marketing Director of The Fat Quarter Shop and Jollly Jabber that I was the winner of Pam Kitty Morning's Designer Select Fat Quarter Bundle!  Okay, at this point, I was just giddy and giggling.

Could these two be paired any better?  I could whip up a fabulous quilt in no time at all!

I would like to thank Where Women Create, Accuquilt, Pam Vierira-McGinnis of Pam Kitty Morning, The Fat Quarter Shop, and The Jolly Jabber for such wonderful gifts.  If you haven't already checked out all these fine folks, I encourage you to do so.  Hop on over to follow their blogs, Facebook pages, and Twitters.  They always have wonderful news to share and fun projects going on all the time!  I met Lee from AccuQuilt at the Houston Quilt Market.  He's so knowledgeable about AccuQuilt products and very passionate about what he does. I was ready to buy the whole kit-n-kaboodle and I don't even own a shop!  This was truly a gift for me.

I'll be back soon to share the projects.  With all this luck floating around me, I'm wondering if I should go buy a few lottery tickets!

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Pure Genius!

I stumbled upon this today...

... from the blog of the Scientific Seamstress.  I love it.  Not sure how I missed this so many months ago.  Huh.

And, note that "Fe" is for Iron which is the only element that I actually remembered from 10th grade chemistry.  SEW funny (and ironic)!  Ha!  That was funny, too!  I crack myself up.

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Flower Power

I'm always a little late in the game, but "better late than never", right?  You've probably seen all the super cute handmade organza and satin flower brooches, pins, etc.  Well, I thought I would have a little fun making some and give them as teacher gifts.  One word - success.  Teachers liked them a lot, I am now addicted, and I have purchased lots more organza, satin, and coolio beads to make more!  (Insert evil laugh)

These are great little projects to make while watching a movie at home or on long road trips.  Note, just cut fabric or sew on the road trips.  I don't think having a lit candle in the car, precariously balanced on your lap in order to burn the petal edges is probably a wise thing.  Maybe.  Probably not.

I did wrap them up in a cute little bag with ribbon.  I like to give little post-it notes, to-do lists (blank of course - not my own!), and note cards to the teachers throughout the year also.  They can always use those!  So, the organza went well and I moved on to satin.  Not the good kind.  The synthetic, poly kind.  It burns nicely, but not in the blink of an eye!  That is key.

 

As with any craft, there are a trillion variations.  I think I'll play with combining the organza and satin, change the shapes and sizes, etc.  I would like to make some smaller ones to put on hair barettes for my youngest.  Ha - that's funny.  Can I even get her to wear it in her hair?  Silly me!

It is hard to tell in the photos, but the brown flowers were made using two different fabrics.  One was a plain brown satin and the other has a teal blue or brown cast depending on the angle.  So pretty!  Below is a flower that I made from just circles (no cut petals) and a bright fuschia satin.

 

If I am not indeed the very last person to try making these and you have not tried yet, you can go here for a great tutorial.  There are a ton of tutorials on YouTube, so browse around a little.

I cannot remember if I posted these beauties or not.  So forgive me if I have!  These felt dahlias are also addicting!  I originally saw these over at Coco Rose Diaries and just drooled.  Her dahlias are beautiful and her photography is stunning.

 

 

Right about now I should be working on dinner.  I'll be back in a few days with a teaser of my exciting news!  Thanks for coming by!

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Sew Darn Crafty - Linky and Giveaway!

If you don't already know Karen at Sew Many Ways - you need to head over to her blog and check out her new Linking Party- Sew Darn Crafty that she's been hosting!  This time, she's having a giveaway as well!  

I love this linking party because you get to see so many different types of crafts and projects at a glance and are introduced to some fun new blogs.  What a great way to share and promote the crafting community.

Karen has hosted Tool Time Tuesday for quite a while and she still amazes me with what she comes up with.  She can take a metal washer, a rope, and some plastic from the hardware store and turn it in to a new and useful household item.  Like me, she loves to label everything.  She's a true organizing queen.  And, she is an awesome quilter! 

I've just linked up and I hope you will, too!  Happy Sunday everyone!

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Party Duds

I do believe that all of my youngest daughter's friends were born within a month of each other!  So, with all the parties, I made a few dresses and skirts for her to wear.  I bought the cutest fabric at IKEA a few years ago and finally put it to good use (post here). I added some bunting from the fabric to a t-shirt and yippee - party duds!  So festive!

Thanks to the great advice and tutorial at Ta-Da Creations, I altered my Simplicity pattern #2377 to make this little a-line dress.  I love the fun colors!

 

My for my daughter's 5th birthday, I used Frida by modkid to make this sweet dress. I made this several months ago but in a shorter length and with pants.  It goes together quickly and easily.  Patty Young's patterns and instructions are very well thought-out and designed.

 

I am looking forward to some spring weather... and a green yard again!  I'm going to share another fun project in my next post!

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Sharin' the Sewing & Photography Love

I just wanted to share with you today a few great blogs.  The first is one that I have followed for a few years now - Kinder Kouture by Jeannine M.  If I need a little pick-me-up and inspiration - I go to her blog.  I do believe she is Wonder Woman in disguise!  She is an incredibly talented seamstress/designer and photographer.   This lady does it all... blog, website, photography, sewing, Facebook, Flickr, Tweet, and has an Etsy shop! Even when she has a tough day, she turns it around and flips it over to look for the bright side.  So, go over and check out her beautiful blog.

The second is Photographers Blog.  (And thanks to Jeannine for sharing it with others!)  I am just beginning to pour through it but one thing that I like already is the Friday Editing Spotlight that they just started.  Christine and Leslie give editing advice each Friday and I don't know about you, but I can always use a little lot of editing advice!

And, they are having a super-cool giveaway.  (Pick me, pick me!)   But, I'm sharing that, too!  Sassy Designs has over 600 digital design items and more.  Hurry on over to the Photographers Blog and check that out as well - the contest ends soon.  Sorry for the late notice - I just found this information out myself!

Good luck!

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Coasting...

With the crazy weather and the kids having a few "snow days" away from school, I decided I would indulge in a little bit of holiday myself.  They were all content to stay bundled up in their rooms (teenagers) or come in and out repeatedly from playing in the snow (young in's).  

I finished a skirt that had been sitting there for the past week or two.  My youngest claimed it for herself.  Fortunately, it was her size.  Wow, who would have guessed?

 

I'm sure everyone else (and their dog) has this awesome little light, but I just bought mine.  Having held off from spending the $50 on it, I had a weak moment at the local quilt shop.  That little person (not the lady at the quilt shop) was tapping on my shoulder saying things like, "You deserve it" and "Its a tool, its totally necessary" and even worse "You're old - your eyes need all the help they can get."  Thanks, thanks a lot.  Anyway, I held on to the guilt for a few moments and after using it, I don't know why I didn't buy it sooner!  HA!  (Little voice.. "See, I told you so...")

 

Another great tool in my arsenal of studio goodies - my new walking foot.  Oh yeah, it rocks!  Again, don't know how I lived without this little puppy!  Making these little coasters was a breeze, I tell ya!  I'll be making more of these very soon!  I found the tutorial on Martha Stewart's website.  Nothing fancy.  Just straight lines.  

 

 

Maybe now that I've made friends with the walking foot, I will venture out to sew some cool "mug rugs" like the these from Morgane from Bear, Dolly and Moi.  She even made a tray for them!

And this one from Jennifer of That girl... That Quilt.  Apparently, she is a neighbor of mine.  Well, here in the metroplex anyway!  These ladies inspire me to further this whole quilting experience!  Look, a place for her tea and spoon!

So what have you been doing during the blizzard of 2011? Pin It