Seagull's Paradise Sew-Along

You guys, I have been having so much fun the last little while! I decided to join a Sew-along to make a quilt. This is no ordinary quilt though. I love doing all different kinds of crafts, so when I can combine them, I'm a happy girl! This particular quilt incorporates applique, embroidery, hand sewing, machine sewing, using beads, and anything else you want to add. So. Much. Fun! 

To participate, you can download a free block every month for 12 months. However, you have only a month to download the block for that month, after that it's $5.99. I actually missed the first one so I paid for it, but I've downloaded the second and third blocks for free. If you're the type that's likely to miss a block, then you can also get a membership for this quilt pattern. If you are a gung-ho quilter that gets things done fast, then you can pay for the whole pattern at once and do it up right away. 

It's nice to have the three options and Suzy outlines it all on her page. She gives you the fabric yardages for the quilt top and the pattern for the month on her blog Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom. 

This is the link to go straight to the Seagulls Paradise Quilt. She's currently featuring the latest block release which is free until November 24. 

Suzy also has a Facebook page where you can share your versions of the quilts you're working on and share quilting information Suzy's Crafters and Quilters.

Alright, so here is my first quilt block: I ironed it before I took a photo which just made the background crease show, but once I've quilted the block, I think that will almost disappear. 

I'm fairly new to applique and so had to ask a few questions on the Facebook page. I'm trying to figure out which way I want to do it and have used two different ways here. I think I'll probably continue doing that because there are a few small pieces that are hard to turn and sew.

I laid out 'part' of the second block which I am currently working on. I've already decided I'm changing the small fish over as I don't like the look of them. I still have to cut out a few pieces and get them in place and then I'll iron them down and start the applique and the embroidery. The white in the corner of the photo is my sewing machine base. Oopsie. 

There's lots more to do on this one but I'll show you the completed block when I'm done. I'm already chomping at the bit to get to the Snails Trails and the Boat blocks that just came out for this coming month and am learning about leaders and enders. I was a bit delayed waiting for the fabric to arrive. I loved the fabric Suzy used and opted to purchase the same, but now that I have it, I'm moving along nicely.

I hope you're all having a terrific weekend, 

Blessings,

Carmen

Super Quick Christmas Cards - Use up Your Stash!

I went to a garage sale in town last weekend. The home belonged to an elderly lady who had hired a company to go through and help her prepare her belongings for sale. When I got there it quickly became evident that she was a real shopper/hoarder. There were a lot of new things and a lot of duplicates. It really got me thinking. 

Recently I've had a few discussions over the concept of simplicity. People that have had to clean up family homes after they'd passed will often tell you they ended up having to throw a lot of stuff away. We came across the same issue with my mother and father-in-laws place. It was actually hard to do, but no one wanted it. Not even thrift shops. In our situation we were pressed for time as we don't live where they do, and the house had to be sold. 

With all that in mind I decided to make Christmas cards this year with what I had. No more new stamps or diecuts, no new papers or embellishments. Just use up what I had, even if they were simple cards. It's the thought that counts. Right? 

I pulled out this barely used paper pad by Recollections I got a few years ago on sale.

If you take a close look, you can see that not only are there background prints, but also some fun vertical prints and block prints. I chose some background prints and a vertical print for these cards.

 All I added was some pop up dots, some glue and double sided tape, and a bit of ink for the sides. That's it. 

I cut out panels for the front of the card. There was a strip of quotes at the top that I  trimmed and used for sentiments.

Then I measured out some background cardstock for the inside. I also cut some panels of white cardstock to write onto. 

I looked at my stamps and realized I have no Christmas sentiment stamps. I may have some digital ones, but I'll use them another time then. I'll just write these in. Here are the three cards. I could definitely embellish them with glitter glue or something else, but the fronts are already busy and so I'll leave them as is.

Using the same paper pad, I cut out a few of these blocks from another sheet.

In addition to being able to make cards with these, I thought these would make great mini cards for kids to make, or easy Christmas gift tags. Just cut out a white folded card base and adhere, or use as is with a hole in the top for the string. 

Many paper pads follow the same basic outline. You can often find pages that have vertical or block type prints on them that can be incorporated into cards or used as the main card focus. 

I'll most likely be making some special cards for people as well, but these are great in a pinch or for the kids or grandkids to give to their friends. 

It feels good to use up old stock!

Blessings,

Carmen

Refreshing Old Coasters - Fun, Quick and Easy!

A few years ago my daughter-in-law brought me a couple of cute little coasters that came from the Real Deals Home Decor store where she worked in town. Real Deals is a really neat store because it has the most interesting things to look at, both large and small pieces. Every time you go in there it's a cornucopia of goodies to behold, but I'm not here to promote them. I'm here because I want to show you what I did with the little coasters she bought me. 

Over the years they just got worn out and I threw them in a drawer for a while until I felt like doing something with them. Today was that day. I love them! There's a bit of a reflection of the coffee cup on the coaster. 

This second picture shows you the coasters before and the designer cardstock I chose to cover them with. I really love this design on masculine cards too. As you can see I used some smaller pieces I had in my stash.

I turned the cardstock over and with a pencil traced around the coaster, cut them out and used this spray adhesive I had in my stash to adhere them. That's the back of my oil painting palette - it was handy.

Once I got the adhesive on I pressed the cardstock into place and made sure it was on there really well. Then after a few minutes I sanded the edges down. 

I made up some mod podge with the Glue-All I had on hand. It's about 2 glue to 1 water for ratio. 

Once that was all good and dry I used a spray gloss varnish over top. I know store bought mod podge is a sealant but I'm not sure how good the home made ones are and I'll be putting hot things with the ability to spill on them, so better safe than sorry. Besides, I had to varnish a painting so I did it all at one time. 

Here again are the completed coasters. 

You know, I have some tiles that are waiting for some dressing. They'd make great coasters with a bit of felt on the backs. Maybe one day soon ~ ~

Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving!

Carmen

Bright Daisy Birthday Card

I have a few birthdays coming up this month so I made a little daisy card today. The inspiration came from a quilt design I saw on Pinterest. With this card I decided to use all stripes just for the fun of it. I don't know if that's allowed, but I'm doing it anyway. Lol.

Here's my card. Very simple, easy to make. I drew up the petals, etc. myself. Glued them down, then grabbed a pen and did the dashes. A nice easy quick card. 

I used papers from Lawn Fawn, Really Rainbow 6x6, and Recollections Basics Mini Pad. Both are very nice bright paper pads - - I'm hanging onto the last colors of summer. I love Fall, but why the rush?

While scrolling I came across a really cute sentiment by Paula, from Handmade by Paula. Click on the link if you want one yourself. She used it on the front of her card and it's adorable! I decided to use it on the inside of my card. She has a few other freebies as well. Do have a look! As you can see, I carried the dashes on through the inside of the card too. 

Have a great day!

Carmen

Sweet Potato 3 Cancer Challenge

Good Morning,

It seems I'm up early this morning as I couldn't sleep. I feel great inspite of it, but we will see as the day progresses. I may need a little cat nap later on. Lol. 

As I lay there awake I thought I should post about Sweet Potato 3's Cancer Challenge. Are you a crocheter? If you are, you may not be aware of this sweet deal. Every October for the last 17 years, Christine at Sweet Potato 3 has been hosting a Cancer Challenge to make hats for people who have gone through cancer treatments and need to keep their heads warm. I have been participating in this challenge for the past 3 years. I pledge my hats to the Royal Inland Hospital Cancer ward in Kamloops every year. 

How it works:

Christine lines up a group of crochet designers for October every year who create a hat pattern. Most patterns are free for 24 hours provided you pledge to donate one or more of the finished hats to cancer. Every day of the month a new hat is offered, and two on Saturday. Some of the patterns are free for the whole month, so if you decide to participate, you may still find some of the last 5 are free and available, but again, only if you pledge one or more of the hats you make from that pattern. Of course, you're free to make more hats to gift or use for yourself. 

I usually pick out a few hats that I want to make and pledge at least one of each. I've done up to 12 or more different patterns a year and donated many. Some people do every one that is offered. Needless to say, I have a lot of hat patterns.

So if you like to crochet, I'll leave you the links and a photo of the last hat that was offered. If you get here quick enough, you may still be able to get it for free. She lists all of the ones for this month at the bottom of her post. 

Sweet Potato 3 Cancer Challenge. 

I downloaded the Waves of Hope hat yesterday. This sweet, soft looking hat was designed by Christine herself. I think it's absolutely adorable! Just remember to put the code in before completing your purchase and it will show up as free. Then put it through and save it in your files. This one came with a little video how-to as well. I've learned a lot of new stitches by participating in this Challenge over the years. It's been fun!

Sweet Potato 3 also has a Facebook page. I find that's a great way to never miss any new posts while the Cancer Challenge is on. 

Sweet Potato 3 Facebook Page

So if you like to donate some of your creations, this is perfect and it helps so many!! I see the 6th hat has been posted so go have a look! It's an adorable warm looking hat designed by Sara and Helen at  Sunflower Cottage Crochet for free in exchange for your pledge to make and donate one hat to a cancer patient or center! There are some really cute patterns on their page as well!

I can tell Fall is settling in. My crochet hooks are calling, and so is my sewing machine....I will be posting some super cute quilt blocks soon (I'm chomping at the bit waiting for my fabrics to arrive).

See you soon,

Blessings,

Carmen