Valentine Fabric Postcards

I have all this fabric so what do I do with it?  Yes, I could make a scrappy quilt but I found another use for this fabric.  It's making fabric postcards that you can actually mail through the post office like a postcard.  I know a lot of you out there, including myself, love to make paper cards but this is another way of making a card. 

I got interested in making these fabric cards quite a few years ago.  I started making these type of cards for my grandchildren on most all occasions.  Some of them have a photograph album with slip in photo sleeves and to put the postcards in them to save.  

This is how I make them.  The inside of these postcards are made with a stiffener interfacing which is about 1/8" thick.  The size of my postcards I make are 4" X 6."  Then I cut the same size out of Double Stick Fusible Web, quantity 2 per postcard.  Then decide how you want to design the card and what occasion it will be used for.  Fabric, bling, ribbon, lace, buttons really anything can be used.  As you can see on my Valentines Cards that I used letters from a game that I picked up at a garage sale. 

TIP:  If you're a garage sale person keep this in the back of your mind because there are usually sewing remnants, ribbons, rick rack, buttons, jewelry, etc. anything you can imagine can be used on cards. 

Back to making the card.  Iron on the fusible web to one side of the interfacing.  Then start cutting fabric, ribbon or whatever you're going to put on the card.  Another point.  If you have something bulky wait and put it on last because your last step is sewing.  Such as my letters on my cards, they were glued on when every step was done.  Once you are done with the decorative side then we'll move to the other side (front).  Iron on the second piece of fusible web and cut out of muslin or white material another 4" x 6" piece.  This will be the side you write the name and address of who you're sending it to (just like you would on a regular postcard).  On the left side write your message or if you have a special rubber stamp that you'd like to use stamp it.  Don't forget your return address.  Once the postcard is finished you will go to the sewing machine and sew around the outside on all sides a decorative stitch.  Then paste or sew on your bulky embellishments to totally complete the postcard.

As you can see in the photograph above you can make any postcards for any occasion and use them to decorate.  I do this especially at Christmas time because there are so many Christmas fabrics and accessories that you can use.  Special note!  Can u tell I love to watch birds?  Cardinals this time of year just really stand out because of there bright red. 

Now if you're postcards are flat you won't have any problem mailing them in the post office.  I would suggest if you have bulk that you put it in another envelope and mail it.  Infact, when a holiday came around the postmaster was excited to see what kind of postcards I had designed.

Hope you enjoyed this post and you will try to make a fabric postcard for a friend, grandchild, family member or whoever.  Keep checking back cause there will be other fabric postcards once in a while.

Till next time, Keep on stitchin,
Connie

Fun and Fast Quilt......Bento Box.....

This has sure been a different week as far as weather here.  Monday we had temperatures in the low 70's, which is very unusual for January, then Wednesday we had freezing temperatures, wind and snow.  Blowing snow in spots where you just couldn't see.  This only brought a trace of snow but with the wind, blizzard conditions.  Our winters have really changed because now we

hardly ever see snow, a few days of really cold weather.  Our temperature's are usually in the 40 - 60's.  Which would be nice if we weren't so dry.  We need the precipitation but would rather see it in the form of rain. 

The quilt I want to talk to you about today is "Bento Box" pattern by Tracey Brookshier (Updated and Expanded).  This pattern has twelve new quilt designs that will work with 2 1/2" strips and additional block sizes that you can use.  It all depends how you assemble the blocks to what your quilt will look like.

The pattern suggests that you limit your color palette using 2 - 4 main colors.  Choose fabrics in pairs, such as one dark and one light, with a strong contrast between each pair.  Try to avoid using directional prints because if it bothers you that the strips is going the wrong direction this will drive you crazy.  This pattern suggests using fat quarters or fat 1/8's but you can also cut your own 2 1/2" strips if you'd like.

This is a fun and fast pattern and I like all the different ways you can use the strips.  Try this technique in your next quilt, colors you like, maybe a scrappy look?  I'm excited are you?

Till next time, stitch away,
Connie

Swingin Monkey Strip Tubing Quilt...............

One of my favorite things to watch on TV is sports. I didn’t play sports when I was in school because in those days it wasn’t offered except for boys. Have things changed for the better I’d say. Anyway, I did play softball in the summer and also love to watch college girls’ softball and that’s come a long ways from when I played ball. Anyway now football is in the air, which team will go to Super Bowl! Another reason I have sports because I do have a TV in my sewing room and usually some kind of sports is playing. I can sew and listen, when yelling goes on I can check it out. So when there’s a game on, regardless what sport it is, I’ve got my TV on in the sewing room.

OK, I’ve talked about “strip tubing” in several of my blogs. I’ve got another quilt using the same technique but different material. This particular material has a theme of monkeys with coordinating material. Blocks that were left over were made into pillows with decorative fringe on each pillow. Wouldn't this look good in any child's room, boy or girls?

Have you tried making any quilts with this pattern? Check out this link, the first book "Strip Tubing" is the one I use. There are alot of different ways you can make these quilts, different sizes and explains how to use the  "Strip Tube Ruler" by Cozy Quilt Designs which also is shown on the same page (scroll down). This is also a great tool to have cause once you use this book you'll try several different quilts. Try it, increase your quilting knowledge by reading up on a new technique and let me know what you think

So here’s to more sewing and watching TV, football and/or football. What’s your pick?

Still stitichin,
Connie

Sunflower quilt blocks or postcards.........

Well the holidays are over so now maybe things will slow down a little that I can get back to blogging.  I’ve missed everyone so let’s get back to keeping in touch. 

I’ve talked about what you can do with panels but I found another product that is similar.  These are called “Quilt Blocks.”  These blocks measure 4” x  6” and a quantity of 4 in each package. These seed packets are one example of collectible prints.  Check out their website www.oldeamericaantiques.com for more images.   These quilt blocks are printed on 100% cotton sateen.  These are ready to sew and easy to quilt.

The prints I used in this wall hanging derived from vintage seed packets dating from 1880s through 1930s.  The pattern I used for these quilt blocks was a nine-patch which is included in the package.  This wall hanging measures 17” x 21” vertical but if you choose to make it horizontal it measures 21” x 17.” 

I live in the country, what use to be a big dairy farm.  My dad and his brother farmed and milked cows for many years.  They were considered one of the biggest dairy farms in the county.  So I grew up with Holstein cows, bottle fed calves, geese (which I didn’t like cause they chased us kids).  Really good memories.  Sorry, got side tracked there.  Anyway, we grew up with crops like wheat, corn, soybeans and milo.  These crops have many different colors to watch as they matured.  Sunflowers were everywhere but were considered wildflowers.  Now there are some farmers around here, not many, that will plant sunflowers for a cash crop.  The fields are beautiful when in bloom.  So these sunflower postcards, quilt blocks mean something to me. One of the reasons I love living in the country.

Check out these postcards and if you make a quilt or wall hanging please send me a picture.

Hope everyone had a great Holiday and everyone have a great 2013.

More stitchin a comin.........
Connie

Christmas Quilt

Christmas time is officially here.  It's a time to spend with family, friends, go caroling, special times at church reflecting what Christmas is all about.  All the colors that you see in stores, homes, churches,  lights on houses, lights on the Christmas trees in the windows. 

I want to tell you about the Christmas quilt I made several years ago.   You’ve heard me talk about our shop hops we have around here with all the quilt shops in October.  Now let me tell you this kit sat in my sewing closet for a long time, meaning a few years, before I decided it was time to start on it.  I’m not sure what year the shop hop was, think it was 2006.  They always have one specific material that all these 12 quilt shops use in there blocks.  Then each shop creates a quilt using each of the shops blocks.  This particular year I choose the finishing kit from the store, Quilting Bee.  This quilt really appealed to me because it really did say “Christmas” to me and the real reason for Christmas, Manager scene.  Each shop had a kit you could buy for their block plus their pattern.  So as you can see I purchased each of the 12 blocks.  I used the one block for the center that looked like a star.  On the bottom I choose to have machine embroidered “Oh Holy Night” in gold thread.  The Manager scene I choose to do appliqueing with machine embroidering around each piece. The quilter used a special gold metallic thread to create rays from the star above down on the manager scene.  

For several years it hung in the entrance at the church during Advent.  I had quite a few compliments on this quilt and also on the quilting.  I can say I am very proud of this quilt and glad I invested in the finishing kit and pattern and the time to finish it.  Some day one of my children might hang it in there house and enjoy it as much as I do.

Christmas Wishes:  Hoping your Christmas brings all your favorite things and a Great 2013, Happy New Year to all.
Connie

A Different Post - Awesome Woodcarving!

It’s Christmas time and I’d like to tell you about another hobby I find fascinating!  I took a trip over the weekend to Ark City, Ks which is about 1 ½ hours from where I live to my cousins house, Carolea.  You might remember this is the cousin that did the chicken quilt, needle turned that I talked about in an earlier post. 

Carolea is very talented in a lot of areas. Another one of her hobbies is woodcarving.  It’s always interesting to visit her because she always has a new project or projects going on.  Christmas time is here and now there are Santa s, snowmen, different types of puzzles, wooden thread spools with Santa faces , misc all over her house.  Now I want to talk about these puzzles that she carves.  She makes different kinds, Nativity, Native Nativity, snowmen, dragons (latest one) and then she has a manger scene with a turtle.  She has written a child's book on this turtle visiting the manager scene.  It is the cutest story.  The puzzle pieces are stored inside this box which looks like a stable, barn or whatever you want it to be.  Inside the box are wood burning details.  Each are different to go with whatever the puzzle is.   All of them are so cute it's hard to pick just one favorite!

Santa Puzzle

She does have a website www.puzzlesinabox.com.  Check it out!  Maybe you know someone that wood carves and a pattern would be a perfect gift.  Or do you have a son that loves to widdle and maybe this would encourage him to continue with this hobby.  She has written several articles on how to and pictures showing steps in the “Scroll saw Woodworking & Crafts" Magazine,  which Holiday 2012 edition has her latest puzzle in it.  Again checkout her website I think you’ll be amazed at her workmanship.



I know this isn’t about quilting but once in a while I have to take a break and talk about something else I really enjoy.  I hope you enjoyed something different with this post!

not finished - pieces need painted

Well Christmas is getting closer.  If you're making gifts keep sewing!  If you aren't making gifts try something new, a new technique, just learn to sew, take a class, etc.  

Till next time............
Connie

Strip Tubing Again................

I’ve talked about Strip Tubing before in one my blogs.  Again I can’t tell you how much I love this technique.  It’s so easy and so much fun.   You will find out that jelly rolls will be one of your best friends in quilting. Be sure to check out all the books available for jelly rolls and strip tubing.  Colors just seem to blend together regardless how they are put together.

This pattern is “Heartstrings” designed by Gail Yakos, Manufactured by Black Mountain Quilts.  I love the colors blue and teal so this is one of my favorite quilts.  To be honest with you any quilt with these colors fall into that category.  Ho Hum!!!  I’m sure you will find that I like most quilts regardless of colors.  This quilt takes a 2-1/2” wide precut jelly roll strips, 1 bundle or at least 36 strips that you can cut from your stash, 12 fabrics cut ¼ yard each, but not fat quarters, 2-5/8 yard of white background fabric, 5/8 yard for binding fabric, 4-1/2 yards of background fabric and batting

Note:  do not throw any scraps away because you will use these leftover pieces in the outside border. 

These hearts were fun to put together. I was really excited to take it to the quilter and see what she could come up with.  I was not disappointed when I got the quilt back.  Notice what special quilting she did.  On the top of each heart she quilted another heart in blue thread.

Then down the center of each heart she made it look like hearts on top of each other.  She did an awesome job I think.

This week is Thanksgiving and we have so much to be thankful for.  Count your blessings and don't over eat.  HA HA

Until next week have a great and safe Holiday.

Connie