The Crafter’s Way 229–Recycled Business Cards

During a recent major clean out at home where no drawer was left unsorted I found way too many out of date business cards. There were cards from previous jobs, old addresses and positions. They were all still in mint condition, some in unopened boxes so it seemed a shame to simply ditch them in the bin.

I gathered up some essential supplies such as glue and scissors and the hunted for some bits and pieces to embellish each card. The beauty of this project is your ‘canvas’ is small so it doesn’t require a lot of materials or time. For all the ideas I first gave the cards a coat of white gesso. This was necessary for my gift cards as all the cards had been printed on both sides. If your old cards have only been printed on one side you can skip this step.

Idea 1: Using an old teabag I stained the book pages. Once they were dry I gave them a quick press with a cool iron. I cut the pages into strips and glued them onto the card. Play around with the placement. It looks better if each strip is a little ‘off’. I waited for the paper to dry completely before attaching the piece of flat braid. Punch a hole in the corner to attach to your gift.

Idea 2: For this card idea I used some hand dyed paper towel. I stamped the flower pattern randomly over the paper towel before cutting to size and glueing to card. You may find it a little easier to cut the paper slightly larger than the card, glueing then trimming to size once the glue has dried. I added an upcycled clothing badge to the centre of the flower but you could add sequins, beads and/or glitter.

Idea 3: This idea took a little longer than the others but was still quite simple. I cut a piece of felt to the same size as the card. I ironed scraps of fusible webbing to some small pieces of fabric. After peeling away the backing paper I placed the fabric onto the felt and fused in place. Be careful it easy to burn your fingers when using small pieces. I sewed some buttons in a contrasting colour on to the fabric before glueing the felt/fabric sandwich onto the card. For some added colour you may choose to machine sew a row of stitching around the edge of the card.

These ideas are just a few of the many ways you could decorate and embellish old business cards into unique gift tags; try red/green/gold for Christmas, pastels shades for a newborn, stamp ‘50’, ‘60’ slightly off centre for a significant birthday or even paint a watercolor wash over the card before stamping and embossing an image.

If you want to have a go but don’t have any cards let me know… I’m still drowning in them.

What’s New

The shop has been overdue for a rearrange for ages. I finally stopped  procrastinating and did a total makeover.

It also gave me an opportunity to play around a bit more with my new camera. It took me absolutely ages to find the anti-blur setting.

Usually I display like products together because I am basically lazy.

This time I went for a colour theme.

I love the finished look but already I’m noticing that I need to do more tidying throughout the day. Not my favourite thing. I wonder how long I can keep this display going?

Masked Surface Design

With no internet connection at the shop yesterday my plans to catch up on the business side of things was thwarted. Damn, lol. There was nothing to it but to indulge in a little creative play.

This fabric was dyed earlier in the year. It is slated to be used to make some patchwork bean bag style poufs. But first I wanted to jazz it up a bit more. I’ve masked up a simple grid.

Acrylic paint was mixed with fabric fixative then rollered onto the fabric.

Once the paint was dry I rubbed silver paintstick onto the masking tape. Using a hard toothbrush I brushed it onto the fabric.

Most of the masking tape has been removed. The oil has yet to evaporate out of the paintstick. Depending on the humidity this may take a couple of days.

More often than not I pop the fabric outside in the sun and it is ready for heat setting in a day but we have a miserable wet day here so I will just have to be patient.

Now to jazz up the other couple of pieces in the same colourway using different patterns  and techniques.

Craft Day

Last night when the was rain bucketing down I made the decision to not go into the shop today. I had planned to do some dyeing but knew the fabric wouldn’t dry. A day at home creating would do me good.

I started making some fabric coasters. Probably should have kept going until I finished them but today wasn’t about shoulds. Besides I didn’t feel like doing detail work. I was in a scrappy mood.

 Grabbed some fabric and did a bit more on the fabric collage I have been working on. Then I ran out of glue….. 
Delved into my bag of thread scraps, found some fabric strips  and started twisting.

Still need to add brooch backs to these. Will make a few more before I start that step, I haven’t even made a dent in that thread bag.
PS The sun came out.

Cloth Weaving

Late last year I used up some old thickened dye and created a fun piece of fabric.

 I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do with it until I stumbled upon Morna Crites blog. Suddenly I knew I wanted to try Cloth Weaving and what I could use for my first piece.
   The first cut is the deepest. I cut my strips 7cm wide.

This is as far as I’ve got. I need some backing fabric and a few more bits of fabric to weave into it before I start stitching. Like Mona, I think this could be the first of many.

New Look for a New Year

Fourteen months ago I decided that it was time for a bedroom make over. Last December I got as far a looking for fabric before family dramas intervened.

This year, while on Christmas Break, I was determined to at least have the fabric measured and cut out ready for sewing.

Everything worked out perfectly. I made  2 London Blinds, all the Sheer Curtains and the European Cushions.

The colour scheme suited the existing  picture frames, the art work needed a little work though.

I cut some random shapes out of the blind fabric.

Each of the four frames have a different motif. Easy squeezy, done in less than 10 mins. A few more finishing touches and I will be done. Think I will update the dining room curtains next. Hopefully it won’t take me the next 14 months.

The Crafter’s Way 208–Fabric Bookmarks

These fabric bookmarks make perfect gifts for any booklovers on your list. They are super simple and will need very little in the way of tools and materials. The only must have is a bit of imagination. I’ve used denim for the samples however you can use any heavy weight fabric that you have.

You will need: Heavy weight fabric, ribbon, coordinating thread, assorted trims; lace, buttons etc.

 

Step 1: Cut 2 pieces 15cm x 5cm and 2 pieces 5cm x 5cm. Cut the ribbon into 12cm lengths (at least).

Step 2: Attach 1 Suffolk Puff to the right side of 1 x small square. Attach the remaining 3 puffs to 1 x large rectangle.

Step 3: Place 2 small squares together, wrong sides facing. Start at the star, stitch in the direction of arrows. When you reach the cloud insert one end of the ribbon between the layers of fabric and continue stitching.

Step 4: Repeat with large rectangle, inserting the other end of the ribbon between the layers as you stitch.

Step 5: Fray edges of fabric carefully.

Sample 2: I used 2 lengths of cotton lace stitched side by side onto 1 x large rectangle. I attached the daisy chain to cover the middle line of stitching. A single daisy was attached to 1 x small square. Complete as Sample 1.

Sample 3: For this bookmark I used a leftover length of cotton braid stitched in place on 1 x large rectangle. One motif was attached to 1 x small square.

Sample 4: The raw edges of a small piece of fabric were folded under before being stitched to a large rectangle.

You can also experiment with buttons, pearls, beads and sequins. If sewing seems to take too long you can use a hot glue gun to speed up the process. Have fun personalising these to your recipient and they will sure to be using them for years to come.

The Crafter’s Way 200–Coaster Brooches

These brooches are fun to make. Chunk the steps into a couple of parts and you will find they are quick to make as well.

You will need: Plastic Coasters just like the ones in the photo. PVA Glue, Acrylic Paint, Fabric, Button, Felt, Brooch Back, Needle and Thread.

Step 1: Paint the front and back of the plastic coasters with glue, allow to dry.
Step 1a: When the glue is dry, paint front and back of coasters with paint. The glue assists the paint to adhere to the plastic. You may need a couple of coats.
Step 2: Cut fabric circles at least 2.5 times the diameter of the plastic coaster.

Step 2a: Thread the needle, fold over fabric 6mm and stitch a gathering thread around the circle.
Step 2c: gently gather up fabric until the circle closes, secure with a backstitch.
Step 2d: Cut the back out of the fabric circle.

Step 3: I have used a handmade Singleton Button. You can get directions here http://trishalandesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/crafters-way-131-singelton-buttons.html If you prefer you can use any decorative button of your choosing. Thread the needle and secure the button to the fabric circle.
Step 4: Stitch the brooch back to a small piece of felt.
Step 5: Stitch the fabric to the coaster before attaching the felt to the back of the coaster.

Look What I Found in the Back of the Fridge

Not month old vegetables. Thickened dye left over from some project or other.

I spooned it onto a glass plate.

Then with gloved hands started spreading it out.

Before placing a piece of brushed cotton on top. I used the brayer to ensure good contact.  Now at this stage I need to make a couple of points. The thickened dye was old and there was no guarantees about its effectiveness. I also hadn’t actually planned to do this so hadn’t properly prepared the fabric, no prewashing etc. So colourfastness wasn’t a priority or even likely.

I could have sworn I  took a photo of the fabric before this stage but sadly no. After I had finished stamping the t-shirt from yesterday I used the leftover gold paint to add a little detail.

No need for heat setting. The dye wasn’t set so I couldn’t see any point in going through the motions. I’m now pondering my next move. Exactly how I will use it is unknown except that it won’t be washable. I have a few ideas but with the busy time of the year quickly appearing it might be put on the back burner for a little while. Something else for the list.

Saving the T-shirt

I was a little disappointed with the blotch of dye on my t-shirt yesterday.

The disappointment didn’t last too long when  realised that this was an excuse to play.

I dug out an flower stamp and fabric paints and started printing happy flowers randomly over the top. The ‘stamps’ are mdf cut outs bought from a hardware shop. I coated them with PVA glue before using them as a stamp the first time. This was to stop the paint  absorbing into the mdf, you just need to wipe them clean when you are finished.

I also added some gold paint which I applied with a dry brush. A few beads to finish I will be done..maybe.

Going ‘Round in Circles

Rather than this being a negative thing I’ve rather enjoyed going around in circles lately.

I started playing around when I made myself a new market apron a while back. I enjoyed it so much I decided to go back for Round 2.

It’s great fun. I get to indulge in my love of decorative embroidery stitches and each circle is finished in double quick time. I might try a skirt next.

The Crafter’s Way 198–Chain Stitch

Continuing in our series of embroidery stitches today we cover Chain Stitch. Chain Stitch has been dated back to the 3^rd Century BC; there are even some surviving pieces of Chinese embroidery from that period.

Chain stitch can be used to strengthen seams however because the needle only needs to pass through one layer of fabric it is mostly used as a decorative stitch .Chain stitch is a series of interlooped stitches which can easily follow a curved and flowing lines. Also known as Tambour Stitch Chain Stitch has many variations such as Detached chain, Rosette Chain and Twisted Chain.

To begin:

Bring the needle to the front of fabric at (a).

Create a loop; hold this in place with your finger.

Re-insert the needle back into (a).

While still holding the loop, bring the needle back to the front of the fabric at (b). You have completed your first step.

To continue:

Create a loop; hold this in place with your finger.

Re-insert the needle back into (b).

While still holding the loop, bring the needle back to the front of the fabric at (c).

Chain Stitch is perfect for a beginner or child to learn. I would recommend the use of a hoop.

The Crafter’s Way 197–Feather Stitch

A couple of months ago I wrote a tutorial for doing Buttonhole or Blanket Stitch. Today’s tutorial is another embroidery stitch, Feather Stitch. Feather Stitch, which is also known as Coral stitch, is a variety of buttonhole/blanket stitch.

Feather Stitch is an useful decorative stitch and can be found in hand smocking and crazy patchwork. The feathery line can be stitched straight, around curves and be embellished with French Knots, Lazy Daisy and Beads. It is also possible to alter the effect completely by altering the spacing of each finished stitch.

To start:
Secure your thread at the back of fabric.
Bring needle to front of fabric at (a).
Leave a little slack in the thread, hold this with your finger. Reinsert the needle at (b).
Bring needle to front at (c).
Leave a little slack and holding this re-insert the needle at (d).
Bring needle to front at (e).
Leave a little slack and holding this re-insert the needle at (f).
Bring needle to front at (g).

Each subsequent stitch secures the previous one. When you are first learning it is useful to mark four parallel lines with a water dissolvable marker. This will help you stitch even feathers. I’m sure that after a little practice this stitch will become a firm favourite.

Works in Progress (alt title–Don’t hold your breath)

I have been filling small snatches of time with some simple hand embroidery. You know those times when you are waiting for the bus, waiting waiting, waiting.

These are destined to be brooches.

Using more scraps of my hand dyed fabrics and threads.

There is no wrong way.

Eventually I will add some beads and other embellishments.

By the time I finish them though I could well have thought of another use for them.

I’ve also started embroidering some samples for an upcoming project.

Up close and personal.

No details just yet, still some work to be done before the grand reveal.