Fiskars Craft

Sew-a-long.... Prt1 - supply list

Welcome to the Fiskars Craft Sew-a-long!

So glad you could join me in this sew-a-long where I show you step by step on a weekly basis on how to make something. You are sewing along with me!

This post is the first and lists the supplies you need. You have one week to complete the gathering of supplies. This post however will be up for the duration that this blog exists so you have plenty of time to do this if you don't have time this time around.

If you have ANY questions please ask. I am here to help you.

There is also a prize to be chosen for one participant! So comment in the below thread to say you are participating with me.

 

You will be making this handbag/tote bag with me....

 

Supplies you need will be:

Canvas (or apolstery fabric, or some denium fabric) 38" x 28" (97cm x 72cm) - this is found in fabric stores or artist stores on the roll.

White sewing thread & sewing machine and machine needles 100/6 (Ones that sew denium or thick fabric) and Pins. And an Iron.

Sew in velcro (some places call it hook and loop) - do NOT get stick in stuff it messes up the needle when sewing. Believe me I have tried this.

Clip or hook - these are found on VIP straps or in craft stores:

one "Fat quarter" or more of desired fabric.... or contrasting fabric scraps like me

Fiskars Titanium Rotary cutter and Fiskars quilt cutting mat (found at spotlight stores)

Fiskars microtip scissors (found at spotlight stores) - cuts loose threads nicely and cuts shapes out of fabric well.

 

Optional will be a handy 12 in 1 sewing tool. Has an unpicker, thread cutter, tape measure and more in it. very handy when sewing.

Fabric Adheasive like Helmar All Purpose Glue and Helmar Fray Stoppa
These will help decorate the bag for us.

needle and DMC thread for decorating - Fabric paint (i like using jacquard fabric paints but there are plenty on the market) and paint brush/water container to rince and wash brushes. Pencil or pen for marking fabric.

optional: Various fabric flowers (you can find these in second hand stores or cheepy stores - $1 and 99c or under $10 stores - for next to nothing and pull them apart for alot of crafts)

Well see you next week sometime. I'll try to post on the same day.....
We will start cutting out the pieces we need.

 See you then!

Debbie Buckland
artycrafty.wordpress.com

                                       Part 2 - Cutting out the pieces

                                       Part 3 - Making Bias Binding and sewing

                                       Part 4 - Adding pockets and sewing up bag

 

NEW Fiskars Interchangeable Punches

Don't you just love it when NEW TOOL Designs are realeased?

Fiskars never cease to amaze me with their creative,talented design team and engineers.....always thinking of new and creative ways to advance on their already well recognised quality Craft Tools!!!

The NEW Interchangeable Border Punches shall be available for Retailers/LSS   to purchase through SSS in Australia early FEBRUARY....and these following Tools shall be available in SPOTLIGHT STORES in APRIL.

Firstly the Interchangeable Border Punch Starter Set " DAISY CHAIN "......this is what you start with and then you can add other Cartridges to it......

The 5 other Cartridges being ranged in SPOTLIGHT  are:

                                                                           

                                                                    " LACY DOUBLES "

                                                                      " IVY LEAGUE "

                                                                " NOTEWORTHY "

                                                            " X MARKS THE SPOT "

                                                            " BANNERS AWAY "

Keep an eye on the Blog here as our FISKARS CRAFT TEAM shall be sharing some fun projects using these fabulous NEW Interchangeable Border Punches over the coming months.......

Features

• Ideal for adding a decorative border to a paper craft project, then switching the cartridge to add a different design to your next project
• Requires the Interchangeable Border Punch^™ Starter Set base (sold separately)
• Cartridges stack for space-saving storage and easy transport
• Lifetime warranty

CHA Fiskateer online CROP now on

Just a reminder that the CHA Fiskateer CROP is now on over at FISKATEERS ......there are some fun Challenges and our own Aussie Fiskateer Tracy Maloney has set one of the fun Challenges.

Great prizes up for grabs,loads of inspirational projects being shared in the GALLERY over there.

The online CROP is going for 2 days with several of the Challenge deadlines not until Tuesday....so plenty of time to get crafty!

Pennie Pockets

Difficulty rating: Beginner

A few years ago my mom sewed a set of Pennie Pockets for my children for Valentine’s day and now I love to make these adorable treat holders, fill them with goodies, and present them to friends, family and even my children’s teachers to let them know they are loved.

The pattern and instructions for these beautiful cone pockets can be found on the Moda Bakeshop website and you can find the link by clicking here .

The Pennie Pockets my mom made for my children have become a tradition that is brought out and hung up each year with our usual Valentine’s decorations. I like to hang them on the door handle to my children’s bedroom, but needless to say, they don’t stay there for long! It isn’t until February 14th however, that my children wake up to find their Pennie Pockets filled and overflowing with yummy treats and special keepsakes.

This year I will be giving a Pennie Pocket to each of my children’s teachers, and I aim to involve the children in the process. They are usually pretty receptive to a visit to the fabric store (particularly if they know get to do the actual choosing and will be involved in the cutting and sewing).

They also love to help out with the sewing and construction of items, where they can, and I think they’d take great pride in making something wonderful for their teachers. My 7yr old is pretty adept at following pattern directions and with guidance can use my sewing machine, whilst my 5yr old will enjoy pinning and cutting fabric or sitting on my lap as I sew.

Before I have them help me with their teacher’s pennie pockets, I wanted to make a set of my own following the directions on the Moda website. By far the easiest way to cut squares of fabric is to use a rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat. I like to start a project like this with a brand new blade in my rotary cutter because it makes the whole cutting out experience so quick and easy.

Next, following the directions, I pinned the fabric and sewed it together. It’s a bit like fabric origami, but it really does work!

I always like to clip my corners because it makes the seams lie so much flatter.

I find the stuffing tool in my sew taxi to be the perfect thing to poke out corners.

The directions on the Moda website suggest making yoyos to embellish the front of the Pennie Pockets. If, like me, you don’t have a yoyo maker, here is a helpful tutorial on making yoyos without one.

Other options for decorating the front of the Pennie Pockets are to use heart shaped buttons, beads or different sized circles, like I did.

We will present the Pennie Pockets filled with a few treats specific to each teacher. I even enjoy the challenge of finding small items I know they will love and that will fit inside the pockets. Gift cards are an easy choice, not only because of their size, but also because what wonderful and inspiring teacher doesn’t deserve a pedicure or coffee shop treat? I also intend to involve my children in choosing what we should put inside the pockets since they know their teachers better than I do! I’m sure there will be some home baked goods or other handmade items squeezed in there!

Consider making a few Pennie Pockets for some special people you want to recognize this Valentine’s Day or start your own tradition of hanging them around your home and filling them up with goodies and treats for visitors to enjoy.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further Valentines Projects and crafty inspiration make sure you drop by http://www2.fiskars.com/Activities/Crafting

Fiskars Interchangeable Border Punch + Burst Everywhere Punch

I have had some wonderful HAPPY MAIL this week from both STAMPIN UP and FISKARS so I finally had a play tonight with some of the fabulous goodies to create this fun birthday card for my great niece Kimberley who turns TWO today......

We are attending her party this afternoon......

I must admit I had such fun playing with the NEW FISKARS INTERCHANGEABLE BORDER PUNCH - BANNERS AWAY....and the NEW CARTRIDGE for my FISKARS EVERYWHERE PUNCH- BURST....I thought these two punches complimented each other on this card.

Next I used my NEW STAMPIN UP Four Frames Stamp and Melon Mambo Ink Pad to stamp an image on white cardstock.

 The sentiment is also a STAMPIN UP stamp that was given to me by a friend....thanks Pam!

I used the Tempting Turquoise Ink Pad for this as I thought it looked great against the background cardstock........................also from STAMPIN UP.......thanks guys!

 I then punched out the image with my NEW STAMPIN UP Punch - Decorative Label

I love how STAMPIN UP have these co-ordinating stamps and punches.....just fabulous!!!

Paper is from the Stampin Up - Designer Series Paper

Cardstock is from Stampin Up - A4 Smooth Cardstock

Clown and flower embellishments were in my stash......thought they looked cute and added some more colour......

                                    HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMBERLEY!

I can't wait to play some more with these fabulous tools.....that arrived yesterday!!

I'll be back in a few days with more fun projects using these fabulous NEW Fiskars Tools................the Interchangeable Border Punches are sooooo user friendly.....great colours...and they stack so that you can easily store them....with the Design on the front......just fabulous!!!!

I'l be doing up a little HOW TO Video to show how easy these new Interchangeable Punches are to use.......

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

and the winners are

 

Christine Cleary (NZ)

Debbie Cornish (Canada)

Tracy Maloney (AUST)

Anna Kluttmans (AUST)

Toni (AUST)

 

Congratulations ladies......you have all won a nice Fiskars Seasonal Limited Edition Punch.......thank you for entering the AUSTRALIA DAY CHALLENGE.....................can you please all email your postal details to

 

                fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au

Please put Aust Day Challenge in the subject line.......and I'll have these sent out asap to you all!

Thank you to everyone who entered!!! It's great to see fellow FISKATEERS entering our Challenges!

 

If you didn't enter this challenge then you might like to enter Debbie's Sewing Challenge starting February 1st......so keep an eye on the Blog........we'll have a SEWING TOOL or two to give away during FEBRUARY/MARCH.

 

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Happy AUSTRALIA DAY

Hi everyone,

We hope you have a wonderful AUSTRALIA DAY today no matter where you are around the world today!

To check out activities near you in Australia you can go to

           http://www.australiaday.org.au/

I'm working all day at the Blue Lotus Watergarden ......but I'll be back tonight to announce the winners of our AUSTRALIA DAY CHALLENGE!!!!    

Self pic taken before I headed off to work today.....LOL!  Gotta' be patriotic!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Creating a Pencil Roll.

If you are like me and have a BUNCH of colouring in pencils.......and not the cheap ones........You,like me will hate it when they get banged about in a pencil case and the lead breaks within the pencil, then every time you go to sharpen it it breaks again! 

I have solved this problem with a idea that i saw. A pencil roll.

It is really simple, all you will need is some scrap fabric, wadding, 2 metres elastic and some old ribbon or binding tape.

Firstly, Cut yourself 2 pieces of fabric size 70cm x 35cm with your pinking shears or a rotary cutter. then cut yourself a piece of wadding the same size.

Make a sandwich with fabric- wadding - fabric with the wrong sides of the fabric touching the wadding.

(sorry i should have taken a pic of this...i forgot!!)

Sew around the outside edge of the whole rectangle.

Take your elastic and cut in 1/2 (2 lots of 1 mtr) place across the fabric rectangle approx 1/4 from the bottom and then 1/2 way. pin.

Sew across the fabric and elastic the whole length down every 11/2 - 2 cm (depending on the thickness of your pencils) keep doing this the whole way till the end. You should get approx 45 -50 places depending on your spacing.

Trim off excess elastic.

Hem your whole rectangle of fabric with either binding tape or like me some ribbon. I used grosgrain ribbon as it is a little stronger.

And you are done. You can use a bit of ribbon to roll and tie it together like i did or you can even fold it instead.

Here is mine all filled up with my aqua pencils.

And here are my trusty Fiskars tools that i used THe Pinking shears are Great to stop fraying and the rotary cutter is great to cut those long straight lines!!!

 

Tara:)

Toni enters the Australia Day Challenge

The latest AUSTRLIA DAY CHALLENGE entry has come through from Toni......Fiskateer # 7985.

How cute is this!!!

 

Choosing the right Scissors

January Colour Challenge

This month Tami, one of our Fisk-a-leaders over at the Fisk-a-teers blog has put up a Colour Challenge.

The Challenge is to create a project/card/scrapbook Layout etc. with your favorite Football team colours. So with this in mind, i created my scrapbook layout of my daughter going to see the Hogwarts Express in Wales (a few years back!). My favorite football team is the Cronulla Sharks. their colours are Blue/White/Black. perfect for my page.

I had a LOT of photos to get in the pages and with the help of my Fiskars Sure-cut Trimmer i Cut my pics,layered them and placed them onto my card stock. I also added some patterned paper and ribbon and to top it off for old fiskars flowers...do you remember these vellum flowers! i have had them for a while!!! 

I still have not journaled on the page yet.....my printer is on the blink! but a tip for all you scrapbookers out there....if you cannot seem to get the wording what you want on your page, pop what you do remember onto a post-it note on the back of your layout to remind you when you do get around to doing the journaling! This is what i have done with my page. Sometimes the journaling makes all the difference. On my page you will see hogwarts is spelt wrong,this is how Zoe use to say it Hogwooorts, it was really cute but without the journaling it looks like a spelling error!

So if you would like to enter this challenge hop on over to the Gallery icon, and click on active challenges. there you will find all the challenges that are available to enter including this one. Or you can click here. to enter.

 

Tara :)

loving the latest Challenge Projects

WOWIE.....we are loving the projects coming through for our Australia Day/New Year Challenge...this latest entry comes from Anna Klutmans Fiskateer # 7612 from Monbulk in Victoria!

Anna is an active Fiskateer who loves to create beautiful crafty projects.......aren't these gorgeous....in both the Aussie traditional colour schemes....

Here's what Anna had to say.................

Hi Lyn

Here is my Australia Day Challenge.

2 Badges, one in the flag colour's, and the other in our Australian colour's.

The Fiskars tools used  for my project are.

Fiskars Scissors

ultra shapes circle

diamond boarder punch

And I am proud to be an Aussie!! 

Cheers Anna #7612

Hey FISKATEERS - CHA online crop

Just letting you all know that FISKATEERS are having an online crop during CHA.....starts on January 29th.........these online crops are always such fun.....lots of Challenges....lots of prizes.....lots of fun!!!

So mark it down on your calendar or in your diary!!! If you aren't yet a member of the fabulous Fiskateer Community....no probs....you can join anytime by clicking on the FISKATEERS link here

Aussie Aussie Aussie

Have you checked out Lyn's Australia Day Challenge?

Here is my entry. I made this card using Bella Australiana papers from Fynmark, inspiration from their DT cards shared on Facebook and LOTS of Fiskary tools.

Tools used include my trusty green self healing craft mat, fingertip craft knife, "Happy and you know it" clear stamps, medium, large and XL Twinkle Twinkle squeeze punch, medium Tag You're It squeeze punch and medium One Way squeeze punch.

Can't wait to see you project - don't forget entries close 25th January :)

A Challenge entry from CANADA - very creative!!!!

The latest Australia Day/New Year Challenge entry has come in from Canadian Fiskateer Debbie Cornish....here's what Debbie had to say in an email to me today.... isn't this a fun creative project!!!

Hi Lyn,

Australia Day sounds like a wonderful day full of friendship and celebrations. 
I don't live any where near Australia but would sure love to visit some day.

Attached are pictures of a keepsake postcard I make for Australia Day.

 

The front of the postcard is a map image of Australia.

I used a tissue type paper, tore the outline with my fingers to get the soft frayed edge and then ink the edge.

The map image shows a few events (swimming/fireworks) and locations of some celebrations.
The postage stamp shows the flag of Australia.

The second picture is the backside of the postcard where you can do all your journalling.

 

Tools used were my fiskars paper trimmer, 

 my fiskars scalloped edge scissors for the postage stamp on the front and

 for the journal edges I used the negative pieces (found under the punch) from my fiskars postage stamp border punch.

 

Debbie Cornish  #4668

Ontario Canada

 *******    It's not too late to enter our Austrlia Day/New Year Challenge and be in the draw to win some fabulous Fiskars Winter Special Edition Punches.......you have until Jan 25th to get thoses entries in to us at

                   

                         fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au

Please put AUSTRALIA DAY CHALLENGE in the title of your email.....

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Fetchy Sketchy Friday - 5 photo Layout and step by step

one of my fave tools with fiskars has to be the Ultra Shape Express cutter. So this layout design is centered around that. (i'm also on a ripping, crinkled - distress kick)

Here is my layout:

 and the details

I used the following tools

Fiskars Ultra shape express cutter
Fiskars Leaf template
Fiskars A4 sized cutting mat
Fiskars Scrap boss with Zoo Stencil and embossing stylus
Fiskars Tripple Track Trimmer
Fiskars No 5 micro tip scissors

Here is how I did it:

1. I tore a thick strip about 3" and adhered that to the middle of the background
2. I tore two 1" strips and crinkled it up by scunching them up into balls and then unrolling them but not fully
3. I stapled those to the layout top and bottom
4. Next I got out my Ultra Shape Express and freehand cut out my swirls then took my leaf template took off the orange spacer and cut out a leaf shape. I crinkled the edges of the leaf with my fingers.
5. I trimmed my photos
6. Then I took out my scrap boss and zoo template and used the stylus to emboss the monkey/branch on to the cardstock. Then took the sanding block out and lightly sanded the surface.
7. I stapled on the swirls and found some printed aceate cut out the leaves from that with the scissors and stapled those to the layout.
8. Cut out the embossed monkey from the cardstock and put Fiskars Adheasive Foam behind it to make it pop up.
9. Added photos and used a paint pen to draw on the Faux stitching. finished off by adding the leaf and journaled on that.

Done - thanks for dropping by!

If you do a layout using this sketch we would love to see it.
email us: fiskarscraft@yahoo.com.au

Debbie Buckland
artycrafty.wordpress.com

Fabric iPad Tote

Difficulty rating: Intermediate

Ever since I got an iPad, I have been searching for just the right tote bag for it. I looked at tons of pre-made bags that were either very elaborate and expensive or super simple with no personality. I knew that I wanted something sturdy but simple, fun but functional. I decided my best option to get exactly what I wanted was to make a bag myself. After looking at several sewing patterns for bags, I determined that what I wanted would be simple enough to make without a pattern. I decided on a simple messenger style with a wide comfortable padded strap and an open top that I could quickly and easily slip my iPad into. I wanted a few pockets inside for accessories and bit of extra room for my wireless keyboard and anything else I might need to tote along with me for the day.

To begin, I lay your iPad (or other device) on your fabric to measure what size you want your finished bag to be. I planned to work with the folded edge of the fabric as my bag’s bottom so I laid my iPad on the fabric with the fold with the fold along the bottom. For my bag, I added 2” for seam allowances and extra bag size on each side of the iPad. You can easily adjust the measurements to create a larger or smaller bag to best match your device size and needs.

Cut two pieces of fabric and one piece of fusible fleece or batting to the determined size. Set the fleece or batting piece aside. Apply fusible interfacing to the wrong side of each fabric. I wanted my fabric fairly stiff on my bag so I used a heavy craft weight interfacing.

If you want a pocket inside your bag, cut a piece of fabric the size of the pocket you desire, adding 1” to each side. (My pocket piece measured 12” wide by 9 1/2” tall.) Apply fusible interfacing to the backside of the pocket fabric. Create a 1” fold on each side of the pocket piece, pressing and pinning it to the back side. My finished pocket size was 10” wide by 7 1/2” tall.)

Top stitch along the top edge of the pocket piece 1/8” – 1/4” from the top edge.

Fold the bag lining in half, laying it on your table so that the fold is at the bottom. Place the pocket piece in the center of the lining, making sure that the sewn top edge of the pocket is at the. Unfold the lining and pin the pocket in place.

Sew the pocket to the lining along the side and bottom edges of the pocket about 1/8” to 1/4” from the edge of the pocket piece.

If you would like to add dividers to the pocket, use a chalk pencil and ruler to mark straight sewing lines from the top of the pocket to the bottom. You can vary the width of the lines to create pockets to meet your needs.

Layer your fabric on your work surface so that your outer bag fabric is facing printed side down on your work table. Place the fleece or batting on top of the wrong side of the outer bag fabric. Place the liner fabric on top of the fleece or batting printed side up.

Pin the three layers together. Sew the pieces together by sewing 1/8” from the edge on all four sides.

Sew folded bias tape over the two short sides of the assembled bag body. These two sides will be the top edges to the bag.

To create straps, determine what width you want your straps to be (mine were 2” wide) and how long you want your straps to be (mine was 64” long). Cut two fabric, two interfacing, and one fleece or batting pieces to match your desired measurements. In my example, I had to piece two cuts of fabric together to create each of the strap pieces. I place the seam of each at the center of my strap pieces. Adhere the interfacing to the strap pieces.

Layer the strap pieces like you did the pieces to the body of the bag. Pin the pieces together and sew 1/8” from the edge on all four sides.

Pin the strap to the body of the bag. The body of the bag fits around the ends of each strap like a letter U. Make sure that the center point on the bag’s body in the fold matches the center of each strap bottom. After pinning, sew the bag and strap together, 1/8” - 1/4” from the edge.

Sew folded bias tape over the remaining raw edges of the assembled bag.

              For further sewing crafty inspiration make sure you pop on over to

                             

                             http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Sewing-and-Quilting

     All the Fiskars Tools used in this project are available in SPOTLIGHT STORES.!

Celebrate with FISKARS - 45 years Design Icon

Contests, prizes, featured artists and more

First introduced in 1967 as a quality fabric scissors, our Original Orange-Handled Scissors™ redefined the standard for cutting precision. Not only was it much lighter and more comfortable than forged scissors, the cutting performance was so good it forced many a home seamstress to declare the scissors off limits. To help us celebrate the 45th anniversary of our iconic Orange-Handled Scissors, check out our page on facebook . Our celebration begins on January 17 with a fun-filled 45-day countdown leading up to the first day of National Craft Month on March 1. Like us on Facebook to join the celebration and check out all the contests, prizes, fun facts, artist features and more.

Show Us Your Scissors

As part of celebrating the Original Orange-Handled Scissors’ 45th anniversary, we want to see pictures of you and your trusted Orange-Handled Scissors. Just share a fun photo of you and your favorite Fiskars scissors, and you could win a scissors prize pack that includes a brand new Orange-Handled Scissors, Non-stick Detail Scissors and our new Cuts+More™ Multipurpose Scissors. Feel free to enter each week — a winner will be chosen at random every Tuesday for the next 45 days as we countdown to the start of National Craft Month. Learn more »

Just giving you all the Heads Up on this wonderful achievement by FISKARS and what a fun opportunity to win some cool Fiskars Tools.....so make sure you check it out....must get my Orange Fiskars Scissors out and get creative ......mmm...what to take a pic of......LOL!  The mind boggles.....

 

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

Fiskars Circle Cutter - How to Video by Lyn

After a phone call today from Spotlight Bayswater Craft Manager Dianne.....I thought I'd share this How to video with our readers again....Dianne had a customer enquiry about using the fabulous Fiskars Circle Cutter........................

The Fiskars Circle Cutter is such a fabulous tool to have in your Kit......there's so much you can do with it....it makes circles from 1" - 8"......these are available through local craft stores and Spotlight also range them.

If you wish to see more past videos on here....then just click on the Videos link on the sidebar....OR type in video in the Google Search Bar up the top lefthand side......

There are many HOW TO Videos on our site......and we plan on creating more for you during 2012!

We shall add some NEW TOOL Release Videos from time to time throughout the year and also share some "Technique" type videos with you all....and maybe some Projects How to Videos.....sound good?

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

AUSTRALIA DAY/NEW YEAR CHALLENGE

Here's a fun party idea sent through by Chistine Cleary from New Zealand..... for our AUSTRALIA DAY/NEW YEAR CHALLENGE ....... Christine had this to say.............

Here are a couple of quick ideas that came to me while cleaning up my room today.

I have a huge pile of baby jars quickly stacking up - so I thought they could make great little gift jars filled with lollies or other little treats.

I also found some party blowers that were in a boyish design so I got out some old papers I had and re-fashioned them into lovely girly ones for my daughter.

Great ideas Christine.....thanks for sharing with us all.....if you haven't yet entered our AUSTRALIA DAY/NEW YEAR CHALLENGE then it's not too late....there are still 9 days until closing.....on January 25th.....you can see further details HERE

Love the idea of Altering the Baby Jars and re-using for lollies or small gifts.....

There are some great prizes up for grabs......some of the Winter Special Edition Punches. So why not get those creative juices flowing and get crafty this week!! If you are after some Australiana Papers.....try the Bella/Fynmark Range in Spotlight.....

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer