Fiskars Craft

sewing - Lace Heart Potpourri hangers - short turorial

Hi all

You know how I've been making scripture and quote card holders for the ladies at my church group? Well this week I have taken on a different angle....

Decided to make the older ones some home made Potpourri wardrobe hangers.

Here's how I did it...
I already had dried various flowers/orange skins/rosemary etc
I used black felt for the backing
for the front I cut up an old lace top from the second hand store
The ribbon is from my stash - really old stuff from Maya Road.

First:

Trace around the outside of a supersized heart template with a dressmakers chalk pencil and cut out both lace and black felt.

second:

Pin the ribbon inside both lace and black felt (black felt and lace have good sides facing each other). make sure the ribbon if, one sided like mine, is facing up.

Third:


Pin around the outside leaving a gap for stuffing.

Fourth:

sew around the outside - turn in the right way - stuff with your home made potpourri.

Sew closed and you are done!

My daughter got hold of some scraps and decided to design her dolls some dresses so I quickly hand sewed them together....


Looks like I will have a little fashion designer on my hands!

I'm so proud of her.

The Fiskars tools I used in the above projects:

Thanks for dropping by!

Debbie B
Artycrafty.wordpress.com

 

I have finished him - PHEW!

I have finally finished my Altered Reindeer...................and I am loving looking at him on the table.....just waiting for Christmas to come.....

I'm so pleased with my effort.....and it has been a great way to use up some of my material scraps........... I also managed to find some Silver Bells and Purple wired ribbon in Spotlight last week.

If you would like to make one of these you can purchase the reindeer from Spotlight...they have them in about three colours......silver,gold and I think craft. I chose the larger Reindeer....stands quite high...but you can also get smaller ones.

I just wanted to get away from the traditional red,white and green Christmas colours for this project......so this was very different for me....but I am very pleased with the result.

I even got out my Fiskars Bow Maker to help with the bow......did you know that you can also thread through the balls and other embellishments under the bow clip before you push it down...then they all fasten in together.

My material was cut up into narrow strips and some various size squares using my Fiskars Rotary Cutter and Fiskars Pinking Scissors......then I used a paint brush to brush on some Helmar Liquid Adhesive......it is easier to add this to the reindeer itself and then attach the material to the glue....you can also spread it a bit with your fingers......this is where I got quite messy...but it made adhering the material so easy......then when I ran out of my Helmar Glue......I used some PVA I had here at home....and that worked the same way....it dries clear.

Hope you too have some time to craft something fun this Christmas......challenge yourself to try something a little different.....

So what do you think? Do you like my Patchwork Altered Reindeer?...and HEY...no sewing involved...LOL!

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

 

Challenging myself this CHRISTMAS

Well after purchasing this cute Reindeer on Thursday Night I have been busily sorting through my Stash for material scraps and trying to decide on a colour theme from what I have here at home.



It's amazing what you find when you go looking through ones craft stash.....LOL! My craft basket was thanking me I'm sure as I was ramaging through it......some of these materials haven't seen the light of day for quite some time.......months......well actually years is more like it I think......LOL!

I have finally decided to use up some of the Purple tone materials left over from a Quilt I made for my DIL for her 21st.......and that's like 12 years ago....OMG.....doesn't time fly.....how darn embarrassing!

So now I have my material,craft glue and Fiskars Tools all ready to make a start this weekend.....wish me luck................... this Reindeer shall be magically transformed over the coming weeks!

Once I have altered it with the materials I'm going to choose some co-ordinating ribbons,bells,etc....ooh......off to play!!Might take me awhile to cut up all the strips and squares.....oh well......it shall be a fun challenge to myself......actually using material for a change instead of paper....LOL!

Wanna' see the finished project? Might be finished for this Christmas.........or not.......LOL!

 .....these might also come in handy...... my Fiskars Rotating Mat and Trim Set

xoxo

Lyn Dwyer

 

latest SEWING CHALLENGE entry

Beryl from New Zealand has been busy this month SEWING up some wonderful projects....here's her latest entry in the SEPTEMBER SEWING CHALLENGE......How would you like to have this bag hanging over your shoulder...............it's bright...it's colourful...and it's soooooooooo trendy isn't it......

The SEPTEMBER CHALLENGES end tomorrow.....so make sure you get those entries in to be in the running to win one of the fabulous FISKARS PRIZES.

REMEMBER......all winners are randomly chosen from all entered..............so you have to be in it to win it.......good luck to everyone who has entered this month.

 

xoxo

Lyn

My Quilt Journey #6

Hi all

I am still doing the FREE online course over at Craftsy.com Craftsy Block of the Month Class.

Here are my blocks for the August lesson.... (yes I missed out July as the dresdens looked far too complicated and I really don't like hand stitching much).

August was all about Star Blocks!

Here is the Ohio Star Block:

(that being a good example for this months sewing challenge - posted here)

and the Double star Block:

(didn't have enough yellow left to put that colour in - nuts!)

I used:
The Finish Scissors - Thread snipper (orange handled pictured above)
Fiskars loop handle Rotary cutter.
Fiskars Quilt cutting matt by Fiskars the largest one
Fiskars Square quilt ruler.

Now I have to do September... no hand sewing in the next two blocks but I will be takling the curved patterned blocks! eeeek!!!

happy sewing!

Debbie Buckland
artycrafty.wordpress.com

Beryl's BOM # 5 and a UFO gets finished

         Beryl has sent through her #5 BOM......you can view her PDF file HERE

She has now finished 5 BOM and has 7 to go.......great effort Beryl....

We are uploading Beryl's PDF files in the Make'n'take/How to section on here....the link is on the lefthand side of the Blog.....we have plenty of fun inspirational projects over there that you can access FREE anytime 24/7....so keep checking in there.....for SEWING/PAPERCRAFT PROJECTS

........and here is what Beryl had to say  a few days ago.....

Start of last week I didn't know what I wanted too do.  I'll to a tidy up & put thing back in their containers.   Famous last words........
Went to the UFO container & the rest is history.  Out of the container came a table runner that I had done a few machine quilted designs on,
maybe I could just add a couple more.  Well I am thrilled to say that the runner got its few more machine quilted designs added & it got the binding
added & it is now finished.   

 

  Free motion quilting is taking over  me,  because a quilt that I thought I'd finished didn't look like it had enough quilting on it.  Needless to say it
has now been had free motion quilted designs & stippling add & now it looks completely finished.   

 

While I'm on a roll I'll see what can be finished next.

 

Warm fuzzies,

Beryl     #7212

.......thanks for much for sharing this with us all Beryl......we love what you are doing....

xoxo

Lyn

Dolly had happy mail

I have had happy mail. Admittedly it was a  while ago, but I'm still excited.I unwrapped a brand new NEW Fiskars easy blade change ergo control 45mm rotary cutter (thats a mouth full ). It had to go
straight to work , after I had prised it from dolly's grip.

I decided on an owl theme and got busy cutting up my scappy bits. Just a quick tip, if you don't feel confident with drawing applique shapes try stamping a simple design onto paper and blowing it up on the photo copier. You can then cut out your fusible web shapes and get started quick smart.My rotating Fiskars cutting mat was great for trimming the odd shaped scraps. Remember turn the board not the fabric. It's lots more accurate.

and here is Dolly with the finished product, showing off again

My Quilt Journey #1

I am embarking on a new quilt making journey.

A couple of years ago I made about 11 mini quilts about half the size of a single bed for kiddos that needed to be warm in winter that were in need. Since then I haven't made much as the free fabrics stopped flowing in and my finances dried up a bit. They were very basic designs and I was going blind most of the time really struggling at times doing quilts but enjoying that journey.

Now I am in a different head space and my finances are improving. I want to start making quilts again... The first one will be for me this time. I have bought several different fabrics and decided to take an online course over at Craftsy.com - its free! Craftsy Block of the Month Class.

The course started in January this year so I have a bit to catch up on.....
These are my first two blocks... 2 blocks a month! Gosh this quilt is going to be HUGE compaired to what I used to do!

Each block will be 12.5" square

This is the Slash Asterisk block

This is the Slash Wonky Pound Sign block

I used the following Fiskars tools:

• Fiskars Quilt mat (extra large)
• Fiskars Loop handle titanium rotary cutter
• Fiskars square quilt ruler

The blocks don't match and they probably will have all different types of patterns and colours but I am choosing fabrics that I like from a REAL sewing fabric shop and buying REAL fatquarters. Locals that need to know.... Fabric Vision... most of the fatquarters are either $4 NZD or $6.50 NZD I also cheat a bit and buy some fabric bits from the $1 bin. They are usually half the size of a fatquarter.

_____________________________

Please don't forget the Block of the Month (BOM) that is going on at fiskars.com

____________________________

Well better get going. I am really stuffed and need a cuppa tea. ;)

Debbie Buckland
artycrafty.wordpress.com

Hunger Games Sewing project - tutorial

Lately i have been reading the Hunger Games books and really enjoyed them.... I also wanted to thank the teen that was lending them to me so I decided to make some arm warmers for her.

Here is how I made them....

You will need

• Fiskars Titanium Rotary Cutter/or No8 scissors
• fiskars Cutting mat
• fiskars quiting ruler
• Helmar Premium craft glue
• Thread
• Polar Fleece (light brown) 1/4 meter or so
• dark brown felt
• yellow or light orange felt
• Sewing machine

step one
I used the quilting ruler to cut out 4 - 6" x 10" pieces

step two
next I found a logo on the internet of the hungergames and printed it out twice...
one reversed at the desired size (link to logo here)

I cut the images out using the printed logos and stuck the yellow logos onto the brown felt with Helmar Premium Craft glue - it is a great fabric glue that will hold up in the wash!
Set aside the "patches"

Step three
We will now be cutting out the main arm warmers and sewing them up...

Take two pieces of fabric - wrong side facing out - draw around your hand and forearm as above with a permanent fabric marker leaving a good 1/2inch gap around your hand/forearm.

Step four
Cut your piece NOT on the lines you just drew but another 1inch wider around the line...
(note that the picture is not accurate - but you get the idea - adjustments had to be made)

Step Five
Now do this for the other arm to...
You should end up with four pieces cut the same as above.

Step six
Take two oposite sides and put the right side up
Pin the logo patch to the back of the hand side and sew onto the arm warmer

step seven
now put the other side of your armwarmer pieces ontop of your logo sides Right sides together and sew around the edges between the drawn line and the edge...

test to see if your hand can get into the opening, if not nows the time to unpick and sew back up leaving a smaller seam. (which I had to do)

step eight
Next is to turn your arm warmers the right way out and try them on!

Hey if they fit me they should fit a teenager aye.... within theroy.

Thanks so much to Aliesha for lending me the books... I had a great time reading them and drawing inspiration from them. Hope you enjoy your arm warmers this winter....

Debbie Buckland
artycrafty.wordpress.com

 

 

Sewing - Hottie covers/PJ holders - Tutorial

Hi everyone....

The powers that be here at Fiskars Craft have deemed the sewing person.... Hmmmm I am not sure if that is a safe or good thing. LOL (really if something holds together after washing I deem it a success!)

But anyway I have had two mini problems with my kids....

1. Hotties are "too hot" without putting someting around them
2. Pajamas (PJ's or Jammies) are not put back under the pillow on the bed... ever...

Ok so they are only 5yrs and 7yrs old but I am a person that likes to keep all aspects of my home tidy and clean.... (not that I am always doing that though ;)  )

Here is a tutorial for Plush Hottie covers for you that can be doubled up as Jammie holders....

PLEASE read all instructions first before starting.

You will need:

1. various basic Fiskars shape templates - I used Circle, oval, hearts
2. Supersized Fiskars templates - Hearts, Ovals, circles
3. Fiskars No8. Scissors
4. Fiskars No5. microtip scissors or No7. Strip cutter
5. Fiskars Quilt cutting mat (I used the largest one)
6. Fiskars Square quilt ruler
7. Fiskars Titanium  loop handle Rotary cutter
8. sewing marker pen/chalk or pencils (the kind that wash out of fabric)
9. Sewing machine/thread/pins
10. Felt various colours to complete your animal face
11. Polor Fleece (I got half a meter of two colours - the width of the fabric was huge on the roll) you will have heaps left over for pillow making etc.

Step 1: we need to establish the size of the Hotties (or hot water bottles) not all are created the same.

I measured the width of the hottie and then added an extra inch on both sides. Then cut. I folded the fabric over and over to get a one cut approach as my quilt ruler is not a long one. Nothing like moving the ruler only to find that it wasn't straight.

Step 2: I am always nervous that things wont fit so Here i am making sure that my hottie will fit at this stage... with enough seam room for sewing.

step 3: with myself satisfied a the cutting and fit I put the base of our project to one side...
Then start with cutting out pieces for the dog face (my daughter wants a puppy hottie cover)
I draw on the fabric with dressmakers pencil and then cut. These are the ears.
 

dark brown felt cut out from a supersized heart template makes the face

small heart make a nose from pink felt

Below so far is the placement of ears, face and nose....

now for the chin.... from dark brown felt

The eyes from white and black felt

Tongue from pink felt...

here is the placement for all pieces...

Now is the best time to pit the face all together.... then put it aside....

step 3a: making the dinosaur face... (my son is Dino mad)

I used some blue polar fleese I had in my stash already as the base of my Dino
cut out a large oval for main part of face ... smaller circle for top of head and half an oval for the bottom jawline.

And then cut out circles for eyes.

The teeth where cut out like this...

I drew triangles around the bottom half of the oval template.
Then I cut out black nostril shapes, half black oval for the mouth and green diamonds.
Here is my placing of the pieces.... best to pin these in place once you finished cutting too...

step 4: Now we are on to sewing up the character faces....
Sew tight zig zags all around your pieces....

Step 5: Now get out your main hottie base pieces we cut before and fold the ends over just about a half inch and sew

Step 6: fold the fabric, over laping the ends on one side...

Step 7: mark with pins where the folds are in the fabric... unfold and place your character face onto the front of your hottie cover.... Pin in place on the good side and sew face onto the hottie cover base. Making sure, if like the dogs ears are over lapping the sides, to leave a gap for the seam... (see both pictures)


Step 8: Fold the hottie cover back up folding in the flappy ears... good sides together and character face inside the cover..

Step 9: now place your hottie ontop of fabric and pin around it... Pins indicate where you sewing line is...

Step 10: Sew along the lines where the pins are removing them as you go...

do NOT sew the opening shut.... (the over lap bit)

step 11: now snip the corners and cut off the access fabric...

step 12: now turn the hottie in the right way... and put your hottie inside....

Top of hottie first then bottom was the best way I found to put it in...

Here are both backs of the hottie covers... see the first one I sewed (brown) is a bit different than the second.... I found that the large part of the flap is better on top... like the green one.

And our finished hottie covers again...

So now my kiddos have hottie covers at night and jammie holders during the day.

And to celebrate the sewing season.... (winter) we are going to give away one of these little beauties....

All that YOU need to do, to go into the draw, to win the above Titanium Rotary loop handle Trimmer, is comment below before 9th June and a draw will be done on the 10th June (my mums birthday - the woman that started me sewing.)

 

Happy sewing everyone....

Debbie Buckland
artycrafty.wordpress.com