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Friday, October 22, 2021

Pinkfresh Studio - Daisy Wreath and Slimline Cards

 

Pinkfresh Studio Layering Slimline Frame Stencil


Layering Stencils

Getting the most use out of your supplies

Pinkfresh Studio has some gorgeous layering stencils. Recently, I used the Daisy Wreath and the Daisy Slimline Frame stencils and die-cuts to make cards that will fit into regular business-sized envelopes. These cards measure 9" by 4". The first two can be mailed with standard postage. The last card is popped up quite a bit and may require additional postage.



It is ok to cut up the image and use pieces of the design

The second and third cards have both the slimline frame and the wreath used on them. However, I cut apart the wreath after completing the five-step inking process. I ended up using both halves on the 'Smile' card and made two wreaths for the last card. By cutting the wreath up, it added some additional softness with the flow of the flowers.
Layered Diecut Sentiment with Mini Slimline Panel


For added interest, I layered the "Smile" die-cut on top of the small diagonal stitch rectangle die-cut from the Mini-Slimline Bundle. The layers are glued together and are still fairly flat for mailing. On this card I used the 6th layer of the slimline stencil to use Nuvo Moonstone Glimmer Paste. And for extra sparkle I used a little Unicorn Stickles from Ranger. Stickles is a quick and easy way to add sparkle!


Scrapbook.com

Dress it up or down

The following card falls into the "maximalist" camp of design. There are many layers of ink and paper and sparkle. For the 6th layer on this one, I used heat embossing with a sparkly powder called Iridescent Ice. The powder was sprinkled onto watermark/embossing ink.  There is more information about how to do that here. This added a nice bit of bling. To take it up another notch, I used the Unicorn Stickles again. 

The butterfly is from a Martha Stewart punch. It, too, is embellished with Stickles. The inks on all of the cards are combinations of Pinkfresh Studio, Altenew, Close to My Heart, and Ranger's Broken China Distress Ink.

For inking through stencils, the most important thing to consider is whether your ink pads are juicy enough. I found that it was time for me to dig out some of my reinkers! It is nice to be able to extend the use of my stamp pad. Yay for having a stash of supplies!
A variety of different ink brands worked well together

Getting maximum use of your tools and supplies

It is a lot of fun to try new things. Everytime I try something new, I am reminded of many favorite 'old' techniques. Sometimes I forget that I can use my new things in familar ways and that the older products still have much life to them! Lately, I have been wanting to engage in retail therapy and shop and shop! And that isn't good for my budget! If I buy a few new things and can use them in the intended ways and come up with additional ones, then I feel like it sort of justifies the purchase! That is the case with the Pinkfresh Studio - Daisy Wreath and Slimline Card stencils and dies. I know that with different color combinations and additional techniques, these will become some of my favorite tools!


Thank you for stopping by today!
Beverly

Additional inks and colors:


or as part of the Green Valley set 

As of October 22, 2021 the following inks are currently out of stock. Maybe you have something similar already at hand?

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Monday, October 18, 2021

Stencils: Making Embellishments With Nuvo Glimmer and Glitz Glitter Gel

Having fun with stencils

A few days ago I posted a video about using stencils to make embellishments. This post is a follow-up to it. The main purpose is to show a few still pictures of the process and provide a list of the supplies that I used. The video is posted below the photos. Just a note of warning - It is messy before it is pretty when making embellishments with Nuvo Glimmer and Glitz Glitter Gel!


Making Embellishments With Nuvo Glimmer and Glitz Glitter Gel

This photo shows both products during the plop and smooth stage. This particular stencil is from The Stamp Market. However, in the video I also used stencils from PinkFresh Studio, Lawn Fawn, and The Crafter's Workshop. Pictured below is the Glitz and Glitter immediately after lifting the stencil off the freezer paper.



The products need to dry or cure for at least 24 hours. The stenciled image should be easy to pull off the freezer paper if thick enough and given enough time to dry. If it seems that the embellishment is too fragile to peel off try cutting around the shape with sharp scissors. The paper will not be visible if you cut very close to the edge of the shape. At the bottom of this post, you will find a picture of a card that I made using the black leaves shown above. When choosing a stencil, you want one that has a lot of open space. One that reads as a solid design.


Video

Supplies

I used a variety of ink pads - most are from Altenew







If out of stock above, the items are also available here:




 
The Crafter's Workshop stencil is a 12 x 12 stencil. It is available by clicking on the bird image above.

The other stencils used in the video are not currently available. I believe that the Pinkfresh Studio one is going to be released at the end of the month.  Here are some suggestions for alternate stencils if you do not have any that have solid looking images. This would make a nice alternative for a large shape:

Or if you are looking for smaller birds, this is a nice 6 x 6 stencil:

Here are some very pretty leaf stencils that would work very well:


As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for visiting.
Beverly
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Thursday, October 14, 2021

Fun Techniques With Stencils - Heat Embossing

 

Trying New Things

Stencils from The Stamp Market

A couple of weekends ago, I attended a virtual cardmaking workshop with Scrapbook and Cards. Initially, I wasn't going to sign up because I've been making cards for-evah and have A Lot of supplies. However, it is so much fun to learn new things; I went ahead and registered. It was well worth the money, in my opinion! Participants received a wonderful kit beforehand. This was so that we would be prepared to hit the ground running when we logged in for our weekend classes. One of the things in the kit was a layered stencil set from The Stamp Market. After the workshop, I was playing with my goodies and decided to try a fun technique with the stencils - heat embossing. 





Heat Embossing Instructions

There are many good ways to achieve the same results. These instructions are based on what has worked well for me.

Suggested Supplies (with links):

The picture below shows the stencil leaves after embossing with Verdigris embossing powder and then again with Copper embossing powder.

General Steps for Embossing:
  1. If using an anti-static pouch or cornstarch - thoroughly rub over surface. This helps to prevent embossing powder from sticking in unwanted areas.
  2. Apply ink to cardstock (or whatever substrate you are using.) The ink can be applied with a stamp, a dauber, brush, or pen.
  3. Sprinkle embossing powder over wet ink.
  4. Shake off excess powder. Save the excess for future use by funneling back into container.
  5. Heat ink/powder. Move the heat tool so that it is not in one place for too long. As soon as it starts to melt, move to next area to emboss. When all of the powder has melted, cool a bit before placing anything on the surface. Indentations can be made in the cooling powder.
If heat embossing is a new technique for you, you may want to watch the video below.  (I made it over nine years ago!) It shows another technique for Heat Embossing.

Embossed 2 Step Stamping video

The stencils in the following video are layered stencils. This means that they are intended to be used together to create a more realistic look. The layering of the ink adds depth and texture to the leaves. The effect is very pretty. That is true whether using regular dye-based ink or using the Heat Embossing Technique.



The video below shows a more in-depth explanation about how to use stencils with heat embossing.

Heat Embossing with Stencils Video

Please let me know if you have any questions. I hope you enjoy embossing! It is an older technique, but still a good one!
Thank you for visiting today.
Beverly

Additional supplies used in the Fun Techniques with Stencils - Heat Embossing video:

Gina K. Designs Glitter Gel

Silver Embossing Powder

Copper Embossing Powder

Black Sparkle Embossing Powder

Foam Adhesive

Adhesive Pen

Here is an example of a layered stencil: PinkFresh Poinsettia






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Sunday, June 20, 2021

Happy Father's Day

 


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Friday, June 18, 2021

Soup to Nuts Quilting

 


From Design to Binding

Soup to nuts quilting is going from design conception through every step until the completion of a quilt. Some people enjoy certain aspects of quilting, such as piecing, and others enjoy the entire process. I like to think of working through all of the aspects as "Soup to Nuts" or From-Design-to-Binding-quilting. This post will briefly illustrate the steps I took to complete the above quilt which I designed and started sewing over a year ago. The quilt is about 93 x 102 inches. The blocks finish at 6 inches.

Picture of my design idea drawn in EQ8

My Process

  1. Doodle ideas on notebook or graph paper
  2. Draw the idea in EQ8
  3. Tweak for sizes and colorways in Electric Quilt
  4. Decide if rotary cutting or foundation paper piecing or diecutting or a combination
  5. Print the quilt design and fabric requirements. Also print paper piecing patterns to sew upon
  6. Pull fabrics from stash, purchase new fabric (Yippee!), or a combination of the two
  7. If, after sewing a test block, modifications are necessary, make them and proceed
  8. Cut, sew, and assemble quilt top - this involves pressing and squaring things up as you go
  9. Trim the quilt top
  10. Quilt with batting and backing
  11. Bind quilt. Typically, I use 2 1/4" wide strips. I will cut these on the bias if the quilt is not rectangular. Usually, I cut across the width of fabric to make binding.

Quilt designed in Electric Quilt 8


Here is a quick video that shows some of these steps:


Please let me know if you have any questions about my process. Thank you for visiting.
Beverly

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Thursday, June 17, 2021

Spring Update - Cards, Gifts, Rag Quilts

This is just a quick Spring update with a few pictures of the cards, gifts, and rag quilts I have made since March. 

Mask made for a 2-year-old grandchild

My sweet little granddaughter needed a mask to fly on an airplane from Seattle to Phoenix in May. Winnie the Pooh has about the same size face as she does. Since she wasn't here to model it, I had to use Winnie.
 
MJ's Messenger Bag Pattern by Annie

If you are looking to make a bag for yourself or as a gift. I highly recommend the patterns by Annie Unrein. She has thorough directions with good videos to show some of the steps to assembling them. I have made several of her bags and every one of them has been well received by the recipient.



Double Oven Mitt, Hot Pads, and Card

Kitchen linens are fun to make. Usually people are happy to get new ones to replace their stained or worn out hot pads, etc. My niece is a Chemist and I thought she might enjoy these fabrics for a new set of hotpads and oven mitts. I really like the one on the right because it hangs over the oven door handle and is great for removing casseroles from the oven.



Copic Colored Baby Shower Card

The stamped images on this card are from a retired Close to My Heart set. I love how easy it is to color these open images with Copics.

Fleece and Flannel Baby Rag Quilt

The two rag quilts are made with flannel. The top one also has a fleece back. The purple one is made with different Shannon Fabrics - Minky, Cuddle, Dimples and hand-dyed flannel. Both quilts were cut with Accuquilt steel dies. (If you click on the link, it doesn't cost you anything extra but I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase from their site.)



Queen and Co shaker card

My dear granddaughter needed a quilt for daycare. I thought she might enjoy a rag quilt to play with as she avoided sleep during naptime on her little cot.

Minky and Flannel Toddler Size Rag Quilt

The Cuddle fabrics are so warm and soft. It is messy to work with but feels so lovely that it is worth the extra vacuuming and lint collection! I usually throw the fabric in the dryer when it enters the house. After cutting it, with either a rotary cutter or an Accuquilt die, I shake it out over a rug and then run it through the dryer again to collect the lint. My vacuum is the kind that collects the dirt in a container that gets dumped out. This is much better than quickly filling vacuum cleaner bags! It is necessary to vacuum frequently!

Shannon Cuddle Fabrics for Rag Quilt

Minky and Flannel
It seems that there is never enough time to make all of the things that are rattling around in my head, but at least this is a start. And these things all found good homes.
Thank you for visiting!
Beverly
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Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Sometimes I just want to sew!


I just want to sew something!

There are times when I just want to sit at my sewing machine and mindlessly run the fabric under the presser foot. I do not want to have to think too hard about what I am making. Nor do I want to pay attention to a technique that is more challenging than a straight stitch on a straight seam! This does not happen frequently, but when it does I like to use up scraps of fabric and make "new" fabric by sewing small pieces together. And then, of course, I usually cut them up again to make a quilt or maybe even potholders.

Sewing a one-block quilt

Alternatively, I will use a simple quilt block and repeat it to make a quilt.  Oftentimes, I make them out of scraps. And almost always I use the fabric from my stash. This quilt is an example of the same simple block repeated with different colors, to make it a bit more interesting. It was a very quick and easy quilt because I used a steel die from Accuquilt to cut the Tumblers and then quilted it with an allover quilt pattern that I purchased from Urban Elementz. The binding was made from a new fabric but the rest have been around for a (long) while.


Quilted with Apex 2 Design from Urban Elementz


If this quilt looks familiar, that is because it is the second one I made using a rainbow colorway. I posted about the original (here) and another, scrappy one using the same die last summer. Those two were made for charity. The one above, my teen-aged daughter claimed. 

More fun ways to 'just sew'

Making a fabric collage - of sorts

This past February, the Portland Modern Quilt Guild hosted Tricia Royal. I was fortunate enough to get a spot in her virtual class and learned new ways of using up small pieces of fabric. She introduced me to another way to just sew without too much pre-planning. I loved the class and was very inspired by her work. We made two small pieces. I combined them because I loved the busyness of one of them and the open, negative space of the other.

Quilted shapes

The photo below shows the two pieces, one on top of the other, prior to me quilting them together.

Layered pieces

Thank you for stopping by today. It has been a long break for me, from blogging. I was not ready to share what has been keeping me busy. Partly because this has been a time of introspection and re-grouping for me. I have a few more projects that I have worked on over the past few months, which I will post soon. Sending you all lots of love and light.

Beverly

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