Abandoned2 Quilt

I could not resist this Tim Holtz, Eclectic Elements Abandoned2 fat quarter bundle.  As soon as it arrived I prewashed the fabrics and began cutting into it and sewing.

To really get the fabrics all mixed together I decided on the Economy Block for this quilt.  I staggered the blocks slightly.

Of course I needed some of the selvedge included in the quilt design.

The quilt measures 57” X 68”

I just love all the colors and the grunge.

The back and the binding are the same fabric.

I did not want a border, but I needed a border or I would loose all the points of the economy blocks around the edges when I added the binding.  I sewed a scrappy border of many of the prints.  I cut strips 1.25” wide.  After the quilting was finished, I trimmed the quilt so that the borders were 5/8”.  That left a thin 1/4” border before the 3/8” binding.  I really like the look of it.  I will definitely do this again and probably again and again....

It was somewhat frustrating and disappointing working with this bundle.  When there is text on a print, it seems to be a crap shoot whether they will be printed straight on the fabrics.  Most of these were wonky.  Some more so than others.  I could have trimmed the pieces to be straight but I would have lost a lot of useable fabric that I needed (and paid for).  All together they make a pretty busy quilt and are hopefully just not that noticeable.

My July 2022 calendar journal.

Postcards and Calendars

When a break from quilting is needed, fabric postcards are being created.

This postcard collage is created entirely from scraps left from a quilt in progress using Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements Abandoned2 collection of fat quarters.

This next postcard is tiny flying geese.  A paper pieced pattern by Quilt-a-Rie that I reduced to fit a postcard size.

 This VW Bug (Beetle) is a paper pieced pattern by Full Bobbin Designs that I changed to applique and reduced to fit a postcard.  My very first car was a green 1967 VW Bug that I named Stanley.

This train postcard is an applique pattern by Angel Lea Designs.  Also reduced for a postcard size.  I fashioned my train after the 4017 Union Pacific Big Boy engine on display at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Quite the impressive giant.

This last Poppie postcard is a pattern by Tina Curran.  It is a paper pieced pattern that I adjusted in size for a postcard.  This is a favorite.  The original pattern is like a field of poppies art quilt.  

To catch up with my calendar journals, here are May and June.

Wishing all a happy mail day!

Bunting

I was gifted four very fun fabric panels.  Now that the sewing bug has bit me again, I began with this sweet bunting panel.  (It is actually a panel and a half).  I’m sure these triangular shaped prints can be made into many things, I wanted buntings.

The panel is a Riley Blake Design by J. Wrecker Frisch, Joy Studio

I cut the pieces apart with some almost-as-old-as-me pinking shears.  Then I stitched the pieces to batting and a backing and then trimmed the backing. As I began sewing the first piece, I realized that pins were not helpful.



You could make a very long bunting with these pieces. I chose to make 3 separate buntings.

Next I chose some button options to embellish the pieces.

I connected the pieces to a length of striped fabric.  Machine stitching the front and hand sewing the strip to the backs (like binding)

    

I added buttons by tying them with Perle Cotton threads.

(My ball spools say “Coton Perle”)

The first finished bunting hangs here on my half wall.

It makes me happy to see it there.  



I pinned sewing themed charms between the pieces using safety gourd pins.

This first bunting is for a special friend.  The second one now hanging on my half wall is for me.

It makes my happy space feel even happier.

My buntings measure 80” in length.

To catch up with my calendar journals, here is January and February.

We get closer and closer to Spring!  That too makes me happy.

Cards and Calendars

The Fall colors are pure joy to craft and create with.

These leaves are die cuts using Sizzix Thinlit Die set, Leaf Fragments, by Tim Holtz.

I started with a scrapbook paper that was mostly yellow for the orange leaves and a green for the green leaves.  I used the dipping method to add more color to the paper using stamp pads and spritzing with water.

After cutting the leaves, I embossed them to give them veins.  I then used Distress Crayons to give them more color and depth.

I then used the leaves to make cards.

With two different sets of leaf dies I made the following card.

For this last card I used Distress Mica Stains on black cardstock.  The Mica Stains create a shiny or glittery appearance.  What fun they are to create with!  They are a limited supply item.  It is my hope that someday they will be reproduced as a regularly available item.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to everyone!

And to catch up with my calendar journal....

Easter Postcard

HAPPY EASTER!

The theme this week at Sunday Postcard Art is Easter.

Which reminded me that I needed an Easter card to mail out.

I started with spraying a piece of heavy sketch paper with Shabby Shutters Distress Oxide Spray.  I layered it with a piece of design paper purchased on Etsy.  I cut a scrapbook paper shape with a die.

I mixed some of the Shabby Shutters Distress Oxide Spray into white modeling paste to tint the paste and pressed it through some stencil designs.

(I changed my mind for the die cut paper)... I glued everything down, stamped and embossed the bunny and greeting, inked the edges of the postcard with Peeled Paint Distress Ink with a final darker edge using Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

When my postcard was finished, I glued it to a heavier 98lb mix media paper.

A mysterious dark blotch appeared that I tried to fix but did not work well.  The 93 year old eyes of my recipient are not even going to see that.  That’s what I’m telling myself.



Normally our Easter weather is snow or rain or howling wind.  But this year here in Wisconsin in the USA, we are being promised gloriously nice weather for the Easter weekend.  What a wonderful Easter gift.

March 2021 Calendar Journal

That was a whole month of fun!

The Month of Hearts and Flowers

A small old piece that has been languishing, awaiting inspiration for a finish.  

It was planned to be a pillow.

It was too small as is.  But it would be too large if I added to it.  So it sat.  Stored for quite a long time.

The flower is a rubber stamp image that I enlarged for applique.  The rest of it is paper pieced.

I suddenly realized it was a perfect size as is for the little 12” table top display frame I recently purchased for a cross stitch piece.

I recently made a birthday tag for a small gift.  And that inspired me to do a little more paper crafting with tags.  On Pinterest I found a tutorial for a window technique using acetate.

It started out as a future need of a birthday tag instead of a card.  As I worked on it, it was soon apparent to me that it intended to be a Valentine tag.

It’s a bit of a struggle to keep the acetate clean while working with it, but a not too close look doesn’t reveal that.

I always do a little on the back of my tags.

This prompted me to pull out the heart themed tags I had done in previous years.



Now they all hang out around the house on available knobs.

Or just tucked into a drawer.





I think it’s a fun idea to enjoy them.  I’ll be switching them out throughout the year as I’ve got quite a few tags that have been in hiding for much too long.

My Calendar Journal format has changed once again!  I most likely will be sticking with this easy format for now on.  I’ve printed off the months and am just decorating the blank spacing simply with washi tapes.

Happy Valentine’s Day!