Sewing and Foe Stitching Tutorial

I am hosting this weeks challenge over at Top Tip Tuesday and this weeks  Challenge is:

Stitches, Real Or Faux
Sewing on your Creation

What better way to get your creative juices flowing than by sharing some tips on how to do sewing on paper projects and also how to achieve FOE STITCHING.

 WARNING! This is a picture heavy post...the good news is that it is a tutorial and if you are a visual learner then it is just perfect:0)

I will start by telling you that I am a beginner at sewing and have mainly used my sewing machine on paper crafts so as you can see my sewing is not perfect. I need more practice and if you have tips for me they are welcomed!

I started by reading my machine's manual cover to cover. So get to know your machine by reading first then by trying it out on scraps. This is my machine; which was a birthday gift from my Mother.

 Once you have figured out how to thread your machine (which for me took some time) then you are ready to try! I like to start my sewing in a place where I think will be covered by something on my project. In this case it is at the top where I will add ribbon for my tag. Lift the pressure foot pedal and insert your project. I use the markings on the foot pedal to try and keep my sewing aligned around the way.

 When I get close to a corner I use the hand wheel (handle on the side) to do the sewing. That way I don't feel pressured to going too fast. When I get to the point where I would turn I stop; ever so slightly lift the pressure foot pedal and shift my project. Then continue going all the way around until you have reached your starting point.

You can adjust your stitching by using the controls; each machine is different so see where yours would be. I can make my stitches be farther apart by adding to the top button.

 Here is a comparison on the first stitch it is at 2.5, the second is at 3.0 the third is at 4.0 and the last is a Foe stitch.

Here is how I do a FOE STITCH:
I have used my Scor-Pal, Cutter Bee Bugs Piercing tool, and a white gel pen.

 I align my paper to the 6 1/2 inch line and use the line to the left of it. This gives me just the right distance from the edge.

 I then take my piercing tool and run it in that 3/8ths mark. This is super fast and keeps my pierced lines nice and straight!

 Then KEEPING the paper in this position I use a pen and connect the pierced dots.

I do this to all sides and VIOALA! It is so fast and easy! Here is a comparison on the two tags. The one on the left has been done on my sewing machine and the one on the right is done with the Foe Stitching technique used above.

 Closer view of the front.

 Closer view of the back.

I really hope that you have learned something; here is my finished tag:

 Image is from Saturated Canary (one of my FAVE shop right now!) The FAB Krista has supplied the DT with images of our choice and I just love the flowy hair that this "Let it Rain" cutie has. Thanks a million Krista!

TIP: If you would like to acheive high gloss in black hair try using a blue next to the highlights. I have used T9, T7 and B24 in my Copic markers.

I would like to enter this tag into the following challenges:
 Partytime Tuesdays - 3E (2E anything goes wk) - PTT #57 Anything Goes

 Sassy Cheryl's -3E- SIO #104 Are You Seeing Spots? Use Spots & Dot's

Creative Mondays - 2W - (2nd week) Anything Goes

 iCopic Challenge - 2E, must use Copics - Anything but a Card

 Lollipop Crafts - Tags 

Love to Create - 3E - Add Stitching to your Project (Real or Faux)

 MyGrafico - 2W, SIO - (2nd week) Flowers

 Nettie G's Digital Gems - 2W, SIO - (2nd week) Anything Goes

 Squigglefly - SIO - Spring is in the Air 

The Crazy Challenge - 2E - Anything Goes 

PanPastel UK Challenge - 1E, SIO - Use a Ribbon

All righty ladies; so hope you will join us this bi-weekly challenge over at Top Tip Tuesday; you will be in the chance to win prizes from these sponsors:

1st Prize is 2 Digi images from Her lovely Etsy Shop.

 

The Crafty Pad

Prize 2 is 2 Digi Images from Debbies lovely Online shop.

WOW so if you have made it this far; you deserve a HUGE HUG!

Catch you all later:0)

Crafters Comanion Mini Cards and a double TUTORIAL

Hello Y'all! Hope everyone is having a FANTASTIC February; for me it has been busy and fun.

I am so excited that I was chosen as guest designer for Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog for the month of February.

I would like to start by showing you a comparison in rolled flowers. I have started with the following paper sizes. I like making small rolled flowers and find that the 1 inch squared are quite nice and delicate. So start out with a squared piece of paper.

 Then snip off the corners with your  scissors; making a rounded shape. You can skip this step if you are starting with a circle from a punch or die.

 Next you will need to cut the papers in a spiral. You can pencil in your lines (as if to draw a cinnamon roll) or just freehand it. You can make really narrow strips or thicker. As long as you keep the width consistent then you can do it either way. The thickness of your spiral will be the height of your flower.

 Then using a roller tool, tweezers or your fingers, start rolling the flower from the outside in.

 Once you have rolled the flower you will come to have something like the picture below. I like to make a bit of a flat back by pushing my fingers into the paper and squeezing it. At this point I like to roll the flower very tight and hold it there for a few seconds. Then you remove you tool, or just simply let go and the flower will begin to unravel a bit and bloom:0) Once the flower has bloomed then you will add some glue to the bottom and press the inside of the flower down.

 Last add beads, glitter, diamonds, pearls to the center to accessorize. I like using Glossy Accents to add the pearl. Now my flowers are about the same height since I cut the spiral at the same width. But you can see that the biggest difference is in the size of the flower. The 2inch square has lots more layers than the 1 inch square.

Now I would like to share my Mini Cards: These cards are about 4x3.25"  I have used left overs from my Sour Cream Pouches to make these cards to accompany them. Take a look HERE to see that project:0)
I have used the bouquet from the Flowers For You Humphrey Stamp Set.

 If you look closely you can see that my tiny rolled flowers have scallops. I will show you how I have done this without any fancy die.

I have used my scallop oval punch, book page, scissors, and my tweezers.

I have started by punching the page and making cutting the oval as to use the outside of the oval and then made a little tab towards the inside which will be what the flower will be glued down with. I did not continue to cut til the center because then I would not have the scalloped edge. The bottom is a drawn example of where I would cut. You could also use a scalloped circle and do the same technique.

 Then with my tweezers I have started rolling my flower starting with the pointed piece. I like to roll my flower tight, holding and pinching it for a few seconds so that it keeps a tighter shape.

 Then released them and let them bloom.

 Last secured with glue and added pearl centers.

One last look at my mini cards (in case that you want to see the end results in my card and do not want to scroll back up)...hehehe

WOW! That is a whole lot! So hope you have made it to this point...hehehe  I know that there are many tutorials on how to make rolled flowers; but hope you have learned something new with this one.

Before I go I want to thank the PEEPS at CCCB for having me as Guest Designer :0)

Please do visit the CCCB for a chance to win a stamp set:0)

BIG Hugs!

Janette

Liebster Blog Award

I want to thank Bettina who has passed the award to me. Thanks so much for thinking of itty bitty me:0) Such a pleasant surprise. Now read on to see what this award is about.....I am loving this idea!

the Liebster Blog Award

"Liebster" in German means "dearest". The idea of the Liebster Blog Award is to spread the love from one small blog (under 200 followers) to other small blogs. This helps to spread knowledge and readership.

 

Here are my 5 inspiring blogs in no order!

 

Maria B.:  http://mariabecskehandmadecards.blogspot.com/ 

Theo:  http://theo-cards.blogspot.com/ (Maria's son)

Sara: http://sarhamslittlecorner.blogspot.com/

Jane: http://jane-thecupboardunderthestairs.blogspot.com

Last; I am not sure if I can do this but...Right back at you Bettina!

 Bettina L.: http://bettandshobbykrok.blogspot.com

 

To accept the award, you must:

1) Link back to the person who gave it and thank them for thinking of you.

2) Post the award to your blog.

3) Give the award to 5 bloggers (with less than 200 followers) that you appreciate and value.

4) Leave a comment on the blogs of the five people you have chosen to let them know.

 

Thanks Y'all and hope you have an AMAZING weekend!

 

Hugs;

Janette

Emboss It! Christmas Tag

 It is Team A's turn to play at Kenny K Krafty Girlz this week and we would love to see you Emboss It!

This weeks winner will get:
5 Digi's from Kenny K's Downloads and Marianne Design is giving away a lot of goddies:0) so be sure to play along. Like they say you got to be in it to win it!


So here is my creation: I have started working on my Christmas tags; whatcha think? If you look closely you can see that I have wet embossed some snowflakes onto the stripped DP. I have also dry embossed the panel with the trees. You can't really make out that they are trees but you can see that it is pine needles. SO cute! I have added a mixture of Distress Inks pine needles and Shabby Shutters. I really like how it came out.

Here is a closeup of X-mas Hottie; OH I LOVE HER! 

 

I have colored her with Copics and have tried very hard to leave some white to achieve the high gloss shine in her hair. Hair-E59,57,33 Skin-E11,00,000, R20 Reds-R59,29,05 Greens-G99,46,43

Hope you like my creation and have time to visit the KKKG Challenge blog to look at the gorjous projects my teamates have created. Hope you can play along with us this week!


Hugs!

Magical Birthday TTT

Tis Tuesday again and this week it is a new challenge over at Top Tip Tuesday. We would like to see your Magical/Fantasy Creations:0)

Here is my card using Molly Fairy 2 from Stamp Fairy:

She has been colored with Copic markers and here is a closer look. I have been wanting to try that glowing technique and am fairly happy on how it has turned out:0)

 

And here is what it looks like opened up; the sentiment is also from Stamp Fairy, and I have followed this weeks tutorial hosted by Elaine- Flap opening card.

Our Awesome Sponsors

Simon Says Stamp

Stamp Fairy

Ohh La La Creations

 

Thanks for stopping by:0)

Hugs!

A red "Violet" Valentine

Quick post to share a card that I made a bit ago and just haven't had the chance to post. SO here it is:0)

Here is a closer view of Violet from Saturated Canary do you notice how her green eyes really pop out...yeah its cuz red and green are complimenting colors:0)...Hehehe...She was colored with Copic markers but forgot to jot down the color combo....hummm. Well I just can't get enough of Krista's FAB images:0) You can check out the rest of her images HERE...she will have new ones up tomorrow Monday:0) Looking forward to that:0)

 

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges: 

Saturated Canary Challenge - Red, pink, white

Catered Crop - Hearts

 Creative Inspirations Paint Hearts

Dream Valley Challenges - Valentine

The Squirrel & the Fox - Valentine`s Day 

Colour Me Creative Copic's Challenge -Colours of Love

One Stop Craft - #169 Hearts and Flowers with Ribbon 

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle -  Red White and Pink

Totally Gorjuss -  #118 Lurve- Using last weeks sketch:0) hehhehe!

 Card Makin' Mamas - Valentine 

Patties Creations - Valentine & Love 

Fussy and Fancy -  Love 

4 Crafty Chicks - Valentines/Love 

Simply Create Too -Red Hot

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - colour combo

C.R.A.F.T. -Valentines

Do You Stack Up? -Love

Thanks for stopping by:0)

BIG Hugs!

Crafters Companion Flowers for YOU!

Hello Everyone; today is a rainy day here in Bakersfield California and it is just perfect for watching a movie and drinking a cup of coffee while cozy in your pj's. Oh how I dream....hehehe yeah so I am working a bit, doing my online traffic school for a ticket I got late last year and now have decided to take a break and post about my creation. Something to truly bring my spirits up on this gloomy day.

So I have made these two sour cream pouches filled with chocolates for my son's Teacher and TA as a Valentine gift. This project was made especially for the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge blog where I am guest designer for this month. This project fits perfectly into the Something Sweet monthly challenge. I think I will be doing a tutorial on the mini rolled flowers unless I get a brilliant idea before the end of the month.

I have kept them basically the same with a few very minor differences. I have a ton of pictures to try and capture different angles of these little guys.

 

Here is a closer look at Humphrey from the Flowers for You stamp set from Crafter's Companion. I think he is just darling and I have such a blast coloring him up I know I will be using him again. He is just perfect for so many occasions. So stinking cute!!!

Colored with Copics: Humphrey- T4,2,0 Clothes-E81,YR30, BG57,53, YG95, 23 Bow-RV69,19,14 Flowers- RV19, R43,30 Greens- YG97,95,23.

I would like to enter this creation into the following challenges:
Crafter's Companion USA- Something Sweet

Crafty Boots -  Valentines

 Creative Stamp Friends -  Valentine

 Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge - Valentine's day 

 Stamp and Create -  (February) Valentine`s

 Stamps R Us -  Valentine/Love

 The Cutie Pie Challenge -  Anything but a Card

 The Outlawz -  Anything Goes

 Dream Valley Challenges - Valentine

 Little Claire's  - #17 Anything but a Card

Thanks for stopping by:0)

Hugs!

Kenny Say it with Love

Your Theme for this week is : Say it with LOVE -I have taken this theme and taken it in the direction that when you are sick, only those that truly love you care. SO here is my card using Naughty Nurse.

 I have been working on my CAS style and this B&W patterened paper is just so much fun with the red!
Here is a closeup of Naughty Nurse; she is from the new Work Force release; I def recommend visiting the Kenny K Downloads site; so much new yummyness to look at and play with:0) Head on over you will not be sorry you did!

 I have colored this sexy chicka with my trusty Copic markers: Hair-YR24, E31,Y32 Skin-YR01,E00,E000,BV00 Reds-R39,R27,R22 Whites- C00,C1,C3

Now I hope to see you join in on this challenge and hopefully you have time to visit my teamies and leave them some LOVE:0)

Sponsors for this challenge are:  Marianne Design offering 2 wonderful clear stamps and a fancy frame and flower Die; and Kenny K's Downloads offering 5 Digi Images of your choice....How AWESOME is that?!


I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Poodles Parlour - Anything Do You Stack Up? -  Anything goes
Just For Fun - Black & white and for a man
Shelly's Images - All tied up
Rainbow Lady's - Show someone wearing red (do the red shoes count?)
Divas by Design -  #20 anything goes
Fab 'n' Funky -  use a digi
Pixie Cottage - Sketch*

Thanks for stopping by;
BIG Hugs!

Crafters Companion Guest Designer

Hello my lovely followers! Hope everyone is having an awesome week; we are past the halfway point of this week and I am looking forward to the weekend when I will have some time to do some crafting:0)

Today I want to share some super exciting news; if you have read the header then it is not so much a surprise. I am so happy and honored to be a Guest DT for Crafter's Companion US Challenge Blog. I am so totally in love with Humphrey; and not like I need a new collection to start but these elephants are just way too adorable and irresistible! I love the Humphrey, might have to do with me having 3 boys...who knows:0) What I do know is that I have to work hard and make something really special for CC:0)

If you are not familiar with Humphrey here is a pic of the tag I shared earlier this week. See I told you he is adorable! If you are interested in checking out the rest of this tag you can check it out HERE.

Hope you have a chance and join us for this months Something Sweet challenge; they have some awesome prizes; so I would def recommend you heading on over and joining this challenge!

Oh and if you are quick you can be in for a chance at the weekly stamp set before 8pm today; check it out HERE.

Thanks for swinging by today:0)

Hugs!