Fiber Post Cards

Last Valentine's I said I was taking a year off in 2017 from making any fiber Valentine's.  Guess who decided to start working on them!!!  I know...it's not even Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas yet but I really need to start them early...I'm up to at least 35 at last count and will most likely add more!  I can't show what I'm creating this year but this is a sneak peak! 







I also needed to prepare some Sulky Totally Stable, which I use for printing the labels onto.  I had a roll of TS which I cut into 27-28" sections.   I colored each sheet using  Derwent's Inktense blocks.  

First off, you have to remember to color the fuzzy side!    TS is an iron on stabilizer so you don't want to color the smooth/shiny side!  I've done that on more than one occasion! 

I use the side of the block and rub lengthwise on the entire sheet. 

Next, you  brush on water (I use a foam brush) to color the entire piece.  The top part in this picture is covered with the Inktense block and the bottom has water brushed on.  The blocks blend quite nice with the water.  I've also used chalk pastels in the past, which also work well.  

Here is the piece ready to dry!

After the pieces dried, I cut them into sheets of 8 1/2" x 11" for printing labels onto.  I'll need to get another roll of TS because I can only print two labels per sheet. It is cheaper to purchase a roll vs buying the 8 1/2" x 11 sheets.  






So that part is finished!  While watching football this weekend, I'll update my Word document from last year that I use to create my labels in.  I'll have to add and correct some addresses!  I have a long way to go before I need the labels but it's nice to know I'm ahead of the game.  

I also made another snap bag today...not sure what I'll use it for but it will be used! 

Still working on my hand embroidery project so I really am keeping busy.  Since our weather has turned cooler (breezy and only 50 today with no sun!) I'll be staying inside doing hand work!  Bob wants to move the patio set into the garage this weekend...boo hoo...guess summer is over in Michigan!  


This is what fall looks like this year!  It's not a tree in our yard (they're all still green!) but dogs and I get to look at it on our walks!  We can't complain because the summer was beautiful this year and even the fall up until this week was wonderful!

Just another Wednesday...wait it's Thursday!

OK, so I don't know what day it is...just so busy of late.  Seems like I am running somewhere every single day!  Tomorrow (Friday) I am staying home - ALL DAY!  Yes, I am!  Saturday, Alice is coming over this way and we're going to an open house by the RE Zip-It lady! She has the coolest, most unique items made all with zippers!  I have two small gifts to pick up and know I'll find just the right gift I need...plus, it will be fun to be with my bud for the afternoon!

So, here's my next project.  It's a shrug and I picked out the yarn for it earlier this week:

I really like this pattern.  It's in the book by Sally Melville & her daughter, Caddy...actually, this pattern was written by Caddy.  I think it's perfect for those Florida nights!



I had emailed Sally and she sent me a link for one of her classes on 'Essential techniques every knitter should know'.  It's definitely an online class I am interested in and most likely will take.  It's on Craftsy, which I have taken classes through ins the past.  I just can't do anything until we get to Florida but I'll keep you posted on my progress and review the class for anyone interested!  Just have to wait until after the 1st of the year!  I think!


Here is the yarn I purchased for the shrug.  It's really a nice yarn and I think the brown will be perfect for the edging.  In Caddy's pattern she used charcoal and silver, which is very nice.  I wear so much brown/beige and spring colors so I hope I made the right choice.

I'm hoping to have my swatch made for checking my gauge then I can get started!  Should be a good project for the drive to Florida.

Also, Sally noted another book that might be of interest.  It's called 'ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUE EVERY KNITTER SHOULD KNOW'.  I've ordered this book through our library right now and will order a copy to buy after I've glanced through it.  I'd, again, prefer to wait until Florida and have the book shipped there!

I did some sewing the other day by quilting some fabric and then making two snap bags for gifts.

 So tomorrow is some catchup work and finishing wrapping all my Christmas gifts.  I mailed the kids in Indiana their 'box' today so now it's just wrap the rest and clean up the pool table, which now holds boxes, wrapping paper and ribbon!!

Snap Bags

I still have to finish the binding on two of my 12" inch challenge blocks, which I'll do tonight watching TV...but I  had a 14" square piece that I used as a practice block.  So, what to do with it!  Snap bag time!  I needed a few bags to have for gifts so this quilted piece worked great!

1st bag, back

1st bag front

 I love using my snap bag, which holds my coupons and stays in my purse.  Of course, then I think everyone wants a snap bag!  HA

These are handy little buggers...and they wash up nice!

2nd bag back

2nd bag front

These are so easy to make.  I started out with a square piece that I cut into 7" x 14" lengths.  You can make any size!

Of course you have to add beading to your piece!!!

Next up I cut/fused backing to cover up the stitching so it won't get caught on coupons/papers or your fingers as you put items in the bag.

I also kept the backing 1/4" from the side seams.  There's too much bulk to sew and turn.

Next I cut fabric for the sleeve for inserting a piece metal tape.  You need to steel one your hubby's  tool shed!  But don't use tape that is over 1/2-3/4" wide.  Depending on the size of your tape you need at least 1 1/2" - 2" strip of fabric.

Sew the strip right sides together to the backing first, then press 1/4" on the unsewn side.  Fold over to the right side of the bag and stitch.  I like to use a 12 wt or decorative thread for this part.

Next up you'll cut a piece of metal tape at least 1" smaller than your bag width.  You need to make sure the tape is inside the seam line or else you end up sewing over metal...which isn't good!
Also, round your edges of the metal tape measure and cover with a piece of masking or scotch tape.  This will prevent it from poking through the sleeve as you use it.

Slip your metal tape into the sleeve....place the number side of the tape facing inside.  This is different from how I was told to first make them (Thanks, Galye!) but it works so much better this way.  Really does 'snap'!

I have made all different sizes using left over scraps from quilts.  You can see a smaller size on my post here.  

Oh, just had a call from the Dr. and I have a cracked rib!  Go figure!  And all I did was pick up a dog that weighs less then Kalle!  I actually did this two weeks ago but finally got to see the Dr. today....oh well...these old bones are quite brittle but who knew how brittle!  No more running around the bases with grand kids.  But my grandson did tell me I could still pitch!  Go figure!  Off to get some Advil or more wine!  Lots better than Oxyi!

Fabric, Friends, Food & Fun!

In between nights eating out...yea, that again!  I have been making snap bags...

Made this one....

And these.....

And this one!

OK, so I might quit for the time being...although, you just never know do you!!!  They have all been given away to special family and friends!

And check out what I got in the mail last week!!  More beads!!! These are from my blogger friend, Sherry, over at Createology!  And isn't the color of the beads perfect for Zachery!!  I sure think so!!!



I love all the colors of green in this bag. Thank you, Sherry!!!!

I went through separating beads for three other folks that I thought could use some of Susan's donation!  Last Monday I sent a box onto one of my friends who does crazy quilting.  She did receive her box and I know will put them to good use.  I also made up two more packages to give to some other ladies.   Thanks again, Susan!  You've made several of us very happy!  So nice to share my good fortune with others!

And just because I'm behind in posting nights out with friends...this was last Wed. night at our favorite Mexican hang out!  El Toreo's 99 cent margarita night and great food to boot with great friends!  

This is Karah and Howard enjoying a brew with us!  Neither of them took advantage of the 99 cent margarita and instead chose a Mexican beer and a Paloma.  Yes, this is the Karah and Howard who introduced me to Paloma's at their open house.  You can read about it here.   

And last night, we took them to the Freezer, picking up Larry and Jan along the way!  And yes, I had my 'margarita'...in a plastic cup with salt on the rim!!  How'd they do that!!

Yes, our buddy posing for his picture!

A plastic cup with salt on the rim!!

Yes, the shrimp really are that big, Howard!!

Beautiful Jan with hubby!

We just love going to The Freezer Tiki Bar!!!  Such a quaint, local hangout!  Paper cups, Styrofoam containers to eat out of!  What memories we've had with great friends!  

Tomorrow I'll post pictures of our tour around Homosassa!  Due to the knowledge of Jan & Larry!  They always give us a tour when visiting in their area!   

Start of another week....

I did take some time to bead the rest of the outline for Zachery's body.  I'm now starting to fill in his body.  I'm going to use some of the techniques of Diana from The Lone Beader.  I've been a follower of Diana's for quite sometime and recently I purchased two of her pdf patterns (Westie & Intro Into Extreme Beadery).  You have to check out both her Etsy/web site and her blog.  Her bead work is amazing...just amazing! 

So, this wanna be beader will continue on with Zachery in between my patchwork piece!  I did work on it last night for a few hours.  I'm thinking the patchwork piece might get finished while I'm in Florida!  Didn't think that would happen but....

This is the back of my Carnival piece...can't show the front!  I still have the facing to do and some hand work but I should have that finished sometime this week. 

The next few weeks are SO busy!!  I'm trying to get some dates to meet up with folks (Kay & Susan, I am trying!). 


Yesterday Carol came over to finish up the snap bags for her grand kids.  Didn't they turn out cute!  She has one more at her house she's adding charms to so I'll post a picture of that when it's finished.  Carol has four grand babies!

 Hubby is off from golf today!  Just as well as we're having a drizzle of rain off and on.  Kalee and I got a little rain on us when walking this a.m.  But it doesn't both us girls!!  She's crashed now while I work on the computer and sew.  I get a break from playing or walking her!

It's 63 out so not cold by any means!  Temps to get in the high 70's to 80's this next week.  Love Florida!

pickin' and grinnin'!

The "pickin' and grinnin" I'll get to in a bit...it's been a busy few days...as usual...but that's Florida for you!  

This is a piece of background fabric I brought with me that I'm going to use for my Carnival piece.  

It's actually brighter than it looks here, as usual! 

And this is the piece after I stenciled some circles on it.  Again, brighter in person!  Honest!   And the piece will be turned so just tilt your head to the left and you'll see what it will look like!  

I'm hoping to get it sandwiched today to start some quilting...but I have to finish some cleaning and then take the little one to the dog park so I can come back and give her a bath, dry/brush her then get ready to go  out with friends for dinner tonight.  Hmmmmmm maybe I won't get my piece ready for quilting afterall until Monday.  Tomorrow Carol and I are going to the Master Garden show, another of our annual events to attend.

Carol has been working on snap bags for her grandkids Easter treats!  She finished one the other day (I'll have to get a picture of it later) and started on two others this past week.

Carol was using my Bernina Circular attachment to make designs on the front.  Of course, we were dumbfounded trying to come up with the math to get the circles where we wanted to!  Oh, old age...what can I say! 
For one of her grandsons, Carol thought a character from CARS would be cute...so I had the brilliant (NOT!) idea of printing out a coloring page of the CAR then have Carol just straight stitch the outline.  So, my 2nd brilliant (NOT, again!) idea was to use the Wash-away Applique sheets.  I use these for my beading and have in other stitching....but what I didn't think about was the so called 'straight stitch' Carol was using was the triple straight stitch....my 3rd brilliant idea (NOT again!) was the heavier the threads the more the design would stand out!  I didn't think about the "heavier the threads" the tighter the applique sheet would be stitched to the background!

So Carol stitched her heart out and the design looked really good!  BUT...trying to wash away the applique sheet was another story.  That triple stitch using 12wt thread holds really good!!  Here's a picture of the CAR after soaking and rubbing!

Carol had to head home so I ironed the piece dry and here's where the pickin' and grinnin came to play!

I did get most of the pieces out after pickin' and grinnin for an hour!   I had a margarita while working on it and sitting out on the lanai was quite pleasant (my grinnin part).  There are just a few pieces we need to 'pick' out.  I think it's really cute.  Carol is going to get some fusible numbers (#93) otherwise her grandson will most likely let her grandma know it's not complete!  

So guess I better get my butt in gear and movin!  It's a beautiful day again...sunny, slight breeze....life is good!  Even if you are pickin' and grinnin!

Saturday Work!

I really want to start packing up some of my sewing and art supplies for Florida but have a few projects to finish before I can even think about that!  Actually, Bob and I don't even pack our clothes until the day before we leave!  I box up my sewing and art stuff a week or so before just so that's out of the way.  Guess we have it down pat now on what to take and not take!
I did finish another Tila bracelet, adding the clasp yesterday.  This one I'm keeping since it's in my colorway!

I also finished up some more snap bags yesterday.  The purple/blue bags are from my embroidered circle piece I showed about a month ago.  I had to buy another metal tape ruler as I used up the last one!  These are smaller to hold 'gift cards' in.  Not sure what folks will do with them after they spend the gift card!

The green one in the background started out like this pic below.  It is made of fabric samples from a swatch fabric sample book my sister sent me several years ago.  Yea, yea...it's that "waste not, want not" thing! 

Anyway, I wasn't happy with the stitching or the fine thread I used so I painted the feathers with some Luminere fabric paint a friend gave me.

The fabric paint takes your eye off the quilting and I think looks much better.  The picture above is before I stitched the sides up. 

And I think this is the last hot pad I have to make...at least I think  it is!  I have Christmas gifts on the pool table in the downstairs family area...so until I get everyone all put in their respective 'piles' I won't know how many more hot pads or snap bags I may need!  Yikes!  Hope I'm done!

Today I'm going to work on quilting Peter Max.  I did get the piece sandwiched last night after dinner so all I have to do is set up the machine for quilting.  Hope I don't mess it up!  I sure don't want to repaint another piece of Tyvek! 

More Snap Bags...

For some reason, on my previous snap bag post, the picture of the finished bag was covered up with a picture of the quilted fabric.I've been using this bag to hold my phone and love it.  So easy to find in my bag! 

On Monday afternoon, I made up these two smaller versions of the snap bag to hold gift cards!  Perfect size for them.  Actually, one of them is going to Nick to hold his BD gift card! 

These are the backs...don't ask why the background on the first pic is pink!  I did an auto correct and that's what happened.  Hmmmmm


Anyway, I think these are a nice item to give gift cards in....now to make up some for Christmas gifts!!