A FUN LITTLE CHALLENGE-CREATING FROM SCRAPS-MORE WINNERS

Back to the "Box of Scraps" challenge issued by Sissie's Sewing on Facebook in which entrants received scraps in the amount that fit into a box the size of a vhs tape. 

Yesterday's post featured the third place winner, Sammantha, who made so many pieces from such a small amount of fabric, I couldn't leave out any one of them. I thought what she accomplished was tremendous. 

In fact, after looking at the photos of her entry, instead of throwing away some scrap [and I do mean scrap] fleece left from making great granddaughters gowns and matching doll gowns as I had intended, I serged some larger fleece pieces and stuffed them with the scraps to make our tiny chihuahua puppy some thick pads for her box and she is loving them. Now I know these are no where near as inventive as Sammantha's creations but I did use up some scraps instead of garbaging them. Way to go me.

OK-Let's get on to more winners

Second place winner was Leann, who made picture frames from her scraps. I couldn't tell how big they were so contacted her and she said they were 8"x10". I was particularly drawn to them because Leann used some Native American prints that she had received. She also told me that this is the first challenge she had participated in and was anxiously waiting for the next one. She went on to say she had been wanting to make picture frames and this was the time. Maybe some time she would like to share the process with us.

  

The first place winner was Judy whose entry was a lace covered box. Additionally, Judy created a floral and a pin cushion that look as though they could be used as decor on a multitude of things including the box. They might be given to a Grandmother or favorite aunt to be worn as a corsage or on a Christmas tree. I think I will ask Judy if she would mind sharing her ideas also. Her use of the lace and the florals I thought were very Victorian looking. There was something for everyone in this challenge and so many different perspectives, even if the scraps received were not to the taste usually used.

  

Congratulations to Leann and Judy. Love your designs. Want to try them. I know your ideas will help others, too.

Will post the grand prize winner  soon along with some of the other designs submitted. This challenge by Sissie's Sewing sure got the creative juices going. So much diversity. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with next.

Happy crafting all and God bless you,

Carolyn Wainscott

A FUN LITTLE CHALLENGE-CREATING FROM SCRAPS

It is hard for me to realize that it has been almost 3 months since I saw  the "Box of Scraps" challenge issued by Sissy's Sewing on Facebook. It was a interesting concept-take some scraps, put them in the smallest USPS box, about the size of a vhs video, and send them to a fellow contestant whose name was given by the coordinator. It just sounded like a neat thing to do, and it was. I still can't get over looking forward to receiving a box of scraps when I have plenty of fabric-pretty fabric, nice fabric. Oh, well, we fabriholics are a weird lot, aren't we?

There were few guidelines-add no more than 1/2 yard of your own fabric to the scraps received and embellish to your hearts' content using whatever craft mode you wish:sewing, decoupage, quilting, etc

.  

Sissy was diligent to keep up with all of us entrants, to check and be sure we had sent out our scraps and then that we had all received them. We were reminded to think of the recipient, that we included all sizes of scraps-in other words-be fair, don't send itsy, bitsy strings, remember the Golden Rule [although not put in those words].

The deadline to have our photos in was December 14 and were posted on Facebook so we could all vote for our favorite. There were a lot of different projects from picture frames, to totes, to aprons, etc.-so much creativity.

The third place winner is Sammantha who created several items from the scraps she received.
I don't know which fabric Sammantha added or if she even added any. I really like the little lined apron [would like to have the pattern] she made with coordinating Christmas fabrics which she went on to use in other items here.

                          She went on to make a hat band and head band that matches a little skirt and              purse below.

Then there is this cute plaid skirt with pink lace that any little girl would be happy to wear. I wish I had thought to do this.

Another cap with roll up brim that again will match the skirt with rick rack above-I mean Sammantha was very diligent. There couldn't be more than a string left from the fabrics she received.

Another plaid skirt with matching hairband with bow-I mean, look what can be done with small pieces of fabric.

                                                A Christmas stocking from fabric as in the apron.

                                                            A small quilt maybe for a doll.

And an adorable skirt with ruffle and lace. How industrious can anyone be? I surely wasn't.

I think Sissy's Sewing has set into motion a new mind set of using up all that we can instead of running out and purchasing new fabric everytime we want to create something. How great to take a little and make a lot. I mean, really, 3 little girl's skirts, a Christmas stocking, an apron and a little quilt from scraps that fit into a box the size of a vhs tape.

 

I'm lovin' it. I'm waiting to see what the next idea she comes up with. I'll share the other winners shortly.

 

God bless you, Happy sewing and great job, Sammantha.

My Fancy Victorian Christmas Stocking Pattern

For some time now, as with a lot of things, I have intended on making some really fancy Christmas stockings. Even drew up some a couple of years ago and lo and behold, I found those drawings several weeks ago along with some other sketches.

Guess what? I finally, actually, got some done along with projects from sketches that were with the stocking drawings. I plan to post those also. I am on a roll. Wow! I really think the end is near.

The actual fun part is coordinating the fabrics and trims-matching what goes with what-does this look good with that? Will this trim be better? I finally had to stop designing and get to work so the stockings might get done before Christmas 2012.

I pulled out some beautiful home dec fabric that worked really well and gives the victorian look I was going for. Then there are some other fancy fabrics that I have kept small pieces squirreled back. It really doesn't take a lot to make these and they are a gift in themselves.

I am suggesting felt for the lining because it is so easy to work with, no raveling, no fraying, easy to cut, doesn't stretch and gives a padded, quilted look and feel without having to add a third layer of batting. I was so glad in my rummaging around to find enough cream colored felt to make linings for all the stockings and it blended well and complimented each one-it looked as though they were planned that way. Don't you love it when things turn out like that?

This is the stocking that I worked on in the video below. Beaded  and bullion fringe were added later along with a little angel ornament and some hot fix beads [hopefully, you can see them in the closeup]. The fringes were hot glued on because there was too much bulk to put through the machine.

I hope the following step by step video helps:

The Victorian Stocking Pattern is available in my Craftsy pattern store @  http://www.craftsy.com/user/43851/pattern-store along with my other patterns.

Have you checked out all the workshops and classes available online at www.Craftsy.com? Classtime is anytime you wish, 24/7 in quilting, sewing, crocheting, knitting, baking, fabric 

painting-you name it-you got it.

FOR A REALLY UNIQUE GIFT-HOW ABOUT A CLASS FOR YOUR FAVORITE CRAFTER!

Happy crafting

Carolyn Wainscott