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

Those Unsew Days

Do you have those days that  you have to take out more seams than you put in?

I had one of those days recently. Between the time I got from my design board to the sewing machine with the quilt blocks, they had turned themselves around and jumped under the presser foot-time after time to be sewn on the wrong sides-crooked-just off, way off.

The project hadn't started out well, to begin with. The thought of making an all gingham quilt had floated in and out and this seemed to be the project for it. There were a couple of glitches-the ginghams weren't in my stash, the nearest fabric store was rather far away and I wanted to get started. I had been bypassing some ginghams in the fabric area of the store where I get groceries because of their content and feel but I thought they would do since it was for a quick little quilt and the price was right.  Soooo-I broke down and got enough of each since it was just a little doll quilt and anything should work-right? Wrong!

 Now,  I haven't met many fabrics that I don't like till these five little ginghams made their way onto my cutting table. It seems they have a mind of their own. They ravel. They creep, crawl. There were always threads to be cut with scissors after going over them with the rotary cutter. My motto from now on is: when in doubt, don't. 

The aggravation I had with this fabric made the project take 3 or 4 times what it should have and I am very dissatisfied with the way the little quilt turned out even if it is only a doll quilt. 

I am sharing all of this for a couple of reasons. The first is, we have so much time and effort involved in our crafts that we should use the best we can. By the time the quilt was done, I don't think it would have looked ok to me no matter what. 

And second but the real reason I started this piece-a way to unsew those wayward seams-with a electric shaver or moustache trimmer.   My friend, Valerie, shared that tip with us in one of our sewing afternoons. 

In a fabric/notions online catalog, I saw a electric stitch remover which was no more that a shaver with a different name on the side and the price was almost $70. I found mine in the drug store for $19.99 and could have gotten a cheaper one but like the shape and feel of the one I am using in the video below.  It surely came in handy for the gingham day. You might also find one at a yard sale or something, or in your husbands shaving kit.

Hope this helps and makes your quilting and sewing more enjoyable.

Happy crafting and God bless you!

Carolyn Wainscott

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Check out my designs in My Pattern Store @ 

http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851

 

MY PROJECT LINUS QUILT

The Project Linus  has donated almost 4,000,000 quilts and blankets to needy children and has almost 400 chapters. I have heard about Project Linus along the way but had never thought seriously about looking into it since my life is like most other people's, very busy with every day.  Maybe a fleeting thought of putting something together for the project, sometime, when the time is right, when there is nothing else to do-right!

Then the craft site, Craftsy, that I visit online put out a call for donations that could be given to Project Linus for needy children. Craftsy is trying to collect 1000 quilts by December-plus 1000 hats. I went online to research Project Linus and found just how much good had been spread by the organization. That is where the 4,000,000 figure came from-isn't that astounding?

Now, I have made many quilts for children in jeopardy on an as need basis when the call comes in and when I saw some of the photos on the site of children receiving quilts made especially for them by loving hands, I knew since there was never going to be a just right time when there is nothing else to do.

So in the middle of making things for Christmas for great granchildren [who are blessedly all in good health!!!], my Linus Quilt needed to be done. How much easier could it be? Craftsy provided us with an address to send our quilts and they will even deliver them for us. Good job, Craftsy! I hope we reach the 1000 quilts and hats.

The 1000 hat request was put out first and since I was already crocheting, whipped up some hats to send. Then came the 1000 quilt announcement.

So, if you would like to help these ventures here is the Craftsy address:

Keep A Kid Warm

c/o Sympoz Inc.

1553 Platte #202

Denver, Co. 80202

or

go to the Project Linus website. You may want to become involved in a local chapter if there is one near you. If you need any ideas or patterns, they are provided on the site.

Here is my Linus quilt:

 The angel fabric I had kept squirreled away for a special project was brought out.  The Linus Project children are so special, they deserve the best.

The feather fabric was chosen for the back to coordinate with the angel fabric. One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 91:4-He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shall thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

I always put a pocket on the back of every child's quilt that will hold a book or little soft toy. As soon as I get the pocket on this quilt and find the right book, it will be wrapped up with the hats and sent off to Craftsy.

Here are the little hats I made:

There are also several scarves that will be included in the package.

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The Linus quilt was made in a quilt-as-you-go method shown in the video:

The video along with complete instructions can also be seen @ http://www.FaveQuilts.com/Tips/Techniques. While you are there, check out other patterns, tutorials and videos that can be used for your project.

God bless you

Carolyn Wainscott