Owl Love Crafting

Finished this quick little panel project to hang over my desk. It's by one of my favs, Sandy Gervais.

Hard at work finishing up things for the craft show, which is this weekend. My friend Donna asked if I was opening a sweat shop! It's really not that bad. I'm focusing on making things I enjoy - I nixed some ideas that I thought would just not be fun. Today's project is doggie coats - I made one for Dusty, and he loves it, but he needs some new threads. So, whatever doesn't sell, goes into his puppy wardrobe.

I'm off to Joann's to find some fun holiday fabric, and stock up on flannel.

Episode 17 Show Notes, Business Card Holder Tutorial

Here are the directions for making the business card holder from Episode 17 of the podcast:

Supplies:

Outer fabric (at least 10 in. x 5 in.)
Scrap of lining fabric (at least 10 in by 5 in.) - I started with a larger piece and trip
Light to midweight iron-on interfacing (10 inch by 5 inch)
Thread to match outer and lining fabric


Step One:  Cut Outer Fabric to size:  9 inches by 4.5 inches

Step Two:  Cut interfacing to same size as outer fabric (no picture of that). Iron the interfacing to back of outer piece.

Step Three: Layer the outer piece to lining piece, right sides together - this is important!  You should see the interfacing.  If not, you'll turn it, and you'll still see the interfacing later --(hmm.. wonder how I know that?)
As shown, I leave the lining fabric a little larger than the cut pieces, makes it easier to sew, you'll trim it after sewing.

Step Four:  Start sewing up - leaving a hole in one short end to allow for turning - see photo.

Step 5:  Trim edges of lining even with outer fabric, leaving 1/4 inch seam.  Clip off corners, and turn (no photo of trimming step, but check out the turning action shot below!)

 

Step Six: Iron that sucker again, nice and flat

Step Seven:  Check your thread - be sure to match it with the outer and lining fabric. Sew across short ends on outside.  During this step, you'll be closing the little hole you left for turning.

Step Eight: Fold up each end to form the 2 pockets - approx. 1.5 inches wide, pin to hold in place

Step Nine: Sew along 2 longer sides on outside of fabric, creating pockets as you sew.

Here's what it looks like after sewing long sides:

Final step: more ironing - this is really important, as it puts the crease in the top, and finishes everything up!

Now, it's done - insert cards, and enjoy!  Make them as gifts for all your friends this Christmas!

Please let me know if you're able to use this tutorial, and post pictures of your creations in my Flickr group.

p.s. - if you want to make a checkbook cover, you can follow the same steps above, just adjusting the sizes to fit your checkbook.

Projects:  Windchime

Links for Episode 17:

Hillside Farm B&B

Cluck Cluck Sew Tutorial: Tree

Oh Fransson Margaret Tote Pattern

Quilt Magazine

Dutchland Quilt Patch

Village of Dutch Delights

The Outhouse was a scream!
Sauder Fabrics & Bulk Food
681 S Muddy Creek Rd, Denver, PA
(717) 336-2664 ‎

Fabric & Quilt Shack
3137 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird In Hand, PA
(717) 768-0338 ‎

Adamstown – Antiques Capital, USA


Stoudtburg Village Shops

Second Street Thrift Store
2222 N Reading Rd, Denver, PA
(717) 336-4104‎

Shupp's Grove

Check back often for more project updates!

Halloweeeeen Happenings

As I thought may happen, we arrived home from our trip last weekend too late to record a podcast on schedule.  So, the next Episode will be posted on Sunday, November 1st.  Lots of fun antique shopping, and quilt shops to report on - stay tuned!

Thanks to the folks who have donated to my Alzheimer's Walk - there's still time if you're so inclined.  T

In the meantime, here's a quick pic of a project I completed yesterday.  I was so inspired by one of the shops at Shupp's Grove - wish I could remember the name of it. The artist repurposed old teapots and coffee percolators into pumpkins and snowmen - cool, yes?  Here's my version, made from an aluminum paint can the hubby brought home from work.  He sits on a cake plate on my entertainment center, with fun Halloweenie lights to make him glow.  Very fun!

Sorry for the bad pic- hard to get a clear pic and show the lights, you know?

Jewel Blocks

Here's where I am on my Kaffe Fasset Jewel Blocks quilt discussed on Episode 16 - hubby helped me pick out the border fabrics, think he did pretty well.

I bought some fun multi-colored thread that I'm planning to use for quilting it.

Can't wait to use more of my KF fabric - I love, love, love it!

Birthday Banner

Here's the birthday banner I mentioned in Episode 16 - much easier if you don't cut out all those pieces! I can see potential for lots of these - a good first birthday gift. I gotta try one in pink. Pattern link in show notes.

More Tilda Love

This sweet little birdie is from the new Tilda book - Sew Sunny Homestyle - I'd love to make a whole tree full of these babies.  They were super-easy - the beak is the end of a skewer!

Photo Shoot Favorites

Here are some of my favorites from a recent photo shoot, as discussed on Episode 16 of podcast: