Easter Wishes

Tomorrow Don and I have a lunch engagement with three other couples we met at Rock Steady Boxing. All four husbands have Parkinsons, at different levels. These three couples bless our us every time we are together.

I wanted to make a special Easter card. I came up with the idea of doing a card-in-a-box. It had been a long time since I made one. The first thing I had to do was find my instructions. It took me almost a full day to create the card. After that everything went a little faster. The three are now finished.

Stamps -- Blessed Easter (Easter Wishes on back panel), Tranquil Tulips, His Grace (John 3:16) and Beautiful Bouquets (Leaves)
Dies -- Cross of Hope Framelits, circle punch and round and scalloped dies
Card Stock -- Rose Red, Old Olive, White and Black
Ink -- Rose Red, Old Olive, Soft Sky and VersaFine Onyx Black

Something Different

There are times when I just need to do something really simple. That's where I have been this week. I spent some time at my sewing machine on s few projects that were quick and easy.

The first one was something I just wanted to try. It was simple and didn't take a lot of time.

I have been making these little tulip blocks. I am not sure what I am going to end up doing with them, but I have been enjoying just making them. I saw a sample of the above block on someone's blog and had to give it a try. My sample is now hanging on the wall in my kitchen. Each of the tulip blocks measures  4 1/2" x 4 1/2". The wall hanging above finished at 8" x 14".

Here is the link to the tutorial that I followed -- Podunk Posy quilt block tutorial

Then yesterday I finished up a couple of "mug rugs". I love making these little placemats. Their size was 8" x 10". This morning I gave a friend one for her birthday. I think the other one is going to be mine.

The printed squares can be found in Inspirational Mug Mats by June Tailor. There are several different sets with each containing about seven printed blocks. I used blocks from two different sets. The first one from "Quilty Fun" and the second one from "Spiritual". I am looking forward to making other mug rugs using the other squares.

Share what you love.

Today's Class

This morning I had the March "Create, Challenge, Encourage" Stamp Class. We had a great time together. These ladies are such an encouragement to me. I was sorry to tell them that the April class will be our last one. I am finding it harder and harder to be creative as my husband's battle with Parkinson's Disease continues. The first card was posted on March 7. Another card needs some extra pictures. So that leaves two.

On this first card, I wanted to highlight the new Sale-A-Bration embossing folder called "Country Floral". This folder is beautiful. A small piece of card stock was embossed and added to a white card base. The accent color used was Lost Lagoon. The sentiment and heart was from the set "Ribbon Of Courage." I sponged on a little ink in order to accent some of the flowers.

I ended up making two samples of the next card. The first one was made using Lost Lagoon ink and card stock. But not wanting to make two cards using the same color I chose the color Sweet Sugarplum.

This is called "RetiForm Technique". It has been around for sometime. You basically section off different  parts of the card stock, sponge on your ink choice and then stamp the images in that section. It might have been better if we had used a darker shade of ink. I still like the cards this way.

I chose two stamps sets "Touches of Texture" and "Painted Seasons". I thought these two sets worked well together.

Added A New Block

I am still working on the blocks for the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along which I joined last September. It has been great being a part of this group. I have learned a lot about my sewing and found things that I do right and things that needed improvement. I have also gotten to know other ladies from the Pieces and Patches Quilt Guild here in Jackson, Michigan. Today I have just posted Block # 24. We are now over the halfway mark. I actually have only about twelve blocks left to finish. Yes, I have been sewing ahead.

This block "Kettles On" was not one that I was looking forward to doing. There were so many little pieces, especially for sewing the handle. When finished, I said to myself -- "This was really not so hard."

You can see all the blocks that I have finished by clicking on the tab above, "Farm Girl Vintage".

The sun is shining here is south central Michigan this morning.

I hope it is shining where ever you are today.

Butterfly Gala

My love for butterflies is showing again. I fell in love with the new "Butterfly Gala" stamp set in the 2019 Occasions Catalog from Stampin' Up. I also love the punch that goes with it. Then in the 2019 Sale-a-bration catalog there was beautiful Designer Series Paper that coordinates with the stamp set.

For this card, I embossed the butterfly image on a vellum card stock using white detailed embossing powder. Then to make it pop, I stamped the image on some card stock that's very close to the
Lemon Lime Twist color with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. After adding some dimension to the butterfly images with my fingers, I glued the two pieces together along the center line.

For the center insert, I used the next larger die to cut a piece of white card stock.

Detail list of supplies used--
Card Stock -- Crisp Cantaloupe and Botanical Butterfly DSP
Stamp sets -- Butterfly Gala (with coordinating punch) and Lasting Lily (Sentiment)
Gina Marie Designs dies

A Miniature of Another Project

I wanted to share with you a picture of a small wall hanging that I just finished. The one I made last year, used 2 1/2-inch strips. I wanted this one to be smaller so I used 1 1/2-inch strips to make this wall hanging. Quite a difference. Here is a link to the original piece that I called "Surrounded by His Love".

This wall hanging measures 18-inches by 26-inches. This will be a gift to a very special person in my life.

"For God so loved the world,

that He gave His only

begotten Son..."

John 3:16

A Special Birthday

Today there is a very special birthday. It is my cousin Faye's birthday. She lives in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Faye was like the sister I never had. We spent lots of time together growing up. I wanted to let her know how much she means to me. So---

The first item I made was this little zippered pouch/wristlet. Faye loves flowers so I thought this fabric would be just right. I added a detachable wrist strap and a beaded zipper pull. The pouch measured about 6 x 8 1/2 inches.

After finishing the pouch, I needed a birthday card. For that I used a white card base with some accent pieces in Stampin' Up's "Marina Mist" color. The butterfly is from the new "Butterfly Gala" stamp set. The top butterfly was stamped on Vellum paper and heat embossed with white detailed embossing powder. For the butterfly underneath, I used Marina Mist card stock and stamped the image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Lastly, I used the coordinating punch to punch out the butterflies. The sentiment comes from the new stamp set called "All That You Are". The stamp for the leaves is from that same set, stamped with VersaMark ink onto the card stock creating a watermark effect.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Faye. I hope that your day is very special.

More

A few years ago, Stampin' Up had some fabric in their annual catalog. When it appeared on the clearance list, I ordered some. I loved the prints but I could never figure out how to use it.

Earlier this week I pulled out a piece and decided to use it to make one of my zippered pouches. As I looked at the print,  I realized it was a directional print. By carefully cutting the two outside pieces, I was able to get the front and back identical. This pouch has a detachable handle. I really was happy with the way it turned out. After doing three others I think I am figuring out how I want to do the zippers. Here is the link to the tutorial that was my inspiration -- Date Night Wristlet. I made the inside just plain.

With the handle detached

For the inside, I used a soft beige cotton fabric

The following pictures of two other pouches I made this week. Not sure yet whether I like the boxed bottom better than the flat ones.

Made with two a fat quarters One for the outside
and one for the inside..

New Project

I have seen these little zippered pouches for sometime on Pinterest and I have wanted to make one, or two, or three. I have an idea that keeps running thorough my mind. Just not sure how it is going to all play out. This is the first one that I have made. A friend gave me a yard of this fabric for my birthday. Love it and it was the perfect fabric for this little project. The outer fabric is Urban Zoologie by Ann Kelle for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. It measures about 8" x 6". Had some trouble with the zipper. Watched several online videos. Oh, I am so thankful for gals that have taken the time to do great tutorials.

The fabric for the lining is called "Swiss Dots" from Riley Blake. It is gray dots on a white background. The perfect fabric for this project.

Here are links to two of my favorite tutorials--

My Favorite Zipper Pouch

Date Night Wristlet

Christmas Joy

Another Christmas card. I used the Stampin' Up set called "Painted Harvest". I love how many ways you can use this stamp set. I found the stripped paper in my stash. It worked perfectly with Stampin' Up's real red card stock. I cut the letters twice -- once in real red and the second time in black. The black card stock really made this card.

December 1 was the last card class I will have this year. For our Christmas celebration , we exchanged "Christmas Gift Tags". The is the tag I made. Very simple.

I was also working on this little milk carton. We didn't have time to make it. I love doing little projects like this. We will make it in class on of these days. You can find instructions HERE.