Scrappy Ornaments!!!

Here is a fun, easy project as you prepare for the Holidays!  And if you don't mind a few sticky fingers, even fun for the kids! 

You will need clear, plastic ornaments.  They come is a variety of sizes, but mine are 3" ornaments.  You will be able to find these at your local craft supply store and are usually sold in a carton of 6.

You will also need a jar of Mod Podge and a small paint brush.

Finally, gather your scraps of fabrics and cut them into very small pieces.  The pieces do not need to be the same size, in fact, it is better to have a variety of sizes.  But the scraps do need to be small....generally an inch or less.

   

I usually start at the top of the ornament and lay a piece of fabric on the ornament, hold it with one hand and simply paint the piece of fabric with Mod Podge.  You don't need much, just enough to stick the fabric to the ornament.  Then continue with another scrap and slightly over lap the last piece of fabric and paint with Mod Podge.  I like to go all around the top first so that I can hold onto the hanger as I work my way around the bulb. 

You will notice it looks cloudy as you are painting, but it will dry clear.  Once you have finished a bulb, you can place it upside down in the carton or string a ribbon through and hang to dry.  Once dry you may add more layers of Mod Podge if you would prefer.  I only did one coat.

So there you have it!  A fun ornament for your Christmas tree, as a gift {for teacher, maybe}, or gather several in a ribbon and use to decorate a package.

Have fun!

Mary

Let the Christmas Making Begin!

Are you gearing up for some holiday sewing? Or maybe you have already been a busy little elf, sewing away before all the hustle and bustle begins.

 

Well, I have been doing a little holiday and 'special' day sewing

I would love to share with you. Because if you are like me, you can always use some good ideas for holiday gifting!

 

 

I made another lunch bag from Ayumi's great tutorial! This one is, obviously, a robot bag for a robot lovin' little guy! The robot was not a simple make...I used a paper foundation template from the Electric Quilt Program. Tiiiiiny pieces!

I thought this would be cute to carry his lego's, crayons or matchbox cars. But then I thought how special this bag would be filled with cookies or a candle and yummy lotions to give as a hostess gift or for a friend! If you have a sewing friend you could trade the robot panel for something sewing related and fill it with great notions! So there you go, its all sorted out! 

You can find the tutorial on Ayumi's Pink Penguin blog.

 

Next, I would like to share with you a quick, but sweet project. I made a little EPP pouch for a sewing friend. 

 

    

Simply cover a wallet style pouch with yo-yo's! What could be more sweet! And add a couple of pockets to hold hexie papers, wonder clips, a glue pen and some scissors! Perfect for small on-the-go projects!

 

    

 

I love this retro Yuwa fabric we have in the shop! It's great for fussy cutting too!

 

And last, but not least, you may want to pop over to the Sunny Day Supply blog and follow along as we make the Sunny Day Stocking! I am pretty smitten with this stocking...and so happy to be able to share it with everyone!

 

   

 

 Just head over to www.sunnydayfabric.com and click on the 'blog' tab! And if you haven't visited the shop yet, you might like to look around at all the fabulous fabrics and notions we have! So many great things for your stitchy friends!

 

happy Tuesday!

mary 

The Big Clean Up!

The halls have been decked, taken down and put away for another year! It was a pretty simple Christmas this year...my extended family was dealing with flu and stomach virus!  Yikes!  So I stayed far away....

we had bigger fish to fry anyway....a dead car meant finding a replacement.  It's always a fun to find out a couple of days after Christmas that you will need to make a car purchase :( 

Oh, well, it had to be done.

I hope you have been able to avoid illness this Christmas and big unexpected purchases!

But Holiday Cheer did fall on my doorstep! I had a couple of wonderful packages from far away friends! Yay!  I love packages!

Sweet Clare surprised me with this fabulous stocking full of goodies and a lovely pair of socks (I love fun socks).  The stocking is fashioned from a vintage quilt top!  Clare stitched it so perfectly and filled it to the rim with goodies (most of which were eaten by the time I got a photo)!

And then, my dear friend, Susan, spoiled me with a super cute zippered pouch, a Liberty appliqued feather tea towel and sweet piece of gingham (which I already put to good use).  My daughter, Molly, and I could not get over the precision in this hand stitched applique!  The most delicate blanket stitch I have ever seen!  

I cherish these two friends....I am so lucky they spoil me so :)

I have been on a bit of a zippy pouch run lately.  I made several for friends and family for Christmas...and why stop now?  

If you recall I was stitching some clamshells out of wool felt...

      

I used Valdani perle cotton to outline each curve...bold and bright!

Then I used this piece to make a little zippy pouch!

         

A rainbow, clamshell, wool zippy pouch!

 

Add a pom-pom for a zipper pull...and a few gold chocolate coins....well, those might be a few of the goodies from Clare...

Hope you enjoyed your holidays!  Hope you stayed healthy (and didn't have to buy a new car)....

Here's to a quilty good 2015!

Cheers

mary 

Fabulous Felt!

Now that the handmade gifts are taken care of, I have been having some relaxing fun with wool felt.  

I love working with felt. No need to worry about finishing seams or leaving raw edges...

And the color is amazing!  Saturated color!

By far, my favorite felt is 100% wool!!!  Not a blend of wool and rayon.  The blend is much cheaper, but not as lovely in appearance or quality.

So, here is a last minute idea as you wrap up those last few presents or put together a plate of goodies.

Add a homemade tag/ornament! Easy to do with wool felt!

     

I simply drew a heart template on freezer paper.  Pressed my heart to felt and cut around with pinking shears!

I added a tree trunk with brown felt and stitched in place...then using perle cotton or embroidery floss stitch some branches!

Cut another heart for the back of the tag, and stitch the two together (wrong sides facing) with floss or perle cotton.  I caught the tails of my loop with my stitching.  Leave an opening and stuff with poly-fill or scraps of batting. 

Simple and quick!

Not only does it jazz up a package, but it is a great keepsake that can be hung on the tree!

We are on the homestretch!  Are you all ready?

ho ho ho

mary  

The Weather Says Christmas!

Whew!  I simply cannot remember a November this cold and snowy!  Luckily, we have had mostly cold temps...I feel for the folks around Buffalo or in areas that are buried in snow!

But the cold and the snow certainly put me in a bit of a Christmas mood....

Last weekend I got together with a few friends to make Christmas stockings and do a little hand quilting and embroidery.  I began piecing together a clamshell project in cute kitschy fabrics.      

I appliqued these to a foundation fabric marked with a grid...I used Aurifil thread to applique.  It is amazing for applique!  and my very favorite Richard Hemming Milliner needles in size 11.  These needles are awesome!

 

Once my 'fabric' was complete, I went back and pick stitched with black Valdani thread!  I love the black stitching...

This will be my 'fabric' for the stocking.  I just haven't had the heart to cut it yet, but as soon as it is finished, I will share it here!  I just love those clamshells!

While I had the Christmas-making spirit, I put together a little zippy bag using the leftover pieces from my Sew Together bag!

  

I added cute little felt balls on the zipper pull...thanks Janelle :)

This is the perfect size to hold small scissors, a bit of thread and needles, or chapstick, tissues...even a cute little tin with some change!  thanks Clare :)

  

It feels good to get a little of Christmas sorted out!  I love Christmas sewing....I only wish it wasn't such a hectic time. More time for sewing :)

Stay warm!

mary

Liberty and Linen Advent Calendar!

Did you have an Advent Calendar when you were little?  We had one every year, but it was one of the cardboard calendars with the little windows that opened.  Each window had a surprise picture waiting to be exposed.  I always thought it was so much fun, but usually all of the windows were opened by the end of the first week!

Years later, I realized some kids had calendars with little pockets for real surprises!  Imagine!  Not a little picture of what you could possible have, but an actual surprise! Hmmmmm....

So, now that my kids are way beyond the Advent Calendar age...hehe...I decided to make a calendar for my niece to hang in her home. The pockets are just the right size for little softies, a bit of candy, or a candy cane, a matchbox car or my pretty pony!

    

If you follow me on Instagram you might have seen the sneak peeks...I also had a few requests for a tutorial...

so here you go!

MOLLY FLANDERS ADVENT CALENDAR

Supplies...

Background fabric...22" wide X 39" long (I used Essex linen in Flax)

Pockets and Pocket linings....25 pockets and 25 pocket linings 4" wide X 5" long (I used Essex for the pockets and Liberty for the linings)

Numbers from number printed fabric, or number stamps, or fabric to make your own numbers and a fusible webbing...more on this later

Thin Batting

Backing fabric

Embroidery floss or Perle cotton for stitching...I use size 8 Valdani Perle Cotton
A disappearing marker such as Frixion pen 

_______________________________________

Begin by cutting 10 inches off one end of your background fabric, leaving a 22" wide X 29" long section and a piece measuring 22" wide X 10" long.  Set these aside.

Making the pockets

Cut 25 exteriors for the pockets 4" wide X 5" long and 25 pocket linings, also 4" wide X 5" long.

Place the lining and exterior together with right sides facing and using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch both long sides and the top short side....leave the bottom short side open

Turn the pocket right side out.  Push out the sides and the corners and press well. A chop stick works well for getting into small corners.

With the pocket exterior facing up, fold down the top end about a half inch, exposing the lining fabric and press again.

 

Stitch across the lining edge by machine or with floss/perle cotton....

For each pocket you will need a number so the kiddos can count down the days!

I used a fabric with numbers that I could cut apart, other options would be to make your own numbers with fabric and fusible webbing.  If you have a Silouhette or similar cutter, this would be perfect for making numbers.  Also, there are many sites to download fonts. So you can easily print out numbers and even change the size in your printer. Another option would be to embroider your own numbers (you may want to embroider before you add the lining fabric).  Or you could stamp numbers using stamps and ink.  How about making your own stamp!  Get the kids involved and have them help make potato stamps!  So many possibilities!

Stitch the number to the center of each pocket exterior and then go back over the machine stitching with floss or perle cotton.  Be sure to leave at least a 1/4 inch from the bottom open edge free.  This area will become a seam allowance for your pocket.

**note: if you don't like raw edges you can either turn under the edge or use fusible webbing** 

                  

  After you have the numbers on the pockets, turn the pocket over so the lining side is facing up.  Using a disappearing marking tool or a Frixion pen, mark line 1/4 inch from the open raw edge.

    

Placing the pockets

Take your background piece of fabric measuring 22" wide X 29" long.

Measure 3" down from the top edge and, using a disappearing marking tool or a Frixion pen, draw a horizontal line from one side to the other. This is your top margin.  From this line measure down 4" and draw another line from side to side.  And continue dropping down 4" and drawing a line from side to side until you have drawn 6 lines.  These lines are for placing the pockets.  So you should now have 7 lines total from side to side. Whew!

Skipping the first line, go to the second line (4" down from the 1st line). Starting at the left hand side and on the second line, place a little mark on the line about 1.75" in from the left hand edge.  Now place your ruler edge at that mark and make marks on the line at 5", 10", 15".....

here you can see a small mark 1.75" from the left edge...

 
  placing your ruler at the first mark on the line...make a mark at 5", 10", and 15"...these are guide marks for placing the pockets.

        

Repeat this process for the rest of the lines (lines 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7)

Remember the very first line at the top is just to mark the bottom of the top margin or the header.

Sewing the Pockets onto the Banner 

   Take pocket #1 and flip over so the lining is facing up and upside down. The raw open edge should be at the top and lines matching....like this....the left edge of your pocket will line up with the small register marks you made on the line.

    
Pin in place and stitch on the drawn line.  Back stitch at the beginning of the pocket edge and at the end.

Flip the pocket up so you can see the number and finger press.  If you have marked with a tool that disappears with heat or is set with heat, make sure you simply finger press...don't put the iron to it!

Stitch both sides of the pocket, leaving the top of the pocket open!!!

the dashed marked line shows the stitching area.

Repeat this for 24 pockets.  You will have 4 pockets per line...don't add #25 yet.

Making the point for the Banner

Once you have all 24 pockets on the body of the banner, you are ready to make the pointy bottom section which will hold #25.

Take the other piece of background fabric that measures 22" wide X 10" long.

Fold in half so it measures 11" wide X 10" long. Place the folded fabric on your cutting mat so the fold is at the top.  Line up your acrylic ruler from the top right hand side to the lower left hand hand side.  Notice that when you cut from corner to corner, you will be able to open this up creating a large triangle.   

   
Cut from upper right hand corner to the lower left hand corner...
open

 
 Adding the last pocket

The last pocket will be placed on the triangle. Make sure to leave at least 1/4" clear around all edges for seam allowance.

I placed mine low enough to add a little easy embroidery to the triangle...

Draw a line for the pocket placement and stitch in place like the other 24 pockets. 

I used my marking tool to mark a simple Swedish looking tree with a star on top.  And using a backstitch, added a little simple embroidery.

     
Stitch the long edge of the triangle to the body of the Advent Calendar.  You may want to trim the edge of the body of the calendar before stitching if you prefer less space between the last row and the beginning of the triangle.

Adding the Pick Stitching   

Because I didn't want to add a binding to my calendar, I pin basted a piece of batting to the wrong side of the calendar and did most of my pick stitching (hand quilting, big stitch) on the front only...not through three layers.  I stitched on the line marking the header, stitched each pocket line and between the pockets from top to bottom.

 
The black line outlining the entire calendar was done last...after I had added the backing...through all three layers.

 You may want to embroider Merry Christmas or another Christmas motif in the header area....just a thought.

Because I used a Frixion pen...I pressed my calendar to make the marks disappear.  It's always a good idea to test the Frixion pen with your fabric before you begin any project.    

Putting the Backing Together with the Front

I chose not to do a binding all around the calendar so I could leave an opening and turn right side out.  

To add the backing, I first trimmed any batting even with my calendar front. I stitched a small zig-zag stitch around the entire calendar front to hold the batting and calendar together.  Then I pinned my calendar, right sides facing, with my backing fabric.  My backing fabric was not cut to the size of the calendar.  It was a large piece of fabric extending beyond the edges of the calendar.  Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch the calendar and backing together...BE SURE TO LEAVE AN OPENING FOR TURNING AT THE TOP OF THE CALENDAR.  
I stitched with the calendar/batting facing me so I could follow the edge of the calendar. Make sure you use a 1/4" seam allowance and you may want to use a walking foot.  

Trim the backing even with the calendar and turn right side out.  Push out all points and corners.  Stitch the opening closed by hand.

After all three layers were together, I went back and outlined the entire calendar with black Valdani perle cotton.

          
Are you still with me???

Adding the Tabs

The last detail is to add tabs for hanging.

Cut tabs 7.5" wide X 9" long.
Stitch in half along the length so you end up with a tube 3.5" X 9".  Press the seam open.  Turn the tube right side out and place the seam in the center of the back of the tube...press well.  Turn under both short ends 1/2 inch and press again.

I added stitching all around the edge.  

Pin the tabs to the top and machine stitch in place.  

Just for fun, I added 3 large X's to each tab!

YOU ARE FINISHED!!!!

**a couple of thoughts**
I hope you enjoy this tutorial, but please refer back to me and  this post if you make a calendar and post it online.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS:
Valdani Perle Cotton size 8
Fons and Porter Utility Needles for pick stitching...I have tried many but these are by far the best.  They are designed to be used with size 8 perle cotton
Nimble Thimble...I have small fingers and this is the only thimble for me!
Aurifil thread for piecing
  

About the fabrics....I am in the process of opening a web shop! Yay!  My sister and I are working with a web designer to develop a web site...we are getting much closer to a launch date...but everything takes time. We are building inventory, and have some fabulous fabrics to offer.  Lots of Japanese fabrics (like the number fabric), Liberty of London, fabrics from Sweden, and Australia, kits from the U.K.!!!  It's all so exciting!  I will be sure to keep you updated, but you will be able to find us at
www.sunnydayfabric.com
IG: sunnydaysupply
Pinterest: Sunny Day Supply

Have a great weekend!
xo mary
                  

      
  

Sounds of Silence....

Sorry for the silent blog of late....

No....I wasn't at the Sewing Summit, but I did have plenty of sewing with friends....it has just been a very busy weekend!  I would have loved a visit to the Summit, but college books {and fabric buying} are priority at our house so no trip to the summit this year :)

Little by little, I have been building up my collection of Japanese fabrics.  Now I am ready to create my own 'fabric' to use in Christmas gift making....

     

This coin purse will be a great little gift to tuck into a bag.....

Just an easy two piece purse template with some fun raw edge applique....

   

Add some fun lining fabric and batting between the layers....

A sweet button or a snap and there you have it!!!

  

Hope you had a wonderful weekend - did you go to the Sewing Summit...or maybe sew with friends :) 

Happy Monday!

mary

Another....Peek.....

I have been like a little elf this week working away in preparation for Fall Classes....

My goal is to have my samples complete by the end of the weekend....

I don't usually like deadlines but for some reason I have had so many ideas going on....I think I need to pull things into focus!

So here is a little peek....I will give you the full preview once all is complete....

I also have a quilt I am itching to get working on!

Hope you are having a fantastic Friday!

mary 

Endings and Beginnings.....

This weekend is one we {the hubs and I} have eagerly anticipated for some time.... 

our sweet Molly will be graduating from college with a B.A. in Spanish....YAY! HAPPY DANCE!!!

As you have noticed most of my projects this week have centered around Christmas things...these will make great gifts, but also I am preparing for classes this Fall....

For this one, I started with a bunch of half square triangles in two different hues....

to create two long lines of zig - zag...

At this point I am 'making' fabric....not sure if I will use the ric-rak here....

And then cut out a stocking....

so what do you think about the ric-rak?

I have since added some lovely stitches with perle cotton....pics to come later....

And in the evenings I have been chugging away at the Grandmother's Flower Garden.....

Hopefully, between the inevitable tears this weekend, I will be able to snap a few pictures of Molly in her graduation garb....

Have a wonderful Friday!

mary