You really can sew just about anywhere!
By Serena Smith | March 1, 2010
Even on a kitchen counter if need be. Last week I spent some time with my sister who lives out of state. With her upcoming wedding, I was prepared to do some sewing. The previous week, I had shipped one of my machines (this is why you are supposed to have more than one machine! :)) to Kentucky and a box full of supplies that I would need. Little did I think about just WHERE I would be setting up my machine! :)
I’m not sure I would want to stand for hours on end sewing, but for a few hours here and there, it worked just fine!
Topics: Just for Fun, Misc. | No Comments »
Giveaway Winner!
By Serena Smith | March 1, 2010
Gail is the winner for last week’s giveaway for the Wrights SideWinder! Congratulations!
Be sure to take a peek on March 22nd for a chance to win this month’s giveaway!
Topics: Giveaways | 1 Comment »
Monday Giveaway: Wrights SideWinder
By Serena Smith | February 22, 2010
Win the Wright’s SideWinder – a $30 value!!
End the frustration of bobbins running out in mid-project with the portable bobbin winder – the SideWinder!
With the touch of a button, the SideWinder quickly and easily fills bobbins without having to un-thread the sewing machine. It’s compact size means if fits anywhere – in class, on location or at home. It runs on 2 AA batteries (not included) or a power cord/AC adapter which is included.
For sewing, quilting or crafting, let the SideWinder keep your creativity flowing.
–To be entered in this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with your name.
–Post a link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a second comment with the blog post url and you will be entered twice in the giveaway.
–Comments will be open until next Monday, March 1st and the winner announced that same day.
–This giveaway is only available to US residents.
–You must leave an email address in the comments or link back to a blog so I can contact you if you win. If your name is selected and there is no way to contact you, another name will be chosen.
–You have one week to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed, another name will be chosen.
This giveaway has ended!
Topics: Giveaways | 18 Comments »
Adorable Fabric Origami Baskets
By Serena Smith | February 11, 2010
I ran across this post via twitter last week and decided I would give these little fabric origami baskets a try for some Valentine’s goodies I needed to make. They are so cute and worked great! I can see making them for all kinds of things!
So I cut out 10″ squares of Snow White and Red fairy frost fabric (love the bit of sparkle in those pieces!) which allowed me a little extra room as I would be cutting the squares down to 8″ before folding.
Then I cut the same size squares of Ultra Heat’n'Bond and fused the red to the white fabric.
And then started folding…
…and folding over again….
And then folded the top down to see the white overlaid with the red.
I did glue the top white flaps down on each side of the basket. I also decided they needed a bit of embellishment….
After digging around in my stash of buttons and not having much success, I finally raided my sister’s supply of scrapbooking elements and found these little red jewel hearts which were perfect! And that little bag of hearts had just enough for the 20+ baskets I made.
Fill with chocolate and they’re done! Beautiful!!
Thanks to Alison for the idea and tutorial on her blog! Add ribbon, buttons and embellishments to your heart’s content and then have fun filling with fun treats!
Topics: Christmas Ideas, Current Projects, Free Projects, Helpful Lessons, Links for Projects, Project Ideas | 1 Comment »
You would think this stash would be enough!!
By Serena Smith | February 10, 2010
Last week I was looking for just the perfect buttons. So I dumped out my button drawer, thinking that I can’t help but have something that would work. Ummm, nope! Of course, I did need 20 of the same kind of button or embellishment, so that did narrow my choices a little. :)
Topics: Misc. | No Comments »
If it works with paper, why won’t it work with fabric?!
By Serena Smith | January 28, 2010
I’ve been playing with envelope templates and printing various sizes on paper and decided that I had to try a fabric envelope! If it works with fabric, why won’t it work with fabric?! Normally I stick to the same kind of projects, but every once in a while I have to try something different and unique.
I found this simple envelope template and printed it on a piece of scrapbooking paper and put it together. Loved it!
Now to try it with fabric.
1. Fuse HeatnBond Lite wonderunder to the fabric.
2. Bond the fabric to a piece of card stock. I just used white; but if you want the interior of the envelope to be colored, use colored or printed card stock.
3. Open the pdf template (can be downloaded here), place the fabric/card stock into the printer so you are printing on the card stock side and click print. (And yes, I did this with my laser printer and it worked GREAT! No printer error this time! :))
4. Cut the template out following the lines and fold it along the dashed lines.
5. Cut a piece of card stock that is slightly smaller than the front of the envelope.
6. Place on front of envelope and stitch a decorative stitch around the card stock. Be sure to select an open and light decorative stitch; if it’s too dense like a satin stitch, it could tear the card stock. (I used flat tape in a couple places to hold the card stock in place while stitching.)
7. Glue the side flaps and bottom flap to create the envelope shape and placed it under a heavy book until it is dry. I also folded down the top flap to give it a crease, but did not glue it shut.
Now it’s time to insert the card, glue down the top flap, address it and mail it!
And surprisingly enough it went through the mail without any problem with only a first class stamp, although depending on the bulk of your fabric and card stock, it might require extra postage.
Topics: Current Projects, Free Projects, Helpful Lessons, Links for Projects, Project Ideas | 2 Comments »
Monday Giveaway: Our Family Tree Kit
By Serena Smith | January 25, 2010
Win a quick and easy, but fun quilt kit from Benartex – a $30 value!!
Create an extraordinary wedding, anniversary or engagement gift with a beautifully designed family tree. This preprinted panel includes labels that can be embroidered or written in indelible ink. A fantastic family treasure!
Panel, unique border fabric (may vary from photo), binding and backing fabric included. Instructions are written right on the panel. Measures 29″ square.
Kit includes pattern and fabric for complete quilt in a nice zippered clear pouch.
–To be entered in this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with your name.
–Post a link to this giveaway on your blog and leave a second comment with the blog post url and you will be entered twice in the giveaway.
–Comments will be open until next Monday, February 1st and the winner announced that same day.
–This giveaway is only available to US residents.
–You must leave an email address in the comments or link back to a blog so I can contact you if you win. If your name is selected and there is no way to contact you, another name will be chosen.
–You have one week to claim your prize. If the prize is not claimed, another name will be chosen.
This giveaway has ended!
Topics: Giveaways | 12 Comments »
The World of Timba & Lula
By Serena Smith | January 22, 2010
A NEW Crafter’s Collection from OESD – The World of Timba & Lula!
This fun and whimsical little bear and bunny would be adorable for an children’s project or idea. These designs are just itching to be stitched!
Package contains: USB Design stick, Thread Color Chart, Thread Shopping List
Multi-format USB stick includes the following formats: art, pes, pcs, dst, hus, jef, xxx, sew, exp
Don’t miss out on these designs!
Topics: Embroidery Designs, New Items | No Comments »
Floral Elegance Designs
By Serena Smith | January 19, 2010
As I’ve been debating what quilt to start teaching this year, I stitched out a design from Judy Nowicki’s Floral Elegance embroidery collection and really am pleased with the quality of the embroidery. The designs are beautiful!
One of the unique stitch details about this design is that the vines running between the florals is a running stitch repeated over and over until the appropriate thickness is achieved. Most designs are digitized with a satin stitch in this area rather than a straight running stitch which gives it a heavier and unique look.
And to answer the question that many of you have been asking…..yes, these are the designs that I will be using in the next online quilt I will be teaching! :)
There are instructions included on the cd for a quilt, but I am making some changes and revisions for the quilt I will be teaching. I will be using some of the block layout designs, but adding a center medallion, adding some decorative stitches and increasing the amount of embroidery in the border of the quilt from what is pictured in the quilt on the cd. More details will be coming in the next few weeks.
Topics: Embroidery, Embroidery Designs, Online Classes | 15 Comments »
Creative Expressions Issue 25
By Serena Smith | January 18, 2010
Get a head start on next year’s Christmas projects with all the ideas packed into Creative Expressions Issue 25!
In this issue:
Christmas Star Quilt
Scissor Caddy
Coconut Ice Snow
Galleria Pillows
Victorian Christmas Quilt
Note from Serena: This issue is full of Christmas projects and ideas! Don’t miss out on it!
Topics: Embroidery, New Items | No Comments »
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