2 Sketches 4 You Birthday Card

I used the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You for this birthday card (got loads of family birthdays coming up). The sketch used a tall card, which I normally find hard to use, but this came together pretty easily. (Except for cutting the circle window, which I had to do free-hand with a craft knife, because the card was too big to fit through the Big Shot.) It's great now I'm doing quilting, because it means I permanently have my sewing machine out!

Papers, Leaf die cutter, Stamp: Stampin' Up
Big brads: Making Memories
Scalloped lace: Ebay
Paper Hydrangeas: Prima

Wedding Card

The theme for this card is based on the Caardvarks Challenge - 'Weddings', and it also fits the CPS sketch, and DCM challenge to use a heart. I had out all sorts of cardmaking bits and bobs, but kept being drawn to the white things, so monochrome it is! I made sure there was plenty of texture and dimension, so hopefully it can get away with it.

Frames and corners: Melissa Frances
Embossed metal clip: Making Memories
Pearls & Ribbon: Ebay
Buttons: Charity shop!

A few bits

Got my stand-in Ebay camera this morning, so here is what I have been up to this past week...
I put the squares of Jack's giant cushion together. I'll quilt the top (not that I have even tried any actual quilting yet!!), and I also want to add some hand stitching around the smaller squares, I think. My Perle #8 Cottons arrived yesterday, so I'll use some of them. I started a new quilt too, using Moda Aviary triangles. I'm just going to have the same pattern repeated all over. I'm awaiting more of the Kaufman Snow material from America now though. It's annoying how ridiculously expensive fabric is in the UK - it's cheaper to buy from America even with postage. (Though if anyone knows good places to buy in the UK, please let me know.)

I'm going to America in a few weeks, and will be making sure there is plenty of room spare in my suitcase!I also made a bag, using the tutorial linked to at the side - the 1 hour bag. It actually took me an hour and a half, but I was on the phone for 40 mins of that. (Sewing machining and chatting at the same time!) I found the instructions are really good and clear, and I've not made anything like that before.

Hurray!! A new (second-hand) camera on it's way to me right now - good old ebay! How I have survived not having any camera for a whole week I will never know...

Well I have been busy (assembled Jack's pillow squares, made a bag, valentine's day cards and started a new quilt), but my camera is off being repaired, so no pictures just yet. I think I will buy a cheap stand-in camera from Ebay to tide me over because I MISS MY CAMERA!

Cushion

Now that my daughter's quilt is under way, I asked Jack, my eldest boy what kind of quilt he would like. He said he would like a big quilted cushion instead, and picked out some bits of material he liked (which I modified slightly...) Here are the squares that will make up the front. I'm waiting for some Perle #8 Cottons at the moment, so I can do some hand stitching round each square.

Progress with my Quilt

My first quilt is taking shape...

Quilting

Well, I very excitedly went to my first quilting class on Tuesday morning, and was really happy to learn some of the basics for making up blocks. When I got home afterwards, my fabric from America (Sew Dearly Loved on Etsy) had arrived! The living room very quickly looked like this... I've rushed right in and made my first 12 blocks now (12''). Here are a couple of my favourites, where I was being more experimental, with some applique, and a house design I made up.

I found the website Quilter's Cache to be wonderful for giving ideas of blocks designs, plus very good, clear instructions.

And for some inspiration, look what came in the post from Amazon yesterday....preeeeeetty....

Quilting

Well after a manic December, and then a brilliant, busy Christmas holidays, I have been totally lazy and done very little! One of my (many) new year's goals, though, (including running a half-marathon...eeeek....) is to do a quilting course held at my church over the next year. Here are some of my very pretty fabric purchases from here.
They haven't arrived yet, but I can't wait! I also bought several fun Munki Munki prints, to make I-don't-know-what-yet for my boys!

I was dying to make something tonight though, even without my new stuff, so I made this (very dull looking, by contrast) cushion from scraps.

It's great - I seem to be turning into the Mum who people give things to 'in case I can use them'. I've already received some clothes for me, a coat for one of my boys, and two lots of scrap fabric this week!!

Well plenty of crafting lately, but none of it the 'take all evening over a card' kind. Here are some I made to go in a decorated tin for a Christmas present.

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge Card

I really should get a move on with my Christmas card making - this is only the 3rd one I've made so far!
I used the sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You for the card layout, and made some of the lines from the sketch with the extra fold at the front of the card - went for a really traditional look, with papers from K&Co Christmas Cheer.

Thanks Nicki

It was a nice surprise to receive this award from Nicki today - I haven't come across her blog before, so have been enjoying looking at her lovely cards.
It made me realise that I have been a really anti-social craft blogger for quite some time - I couldn't think of people to pass the award on to even, except 2 friends that I made when I was a more committed craft blogger! (see below). I changed my old craft blog ('Madness at the Malting') into our family blog, when I felt that crafting was taking over a bit, and wanted to re-prioritize things. I started this blog because I still love making, but I suppose I kind of forgot that there are so many great bloggers to mix with!

1. Copy this award to your blog

2. Link to the person who gave you this award

3. Identify 7 interesting facts about yourself

4. Choose 7 other bloggers to pass this award on to

5. Link to their blogs

6. Leave them a comment to let them know about this award

OK, these are the friends I would like to pass the award to: Pesc and Mariska - lovely people and great crafters!

I nearly forgot my 7 interesting things! Just read my other blog and see if you come across 7 things interesting enough. (Sorry - I have a cold right now, and it hurts to think!)

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge Card

I started on Christmas cards at last! I stitched a felt gingerbread man together, and filled

it with wadding to make a Christmas ornament that can be removed as a little gift (It is just stuck on lightly with a couple of glue dots). The card layout is based on the 2 Sketches 4 You sketch.

PP: DCWV Christmas stack

Scallop edge cut with Sizzix scalloped card die

Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing folder

Art Warehouse Christmas circle stamps

Martha Stewart craft paper stickers

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge Card

My brother and sister-in-law had a baby girl this week - hurray! I'm an Aunty again! I'm so glad things went smoothly for them.
I wanted to make a very pink 'fluffy' card, and based this on the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You.

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge Card

I really should be starting some Christmas cards at some point, but this card just kind of made itself! I saw the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You, and it shouted Window Card to me...

Card Patterns Sketch Card

I had some nice Melissa Frances products come in the post today, and made this card with them using the sketch from Card Patterns.

Daring Card Makers Punch Challenge

The challenge at DCM was to use a punch, so I used a Stampin' Up one that I've hardly ever used. I also decided to use up lots of old alphabet sets that I have accumulated - rub-ons, chipboard, stickers and stamps - and thoroughly enjoyed making it!

Papertake Weekly Challenge card

I used the sketch at Papertake Weekly Challenge for the layout for this card. My little nephew's birthday is coming up...

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge Card

Another baby card - a very simple one this week, based on the sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You.

Mojo Monday Challenge Card

Lots of friends' birthdays coming up this month - I need to get making some cards because I have nearly run out somehow! I made this card based on the sketch at Mojo Monday, with K&Co Tag Pad, glitter shapes and spotty ribbon, and Basic Grey Papers.