Cherry Ripe ........

Been doing a bit of machine embroidery lately with my Singer Futura XL400 machine which has been mothballed for a while.  I used cream calico as the base for this cushion and it makes a super base material where you want to focus on the design (I used a tearaway stabiliser in the hoop during the embroidering).

I embroidered a large cherry design which was free from Embroidery Library Inc . They have a free weekly giveaway and all you need to do is register !  They also have loads of designs that you can buy.  I used polyester thread from Madeira for the sewing.

Thought this one was nice and fresh looking so used it as the centre on the cushion front.  Once embroidered I used a Greek key fancy stitch in red thread to frame the design and added a small red button on each corner of the border.  The cushion measures 16 x 16 inches.

Sid xx

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Peaceful Rose

This card was made to meet this weeks challenge No. 263 over on the 'Less is More' blog whose challenge is to make a one layer card featuring a stem.

It's ages since I did any papercrafting so I thought I should make an effort and make a card, albeit a simple one !

I have used a 5 x 5 inch white card blank stamped in black archival ink using an old funstamps image of a rose, almost in silhouette.  I have coloured the main petals with pink Posca pen.

The ' Peace ' sentiment was also stamped in black archival ink.  I have freehand drawn the edges of the card with a Micron pen in black and where the lines cross added a pink spot with the Posca pen.

Sid xx

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Tilda Quilt

This small quilt is made using two Tilda Summer Fair Charm packs.  Simple squares make up the quilt top.  I have used Warm & Natural batting and a grey and white background fabric for the quilt back.

I quilted centrally through the squares in one direction only and then quilted either side of the squares by 1/4 inch in the opposite direction.

I hand bound to complete the quilt which is 46 x 40 inches.

Sid xx

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Birdie Cushion

This birdie printed cotton fabric was given to me by Effie about 3 years ago when I attended a machine sewing session in Middlesbrough.  She had made a zipped purse and had the fabric left over.

I dug it out and made a 16 x16 inch cushion with an envelope back.  The backing is cream calico. You know how the saying goes 'better late than never' !!

Sid xx

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Krazy Quilt

A very belated Happy New Year to you all, hoping things are going well so far.  I was away abroad over Christmas and the New Year so didn't get chance to make any posts on the blog.  Very busy also in a great new job which has taken more of my time.  Settling in now so have a bit more time to do craft and to post.

This machine sewn quilt was actually finished before Christmas and uses 15  Krazy Quilt Blocks made using a variety of striped cotton fabrics in black, navy blue, red, green, turquoise and pink all with a contrasting white stripe..  The blocks had been sitting around waiting to be used for ages actually.

Anyway, I decided to buy some black plain cotton material to make the sashing which I think sets off the rather mesmeric blocks.

I used a warm and natural batting and the quilt back was made from a bold black and white check cotton print which was also used for the binding which I did by hand.

I square quilted half way through the sashing and blocks with black 40's cotton thread.

I can't help thinking of Alice in Wonderland when I see this small quilt.

Sid xx

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Come round for Christmas

A 'card in the round' for Christmas from me today.  I used a Kraft card base and layered with 3 mats of card - 2 square in red and green and 1 round diecut in Kraft card.

I then stamped a number of mini Christmas stamps in dye ink colours which were also diecut before applying on foam pads.

The central sentiment was also stamped and diecut and coloured with alcohol markers.  Final touch was to add some crystal stickers on the embellishments.

Sid xx

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Krafty Cheer

Here is another Christmas card I have made.  Again using a Kraft card base.  I have matted the green Christmas tree background paper onto red card to leave a border on the base card.

The animals were diecut from the same red card and stuck in place.  I then cut some self adhesive cork sheet into an undulating shape and stuck this over the base of the animal diecut.

I then stamped the sentiment in onyx black Memento onto white card, trimmed to size and stuck in place.

Simple but effective I think as I have gone back to the traditional Christmas colours for this one.

Sid xx

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Jolly Hollydays

Well here is yet another Christmas card I have crafted,  It started with a 6 x 6 Kraft card.  I then cut a mat out of stripey paper and matted it onto red card which was then adhered to the front of the card.

I then made the greetings plate by stamping on some pale blue card the 'Happy Holidays' words in Versafine onyx black ink.  This was trimmed out and matted with a slightly larger card mat in red. This was stuck in place on foam pads for relief.

Finally the pre-made holly leaves and berries were adhered on foam pads to finish.

Sid xx

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Poinsettia Present

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the beautiful Poinsettia radiating that warm red and vibrant green which represent the true colours of this coming Season.  This card uses the colours and image of this plant. I started with a square Kraft Card Base and cut a mat out of Christmas Carol musical printed paper. I also cut a piece of red card and matted this on some green card. Onto this I stamped random snowflakes in black archival ink.  This was applied as shown centrally over the music paper.

The central banner was made from 3 mats in green, red and kraft.  The kraft layer was stamped in archival black with a double chevron stamp. I applied some white Posca pen to highlight the chevron. This was adhered over the first mats,

The Poinsettia image was cut from some printed paper and the central bit highlighted with Glossy Accents.  This was applied on foam pads to add depth.  The sentiment was stamped on kraft card, edged with red alcohol marker and stuck into place to finish.

Sid xx

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Liberty Mug Rug

Quilting time again so this time I made a sampler mug rug. All the fabric is from Liberty and all are Lawn Prints.

I trimmed the fabrics, with a rotary cutter and a self healing mat, into 5 inch squares and machine sewed with a 1/4 inch seam allowance to form a four patch block.

I made my quilting sandwich using Warm & Natural batting and some plain cream 100% cotton backing.

I quilted with black thread in a 1 inch square pattern using the walking foot and the guide.

I then hand bound in pink.

I didn't realise how much I love the Liberty print collections and the quality of the print and thread count makes the fabrics really luxurious and smooth.

Must use more Liberty in future (just ordered a new sewing machine too !).

Sid xx

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