Sunday Favorites: Valentine’s Cards

Forgive my horrible writing and linking… I’ve learned so much in three months. But I wanted to share this project with my new readers.

 

Sew, mama sew http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=4778 has an incredibly inspiring tutorial and contest for Valentine's Day. So I decided to participate, as I was just that inspired. I decided to do Valentine's Day cards from my 14 month old twin sons to the special people in their lives (mostly grandparents and such). Each card is two layers of fabric on the front and one layer of fabric on the back with two layers of stabilizer inside, as I embroidered each side independently and then sewed them together. The two layers for the front allowed me to embroider a monster on the underneath layer that then appears to be ripping through to the front. Each envelope is two layers (with the exception of the green one). I machine-embroidered the cards using files from http://www.urbanthreads.com. I LOVE their work. It stitches out so perfectly each time. The monsters on the backs of the cards are actually stuffies, but I turned them into appliqués for this project. I did one monster for each of my twins, though I didn't try to match the monsters too much to my actual sons. :)

Set #1

Set #2

Set #3

Set #4

Set #5

I don't really care if I win, though it would be cool. I really enjoyed making them. I also got to thinking about how easy it would be to make them out of quilter's layer cakes, since they are already laser cut into 10" squares, which is PERFECT for the envelopes. Then you'd just have to cut down the pieces for the cards, which wouldn't be that big of a deal. Getting the envelopes perfectly square is the hardest and most important part. If that first square isn't ideal, then you'll end up with weird envelopes.... don't ask how I know this. Maybe I'll post pictures of that some other time :).

Sunday Favorites at Happy to Design

So close.... yet so far

So I worked on my monkey quilt today. The top is all pieced except the final border and it has the applique' on it, which is also stitched down except the eyes, mouth, and ears. So close to being done with the top... yet so tired that my fingers hurt today! So I'm working on my logo instead. I'm hopeful that I can come up with something I will love. So far everything recommended to me or done for me just hasn't been IT. I don't know what IT is, but I will when I see it, ya know?

I've also got two fabrics that are going on a journey to California, so I need to get them packed. I love both of them, but I will never use all of either of them. And they are going to a good home where they will be appreciated. It may be silly to think of my fabrics as pets, but they are. At least, organic bamboo velour definately is. :) I'm not truly destashing, but when someone needs something I have, I feel TERRIBLE if I don't open my stash. I'm a sucker for a good project!

So I've got to finish this monkey quilt. I'm determined. So off to pack up two of my pets and then get some rest so I can wake early and finish the quilt while the boys are still sleeping.....hopefully!

Cupcakes, Banana Pants, and Columns

So I got all the columns of the Tator's pirate quilt done today. Done, as in quilted. Which means I just have to do the rows (which includes any necessary quilting to blocks) and the binding for his. And Micahman's just needs binding. Whew. I'm determined to finish them this week!

I also completed a pair of pajama pants with pockets and detail hems. I'll have to post pictures tomorrow. My husband has declared them "The Loud Banana Pants". I can't wait to share pictures, but my model has already fallen asleep in them, so I won't risk waking them! They have a cute detail hem that looks like bananas on the cuffs, which I think is cute. They are also a complete custom pattern, down to "pockets that will hold my iPhone" as requested.

Finally, the cupcakes. I've signed up for an online quilt block swap. I'm doing this block http://www.ctpubblog.com/2010/03/01/cupcakes-a-mini-quilt/ . I haven't picked fabrics or details yet, so I really should get on that. I'm really excited, as this is my first quilt block swap. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to practice more applique. You can never have enough applique practice, and you can never make enough fat free cupcakes. :)

Off to dream land.... maybe I'll come up with a fabulous answer to what to do with the green brocade dress I'm working on. The top needs help and I just don't know what I want to do. It's hanging on my double and I swear it's learing at me. If I can't solve it tomorrow, I'll post pictures and maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

Valentine's Day Cards

Sew, mama sew http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=4778 has an incredibly inspiring tutorial and contest for Valentine's Day. So I decided to participate, as I was just that inspired. I decided to do Valentine's Day cards from my 14 month old twin sons to the special people in their lives (mostly grandparents and such).

Each card is two layers of fabric on the front and one layer of fabric on the back with two layers of stabilizer inside, as I embroidered each side independently and then sewed them together. The two layers for the front allowed me to embroider a monster on the underneath layer that then appears to be ripping through to the front. Each envelope is two layers (with the exception of the green one). I machine-embroidered the cards using files from http://www.urbanthreads.com. I LOVE their work. It stitches out so perfectly each time. The monsters on the backs of the cards are actually stuffies, but I turned them into appliqués for this project. I did one monster for each of my twins, though I didn't try to match the monsters too much to my actual sons. :)

Set #1

Set #2

Set #3

Set #4

Set #5

I don't really care if I win, though it would be cool. I really enjoyed making them. I also got to thinking about how easy it would be to make them out of quilter's layer cakes, since they are already laser cut into 10" squares, which is PERFECT for the envelopes. Then you'd just have to cut down the pieces for the cards, which wouldn't be that big of a deal. Getting the envelopes perfectly square is the hardest and most important part. If that first square isn't ideal, then you'll end up with weird envelopes.... don't ask how I know this. Maybe I'll post pictures of that some other time :).