Curvaceous fan blade

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 As promised I've come back to this design with the fan blade -

 

 

I have used the Bigz Die - 660459 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660459/sizzix-bigz-l-die-fan-blade-30-degrees and the Big Shot Machine - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray 





but this time I have stitched the fan blades together to create curves rather than circles -

I have done this by stitching 4 blades together as shown above, and then stitching the next 4 together in the opposite direction -

  to create a corner stitch 7 blades together in the same direction, before reversing to create the opposite curve -

This is obviously still a work in progress - so I hope to show you a finished cushion cover next week - and maybe the first of some items for Christmas - it all depends on how fast the clock ticks this week!!!

Enjoy the cosy evenings - and plan something nice.

Angela

Fan Blade Dresden Plate - finished

 Hello again - I have enjoyed completing this little quilt - I managed to make 9 'plates' from my fabric

 

and I decided to stitch them onto a plain white background, and then use narrow ric rac to create the appearance of blocks -

 

I used a 3 step zig zag stitch for the plates, and a straight stitch for the ric rac

 



For the centres I bonded 2 layers of white fabric together and then cut 9 x 1 1/2" circles using the Big Shot http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray and the Bigz Circle Die - 660113 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660113/sizzix-bigz-die-circles-1-1-2

I stitched the circles in place using a zig zag stitch

All it needs is the binding - which will be plain white and this little quilt is complete - I hope  you like it.

Next week I'll be back on the Fan Blade completing what I started 2 weeks ago.

After that it will be Christmas preparations - there will be some gifts and maybe some decorations - let's see what time and ideas allow.

Angela

 

Newish - Kaleidoscope die

Now it's October and the days are shorter it's time to look at some of our latest dies before starting on Christmas projects.

This week I'm showing the Kaleidoscope die - 660182, its not the latest die but I haven't used it yet -  http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660182/sizzix-bigz-l-die-kaleidoscope-6-1-2-assembled

I can remember as a child being fascinated with a kaleidoscope viewer, and would look at it for a long time - this doesn't have quite the versatility - but with the use of different colours you will be able to create a diverse pattern.

For this blog I am only using 4 fabrics because it is just to show how the die shapes create the pattern.

For each block you will need  25 x13cm/10" x 5" of fabrics 1 and 2 and 18 x 9cm/7" x 3 1/2" of fabric 3

Using the die and the Big Shot (http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray) or Big Shot plus (http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660020/sizzix-big-shot-plus-machine-only-white-gray) cut 4 large triangles from fabrics 1 and 2, and cut 4 small triangles in fabric 3 -

(the small triangle is a lighter blue - but doesn't show up too well on this background) 

Join the large triangles together in pairs-

 

 

then join the pairs together -

 

and then join the 2 halves together -

Stitch the small triangles to the four corners to complete the block -

 

Press the whole block -

 



At this point you can either make more blocks using the same fabrics and alternating which fabric you add the small triangle to - or you could make all the blocks in different fabrics - making a lovely kaleidoscope of colour - the choice is yours!

 For now I have just made 2 different blocks -

I might make up some more of these and see where the colours lead me, and I can already see the beginning of an illusion of a curve - so this could be fun, but that's all I have time for now.
I'm off to enjoy a bit more of this late sunshine!

Next week I'm demonstrating the ~Big Shot Machines, and the Bigz dies at the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, alongside Lady Sew and Sew - sorry I don't know the stand number - but do come and say hello.

Angela

A little Kitten frame

Hi everybody! Elena here. 

Today I want to share with you a home decor idea you can make with the beautiful Playful Kitten die by Deby Potter.

Supply list:

• 660200 Sizzix Big Shot machine
• 660870 Sizzix Thinlits Die - Playful Kitten
• Watercolor paper
• Black card
• Pattern paper
• Distress Inks
• Distress Markers
• Foam squares

Normally I like to die cut this type of dies out of different colors of card, but in this case I have tried to color the design with Distress markers. I like how fresh it turned out, with this watercolor effect you can achieve with these markers.

After coloring it I have matted the design with black card and some colorful pattern papers and I have framed it all together. It is a perfect home decor piece for a child's room or in a young kitten lover's home.

I hope you like it!

Elena

..........................

¡Hola a todos!

Hoy os enseño un cuadrito para decorar la casa hecha con uno de los estupendos troqueles de Deby Potter.

Normalmente me gusta troquelar este tipo de troqueles con cartulinas de diferentes colores e ir montando el diseño, pero en esta ocasión he preferido troquelarlo con papel de acuarela y darle color con rotuladores Distress. Me encanta el efecto desenfadado que se consigue, casi como una acuarela, tan de moda estos días.

Después de darle color, le he puesto una cartulina negra detrás y unos cuantos papeles decorados bastante divertidos. El resultado es una pieza de decoración perfecta para la habitación de un niño o en una casa de algún amante de los gatos joven.

¡Espero que os guste!

Elena

Dies and Distress Inks. Hello Card

Hi everybody! Elena here. 

I have been playing with my Distress Inks and dies lately, and today I want to show you a clean and simple card you can make with some dies, white card and Distress Inks.

Supply list:

• 660200 Sizzix Big Shot machine
• 656551 Sizzix Bigz Die - Birds
• 66022 5izzix Thinlits Die Set 16PK - Friendship Words: Script
• 659431 Sizzix Bigz Die - Garden Greens
• White card
• Adhesive brown pearl
• Distress Inks
• Distress Markers
• Black gel pen

To make this card I have die cut the little bird, the branch and the sentiment out of white card. Then I had some fun with my inks and markers, blending all the colours very well and misting some water on the leaves to create more interest.

Finally, I have attached my die  cuts on a white car panel, I have bent the leaves to create some dimension and I have attached everything to my card base using some foam squares.

I hope you like it!

Elena

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¡Hola a todos!

Estos días he estado jugando un poco con mis tintas Distress y mis troqueles y hoy quiero enseñaros una tarjeta Clean and Simple que podéis hacer sólo con troqueles, tintas y cartulina blanca.

Primero he troquelado todos los elementos en cartulina blanca y las he coloreado con tintas y rotuladores Distress, difuminando muy bien los colores y pulverizando un poco de agua en las hojas para conseguir un efecto más realista.

Después he pegado todos mis troquelados en un panel de cartulina blanca doblando un poco las hojas para crear más dimensión y lo he pegado todo a la base de una tarjeta con foam adhesivo.

¡Espero que os guste!

Elena

Wonderland Bird Decoration

  HI there. Do you remember a couple of weeks ago I used this same die to decorate a baby bib - well now I'm thinking ahead to Christmas - I know it's early but I don't want to have a mad rush in December -

Doesn't this make a lovely decoration - and all you have to do is cut out a pair of birds in red - using the Bigz die -http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660887/sizzix-bigz-die-wonderland-bird, and of course a Big Shot Machine - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray , and cut the a pair of wings and eyes from white felt. 

I used sparkly red and white felt but plain will work just as well.

Stitch the wings and eyes in place first, either by hand or machine.

Then stitch the 2 birds together to complete.

Now these can just sit on the Christmas tree, or you could string them on ribbon or thread and hang them.

I have lots more ideas for this die so I think you will be seeing him quite a few more times between now and Christmas.

By for now.

Angela

Motivational LO and my new favorite Sizzix accessories

Hi everybody! Elena here. 

Today I want to show you my last LO. It is a motivational one, to remind me that you can do everything you want if you work hard, like climbing a mountain.

 Supply list:

• 660200 Sizzix Big Shot machine
• 660522 Sizzix Accessory - Cutting Pads, Standard, 1 Pair (Mint)
• 660320 Sizzix Accessory - Precision Base Plate for Intricate Thinlits Dies
• 660513 Sizzix Accessory - Die Brush & Foam Pad for Wafer-Thin Dies

• 66022 5izzix Thinlits Die Set 16PK - Friendship Words: Script
• 660159 Sizzix Paper Punch - Butterfly, Large

• Card: Yellow, pink
• Pattern paper
• round metallic label
• Stamps
• Black ink
• Adhesive green pearls
• Adhesive
• twine

These days I'm so happy to work with two of the new Sizzix Accessories, the Precision Base Plate and the Die Brush and Foam Pad for Wafer-Thin Dies in combination with my Big Shot. I love how easy they are to use and how much easier make to die cut, release and clean the most intricate dies. Here you can see how to use them.

And here you can see how clean is the cut of these Tim Holtz Friendship Words. I really love these new accessories!

Happy Monday!

..........................

Hola todos!

Hoy os enseño mi última página, de motivación personal, en la que quiero transmitir que todo lo que te propongas se puede conseguir con trabajo duro, como subir a la montaña más alta.

Estos días estoy trabajando con dos de los nuevos accesorios de Sizzix que me encantan: la Precision Base Plate y el Die Brush and Foam Pad for Wafer-Thin Dies combinados con mi Big Shot. Me encanta lo fácil que es troquelar, desprender y limpiar estos troqueles tan intrincados con estos accesorios! 

Os pongo unas fotos para que veáis cómo se utilizan. Y también podéis ver una imagen de lo bien que quedan una vez troquelados estos diseños de palabras de Tim Holtz. Realmente me encantan estos nuevos accesorios!

¡Feliz lunes!

Bird and bear bibs

 I have some new favourite dies -

I think these look good on little bibs, but I also have other ideas for Christmas!

The dies are -660883 -  Loving Bear -http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660883/sizzix-bigz-die-loving-bear and 660887 - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660887/sizzix-bigz-die-wonderland-bird

I love the simple shapes - they are ideal for applique - although for the bear I have embroidered the eyes and nose as the pieces are so small.

To make the bib I cut a triangle 42cm across and 24cm to the point -

and I cut off the points on the top corners.

I fused Heat and Bond to the wrong side of mid grey and aqua coloured plain fabrics and, using the die and the Big Shot, cut out the bird in grey and the heart/wing and the eye in aqua

I fused it in place and then stitched around the shape so that it will withstand multiple washes.

 

 The backing was cut in towelling, the 2 pieces were stitched, right sides together, leaving an opening in one side -

When the bib is turned right side out the opening is slip stitched together.

To complete 2 small pieces of Velcro were stitched on the corners of the bib -

remember that one piece will be on the right side and the other will be on the wrong side.

The bear bib is made in the same way, but I fused the pieces on in stages to make the stitching easier -

If-the scarf is stitched a piece at a time you don't need to keep stopping and starting and securing the ends of the threads

and I stitched French knots for the eyes, and a few satin stitches for the nose -

then the bib is put together in the same way as the bird bib.

I've given one with a bear on it to my daughter for her little boy, and I think I might be making a few more. You can make then personal by adding the baby's name, using one of our alphabet dies - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657837/sizzix-bigz-xl-alphabet-die-word-play is a good size and quite fun because it's irregular.

That's all for this week - I hope I'll see you at the Festival of Quilts - I have lots of dies to demonstrate - so come and say hello to me on Lady Sew and Sew, or Beth on Cotton Patch, and Mandy on Abakhan.

Enjoy the show if you're coming, or enjoy some sun and sewing.

Angela

 

 



Turbulence of butterflies - part 2

 Hello again, I'm starting to get excited about the Festival of Quilts - I hope you are too.

I have finished the little butterfly quilt that I started last week -

 

First of all I hand stitched the butterflies - because I had 5 hours travelling in one day so thought I would put the time to good use.

I wasn't sure what to do for the quilting - which is done by machine (as I don't have anymore long journeys planned), and then I thought of using the butterfly as a template to draw around to quilt -

 blue butterfly is the template, and I used an air erasable pen to draw around it -

 

I only used the large and medium butterflies as templates, and I spaced them in the blank areas of the quilt, and then shadow quilted around some of the fabric butterflies as well.

I like the back of the quilt too -

 and think I might make some cushions with just quilted butterflies.

I have started making another butterfly quilt and this time I'm going to fuse the butterflies in place, and then layer up the quilt and stitch around the butterflies as the quilting.

Meanwhile - I thought the butterfly die would make a nice decoration on a hairband for a baby - so with some white stretch lace, and my trusty Big Shot machine - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray  and the Echo Park Butterfly Trio Bigz die -http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660448/sizzix-bigz-die-butterfly-trio

I cut out 1 small and 1 medium butterfly from double sided fabric (I did this by fusing 2 layers of fabric together with heat and bond).

Then it's really easy to cut the stretch lace to the correct length - and pleat the ends, and overlap and then stitch -

Pin and then sittch the butterfly in place to conceal the join -



I stitched initially with back stitch and then added French knots to add texture to the centre.

I think I'm going to be making quite a few of these!

So that's all for this week - hope to see you next week at the Festival of Quilts -

there will be 3 of us demonstrating the Big Shot machines and Bigz dies -

I will be demonstrating with Lady Sew and Sew,

Beth will be with Cotton Patch and

Mandy will be with Abakhan

Hope to see you next week.

Angela



Final blooms

 It's not such a sunny day today - but the flowers in the garden and on my cushion are still looking lovely.

I have enjoyed embellishing this cushion, and in fact could have done more - but you have to decide when enough is enough - so for now this is the completed cushion.

To remind you the die I used is Bigz Die - Flower Layers and Leaves by Dena Designs™ 657690 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657690/sizzix-bigz-die-flower-layers-leaves along with the Big Shot Machine http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray to cut e sponge shapes for the printing - I used some silk paints that I've had for a long time for my printing, but you can use any fabric dies for this project.

So here are the images of the embellishments on the flowers - I've used a mixture of embroidery threads, machine threads, and a selection of beads -

The net and the beading give some definition to the rather blobby printing!

 Beads and net have added focus to the flowers

Back stitch around the flowers have added gentle definition at the top of the cushion -

Extra beads in the centre adds interest -

 

French knots at the centre of this flower make it stand out more, while the leaf has been outlined with a single machine thread to gently highlight -

Here there are 2 leaves embroidered with the same colour - but the top one has thicker stem stitch for the veins, while the lower leaf just has a single thread for variety -

 

To complete the cover I stitched a plain back onto it and inserted a cushion pad, slip stitching the opening edges together.
So here it is completed -

 and here it is in the garden - a bit washed out by the sunlight - but looking good!

I hope you've enjoyed this little wander into printing and then embellishing, of course you can play with lots of different flower shapes and put more beads, net and embroidery on yours - however you like it enjoy making it!!
Now I'm going to have a cup of tea and enjoy my cushion and flowers on the patio - and start thinking about Festival of Quilts - which is only 3 weeks away. I hope you've got your tickets and booked travel and accommodation if needed. I see you there.
Angela