Shopping Bag Valentines

Since my cards seemed to get saved and used as decorations, I decided to make some that had handles.  These started out as a thrift store buy of 50  cents worth of bags.  I was amazed at how the fine details like cupid's bows came out every time without a problem.

The lace on the background is a drapery sample.

I love the fuzzy edge of the velveteen fabric.  The white is an embossed piece that came off of an old birthday card.

The fabric is from scraps I stole from my aunt.  It is a beautiful embroidered demin.

Of course when I went to mail these valentines, they didn't fit a standard size mailing envelope.  A little tape and magazine covers from the recycle bin work wonders.

Thanks for stopping.
Nancy

Birthday Cards

I've figured out how to design cursive writing for cutting using the Silhouette Cameo.  The font I've been using is  called Amaze.  Once the letters are cut out, you are left with a great piece that was screaming to be used as a stencil.  So I designed the words "Happy Birthday" and used the blank as a stencil.

The lettering was done with a fabric die product called De-Colorant I picked up in Houston.  I also played with a rayon 40 wt thread for the decorative thread.  That thread did a bit of shredding that means I won't be using it for any larger projects.  The blue fabric is a hand dyed cotton.

Then I wanted to try the De-Colorant on silk.   This is a piece from a favorite shirt that eventually was at the end of life, but I couldn't throw away the entire shirt!!

The other technique I did that I haven't done much of is using a zig-zag stitch as an edging.  The back is watercolor paper.

Thanks for looking.
Nancy

Die Cutting Fabric

I purchased a Silhouette Cameo with the money I received from my co-workers when I left JCI.  It cuts cardstock beautifully.  It took some trial and error to figure out how to cut fabric.  The trick is to use Heat 'n Bond paperbacked adhesive.  I don't generally use Heat 'n Bond since it makes fabric stiff.  For die cutting that is ideal.  First I had to figure out that neither the Pellon product nor Steam and Steam 2 was going to work.  Then I had to track down Heat 'n Bond.  The only place locally I found it was at Walmart (another place I generally don't go).

This is on a base of wool felt with no batting.   The size is 8 x 10 inches.  These fit the plastic borderless picture frames.  I simply made a sleeve on the back and slide it down on the picture frame.  I can't believe the detail I can cut using the Heat 'n Bond.

These are incredibly quick to make since the deer and letters are cut by the machine and their is no actual quilting.

Have a good day.
Nancy