Sewing on Cards
Well the lazy girl in me was totally pushed aside during our retreat in "Minnesconsin" Ü The girls (Lisa and Robin) had this AWESOME little machine (well darn the link didn't work - just go to Home Depot and in the search mechanism type in the word Janome - it's the $54.99 model I'm eyeing) and they let me "test drive" it. I learned how to sew at a young age and have sewn on cards before, but my "real" machine has been quirky - the tension just doesn't want to leave that poor cardstock alone. Then I purchased a cheapo ProvoCraft machine - let me tell you - do NOT waste your money. Look at what I was able to do with some of the fabulous Recollections Stampin' Up! paper and this simple little machine :D I'm so excited - I might just get one and sew on my cards more 'cause I LOVE the look!!! As soon as I saw this I knew I had to use the Lockhart stamp "Heart Wreath" - it is perfect with this paper!
OK - so here is a picture up close of what my "test drive" included. I used every stitch on that machine on this little piece of paper. The key is to adhere your "patch" pieces to a solid piece of cardstock first and then just sew away! Thank you Piney, LZ and Robin for the opportunity to allow me to play! Make certain to pull your threads to the back side - I then just taped them off with cheapo scotch tape (quick and easy) and voila - a LOVELY pieced together background. I do believe I'm loving this shabby look.
Here is "test drive" number two for this blog entry. Well you all know my fascination with tools and inks - well the one and only Julie HRR got me going and as you noticed she posted her box to her blog yesterday - filled with those beautiful little ink pads. Well I've been testing - a girl's got to know if she's going to teach others :D But first I "need" to show you these cute little numbers all ready to roll in my NEW CRAFT LOCKERS!!! (I'm REALLY trying to get organized so that I don't waste time looking for things. Hopefully I'll be able to post the new pictures of my "disaster" area shelving soon - currently much of the product is still ALL over the floor!!!) Look at these tempting beauties.
Test one - Fabriano notecards and watercolor (note card above Ü) Not much of a difference - I think the difference is more due to the amount of pressure I put on the stamp than the ink.
End result after watercoloring - PERFECTION - woohoo that means 36 colors to use that I can watercolor with!!!
Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow to share my next Palette Ink adventure with you all. I do believe I have found a fabulous new ink to play with thanks to the discussion over on SCS earlier this month!
your card is gorgeous! i really appreciate all the tibits of knowledge and hands on demonstrations(i am a visual gal) that you share with us! thanks so much.
jan
p.s. again that card is gorgeous!
Posted by: janice | October 01, 2006 at 03:54 AM
LOVELY card Ellen!!!
Just went and checked Home Depot Canada - no Janome on their website site :(
Posted by: Dale Anne | October 01, 2006 at 12:49 PM
I LOVE the sewn card, Ellen! It reminds me of an heirloom quilt--beautiful! I also liked that heart and floral stamp. . . (Are you tempting us???)
Posted by: Debbie Olson | October 02, 2006 at 10:53 PM
Gee, thanks, Ellen! Just what I needed, another sewing machine, and no, not the cheap one, either! I've been looking for a Singer Featherweight to take to quilting classes, but they're very hard to find and very expensive ($300 or so). Sooo, $129 sounds good. I might even bring myself to use it on CS! LOL
Posted by: kathynruss | October 04, 2006 at 02:05 PM