VINTAGE FOR A QUILTER

Here is the card I made for my quilting friend Anne.  I remember my first adventures on the sewing machine were using a hand cranked Singer sewing machine. Really showing my age now.  Didnt over do it with embelishments as it had to go in the post.  Instead of flowers I used some antique lace and a sewing machine charm.

Why cant I throw anything away?

I have a real problem with throwing things away..... even shopping bags would you believe.  I recently bought a designer top in the sales and they put it in a beautiful carrier bag which I couldnt bear to part with.  I decided to make a card and as it was made with double sided paper I decided to use a cross- between an envelope and an easel card. Gave this to Sophie for her birthday.

Hexie with a cheat

I am not 100% comfortable with the hand-sewing but I am getting there. I used to hand sew all the time but I am out of practice and my fingers and eyes are 15 years older.   Until I am really in the swing of it again I thought I would cut out some of the small hand-stitching within the larger shapes by machining some pieces of fabrics together. I have done several strip combinations and this is one of the finished hexies.

 

 I have also tried a couple of more adventurous foundation pieced combinations like this one.

As I have marked out my shapes on the 60' triangle paper then it will be easy to line up the machined combination to ensure it comes out right.  Fingers crossed.

VINTAGE AGAIN

I'm in vintage mode at the moment. Here's another card I made using a Magic Moonlight image. This one is for my lovely friend Anne's birthday.  Just realised what alot of cards I make in pink/peachy tones.  I think I will have to vary my palette. Still loving the CB.

ENVELOPE CARD FOR EVA

Thanks to Anne-Kristine for the inspiration for this card.  Her tutorial for an envelope card can be found here on the Wild Orchid blog.  This is the card I made for Eva in Denmark- all lace and bows and the exact opposite to Danish simplicity. Would like to have added more flowers but didnt because it is going in the post.  I used K&Company double sided paper and card and the lovely vintage image is from Magic Moonlight Free Images. I am definitely going to do this style of card again and next time I will incorporate some stamping.

Less is More

Arranged at short notice to see friends and realised it was their 35th wedding anniversary this weekend. As I had very little time to make a card and even less time to plan I decided to go with a green theme (35th is Jade or Coral). They have a lovely big garden with bird feeders so I decided to use this shabby chique digital image I recently downloaded from Chocolate Baroque.  In retrospect it isnt a good image for the occasion- I really needed 2 birds, but as I say I didnt have much time. Will definitely use the download again.

The ever difficult 'Man's card'

Was inspired by one of the blogs I follow to do some decoupage on a card for Aaron.  I havent looked at any of Joanna Sheen's CDs for ages so I decided to dig them out and take a look- my first thought being that there might be something that lends itself for use with Cuttlebug dies.  Fixed on the Cottage Garden CD and did this card with some decoupage and some stick on grass (bought to make Easter decorations that I never got round to). Also did a matching book mark as the recipient is a very keen reader.

Saw a funny card on the web and did my own take on it for Lee's birthday card.  Have to admit this was one of the quickest cards ever.