Poinsettias Make Me Happy

Busy, busy, busy around here.  My Christmas classes come to a close next weekend in Florida and CHA is only 5 weeks away!  Gosh, I hate even saying that out loud!  So much to get done in the middle of the Holiday season.  Every weekend is full...with multiple projects,  two weddings, a bridal shower, and at least one performance of the Nutcracker.  I do believe I should have started my Christmas shopping earlier!

Now on to today's project!

We have Thanksgiving tradition, that after the big dinner, the girls make stamped tags for Christmas packages.  This year I decided to change it up and everyone made little 4 x 6" Burlap Panels instead.  
I thought I would share mine today because (quite honestly) I love it!  I was going to use a Christmas Found Relative but then I saw the little girl with the dog that comes in the Occasions pack and I knew that was the one. 

I cut some words from a book to add text with Multi Medium.

The poinsettias have a lot of layered texture which I love.

I also added a metallic gold bow at the top.

I thought you might want to see how I created the texture on the poinsettias so I recreated the panel for you.  Follow along and I will show you how I did it...

Step one - Pick a Layering Stencil to add texture to the 4 x 6" burlap panel.  I picked one of my favorite stencils, Poinsettia.

Use a palette knife to spread the Texture Paste across the panel.  Of course the stencil is not as wide as the panel but I'm not too worried about it as I know the Found Relative will cover most of that space.  I did decide to finish out the large poinsettia  at the top left, to fill in that area.

The best way to do this is to wait the 20-30 minutes to let the texture paste dry.  That way you don't have to worry about messing up the paste!
Flip the stencil over and match up the pattern as best as possible. 

Smear more paste just over the missing petals.

Now just wait for it to dry!

Here's the finished Texture Paste.

Once the Texture Paste is dry, add Fired Brick Distress Ink with a Mini Blending Tool.  I used a wet wipe to blend the ink out to the tips of the petals.

Use a blending pad without the tool to add Evergreen Bough to the leaves.

I added a bit of Gathered Twigs over the Fired Brick and Evergreen Bough just to fill in any white spaces.
Now the fun part!  I used my fingertip to randomly add Glacier White paint to the burlap and over part of the poinsettias.  You might think, why add white paint at this point when I just colored them red??  But there is something about the white paint that really makes the panel pop!  Don't skip this step!

Now to add some texture.  I chose the Stampers Anonymous Linen stamp and Archival Ink in Red Geranium to stamp over the poinsettia.

The darker Red Geranium ink stamped over the Fired Brick and white paint is perfect.  Love the faux texture!

Last step is to add Stickles Platinum to the flower center and the white dots of snow.  To add Stickles directly to the burlap or flowers, squish the Stickles onto the craft sheet and use your fingertip.

So that is how I colored the panel.  It was easy and fast (other than the drying time).

Since you already saw the panel with the Found Relative, I thought I would finish this one a bit different.

This time I chose "Peace" from the Holiday Letterpress set.

I added the letterpress to the bottom part of the panel with Glossy Accents.
I made a bow with large loops (I will manipulate the loops to be smaller at the end).

Next some red velvet leaves.

then a few little sugared pine cones.

I used the Juniper and Pine punches to make some quick greenery.

Glue a few Jingle Brads (legs cut off) in the center and insert greenery.  Now pull the ribbon loops in and hot glue in place.

And there you have it. 

I had a great time showing you how I created this easy project.  I sure hope you will give it a try!

If you live in the central Florida area - please stop by Whim So Doodle in St Petersburg on Thursday Dec 2nd for the Holiday Open House.  I will be doing a super cute make and take (with my sisters help) and answering questions about the great Tim Holtz products.  There will also be food and lots of things to buy!

If you are interested in any of the kits I've been teaching, there are just a few left.  

Email me at paula@oneluckyday.net for info.  

Merry and Bright Tree

Vintage Winter Shaker

 

And would you believe there is one more Christmas kit being created?  I'll be posting info about that one next week before I leave for Florida.  It should be ready for shipping about the 10th of December.

now carry on,

paula

InLinkz.com

Eclectic Elements Pumpkins

I'm talking Eclectic Elements fabric today and sharing a project I recently made.  Something perfect for this time of year - PUMPKINS!

 

Disclaimer: I find sewing patterns very hard to write so I hope my 

pictures will help you today more than my words! 

 

The pumpkins can really be any size you like.  For the small size: the pattern piece is 9" long and the larger is 10" long. 
NOTE: when creating the pattern, the curve of the panel cannot be too severe.  This "thick middle" will give you a rounder pumpkin shape.

Each pumpkin has two kinds of fabric that are cut exactly the same.  I cut the fabric the length of the pattern piece, then folded it to get 6 layers of each fabric.

Pin 2 pieces together with RIGHT SIDES FACING UP.  (I admit my "sewer" brain kept wanting to use the traditional "right sides together")

NOTE: The reason for cutting and sewing two pieces together is two-fold:
1. To give more stability to the pumpkin body
2. To create a thicker "fringe" once the pumpkin has been washed.

I pinned each set together till I had a total of 6 pumpkin panels (one is missing from the picture).

As you sew each panel to the next, be sure WRONG sides are together. 
In this picture, I am sewing a panel of Ruler fabric and a panel of Birds and Berries fabric (a total of 4 layers).

Start sewing about 1/2" from the top.  This is important so there is enough fabric to sew the next panels together.

Once you are done sewing all 6 panels together, your pumpkin should have the look of a deflated football.

Most important is to leave a small hole for stuffing.   If you forget (like I did) just pick out a few stitches.

Now do some laundry.
After the wash and dry the "fringe" on the edges should be fluffed up (now can you see why we needed the four layers on each seam?)

Fill the pumpkin. 
I used more of the kraft paper to create a cone for easy filling.  Then poured about 1 cup of rice into the bottom.

Then stuffed the rest very tightly to give it a good shape.  I prefer Silky Soft poly-fill for stuffing.

I used a glue gun to secure a stick for the stem (the stick is from the tree in my backyard).

Then sewed up the hole I created to fill the pumpkin.  You don't have to be too worried about the stitching, as the leaves will cover the spot.

I cut a leaf shape from green wool (again, the leaf could be any shape you like).

I used some wool thread to add some stitching details (totally optional).

I cut a long skinny piece of wool and added Multi Medium to the back.  Then I carefully wrapped it around the largest of Dina Wakley's paintbrushes covered with plastic wrap. 

About an hour later I pulled it from the brush and finished the drying with my heat it gun.

A little hot glue and the pieces are easily added to the top of the pumpkin.

Eclectic Elements Fabrics used:

large pumpkin: Eggs & Nest + Ticking stripe - red

small pumpkin: Birds & Berries + Rulers

I hope you will try making these easy pumpkins - if I can make them that means they are very simple!  The small one is my favorite - I just love the new Birds & Berries fabric with the Ruler stripe! 

and since we are talking sewing today...

Have you heard about the Creative Journey Challenge?

• Quilt block must consist of approximately 95% Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabric
• Block must be 12" x 12."
• Block must be posted to the Make it Coats Facebook page on or before 1/11/16 for consideration.
• Be sure to hashtag your block with #TimHoltzEclecticElements & #BerninaUSA to be entered.

Click HERE for more information and what you can WIN...

like a Bernina sewing machine...and seriously, who doesn't want one of those?

now carry on,
paula