Wish Patchwork Birthday Card

Hi, there!

Last month I made up a set of patchwork thank you cards and decided as my mum has been a professional quilter, it would only be fitting to make a similar patchwork card for her birthday this year.  As I still had many tiny little triangles left over from the first batch of cards, it was a very quick and easy make.

Wish Patchwork Birthday

Like the original set, I used a small doily and a die-cut, this time scalloped, and a sprinkling of gold sequins.  I also added some of the pink thread I used for the stitching between the doily and the die-cut.  I had intended on layering up some other elements but I didn't want to detract from the patchwork background so I decided to just keep it simple.

And thankfully, while this card won't make it to her on or before her birthday, it won't be months late like her Mother's Day card was - whew!

Quilted Triangles Thank You Card Set

Whew!  I survived the crazy week leading up to Thanksgiving, then managed to throw (if I do say so myself) a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner with my closest friends, followed by another - although slightly less crazy - work week.  So, I think that calls for a much-needed blog update.

So with my guild's 10-year anniversary exhibition now over and done with, my friend Ingrid and I decided that the amazing ladies who organised the exhibition should receive some sort of recognition and thank you, if only just from us.  We decided to get them some miniature orchids and that I would make some thank you cards, so that's what we did.

As you can see, I decided to have some fun making little patchwork-like backgrounds from my scrap papers.  I used my still-new Fiskars hexagon punch to create many (many, many) hexagons, which I then cut down into triangles.  They were a lot smaller triangles than I had originally intended but by this point I was committed and honestly, there was something strangely therapeutic about sticking down tiny triangles onto cardstock.  Must just be me.  Yup.

Once glued, I then machine stitched the triangles down.  Then I layered up a small doily and die-cut circle onto each background and used either red/orange or green Thickers to spell out 'tack' (Swedish for 'thank you') as my sentiment.  Finally, a small sprinkling of gold sequins in a visual triangle to finish off the toppers.

Each card in the set is a little different, as I changed up the background base paper and card base colours and all of the die-cut circles were different.  And on the inside of each card I stamped 'thank you, thank you, thank you' in a vertical column.  Needless to say, they went over very well with the recipients.

I've been wanting to do this sort of 'Paige Evans'-style punched shape backgrounds for ages but I don't have a very large selection of punches to use so this was the perfect opportunity.  And while it was a bit fiddly cutting down all of the hexagons into triangles, it didn't actually take very long in the grand scheme of things and wasn't very onerous at all.  I think it all comes down to your own personal level of acceptance on fiddly tasks.

The triangle shapes could also work well for birthday-themed cards, as they give a bunting banner sort of effect.  You could also try this technique with a monochrome colour palette or an ombre effect would also be cool.  You could even add more stitching for a different effect and more texture, too.

Last one!  Cheers, everyone.

Pinspiration Sunday

Hi, everyone and welcome to another lazy Sunday here in my part of the world.  Oskar and I have spent the day lazing about; enjoying what I reckon is the last two-day weekend all to myself for the remainder of 2013.  I'd like to say that I have a lot to show for it but I don't and that's just fine with me.  So, go grab your hot beverage of choice and come enjoy some inspiration.

Currently:

* watching - How I Met Your Mother
* listening - to Oskar snoring
* reading - Papercraft Inspirations Dec. issue
* making - started Picture day 2009 LO
* eating - baked potato, salmon fillet & peas
* drinking - water
* wearing - PJ bottoms and jumper
* weather - clear, 2C
* feeling - full
* wanting - more lazy days like today
* needing - to seriously get working on Christmas cards
* planning - glögg evening with friends next weekend
* thinking - last week of November - eek!
* loving - new birthday card I made yesterday
* enjoying - my new bike, Karin!

And now on to the pins...

4-Patch Slice Quilt

I really like this quilt design - the patchwork effect is created by slicing the blocks apart and adding white lattice.  I even love the yellow and grey fabric choices and I'm not normally a yellow/grey gal (but it seems to be growing on me recently).

Omnigrid On-Point Ruler

Do you love the look of on-point block design?  Then perhaps this ruler needs to find its way into your craft room.  Specially designed to precisely cut on-point squares and rectangles, it even includes the seam allowance for you!

I Am Sensitive

I just love this LO - the colour combination in the misting, the chipboard elements, the stitched and real feathers that make the subject appear like an angel.  It's all just so perfectly balanced and beautiful.

Fabulous & Lovely Grid Design

Such a great page - love the ombre paper and the pink/red, black and turquoise combination, the accents - just everything.

Kraft Christmas Cards

Here's another quick and easy option if you're still looking for Christmas card inspiration - a little kraft cardstock, some pretty patterned paper leftovers and thickers.

DIY Heart Paper Clips

I'm totally into the current shaped paper clip trend right now and these cute little hearts are easy peasy to make from standard North American-style round-edge paper clips.

FF Resin Stars

These little pastel-coloured resin star embellishments are from Freckled Fawn and they are just adorable; perfect for cards and layouts alike.

Mulled Hues

Here's a little holiday colour palette inspiration to leave with you this week.  Cheers!  Skål!

Pinspiration Sunday

It's Sunday again and I'm trying to breathe some life back into this blog and well, my life.  After six weeks of renovation I'm starting to itch to craft again so I've been returning to finding inspiring blogs, checking out Pinterest and just getting back into the groove again.  So, go grab your hot beverage of choice and come enjoy a little inspiration.

Oh, and to my fellow Canucks, Happy Thanksgiving!  I've unfortunately had to put off my usual Thanksgiving celebration this weekend due to not having water or a bathroom but my thoughts are with the rest of you enjoying your stuffed roast turkey and pumpkin pie (I'm soooo jealous!).

Currently:

* watching - Tabitha Takes Over
* reading - Papercraft Inspirations, September issue
* making - shaped cards
* eating - gnocchi (total YUM!)
* drinking - rationed water
* wearing - jeans, jumper & cardie
* weather - rainy, 11C
* feeling - tired of dirt and arguing with contractors
* wanting - renovations to be complete (just 2 more weeks...)
* needing - running water in my flat again
* planning - autumn holiday in Stockholm
* thinking - not much; too tired
* loving - getting back to some crafting again
* enjoying - Oskar time this weekend

Oh, Canada! Pattern

Seeing as it's Thanksgiving weekend, a little patriotism seemed in order and I love the shape of these maple leaves and the fun colours.

Scrappy Leaf Tutorials

I really like these scrappy little leaves and I think they would make fun quilt blocks in a quilt as you go method.  Would be great just for autumn or again, some Canadian love.

Quilted Drawstring Bag

How cute is this little gym bag?  I love the patchwork and the little zippered pocket

 

How To: My Month in Numbers

I thought this twist on memory keeping was fun and fresh, even though I'm not really a 'numbers person'.  Some fun ideas to change things up and challenge yourself; it's worth a look into whether you love or hate math (and I promise, as a person who hates math, you needn't worry!).

Cityscape Card

I really like cityscapes as a design element and I especially love the use of typed book pages on the black background for this card.  Would be perfect for a missing you sentiment or even for a new home owner.

Paper Doily Stitching Template

From Creating Keepsakes, this tutorial shows how you can use a doily to create a stitching guide on your scrapbooking pages or cards and you know me, I'm all for stitching on my creations.

Ice Cream Palette

One final summer hurrah colour palette.  There's something about this mix of greens, blues and a grey neutral that really appeals to me and it makes me think of Crate Paper's The Pier Ferris Wheel paper (b-side).