Monday 4 November 2013

Patchwork

This week Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is all about PATCHWORK, whether you like to take paper bits and craft them into quilt-like patterns, patch together some scraps, a quilt, or even work with Tim Holtz fabric, we would love to see where this weeks challenge takes you!
I've recently purchased some of Tim Holtz fabric Eclectic Elements Charm Pack. These pieces of fabric are 10" x 10" and were absolutely perfect for this project. I've also recently purchased a new sewing machine, however, I rarely sew but I do love to add machine stitching to my cards. This week I thought I would challenge myself to work outside my comfort zone and create a rag quilt pillow. This was a real challenge for me as I am absolutely hopeless at sewing!
Simply cut the pieces of fabric 5" x 5". I cut 18 pieces of square fabric and 9 piece of batting. Sandwich the batting in between two pieces of square fabric and then machine stitch across the diagonal to secure. Repeat the stitching on the opposite diagonal to give a cross of stitching on each square piece of fabric.
Sorry about the lighting on this picture I was working late at night! If you look closely you can see each square has machine stitching to create a cross in the centre of each panel. Place the panels onto a flat surface and decide on your arrangement then sew the panels together to create three strips of three. It is then simply a case of machine stitching the panels together, pinning the patterned side of the pieces together. Once all machined together you then add a panel of fabric to the back, I used hessian for a really natural feel to my cushion. Remember to leave a gap to add the stuffing to pad your pillow out. Once completely sewn together, you then simply snip into the seams, remembering not to cut into the machine stitching, the snipping gives the pillow that rag quilt appearance.
I now have this pillow in my spare bedroom to coordinate with the neutral colour palette.
There is a real charm and rustic feel to this piece I love it.
I also love the eclectic mix of fabrics.
From this picture you can see the machine stitching I added to each square panel.
Snipping into the seams to give the rag quilt appearnace really makes this pillow so tactile.
Whilst I was working on my pillow I also thought of another idea, a patchwork like card using the Simon Says Stamp Full Card Hexagons Die.
I began with a scrap of white card which I brayered with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink.
At this stage I decided I wanted to add a lighter contrasting colour to the top.
Scattered Straw Distress Paint was then brayered over the top for some contrast.
To add further interest to the background I applied Scattered Straw Distress Paint to the background stamp from the Classics 4 Stamp Set and then stamped onto the painted background.
I do not work with an acrylic block for this stage as this gives a more random effect to the stamping.
The stamping really pops against the backdrop. Repeat this process until the card is covered with random stamping.
Dry the completed piece with a heat tool.
Once the background was completed I decided to die cut the hexagons from the card.
Tape the die into place and then run through a die cutting machine.
I then decided I needed further dimension on my card and so cut the Grand Peony die from Tim Holtz Crowded Attic Paper Stash. I applied Gathered Twigs Distress Ink to each flower.
Before assembling the flower I added some shape to the edges of each petal.
The Grand Peony really does add wonderful dimension to my card.
A Hitch Fastener has been added to the centre of my Peony.
I love the patchwork of hexagons in the background. Before adhering each hexagon I also applied Black Soot Distress Ink to all the edges to lift the pieces from the backdrop.
I added 'Happy Birthday' to a banner stamped onto Crowded Attic Paper Stash, colouring the edges of the banner with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink. To complete I added a black crow from Wendy Vecchi's Embellish Your Art range.
At this stage I still had the negative piece left from die cutting the hexagons which I also loved so I created a second card.
This time the Grand Peony was cut from a darker shade of card from the Crowded Attic Paper Stash. Again a Hitch Fastener was added to the centre.
I love the open hexagonal piece in the background which also adds an alternative patchwork to the background which I backed onto a piece of Crowded Attic Paper. I added 'Be happy' to the bottom of the card and included a Bee for further dimension again from Wendy Vecchi's Embellish Your Art range.

For more great ideas please pop over to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge blog and take a look at my fellow team members they have created some inspirational projects. Remember there is also the chance to win a $50 prize from Simon Says Stamp.  I always look forward to seeing your creations each week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, much appreciated.  Enjoy your week. Tracy x x 


Products Used:

Tim Holtz Fabric Eclectic Elements Charm Pack
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Classics 4 Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Simple Sayings Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Crowded Attic Paper Stash
Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Hitch Fasteners
Simon Says Stamp Full Card Hexagons Die
Simon Says Clear Stamps Be Sentiments
Distress Paint - Gathered Twigs, Scattered Straw
Distress Inks - Gathered Twigs, Black Soot
Ranger Inky Roller

Heat Tool
Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Spellbinders Donna-Salazar Grand Peony Die
Ink Blending Tool



 

30 comments:

Helen said...

Great project, Tracy! Love the look of Tim's fabric.

Brenda Brown said...

Wow Tracy, these are three most amazing projects. I love the rag cushion, the fabrics have worked well together to give a great shabby look. Your cards and flowers are stunning, love that you used the positive and negative elements of the die. Great job.
hugs {brenda} x0x

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...wowzers Tracy you have been a busy girl!...you should sew more often as this Tim cushion is awesome, I love it and can see it right here in my lounge as the coolest accessory to my sofa!...love your projects too, the honeycomb and the flowers all superb textures...Mel:)xx

Barb Cady said...

My goodness you have had a wonderful weekend,what fabulous projects, I love both the cards with that terrific background and whoohoo you are getting very nifty with that sewing machine, that pillow is so tactile. I bet as it gets older and you wash it those cut edges will fray beautifully. I once tried to do that effect on a wall quilt years ago, it improved with age! Great work Tracy! x

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow, you have been busy Tracy! Both the pillow and the card look fantastic! Love the shabby look of the pillow and the card is so cleverly put together, love them both!

rachel said...

wow - so busy Tracy - love all the pieces but I think the middle one is my fave - will need to have a think xx

Candy C said...

Tracy...how DO you get it all done?? :) Your pillow is so cool. Love the Tim fabric and the way you've transformed it into such a cool rag pillow! :) Perfect combination! Your two cards are also fantastic! Love the hexagon on the front; both the positive and the negative from the die cutting. Your dimensional flowers are absolutely gorgeous. Your work is always so professional! <3 Candy

Mary Elizabeth said...

Tracy -- You truly were inspired by this weeks theme at SSS Monday Challenge. I love both of your projects. The pillow is amazing. Love the rag-quilt feel of it. Great ideas. I wish I could sew! And that card is fabulous (I'm in awe of the flower). Thank you for the inspiration!!! Can't wait to give this week's challenge a try. -- Mary Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

so much awesome eye candy! I just love everything you did here!

May said...

You've really outdone yourself this week Tracy! Love all the ideas, and most especially the helpful how-to!

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful projects Tracy! Love the patchwork pillow and your cards are stunning! Such beautiful backgrounds and gorgeous blossoms!

Meihsia Liu said...

Wow... Tracy, your pillow is totally fantastic! I love the beautiful card as well. The background and the blossoms are amazing. Great inspiration! :)

Claudine said...

Wow! Amazing projects, I love everything about them. That flower you used on the first card is amazingly beautiful!!!

Sandra said...

Wow, Tracy! You really been busy with three projects this week! Love them all. The beautiful pollow cover and those gorgeous cards! Stunning! Hugs, Sandra

Words and Pictures said...

Stunning work, Tracy... and as a fellow non-sewer, I'm thrilled to see that fabulous cushion - it looks sensational. You've given me a real kick in the pants to get to grips with the TH fabric I couldn't resist grabbing!

And the fabric flower and honeycomb patchwork looks wonderful too...
Alison x

Michelle said...

Wow! You've really outdone yourself this week. I LOVE that pillow! And then I read your post and saw that you were also inspired to create TWO more projects! TWO more BEAUTIFUL projects! I've always been in awe of your creativity. You have amazed me yet again. Amazing work, Tracy. Amazing!

Greta said...

Oh my goodness--you are so darn talented! Love your work!

Redanne said...

Oh Tracy, what magnificent creations! I love those TH fabrics and you have inspired me to use mine now. The cards (and that die) are stunning.... Hugs, Anne x

Ellie Knol said...

WOW, Tracy, three masterpieces! That cushion shouldn't be in a bedroom though, it should be in the sitting room ! hehe

trisha too said...

All three are gorgeous, Tracey--all kinds of dimension and textures.

:)

Chark said...

love the pillow! thanks for the instructions!

Anonymous said...

lovely projects, tracy! it's so exciting to see how you've worked with fabric - the pillow is beautiful and i love all the frilly trim on it i just want to reach out and touch it. - vivian

barbarayaya62 said...

Tracy your pillow is amazing! I can not get to learn sewing and then I love to see the work of other crafters! This is truly wonderful! The cards both absolutely fantastic!BArbarayaya

DonnaMundinger said...

Seriously AMAZING, Tracy! I had no idea that Tim had FABRIC! Love the palette you chose and the rag feel of it.. Gorgeous cards, too. xxD

Anna-Karin said...

Wow Tracy, what a post! LOVE your cushion, it is gorgeous. And those two cards are so pretty, gorgeous flowers and backgrounds.

Terry said...

Well I am almost speechless.! I came here to see that lovely patchwork and the cards are incredible! Love all the details and beautiful work! Hugs!

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Cool pillow & card! I love the metallic elements :)

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

Suzanne C said...

Wow, Wow, and Wow! I love your pillow! How cool is that!! So impressed! The cards are gorgeous with the big focal point flowers and the beautiful backgrounds!

Dianne said...

Well Miss Tracy I see I'm not the only one here say WOW, wow, wow, then scroll down, wow, wow, wow,I di see the pillow on face book, but it was only a tease, that pillow is BRIIIIILLIANT, it's so beautiful, the 2 FANTASTIC cards, the texture is awesome, I just want to ouch them, I always want to touch your work, I'm a tactile person :O). a gathered twig peony what could be better, outstanding work my dear as always, thanks for being so generous and sharing how you made them, your a doll..

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

I'm a little slow out of the gates on commenting this week, but I didn't want this challenge to pass without saying how impressed I am with your work! That pillow is awesome-- I admire anyone who actually knows how to work a sewing machine! And those flower cards are drool-worthy for sure! Thanks for always sending inspiration my way!