Still Wild: Fusing Plastic!

In my last post, I managed to "build stitched layers" successfully!  So, next up to try out of the Sew Wild book is Fusing Plastic! Author Alisa Burke writes that "plastic bags are easy to transform with heat."  "When fused together, they create a versatile and strong surface that you can paint, alter, and use in mixed-media and sewing projects."  Burke goes on to say that she likes to use Target bags for her plastic fusing projects.  Unfortunately for me, I could only find one of these bags in my house.  What can I say?  I'm more a Walmart shopper.  I have a million Walmart bags, but these bags are mostly all white (and boring), so I decided to use a few plastic sacks from my daughter's favorite store, Justice.

  

   

The instructions for this technique begin on page 68.  There are basically 6 steps in this process.  First, collect your plastic sacks and cut the bottoms and the handles off.  Next, stack the bags on top of a scrap piece of fabric.  Smooth out any wrinkles and then place another piece of scrap fabric on top.  With your iron on low, "press slowly back and forth across the surface."  Once the pieces are fused together, remove the scrap fabric pieces and your fused plastic is "ready to stitch or paint."

So, was it really this easy?  Yes, for the most part.  However, I think because the Justice bag plastic is heavier or thicker than that of Target or Walmart bags, the low setting on my iron didn't cut it.  I had to crank it up a bit and press relatively hard to achieve fusion.  Using a zigzag stitch and hot pink thread, I made a quick wallet using my fused plastic.

I didn't plan it, but I like how the words, "be positive" and "share your light" ended up on the inside of the wallet.  Pretty cool huh?

Okay, another Sew Wild project completed!  What's next?  How about glue resist?!  Sounds fun!

Tootles!

A Little Tweaking...and a Birthday Giveaway!

Why is it that the weekends seem to go by so quickly?  Maybe this accounts for my lack of productivity?  Or maybe I've just enjoyed myself a lazy birthday weekend??  Yep, my husband and I have thrown our diets out the window in celebration of both our birthdays.  Friday night:  Hawaiian pizza plus two different dessert pizzas!  Saturday night:  supper out at Longhorn...including fried cheesecake for dessert!  Back on plan tomorrow (boo hiss).

I did get a bit of sewing done this weekend.  I'm still tweaking the wallet I made last weekend.  I've made two additional prototypes, but I'm not happy with either.  The main problem is making the pockets secure enough to hold onto cards snuggly.  I've experimented with interfacing and size.  For this last wallet, I've placed fairly stiff interfacing on the wrong side of the outer fabric as well as on the fabrics for the pockets.  I thought placing the interfacing on the wrong sides of the pockets as well as making the wallet smaller, overall, would do the trick.  It didn't.  When shaken, the cards will fall out.  I might try one or two more changes, but if they don't work, I'll scrap this shaped wallet altogether.  I do like the fabrics, however.  I used a snap this time and the button on the outside is purely decorative.  I may have placed the snap a little low.

I also came up with a new template for a little zip pouch.  I made the template out of card stock and then cut outside fabric and lining fabric using this as a guide.  I made a little "belt" in the center using a vintage buckle I found months ago during one of my Flea Market Fridays.  Like the snap, I may have put this little gem a bit low, but it's still cute. I will be tweaking this "pattern," too...but for now it works.

 I am not divulging my age (officially tomorrow's the day).   If you want to do some homework (by finding  a post where I've "confessed" my age), I'll send you a piece of birthday cake!  Well, not real cake, of course, but leave me a comment with the age I will be tomorrow and I'll send you something sweet!

Oh, the lilacs came out of my yard this morning.  Aren't they gorgeous?  The smell divine.  LOVE THEM!!

Have a great week!

Girlie Girl Projects

Girlie Wallet

Girlie Wallet (inside)

What do you think?  I made up this quick wallet Sunday afternoon.  I got the idea to make a "side" folding wallet after once again messing up my measurements for a checkbook cover/tri-fold wallet.  Eyeballing is not measuring!  Anyway, I think it's pretty cute, but I'm not a big fan of the elastic closure.  I just think it looks a bit cheesy...like no one would know that is a recycled ponytail holder!  Call this a prototype then.  I shall make another wallet minus the elastic...how about velcro?  Too little boyish?  Accepting suggestions!

Unfortunately, I didn't get much sewing done this weekend.  Besides the above wallet, I managed to make a sleep mask for my daughter.  I'm not sure why she wanted one, especially since she sleeps with the hall light on, but I promised her I'd make one, so I did.  

I found the directions for this mask at Wolf and Willow.  There was a PDF pattern available, which came in very handy.  I modified the pattern just a bit by drawing the closed eyes onto the fabric with a fabric marker instead of cutting out and sewing black cotton to the pink mask.  All and all it was a pretty quick and easy project!

Sadly, I didn't get a purse done for myself this weekend!  I'm struggling with finding a pattern I really like.  Again, I'm all ears for suggestions!  

Talk to you soon!

Shamrocks in April

Hi everyone!  I hope you all are well.  Just a quick post today to show you the awesome ATC I received from my Treasure Barn ATC Swap partner, Nichole.  The theme was shamrocks.  I really love this card.  It is my first and only St. Patrick's Day-ish card!  Unfortunately, Nichole doesn't have her blog up and running yet, but feel free to leave her a shout out right here!  Here is the card I sent to her:

This was my first attempt at a St. Pat's-ish theme.  I hand painted the background and the shamrock in the right corner.  I affixed the image I downloaded from The Graphics Fairy.  I then put a few coats of glossy ModPodge and of course glitter!  I hope Nichole likes it!

I've been hard at work at work as well as on building an inventory for my yet to be opened Etsy shop.  Here is a card wallet I made the other day. 

I did a little free motion stitching on the outside of the wallet.  What do you think?  Randomness is actually hard...isn't it?

If you are interested in getting in on April's Treasure Barn ATC Swap, click over to Patti's blog for more information!


Toodles!

12 Days of Christmas, Treasure Barn ATC, a Yo Yo, and A Wallet

It is indeed Christmas at my house.  I received the 12 Days of Christmas ATCs from Wendy!  If you remember, I signed up a few months ago to participate in this ATC Swap and my assignment was to create 12 "A Patridge in a Pear Tree" ATCs.  I made my cards and sent them to Wendy as did the other 11 artists.  (I love saying, artists)  Wendy sort of made an accordian-like book out of the cards and packaged them in a beautiful box.  I've decided to celebrate how awesome these cards are by showing one each day.  I know, I know, the 12 Days of Christmas don't actually begin until Christmas Day, but I cannot wait!  So, let's go!

2 Turtledoves by Blanche

3 French Hens by Debbie



4 Calling Birds by Francie

You can see mine here.  I'll post 5 thru 12 in the coming days!  They are all awesome!  Come back and see!

As promised, here is the ATC I sent DeeDee for November's Treasure Barn Swap:

I combined a sort of Thanksgiving theme along with a personal touch with the little Sioux girl as DeeDee grew up in Sioux City, Iowa!  I hope she liked it!

Two more things to show you this Saturday night.  First, behold, my very first yo-yo! 

A big shout out goes to Bonnie for this flower.  I've actually wanted to make yo-yos forever, but didn't realize just how easy they are until I watched Bonnie's video!  Thanks Bonnie!

Last, but not least, here is my first card wallet made with the Valori Wells pattern.  Remember to SIGN UP and you can win the pattern! 

I should have inserted a few cards before taking the picture so you could see the pockets a bit better, but you get the idea right? Anyway, the pattern was pretty easy to follow and this didn't take long to put together.  I used alphabet stamps and fabric ink to stamp "Yum" and I drew the frog with fabric markers.  I glued the googly eyes and sewed the tiny (extremely, annoyingly small) black beads on to represent a fly. What do you think? 

Have a fantastic weekend!

Toodles,

Angela

Treasure Barn ATC Swap

So Christmas came early to my house!  Look at the awesome ATC my Treasure Barn Swap  partner, DeeDee sent me!

This is our first swap with Patti at Treasure Barn and there was no theme, per se.  DeeDee described this card as a "non-traditional" ATC.  It actually hangs by the little gold ribbon, so I've hung it on our Christmas tree.  I cannot get over how beautiful it is.  It is really fantastic..even the back is pretty:

I know that you will enjoy all DeeDee's work.  Pop over to her blog and check it out.  While you are there, you'll probably see the card I sent her for this swap.  I went with a sort of Thanksgiving theme, although I personalized it by using an image related to where DeeDee grew up, so go over and check it out!

By the way, DeeDee is also a regular Blissfull ATC Swapper.  We will both be participating in Wendy's December swap....My partner for this swap is Penny.  Penny participated in my Rewind Week: 1970s this summer, so I know she is really creative.  I can't wait to see what she makes for the swap!

Please take a minute and sign up for a chance to win the Valori Wells wallet pattern!  Click here and sign up!

Toodles! 

Angela

Sew In Love

I'm sew in love...with my Abbey Bag!  My grand prize package arrived today from Cyndi at Bluebirdswing and I love it all!  Cyndi sent the bag, a fantastic wallet, a key strap, a matching journal, and a little notebook!  I cannot even begin to describe how great this stuff is; I wish you could see this in person!  The fabric is awesome!  Cyndi's work is supurb!

You have to check out Cyndi's blog and the next time she has a giveaway, which, I think will be in May, you have to enter! 

Thanks again Cyndi!  Please tell me where you got this fabric!

Angela