Fab Fobs

So thanks to all the RATZ swapping, I've been making all sorts of things I normally wouldn't have made time for. You might remember the first swap when I made some key fobs. Well, I had some leftover supplies and thought they might be a great addition to my goods for the vendor fair.

After making a couple, I decided I needed a better method.Originally I was creating a 1" bias tape to sew onto the webbing. However, I just didn't like the way certain fabrics behaved with that method. I felt like you could see that center seem too much plus I didn't have enough consistency down the strips and some areas looked thicker/thinner than the rest. 

See, in all of my crafting, I really have to work hard at keeping things straight - lines, that is. That handy little 1/4inch foot for the sewing machine? Yeah, that was made for people like me! So many people are afraid to try free-motion quilting but I do it because I find it much easier (and more fun) than straight line quilting. Straight line quilting stresses me out!

Anyway, I found a method for making the key fobs that works really well. So if you're straight-line challenged like me, you might enjoy this quickie tutorial. It actually saves me time and frustration.

Materials:
- 10" of cotton webbing 
- (1) 10 x 3 piece of fabric
- (2) 1x 9 3/4 (a little less than 10")  fusible web such as Pellon Wonder Under (#805) *SEE IMAGE
- Fob Hardware I bought mine at Everything Ribbons on Etsy I just put in a rush order and they have been terrific!!

Optional but recommended:
- Fray Check
- (1) 10 x 1/4 fusible web

1. Once you've chosen your fabric (I used some Central Park by Kate Spain because I love her stuff) layout your Wonder Under so that they are lined up on the top and bottom edge. Iron in place.

NOTE: Wonder Under will stick to your ironing board cover and iron so be make sure it doesn't extend over the edges of the fabric

2. DO NOT remove the paper from the fuse yet.
This will keep your sides straight.
Fold up one side using the paper on the fuse as a guide. Iron to emphasize the crease.

3. Now fold the other side.
It will overlap and the paper will fold. This will give you that crisp straight line. Iron this too, on both sides.

4. Remove the paper from the first side you folded
(without the paper folded).

5. Refold and iron JUST the edge. You want to be able to remove the paper from the other side.

6. Remove the (folded) paper from the other side and iron together. Your creases should be able to guide you without the fabric getting all weird/wonky.

You should be left with a perfectly straight
1" wide strip of fabric ready to be attached to
 your webbing. 












Additional Info:


I apply fray check to the end of the webbing so that it doesn't get ratty looking. The other thing I find that helps is taking an additional piece of fuse and attaching the fabric to the webbing so that it doesn't slide while sewing it into place.

And there's my little fab fob 'trick'. Hope it works for you too!

More RATZ

June marks the second round of the RATZ swap. This month we're making magnets. To be honest, I wasn't sure if this would be that much fun - I mean, it's just magnets, right? I was wrong! I am loving this swap so much. Who knew it would be so much fun to make magnets?! So far I've made button magnets and I am totally obsessed!

So much so, that I ordered more supplies. I haven't actually attached the magnets yet (my supplies will arrive today) but I ordered the super-duper hardcore rare Earth magnets so I'm sure they will stick.


One of the things I like about making the button magnets is that I can use scraps of fabric which, as you know, I have plenty. Also, there is the instant gratification of having completed something quick and simple. Most of my projects have steps and/or are time-consuming to some extent. These let me feel like I accomplished something and sometimes I need that.

I think the magnets would make a nice gift or 'extra'. My plan is to sell them too. I've been working on an inventory for awhile now and will be opening shop soon. However, that's a post for another day ;)

The button covers come in a variety of sizes. The ones shown above are #45 Flat Backs. The other type have a wire back so that you can attach the button to something else. You need the flat backs to attach the magnets.

If you are interested in making your own, check out this tutorial: http://www.abernathycrafts.com/2012/05/super-strong-fabric-magnets-tutorial.html

I found all of my supplies on Etsy

As far as which ones will be sent to my partner, that remains a mystery ;) I'm also making another type of magnet and will share everything once the swap is over.


Happy Crafting
~Beth

RATZ Swap

It's been awhile since I've participated in any swaps and I was kind of missing it. However, I knew I wouldn't have time to get involved in anything major like a doll quilt or bee swap so I missed out on quite a few. But then Susan (iamchickenfoot) Tweeted about a quick little swap happening for May and I couldn't pass it up. It's exactly what I was looking for - small, quick and fun. After all, it is called the Rapid and Tiny Zakka Swap or RATZ, for short.

The theme for May was key fobs/key chains or anything that can hold a key. There are just so many variations and styles! I had a lot of fun with this and I even experimented with leather, which was interesting...

Here are some of my trials/experiments and the package I sent to my partner. June is magnets. If you're interested, check out the Flickr Group to learn more or to check out all the fobs.

These were the first two I made. They weren't
quite my partners style but I think
I know exactly where to send them...

My attempt at leather. I like that it doesn't fray but
it's hard to keep the shape. And oh, that diamond was
paper-pieced!

In the end, I decided to go with a pouch and a fob.
I love those turtles! I hope my partner does too :)

Sent!

The first Pay It Forward surprise has been sent! You can read about the project here. Amy from The Accidental Crafter was the first recipient. I know she is a Kate Spain stalker  fan so I cut into my Fandango layer cake just for her. I thought a pouch would be fun because it's so versatile and  fun to make. I also sent her a sleeve of thin mints since we had SEVEN boxes of Girl Scout cookies! I tried really hard to fit the whole box but there just wasn't room.

Welcome 2012



 As usual, I have neglected the blog.
Let's face it, I'm not exactly good at posting on a regular basis but that's the way it is. Sometimes I just don't have anything to say.

Today, I'm sharing some of the gifts I made for the holidays (yes, I know it's February!). My goal was to get as close to 100% handmade as possible. Not every present had to be handmade by me, but had to support the craft community. In the end I'd say I hit 80-90 percent. I guess that's not too bad considering I had to buy for my husband. It's not easy buying handmade for a cop!

But before I show the goods, check out the best Christmas tree in the galaxy...
Yes, that is a Star Wars tree. I have been collecting the Hallmark Star Wars ornaments since 1998 (maybe '96 - I can't remember). I've wanted to do this for years and finally went for it. Really, I didn't want to take it down!

I made a lot of mug rugs this year. Not only are they fun to make, but not many people know about them so they make a unique gift. The octagons were based on the Ananas Pillow tutorial from Leila Beasley in Issue 7 of Fat Quarterly (Love this e-zine - so worth the subscription!!).



 

These were 2 blocks left over from this project.
The link will take you to Sarah Fielke's site. While
you're there, check out her work!!

I also made a tea cozy for my mother-in-law. I was quite pleased, since it was the first time I ever made one.



  Of course no holiday would be complete without quilts. This year I made three.

This lap quilt and pillow (kitten not included) was for my cousin's son, Wyatt. I added a Maisy book too. While we played games Christmas night, Wyatt cuddled up under his quilt to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Mission Accomplished :-)

Original design by Heirloom Creations

This quilt was a combination house warming/ Christmas gift. I followed the Jelly Roll Race quilt pattern from 1 Choice 4 Quilting. I used Hometown by Sweetwater because I thought the color palette would be perfect for our friends' living room. My favorite part about this quilt is the movement even though the design was so random.

I made another quilt using this pattern. I don't have a photos of it yet because my husband refuses to give it up!



~Beth

Happy Weekend

Unfinished Quilt: 'Quilt me now, woman!'

I find myself enjoying some alone time this weekend. It's not often that my husband goes away so this is a real treat. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like having him around, I just enjoy quiet time by myself too.

I've spent the weekend... sewing. Can't help myself. It's become a real habit. At least it's healthier than smoking an whatnot. Notice I didn't say drinking. Not giving that up anytime soon (sorry, mom).

The quilt in that photo up there has been waiting patiently to be finished and quilted. Last night I finished the last bit of border and tonight I'm quilting it (just took a break to write this post). I LOVE to quilt and I have NO idea what I'm doing. I'm serious. I've read some stuff/ looked at some tutorials, but I'm pretty much using the 'wing it' method that I'm so fond of. So far, so good. But this method is very stressful which is why I tend to stare at my projects before actually doing anything.

Close-up of binding



On the learning front, I've finally learned how to bind correctly! YIPPEE!!! and I have the Mug Rug Madness Swap to thank for it. Seriously. I was getting so frustrated with how my binding was turning out that I forced myself to do it until it was correct. No easy task since I have the patience of a squirrel. But I did it!

Mug Rug Madness package I sent to my partner

I've mailed out all my swap items but I am still holding out on showing the other one because it's a surprise. I promise I will post photos as soon as I know she's received it. For the Mug Rug Madness Swap, I made a coffee cozy thingy. It didn't come out like I wanted it to. I tried to make the edges frayed but... yeah, not so good. I debated whether or not I should include it. I decided that I would use it in public so maybe my partner will enjoy it (I included a letter of apology, though - HaHa).

The other thing I did to enjoy this solitary weekend... I made my first quilt block all by me onesies (Favorite Jack Sparrow quote). This is the first time I haven't followed a tutorial as a starting point. I even MEASURED - I know, what is the world coming to?! I'm not kidding. I sketched and did some basic math and that's the result over there.




I will even prove it you. Check out that photo! All my ideas and finished block info. Now, I just have to figure out why the other two didn't come out the same...

One issue I had was that it was a bit too perfect. That irritates me. If one is perfect then they'd all have to be perfect. And let's be real, the odds of pure perfection are... (where's C-3PO when you need him?). The point: it's not going to happen so I made them a little crooked. However, it's only the border that's crooked, not the actual block - pretty sneaky, huh? If it turns out, I may even do a tutorial - imagine that. I will call it the Perfectionist's Quilt :)



Up Next:
More Swaps
#talknt
Contest

~Beth

"Who's more foolish: the Fool or the Fool that follows him?"

WIP It... real good





Scrap Pile

I've been putting off posting something new. However, it's not because I haven't been creating. Nope. It's because all of the projects I'm doing are for swaps and I can't really show too much - at least one of my partners reads the blog so I don't want to ruin the surprise. Instead, I thought I'd list my WIPs along with some links so you can read more about the swaps. Okay, and maybe a few pictures...

WIPs

QUILTS:
* Still working on that FreeBirdGiant Quilt - I needed to take a breather but I started working on the back design this week. One day it will get quilted and finished.

* I've almost completed another quilt top using Moda's Chrysalis fabric. I initially wanted to make it for Modern Relief: Japan, but that didn't work out so now it's just a 'whenever-it-gets-done' WIP



Scrappy block samples

*Just last night I decided to make a 100% scrap quilt. I have a huge stash of scraps. They are every size imaginable but mostly small 1"x5" or are cut very irregular. Anyway, I was trying to make something entirely different using scraps but as it turned out, I liked the result better as a quilt block. I had already played around with this idea but now I know exactly what I want to do. 

SWAPS:
* I just finished all of my items for my first swap - YAY! I just need to send out the goods. This was the HomeMade Swap sponsored by Katy of It's My World. You should check out her site - her scrapbook pages are amazing!

Some mug rugs in progress

*Mug Rugs! I've joined the Mug Rug Madness Swap too hosted by Brie at Little Creatable. Posting items is okay for this one because our partner is a secret. Check out the flicker group and while you're at it, search for other mug rug links - there are some great examples out there!

* And the most recent swap I signed up for is the  (are you ready for this?) 'I Heart the 80's: Modern Sewing Swap'. I am totally psyched for this and I already know what I'm making. Well, actually I already know what I want to make. I have to wait and see my partner's likes and dislikes before I start. This swap is still open. Sign-ups run through 4/22. Although I haven't started sewing anything for this, I did make something...

Inspiration Mosaic

It was suggested that we make an Inspiration Mosaic to give our partners better insight into what we'd like. For mine, I focused on the things that make me feel nostalgic. Things that when I see or hear them, I can remember a significant memory. Take, for example, The Smurfs and the Fisher Price record player. My best friend and I used to take our little Smurf figures, put them on the record player, then turn it on 45 speed and see who got the most air. Ahh yes, good times! 

That's all for now. If you decide to do the 80's swap, let me know. I'd love to see what you make. Next update will include what I looked like in the 80's. One word: HAIR! Remember, I grew up in South Jersey, need I say more?

\m/ Rock On,

~Beth

Substance

I was determined to post something of substance before Friday this week. I mean we are running a craft blog not a comedy club, right? Right. See, in a perfect world I would be a well-organized, 'got my you-know-what together' kinda gal and have blog posts sitting in a neat little folder on my desktop waiting to be uploaded. But the reality is that I've never been that person and probably never will be. Therefore, I am sitting here at 12:20a.m. rambling on about what a disorganized person I am instead of posting something of substance. Substance... hmm... how about this:

NEW QUILT!

So I finished my second quilt and the weather finally cooperated to let me take a few photos. The fabric I used was Frolic by Moda, as well as an upcycled flat sheet. I didn't follow any particular pattern since I used the panel as the focal point. 

I added basic squares for a border - I believe the first border's squares are 5"x5". Then I used the sheet for the strip in between. The smaller squares were a sort of an evolution of mistakes. I was going to just do another row of 5x5's but it looked too crowded and 'blah'. Then I tried to get fancy and complicated which didn't work out so well and resulted in the smaller squares for a final border. I'm happy with it but I think it needed a little something extra - next time.

DETAILS

The quilting process was a bit more involved than the one I made for Tricia. Then again, I also had a lot longer to complete this one. 

I decided to do most of the stitching on the panel. I followed the lines of the trees, flowers, etc., adding additional texture. Once the panel was completed, I knew I wanted something very basic and simple to offset the main design. I remembered seeing a tip for sewing straight lines. I really have no idea where I found it or I would post a link. The 'trick' was to use masking tape as a guide. I debated direction, width and every other variable before I decided on the final design. I think the simplicity of the lines works well with the detailed panel. Part of me still wanted to add a criss-cross but I'm controlling myself so I don't overdue it!



Well, that's all I've got for 'Substance' - not too shabby, in my opinion.

Until next time... With you, may the force be!

~ Beth