Monday, May 21, 2012

CKC May 2012 Challenge #2 Use fabric in a creative way

Another fun challenge from the Counterfeiters!

I am a quilter as well as a scrapbooker. My fabric stash is only rivaled by my scrap stash, lol! As I learned new techniques, took classes & challenges, I accumulated a variety of sample-sized or single blocks - all wonderful in their own right but not really useful. Like this one:


Isn't he cute? The method used here is foundation piecing, sometimes called paper piecing. You place the fabric on the front side & sew on the lines of a paper pattern piece (the foundation) on the back side - one by one - trimming each seam as you go. In the piece shown above, I started with the pink, added the small sky piece to it's right & then flipped that piece open (see how the two make one unit?), then added the sky piece below that unit, then the dark blue to the left added to that unit... hopefully you get the idea! Here is the reverse side where you can see the pattern & the stitching. The numbers show the order in which to proceed.

 

If you've ever seen a log cabin quilt block, it is the same idea.
You can find a more comprehensive discussion about this (here)

So on to my trusty French Connection May counterfeit kit for some inspiration. What did I want to do with my sweet little bluebird? As I am a bird watcher & have just begun in the last few weeks to fill my feeders again  (my Orioles have returned - yay!) I was thinking that having the birds back is probably my favorite thing about Spring. Here's what I found after a bit of a rummage through the magic blue box:


 (Oops! I had already started fussy-cutting the piece of the rose paper before I remembered to snap a photo, lol! This blogging stuff sure interrupts the process, but it's also making me examine the process, which is good.) As it turned out, I actually used a different alpha set, didn't use the Joy stamp, but ferreted out my French washi tape from my kit & used that. Here it is:


































I have been seeing that cute little accent of a single punch of a border punch a lot lately & love it! I remember some scrappy discussion at one time about how each page really needs a frame or border of some sort, (or mat effect, if you will), and I think this serves nicely. Although this page is not mounted on black, it does show up that punched detail well in the photo. Thanks for looking :~)

13 comments:

  1. I haven't seen that punch idea - I'll have to try it. Love the idea for the page and how you used your fabric bird :).

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    1. Oh, I could take off in 18 different directions with the fabric inspiration, but I wanted to include something from another lovely hobby I have :~) Can't wait to see yours!

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    2. Oh how I love your layout. I love quilting also, just starting to learn. I found a website that does video classes every month and you work at your own pace and it free.

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  2. That punch border idea is new to me as well - love it! I'm a quilter too, you have given me a good idea. Beautiful layout.

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    1. Thanks! I have some wonderful little dimensional bowtie blocks out of feedsack reproduction fabric for a baby quilt that I was dying to use, but not sure I'll have enough. I don't quilt much since I've been scrappin...

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  3. Wow...that looks complicated, but the result is beautiful! What a great way to showcase the square and your other talent. I am so loving seeing your process. xoxox

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  4. I'm super impressed by your quilting skills - my patchwork looks pretty amateur in comparison! And I love that you included that on your page along with a super cute banner and the border punch is also something that has jumped out at me recently. looks great

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    1. Thx! - good to be reminded how much I can broaden my stash by adding fabric, hehe

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  5. Love your little quilted piece. I've tried quilting and simply don't have the patience for it so I am doubly impressed! And I too have been eye balling those little single-punched borders. Love it all!

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    1. Thx! These paper pieced patterns can be used with paper, too...

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  6. Wow, that looks great. I like the punch hint too, might try that.

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  7. Lovely, lovely page - and amazing quilting!

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