Cutter..

For mother's day the girls got me a Silhouette Cameo..... I have wanted one of these things forever.  I did all the research the "up front" money is more but you can import anything you want to cut.  Unlike the Cricut.   You have to buy all their designs.  If you are looking into a machine, don't forget the cost of the art.

So we have been way to busy lately for me to break this bad boy out of the box.  Plus I didn't have any idea where to even start.  What I could make.

I found this board in my garage. I thought this is a *Sign*.  lol..

I dry brushed painted it then burnished it to tone it down.  Sorry I didn't have any idea where the camera was during the time I was doing this.  Dry brushing is EASY..  The only real rule is less paint is best.  You are better to go over the area 20'x with too little paint then one with too much.  Dry brushing is exactly what is sounds like.  Put the paint on a flat surface, I use paper plates or a piece of foil. (easy clean up)  Put a small amount of paint on the flat surface and dip the brush into the paint.  Then move to the side of the paint and dab the brush several times to even out the paint on the paint brush.  Drag the brush across the surface you are painting.  I don't clean the brush when I change colors, I just keep going.  This also give a nice blended effect.  I do go fairly fast because I want to do the next layer before the last one has had time to completely dry.  Helps with the effect I am after. 

I was going for an old board feel.  I think I got it.  This is going to the lake house.

Okay I used blue painters tape to transfer this.  For many reason, one it is cheaper then the cutting transfer tape.  Two it was all I had at the house other than duct.

This is the first time I have played with this machine.  What I learned.

1. Painter's tape will totally work for the transfer.

2. You must get a flat scraping transfer tool of some sort.  I used a rubber scrapper.  Worked like a charm.

3.  I used an X-acto knife to get the small pieces.  I am not buying the tool kit for $20.

4.  It is CRAZY hard to get the separate words evenly spaced.  I used a pencil to mark lines so you couldn't see them when I was done.  Well, you can't see them when you are trying to place the work either.

4.  You must push way harder than you think to get the vinyl to stick.

5.  Bigger words are better.  I can live with the uneven, I wish the words were larger.

6. If you really don't like the result, you can peel the words right off.  Super easy.

7.  You must seal this to make sure the words are long term.

8.  The cutting mat that comes with this machine is hella sticky.  Holy moly you can't get card stock off it without tearing it up.  I have rubbed an old t-shirt over it several times. (you know I found that on the net)  Well, it helped some.  Not really.  Not sure how to fix this problem.

9.  The small detail work is tough for the machine, pulls the corners.

10.  I do LOVE this machine.  Very happy with my choice.  I'll be posting more.  I have several things in the works.

Happy Cutting.

Hmmm..

So I am a "Jack of all trades" and truly a master of none.  I am an admitted Pintrest junkie.  I found a "rag" rug Photo of course no tutorial.  The real issue with that site.  Well, it looked simple.  And honestly it is in theory.  Take strips of scraps, weave and sew.  HA.

I've got the strips of fabric NO problem.  (okay I have a fabric problem, but that is a different story)

Step two.. Easy Peasy..  Just weave.

Step three, well here is where the kick in the pants comes.  The sewing.  HA.. it should read the attempt to sew this together.

A quilters trick is to tape down the fabric to help hold it in place.  Pins start to become a problem for many reasons.  But the two that jump out at me are they poke, and that many get caught on the presser foot.  Even with the tape it bunches, and is impossible to keep lined up, let alone straight.

The photo looks better than the product.. All the game room furniture went to the lake house so this room is empty.  I need a cheap table and chairs to make this "my" craft room.  (that may get me in trouble.... oh the things I could do without picking up every night.)

I get "helpers" everywhere I go.

If I decide to finish this project I am going to sew the tops to liner to keep them in place.  Now I don't like where this is going so I am not sure.  I'll post if I finish.

The reason for all the strips.  Honest I do finish most of my projects.  Crayon Box Quilts.  (well the toppers)  I have five of these done.  I need to find a machine quilter in the area.  I had a great woman in Kansas.  I have not found anyone in Texas yet.  I would LOVE love LOVE to have a machine.  That is a whole other post.  

Happy Stitching.. 

Mini Crib sheets

Okay because I am cheap.  We all know this now.  I was not paying $12 a mini sheet.  I found this super cute fabric on clearance at Walmart for 2.47 a yard and got four yards.  This is so cute and soooo soft it is a light weight flannel.  I don't know what I was thinking when I did the math.. Because each sheet takes 1 1/3 yard.  The mattress is 24 x 38 across the top and 2 inches deep so you need a good 5 inches on each sides.  Yeah, I can't find my measuring tape.. SO, I improvised.  

I do a hidden seam on the corner.  It makes them stronger.  So you measure out 4.75 inches and make a line.

Sew down the line.

Trim the fabric about 1/4 inch from the seam then flip it inside out and pin.  Sew 1/4 inch along the edge.

Sewn.

Turned right side out this is what you will see.

Now I know that you are suppose to break out the seam allowance gauge. To do the seam for the elastic but I am not going to do that or iron the edge down.  Come on these are going to be sheets for a crib.  So I roll, pin and sew.  Leave about 2 inches open to thread the elastic through then close that up.

What the inside finished corner looks like.  Sew all the corners going the same directions i.e push that little flap to the left or right all the way around.  Makes weaving the elastic so much easier.

Material needed is enough material for the sheet. (It takes about 1.3 yards per sheet for the mini's)  And about 1.5 yards of elastic per sheet. (well that is for a mini sheet)  I am going to make some crib sheets I'll let you know what that takes.  What I learned is that I should have given an inch each direction for an allowance.  Not just the 24 x 38 that is too tight for the mattress.  It works but is pulls the mattress in.  Remember this is a small 2 inch mattress.  I should have cut 35 x 49 instead of 34 x 48.  But they work. I am going to make more I will post that and how they fit.

Happy Sewing.