An OUT of THIS WORLD #Cre8time Pillow Fight with Fairfield World... a Designer Crafts Connection Challenge #DoctorWHO #Fandom

Welcome to another special Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop... and we are having a good old fashioned pillow fight! We have been challenged to create fabulous pillows using products from Fairfield World.

I am a MADwoman with a sewing machine and the perfect color blue oly*fun™! My pillow is of the intergalatic fashion - perfect for any Timelord. It's no secret that I'm a Doctor Who fanatic {and perhaps I'm a bit obsessed at this point}, so my pillow is of the total Sci-Fi NERD variety... a T-A-R-D-I-S. My very own plushy blue box standing about 3 feet tall.

In today's project I have used oly*fun™ {in Twilight, Blueberry, Snow White and Jet Black} and Nature-Fil™ Blended Fiberfill from Fairfield World. Other supplies used: Sewing Machine; Tonic guillotine trimmer; loads of blue thread and clear poly thread; Fiskars Scissors; recycled packing cloth; and a variety of cording/sequin edging from Decorative Trimmings.

I've created a few projects using oly*fun™ and this has to be my favorite so far. Oly*fun™ is one of the the easiest, most versatile materials you will ever find {CLICK HERE to jump over to all the info I shared in a previous post}. I love creating with this stuff! It gives you creative freedom, because it's not like standard fabric - so you can skip a lot of the traditional methods of sewing... AND it doesn't fray.

I'm fortunate that my mother loved sewing and that she taught me how to sew when I was young. I can make anything I want - today a pillow... at Christmas an Elf Shelf Sitter. I love sewing, but sometimes following patterns can be a bit tedious and take the fun out of making stuff, though the end result is always worth the work invested. In this project straight pins were my friend and my magnetic bangle came in handy.

But oly*fun™ is FUN for me, because I like to create on the fly... cut shapes and sew them together into something amazing - like my Blue Box pillow. 

My pillow is bigger on the outside LOL! This is all about shapes, layers and details in stitching. I actually ran out of blue thread twice!  The Twilight blue oly*fun™ is the perfect Police Box Blue.

I won't bore you with all the details as this was a wild fantastic Cre8time ride, though I will share some stops along the way. I planned out a basic paper pattern based off enlarging an embroidery pattern I found online about 600%. This was just so I have some scale to go by for placing my 5"+ squares that I had already cut and sewn FIRST. 

**A TIP** You can cut oly*fun™ on your crafting guillotine cutter to get nice square cuts! This is the main reason all my details were cut first.

I try to include something recycled in every project, so behind the door paneling and windows is some recycled packing cloth. This was about a 1/4" thick, but was sort of a two-ply material so I used half of the layer to get a little extra dimension behind my squares. With all the stitching I did, they poofed up quite nicely - this just saved me a step of stuffing each and every one by hand.

You can never PIN too much when sewing your pillow closed!! I have some detailed cutting at the edges and I didn't want them to shift around from the pressure foot pulling the fabric along.

  

I actually have three layers here - two blue layers make the front of the pillow and one black layer of olyfun for the backside to hold in the Nature-Fil™. I chose this filling because it's a blend made of 50% bamboo and also for its ECO initiatives {always THINKing GREEN}.

  

As the layers build up, pinning helps keep things where I plan as this involved making a lot of twists and turns.

I really love the charm created by all the free-form stitching to add details without adding bulk of another layer. Even the few strips/scraps were used here and there and I'll save the Decorative Trimmings for the finishing touches.

Right before I stitched on the backside so I could stuff my pillow - I had a lightbulb moment! I quickly fashioned two loops on the back and stitched them down to hang my pillow on the wall {I have a feeling there's a mural coming soon to a room nearby}. Right before sewing on backing, I did sew down the couple of the trims across the width using clear thread - the rest will be hand sewn at the end.

Now with everything sewn up and stuffing secured... it's time to embellish with some braid and bling from Decorative Trimmings! 

I dabbed all the trimmed edges with a small amount of Diamond Glaze to prevent fraying. The blues all matched perfectly to each other and give a nice contrast and pop to the sewn pillow form. These trims really make this handmade plushy out of this world!

Plushy-Wushy Timey Wimey Fun!

Receive 20% off orders

through June 30th

at www.fairfieldworld.com

using coupon " AMYCOUP "

Connect with Fairfield World on your favorite Social Sites...

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairfieldWorld

Blog: http://fairfieldworld.com/blog

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/fairfieldworld/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/fairfieldworld

Shop for oly*fun™ here: http://shop.fairfieldworld.com/c/oly-fun

oly*fun™ is available from Hancock Fabric, Fabric.com, the shop at FairfieldWorld.com and NOW at your local JoAnn Fabric {mine had it for $2.99/yd}.

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Thanks so much for visiting! For more ideas and inspiration follow the Designer Crafts Connection "Fairfield World Pillow Fight Challenge" by selecting hop back/forward on the logo below to enjoy all of the wonderful creations. Sb :)

Designer Craft Connection

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#Cre8time brings Superpowers... Steampunk Magneto Bangle

Hello Everyone! Today I have a new upcycled tape spool project to share... and this one is not only FUNctional - but it's totally Steampunk, too!

I'm forever squirreling away empty tape spools to use for crafty projects, and my Cre8time led me to my latest, and possibly greatest bangle. Made of a few stash items and magnetic craft sheets... this came together in a snap and it's not only fashionable, it's MAGNETIC. 

No more tiny metal brads or pins all over

the place - they will now stay put.

This was quick and easy to make. I cut a section out of the tape spool and rounded the edges, then covered the entire thing with sections of aluminum tape. I burnished everything down real good with a bone folder then set off embellishing. I cut a section of magnetic sheet to fit and ran through a Cuttlebug diamondplate embossing folder {yes - I squealed with joy}. I wrapped around metal tape bangle and tacked down with some double-sided tape. 

Using my Crop-a-Dile I punched some holes, set eyelets and affixed some gears and swirly paperclips with screw brads. I covered up the exposed brad wings on the inside with more aluminum tape to secure and to finish it off.

I'm ready to create... with my new magneto superpowers!!!

The Deflecto Craft Magnetic Sheets couldn't be more fun! They come in a package of three 8" x 15" sheets, with a white backing. These white magnetic sheets can be painted or papered, embellished or customized to any project. Thin enough to cuts easily with scissors, craft knives and die cuts... even emboss. Let your Cre8time get magnetically charged! 

How would you create with Deflecto Craft Magnetic Sheets?

Thanks for visiting! CLICK HERE to jump over to the Deflecto Craft Facebook Page or Deflecto on Pinterest to see more of the teams creations.  :) Sb

For more information on the Deflecto line of products,

please visit: http://www.deflecto.com/craft/

#Cre8time Travels to the Wild West...

Greetings Friends! Today I have a quick stamped card made with some scraps and bits leftover from other projects that are all full of yummy texture so I can play along with the Craft Stamper Take It, Make It Challenge for June.

Here is my card creation for the challenge. I began with a 5" x 7" cardstock base to which I glued a painted papertowel {resulting from mopping up spray mists from faux leathering paper}. Lots of texture there, but I have more. I have a scrap of corrugated painted with Faber-Castell Gelatos {leftover from this Fall seasonal art} that I added down the side. I layered the stamps ""Keep Calm and Put Bacon On"" and Cowboy with Lasso, from Viva Las VegaStamps!, on recycled brown envelope and brown cardstock with a torn edge... the perfect way to add texture! I hope you like it as much as I do.

I was crowned "Queen of Snark" for Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers "C is for Cake" Challenge and I was invited to join them as a guest for the current challenge "SSOS #36 - D is for Dude"... so I'm linking this up with them also. It's a fun bi-weekly challenge group, you should check them out!

Thanks for dropping by!  :) Sb

Seeing the Beauty of #Cre8time Leftovers... #ICAD2015 Day 17 - Wabi Sabi

Happy Thursday everyone! I'm trying to squeeze in some Cre8time everyday playing along with ICAD 2015! I've missed a couple days here and there, and I'm way behind in posting them - but I wanted to share this one today... a little collage of scraps with stamping. My stamps are coming in handy and I'm enjoying getting to use them for these diverse prompts.

Day 17 prompt is Wabi-sabi. I had to look this up on google... 

Wabi-sabi is the quintessential Japanese aesthetic. It is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble.

Paper scraps are modest and humble... right??!

I've got a bag of scraps on my table filled with torn pieces and misc clippings and stuff leftover from other projects. I am determined to ONLY use these things whenever possible for ICAD this summer. Today's card background is collaged with a section of clothing pattern and 5 rows of green torn paper strips leftover from another project. I am insane about tearing and I seem to have endless pieces in the scrap bag. I love how beautiful and organic a torn edge looks... each is unique with it's own twists and turns.

  

With the background complete I overstamped with a couple of stamps using Stone Gray Stazon: "Pretty Lady Stamp/Cancellation" #17538 and "Made in China" #1742 {both Viva Las VegaStamps!}. This is coming along nicely!

The cancellation was a bit dark so I collaged another layer of sewing pattern paper over it and scribbled over with some yellow ochre colored pencil. I inked up my feature stamp - "Crooked Tree" #15922 {VLVS!} with Versafine black ink and hit it with some VLVS! embossing powder. 

The finishing touch is a Wabi-sabi bowl made from a crumpled scrap of Kraft Glassine with insets of torn bright blue magazine paper. I colored over the blue cracks with Versamarker and hit with embossing powder for a little extra "POP". A little glue stick to tack the bowl down and black PITT pen detailing and I am done :)

I think my card collage using scraps of this and that with a couple stamps fit the description... and I think it's lovely to look at too.

My completed cover card for Day 17 - Wabi Sabi

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You can play along too - visit ICAD for all the details!

http://daisyyellowart.com/icad/icad-faq.html

Everyone needs a little Cre8time in their lives and ICAD is perfect for me to squeeze even just a half hour in to play. Have a great day! :) Sb

Display Anything your #Cre8time Imagines with Deflecto Craft

Greetings Friends! Summer is here and it's time for family picnics, beach BBQs and vacations... time to relax and get creative. 

I'm sharing a this new mini collage with wings that I've turned into a free-standing work of art by mounting it into a mini Deflecto Craft frame. It's now off the page and totally transformed... my heart soars with these wings suspended off the sides!

For more information on the Deflecto line of products,

please visit: http://www.deflecto.com/craft/

This month the Deflecto USA Ambassador Design Team is sharing a variety of projects for Summertime and Party Planning. CLICK HERE to jump over to the Deflecto Craft Facebook Page or Deflecto on Pinterest to see more of the teams creations.

For this project I used the Deflecto Craft 3" x 4" Mini Slanted Sign Holder Item Number 20006CR. This fabulous mini clear plastic frame is ready to display upright, horizontal or angled... great for ATC's, embellishing your favorite pictures, and creative signs for your themed party. These little babies are so handy! They come in a 10 count package, so you have plenty for anything you can imagine.

To see how I've created this stamped,

mixed-media collage, please CLICK HERE.

How would you create with Deflecto Craft Frames?

Thanks for visiting! Please join me each month when the Deflecto USA Ambassador Design Team will has a new Deflecto product challenge to debut.  :) Sb

For more information on the Deflecto line of products,

please visit: http://www.deflecto.com/craft/

Wally World or Bust!!! #MakeThings #ICAD2015 Day 15

Hello friends! My super creative pal Katie Smith of Punk Projects is hosting a fun craft challenge for this summer - each week there is a different theme. Play along for your chance to win weekly prizes and an amazing grand prize at the end!

This week's "Make Things!" theme is... INSPIRED by a MOVIE! So I combined my "Index Card a Day" project for today, day 15 - Route 66 with a movie twist. There is a new "Vacation" movie coming out next month bringing back my hubs favorite movie family... the Griswolds. I had fun collaging and mixing a little stamping amongst the layers: consisting of stamped monoprint deli paper, trees torn from magazines and cut out patterned scrapbook paper and die cuts. The map background and route 66 sign are Viva Las VegaStamps! I added a little doodling and details with Faber-Castell PITT pens and this card is ready for the road!

Thanks for dropping by! I'd love to see what you create for the MakeThings! Challenge. Drop me a link and share what movie has inspired your Cre8time. Happy Monday!  :) Sb

Has Anyone Seen My Cigar... Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #36 "D is for Dudes"

Happy Saturday Friends! Today I am joining the dames over at the Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers for their latest challenge. I am having so much fun playing along with their challenges... and who doesn't love to be a queen for a day {or two}.

Edna has a new challenge for you this fortnight... "D is for Dudes" - and it's to make a dude card or project for the man(men) of your life. Be it a Father's Day card (which is fast approaching), a birthday, graduation, or wedding card or project, the choice is yours - just make it for a guy!

Here is my card creation for the challenge. The stamps "Has anyone seen my cigar?" and Pig Smoking Pipe are from Viva Las VegaStamps! I ventured into my paper stash and found this distressed stripe that looks like old PJ's for the base. The images are stamped on scraps of a patterned creme and triple matted on layers of grey and creme cardstocks and set off with good old-fashioned photo corners {the lick and stick kind}. I added a little color to this PARLOR DUDE with Derwent Watercolor Pencils - minus the water brush this time. I can't stop chuckling. CLICK HERE to see my birthday card and DIY washi tutorial this week featured at VLVS!

Thanks for dropping by! I hope you join in and play along with the Sisters with this new challenge {you have 2 weeks}. Stay tuned as I have some other "D is for DUDE" makes to share. :) Sb

TOTE-ally #Cre8time Ready for Summer... Ann Butler Designs™ and Clearsnap® Bloghop with Designer Crafts Connection

Welcome to another special Designer Crafts Connection Bloghop which we have teamed up with Ann Butler Designs™ and Clearsnap®... making faux quilted stamped projects using the new ColorBox Background Basics Stamps by and ColorBox Crafter's Pigment Inks by Ann Butler Designs™. CLICK HERE to jump to the beginning of the hop at Ann's blog.

You are in for a treat as I am stamping a new tote for the summer season - and this is a makeover of a plain canvas tote that I found in the closet.

The ColorBox Crafter's Pigment Inks by Ann Butler Designs™ have six new colors, perfect for the summer season and great for stamping on fabric, wood and mixed media projects. These super juicy ink pads are permanent when heat set so you can even create your own wearable art!

The ColorBox Background Basics Stamps by Ann Butler Designs™ come in large 4 1/2" squares with coordinating triangle wedge shapes - great for faux quilting on fabrics and larger mixed media or home decor projects.

I masked off the top edge of tote and handles with some blue painter's tape before stamping. Then I set off to decoratively stamping a fun summer pattern. I began by stamping solid Ocean Breeze Blue on the edges; then blended the blue with Evergreen inks into the center as I continued stamping pattern across tote; fading back to blue on opposite seam edge {see completed pix below}.

To achieve a gradient effect: ink one half of stamp first with lighter ink color, then stamp other side with darker color - slightly overlapping wet inks. Off stamp ink pad to paper to remove any transfer of unwanted color to inkpad.

The lightweight large stamps are easy to handle and backed with a stiff foam to aid in stamping on varied surfaces. I stamped across the bag in about a half hour - reinking stamp prior to the next impression.

After letting this sit to dry for a few minutes, I peeled off the masking tape and created a new masked border along the top edge to add some inked stripes with a paintbrush. I applied the ink tapping onto the canvas, so the color would have a crisp edge along the tape. I made an Evergreen stripe between two Blueberry stripes.

A let sit to dry a bit before giving this a blast lightly with my heat gun, so that it's dry in preparation for ironing to lock in ink permanency. I add a shimmery bluegreen ribbon along the top edge and tied a couple other coordinating ribbons and trims onto the handle with some handmade summer danglies. My bag is super cute and colorful and ready to pack for a trip to the beach {maybe I can sneak away on my lunch break}.

All Packed for the Beach!

Visit the Ann Butler Designs™ website and the Clearsnap® website for inspiration and information on these fabulously versatile stamping products.

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Thanks so much for visiting! For more ideas and inspiration follow the Designer Crafts Connection "Ann Butler Designs™ and Clearsnap® Challenge" by selecting hop back/forward on the logo below to enjoy all of the wonderful creations. Sb :)

Designer Craft Connection

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