Summer cards

Here are a few cards I created last night using clear stamps.  I went in without much of a plan other than giving them a patterned look. They ended up having the feel of Hawaiian printed fabric, especially the green and yellow which is my fav.  Perfect for writing notes to your teacher friends about how bitter you are that they get summers off!

My bedroom floor makes everything look orange

Block 1: Final day

All done!  After a long week of work kept me away from this project, I was finally able to cut away the large areas.  Just some minor clean up and then it's on to block 2.

The creature emerges

Napkin pillows for the non-seamstress

Perhaps it was my compulsive need for approval that led me to be convinced to take typing class instead of sewing when I already knew how to type.  As a result I never learned to sew.  I do have the most basic knowledge, which is pretty much all you need for this easy pillow project.

Pillow covers are a great solution for updating that ugly throw pillow you've kept around even though it stopped matching your decor 2 apartments ago.  If you have a sewing machine, or know how to use the one you have, this will take you about 10 minutes and you probably don't need to be reading this.  If not, then it's the perfect activity for a hungover Sunday on the couch watching a Netflix movie, or could even be worked on outside or at a coffee shop.

For the inexperienced sewer, going into a store to buy fabric can be intimidating, and the selection of country bear patterns can leave something to be desired.  So, my two squares are actually napkins (or even placemats, I'm not sure) purchased from the sale bin at anthropologie.  Bonus: They're already the right size.

Total cost: $8

Step 1: Lay squares on top of one another so that the undersides are touching.  I turned one of mine 90 degrees so there would be fringe on all 4 sides.  Put a stitch in each corner to hold in place.

Step 2: Choose your thread color and sew up 3 of the 4 sides using a simple straight stitch.  Normally, you'd flip it inside out so you don't see the seam, but my pillow couldn't afford to lose any fabric, so I stitched on the outside, very close to the edge.  Another advantage of these napkins is that they already have a seam, so if you are sewing by hand you can follow it to keep your stitch straight, or mostly straight.  

Using a similar color thread helps
disguise your bad or lazy sewing

Step 3: Put in the stuffing from your old pillow.

This probably didn't need a photo to explain.

Step 4: Sew up the final side and cut off extra stitches that held the corners in place, and toss it on a couch or bed!

Makes me want to get my cuddle on.

Block 1: Day 17

All the edges are cleared! Tomorrow I'll gouge out the large areas and be finished with the first block.  

I actually thought this would take a lot longer.

Block 1: Day 10

5 arms free

Block 1: Day 5

Head and 2 arms cleared

I like to start around the edges where there's fine detail, then use a larger tool to take out the big blank spaces.  Reminder for me: Save your fingers by using the Xacto only for small areas.  The wood cutting tools are much more efficient.  I am using the basic wood carving tool set by Sculpture House.


Bonus!
All the flowers in town seemed to have bloomed overnight.  Here's a snapshot of some urban gardening in action.  These are pink clematis.

This could be one of the wallpapers
that comes with your phone