Sewing Machine Information and Q & A

Hi everyone and thanks for stopping by today.  I don't have anything stampy to show you today.  I have been busy with my family during spring break and when I did get a chance to steal away some stamping time, it was done with 4 girls in the room.  They needed help and I am ALWAYS up for recruiting the future stampers of America.  LOL

I have been getting LOTS of e-mails about sewing on card, which machine I use and what type of thread I use... also for you HECKLERS out there that commented on my obsessive thread buying... I will be providing some more "material" for you, so read on! *wink*

Question:  What sewing machine do you use?

Answer: I use the Janome sew mini.  I bought it at Hancock Fabrics online store on sale for $39.99 with free shipping.  It is the best $40 I have ever spent on stamp supplies.  I LOVE stitching on cards and if you are looking for a justification statement: it will save you money on adhesive.  I say that jokingly, but it really will.  LOL

Here is my Baby Janome:

Question: What tension do you set your machine on?  What do I do if my tension leaves my stitches loose?

Answer: I never set my tension.  It came set "around" 3 and I have never touched it.  I am afraid to.  It has always worked for me.  Once, I had a problem with loose stitches, but I had just changed my bobbin.  I took the bobbin out, switched it around and my stitches were fine.  Not sure what that all about, but check your bobbin if you are having problems.  ALSO, use ONLY Janome bobbins.  I think I read that in the manual somewhere.

My tension level:

Question: What stitches do you usually use?

Answer: I use the D straight stitch, and the G zig zag stitch.  I occasionally use the H zig zag stitch.  All the other stitches are too tight and can perforate your paper.  You MIGHT be able to use the next size down, but I prefer the longer stitch.  Also, with smaller stitches, you have to keep your paper SUPER still while sewing or you'll look like you were drunk sewing and that is NOT a good look... unless it's crazy on purpose stitches... then THAT is ok. :)

My preferred stitches:

Question: What kind of thread do you use?

Answer: I use Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP Heavy thread.  It comes on spools of 125 yards (114 m.) and is 100% Polyester covered Polyester (whatever that means LOL).

After I got my sewing machine, I went out and bought a bunch of different colored threads from Walmart and used that until I came across the thread mentioned above.  I was looking for a different color at Hobby Lobby and came across this thread.  It looked SO thick and rich and I HAD to get it.  While I was satisfied before, I didn't know this thread existed.  It looks way different on my cards than the cheaper stuff.  Sometimes with thinner thread, you can actually see the bobbin thread hooking into the top thread on the surface of your card.  I didn't like that.  While the actual difference in thickness can't be THAT substantial... it sure seems like it when I am using it.  One negative about using the thicker thread is, it seems to pull at my card stock a bit when I am stitching.  You need to keep your hands on the card stock and gently guide it as it goes along.  With the thinner thread, I didn't have to be as diligent about guiding the paper.  I will liken it to pulling a piece of fishing line and then pulling a length of chain.  It definitely has a different feel.  LOL  That being said, I now ONLY use the C & C Heavy thread. 

Here is the thread I use:

White

"Kraft"

"Natural"

"Pewter"

Now, for all you "hecklers" in the audience... you'll notice I have white thread again.  Well... my order of 14 spools has not arrived yet!  I went to Hobby Lobby a couple days ago and decided that I wasn't patient enough and wanted some NOW, so I bought 4 spools of white, 4 kraft, 1 natural and 1 cream.  LOL  You know what drove me crazy?  It was 40% off!  So, I just ordered 14 spools for $25, and I COULD HAVE gotten more than that at Hobby Lobby for the same amount of money.... *sigh*... a bargain lost!  Good thing I have a large stash now and won't be needing to deal with this again anytime soon huh?  LOL 

Number of total spools I'll have once my order arrives from Joanns.com: 36 (18 of which are white).  Excessive?  Maybe... but, I LOVE it and that makes it ok.  LOL  How long will it last?  Not long enough I am sure.  LOL  I like to be WELL STOCKED!

Please note that the price of this thread is pretty excessive when compared to other threads available. 

• 
  
  Coats & Clark, 125 yards per spool, $1.89, $.01512 per yard
• 
  
  Coats & Clark "regular" thread, 300 yards per spool, $2.05, $.00683 per yard
• 
  
  Wal Mart thread, 500 yards per spool, $.50, $.001 per yard

For me, the added cost is worth it and $1.89 per spool won't break the bank. 

The competition:

Here are some online sources for the Coats & Clark Dual Duty XP Heavy thread I use:

• Joanns.com (google for a coupon code, I found one for free shipping with a $25 purchase, but that one is expired already)
• Hobbylobby.com 

I hope you found this helpful.  Here are some past sewing tutorials you may be interested in viewing:

• Threading your machine and a few set-up basics
• Zig Zag stitching in a straight line and how to make the front of your card look nice and neat with NO stray threads!
• Zig Zag stitches comparison
• Sewing around a layer, zig zag with squared corners
• Sewing around a layer, zig zag with V-shaped corners

Thanks so much for stopping by and see you soon!

Everything appears more clear...

I was inspired by the sentiment I used for my card.  I saw the word bright and was inspired to make a sun.  The word clear inspired me to use a clear card base.

You may have noticed I have been using some "kraft" colored thread the past several days.  Well... I ran out of my favorite white thread and I am NOT going to use the thin junk I have... so "kraft" it is.  Being that I live in a small town with no craft stores, I had to order some.  Until I receive my order of FOURTEEN SPOOLS (yes, I am serious), I will be using the colors other than white that I have.  It's keeping me from going into full-blown withdrawal.  LOL

I created the sun using some Nestabilities circle dies.  The rays were created free-hand by cutting little wedges and then taping them around the back-side of the circle. 

I had a hard time photographing the inside of the card because the clear card stock isn't very pliable.  Here is a peek:

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays
Ink: PTI black
Paper: Kraft, White, Smoky Black, So Saffron, clear card stock
Accessories: Janome sew mini, saffron brads, red line tape, red line dimensionals, ric rac ribbon

The Best Birthdays

This card was made with MFT's Triple Scoop set of the month, Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays.  You can earn this set free with a qualifying purchase through April 7th.  Click HERE to find out how. :)

I wanted to make the card look like a wrapped gift.  The flower was made with a SU flower die.

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays

Ink: PTI black

Paper: Kraft, white, Basic Grey Green at Heart

Accessories: button, twine, white brads, red line tape, red line dimensionals, Janome sew mini

Beauty Steals Inward

Hi everyone and happy Monday!

I spent some time stamping this past weekend and am SO happy about that!  As an added bonus, I was stamping in a CLEAN space.  WOW... that doesn't happen very often!  I spent the better part of Saturday afternoon cleaning and whipping my stamp room back into shape.  It was beginning to get lost in piles o' stuff and I couldn't stand it any longer!  Of course when I first started to stamp, I just sat there... unsure of what to do with all the empty space on my desk... then I remembered Jen's Sketch For you to Try (SFYTT).  If you'd like to play along, see the sketch, OR see all the great cards that have already been made using the sketch click on over to her blog HERE for more details. :)

I used MFT's Triple Scoop set of the month, Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays to make my card.  You can earn this set FREE before April 7th with a qualifying order.  Click HERE for more details on that.

For the embellishment, I stacked a Heidi Swapp ghost shape and a button threaded with some twine.  I stitched it onto my card to secure it well.  The sentiment is "fan tailed" and I used red line dimensionals to keep the flag "fluffed".

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week! 

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental about Birthdays
Ink: PTI black
Paper: Kraft, Green at heart Basic Grey, white
Accessories: Heidi Swapp ghost shape heart, button, twine, red line tape, red line dimensionals

Speedy Huggabugg Recovery

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today.  Today I used another Bella stamp I have had for a while and hadn't gotten around to using yet.  This is a Huggabugg and can be found here.

This image was stamped in Memento black and colored with Copic markers.  I used a paper piercer and plastic canvas template to pierce around the perimeter of the circle. 

Stamps: Huggabugg and sentiment from Stamping Bella

Ink: Memento black

Paper: Fossil (Kraft), Hot Fudge, White, Basic Grey Nook & Pantry

Accessories: Brown ribbon, blush brads, Janome sew mini, Copic markers, paper piercer, plastic canvas template, red line tape, red line dimensionals, mini copper brads

Here's to you!

Today, I have a card with another Green Bean Baby by Bella. This is Coco has a Cuppycake. I just can't get enough of these cute little girls. They're adorable! Must... collect... them... all...

I was inspired by Joanne to make the little sentiment flag thingies.

Stamps: Coco has a Cuppycake Green Bean Baby (Bella), Bella sentiment
Ink: Memento black
Paper: Basic Grey Nook & Pantry, white, blush
Accessories: blush brads, may arts ribbon, Copic markers, Janome sew mini, red line tape, red line dimensionals

Baby Bump

Hi all and welcome to the Who's That Girl Hop!  Today is VIP day!  You have ONE day to take advantage of this special deal AND get this stamp set THREE WEEKS before the official release!  Grab yours in the MFT boutique in the My Favorite Products category!  HURRY, there are a limited number available. 

If you are just happening along the hop, be sure to start at the beginning at Kim's blog, so you don't miss any of the designer's creations. 

The Who's That Girl this month, is all about the Baby Bump.  Isn't the image adorable?  I LOVE it.  It is fun to color, too. :)  I watercolored the image and paired it with some patterned paper from Crate.

Now, I have to brag about my daughter, Madeline.  She LOVES to be involved in anything I do.  Last month, as I was gazing at this image and brainstorming sentiments for Kim, Madeline asked if she could help.  I, of course, said yes, as she has helped me in the past and some of her suggestions even made the stamp sets!  YAY for a cutie little 9 year old, huh?  LOL  So, the very first thing she suggests is: Shop 'til you drop!  I thought it was cute AND hilarious, because of the double meaning in "drop" in a pregnancy set and sent the suggestion along to Kim.  Well... here is it!  LOL  When I showed Madeline while I was making this card she giggled and was beaming with pride.  She says she is famous.  :)  So, when you use this sentiment, think of her. :)

With the purchase of the VIP Kit this month, you'll receive the Baby Bump Additions set for FREE ($9 value).  I decided to use that stamp set and make a little gift tote to go with the card.

I love making patterned paper flowers.  I used the SU Sizzix flower die in the current catalog. 

Baby Bump VIP Kit ($32.50) contents:

• Baby Bump stamp set
• Baby Bump Additions stamp set (FREE- $9 value)
• Baby Bump Ribbons
• Baby Bump "Diaper Pins"
• 10 pack Kraft Scalloped Note Cards with envelopes (A2)

Ready to hop along?  Your next stop on the hop is the amazingly talented, Amy Sheffer!

Shop 'til you "drop"! card supplies

Stamps: Baby Bump

Ink: PTI black

Paper: SU watercolor paper, Crate patterned paper, Kraft (Fossil) A2 scalloped note card, hot fudge

Accessories: aged copper brads (paper studio), red line tape, red line dimensional dots, ribbon, Janome sew mini, aquapainter, clear embossing powder, Copic markers (sidewalk), square punch

For the Mom-to-Be tote supplies

Stamps: Baby Bump Additions, Baby Bump

Ink: PTI black

Paper: Fossil card stock, hot fudge, SU watercolor paper, Crate patterned paper

Accessories: Janome sew mini, red line dimensional dots, red line dimensionals, oval nesties, SU sizzix die, copper brads, Tote Accucut die, twine, clear embossing powder, red line tape

Green Bean Reader

Hi all and thanks for visiting today!  :)

I have been stampin' up a storm (and having a blast doing it).  I decided to play in Jen's SFYTT (sketch for you to try) from this past Saturday.  Check out the sketch and details on YOU can play HERE.

For my card, I used the Stamping Bella Green Bean Baby stamp HERE.  She is SO adorable and reminds me of Maddie, my youngest daughter.  She is a bookworm and wears glasses, so this stamp was a no-brainer for me. :) 

The image is stamped in Memento black and colored with Copic markers. 

Here is a peek inside:

I have a big ol' pile of Bella stamps that I am dying to use, so expect to see some more Bella cards in the coming days/weeks. :)

Stamps: Betty the Bookworm, book sentiment from Bella

Ink: Memento black

Paper: white, brown, Nook & Pantry

Accessories: Janome sew mini, Copic markers, nesties, Prima (Michael's), paper piercer and plastic canvas circle, copper brads, red line tape, red line dimensionals

Watercolored Fairy

Hi all and thanks for stopping by today.  :)  I made this fairy card using Pure Innocence Fairy Girl to coordinate with the framed Pure Innocence piece I made in this post.  I had all the papers out still and just had to use some more of the mushroom patterned paper.  It's just TOO perfect with this image. :)

I decided to play in  Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #64.  Make sure to pop over to see what other stampers did with this sketch. :)

To keep this card (and image) cohesive with the frame, I decided to watercolor her. 

Here are some watercolor tips for you:

• Buy several plastic pallets from walmart or other craft store.  They generally run less than $1.  Drop a couple drops of reinker (dye ink) in the wells and then one drop of the straight color on the inside of the pallet directly by the well you placed the same color in.  Squirt a couple squirts of water in each well to water down the ink, and then you can use the straight ink inside for shading as you watercolor.  The AWESOME thing about this, is that when you are done, if you have ink left in the wells, just set it aside and it will dry.  When you are ready to color again with the same colors, just squirt some water in the wells again and it will rehydrate and be ready to go.  No waste!  Just try to cover it with plastic or place it in a baggie after the ink dries so you don't get dust on your pallet.
• Use a nice watercolor brush or EMPTY water brush.  If you have water in your aquapainter, you will dump too much water on your image and the colors will run and bleed.
• Don't color areas adjacent to each other without drying first (either air dry or use your heat gun). 
• I like to stamp my image, then clear emboss for more control.  When watercoloring, the colors will be "trapped" within the embossed edges and you'll be less likely to get running colors, etc. 
• If you make a mistake or your colors start running together: dry, then re-wet the area with JUST WATER.  Grab a paper towel and soak up the water in the area.  That should remove the color as well.  Repeat as necessary.  Don't rub the area, as you'll damage the paper and then the ink will soak into the paper, making the color much darker.
• Keep adding color until you are happy with your image.  With watercolor, you can keep adding color, different strengths of ink/water, until you have the desired look.
• Remember it's watercolor.  It's ok... however it turns out.  It is YOUR art.  :)

Here is a peek inside:

Stamps: Fairy Girl Pure Innocence
Ink: PTI black
Paper: Crate patterned paper, white, hot fudge, SU watercolor paper
Accessories: Fiskars apron lace border punch, silver brads, Swarovski crystal 4 mm, clear glitter, quickie glue pen, aquapainter (water brush), plastic pallet, Janome sew mini, red line tape, red line dimensionals, red line dimensional dots, clear embossing powder

Have a "fairy" nice day.  :)  See you tomorrow with another card!

Spring

The weather is starting to warm up, and I thought it would be fun to make a home decor project that would welcome SPRING.

I used my Fairy Girl Pure Innocence for the main image.  I just love her.  SO sweet.  She is stamped on watercolor paper (SU) with PTI black ink and embossed in clear.  I used SU reinkers and an empty aquapainter to watercolor her (I water down the ink in a palette instead of filling my water brush). 

The word Spring, was die-cut using my SU Sizzix alphabet.  I used heavy weight kraft chipboard and adhered Crate patterned paper to it using Xyron before I die cut the letters to make it easier and more polished.

I die cut the flowers using the same patterned paper and a SU Sizzix flower die.  I laid them all out, alternating colors and then adhered them together with a large brad.  Then, I fluffed each one, by molding the petals with my fingers. 

Stamps: Fairy Girl Pure Innocence

Ink: PTI black, SU reinkers

Paper: SU watercolor paper, Crate patterned paper, Hot Fudge cardstock

Accessories: Sizzix dies, aquapainter, pallet, brads, Swarovski crystals, Martha Stewart grass punch, clear embossing powder, red line tape, red line dot dimensionals, may arts ribbon

BIrthday Blooms Invitation: MFT Blog Hop & Shop

Hi everyone and welcome to the MFT release night Shop & Hop! :) All the stamp sets that have been "peeked" over the 5 past days are available NOW, right HERE! There are SO many adorable sets to choose from! :)

If you are just happening upon the hop, make sure to go back to the beginning at Kim's blog, so you don't miss any eye candy along the way OR your chance to win BLOG CANDY (which is "hidden" on one of the DT members blogs along the way)! :) Be sure to leave comments as you go.

My project today features the Invitation Only and Who's That Birthday Girl stamp sets. My 9 year old will soon be hitting the double digits and she wanted some COOL party invitations. It is going to be a small affair with only 2 friends coming (for a full day of festivities), so I went ALL OUT and created this for her invitations:

The invitation stands about 14 inches tall. I created the blooms with a SU die and then placed different things in the center of each flower. In one, I included a picture of Madeline. In another, I used the birthday cake from Who's That Birthday Girl to create a cake and topped it with the number 10 using the number candles (which was such a brilliant idea for the artist, Christy Beckwith, to include in the set). For the last flower, I included one of the sentiments included in the Invitation Only Stamp set, It's a Party.

The actual vase that is holding the flowers is something I found in my alterables stash. Hoarding can be a GOOD thing... see? I have probably had it for years. LOL I need to make one more of these for the 2nd invitation, but I will need to find another suitable container in my stash. These are one of a kind pieces of art for these girls. It is totally worth it though... my daughter SQUEALED when she saw it and can hardly wait to hand them out. :) My 12 year old daughter, Bailey, has a standing request for something similar for her birthday in about 6 months. LOL

The vase is covered with patterned paper and a die cut scalloped strip that came with the paper pack. I adhered die cut blooms all around the vase. There was a big scrolly die cut that I adhered to the front, and then adhered the biggest bloom from the flowers on it. In the center of that, is a little message I put together using the Invitation Only and Who's That Birthday Girl stamp sets. I used the line stamp from Invitation Only and then created the greeting. I will include a typed note for the parents with the details of the party, as it is a long list of activities for the day including velcro wall jumping, huge inflatables, rock wall climbing, all you can eat BBQ and whatever else she adds to the list before then. :)

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I made this card using Who's That Birthday Girl and the same patterned paper pack I used to make the party invitations.

The sentiments in the set can be used to stamp out the "Birthday Song". Isn't that cool? I will write in the birthday girl's name when it's time to send out the card, and it will become a personalized greeting just for her. :)

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There is LOTS more to see, so you better hop along now! Jessie is up next and I'm sure she has something fabulous to show you! Don't forget to leave comments as you go for the chance to win a $15 gift voucher from MFT.

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Birthday Blooms Invitation

Stamps: Invitation Only, Who's That Birthday Girl, Clearly Sentimental about Chocolate

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Black, White, My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow

Accessories: SU flower die, circle punches, red line tape, red line dimensional dots, sticky dots, paper shred, milk can tin

Happy Birthday to You card

Stamps: Who's That Birthday Girl?

Ink: Memento Black

Paper: Black, white, My Minds Eye Bloom & Grow

Accessories: baby braddies, Janome sew mini, Copic markers, red line tape, red line dimensionals, black brads, circle punches

Lovey Dovey

Today is RELEASE DAY for MFT!  Be sure to come to the MFT forum from 8-10 PM EST for the release party.  All 13 stamp sets will go live on the site at 10 PM EST.  Also, check back at 10 PM EST for the Blog Hop & Shop.

Today, I am using one of the stamp sets that will be released tonight, Clearly Sentimental about You.  Being the sappy person that I am, I had a hand in finding many of these awesome (sappy) quotes for the set.  Everyone needs this set.  It has sentiments that would work well for a significant other, a child... and for people you just adore.  :)

I kept the emphasis on the sentiment, but couldn't resist using one of my new Prima flowers (Purchased at Michael's).  Isn't it cool lookin'?

Inside, I kept with the oval theme, but in a different orientation, for a fun panel to write a lovey dovey message on.  I used another sentiment that comes in the set.

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental about You (MFT)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Smoky Black, Cream, My Mind's Eye
Accessories: Janome sew mini, pewter brads, nestabilities, SU brad, Prima flower, Paper Studio lace trim (Hobby Lobby), red line tape, red line dimensionals

Pure Innocence Tweens & Boys

MFT will be releasing 5 new Pure Innocence stamp sets on March 3rd at 10 PM EST in the MFT store.  The Pure Innocence line includes A Boy & His Dog and Tweeny Teen, which helps me stamp cards for 2 of the hardest "category" of people on my stamping list: boys and tweens.  (YAY MFT)

Boys are just boys... dirty, silly little beings who don't make sense to us girls.  LOL  I figured I would put the boy in his element: a pile of dirt.  This could have been my son any day of the week when he was young(er).  :) 

 I drew in a sand hill with a fine-tipped black marker and colored it wih Copic markers.  The boy was colored and then I took my E000 marker and touched it to my E31 marker to dirty up his face, shirt and socks.  This brings back fond memories of me taking my kids to a big bunch of dirt mounds that were in a park.  They used to have the greatest time rolling in the dirt.  Nevermind the HUGE play area in the park... they ran straight for the hills.  LOL  

I thought it would be cute to include an "I'm Sorry" sentiment from another of the Pure Innocence sets.  He is apologizing for the horrendous stains on his outfit in case you are wondering. :) 

I finished off the inside with the cute little dog image that is included in the stamp set.

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This card uses the Pure Innocence Tweeny Teen - Rock On stamp set.  This is perfect for tweens.  What says tween more than headphones and a bean bag? 

Here is a peek inside:

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You Rock My Socks

Stamps: Tweeny Teen - Rock On

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Joy Ride, Black, White

Accessories: Prima flower, Janome sew mini, Copic marker, SU brad, red line tape, red line dimensionals, clear embossing powder, Sakura clear glaze pen

I'm Sorry

Stamps: Boy & His Dog - Dog-Gone Cute

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: White, black, SU patterned paper

Accessories: red line tape, red line dimensionals, ric rac, pewter brads, edge punch, Janome sew mini, Copic markers, fine-tipped marker