Scrap Chat : :

Yesterday, on a whim, I decided to offer up some of my fabric scraps to those ordering felt during my sale. A win, win for sure! But once I had the day's orders all laid out and I began sorting through my scraps, I became completely overwhelmed!

What's too small? What's too big? Should I press them? They're kind of wrinkled from being shoved in my drawer! Should I square them up so they look nice and neat?

My goodness, I was seriously stressing out over this?! In the end, I ended up with these answers --
I will send a variety of sizes, I will square them up a little, and I will definitely press them!



Back when I was avoiding packing for the BIG move into our new home, I started making these Simple Color Totes, with my Simply Color Layer Cake. I love, love the idea of organizing my scraps by color! I accomplished four before I had run out of my procrastination time, and I still plan to finish out that rainbow eventually!





The majority of my scraps presently dwell in the large bottom drawer of my most favorite dresser, stuffed to the brim! Which is why I'm happy, thrilled actually, to offer some up!



So, when I saw that my friend Alia had ordered, creator of this beautiful, felt needle book of mine, I decided to send her a nice variety!



A little improv scattering of scraps for another order!



And, when Mara asked so sweetly for orange and purple scraps, if I could please, I was happy to share!



One day I will eventually get around to beginning that second scraps quilt!



But with each new sewing day, comes more and MORE scraps than I could ever imagine using all on my own!

So today, I'm asking all of you -- What do you keep? What do you consider useful scraps? Do you keep your selvages, as well? And, how do you store your own scraps?

I'll continue sending out my scraps with all the Wool Blend Felt orders I receive during my sale, and I may even use your super helpful answers to offer up some fabric scrap bundles in my Etsy shop at some point, as well!

As always, thanks so much taking the time to stop by!   ♥, Maureen

A Quilt-as-you-go Tote : :

First, I  need to start out by saying that I wish I had better photos of my finished tote bag to share today, but these last few days have been pretty dark and dreary...and busy. With that said, I do love this bag! The combination of the dark eggplant purple, cool aqua blue, and the bright citron green is such a winner! So much so, that while I was sewing I just couldn't decided what they should become, I just really wanted it to be something good and perfect for how great I felt these colors were together. I asked you all for help here and there, I changed my mind several times, and after all that I am happy with the end result. Hooray!



This bag was made by the Quilting-As-I-Go method, which I am a HUGE fan of!! I have thought about sharing a little how-to, if any of you are interested?? Just say the word! Here are a few shots I took during the making...

When I couldn't decide...



Making my quilt-as-you-go sides...



Up on my make-shift design wall, when I really thought it should be a quilt...



When it started becoming a bag... No going back now!





Once it became a bag, I added lots of little details that were fun for me to do and try -- a variety of quilting stitches, sturdy quilted handles, one of my favorite ceramic buttons, a little twine stitch detail, quilted pockets, pleated sides. 

I still think it would have been a really great quilt, but honestly, I needed to finish something quicker than that to get me going again! It worked!! And, now that I am taking my sewing and giving it my all to make it my full-time job, I needed something I could add to my etsy and hopefully sell! Positive thoughts that this works, too!!

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Zakka Style Sew-Along {and GIVEAWAY!} : :

Here we are at week 23 of the Zakka Style Sew-Along and it's finally my turn to share!!



This sew along is being led by Lindsey and Amy. They have invited 24 bloggers to sew the projects found in Rashida Coleman-Hale's book, Zakka Style, and what a wonderful book it is! I was lucky enough to be gifted a signed copy when I met Rashida at a sewing retreat in Atlanta -- I love my book!!



And, I LOVE my Happy Garland Message Board! This project was designed by Katrien Van Deuren of A bit of Pilli Pilli. I adore her style!



Made with Robert Kaufman's Essex Yarn Dyed Linen and colorful fabric scraps, with a sweet stitched bow detail, a little twine, and mini clothes pins -- It's the perfect place to hang a note and was such a fun project! As for my BIG news....I'll be sharing that soon!



If you join in and are making the Happy Garland Message Board this week, don't forget to post a photo of your finished project in the Flickr pool and link it up to Lindsey's blog, LR Stitched, for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Fabricworm. WOW!! Good luck!



Today, I get to giveaway FIVE sample packs of amazing Aurifil Thread! I've been using nothing but Aurifil for several months now and I love it! I'm so excited that five of you will get a chance to win some. A Big thanks to Aurifil for sponsoring this Sew-Along!!

Enter to Win!

 
Here's how,
 
Simply leave a comment here in this post!  Enter now through Thursday morning, September 6th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this post, here on the blog!
 
* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you should you win!

Good luck everyone!!
* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered this past weekend's Giveaway!! 

 

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  From 430 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky FIVE winners are... comments #

 75 --  Colleen
124 -- linda
203 -- Kristi
34 -- Jackie Dudek
11 -- pennydog

Congratulations, friends!!! I will be in touch shortly!

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For the Kiddos : :

There certainly hasn't been enough sewing/crafting time happening with the kids this Summer! How about for you? Usually, crafting together as a family is a huge part of our Summer, so I'm pretty bummed about it! But don't feel too bad, I think I'm the only one! I had so many things I wanted to make with them, that's just not happening. The main reason being this weather! It's just too nice hot to be inside. So, today I thought it would be good to share the couple of projects we actually did work on together before too much time passes.

Have you seen the book Sewing School? It's full of simple sewing projects for children to make. We've used it to help guide us through a couple different projects in the past (here), and it was really helpful. This time, in the early morning a couple of weeks ago, Jacob joined me in the sewing room and had decided on following a pattern in this book from start to finish.

It was fun to watch, to lend a hand when he needed it, and to have that chance for just the two of us to work together on our own projects.

He did a great job! Teaching him the basics during our Sewing Buttons 101 craft, really has given him the tools he needs to do this type of project almost completely on his own. And, he even has plans (weather permitting) to make more as gifts. Aren't they cute?!

Another project that we really had fun with are these fork pompoms!



We've made these several times (here and here), and this time we combined fuzzy, wool yarn and Divine Twine to make a colorful strand of garland, and even used one pompom to make a sweet flower!



If you're looking for a fun and easy craft to do with your own children or grandchildren, this is it!

I also finished up another Train Pillow Cover Set, as an etsy order, that I have to share! I've had my shop closed most of this Summer, and it certainly feels strange to not be busy making all those crowns and pillows like I was. Hopefully, I'll be plenty busy this Fall, when my shop is open, and I give my all to making this sewing gig my full time job!!



For now, I'm going to keep hoping for a nice two-day stretch of rain to happen sometime this Summer! One for a full day of crafting together, and the second to clean up our mess!!

Whisker Graphics Giveaway Winner!!

Thank you to all who entered and to Whisker Graphics

for hosting such a wonderful weekend Giveaway!!! 

From 563 entries Mr. Random says the lucky winner of Twenty Chevron Middy Bitty Bags, Twenty Chevron Little Bitty Bags, and One spool of Divine Twine, color choices are up to you, is # 25....

Jane Skoch, who said...

Gosh, how do you pick a color! I love red!

Congratulations Jane!!! I will be in touch shortly!

I'll be back later this morning with my regular post to share and
I have a new fabric giveaway beginning this Friday morning!!
So be sure to stop back!!

A Sponsor GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Friday Giveaway Day!! 

My sponsor, Whisker Graphics, has a really fun and special offer today!

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Whisker Graphics is a young, small company that strives to create fun, well-designed products that bring a smile to your face. They are the proud makers of Divine Twine (eco-luxe bakers twine in yummy colors), Bitty Bags and Sweet Stickys labels. Whisker Graphics is the little shop where you can find paper, printable and packaging goodness.

Website  *  Blog  *  Facebook 
 

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We hope you enjoy visiting their sites!!  

For this weekend's Giveaway, Whisker Graphics is offering Twenty Chevron Middy Bitty Bags, Twenty Chevron Little Bitty Bags, and One spool of Divine Twine! The color choice of these offerings is completely up to the lucky giveaway winner!

I've really enjoyed incorporating Divine Twine into some of my own sewing projects! Adding a running stitch around my Valentine Mini Quilt, making the twine pompoms for my Spring Garland Tutorial, and this adorable Easter Treat Bag Tutorial are great examples of how us sewists and craft enthusiasts can incorporate twine into our own work! 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   

Enter to Win!

Here's how,

1. Simply add a comment to this post! I'd love to know what colors you would choose or what you would love to use these bags and twine for? (one entry)
2. Follow Whisker Graphics on their facebook page. Just let me know that you follow, by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)
3. Followers of Maureen Cracknell Handmade get a second entry! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)

Please, enter now through Monday morning, April 9th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog.

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! Please check to make sure you can be contacted!

  
Wishing a wonderful weekend to all!!!

Twine Pompom Garland Tutorial : :

I'm home from a wonderful long weekend away and I thought it would be the perfect day to share a "no sew" (well, almost) tutorial with you today, since I'm up to my ears in laundry and it just happens to make a sweet Easter decoration. There's still time, right!?



What you'll need : :

• Whisker Graphics Divine Twine in a variety of colors
• Circle template or object to trace for pompom maker making
• Pen/pencil for tracing
• Sharp scissors
• Cardboard or heavy weight card stock
• Fabric Scraps (optional)

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1. Trace the circle template or object onto cardboard/card stock to make your pompom maker (this is the perfect job for kiddos or you can purchase pompom makers, too)  2. Add a smaller center circle and draw a line connecting outer cicrcle to the inner circle  3. Cut out the circles, cutting the line and removing the center circle, as well. (This might be a job just for the adults, depending on how old and handy with scissors the children are.)  4. Each pompom maker will require two of the cut out circle cardboard pieces layered together

5. Slip twine end through the cut line of your "doughnut shaped" cardboard pieces and hold the end tightly  6. Continue wrapping the twine around the cardboard by slipping it through the cut line, covering up the cardboard as you go

7. Continue until you have covered the cardboard nicely. You can use less or more depending on how full you want your pompom to be  8. Now it's time to cut! Run the scissors up through the two cardboard pompom makers. Cut carefully to create the fringed edge all the way around  9. Keep the cardboard in place and run a length of twine measuring several inches up in between the two pieces of cardboard. Secure twine by tying a double knot rather tightly  10. Once the twine pieces are secure, remove cardboard pieces, trim away excess twine

Voila! You now have a cute little twine pompom!

Repeat with the other colors of twine. We played around with the fullness and size of the pompoms. Simply, wrap extra twine around the cardboard pompom makers, to make some nice and full, and/or cut out smaller pompom makers from the cardboard to make a variety of pompom sizes.

When you're finished making the pompoms, add them to a long long length of twine

and you'll have a super cute and simple strand of garland to hang!

You can also stitch on several pieces of fabric scraps in coordinating colors to create more of a banner!

I think this makes a very sweet Spring and Easter decoration. Enjoy!!

Weekend Spring Sewing : :

Yesterday I had myself the longest sewing day to date!

I worked on a tutorial for a Spring Twine Garland.



I admired my lovely new stack of Summerlove.



Decided I needed to cut into them ever so slightly, to realize a Spring Pillow idea.



Mostly worked on these, plus a dozen others that didn't get finished until the wee hours.



Made this ridiculous and smelly mistake at some point during all the making. Ack!



Had to cash in this coupon just as soon as the kids were home.



Continued to dream up a plan for my new sketch stitch girl.



Today, I'm wishing you all a wonderful Monday morning and I'm wondering, what did you make this weekend?