Designer Craft Connection Manufacturer Challenge - Connie Crystal

Just a little bit of sparkle can dress up anything.  Thanks to Connie Crystal for the opportunity to work with some of the products.  Find some sparkling ideas on the Sparkle blog.

There are a number of other designers who are also participating in this manufacturer challenge using products from Connie Crystal.  This product is new to me and I can see many uses for the crystal sheets to add some extraodinaire glitz to a wide variety of projects.

To show off the sparkle of the crystal sheets that I received, I first created a black felt handbag as a surface.  To give the bag a special finish I attached the crystal pendant that I also received onto the handbag's flap.

I cut two single strips of the crystals from the sheet.  The strips were handsewn along the edge of the handbag flap, front and back.  The extra was trimmed away.

From the remaining crystal sheet, I cut away a 4-square count of the crystals to create a simple pattern in the mesh.  I attached it in a few places with Fabri Tac glue and then stitched around it with handsewing to hold it into place.  Attach a piece of Velcro onto the flap and handbag front to help keep the bag closed.

Any plain purse or handbag can take on a whole new look with some Connie Crystal sheets.

Check out this link to see the other blog posts: DCC Pagehttp://designercraftsconnection.blogspot.com

Materials used for the project:
Kunen Glitterfelt™- Black - 4 sheets
Sewing Machine
Black Thread
Lining Fabric
Beacon Fabri Tac Glue
Connie Crystal crystal sheet - black
Tiny Scissors
Handsewing Needle

Designer Craft Connection Manufacturer Challenge - Offray Ribbon

Participating in manufacturer challenges are always fun and surprising.  This challenge, using a variety of Offray® ribbons was not any different.

Of the five different ribbon bolts that I was sent, the wired, printed bolt was where I felt I should draw my inspiration.  The color combination that I received made me think of the beach and outside entertaining.

Picture this tablesetting on a porch or patio or even a beach blanket.  The placemat was woven using the 1 1/2" wide wire edged printed ribbon, along with both the natural and white 3/8" grograin ribbons.

The ribbons along the four sides are held in place with Beacon® Fabri Tac™ glue,  then machine sewn around the edge.  Trim neatly and the ends folded to the back and glued with Fabri Tac™.

A simple and no-sew napking ring was formed from a piece of thick white canvas, cut 1 1/2" wide and 7" long.  A piece of the same ribbon is glued to one side of the canvas.  Form the ribbon covered strip into a circle and glue to ends to together, overlapping about 1/2".  Embellish the napkin ring with a starfish.

To add to the tablescape I repurposed an empty candle jar into a vase.  Lengths of the natural 3/8" grograin ribbon was cut into strips long enough to fit on the candle jar from the top, down around the bottom, and up to the top of the jar (plus adding an additional 2").  Use Beacon® 3-in-1 glue to add the ribbon strips to the outside of the candle jar.  Cut two circles from felt for the bottom of the jar.  Cut  a small circle from the center of each.  Glue the two layers to the bottom.  Trim the ribbons at the top evenly and then glue to the inside edge.  To finish the vase, glue a length of the same ribbon near the top and a starfish for embellishment.

Each of these projects could be made with other colors and widths of other Offray™ ribbons for any desired theme or look.  There was one more project that is not quite completed, using the other ribbons that I received. Once finished I will add it to this post.  NOTE:  This will be a longer table runner, made with the two grograin ribbons and the 1 1/2" white and natural  organza ribbons that I received.  It will be woven like the placemat and finished in the same way.  Once completed, I may sew the printed ribbon as a binding around the edges.  A table runner made using sheer ribbons, mixed with a sturdier grosgrain, would add to any tablescape.  White for weddings, colors to suit any holiday.

Uncomplete, woven table runner using sheers and grosgrain ribbons.

Photos of woven runner before and after binding of the wired and printed ribbon was added:

Ribbon is for much more than bows - the manufacturer challenge should prove that point.  Enjoy the many ideas and designs you fill find in the participating blogs.  Thank you OFFRAY™ for this opportunity!

http://www.offray.com/

Designer Craft Connection Manufacturer Challenge - Oly*Fun by Fairfield

Costume challenge using Oly*Fun Multi-purpose craft material - Oh my!!!  Just like the label reads: Easy to cut with scissors, craft knives or die-cutting machines that accept fabric.  Water resistant and easy to sew - and so much more!

This little pumpkin costume  and "trick or treat" bag, I created for my four year old granddaughter was made using Oly*Fun material in Orange Crush, Clover, Pine and Hot Fudge.  The body of the pumpkin began two pieces of the Orange Crush fabric that measured  28" x 20 1/2 ".   I used a large piece of paper with the same measurements to create a pumpkin shaped pattern.  The pattern was traced onto the Oly*Fun with a white fabric marking crayon.  Then two pieces of Fairfield Poly-fil Low Loft batting were cut using the same pattern, only adding about 3/4" to 1" extra all around the pattern.  From white muslin, two of the pumpkin patterns are cut the same size as the Poly-fil batting. The three layers are layered together and pinned along the edges to hold the three layers together.  Lines are drawn onto the pumpkin shape to replicate the natural grooves in a pumpkin.

Use a decorative stitch on a sewing machine to stitch over all of the lines.  Sew the two pieces together  straight across, at the shoulder area.  NOTE: Use 1/4" seam.  Use the same decorative stitch to sew around the entire shape, removing pins as you sew.   NOTE: When sewing the decorative stitch around the front and back shape, stitch about 1/2" in from the edge.  Trim around evenly with pinking shears through all three layers.

Cut down the center back from neck to bottom edge.  Finish the two cut edges with the same decorative stitch and trim with pinking shears in the same manner.  Sew Velcro tape to the edges of the back as a closure.  Use wide bias tape to finish the neck area.  Cut four strips from the Clover, measuring 1" x 24" for s ties.  Sew them to the inside of the front and back on each side of the pumpkin.  NOTE:  Fit the costume on the child and find the best placement and pin before hand sewing.

Cut a square approxiamately 12" x 12 from Orange Crush, Hot Fudge and the low loft poly-fil.  Layer the three together and pin at the edges.  Draw lines onto  the shape to make a circle to fit the piece.  Add lines for decorative stitching as the body.  Finish by adding the decorative stitch around to form a circle top.  Cut edge with pinking shears.   Cut and sew a  triangular piece of Hot Fudge to create a stem.  NOTE: Approximate measurement is 8" long, with the finished top measuring 3", bottom 6". Make the piece long enough so the narrow top can be bent over slightly and glued.  Cut 1" slits into the bottom edge of the brown stem.  Cut a hole into the center of the circle.  The stem is fitted into the  hole and the slits are glued around the cut opening.  Stuff the bottom part of the stem with batting.   Cut a strip from Pine, measuring 1 1/2" x 45" for a tie. Find center of strip and glue  Cover the opening and part of the strip, by gluing a 4" circle of Hot Fudge Oly*Fun fabric over this area.

Layer a piece of Clover and Pine together and die-cut leaf shapes.  Add simple straight stitch veins onto the layered leaves.  To create tendrils - cut two strips from Clover, 1/2" x 20".  Carefully stitch a piece of floral wire onto the strips using a zig-zag stitch.  NOTE: widen and lengthen the stitch for tis step and go slowly.  Wrap the strip around a 1/2" dowel rod to create a spiral.  Pull to lengthen and shape the long tendril for the pumpkin body.  For the hat, fold the strip unevenly and shape tendril.  Glue tendrils into place.  Add leaves, by gluing,  as desired or refer to placement on photo.  Pumpkin blossoms are made from yellow strips of fabric, 4" w x 7" l.  Fold fabric width in half.  Use a running stitch along the raw edge and gather the piece to form a blossom, knotting to hold shape.  Glue blossoms in place.

Why not make an easy "trick or treat" bag too!  Cut a piece measuring 30" x 12" for the body of the bag and 2 pieces for handles, measuring 2 1/2" x 20" from Hot Fudge Oly*Fun.  Turn the two short edges of the fabric (top edges of bag) over about 1".  Sew down hems with a decorative stitch.  Place right sides together, sew each side with a straight stitch, forming a 1/4" seam.  Turn bag right side out.  Make two handles from strips by folding long edges in, handles will be about 1" wide.  NOTE: Press if necessary, using a low setting on iron and press cloth.  Sew the handles onto bag.  Add leaves for embellishment.

I will admit this was the first time I have worked with this product.  Loved everything about it!  Next will  I would like to  experiment with paints and more.  It is important to mention again to use a low setting and a press cloth when ironing.  Oly*Fun is available from Hancock Fabric, Fabric.com and through http://shop.fairfieldworld.com/c/oly-fun.

There will be a "Giveaway" for Oly*Fun fabric - Please enter using this link: Rafflecopter

For Fairfield Social Media sites here are links:

https://www.facebook.com/FairfieldWorld

http://fairfieldworld.com/blog

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

http://instagram.com/fairfieldworld

Kunin Felt/Beacon Adhesives/Buttons Galore & More Manufacturer Challenge

Another challenge presented itself this month.  When the package arrives it's always a surprise to see what is sent and then to come up with a finished design with the materials provided.  I'm anxious to see all the ideas from the participating designers and thrilled to be sharing mine with everyone!

Three manufacturers were gracious enough to provide materials to work with.  Here is a list of the three with links you can go to for information and ideas.

Kunin Felt

http://kuningroup.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kunin-Felt-Products/259966984033282

https://twitter.com/KuninFeltFC

http://www.pinterest.com/kuningroupgeorg/

Beacon Adhesives

http://www.beaconadhesives.com/chaven.html

https://www.facebook.com/beaconadhesives

https://twitter.com/BeaconAdhesives

http://www.pinterest.com/beaconadhesives/

Buttons Galore & More

http://buttonsgaloreandmore.net

https://www.facebook.com/buttonsgalore

https://twitter.com/ButtonsGalore

http://www.pinterest.com/buttonsgalore

Products used here are:
        Printzfelt™Blooming Floral
        Rainbow Classicfelt™ Bright Lilac, Yellow, Fuchsia
        Beacon Adhesive Felt Glue
        Beacon Adhesive Fabri Tac
        Buttons Galore & More assorted coordinated buttons


Now to share three home decor ideas with the materials I received.  Each of these can take on a completely different look by using any of the felt designs.

A simple, no-sew table runner was made from a length of burlap fabric as a base.  The Blooming Floral Printzfelt and yellow Classicfelt was die-cut for the scallop design and rick-rack design on the two ends.  Three other dies were used to cut the larger flower and leaves for the ends and the layered small flowers.  Either of the glues listed can be used for this project.  Both will work extremely well to adhering the felt pieces to the burlap.  NOTE: A tip when gluing, place a piece of waxed paper underneath the burlap for protection of residual glue.  Once felt flowers are in place, glue a button into the center of the two large flowers on the ends.  Use a glitter glue to add a dot to the centers of the smaller layered flowers for a touch of sparkle.

Recently I have seen several ideas for "candle mats", "candle rugs" and "candle wraps".  I made a no-sew version of my own to share.  For the mat or rug, cut a square piece of felt.  For the border pieces I cut small squares and cut each in half on the diagonal.  Fold and glue the two corner points to the top point on each of the triangles.  NOTE: I used Fabri Tac for this step. If needed weight or clip with something to hold them in place till dry and ready for next step.  Glue the folded triangle pieces onto the cut square, placing them even around the edges.  Two are placed side-by-side on the corners of the square.  Finish decorating with die-cut leaves and flowers.  Glue a button onto the center of each flower.  NOTE: Beacon Felt Glue can be used for these steps. 

For the candle wrap, cut a rectangle from a piece of felt, approximately 3 1/2" x 12".  The length of the piece should fit around the circumference of a pillar candle or large jar candle, with about a 1/2" gap for tying it closed. Cut two strips of felt about 1/2" wide x 3 1/2".  Glue the strips to the end edges of the rectangle.  If desired, cut along the length of the piece with scallop scissors. Fold the felt piece in half, matching the ends and punch two sets of holes for threading ribbon through.  Die-cut
3-D flowers from felt.  Roll and form the flowers and glue together using Fabri Tac. Hand or die-cut leaves.  Arrange leaves and flowers as desired and glue them into place.

List of other materials used:
Sizzix Big Shot
Sizzix Dies - Eileen Hull Leaves, Eileen Hull # 657721 Borders & Hydrangeas, Flowers-3-D, Flower Layers w/ Leaf, Flower-Build a Lilac
Ranger Ice Stickles-Silver Ice

There are 14 different designers taking part in this challenge, please go to each of their blogs or websites and find more fantastic ideas!  Use the Designer Craft Connection button to the right of this post to allow you to hop through to each of them.
  
Please enter to win a prize package valued for over $100.00 using this link:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Entries for prize drawing will be accepted through September 14th.