Blue with stitched flower mug rug

 Here is a little tutorial of how I did this mug rug/small placemat...
I used 2½" squares and the right upper corner is 4½"...

 I used a larger piece of blue than 4½" and stamped a Hero Arts stamp CG134....
I used a fabric ink pad but I needed to see the lines better for stitching.....soooo....
I copied the stamp on vellum and taped the fabric on top and used a light under to see and
traced with a Frixion pen.  These pens are great...easy to write on fabric and the ink is erasable.

 I used a walking foot and the thread is varigated rainbow 838.  I used a shorter stitch (Bernina 1.5 to 1.8) following along the flower lines.  I did the flower first with the batting and then cut the square to 4½" and added to the rest of the blocks.  I then put a layer of batting under the whole thing (this corner has a double layer).  I trimmed some of the batting in the seam areas around the top corner.
I also trim my batting and backing AFTER I add the binding.

Here is the back using the wonder clips to hold while I hand tacked the binding.
I loved doing this project and this tute will help me if I want to make another one!!
so now.....let me know if you make one of these!

I will link to crazymomquilts finish it up Friday..
And to Freemotion by the River Linky Tuesday

Smiles and hugs....Caryl

tutorial for cardmaking with stitching

 Here is a card I made several days ago and I learned a lot in the process...

I haven't made any cards for awhile and had no idea what I was going to make...
I have a hard time coming up with my own design and need to get ideas from other people ...
To start I decided to pick a flower stamp and stamp on fabric and stitch the lines...
(I had done this with another flower stamp on fabric in Dec 2010.)
For the top and back I used antique dots fabric and batting between the layers...
I stamped with Fabrico sky mist fabric ink on both of the fabrics stamped on this card...
the thread on the flower is Rainbow #838 varigated...

Stamps I used for this card:
Hero Arts CG134
Hero Arts CG119
Memory Box B1354
Verses MC0330-D

After stitching I applied Smooch grape soda accent pearlized ink (has an applicator)...
I like the way it shows the dots in the fabric....the photo shows it applied on one petal...
I used Smooch gold lame for the center....
Distress Ink dusty concord for the saying and butterfly....
I looked on flickr for inspiration and got an idea from jillianavery8222
here
I stitched the fabrics by folding it over a piece of cardstock...
then I used a paper strip of Memory Box enchanted in the center to cover the fabric ends...

Things I need to do better next time:

• figure out a way to keep the fabric tight to the back of the cardstock before stitching 
• trim off the corners of the fabric to take away the bulk
• check my thread so I don't run out at a spot that shows on the card
• use a different stitch to put on the center paper that isn't so close together
• be sure to check if all of the center is stitched before stopping
• find a button for the center of the flower
• add some glitter or sparkle
• lightly smear some ink around the edges of the small paper with the words

Smiles and hugs....Caryl