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

I added another stamp display case!

 I got another stamp display case from Debbie at Stamp Delights....
She has moved her store and doesn't need these now.....
I actually found room for them that I didn't think I had!!...
We took the backs off of the cases because they are in front of a mirrored wall....

 My last post I showed what it looked like before with the storage containers on the desktop...
Here are two of them stacked on the floor over by the window behind my chair...works out fine...
That window looks out to the side wall...so glad to fill in the space....

I put a few things on the desk in front of the display case...
My paint holder that I painted in class many years ago....
and my cuttlebug sits there okay....they don't block my view of the stamps.....
I am loving my new arrangement. 

I am linking to Connie at Freemotion by the River.
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

stamp display case and more

 I was so lucky to get a stamp display case when Debbie at Stamp Delights no longer needed this display case......

I have it sitting on a desk in front of a mirrored wall.....

and I will be getting another one to sit beside it!

Here is the top of the desk as it was before the display case....

I found other spots for all three of these....

And here is a photo of some of the tiny pieces I am working on a block for the

Rancher's Daughter quilt along....

My desk with my creative journal page and iPad looking at pinterest! 

Last photo is my back patio outside my room where I sew/quilt/craft/create...............
My pansies are looking so pretty and the slope is starting to bloom after the rain and the nice sunshine!
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

flowers and love

last Monday morning I posted this on flickr....
the name of the card reflects thinking of my sister in heaven...
and the young lady who's court date was that morning...

details of this card:
Hero Arts sunshine designer papers
embossed with Cuttlebug Swiss dots
Hero Arts CL375 flower and leaf
copic marker BVOO on flower
glossy accents to center of flower
distress ink bundled sage on leaf
The Paper Company ribbon
ek success punch
Love stamp
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

butterfly compare

Last week Outside the Box blog had a blog hop....
They featured twinkling H2Os....
the above photo shows what I did with my twinks....
I now keep the lids off in the container...
and spritz with water when ready to paint...
I have had these many years and always put the lids back on...
I like the change...easier to see the colors and..
quicker to get to the fun!!

the top of the photo is with Smooch....
and the bottom is with twinkling H2Os...
there is such a difference between white and black cardstock...
the colors turn out looking totally different...
but all four have lots of sparkle...

here is what I used:
Hero Arts artists butterfly stamp
Versamark Dazzle champagne
gold embossing powder
Smooch pearlized accent ink sassy pink and ocean soul
Twinkling H2Os fuzzy pink and Carribean mist
waterbrush
flat brush

for lots of tips and inspiration...
video tutorials...
check Outside the Box blog...
to see what the Memory Box team did last week...
and what they are still doing!!!!
smiles and hugs....Caryl

tiny tree with tiny stamps

this tree is barely 11" tall and packed with ornaments and ribbons....
AND 15 tiny stamps!!!
an early present to me...

here is another photo of it sitting on the crumb catcher....
I made that cute little table mat from last year's blog hop...
it was a free pattern with lots of pieces...
I think I will keep this tree out year round...
it is too precious to put away and not enjoy...
I have a spot in front of a mirror in my craft area...
and that is where it will be....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl