Sewing - Girls ruffle skirt with matching bag

This is an outfit and matching bag that I made for my niece who just turned 5 years old. NOTE: I DIDN'T DO THE APPLIQUE. I purchased that lovely appliqued t-shirt off a wonderful Australian handmade website where crafty people sell their wares ... site is called MadeIt (http://www.madeit.com.au/). \

So ... the t-shirt got me all inspired to sew. Whilst searching the internet for a ruffle skirt tutorial I also stumbled across the bag tutorial which I knew I just HAD to make too. After all, what's an outfit without a handbag?? I'm planning on making a few more of the bags in various sizes (probably without the drawstring insert section for storage bags in my craft room. No doubt I'll post these at a later date so you can see my new sewing obsession creations!

Sewing - Baby Bib & Baby Burb Cloth set with matching card

How cute is this fabric? I knew it was perfect for the sewing project I had in mind. Friends have recently had a little baby boy and girl so I wanted to give a more personal pressie by making something. The only criteria - it had to be a simple project as I don't sew very much and can't read sewing patterns, and it had to be useful. I started with the baby bib, then added to the set with the baby burb cloth using the matching fabric with terry towelling on the back. There are lots of different patterns/tutorials/designs on the internet.

This matching card was made using the Stampin Up Lucky Duck stamp set and various papers in my craft stash. These 2 baby cards were inspired by LeeAnn Greff at http://flowerbug.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/02/little-duckie-punch-art.html

Above: Baby boys bib.

Above: Baby boys burb cloth.

Above: Baby girls bib and baby nappy and wipe wallet. The strap has a piece of velcro so the thickness can be adjusted depending on how many nappies are in the wallet and the thickness of the wipes case.

Hope they like them! :)

Male card - BBQ Happy Birthday

Stamp sets used: Stampin Up Voila (dinner plate and food); Stampin Up Sale-a-bration Happy Moments (Happy Birthday); Stampin Up Baroque Motifs (heat/steam from BBQ).

This card was cased from http://flowerbug.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/08/bbq-punch-art.html who does some amazing punch art.

Stampin Up - Upsy Daisy gift box and cards set

I made this gift box to hold the set of 5 x Upsy Daisy cards set for my mum for her birthday. The card box is very easy and only uses 1 x A4 carstock and holds 5 cards with envelopes in individual plastic sleaves very comfortably.

Punch Art - Kokeshi Doll card

Stampin Up Upsy Daisy #8

I couldn't resist using the Stampin Up Upsy Daisy stamp set (again!!). Sorry but it's my favourite! I tried to give the card a modern retro feel which I think I succeeded.

Products used: Stampin up Upsy Daisy stamp set, SU marker pens (Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, & Basic Black).

Stampin Up - Upsy Daisy #7

This cute card using my favourite Stampin Up set SU 'Upsy Daisy' was CASED from Amy Sheffer at http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com.au/2008/08/sketchy-birthday-celebration.html. Mine isn't identical but I loved Amy's original design that much that it's pretty close in just about every way (colour, layout, stamps etc).

I had difficulty securing the scallop border punch section used in the middle of the circle. I punched the length of a 12" cardstock in coordinating colour, then cut the strip off leaving about 1 cm overhang. I scored the centre line and folded the scallops over. I used my scissors to make little slits at each scallop join, then secured the 1cm overhang to the back of the card. This was the easy bit - see below...

I then thought the best way to secure the scallops (albeit fiddly) would be to use double-sided tape on each scallop. Unfortunately the scallops kept lifting so I ended up securing them (and almost a few fingers) using super glue. It got a little messy but it did the job. I'm not sure of a better way as the natural pressure of the folded over scallop was enough to keep lifting the scallop. If you find a better way, please let me know! :)