Quick and Easy Fabric Wall Decoration with Claudia Harvey

Hello everyone. Claudia here. I'm so excited to share another fabric project with you today. I just love Samantha's Serenata Collection! If you remember, I created these memo boards/wall decorations last month. I realized that not everyone has an Ikea nearby; which is where I bought the little round cork boards. So, I just had to create something using the next best thing... Fabric Hoops! You can find these at just about any craft and hobby store; even Walmart. Honestly, it gave me another excuse to play with Samantha's fabric.

These are the supplies I used:

First thing I did was fit the fabric to the hoops; then pulled the fabric to position it where I wanted it, and tightened it.

Then I turned the hoop over and trimmed the fabric, leaving it about 1/2 inch wider than the hoop; if you leave it any longer, it might look like the fabric is poking through the front when it is hanging. I may or may not have learned that the hard way.

Then simply fold over, and glue. Because this is wood, you can use just about any glue; however, I find that the hot glue dries really quick, so I barely have to press on it to hold before moving on.

Finally just position the Command hooks where you want and done!

Quick and easy!
I think I did this project in about 30 minutes. I think it took me longer to photograph that wall; my house does not have enough natural lighting.

Fabric has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I can't use a sewing machine to save my life; but with projects like this... I don't have to! I can make fabric hoops to match any season. These make such a fun and unique gift too!

Until next time.

Lots of happy hugs,

Quick and Easy Fabric Memo Boards by Claudia Harvey

Hello everyone. Claudia here. I am so excited to share this project (and tutorial) with you today.

Fabric Memo Boards

I knew exactly what I was going to do with these adorable fabric quarters from Samantha's Serenata Collection when I received them; I had been wanting to make my own memo boards for a long time.

These are my supplies:

First thing I did was find a plate that was slightly larger than the cork boards; I wanted it to be an inch to an inch and a half larger to ensure that it would cover over the edges of the board.

Next, I grabbed my glue gun and work my way around to secure the fabric on the backside.

Finally, I used Command strips to hang them up on the wall. Have you ever used those? I love them! I use them for just about anything I need to hang. They were perfect for these. Oh, and in case you wonder, the round cork boards are from Ikea.

That's it! It really was quick and easy.

Now the only thing I haven't decided is if I am going to use them as memo boards or decoration; they look great just the way they are hanging now, don't you think?

other products and tools used to make this project:

Until next time.

Lots of happy hugs, 

Guest Designer Sarah Petrie from Australia

A few weeks ago I heard from an old friend of mine whom I have never met in person, but know quite well through the power of the internet. Her name is Sarah Petrie. It was so fun to hear from her, and she surprised me by sharing pictures of this amazing quilt with me. I was in awe at what she had done with my fabrics from my Serenata Collection for Riley Blake. I asked her if I could share it with you. I was thrilled that she said yes!

How Sarah and I met...

Long ago...about 9 years ago, I met a group of ladies through the Memory Maker's Magazine chat board--Sarah was one of them. It wasn't an official forum like you see today...and this was well before facebook. It was pretty rudimentary. You would type in a sentence, then someone else may type something in and there was only one thread--it was a pretty awkward way to chat; and yet a group of us were starting to form a friendship. We had all entered the Memory Maker's Masters contest and out chats started on that subject. But soon we broke away from the chat board, and started our own group--"the queens of the crop." Beyond scrappy talk, we chatted about life in general, congratulated births of babies, celebrated engagements, cheered on each other triumphs, became listening ears when things were rough, and it all started through our common interest in crafting, but came to be so much more.

 Some of us even went to a camp Memory Makers together. 

Since then, I've met a few more of the ladies from that group in person--which is pretty amazing considering that we were from all over! (we're from New Zealand, Iowa, Virginia, California, Colorado, Washington, and Australia.) Suz Drgon was one of the ladies I met from the group, she's a spunky lady who loves to travel, and I got to meet her on one such trip when she was passing through Washington when I lived there. Well, it turns out that Sarah Petrie is visiting the United States from Australia, and she is going to get the chance to visit Suz, as her travel plans bring her within a mile of Suz's home. 

She made this incredibly lovely quilt for Suz. 

I have to say, Suz is pretty darn lucky to be the recipient of such a gorgeous quilt!!! 

AND...

She's lucky she gets to meet Sarah and her family...

can I just say I'm slightly envious? 

I just thought I'd share this story as I know many of you have also made great friendships through crafting and internet communities. It is a pretty small world out there, and it's such a blessing to be a part of such a great community! 

Happy Crafting!

Samantha

Silhouette Portrait Giveaway!

Good morning and happy Thursday!  
Today we are back with another fabulous giveaway sponsored by Silhouette!

All you need to do is enter below. You can earn multiple entries by following us on Facebook, commenting below, tweeting about the giveaway, and signing up for email updates. This giveaway is open to US customers only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Silhouette is also having a special promotion with their fabric interfacing!  

You are going to love all that you can do with your 

Silhouette and these fabric interfacings!

Jamie is sharing an adorable onesie she created using the Dog Puppy Silhouette cut, the Clean Cut Fabric Interfacing, and the Serenata fabric collection!  

Tutorial:

1.  Cut a piece of the Clean Cut Fabric Interface a little smaller than your fabric.  Place the textured side down on the back of your fabric.

2.  Use a hot iron to adhere the interfacing to the fabric.

3.  The back of your fabric should look like this now.

4.  Remove the backing from the interfacing.

5.  Place the fabric on your Silhouette mat.

6.  Insert your Fabric Blade into your machine and load your fabric.

7.  Move your design to match where your fabric is on your mat and then press the "send to silhouette" button.  Change your cut setting to "fabric cotton print" and make sure your blade is adjusted properly.  Press "cut".

 8.  Your Silhouette will cut your design.

 9.  Unload your mat once the cut is complete and remove the fabric.

10. Your cut should look similar to this.  Remove the design from the mat.

11. Place the design on your onesie and place it where you want it.

12. Iron the design on.

13. I used the Clean Cut Fabric Interfacing for my project and then hand-stitched the edges.  If you want to use a machine to sew on your design make sure you use the Sewable Fabric Interfacing.

If you already have a Silhouette, be sure to take advantage of the promotion!  You can get both the Clean Cut Fabric Interfacing and the Sewable Fabric Interfacing plus the Fabric Blade and a $25 download card for just $29.99!

Just click HERE and use promo code SAMANTHA!

Sandal Straps Tutorial by Maya

Hi, Samantha Walker fans!

It is Maya here today, sharing a tutorial for making cute sandal straps.

The spring finally arrived to Midwest and it's time to give my winter boots a break and dig out the sandals. The warm weather put me in a mood for a pair of new flowery straps for my Sseko sandals. I picked out cute fabric from  Samantha Walker Serenata collection  with sweet orange flowers. An hour later I had them wrapped around my feet. Let me show how I did them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can use the same technique to make a belt or a hair ribbon and  many other useful accessories. Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy the spring weather!

-Maya 

Push Pin Pillow Tutorial by Diana

Hello! Diana here with you today sharing something I made using the Samantha Walker Serenata fabrics from Riley Blake. 

As soon as I saw this blue fabric, I wanted to make a pillow. But alas, we have a new puppy who has taken to eating most of what it laying around the living room, so I settled on making a teeny tiny pillow for push pins that I can keep in my craft room. 

Here are a few quick tips on how you can make one, too!

I have a sewing machine, but I wanted to share with you how you can make one yourself even without a machine using just a needle and thread.

I cut about 1/4 of my fat quarter and grabbed about a fist full of filler stuffing. Then I threaded my needle and got to work sewing up the side with a very simple stitch.

You fold the edges over like you would gift wrap and stitch those edges, too. The backside looks a little bit like a gift wrapped up but with stitches instead of tape. Super simple and should hold nicely over time.

Choose a fun button for the middle and sew all the way through the pillow. You want to make it tight so that the pins will stick. Finish off the back with a knot. I liked to sew through the button once for the right side and again for the left. That way, if your button starts to get loose, you still have one side holding it tight and you can repair it if needed without loosing its shape.

If you are making this for a gift, finish off with a little gift tag. This tag is from the Traditions collection from Carta Bella and the stamp is from JustRite Buntings and Banners. 

There you have it! A cute mini pillow for a gift our yourself using some of your favorite fabrics. 

Introducing Serenata, New Fabric Line with Riley Blake Designs!

Our Newest Fabric Line

Fabric Designer Website Link... Also Available: Pre-Cuts... and Sew Together Notions...