Stitch Craft Create: Blog

Designer Q&A: Tula Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Nettles) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:34:00 +0000

One of the perks of being editor of Stitch Craft Create is getting the opportunity to meet, and sometimes work with, my favorite designers. I met one such favorite - fabric designer and author Tula Pink - at Quilt Market last year, and I recently caught up with Tula again to chat about her new book, Tula Pink's City Sampler: 100 Modern Quilt Blocks.

Tula has an amazing eye for design and color combinations, and her work is distinctively vibrant, modern, imaginative, innovative and - at times - downright funky. She designs for Free Spirit Fabrics and has a slew of other products including threads, ribbons and embroideries. Her first book, Quilts from the House of Tula Pink, debuted last year.

In Tula Pink's City Sampler, Tula demonstrates how to make 100 modern, city-inspired quilt blocks. At the end, readers can use the blocks to make one of three quilts designed by Tula - or they can let their creative juices flow by making up their very own setting.

I hope you enjoy learning more about Tula, and be sure to pre-order Tula Pink's City Sampler if you're interested in creating your own modern, city-inspired quilt!

Stitch Craft Create: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today, Tula. Can you tell us a little bit about how you got your start in the fabric and quilting industry?

Tula Pink: I was actually quite happy working in the music industry as a designer and art director with a nice little weekend sewing habit. I loved the fabric and the colors and did a lot of overdoing and screen printing, but I needed more. I needed something that I wasn't finding enough of at my local quilt shops. I needed fabrics that reflected my own lifestyle. So, like any good control freak, I decided to make them myself. I designed my first fabric collection and sent it off to a manufacturer for advice and, in two days time, I was a fabric designer. With my own fabrics, my quilts were truly my own; they also belonged to everyone else who chose to use them for their own projects. This collaboration between myself and everyone who used my fabrics became the ultimate inspiration for future quilts and fabric collections.

SCC: Tula Pink fabrics and patterns bear distinctive designs and gorgeously vibrant color palettes. From where do you draw inspiration for your unique work?

TP: I am, first and foremost, a fabric junkie. My quilt designs and patterns are always inspired by the fabrics first. I spend most of my time choosing and combining prints and colors, and I let the quilt grow from those choices. I like all kinds of piecing, but I prefer to use simple shapes that really allow the fabrics to shine. I adore color and make little color palettes out of swatches and things that are lying around all of the time. Color is paramount in this industry. Color is the first thing a person responds to before they even have time to see the print or the piecing. It is what draws you in, the first impression. If the color is wrong then no one will ever look any closer, and my work is all about looking closer.

SCC: Your first book, Quilts from the House of Tula Pink, came out last year to rave reviews, and your second is almost ready to hit stores. What can you tell us about this new release, Tula Pink's City Sampler: 100 Modern Quilt Blocks?

TP: I have always loved sampler quilts, and I have always wanted to make one. Writing a quilting book is about filling a void. It's about seeing a hole in the market and filling it. I went in search of a sampler quilt to make and found a ton of gorgeous patterns that were either too time-consuming to make or just plain didn't relate to me. I decided to create my own blocks that didn't involve any templates or appliqué - 100 blocks that are simply pieced and don't require any extra tools to make, but leave room to explore shapes and color. The other motivating factor for writing the book was that I wanted a quilt that told my own story. I love the look of Civil War quilts, but I don't have any connection to that time or place. So many of the patterns I found seemed to be telling stories of the past, and I wanted the opportunity to tell my own story. This philosophy seeped into the design of the book as well. I left all of the blocks unnamed so the maker of the quilt could tell their story, and I left space on the back flap for the maker's bio and photo. I believe a quilt is more about the person making the quilt than it is about the person who designed it.

SCC: Tell us a little about the creative process you go through when designing a new fabric line.

TP: Designing fabric is all about the narrative for me. I like to tell a story, even if it's an abstract one. I spend a lot of time thinking and making little notes everywhere before I ever sit down and start drawing. The drawing is the most important part of the process for me. I work out all of the problems in the drawing. By the time I get the design to the computer to re-draft, everything is done and every question is answered. Color is the second most important part of the process. I keep color collections on file. I like to collect little bits of interesting color combinations. I am always trying to do something new and fresh with color. But in the end, I am who I am, and I see color in a really personal way. Even when I think I am traveling way outside of my box with color, it always ends up working really well with my other fabric collections in the end.

SCC: Is your process the same or different when designing quilting/sewing patterns?

TP: My process for designing quilts is a lot different from my process for designing fabrics. Quilts are bolder, more graphic statements than fabrics for me. Fabric can be delicate and detailed - but for me, a quilt should be bold and strong. The quilt's job is to frame the fabrics and create new combinations of color and print - and to do that, the piecing needs to be simpler. It's the backup dancer to the fabric's shining star for me. Designing a quilt is all about the far-away impact. I want that punch of shape and color that you can see from across the room and then the second, up-close impact when you get to see what the fabrics are doing and how they are relating to each other.

SCC: What are some of your must-have notions or resources for the sewing room or drawing table?

TP: There are a few things in my sewing studio that I can't live without. A quarter-inch foot with a guide combined with the dual feed feature on my Bernina are essential to keeping my seams accurate, the large spools of Aurifil thread keep me sewing for days and a full bottle of Best Press all keep my sewing projects moving along well into the evening. When I have to sew without these things, I get a little cranky.

SCC: Do you have any tips or advice you can give to a beginning quilter?

TP: The biggest thing that I see new quilters forgetting is that this is supposed to be fun. Quilting is a hobby, not a trip to the dentist. Allow yourself to make mistakes, laugh it off and be willing to explore imperfections. Quilting is a big community - there are a lot of resources for new quilters to get help when they get stuck, or even just for inspiration. Embrace your local quilt shop, quilt guild and online communities.

SCC: What's coming up next for you in 2013?

TP: 2013 is going to be a really fun year for me and hopefully for the people who like my style as well. I have a bunch of new products hitting the market this year beside my new book. My thread collection for Aurifil is brand new and really fun! I, of course, have a bunch of new fabrics coming out this year for Free Spirit Fabrics in both the spring and the fall. I am still working with Bernina and all of their amazing sewing machines and accessories. This spring I am launching a new collection of machine embroidery designs for Urban Threads. I am really excited to be attending the Festival of Quilts again this year in Birmingham, UK. Other than that, I will spend most of the year holed up in my studio making quilts and designing fabric.

Happy Crafting,
Shannon Miller
Editor, Stitch Craft Create

Altered Mason Jar Vase with Fabric Flower

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Nettles) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:33:00 +0000

Altered Mason Jar with Fabric Flower

A Mason jar is a classic, inexpensive item you can use to spruce up your décor. But whether you display one every day or break a few out for entertaining, don't be boring. Ramp up the style factor! Give your table a colorful focal point by putting your creative license to work with this simple how-to.

This project was first published in our vibrant Summer 2012 edition, which also includes an exclusive interview with Sis Boom designer Jennifer Paganelli, dozens of ideas for creative springtime stitching, making and entertaining, plus a reader-favorite tutorial on dyeing yarn using Kool-Aid drink mix. Back issues of SCC are on sale now, so grab your copy today!

Altered Mason Jar Vase
By Danielle Burkleo

What you need:
Mason jar
Spray paint
Scrap of lace trims
Small doily
Scrap fabric
Button or bead (for flower center)
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks

How to create:
1. Spray paint Mason jar.

2. Once Mason jar is dry, hot glue doily to side of jar.

3. Wrap lace trim around neck of jar and hot glue in place.

4. Make fabric flower (see instructions below).

5. Hot glue flower onto neck of jar.

6. Fill with fresh flowers and enjoy!

Fabric Flower

Fabric Flower How-To:
1. Cut out seven circles from fabric, approximately 2 inches in diameter. TIP: Stack or fold fabric to cut out several circles at once.

2. Cut out another smaller circle for flower base.

3. Fold each of the seven circles in half and then in half again, creating a cone shape. Put a dab of hot glue between folded edges of fabric cones to hold in place (photo 1).

Photo 1

4. Hot glue all seven cones onto small fabric circle so that pointed ends are arranged at center (photo 2). NOTE: Fabric cones may appear too bulky at first, but you can squeeze them in place to fit. The tight arrangement adds to the flower's fullness.

Photo 2

5. Hot glue a button, bead or other embellishment onto flower center.

Visit our online store to discover more back issues or pre-order our Spring 2013 issue!

Happy Crafting,
Shannon Miller
Editor, Stitch Craft Create

Spring 2013 Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:47:00 +0000

Hold onto your party hats – our upcoming Spring 2013 issue is all about “Creative Celebrations,” and we are thrilled to be sharing a sneak peek with you today! Hitting newsstands in late March and available for pre-order now, this edition is a must-have for anyone who enjoys crafting for special events and milestones. Inside, you’ll find that we’ve divided the issue up into five delicious courses that span weddings, graduations, new babies, birthdays and housewarmings. From gifts, keepsakes and accessories to a multitude of decorating ideas for parties, showers and ever so much more, we’ve got you covered on versatile projects and inspiration that you'll be putting to good use for years to come.

Creative Giving: Sacred Sewing Room Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:09:00 +0000

Now here is a story to warm the heart on this chilly March morning. In celebration of National Craft Month and on behalf of the amazing folks at Enchanted Makeovers and Baby Lock, we are so excited to share the reveal of this amazing Sacred Sewing Room with you! First, let's peek at the before and after photos of this stunning room...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Now, if that wasn't enough to "wow" you, wait until you hear the rest. This gorgeous room is just one of many that was revealed to residents of the Genesis III House in January, which is a Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries shelter dedicated to serving female veterans and their families.

The makeover was performed by Enchanted Makeovers, a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming shelter environments across the United States, and was its largest makeover yet and included 21 bedrooms - plus this special sewing room.

The Sacred Sewing Room, sponsored by Baby Lock, was created to help the women and children at Genesis III House in their healing process. Terry Grahl, founder and CEO of Enchanted Makeovers, notes that a main goal of their organization is to help give shelter residents a voice, and sewing skills give those women and children a sense of self-worth and empowerment they may have been missing. Finishing a project is more than having a new pillowcase or blanket—it instills a feeling of “I can do this.”

The sewing room reveal was exciting and heartwarming for all. Grahl shares, “Women were screaming with tears of joy, ‘My grandma used to sew!’. There was even a little boy who went and sat at a machine, ready to sew at that moment!” Grahl said.

The sewing room is equipped with six Baby Lock Grace sewing machines, for which maintenance will be provided by Baby Lock Retailer Sandy’s Sew & Vac in Dearborn Heights, Michigan to ensure the machines are always working properly.

As for the rest of the house? “The hallways [of the shelter] were all dark, and it was exactly how these women and children were feeling. A new environment represents starting fresh,” Grahl said. “I’ve learned so much. Standing there, at one point I heard a little boy look at a bird painted on the wall and he said, ‘I feel like I can just fly’. You really see how important environment is.”

Over 300 volunteers and donors helped with the large Detroit makeover, with donations coming from individuals and companies across the country. After months of hard work, many volunteers, shelter staff members and residents shared a meal to celebrate the big reveal of the makeover. No one was served in a food line, and everyone was treated as equals.

“Everyone had a name tag. Do you ever notice when you volunteer somewhere it’s only the volunteers that have name tags? We aim to give everyone a voice,” Grahl said.

So how does Enchanted Makeovers plan to keep its mission going? “It isn’t about getting a can of paint,” Grahl said. “We want training so others know how to do this, too.” Volunteers from all over the world regularly contact Enchanted Makeovers asking to get involved. With a National Headquarters, Enchanted Makeovers can train volunteers on leading makeovers in various regions. For more information, visit EnchantedMakeovers.org.

Spice Up Your Wardrobe With Floral Flair

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Nettles) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:05:00 +0000

Tee Rosettes by Nancy Zieman

Floral prints are one of this spring's hot fashion trends. From dresses, shirts and - yes - even pants, the runways and store racks alike seem to be in bloom with the trend.

But before we head out shopping, why not update our existing wardrobe with some sweet floral flair? These Tee Rosettes from designer Nancy Zieman's book Sew Knits With Confidence can be made in a jiffy using any leftover knit fabric, and are perfect for embellishing a T-shirt or accessory.

All you need to make a set are some bias strips of knit fabric, a pinking or scalloping rotary blade and gathering tape. The hardest part will be deciding where to put them!

Figure 1

1. Cut bias strips.

Cut one bias strip each of the following widths: 3/4-inch (19mm), 1-inch (25mm) and 1-1/2-inch (38mm) long for three differently sized rosettes, as shown in Figure 1.

Subcut the strips in 7- to 8-inch (18cm to 20cm) lengths for each rosette.
Trim one edge of each strip with a pinking or scalloping rotary blade.

2. Add gathering tape (such as Clover's Fuse 'n Gather tape) to each bias strip for gathering the rosettes.

Cut a 9-inch (23cm) strip of tape for each rosette.

Press the tape to the wrong side of each bias strip with blue threads right side up, aligning one long edge to the edge of the fabric strip. Extend the tape 1/2-inch (13mm) beyond each bias strip on the short edges.

Pull the blue threads out of the tape 1/4-inch (6mm) from each end of the bias strip.

Carefully trim the excess tape from each edge, being careful not to trim the threads.

Figure 2

3. Complete the rosette.

Stitch the strip into a circle, meeting short ends and taking a 1/4-inch (6mm) seam (Fig. 2). Be careful not to catch the blue thread ends of the gathering tape in the seam.

Secure the threads around a pin at one edge of the tape. Pull the free ends of the blue threads on the opposite edge to gather the fabric.

Using the threads from the gathering tape, hand stitch the embellishment into a rosette. If gathering threads aren't long enough, use matching thread and a hand stitching needle.

Hand stitch the tee rosettes to the neckline of a knit top, as shown, or embellish a headband, purse or other project with these dainty blooms.

Wasn't that easy? If you're ready to take on another project, try one of Nancy's new patterns designed for knit fabrics available in our online store. From her Santa Fe Dress and Cape Cod Jacket to her Monterey Knit Collection and Newport Pullover, Nancy has mastered the art of creating essential women's clothing pieces that are stylish to boot.

Happy Crafting,
Shannon Miller
Editor, Stitch Craft Create

DIY Shoebox Receipt File

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:36:00 +0000

Here's a quick and easy way to repurpose a children's shoebox into something practical: a receipt file to help keep your budget on track in style! Ours was created using papers and embellishments from the gorgeous new "Park Bench" line by our friends at Fancy Pants Designs. You can easily create one in your own style using your favorite colors or designer lines, or use as a file for photos, mail or other important papers. Have fun making it uniquely yours!

What you need:

Small shoebox (child-sized works well)
Double-sided decorative 12-inch cardstock
Adhesive file tabs
Scrapbook embellishments
Washi tape
Scissors
Craft knife and/or paper trimmer
Self-healing cutting mat (optional)
Ruler
Bone folder
Black pen
Double sided tape

How to create:

Cut paper to size for all four sides of shoebox. Adhere using double-sided tape (TIP: A rolling dispenser is useful for this step).
Apply washi tape over each outer corner of shoebox to conceal edges of paper. Apply tape over top rim, then around both top and bottom edges.
Apply embellishments to outside of box as desired. Sample shown features a paper tag with alphabet stickers, adhesive chipboard embellishments and coordinating stickers.
To create a file folder:

Measure inner width of box, subtract about 1/4 inch and trim a 12-inch piece of cardstock to this width (samples shown measure approximately 10 inches wide).
Score a line across center of cardstock as well as one inch to top and bottom.
Fold cardstock in half along center score line with right sides together and crease fold with bone folder.
Fold cardstock back along remaining score lines so that right sides face out; crease folds with bone folder.
Apply adhesive file tabs to top of folder on back flap.
Apply adhesive embellishments as desired, such as a patterned sticker border as shown on samples.

Inscribe file folder tabs as desired with a black marker and insert into shoebox file.

Transition to Spring with a DIY Charm Bracelet

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Nettles) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 19:23:00 +0000

Charming Bracelet by Dorothy Wood

While it's still cold and wintry across most of the U.S., sunny February days bring with them hopes of warmer weather in the coming months. I find myself longing to ditch my dark, heavy wardrobe for lighter and brighter pieces, and handmade accessories like this delicate bracelet from the book 101 Ways to Stitch Craft Create are just the ticket!

Handmade flair is always a sweet way to transition your look through the seasons, and this project allows jewelry beginners to practice basic techniques such as using jump rings and head pins. Enjoy!

Charming Bracelet
By Dorothy Wood

What you need:
• Beads
• Silver lobster claw clasp
• Silver headpins
• Silver jump rings
• 50cm (20in) silver chain

How to create:
1. Cut a length of chain twice the circumference of your wrist plus 2 cm - 3 cm (3/4 inch - 1-1/8 inches) for ease. Using flat-nose pliers, open a jump ring and loop through a second jump ring and one end of chain. Close jump ring. Use another jump ring to attach lobster claw clasp to other end.

2. Sort beads into individual types, ready to attach eight small groups of beads along length of chain. NOTE: It is better to lay chain flat and attach beads to same side of chain so that they all hang attractively when worn.

3. Count out eight clear-faceted beads with loops. Arrange along chain so that they are equally spaced, attaching each one with a jump ring.

4. So that beads are mixed when chain is wrapped around twice, you need to attach beads in a fairly regular pattern to one half of chain, and then attach beads on other side in a mirror image. Arrange beads to your preference.

5. Repeat to attach other beads with loops again using jump rings. For beads with holes, insert a headpin, bend over at right angles and trim end to 7 mm (9/32 inch). Use round-nose pliers to bend into a loop. Open loop and attach to chain, then close loop again.

6. Check bead arrangement on your bracelet by wrapping chain around your wrist. Make any necessary adjustments.

Happy Crafting,
Shannon Miller
Editor, Stitch Craft Create

Personalize Your Projects with Simple Appliqué

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Nettles) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:33:00 +0000

Compact Grocery Tote

If any of you are like me, you kicked off 2013 with intentions of healthier eating. Because of that, I feel like I'm constantly going to the grocery store to pick up more vegetables, snacks or ingredients for new recipes; and I'm accumulating quite a stock of plastic bags!

To combat this, I decided to make myself a reusable grocery tote. Lisa Lam's Compact Groceries Tote from her book A Bag for All Reasons was just the ticket - I love that it's reversible and rolls up into a wraparound strap so I can easily stash it in my purse when I head out to shop.

I chose fabrics from Riley Blake's new line from Zoe Pearn, "The Sweetest Thing." I knew I wanted to use the gorgeous yellow chevron for the outer body of the bag. I didn't want it to be too plain though, so I used a bright red floral to add a simple monogram to the side. I did the zigzag stitching in a contrasting color to make it stand out, and I love how it turned out!

You could easily apply this technique to all kinds of sewing projects, such as a pillow, a purchased baby outfit and more. Have fun!

How-to: Easy Monogram Appliqué

What you need:

Sewing pattern and supplies (I used Lisa Lam's Compact Grocery Tote pattern from A Bag for All Reasons)
Contrast fabric for appliqué
Lightweight fusible web (such as Lite Steam-A-Seam 2)
Scissors
Computer and printer/copier
Pencil
Iron
Sewing machine
Thread

How to appliqué:
1. Determine what and where you would like to place your appliqué; I chose to monogram an initial onto a reusable grocery tote. Prepare and cut out all pattern pieces, then embellish according to steps 2-8 before assembling your item.

2. Using a font with simple lines, print out a large letter in mirror image that will fit into the area you wish to embellish; I printed out a large "m" to appliqué onto one side of my grocery tote. NOTE: If you are unable to mirror image before printing, you can easily use a copier to reverse the image, or simply trace around the letter on the wrong side of your paper.

3. Trace mirror-image letter onto one papered side of fusible web, following package instructions for proper use (I prefer Lite Steam-A-Seam 2).

4. Peel away paper from opposite side of fusible web and press onto wrong side of contrast fabric.

5. Cut out letter through all layers on traced lines.

6. Remove remaining paper backing.

7. Fuse letter onto pattern piece as desired; I chose to place my "m" onto the center front piece of my grocery tote.

8. Set sewing machine to zigzag stitch and sew over edges of appliqué. TIP: While you can easily do this using a regular machine foot, I like to use a center guide blade or edgestitch foot for precision.

9. Follow pattern instructions to complete assembly of your item.

Happy Crafting,
Shannon Miller
Editor, Stitch Craft Create

How-To: Simple Embroidery Hoop Art

noreply@blogger.com (Natalie Nettles) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 20:00:00 +0000

Embroidery Hoop Art

Inexpensive wooden embroidery hoops are great for simple wall art that can be made to coordinate with any decorating scheme; and the affordability of such a project makes it perfect for seasonal use. Follow this decorating trend with a set that highlights a soft winter palette, or create just one for a sweet little accent piece.

The two hoops shown here are part of a five-hoop set shared in our Winter 2013 issue. Grab a copy for the complete tutorial, plus more great projects!

What you need:

Wooden embroidery hoops, 3-inch and 4-inch
Fabric scraps (shown are Tilda prints)
White and red embroidery floss
Ivory buttons
Embroidery needle
Scissors
White craft paint
Paintbrush
Craft glue
Temporary basting spray (such as Sulky KK2000)

Appliquéd Flowers Hoop

Appliquéd Flowers (4-inch Hoop):

1. From background fabric, cut a square measuring about 6 inches.

2. From a floral print fabric, cut out around one floral motif.

3. Spray back of floral motif with temporary basting spray and adhere to center front of background fabric.

4. Use four strands of white floss to sew a large running stitch around inside edge of floral motif.

5. Once motif is sewn to background fabric, rub fingers over edges of motif fabric to curl, fray and distress.

Horizontal Buttons Hoop

Horizontal Buttons (3-inch Hoop):

1. From one scrap of fabric, cut a rectangle measuring 5 inches x 2-1⁄2 inches.

2. From a second scrap of fabric, cut a rectangle measuring 5 inches x 3 inches.

3. Sew fabrics together using a 1⁄4-inch seam allowance and press seams open.

4. Place five buttons evenly along seam line so that centers of end buttons are about 2-1⁄2 inches apart. Stitch buttons into place using red floss.

Finishing:

1. Paint outer hoops white and let dry (it is not necessary to paint inner hoops as they will not be seen).

2. Hoop designs so they are aligned vertically with screw top and pull tautly, being careful not to warp designs; screw tightly into place.

3. Trim excess fabric on back to about 1⁄4 inch. Run craft glue around top edge of inner hoops and press down excess fabric. Let dry and display as desired.

Win a set of 2 Gingher Scissors!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 15:48:00 +0000

We're feeling the love this February! Starting today and running through February 28, you can enter to win a set of TWO pairs of brand new Gingher Designer Series Tessa Scissors - one pair of 8" shears and one pair of 4" scissors. Enter once a day, plus receive two additional entries for each person who signs up through your referral link! Click HERE to enter!

How-To: Valentine Memories Card

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:26:00 +0000

Every now and then, a new designer line comes across my desk that I immediately fall in love with from top to bottom. The Tilda “Winter Memories” collection is a perfect example; I’ve always enjoyed Tilda prints and embellishments, but this one is by far my favorite so far from Norwegian designer Tone Finnanger. The combination of gray and robin’s egg blue is stunning, and the premade paper rosettes and glittered stars are a crafter’s dream. Plus, because all the prints come in both paper and fabric, I’ve got dozens of ideas for must-make projects, from sewing for myself and my daughter to great vintage-inspired paper crafts.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we created a sweet keepsake card how-to using pieces from the Winter Memories paper stack and décor set. It’s a snap to recreate using basic tools and lace scraps. Have fun playing with similar looks by mixing and layering other embellishments from the variety pack, adding scraps of trim from your stash for a one-of-a-kind touch. The possibilities are endless!

Valentine Memories Card

What you need:

White cardstock, 6 inches x 8 inches
Tilda birdcage print cardstock, 4 inches x 6 inches
2 gray Tilda paper rosettes
1 white Tilda paper rosette
1 large Tilda rose die cut
1 small Tilda rose die cut
1 small Tilda glittered star
Three 6-inch scraps of 1-inch-wide ecru lace
Bone folder
Ruler
Tape
Glue

How to create:

Arrange scraps of lace evenly across 4-inch x 6-inch print cardstock piece; wrap around sides and tape in place on back.
Score white cardstock down center and fold in half to create a folded 4-inch x 6-inch card; crease fold with bone folder. Tape or glue lace-wrapped piece of print cardstock to front of card.
Glue large and small rose die cuts in place as shown.
Layer and glue two gray paper rosettes in place as shown.
Layer and glue white paper rosette in place as shown.
Layer and glue glittered star centered atop embellishments.
Let dry and inscribe with a Valentine’s Day message.

Have fun playing with similar looks by mixing and layering other embellishments from the variety pack, adding scraps of trim from your stash for a one-of-a-kind touch. The possibilities are endless!

Inspiration: Winter Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 17:59:00 +0000

Here's a bit of wintery inspiration to kick off your week! What wonderful craft projects will you be working on this winter?

via acreativemint.typepad.com

Be sure to check out our profile on Leslie Shewring of A Creative Mint in the Winter 2013 issue of Stitch Craft Create!

via bluewillowblog.com

via vaacuum.tumblr.com

via vintagerosebrocante.tumblr.com

^ Buttons available in our online store! ^

Holiday #SCCmeet TOMORROW NIGHT!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is past and December is just days away – it’s officially time to chat all things holiday crafts! Chat with us, along with our partners at @CraftFoxes, TOMORROW NIGHT for our Stitch Craft Create Tweet Meet at 9:00 pm Eastern (8:00 pm Central/6:00 pm Pacific) under the hashtag #SCCmeet.

Joining us for our chat will be special guest Andrea Currie! Andrea is a craft personality, designer, inventor and "Champion" of the wedding themed episode of TLC's Craft Wars. Andrea blogs with her husband Cliff at www.handmakemyday.com, and at tomorrow night's Twitter party she’ll dish about her Craft Wars battle to the top along with fun crafty tips – plus, she’ll share how you can get your hands on her newest line of colorful characters, Paint Chip Pals. So give her a follow at @handmakemyday and have your crafty questions ready!

What is a Tweet Meet?

An SCC Tweet Meet is an hour-long online chat that takes place via Twitter. Anyone can follow along, but to participate, you'll need to have a public Twitter account so that everyone else can see your tweets. Follow us at @SCCmag to get started, and starting at 9:00 p.m. Eastern (8:00 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Pacific), follow the hashtag #SCCmeet and jump in with your comments and questions! Just be sure to add #SCCmeet to the end of your tweets so that they can be seen by others who are not following you, but are participating in the chat. We recommend using the chat room website Tweetchat.com, which will automatically at the hashtag to the end of your tweets; but you can also follow along with search.twitter.com or apps such as Tweetdeck or Hootsuite.

Great Tweet Meet prizes!

Enter to win a $100 gift certificate to MagPanels.com; click here to enter! (open through 12/2/12)
Get Free Shipping to MagPanels.com with the code tweet! (valid through 12/31/12 with minimum order of $25)
PLUS: Win surprise “door prizes” for randomly selected participants - all you have to do to enter is chat in tomorrow night's #SCCmeet!

Sponsored by MAGPANELS™

Using your own fabrics and ribbon, along with supplies from MagPanels, you can create your own unique MagPanels magnet boards! MagPanels are metal sheets with rounded corners and pre-drilled holes that are ready-to-embellish. Add decorative grommets for hanging and back with the included wool-blend felt backer for a neat and professional finished look. We had a blast playing with MagPanels last week - check out our blog post here, and learn more about MagPanels at www.magpanels.com!

DIY Magnetic Boards with MagPanels

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:27:00 +0000

We've been having tons of fun in the craft room this week playing with these ready-to-embellish magnetic panels from MagPanels! Since they are great for all kinds of rooms and purposes, DIY magnetic display boards are a fantastic craft for everyone. The precut magnetic boards from MagPanels come in a variety of sizes and orientations and have rounded edges for a smooth, clean look. Check out our stepout photos below to see how we embellished a large vertical MagPanel (11-3/4" x 13-1/2") with fabric, adding a pocket for extra usability. Fabric rosette flowers were glued onto magnets for a coordinated look. This one will look great in the office!

First, choose two fabrics: a main fabric and a contrast pocket fabric. We used a print from Anna Maria Horner's LouLouThi line and accented with a simple orange stripe semi-solid. FYI - fat quarters are the perfect size for this project!
To give the pocket some stiffness, we backed ours with a light fusible interfacing and folded it in half for double thickness.
Use spray adhesive to cover the MagPanel with fabric. Trim away a few inches from each corner to cut down on bulk, and then fold all the excess fabric to the back of the panel to glue in place (we used Fabri-Tac glue). You can see from our photos below how we started at each corner, pulling fabric tight in layers around the corners for a smooth finish. Be generous with the glue!

Run lines of glue along each back edge of the panel and pull fabric taut before pressing into place. Apply extra glue as needed so that fabric is flat and secure at folds on corners.
Once the entire board is covered with your base fabric, determine the placement of your pocket (being sure that precut holes are at the top end of the panel - you can feel them through your fabric). Apply a thin line of glue around the bottom edge and press the pocket piece into place so that the folded edge is along the top.
Trim away the corners and glue excess onto back as done with base fabric, again being generous with the glue for a nice, tight pocket.

Each MagPanel comes with a perfectly-sized piece of black wool felt. Use sharp scissors to round each corner and then use spray adhesive or Fabri-Tac to adhere felt onto back of panel for a nice, professional finish.
Use the tools provided in a grommet kit to hammer a hole through all layers of the fabric and felt through pre-cut holes in panel (you might need to use a pair of precision-tip scissors to completely cut away the fabric/felt after punching the holes). Attach grommets according to package instructions and voila - your MagPanel is finished! All you have to do now is add a ribbon for hanging.

We tried out a few different ideas for using MagPanels, including leaving out the fabric altogether and spraypainting with chalkboard paint. It turned out fabulously - we think it would be great for use in the kitchen or any office!

We also thought you could use a MagPanel to display interchangeable seasonal messages. Here, we backed precut glittered chipboard letters and felt/fabric flowers with small magnets. You can spell out "Welcome," count down to Christmas or display a simple holiday greeting that is super-easy to change for the occasion.

Be sure to join us for our November Tweet Meet on 11/28 at 9pm EST/8pm CST, sponsored by MagPanels, where you can enter to win a $100 gift certiciate to MagPanels.com!

Disclaimer: MagPanels and grommets for this post were provided to our team by MagPanels.com.

Thanksgiving Craft: Felt Turkey Leg Brooch

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:59:00 +0000

In preparation for Thanksgiving, we though it would be fun to do a simple how-to for a felt turkey leg brooch. He's petite, coming in at just 2.5 inches wide, making a perfect little accessory to wear on your lapel for Thanksgiving dinner. Make it yours by stitching a greeting or initial onto the front piece in cream thread, or whip up some corn and pumpkin pie to go along with your tiny felt feast!

What you need:

Turkey leg template (provided below)
Scraps of brown and cream felt
Brown and cream floss or perle cotton
Small amount of fiberfill
Safety pin or pinback
Fabric glue (We recommend Fabri-Tac)
Embroidery needle
Scissors

To save and print above template, right click (Windows) or control-click (Mac).

How to create:

Use provided template to cut out two turkey legs from brown felt and two bones from cream felt.
Blanket stitch bone pieces together around entire perimeter with cream floss or perle cotton.
Place turkey leg pieces together so that bone sticks out from short end. Blanket stitch all layers together around perimeter of turkey leg with brown floss or perle cotton, leaving about 1.5 inches open to stuff. Insert a small amount of fiberfill and blanket stitch opening closed.
Glue pin in place on back of turkey leg. Glue a tiny scrap of brown felt on top and whipstitch into place to secure.

Want more Thanksgiving craft ideas?

Join us this Thursday evening, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. EST (6:00 p.m. CST) as we partner with CraftFoxes.com (@CraftFoxes) for their special Thanksgiving Twitter Party! You could win great prizes just for participating, so follow along at hashtag #HolidayFox. Click here for more details!

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Craft Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 14:35:00 +0000

We're excited to announce our 2012 Black Friday & Cyber Monday craft deals! We've put together some fun "3 Top Threes" in Editor's Picks to help you get started filling up your shopping cart. You can find all of these craft and sewing deals, plus more special discounts, at store.marthapullen.com. Get a special 15% off coupon from 11/20-11/25; then, get 50% off magazine back issues and select downloadable patterns on Cyber Monday - that's a steal, putting our Summer and Fall 2012 issues of SCC at just $5 each! From stocking stuffer ideas for crafters to our editor's picks of favorite projects from Stitch Craft Create back issues, we've got you covered for Christmas presents for crafty friends and family.

Top 3 Holiday Stocking Stuffers for Crafters

Roxanne's Glue Baste-It: This is a must-have tool for new sewers and experienced seamstresses alike. A water-soluble glue with a fine tip for making tiny dots, you can literally glue seams or applique together before sewing for pin-free sewing. It's especially great for tricky shoulder seams and curves or applique; and when you're done, it just rinses away!
Bulk Colored Buttons by the Pound: With the popularity of button-themed crafts popping up all over Pinterest, Etsy and craft shows, you won't want to miss our selection of buttons by the pound. Available in a rainbow of colors including ivory and black, look no further for easy access to supplies for making button monograms or wreaths.
Sulky KK2000 Temporary Spray Adhesive: We already covered glue baste for seams, but Sulky KK2000 is the Cadillac of air-soluble temporary basting spray. Use it to hold quilt layers together while pinning, keep applique pieces firmly in place without pins or hold pattern pieces in place for tracing without pattern weights - plus, it's repositionable, so you can pick up templates and replace them as needed while you work without pins getting in the way.

Our Summer 2012 issue was a our second ever in print, a followup to the premiere Holiday 2011 Stitch Craft Create. The color palette is bright and juicy, featuring an interview with Sis Boom's Jennifer Paganelli, plus profiles on Ruth Clemens, Princess Lasertron and Amy Powers. We also shared some colorful, creative ideas for craft rooms, from storage to decorating and gifts; plus, unique ideas for using doilies, buttons and more. A custom felt Kindle case sewing tutorial is also included, as well as a DIY shabby chic lampshade slipcover and handmade fabric jewelry. Get it on Cyber Monday for half price!

Editor's Picks from the Summer 2012 Stitch Craft Create:

Blooming Beauty Needlebook by Christy Schmitz: This simple flower cross-stitch design tops an easy felt needlebook, creating a is colorful, simple and easy-to-make afternoon project.
Candy Colored Yarn by Vicki Ramsey: Learn how to die yarn with Kool-Aid in this reader favorite! Also included are supplemental tutorials on using died yarn to create crocheted mug mats and yarn bowls.
Garden Party: In this sunny pictorial, we pulled projects featured throughout the issue into a piece all about creative summer entertaining. Highlights include twine-wrapped jars, spraypainted bottles, simple washi tape flags, decorated flower pots and quilted placemats. Plus: get a free printable summer party invitation that you can embellish to make it your own!

Our Fall 2012 issue covers autumn crafting, Halloween and everything in between. With a feature designer interview with artisan Melissa Valeriote, you'll find unique Halloween craft projects that thrill and inspire, from a giant 3D Styrofoam haunted house to a simple paper owl mobile. Autumn is also embraced with lots of easy fall papercrafts and vintage-inspired sewing ideas. Gobs of free Hallowwn templates are included, so snag a copy on our website on Cyber Monday for 50% off and stash it for fall 2013 crafting, or gift it to your Halloween-loving friends!

Editor's Picks from the Fall 2012 Stitch Craft Create

Secret Sewing Kit Necklace by Jessica Woodroof: You'll love this clever project that makes use of vintage sewing notions to create a unique necklace that doubles as a sewing kit. It's a perfect gift for any vintage-loving seamstress or collector. Hint: the fabric bow on top is actually a tiny needlebook!
Paper Leaves Wreath by Danielle Burkleo: Don't miss this amazing papercraft how-to that yields impressive results with minimal effort. Scrapbook paper, a stapler, a cheap wreath form and hot glue are about all you need to recreate one in your own favorite colors.
Midnight Owl Mug Rug by Kaye Prince: This simple patchwork mug rug tutorial would make a great gift for any owl-lover. The included owl cross-sttich design can be easily reworked in a color palette of your choosing for any holiday. Plus: don't miss several other owl craft projects included in the issue!

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts Blog Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hello, friends! Today I'm thrilled to be representing a stop on the Modern Designs for Classic Quilts blog tour, authored by the lovely Andrea Johnson (Andie Johnson Sews) and Kelly Biscopink (Stitchy Quilt Stuff). I'm proud to say that it was published by the same folks as Stitch Craft Create, and the honor is all ours. I could lie and say that my support for Kelly & Andie's new book is for that reason alone, but it just wouldn't be true. Not only am I happy to call them both SCC contributors and friends, but above all else, it really and truly is a fantastic book that I am excited to tell you all about!

I worked with Kelly, formerly a crafts editor at F+W Media, long distance for the better part of a year, herself being a resident of Cincinnati at the time while I live down in Alabama. We chatted on the phone and online, and I was thrilled to have her contribute a quilted pillow to our Fall 2012 issue of SCC. She also introduced me to Andie via email, with whom I was thrilled to strike up another contributor relationship (see her first SCC article in our Spring 2013 edition!) But it wasn't until October when I had the chance to finally meet these amazing ladies in person at Quilt Market. We immediately hit it off, and our conversations were bubbling over with brainstorming ideas for how we could work together on articles for future issues of Stitch Craft Create - and not just quilting, either. So stay tuned, y'all - you won't want to miss what we've got cooking.

But onto the real reason we're here: to talk about Andie & Kelly's new book, Modern Designs for Classic Quilts. I knew I would like it based on the cover and a quick flip-through, but it wasn't until I sat down this week to really chomp into the contents that I got super excited. I am now convinced that I must have a copy not only for myself (fits my contemporary style) but also my mother (a more traditional quilter). It's just got that kind of appeal; quality quilting and solid tips with a twist of modern flair and updated style.

If you've seen SCC, you know that we take our layout and photostyling pretty seriously. We want your reading it to become a complete sensory experience for the contemporary crafter, with not only cool projects and eye candy, but great photos, delicious paper and tasty graphic design. If that speaks to you, then you'll love what you see inside MDCQ. It's clean, bright and colorful with plenty of fun little details to boot. And the fabrics - oh, the fabrics. But let's get to the really important part - the meat of the book. With instructions, diagrams and stepout photos that are clear and concise, Kelly & Andie have equipped the reader with everything they'll need before, during and after the quilting process. And since I'm a sucker for "bonus" material, I have to say that one of my favorite points is the little extra tips and info from Kelly and Andie that you'll find sprinkled throughout the book.

I also love that not all the projects in the book are full-size quilts. I'm so busy these days, I'm not sure I could stomach taking on a huge sewing project without getting overwhelmed; but I would certainly enjoy spending my free time on something bite-size! There are coordinating "mini-projects" scattered throughout the book that apply the techniques of the main quilts to smaller how-to's, so even if completing a whole quilt makes you nervous, you can still join in the fun in your own way.

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts is such a treat. I highly encourage you to grab a copy and see for yourself what all the fuss is about; I myself have borrowed our review copy for the weekend to work on a little bib project I saw for my son, and maybe a new hexie pillow for the couch. I've got just the inspiration I need to get started!

Don't miss out on the rest of the MDCQ blog tour for additional reviews, sneak peaks, Q&A's, giveaways and more - the list is below. We'll also be covering the book in our upcoming Spring issue with an exclusive Q&A with Kelly and Andie; and as I mentioned above, be on the lookout in SCC for more from this dynamic duo next year!

Modern Designs for Classic Quilts Blog Tour Schedule:

11/6 :: Lindsay @ CraftBuds

11/7 :: Jill, @ Darling Jill Quilts

11/8 :: Faith @ Fresh Lemons

11/9 :: Generation Q

11/10 :: Angela @ Quilting is my Therapy

11/11 :: Shannon @ Stitch Craft Create

11/12 :: Laurie @ Scarlet Fig

11/13 :: Kaysie @ KZJo’s Studio

11/14 :: Jessica @ A Little Gray

11/15 :: Mary @ The Tulip Patch

11/16 :: Deborah @ Whipstitch

11/17 :: Lindsay @ The Cottage Mama

11/18 :: Jenny @ Sew Kind of Wonderful

11/19 :: Carla @ LollyQuiltz

11/20 :: Thomas @ Thomas Knauer Sews

11/21 :: Brenda @ Pink Castle Fabrics

11/22 :: Lindsay @ CraftBuds and Liz Rea @ Inspire Me Grey

11/23 :: Sarah @ The Last Piece
11/24 :: Cara @ Cara Quilts

11/25 :: Andie @ AndieJohnsonSews and Kelly @ Stitchy Quilt Stuff

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Shannon Miller is the editor of Stitch Craft Create magazine. She admits to having a problem with coffee, an exploding stash of fat quarters, a strong dislike for cleaning, an addiction to reading blogs and an overwhelming affection for naps. Shannon lives in Huntsville, Alabama with her husband Nathan and their two young children, Georgia Mae and Ryland Jackson.

Tweet Meet Recap

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:13:00 +0000

Thanks so much to everyone who joined us for our October Tweet Meet last night! We had a lot of fun talking all things creative home dec, plus giving away a few door prizes - congrats to the winners, @StacySews and @LooneRmewifenma!

Some of the highlights from last night's chat:

@courtney_kyle Q2: I LOVE mixing old with new--I love thrifting as much as I love a trip to ikea.

@punkprojects we starched fabric to the walls. It comes off without messing anything up, so it's great for rentals/apts.

@SCCmag Q4: I think working against a tight budget has made me more creative. In our little old house it's all about creative storage! ^sem

@StacySews Q4: I've done lots of 'accessory' sewing - pillows, throws, etc. It's so much more 'me' plus it's a ton less expensive.

@LooneRmewifenma I have chalkboard frames in the kitchen, den, livingroom and our bedroom! so handy!

@jessmullins79 Q7: As I'm not a great seamstress yet, I'm in love w/ steam-n-seam. Made my own funky window treatments using it.

@jessmullins79 @SCCmag The best place to look for "practice" lamps is a Habitat restore! Killer deals & if it's not great in the end, no $ wasted!

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Thanks again to our sponsors at

Thanks again to our friends at Rowley (on Twitter at @Rowley_DIY) for sponsoring our October #SCCmeet! There's still time to enter their awesome grand prize Tweet Meet - a gift basket worth over $110! Just click here to enter (open through 10/28).

And don't forget, take advantage of our special 15% off coupon at store.marthapullen.com through 10/28 with the code SCCPARTY.

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Join us for our next Tweet Meet party under hashtag #SCCmag on November 28 at 9pm EST/8pm CST for more great conversation, new friends and prizes! We'll be talking holiday crafting, so you won't want to miss this one!

Home Dec Month: Q&A with Shelley from House of Smiths

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:00:00 +0000

We were first turned onto The House of Smiths via the live tweeting during The Creative Connection event last fall. Shelley (who you can find tweeting at @houseofsmiths) seemed so genuine, funny, sweet and interesting that we couldn't help but click through and see what she was all about. Imagine our excitement when we found what would become one of our favorite creative blogs about DIY home dec, family, crafting, and all things related - what luck! We were hooked; and in celebration of Home Dec Month here on the SCC blog, we're thrilled to bring you this Q&A with the mastermind behind the House of Smiths blog, the lovely Shelley Smith. Enjoy!

All images courtesy The House of Smiths.

Stitch Craft Create: You've blogged several seasonal ideas using the same pair of white shelves in your kitchen. They form a great focal point! Do you have other areas in your home that you often redecorate?
Shelley Smith: Yes! Our shelves act as a make-shift mantel, since we don't really have one; it's great! Other areas in our home we tend to redecorate often are our table tops. Changing out our vignettes from one season/holiday to the next keeps things interesting and fun!

SCC: Your home has such warmth and personality. We want to move in! How do you keep things tied together from room to room?
SS: One of the best ways we've kept our small home cohesive, was to carry the same light, neutral colored paint pallet throughout our space. A house should flow nicely, without feeling too "themed". We learned early on that having larger items like walls and furniture that had natural tones (creams, whites, grays) were a lot easier to work around than loud, bold colors. Using pops of color through movable, less expensive decor like lamps, vases, pillows, drapes, etc... costs a lot less money and effort to change out, if you ever decide to morph into a different decorating style.

SCC: A home is nothing if not a haven for family! Do your husband and you ever disagree on decorating?
SS: We disagree on a LOT of things (ha!), but funny enough, decorating isn't necessarily one of them. We definitely have our own likes and dislikes when it comes to styling, but it just so happens that my cottage vibe works really well with his more modern taste. Mixing in a clean, modern lighting fixture under a somewhat distressed, cottage-type kitchen table, is what sort of defines our style!

SCC: Absolute favorite home dec tip you've learned?
SS: Start TODAY & Don't be afraid to try something new - So often I hear of homeowners who are scared to decorate their space how they wish it could look, for fear of not knowing HOW to do it the "right way". While I understand the hesitation, there is NO right or wrong way to making your house feel like a home. Forget about what everyone else likes. What makes YOU happy? What colors/patterns/items speak to you? Ultimately you are the only one who has to see the inside of your home everyday. If you don't like something the way it is... CHANGE IT! Get rid of those pillows that you hate on the couch, paint over those walls that drive you nuts. Stop waiting for your kids to get older and less messy, your bank account to get bigger, or your family or friends approval on what you think might look good. Just do SOMETHING. Making even the smallest changes to improve your living space, so it's a happier place for you and your family is better than doing nothing at all.

SCC: Next project on the list for your home sweet home?
SS: We're currently in the finishing stages of a new kitchen restyle, and can't WAIT to get it done so we can share the results with our readers!

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A huge thanks to Shelley at The House of Smiths for helping us out with today's Home Dec Month Q&A! Visit www.thehouseofsmiths.com to keep up with her latest house projects, tips and goings-on, plus be sure to click on "DIY tutorials" for lots of great inspiration and how-to's!

Don't forget to join us TONIGHT for our monthly Twitter chat, the SCC Tweet Meet, at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central under hashtag #SCCmeet, to talk all things creative home dec and win great prizes! Follow us @SCCmag, and click here for more Tweet Meet info.

October Tweet Meet TOMORROW NIGHT!

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 13:55:00 +0000

Join us for our second monthly Stitch Craft Create Twitter chat, TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 24 at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central under the hashtag #SCCmeet!

In celebration of Home Dec Month, we'll be chatting all things creative for the home, from determining your interior style to furniture makeovers, tips & tricks, making your own DIY accessories and more. Join us! You can find us leading the #SCCmeet conversation at @SCCmag (give us a follow!).

How do I join the conversation?

Anyone can follow along, but to participate, you'll need to have a public Twitter account so that everyone else can see your tweets. Then, starting at 9:00 p.m. Eastern (8:00 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Pacific), follow along with the hashtag #SCCmeet, and jump in with your comments and questions! Just be sure to add #SCCmeet to the end of your tweets so that they can be seen by others who are not following you. We recommend using the chat room website Tweetchat.com, but you can also follow along with search.twitter.com or apps such as Tweetdeck or Hootsuite.

Win great #SCCmeet prizes!

We've got an extra special Tweet Meet grand prize this month sponsored by our friends at Rowley - a gift basket of supplies to help you with your own home dec projects! Worth over $110, it is filled with Rowley's decorative button embellishments, Perfect Pleating Tape, cartridge pleat tape, drapery pins, drapery weights, buckram, micro welt cord and a hemming ruler. Also included are instructions on how to make a Cartridge Pleat drapery panel and an idea starter for the button embellishments. There is enough product included to make at least 8 panels (to cover four windows) and to get started with many other home décor projects - click HERE to enter!
PLUS, randomly selected participants will win a crafty door prize - all you have to do to enter is chat with us under the hashtag #SCCmeet! This month we have 2 door prizes, including a brand new pair of Gingher 8" Designer Series dressmaker shears and a collection of Tilda brand ribbons and embellishments.
And, get 15% off at store.marthapullen.com with the code SCCPARTY! (expires 10/28/12)

This month's Tweet Meet is sponsored by our friends at Rowley (on Twitter at @Rowley_DIY). They're THE go-to DIY source for supplies, projects and inspiration for sewing curtains, shades, pillows and more, so be sure to check them out at www.rowleydiy.com for everything you need to get started on your own creative home decorating projects!

Home Dec Month: Q&A with Young House Love

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:25:00 +0000

Get ready for a treat - today for Home Dec Month, we're excited to bring you a quick Q&A with Sherry & John Petersik. Hardly needing an introduction, they're the fabulously creative and talented duo behind the popular home improvement and lifestyle blog Young House Love. They were kind enough to take a quick time out with us to answer some questions, so without further ado, we hope you enjoy our chat below!

All images courtesy Young House Love.

SCC: Woodworking and major home renovations can be pretty intimidating for newbies, but they seem like the "next step" for anyone interested in doing their own home dec. What's your advice for overcoming that fear?

YHL: I think the key is to do one small thing at a time. Build your confidence, start slow, and keep your expectations nice and low (pressuring yourself to build a giant armoire in an afternoon makes for an almost positively frustrating battle, but setting your sights on something nice and manageable as an afternoon project to get your momentum up is always a great way to start out - like spraying painting a lamp base, for example. A small project like that can be all that you need to get the DIY ball rolling!

SCC: We love YHL - but what are some of YOUR favorite home dec blogs?

YHL: Oh man, I read over 200 blogs - there are so many inspiring folks out there! A few favorites are Nicole at makingitlovely.com, Stefanie at brooklynlimestone.com, Katie at bowerpowerblog.com, Jessica at howaboutorange.blogspot.com, and Ana at ana-white.com. There literally are dozens more though. I can't get enough of blogs!

SCC: We really enjoy seeing Clara, your daughter, and Burger, your dog, on the blog, and they're obviously a huge part of your everyday! How do you manage to get major home projects done at home with them underfoot?

YHL: We don't! Haha. We get nearly 95% of our projects done when Clara is either napping or in bed for the night. Thankfully Burger hears the power drill or the squeaky paint rollers and usually likes to stay clear - but we can't manage to get anything done with a curious toddler around, so the hours between eight pm and midnight are when we dive into the DIY zone after Clara's in bed for the night.

SCC: Sherry, you have a "thing" for white animal figurines. John, do you have any similar home dec obsessions?

YHL: I love old wooden boxes. You know, the ones with weathered stamps or words stenciled onto them. I'm obsessed.

Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love
Coming in November and now available for preorder!

SCC: You've got a book coming out in November that we're so excited to get our hands on. What else is on the horizon?

YHL: Aw thanks! We always say that we had no idea we'd be here five years ago so we don't have a clue where we'll be in five more years. We're completely humbled and thankful to be right where we are today, so if we're still blogging and DIYing the days away, I think we'll be happy campers!

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A huge thanks goes to Sherry & John of Young House Love for helping us out with today's Home Dec Month Q&A! Visit them online at www.younghouselove.com to keep up with their current projects, plus check out gobs of archives for countless home improvement tips, techniques, how-to's, before & afters and so much more - including outtakes and plenty of good humor!

Home Dec Month: Q&A with Ashley of "The Real Vertical House"

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Today on Home Dec Month, we're thrilled to bring you a special Q&A with the lovely Ashley Vaughn, a wedding and lifestyle photographer who lives locally to us here in Huntsville, Alabama. (Ashley runs photography imprint White Rabbit Studios and actually does a bit of freelance photography for us – be sure to check out some of her work in our upcoming Winter 2013 issue!)

Ashley and her husband, Andy, run a killer local record store called Vertical House Records, which was aptly named after their own home – the "real" vertical house. Built circa 1903 for the manager of Dallas Mill in Huntsville, Alabama, their home has over 2,000 square feet and features 6 fireplaces, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, living room, dining room, kitchen, and a deep front porch. When Ashley's father-in-law purchased it back in the 1970s, it was being used as a duplex: one unit upstairs and one unit downstairs. Ashley and Andy purchased the property from Andy's dad in December 2006 to restore it back to its original single-family residence glory.

We're completely in love with Ashley's decorating style, which hinges upon vintage, thrifted and pre-loved items, from the house itself right down to the trinkets displayed on the shelves. Because of her keen, creative eye for interior design and deeply-held appreciation for creating a one-of-a-kind homestead, we jumped at the chance to ask her a few questions. Enjoy!

Stitch Craft Create: You've taken on massive restoration and renovation projects in your home, many while living there! What would your advice be to someone considering doing something similar?
Ashley Vaughn: Make sure you are ready for anything. Before we took the plunge, we made sure we were ready for the stress, inconvenient living situations, and whatever random mishap might pop up. Thankfully, we haven't had anything go majorly wrong (knock on wood). In the beginning we lived upstairs without water and electricity (we were basically squatting!) while waiting for jobs to be completed. However, we made the most of it and called it our "camp grounds" for a while. Try to embrace everything, and laugh a lot. Even when the work was hard and the hours were long, it only took a few minutes of thinking about the finished product (a gorgeous home we restored) before we had smiles on our faces again. Engage yourself with other activities! When we started the restoration, we just got involved with a local theatre group. After a day's work we would go to rehearsals and hang out with friends instead of just sitting around thinking about what needed to be done. I think it's important to have something else to focus on to relieve your mind and revive your energy.

SCC: Many of your home décor and belongings, from furniture to trinkets, were thrifted, salvaged, revamped or bought on-the-cheap from estate and yard sales. What are some of your favorite finds, and what did they cost?
AV: While I adore everything in our home, a significant find would be our kitchen cabinets. After months of researching cabinets and quotes, I wanted to give up (especially when the quotes for cabinets were around 10 grand). One day, I discovered a new antique store and spent two hours walking through all of the aisles. As I made my way around the last corner, there they were: three gorgeous cabinet pieces that would be perfect in our kitchen. I kid you not, a tear fell down my cheek. I called my husband all choked up, sent him a photo, and bought them there on the spot (all three for only $1,500)! Ever since then, we've adopted the fact that the pieces of our house will find us. It's worked for every single room (although I'm still waiting for that perfect queen sized iron bed to made itself known).

SCC: You have a distinct style. How has it changed and developed over the years?
AV: The only cohesive thing I've found about what I'm drawn to are the colors. There seems to be a distinct palette I'm fond of the most (soft blues, golden yellows, cherry reds, and shades of whites). I've always been attracted to graphic patterns, and unique objects. Instead of focusing on individual themed rooms, I prefer for everything to be able to fit anywhere. I love being able to mix and match among different rooms, but it all still flows together. When we decorated our first house, I don't think we really took the time to think about what we wanted. It was more like trying to mock a page from a magazine we saw. When we started restoring our current home, we let the rooms breathe on their own and remain sparse until we found the right pieces for it.

SCC: What is it that draws you to the pre-loved?
AV: Instead of having to work with what big box stores provide (while some of it certainly is nice) I think it's more fun finding treasures that I all of a sudden can't live without. Most of the thrill has to do with the hunt, but there's also a lot to learn when digging through articles of the past. I can trace my love for historic buildings to being in a stroller and commenting to my parents that I "want to live in an old house one day", and with that comes the appreciation for vintage, pre-loved, and handmade items. Growing up, I preferred shopping among the rustic floorboards of the nearby antique store than the bright, stark aisles of Toys R Us. I guess it's in my blood!

SCC: Do you have tips for thrifting for the home?
AV: I can be a shopaholic, and even though I'm very thrifty, the "stuff" can still add up. I have two rules: I have to LOVE it or NEED it. Often times there are household items that I discover we need (a hanging fruit basket, for example). The morning I realized we needed one was on the way to an estate sale. I had the idea of spray painting one red, to add a pop of color to our kitchen. When we arrived at the sale, there was a RED three tier hanging basket on the doorknob for only ten cents. While I can easily fall in love with items I don't need, I usually only spring for them if I know exactly where they can go in the house. It's too easy to buy something because it's a great deal, only to have it take up valuable space. Once a year or so Andy and I do a complete clean out and get rid of anything we haven't used in the past year. It's a great way to not let the clutter build up and make room for new items to find!

SCC: What's the craziest restoration or renovation adventure you've attempted, and how did it turn out?
AV: Currently, we are restoring the upstairs and that is proving to be quite the project. Mainly because we are trying to retrofit a bathroom, and is becoming a challenge. Before this point, the craziest was probably the kitchen and (downstairs) bathroom. Both are the former back porch of the house, and needed a lot of work. The first time we walked through there was a puddle of urine on the floor, disconnected plumbing, old electricity, holes in the roof, and sagging floor joists. We pretty much had to re-build the entire section of the house and lived without a kitchen for close to a year (that was tough). The day we got to plug in our stove and fridge was a miracle to us! Now the kitchen is one of our favorite rooms in the home!

SCC: What's in the plans next for your home projects?
AV: Hopefully within a year or so we'll be able to wrap up restoring the upstairs. From there, we'd love to (with approval of the Historic District) add a screen porch off the kitchen, a greenhouse in the backyard (made from recycled windows), and convert our garage into an art studio. I'm the type of person that wants to get things done immediately, so I'm constantly having to remind myself of having patience and savor every moment of this restoration. It's been a wonderful process so far, and I'm thrilled to be doing like this alongside my best friend and husband.

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For more behind-the-scenes images, visit www.therealverticalhouse.com. You can also find Ashley at White Rabbit Studios, and be sure to check out Vertical House Records at www.theverticalhouse.com.

Home Dec Month: DIY Rugs

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Area and accent rugs area are great pieces for grounding the look and style of your room. Whether they blend in or make a statement, a room without a rug just can just feel empty! Here are a handful of unique DIY rug tutorials that we hope will inspire you to create your own handmade floorpiece.

Rag Rug Tutorial by Everyday Art at Craftaholics Anonymous

Stenciled Rug by Kim at Scout & Nimble

Wine Cork Bath Mat at Crafty Nest

Braided Rag Rug by V&Co. at Moda Bake Shop

Painted Outdoor Rug at Outdoor Theme

Red Riding Hood Cape Pattern

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Mullins) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:40:00 +0000

We here at Stitch Craft Create love Halloween. In fact, we have a big employee party the day before Halloween complete with costumes, decorations, tricks & treats! Also, I am known for my yearly Halloween Party. Each year, I host a large gathering where all guests are expected to dress up--and dress up they do! Making a costume becomes a challenge & every year I'm astounded at the talent and creativity of the costumes!

With this in mind, I went about looking for costume ideas. I came across this magnificent site called Fleece Fun. She had me at her tagline: "Velvet is pretentious. Fleece is fun."

I contacted Angel, the woman behind the fleece and asked her to introduce herself:

I am a stay at home mother of two beautiful girls (and one on the way!). I’m married to one of the most understanding men on the planet, who has given me the most amazing gift: a room of my own to create in. While I love all things creative, (scrapbooking, photography, interior design) sewing is my creative comfort food. Being a slow sewer, I prefer to sew items for family and friends and share my patterns for others to enjoy. I currently divide my time between my small production company, Angel Dawn Productions, my online sewing and crafting blog, www.FleeceFun.com, my two little girls, husband, and on very good days, I also manage to get the dishes done.

Since I'm such a huge fan of fleece, I asked her to explain her love affair with fleece!

The reason I started a Fleece sewing blog is because during my second pregnancy my craving was cloth! After I had my baby I realized I had over twenty yards of fleece and I had better do something constructive with it! The other reason I like fleece is that it's a good fabric for a beginning sewist. It's easy to cut out, it doesn't slide under the needle. It's a great fabric to encourage people to sew!

The first garment that caught my eye and made me fall in love was Angel's Red Riding Hood Cape Pattern! My mind immediately began racing, imaging it in different colors, with different accessories...endless opportunities! Understandably, this Red Riding Hood cape pattern is one of Fleece Fun's most popular. The circular half cap is perfect for going to grandmother's house in--it's warmth will keep the chill from from nipping, but not necessarily wolves. This half cap can be made at different lengths (and materials) to get the look you want.

With very few materials, you are set and ready to make this beautiful warm cape! Follow this link to get the details.

It won't take you long to lose yourself in the many patterns and beautiful pictures on Fleece Fun's site. For example, would you like to be Robin Hood? Or perhaps you just need to have a medieval shawl! Fleece Fun has you covered with their Long Cape Pattern. This is an easy cape to make. These are no sew and easy options to make this cape. This cape also can be wrapped and worn in different ways to achieve different looks. Wrap a belt around it to form sleeves, wear it loose and flowing, or tie the front behind your back for a unique look! You can make it without the hood, without sewing anything! Adding the hood is just a quick and easy sew. What says Halloween more than a garment that is fun and changeable?

And don't worry, we haven't left the children out! Fleece Fun also has a Halloween Hat Pack, complete with free animal patterns. Top off your child's costume with one of these: dinosaur/dragon hat, Viking hat, bear ears, cat ears, pumpkin or an apple! Comes in sizes from baby to adult so all ages can enjoy!

For these patterns and much much more, go visit Fleece Fun's site and enjoy choosing what you are going to make to compliment your next Halloween costume!

Happy Haunting!

For the pattern for this Mini Top Hat and other amazing headgear, go to: http://www.fleecefun.com/1/post/2012/09/pattern-review-mini-top-hat.html

Guest Post: How to use Cartridge Pleat Tape

noreply@blogger.com (Shannon Miller) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Today we're excited to bring you a special guest post from our friends at Rowley! They're THE go-to DIY source for supplies, projects and inspiration for sewing curtains, shades, pillows and more.

We've had a great time getting to know them as we've worked together over the last few months, and can't speak highly enough of not only their staff's expertise, but their kindness as well.

Well, we don't know about you guys, but making nice curtains and draperies can be a little intimidating. All that fabric, all those different tools?! You're in luck, because Rowley's team has prepared a tutorial for you on how to create beautifully pleated draperies in a snap using their special Cartridge Pleat Sew-On Header Tape. A few of our employees visited with the Rowley folks at the Sewing Expo in Novi, MI last month and got to see this technique in action, and they are still gabbing about how easy and awesome this tool is. So let's get started!

Cartridge pleat tape

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Make drapery panels, finish side and bottom hems. At the top, fold over a doubled 4” header. Do not sew the header.
2. Measure the panel width and cut a piece of Cartridge pleat tape 8” longer than panel width.
3. At one end, find the woven-in repeat-indicating threads and mark with a pin. This marks your first flat space.
4. Carefully pull out cords from tape and tie together. Trim away excess tape 1” from cords.
5. Place the tape along the drapery heading with the pocket rows facing up and towards the top of the drapery.
6. Turn under the cut edge and pin the tape to the drapery heading starting at one side (this will be the front edge of the drapery).
7. At the opposite end pull out cords and trim the tape leaving 1” beyond the end of the panel. Tie these loose pull cords together and turn cut edge under and pin to the panel.
8. Machine stitch the top and bottom of the tape to the panel. Stitch edges in the same direction, being careful not to sew over the shirring cords.
9. After the tape is sewn, pull cords and push the fabric along the tape, pushing the first pleat into position.
10. Continue pulling the cords until all the pleats are formed. Make sure there is no puckering between the pleats; the spaces between the pleats should be flat.

Wrong side of pleats

11. Tie off the cords. Do not cut off the excess cords. Wind the loose cords together and hand stitch to the panel.
12. Install pleated draperies on decorative rods with rings using drapery pin hooks.

TIP: To create more definition for Cartridge Pleats, cut a 12” piece of 4” wide buckram, roll up tightly and insert into the pleat, allowing it to slightly unroll until tight inside the pleat. (This really helps!)

You can find cartridge pleat tape, buckram, drapery pin hooks and SO much more on Rowley's website. Plus, check out their great videos and how-to guides for other home dec projects and products!

Be sure to join us for our October SCC Tweet Meet on October 24th at 9pm ET/8pm CT under hashtag #SCCmeet - Rowley is our sponsor, and they've got a huge basket of goodies to give away to one lucky participant!