Valentine Corner Bookmark

    Using up my scraps is a constant battle between me and the storage space where they are kept.  So I am always looking for small projects that will help me win that battle.  Projects that are useful for a variety of people is a bonus win-win. 

    This summer in one of my sewing classes we made a reading pillow. The bonus project for that class was a corner bookmark.  Since I work in two school libraries I am a big promoter of reading for all ages.  The link to the corner bookmark video on my YouTube channel - Sew Learn Create is below.  It is my most popular video. This project is a great scrap buster because it uses only 3 pieces of fabric.

    Since Valentines Day is approaching I decided to tackle my Valentine fabric scrap bag.  My daughter is an elementary teacher and loves to shower her kids with a small gift at holidays.  So, I created a corner bookmark with a Valentine twist.  

    By adding a small stamped heart on a piece of muslin it made these bookmarks so cute!  To create the stamped heart you use a regular stamp pad and stamp on 100% cotton fabric.  I used an unbleached muslin.  Once you have stamped your image then iron the image on a cotton setting.  This will set the ink on the fabric.  Then you are ready to add your stamped fabric to your project.

    Add your stamped fabric to the folded piece in the project before you lay out the sewing pieces.  I found that using a thread color that matched the stamped fabric for this looked a little nicer.

    To make these easy to gift I cut up an old book page and put the bookmark on the corner.  Then they were slipped into a plastic sleeve with a topper and label.

    I would love to hear your comments on corner bookmarks you make and any variations you add.  Keep sewing and Happy Valentine's Day to all you readers out there.

Danna

Heart Garland - Sewing Camp 2016

In Sewing Camp 2016 I wanted the students to sew something other than fabric.  I thought it would be fun to show them that sewing can be used to create all sorts of items.

Each student was given 20 paper punched hearts.  The hearts were made using discarded library books.  Check out these posts Book Pages to see more ideas using old discarded books.

The students colored each heart with crayons. Some expanded the craft by adding letters to their hearts to display a message.  Next we machine stitched the hearts together to create a garland. Adding a small piece of ribbon to each end for easy hanging of the garland.

I am always amazed at how one project can have so many variations.  Here are some of the garlands we created.

Another variation on the heart garland is to make them 3D.  Follow this post Instructables 3D Heart Garland to link to the instructions on how I made the 3D heart garland below. 

Click the link above to see more instructions.

Remember your sewing machine can be used for more than fabric.  Grab that discarded book, some punches and your machine to great a festive garland.

Danna

Instructables - A New Tutorial Site

While recently searching for instructions to do a particular project I stumbled across a new site called Instructables.com.  The site is full of wonderful tutorials for all sorts of projects.  Anyone can post their "Instructable" tutorial in a wide array of categories.

Instructables has some nice features like: you can walk through the steps online while working on the project or print out a PDF file of the project to do later.  After posting you can be invited to judge one of their many contests.  I have been selected as a judge for several contests.

I have posted 3 Instructable tutorials for some of my projects both old and new.  I was excited when all three of my Instructables were featured on the site not long after being posted.  Below are the links for my Instructables:

Beginner Sewing Monogrammed Pillow

From Scraps to Gift Tags

From Book Page Scraps to 3D Garland

Be sure to check out this site to learn something new or to share your own "Instructable" with others.

Danna

College Graduation Party 2015

Wow, it has been a while since I have posted.  Things around our house have been crazy busy and I feel like I have been on a roller coaster that keeps passing the loading station and goes for another round. 

We celebrated our daughters college graduation in early May but did not have her party until the end of  May to allow all of her friends to get back into town.  The celebration and graduation were landmark events.  She is our oldest child and it seems like yesterday we were walking into Kindergarten and now she is done with college.  Where did that time go? 

 She is one happy graduate!

I did make several items for her party and one that she can later use in her classroom. The celebration was all in purple and white since that is her school's colors.  The first item I made was a "Congrats" book page banner.

Book page banner she can use later in her classroom

 

I used the pages from a chapter book and then various colors of purple scrapbook paper.  The one that says Ms. Webber we will laminate so she can use it in her classroom.  The "Congrats" one I will save and use at our son's graduation party in a few years since his school colors are also purple and white.  Yes we bleed purple at our house.  Different schools but same colors.

 

These banners are simple to make if you want to know how to make one check out these posts Spring is Here and Picture Book Pennants.

 

We used purple pillows and her school afghan on the couch.  We placed her decorated cap and chord on the mantel along with a school water bottle.  

Her decorate cap and water bottle add a punch of purple to the mantel.

 

On the entertainment center we put her stole, family pictures, graduation pictures and some purple filler items. 

 

Pictures of our family and her through out her life.

Her stole with the school seal.

Another water bottle and yarn add the purple to this area.

 

Front porch sign.

The entry table was draped with a large piece of purple fabric with the raw edges turned under.  Simple things can be quickly gathered and put together based around a theme or color.  This process adds just the right touch of fun to the festivities and doesn't cost much at all.  So for your next party base your decorations on a theme and start raiding your closets and cabinets.  Your decorations will come together quickly.



Brother and sister - one school against the other.

Our happy family.

 

As our family crosses another milestone in our journey we are looking forward to what the future holds for each of us.  May your journey be filled with good times and lots of smiles.

 

Danna

Birthday Book Cover Sign

I have been making book cover signs lately for various occasions.  We have had several baby showers at school so I have made signs for the new arrivals.  Check out those signs at these posts Baby Book Cover Sign and Another Baby Shower Gift. 

A teacher at school wanted a sign for a birthday gift for a little girl that loves frilly girl things.  Here is the finished product.

I love her name - Saige it is very unique.

I used scrapbook paper in a fun flower pattern for the top.  The bottom section is covered by a coordinating blue paper.  To cover the seam between the papers I used a tiny pink ric rack.  The with lace at the bottom hangs over the edge and adds another layer of dimension.

The little girls name was added using raised scrapbook puffy squares and gold stick on letters.  At the top I placed a small clothespin covered by an embellishment.  The clothespin allows you to change out what is clipped to the sign.  It is a great way to show off a child's latest drawing or souvenir.  I clipped a small card with a heart and an embellishment that says let's celebrate.

The sign turned out to be fun, colorful and festive.  I hope she will think it is a wonderful addition to her bedroom.  And hopefully it will hold countless pictures in the future.

Danna

Another Baby Shower Gift

As I stated in an earlier post Baby Book Cover Sign there are several pregnant teachers at my school this year.  We just had our second shower so I made another book cover sign for the expectant mom.  She is having a girl so I used a pink and yellow color scheme.

The pink and yellow stripe is soft yet whimsical.  Like the last one I made the clothespin in the middle allowing her to change the picture or sign.  To spell out the baby's name I used a series of scrapbook embellishments that were plastic raised squares in various shades of pink.  I then placed gold letters on the squares.  To finish the bottom edge I glued a wide rick rack in pink to the bottom.  The small sign I attached to the clothespin says "Shh, Baby Sleeping".

These book cover signs are great for a baby gift.  They allow the parents to change out the pictures or notes for a different look each time.

Danna

Baby Book Cover Sign

At my school this year there has been a large group of pregnant teachers roaming the halls. In one grade level all but one teacher is pregnant and he is a man.  I told him I thought he was safe from the pregnancy bug but his wife might not be because she also teaches at our school. 

Well the time has come for the baby showers to begin.  The first one was last week for a teacher who is having a boy.  I wanted to create something simple yet useful for her new bundle of joy.  I decided that a book cover sign would work nicely.

The sign - personalized with the baby's name.

 

The sign is covered with a scrapbook paper background and wide rick rack on the top and bottom.  The paper and button at the top is glued to a clothespin allowing for the card to be changed. 

 

The button and circle are glued to a clothespin.

 

I made the card out of book pages from chapter books and picture books.  The heart says We Love You in the center.  The clothes pin will allow for the mom to change out the card for pictures or other keepsake items. 

 

The sign without the card attached.

 

The name was made from stick on letters.  This sign will provide the perfect spot to clip that new photograph or as he grows that freshly painted picture of the flowers and sky.

 

To wrap the gift for the shower I placed it in a simple brown sack and attached a pin made from scrap fabric and buttons.  The pin can be worn by the mom or clipped to a diaper bag for easy recognition.

 

Simple gift wrapping.

 

Now I only have to make a few more for all the other expectant moms in our school.  I might make one for the male teacher just in case.  If you are curious about how to make a book cover sign check out these posts for instructions and ideas.  Valentine's Book Cover Signs, Christmas Signs and Book Cover Sign How To.

 

Danna

 

 

 

Budget Friendly Fun Valentines for a Large Group

I enjoy giving even a small token to my coworkers on holidays but working in a school makes that list somewhat extensive.  So I am always looking for ways to create something fun and unique on a budget of nothing or very little money.  This year I came across a really cute Origami Heart Bookmark.  Not only is the bookmark a folded heart but it is a corner bookmark which I thought was really fun and unique.

The corner bookmark Valentine

I created my bookmarks out of old book pages (you know how I love old book projects) so the only cost for the Valentines was a little bit of my time and a pack of index cards.  I enjoy this kind of project because I can do it in front of the TV.  The folding of the origami is slightly complex but once you have done 4 - 5 you can really go to town.  Here is a great tutorial video that I watched to learn how to fold the bookmarks.

You can start with any size square, the larger the square the larger your bookmark.  I made my squares approximately 3" x 3".  I chose this size based on the book pages I was using since the pages had two columns.  This allowed me to get 6 squares per page.

The only change I made to my bookmarks was the addition of a colored heart punched from picture book pages.  I wanted mine to have a definite Valentine's feel and thought the colored heart added that special touch.

I added a colored heart to the center of my bookmarks.

I made about 100 of these and then placed them on a 3x5 index card with my greeting stamped on the card.  So the only cost for my Valentines for the whole school was $1.00 and some time.  They turned out to be really cute. 

A large pile of bookmarks ready to be put on cards.

The center stamp is hard to read but it says Happy Valentine's Day

I stamped READ on the same angle as the bookmark.

They would make a great gift for a book club, classroom or for those friends who enjoy a good book.  Did you create something special for your family and friends this Valentine's Day? If you did please share a comment below and tell me about your project.

Danna