Merry Christmas

Wishing you a safe,  happy,  creative Christmas surrounded by the people you love.

See you back in the studio on Tuesday.
Merry Christmas.

Fun Fabric Ornaments with the Brother ScanNCut

I love making little gifts this time of year.  You'll often find me crafting away right before the holidays to create a little something extra to attach to presents, etc.   This year I made some FUN stuffed canvas ornaments.    Super fun and easy with the help of my Brother ScanNCut and Sewing Machine.

Here's what you'll need to create an ornament:

6"x12" piece of Canvas or Heavy Muslin

4"  scrap of a Pattern Material

Letter Stamps and Archival Ink (Jet Black)

Some Fusible Webbing and an Iron

Ribbon

Matching/Coordinating Thread

Stuffing

ScanNCut Machine and Sewing Machine

I chose to cut out one of the ornaments already programmed into the machine but you can also make your own with one of the pre-programmed shapes.

• When you cut fabric, you need to make sure you iron a fusible webbing to the back of the fabric so it will cut cleanly.   If you're using a heavy interfacing, you can cut the fabric face side up -- if you're using a light weight interfacing, be sure to cut the material face side down.
• Cut 2 canvas pieces the size you'd like for your ornament and then cut 1 shape re-sized 3/4 smaller than the original out of the patterned fabric.
• Stamp a Christmas sentiment onto a scrap of the fused canvas with the Archival Ink and attach to the printed material.  Sew in place.
• With wrong sides facing, stitch around the 2 ornament pieces (I love free-motion stitching these) leaving a space about an inch wide so you can stuff the ornament with the cotton batting. The ornament pictured above has a loop to attach a string to so I fused this together first and left the opening at the bottom.  If yours doesn't, be sure to attach a piece of ribbon to the wrong side of the fabric before sewing.
• Stuff the ornament and then stitch it closed.
• Embellish with a ribbon bow and you're done.  HO HO ... HO  (anyone get the reference? *wink*)

Have a Merry Christmas and hope to see you in the studio soon!!!  Happy Crafting!

Working the Leia Buns.....

I had some yarn left over from my little tacky sweater adventure with the Crochet Crowd so I thought I'd make myself some "Leia buns" to wear to Star Wars VII last night.    I've seen this done before but this video by Mark Montano gave me the kick in the pants to do it too....  Next time??   I'll be sure to have more yarn on hand to make BIGGER Buns -- BUT ...   there was just enough to make my little homage.  Giggles

Where are my buns now? The kid took them home with her to show them to her roommates.  Even the hubby wore them for a while - I'd say they were a hit!!  Perhaps next time I'll try the Wookie paws! *wink*

TIP - I used some of our Adhesive Backed Felt to stick to the plastic headband and to wrap the finished yarn braids on.   Worked perfectly and much less messy!!!   ...and I used the Brother ScanNCut to create perfectly sized cut circles.  The felt cut BEAUTIFULLY!!!   Yippee!

Have a creative weekend everyone!

Holy Smokeage!   I have been blog delinquent this month.   Many apologies!  
There has been a lot happening at the studio - people joining us to paint, stock coming in (and out) for the holidays and I even had some special guests - Mikey and Diva Dan from The Crochet Crowd - here for a Holiday Sweater Party.   Loved being their guest!   Thanks guys!

Hope you've been having a great month creating!   I'll be sure to post our antics more regularly!  
Here's a laugh-tastic snippet from our LIVE on Facebook broadcast.  Enjoy

ScanNCut for the Holidays

All ScanNCut Accessories are 15% off until December 18th!   

A Great time to stock up on Mats and more!

ALSO -- A GREAT DEAL on a ScanNCut 550

$100 off

Ask us for details!!

Hostess Gifts, thanks yous, wine... it's all good!

Be sure to head on over to the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine blog today to see how I created these fun Wine Bottle Tags and Thank You Cards using the Brother ScanNCut Machine and some Speedball Carving Tools.

So much fun and perfect for the upcoming holiday season!

We're participating in the Cambridge CLASH!

Bring in FOOD FOR THE CAMBRIDGE SELF HELP FOOD BANK until November 18th and receive 10%off your purchases in the studio. (excludes workshops and floor model Brother Sewing Machines)

Let's get together and support our community!

Wine Cork Pumpkins

Isn't this cute?? And so easy to create!
I saw Wine Cork Pumpkins on Pinterest and thought they'd make great table centerpieces for a Taste & Buy Wine Fundraiser I am hosting in support of our local Sea Cadets.  Best part, other than being gifted corks for this by Di Profio Wines, was that they turned out just like I saw them on Pinterest.   No Pinterest Fail here!   HaHa YAY!!

Thanks for watching me create these live on Ustream this week.   Here is the recording as posted to youtube.    Happy Crafting!!

Getting ready for the season....

On Thursday night's ustream broadcast, I created this ornament painting on a 16x20 wood canvas.

Normally I don't like doing anything Christmas-y before Remembrance Day but I wanted to create a canvas that could be made into a banner for my storefront window and vista print had a banner sale going on.  Wink.   :)

Love how this turned out.   Lots of texture from collaging papers to the base of the canvas and adding some extra layers on the ornament.

I painted with acrylic paints (Golden and Chroma's A2).
The recording of the live broadcast can be found below.

This is a painting that needs to be appreciated in person.... if you're in the area - be sure to stop in, see the painting and say HI!

Have a creative weekend!!!

Little Flyers Pencil Roll - Too Cute!

My friend, Kelly Panacci, designs the sweetest fabrics for Riley Blake!

I recently got my hands on some of her Little Flyers designs and just wanted to play!!
I was thinking of a fun, fast project to create here in the studio for stocking stuffers when I came across some fabulous pencil roll patterns on Pinterest and I thought, "Wouldn't this be fun for a creative kid?"

If you search pencil rolls in Pinterest, lots of free patterns will pop up for you - LOVE it!   As you can see, I created this for pencils...   but I'm thinking I may just create another one with two sewn pockets, smaller depth,  made for crayons!  And since it would be for a younger kid, replace the ribbon with an elastic!   Hummm...  so many possibilities!

Little Flyers is available now from Riley Blake Designs and be sure check out her Happy Flappers fabric too!   SEW cute..., get it? *wink*   I have a project on the go with "the flappers".  I'll be sure to share when it's complete!

Have a creative day!!

NYC Skyline abstract painting.... Welcome home to me!

I had the most wonderful few days in New York City!  I have never been to the city before and I am so thrilled I had the opportunity to explore the island. ... couldn't wait to come back and paint it!!

I was so excited....   I started my regular broadcast a little earlier than usual and was thrilled to have people still able to join me and watch the process!

This painting was created with acrylic paints and a palette knife.   Here's the edited video recording posted on youtube.  Hope you enjoy!!   Thanks for watching!

A Wine Welcome

I had a ton of fun experimenting with a new technique on Thursday night's ustream broadcast.

Inspired by my friend Sheri who introduced me to the art of Jenni Horne...  I created this Wine Welcome using one of her techniques -- sketching a design on black canvas with chalk and then painting around the chalk lines  - -- once the paint's dry, wipe away the chalk.   SO FUN   Can't wait to do more with my florals and perhaps some portraits???  hummm...   my thinker is thinking!

During my ustream broadcast, one of the people watching mentioned trying this technique with PanPastels  in the new Dylusions Black Creative Journal!!   My first thought...  that I mentioned online was to remember that the pastel will smudge so it might not be the best medium to try on the black cover.    THEN, after the broadcast I realized...  the pages inside the journal are black too!  OMG!!  Yes, I'm in heaven!!  I will most definitely be doing more of these in my new journal.   And trying the PanPastel too! *wink*

SHOP NOW

NEW Black Dylusions Creative Journal

Black Canvas

Acrylic Paints

Thank you, ScrapFest!

Thank you, ScrapFest for a fabulous weekend!   Kelly and I loved being a part of your show representing the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine!!   PARTY time!!  

For those of you not in the know....  the magazine's next issue due out Dec 1 is the TENTH ANNIVERSARY issue!!   Happy Birthday Canadian Scrapbooker!   Yippee for Double Digits!!

Have a creative day everyone!!

From Oven to Table - Textural Clay PLATTER Class

We were asked to reschedule this class soooooo  we did!!! *wink*
Hope you can join us!

Clay Platter and Glazing Workshop

A two part class with Susan Spencer Gervais
Saturday October 3, 1pm-4pm (Creating and Embellishing the Clay Base) 
Saturday October 24th, 10:30am-12:00pm (Custom Glazing your piece) 

Join us at the studio on Saturday October 3 for a fun and FUNCTIONAL Stoneware Clay Platter Class with Susan Gervais! And then come back on Saturday October 24th to custom glaze your piece. 

Yes, your art will be hand molded, fired, glazed and re-fired so you can enjoy your creativity at every meal! *wink* Once fired, these platters are Microwave, Dishwasher and Oven Safe. So Cool!! 

Hope you can join us! 

All Materials Included but please bring a shoebox and an old hand towel to use in class. 

Workshop Fee:  $70 (plus hst) for both days, includes two firings. 

Contact the studio for more information. 519 267 6620

Kraft-tex "Fabric" Vase (via ustream)

Hi everyone!  
Last night on ustream I had fun creating a fabric vase.

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer posted a fabric vase she created with the new fabric elements line (by Rebekha Meier available in the states) and I was totally inspired.  

I had a fabric vase project in my sketch book and that post gave me just the right kick in the pants to get moving on it!   In my sketchbook I planned on doing a vase with KRAFT-TEX paper fabric.  Yes, paper fabric!   It's the same material that the old Wrangler logos were made from  -- you know ..  the ones attached to their jeans.   So yes, it's machine wash and dry-able.  VERY COOL stuff.   Almost leather-like after it's been wet.

Anyway, Julie's fabric vase got me to get out the Kraft-tex and the pattern I had stashed away from Mark Montano's Big Ass Book of Crafts 2.  I made a little modification to it (rounded the edges a bit) but, that's where it's from.   To create last night's project...  I also used the Brother ScanNCut...   By Scanning the image into the machine, I have it for future projects ...  AND I don't have to cut each side out individually.   PERFECT!!

Once all my pieces were cut out, I logged onto USTREAM and  GELLI PRINTED the Kraft-Tex with my 8x10 and 4" round plates, created some doodles and stamped a script and solid floral stamp  all over the fabric with Jet Black Archival Ink..  Then sewed it up with my Brother 85e Sewing Machine.  TaDA!

I wish the broadcast saved the recording for you all to see...  but I did have technical troubles with the service last night.  Oh well... I hope that doesn't happen again.

In case you were wondering how to use a fabric, or even a paper vase with fresh flowers,   Here's the secret...  hide a small dollar store vase inside!   Easy Peasy and much prettier!

I had so much fun with this...  I think it would make a wonderful class... so stay tuned for more info!

Hope you're having a creative day!!

Doodle myself a patch? Why not??

So, today I had a little play time with my Brother Sewing machine and some Inktense Blocks from Derwent.   I thought I'd try my hand at making a patch using some of my own doodles!

I do LOVE the Brother Dream Machine -- if the sewing wasn't enough, the scanning feature for embroidery puts it over the top with FUN!  I started my day by doodling on a plain piece of paper then I scanned that doodle into the sewing machine to create an embroidery file!!   Don't you just LOVE technology?

Embroidering my Doodle with the Dream Machine - Brother 8500D

I made my file into a patch with the press of a button and then when it was done (14 minutes start to finish embroidery, BTW) I used some Fray Stop along the patch border and painted the flowers with Inktense while it dried.   When the Fray Stop dried, I cut it out with some sharp fabric scissors - isn't it cute??

Instead of adding some Heat N Bond to the back of the patch to make it into an iron on...   I thought I'd stitch a couple strands of tarn to it and make it a bib necklace for me to wear in the studio and at the shows.  I'm still giggling!

Fun day experimenting with some of the stuff here in the studio!   Bring on the patches.....!!

SHOP NOW

Inktense Blocks and Pencils

Fray Stop

and come into the studio to check out the Brother 8500D!

Hope you had a creative day!!

Tuesday "Toots" - SolarFast Dyes by Jacquard

It's time for some Tuesday "Toots"
Today I thought I'd feature SolarFast Dye by Jacquard.

So much fun!!   Simple to use...    Great to experiment with!!
Here's the demo video provided by Jaquard....    :)


Don't you just LOVE how they Comic Book the name - SOLARFast! ?   Giggles!!

I have been EAGER to play with this product all year and had a few projects sketched out before I left for my trip out west.  But then I stumbled upon an Esty artist at the Stampede selling the most glorious sunprinted pillow cases, table runners, and more -- Well...  She got me salivating! And guess what?  She uses SolarFast too! Check this out! (Jack & Cyan on Etsy)

So lush!   Of course, I had to buy one!   I love what she did and her style ...  notice the little surprises she embeds in her work?

Yes, I bicycle in the botanicals (which she cut out using her electric die cutting machine!!  Attn: ScanNCut users!! *Wink*)

So, when I got home, I took out the dye and created a set of placemats for us to use at our trailer.   Our umbrella is burnt orange so it seemed appropriate to print a set of placemats in the colour too.

I took a tip from the artist and instead of painting on the medium, I diluted it a bit, soaked the material and then gently rung it out.  This created the different intensities of dye.  Well, that and the maple leaves I placed on the fabric under a clear acrylic sheet.  

Once the placemats were sewn together, I free motion quilted around the leaves to accentuate them using Brother 85e sewing machine and SA129 Quilting foot.

Love these..   I'll try to remember to instagram our set table next time I'm at the trailer for you!!

Have you ever tried sun printing????
I did try this on paper on the weekend without success BUT...   after watching this video I think I know why!!   Stay tuned for that!

SHOP NOW - SolarFast Dyes and Accessories on our online store

Have a creative day everyone!!

My "Wee Flakes" are making me laugh!

 Good Morning everyone!
I had a great evening last night broadcasting live on USTREAM.

In case you missed it (the broadcast was not recorded...) I had lots of fun with the gals creating some CROCHET SNOWFLAKES for the Crochet Crowd's display for the CreativFestival this October.   The Crochet Crowd always creates an elaborate and inspirational booth - this year it's Christmas themed....   These snowflakes?  They are for an igloo they're creating.   Can't wait to see it.   So happy to participate!

If you follow the Crochet Crowd or me on Facebook you may have seen this live video posted on Tuesday when I went to the Spinrite Tent Sale in Listowel to pick up some white yarn so I could make these babies.

Posted by The Crochet Crowd on Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Gotta have fun, right??
On that note -- and with the girl's encouragement (twisting my rubber arm) I created some smaller pieces with thinner cotton and a smaller hook.   Snowflakes that I can wear at the show.  The issue??  I only had yellow variegated yarn -- Solution...  yes, you guessed it.  Yellow. Snow. Flakes....    Bwahhahahahah...   "wee" flakes.   I'm going to make a wearable with these and add a dog charm to them.  Let's see how long it takes people to spot them at the show!!   *wink*   Best yet -- we'll see who has the courage to say something!   HAHA.

Thanks for a great broadcast and for those wanting the pattern.   Here is the link to the free pattern "Simple Snowflake" courtesy of the Crochet Crowd.

Link to FREE SNOWFLAKE pattern and video tutorial by the Crochet Crowd.

Be sure to do something Creative today,...   and have a little FUN!