Jar of Hearts Stitch Valentine Cards

Greetings friends! It is new project tutorial day - time to share my January project created for the Therm O Web blog with you. I always enjoy putting on my Fabric Education Designer hat and creating new projects/tutorials to share. For the month of January, the blog is focused on home decor, embellished apparel, HeatnBond Sparkle Paste, appliqué, and girlfriend gifts. I created a brand new project that was posted yesterday - it is a complete project tutorial for my Jar of Hearts Stitched Valentine Card. My comprehensive tutorial contains a complete supply list, printable pattern with templates, and step-by-step directions with color photos. 

Last month I stitched up a few Christmas cards, and decided it would be fun to sew up a handful of valentines. I knew right away that I wanted to use the NEW HeatnBond Sparkle Paste to add a little glittery goodness to my cards. As I went through the design process, I thought it would be interesting to try adding HeatnBond Iron-On Vinyl to my card fronts (without the ironing) - we all know that I tend to think outside the box and don't always use products or supplies as intended. When this idea came together as I envisioned, it was extremely rewarding! The Sparkle Paste not only added shimmer and shine, but it added dimension to the jar lid...and the vinyl worked perfectly to make the jar look like glass. Yes, these were sewn on my sewing machine - you can easily sew on paper/cardstock! I used a used universal needle and a straight stitch - sewing on the cardstock will dull your needle (so no need for a fresh needle), a well-loved needle will work just fine.

This is an easy, Valentine's Day (or really, any day) project, that comes together quickly. It is perfect for using scraps and small pieces of fabric. I used colorful 5" x 7" card blanks with envelopes and my tutorial gives some great ideas for personalizing your own unique card(s). For this post, I used HeatnBond Sparkle Paste, HeatnBond Pressing Paper, HeatnBond Iron-On Vinyl (Gloss Finish), SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray, SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray, and HeatnBond Fabric Fuse Liquid Adhesive. Visit the tutorial post for a complete and detailed supply list.

To find the exact card blanks I used, along with other supplies listed, visit my Jar of Hearts Stitched Valentine Card Supply List on Amazon (full disclosure: as an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases - I only share products I actually use - and I truly appreciate you shopping from my links, thank you!). 

If you have questions on any Therm O Web or HeatnBond/SpraynBond products or would like to see a specific type of product in one of my projects, drop me a comment or email.

You will have to visit the ThermOWeb blog for my complete tutorial and pattern, but I am posting a few photos here...

Here is a direct link to the project tutorial:
https://blog.thermoweb.com/jar-of-hearts-stitched-valentine-card/

I hope this project gets you excited to create some special and unique valentines or stitched cards...

I am creating monthly projects for the Therm O Web Blog and I will be sure to post here when I have a new tutorial available. My next project is scheduled to be on the Therm O Web blog on February 17th. Plus, I am working on a special valentine project for Poppie Cotton that will be shared in February, as well.

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today - I always enjoy sharing with you. Have a great week and make time to work on something creative...

Serenity Blooms Fabric Tour

Happy Wednesday - welcome to the Poppie Cotton Serenity Blooms Fabric Tour. I am thrilled to be today's stop on the tour - thank you so much for stopping by for a visit. I have a very special sewing machine dust cover to share (and a little pincushion too), created with the new Serenity Blooms Fabric Collection designed by Ginger Deverell for Poppie Cotton. I was super excited to put on my quilt designer hat and work with these cheerful, yet elegant prints. This brand new collection (shipping to quilt shops this month) has lovely bird motifs, gorgeous florals, fabulous blender fabrics, and fancy parakeets...all done in a cool and colorful palette...and you all know I LOVE a good nature-filled collection! Let's take a close-up look at my projects...

I used my very own "Bluebird in My Heart" Sewing Machine Dust Cover & Sewing Machine Mat pattern to create a brand new sewing machine cover - it just seemed to be the perfect project for this lovely fabric collection. You can find the pattern in my Etsy Shop in both paper and digital format:

Digital Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1393176766
Paper Pattern: https://blueribbondesigns.etsy.com/listing/1407404069

I used a Serenity Blooms Fat Quarter Bundle and yardage of Country Confetti in Marshmallow New White (background/lining/backing/binding) to create my cover/mat. The bird blocks are foundation paper-pieced, the heart is machine appliqué, and everything else is traditional piecing. Together, the bird blocks create one large pocket on the front of the cover - perfect for the machine pedal, power cord, quilt patterns, and/or the machine manual. The smaller pockets on the reverse side are made for sewing/stitching tools - such as a seam ripper, scissors, rulers, marking utensils, tweezers - you know, all those tools you need close at hand. I wanted to make the cover useable at all times, so when it is not acting as a dust cover, it can be placed under the sewing machine as a mat/pad and the pockets hang down with all my tools handy. I used StitchnSew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets for the foundation of my bird blocks and HeatnBond Lite Iron-On Adhesive for my heart appliqué...along with HeatnBond Fusible Fleece to give my cover good padding and stability. For the side ties, I used cute, coordinating gingham ribbon. I can't believe how much joy this new dust cover/mat brings to my sewing studio...it makes me happy the second I walk in the room! This cover fits both of my sewing machines and will fit any machine up to 18" wide (and can easily be adjusted).

After finishing up my sewing machine cover, I was compelled to work with some of my leftover fabric pieces and made the sweetest little pincushion, embellished with a matching gingham tie for my scissors. The top is a variation of a Pineapple Quilt Block (I designed) that I foundation pieced. I wanted to make sure some of those wonderful birds fit in the center. I added 1/2-inch hand-dyed rick rack around the perimeter (from my favorite Lady Dot Creates). There isn't a pattern - this was just me having fun in my sewing room...

I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour and are feeling inspired - thank you for visiting with me today. For more creative projects using the Serenity Blooms fabric collection, visit the Poppie Cotton Blog or their social media. If you love this fabric collection, be sure to check out your favorite quilt shop and request it - Serenity Blooms is shipping now.

I already have my projects in progress for the next Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour in March - my day is March 21st. That tour will be showcasing the fabulous, upcoming "Wildwood Dwellings" fabric collection by Sheri McCulley (click to see a preview). I am also working on a Valentine project for a Poppie Cotton feature in February. Plus, I will have a new project tutorial posted on the Therm O Web Blog next week on Monday, January 20th…so, be sure to stop back soon for more creative inspiration...