Cute Creative Embellishments

Back in July, my dear friend Kimber did a review/tutorial on her blog (Heirlooms by Ashton House) of the Imaginisce "i-top tool"...and I just had to get my hands on one and play with it for myself! This slick tool easily creates buttons, brads, magnets, pins, and badges...even bobby pins, rings, and headbands...it is WAY COOL!! The i-top tool is pink handled with rubber and metal heads...and although it may look confusing, it works easily and makes much more sense when you have one in your hand - it even comes with a Demo DVD to help you get started. You decide what type of item you want to make and the size, then purchase the hardware separately (these pieces are called "daddies" - button daddies, brad daddies, magnet daddies, etc.). The daddies come in three sizes: small (16mm), medium (22mm), and large (28mm) - the large size requires a large head set (purchased separately) to accommodate the size of the hardware. I played with making buttons, brads, magnets, and pins - all with fabric (you know I like to find fun ways to use my scraps)! If you use paper, Imaginisce has punches for all three sizes to easily cut the shape needed...there are also templates you can purchase to help you easily cut fabric and other materials to the correct size. In the top photo, you can see an array of the fabric covered daddies I made - then below, a photo of the backs. If you are into crafting gadgets, I found this to be quite a useful tool and easy to operate - but beware, it is addicting - I couldn't make just one button!...and how cute is my little owl pin??! For those of you on the lookout for this creative gadget, I found the i-top tool and several styles of daddies at my local Archiver's store....I also saw them the other day at my local Michaels store...no affiliation, no incentives - just sharing what I feel is a fun product/gadget with you! I have already looked through my scrap box of fabrics and picked out a bunch of pieces I want to fussy cut for buttons and pins...you will definitely see me using more of these creative embellishments in the future!

A Little Bit Of Whimsy

Have you visited the Sew Beautiful Blog?? It is such an interesting place to visit - unique articles and great tutorials! About a month ago, they had "Whimsy Week", featuring Kari Mecca's newest book "More Sewing With Whimsy" - each day they featured inspiration for the book, tutorials, tips, excerpts, and a giveaway. If you are not familiar with Kari Mecca, she is an extremely talented designer who specializes in fun, cheerful (dare I say whimsical) clothing for children...but what amazes me the most about her work is her use of trims, rick racks, ribbons, and embellishments...and her fabulous use of color. I happened to win one of the blog giveaways - the "Sewing With Whimsy" DVD (WOO HOO!!) - although I am not really a seasoned garment sewer, I LOVED this DVD - it is filled with clever trims and sewing techniques...including how to make rick rack flowers and ribbon roses...I was so inspired - it was a true treat for me to watch! After seeing the video and the tutorials on the Sew Beautiful Blog, I just *had to* order Kari's new "Whimsy Sticks" and "Going In Circles Tools"...you all know how much I love crafty gadgets! I finally had a moment (and only a moment) to play with my new Whimsy Sticks...and you can see my first two ribbon flowers below (they are not perfect, I am learning!)...these "sticks" are so slick - I was amazed how quick and easy it was to make a ribbon flower...just wrap the ribbon around the stick, tape, and sew...well, that is a very brief overview - but if you really want to see Whimsy Sticks in action, check out Kari's blog for a video tutorial. There are two different sets of Whimsy Sticks - a small set of four and a large set of two - six sticks in all. Now, I just have to get my hands on some of the reversible satin ribbon Kari uses - it is gorgeous - I just practiced with some ribbon I had on hand - nothing fancy. My mind is already racing with ways to use the Whimsy sticks for special trims and flowers...what a fun new addition to my sewing studio!

Great Gadgets & Simple Contest

Last week when I posted about piping, I mentioned I would post some more favorite gadgets this week. Today, I will focus on three - all products by Clover - all fun and easy!

First of all, Yo-yo Makers - I am sure these are familiar to many of you. I just LOVE these....they come in a variety of sizes and shapes...and are super user friendly. The photo shows the round yo-yo makers with examples of Extra Small, Small, Large, and Extra Large (there are no medium sizes)....the Flower Shape with examples of Small and Large...and the Heart Shaped with examples of Small and Large. These are perfect for using up scraps of fabric and are great for embellishing and decorations! The directions are user friendly and one stitches up in minutes - these can easily be found at most craft and quilting stores. New on the market is a Jumbo size yo-yo maker, which has a diameter of 3 1/2" (I have ordered one of these and can't wait to try it out)!

Next, the Pom-Pom makers. What a perfect gadget for those with children! I remember making these with yarn when I was a child. This gadget makes pom-poms a simple task...and you can make one in a matter of minutes. The directions are easy to follow and all you need is yarn and scissors. Shown in the photo are the small and large sizes. The "small" package contains makers for both 1 3/8" and 1 5/8" size pom-poms...the "large" package contains makers for both the 2 1/2" and the 3 3/8" pom-poms. These would be cute attached to flip-flops or hair ties and can be used used to decorate scarves, hats, mittens, and other accessories - I have even seen a cute little snowman made from pom-poms (great for crafting). These also come in an extra small and an extra large size (not pictured).


Finally, here is the Sweetheart Rose Maker...and this gadget is quite slick! At first, the directions seemed a little confusing...but once I got started they were quite easy to follow. You start with a strip of fabric (the maker lists the cut size needed)...then you basically fold and sew...really simple. The makers come in sizes small, medium, and large - my model photo shows the medium. Very thin or normal fabrics are recommended - such as: chiffon, organdy, cotton, linen, satin. These are quite new on the market...and are a unique new tool.


For a little treat, I thought I would have a simple contest! If you have read this far and are interested in trying a heart shaped yo-yo maker, I have brand new one up for grabs. Simply leave me a comment, and on Tuesday, June 30th, I will draw one lucky winner from all the posts...and mail them a small size heart yo-yo maker. Anyone can enter....and I will post the winner here sometime next Tuesday afternoon.

That is all for today...more gadgets will be featured in the near future! Wishing you a day filled with creativity....

Polishing Projects with Piping!

Last September, Elegant Stitch came out with a fabulous kit called "Buttons and Blooms for the Cure" (raising funds for breast cancer education and awareness) - the chart/pin pillow was created by Blackbird Designs and uses their fabric line "At Water's Edge" by Moda. I fell in love with this piece, and stitched/finished it the week it arrived (which is rare for me, as I am usually model stitching)...since then, I have been infatuated with piping. I felt the piping around the pin pillow added so much dimension...just the perfect touch. I started playing with and reading about piping and it's various uses. Last weekend, I was watching an old episode of "Sewing with Martha" (Martha Pullen) and one of her segments included piping and used a special trimming tool - I immediately went to the computer and researched this fabulous tool. It is called a "Groovin' Piping Trimming Tool" and was invented by Susan K. Cleveland... it helps you trim your piping seam allowances to a perfect 1/4" or 1/2". Her website http://www.piecesbewithyou.com/ was a goldmine of piping products and books...a wealth of information! I couldn't wait to get my hands on this trimming tool and try it for myself...and I was not disappointed...my order arrived within 2 days...and it works easily and accurately...what a great find! My next sewing project?...I would love to use my new texture embroidery hoop to make an embellished quilt square...and finish it as a pillow edged with piping...hmmm....I need more time! I have a couple more unique gadgets I will share with you later this week....