When asked by Laura Kelly and Jen Goode to participate in the I Love The USA Blog Hop I was honored and jumped at the chance right away. These are two dynamic women and to be included in their circle of Blog Hop participants is a thrill. Okay now I have accepted what to do I do.

Let’s start with a little background. Laura Kelly designed this fun fabric available in JoAnn Fabric stores nationwide. Along with her good friend Jen Goode they coordinated some fantastically generous manufacturers to put together a box of creative goodies so no Blog Hop participant, no matter their area of interest or expertise, would be at a loss as to what they might create from Laura’s fabric for the Blog Hop. We received items from: General Fabrics for JoAnn Fabrics, Fiskars, Coats and Clark, Plaid Enterprises and Buttons Galore and More.

Okay, now back to my design process. Since my Blog is entitled It’s Sew Lorine, I obviously needed to sew something with this fun fabric. I also needed to put my own spin on it so I decided fairly quickly that I would create a layered apron and do some basic embroidery on the overlapping muslin panel. Here was the first step in my process:

A clothesline filled with the fanciful garments Laura’s fun stick figure children were wearing. The way I look at it is that they are kids, and kids get dirty and somehow their clothes need to be cleaned. Luckily without too much difficulty I was able to sketch my version of the clothing. Nothing is precise, however I did strive to capture the fun look of her design. If you look closely you can see all of my eraser marks, nothing around here comes out first time.

Next I free hand sketched the designs onto my muslin using a FriXion pen so that I could once again erase (with my iron and some heat) all of my mistakes. I started with the clothesline and once again trust me, I erased items and even ended up adding an additional design so that things looked fairly even across my fabric.

Next I threaded my needle with the embroidery cotton supplied to participants by Coats and Clark and tied a knot to one end.  Using a simple back stitch allowed me to stitch from one end of the clothesline to the other quite quickly.

With right sides together, I added a backing fabric to my embroidered muslin. That is how I created my front panel and the rest is really history as creating an apron is so simple that I will not go into all of the details of gathering, hemming and adding a waistband (about the waistband – I used one and one half yards of  woven cotton webbing), now that is a simple waistband. I almost forgot, embellishing the apron is so much fun, I picked through the button selection provided by Buttons Galore and added some here and there to finish off my design.

I hope you like what I came up with, be sure to HOP through my fellow designers projects. I can only imagine what I am going to find when I do…..Happy July 4th everyone.

Lorine

A page from my book Making Jewelry using T Shirt Yarn

It really is so simple to make T Shirt yarn using old T Shirts. Fashioning jewelry from tie dyed T Shirts is extra fun as you never quite know what you are going to get until the project is finished. For this project I used some plastic slides available from Buttons Galore and More and stickers to personalize. Great birthday or warm summer afternoon project for the kids. An inexpensive project as well.

Enjoy,

Lorine

This is a StoryPatch™ from Stkr.it Use your smart phone to scan the QR code (quick retrieval code) on the StoryPatch label and you will be directed to the wonderful message I uploaded to the Stkrit site. Stkr.it is a free app and works for both IOS and Android systems and it is where you link your purchased label to your message. Don’t have a smartphone – no worries simply go to Stkr.it and type in the code found on the StoryPatch™label. It easy, it’s fun, it’s inexpensive ($2.99) and it’s definitely memorable. FYI: In this particular case I used the Iron On version of StoryPatches™ and simply ironed the label to a piece of  grosgrain ribbon, folded the ribbon in half and created a tag. Viola!

Another great example of how to use a StoryPatch™ label. In this case I uploaded a family favorite recipe. What a great wedding shower gift and the possibilities are almost endless.

Here I added a label to a baby quilt. As I live so far away from my relatives, I decided that instead of uploading something to the label I would give the new parents the opportunity  I added the label to my project, and then packed up my gift and sent the registration information for the attached StoryPatch™ to my niece. I encouraged her to upload a personal message addressed to her brand new son, Seth. I am going home this summer and I can’t wait to see what she came up with, perhaps she sang a song, maybe uploaded some photos or since she likes to write, maybe it is a poem. Whatever she comes up with will be wonderful and safely held for 100 years at Stkr.it

What would you upload to your StoryPatch™ ?

Lorine

Mini Flour Sack Gift Bags featuring Ann Butler Stamps

Looking for that perfect take home gift for your next sewing themed get together? Stamp up these cute little bags and fill them with sweets, treats or potpourri and your friends will  be thrilled. Here is how to

make your very own.

Supplies:

Fabric; tone on tone white, 1/4 yard to make four bags

Stamps by Ann Butler & Unity Stamp Company

ColorBox® Crafters Ink

Ribbon; 1/8 inch wide

Wood Hearts

 Get-It-Straight™ Laser Square

Needle & Thread, Sewing Machine, Scissors, Rotary Cutter, Mat & Ruler, Hole Punch, Rick Rack

How to:

Cut fabric into 8″ x 10 ” rectangles, or use desired dimensions.

Using the   Get-It-Straight™ Laser Square placed over the fabric, stamp your images centering them on the bag front.

Continue stamping images changing ink colors.

Turn the top edge of the fabric over 1/4″ twice and press. Stitch rick rack along the top edge.

Fold the stamped fabric in half right sides together and stitch a 1/4″ back seam. Press the seam open and then stitch across the bottom.  Turn right side out and press. Use a needle and thread with a coordinated color of thread and stitch around the perimeter of the stamped images.

Stamp the wood hearts

Punch a hole at the center top of each of the hearts.

Cut a 10″ length of ribbon and fold in half forming a loop. Insert ribbon loop through the hole and then bring  ribbon ends up through the loop and pull taught.

Fill the bags with goodies, tie a ribbon around the top and add the tag.

Voila! you are done and here’s a deal for you.

The Unity Stamp Company is offering a 50% off coupon deal for anyone ordering Ann’s stamps between Thursday May 2, – Monday May 6 at midnight CST….the coupon code is Unity5

Unity Stamp Company

To see additional designs, click on the names of  participating designers listed below the icon and follow the trail to see more great designs using Ann’s Stamps. 

 Ribbon Wrist Corsage by Lorine Mason

Supplies:

Ribbon – large flower 17 1/2 inches, small flower 12 1/2 inches, ribbon ties 2 yards each

Felt scrap; 1 ¼ inch circle and a 1  ¼ inch x ½ inch rectangle

Button

Fabric glue, needle and thread, measuring tape, marking pen,

How To:

Mark spacing along the bottom edge of the ribbon at 3 1/2 inch intervals for large flowers and 2 1/2 inch for small flowers. (Note: if you are using wired ribbon, remove the wire from the top edge of the ribbon)

Using the needle and thread stitch along the length of the ribbon using the diagram as a guide.

With the needle and thread still attached, carefully gather the threads forming five petals. Stitch the first and last petals together, knot and trim threads.

Apply fabric glue to the back of the felt circle and glue it to the back of the large ribbon flower.

Apply fabric glue to the back of the smaller flower and glue it to the top of the large flower. Apply glue to the back of the button and glue it to the center of the small flower.

Apply fabric glue to the ends of the felt rectangle and press to the back of the felt circle. Once dry; insert ribbons through opening.

Tie ribbons around your wrist to wear as a wrist corsage or simply slide onto an existing hairband. Another option is to add clips and use either as a hair adornment or make two and clip them to a favorite pair of shoes.

Perfect for a Flower Girl hairband accessory

Worn as a wrist corsage

I hope you are inspired to create something today. Thanks for stopping by,  Lorine

I was recently sent a wonderful package of goodies from the generous folks at Cousin®. They have just released a new product line and were interested to see what professional designers would do with the line. My goal is to incorporate fabric into every project I do on this blog, whenever possible that is… Therefore I decided this project must incorporate fabric. Here is what I came up with and I love it…

Fabric Flower Slide Bracelet

Supplies:

One  Bicast Leather bracelet blank 34740058

One 3 pc Metal Slide 34740023

One 1 pc Metal Slide 34740030

One Metal Clasp 34740006

E-6000 glue

One Fat Quarter of Fabric

Hot glue & Glue gun

Scissors, Ruler, Needle & Thread

Rotary Cutter, Mat & Ruler – Optional

Instructions:

Following the instructions provided on the packaging, glue one end of the clasp onto the bracelet blank. Let dry. Add one Metal Slide and one elastic placeholder to the bracelet and set aside.

Cut two fabric strips; one 3″ wide and one 2″ wide. Fold each of them in half lengthwise and press.

Using one of the fabric strips, fold the left edge of the fabric strip at a 90 degree angle until it meets with the raw edges at the bottom of the pressed strip. Press.

Repeat  folding the right side of the strip to form a sharp point at the top. Press. Trim excess fabric even with the bottom edge of the fabric strip.

Using a needle and thread, stitch through all layers of fabric across the bottom edge. Pull the stitches taught to gather, secure threads by back into the fabric. You have created one petal. Repeat creating six petals from each of the strips. Did you notice my Oliso Pro™ iron. I love this iron and my top two reasons today are: #1 I have not managed to knock it off my ironing board as yet  #2 The sharp folds and points I am able to achieve in my fabric projects due to the steam vent placement and sheer amount of steam this iron produces.* 

Glue two same sized petals together along the sides using the glue gun. This forms one unit. Continue petals to form a total of 3 units. Glue units together to form a flower layer.

Squeeze glue into the recess at the back of the Metal/Acrylic Square Slide Charm. Press the smaller of the two flower layers into the glue, being careful to not cover the slide at the back of the charm. Add the second flower layer, gluing it to the back of the first layer.

Insert slide onto bracelet blank followed by the remaining Metal Slide and elastic placeholder.

Following the manufacturer’s directions, fit the bracelet before trimming and adding the opposite end of the closure.  

I hope you enjoy creating your very own Fabric Flower Slide Bracelet. Products are available at JoAnn’s

This project is part of a BlogHop put together by a group of Professional Designers, you will notice the Designer Connection Icon along the left side of my page. Click forward or backward to see other wonderful designs using similar components from the Cousin line of products.

Lorine

* I was sent the Olisio Pro™ iron  by Olisio to test and offer my opinion. As I use the iron in coming projects I will be offering many opinions I am sure. Stay tuned.

Design by Lorine Mason

Supplies

• Cotton tea towel
• Cotton fabric scraps or a jelly roll
• Yo-yo maker: assorted sizes
• Steam-a-Seam 2 1/2-inch-wide fusible web tape
• Buttons
• Embroidery floss
• Decorative-edge rotary cutter with ruler and mat
• Basic sewing tools and supplies

Instructions

• Use a seam ripper to open the bottom and side hems of tea towel, opening the side hems up from the bottom edge approximately 6 inches. Press opened hems flat.
• Measure from side to side across the pressed area of tea towel and cut fabric scraps into strips of that measurement for length and in a variety of widths using a decorative-edge rotary cutter. Following manufacturer’s instructions, press fusible web tape to the center back of each of the strips.

• Remove the paper backing from the tape and press the fabric strips to the front of the tea towel to achieve the desired look. Refer to the project photo for placement ideas. Topstitch the strips to the front of the tea towel.

• To create a bottom-edge binding strip, cut a scrap fabric strip 2 inches wide by the width of the pressed tea towel. Press the strip in half lengthwise. Open the strip and fold each of the raw edges in toward the center fold; press. Encase the bottom edge of the tea towel with the binding strip and stitch.

• Re-hem the side seams of the tea towel. If desired, to create fabric wide enough to fit into the yo-yo maker, cut strips in a variety of widths and then stitch together. Press seams open. Insert into yo-yo maker and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

• Stitch completed yo-yos to the tea towels, adding buttons, embroidery stitches and more to make the tea towels truly unique.

Copyright © 2013 Lorine Mason. All rights reserved

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Fun, colorful zippers for that custom look!

Have you ever wanted to take that project just one step further to make it your own? Why not create a custom color matched zipper. It is so simple and quite inexpensive.

Purchase two or more zippers in colors that coordinate with your project.

Cut away or remove with pliers, the metal stopper at the bottom of each of the zippers. Please note I am working with nylon zippers. Slide off the zipper pull and set aside.

Add pieces of masking tape to each of the cut ends of the zipper tape. This will help prevent fraying and give you something to grip as you slide the zipper pull onto the zipper tape. Slide the one half of the zipper tape onto the zipper pull, stop and slide the second half onto the pull and then continue sliding the pull up the length of the zipper. If the pull is uneven remove and start over.

Using a needle and coordinating thread; stitch across the bottom edge of the zipper, coming up,stitching across and then down the opposite side of the zipper coil. Repeat stitching to establish a firm stop.

Fun, colorful zippers for that custom look!

Voila, you have created custom zippers for all of your fun projects.

Card Insert for Daily Window Tote

A good friend and fellow entrepreneur, Paula Krieger from Daily Window recently asked me to design a couple of card inserts using Sizzix dies. This was a perfect fit for a number of reasons, the greatest being my dear friend, neighbor and fellow designer, Eileen Hull designs dies for Sizzix. I call this a match made in heaven. Working on a creative project and helping good friends get the word out about their wonderful products.

The cards are a standard size, enabling them to fit into the pocket of anyone of Daily Window’s great totes, purses and or a lunch bags. To get started you will need the following supplies:

Assorted Batik Fabrics

Heavy Duty Craft Interfacing with d/s fusible backing

Sizzix Die Cut Machine and assorted Dies

Steam A Seam Fusible Web

Charms & Brads

Card Stock scrap

General supplies such as; thread, iron, scissors, computer, glue

How To Basics:

Cut interfacing to appropriate size. Fuse background fabric to interfacing – I used two colors to establish a horizon line between the sky and grassy areas.

Thread your sewing machine with a fun thread color have some fun using decorative stitches and/or sewing rows of stitching wherever you desire.

Choose fabric to be used for the fence, sign and flowers and press Steam A Seam to the back of the fabric.

Cut out design elements using your Sizzix Die Cut machine and assorted dies.

Arrange die cut elements onto the background of the card until placement is as desired. Remove the paper backing from the fusible web and press elements to the front of the card.

Add decorative stitching by hand or machine. Insert brads and sew charms in place.

Create and Print your  message using your computer or hand lettering directly onto a piece of  card stock. Die cut the message  centering it on the die prior to feeding it through the machine. Glue die cut image to center of the sign.

Press a piece of fabric to the back of the card, covering the stitching and backs of the brads. Top stitch around the outside edges of the card, sewing through all layers. Trim   fabric even with the stitching line.

Enjoy,

Lorine

Creating a fun project using inexpensive buttons is really so easy. I have provided step by step instructions for you to create a one of a kind button embellished tote bag. Here we go……

Step One:  Choose a font you like on your home computer. Enlarge to desired size and print. Choose buttons.

Step Two:  Cover the printout in buttons, arranging them along the lines of the print. Thick and thin lines are covered with different sizes of buttons. 

Step Three: Remove buttons, turnover print and redraw the lines using a iron-on fabric transfer pencil.

Step Four:  Iron on the transfer to the pocket on your tote bag. Cover lines with buttons using the paper print out as a guide for thick and thin lines.Step Five:  Add a drop of glue to the back of each button sparingly. Do not cover the holes in the buttons with glue. The glue is used only to hold button in place while stitching it in place.  You will notice I also added additional buttons along each side of the pocket. Step Six: Stitch the button in place. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this project. Stay tuned for new projects each week or so.

Bye for now,  Lorine

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