Sweet Little Valentines...

I found these cute little quilted puffy hearts at an antiques shop a couple of weeks ago and knew they would make the perfect Valentines.

To start, I stitched around the edges of some Grubby Tags in black thread.  I used a rubber stamp to imprint "Just for You" on the front. I used adhesive to attach a small lace doily, vintage button and the heart.  I finished the tag by added some dark brown sari ribbon and tule ribbon looped through the hole at the top.

Have a  blessed day!

Stitched Gift Card Holder Tutorial...

 Supplies: duck cloth, template (download HERE), straight pins, scissors, sewing machine, fabric scraps, shank button, elastic and lace pieces.

 Pin template to duck cloth and trim.

 Fold duck cloth on fold lines as shown on template.

Gather thin strips of fabric.  I used pieces from my inky muslin cloths.

Using a straight stitch, attach strips to duck cloth as shown in photo.

Stitch fabric strips across one side of duck cloth and fold over one piece and stitch at straight edge as shown in photo.

Trim all around the edges, leaving just a little over the edge.

Sew small pieces of lace, printed muslin or other embellishments to holder.

Stitch all around the edges.

Fold bottom up to create pocket and stitch up the sides.

Attach a button and elastic to create closure.  I used a shank button which has a "loop" on the back and a tinker pin to hold it in place. Button pins also do the trick!  I also used 6" elastics I got from 7 Gypsies but you can use regular elastic and knot the ends inside the bag to hold in place.

Insert gift card and you are all set!

I also made another holder in a pouch style.  I stitched fabric strips to two pieces of duck cloth (one a little shorter to go on top) and stiched them together to create the pocket for the gift card.  I embellished with embroidery stitches and a few fabric flowers I salvaged from an old t-shirt.

Clutch Play Workshop...

Just in time for the holidays comes my newest workshop called Clutch Play that is perfect for creating holiday gifts. You will create a custom fabric that will then be turned into a super cute and functional wristlet style bag and a matching journal. Give them as a set or break them up and make one of a kind, handmade artsy gifts. Grab your paints and sewing machine and I will walk you through each step of creating these colorful, whimsical gifts that spread artful good cheer.

Tap into your playful spirit in this workshop as we create a colorful painted, stamped and doodled fabric wristlet and matching journal. You will find yourself reaching for this step by step 16 video workshop again and again to create handmade gifts or your own mini art journals.  As a bonus, watch me use a Gelli Plate to create a quick and easy layered background for our custom fabric. Then you decide whether to use a Gelli Plate OR paint and stencils for your background. Using EITHER method we will create a layered artsy custom fabric for our handmade projects.

As we all love a good sale, for a very limited time, this workshop will be offered at a holiday price of $19.99 (regular price $24.99)!

Join me as we create Clutch Play!

Have a  blessed day!

Vintage Quilt Journal #1...

Flea market finds turned into quilted journals...and this one is on its way to a new home!

Update on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 8:41PM by Roben-Marie Smith

I should have done this in my original post, so I want to give a shout out to Rae Missigman for inspiring me to get my quilts out and use them to create this journal.  Rae makes an array of beautiful things from bags and pillows to journal covers. Want something more custom...just ask! She also offers workshops. Check out her Etsy store HERE!