Cards using Darkroom Door Wilderness Paper Collections

I am a huge fan of Darkroom Door stamps and Paper Collections.  They have a great range which includes photochips, photobooth, filmstrips and wordstrips.

The following cards were created using the Wilderness Paper Collection.  (Available in store)

Great cards for any occasion.  The brayered look on embossed background gives the card a vintage look (I think)

Playing with the Viva La Flora Paper Collection next

Until then

Judy

A Simple Card

I had posted on my facebook page that this pack of buttons called "Flowers for Hope" would be great to use for card-makers or scrap-bookers.

Well they are - a sweet and simple little card

How easy it is give a handmade card these days.

Update:  I have just fixed the comment problem to allow anyone to make a comment (after moderation). My settings had somehow reverted back to needing a specific account before you could leave a comment.  My apologies to my followers that had tried to leave a comment.

Take care

Judy

Missing Blogger Found

Have you seen the news?  Missing Blogger Found - Alive and Well   (That's Me)

I know I have been busy however I cannot believe that it has been over a month since I last posted. A lot has been happening, however unfortunately not as much craft as I would like.

My on-line store has had a face lift, going from 10 year old country colours and layout to a nice fresh modern look.  Check it out  Cat 'n Cart Crafts.  Still a couple of little teething problems, especially with the fonts I had previously used to describe the products.  To change all these is a extremely slow process as there are over 5,000 products in store ..... I am probably a fifth of the way through ....

I have set up a page for Cat 'n Cart Crafts in Facebook, which is another learning curve I am undertaking.  I would really LOVE for you to visit and like my page.  I will work out how to include the facebook like icon on the blog (soon).  I think I need a teenager to assist me in the social media aspect of advertising.

Anyway, down to craft.  I am teaching a "Christmas In July" workshop at Two Friends in Leeton NSW next Wednesday 15th July.  A lot of preparation has gone into this event, samples, kits, instructions etc.   It is going to be a fun event and the little felt gingerbread men are so cute.  I have made them before, so to use them for a workshop will be great

This is the sample I have made for the workshop -

Quick, easy and sweet, I hope the workshop participants like them, wish me luck.

Lots of new stamps have arrived in store, from Darkroom Door, so of course I have to try them out, he he.  Stayed tuned, and hopefully it will not be another 5 weeks before my next post.

Stay warm
Judy

Reindeers - As promised

OK - a day late, but it was too rainy and overcast yesterday to take any photos.  Much better day today, although I am not complaining about the rain as it was badly needed.

Four little reindeers made, although I am classifying two as Woodland Deer so that you could leave them out all year round, not just display them for Christmas

Woodland Deer 1

Woodland Deer 2

Reindeer 1

Reindeer 2

All the above reindeer / deer were made from the same pattern (Cat 'n Cart Crafts CCC0903 Reindeer), so you can certainly create your own unique look.  Each one different.

These were made using my pattern which is available in the online store for only $5.00 - 50% off

Click here to purchase the pattern  - it is available as a PDF pattern or paper pattern

Judy

Finally Ready

The button boards are dusted, the buttons chosen, I am ready!

I have a trade table at the Murrumbidgee Country Quilters Quilt Exhibition at Griffith this weekend. It is always a dilemma trying to decide which items to take, however I am fortunate to live close enough that I can come home each evening, and restock if necessary.

Tomorrow is "setup" day, so a big day planned.  The quilters will be hanging their quilts and I will be trying to stay out of the way, while I set up my own display.

Details of the exhibition are as follows, taken from Griffith City Council's Events Calendar

Murrumbidgee Country Quilters Exhibition

The popular Bi-annual quilt exhibition hosted by the Murrumbidgee Country Quilters will showcase the talents of local fabric artists. Light refreshments including morning and afternoon tea will be available, along with patchwork products made by the members of the group. Local patchwork and craft suppliers will also be trading during the exhibition. The magnificent quilt raffle will be drawn on the day. Proceeds of the event will go to Post School Options.

Venue:    St Mary's Hall, Edon St, Yoogali via Griffith
Date:      Saturday 7th March & Sunday 8th March 2015
Tine:       9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Cost:       $5.00 entry
Contact:  Karen 6962 6960  or Annette  6962 5308

Hope to see you there
Judy

Christmas Reindeers Finished

The two reindeer that I had cut out yesterday have been completed, whoopee
Once they are stuffed they are very quick and easy to complete.  I have used upholstery fabric for the body and it has great texture and holds the form extremely well

The first is the cutest, in my opinion, light brown with Santa's bag on the side filled with goodies

 

The next one is in a darker upholstery fabric, and gives him an entirely different look.  I have made a felt stocking for this one.

Both so cute, here they are side by side so you can compare.

 

This reindeer pattern can be purchased from my online store, here

Now to get the washing on before I cut out another Christmas pattern

This one is next on my agenda - Olde St Nick from Country Friends.  The following photo is from the cover of the pattern, hope mine turns out as good?

 

Have you been crafty this weekend?

Judy

Cold Winter Weekend

This weekend promises to be the coldest we have had so far this year, what a good excuse to stay indoors and sew, fingers crossed that is what happens.

I did manage to get one little finish this week.  These Christmas Cutlery holders have been waiting to have the bindings sewn on for over two weeks.

 

I loved how they turned out, and would love to make more.

 

From my own Cat 'n Cart Crafts designs, I  am ready to make two reindeers for the next Red Carpet Market Day to be held at the end of September.

 

They are all cut out and ready to be stuffed, this is my goal set for today

Hope you have a great day

Judy

Easter, Anzac Day, Craft and Clearance Sale

The title says it all, a lot has been happening the last few weeks.

This Easter we celebrated the Leeton Sunrice Festival in my town - it occurs every two years and brings a lot of  festivities and fun to the town which enforces the recognition of the contribution the rice industry has to the region.

I love the street parade - and this year they had over 80 entries

A lot of vintage machinery and cars

Last Friday April 25th was Anzac Day, when we remember all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.

'ANZAC' stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

My friend Ray painted this Poppies painting, the red poppy is a symbol of war remembrance.

My new fun craft has been experimenting with the loom bands.  My niece and nephew gave me a craft lesson, rather than the other way around before Easter, and I am hooked.  What fun!

The following photos are examples of the loom items that the kids have made during the school holidays.

Lastly, I have been busy with my online store, organising a huge clearance sale.  Over the years, the online store has diversified into carrying a lot of products.  I have decided to go back to the original concept, and just stock buttons, bells and rusty products.  So, everything else is being marked down to sell.  If you are after a bargain, check out the online store (Cat 'n Cart Crafts) as I am trying to keep prices under $5.00, so there are a lot of bargains.

Until next time

Judy

Desperate Measures

After a trip into town this morning, I was told that the new remote for the air conditioner in the craft studio is at least a week away, it has not even left the factory in Adelaide!  Aghhhhhhh.....

As I also use the craft studio to pack the orders for my online store, this is getting to be quite a nuisance, therefore I made a little purchase today.

 

Remember those old-fashioned water filled coolers?  This one works on the same principle, takes about 13 litres of water to fill, fingers crossed it will do the job.

 

I have some tasks that I can complete in the house, where the evaporative air conditioner is working.

A big box of supplies for the online store to package, price and put away.

 

 

I will start on this, today, while watching a movie or the tennis. It's a hard life!

 

I also received my order for fold over elastic to make some hair ties as gifts. The colours are just so pretty.

 

 

These are very simple to make, and I will be able to make them in front of the TV.  Not much else you can do on these really hot days.  Although the linen cupboard does need a cleanout and tidy-up!

 

Until next time, keep cool

Judy

Small gifts - Bookmarks

I have been busy - I was making some small gifts to sell at a Farmers Market in Narrandera last weekend, however other commitments kept me away...so I am going to upload these bookmarks onto my online store.

 

I love how these clip bookmarks turned out, bright beautiful flowers. I think I made about a dozen of these ones.  This is a closeup of one of the bookmarks. 

 

 

Continuing with the bookmark theme, I made lots more Elastic Bookmarks.  I must admit this is my favourite type of bookmark to use personally.  It does not slip out, is great if you read outside on windy days, it will hold your pages down ...  all in all, a great bookmark

 

 

Lots of different charms were used for these bookmarks.  This bird in a branch one would be a great gift for either a male or female... so rustic

 

 

 

I did make more little wallet, card holder keyring and emery board covers - sometimes in the same fabric so that they could be sold as sets.  I will take photos and show you later, as they turned out really well.

 

The online store has been updated with lots of new products:

 

The latest Amy Bradley Design quilt patterns - the two latest ones, Princess and "Meet The Tweets" are simply gorgeous - both use the fusible applique technique.

 

2013 release "Dress It Up" buttons - lots of new sew thru buttons, which are great to sew onto our quilts.  It used to be hard to find these buttons but now they are becoming more available in a variety of themes.

 

If you check out the "New Items" section in the online store, you will understand why I have not been updating my blog.... lots of new products to be priced and loaded.

 

Bye for now

Judy

Busy weekend

Did you have a busy weekend?  I sure did!
A couple of birthdays, online store to be updated, dreaded housework to be done, a little sewing

Congratulations to my nephew Ryan, he turns 18 today... HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  He had a party last night and everyone was very well behaved, which is a relief when you hear of so many horror stories of young ones gatecrashing parties and causing mischief.

I remembered to take a couple of photos of my yarn eggs - I like this one of the little chick poking his head out.

 

This one looks a little spooky with the owl eyes being quite dominant

 

Displayed on a platter

 

I think they would also look great filled with little chocolate Easter eggs, however I did not want to tempt myself, once the photo session was over

I finished sewing another 4 little wallets, two from last week have already been relocated.  I just need to sew the press stud closure on these ones.

 

 

Until next time

Judy

Murrumbidgee Country Quilters Exhibition

This weekend the Murrumbidgee Country Quilters will be holding their 9th Biennial Quilt Exhibition at St Mary's Hall, Edon St, Yoogali. (Near Griffith NSW).


A display of Patchwork, Quilts and Needlework made by members of the Murrumbidgee Country Quilters. Light refreshments, morning & afternoon tea available.
Local patchwork & craft suppliers will be trading during the exhibition. (Cat 'n Cart Crafts will be there, that's me)
TIME: 9.30am to 5pm COST: $5.00 entry
Open both Saturday and Sunday 2nd and 3rd March 2013

If you are in the area, come along for a visit, say hello and check out all the wonderful quilts

Had to have a photo in the post!

My sister Ann made the above quilt, based on a Amy Bradley pattern called Funny Babies which is available in my online store 

Judy                                                                                                                                   

A Few Photos

Here a few photos of my table at the recent Leeton Quilt Exhibition and a couple of my quilts.  The photos are only "average" quality and I really should look at purchasing another camera.  My little Canon is over 15 years old and technology has advanced a lot in that time ...

Anyway - one of my tables

 

I love the new sign that was a "freebie" from Vistaprint.

 

 

My new modified button boards.  I can prepare them before the show and then just lock them closed.  Great work by my brother-in-law, Thank you Wayne

 

Here are some of the quilts I had on display

 

 

This one is called "It's Puzzling - A Sudoku Quilt" It has nine different prints and the idea is to ensure that each print is only used once in each vertical or horizontal row or within each block - like the game Sudoku but in colour.  The photo has been chopped off on the right hand side.

 

 

This quilt is called "State of Grace" it was purchased as a Moda Kit and used a Jelly Roll from the Shagri La Collection

 

 

Pity this is such a poor photo - this is a Wacky Wedge Quilt - I called it "Cat's Go Round"  It follows the lines of a "Stack and Whack" quilt, and the main fabric in this quilt which is in the outside border, formed the blocks in the centre.  Fun quilt to make

 

I did have more photos, but they turned out even worse than these ones.  A couple of friends took some photos, so I may see if I can get copies.

 

I even tried to take some of these photos on my iPad, and they were not any better.  Maybe it is not the camera that is the fault but the person holding the camera, moi!

 

I have three weeks to finish all the pink ribbon thank you gifts, and have an order for two dozen emery board covers, so that may be taking up some of my time in the coming weeks.

 

Although I have a couple of new fun projects in the pipeline for Christmas.

 

Until next time

Judy

Tired and Lazy

After a really big weekend at the Quilt Exhibition, I am a very tired person.  My sister Sue helped me pack up my table late Sunday afternoon, and helped unload it into my craft studio, and left it for me to put everything away in it's rightful place.

Yes well, that is where it still is ... I was too tired on Sunday evening, and yesterday we had a power outage for nearly 6 hours.  I was unable to use the computer, pack orders from the online store or anything.  It was too dark in the storage area to try and get things put away.  That is my story, and I am sticking to it.

And today, well, I am just feeling too tired/lazy.  It will be done tomorrow though, as I can hardly get into my studio with the button stands, boxes etc.

Do you ever get that way, everything seems to be a mess around you?  My house needs to be decluttered, my studio needs tidying, and please do not ask about my garden!

I have some holidays scheduled, so maybe that will recharge the batteries and things will get back to some sort of normality.

I did take some photos of my table and my quilts from last weekend, using my iPad, so I will download those and post them in the next couple of days.

Our quilt group have a challenge for next year, make something using just two fabrics.  It could be a table runner, a quilt top, cushion .... do any of my readers have some ideas what I can make? 
I am a average quilter, I do not like hand sewing, so needleturn is definitely out, but other than that I am open to suggestions?

The only photo I have to share is of a couple of breast cancer drain bags that were picked up this week.  I think my friend and I had made 10 bags for Belinda to deliver to the hospital this week, and I only took this one photo!

 

Both these bags were a little dull before I added the trim.  I was happy with the end result though.

 

I will be back soon, feeling more energised and organised (fingers crossed)

Judy

Late Nights

I saw this sign on the Internet, not sure of where, or who the owner is (sorry), but it certainly relates to me at the moment.

 

I am getting ready for the quilt exhibition this weekend in my hometown of Leeton NSW.  As well as submitting some of my quilts, I am also having a trade table for the two days.  Therefore I am ensuring that everything is correctly priced, and sorting out which products to take.

 

My brother-in-law has made modifications to my button stands, and this will be their first outing.  I will post photos, and let you know how everything went after the weekend.

Wish me luck!

 

Judy

Rusty Tin Tags

Continuing on with the tag theme from last week - these are some rusty tags that I made last year, which I forgot to share with you.

 

These were simply made by cutting a tag shape from a sheet of rusty tin - this tin sheet can be cut easily with scissors. 

 

 

 

Then a vintage Christmas ticket graphic glued on.

 

 

 

 

The beautiful vintage Christmas tickets are a free download from "misscutiepieinspiration.blogspot.com" .  This site is in Swedish but you can use Google Translate to translate it to English. There is a link to the translator on the left hand side of her blog. 

 

 

 

These tags are so cute - you can use them simply on a brown paper gift bag.

 

 

 

Remember to file down the side edges of the tag with a little sandpaper, as it can be a little sharp and you do not want anyone to get hurt.  I just used jute as the tie, but I think this year if I make some more, I would use bakers twine.

 

From one sheet of tin ($3.00) I could get 12 rusty tags - this is great value for money.

 

Judy

Adding a hanging sleeve to a quilt

Scary times ahead!  I have been asked to submit some of my quilts to the local quilt exhibition.  Now, I am a amateur quilter, not really the "put on show" type, so I am a little concerned on how they will measure up.

In saying that, I am quite proud to be asked, and I will be at the exhibition with a trade table for my online business, so will hear the feedback from the visitors.

However the reason for this post, is that it was requested that all the quilts submitted have a hanging sleeve attached?  Many things went through my head, what size, how wide etc.

The Internet once again came to my rescue, and I followed these really easy instructions from the AQS via a YouTube video.

 

 

This method was so quick and easy, I made up eight sleeves in less than an hour and four of the quilts are approx 86" wide.  I intend to use safety pins to attach them to the quilts as I do not want them to be a permanent fixture.  I hope this is allowed?

 

Judy

 



Vellum Tags

The last tag that I used was a Vellum Tag - these come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  I must admit I took the easy option for this sample, and used a rectangle one.

Tag 1 -  all that was needed for this tag, was a rub-on and a felt flower - simple but effective

I hope you are having a great crafting week

Judy