Using up Scrap fabrics

 Project 4

This is the last project using up oddments of fabrics that remained after tidying the 2 bags of fat quarters. 

For this last project I used the green christmas  fabric. There were several small pieces and so

 I decided to cut them into tree shapes and make cards with them 

Very simple and you can do it with any pieces of fabric that you think suit your Christmas style

As you can see I have cut random sizes with pinking scissors and then grouped them on the cards.

I then finished with a few gems and just have to add my Christmas Greeting 

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 THE BUNDLE OF FABRICS SHOWING THE GREEN PIECES USED TO MAKE THE TREES.

This completes the projects using up the scrap fabrics .

Come back soon to see my next fabulous 70th Birthday card made for a special friend. 

Happy Crafting

Dee.

More Scrap Fabric projects

 

Another great use of your Scrap Fabrics

Remember the tidy up that gave me a small stack of scrap fabrics to re-use. 

Project 3 Used the odd pieces of orange and coordination patterned fabrics to make 2 pretty little tote bags . 

I sewed 3 pieces of the oddments together to form the outer bags and the only additional materials I needed was the handles, and some plain lining fabric.

The 3 pieces together made a panel big enough to fold in half and make the outer for the bag, and it was wide enough to cut in half 5o make 2 bags.

I added the handles to the front edges and cut 2 lining panels the same size.

The finished bags can be used as gift bags, small totes, book bag. 

Come back soon and see the last project with this bunch of salvaged scraps. 

Dee

Using up fabric scraps Project 2

 Project 2 - Purses & Makeup bag

The next piece of fabric uses was actually 2 pieces quite narrow but reasonably long ,

Not the black print as this was too small for this project but the grey and small mauve print behind it.

The wider piece I cut into 2 lengthways and made 2 purses from it. This size purse I use for jewellery or gift cards, but they have multiple uses. 

The pattern I use is an all in one pattern. and I use it for all size pouches up to nightdress case size, unfortunately I have been using the same method for a couple of years now and cannot remember which YouTube video I first saw it. But if you check  Jean Truelove Quilting on YouTube, she shows you the pattern and method.

The 2 narrower pieces made 2 pretty little purses. The finished size is 10cm square, which will take a credit card but would also be lovely to give jewellery or other small gifts, or give money.

On one of  the purses I have added an embroidered hedgehog appliqué. 

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The 2nd piece of fabric became a wallet size, and again would make a great gift wallet, small pencil case, or personal hygiene wallet, and on this one I added a fabric transfer. 

I also made another one the same size from the remaining section of a fat quarter.

I make many of these purses and wallets including Christmas fabric styles for gift and voucher .

Number two project done 

Back soon with No 3 .

Happy Crafting

Dee

Scrap fabric Projects

Using up the scraps from my Fat Quarter Tidy-up

In my tidying and clearing mode I decided to sort my drawer of Fat Quarters and Felt.

I started by emptying the two bags holding the fat quarters and sorting, re folding and replacing, removing any I thought I would. Not use and any odd pieces.

The baskets were placed back in the tidied drawer (with 120 fat quarters), and then I considered what to do with the remaining pieces.

I started by sorting them into colours before considering projects to make.

Project 1 

Sandwich  Bag

As the fabric had checkered fruit print I thought it would make a great sandwich bag. 

I squared off the remnant and then simply folded in half. From my scrap box I found a piece of satin white fabric to make the drawstring top, as this allowed the body of the bag to use the full fat quarters and scrap and take a full size sandwich . I added the drawstring sections, right sides together to the each side of the top of the bag, then turned the bag inside out and sewed the sides. As I was not going to line the bag, I used a zigzag stitch to attach the drawstring sections and on the side seams.

First project completed 

Check back soon to see more items made from the scrap bundle.

Happy Crafting

Dee

Hexagonal Cards

 Sam Calcott Design

Anyone who has read my blog will know I follow a lady on YouTube called Sam Calcott. I love her designs, so usually when i look at her recent posts I find a card that I have to try for myself.

And so it was with this hexagonal card. For instructions on how to make this card , check out Sam Calcott’s Floating Hexagonal pop up box card. 

I have plenty of acetate to use up and this is a great start. So here are  my versions :

This first one I uses a lovely piece of glossy yellow A4 card and stickers 

The second card I decorated with 3D embellishments from K & Co.  On another sheet of glossy lemon card.

The last one was standard white card and I built up the decorations with clear vinyl stickers. 

Come back soon to see how I have used up the tidy-up of my fat quarters, I have made several projects from the scraps. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee

 

Pop Up card from craft stash

 Easy Pop Up Card

Tidying the desk yet again, and I came across some stickers that looked fun for a card

I wanted to add a bunch of them so I thought the best base card would be the pop up box card.

You can get dies to make it, but they are not necessary if you have some basic tool.

Cut a piece of A4 card down to measure  16cm wide and 29-30cm long

Along the 16cm edge score at 9cm . The bottom section being 9cm deep and the top section 7cm.Keep the spare piece for later

Turn and score 7cm the full length

Score again at 14cm from the 9cm line to the base 

Score at 21cm & 28Cm full length.

The 4 sections form the box with the unscored section forming the back, and the  1-1.5cm end section making the flap to put the box section together. 

Cut the top section of the seam away with a slight V notch under  the score line

Cut the top score lines down to the 9cm line cutting very neatly each side of the score line to make it easy to fold up and down.

If you want to cover the sections with pretty back papers cut 4 pieces 8,5cm H and 6.5cm W

3 pieces 6.5cm x 6.5cm and one piece for the back 15.5cm x 6.5cm 

Glue them or use double side tape to add to the box card.

From the spare card cut 2 strips  11cm long by 1cm wide and score 2cm each end 

Add double sided tape to the outside of the flap and then fold the other edge to fit over 

Put tape on the ends of the 11cm strip and stick to either side of the box, positioned just below the 9cm line. One in front and one at back .

Next cut strips of acetate at different lengths and add your stickers to the top end. Stick them onto the two lines  of card at angles so you can see as much of the embellishments as possible. 

I have used carton animals but you can use butterflies, flowers, birds etc 

This card will fold flat and fit into an A5 envelope. 

I love this style of pop up card and use it quite often as it is very versatile.

Next up some more acetate cards with hexagonal shape that give the illusion of an invisible suspension card. 

 

Easter Post

 Something for Easter

Today my post is a special for Easter 

Instead of an Easter card I have made these lovely Easter stakes that can be used in the garden or part of an Easter display .

• Here they are in my indoor plant 
• They would be perfect for lining the path to the egg hunt.
• Placed by the front door 

I have made them by making a rosette with scrap paper 2 pieces 12” x 2.5”

1cm scores all the way along and then folded valley and mountain folds.

To the centre of the rosette I have hot-glued a wooden tag with the Easter bunny image and then all of this has been hot-glued to the stick. 

I finished the back with a circle of paper to cover the stick and then a piece of ribbon with a loop over the top finished with a wooden button. 

The craft group I attend had a go at making them along with the yellow card die cut chick that holds a Cadburys cream egg. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee 

Desk cleared & 2 Great Keepsake books made

 More Tidying = Blizzard Books  

I don’t know about you but every time I try to clear my desk I manage about 10 minutes tidying  before I pick up something that just begs to be made into a card or craft project. Some of my card designs and fabric patterns come from these tidying moments. Or it may be that I am putting away paper and card I see a use for them, so they never get into the correct box, they just scream to be made into a folio page or , most recently blizzard books. 

Thought Process

I was putting away some papers I had printed and realised that the copy paper I had used for the printing was the right thickness for origami folding.

That led me to remember the Blizzard books I had made some time ago.

I quickly folded a small size blizzard book. As the binding for the blizzard is made from a piece of paper half the width of the length of the paper this was made from a piece 15cm x 29.5cm, using the whole length of the A4 sheet. This binding was a fraction too small to hold business cards, so I repeated the process making the width 16.5cm and this worked perfectly.

Having made the book binding I cut 2 pieces of card to make the covers, a little bigger than the business cards I had put into the book. 

Looking at the card covers on the desk, I needed papers or fabric to cover them.

I decided as I was going to use the book to hold my business cards I would use some fabric recycled from one of hubbies shirt and I would have a great memory/keepsake book that would be useful.

I usually use a button on elastic for a closure for this type of book but for this memory book I found an old Ilfracombe Yacht Club pin that had particular meaning. 

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I was so pleased with the end product I decided to make another. This time, staying with the memory book theme, I decided to make another bigger book and using a sheet of A3 paper , which is 42cm long I cut it to 21cm wide. I wanted this memory book to be a photo album and so cut panels 4” wide from sheets of A4 Black card. 

Next what to cover the book cover with. This time i decided to use one of Brian’s ties and carefully unpicked a favourite silk tie, ironed it out, sewed 2 pieces of the stabilising fabric from inside the tie together to make padding for the card (as the silk was quite fine) and glued the stabiliser and the silk onto the 2 covers. 

                                                                

                                            

                

                                    

I really like this book and will pick some favourite photos  to go inside. I am also going to offer  a workshop for this project and kits where there will be fabric included and instructions to use your own fabrics to make this a keepsake book.

New Box Bag

 So many Crafts so little time.

It’s been a while since my last post, but I have been busy crafting. Trying to use up some of my paper stash and still sewing my bags for charity. 

So the first item I want to share with you is my new box bag. . I have been thinking about making this since I saw it on Christine’s Home Affairs on YouTube. Her box bag comes in many sizes, she even makes a large one for a weekend bag. 

When trying something for the first time I always make a trial version. For this one I used a piece of cotton which I added a stabiliser to. I wanted to practice my zip insertion and this was a good way of doing it without wasting the heavier furnishing fabrics that I will use later. 

Following the YouTube tuition I put the bag together using a piece of fabric 16.5” x 18” . The bag went together well but the fabric was far too soft for the finish that I wanted, however it had given me the confidence to try with other fabrics. 

Then I had one of those Eureka moments when I  found some leatherette fabric that had been given to me. I cut out a piece 18” x 20” and a 25” zip.  The beauty of using this fabric was it did not need lining. The end tabs were made with one piece of the same fabric, no hemming required . 

The end result was a lovely roomy box bag.

     

All done and all that remains is to add my label and make it again in a pretty  upholstery fabric so we have all tastes covered, once I have a small selection I can add them to my sale list.

Back soon - it’s new papercrafts next.

Happy Crafting 

Dee

NEW BAGS SEWN

 Sew Useful Bags for 2025

I hope this is not too confusing for anyone checking back to my blog for the latest papercrafts, because this post is going to update you all with what’s going on with my sewing projects.

For those that do not know, I started sewing when my husband was diagnosed with cancer, and when he died 16 months later I had 2 laundry bags full of bags. So given that papercrafts were not selling well at local craft shows I decided to sell the bags and donate the profits to my local hospital where Brian had received some of his treatments.

Th first shows I sold  Shopping bags, Craft bags, Shoe Bags, Gift Bags, Makeup bags and purses, Since then I have added and tried several other bags. However, displaying so many types of bags has not proved easy and so this year I have decided to limit my makes and therefore my displays to just 5 or 6 bags, as I feel this will concentrate the display and make it easier for the buyers to see what I make. 

As Craft bags have been my best seller, (I was making a 4 pocket bag and a tote bag style) I decided to continue the 4 pocket bag, stop doing the simple tote, and instead make a drawstring top bag. The draw-string bag would be useful for knitters and crochet crafters, while the pocketed bags are great for artists, and card crafters, although there is plenty of cross-over. Both bags are also great for general use , sleepovers and Home Storage. 

I have also had to drop 3 Craft fairs, it was a difficult decision but I was unable to sell one of my best selling items there and so decided to withdraw front the shows. To try and make up for these shows I am going to try some new outlets. The first one is Ebay. I have been selling on Ebay for many years and find it easy to use. It will be interesting to see if I can build a customer base for my bags on this platform. 

The first items to be posted on Ebay are the first 3 draw-string bags I have made.

2 are roughly 14 x 14 x 6” and the other is a large 22”W x 14”H x 6”D.

I will let you know how things progress throughout the year. 

Back soon with more crafts.

Dee

Project 4 Laminated Storage Wallets - Any size

 Laminated Storage wallets - Any Size

Project 4 Trash my Stash.

With the tidy up continuing I found a 12 x 12 brown box with several partly used 12 x 12 pads.

So every now and then when I get an idea I will go back to the box and see what papers will be suitable for the project. 

In amongst the pile are a couple of Crafters Companion, a First Edition and a sample pad from DCWV, as well as a g.c.d. Christmas pad and Craft Consortium. 

As a treasurer for my local WI, I use a few wallets to store receipts, invoice, and collect cash at meetings and fund raisers etc. So I thought I would make some new ones for this year. I needed A5 size for cash collected, and storing paperwork .To store cash including coinage requires stronger pouches and so I decided to make them laminated. I also like pretty wallets for my holiday paperwork, and the papers in the box would work well for this project. The DCWV are 120-150gsm and thinner sheets are great for laminating, so I picked some pretty prints and plugged in the laminator. 

The first folders I made using 10” x 12”. The 2” strip cut off is used for the flap and the main section has a 2cm edge and then folded in half with a 2cm base flap.. The 2” strip is folded in half and the top edges rounded. . Then both sections were placed in a laminator sheet with a little space between the main body and the 2” top. 

You can find lots of videos on YouTube to make these pouches including a great selection from Positively Papercraft, who has a lot of laminating projects.

The next bundle were made wider and shorter as I find this size more useful. But made with the same process.

All the pouches had popper fastenings added .

While the laminator was on I also covered some of the papers one side only to make small purses  and envelope pouches.. To do this I cut the 12 x 12 papers to just smaller than an A4 page so 20cm x 28cm placed to pieces back to back and put them in a laminator sheet. 

With the strips that were taken off I made some purse size pouches that will be perfect for small amounts of cash or vouchers etc.In order to make them more useable I added some side gussets.. With the laminated sheets I cut them down to make laminated envelopes. With one side laminated the other side can be glued down. 

Here is a picture of my afternoon makes.

Another batch of papers used up from my stash. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee

Another set used from my stash

 Project 3 - Craft my Stash

Another set of goodies found in my tidy up was a set of 5 x 7 printed cards and envelopes.

If I am out and about and see a pack like these on sale I will pick them up on the basis they can be used for notelets or base cards. At £2.50 for 24 cards and envelopes these cards work out less than the cost of envelopes and cheaper than blank cards from the craft store. 

Good quality card and a pretty print. There were 5 sets of 4 prints.

As the print was repeated on the back I decided I could use them to make folders that I then filled with notelets and flip album pages or notepads.

The first 4 used were the continuous flower print and i used one as the outside folder, scoring an eight of an inch either side the centre fold to give it additional depth.

I cut another card in half and then one side down again to line the inside.

The third card I cit in half and made 3 small notelets from one half and cut the other in half along with the last card which I cut into 4 . These 6 pieces were scored at half an inch one end and this was used as a flap to glue to the right side of the folder. All 6 pieces were lined up down the page to make a flip album for 6  photograph mats.

The next four cards 

I cut one card in half and trimmed it a little to line the inside of the base card. The other 2 cards I cut in half and then 3 of the half’s in half again and with these six pieces I made a flip photo sections . Using a scrap 1/2 card from a previous project, I cut it down to make the base for a notebook, using up some scraps of copy paper from my stash.. 

The last 1/2 card from the set i folded up to make a little pocket from the front of the booklet. It was attached with ribbon and another piece of ribbon was threaded through the flap to add a decorative bead. 

These make lovely little thank you gifts, or swaps, you could add a secret message in the front pocket, personalise it with photographs. 

Back soon with the project using the envelopes that came witht he cards. 

Happy Crafting 

Dee 

Trashing my Stash Project 2

 Project 2 in 2025

Document Wallets

A good way of using up your 12 x 12 papers. Simple and useful. 

These 5 wallets finished off  a Sara Signatures pad, they are double side papers which makes the inside of the wallets pretty . 

The envelope closures are made from a double circle die with central holes.

To make the wallet score the 12 x 12 paper at 1” and 6.5”

Turn and score at 1” and 10”

Fold and burnish all the score lines 

Next Cut the pieces shaded 

This then folds up to make your wallet. 

 Shown here with the die to make the ties.

These wallets can be used for receipts

Saving envelopes

Gift Envelopes

Vouchers

As well as Document storage

No doubt I will make more during the year. As well as using the 12 x 12 sheets I can use 8 x 8 papers, although they will not be so suitable for documents they are great for gift envelopes and receipts and payments. I am a treasurer and use lots of them during the year for cash payments. 

Back soon with more ideas .

Happy Crafting

Dee

FIRST CLEAN-UP PROJECT

 New Year New Ideas

This year is going to be all about using what I already have. It may challenge me as I will have to think of designs to use the crafts I have rather than buy the crafts to make the project.

Clearing out an old file I found an old kit from Create and Craft the “Fairy Kit” with some aperture cards, lovely A4 papers and sheets of stickers. I had bought several of these aperture card kits from Create and Craft as I loved the papers and stickers, but never knew how to use the aperture cards. 

So the challenge for me was how to use the cards. In the end I decided to cut the cards in half and use the aperture section as a frame, I placed a piece of background of matching paper onto an A5 card and then stamped Happy Birthday where the aperture would be placed. 

These were then finished with ribbon and/or gems.

The back of the cards were then cut down to fit on a 5” scalloped edged card and I used some of the stickers to add some layers.

I made 6 of each cards using up all the aperture cards and envelopes .

This left me with the leftover  pieces of A4 papers and the oddments of card cut from the back and the aperture to use up. The papers had fairies featured on them and I found matching stickers which I added to the apertures and lifted up on foam. I used 6” square cards and used the papers and matching stickers to make another 5 cards.

I then finished off with a last card made from strips of papers left over and another sticker added to a piece of card. 

So from 6 cards from the set and 12 basic cards, 6 sheets of A4 papers and a few of the stickers plus a few gems I managed to make 18 cards. I have about 15 sheets of papers and 6 strips of stickers ( all the stickers are flowers and small fairy tags, with corners and ribbon strips etc) which I have popped into the charity bag.. 

A great start to my craft stash clear-out.  Can’t wait to find another project amongst the many craft boxes in the cupboard.

Happy Crafting 

Dee