Friday, February 06, 2015

tiny scraps are useful, too

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

In keeping with all of the scrap talk this week (thanks for your lovely comments!) I have some projects to share today that use teeny tiny pieces.
First up, a bunch of thank you notes. Can you tell I had fun with these? They are along the lines of ticker tape cards, but these were much easier, faster and more efficient to make. (Can you believe I had that many purple scraps???)
I used a glue stick to temporarily attach the pieces of fabric the card stock, then sewed around the frames a few times-in one continuous line-to permanently attach them. After sewing, I glued the panel with the fabric to a blank card, so the stitching is hidden between the layers of paper. (I hope that makes sense!) No matter how many times I do it, I always have fun sewing through paper!
I love separating scraps (no matter the size, apparently!) by color.
I had taking photos of them, too. (Wow! Two days in a row of fun photo taking sessions. What is happening?) I'm trying to figure out how I can turn this into a quilt design....of course!
I used a brand new Micron pen (my favorite!) to add the words. Now, I'd better write in them and actually send them out! That's the trick.
Making a tiny gumdrops pin cushion has been on my mental list for a while. You know how you always read "it's cuter in person"? Well, this time I think "it's cuter in photo". Hahaha! It's definitely not a fail, but it's just not how I pictured it. Each of the scraps are about the size of my finger nails and all I could think about was Lee Press On Nails. Ok, maybe we are getting to the root of the problem!

Anyway....
So, only one addition to the "candy bowl" this week, but it's slowly filling. There is a lot of happy right there!

Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week! Thanks, as always, for joining me for finish it up Friday! Have a great weekend!
 
 

70 comments:

Stephanie said...

Those cards are great, what an excellent way to use tiny scraps! Love the gumdrop pin cushion as well.

Gunilla said...

How happy you will make the receiver of these cards!

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

Oh I love the cards, there's so sweet - and so very you if that makes sense!

Anne said...

Ahhh!!! The gumdrops/fake nails! So CUTE! I think you need to make a purple one and a teal one so there is a set! Oh my goodness!!
PS- the "punch, punch, punch" sound of sewing on cardstock is my favorite too. :)

Brenda said...

Those are very cute cards. So when's the book coming out with all your 101 scrap projects? I need hands on inspiration in my sewing room.

Rita said...

Fantastic ideas for recykling scraps!

Aggie-G said...

I love this!! Do you buy card stock in that size or cut it specifically for the cards out of larger sheets? I want to try this but I've never made cards before. Thanks!

Petit Design Co. said...

Great cards! My daughter is always asking for my scraps while I quilt. This project will give her something to do with them!

Pieced Brain Quilt Designs said...

Your cards are awesome! What a great idea. Have a fun weekend...

Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.com said...

What sweet thank you cards! If I had more beautiful cards around maybe I'd send them out more often. That's certainly the hardest part.

beth s said...

Great project. You are the queen of scraps! ;)

Jayne said...

AWWWW...those cards are adorable! What a great idea. I have got to make some!

Stacey @slostudio said...

What great ideas for tiny scraps - definitely inspiring me to keep smaller pieces than I usually do!

SarahZ said...

I have taken to making scrappy notecards, thanks to you I think! Except I have never sewn them, just glued em to go...do you use a different needle for the cardstock? I have only used index cards...that way they are lined on one side :)Still loving your bowl of pincushion happiness :)

Terri said...

Awesome thank you cards! Such a great idea. I think I have some tiny, tiny scraps laying around that I could put to use like this. I don't have any sewing finishes to share; just sketchbook pages. But I'm excited to start making my dresden block for Cindy today for our quilting bee!

Debbie said...

super cute cards!

Hilary Florence said...

Like everyone else, I love the the cards. Great idea

Melissa Corry said...

Those cards are so adorable!!! I totally want to make some now ;)

Sarah Craig said...

Ooh, I love those cards!!! Must make some for myself…. and that gumdrop pincushion is adorable! Now I want a bowl full of pincushions too….

tisha @ quiltytherapy said...

Great scrap project, super adorable. I'm getting ready to make a few myself.

grapes and hearts said...

I do not like what I like better this week... your bowl of tiny pincussions or your super-awesome scrap-cards... Thanks for sharing these lovelies!!!

Vera said...

These look really great!

hydeeannsews said...

the cards are really cute! and i love your happy bowl of pincushions. it makes me think of making a similar collection of beanbags for the kids to play with! although that might be a lot of work for something that's going to get thrown around and thrashed by them. ;)

Anina said...

Love the cards!!! And the pincushions. Sadly, I don't have a finish this week. :o(

Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge said...

LOVE those thank you cards! I'm pinning a pic for future inspiration!

Laura Chaney said...

Love those cards! What a fun way (in addition to your ticker tape projects) to save and use those teeny tiny scraps without feeling guilty!

Julie said...

Oh my goodness I just adore that little gumdrop pin cushion!! So stinking cute! The quilt version has been calling my name too. Great finish!

Snowcatcher said...

Your cards are a huge hit and for good reason! What a terrific idea! Hallmark sales just plummeted!!!

suzanprincess said...

Your cards' design would make perfect quilt blocks exactly as shown.

Joy said...

Super cute cards! I have to try it :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, those cards! Squee! What a great idea, thank you for sharing!

Clair said...

Love the cards. I should make some and use them as gifts.

SewSewJenner said...

Love them! They are now on my to do list!

Kitty said...

As someone who can't throw anything away, I am definitely keeping these projects in mind! How gorgeous. I would be thrilled to be the recipient of one of those cards, too! Lovely.

Andrea @ Mouse in My Pocket said...

I'm sure that you gumdrop pincushion only feels like press on nails because you went pink/red which is traditional for nail polish. Try it in some citrus colors- maybe lime green, canary yellow, and orange. I'm sure they'll look much more like gumdrops.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Your cards are adorable!

Stephie said...

I have a penchant for stitching through paper too - so satisfying to see all those holes, haha! Love your cards, although it's made me feel guilty that I haven't made any thank you cards myself…yet!

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

Love those cards!! Genius!!

-Soma

Dresses and Spurs said...

Eeekkk!! That pin cushion is awezome!! And how about those cards?! I made a card using fabic that I'll be sure to link up with you once it's posted.
Thanks so much for your great blog and ideas you share with us in blog land.

simple :: dream :: quilts said...

These cards are darling.

Quilting Stories said...

Excellent idea for those cards!

Pattilou said...

I love that card idea!

the zen quilter said...

Amanda Jean, you are so clever and creative. You put me to shame in the scraps department! I can't believe you have the patience to do that, but I must admit, I love them...

Kelly Cline said...

Perfect cards!

Quilt Doodle Designs said...

I Love your notecards, so adorable!!!

Marla said...

Love these cards. Your previous post motivated me to do some scrap sorting, which of course led to the start of a new quilt!

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Oh my gosh . . . you always come up with so many cute scrap projects. Do you have a scrap project book in the works? If not, you really really should. Not just the quilt, but all the little fun stuff you make.

Anonymous said...

wonderful looking cards. great idea.

Patty said...

I love your cards. They would be great to use as birthday cards or a card to give with any gift. I hate to spend $3 or $4 on cards from the store.

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi! Beautiful and fun cards! They do give inspiration for a quilt design. I love your pin cushions and I think I start to make some to fill a bowl. x Teje

Carole @ Fresh off the Frame said...

I think you need to reframe "stick on fingernails" into "lipsticks"! Much more glamerous, don't you think?? :-)

ronnie said...

I think that gum drop pincushion is about the cutest thing I've ever seen! Thanks for all the great scrappy ideas.

MartiDIY said...

I love your cards. How fun to get one of those in the mail.

Rumi said...

It is a funny idea. Usually I make similar card after finish of any quilt and write down inside the care instructions.

Unknown said...

I love making scrap cards but NEVER thought to hide the stitching by sewing design on another piece of paper first. Genius!!!

Paige said...

I'm always on the lookout for thank you cards. These are great!

Pat said...

I don't write enough notes to make it worthwhile to make notecards, but I think the pattern you used for the cards could be used on a memory/signature quilt.

They are really cute, though.

Kristin said...

<3 you candy bowl! :)

Anonymous said...

Amandajean, Sew cute, sew adorable too.
Love, luv your cards perfect for anythime of the year too. Now you got me thinking so I've got my idea for christmas cards. Thanks heaps. julie714@adam.com.au

Sarina said...

Those are so darling! Even my 10-year old is in love!

Sandy Panagos said...

Oh my goodness, I love those cards! I mail a great many notes to people. I guess I need to start making them and stop buying them. Any recommendation on where to buy the blank cards? I always enjoy your blog.

Amanda Jean said...

Aggie-G,

I start with 12" x 12" cards stock (because that's what I have on hand) and cut the pieces down to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". Fold in half to make a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card. If you are just starting out, I recommend buying a 8 1/2" x 11" ream of card stock. Cut the piece in half and you have two cards ready to make.

I hope that helps!

AJ

Amanda Jean said...

SarahZ,

I don't use a different type of needle for card stock. But I do save my dull needles for sewing through paper. I hope that makes sense!

AJ

Amanda Jean said...

Sandy,

I would pick up a ream of 8 1/2" x 11" card stock at either Target or an office supply store. Cut it in half once to make 2 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" pieces. Fold each in half and you have 2 blank cards ready to use!

I keep an old rotary cutter on hand for cutting paper. That way I don't dull my fabric blade.

I hope that helps!

AJ

Unknown said...

Give me a call. I had to redo everything on my phone and lost your number. Oh, by the way, the cards are very cute!

Rene' said...

Once again you've shown me you are a quilting genius! I absolutely love these cards and your growing basket of pincushions. Thanks for sharing your process with the cards. It's nice to know the step of attaching the sewn cards to another card. That's the step I've been missing ;-)

Anonymous said...

LOVE your little notecards! Must make! Thank you for sharing! :)

Melissa said...

Love, love, love this idea! Two questions 1)what needle do you use when sewing on paper? would old needles work? and 2)would you mind taking a close up picture of the stitching? Thanks for posting such an inspiring idea!

Createology said...

I am visiting from Linda of A Swap For All Seasons and Debbie, Kitten Creates. Lots of fun here and I like what I see. These scrap cards will be perfect for my weekly Random Acts of Mail I send out. Thank you for great inspiration. I shall be visiting again. Creative Bliss...

Arianna M. said...

I know that this pattern is for a knitted pincushion, not a sewn pincushion, but it's adorable so I wanted to pass along the link anyway: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Eightlegs/cactus