Have You Enjoyed Our Challenge?

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Inspired to Sew!
Article By Sarah Moore

It was weeks ago that I asked Julie Fei-Fan Balzer if she wouldn't mind kicking off Craft Critique's first Craft Challenge. I though it'd be fun for us to spread our creative wings a bit; and provide a more decorative content to our blog... I mean the Cuttlebug is cute, but it isn't something I want to hang on my wall, you know what I mean? Plus I wanted to give you all a chance to see some of the talent we have here at Craft Critique. I think our reporteds did an amazing job with this challenge, and I hope you are as inspired by their creative stretching as I have been!

I have had a chance to think about this challenge all week; and as in typical Sarah Moore style; I waited until last night to actually sit down and work. I am so intrigued by the Paper/Fabric fusion look. I especially love the look of the sewn line; zig-zag or random quilted shapes... that was really my inspiration for these pieces. I confess; I help many a swatch of fabric in my hand but I couldn't bear to use any of them! I really had this ribbon thing stuck in my head, and I wanted to show you something that anyone with a sewing machine could accomplish, even if they didn't have any suitable fabric handy.

I tend to work on the messy side; and this goes for my sewing too... so I try to just embrace that and let it work FOR me instead of against me. Straight lines, neat corners, everything all lined up... it's just not gonna happen in this brain! These scraps of Yellow Grosgrain are sewn in place by machine with Hot Pink thread. I used a pale pink bobbin thread; so the underside is less dramatic; and surprising. I love how when you open this card you see the stitching, and how the loose strings hang off the ends. I contemplated hiding the sewing between sandwiched layers of paper; but I decided against it. This card is all about showing that each line is sewn, and letting the ribbon and thread really create some terrific texture. It's a card with lots of volume to it already; so I think additional paper layers would just make it heavy and stiff.

The stamped flower (from Bodacious Bouquet by Stampin' Up!) is stamped in Pink Passion, Yo-Yo Yellow and Pumpkin Pie. I spritzed the flowers with water after stamping to run the ink and also make the paper malleable so I could form them into a more 3D shape. It also serves to make the paper feel/look almost line a handmade paper. The center flower was created using the Baby-wipe technique. The leaves were stamped in Green Galore, and a Turquoise button completes the center of the flower.

TIP: sewing directly onto paper requires a different tension/stitch length that you are used to with fabrics. So you don't have to go through a new learning curve every time you use your sewing machine on paper, just make yourself a stitch "cheat sheet". On a piece of scrap cardstock, sew your favorite lines of stitching and then jot down the machine settings next to each line. Then tuck this card into your sewing basket or machine case. Next time you need to sew on paper it will remind you how to properly set your machine.

After sewing the last card base I was playing around with scraps and I created the background to this next card by just sewing some random lines onto paper. I tore the paper along one of the stitch lines to get a scalloped edge and I sponged the edges of the paper with Rose Red Ink. Again I love how the stitching and loose threads show. I thought this jumbo Prima Flower would be a nice compliment to the sewing. I sprayed it with a bit of silver glitter to sparkle it up some.

I used teeny dots of silver Stickles on the right side of the background to spruce it up further, and a SU! clear button backed in cool caribbean paper topped with a matching gem in the center. here is a touch of stamping on the caribbean background as well... just some random confetti images stamped tone on tone. Organdy ribbon and silver cord add the finishing touch! This card measures 5 1/2 X 5 1/2". The stitched layer adds a unique dimension to this card and helps make it soft and feminine.

I really enjoyed this challenge and hope you did too; we are loving the artwork we are seeing from all of you and hope more of you will enter our current contest! You can win of you don't play!