Simply Stitched Patriotic Felt Stars

 

I'm spending time recuperating from surgery and I'm couch bound - so I'm spending my time doing quite a bit of hand stitching. I've recently discovered I love hand stitching with felt!  I am trying to fill my bookshelves in the living room with patriotic decorations - so these fit the bill perfectly! 

Supplies:

• Wool felt - I much prefer wool felt over synthetic felt when hand stitching. This is 20% wool.
•  Embroidery floss - I like Aurafloss. 
• I used a variety of buttons from Gwen Studios - available at Wal-mart and Wal-mart.com

 

I'm not sure how I'm going to use these yet, so for right now they are just hanging out on the bookshelves. I am thinking I am going to make a banner out of them, but time will tell. 

You've Been Poisoned Trivet using Artesprix Sublimation Markers

The Artesprix Blank of the Month is a Trivet this month - and it is so versatile! I had a lot of fun with this one. This is a VERY simple project, so if you are looking to jump into sublimation, this would be a great place to start!

Supplies:

• Artesprix Trivet Sublimation Blank
• Artesprix Sublimation Markers - I used the Black Fine Tip-good news! Single markers are now available to purchase, so if you only need one color, you are golden!
• Protective Paper
• Heat Tape
• Copy paper, scissors, pencil
• Heat press
  

 

I started by printing my design using my Silhouette Studio software - no matter what you use, be sure to MIRROR your image if it has text. Learn from my mistakes young Jedi! I like to print in a color other than what I am going to filling it in with - in this case I knew I was going to use black, so I printed in red. That helps me make sure I get all the lines covered. 

 

All finished! If you look closely at the top of the photo between the V an the E you will notice a small piece of the paper missing. I slipped while coloring and I didn't want that little mistake to transfer, so I used my exacto knife and cut it out!

Ok, so I centered my paper on the blank, but I did NOT center my design on the paper 🙄🙄 But I don't think my kids are going to mind!  Use heat tape to secure your design to the blank, making sure heat you don't cover up any part of the design with the heat tape! Then make a sandwich with protective paper and press. For this blank you need to press at 400° for 105 seconds.  

Tada! Fresh out of the heat press.  This is going to be great at the next family dinner!

 Be sure to grab some trivets while you can -they are only available for the month of April at Artesprix.com 

 

Spring Break Fun with Artesprix Garden Stakes

 

Princess and I are having a great time on Spring Break and of course we had to do some crafting! We had a blast playing with the Blank of the Month from @Artesprix - a set of 2 Garden Stakes. 

We grabbed some supplies and did some shaving cream marbling. The process is SO easy! 

*Spray some shaving cream into a pan
*Add random drops of Artesprix Sublimation Ink
*Stir gently using a toothpick of skewer
*Press plain copy paper into the mixture
*Set the paper aside and let dry
*Press using Protective Paper and the instructions found at Artesprix.com

Of course the princess had to add embellishments to the finished project. She dug up some rub ons and bling. 

Be sure to grab some Garden Stakes while you can - they are available for March only at Artesprix.com

Valentine Popcorn Box

 

I'm always looking for simple things to give to my sweet princess. For Valentine Day I used a Dollar Tree popcorn box and some simple supplies from Gwen Studios to create this fun gift. I used a variety of ribbons, buttons, and the super cut little bees - all from Gwen Studios.

I started with a mini doily, then a doily die cut, and some red buttons from Gwen Studios, which are available at Walmart online.  I adhered the buttons with my hot glue gun. 

Look how cute those little bees are! They are iron on appliques, but I used some med weight wire and hot glued them to the end of the wire. I then inserted the wire into the ribbon bow below my heart. 

I filled the box with crinkles, some new pens, a few pieces of candy, and a few other fun things. I hope she loves it! 

Shenanigan Squad Sublimation Sign

 

The Blank of the Month for February is this Decorative Sign. The possibilities are limitless with this blank. I decided to go with something for St Patrick's day. This was a simple project and so much fun!

Supplies:

• Decorative Sign from Artesprix available for February only
• Sublimation Makers - Basic Chisel set
• Sublimation Markers - Basic Fine set
• Heat Tape
• Protective Paper Roll

I printed my design in mirror image. Remember, if you have lettering you have to mirror so when you press the design it will come out right!  I used chisel and fine tip markers in Black and Green for my design. I did not color in the shamrock as I had other ideas in mind!

 I used my Silhouette Cameo to mirror and print my image. I find this much quicker than using other programs. 

After coloring my image I trimmed it down so I could center it properly and secured using heat tape. Sandwich between Protective paper before heat pressing.  I had a photo and somehow deleted it!!

I released the path on my design, and isolated the shamrock. I cut it out using glitter vinyl and applied to the sign. I also added a couple of green rhinestones for some extra sparkle. 

 

Be sure to grab your decorative sign before month's end. Be sure to visit the Artesprix blog to find more ideas on using this blank.