Thursday, August 27, 2009

Secret revealed!


Yes, you can do something creative with CDs!
I've given myself a challenge (I'm doing that a lot lately, aren't I!?), to reuse old CDs in creative and useful ways. Less landfill if I give them a second occupation. ;-)


When Slicer (almost 17yo old) gave me his pile of cast-off CDs I immediately sketched a new set of designs - "The Seasons" I have called them. For now I am just sharing one for you to see - summer - because the northern hemisphere is winding down from their summer, and the southern hemisphere is already gearing up for theirs. Besides, I live in the tropics and it's ALWAYS summer here!

I began by tracing the CD outline onto paper and sketching my design inside the circle. I traced the design onto a 6 in square of fabric, fused a medium weight piece of Pellon to the back, and stitched the design.
After stitching I cut the circle from the fabric 1/4 in out from the line for an exposed seam.
Then I lay the CD on another 6 inch square of complementing fabric which also had Pellon fused to it. I used Basting Spray to adhere the CD to the Pellon side of the square...



...then cut around it, leaving that same 1/4 in exposed seam. I then stitched red ric rac around the drawn line on the embroidered circle.



I made a fabric hinge and lay it across the top of the CD, then put the embroidered circle on top sandwiching the hinge inside. I pinned the pieces together, and blanket stitched almost all the way around, leaving a 1 inch opening for stuffing later. This is the FRONT of the project.



For the BACK, I repeated the process with a second CD and two more fabric/Pellon circles, but without the embroidery. This time you will have the ric rac side on the inside. Then I stitched the other side of the hinge to one of the new CD circles....



...and stitched two circles of doctor's flannel with a ric rac top onto the inside of the BACK.




I sandwiched a little loop from the leftover hinge piece into the bottom of the BACK, then stiched around with the machine to join the two pieces before blanket stitching. (remember to have the 2nd CD inside these circles before you stitch).



I then sewed press-studs to the bottom front, and the front loop, and added a ladybird button. I then stuffed the FRONT with fibrefill and finished stitching the 1 inch opening closed in blanket stitch. Now I have a needlebook and pincushion for summer!!












Now remember, this was my first one, so I have a few things I may do differently with the next one, but I think you get the idea?



Would you like to see more of my tutorials?

I have a special page of them right here!

hugs


44 comments:

Shakerwood said...

What a cute idea! I have so many old CD's that I don't know what to do with.

Jo in TAS said...

That's a very clever idea!

Joy said...

Jenny what a fabulous idea!!! I just love it!! Well done you clever lady :o)!
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Perri said...

What a wonderful idea!
Happy stitching, P

Sarah - Kala said...

Very clever idea, darling!
I love the cherries, too. Cute cute cute!

Fee said...

You are so so clever - It is gorgeous and I am sure that the other seasons will be just as nice.

Narelle said...

Jenny, What a clever lady you are. Can not wait to do one.
Narelle

Sheryl said...

Well done... what a great way to recycle, my old cds were heading for the tip not anymore.... now just need a bit of fabric and some stitchery and they're on my to do list....

Jocelyn said...

Jen, you are SO creative!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing idea - you are so creative - I bow to thee!!

Rachelle x

Terri said...

I knew you'd come up with a great idea!! What fun!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful. Such a great idea. I have to add this to my long list of things to do. hugz xxx

What Comes Next? said...

you are just way to clever! Very neat use for old CDs!

Daniella said...

Oh Jenny amazing idea, now I know what to do with a tone of old cd I have. Thanks a lot. Hugs & kisses

Crispy said...

A very cute idea Jenny!! I was thinking that you were designing CD holders...feel free to use that idea LOL

Crispy

Sew Useful Designs said...

Jenny - you're on fire! You go girlfriend! he he he... You never cease to amaze me with every design!

I LOVE your practical and stunning creation... and it's environmentally friendly! What more could a girl ask for?!

Superb, sweetie!

Hugs and love
Vikki xoxo

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Hi Jenny--you so amaze me--how do you work soooo fast--you must not sleep or do housework or shop for groceries--you do cook/bake though--I sure wished I had at least half your energy!!!!---OH by the way--I love the CD creations--hugs, just, Di

Karen said...

Now that is creative. I saw a quilt several years ago that incorporated CD's that had a lot of color design on them. They were mostly ones that AOL and other online companies sent you free to encourage you to use their service. The quilt was unique and actually very artsy.

Maggey and Jim said...

That was a fabulous idea..that one turned out nice but like any project we always try to learn from it. How many are you making? they will make nice gifts. I recently made a needle case designed by Sue Spargo. I use it all the time now while I am stitching my Shabby Rose..
Thanks
Maggey

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Jen that is a fantastic idea....no doubt about you, always thinking.

Allie said...

You are a creative genius. I love this!!!!!!!!

Loralynn said...

What a great idea! I have used cd's to make coasters, but never would have thought of this!

Val said...

Oh I love this. What a cute idea. Thanks for sharing.

Jeanette said...

I love your idea Jenny. A great way to use up the cd's. I'm so glad that i'll have a use for the ones i was just about to through out. Hugs, Jeanette

RG said...

Oh gosh you're so clever Jenny...this is fabulous!!
I'm amazed at your brainpower for thinking up new ideas..
Challenges are a good thing it seems :D So gorgeous!!

miss~nance said...

Thats A fabulous idea jenny - you are one clever cookie.

Gail

Jenny said...

Great idea Jenny, lovely designs!

Cattinka said...

Wow, how did you come up with that idea? You're great!
KATRIN W.

loulee said...

What a great idea. Thank you for sharing.

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

I was totally confused to the very end - what a fun idea! Lovely gifts.

Robin in New Jersey said...

You are so creative!

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Jenny,
I love, love, love this idea. Not only do I admire your work...I really like this idea.

Two great ideas in one morning....Check this one out for using little ice cream containers.
http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/

You girls keep me hoppin :)

Smiles,
Kelly

Abby and Stephanie said...

Brilliant! Love your needlebooks. Always such a charming style.

Carrie P. said...

Jenny this is just too cute. Thanks for the tutorial. The other seasons are adorable too.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this one~
You are the best!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this!
You do great work and I am proud of you!

Cathy said...

What a darling idea! I think I'm going to have to try one. Thank you for the wonderful tutorial!

Cathy ♥

Anonymous said...

http://cdhistoires.blogspot.com/

jenny
welcome to "circle désign"....
the french group....
sory my english is bad ...(lol)

your Cd are gorgeous
Rosy

crazypatch said...

That's a very clever idéa. You know the French group 'CD histoires "that does many things with the CD?

Mimiblue said...

Jenny, you work is so nice ... Like Rosy said in her comment, we like your work and we would like to make you know our about CDs, threads and fabric. So, I take off your photos to put into http://cdhistoires.blogspot.com
and to offer your blog's adress to our group. You would be welcome with us if you want to be a "circle designeuse".
Sorry for my so bad english. I don't speak fluently so to write....

cottonreel said...

I like this idea-cottonreel

Anonymous said...

This is a lovely tutorial !!!
I will love to make a few for gifts !
I hope I was still on time for the 2 for 1 sale... this pattern was my 2nd choice.

Unknown said...

Mostly saying, "Hi!" as requested in your bio - which I loved, by the way. I also have a possibly dumb question --- What is this CD "book" for?
Loralee (CA - USA)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

Loralee, it says at the end of the blog post that it is a pincushion and needle book.:-)