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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:

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

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

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  3. What a wonderful idea!
    Happy stitching, P

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

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

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

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  7. 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....

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

    Rachelle x

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

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

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

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

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

    Crispy

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  14. 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

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  15. 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

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  16. 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.

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  17. 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

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

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

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

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

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  22. 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

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  23. 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!!

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

    Gail

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  25. Great idea Jenny, lovely designs!

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

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  27. What a great idea. Thank you for sharing.

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

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  29. 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

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

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

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  32. I LOVE this one~
    You are the best!

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

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

    Cathy ♥

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  35. http://cdhistoires.blogspot.com/

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

    your Cd are gorgeous
    Rosy

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

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  37. 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....

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  38. 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.

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  39. 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)

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

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It's always nice to receive feedback on a blog post, so *thank you* for taking time to comment!
I will try to reply via email unless you are a 'no reply blogger' which means you'll have to check for my reply in the comments. Of course, life is a rather hazardous activity, isn't it? So if I don't respond to your comment that's the reason why - life simply stepped in...
hugs
Jennifer
x