Fat Quarter Gift Wrapper Tutorial...

It's time for another "Re-purposing in 2012" project don't you think?!

Remember last week when I told you to save some toilet roll inserts?

Well, today we're going to make them into something pretty, and useful!

First, you need to cut through the length of a toilet roll insert, and measure it's dimensions.

Mine insert measured 4" wide, x 5 3/4" long, but yours may be different so take note of my next instructions.

You will need to double the width of *your* toilet roll width measurement, and add 3/4" to it. 

Next, add 3/4" to your length measurement.

This made my new measurements 8 3/4" wide, by 6 1/2" long.

I have a box full of smaller scrap pieces of fabric for odd projects or applique. I found a piece of pink tonal big enough to cut a 6 1/2" x 8 3/4" rectangle.

Cut your fabric to the measurements *you* have made for your own toilet roll insert.

Fold the rectangle in half across the middle. Use your iron to press the fold.

 

Sew a strip of lace an inch or two above one side of the fold, depending on your lace width.

Pin two pieces of ribbon of around 10" in length down either side of the lace edge, with the ribbons facing the middle of the lace strip.

(I used recycled organza ribbon sent to me with a gift)

Sew the ribbon in place along the side edges with a scant eighth inch seam.

Ball up the ribbon and pin out of the way in the centre of the lace.

Fold the bottom half of the fabric up and over the lace section.

Machine sew the sides together with a 1/4" seam.

Fold a 1/4" hem over along the top raw edge, and press with your iron.

Turn right side out and press flat, being careful that your iron is on a low heat to prevent scorching the lace.

Place the cut toilet roll insert inside the open pocket section of your project...

 

Ladder stitch the opening closed. 

Now what do you think I made this project to use as?

It's to wrap fat quarters in when I give them as gifts!

 

My roll holds two or three fat quarters comfortably. 

I think they look so pretty wrapped this way!

If you make some of these I'd love to see them, so please send me an email with photos or leave a comment with a link to my blog.

Please also remember to link back to me, as this is my own idea, and I am very happy to share it with you!

Another idea would be to make napkin rings by cutting the toilet roll inserts in half, or perhaps making them as little wrappers around small vases. So many ideas!!

Do you have an idea for using this project?

~~~~~

Today I have been playing with a some lovely Robyn Pandolph fabric. It's for a gift, so I'll just show you a small section...

Sometimes you just have to let the fabric be the star. 

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Some Show & Tell and more about Re-purposing!

I'll be sharing Block 4 of my "Promises & Borders" BOM on April 3rd. Here's a tiny sneak peek...

How are you going with the blocks so far? Have you stitched one or two? Perhaps you're up to date and have all three blocks finished?

Here are some blocks from lovely ladies who sent me photos!

PAM used a part of the Block 1 border as a stitchery on it's own...

Sisbabestitches has finished block 1 and block 2 but instead of using them as part of the full quilt, she has made Block 1 as a quilted hanging...

...and she added her own verse to Block 2.

We'd love to see a photo of your blocks, especially if you've chosen a different Scripture verse or quote!

~~~~~

Vicki Knight used my "Live, Love, Laugh" wallhanging design on a cushion instead...

Ruth Knee has finished my "Circles of Life" quilt and sent me a photo...

Have you made an Elefantz design? How about you send me a photo so I can show everyone your work?

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Remember the Pin Container I did a tutorial for earlier this month?

 Joyce Carter emailed with another suggestion for recycling small containers -

**Hi, Jenny. I loved the idea you had to cover bottles.It makes them look so pretty.You could use these to hold buttons or any small objects.Back several years ago, I went to the photo shop and asked them for the empty containers that were left after people had their film developed. I now use these for sequins and beads. They really work great for that. **

Anne Ellis had another suggestion for re-purposing small jars...

** What about using the little containers for all those open packets of beads.  A couple of beads could be sewn into the design on the cover so you could see who type and colour is in each container without opening the lid of each one to fine what you are looking for.**

Leslie suggested...

**Might I suggest some fine sand, crushed walnut shells or birdseed gravel (which is what I use) to the bottom of the container before inserting the pins? I think it would help keep the sharp points sharp! (instead of hitting the plastic buttom and getting dull).**


Kate reminded me of THIS free Sulky pattern for covering a large tomato can. She made one herself, and it is lovely! You can see it by visiting her blog.
(I must apologise to Kate as I originally took the photo from her blog and showed it here without her permission. I will be sure to ask in future, as that was very discourteous of me.)

Here are some more recycling ideas from fellow bloggers!

LIDA emailed with a photo of some re-purposed jars that fellow Dutch ladies have decorated to store buttons. Aren't they gorgeous?!

 Karen Schurr re-purposes discarded bridal gowns to make lingerie bags! 

 Once Issue 10 of Elefantz HOME is published, and Block 4 of "Promises & Borders" has been shared, I'll share another Re-purpose idea with you.

In the meantime, have a wonderful week and enjoy everything you do!

Hugs

Jenny

xx

A re-purposing tutorial, and about a beak...

So far I've only been showing you ways to re-purpose old clothing or fabrics, but there are so many other ways to re-purpose in your home!

If you've taken this challenge with me during 2012, it's time for me to give you another idea to work with!

Plastic containers are part and parcel of many things we purchase. Mr E and I take a few dietary supplements which are packaged in small plastic bottles - convenient, but at the end of their use we toss them into the rubbish bin and a new bottle is opened.

I've decided it's time to make use of them and save the landfill!

Yesterday I finished a bottle of COQ10, and today I am going to show you how the empty bottle has been given a new occupation.

You will need one plastic vitamin, or similar sized, bottle.

Measure the 'useable' height of the bottle...

Measure the circumference...

Add 1/2" to the height, and 3/4" to the circumference. Take note of the measurements.

Cut a piece of plain fabric to the height + 1/2" you've measured, and make it as long as you like, but not longer than the circumference + 3/4". Trace a small design to stitch in the centre. I used the bird from this month's "Promises & Borders" block, and added a few flowers.

I fused some Whisperweft fabric stabiliser to the back of the traced fabric before stitching the design.

(Many people have emailed recently asking if I use a hoop when I stitch. No, I don't. I don't like them.)

Hmmm, see the word? That's a hint on where I am going with this.

 Once stitched I trimmed the excess fabric from the sides, but left the height as it was.

(You might like to use all the same fabric as the stitchery)

I added some fabric scraps to each end of the stitchery, before trimming them to the circumference + 3/4" that I had originally measured.

I cut another piece of fabric the same size for the backing.

I also cut a piece of thin fusible Pellon, but this was cut to the exact measurements I first made of the bottle.

Fuse the Pellon to the back of the stitched block.

Lay this face down onto the right side of the backing fabric, and sew around the four sides with a 1/4" seam, leaving a 2" opening at one end for turning out.

Trim the points from the corners, and turn right side out. Ladder stitch the opening closed.

Quilt some running stitches just inside the edge of the bottle wrapper.

Ladder stitch the two short ends together...

Make a large yo-yo (suffolk puff) for the lid, glue it down, slip the bottle wrap around your bottle, and fill with pins!

I kept the moisture pack from the vitamin bottle and popped it in with the pins to avoid any rusting. Wonderful for my tropical humidity!

Voila!

~~~~~

I received an email asking for help in satin-stitching the bird's beak in Block 3 of "Promises and Borders".

You use just one strand of thread for this, because the beak is tiny.

Here is a diagram of each stitch. 

Make one long stitch down the outer edges of the beak, top and bottom.

Next you make gradually shorter stitches parallel with the top line of the beak.

Hope that helps!

~~~~~

If you have an idea for re-purposing empty plastic bottles or glass jars, leave a comment so we can share in your wisdom!

If you want to show us what you're doing to re-purpose your bottles and jars, why not do a tutorial on your blog and let me know so I can send all of us over to visit. 

Have a wonderfully productive day!!

Hugs

Jenny

xx

Things that excite me....and other stuff too.

It's so encouraging to read comments, and receive emails, from all of you!

Having that feedback inspires me more than you realise.

I thought today you might like to see some things from other craft people that inspire me!?

 ~~~~~

Let's begin with Jessica from Twin Fibers. She took a plain Wonky Star block and dazzled it!!

 I literally drooled when I saw this on the blog she shares with her friend, Jennifer.

Because I make myself at least one thing just for pleasure each month, I have this near the top of the list. Jessica made hers a mini quilt, and I'm thinking I may do the same. GAWJUS!!

See more pics, a step by step tutorial, and Jessica's blog post HERE.

~~~~~

Another pretty thing I'd like to make is one of these, from The Haby Goddess...

I have PLENTY of old doilies, but have never thought to dye them! 

Visit The Haby Goddess HERE and see her step by step tutorial. 

(Just remembered I have a few fabric dyes packed away....mmmm....)

~~~~~

About four years ago Blossom learned to crochet, and she made me lots of teeny tiny crocheted granny squares and circles in vibrant yellows, blues and reds. I did use some as a 'window' in small soap sachets for the linen cupboard and for Lavender bags, but I never thought to use them as pin cushions like Namolio!

Aren't they gorgeous!? 

You'll find plenty more in her Etsy Shop HERE.

~~~~~

It's been a while since I did some straight piecing. I get so caught up in stitchery designing that I lose time for some basic quilting - until now. I saw this quilt on the Blue Elephant Stitches blog...

...and noticed she had a tutorial too, so guess what is on my list as well??

I just love quilt blocks surrounded by white. You can see her tutorial HERE.

~~~~~

I have been playing with something new myself today. I love affirmations and inspirations, especially the one word kind, so thought I'd draw up some words and stitch them onto sweet little lavender scented pillows...

I dug out some of my vintage buttons for a little bit of embellishment. 

They'll look really cute in a basket, I think. 

~~~~~

Finally I want to announce the winner of the "Someday Roses" challenge!

I shared this design with you earlier in the month...

Apparently the pattern has been downloaded almost 700 times in the last three weeks, but only one lovely lady has sent me a photo of it on a re-purposed project, so guess who wins this book?

SISBABESTITCHES used fabrics from an old shirt, skirt and other scraps to stitch 'Someday Roses' into and apron!

Before...

After!

Congratulations SisBabeStitches! I'll be contacting you for your address and this book will be winging its way to your door.

~~~~~

I'm wondering if you need an easier Re-Purposing challenge for March? Do you have some ideas? If so please leave a comment and I'll see which one grabs my fancy. 

I want to mention the new Blogger 'double word' verification on comments. I hate it. Time consuming, hard on the eyes, and a nuisance for everyone. What was wrong with the single word, Blogger??

I opted for no verification to make life easier for you, but ended up making life harder for me. 

Hackers were leaving rude links and ads on comments as far back as 2009 - and in two days I spent a good couple of hours working my way through them and deleting them. Not nice. 

So I have the word verification back on. Sorry, but it just has to be. 

~~~~~

Before I go let me share with you pics of my final birthday gifties from dear friends.

My besty, Fee, spoiled me by printing up the first 8 issues of my Elefantz HOME Magazine (cause she knew I couldn't afford the ink), and sending me other beautiful goodies!!

Michelle sent me a sweet parcel of elephant fabrics, and 'real' Shabby Chic stationary all the way from the US...I haven't stopped writing myself notes in that book since it arrived!

Kathleen (Cottonreel) sent me these lovelies all the way from the UK, with a picture of her garden in May. I often dream of visiting her and Bluebell one day. 

And my final gift was from my dear friend, Dawn! It arrived in a huge box and I had no idea what on earth she would be sending me that big. 

It's a white elephant!!

I have white floors and white walls so I had to put it up against the fence for the photo. This is so me!

Dawn also sent another parcel the day before. That one had two of my quilt tops which she had machine quilted for me, and they are GAWJUS! I'll show some pics once I've sewn on the bindings.

If you're in Australia and need a quilt top machine-quilted then visit Dawn's blog for details. She's wonderful!

Thank you to all my friends - you made this a very special birthday indeed!

~~~~~

Goodness, I should have told you to make a cuppa before you started reading this blog post. It kind of got longer and longer...maybe we all need a coffee now. ;-)

Have a wonderful March. First day of autumn!!! \o/\o/\o/ (excited? Who, me?)

Hugs

Jenny

xxx