Friday Link Sharing

I thought I would try something different and provide some links each Friday to items I have found interesting on the Internet. There will be times when I may be away and can’t do this but hopefully for the most part, this post will happen each Friday.

The first link is a video demo.

I don’t have this book but after seeing this demo I am thinking what a great way to make a quilt. Even the demonstration is a lesson worth watching. Crazy shortcut Quilts blog is a lovely read as well.

Also I am intrigued with my prize I won from miss~nances life blog and I thank you for it Gail. You can see what I won by popping over to this Giveaway post. I hope to do  justice and finish this project in the future. Thank you!

When reading comments, I came across a new blog called  DIY Bag Lover. The blog promotes tutorials of bags made by others and link back to the original owner. I don’t mind this blog, as it does recognise and acknowledge  that the copyright belongs to the bags owner, which is very important.  There are lovely bags on this blog so worth a visit.

There is so much to learn when it comes to blogging. I have known about ProBlogger blog for quite some time now and learnt a lot from Darren. He is an Australian that makes his living from blogging and a nice guy. If you want to  make your blog work for you, especially if you want to make sales from your crafts, it is worth checking out Blogging Tips for Beginners. Make sure you make a hot drink before you sit down though, as there is some great reading with lots of hints to make your blog greater than it already is.

Some of you may wonder what I am doing when I am not sewing. If you are interested, you can see my other blog by visiting Arts and Stuff.  How is that for a piece of self promoting…LOL

Now another link just for luck! A Quilting Life is an inspiring blog that reminds me why I love quilts. One day I will have one of my own quilts finished to snuggle into. Do take a look at this lovely blog, you won’t be disappointed.

Just a hint to those that are not internet savvy when it comes to blogging and copyright. When you want to use images that do not belong to you, make sure you get permission from the owner of the material before publishing their content on the web and it will keep everybody happy. Many share freely but there are those that will also be quite upset when they come across material posted without their permission. I know I would not appreciate my artworks being posted without my knowledge or prints made from them. Many artist know the style of  artworks and who created them and are the eyes to the web and soon report back to the image owners if they see something that does not look right; I have seen this happen myself although thankfully not my own work. I have also seen where whole posts are copied and posted on a blog with lots of advertising happening. These bloggers are stealing content to attract visitors to their blogs and make money from ads and once reported, smartly closed down by blogger. Copyright does get heavy going, but it is worth knowing something about the subject so that you have knowledge of where you stand on this great wide web. Oh one more link wont hurt! Copyright Explained.

I would be interested to know if you have enjoyed this post so please leave me a comment and let me know.

Technorati Tags: Link Sharing,Copyright,Problogger,Crafts,Blogs,Blogging,Quilting

On My Heart BOMs

Do you love to collect BOMs?

There is a lovely BOM happening over at Tozz’s Corner. Look at the image above; how can you resist such a pretty pattern!

Hop over to Tozz’s Corner and read all about On My Heart BOM.

Happy sewing everybody!

Technorati Tags: BOM,stitchery,sewing,crafts

Autumn

I do love rag dolls and yesterday when I saw a kit that had everything in it other than the filling at a reduced price, I just had to have it and sew today so that I can truly get to know her.

So without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Autumn who has berry’s in her hair and a bouquet in her hand. I am sure she will get on very well with my other rag dolls in my growing collection.

Technorati Tags: Rag doll,doll,craft,sewing

ELEFANTZ has a Shabby Roses Giveaway

 

I thought I was too late to alert you to a beautiful giveaway, but if you hurry, you may just make it in time.

Go over to Jenny’s blog at Elefantz and enter. Also tell her that you read about the giveaway here at my blog.

I know I will be collecting Jenny’s beautiful BOM and hope you do as well.

Technorati Tags: crafts,sewing,BOM,free

Appliqué

Appliqué played a big role in my sewing career many years ago. I appliquéd fronts of jumpers/sweatshirts before sewing them up; selling all but a small quantity that I kept from the time my children were small.

I am aware of copyright when using images, hence why I could never sell appliqué created from images from children's books. They were fun to do for my children though.

I also did commissions as well with customers coming to me with an idea of what they wanted. Drawings were done and approved and then it was down to sewing business. I stopped counting the garments once I had reached one hundred. I often wonder if any of them were kept by their owners.

The process of these appliqués is done by drawing on a tear-away stabilizer, then baste it onto the wrong side of the garment fabric. I then pin around the drawn shape so that I can see the pin line on the front of the fabric. The pins are then used to guide me where to place my appliqué fabric so that I have less waste. Pin fabric in place then with a straight stitch, on the tear-away side, trace the shape with your sewing machine. You will then see on the right side of garment fabric, the shape of the appliqué that will then be trimmed back to the stitching. This is then finished with a satin stitch to tidy the cut edge, as well as cover the straight stitching. Once I am finished, I then remove the tear-away then sew up the garment.

Using t-shirt fabric for the appliqué fabric on fleece, I did use a light iron on stabilizer to make the t-shirt fabric easier to handle and not stretch out of shape. These garments were always tossed in the washing machine and as you can see, some are worse for wear than the appliqué itself. The garments received a lot of use.

With grandchildren now, I just may get a tutorial done for this blog in the near future.

Note: When appliquéing small areas, I build the pieces up  from back, coming forward.  An example is the arm of Popeye comes out of a sleeve, the arm does not sit on top. I build the layers so that the piece feels as if it has depth. I used terry towelling for the clowns hair so that it had more texture.

Technorati Tags: sewing,craft,applique

Another Giveaway – Stitch Selection

Image posted with permission from Stitch Selection

Mothers are special to us and with Mother’s Day fast approaching, we hope to be able to celebrate with them. Unfortunately my sister Lucky1 and I lost our mum many years ago. I thought it was a lovely gesture by my sister from Stitch Selection to have a Mother’s Day Give Away in honour of our mum, along with other mums that are no longer with their families, although I am sure they are in spirit.

Please do enter in my sisters giveaway and good luck! :D

Technorati Tags: Giveaway,craft,sewing