I Love You Enough to Let You Go… 14 Days Of Love Event

I am very excited to be participating in Ashley’s

 

14 Days of Love

event…  14 Days of amazing projects via 14 different bloggers followed by a ginormous giveaway!!

 

My project is a love tribute of sorts.   Since my grandmother passed in April, I haven’t been able to cope with my grief all that well.  Every time I think I’m ok,

 

WHAM… it hits me    

 all                

over         

again. 

 

 

So, I’m going to share with you a multi media LOVE project today.  I call it

 

I Love You Enough to Let You Go.

 

Not to forget, but to let go of the sadness that paralyzes my every effort and live my life in a manner that brings honor to what she taught me.

 

I started out filling my mind with as much inspiration as I could possibly absorb.  Check out  Sew Somerset magazine (I love all of the Somerset magazines!!) for some amazing ideas.  I also read Delight in the Details by Lisa M. Pace cover to cover about 10 times.  I outlined and sketched my ideas over the course of about a week.  I identified the components I wanted in my project (to represent my feelings) and scoured ebay, antique shops, and craft stores to find them.

 

I used a quilting hoop, but you can use canvas, cardstock, or whatever medium you want!  There is absolutely

NO WRONG WAY

to complete this project… that’s what I love about it.

 

 

I grabbed an old feed sack, hooped it, and arranged my components.  This process took a day or so while I rearranged things about 20 times until it “flowed.”  My poor sister probably has pictures of all 20 different arrangements as I asked for her input along the way.

 

Layers are good.

Texture is better.

Variety is vital.

Details are KEY.

 

After everything is arranged, take a picture so you can remember exact details and spacing.

 

 

I outlined the perimeter of my hoop with a water soluble pen so I knew my exact work space after I unhooped the feed sack. 

 

 

I then sewed my components on one layer at a time using a variety of stitches, stitch lengths, and neutral thread colors.  This is part of an old quilt top found in my grandmother’s sewing room.

 

 

Here is her birthday stamped in metal.  I stamped it, colored over it with a black sharpie, and then wiped the excess off with a damp cloth.

 

 

A copy of a picture with my grandmother holding my mom and uncle.

 

 

“Love Lifted Me” sheet music, trim, lace…

 

 

BINGO and Bling…  (as far as my grandmother was concerned, the more the merrier on both accounts!)

 

 

1938 Sheet Music, antique button, tulle, ric rac

 

 

Chiffon and pearl flowers

 

 

Cherub clipart courtesy of The Graphics Fairy with a vintage handmade doily and jewelry charm.

 

 

The one thing I didn’t get a chance to tell her before she passed from this life to the next…

 

Never pass up an opportunity to share your love!!

 

If you missed Kim from The Sasse Life yesterday, go check out her upcycled love picture frame!  Don’t forget to come back to tomorrow and see what Aimee at It’s Overflowing has planned.

 

Thanks Ashley from Cherished Bliss for coordinating this fabulous event!!

 

I’m also linking this project with a few of these ladies this week!  Check them out.

 

 

This event is sponsored by…

   

   

  

See Kate Sew Sweet Scallops Tote

Since my computer was actually behaving this evening and I was able to surf my favorite blogs a bit, I was able to find a lovely new bag!! 

 

You can see the tutorial and get the patterns for this new lovely here.   Isn’t it fabulous?!  I like that it’s layered with the scallops… something a bit different from ruffles.  Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE me some ruffles, but I’m really liking this look as well. :)

Kate is going to have a linky party for those who want to sew the tote and show it off.  I’m seriously contemplating giving it a go.  I haven’t ever participated in a sew along before (nerves tightening in my stomach).  This might just be the perfect opportunity to get my feet wet! 

If you are a fellow sewer, want to do it with me??

No Sew Fabric Flower Headband Tutorial

Just in case you missed this tutorial when I guest posted at The Johanson Journey, here it is again!

I will forewarn you that I am a VERY visual learner and become easily confused with just written directions.  So, please humor me with my step by step pictures. :))

 

Supplies needed are as follows:

~ Polyester fabric

~ Felt

~ Ribbon (sheer works best)

~ Scissors

~ Lighter/candle

~ Fabric glue (Fabric Fusion is the ONLY fabric glue I will use… and I don’t even get a dime for saying that :))

~ Pearls, beads, crystals or whatever else you might like to embellish your flower

~ Hot glue gun

~ Stretchy headband

These are so easy peasy to make that you can knock this project out in 30 minutes or less.  The hardest part for me is the “designing” process of choosing colors, fabrics, embellishments, etc.

Freehand cut 3-5 circles of varying sizes for your flower out of the polyester material (I used 3 of fabric and 1 of netting).  It needs to be polyester so that you can heat seal the edges.  If you are into the frayed look though, burlap, cotton, and silk are all great choices.  You will also need to cut out 2 circles of felt that are slightly smaller than the largest circle of your flower.  You can see mine in the 2nd supply picture above.

Grab your lighter and light a candle.  If you don’t have a candle, no worries!!  Using a candle saves my fingers from getting burned and also allows me more control over the manipulation of the fabric.  You can definitely accomplish the end result without one, however.

Gently pass the edges of the fabric over the flame.  You will notice that the edges begin to melt and darken a little.  At this point, the edges are sealed and the fabric will no longer fray.  You will also notice that the fabric will naturally “draw up” and the circle will actually look like a little flower petal.

Complete this step for each of your circles.  If you are using netting or toule you do NOT have to heat seal them.

Now you are ready to glue your circles together, one on top of the next and largest to smallest.

Time to grab your ribbon.  This will be the center of your flower.  I didn’t measure the length of it, but  I can tell you it was about 1 1/2 times the width of my largest circle.

Hot glue works best here as it dries quicker than the fabric fusion. 

See the netting that snuck in there??  I just felt like the flower needed a little more…  it’s all about letting your creative side shine!

Time to attach the flower to the headband.

SO, one felt circle needs to be hot glued to back side of your flower.  Then, hot glue the head band to the center of that felt circle.  Add even MORE hot glue to the felt on either side of the head band (not over it because you want it to be able to stretch).  Place the 2nd felt circle over the headband and press.  Allow everything to dry and:

Wear it with your hair down…

or up…

but wear it with sass!!

I know it’s cliché, but the only thing that limits you with this project is yourself.  I hope you enjoy making one as much as I did. 

One more thing, I would love, love, love to see your creations! So, pretty please take a picture and email it to me {libertyoriginal@comcast.net} or email me the blog post if you blog it.   Either way, I can rave about what a stellar job you did. :))

~Linking up here this week~