Sewing on Cards

I finally am going to teach a class on sewing on cards! I got this sewing machine from Hancock Fabrics online, (thank you Cambria for the tips!)

1. First of all, to sew, you need a sewing machine. It doesn't have to be a good one, but one that can sew through layers of cardstock. The ones they sell at the local craft stores, might not work. I used to have a cheap one, and it was not a good, so I sold it. (I think it was about 19.00, plus a discount coupon from Michael's)

This one, is not bad. I would use my Bernina, but to sew on a card, after spending way too much on my lovely Bernina, I would not want to tell my sewing machine guy (Scott) that I am using that on paper..so this one is a good one for less than 40.00, I can now sew on paper with too much stress. Of course, if you have a great machine at home, and not using it for more than just your basic sewing, you can use your home machine! I won't tell!!!

2 The ZigZag feature works great on this machine. I had a harder time using the straight stitch because you tend to want it to go straight (duh) and it will make it look more obvious if you are not purrr fect! (see my backpack card...)

*NOTE: Change your sewing machine needle if the needle sounds like it is punching through the cardstock. You would not want to break a needle because it is dull. You should change your needle after every few cards you make with the machine!

The Green strip of cardstock: I didn't have any polka dotted green cardstock...so...I PUNCHED it using the 1/8" punch..yes, they are hand punched and placed over a white strip of cardstock! ha ha!

The inspiration for this card, is from Cambria Turnbow!

She has such fantastic color and design ideas! I changed a few things because I don't have the set, and I wanted to use what I had already....I don't want to get too many stamps this year, since we have a mini catalog coming out in September and a NEW catalog coming out in January! The new papers are just fantastic! I love the bright and cheery colors!

3 To make the small flower, I used the Punch a Bunch Kit, and stamped a single flower, and then using the punch, cut out one flower. I lined it up by turning the punch over, and punching out just the stamped flower! Then I used a small hole punch to cut the center, added a brad, and attached it to the card that goes inside the pocket with a glue dot. (don't you just love them glue dots!)

4 The tab was punched out with Green Galore, and I stamped it with the "friend" in the punch kit.

5 The scallop punch was done in YoYo Yellow, and I applied 3 dimensionals to the back.

It is stamped using the flower from the Pick a Petal set, and I used a small punched circle using a hand held punch (1/4" circle) in YoYo Yellow. It was stamped in Real Red on Whisper white cardstock, punched out using a 1 1/4" circle and then used a 1 5/8" circle punch in Green Galore to be mounted over the scallop punch in YoYo Yellow.

Voila! you're all done!