Tracy Miller's Blog

Quick Stitch: Beaded Holiday

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm so excited to show you my projects from this Quick Stitch Beaded Holiday release. I have to admit that when I got the assignment for this kit, I wasn't too excited. I mean, summer was already going by so fast...and now I'm supposed to be working on Christmas stuff? But once I got my hands on this kit and saw how cute it was and how cleverly it went together, I definitely got into the holiday spirit!

The details about what is in the kit and how to go about getting yourself one are at the bottom of this post. But I want to get started by showing you my favorite project - the mitten garland. I was so happy with the way it went together.

I really liked the idea of making a garland of pairs of mittens. I cut out each mitten of the pairs, and then used the beaded motif dies to make the argyle pattern on the front of each of the mittens. The hardest thing when I was assembling these was keeping track of which was the front of each cut out piece - I wanted to make sure that my thumbs went together on each pair.

Here you can see the beaded motifs. I used a sparkly floss that I found with the usual DMC floss. I also used the sequins and beads from the kit in different combinations on each mitten pair.

The garland dies come in different lengths, so I was able to use a shorter piece of garland between the two mittens in a pair, and then use a longer piece between the pairs. Finally, the end piece has pre-cut loops, making it perfect for hanging.

I wasn't trying to make my garland double-sided, so I sewed my garland pieces directly on the back of the mittens, using the included "holes only" die. But if I wanted to hang it so that both sides showed, it would be easy to sandwich the garland strands between the main pieces. I also left the tops open on each of the mittens so that I can put a little something into each one when I hang them for the holiday.

Supplies:
Beaded Holiday: Mitten die collection
Beaded Holiday: Argyle Motif die
Beaded Holiday: Garland die collection (short, medium, loop, and holes only dies)
6mm Bugle Beads, White
3mm Seed Beads, Red
3mm Seed Beads, Chartreuse
3mm Seed Beads, Teal
3mm Seed Beads, Silver
8mm Cupped Sequins, Red
8mm Cupped Sequins, Chartreuse
8mm Cupped Sequins, Silver
Papertrey Ink Felt in Scarlet Jewel, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse, Raspberry Fizz, and Vintage Cream.
DMC Metallic Embroidery Floss (for motifs)
DMC Embroidery Floss, white (for assembly)

Speaking of something I can put things in...

I love this little stocking! I think it is great that the dies for the contrasting heels, toes, and cuffs were included, as well as the holes-only die for attaching them.

I really like how you can customize the beaded motifs that are included in the kit. Erin shows you how she put them together, but you can take her idea and make it your own. I decided to make the tree out of green sequins, with red beads in the center.

I just wish I had some candy canes around so that I could tuck one into this little stocking.

Supplies:
Beaded Holiday: Stocking Die Collection
Beaded Holiday: Tree Motif die
3mm Seed Beads, Red
8mm Cupped Sequins, Chartreuse
8mm Cupped Sequins, Silver
Papertrey Ink Felt in Scarlet Jewel, Simply Chartreuse, Smokey Shadow and Vintage Cream.
DMC Embroidery Floss, white (for assembly), brown and green (for tree)

For my final project, I really wanted to do something different. Although I loved my first two projects and how they came out, they were pretty involved. And very Christmas-y. So I decided to change things up and make something much simpler.

This rainbow garland is made from cardstock with the star die included in this kit. I cut out two of each color and made little star "sandwiches" over black and white bakers twine.

The garland is completely double-sided. The twine is secured with the double-sided tape I used to stick the stars together.

I like how the holes for the stitches provide a nice decorative edge to the stars here.

It would be super easy to personalize these stars with letter stickers to spell out someone's name. I think I'll be making another set for my daughter's high school graduation party. The garland would be great in her school colors. And it was so easy and quick to put together.

Supplies:
Beaded Holiday: Star Die
Papertrey Ink Perfect Match Cardstock in Pure Poppy, Orange Zest, Summer Sunrise, New Leaf, Enchanted Evening, Winter Wisteria, and Royal Velvet.
Bakers twine

So those are my projects - I had such a good time creating them. I know you will have lots of fun with this kit too!

The third Quick Stitch Kit will be released on September 1st and it is entitled "Beaded Holiday".  This kit reminds us of days gone by.  When women spent quiet evenings by the fire, doing handwork.  A time when handmade was best.  The basic holiday stitching shapes in Beaded Holiday can be used for so many different types of projects, everything from keepsake gift tags, to tree ornaments, to holiday garland.  Think gift card holders, holiday party favors and more!  Erin even has you covered when it comes to decorating your holiday stitching projects.  The clever beaded motif dies pre-cut all of your holes so the beading process is a snap and perfectly precise.  Get your kit tomorrow night so you can get a head start on holiday projects!

Beaded Holiday Kit Contents:

Custom tote bag
Beaded Holiday: Mitten die collection
Beaded Holiday: Stocking die collection
Beaded Holiday: Star die
Beaded Holiday: Motifs die collection
Beaded Holiday: Garland die collection
Bead storage box (ten compartments)
6mm Bugle Beads, Silver
6mm Bugle Beads, White
3mm Seed Beads, Red
3mm Seed Beads, Chartreuse
3mm Seed Beads, Teal
3mm Seed Beads, Silver
8mm Cupped Sequins, Red
8mm Cupped Sequins, Chartreuse
8mm Cupped Sequins, Teal
8mm Cupped Sequins, Silver

The total retail cost of the "Beaded Holiday" Kit is $105. There will be a limited number of these exclusive kits available, so be sure to get yours while you can! The Beaded Holiday: Garland dies are the ONLY item from this kit that will be available for purchase separately at a later date.later date.  All other items are limited edition to this kit and will never be offered again!  "Beaded Holiday" Kit will be available for sale beginning on September 1st at 10pm EST, only at Papertrey Ink. Read all the details on Nichole's blog or contact Customer Service with any questions.

Don't forget to check out the other Quick Stitch designers and their projects. Links in the sidebar!

Quick Stitch Softies Kit

Hi Everyone! Thanks for stopping by my blog to visit. I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait to show you the projects I made with the latest Quick Stitch kit.

First, here are the details:

The second Quick Stitch Kit will be released on May 1st and it is entitled "Design-A-Softie".  This is one collection of tools and stamps that you will turn to again and again to make heirloom quality gifts with heart.  Everything you need to make customized softies will be right at your fingertips!  Besides the basic softie body parts, there are dies for different facial expressions, eyes, ears and even trendy accessories!  You will be able to create special one-of-a-kind stuffed animals according to a child's favorites colors, interests and personality!  Think of this as your own person build-a-bear, just on a more affordable level!   Get your kit tomorrow night so you can get a head start on holiday gifts!

Design-A-Softie Kit Contents:

Custom tote bag
Design-A-Softie mini stamp set + index label
Softie die collection
Softie Ears die collection
Softie Expressions die collection
Softie Glasses & Mustaches die collection
Softie Kerchief die collection
Softie Patches die collection
Softie Collar & tie die collection
Softie Exclusives die collection
Custom button mix (50 buttons total)
(4) Iron-on 8-1/2" x 11" Transfer sheets
(1) pdf download with full instructions

The total retail cost of the "Design-A-Softie" Kit is $105. There will be a limited number of these exclusive kits available, so be sure to get yours while you can! Some individual items will be available for sale at a later date. The "Design-A-Softie" Kit will be available for sale beginning on May 1st at 10pm EST, only at Papertrey Ink. Read all the details on Nichole's blog or contact Customer Service with any questions.

I love the unlimited opportunities that there are for personalization with this kit. You can make all kinds of creatures. You are really only limited by your imagination! And honestly, there were just so many options, that I really didn't know where to start. So, I decided to start with a model I know very well: my dog, Molly. I decided that we needed a Molly in softie form.

This is a super-simple softie, with a little twist. I wanted to make beagle-like ears, so I used the die for a piece that was originally designed to be part of the face. I cut out four of them, and then pieced them together two-by-two, and stitched them to the side of Molly's head.

The heart tag die is included in the kit as well. I used iron on transfer paper (also included), to make the surface of the heart "writeable." I just ironed it on, using directions that Erin supplies with the kit. It was really easy to do - and I'm typically not a fan of using my iron! Then I just wrote Molly's name on with a sharpie.

I kept Molly's face really simple, cutting out spots for around her eyes, a muzzle, and a nose. The tiny black buttons I used for the eyes are in the kit as well. I also made a simple black collar for her.

And I definitely had to include a spot on her back, just like she has in real life! That spot is typically placed on the softie's belly, and is a great way to add some additional color to your piece. I placed it up a bit higher up on Molly's back, so it would more closely resemble her real spot.

For my next project, I wanted something a little more fanciful. So, I made a green bunny.

The colors here certainly make me thing of Easter, and the bunny would look cute peeking out of someone's basket. But I made it to hold a little note in the back.

The kit includes the die for the pocket for your softie, and a die for a note that fits perfectly inside. I love the idea of using this to put a note of encouragement in for a child, or just a note to introduce a child to his or her new friend.

The rubber stamp for the sentiment is included in the kit as well.

I made this softie without arms and legs. It made it a much quicker project, and perfect for a little note. Or a gift card would fit just right back there too.

 

I cut the polka dots for the belly using dies in the kit as well. The kit includes the dies to cut out all the details, and the "hole-only" dies as well, so you can line everything up and stitch easily.

My final project is a little pouch in the shape of an owl.

This is structured like the scissor keeper in the last Quick Stitch kit. I cut all the pieces out and sewed them together, leaving the top part unattached.

The pouch could be used for a lot of little things. I put a selection of pens in there. I plan to combine that with a gift card in the pocket in the back. It's a perfect teacher gift, just in time for Teacher Appreciation next week.

I used the iron-on transfer paper included in the kit to give the fabric enough structure to be cut out using my die cut machine. I backed the fabric with felt to add thickness and to keep the color true.

The glasses die cut is my very favorite. What a great way to add personality to your creatures.

I've really been looking forward to this product launch, because I want to see what everyone else has been creating using this kit. Check out the links in the sidebar to see everyone else's softie creations. And I can't wait to see what you create as well!

Molly Softie
Dies: Softie body, Softie Expressions, Softie Patches, and Softie Kerchief
Felt: Vintage Cream (body), Classic Kraft (spots and ears), True Black (collar), Scarlet Jewel (heart tag)
Iron on Transfer Paper
Buttons
DMC Floss

Bunny Softie:
Dies: Softie Body, Softie Ears, Softie Expressions, Softie Patches, Softie Pocket
Felt: Aqua Mist, Vintage Cream, Ocean Tides, Limeade Ice, Autumn Rose
Stamps: Design a Softie Mini Stamp Set
Ink: Ocean Tides
Cardstock: Fresh Snow
Buttons
DMC Floss
Pompom

Owl Pouch:
Dies: Softie Body, Softie Expressions, Softie Ears, Softie Pocket,  Softie Collar and Tie, Softie Glasses & Mustaches
Felt: Summer Sunrise, Vintage Cream, True Black
Fabric
Buttons
DMC Floss
Iron On Transfer Paper

 

Quick Stitch Sewing Staples Kit

Hi Everyone! Welcome! I can't wait to show you what I've made with this amazing kit! First, though, let me give you all the details:

The first Quick Stitch Kit will be released on March 9th and it is entitled "Sewing Staples". Erin has really outdone herself with this one! The stitching dies included help you to make a few different sewing accessories that are not only beautiful, but also super functional.  You will have all of your sewing supplies in order just in time for the new stitching products coming out over the next year!  Not only will this kit help YOU to get organized, but also make wonderful handmade gifts for friends and family.  The team even has a few unconventional uses for these stitching dies that will allow you to take everything in a completely different direction and get more value for your investment in these tools!

SEWING STAPLES KIT CONTENTS:

Custom Printed Tote Bag
Sewing Staples: Scissor Keeper die collection
Sewing Staples: Needle Book die collection
Sewing Staples: Floral Cluster die collection
Sewing Staples: Stitched Floss Bobbin die collection
Sewing Staples: Flowers die collection
Sewing Staples stamp set + label
(1) Wooden Bobbin Box
(2) Heavy white 8-1/2" x 11" sheets cover board
(2) Iron-on 8-1/2" x 11" Transfer sheets
(1) spool Fresh Snow Satin Ribbon-5 yards
(1) test tube white 8/0 seed beads
(1) pdf download with full instructions

The total retail cost of the "Sewing Staples" Kit is $110. There will be a limited number of these exclusive kits available, so be sure to get yours while you can! Some individual items will be available for sale at a later date.  The "Sewing Staples" Kit will be available for sale beginning on March 9th at 10pm EST, only at Papertrey Ink. Read all the details on Nichole's blog or contact Customer Service with any questions.

I had so much fun with this kit. I kept making things, and making things. Pretty soon every pair of scissors in my house is going to have a cute little holder to go with them! I liked how I had such a great selection of dies in this kit to choose from, so I could really make the project my own.

Here's my set:

I made this set to match a Vera Bradley bag that I use to carry my knitting projects around in. I decided to go a little bit simpler on this set and only decorate the scissor keeper and the needle book with three flowers. Because the kit includes so many die choices, plus the corresponding "holes only" die for each option, it is easy to personalize things exactly the way you want them.

The scissor keeper was the first thing I put together. I decided to stitch the pieces together with a dark blue floss. I just loved the contrast. Plus, using the same floss color across my projects helped tie them together as a set, even though I used a different main felt color for each piece.

Here's a close up of the little flower detail.

The needle book is not only adorable, it's so useful! I'm constantly looking for a needle to weave in ends when I'm knitting. I can't wait to get my needles organized once and for all.

Erin thought of all the little details with this needle book. I love that there is a die that lets you make a perfect slot to string your ribbon tie through.

This kit includes a little box that you can decorate as well. It is sized to hold the floss bobbins that are also included in the kit. I decided that floss would make the perfect decoration for the box as well.

I used Mod Podge and just wrapped the floss around the box, taking my time and making it all line up neatly. I got the idea from some wooden jewelry pieces I had seen wrapped with floss on Pinterest. I used the flower dies from the kit and some felt scraps to make a little flower decoration too.

Aren't the floss bobbins the cutest? I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated by the idea of using the transfer paper to put the numbers on the ribbon for the tag, but Erin provides excellent directions, and the tag stamp shows you exactly where the numbers need to be placed.

In fact, I loved the look of the tags so much, I decided to use one on my next piece.

This time, I wanted to use more flowers and beads, so I used the large round "holes only" die for placement of all the elements. I decided to make the scissor keeper itself in a neutral color and without the scalloped edge,  so that the flower pieces and beads would shine.

I used one of the flower stamps included in the kit for the little decorative tag. It fit perfectly into the space on the tag stamp where the numbers were placed when I made the bobbins. I thought it would also be cute with some little letter stamps so that the tag could be a monogram. I'm planning to do that when I make even more of these sets for gifts.

Here's a close up of the flowers. You can see that I used a neutral color for the inside of the scissor keeper as well.

I made a pincushion out of the needle book die. I cut one of the plain book dies and one of the scalloped dies, then matched the holes up, folded it in half, and sewed up the edges. I used just a little bit of stuffing and then sewed the top up, adding another decorative tag.

Finally, I couldn't resist using the needle book dies to make a tiny album.

I cut two pieces of felt using the plain edged dies to make the album. I also used the plain edged die to cut out the cardstock pages I used on the inside. Then I just trimmed the edges of the cardstock that had the stitching holes off. The paper fit inside the album cover perfectly.

The circles on the front of the album were cut with circle dies from the kit. I lined them up in my diecut machines with the "holes only" die that is used for the spine of the album to make the holes for stitching. I cut the corresponding holes in the felt on the cover with the same die, then just matched them up and stitched them together.

I stitched the cardstock into the center to make the pages. I used the circle stamps also included in the kit to make simple decorations for the pages.

When I make another mini album from this kit, I'll likely add the ribbon closure using the provided die. Or, the closure from the cell phone case die might work perfectly here too. Hmm...I think I have my next project!

Make sure you check out what everyone else on the team has made with this kit. The links to their blogs are in the sidebar.

Supplies:

All supplies except the felt, embroidery floss, and the cardstock and ink used in the mini album are included in the Sewing Staples Quick Stitch Kit.

Blue/Green Scissor Keeper
Dies: Scissor Keeper Plain Edge, Scissor Keeper scalloped edge, and assorted flower dies from the kit
Felt: Blueberry Sky & Vintage Cream (keeper)
    Harvest Gold, Hawaiian Shores & Simply Chartreuse (flowers)
DMC Embroidery Floss

Green Needle Book
Dies: Needle Book Plain Edge, Needle Book Scalloped Edge, Assorted Flowers
Felt: Simply Chartreuse & Vintage Cream (cover)
    Blueberry Sky, Harvest Gold, Hawaiian Shores & Simply Chartreuse (flowers)
DMC Embroidery Floss

Floss Bobbins
Dies: Bobbin, Felt Bobbin Covers, Label Die
Felt: Blueberry Sky, Harvest Gold, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse & Vintage Cream
Bobbins: Double thick cardstock
Stamps: Numbers, Label
White Satin Ribbon
Heat transfer paper

Gray Scissor Keeper
Dies: Scissor Keeper Plain Edge, Assorted Flowers and Leaves, Holes Only Placement Die
Felt: Smokey Shadow, Classic Kraft (Keeper) Aqua Mist, Autumn Rose, Lavender Moon, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream (Flowers)
Stamps: Small Flower
Ink: Simply Chartreuse
White Satin Ribbon
Heat Transfer Paper
Seed beads

Gray Pincushion
Dies: Needle Book Plain Edge, Needle Book Scalloped Edge, Assorted Flowers and Leaves
Felt: Smokey Shadow, Spring Moss (Pincushion) Aqua Mist, Autumn Rose, Lavender Moon, Simply Chartreuse, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream (Flowers)
Stamps: Small Flower
Ink: Aqua Mist
White Satin Ribbon
Heat Transfer Paper
Seed beads

Black Mini-Album
Dies: Needle Book plain edge, Small Circles, Needle Book Stitches Only Spine
Felt: True Black (album), Vintage Cream, Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, Royal Velvet (Circles)
Stamps: Button
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores
White Cardstock

 

 

 

 

Welcome!

 

Hello! If you made your way over here from Papertrey Ink, thank you for stopping by. I am so excited to be working with this company, and with the Quick Stitch kits.

The first kit is called "Sewing Staples" and it will be released on March 1. It includes the dies for all of the projects you see above, and lots of fun extras as well! I will have more projects that I made with this kit to show you here on February 28.

I've been having so much fun with Papertrey Ink's beautiful felt and the dies in this kit. I really love these kits - you get a great framework to follow, but you can also put your own personal stamp on what you're making. I can't wait to use these items I made in my own crafting, and to make sets to give as gifts!

I chose the colors in this set to match a Vera Bradley bag that I use to store and carry my knitting supplies. I'm also working on some other projects that use these dies in different ways - I love that they are so versatile and combine so well with other Papertrey dies.

Since you're here, I feel like I should tell you a little about me.  In no particular order:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm a mom.

That's Madelyn (16) on the left, and Meredith (14) on the right.

I'm a librarian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credit

Ok, not a very librarian-y picture to be sure. But, we are getting a new library where I work and we're really excited.

And I used to be a scrapbooker.

I can't believe I've left scrapbooking behind - I loved it so much. But, I got a full-time job and went back to school and I just didn't have time. Especially as my girls got older and less cooperative. :) That's one reason why I'm so excited to be involved with Papertrey Ink and the Quick Stitch kits. Doing the projects in these kits are a perfect way for me to be creative in the limited amount of time I have.

There are some wonderful designers working with these kits - check out the links to their blogs in my sidebar. You are in for a treat!

Thank you for stopping by. Please check back on February 28 to see what I've done with the "Sewing Staples" kit.

 

New Year's Cards

So, every year, Christmas cards are a big thing here. I think up a concept...take pictures to match the concept...put it all together. Some years, I feel pretty successful in this effort:

Some years, not so much.

This year, December got more than a little away from me. I have a full-time job that frequently gets in the way of doing other things I'd like to do, but this holiday season it happened more than most. So, this year, I had to resort to a New Year's card.

This is not exactly unprecedented:

Anyway, sometime after Christmas, I started thinking about what I should do. I liked the idea of doing an Instagram inspired card, like this cool one on Pinterest. But that seemed like more than I could manage to pull off.

Then, Cathy Zielske came to my rescue:

 Go here to get the template for yourself.

Decided to do a picture of the whole family this year.

Followed Cathy's step-by-step directions to place the photo in and recolor the camera. It's been a while since I played with Photoshop and I was more than a little rusty.

So, I had the cute picture, but I still needed something to mount it on. I was planning a trip to Michael's for some plain cards, but then I started looking around at Target and found a notecard set I thought might work:

Easiest cards ever. Here was my favorite:

I did add text to the inside by just creating a word document and running the cards through my printer. I include a greeting and a little blurb about each of us and what we've been up to over the past year.