Small items of Loveliness and a Shadow Quilting Card Tutorial

 First of all, here is the curly tree quilt again - this time showing you the buttons on it. My label is printed and ready to sew on the back, so it's nearly ready to go onto the wall!

 My first item of loveliness is this pincushion - made from the pattern that Benta shared here.

Very quick to make - the longest part seemed to be filling the bobbins to add into the petals!  I'm pleased with it and hope that my crafty friend will be happy with it when she receives it!

 Now, if you are short of an idea for a valentines day card, here is a fun idea that you'll be able to whip up in no time!

First of all transfer a simple design onto a small piece of fusible (my designs were approx. 2" square or 1 1/2" x 3".

Iron it (carefully!) onto a piece of craft felt.

 Cut out the design carefully, and iron it onto a background fabric (mine was just over 4" x 6").

Now choose a bit of organza - bright, subtle, the choice is yours.  Try it out over your felt and background fabric.  When you're happy with it, cut out a piece slightly larger than the background fabric.

When you are happy with your choice use a couple of pins to anchor it over the background fabric.

 Now choose a thread to contrast with the background - either an embroidery floss or a perle thread - and stitch a running stitch just outside the felt outline.

When you have finished, choose how to finish your card topper.

Mostly I choose to cut the organza and background to the size of the card, then turn back the edges of the organza and trim 1/4" from the background fabric.

My other idea was to trim the organza around the motif with a soldering iron.

 Of course, once you have the soldering iron to hand, its very tempting to add a little more decoration - too small to see, but I added some dots to the central card here.

Finally, grab your glue stick and stick the topper to the card.

A fun way to make a card for your sweetheart!

Of course, I've also been making  these 3 1/2" blocks for my 365 challenge.  These are the blocks for week 4.  I'm still playing Katy Catchup with this, but happily!