Are You A Topper?

I recently had the great fortune to work with serger and sewing expert Nancy Bednar for an overlocker event at Quilters Quest in Woodridge, IL. During the event, she talked at one point about being a "Topper." You know, the person who loves to put quilt tops together but then send them out to someone else for finishing. I instantly thought about the stack of finished quilt tops in my sewing room, paired with a backing, ready to quilt. I wondered to myself, am I secretly a Topper?

I have no excuses really. I have a Gammill Longarm setup in my basement. But sadly, it is mostly used as a storage shelf for UFOs. The store where I work has a thriving longarm services department. One day I caught myself thinking, if I ever attempt to make a Judy Niemeyer pattern I would have Longarm Bob custom quilt it for me. Oh my, that's a slippery slope. I have all the tools at my disposal here at home. But do I have the patience, skill and creative talent? Can I overcome procrastination? Am I a Topper?

Are you a Topper? What parts of the quilting process to you enjoy most and least? Leave me a comment and we can support each other in self discovery. :-)

Participating in the the 31-Day Blog Writing Challenge! #31dayblogchallenge

Stampin' Up Year End Closeout Sale

The end of the calendar year always means great closeout deals from Stampin' Up! I've already shopped the sale, but you still have time (until January 3, 2017 while supplies last). 

Helpful links:

• Visit my online shopping site lisaklingbeil.stampinup.net then select Shop Now for fast and easy online orders delivered directly to your door

• Current Stampin' Up Catalogs: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lisaklingbeil/catalogs

• CLICK to download a list of retiring items and discounted products.

Sew Together Bag Continued

This is as far as I got when a horrible flu virus took hold very early Sunday and has still got me in its grip. Not only was this NOT fun in any way shape or form, it broke my 31-Day Blog Challenge. Well sometimes life does indeed get in the way of art, so I'm not going to stress over it, but will commit to make up the days in January 2017. I'll be on a roll by then.

Not much more to do on this bag but sew the second side binding (I opted to hand-sew the second edge for a nicer look), and apply the long/top zipper. It's looking good - better and cleaner than my first attempt. Since I'm planning to use this in my purse or for travel and I am not inserting the pin and needle keeps. Actually the images below give you a pretty good idea of how the bag is constructed. Click on images to ENLARGE for better viewing. Fabrics are Cotton + Steel.

Participating in the the 31-Day Blog Writing Challenge! #31dayblogchallenge #cottonandsteel #sewtogetherbag

Sew Together Bag

This morning the ladies in my quilt bee are gathering for our monthly meeting and instead of us each working on our independent projects, we are going to all make the Sew Together Bag by Sew Demented. You can see many great examples of this bag here on Flickr. Here is a very helpful set of additional detailed instructions by the Quilt Barn which complement the pattern in a great way.

I decided to shop from my stash and pick out a bundle of Cotton + Steel fat quarters and the only thing I ended up purchasing was 3 of the 4 zippers. We have some homework to do before we meet to speed up the process, to have all the pieces cut, interfacing applied, and the outside of the bag pieced and quilted. You can see mine below! I have a passion for selvage edges and Cotton + Steel selvages are SO creative. so I decided to use one on the outside of the bag as a focal piece. Stay tuned for images of the final project! (Click on an image to ENLARGE for betting viewing.)

Here are some photos of my first Sew Together Bag. I just love this thing! It can be used for a sewing organizer, makeup, travel bag, jewelry, etc.

Participating in the the 31-Day Blog Writing Challenge! #31dayblogchallenge #cottonandsteel #sewtogetherbag

Follow Me on Pinterest

Follow Me on Pinterest

Pinterest is one of my favorite daily hang-out spots on the internet! And guess what? I have more than 5,000 followers! You can literally overdose on creative inspiration on Pinterest. I have large boards on Stampin' Up, quilting, sewing, food, and smaller boards for just about everything else! I currently have a big interest in upcycled/recycled clothing. Here is the link, I hope you'll follow me!

http://www.pinterest.com/klingbeil/

31-Day Blog Writing Challenge

This blog is sadly neglected. I would like to revive it and polish my writing skills as well. No one will be listening but that's okay! I'm going to attempt to blog once per day for the entire month of December 2016. Don't hold your breath! But hey, you may also learn something new or connect with me in a new and unexpected way. Cheers to the 31-Day Blog Writing Challenge! #31dayblogchallenge

Stampin' Up Retiring Products

Stampin' Up has released their list of retiring products, don't wait as popular items and especially supply items will sell out FAST. In addition, many items are being offered at a discount! Click HERE for the complete list. Retiring items are available until May 31, 2016 or while supplies last.

Stampin' Up 15% OFF All Stamps Sets until October 23, 2015

Don't miss out on this fantastic deal! All Stampin' Up stamp sets are now 15% off retail October 19-23, 2015. Please order at http://lisaklingbeil.stampinup.net, then click Shop Now at the top of the screen.

FMS127 Freshly Made Sketches Challenge

Another great sketch from Freshly Made Sketches! The Fresh Prints Paper Stack in the Spring Catalog features Real Red, Coastal Cabana, and Crumb Cake. I like that the prints in these 4x6 stacks are petite - meaning they are the perfect scale for card projects. I'm ready for spring, how about you?

Supplies used:

• Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies, Hearts a Flutter Framelits Dies, Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies, Petite Petals Punch
• Stamps: World Treasures, Flowering Flourishes, Petite Petals
• Paper: Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack
• Ink: Real Red, Crumb Cake
• Embellishments: Baker's Twine White, Pearl Basic Jewels, Designer Buttons Subtles

Petal Parade Bookmark

A bookmark is one of my favorite quick projects to make and to give - often I will leave one on a co-worker's desk as a little surprise when they return. The bookmark format is also a great blank slate to play with a new stamp set, or experiment with colors and composition. I couldn't decide which of the twine colors to use, so I grabbed all three!

The Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper, Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack, and Petal Parade stamp set are all exclusive Sale-A-Bration products meaning you can earn them FREE (one item free per $50 ordered). Sale-A-Bration runs through March 31, 2014.

Supplies used:

• Tools: Scalloped Tag Topper Punch
• Stamps: Perfectly Penned, Petal Parade
• Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White, Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Basic Black, Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe
• Embellishments: Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack

Wine Bottle Tag

The new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch is really versatile - here I simply cut a 2" x 4" piece of card stock for the tag base, and used the punch on both ends. Then I decorated the tag with several shapes and images from the Chalk Talk stamp set and coordinating Framelits dies. Perfect for decorating a bottle of wine, olive oil, or flavored vinegar. A 5-minute project, maybe?

Supplies used:

• Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Chalk Talk Framelits Dies, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch
• Stamps: Chalk Talk
• Paper: Baked Brown Sugar, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla
• Ink: Baked Brown Sugar, Calypso Coral
• Embellishments: 3/4" Chevron Ribbon in Calypso Coral, Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Spiral Flower Die

I believe gift packaging should be as memorable as the gift itself. The centerpiece of this box is of course the beautiful felt flower made with the new Spiral Flower Die. After die cutting the felt, simply roll it up from the outside in, securing with hot glue along the way. The last round tab acts as a base for the flower. I then created a little platform using the Blossom Flower Punch from Coastal Cabana card stock, and gave it some dimension by sponging Baked Brown Sugar around the edges.

The tag was created with the Chalk Talk stamp set and coordinating dies. After auditioning the design elements, I discovered the Ruffled Stretch Trim created a really nice little skirt around the base of the flower. Finally, I glued a Vintage Faceted Button to the center of the flower to give it some sparkle. The nice thing about this box is that it can be completely reused. The belly band slides off - and both the box and band may be used again!

Supplies used:

• Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Chalk Talk Framelits Dies, Spiral Flower Originals Die, Blossom Flower Punch
• Stamps: Chalk Talk
• Paper: Kraft Gift Box, Coastal Cabana, Very Vanilla, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Baked Brown Sugar
• Embellishments: 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim in Coastal Cabana, Designer Vintage Faceted Buttons
• Other: Yellow Felt, Hot Glue Gun

FMS126 Freshly Made Sketches Challenge

Another great template design by Freshly Made Sketches! I've been itching to use Perfect Blend and paper piece the belly band - these colors are bright and bold - just how I like my coffee! Not a lot of supplies needed for this simple design, super quick and easy.

Supplies used:

• Stamps: Perfect Blend
• Paper: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Basic Black
• Embellishments: 3/8" Satin Stitched Ribbon Summer Starfruit, 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Basic Black

Planning Ahead - Father's Day

With as busy as life is these days, it's never too early to plan some spring and early summer holiday cards, including this one for Father's Day. The stamp set Lovely As A Tree is priceless - so many uses! I used the new Hardwood background stamp as well - this seemed like a natural choice. (SO happy Stampin' Up now offers the versatile background stamps in Clear Mount! Less expensive and easier to store - YEAH!!) I used an Aqua Painter to add some warmer tones of Old Olive ink around the top edges of the tree. Sort of reminds me of the sunshine filtering through the leaves ... ahhhh ... leaves ... something to dream about! #Chiberia

Supplies used:

• Tools: Modern Label Punch
• Stamps: Hardwood Background Stamp, Lovely As a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes
• Paper: Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Garden Green
• Ink: Early Espresso, Garden Green, Old Olive, Baked Brown Sugar
• Embellishments: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, 1/8" Mini Brads

Can't ... Stop ... Coloring ...

The Stampin' Up Vivid Vases single from the spring catalog is highly addictive. Who doesn't like coloring? You could use watercolor pencils, ink and blender pens, aqua painter, watercolor crayons, markers, and the list goes on. I got a large scrap of white paper, and stamped the image 3 times in Staz-on ink. I used two of the images for practice, and the 3rd for my final card. Inside you could stamp a sentiment of choice, Mother's Day or even Easter? The colors are light and refreshing, considering we still have 6" of snow on the ground!

Supplies used:

• Tools: Stampin' Trimmer
• Stamps: Vivid Vases
• Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder
• Ink: StazOn Jet Black, various ink pads for watercoloring
• Embellishments: Designer Buttons Subtles, Baker's Twine Whisper White, 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Pear Pizzazz

You Make Me Happy Card

Baked Brown Sugar is my new favorite neutral brown! It's warmer than Crumb Cake (my standard go-to fav), and not as dark as the other brown ink choices. I also appreciate the coverage that the new Firm Foam ink pads give, such as the sentiment shown here from Perfect Pennants. I would have avoided a solid coverage stamp like this one in the past when we had the linen ink pads.

I really need to send more cards like this one - randomly - to let people know how much I appreciate them!

Supplies used:

• Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Banners Framelits Dies, Chevron Embossing Folder
• Stamps: Perfect Pennants
• Paper: Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Baked Brown Sugar
• Embellishments: 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim in Coastal Cabana, Essentials Wooden Elements

Happy Congratulations

I'm always trying to find easier ways to do things. I love this new stamp set because you can use any color scheme, and it's suitable for a variety of life events including graduation, engagement, move to a new city, just about anything that takes us on to the next phase of our life!

This came close to being a one-layer card, but in the end I decided on mounting the front and inside panels on Crisp Cantaloupe. I also couldn't leave it flat, I added an In Color Boutique element which provides some texture. If you were mailing this, you could leave the element off and it would be perfectly flat for mailing.

Choose your own color scheme! I borrowed this color scheme from the Sale-A-Bration Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper. I also cut an envelope liner out of the the Sweet Sorbet DSP to tie it all together.

Supplies used:

• Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Envelope Liners Framelits Dies
• Stamps: Happy Congratulations
• Paper: Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Basic Black, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Pool Party
• Embellishments: In Color Boutique Details

FMS125 Freshly Made Sketches Challenge

My entry in this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge could be an anniversary card, Father's Day card from a wife, or just a "thankful for you" type of card! I love the nautical theme, and for some reason I think of the little whale as myself. IF the snow were to go away, maybe I could get out for a walk now and then!

Even though the weather is frightful, I'm happy to be indoors stamping today.

Supplies used:

• Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Starburst Framelits Dies, 1-3/4" Circle Punch
• Stamps: Hello, Sailor
• Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Gold Foil Sheets
• Ink: Pacific Point
• Embellishments: Gold Sequin Trim, Gold Baker's Twine, Pacific Point 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

Vivid Vases Card

I had the urge to do some coloring (it just never gets old) and the Vivid Vases single stamp is the perfect choice for some water coloring. I used an Aqua Painter and Soft Sky ink to ever so slightly paint the left side and bottom of the vases to achieve the look of shadow and water. Thanks to my friend Sheila for teaching me that! I was so happy until I somehow got an inky partial thumb print in the upper right corner of the vases panel, so added a happy Daffodil Delight banner and button to cover up the disaster.

By the way, I thought this stamp would be more versatile for me if I separated the sentiment from the image, so I cut the two apart, and side mounted the sentiment on the wood block - it just fit on the end with a tiny bit of trimming.

Supplies used:

• Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Banners Framelits Dies, Designer Buttons Regals, Aqua Painter
• Paper: Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper
• Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Soft Sky
• Stamps: Vivid Vases
• Adhesive: Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive

FMS123 Freshly Made Sketches Challenge

This is my first time participating in a Freshly Made Sketches challenge! I enjoy the simple templates this group posts nearly each week, and all the creative submissions by the readers. I chose hexagons for my 8 shapes, and had fun choosing some brighter, spring-like colors. I popped 3 of the hexies up with dimensionals to give some texture. I'm in love with the Crisp Cantaloupe twine that is included in the Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack, a Sale-A-Bration exclusive product.

Supplies used:

• Tools: Hexagon Punch, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Chevron Embossing Folder, Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack
• Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit, Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper
• Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Basic Black
• Stamps: Six-Sided Sampler
• Adhesive: Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive