Sunday 21 February 2010

Cuttlebug Challenge – Be Inspired # 71 – Stitch It!

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The Team over at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog had a great idea this week and it was to encourage us to use our sewing machines to stitch on our cards, but unfortunately I’m sewing machine challenged as you’ve no doubt heard me say many times before and can’t sew a straight line for toffee.

Now, bearing in mind that my machine hasn’t seen the light of day for months….may be even years….. I thought I would give it a go and busted down the dreaded beast, ready for action.

Luckily I remembered how it worked and eagerly sorted out the colour of the thread and the bobbin.
I made my card, sticking it together in the centre of the layers rather than around the edges as I had been advised to do by Meda in her hints and tips and I even prepared a test sample of the papers and card I was going to stitch on so I wouldn’t ruin my card.

With the sample under the foot I bravely pressed the peddle and low and behold I started to stitch…….this is not so bad after all, I thought.

Famous last words.

The feeling of great achievement didn’t last for long because all of a sudden the needle jammed and it wouldn’t move one way or the other.
Eventually I managed to free it and had another go but the same thing happened causing all the thread to make a big loopy mess at the back.
Several adjustments and umpteen attempts later the test piece was thrown across the room and the machine banished to the cupboard, never to see the light of day again if I have anything to do with it.

What a total waste of time!

I did eventually finish my card though, but the stitching ended up being a combination of hand stitching on the dotty Peach panel and faux stitching around the edge of the patterned paper.

Here it is in all its glory and I’m off for a lay down now to regain my composure. Lol!
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.A5 Card Blank – Craft Creations (Cream Hammer Embossed)
Patterned Paper – Basic Grey (Ambrosia)
Card Stock – Bazzill Basics
Embossing Folder– Cuttlebug (Swiss Dots)
Inks – Ranger Distress Ink (Spiced Marmalade)
Border Punch – Fiskars (Sunburst)
Paper Punch – Martha Stewart - Fondles
Rhinestone Brads – K & Co
Glitter Glue – Craft Planet – Iridescent Sparkle

Other Bits
Ribbon
Paper Flowers
Brown Thread for Hand Stitching
Fine Brown Pen for Faux Stitching
Gems
Computer Generated Greeting (Photoshop)
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6 comments:

csroyal said...

Poor Sue!! Not sure why you had such troubles, except it sounds like it could be a bent needle or burr on needle plate or bad tension setting ... who knows. Have you tried it on fabric lately?

Your card is absolutely gorgeous, and I think the stitching really enhances it, machine and hand!! Get your machine serviced and don't toss in the stitching towel yet. :) Great job on your card!! and thanks for joining us on our stitching challenge! You rocked it!

Bhavana said...

great card.. really liked the flowers

Lythan said...

that is just so beautiful Sue. Really, really lovely. I ahve the same love/hate relationship with my sewing machine too (or is it just hate/hate?)

Lynda said...

My sewing machine stitches more paper than fabric these days and I love the finish it gives - it's just a pain getting it out and setting it up lol. To say you had major problems with yours you've made an absolutely gorgeous card Sue.

Love Lynda xxx

Angie said...

What a lovely colour combnation ...makes the card warm IYSWIM

Anonymous said...

`Beautiful` card
Thanks for joining in with the Cuttlebug Challenge
Terrie
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/