A Stitch in Time.......

This is my latest  design team project I've made for the eclectic Paperie blog using my new goodies from the lovely eP shop. I ordered the new Tim Holtz Mini Blue Print Set 3 and the Mini Pocket Watch die, there were other things in my order but I'll share those at a later date. Boy I'll never be rich! The project I've made is a 'tag book sewing kit' and this is how I put it together. I started out by printing off some vintage sewing clipart from a Tim Holtz Distressables Elements CD I've had for ages.I also used some clip art I already had on my computer.

I glued my chosen pictures to a piece of paper from the Authentique Renew collection. I almost hate using these gorgeous papers as I have to decide which side to use and I always love  both sides! I then cut out the images and gave them a bit of Vintage Photo Distress Ink around the edges. Once dry, I added some sewing notions to each card, thread, needles, press studs and some vintage pearl buttons. I then turned my attention to making the tag backgrounds. I used some tags I already had in my stash, they measure 5" x 2 1/2". I splodged a variety of Distress Stains onto my craft mat and smooshed the tags through, first one side and then the other.

Once dry, I inked over them with Antique Linen Distress before  stamping over with the Mini Blue Print Stamps on both sides,using Gathered Twigs Distress ink and more Vintage photo around the edges.

I really like the way these stamps can be used to create a background pattern. I also used a tape measure stamp I had in my collection for one of the tags. my initial idea was to fold and sew the bottom of the tags to create a pocket to put the cards in, but it didn't show enough of the cards. So I had a rethink and decided to use some sticky backed Velcro spots.

These, I think, work really well. As you can see the whole of the card plus some of the tag background and the cards are quite securely attached but easy to remove.

I really like the way the sewing cards look like they're straight out of a vintage sewing basket. On the last tag which became the front cover, I used my new die to create a mini pocket watch. I die cut two shapes and punched out the centre of one of them with a 1 1/2" punch. I added Treasure Gold paste to the frame and stuck a piece of acetate on the back.  I then stamped the watch face onto a piece of manila card, cut it out and mounted onto the die cut shape I then glued the frame on top. I finished off by adding a computer print out of the age old saying " a stitch in time saves nine" wise words indeed.x

These are some of the lovely goodies I've used on this project which are available from the eclectic Paperie Shop.

Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo	Distress Ink Pad - Gathered Twigs	Distress Ink Pad - Antique Linen	Tim Holtz (Stampers Anonymous) - Mini Blueprints #3 Stamp Set	Authentique - Renew 6x6" Pad
Distress Stain - Tattered Rose	Distress Stain - Scattered Straw	Distress Stain - Shabby Shutters	Distress Stain - Dried Marigold	Distress Stain - Tumbled Glass
Tim Holtz Alterations - Mini Clock Key and Pocket Watch - Movers & Shakers