Hello, crafters!
Want a quick and easy way to add a focal point to your card? Create a stitched banner! If you have a sewing machine at home, you can make a stitched banner in a FLASH!
All you need is a shaped punch like this one, it can be a butterfly, heart, star, flower, or whatever you’d like to use. Punch several out of random papers. I love using the smaller 6 x 6″ paper pads for this, because the patterns are generally printed smaller on the 6 x 6″ pads, so you can see the prints nicely on the small cut outs. I used a Martha Stewart butterfly punch for my banner today. This technique is great for extra patterned papers you might have lying around that you don’t know what to do with. Use them up!
Punch several and overlap them slightly, angling them to the left and right to create flow and make them look more random. Adhere the edges where they meet with just a tiny bit of repositional adhesive. You don’t want too much adhesive, as it will gum up your needle on your sewing machine. After they are stuck together slightly, run the banner through your machine. You can leave the tails of the thread attached for a more informal look if you’d like.
Attach the banner to the top of your card and you are finished! I love the way it adds lots of color and pattern to the card! The papers I used were from an older Studio Calico card kit, but you can use any scraps you have on hand. The butterfly punch is by Martha Stewart and the stamped saying is from the Make It Market Mini Kit: Lovely Laurels by Papertrey Ink. The center butterfly is punched out to create a negative look, and the front panel of the card is popped up slightly. I always like the balance of something being centered on the card, yet the randomly placed butterflies add a little bit of unexpectedness to it as well.
Enjoy your crafty time, and I’ll see you back again soon!
Danielle
I’ve really been enjoying this series, Danielle. You take simple techniques and turn them into showstopping elements. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Nancy! I appreciate that! 🙂
What a great idea for scraps. I love the colors. They make the card pop .
My machine is always open for a quick stich.
Thank you very much, Kris!