Hello again! I hope you all are ready for a new week and whatever it may bring. Who knows what's around the corner, but I'm in my happy place and there's nothing but good cheer up in here.
Today's card, for instance... I can't help but smile! These industrious little Penny Black meeces hopped into my cart earlier this year and they've been awaiting their turn ever since. Then along came the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the optional theme is "stitching". Just the nudge I needed!
My stitching is all faux, but there's a whole lot of it going on here -- cross stitch, straight stitch, mouse stitch... even the designer paper in the background is stitched up patchwork. I colored with Copics, and if you look closely you can see the pattern in the fabric the mice are working on. That was stamped with an old Stampin' Up Background Basics set.
Not that I'm old or anything (ahem), but infinite years ago I had a sewing machine like this. It was built into a cabinet and it raised up when you opened the lid. You know the type. I gave it to my sister-in-law when I "upgraded" to a new fangled machine which was not nearly as beautiful. The machine I learned to sew on in high school looked like this, also in a cabinet, but operated by pressing your knee against a lever. Vintage memories, sheesh!
Three challenges today:
Love those Pretty Papers -- Anything goes, optional "wedding".
NBUS Challenge #75 -- Never before used schtuff. Penny Black Sew Much Fun stamp is newish to me and used for the first time today.
Thanks for visiting today and I'll see you again soon!
Stamps: Penny Black Sew Much Fun, Stampin' Up Background Basics Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 lb, SU Blue Bayou, Forever Friends Kraft Notes designer paper (years old) Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black Coloring: Copics Other: Sequins, twine, Penny Back Background Basics stencil, Memory Box Cross Stitched Frame Borders, Poppystamps Stitched Main Street Tags, Taylored Expressions Ric Rac Borders
You've got this challenge covered by every stitch! The image is darling and I love how you even added pattern to the fabric these busy mice are sewing on. So clever! I learned to sew on the exact same sewing machine that my grandmother had, knee pedal and all. They truly were beautiful machines and sewed so smoothly. Nothing like the machines today. So glad these little mice hopped into your basket when they did. Your card is just perfect for this challenge!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute sewing machine. Please keep the mice with you... but they're so cute too. Have a great day
ReplyDeleteI used to have an old treadle machine that looked like this many moons ago! Love the really cute image and patchwork background plus the paper pieced? material-love it
ReplyDeleteCarol x
This has got to be the cutest image ever Leslie!! Trust me when I say I really am smiling from ear to ear! My mom had a sewing machine just like this one (without the adorable mice!) and is the one I learned to sew on too! I love all the pp you used on this card too, and of course your coloring is fabulous as always! Sweet, sweet card my friend!! Hugs. :0)
ReplyDeleteI learned to sew on a machine like this too, Leslie! I didn't have any mice helping me, but I could have used the help! This is adorable and started my week with a big smile!
ReplyDeleteGreat card. I remember my mom having a sewing machine like that and I probably used it when I was taking Home Ec in high school. Would you believe I still have a winter cape that I made back then. Love seeing your fabulous creations. You are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI love your sweet little meeces and you used them in such a creative way my friend! Well done!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you made a fabulous card in all the ways I can think of! I know you had fun, first of all with your vintage memories - I have the exact same sewing stories! I used the knee press machine in its own sewing table to make my own clothes in high school. Every part of this card is a delight, Leslie! I feel like joining the meece with their dance!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I could borrow these little critters next time I attempt to thread my machine? Leslie, these guys just make me smile out loud! SO cute and you've colored them so sweetly! Everything 'stitched' works a charm and RIC RAC, too? Fabulous!
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Yup, I learned to sew on a machine like that too. It does bring back memories. This is such an industrious card with those little mice hard at work and all those extra little details. I am so glad you pulled the stamp out of your NBUS box xx
ReplyDeleteSuper awesome card, Leslie! When I saw the title, I was thinking that you were going to do some sewing on your card. I remember when you used to do that often. :-) But, the "faux" stuff is great, too! My mom had a sewing machine in a cabinet that used the knee. I supposed I used that when I first started. I love your card with all the sewing elements.
ReplyDeleteAwww, aren't they a sweet little bunch and helpful too! I would say you have this challenge sewn up, Leslie! This is a perfectly adorable card!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Leslie such a sweet card. Love all the stitching it embraces. As usual you have gathered together a lovely combination of elements that work as they were meant to be together.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness they are just too cute, all working together. That was a great idea to stamp on their piece of cloth they are stitching. I like the patchwork background with ric rac and the cute sentiment with a bow, perfection :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable card! I love everything about it especially these adorable mice! I love Penny Black's stamps! We all had these great sewing machines. Great memories!
ReplyDeleteHello fellow Oregonian (Portland area for me)...I love your card and the faux stitching is great! I always love a card making challenge I will have to check that one out.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely adorably cute~cute~cute!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining our challenge at Love Those Pretty Papers!
Diane Co-Owner LTPP
{Nellies Nest}
{Love Those Pretty Papers}
I have one of those antique sewing machines, this is such an adorable card ♥
ReplyDeleteThis is just adorable. Love all the stitching (faux or not) it works great with the theme. - Those mice are so cute. I'm so not a seamstress although my mom was an excellent one. I tried but it just wasn't my thing. - Love your sweet card and how you did the material with the old SU background stamp (I believe I still have that one too.)
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