Valentine Fabric Tag Tutorial by Laney McDonald

Hi there! This is Laney from Sugarplum Patchwork and I'm happy to share this Valentine fabric tag tutorial with you today.  This is a quick little tag to stitch and you can vary the design based on the colors/fabrics you choose. I made two versions so you can get some ideas.

What you will need:

scrap fabrics
cardboard from an old cereal box, etc.
sewing machine (or hand sewing thread and needle)
embroidery floss and embroidery needle - optional
stamps and stamp pad  - optional
ribbon

What you will do:

Choose fabrics. For my first design, I chose an old upholstery fabric sample for my main fabric. I love the texture in this piece. And I chose a satin-y lining fabric in pink for the hearts. For my second tag I used some hand painted canvas I created a few years ago.

Cut the background fabric to 5" x 6"

You will fold it in half right sides together and stitch along the long edge and across the bottom to make the body of the tag. Leave the top edge open.Turn it right side out.

It should measure about 2  3/4 x 4  3/4 inches - depending on the thickness of your fabric. Like this pic below. I have already cut my hearts out and started playing around with where I want them.  ;)  But let's get back to the program!

Cut a piece of cardboard to about 4 3/8  x   2  3/8 inches. Don't worry too much about this measurement, just get close. Err on the side of too big rather than too small.

Put cardboard inside the fabric pocket. Trim the cardboard slightly, if needed.

Stitch the remaining end closed. You can turn the edges under or leave the raw edge out depending on the look you prefer. Stitch all the way around the card just in from the edge.

Cut two hearts from the pink fabric. (Unless you've already gotten ahead like I did!)

Stitch them to the card.

Then stitch the words "Be" and "Mine" on the hearts with free motion stitching. Or you could embroider the words or stamp them onto fabric. That's what I did for the second tag.

Use embroidery thread to stitch straight stitches along one side if you like.

Using scissors, make a hole in the top of the fabric card and tie the ribbon through it.

Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Share your tags with us in the Facebook group!

You can find me here:

sugarplumpatchwork.com

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5 Tips for Art Studio Organization in a Small Space - Laney McDonald

Hello there! I’m Laney from Sugarplum Patchwork and it’s my day here at Cre8ive Klatch to share about organizing in your creative space.

My studio is a small room in our home. I’m an artist who likes to stitch and draw and paint – and all of that has to happen inside a room that is about 9 x 9.5 feet.  Luckily this room has a (small) closet and that is where I keep most of my supplies.

In an effort to make this small space work for a variety of activities, I have learned some organizing tips I’d like to share with you.  

Tip #1 - SHELVES

The tiny closet has a shelving system to take advantage of the space. I keep fabric and art papers on these shelves.

I rescued a three-shelf cart from the kitchen and keep this against the back wall to make more shelf space for works-in-progress, cotton batting and all those inspiring art magazines!

Tip #2 - BAGS, and BOXES

I keep less used paints in a plastic box on the floor just inside the closet door where it’s easy to reach. When I need those paints I just grab the box and bring it to my work table.

Soft goods like fiberfill stuffing and poly batting go on the floor on either side – kept clean inside plastic bags.

Tip #3 - DRAWERS

I have a large work table so I keep my sewing machine on one side and my painting board on the other. My frequently used sewing notions and scraps live in drawers under the table right beside the sewing machine. (You can read more about this on my blog.) My most used paint and craft supplies live in a small chest of drawers close to the painting side of the table.

Since my room is so small I don't have room for tons of stuff and I have to keep it neat or I feel claustrophobic in the small space, which brings me to . . .

Tip #4 - The trick is knowing what you really use and finding a way to have those items close by.

As long as you keep that in mind you can create a small space that works for you.

Need some more ideas? Want to see tons of inspiring photos? I have one word for you.

PINTEREST.

Tip #5 - PINTEREST

I love Pinterest. I have a Studio Organization board there.  Here’s the link.  I pin pins about studio layout, storage options, making use of small space, as well as design and decorating for your art/craft/sewing room.  Hop over and take a look. I hope it gives you some good ideas.

Thanks for visiting with Cre8ive Klatch! We’d love to see how you organize your creative space. Feel free to share on our Facebook page.

You can find me here:

sugarplumpatchwork.com

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January is National Organization Month!

Did you realize that this is National Organization Month?

It seems normal to re-organize during this month of renewal (also our gr8full theme on Instagram for the month)

We wanted to share with you some of our organizing tips and how we feel about the topic in general.

Here goes:

Laney from Sugar Plum Patchwork says...

My room is quite small - only about 9' x 9'. I have a large table that serves as my my sewing and cutting area. I have to make use of all the space so I keep rolling drawers beneath the table. I keep sewing notions, ribbons, trims and thread in the top drawer and have fabric scraps organized by warm and cool colors in the other drawers.

From Kelly Campbell Corso and her Bird in a Tree Creations

Organization: my friend and my enemy!

This seems to be a concept that I am constantly fighting to integrate into my life, for my studio and my house! I have come to accept that my brain doesn't totally work that way so I do what I can. I picked one thing in my studio that is the most organized and that is this shelf. It is great to keep all my glitters, liquid pearls and alcohol inks. Being a fiber/mixed media artist can be a bit overwhelming with the amount of supplies one can collect over time. I like this shelf because I can see everything that is available instead of searching. Hope this is a helpful hint for anyone out there in supply overload! 

P.S. I was going to crop the picture but didn't because you can see part of my inspiration board, which could be a whole other blog post!

From Lori Leissner of Leissnerart

My favorite organizing tools in the studio are these vintage crates. I have two soda crates and another wooden box. My paints, mediums, and all kinds of other arty things fit great and look so pretty (when I can actually get the stuff back in there).

Lori also has a great post about her word for the year, reclaim, and her closet.

Reclaiming and My Closet

 Michelle Reynolds from Shells in the Bush shares...

For me, Susan of Susan's Art Circus, my re-organization or new year renewal starts with every day spots in the house.

The rest of my kitchen re-organization post is here.

In my studio one of my most prized possessions for organizing is this tool caddy. It's almost as tall as I am and it holds my rubber stamp collection. Each drawer is labeled with a theme so I can find, most of the time, what I'm looking for.

How are you re-organizing for the new year? Do you continue to find spots that need some TLC through the month? What area is your priority?

Let us know over at our Facebook group or here in the comments!

Until next time!!

Art Tag Tutorial From Sugarplum Patchwork

Hi! 

I'm Laney from Sugarplum Patchwork and I'm posting today with a tutorial for a drawn art tag. It would make a nice gift tag or bookmark, or just hang it on your design/inspiration wall.  I love making small things like this. It's quick and lets you create something most everyday if you can find a little quiet time.

I used watercolor paper, but you could start with a purchased blank tag if you like. I have found these addictive and have made a whole series of these tags.  

You can see more of them on my blog sugarplumpatchwork.com if you're interested!

So let's get to it!

Thanks so much for watching and I hope you are inspired to go create!  

If you make a tag share it on

our group Facebook page

I'd love to see what you make.