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Debra Quartermain Design
 Making & Celebrating 
Thursday, July 08 2021


 

Harry Potter fans! His birthday is coming up this month!  We are celebrating with Team Creative Crafts-Harry Potter Edition, link in sidebar to all of the bloggers involved! I am a huge fan and admit to watching all of the movies several times! 
 

Harry was a member of the House of Gryffindor so of course cat is too! I created a setting for Rory using Kunin Felt. A crest of course, school tie, sorting hat and a Book of Spells. The glasses are made from a soft chenille stem, looked super cute on Rory for two seconds and then became a chew toy. 


 

Let's get started!

You will need:

Kunin Classicfelt 9" x 12" craft cuts: 1 of each, Red, Yellow, Walnut, scrap of white

Kunin Premium Felt 12" x 18" craft cut: 1 Cashmere Tan

Joy SA Applique Letters

Beacon Fabri-tac

10" soft elastic 

Permanent fine tip marker, black

Paper

Scissors



 

STEP 1 

I did a search on Pinterest for an easy crest shape for a guide. By folding the red craft cut in half lengthwise you can trace a simple curve outline and cut it folded. 
 



STEP 2

Place cut red piece still folded on yellow lining up fold with edge of felt piece. Draw around the half shape in yellow. Cut out and then cut yellow piece in half again to alternate crest piece colors. Glue in place. Use fine tip marker to create stitch lines. 

STEP 3

Again searching on Pinterest there are many sorting hat and tie patterns. The sorting hat pattern from Popsugar. There is a cute felt tie pattern over at Wild and Wonderful.  I drew mine out on a piece of paper so I could adjust the sizes some. The tie is a little long for Rory, the idea was to keep him posing with treats but he couldn't see the treats over the tie length. He still sat and then laid down, he likes the Book of Spells, I think it must be the soft felt or the box I used. (His kitty food came in it. ;)


 

STEP 4

Cut out two sorting hats from the walnut craft cut. Glue along edges leaving bottom open. Stuff with scrap felt to stand or if you have a very quiet cat, it would fit with added elastic. Our kitten was okay with the tie but a big no to the hat and glasses. Cut out one tie and a double triangle piece for a collar. Glue white triangle piece behind tie. Cut narrow strips of red fronm left over scraps. Glue to tie. Glue an elastic piece to back of tie. Measure around neck and tie so it is loose and easy to slip on and off. Rory got his off just fine by himself. 


STEP 5 

The Book of Spells was the easiest! Rory's kitten cans come in this cardboard case. It measures about 7" by 10". I simply wrapped the 12" by 18" craft cut around the box, and glued. It has a 1" overhang on either end. It is open at the back. Glued in place. Added the Letters to the side and a larger H to the crest. 


These pieces would be suitable for dolls or to use in a birthday setting. Making larger ties to wear and creating Book of Spells Treat bags. 
 



Rory looks very handsome as a House of Gryffindor member. 


I think Rory at this point in the photo shoot was looking for spell of his own. 
 

Check out all the crafty Harry Potter posts with Team Creative Crafts-Harry Potter Edition. There is a link in on the Home Page for the Rafflecopter Giveaway of a Harry Potter Lego Set!  
 

Want to see more of Rory, catch him on Instagram, @reignofrory. You can follow me too @debraquartermain. 😊 
Thanks for coming by!

Debra

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 10:00 pm   |  Permalink   |  2 Comments  |  Email
Thursday, July 08 2021

I am excited to share these beautiful ribbons from Gwen Studios!  With so many to choose from I created some Easy Ribbon Wreath Decor with Gwen Studios collection.  Several designers are participating in this DCC Blog Hop (Designer Crafts Connection) and have created inspiring projects.  I was provided product to use but all comments and opinions are my own.

Burlap ribbon often is stiff and scratchy but Gwen Studios burlap ribbon is soft and comes in several colors. I have been wanting to add a pretty wreath to my kitchen tablescape with a soft natural look. The burlap ribbons come in a pink, mint green and natural. Gwen Studios also has premade matching bows. Quick and easy accents! Their collection is available at Walmart

To make the Burlap Bow:

Gwen Studios Mint Green Burlap Ribbon
Gwen Studios Natural Burlap Ribbon
Gwen Studios Pink Burlap Ribbon
Gwen Studios Natural Burlap Bows
Wreath
Flowers
Chenille Stems or Wire
Hot glue
Scissors
Measuring Tape
 

Make the Bow:  
Leave a length of ribbon hanging for the tail. Make a loop 2-3" and fold ribbon back and forth twice creating equal loops. Add the next ribbon to the center of the first loops repeating side to side. Wrap with chenille stem. Add a premade bow in the center to finish it off. 

Add the Flowers:
Glue bow to wreath and add flowers beginning with the center flower. 
 

Hanging in my kitchen window is a boxwood wreath. I made another bow and it was a perfect addition!

Look how cute our cat Reign of Rory is wearing a Gwen Studios bow!

We have recently painted the house exterior and the playhouse for the grandlittles. Of course the play house front door needs a new wreath!

I chose the Taffy Patriotic Ribbon Collection. 

Gwen Studios Patriotic Taffy Striped Ribbons
Gwen Studios Patriotic Striped Bows
 

I used a simple embroidery hoop to make the playhouse wreath. Extra sprigs of boxwood were added easily by gluing from the back of the hoop.

Wrap the hoop till it is covered. 

Tie separate bows and layer together. Tie with chenille stem. Glue to top of hoop.

Added the Kindness message and tiny pot. How cute is that!

Here it is hanging on the front of the playhouse. Hope you have enjoyed my Easy Wreath Decor with Gwen Studios. Looking for more inspiration, Check out the other projects in the DCC connection! DCC Blog Hop

Thanks for stopping by! Want to follow me @debraquartermain on IG! 
Creatively yours!

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 02:00 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Monday, May 10 2021

I am all about plants and gardens right now. These trendy head planters I am seeing always make me smile. I designed a Whimsical DIY Head Planter which is a fun easy no sew project. This post is sponsored by Fairfield World, the content and comments are original and my own. I used Poly-pellets to give my planter some weight and shape so it would stand with the plant in it or outside not blow over. 

Materials:
24 oz bag Fairfield World Poly-pellets   
12" x 18" craft cuts Kunin Felt Premium: 1 White, 2 Black 
9" x 12" craft cut of print felt or fabric
2" scrap red felt for lips
Dimensional black paint
Fabric or felt glue
Scissors, rulers, clips or pins, chalk, marker or pencil, 2" and 6" circle template
 

STEP 1

Find the center of the white piece lengthwise. Measure down 4" from the top for eye placement. Mine are spaced about 2" apart, 1" on either side of center line. Pencil in and then go over with dimensional paint, let dry. 

STEP 2

For the hair, here is where you can have a little more fun creating your "do". At the center of the black piece of felt placed as shown measure a rectangle 6" across and 5" down You can use chalk to outline it. Now ready to style some bangs!  Draw with the chalk using this photo as a guide to make a hair style. Cut the bangs carefully with scissors. 

You will also need two 6" circles cut from the second piece of black felt.

STEP 3

Take the black piece and place over white aligning eyes and hair. Trim hair if it needs adjusting. Glue the two pieces together.

STEP 4

The lips. Take half a 2" circle of red felt. Fold in half again and cut a cute lip shape. Glue to face.

STEP 5

Cut the other 9'" by 12" piece of felt or fabric in half so you have two pieces 4.5" by 12". Center pieces at front and glue along white to create clothing. You could also  paint a piece of felt with dots or use buttons for polka dots. Trim ends even with white felt at ends. 

STEP 6

Fold the remaining black felt hair piece over white to the back.  Glue in place. Fold the entire piece into a cylinder, overlapping ends slightly. Glue and clip in place until ompetely dry.  

STEP 7

Glue a 6" black circle over bottom of planter. Glue in place. Trim off any excess felt carefully. 

 STEP 8

The 24 oz. container of poly-pellets has a handy pouring spout, so convenient. Now I poured the pellets directly into the bottom but you can also place them in plastic bag and put in bottom. I filled the planter about 4". I then placed the second felt circle on top of the pellets and glued in place. Both the poly-pellets and felt can get wet without any damage and will dry easily. Now just add your favorite plant!

Of course when I saw the mug "Head Gardener" I just had to get it! This setting makes me smile. 

I have a new potting bench area and love this Whimsical DIY Head Planter in the space. How cute is that! I need to make a family of pots. 

Thank you for stopping by my creative corner! You can find me on IG @debraquartermain and Fairfield World @fairfieldworld.
Debra

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 01:30 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Friday, May 07 2021

Have you noticed all the trendy face and head planter pots? They are so fun and whimsical! I used a recycled container and here is my How to Make Face Planter Pot.  I give the pot a Patriotic flair with the addition of DIY felt flowers for the Team Creative Crafts Patriotic Edition. I like to use home decor items from around the house and add details to make them special for different holidays. 


 

The base for this fun planter were a couple of plastic cubes I glued together. They came with our new arbor assembly and held little bits. I kept them to make something and a whimsical planter was perfect. I used Kunin Felt for the face as it is weather resistant. Now I have a fun addition for my new potting bench. 


Let's get started! 
You will need a container, the face is about 6" but can be adjusted in size. My conta8ner is the same width of 6". 
9" x 12" craft cuts of Kunin Felt: White, Black, Red, Royal Blue    
Fabric Scraps       
White chenille stems    
Straws     
Buttons    
Flower Die, I used Eileen Hull's Flowe Die with Sizzix  (or cut free hand flower shapes)
Fabric Glue    
Dimentional paint in black   
Scissors, ruler, marker, chalk, pencil,  6" and 2" circle templates 

Step 1:

Cut a 6" circle from white and black felt. Trim in to oval shape. Cut the black one slightly larger than the white. Draw eyes with pencil on white. Paint and let dry. Cut 2" circle in half. Fold one half and curt a small lip shape. Glue to face. Glue white face over black back. Glue to front of container. I had these cute Harry Potter glasses that were a perfect fit! 

Step 2: 

Die Cut felt flower shapes from fabric scraps and red, white, blue felt. Layer flower shapes making as many as you want. 


 

Step 3: 

insert chenille stem through each flower stack, bend end. Glue button over chenille stem at center. Insert straw. Bend end over slightly. Cut off excess. Repeat for each flower. 
 

Place greenery in your Face planter and add felt flowers. Add some felt stars if want and as many flowers as your container needs. 


 

Want to be inspired by more creative Patriotic crafts, just click the link in the sidebar! 
 

Thank you for enjoying my How to Make Face Planter Pot, such a fast and easy DIY! 
 

Creatively yours,

Debra
 


 

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 12:00 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Thursday, April 08 2021

Welcome to the Creative Crafts Collaborative, Edition 9, Recycled Craft Projects! Recycling and upcycling projectshas been a big focus for me this past year. I have been creating new spring pillows from placemats, tablecloths and tea towels. These Upcycled Bunny Placemat Pillows were the perfect addition to my spring decor! 

Look for placemats with a lining and are a close woven fabric like a cotton polyester blend. Recycling placemats gives a tailored pillow and is completely a no sew project.

I admit to having a thing for polka dots and bunnies! 

This iis a quick and easy project! Carefully cut a slit through placemat back lining only.

Stuff with a quality fiber fill. I use Fairfield World's Poly-fil. Push poly-fil into the four corners first.

Take a piece of 2" wide ribbon an inch longer than slit. Match back of pillow. Use Fabri-tac to glue ribbon over opening. Ta da! You now have an Upcycled Placemat Pillow! How easy was that ?! Often placemats are marked down or check thrift stores to create more custom pillows. 

The bunny pillows were in four pretty colors so I could use them in different rooms. 

The pink check pillows were another upcycled project from a tablecloth used at a baby shower. I made them in a simple envelope style and used pillow forms from Fairfield World. The cute cat is our Birman @reignofrory on IG! He loves this chair. 

Rory also loves this stool in the laundry room which has another recycled or upcycled pillow created from the cutest tea towel! Kitchen linens come in so many pretty and fun prints and patterns, a whole world of thrifty creative and trendy home decor projects! When you want to change them just gently pull off ribbon and unstuff! 

The Creative Crafts Collaborative, Edition 9 Recycled Creative Crafts has an awesome Give Away sponsored by Fairfield World, a $100 Gift Card from JoAnn and 10 pounds of Poly-fil! 

The Give Away is happening over on IG. Find me @debraquartermain.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and hope you are inspired!
Debra

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 01:00 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Tuesday, March 09 2021

Hello Spring! Here on the East Coast of Canada we still have lots of snow but I am dreaming of my garden and of course fresh garden decor. In partnership with Fairfield World I am delighted to bring you my Spring Quilted Banner. This only requires some hand sewing as I like to create easy DIY projects and love incorporating placemats and napkins into decor items. 

For this project I used a placemat which has a pretty design on both sides so the banner looks good coming and going. Placemats are 12" wide which is the width of most banner rods so that is very convenient. 

The Quilt Batt, Fairfield World's Poly-fil Extra Loft Polyester Quilt Batt, Crib Size. 

Materials and Supplies Used:

Step 1:

Using placemat as a guide cut a piece of quilt batt slightly smaller than placemat. Decide on what side of placemat is front of banner. Cut 4" slit lengthwise 1" down from one edge of wrong side. 

Step 2:

Fold quilt batt slightly and insert into placemat. Push into corners and press flat. 

Step 3:

Cut the sandstone piece of felt in half. Fold one piece in half again and cut a curved edge. Unfold and use as pattern to cut a second basket back. Use one piece as a guide to cut quilt batt slightly smaller than basket size.

Step 4:

Draw equal lines across back of one basket piece. Make a sandwich of the three basket pieces with quilt batt in center.  

Step 5:

Straight stitch around edges of basket. Stitch across marked lines on back. 

Step 6:

Glue piece of ribbon along top edge of placemat back covering opening. Glue piece of ribbon along front matching the back. Leave ends open.  Add extra quilted details like straight stitched flowers.

Step 7:

Die Cut flowers and leaves. 

Step 8:

Create flowers. You can use my layout as a guide but create the layout, flowers and colors of your choice. Layout flowers out and take photo. 

Step 9:

Glue basket and flowers to banner. I added stitching and a felt butterfly. Tie a bow from remaining ribbon and glue to basket. Tie jute on one end of dowel. Insert through top of banner. Tie jute on opposite end of dowel. Glue and trim jute ends.

This banner is ready for my garden! The quilt batt will keep it hanging nicely when there is wind and allow it to dry quickly.  Check out more of the inspiring projects by Fairfield World, follow them on FB and Instagram!

Thanks for stopping by!
Debra

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 10:03 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Sunday, January 10 2021

Say Hello to Valentino, a dapper felt fox stuffie I designed in partnership with Fairfield World. I love their Poly-fil for making stuffies. I was inspired to create Valentino by my trip to Paris a few years ago. Want to make this charmer for yourself complete with beret and vest. Come along with me, ma cherie! 

You will need:

Step 1

Printable Patterns: Fox, Fox 2, Vest.  Print out patterns. Cut out fox pieces and lay out on folded piece of Copper Canyon as shown. Cut out around each piece. 

Step 2

Place body pieces together. Pin. Blanket stitch (tutorial) or machine stitch if preferred. Begin at top and stitch around coming up to within 2" of closing. Stuff body. Finish blanket stitching closed.

Step 3

Cut out white pattern pieces for Face, body, ears and tail. Blanket stitch white face front to one head piece. Stitch or insert eyes at this point. Stitch head pieces together, leave opening and stuff. Close opening. Stitch arm pairs and stuff. Stitch ear white fronts in place with a straight stitch.

Step 4

Stitch ears to top back of head on either side. Glue on nose. Straight stitch tail white piece in place. Place arms on either side of body and stitch back and forth through body pulling slightly. This will make them moveable. Glue or stitch on white body front. 

Step 5

Stitch or glue tail to back of body as shown.  Stitch head at top of body overlapping slightly. 

Step 6 

On the fold cut out a vest piece from Candy Pink. Striaght stitch side seams together and add decorative straight stitch around all edges. I used red. In my craft stash I had sticky back little felt hearts and added those to the vest. You can also cut them out of felt scraps. 

Step 7

To make the beret, cut a strip 1" by 12" from red felt. Cut another strip 3" by 18".  Fold the narrow strip in half and glue. Sew a gathering stitch along both edges of wider strip. Pull stitches tight on one edge. Secure. On the other side pull stitches to fit band. Glue to band. Clips or pins will help to hold in place. Glue seam together. Cut a small heart or use a button to cover hole in top of beret. Glue in place. 

Now the fun part, dress Valentino or Valentina if you prefer. This would be a fun surprise for a special valentine. Not reccommended for a young child under three but suitable for older children.  The premium felt is a heavier weight. Valentino the felt fox stands about 12" in height and I used some fun 18" doll accessories in his Valentine display. My grandlittle girls will love him. I will probably be making a couple more at least!  Hand stitching is very relaxing. You can just be comfortable, have a good light and stitch away. 

  

Thank you for visiting my Valentino the Felt Fox. Felt is an easy medium to work with and Fairfield World has the best poly-fil stuffing. Check out the other Fairfield January stuffie designs by talented designer/blogger friends!

Posted by: AT 12:00 pm   |  Permalink   |  3 Comments  |  Email
Tuesday, December 08 2020

Welcome to the Fairfield World Pillow Party 2020! A team of talented bloggers have joined the fun to create pillows for the party sponsored by Fairfield World! There is a great give away of six 18" pillow forms so you can have your very own pillow party! 

My contribution to the party is a super easy and simple tree pillow. Let's get this party started!

You will need:

  • Fairfield 20" square Pillowform
  •  2/3 yard Kunin Premium Felt
  •  9" x 12" craft cuts Kunin Classic Felt: 1 Red, Candy Pink, Lagoon
  • Beacon Fabri-tac
  • 3 Pom Poms
  • 1/2 yard Buffalo Plaid ribbon
  • 1/2 yard narrow black ribbon or braid
  •  (Optional Die cut Snowflakes)
  •  Scissors, measuring ruler, embroidery needle, sewing machine and matching thread (optional, can also be glued with Fabri-tac), paper and pencil.

STEP ONE: Cut a 20" by 44" of white for the easy envelope pillow. Simply fold felt strip overlapping an extra 5" in the center. Sew down each edge and turn pillow. Smooth and flatten. (By making the pillow cover an inch smaller, you will have a nice plump pillow.)

STEP TWO: To make the trees. Simply fold a piece of felt a third over. Measure 2.5" over at bottom as shown. Draw a diagonal line to top. Cut. Repeat for all three trees. (If you cannot find the polka dot felt simply paint white dots or use small white buttons if you prefer.)

STEP THREE: Cut three 3" pieces of  ribbon for trunks and 4" pieces of buffalo plaid ribbon for  the pots. Fold under edges.

STEP FOUR: Place trees, trunks and posts in place. Begin with middle tree and glue in place. Add trunk before gluing bottom edge of tree. Glue pots in place. Glue pom poms to top of tree or omit pom poms if you have a kitten. One of my trees is missing a pom pom.  

Place the pillow form iinside and enjoy!

From today until January 31st you can get 20% off any Fairfield Products. Just use my special coupon code pillowpartyDQ. Hope you have enjoyed my contribution to the Fairfield World Pillow Party with my Holiday Tree Pillow! Check out all the pillows and enter by the RaffleCopter in the sidebar! 

Debra

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 08:00 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Friday, November 06 2020

It is time for Creative Crafts-Christmas Edition! We are sharing Holiday creativity with Sculpey!  A package arrived with three festive colours of Bake Clay and tools. My favourite thing to make always is stuffies. Say Hello to Holly Bear, my mini clay stuffie!

I have used clay a few times and love the feel as you roll it a little in the heat of your hands to warm up. The blocks are divided in sections. This enables you to break off equal pieces which a perfect for shaping same size legs, arms and ears. I basically created shapes as shown. The eyes are a very hard plastic. Baking temp is low so they were safe to use. Place pieces all together, wet slightly if needed when pressing together.

From the green roll a couple sections together to make a sweater. Trim to fit. Smaller pieces for cuffs. Roll out shapes from red to make hat and scarf, buttons. Use end of tool to make score marks and details.

Click on the link in the sidebar to be inspired with more Creative Holiday Crafts and GiveAway!

Keep Making & Celebrating!
Debra
IG@debraquartermain

Posted by: AT 12:35 am   |  Permalink   |  3 Comments  |  Email
Tuesday, November 03 2020

                                                       

Happy 80th Birthday Fairfield World! I am very excited to be one of eighty talented designers celebrating Fairfield World's birthday.  "Fairfield is a third generation, family-owned and operated American business dedicated to providing high quality and innovative fiber-processed products to the DIY, home decor and industrial trades." I designed this cute No Sew Felt Cow Stuffie named Snowflake using their super soft Poly-fil stuffing. 

I chose a No Sew project so that anyone can make a cute stuffie whether you sew or not 'cause everyone loves a stuffie. Let's get started!

You will need:
3 oz Poly-fIl from Fairfield World
9" x 12" craft cuts of Kunin Premiumfelt: 1 White, 1 Baby Pink, 1Black, 1 Lagoon 
6" of Ball Pom and Peapod Trim from ExpoInternational
Scribbles Black and White Paint from ilovetocreate
Fabri-tac from Beacon Adhesives
Wonderclips from Clover
1 Large Pom pom, Snowflake
Scissors, paper, printer, pins, pencil, blush.
Download Printable Pattern:

Print out pattern. Cut two body pieces, one snout from white, hooves and spot from black, sweater from lagoon. Cut a 1 1/2" by 8" scarf from pink. Fringe scarf ends. Cut a 6" along bottom by 5" triangle for hat. (You can add polka dots to felt with small white buttons, paint or pom poms if you do not find it at your local craft store.) I originally made this to be a a pocket to carry items but it is also a super cute stuffie!

                                                                   

Align and glue body pieces together along edges, referring to pattern piece for opening at top marked by dots. Glue on spot, snout and hooves. Blush cheeks. Use black scribbles to make eye dots, nose dots, leg line. Blush cheeks. TIP: Apply a thin line of glue close to edge in 2" increments pressing pieces firmly together. I use Clover's Wonderclips to hold felt pieces especially when stuffing. 

Stuff cow and glue head shut using clips to hold it. If any place on the seams opens up slightly, reglue and clip. 

Glue on sweater, embellish if desired. Glue white peapod to bottom of sweater, trim ends with scissors. Tie scarf in center. Glue to neck. Add pom pom trim to bottom of hat. fold and glue sides. Stuff slightly. Glue pom pom on top.

                                                           

Happy 80th Birthday Fairfield World! I have been using their products for forty years and am so very pleased to be part of their celebration! Follow them on IG @fairfieldworld to catch all of the creative projects! 

Create & Celebrate!
Debra

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 12:00 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email

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Debra Quartermain Design

 Magical Mimi to Grandlittles, I love to create, decorate & celebrate. Sharing  joy and inspiration from our 200 year old home, Quartermain House B&B on the east coast of Canada.

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