A Touch of Grace

This post almost didn’t make it ladies.  When I design the purses, luggage and wallets, I start out with a rough sketch of what I want and create pattern pieces similar to that of sewing a garment.  As I continue with the design, I usually make adjustments and alter several of the pattern pieces.  Usually by the time I’ve finished the design, the first template has so many alterations, it’s unusable for a tutorial; hence the need to re-create the pattern pieces.  I sat down Friday night and began work on a new template for this post.

Saturday, I cut pieces to make three more wallets and took these photos as I went along.  I apologize for the quality of these shots.  I don’t have sufficient lighting in my stamping room and I don’t have enough room to create an area for photo shoots using artificial lighting.

By Saturday evening I had completed the wallets and uploaded the pictures on my laptop to begin the process of editing in Photoshop, placing my watermark on them, and resizing them.  Sunday, after church, I moved the pictures into my blog.  Once there, I realized they were too small to see the writing on the template so I deleted them and went back to Photoshop and started the process all over again sizing the pictures large enough to see the writing on the template.  I then moved the pictures back to my blog only to discover that about 25% of the picture had run off into the right margin and couldn’t be seen.  So Sunday evening, I deleted everything once again and went back to Photoshop to resize the photos so that they would be large enough to see the writing, but small enough to fit within the margins.  No matter what size I made the pictures, they would not work.  By 11:00 p.m. Sunday night, tired and frustrated, I concluded it just wasn’t meant to be.

I had a full schedule Monday and wasn’t able to do anything stamping related.  Last night after dinner, I decided to give it one more try and uploaded the photographs onto my main computer instead of my laptop.  Spending an hour and half in Photoshop, I tested each picture one at a time and was able to get the photos a size that is readable and will fit within the parameters of my margins.  Success at last!

In the spirit of sharing, please remember that all content (including text, images, photographs, and designs) is copyright © Jerri Kay Jimenez.  My artwork is shared for your personal inspiration only and may not be copied for publication, contest entry, or personal financial gain.  Thank you.

It’s not necessary to know how to sew to make this wallet, but if you have sewing experience, you will find this project much easier.

There are ten pieces to the wallet template. This picture gives the measurements and shows what the wallet should look like when sewn together.  The front of the wallet consists of three pieces which can be seen three pictures below.  All drawn lines are stitching lines.

This picture shows the measurements for the inside insert and the lining. Drawn lines are stitching lines.

These pieces are for the inside of the wallet, measurements are written on each piece.  Drawn lines are stitching lines.

These are the three pieces for the front of the wallet.

This picture shows the pieces of the inside insert, lining and pieces to be sewn together.

Using your JustRite rectangular stamper, spell out “Genuine Leather” with the small letters (see photo below).  Using a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, center the words on one of the tan leather pieces measuring 4 1/2″ x 3″ using Stampin’ Up! Chocolate Chip Craft ink (die inks will not work on this paper).  Then stamp the name of the individual on the tan paper measuring 4 1/2″ x 2 (see picture above with pattern pieces).  Helpful Hint:  Heat set the craft ink being very careful not to burn the paper.

Helpful hint:  Leave your letters on this storage case for easy storing.  I mist the letters with water when I’m finished, using a toothbrush I gently clean them.  I use a tissue to absorb the “dirty” water and then place the letters back onto the black storage case they came in.

Place the three front pieces on grid paper, adhering the tan piece on the wrong side of the crocodile paper (here’s where sewing experience comes in, right side to wrong side, adhere with right side of the tan leather paper to the wrong side of the crocodile paper).  Your finished measurements will be 3 1/2″ x 9 3/4″.

Stitch around all edges of the pattern pieces as shown above.  For the piece with the name on it, sew across the tops of all three pieces, then stack them together and sew around all edges.  DO NOT sew around the edges first and then across the tops or you will not be able to use the slots to insert gift cards.

Take the lining piece (crocodile paper) and adhere it to the top of the wrong side of the front of the wallet.  This is needed to cover the top of the back of the paper.  The rest will be hidden once the pattern pieces are adhered on.

Fold the crocodile flap over the piece that says “Genuine Leather” and adhere on the back side.  On the back side of the pieces, place double sided tape on three sides (the sides and bottom).

Adhere the brown leather insert to the wrong side of the wallet front, leaving 1/16″ of an inch on the ends.

Now adhere the last two pieces to the brown leather insert, placing the piece with the crocodile flag on the left and placing the personalized piece on the right.  All of the pieces are functional, you can place dollar bills between the wallet front and the tan leather insert, and gift cards in the three slots on the right side.

Fold the wallet together forming the crease line.

Inspiration for the wallet came from one I saw at Steinmart.  I was shopping for my son’s birthday and came across a wallet that I liked.  My son didn’t need a wallet, but I really liked this wallet.  A lightbulb went off in my head.  I opened it up and looked at the inside and thought, gee, I think I can do this, the wallet was just a plain old cowhide leather wallet.  When I got home, I went upstairs and went through my stash of designer papers and found the tan leather paper, then I came across the crocodile paper and decided to use both in the design.  I sat down and started drawing out rectangles and created the template.  It took a couple of hours to make the template and to get it all to fit together. It was a hit with my son and husband.

But I like it!

Hi everyone, today is Friday and Friday over at Sharon Johnson’s blog, notimetostamp, is challenge day.  When I saw Sharon’s challenge today, ssnotime75, I thought this new paper I picked up at Michael’s a few days ago would be perfect.  The challenge is to use black ink only.  What!!!!  No water colors, no brush, can I do this?  Well I decided to give it a try and while this is so not my style, I’m happy with the card.  I would have preferred to use a red silk flower, but this is all I had in my stash.  You can’t tell from the picture, but the flowers on the background paper are black felt.  All that gorgeous texture is lost in the photograph.  I used May Arts black shear ribbon.  That really is a pretty bow, but because of the sheerness, it’s not showing up well in the picture.  Lesson learned, next time I’ll use grosgrain or twill.

The background panel was made with the large scallop Nestie and placed on dimensionals, the dimension is lost on the black paper in the photograph.  I really, really need to learn how to photograph my cards so that the dimension shows up in pictures.  I used a Spellbinders leaf die for the leaves.  The tag was made using SU’s window punch.  The sentiment is a stamp from A Muse.  To comply with the challenge, I used basic black ink from Stampin’ Up!   The butterfly was punch from a Martha Stewart punch and adhered to the tag.  I adhered black Kaiser pearls on the flower and the butterfly.  Super easy, fast quick card! The Nesties, Kaiser pearls, Zip Dry adhesive, and ribbon can be purchased at Joan’s Gardens.

This is the inside of the card.  I simply cut two strips of paper to 1/8″ and adhered using Zip Dry adhesive.  I then adhered the flower and leaves to punch up the inside a bit.

• Stamps:  A Muse
• Paper:  Black Black, DCWV DP
• Ink:  Basic Black
• Accessories:  Nesties, Prima Flowers, Martha Stewart Punches, Kaiser Pearls, May Arts black sheer ribbon, Scor It, Zip Dry, SU window punch

I just wanted to check in and say thank you for all the wonderful comments on the wallet I designed.  I’ve had a few commitments pop up that I’ve had to take care of.  I hope to post a template and directions for the wallet within a day or two.  My Dad’s birthday is coming up on the 19th so that’s incentive for me to get busy and make a couple more.

I don’t have anything new to share today, but I would like to share with you a design I did last year when Flourishes debuted this gorgeous iris illustrated by Marcella Hawley.  I think it’s still my absolute favorite Flourishes stamp.

Thank you for stopping by, I wish you all a blessed day!

I know I sure do!  I dread when I have to design a card for the male gender .  .  . LOL.  Well the beginning of the year is definitely male birthday season in my family.  My husband and brother’s birthdays are in January; my son, nephew, and dad’s birthdays are in February.  Well, I totally blew it with my husband and brother in January.  I was so busy getting ready for CHA I gave them BOTH store bought cards.  BIG MISTAKE!!!

My husband was very put out that I didn’t make a card for him and while I was at CHA, I received an e-mail from my brother stating that he couldn’t believe that his sister, who is a card designer, would deem it appropriate to send him a “store bought” card for his birthday.  He then told me how much he looked forward to his birthday card . . . you know . . . really laying the “guilt” trip on me.  And, it worked!

So once I finished up a couple of commitments I set about designing a card that I hoped would make everyone happy.  I made four of the design and now realize I need to make two more.  It was a hit!  My husband and son both loved the card.

I designed a wallet card using designer papers from Hot Off The Press.  I first made the design on regular xerox paper to get the template and then once I had the template, I set about cutting the paper.  At $1.99 per 8 1/2 x 11 sheet this paper doesn’t come cheap, but I think the end result was worth the expense.  When I handed the card to my husband to sign for Daniel, he said, “You got Daniel a wallet for his birthday?  I thought we were getting him gym shoes?”  I told him the wallet was the card, it was paper.  He couldn’t believe it, he turned it over and over in his hands looking at it.  I knew then it was a hit and later that evening, after Daniel’s birthday, I gave my hubby his card.  I’ll be sending one to my brother and one to a friend as a thank you.

The wallet opened from the back side.

The inside of the wallet.

A group shot of all four wallets.

A view of the inside of another wallet that hasn’t been written on.

A visual of the Just Rite stamper and font set that I used for the lettering on the inside of the wallets.

I strongly recommend that everyone who stamps should have at least a few on the JustRite products in their arsenal of stamps, and more if you’re like me and have to have it all . . . LOL!  They really are a must have!  I used the Harmony Rectangular Stamp Set together with the Small Letter Set to spell out the words “Genuine Leather” on the left side of the wallet and the names of the recipients on the right side of the wallet.  I love having the ability to spell out anything I want on the rectangular blocks, in any size or font that’s available at JustRite.  There are so many to choose from, and I have to admit I have several of the font sets.  I love having so many choices with the different font sets that are available for different occasions.  The thing I love most about the JustRite products is that once you begin to collect the various sets and fonts, they all work together, they’re interchangeable, and as more designs become available, you can make additional purchases either as kits or by individual items, to suit your needs that will coordinate with what you already have.  I was tickled pink when Violettes chose several of the JustRite products at CHA to carry in their store, more toys for me to play with.

Thank you so much for stopping by, I appreciate your comments, they keep me inspired.

• Stamps:  JustRite Harmony Rectangular Stamp Set; Just Rite Small Letter Set
• Paper:  Hot Off The Press
• Ink:  Stampin’ Up! Chocolate Chip Craft Ink
• Accessories:  Scor It (available at Joan’s Gardens); sewing machine, doubled sided strong adhesive (red tape); Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

This is just a quick post to show you the photograph I took this morning of the complete Chintz Tea ensemble.  I hesitated  posting the picture as I don’t want to bore everyone with yet another picture of the set. 

The reason I chose to post a design each day was because I thought that if you wanted to make the ensemble, you would have an individual photograph with detail to look at in close detail.  In retrospect, I think I won’t do that again, I know I’m bored with it . . . LOL.  When I post future ensembles, I’ll post all the pictures in one post and just let it be one long post . . . LOL!!! 

The ensemble is so pretty on a table, but it doesn’t show well in a group photograph because the pieces appear so small.

All details are listed on each individual post.

This is the last piece in the Afternoon Tea series.  I was out in appointments most of the day and wasn’t able to get a picture of the entire ensemble.  We’re headed out of town for the weekend, I’ll try to get the picture on Sunday when I return and get it posted. 

Yesterday was my youngest son’s 16th birthday.  It’s hard to believe my baby is 16 years old.  I made a card for him and hope to get a picture of it before we leave.  I struggle with masculine cards, they are so difficult for me.  This one passed my hubby’s inspection and my son liked it.  If you struggle as I do with masculine cards and are looking for inspiration, stop by tomorrow and take a peek at the card I made.  If there’s enough interest, I’ll create a template and post it.  When I return, I plan on working on the template for the tulip purse and the monogrammed purse I featured last week and hopefully get those posted within the week.

• Paper:  Prism Cobalt Blue, Canson water color 140 lbs. coldpressed
• Ink:  Versamark
• Accessories:  Heating tool, Ranger Gold/Gold Tinsel EP, Fiskars corner punch, water color brush, Tombow markers, Wizard, Nestibilities, Kaiser Pearls, dimensionals, Glue Glider (Nesties, Kaiser Pearls, Glue Glider from Joan’s Gardens)

Remembering a gorgeous design that Becca  had made last September with a beautiful Flourishes stamp, I contacted her and told her I had an idea I wanted to run with and asked if she would mind if I “borrowed” one of her designs and ran with it.  Well bless her sweet heart, Becca was very gracious and said, “run with it girl”.  Here’s the ensemble Becca designed that was the inspiration for my design below. 

I used a chintz background stamp that I used on the chintz purse I posted earlier.  I stamped a smaller image for the little spray on the oval.  I used my Nesties petite ovals, long rectangles, and long scalloped rectangles to cut and emboss the paper.  The verse is from Verve clear stamps.  I used the Nesties Labels to cut the vellum for the verse.  An SU punch was used to cut the slit at the bottom of the rectangle.   I attached gold cord and added pearls to the ends.

Well, what’s an afternoon tea without a pair of elegant gloves!  I painted this set using blue tones and adhered Swarovski Saphire crystals across the top for a lovely pair of jeweled gloves.

We had such beautiful sunlight today.  I took another picture of my favorite piece and just had to squeeze it in again.  The image is a little clearer, with much better lighting.  The center of the heart shimmers with the Pearl Ex and Gum Arabic mixture that I painted on.  The tiny Kaiser pearls show up much better in this photo, as well as the gold on the outer edges.  This is a super simple image to paint, it took me all of about 15 minutes.  The cutting took a little longer .  .  . LOL.  I have a few more hearts that I can’t wait to get painted to show you with different types of flowers.  One has a gorgeous magnolia on it that is absolutely fabulous and beautiful to paint using a different technique to get a more “thick and fuzzy” texture.  The Nestibilities, Kaiser Pearls, Zip Dry, and Glue Glider are from Joan’s Gardens.

• Stamps:   Verve
• Paper:  Prism Cobalt Blue, Canson 140 lbs. cold pressed water color paper, vellum cardstock
• Ink:  Versamark
• Accessories:  Heating tool, Ranger Gold/Gold Tinsel EP, Tombow markers, water color brush, Kaiser Pearls, Wizard, Nestibilities, Taffeta ribbon, Dimensionals, Krylon gold pen, deckle scissors, gold tassel, magenta flowers, gold cord, pearls, Swarovski saphire crystals, Glue Glider, Zip Dry Adhesive, SU slit punch

Yesterday I began an Afternoon Tea ensemble that I designed for CHA.  Today’s featured piece is a gift for the guest.  I think this is my favorite piece of the entire ensemble. 

I stamped the image on water color paper using Versamark and embossed it with Ranger Gold/Gold Tinsel embossing powders.  The image was water colored with Tombow markers, I painted the inner portion of the heart with a mixture of Pearl Ex and Gum Arabic.  Once the painting was dry I used a kraft knife to cut around the edges.  Deckle scissors were used to cut a heart out of Cobalt Blue Prism paper.   I placed the image on top of the blue heart using SU Dimensionals.  Using a hole punch, I punched a small hole in the upper portion of the heart and attached Ivory taffeta ribbon.  The ribbon is long enough to tie the heart onto a doorknob or a chair post.  I attached a gold tassel at the bottom of the heart, together with a bow and fuchsia rosettes.  Tiny Kaiser pearls were used intermittently on the inner portion of the heart and can be purchased at Joan’s Garden’s.  At the end of the tea, the gift is given to the guest to take home.

This ensemble would be very beautiful for a wedding as well.  I would tone down the hues and use pastels for the background papers, using the brides colors.

• Paper:  Canson 140 lbs. cold pressed water color paper, Prism Cobalt Blue
• Ink:  Versamark
•  Accessories:  Heating tool, Ranger Gold/Gold Tinsel embossing powders, paint brush, Tombow markers, Pearl Ex, Gum Arabic, Kaiser Pearls, Ivory Taffeta Ribbon, Gold Tassel, SU Dimensionals, kraft knife, cutting board, Fiskars deckle scissors, Gold Krylon pen, hole punch