I don’t know about you, but it seems I’ve been seeing pennants everywhere lately!  I love the look and I’ve been using clusters of them in my cards lately, I’ve also seen lots of scrapbook layouts utilizing these long and skinny banners.  Well, today I have a quick video showing how you can lengthen the Die-namics Mix & Match Banners to create this fun effect.

What you’ll essentially want to do is cut just the leading edge of the shape with your Die-cutting machine, and then back the Die-namics die back out only partially cutting the shape.  You can see just what I mean in today’s Feature Friday Video.

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I love that you can use up your patterned paper scraps, mix and match and create a fun cluster on your card or scrapbook page.  Here I’ve combined it with the Just My Type Stamp Set and Die-namics. I’ve ordinarily used these pointing downwards, but for today’s layout, they worked best pointing up.

They work great for either masculine or feminine projects too. This project features the
Clearly Sentimental about Romance  (this month’s Triple Scoop) and the Jumbo Monarch Border Die-namics.

How about using your Mix & Match Banners to create fun scrapbooking accents?

I hope that this video is helpful to you, and more than that, I hope that you’ll
put your Die-namics Mix & Match Banners and your scrap bin to work and have fun!

Many of you have asked about a Sewing Tutorial here on Feature Friday.  Today I’ll be showing a few tips and tricks for working with a Janome Sew Mini.  This is the perfect machine for paper crafters. It is reasonably priced, and perfectly sized to easily fit onto your desktop.  I’ve seen it from time to time on Overstock.com, and I’ve just found it over on Amazon.com here and you can get it at Hancock Fabrics here.  Keep your eye out for sales and online coupons!

The Janome has a variety of stitches including shorter and longer stitches, both straight and zig zag.  You’ll a key to each of the the stitches right on the front of the machine and you’ll select which stitch you want to work with by turning the front wheel….

I’ve seen many of you saying in blog posts, or on Facebook, that you already HAVE a machine and haven’t put it to work just yet. Go ahead and take that baby out of its box and let’s play! Like any other technique it just takes a bit of practice!  Some advice for newbie paper sewers….

• Go slow, there’s no rush! Consider stitching on a patterned paper that you can follow along, maybe follow along a grid line, or on a set of polka dots.  Till you get used to it, this will help you to stitch straight.
• Check your stitch setting before starting. I can’t tell you how many times, I’ve been on the zig-zag stitch when I wanted to go straight, but then I was committed to zig-zagging!
• When making a turn, always stop stitching with the needle through the paper.  Then you can raise the presser foot and turn the paper while the needle is marking your place.  Then place the presser foot back down stitch away!
• When you’ve finished sewing, be sure to pull your loose ends back through the card stock and secure on the backside with tape. This will keep your card front neat and clean!
• Don’t try to stitch through too many layers at a time.  You can stitch an accent piece individually and then add it to your project with adhesive. It looks like it is sewn in place without forcing your machine to go through too many layers all at one time.
• Do not stitch directly over adhesive.  This will gum up your needle and damage your machine.  I use just a bit of adhesive in the center of my panels, then stitch around the edges.

Some ways to incorporate stitching into your projects include:

Selective Stitching – switch up your stitch selection, use a straight stitch on some elements, a zig zag on others.  Partially stitch only certain areas of your panel.

Switch where you stitch! Maybe inside the border instead of around the edge…

Pleating – zig zag fold paper scraps or ribbons and then stitch down the center for a fun pleated treatment

Add extra detail to your Die-namics dies….

Circular Stitching – this is a tricky move, sew very slowly to gently manipulate the turns.  Consider moving the needle up and down by turning the wheel on the side of the machine by hand, versus using the foot pedal to power the machine.

Just practice, practice and have fun.  I think you’ll decide that sewing adds just that extra touch and the more you do it, the better your stitching will look!  Let me know if you have any questions,  here to help!  And we look forward to seeing YOUR stitched projects!

A few weeks ago, as part of Feature Friday I shared a video on How to Tie a Loopy Bow.  I promised that I’d also share a quick and easy bow with similar results, called a Cheater’s Bow.  To tie a Cheater’s Bow you’ll use two lengths of ribbon.  One just a bit longer than your card front which you tape in place, and then you’ll tie a longer piece of ribbon around that to create the bow.  You’ll see just what I mean in today’s Feature Friday Video.  I’ll admit, this is how I first learned to tie a bow when I first got into stamping…

And, I’ve done a second video for you today too.  I often get questions from readers about the sizes of my cards, and it reminds me that while we have many customers that have been with us a long time, there are also new people taking up this amazing hobby each day.  So, I’m going to work on a series of Feature Friday Basics videos.  As always, if there are any topics you need help with, please let us know how to help with a comment on the blog, or a comment on the MFT Facebook Page, we’re here to help!

Today’s second video is going to share information about making a card base. This was a tricky one for me when I first started, I couldn’t visualize where to make the cuts and had a lot of waste.  I also didn’t know what products were going to work the best for me…  so here’s a quick video for any newbies out there!  Welcome! We’re glad to have you!