Palette Purple Cards

Hello Friends,

Purple is the Palette color for September. It's hard to describe the magic of this group of fabrics, but stunning is a great start. There's just something about the varying shades of purple that makes these fabrics a joy to work with.

These petit collages are a great project for a beginner sewer. Start with one base fabric, then build on it with multiple pieces of fabric and paper. They could be mounted in a frame or used on card fronts as I have done. Either way, it's a win for anyone who loves purple—and who doesn't?

Isn't this stack of fabrics is just wonderful? I hated to take on the twill ribbon because I just liked looking at it!.

I made three cards but I only photographed the steps for one 

since they all use the same method for the base. 

I started by cutting a main fabric + a matching size of cotton batting. You can cut whatever size you want - it always depends on the card base you are using. I chose large Folio Folders, so my fabric and batting are 3 1/2 x 5". This size works well to give me enough of a border to add stamping.

I added a thin layer of Collage Medium to the batting just to keep the fabric in place while I stitch. I also added patches from other fabrics - these were cut from Purple Collage and Purple Tiny Print. These work well because there are three scales of prints a large, a medium and a small.

Next, go to the sewing machine and stitch around the edge as well as any other areas you wish (the Tiny Print patch will come later).

If you have a Scratch Tool you can use it to rough up the edges of the fabric and batting.

I stitched the patch with a giant X instead of going around the edges of the patch. Then I added a vintage button. As I have said before, I collect buttons that still have their thread in tact. These work perfect for projects like these because you can just glue them on.

I added a tinted Photobooth image (tinted with Distress Crayons), a Clippings Sticker and a butterfly from the Palette Ephemera Pack.

I decided to add some hand stitching to the Photobooth image using DMC Floss 3740. I used 2 of the 6 strands.

Again, all the little fabric collages go together that same way. Just bits here and there.

This collage used the Purple Botanical print along with Purple Collage, Wallpaper and Marble. These are Mini Paper Dolls (so very small) and the small wings are from the Transparent Wings pack.

The third Collage using Purple Flower Shop as the main print along with a bit of Purple Collage, Tiny Print, and Ephemera. I also added one stamp from Purple Stamps fabric. The ephemera is from Field Notes Snippets.

For the card bases, I used three large Folio Folders that I sprayed with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain (both inside and out).

I chose the background stamp set Tailored & Houndstooth (CMS258) because I thought the sewing/tailor lines of the stamp went with the idea of using fabric on cards.

Once the fronts of each Folio Folder was stamped, I went around the edges with a Gathered Twigs Distress Ink on a Blending Tool.

I used 1/2" Scor-tape to add the fabric collages to the Folio Folders.

Then added faux Dymo Tape to each tab as a sentiment.

Here are some close ups of each finished card.

These were easy to make and a great beginning sewing project. I like that I could make all three base backgrounds then work on adding the extras when all three were in front of me. Adding a little here and a little there until I got a good balance of paper and fabric.

Now carry on,

Paula