Dar-Lin Crafts

Paper crafting!

Dar-Lin Crafts are donating these two tea towels (handcrafted by Darlene) to be raffled off by the Thompson Recreation Department at the Maker Fair on May 6th (rain date May 7th). Stop by our booth at the Maker Fair and saw, "hello."

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

A little trinket basket - perfect for rings, keys, etc.

Rope Basket: 6"base, 10" across the top; and 3" deep

Looking forward to spring!

A greeting card sampler.

Have you noticed that our lives often encounters unexpected turns and/or opportunities? Of course you have!
I've begun a new adventure with my friend Darlene. We met just prior to Covid and learned that we have so much in common. We are both passionate about textile and paper crafting. Ultimately, it made sense that we partner in a little craft business that we are calling "Dar-Lin Crafts" which combines the first three letters of our given names. Dar-Lin Crafts will begin by selling at craft fairs and festivals in our area of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Dar-Lin Crafts expects to add an online shop for our products as soon as we can manage all of the logistics. Please stayed tuned for more information concerning our new adventure.

Time to get some cards made. Each of these feature the same set of cuttings dies, "Grove" by Stampin' Up!.

During our the last two years (2021-2022) the Covid -- I have completed sixteen quilts. This one goes out to the long-arm quilter today.

Have a safe Halloween!

Working on a baby quilt

Got this lap quilt back from the Long Arm quilter, Judy Bachand, this morning... Hoping that you can see the quilt pattern better on the back side of the quilt.

Online learning is perfect for these trouble times during the Covid19 pandemic. If you use or desire to learn more about Adobe Photoshop, may I suggest that you check out the daily challenges (Adobe tutorials) at https://www.behance.net/challenge/photoshop - simple, quick 30 minute videos. Today was "Double Exposure." I used two photographs that I'd taken, one of a hot air balloon and another of an aquarium and blended the two of them.

Working with some of my photographs and Photoshop

Finished this quilt that I designed and pieced. The long-arm quilting was done by Judy Bachand.

My stash of greeting cards is getting low. I really must make time to craft a lot more of them.

Using Photoshop and some of my photographs to make scrapbook pages.

Remembering our heros!

Going from "okay" to "wow"..... The original image was doctored in Photoshop to remove the beach signs. The resulting image was opened Smart Photo Editor Studio where I choose the "Artist - Water Color" effects gallery; and then choose the filter
"Photo-art at a click 028 by andrewb2012".

Small projects to use up some scraps

Lap quilt top has been completed! Now pondering about machine quilting myself or sending out to a long-arm.

Quilt blocks completed and are being auditioned. Think this is how the blocks will be placed.

One of my. happy places during this difficult time.

Here are a couple of pages I made using photographs that I took at Gibbs Gardens several years ago.

Need a change of pace, so today my plan is to working on scrapbook pages with my thousands of photographs. I love digital scrapbooking and am thankful for the expertise of several online digital scrapbook sites including https://digitalscrapper.com/ where I learned lots to techniques for creating pages

Digital Scrapper The Easiest Way to Learn Digital Scrapbooking. Guaranteed.

Mini Iris Wall Hanging

Stitched out this spring time bunny to add some brightness to the cellar door in our kitchen. The design was purchased from Embroidery Library.

Th luggage tags were cut out in early February before we were asked to stay at home and could no longer travel. Obviously, they won't be needed for sometime, but I had some time yesterday and decided to get some of them constructed.

Like many of you, my sewing machine has been purring away as I work on fabric face masks. I've sent a bunch to the local volunteer Fire and EMT. Need to find some fabric more suitable for men. ;-) I've run out of elastic, so I'm now making ties for the masks.

The Fiji Tote by Pink Beach Sand Designs made with cork as the main panel on the front and back.

This mesh and fabric beach bag was inspired by Terry from Fabric Junction in Sturgis, SD (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zcXuYEmXUE&t=181s). The front has a zippered pocket made from fabric.

I believe we are virus free, as we don't have outward symptoms. But to keep others safe when I went grocery shopping yesterday, I made a couple of face masks and wore one in the store.

In February, I constructed my first Necessary Clutch Wallet (pattern by Emmaline Bags). The wallet is substantial, even space for my EpiPen. The construction allows many options for variations of fabrics, hardware, and appearance. In this case, I substituted a magnetic snap for the turn lock (I didn't have a turn lock in my hardware stash), but more importantly, I think, I added a piece of RFID fabric to protect data on the credit cards - all twelve pockets. I'll make some changes to my next NCW such as adding a wristlet strap, using the suggested turn lock, and changing the opening flap to create more interest.

Sometimes we look closely at photographs we've taken and find they really don't translate very well. I took the first image in Camden, Maine, and found it to lack the beauty I remember in my mind. I wanted to give this dull picture more pizzaz. Ta Da.... Smart Photo Editor to the rescue! I applied a texture filter, "my world 002"
by andrewb2012 to my original file (see second image).

Free face mask patterns abound.... Why not share what you have found. I've found many, and will share here....
https://thestitchingscientist.com/2020/03/how-to-sew-a-face-mask.html
Of course, most do not provide total protection, but I'm thinking of wearing one the next time I go grocery shopping in. I don't have the virus (at least I don't think so), but the mask might protect others to some degree if I am carrying the virus.

How to sew a face mask | The Stitching Scientist Learn how to sew a face mask with this easy to follow tutorial. This face mask pattern is a must have for your for your family and friends during this time.

Three versions of an embroidered zipper pouch measuring about 6 1/2" side and 4 1/2" tall. Design by Embroidery Garden.

A "Devon Pouch" (pattern by Svetlana Sotak) about 7 1/2" wide and 5" tall. I'd rather not carry a purse at all, but I really need to be mindful to carry my Epipen (that is not an easy pocket carry for me), so this little two zipper pouch is a winner for me. I used vinyl/faux leather for the black exterior of the bag and covered the black & white fabric insert with clear vinyl.