When Life Gives You Scraps...

Make something! Another great way to use up some of your little scraps is to make art quilts, post cards, gift cards or ATC's. ( Artist Trading Cards)

There are books out on how to make fabric postcards. They can be mailed just like a regular postcard or in a clear envie. They do need to be hand cancelled though. It is pretty easy to make one. Here are a few basics. The size is usually around 4" x 5", measure a post card you already have or if using a clear envie make it to fit the envie. The back should be white, cream or muslin, easier to write on. The front mini art quilt whatever you like. A piece of thin batting in the middle and zigzag stitch the edges. Lightly quilt if desired.

To make a gift card is way easy. First you need a piece of card stock 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", fold card stock in half so the card is now 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". Make a small patch work to fit the card front. I have seen everything from small paper pieced works to a theme print boarded out. Them secure it to your card front, either sew it directly to the card with your machine or hand stitch it on.

An ATC is the size of a baseball card, a small art quilt, usually embellished, and has some batting in the middle. You can also frame them if you like. I have seen swaps where they have a theme, you create your ATC based on that, one for everyone in the group and the hostess trades them out. Some store them in baseball card binders or mini albums out for display.