Thursday, February 11, 2010

TAG Line Designs Guest Post! {and giveaway!}

I'm so excited to welcome Tracy from TAG Line Designs today! She's got a great tutorial and a fabulous gift idea for you today! (stay tuned at the bottom too... she's got a sweet treat!) Take it away, Tracy!



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Are you looking for something new and creative to make for yourself or give as a gift? Here is a great and fairly simple answer. A photo tea towel.




I came up with this idea after running out of creative ways to give my parents pictures of my kids. Any event that came up whether it be Mother's Day, Christmas, my moms birthday, I got the same request from my mom. "Pictures of the kids would be nice." I have done everything from decorating a photo mat with the kids painted fingerprints in the shapes of caterpillars and ladybugs, to photobooks from Apple to just a simple framed picture.

Although this towel is made to be washed, trust me when I tell you that you will not want to wash it. The picture could fade over time and for it to look and hang nicely, you would have to iron it after washing. This is a decorative towel. Hang it from your oven, from your fridge, wherever...and tell the men in your life that it is off limits for drying hands...like the pretty ones in your bathroom. Poor guys!


Materials Needed:


Flour Sack Towel or Tea Towel (Bed Bath and Beyond carries these or you can make your own)
Heat N Bond Lite Fusible Interfacing (Joann's or most other fabric stores carry this)
Ink Jet Printable Fabric (Joann's or most other fabric stores carry this)
Printer (make sure that your ink is the printer brands ink, not refilled cartridges off of ebay)
Sewing Machine and Thread
Ribbon



~Let's Get Started~






Step One - Wash, dry and iron your tea towel unless it indicates that it is preshrunk. If that is the case, just iron it. You can still go ahead and wash it if you don't like the idea of it being brought home from the store.


Step Two - Print a 5 x 7 photo onto your Ink Jet Printable Fabric. I use the setting of photo printing on plain paper. The specific brand of printable fabric should list their specifics.


Step Three - Iron the photo to heat set it. Peel off the paper backing.


Step Four - Rinse under water. Get it completely saturated and even scrunch it just a bit.


Step Five - Blot it with a paper towel to get the bulk of the water out then iron it again until it is completely dry. This happens fairly quickly.





Step Six - Iron interfacing (cut just slightly larger than 5x7) to the back of the photo to cover the entire image.


Step Seven - Trim the edges of the picture so that you don't have any white showing. I usually cut a tiny bit into the photo.


Step Eight - Lay your towel flat. Fold your towel lengthwise, halfway to the middle once, then the other side to the middle. Then, fold in half as if you were going to hang it.


Step Nine - Set up a "mock" finished product by seeing exactly where you want the picture to be placed. You can lay the ribbon there as well to help you find a good place for your photo. You will be attaching ribbon to the full length of the towel, so don't cut it while you are doing your "mock up". It will have to be much longer.





Step Ten - Peel the interfacing paper backing off of your photo and iron it to the spot you chose on the towel.


Step Eleven - Open the towel up completely. Place the ribbon across the entire length of the towel above the photo and cut at the ends. Repeat with ribbon for below the photo.


Step Twelve - Using a lighter, seal the ends of the ribbon to keep them from fraying. Don't actually touch the flame to the ribbon, just hold it close enough so that it will melt it. You can also use Fray Check instead of a lighter. I just find it a lot easier to use the lighter so I don't have to wait for it to dry, etc.


Step Thirteen - Pin the ribbons in place to the towel.





Step Fourteen - Straight stitch around the entire ribbon. Bottom, side, top and last short side. Don't forget to backstitch. Trim edges.





Step Fifteen - With a zigzag stitch, stitch around the entire picture. Once all sides are stitched, backstitch and then trim your edges.



YOU DID IT!!




Please feel free to use this tutorial to create your own custom photo tea towel for personal use or as a gift for friends and family. Do not use this design for sale. If you stumbled on this tutorial and don't sew but would like one, please contact me through my Etsy shop to create your own custom towel. http://www.taglinedesigns.etsy.com Thanks!



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Thanks Tracy! I hope you try this out, what a great gift idea! I can't say enough good things about Tracy from TAG Line Designs! Besides being ridiculously creative, she has the sweetest soul you could ever meet! Check out her shop with all her goodies, and I promise you won't be disappointed!


Tracy is so sweet to offer up one of her personalized felt story boards (boy or girl) for a very lucky reader of The Ivy Twines! What an awesome deal!



To qualify: Just check out TAG Line Designs on Etsy and leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite item!

**Please leave a valid email address so we can contact you if you win!**


And if one entry is not nearly enough. . . (please leave a separate comment for each extra entry)




Earn one additional entry:




Earn two additional entries:

Earn TEN additional entries:





Good luck readers and happy shopping at TAG Line Designs!



Giveaway will end February 25th at 11:59 CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and contacted via email and have 48 hours to respond. Must be 18 to enter, US entries only. Many thanks to Tracy and TAG Line Designs for the great tutorial and hosting this fantastic giveaway!!


Bethany

84 comments:

  1. What a GREAT idea!! Thanks for posting! I like the TRAVELING TOTS FELT ART TOTE - Felt Ice Cream Cones for story board

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  2. I'm your blog follower!

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  3. I adore Tracy's stuff and tracy.. I have purchased from her in the past and i do love the felt books.... Great Idea...

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  4. The traveling art tote - alphabet is such a good idea!

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  5. I am a facebook fan of the ivy twines

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  6. I love the Make Your Own Pizza Set for story board

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  7. I favorited the Make Your Own Pizza Set for story board

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  8. I follow TAG Line Designs blog using Google Friend

    ReplyDelete
  9. I follow TAG Line Designs on Twitter (@jkgorcery)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I follow you on Twitter (@jkgorcery)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I tweeted: https://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/8992535718

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like the TRAVELING TOTS FELT ART TOTE - Felt Alphabet Letter Set for story board

    tee @ thatsitmommy dot com

    thanks for the cute giveaway!

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  13. Wow this is gorgeous I'm going to make some for Mothers days gifts for my Mum and MIL. I love your toddlers travel tote in your Etsy shop, so cute !!
    twiggy x

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  14. PS I'm now a follower for your inspiring blog :)
    Twiggy x

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  15. Awesome tutorial!! I think that the Customized Fabric Photo Bookmark - Use your own photo - Book Of Love is so pretty;)
    cyclona66(at)aol(dot)com

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  16. I really like the felt tote in the giveaway, but I also like the art tote in zebra and polka dot

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com
    http://weeshare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. your twitter follower- WeeShare

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com
    http://weeshare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. TAG blog follower

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com
    http://weeshare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. TAG twitter follower- WeeShare

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com
    http://weeshare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. TAG FB fan- Desiree Glaze

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com
    http://weeshare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. http://twitter.com/WeeShare/status/9118465115

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com
    http://weeshare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. marked the zebra and polka dot art tote as a favorite

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com
    http://weeshare.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Michael Miller Dig It Construction Digger Fabric - Orange White and Black

    ReplyDelete
  24. Follow TAG Line Designs on Twitter

    ReplyDelete
  25. I like the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE.
    itzacin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I added the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE to my favorites. :)
    itzacin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. traveling tots art tote in Black and White Wild Animal Zebra and Polka Dot Fabric with Hot Pink Trim!

    nina.williams15@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. marked the Black and White Wild Animal Zebra and Polka Dot Fabric with Hot Pink Trim traveling tote as a favorite item on etsy!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like the red, black and white cherries baby/toddler blanket

    ReplyDelete
  30. Following Tagline's blog!

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I like the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Michael Miller Summer Soiree Yellow and Gray Modern Fabric. So great!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the "Red, Black and White Cherries Baby / Toddler Blanket - White Chenille Backed - Large"--so pretty!
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I,too, LOVE the Red, Black and White Cherries Baby / Toddler Blanket - White Chenille Backed - Large. Looks comfy! I wish there were more options for the blankets though.

    lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I "favorited" an item at TAG Line Designs.

    lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I follow TAG Line Designs blog using Google Friend.

    lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm a fan of TAG Line Designs on Facebook.

    lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I follow The Ivy Twines (publicly) using Google Friend.

    lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm a fan of Ivy Twines on Facebook.

    lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love the TRAVELING TOTS FELT ART TOTE - STORY BOARD.
    BETH
    bethnaf at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love the traveling tots felt instead of talkin they will be chalking story tote! too cute!!!

    Ravish30 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. following your blog via google

    Ravish30 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. following you on twitter @Ravish30

    Ravish30 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. fanned your blog on facebook

    Ravish30 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I added the item to my favorites on Etsy :)

    Ravish30 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Following Tag Lines on twitter @Ravish30

    Ravish30 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  46. tweet- http://twitter.com/Ravish30/status/9358462063

    ravish30 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I like the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Amy Butler Midwest Modern Fabric with Pink Polka Dots

    lejn05@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Favorited an item at TAG Line Designs (momtoem)

    lejn05@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Follow TAG Line Designs blog using Google Friend

    lejn05@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Follow The Ivy Twines (publicly) using Google Friend

    lejn05@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Fan of Ivy Twines on Facebook (lena naef)

    lejn05@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Retro Rock Cherries Cherry Fabric - Girl

    ReplyDelete
  53. I love the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Black and White ....very cute!
    picnut1512@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I adore the Traveling Tots Art Toe, with the Michael Miller SUmmer Soiree Yellow and Gray Modern Fabric!

    Anna
    perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love the red, white and black blanket.

    ReplyDelete
  56. added red, black and white blanket to favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I like the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Disney CARS.
    tri

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love the traveling tots arts tote. They would be great for my granddaughters who spend a lot of time in the car!
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  59. I follow your blog
    Rhonda
    kermode@iowatelecom.net

    ReplyDelete
  60. My daughter would LOVE the traveling tot felt art tote!

    jellyndesigns at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I follow tagline on twitter (@JEDdesigns)

    jellyndesigns at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow Ivy on twitter @JEDdesigns

    jellyndesigns at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I follow Ivy on twitter @JEDdesigns

    jellyndesigns at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I already follow your blog Ivy

    jellyndesigns at yahoo dot come

    ReplyDelete
  65. awesome gift idea for mothers day!

    love the Customized Fabric Photo Bookmark - Use your own photo - Book of Love - too!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Follow The Ivy Twines on Twitter (@buffalogalssoap)

    ReplyDelete
  67. Following The Ivy Twines (publicly) using Google Friend

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'm loving the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE! We are doing a road trip soon and this would be perfect for my little guy!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. I love the TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Timeless Treasures Vintage Cars Multi Colored Hot Rods Fabric
    it would be great for my nephew who is always on the go! THanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I favorited TRAVELING TOTS ART TOTE - Instead Of Talkin', They'll Be Chalkin' - Timeless Treasures Vintage Cars Multi Colored Hot Rods Fabric
    on etsy! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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