Fabric & fibre Postcards: Day 45

No hints,tips or suggestions today,but some eye candy from Gunnel in Sweden,
Jo in N.S.W.,and
Judith in the UK !

These three cards arrived today and each has a different them and treatment:

Gunnel's card appears to me to be a type of confetti of threads fibres behind a type of crystal Organza which has an overpainting in places with a metallic or pearlescent paint;She has then embroidered two skeleton leaves and added seed beads and random stitching in aqua and lemon.

Next comes a Carnival Mask from JoS in NSW.We were Swap partners in a Carnival themed postcard swap....well,I sent her one,and was happily surprised to receive this in return!
Jo has appliqued a mask and embellished around it with eyelash yarn and gold thread;and I like to think those are firework exploding in the background!
But oh....check out the neat binding and it's mitred corners!

Last but not least,a Crysatl Ball swap through Fibre Art Traders (lovingly referred to as FAT!!)

Judith in the UK sent me this "ball" containing a Cathedral by night and bats and stars in a "shaker" like a snow storm ball.
The ball itself seems to be floating on a wave.....see the Light house? and a gull hovers nearby.
Judith's prediction of seeing many PCs coming my way,was certainly true today!

Thank-you Gunnel,Jo and Judith,I love them all!

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 44

Window Template :
A tool I use regularly with my Crazy Quilting is a "window template"
or viewing tool.
In the case of fabric postcards the template window measures 6 by 4 inches and is cut from a piece of matt board.
(I normally use black card for this but as its gone walkabout at the moment ,the grey will do to illustrate its purpose!

Initially make your postcard / fabric block larger than required....e.g 5 by 7 inches instead of your finished 6x4 size.
Having made your 5x7 fabirc postcard,place your template over it to decide where is the best area of the design.

Hint: If you use an A4 sized cardstock,you will be able to to make two template windows by first cutting the stock in half and cutting the 6x4 window in the centre of the resulting 5 and a half by 8 and a half inch pieces. 

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 43

Bird's nest:
About two years ago ,at one of our weekly SnB sessions Shasa introduced me to birds' nests---Using a bowl to save the snippings and off-cuts of thread,particularly when doing hand worked stitcheries, and in her case,utilising those snippets when only a very short length of thread is required.
What has this got to do with fabric postcards you ask?
Well,why not use those threads offcuts to create a different background for a PC?
Lay them on a piece of homespun,whatever lay the threads in a light mesh and randomly FME or stipple quilt over them to hold in position;
or layer fine tulle over the threads to stabilise them.
You can go multicoloured,or get artistically picky and stick to shades of one colour.

Another friend,LynH scurries around during our workshops,"liberating" tiny scraps of fabric that have a heat fusible backing:
these she uses as required when she wants a confetti effect,instead of needing to mutilate good fabric for the purpose!

Now those of you with younger children underfoot...there's a fun chore for them: picking up and saving "treasures for Mum" and helping tidy up without realising!

My head is spinning......

Link

Over the complimentary things Linda of I love craft and craftblogs wrote of this blog and my Kurliskottage blog.
I'd read what Linda had blogged about 'our Julia' but never dreamed I'd get similar treatment.
I don't desreve it,but I'll gratefully accept it,thank you Linda! :-)
And do go and visit her blog and sites....you'll pick up all sorts of cool crafty tips and links.

And my friend belle's great Jester card is featured too!

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 42

Link


Paper piecing
Have you thought of using paper foundation piecing for constructing your postcard?
I haven't mentioned it before because I have not mastered it myself.
But talking of swapping postcards with Katie of thenkp.blogspot.com and the draft of a sunset she sent me, made me think "Why not?"

So please,if you have any tips to share please do!

Some things I do know about paper foundation piecing are
1.. to use a very small stitch length
2..Trace or photocopy your pattern,and then using a threadless machine stitch along the lines.
3..Follow the number sequence on the pattern and start with piece #1 wrong side up on your cutting board;then place your pattern (facing upwards)over the #1 fabric piece.
Centre pattern over fabric with a generous seam allowance all round.
Although you can use small pieces and not worry about grain,use a piece that is at least 3/4 inch larger all round than is required.
The rest is a flip and sew and trim method..........
right!
The external Link should explain far more clearly than me........go to it!

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 41

 
 
 

Only today's post refers to ATCs (Artists' Trading cards for the uninitiated) rather than Postcards
(PCs are 6x 4 inches dimension----ATCs are 2.5 by 3.5 inches.)

Back about August 9 on one of my other blogs CQCRAZY (http://cqcrazy.blogspot.com/)
I showed my first ATC made with a (Japanese) Haiku theme/interpretation.
Today's mail delivered four ATCs to me as the result of a Swap hosted by DianaB of Australia_NZ_Artquilters group.
Each card came from a different fabric and fibre artist,and interpreted a Haiku chosen by each person...........it has given me a wonderful insight into how other interpret and translate another's "thoughts" into fabric and fibre.

The four lower (orange) cards were my efforts for the Swap:
I used the same Obi fabric in the four cards,and chose to interpret two Haiku.
Because in 'things Japanese'I believe that 'less is more'I tried to remain minimalistic in my interpretation. 

Yesterday' s post correction

http://www.quiltartlugano.ch/en/docum.html


Once again my apologies for confusing you all;
You may have guessed that I'm radically "Link/HTML challenged;
For some reason my external links work by clicking on the blog of the day title!!

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 40

Link


I found an item of interest over on Cramzy's blog concerning an upcoming event in Lugano,Switzerland in June 1-3,2007.
Apart from it being the first Quilt festival in Switzerland,they are hoping for postcards to be donated for fundraising for "Vivere come prima" Society ('Living as before') a Swiss society for women after breast cancer.

Sign your card on the back with a pigma pen,showing your name,city and country;
The title and date of your postcard
Put your card(s) in envelope and address to:

Bea Bernasconi
Via Navree 5, CH-6964
Davesco-Soragno (for names A-L) email for info: beabernasconi@bluewin.ch

for names M-Z, send to:
Marlis Egger,
Via Nava 16 C,
CH- 6963 Pregassona

email: marlisegger@ticino.com

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 40

Link


Recycling !!
What about recycling the labels you cut off your clothing?
The colours and company names can make for an interesting "collection" for a fashionista friend.

Then again,those garment/fabric care labels removed from clothing and manchester could be used in a similar fashion.

Carnival mask

 

This gold carnival mask arrived from LindaM in Western Australia today.

Like Belle's Jester,I think Linda's card took a vacation to enjoy the Spring wildflowers on the way here!

It is a gold mask with handle like a lorgnette on a black background and metallic fibres form a colourful frame.
Over all is a layer of fine tulle keeping the fibres in position.

Simply elegant.
Thank you Linda! 

Fabric 'n fibre postcards: Day 39

Because my brain is still in meltdown after seeing those 100 artworks at Gallery 159 yesterday,today's message is brief:

Bobbin thread:
I use a cone of clear 100% Nylon or "Wonder Invisible thread" made by YLI Corp. in my bobbin.
As I stitch on the design side before sandwiching my card layers,the bobbin thread doesn't show through.
I also have (Janone) bobbinfil in white and black,but find the clear to my preference.
And when I satin stitch the edges,no contrary colours appear.

Fabric postcards: Day 38

 

NO Postcards today, but these eye candies instead!
Slightly larger than postcards,these beauties are in a 12 inch square format.

Today I visited "Up Over and Down Under". an international textile art Exhibition.
It is a collaborative exhibition of 100 artworks by the "Australian Textile Arts & Surface Design Association" and the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh,USA.

I was blown away by the varied forms of textile art........the exhibition was excellent.
As today was the last day for the Brisbane showing,I urge anyone who can manage it,to visit when it opens in the Orange Regional Gallery Orange NSW between October 20 and Nov 19.

The six works depicted here are by Kay Haerland Margaret Bullock
Marj Long Leslie & Tanya Calhoun
Sharyn Hall , Gloria Allport

(At least that is what my notes said!)
I have to wait a while before I can get a colour catalogue mailed to me...

The exhibition covered a most diverse field of textile art:
From silk fusion,mulberry paper,felted vessels;beading; Gesso stiffened manipulated muslin;weaving ....the list goes on!

It is so difficult to decide on a favourite:Dewi Wong's "night out on the Town" with bobbin lace,copper wire,silk,cotton and metallic thread is one:

Another would have to be
silk screen image and poem hand stitched machine digitsed.and Etching on Perspex;

Gloria Muddle's "Fanfare" with fabric,lace,handmade paper,metallic fibres,beads and jewellery findings was a Mandala of Celebration I'd dearly like to emulate.
I could go on and on,but.......
three cats and one husband are proclaiming how hungry they are! 

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 37

 
 
After reading my daily dose of inaminuteago this morning,I realised how little beading I've incorporated into the cards I've made.

I wonder if this is because the themes and numbers needing to be made within a certain timeframe are causing me to drift away from my love of hand work and CQ.

The two cards featured today have a little beading,but none of the bead trails I normally like to add to my CQ blocks.

The white card,based on a Haiku has only a few small Swarovski crystals to represent hail stones.

The black and gold card by MarianneB of Postmark'dArt has tiny gold Delica to tie in with the gold stitchery and pictograms.

Some points to consider as you add beading to postcards is the "threat of the postal (bead) munching machinery"!
"But",you say "I've had my postcard hand cancelled"
That's well and good,but,trust me,at some stage your precious card will be subjected to some amount of machinery processing,so.............

add an extra stitch or two,to firmly anchor the beads;
don't make your bead trails too chunky or clunky;
REMEMBER to keep the thickness of the card to one quarter of an inch;
and consider adding a layer of fine (bridal) tulle as an added protection for the beads.

Seed beads,Delica beads and plain and twisted bugle beads in the shorter lengths(size 2 & 3) seem to travel well.

Go have some beading fun. 

kurliskottage: Wacky women & pincushions

kurliskottage: Wacky women & pincushions

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 36

Link

I KNEW I should have blogged before spending another four hours attacking the garden!
(All I want now is a hot relaxing bath to ease some aches)
So this will be brief!
Photographs and photo printing.

Yes,I did mention it on both Day 4,with VivianK's "Golden Ears Mountain" and
Day 10,with my "fractured landscape"
but what about printing and using one of your favourite photos..........like you as a kid,or your Mother (or who ever?)

I generally print on white/off white homespun that I have previously washed to remove sizing,and then dunked in BubbleJet Set liquid(Available from Ozecraft Lace & Dye) or if I have no BJS,I use a fabric conditioner,(much cheaper too!)

If I'm using the cotton homespun,I've found that if I iron the fabric to heat fusible paper-backed webbing the photo is then ready to trim and apply to Timtex/whatever immediately and saves an extra 'handling' of the fabric.
Don't forget to heat set (ironing) the photo after the inks have dried.

note; This method (i.e. using heat fusible on paper backing) does not work with silk!

You really need to use a fabric carrier sheet if you are attempting to print on a fine silk fabric........I learned this the hard way!!

Apologies,but I have no pic to share with you at the moment.

and in a jesting mood........

 

I just had to share this cheery fellow with you!
This came from my friend Belle:
(remember back some months ago the postcard of the Goddess? hers too)
I received this happy chappie in a Carnival themed postcard swap a couple of days ago.
Belle's work is fantastic........and I really treasure her cards.Wouldn't you! 

Fabric Postcards: Day 35

 

Sometimes a girl's just got to have fun!
And this card was the result of frustration over a journal quilt that was not behaving.
Needing idiot relief, I 'dug' in my cat stash where I had five or six related fabrics begging to be used,and just appliqued triangular shapes to the back ground.
I had fun;
it reduced frustration levels so much that I refer to the several cards I made as my 'cat-a tonics'.

It was fun and fast!

(I promise to be more serious tomorrow.) 

Day 34: Fabric 'n fibre postcards

 

Okay,I'm sneaking in a bit early, but tomorrow may be hectic so I'm doing the post "early" in case Life gets in the way.

Back on day 30 I blogged a couple of attempts at "crystal balls" in preparation for a swap on Fiber Arts Traders,a Yahoo group I mentioned before.

I was happy with the resultant 'balls',but wondered why I had added such clunky,clumsy bases!

The solution?
Why ,frog-stitch the bases, and add smaller better balanced looking ones of course!
Hmmm........surgically removing heat fused fabric ,factor in that you have purple or orange on a rather light background,and the task is not easy.

To cut a long story.......the "clunks" were excised,and smaller bases added;

Then,on the card that was "I see Australian mail"
I added some fabric envelopes;
On the card that was "I see a cat in your future"
I added a cat face.

Oh I used Australian stamps in both the balls; and on the whole, I'm glad that I did a little corrective surgery. 

Fabric n Fibre postcards: Day 33

Everthing is coming up daisies, originally uploaded by curli.

"Everything's coming up daisies"

A fun card made for a gardening friend;Using an off-cut of upholstery
fabric some flower motifs and a picket fence I found in a quilt shop.
A little machine work was done for stems and a knitting yarn was introduced as a creeper behind the fence.

Queen of the carnival!

  

Close-up

  

Fabric n fibre Postcards: Day 32

 
Now that I know they've made it through the postal system,meet two of my Carnival themed postcards!

They look familiar? You're right!
Back on September 5, I introduced you to my
"Masked Reveller" which was a journal quilt for the Australian New Zealand Art Quilters group.

Both the cards and the quilt were made using heat fusible webbing for the applique; Both the cards have metallic fibres and Angelina held in position with an overlay of tulle,and both cards feature a chunky "gem" above the mask.
I had great fun making these.....should have made a couple more. 

Another peek at my crystal ball

  

I forgot to add to the posting below.....the crystal ball works as a "shaker".
Shake the card and the stars move around.
I must get some glitter and try that out.

I added this extra photo to show the hands....the colour is more realistic in the previous shot.

Fabric and fibre postcards: Day 31

 

I had hoped to show my attempts at Stitch-and-Fuse Binding
but I spent too long improving my crystal balls.
This time I heat fused the fibres and cut them to a circular shape,which I then placed behind the clear plastic with a sprinkling of star shpes between the two layers.
I also appliqued a better shaped base for the ball.
On either side of the ball I've stitched hand outlines holding the ball.

Now,if you'd like to try the stitch n fuse binding......
You'll need one strip of your binding fabric measuring 1x13inches and
another strip of 1 x 10 inches,.

You'll also need paper backed heat fusible webbing cut to one strip of 1/2 inch by 13 inches
and another being 1/2inch by 10inches.

The webbing is fused on the wrong side of the fabric and along one edge.
The two resulting strips are then cut in half.
With the right(picture) side of card facing you,centre the non fused side of the fabric along the long edge and stitch a quarter inch from the edge.Remove paper from webbing and fold strip over to reverse of card,pulling it firmly to position.Press to fuse.
Repeat for other long side and trim binding to 6 inches.
Repeat similarly for the shorter sides.

For myself,I think satin stitched edges are quicker!
Try it and see what you think!. 

Fabric 'n fibre Postcards: Day 30

 

My first crystal ball!
"I see a cat in your future..................."

Initially,I was not going to participate in the Crystal ball swap over on FiberArtsTraders,
but after seeing some of the 'balls' the members had made,like Helen on Quilts & ATCs I decided to give it a go.
The crystal ball was cut from the plastic sleeve of a display book,which was imposed over a layer of Angelina,some loose sequins and a cat stamp.
The ball stand is just a quilters cotton the tones with the colour on the stamp.
I have yet to 'tidy' the card edges. 

1001 Journals

 

Back early this year I joined a yahoo group known as 1001 Journals;
Sadly I fell along the wayside and have not fulfilled my committment to the group...maybe there's still a chance to redeem myself!

Anyway,this artwork arrived in today's mail from Susan L in Germany.
Measuring about seven inches long and three inches at the hips,I'm not sure whether the queen of hearts is c[referred to as a doll,a journal or 'just' artwork.
Whatever label she's given,I'm appreciative of Susan's kindness. 

Fabric 'n fibre Postcards: Day 29

 

I'm beginning to think that I should have labelled this series of blog entries:
What the postie brought!
rather than 50 days of postcards

Today I finally received, via Linda in Texas ,a copy of Franki Kohler's book

"fast fun & easy FABRIC POSTCARDS" which was released in the USA by C&T publishing about mid May this year, it's been well worth the wait!

Forty eight pages of easy to understand suggestions with clear diagrams and photos,the book includes how -tos for Angelina fibre,printing on fabric;photo printing;collage;embroidery.
Must go try some out!

ps. The book is available in Australia...it's advertised in a current mail order catalogue at $34.95,which I think is a bit "steep" for only 48 pages in a soft cover. 

Fabric 'n fibre Postcards: Day 28

 

Yesterday's mail brought this from Darlenein NH.
I received it in a swap organised by FiberArtsPostCards

The card has a motif stencilled with an opaque fabric paint and highlighted with silver quilting to emphasize it's shape.
It's the first card I've received that has the fabric which has been used for the body of the card also used as an edging.

On the reverse side of the card is printeda Geisha type lady 

CQ Crazy: Hope's fairy garden

CQ Crazy: Hope's fairy garden

A close up

 

I thought I'd add a close-up view of the button and bead trail:
Okay! the beads are plastic,but I've tried to use tonings to blend with the rest of the block,and not be too "in your face".
Hope can always remove them if she's not happy.
On some of the buttons I've stitched Delica beads as flower centres to (partly) hide the button holes.. 

Fabric 'n fibre postcards: Day 27

 
This little beauty arrived today from my friend Margaret!

The theme of the swap was "Me" or more specifically:
When "I" meets "me"

There are two parts to the card: One is Margaret's description of herself as a housewife,and the other displays a glamourous lady ( "Me in the land of dreams.)
Machine embroidery separates her two selves, and a dainty frame work of confetti frames both segments,and is contained by crystal organza.

On the reverse side of the card is a print of a child and a puppy;the child is wearing what appears to be a hat in the Welsh style.
And as M is of Welsh origin,I think I can be forgiven if I've interpreted it wrongly. 

Fabric n fibre PCs Day 26

 
A crane
Shading in the evening twilight
Trails its smokelike wings.


A group of Tsuru (cranes) fly over a frozen lake.
I tried a little FME for this card.

I need a few more Japanese themed ATCs,so tomorrow's blogging may be "mini cards" 

Fabric ' fibre Postcards: Day 26

 

I shouldn't really blog this card because it has so many faults.........and they're not just photographic editing faults either!

I should have used only greys and a touch of black for the embroidery to maintain the atmosphere created by the white silk.
There are crystal beads and Angelina fibre uused to represent the hail stones and over all,white tulle to hold the Angelina fibres in postion.
Maybe I should have used silver thread for quilting.......
I think I failed in representing
Evening hailstones
Beat branches.
Their whiteness.



Here's hoping my crane turns out better. 

Fabric 'n fibre postcards

 


The best laid plans of this woman frequently go astray!

Events conspired to prevent me accomplishing my targets for today.
Consequently,this is all I have to show for one of my Haiku postcards:

I ended up de-constructing a child's kimono because it was white with a Chrysanthemum motif woven through it and I thought I could use it to represent an icy
landscape.
I've used back stitch for the hills outlines,and chain stitch and back stitch for the tree(s) branches.
Hopefully,I'll accomplish more tonight.
I have to admit: I get better results with the camera!

Then tomorrow,I may work out WHY my printer is "on strike".
Of course,the fact that a fabric sheet carrier jammed the works this morning would have nothingto do with it...............! 

Another reason for......

Link



......making postcards:
Follow the link to MaureenG's Tangled Threads
and see her beautiful cards.

CQ Crazy: ATC with Japanese/haiku theme

CQ Crazy: ATC with Japanese/haiku theme

Fabric and fibre Postcards: Day 25

Link

By now,you've porobably checked out the link (in my previous posting) to CQCrazy,where I commented on my first attempts at ATC construction.

ATCs or Artist TradingCards are the size of a business card (2.5 by 3.5 inches) and are made for swapping,and not for sale.

My first attempts at these were for a Japanese themed haiku, and research into the masters Basho;
Buson;
Issa;
Suju Takano ,and others ,
has prompted me to choose a couple of Haiku that appealed to me,
and then to construct a Postcard to try to interpret the words.

Consequently today you will only see the verses I have chosen:


A crane
Shading in the evening twilight
Trails its smokelike wings. (Kakio Tomizawa)



Evening hailstones
Beat branches.
Their whiteness. (Suju Takano)


I leave you to visualise for yourselves an interpretation,and hope you return visit to see what I do.