Day 8 FnF Postcards

 
 



Xpandaprint, is a thick creamy medium that expands when heated.
It can be applied by brush,roller,sponge or spatula.
It's non toxic and comes in black or white;I use white because it's easier to mix colours into it rather than black;But I mainly paint afterthe heat curing process.

So far I've used Xpandaprint in postcards and art journal quilts by building up the required shape with an artist's spatula and other finer implements(skewers, satay sticks)
The post cards featured today were both for the theme "Pandora's Box"...
The first one I had in mind to depict an actual box shape;
The second one should really be titled "Pandora's bed"!

There was a really good article in the Spring (#6) issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine:

the workshop.....EXPLORING Xpandaprint

Eight different mehtods and directions plus photographic samples were a great help to me for expanding(no pun intended) my crafting horizons. 

Day 7 f'nf postcards

 
 
NeedlefeltingThe upper postcard was sent to me from Emmy S in the Nederlands;
At the time I had expressed an interest in needle felting, and had no idea of what n/f actually looked like---so Emmy kindly sent me the card she had embellished with an embellishing machine.

A couple of months later,Belle mailed this gem .... a frangipani flower to me!
This was done by hand......one needle!
Isn't it perfect! even has a drop of dew on one of the petals. 

Day 6 FnF Postcards

 
An easy one today!
Using a plastic template over a light Tan quilters cotton,I used my favourite paints....Lumiere metallics to stencil the butterfly.

I then shadow quilted the butterfly outline with a gold thread.

This card is now in my youngest Grand-daughter's collection 

Day 5 F'nF Postcards

 
 

Another method of representing a Landscape:
Using Vlisoflex( fusible backing) and various fabrics to represent the landscape....
The first one had whole cloth lace for clouds and silk (kimono) offcuts for mountains,with a multi dyed cotton for the stormy sky.

The lower card used commercial quilters fabric for the mountain;again the silk for foliage,and blue homespun for sky. 

Day 4 fnf Postcards

 
Receiving this card from Vivian K made me realize that printing photos on fabric could be acceptable for cards.
The pic is of the Golden Ears Mountains in BC and is enhanced with metallic as well as 'normal' thread quilting 

Day 3 fabric n fibre Postcards

 

Not strictly a postcard,but an ATC (Artist Trading Card) measuring roughly 2 by 3.5 inches.
This is what initially got me into fnf postcards:an ATC from a friend in NZ.

I don't know how the "face" would stand up to the postal system without some protective covering.......(this art doll face was made using air drying clay)and arrived in a suitably padded envelope.

I'll make and mail two cards featuring some of these faces and see what happens! 

CQed Fabric 'n fibre Postcards

 

As most of my closer friends know,I'm on a Postcard "binge" at the moment,but up until now have steered clear of CQing them.
Funny thing, but for me CQing a PC is more difficult than constructing a block.

More restrictions arise with the fabric postcard than with a block destined for a quilt:
Size: Limited to 6x4 inches,although one has the choice of either portrait or landscape format.

Thickness: Governed by what Postal authorities deem to be acceptable:e.g. No thicker than one quarter inch,or will slide easily through the slotted card used to check same.

EmbellishmentsNeed to be firmly anchored and not too free flowing or they could get ripped off by embelishment eating postal machines 

Just hangin' around

 

Another WiP completed.....okay, it still needs some tweaking,but at least (I think) it's recognisable.
My goddess!
Needlefelted with an amount of "Cheesecake" dyed Corriedale wool.

So now it's back to the voodoo board and see if I can save MrsHobbitt from becoming "Cousin It"! 

50 days: 50 fabric and fibre postcards

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Normally I hate jumping on another's bandwagon:
I'm referring to SharonB's inaminuteago
blogging of "100 details for 100 days".
Now don't misunderstand me,I'm learning heaps from reading Sharon's daily postings (she's up to Day58) and the other stitchers are presenting some interesting details too;
but my stitching skills are not up to telling/showing how it should be done.

At the moment I'm fairly consumed by/with fabric and fibre postcard swaps(the blame for that I lay at a certain NZ lady's cutting- mat ) so I thought

Why not do something similar about postcards?

The last three days have seen cards arrive from USA,Italy and the UK, and I'm in the process of planning cards for several different themed swaps.
Today,because I was having CQ withdrawal symptoms,I've basically worked on four CQ themes.....up until now I've tackled everything but CQ for cards;

and I'm learning that-----
What you can "do" as a CQed block does not necessarily work for a 6x4 inch postcard!

Consider embellishments!

When I embellish a blockI don't agonise quite so much over the thickness of embellishments because I don't have to worry about the overall depth---
(postcards are one quarter inch thick or less: as decreed by postal authorities around the world!)

I don't even give much thought to if there are "dangly bits"because I know the block will not be subjected to machinery.

Because of these restrictions,I tend mostly to mail my cards in clear sealed envelopes!
Okay!
I can hear the purists screaming that I'm not playing the game........

I put a fair amount of time and thought into making my cards, and if a clear envelope gets the card to its destination in a fairly pristine state,I'm happy.

Way back in January this year I came across a blogger's lament on Princessandthepea


and that plus post office staff advising me to use these clear envelopes made me take this action.

I now expect a tidal wave of comment!

A Postcard from Italy

 
Today's mail brought a card from Giusy ,in Trieste,Italy.
Isn't this a great interpretation of a bridge over a river!

I "met" Giusy through "Fiberarts Postcard group",and she says this is the only the second fibre postcard that she has made.
I must say,I'm looking forward to seeing her other cards,her CQ,
and,her quilting.

Thank you Guisy for posting this to me! 

Histoires de boites �couture: Histoires de boites �couture

Histoires de boites �couture: Histoires de boites �couture

Building a tree

 
After I decided that my needle felting attempt was not going to produce a satisfactory tree,I started with "planB".....using Xpandaprint.

Xpandaprint is a thick creamy medium that expands when heated.It can be applied by brush,roller or sponge(I chose brush and spatula)
It comes in black or white and is non-toxic.
I used both a heat gun and a domestic iron to activate the medium.
It can be painted before heating,but I chose to do it after.

The pic shows the challenge, a rough outline tracing, and the first layers of
Xpandaprint laid down and cured.
I added extra layers as I felt necessary .
Mainly I was after achieving a rough outline,no dainty or interlacing branches as I felt I did not as yet have sufficient knowledge of the product.

Having decided to stay fairly minimalist the only way I could avoid blue paddocks,was to remove tree from background fabric and applique it to another background;I chose to use the sunprinted fabric because it supplied a hint of foliage.

Initially the tree was painted with Neopaque /Jacquard paints and then layers of Lumiere Metallics and Pearlescents were added to highlight texture. 

Quilting completed

 
Last night I finished the hand quilting around the printed leaves,and said "finito" 

Mission accomplished

 

I'm not happy with the photo exposures,but this will give some indication of my Challenge quilt 

Art quilt Challenge

 


Back in December 2005 I accepted a Challenge on one of the sites I visit regularly:
The mission,should I choose to accept ,was to reproduce my version of this picture!
Today,(except for needing a tad more quilting to emphasize some of the leaves)I'm declaring my Challenge is done.

I chose to work with the journal quilt format (8.5 x 11 inches) in order to include it in my folio for Aus_NZ_artquilters group.

The quilt has been a long while getting to a nearly complete style because I've been trying out new(for me ) methods as well as other projects.
It bears little resemblance to the pic provided,but I'm happy with the results and adventures along the way 

Samadhi and the Goddess

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I had in mind to attempt "something like Samadhi" and call it a self-portrait!

These two ladies were created by Rita Weisse who was conducting a needlefelting workshop over the weekend down Murwillumbah way.
The post prior to this shows the results achieved by the students....and I'm not saying which is mine.!

Voodoo

 

Actually it was Needle felting,but as my frustration grew,it felt like sticking pins in a voodoo doll!
The occasion? I met up with an online friend and took part in a Needle felting Workshop by Rita Weisse

The aim of the workshop was to learn how to create a figure.
My goal was to attempt something like Samadhi but the result was more like a combination of Mrs Hobbitt with the Hag or Frankenstein!
As usual my ambitions exceeded my capabilities,so it's back to the drawing board!

BTW.....the two embellished figures belong to Rita;the others belong to the students! 

Icy morning

 
As result of a "four seasons" Postcard swap,this striking fabric Postcard , "Icy Morning" by Ruth Nunn,arrived at my home this morning.
There would appear to be at least three layers of fabric forming the card.....black shadowy background,superimposed with snippets of silver and black & silver fabrics;covered with a (holographic?) metallic mesh and tulle netting,
and finally,the stark outline of the tree.

Unfortunately,there is a wee bit of damage,possibly caused by bulk mail sorting,but thankfully insufficient to detract from its general attractiveness.

(Do you get the impression that I love it!)
Thanks Ruth! 

More pot mitts

 
Nothing exciting today!
Just a couple more sets of pot mitts! This time I recycled some denim off-cuts.

I also completed two fabric 'n fibre Postcards for one of my Swaps.....
For these,I went back to my old love,CQ...........

pics, "later" 

Roosters and Hens

 

Some redworked pot mitts,made for craft stall at a forthcoming school fete.
Each red worked mitt will be paired with a plain (no redworked) mitt in similar fabrics. 

What started it all............

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It was a simple butterfly like this,that I painted with Lumiere Pearlescent and added to a "Cat" postcard in a recent swap and which the previous posting referred to.
It's amazing how a coat of paint can jazz things up.
Hopefully,the recipient may take pity on me and send me a pic for my album.

Needle tatted butterflies

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Friday report

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So,what has been accomplished this week?
The Mother Goose quilt is at an acceptable(read usable) stage: It does need some shadow quilting around the stitcheries........but as I've decided I prefer hand quilting to machine,that will be at my leisure.
As my DD has decided "no children" and my grandchildren haven't started producing the next generation,the quilt can languish in my "Hope chest" for a while.

Several fabric and fibre postcards were sent on their way to new homes,both in Australia and the U.S.A.I'll show pics after they have got to their new homes.

I've gone back to my (behind schedule) Art Journal Quilts,where I've been attempting some "fractured landscape" themes..........in a not very satisfactory manner so far.
My versions of fractured landscapes worked in a 6x4 size,but in a 8x11,a totally different matter!
I've also been dabbling with heat tools,Xpanda paint, Tyvek and more Jacquard Opaque paints.

I've made some "chook" pot holders for GD's school fete in October.
"Chooks"??? For non-Aussies,that translates as hens or chickens. :-)
Nothing classy or even "arty"... just good old fashioned pot holders!
And I guess I need to make "more".
Okay KJ! Gran will get to work!!

I also made a batch of Tomato Relish.....just to keep honed some old skills.
I scavenged a supply of metal lidded glass jars,ready for Strawberry Jam,and tomorrow after firewood scavenging friends depart,I'll tackle a couple of fibre 'n fabric postcards for an "Anything goes" swap due to be mailed out next Tuesday.
I'm thinking of incorporating some of my sun printed fabrics I did a week or so back

And apart from browsing the latest "Emb X-Stitch and Beading" magazine,and reading a couple of chapters of a Patricia Cornwell mystery,not much else was accomplished this week.

Mother Goose and Kodak

 
Mmm ! I guess that I can say I've finally had a win!
After an excessive amount of faffing around,I think I've won the battle of the download.
I'm the owner of a new Kodak zoom digital camera ,a P850...........and I've had all sorts of headaches learning how to transfer the pics from camera to computer.Seems I've finally (partly) sorted that out and here's Mother Goose to prove it. 

Friday report

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Several (fabric) postcards arrived in the mailbox this week: Catherine in Swan Hill;Anieta in Canberra; Becky Fischer in California.
The themes were Cats(Catherine knows me very well)
Seasons.......Autumn in Canberra (my favourite season)
and Abstract

I am involved with the swapping of fabric/fibre postcards on several sites;all with similar themes.
My main gripe is that the senders do not specify WHICH group they are sending from(bad grammar I know,but you get my drift!)
Surely,somewhere on the card can be included the legend: "Postmark'dArt Seasons swap" or whatever is relevent to the swap.;or Fabrications Fabrications
or fiberart postcards
You would not believe the sleuthing involved to work out who "regards,XXXX" and a postmark actually IS, not to mention the time involved in sleuthing.

You see, my problem is that I like to acknowledge receipt of a card,and let the sender KNOW that their card arrived at its destination...........bit difficult when you have no idea WHO sent it!

Maybe I'm weird for such a mindset,but,that's ME!

The good news is.....tomorrow my new camera should be here,and up and running!

kurliskottage: Mark your diary..........QUILTMANIA

kurliskottage: Mark your diary..........QUILTMANIA

Fractured seasons.......Postcards

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As I mentioned yesterday My latest Postcard swap involved the theme "Seasons";I felt that my stitch enhanced photo PCs were a bit blah,so I decided to employ a CQ method and use colours/fabrics indicative of the seasons as I see them where I live.

Nothing startling........I'm getting used to machine work after many years of hand work.(So my edges aren't the best........sorry)
I also find that it is not a good idea to make cards too thick with embellishing,or be too lavish withthreads,laces,braids that run the danger of snagging and being wrecked by postal machinery,or a surcharge for being over width.
Because of this factor I tend to frequently place the stamped and hand cancelled PC in a cellophane envelope before handing the PC back to postal officials for the card to begin its travels!

Fractured seasons

 
And this is a fractured (read crazy piecing) of the previous posting:
Low tide,Summer,Moreton Island. 

Still no camera.............

 

Hopefully,by Saturday I'll be acquainting myself with a new camera......
HOPEFULLY! (and fingers crossed.)
In the meantime,it's scanned pics or nada!
The last two days I've been working on yet more fabric & fibre postcards:the theme being "Seasons"
Initially I did a "cheat" and printed out photos of favourite ocean based sites....Inskip Point and Moreton Island.
When I made a couple of booboos with my new printer,and printed "too small" I went back to my original plan of (slightly) Crazy piecing;
This pic was a 6x4 inch (nearly) 

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Still no camera.......I had hoped it would turn up gift wrapped today,but my chief camera buyer has not had the time to pursue it this week due to work committments.
Talk about withdrawal symptoms!!
I may have to see if I still know how to use the 35mm film camera YUK!
No instant gratification there.
The Mother Goose quilt is sandwiched and pinned ready for quilting and binding;
Last night's attempts at hand quilting reminded me how long it was since I'd wielded a quilt needle.......will unpick last night's effort as it's ****!
Of course the fact that I was celebrating with a few white wines with friends was not conducive to even stitching.

Said friends certainly surprised me with their generousity.....their gifts and rendition of Happy Birthday was heart warming.Where would we be without our stitchin bitchin friends!
Thanks Shaz,Kerrie,Pete and Sue!

V.Q.P. tonight

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Very Quick Post tonight,as I'm still in "camera withdrawal"
Today I finally completed my "Mother Goose" bluework top,and have it 'half sandwiched'...I found my recently acquired craft table much handier than the old table tennis table,so 2/3 of quilt is pinned for quilting;

I completed two "Abstract" fabric/fibre PCs for swapping;

I sun-printed another 8x11 inch piece of fabric,for use in either art journal quilts,or postcards;

Last night I completed a seam embellishment on a block(for Jo in NZ) in a "Crazy Quilt Round Robin"
and blogged same to CQCrazy
So tonight, I guess I better go tackle some of those PCs that need addressing ;
and write up Roz and Jo's journals explaining what I stitched on their blocks for the RR,and get them packaged for their journey to Becky in California.

I'm outa here!!

July , and all that jazz.......

"Things have been less than "tres jolie" around here the last few days....
My trusty digital camera DIED on Saturday,and I've been in severe withdrawal!
My original guesstimate was that I use the camera at least five out of every seven days,now I'm not so sure:
I've become so used to having a camera hot to trot,whether it's for----
our local (bird) wildlife;
the antics of our three cats;
my CQ committments,
or my art quilts,
or the fabric & fibre Postcards
or...........
you get my drift:
SEVERE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTONS!

Yesterday I did visit an actual camera shop,as well as Ebay and several other online businesses.
I'm still camera deprived!
My birthday shortly,so a good excuse to splurge....
BUT
I want "bang for my bucks"!!

So today,I went back to trying to close off a Postcard swap...all 20 of them.

Guess who's lost the packet of International stamps she bought last week!
Guess,who,in a fever of organisational mode fused the post card fronts to the stabiliser before embellishing the said cards?
GUESSwho's totally p**** off with her brilliance??

(No prizeswill be awarded, as I don't have a camera to record it all.