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.

Fabric 'n fibre Postcards: Day 24

Link


Today's card shows yet again threads used randomly to create a particular scene:
In this case a (south east) Queensland backyard dominated by a Poinciana tree and rampant foliage.
The tree is represented by the fabric,and green threads with a dash of red (for blossoms) represents the foliage.

Green and gold threads used in a FME anchor it all to the background.

Fabric 'n fibre postcards: Day 23

 

I see " Future mail" by Normajean

How cool is this! A crystal ball!

Over on FiberArtTraders (yahoo group) the group momma Normajean has put up pics to whet members' appetites for joining a "crystal ball"Swap.
This is one of the cards she displayed.
Don't you love that hennaed hand!!

Already questions are being asked about how to make that ball.

Most are using clear vinyl,although one member admits to cutting up the plastic report sleeves bought in office supplies.

The general concensus is,that if you use a sheet of tissue paper laid over the vinyl /plastic prior to stitching it you'll have no problem with the stitching.
(Similar I guess to the old method of stitching rubber backed curtains,only there you placed the tissue under!

I seem to remember that my walking(quilting) foot worked well here.Must go check it out,because I'd loveto join this swap.
And I promise that if my cards turn out half as good as Normajeans I'll show you. 

Fabric 'n fibre postcards: Day 22

 

Take a 'handful' of toning fibres of various thickness,
some silver fibre (for sparkle)
a light coloured 6x4 inch fabric
a similar sized piece of crystal organza
and you have the makings for a card.

Lay the fibres in a pleasing arrangement;cover with the organza;
Randomly machine quilt the "sandwich" together,and you have the terrific card that arrived today from Giusy of Trieste,Italy.

Thankyou Giusy! I look forward to receiving more postcards from you. 

Strawberries anyone?

 
Once upon a time I hated large strawberries!
They were dry
Not much flavour or perfume
and come to think of it,not too tasty either.
I was given a tray of these beauties today to make more jam.

Not likely!These are so sweet,juicy,flavour filled.........and look at the size!
Five berries weighed 250gm and you can see by comparison with a match-box,just how large they are.

By the way..have you ever lightly stewed strawberries for use with breakfast cereal,or,even better,over vanilla icecream or frozen yoghurt? 

Fabric 'n fiber Postcards: Day 21

 

Still following in Angelina mode,is this sunprinted fabric embellished with Angelina fibres and silver quilting.
The fabric was one of several sunprinted fabrics I did a while back using pebeo Setacolour Soleil transparent paints on a natural coloured Homespun.
Fronds of fern from the garden were used for the negative effect,and because the day was windy,the leaves were anchored with tulle ,which,in parts left a faint echo pattern.

One of my favourite(read very easy to use) metallic silver threads was used for the quilting,and to further secure the Angelina, before the card travelled overseas.

I also used the silver to stitch one quarter inch inside the raw edges,which I then neatened with a wavy-edged rotary cutter 

Masked reveller

  


Meet the "Masked reveller": my September journal quilt.

Influenced by research and drawings I did for a Postcard swap,I thought to use the ideas here.
The background fabric came about when I attempted to do some sun printing with the addition of tissue wrapping paper as I have blogged a while back.
The cityscape effect I'd hoped for didn't happen,so I thought the blurred colours would work well for a carnival atmosphere.
To add a bit of sparkle,what else but Angelina fibres.

Fabric & fibre Cards: Day 20

 

Angelina fibres are fantastic shimmering fibres that have grabbed the attention of fibre artists in more recent times,and now it is available by the metre in a type of film .
The fibres have two types available: heat bondable and non-heat bondable.
One thing to remember when using them is when pressing them (lightly and low heat) and use a baking parchment to protect both your iron and your ironing board.
Joggles.com

The card above only serves to show the sparkle of the fibres.This was one of my early plays with the fibre.
For those of you with access to the Spring 2006 (Issue # 6) cloth paper scissors magazine, there is an excellent article by Jane Weir on "Impress them with Angelina" Only trouble is,my attempts are not as impressive as I'd hoped for! 

Fabric & Fibre Postcards: Day 19

 

Today I'd like to feature a card that Nan sent to Helen in the UK and which she mentions in her blog Quilts&ATCs
The theme was TARTAN and Nan chose to spotlight Scottish thistles;
She then shared how she constructed the thistles in the files of Fiber Arts Traders
This is part Nan's description and part mine(after I'd had a play):
STITCHING IN AIR
Put muslin/homespun into an embroidery hoop and get it good and tight.

With darning foot on and feed dogs lowered,draw a circle about 1 inch in diameter.Stitch around the circumference lines about twice.

Cut the fabric from the middle of the circle as close to the stitching as possible
(like old fashioned cutwork embroidery)

With darning foot still on,stitch across the diameter of the circle from one side to the other.
Be BRAVE :-)!! You need Fast machine speed and fast fabric movement.
Okay it takes practice,(but what doesn't??)
Be sure to stitch into the fabric outside the ring as this will help anchor the stitching.
If you feel you need extra support,place a piece of water soluble Solvybehind the "air"/hole and stitch around the circle again before you start stitching across the opening/hole.

Once you have made several spokes in all directions,the centre becomes quite dense.
Go from the edge to the centre and back,filling in any bare patches.

When your doodad is to your liking,cut the 'doodad' from the hole just inside the edge of the fabric.
And there you have it!
A FME'd thistle,or Shasta daisy,or whatever shaggy flower you desire. 

Fabric and Fibre Cards: Day 18

 

Yesterday's cards featured hand work;
today's card uses a mixture of stitches available on most modern sewing machines.

Worked on a WoW self patterned quilter's cotton,NancyA has chosen five bright colours,one per stitch pattern and worked it as whole-cloth before cutting to 6x4 postcard size.
Simple and very effective! 

Fabric & Fibre Postcards:Day 17

Fabric Postcard August - Paisley, originally uploaded by Kay Susan.

More fibre than fabric,
Kay Susan posted this Paisley beauty to 6x4 lives as her August posting.

.......and this is what she said:

To me, paisley suggests richness of colour and design and I decided to experiment with traditional crewel work. I started off in the traditional way, but gradually the embellishments crept in!

SharonB of inaminuteago has also submitted a paisley based stitchery for her August card.

The wools used in Kay Susan's card are such gloriously rich colours,that I'm tempted to try it out some crewel work again......if I can find where I filed my stash....(I have a sneaky feeling that I sent them to a better home some time back.)

CQ Crazy: It's your turn next,Becky!

CQ Crazy: It's your turn next,Becky!

Art journal quilt

 
Trying to catch up on a couple of months quilts!
This Masked Reveller was appliqued onto a fabric that I attempted sun printing using wrapping tissues to leach colour into the main colour.
As the effect wasn't exactly what I'd visualised I thought it would serve as a carnival background.
Angelina fibres added for their light refecting effects.
Now to dye more fabric for bindings. 

Fabric & Fibre Postcards: Day 16

Postcards from Maureen 030.jpg, originally uploaded by curli.

ABSTRACT:
For this card,I chose to use some fibre fusion "silk paper" with an abstract "figure" constructed from Tyvek film,which had been heated and then painted with Lumiere pearlescent paints.
Sari yarn was then draped behind and around the Tyvek shape

Some quilting was added by using Gold ribbon floss used in the bobbin and stitching on the reverse side of the card.

Fabric & fibre postcards:Day 15

 
 
 

Australiana Another way to remind overseas swappers of "where I live"
is to use Australian fauna or flora designed fabric;
The fabric used in these cards was a craft cotton from Spotlight some time back.

Okay---maybe Aussies think it a little cliche'd to use a fabric like this;not artie enough,but I live in an area where there are still roos and the odd platypus and koala,so why not flaunt it(Especially when posting overseas)

Two of the cards were heat fused to backgrounds to represent the country's colours,the other? well....koalas are happiest up a gum tree! 

Fabric & fibre Postcards: Day 14

Link


Just a very quick note today as I have 5kg of strawberries to prepare for "jamming"
(making strawberry conserve)
I find that if I need to machine stitch quilting or embellishments to my cards,I make certain I have a clear or white bobbin thread so that shadows don't show through the backing.
And having completed the required stitching I then fuse the backing into positionand tidy up the edging.

See you tomorrow,when I'm strawberry free>

Fabric & fibre postcards: Day 13

Fabric & fibre postcards, originally uploaded by curli.

Hand quilting:
Until this beauty arrived in today's mail I hadn't thought of hand quilting a card;
Most peculiar as hand stitching is my preferred option most times!

White on white,I think it's a heron in a small pond:Connie has not confirmed that,but the bird looks very similar to the grey herons and egrets that hang out around our paddocks.

Another thing that amazed me,was that this white on white work arrived here unblemished and without a protective cover.
How good is that!
I'm also glad the card arrived today,rather than yesterday when 50mm of rain bucketted down and sprayed into our letterbox.


Thanks for the card,ConnieT

There's a bear in there.............

 

Sorry about the photo quality: it was taken back in 1978 with a dinky little Kodak 120.
The comments from Chief-Ten-Bears

reminded me of a visit to Houston Zoo(I think) with my daughter and we were absolutely gobsmacked by the size of this fellow!

Joyce! This one's for you. 

Fabric & fibre Postcards: Day 12

 

Today,I thought I'd show some of the tools I use for my postcards:
Right at the back of the photo,is a roll of lightweight stabiliser similar to Timtex l/w.
(because I'm not using a l/w Fast 2 Fuse with heat fusible features on both sides,I'll also need to add a heat fusible webbing to the list.)

In front of the white stabiliser is a large (12.5") square ruler;
A box of machine embroidery threads
A rotating cutting board for trimming cards to a finished size of 6x4 inches,
a smaller (6.5") square ruler
Several rotary cutters,both straight and wavy edged
and a pile of lace,braids,yarns for embellishing if required.

Not included in the photo is: my large rectangular cutting board for when I work with a 9x13 inch size,which results in four postcards.
a selection of fabrics for the front of the card
a piece of light coloured Homespun for the reverse side for message and address.
a Zig brand pen for writing on reverse ,as I'm not computer comfortable enough to print out a postcard format.