Showing posts with label vintage fabric. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage fabric. Show all posts

Saturday, February 7

EASY PEASY FABRIC ART JOURNAL...CREATE IT IN 2 HOURS!

Greetings, dear reader!


I wanted to share with you a super easy fabric art journal project that involves NO SEWING, just glue, streamers, batting and fabric!

Here's the completed journal:











I snagged the beautiful aqua and red background fabric (chiffon with silver glitter!) 2 yards at Goodwill for $1.00! WOOT! I got 1/4 yard pieces of raw silk on clearance at Hancock fabrics and then ripped them into 1: streamers. The base of the journal is a $1 paper book from the Dollar store. I used a Uhu gluestick and covered the front and back of the cover of the book with glue, then stuck the batting on the glue. I then laid the journal on the fabric and covered the batting, gluing (with Beacon's glue) the edges of the fabric inside the book. I then used raw silk streamers to tie both vertically and horizontally to help secure the fabric and batting into place. I tied several streamers together into a knot and then cut off the ends to form a fabric "bow". I tied these where the vertical and horizontal streamers intersect. I braided several more streamers and stuck it in the middle of the book, tying it to the inside of the vertical streamers.

I added assorted "heirloom beads" (The sterling silver and wooden beads were purchased for me by my sister and brother in law while in the countries of Sudan and Yemen). The murano glass heart and some of the glass beads are from my niece Emileigh's stash. The twine little native was given to me by my niece Aria. The bingo shrine charm was made for me by the incredible Tina Wright (of Paper Cowgirl fame). Other assorted handmade paper, fimo and glass beads, plus silver charms complete the book. I absolutely LOVE it! I cut the edges of the pages with 3 or 4 different pairs of decorative edge scissors, so all the edges of the pages are different sizes and shapes.

I will be adding pages to it right away...I have a few already rady to go inside. Here's my first:



The felt tree was a hideous christmas ornament found on the clearance table at Kohl's. They were about 80% off so I thought "I could make that cute." So I took off the horribly ugly felt flowers that were glued on...and instead glued on button flowers and buttons. I took some silk thread from the streamers and twisted and entwined it around the buttons on the tree. I added a chipboard and contact paper little deer, and stamped a word on a cloud and voila! Instant art page! I spritzed it with antique silver glimmer mist. I just love it!


SMOOCHIES!

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare



PS (we will be making a journal similar to this at the AltAred Art Retreat in March! I will be back later with a little button you can add to your blog, plus more pricing and information!)

Thursday, February 28

I DREAM OF SPRING....

Dear Reader,
Today I write to tell you that I may be participating in my FIRST EVER VINTAGE SWAP! I've never done the swap thing before, but I absolutely DROOL over the treasures sent back and forth. I have several instructions to fulfill, but the first is to answer the following questions about spring. (Does anyone else feel like winter in Illinois has been ETERNAL this year? It keeps spitting snow and raining ice and ... ugh. I am just so utterly READY FOR SPRING...

And so I give you:



Here are the questions...after I answer them, she will match me up with someone FAB in the swap...isn't that WONDERful?

a. What's your favorite part of spring? The blooming of the Dogwood and Redbud trees.
b. What are your favorite flowers? Sunflowers and Daisies
c. What types of hobbies/crafts do you enjoy? Altered Art, Scrapbooking, Vintage Art Quilts
d. What types of vintage do you collect or look for? Vintage fabrics, embroidery, kitcheny-things (tea towels, aprons, etc)

e. Any allergies or things that you absolutely can't stand? I have a very sensitive "smell-er". I do not like florals or fruity smells...I detest cinnamon flavored/smelling ANYTHING. I like earthy, woodsy smells (patchouli is my favorite)

I can't wait to see who she matches me up with! Her blog is just an absolute joy. You MUST run and see it ...GO! NOW! I'll wait. Vintage Indie

Did you go? Isn't the blog a little slice of heaven? Today I was blessed with a bouquet of my favorite flowers..behold:


They were a little wilty from the cold transport from the office to my home, but they are perking up and will soon be a little spot of sunshine in my craft room.

I'll take photos of what I prepare for the swap...and of course, what I receive!

More soon,

Paula

Saturday, January 26

VINTAGE FABRICS, ART QUILTS & VALENTINES, OH MY!

Greetings Friends! Today I want to show you the FAB stash of vintage goodies I found while perusing a semi-local flea market. And THEN I will share with you an incredible discovery...you will be giddy with excitement!








Isn't it just DREEEEEEEEEEEEAMY? (I was in an aqua and red retro mood while choosing my fabric...can you tell?) While drooling amidst the old-time goodies I spied a Hoosier Kitchen Cabinet in excellent condition...and guess what...it was aqua and red! OH HOW I WANTED IT TO GO HOME WITH ME! Too die for! I digress...

The above fabric will find its way into various art quilts and other AltAred Art fabric projects...
And now for the exciting announcement...I have discovered an easy, inexpensive way to print on muslin using a common inkjet printer! Behold the experimental prototype:



I have been experimenting with different transfer methods, because as an AltAred Artist, I like to dabble in a LOT of things rather than just "specialize" in one mode/method of creating. Ergo, I want to try my hand at miniature art quilts. In order to do this, I had to find a way to get the images I wanted to use onto fabric. I've tried the laser printer/burnishing method, the toner copier/water method, to no avail. I'm not sure if I didn't understand the instructions, or if I got too bogged down in details (of which I am NOT a fan!) However, while reading an issue of the FABulous Somerset Studio magazine (from 2006) I ran across a method I thought might work. SOOOOO, do you want to know how to do it? Is your mind racing with anticipation? Okay, here's the instructions...(written for those of us who are detail challenged):

1. Scan images you want to print...make a digital .jpg file (photos will work too...YAY!)
2. Cut a 9x12 piece of muslin
3. Cut a piece of freezer paper about the same size
4. Place the muslin on the shiny side of the freezer paper
5. Using the cotton setting on your iron, fuse the fabric to the freezer paper
6. Trim the fused fabric to 8.5 x 11 (be sure there are no ragged edges or ravelings)
7. Using whatever photo or imaging program you like, prepare the image to print.
8. Load the fabric sheet into your inkjet printer (I found it a good idea to be nearby to monitor the printing...if the fabric gets a little stuck or hung up, you can gently guide it until it is entirely printed.)
9. Peel the freezer paper from the back of the fabric (I've found making a small tear on the edge of the paper helps you get a hold of it to pull and peel)

Voila! A beautiful printed piece of fabric ready to sew on whatever other fabric project you wish! I have visions of pillows and sweatshirts and tote bags and...oh yes! Art quilts of COURSE!

Comment or email me if you have any trouble, or if you create something incredible you want to share with the blogging world...I will be working on a (what else?!) Valentines Day Mini Quilt. I'll share pics as soon as I get it finished! I am SO EXCITED! {she said fabric, thread and pins a-flying}

More soon!

Paula