Create Art Everyday!

Create art everyday!  That is my motto.  I have started experimenting with journaling.  My way of journaling is very visual, right now very few words.  A minimalist, as far as words go.  I am interested to see if that will eventually change.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I have creating them.

What kind of journaling makes you happy?

Pillow created with Faux Quilting Stamps

I am so excited to be a part of the blog hop launching my good friend Ann Butler’s new Faux Quilting stamp designs with Unity Stamp Company©.  Congratulations to Ann for these awesome stamps!  Being that I love to create my own fabrics and materials, I chose to create my own custom fabric using Ann’s stamp designs.

I used all of the stamps designs along with Versa Magic ink.  The ink is archival and suitable for fabric (I used plain cotton muslin).  Just to be sure I heat set the ink with an iron with no steam.

Simply stamp combinations of the stamps in various squares.  I have to admit it was very zen like creating this fabric, and how easy it came together.

Patchwork fabric

I wanted a “quilty” look to this project and decided to use thread to highlight the lines between the stamped designs.  My fabric was layered with batting and another piece of muslin.  I then used different colors of thread to stitch up and down and across the fabric.

Thread stitched lines

I loved how this fabric turned out.  It reminds me of the 30′s and 40′s vintage colors and designs.  My big decision was what to make from this cool fabric.

Pillow created with Faux Quilting Stamps

I decided to make a pillow.  I cut the fabric down to a 12″ x 12″ square, set it face down onto a piece of felt the same size.  Then machine stitched around the square, leaving a 3″ opening.  I then  clipped the corners corners  and turned the pillow right side out.  Stuff the pillow with your choice of polyester fiberfil.

Finally,   I created more fabric and free motioned stitched flowers for the center of the pillow.  I used cookie cutter shapes as my pattern.

Best of all, Unity is offering a 50% off coupon for anyone ordering Ann Butler’s stamps between Thursday May 2, – Monday May 6 at midnight CST….the coupon code is Unity5

Fiber Art Tapestry
Cloth Paper Scissors May/June 2013

Last  summer I was invited by Cloth Paper Scissors magazine to participate in a special project. A group of designers and artists would be given the opportunity to use a collection of products to create an art piece in their given medium.  I was honored to be asked and happily agreed.  The products we were sent were from the Grafix® company.   I was very intrigued with Dura-lar, the acetate alternative and Shrink Film and decided to create a fiber art tapestry.  The projects will be published in the May/June 2013 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors and also as an on-line extra.  So be sure to check out all the cool designs.

Dura-lar acetate alternative stencil

I first designed a stencil design and then cut it using my Cameo Silhouette  machine.   It worked wonderfully, creating a sturdy stencil.

Stenciled fabric with Dura-lar stencil

I used the stencil to decorate cotton fabric, and my  tag focal point.  Full and partial parts of the stencil were used with white color textile paint.  I loved how the stencil looked after using it, and decided to include it as a design element.  The stencil already had paint on it from stenciling, so I just cut it in half.

Sizzix die cut Shrink film

Since I love handmade embellishments, I decided to use the Shrink Film to create a dimensional element.  I used a Sizzix die, Vintage Doily (#657420)  to first cut the film.  It is important to remember that Shrink Film reduces to half its size, so plan accordingly.  I painted the embellishments with metallic acrylic.  I then sanded and reapplied the paint.   This process was repeated until I was happy with the result.

Auditioning design elements

When all of my elements were completed, I auditioned them and secured with pins.  I then machine stitched them in place.  The Shrink Film and cut stencil were adhered with fabric adhesive (I use Fabri-tac by Beacon adhesives).

Shrink Film embellishments

Painted Dura-lar acetate stencil used for embellishment

I hope you enjoy all of our creations and are inspired to create your own!

It seems so early in the new year to be thinking ahead to August, but you might like to plan ahead and join me to CREATE!  I will be teaching four classes at this years CREATE retreat in Lisle.  CREATE Chicago (actually Lisle IL), will again be held at the Wyndham Lisle-Chicago, August 21-25, 2013.  I will be teaching the following classes:

• “Prayer Flags” (3 hours) (Wednesday Evening)
• “Extreme Needle Felting Journal Cover” (6 hours) (Thursday)
• “Painted Fiber Art Journal Cover” (6 hours) (Friday)
• “Mixed Media Correspondence Quilts” (6 hours) (Saturday)

You can check out my classes, and those of other teachers here.  I hope to see you there!

Want to create a last minute gift for your special someone?  Check out the February issue of Crafts n Things magazine to create this pretty candy bar holder.

Thank you, to all that entered to win my book and journal.  I loved hearing what you create, and also what you do with your creations!  Congratulations to  winner Robin Mead for visiting and sharing!

Please sign up to follow me, as I will be giving away more handmade items in the soon!

I love hearts!

Check out the weekly Crafts n Things website to make my fabric postcards.

Returned models from books and magazines

I love February for many reasons.  Living in northern Illinois I like to think ahead to March, and spring being right around the corner.  It is also my birthday month and last year was a big number  for me.  One that  I was not looking forward to celebrating.   THIS year, I am very excited about my birthday, and would like to share my happiness with  all of you.  What better way then a giveaway!

I am giving away this journal and

 a copy of my book, More Fabric Art Collage.

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To enter,  write a reply telling me what you like to create, and what you do with your projects.  The winner will be notified on Friday, February 8, 2013.

Also keep following,  as I plan to give away more stuff in coming weeks!