Pulling the covers over my....notebook

Last week I posted about making a notebook cover that I'd made from an experiment with fusible web and scrap fabric.  I love it and have received many compliments and several "how do I make that" comments.  So that led me to thinking -- "hey I should teach a class on this!"  I will and have added it to my offerings.

That got me thinking I have to make another one.  I have a standard composition notebook that needs some dressing up.



Not over-thinking it, I pulled scrap strips of fabric - all sorts including silks and ribbon.  You know it wouldn't be me if there wasn't a little French on it somewhere.

Fused together

Voila!  Finished. 

Trash-filled Craft day

I’ve been thinking that my standard paper notebook needed a cover.  It’s another way to show my creativity when introducing people to Twisted Fiber Studio.  And it needed to look pretty, cause I like pretty. 

Months ago, while experimenting, I had made this new fabric from scraps of some of my favorite fabrics that I just couldn’t part with.  It is 50% recycled (new thread, lining material and new muslin used for base of fabric).  I fused the fabric to the muslin and then quilted it to some bamboo/cotton batting, added in some buckram, finishing it with some Amy Butler fabric (LOVE IT). I can reuse this over and over as I fill up notebooks.  Knowing me, I will embellish the cover more and more as time goes on.    

Recycling craft materials is relatively new to me.  The people at Cloth Paper Scissors and Interweave Press encourage it and do it in their projects and magazines.  What a great way to give new life to typically discarded items.  

In fact, I have several cereal boxes awaiting a new fate (great source of lightweight cardboard). 

Happy Wednesday!  

Shari

Snow, Life, and Generalities

Already it is time for the clocks to change this weekend.  And not soon enough in my mind after this winter! It's a sign of spring. Like all of us I am tired of dealing with the snow.  At least condo living means we don’t have to shovel.  That’s the up side of condo living.  

So what am I doing to look forward to spring?  Buying potting soil to re-pot indoor plants. And yes re-potting them.  

And trying some new ideas for classes…

These sweet sequined broaches are adorable and glam up any outfit!  I see them on my jean jacket soon.

Fabric painting wasn’t done!  I had to dress up the ones I had made for a class as my sample and add more stamps (using Claudine Hellmuth STUDIO stamps) to add in more graphic details.  I will be making more!  (Yes the flowers were made with celery as a stamp.)

Enjoy your Wednesday!

 

 
       

Fabric Painting

Well I'm always up for experimenting.  I see those wonderful things on website and/or Pinterest and say "I can do that.  Easy."   Goodness, the powers that be must be laughing at me.

You know the phrase "there is no free lunch," well I put "nothing is as easy at it looks" right on the same plane.  So I have seen people paint fabric using fruits and vegetables time and time again. Easy, right? What could be to it? Well, to be clear, it's stamping on fabric with paint using fruit and vegetables as your stamp. 

Anyway...one recent day I set out to do it.  I grabbed the celery from the fridge, cut off the end about 2" above the bottom to use that as my "rose petal flower" (which it does resemble when done correctly).  Well the impression didn't look like a rose. 

Here's what I got ------------------------------>>>>>>>>>

Doesn't look right, does it?  Nope.  So what did I do wrong?  I followed the easy steps from a pin on Pinterest. That must be right.  Well off to do some research. The missing link is that AFTER you cut the fruit or vegetable you have to leave it as at least 30 minutes or overnight to "dry" out so that the juices from these items doesn't mingle with the paint and water it down making a less than perfect impression. (refer to photo above).

AND you really need to cut it off about 4 inches from the bottom to get more of the "petals" defined in the stamp.  So with other bunch of celery, I cut it higher from the base and let it dry out. 

Okay the celery is "dry" now, let's do this.   I put paint on the end of the bunch of celery and tested the stamp on some white muslin.  WOW it worked and beautifully too.  So pretty, I got carried away changed colors and even doubled up colors to make two toned flowers.  Check it out!  I have to do this on an actual tote bag now and some flour sack towels for my kitchen. I'll post those on Facebook when done.

So after the success of the celery, what else do I have in the house -- I know LEMONS.  Yes, more juicy than celery but again dry aging is the key. SO I cut a lemon in half and let it sit on the counter for 3 hours.  I have to say it turned out very pretty.  What do you think?

Designs come from many wonderful sources

Hello there!

Last summer during our wonderful trip to Scotland, our fantastic friends who live in England joined us for a few days in Scotland.  Needless to say it was and is always fantastic to see them.  Their daughter Julia has been one of my most special friends.  Her witty, intelligent, joyous demeanor is something I always enjoy being around.  She is wise beyond her age and quite the gourmand thanks to her father. 

But her mother is one who believes in experiencing each and every day to it's fullest.  She encourages her daughter to draw, dance, and do just about anything creative.  So during our trip, while we are all just hanging out talking and eating, Julia designed some fabric patterns using paper (kitchen) towels.  Did I mention she is 10? 

Her original design is at right.  I took it, scanned it, and printed it on fabric on our inkjet.  The treatment for the fabric is to rinse it in vinegar to set the ink (following the instructions of the fabric).  The fabric came out much lighter - pastel-like rather than vibrant like the original.  But I liked it.

What did that mean?  It means I had to make something with it but not for me -- for her.  This project has been on my desk since before Christmas.  Today was the day to get it done!

I decided to make a simple zippered shoulder bag for her.  With a grosgrain ribbon handle and a lovely crochet flower embellishment.  It is headed into the mail this week to her for a little jump start to Spring. 

   

Here's to Spring!

Where do I find arts & crafts supplies...

I prefer brick and mortar stores to buy my supplies.  Buying a product you already use on line is great and easy, especially late at night when I realize I need more of something.  For new items and inspiration, I love actually perusing the shelves and aisles, seeing the colors, the textures, the options and the ideas. 

How often have you bought something on line and when it arrived it wasn't what you were expecting?  I just did that with a coat I bought on line.  Returned it immediately.  It is the same thing with art supplies. Fabric and paper need to be touched.  Embellishments show their true detail and scale in person. 

Okay enough of that.... What I really wanted to talk about is where I do find my supplies.  The obvious stores come to mind like JoAnn's Fabric and Crafts, Michael's Arts and Crafts, Hancock Fabric, Vogue Fabrics in Chicagoland area, Hobby Lobby, and Archiver's (now closing).  I probably shop at Michael's most of the time because it is one closest and two has a great selection. 

Some of the less obvious stores for me include Target, Wal-Mart, Big Lots, Tuesday Morning, and any "charity"/resale shop in my area.  Brown grocery bags make great journal pages and work surfaces.  I am always looking for great deals on items, aren't we all?

These brick and mortar stores are getting more scarce though.  In our area, we've seen at least two Hancock Fabric stores, one Archiver's store, and a quilt shop close in the last five years.  It is disheartening for sure.  For those that are still open, THANK YOU, we really appreciate you. 

Where do you find your art supplies? 

Thought for today...

Friends come from so many walks of life and unexpected avenues. They stand witness to the changes in my life in the last 6 months that have been so personally challenging and rewarding.  Most of all their support and belief in me is truly humbling.  I am truly blessed for so much more than I can articulate here.

For the first time in my life I've been able to focus on my own path and enjoy where it is leading me.  Surprises along the way, and doubt too, but that's to be expected.  In any case, when I'm this introspective I get restless, seeking direction, I guess.

When this happens, my new habit is retreating to my art area and exploring a new idea, a new medium or an old one.

Last Saturday, with the frigid temperatures encouraging us to stay indoors, I pulled out my Ice Resin and the molds I'd already made in a class last August. No, I'd not touched it since then. The items that I'd made in that class were awaiting paint and play, trying out different combinations for brooches or even pendants.

Many ideas are rumbling around my head but the one that had to be made immediately is this brooch.  It blossomed into a class idea of making brooches or hair clips or even pendants from hand made resin pieces.  Of course it did.  

Favorite Pin --- today

Am I the only one addicted (somewhat) to what you can find on Pinterest?  I don't think so.  Today I came across this one http://www.pinterest.com/pin/256775616228524970/.  Do you need more organization in your craft area or studio?  I know I do.  I had to click on it.  I just had to.  Well I was excited to see that I am already using two of the ideas and the organizer for paint is excellent.  I think I'll have to talk to my dad to see if he can help me make one.  Where I'll put it?  No idea, the walls in my craft studio (shared space with my husband's office) are quite full but I willl figure it out. 

What is your favorite craft organizer (or any organizer)?

Collage experiments...

Sometimes you need to just paint and create whatever is in your head and heart. This past week gave me a lot of time to do so.  So what was in my head you ask?  Take a look and enjoy.

The glasses from Michael's inspired this one.

I absolutely love dresses  - to paint, to wear, to collage.

2013 -- Opportunity, dreams, hardwork...

Well most people do a recap of the prior year at New Year's and to be honest I'm trying to be more present and look towards the future. 2013 is what it was and brought incredible change to my husband and I. However, a quick recap on 2013 is in order to provide context for what is coming in 2014. 

2013 was full of unexpected opportunities that obviously were known by the greater universe.  My teaching schedule for art classes increased by 50% over 2012.  Word was getting out about my fun classes.  I also created more art than ever.  One of the biggest changes was having my position at the day job eliminated in July, creating an opportunity for me to fully explore the potential of Twisted Fiber Studio.  You know me ... full steam ahead.  Goal setting began, a class on running an arts and crafts business, coaching for all aspects of working (entrepreneurship and more), trademark research, class development, teaching, networking, learning new skills, business plan writing and visualization, dreaming, and more.  It has been a busy, busy 5 months. 

2014 will be full of hard work and new personal growth to bring Twisted Fiber Studio to bloom and grow.  I am looking forward to every step of it...even the data entry! So many fibers and tendrils to follow and see where we go from here.  Each day brings new opportunities, new friends, new dreams, new insights into myself, new confidence, and new ideas.  Check in here often to see what happens! 

As for today, the first day of the new year, it's a snowy start in the Chicago area -- 6" and counting, encouraging my husband and I to spend a perfect relaxing day together. 

Happy New Year to all!  

Shari

P.S. In the meantime, check out my holiday sale.