Last week I did it... my first newsletter. It was something on my list that seemed insurmountable and yet with a little encouragement and a lot of direction from an expert (Thank you Suzanne Tregenza Moore) it happened.
You can read it here! http://eepurl.com/Q6SPf
Please!?
Next week #2 comes out.
For daily photos, inspiration and other tidbits, follow me on Facebook.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Latest fun in the studio...
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| Before |
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| And After |
Recycled materials contributed to this version. Her belt is a tea bag -- yes one I used, emptied and dried. I think she needs jewelry, doesn't she? Thoughts?
For daily pictures and motivation, please follow me on https://www.facebook.com/twistedfiberstudio.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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.
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| Fused together |
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| Voila! Finished. |
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
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!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
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!
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
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?
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?
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
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?
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?
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
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)?
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