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. 

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?