Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Autumn Greeting

More quilted postcards...
painted white muslin fabric with acrylic paints
using a brush to quickly blend colors.
I hung the fabric up to dry overnight, and
pressed with an iron on the back side the next day.

Painted muslin was then stamped with black acrylic
using hand-carved stamps, painted free hand with a brush,
and details drawn in Sharpie permanent marker.
Some hand quilting through top two layers
(batting and the painted muslin.)
Machine quilting through the 3 layers of
muslin, batting and cardstock backing.
Zigzag stitch around the outside edge.
We'll see if the puffy results makes it
through the U.S. mail. I have received
wonderful PCs from others, and most seem
to have used interfacing as the "batting"
in between layers, and therefore more flat.

If you try machine quilting on paper, keep in
mind not to make stitches too close together,
as it creates an almost "perforated" area
which could tear easily. The paper backing
helps to make the postcard stiffer and presumably
more likely to make it through the mail system...

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Collage Rebirth


Make a color photocopy of one of your collages
at a local office supply store,
then modify it for a new composition
and purpose. This one will be
applied to the front of a composition book,
to be used as a journal.
This collage was from my art journal in 2008.
The little photo of 3 girls (Digital Collage Sheets.com)
in the upper right covers the original face
I had painted. The quotes were added as
a reminder to be open, positive, and
accept yourself as you are...

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Art Journal Pages


Had fun doing the images on these pages,
but for some reason "writer's block" struck...
so used some quotes that I found inspiring.
Watercolor background...


Assorted scrapbook paper snippets
adhered to outside borders, magazine clippings
of flowers and the girl's body. I drew the head
and glued it above the body, having fun with
the exaggerated proportions.
Doodling and writing added with
Micron Pigma pen. A few bits of added
color in Sanford Uniball gel pen...

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Quilting Art

Sketch for a baby quilt that I am working on...
all cotton fabrics, hand-pieced and hand-quilted,
for a new granddaughter on the way!
As usual, I bought extra fabric, "just in case"
and now have leftovers for other projects...


Tips of fingers get calloused and a bit sore
from quilting, even with the use of a thimble,
but the quilting is my favorite part.
(Basting is my least-favorite part)
Stuck a corner of the quilt in the scanner,
so not the best image but you get the idea...
hope to post photos when it's done--
hopefully in time for the baby shower!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Mini collages


Painted papers mounted on black.

















They measure 1 and 1/2 inches including black frame.