Color Inspires Me

A quilted art journal cover

made similar to Teesha Moore's technique~

making little 'pillows' and then sewing

them together in an

unplanned composition. 

You can see video of Teesha's

 Fabric Journal Workshop here.

As a traditional quilter, it was hard to

avoid carefully planning it all out,

especially the crazy haphazard non-matchy

stitching to connect the pillows together.

But I do like the colors and the beads

and the texture of the quilting...

Click on any image to see more detail.

The back of the cover is one piece, and I 

just started quilting with the contrasting

colors of floss in circular patterns, 

without marking the pattern ahead of time.

I will put watercolor pages inside, probably

one or two signatures with a pamphlet stitch binding.

Above, a collage in my 9" x 12" art journal.

I am trying to use up scraps I've saved. 

I generally don't use magazine images,

but the intricate scroll work in this gate

was just too good to pass up.

Acrylic on cardstock, collage & magazine images,

white gel pen on black cardstock.

Have a colorful day!

Pastel Heart Ornaments

Pastel Heart Ornaments-

Materials Needed:

Scrap paper or cardstock to create pattern

Scissors - (NOTE-it's best to have sewing scissors & paper

scissors kept for separate use. cutting paper rapidly dulls scissors & will chew up fabric!)

Fabric for hearts-(I used mint green & light pink)

Needle & Thread

Polyester fiberfil

Lace scraps

Ribbon-coordinating colors & various widths

Buttons

Seed beads

Fabric with flower designs in the print

Narrow ribbon for hanger

Directions:

Create a pattern for the heart by folding paper or cardstock in half, and cutting out half of a heart-shape. Open paper for your pattern. I made a tall narrow heart for my ornaments.

Place the pattern on the wrong side of doubled fabric (with the right sides facing to the center) and trace around pattern in pencil.

Cut 1/4 inch outside of traced line.

Sew on pencil line, leaving a one to one & half inch opening for turning. Clip curved seam allowances, and trim bottom point of heart close to stitching to ease turning right side out. Turn heart right side out.

(I sewed my hearts by hand, but you could use the machine & it would be faster)

Stuff with fiberfill & slip stitch opening closed.

Decorate one side of the heart to be the front. Hand-stitch & Embellish with pieces of lace, cross-stitch remnants, flowers cut from printed fabric, buttons, seed beads or whatever you have on hand that goes with your colors.

I sewed my embellishments by hand, but you could also use hot-glue gun or craft glue.

I sewed beads, buttons & bows on last. Add a ribbon hangar to the back of the ornament, making sure it is centered to hang evenly.

Sign the back of the ornament and write the year in a permanent fabric marker. This is nice when the recipient may receive an ornament from you several years running.

(Paper images & embellishments could be glued on since these are Christmas ornaments & will not need to be laundered, though acid-free would be best.)

These could also be year-round decorations, hung from drawer pulls or cupboard handles, or as sachets if you use scent in the stuffing.

Pink Art Doll

This doll is created from muslin fabric painted with acrylic, hand-carved stamps and beading. There are seed beads, bugle beads and some glitter paint added for sparkle. The face is hand-drawn with permanent marker. She is about 6 inches long, not including tassel and hanger. She hangs on the wall and watches me create...