More Shibori Projects

I'm still having fun using some of my dyed fabrics from Linda Dawson's Shibori workshop. I've been making covers for my stack of yellow note pads.  I like how the naked white buttons look with the indigo fabrics.

This one is a softer cover, using a regular batting rather than the heavy weight Fast2Fuse. I raw edge finished and crocheted two funky yarns together for the edging and ties. It's a furry little creature.

Inside I used two other dyed fabrics. The over-dyed piece is from Linda H. who was in Linda D's class. She over dyed a white on white print and wasn't happy with it, was going to toss it. I said it was great so she gave it to me. Thank you Linda!

I love these little breaks but now it's back to taxes..... have a great weekend, hope you don't still have your taxes to work on!

Reuse, Recycle, More Fun!

Above is a tool caddy I made this year. It is stuffed full so I need to make another bigger one for 2011. I used several of those tools for the following recycled project, another inspired by Sue's and Terri's book, "Creative Ways with Fibre & Stitch",  ... I collected some papers from the recycle box ...used up several very old almost empty bottles of paint. I discovered that after painting it is best to loosen them from the surface or they may tear after drying ....

 Plus my paints didn't cover the print so I used gesso, then paints ....

Because this paper was super thin, I placed one or two additional pieces of paper, also printed on, from the recycle bin ...then trimmed the edges and stitched all around to hold it all together.

I used up more of the old pillow case I had painted two summers ago and a black remnant from my stash to create the cover. I stacked the pages together into four signatures and put it all together.

I think I may use this for samples, postcards or a sketchbook, not sure yet. January will find me moving from my sewing room to the clay room. I was out pugging some clay this week but the cool weather still beckons me to sew. Happy Holidays!

2011 Weekly Planner ..... Done!

Ever since I purchased one of Sue's gorgeous journals and Sue's and Terri's book, "Creative Ways with Fibre & Stitch", I've wanted to make my own journal. Well I finally made my first fabric journal. I needed a weekly planner for 2011 so decided to print off pages for a planner and use those for my pages. Because thankfully my sewing skills are a little better than my computer skills I printed off blank weeks and added the dates by hand. As it was I had lots of messed up printed pages. Some have 'unsupported Personality: PCL' printed on the pages but my husband said that just adds to its handmade charm.

 I was very pleased to use up a small quilt I had started last year but had put it aside when it seemed to take a wrong turn. I cut away at it, added some more fabric and I soon had a cover I was happy with. I found some coordinating fabrics in my stash for the lining and a little inside pocket.

 I finally used the awl I had purchased long, long ago which made those signatures a snap. Some hand dyed threads from my friend Jackie worked perfectly.

 I'd made unglazed white ceramic buttons last year so chose one for the closing. I dug into my lingerie elastic as I wanted to finish this last night. I could not wait and go to the store so when I had a nice purple that was it.

This was such a fun project so I'm sure I'll be making a few more; perhaps one for the sketch project starting in January. I sure could use a push to get me sketching more often.

In my clay world the FAU Potters' Guild had a fun get together last week. We had homemade treats to snack on and several of us exchanged clay gifts. Above are the wonderful creations I brought home; all by made guild members; some alumni, some current students. Each one of these has a special place now.

 When I was putting together my pieces for the exchange I discovered a trick that you may find useful someday. Or perhaps you already have used melted wax this way. I was having a tough time trying to thread two threads through the holes in my ornaments and was thinking if I could make the ends of my threads like shoe lace ends I'd have no problem. Well I was able to do just that by dipping the ends of my threads into some melted wax. Presto, no problem.

These are my gift bags all tied up and ready to go. I cut up brown paper that had come as padding with something I had bought online. I stitched along the sides, did some stamping, hole cuts and tied on a personalized ornament. I was going for the 'earthy, green' look. Gift wrapping can be fun! I hope you're enjoying some fun gift wrapping time during the holidays.