Western Fabric Postcards

I needed two Thank You cards so I decided to make Fabric Postcards. My friends seem to enjoy receiving these postcards. I decided to make the cards with a Western theme. I recently purchased the background fabric and I already had the cowgirl fabric in my stash. The embellishments are old button covers. I removed the metal button cover and then glued to postcard. Message reads "Just riding by to say Thank You!" with a personal note on the individual gifts.

I have had some interesting conversations with the post office regarding mailing these postcards. It seems each person working there has a different opinion on how to mail them. I think we all agree that the embellished ones need to be hand cancelled but there are differing opinions on how to mail the flat ones in a plastic sleeve.

Goodie Bag Challenge

I received a "goodie bag" from Pamela, my partner in a challenge on Fabric in Altered Arts. We were each to put together a goodie bag of items. The bag was to include some fabric along with other items. We were then assigned partners. I mailed my goodie bag to Norma in southern Arizona. Pamela from California sent me her goodie bag. We are to assemble "something" from the goodies we receive and return to the original owner.

I had thought I would like to make a small fabric book since I enjoy making them but when I looked at the items in the bag, I changed my mind. More later on what I plan to do with the goodies in the bag.

Mixed Media Canvas Collage

I just finished my collage for a swap on Treasure Art Trends. I wasn't sure I would be able to finish before leaving on vacation. But I DID IT! This was my first collage swap. It took awhile for me to choose a theme. Finally I decided on the Cowgirl theme. The collage included scrapbook paper, fussy cut fabric, silk flowers, leather coat label, photo from book, vintage trim, faux leather fringe, button, and metal studs. All are placed on a canvas background that was painted with four colors of acrylic paints and sealed with PVA. Fun project.

"Think Pink" ATC

This is an ATC for the March Swap at Treasure Art Trends. The theme this month was "Think Pink". Baby girls immediately came to mind when I saw the theme. The photo is from Mini-Ephemera Clip Art & CD by Design Originals.

Black & White Chunky # 2

This is a photo of my second chunky for the Black & White swap. I hope to get them in the mail tomorrow. This is my first chunky swap and I'm looking forward to receiving the Black and White Chunky book. The 4" x 4" format is a little easier to work with than the playing card sized ATCs.

Spring Fabric Postcard

This is a photo of a fabric postcard I designed for a class I will teach in Kentucky in April. The class is Photos to Fabric. At the end of class each student makes a fabric postcard. I put the kits together this weekend. On the reverse side is a Irish Blessing "May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun and find your shoulder to light on, to bring you luck, happiness and riches. Today, tomorrow, and beyond".

Since St. Patty's Day and Easter are in the same week this year, I decided to send these postcards to my friends with the greeting "Happy Spring". An Irish blessing and spring oriental scene should cover both holidays.

Icicle Doll Swap

This past week was one filled with great items in the mail. Sometime ago I posted pictures of the icicle dolls I made for a swap on two yahoo groups. I have now received by return mail these wonderful icicle dolls. Each is so unique and wonderful. I am displaying them in one of my vintage ceramic planters.

I also received two quilties this week from the February swap on Fabric in Altered Arts. The themes were "PINK" and "love is....". Both were wonderful. I have added them to my collection of quilties. I think it's time to make all my quilties in to a book. Haven't decided on the technique yet.

Machine Felted Postcard

My new machine felter arrived yesterday by UPS. I had purchased it at the Sewing Expo. The first time I saw one of these machines was at the Hands On Sewing School last year and I thought why would I want one of these. I worked with the machine again at a Hands on Seminar at the Sewing Expo and I fell in love with it. It is a safe machine for my five year old granddaughter to use to create fun clothing and craft items. I purchased a machine at the expo (not sure I saved alot of money) and they shipped it. This morning I got out a stack of wool fabric samples I had purchased at the thrift store some time back and designed this fabric postcard. What a fun machine! I see great possibilities in my fabric art. This postcard is for a swap in the Fabric in Altered Arts yahoo group.

Black & White Chunky

This is my first chunky. It measures 4" x 4" and will be bound on the edge. There are 14 participants in the swap. We each are to complete 2 sets of 14 chunkies. The theme is black and white. We will receive a completed book with 28 pages. I'm still working on the second set.

Desert landscape

yellow wildflowers

Spring in the Desert

I usually only blog about my projects but I couldn't resist posting these pictures of springtime in the desert. We drove outside of town on Sunday afternoon to see the desert in bloom. Unfortunately, it wasn't as colorful as some years but with recent rains the desert if very green and lush. I was able to photograph some of the yellow flowers that blanket the desert. Also a few of the dainty purple flowers. The weather is beautiful in the 80s this week. We enjoyed a b-b-que with family on our patio last evening. My family and friends in Kentucky are experiencing snow. It's a great time to live in the desert.

Puyallup Projects

These are two of the projects that we made in the Hands-On sessions at the Sewing Expo in Puyallup, Washington last week. The pillow needed tweeking when I got home but overall I am pleased with the results. Instructor was not the best and we left the class very frustrated but I was able to salvage the project. The other project was a journal cover. My Puyallup journal fits inside. Both projects were serger projects. Guess I need to get out my serger and use it more.

Embroidery Club Purse

Returned from the Sewing Expo on Tuesday afternoon with my head spinning. So many ideas! Where do I begin? Can't wait to try my hand at dying vintage lace with the kit I purchased.

Yesterday was March Embroidery Club. This purse was the project for this month. We made the fabric for the appliqued flower from thread clippings and organza. The threads were hooped between two sheets of pink organza and machine embroidery stitching was added. The example had black cording but I found this cording in shades of pinks and greens in my stash and decided to use it. The example had a button closure but I used a snap and then added a vintage pin. I'm very pleased with the results. A quick and cute project.