ad libitum

PAPER ANGELS

I love angels and angel images. 'Tis the Season to think about angels; so, I made several paper angels. My angels have a variety of faces that I have drawn, faces from family photos, and faces from clip art. Their gowns are made from painted and gelli-printed deli paper. Their wings are painted water color paper with a stencil pattern (some gold paint, some silver paint). I have made some into a garland and I will deck my halls with others. (It probably won't surprise people who know me that I made more angels than I have photographed here.)

 

 

FABRIC PRAYER FLAGS

I just finished a fabric prayer flag swap (5 for 5 or multiple of 5 for multiple of 5). I sent them all off this afternoon (except for the Kalamazoo participants, to whom I will hand deliver flags this week). It was an exchange of 4 inch by 6 inch portrait oriented flags. There were 27 participants (including me). It will not surprise anyone who knows me that I made extra sets and extra flags .I will string up some of the extras with the flags I got from the swap; and I will keep some to send to friends as presents.

I loved this project. I found that working on the flags was a very positive experience for me. I also loved the flags that I received in the swap. My artist friends really put part of themselves into these small pieces of art.

Below are photos of a sampling of the sets of flags I made. When I get my flags strung together, I will post a photo.

these are made from commercial fabric; my polymer buttons; and, free form sewn words...

These are made from a cutter quilt.

These are made from cut up jeans.

These are from raw silk that I dyed in a class.

below, I cut up an embellished monoprint to make flags

These are a a Photoshop image I printed out on fabric.

Another photoshopped photo.

Below, I used tea-dyed vintage crocheted doilies.

Monoprinted fabric and polymer buttons.

These are reverse applique.

Naturally dyed fabric.

More commercial fabric and polymer buttons, below.

Below are flags made from monoprinted fabric and embroidered words.

PRINTED, PAINTED, FREEFORM-STITCHED, BEADED FABRIC

I finally finished beading the piece of fabric I had mono-printed, painted, and covered with freeform stitching. Pictures cannot convey the wonderful feel (the hand) of this piece. I started out with the idea of using some beads as a bit of embellishment; but I just kept beading and beading. This piece is about 12x13 inches.

Below are photos of details of the piece. You can see more of the painted fabric and sewing in these photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To answer the most logical question, I am not sure what I am going to do with this piece. It may end up as a wall hanging, but it may be incorporated into something else. There's no hurry to decide.

PLACEMATS

Inspired by a gift from my friend Kate, I made a set of placemats out of painted/colored drawings collaged with background monoprinted papers, washi tapes, duct tape, and sayings. Kate and my friend Cathwren and I had a delightful afternoon making placemats. After making the original collages, I scanned them and then took them to Office Max to be laminated with extra thick plastic (they are, after all, supposed to be used as real placemats). It was a fun project.

 

 

 

 

FABRIC MONOPRINTS

I had a large piece of muslin left over from a project. I decided to tear it up into rectangles and sqares and then play with paints, my gelli plate, stencils and stamps. (And, to answer the most commonly asked question, I plan to use the fabric pieces for a variety of projects: purses, altered clothing, quilts and wall hangings; but I don't have a specific plan for all of them.) I used acrylic paints. The pieces are in a variety of stages of completion. As I work on them, I will decide what they need and when each is finished.

Below is a piece that has a lot of work to be done:

The piece below has a circle theme. The big circles are from a stamp I carved.

On this piece, I used a stencil I made, an attempt to make a picture of my younger daughter.

Below is my start on a steam punk piece using a commercial stencil.

 

I used a letter stencil on the piece below; I'm thinking I may use it on a journal cover.

 

I used a tree mask on the piece below in an attempt to make a fantasy forest. I'm pleased with the start, but have to think about what comes next.

 

People who know me won't be surprised to hear that I have a lot more fabric pieces (I have a total of 28 fabric pieces in this project; all the pieces are about 14x14 inches). I'll post more as I continue to work on them.