ad libitum

CUFFS

I have a renewed obsession with making fabric cuffs. I stitched up simple fabric collages, cut them into cuff strips, sewed over them and embellished them.

Here is a close up of the beaded ruffle I made.

 

A close up showing my polymer buttons and the resin paper I sewed onto the cuff.

A row of pearls sewn onto the edge and three rows of beads sewn next to a row of trim.

Vintage buttons, folded trim, netting, ribbon and a resin covered photo of my mother and uncle.

More  resin paper and varied beads and one of my polymer buttons over lace.

A close up of the end of the of the above cuff.

 

 

A JOURNAL FOR A CHRISTMAS PRESENT

For one of my art groups, we have a surprise Christmas gift exchange; we each make one present, but we don't know who will get it (we draw numbers). This is fun because you don't have the responsibility of making a gift for someone specific; you just make a present. I decided to make a journal. I over-dyed some commercial fabric hat has words on it (I figured words are a good theme for a journal cover). I used the fabric as the journal cover, which I folded over a spiral notebook in the same way we used to fold cut up paper bags over our school books in the '50s and 60's. I prepared the spiral notebook by glueing pages together, then sewing them together, and then covering with gesso. After the gesso dried, I either painted the pages or glued some gelli printed deli paper on them.

Below, are photos of the journal.

The back cover:

A journal page spread (the lines of the notebook peeking through, to use or ignore):

The last page of the journal with a folded pocket for some tags:

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.

A FEW MORE INCHIES

Sometimes I have bits of time to work on my fabric inchies I'm currently trying to make 100 white ones. I'm half way there. Here are a few.

EMBROIDERING MONOPRINTS

Some of the monoprints that I did on fabric need something to give them a little pizazz; so, I decided to break out the embroidery thread and do some embellishing.

 

Here is a detail showing some of the stitching and the beads I decided to add.

 

 

Below is the finished piece.

Having completed one, I've started work on another.

PAINT AND FABRIC

I have some ideas about making art quilts, embellishing my wardrobe, and making some purses (I think I'm going to try to sell some fabric purses). I have fabric (I bought a bolt of muslin) and I have paints. So, for part of this past week-end and today (which started out with thunder storms) I painted, monoprinted, stenciled, stamped, and wrote on muslin pieces of fabric. I have 62 rectangles and squares of fabric ready to work on (or sit patiently and wait to be worked on). 

I have taken photos of my fabric pieces. They aren't great photos, but they show the range of colors and patterns.

ANOTHER PURSE

A long time ago (so long ago,I'm not really sure how long ago it was), I was in a fabric swap of sea themed fabric squares made in the style of Teesha Moore. I made some extra squares to keep for myself because I knew I would want to make something bigger than 12 squares. A few weeks ago, I issued a challenge to the people in the swap to make something with their squares, or to show what they already made. Last Thursday, I made a purse. 

Below are pictures of the front and back of my new summer purse.

 

TRAVEL PURSE/CAMERA BAG

Often, before taking a trip, I make myself a new purse (I started this in 2009; I have a lot of purses strewn around the house). I decided that I would try to make a slightly larger purse this time; one that would also hold my two cameras, as well as my iPad and usual purse stuff. I'm determined to do my two week trip with one carry one suitecase and my purse; so I have a lot of inventing packing and storing to do.

So, I present my purse/camera bag:

I printed out one of my Photoshop images (my older daughter as an elf) to make a zippered pocket on the purse flap.

Under the flap is the front of my purse, with another zippered pouch, this one with another of my Photoshop images.

I put another zippered pouch on the back of my purse. This one is cushioned/quilted and is big enough to hold my iPad and my trip journal.

I made this side pocket to hold my folding cane or a water bottle.

This side pocket will also hold a fair amount of stuff.

This is the inside of my bag; more pouches and two links for attachments.

ANGELS AND GODDESSES

I'm in the throes of making paper angels and goddesses for the Paper Guild Holiday Sale. I'm behind schedule, but I'm cranking out as much as I can. Below are scans of some of my angels and goddesses.

The angel bodies are made out of hand-made paper. The wings are made out of layers of deli paper that has been decorated with gesso and paint and glitter mists. Their faces are from collage sheets that I have made from copyright free pictures, family photos, and my drawings. I give them hearts that are buttons I have made out of polymer clay. I sew the bodies to water color paper. I make the hangers out of wire and beads.

The goddesses are made pretty much the same way as the angels, except that I use painted deli paper for their bodies and have decorated these with fancy stitches from my sewing machine.

I am now agonizing over pricing and the worry that nothing will sell (still have cards and word people and banners to go, will post scans or photos as they get done).

 

A NEW COMPUTER BAG

I do a fair amount of traveling and I like to bring my laptop with me. I decided to make a computer bag that I could bring on a plane and that would also hold my cameras and iPad. I used some Japanese fabric I bought while I was in California (in fact, I had bought it with making a computer bag in mind). I don't usually use a pattern when I make my bags, but this time I did draw out some pieces to make sure the fabrics, interfacing and batting were the right sizes. It's bigger than most computer bags and it might be difficult to convince the airline that it's a purse, but I'm pleased with it.