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PRAYER FLAGS UP AND FLYING

I wanted to put my prayer flags from my swap (see previous post) up on my deck - so I can look at them from my kitchen and studio (I spend a lot of time in both places). I aded extra flags that I made to the beautiful flags I got in the swap.

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.

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.

 

EARLY HALLOWEEN

I'm working on making some Halloween cards to send out as random acts of art. The skeletons come from photos I took at the Halloween store (th background on the one with three skeletons is a dark cemetery - hard to tell from the scan. The background on the two skeletons card is one of my attempts to photograph a full moon. The googley eyes seemed like a necessary addition. The red sparkley eyes gleam more menacing than the scan shows. The vintage image was strong by itself, so all I added was glitter to the fairy wings.

The tag was made from an altered photo I made at ArtUnraveled. I tried to make the antique doll look very spooky. The little witch (click on her to enlarge the image) is from fabric images I made in a past Halloween.

I also was in a Halloween matchbox swap. I forgot to take a photo of my box and the included giftee before I gave it to Britt. As it happens, she also forgot to phtoo graph the box she made for me and the giftees. Missing from the scan are the necklace and ring she made (already in my jewelry box and I'm too lazy to fetch them right now). The image on the matchbosx is one of those cardsw that changes it's image as you move it (the man turns into a werewolf).

MY WELCOME HOUSE BANNER

Kathy McElroy is hosting another Welcome banner swap - this one with the banners in the shape of houses.  I have the "C" this time. I decided to make a "shabby chic" house (free form sewing on a beige background, lace roof, a sari ribbon for the door and windows). I also decided to put a person behind the door (it's a photos of me on my 8th birthday). I'm not sure anyone will think to open the door (it is, after all, a Welcome banner and should have an open door); but I like to think of me there to greet them all.

KATHY'S NECKLACE

It's my turn to work on Kathy's neckace. She asked for neutral colors and a vintage look. Kathy and Sue and Beth had all made beautiful pieces for this necklace. It has a wonderful vintage feel and a certain elegance. I hope my addition (circled in white in the photo below) pleases Kathy. I used some old beads, my precious rhinestone chain, a piece from one of my favorite bracelets, and a vintage earing. I will pass this on to Brittney and then she will send it home to Kathy.

MATCHBOXES AS ART SUBSTRATES

Recently, I've been involved in two one 0n one matchbox swaps. The idea is to decorate a matchbox, fill it with treasures and exchange it with someone. The theme of the first matchbox swap, organized by Kathy McElroy, was "spring." (There is a rumor that spring may eventually arrive in southwestern Michigan) My box went to Terry Ross.  You can see the beautiful box she sent me here.  It's interesting that our minds went in the same direction for this challenge.

The second  swap is open themed and for my local art group. We were supposed to exchange them at our meeting on Monday, but now we're just going to show them and exchange them next month because this is spring break for the local schools and a number of members will be missing.

Here is the matchbox I sent Terry and its contents.

 

 

And, this is the matchbox I made for the Altered Sisters swap. You may notice some of the contents are very similar to those in Terry's box.

THE SWAPS ARE/WILL BE IN THE MAIL

I often swear off doing swaps; and then, someone suggests something intriguing and I sign up again. I have sent off a Spring matchbox to Terry for a one-to-one exchange (will post pictures when I hear she got it) and I have two swaps ready to pack up and mail (currently waiting on the windowwasher to do my outside windows, so this may not get done until tomorrow). And, I have one house shaped banner and one filled matchbox to go. It may be time to take another break.

Here are my charms for one swap. They are molded polymer faces in bottle caps, embellished with beads and then wire wrapped.

These are inchies for an inchie swap. I used a one inch paper punch to punch out some of my favorite textured paper and then adhered beads (definite bead them going on in these two swaps) with Diamond Glaze and then edged the inchies with a brown marker.

I think this means I'm currently on schedule with my swaps, but I better go check the list again.

MY FIRST MATCHBOX SWAP

I recently discovered decorating matchboxes (who knew?), filling them with little treasures and sending them out for swaps. My friend Kathy organized a small valentine matchbox swap. I have sent mine off and am anxiously awaiting the returns to come. I painted the matchboxes red, inside and out, glued small sewn hearts on them, and filled them with small heart-shaped polymer buttons that I had made. I think I forgot to sign them (I'm really bad at remembering to sign my work). Oh well.

VALENTINE WELCOME BANNER - AND ANOTHER PURSE

It's time for another welcome banner; this time the theme is valentines and the shape is a heart instead of a triangle. I have "W" again.

 

I found two great heart fabrics at my local quilt shop and decided to try to quilt freeform hearts onto the fabrics.

I cut out the hearts using a pattern to make sure I stayed consistent with shape and size (not susually one of my strengths).

Here's what I decided would be the front of the banner.

And, here's the back.

I mailed off my banners without taking a photo of the completed one;,but I had made an upside down one (oops), so I have one to show you. I was lazy and just placed the heart shaped button on the bottom instead of sewing it on. So, this is almost what my "W" banners look like.

I had some left over fabric; so, of course, I made a purse.