Fabric Patches - More

I am working on my fabric patches in the evening while watching TV.

On this patch I paired a black foundation layer with red and black plaid strips ripped to about the same width. I wove them into a layer and stitched to the back layer with white crosses in each intersection. 

I then added a white heart with the back stitch.

I chose to stitch it to a white denim backer.  The machine stitching secures all the ends of the weaving while attaching it to the white backer.

I created this much looser weaving onto a navy foundation layer. I secured all the strips with a running stitch in navy thread.

I added a few blue glass beads on the left hand side.

The art layer was machine stitched to a black denim layer with black thread.

Here I started with the printed fabric and chose colors that would coordinate.

The foundation layer is a pink polka dot fabric, then I added a turquoise cotton layer. Then the printed fabric and stitched these together with running stitch and white thread.

I then appliqued a red heart aligned to the left of center with an overcast stitch and matching thread.

The art layer was machine stitched to a square of medium shade light weight denim.

This piece combines strips of green and orange cotton fabric onto a white foundation layer.

I used seed stitches to attached all the strips to the foundation layer.

On top of the strips I layered a strip of ivory organza topped with a piece of ivory lace, a tiny square of the green polka dot fabric topped with an orange flower shaped button.

The art layer was machine stitched to a navy denim backer with white thread.

I decided to create a patch featuring circles. 

I started with a foundation layer of blue and white striped fabric.

I cut circles in 3 different sizes in 3 different colors. Blue, red and yellow.  I just played with the placement till I was happy and pinned them in place.

I used a running stitch around the outside with navy thread until all the circles were secured. I added a white button to the top circle.  

Now that I look at it the button is pretty much in the center which I would have preferred it be off center.  Sometimes I don't step far enough away from my work to see the overall picture.

The striped layer was machine sewn to a navy denim backer square with white thread.

I have cut out some backer squares from denim and canvas ready to machine stitch my little pieces of art onto them.  I have white denim, navy denim, Carhartt cotton duck canvas, black denim, and some purple canvas fabric.  We will see how it goes.

Craft Sale - Christmas Photo Cards

I have made a few more photo Christmas Cards for my craft sale on the weekend. Check out my events page for details.

This was a snowman decoration at the Conservatory a couple of years ago.  Love his happy face.  This is a 3.5 x 4.75 inch photo on a white heavy card.




The standing deer was again at the Conservatory.

Red berry from the Conservatory.




The bird was an ornament on a Christmas tree at the Garden Center.

The Cardinal ornament with birch trees is a glass ornament on display at the garden center.

The oval poinsettia is an old design which I have converted to a photo card.  Love the red poinsettia.

The aqua blue glass ornament was on a tree at the garden center.
The sitting deer was at the Conservatory.

The evergreen bough is a great winter card.
The leaves with red berries photo does not have snow but has wonderful seasonal colors.

White poinsettia taken at the Conservatory.

Note Cards - Canvas Butterfly

I received an order for blank note cards.  I chose to finish my supply of canvas butterflies into these cards.  They are all gone! I'm moving to another method.



 








Above - I chose a deep taupe card and designer paper by Fancy Pants - Fancy Free collection - Tradition.  I ripped the small piece on the left by pulling towards myself to avoid the wide rip edge. Then I pulled again a narrow strip to remove the white edge. These pieces were then adhered to the card front leaving a space of card showing.  I adhered the canvas butterfly over this space in the top left hand corner with Zots.

Right - On this card I chose a light taupe card which coordinated with one of the colors in the flowers.  I applied the same process and glued my designer paper in the portrait tall orientation.  Zots hold the canvas butterfly in place.  The designer paper is by Little Yellow Bicycle - Acorn Hollow.

Sympathy Card & Card Set

I made another set of sympathy cards to have a set in reserve when the need arises.

This designer paper is by Fiskars - Kimberly Poloson - Rose Garden.  The colors are very suitable to a somber occasion. On the sympathy card I chose a 4 inch square of designer paper with a color printed greeting in Early Espresso on a gray granite card.  I added a length of ivory satin ribbon and placed the ivory canvas butterfly along it's length.


I love the old crackle design on the other side of this card stock.  I chose several different colors of card stock to provide some variety. There was a natural parchment card, some grey granite, and a muted blue.  I was consistent with the 1/8" ivory satin ribbon and the canvas butterfly through out the set varying the layout and the orientation of the split in the designer paper.   The canvas butterfly is held in place with Zots.  The DSP split is 3.5 & 1.75 inches.

All Occasion Cards - Canvas Butterfly

I made a set of cards for the family who are grieving the loss of a husband, father, and grandfather.

The colors in the paper allowed me to use several card colors (kraft, royal blue and sage green) to provide some variety in this set of very simple cards. They can be used as needed at this difficult time.
The designer paper was cut to 4" square then ripped leaving a smaller and a larger piece. The piece with the white paper edge was ripped again to remove the white paper edge.  I adhered the pieces to both ends of the card leaving the card color showing in between.
I adhered the canvas butterfly over this space held in place with Zots. The design is versatile in that it works in the wide or tall orientation.

Sympathy - Canvas Butterfly

This is a sympathy card for a friend who lost her husband Ray this week.  I'm attending his funeral today and we will celebrate his full life of 93 years.

I spread some Tim Holtz Faded Jeans Distress Stain onto my acrylic plate then just pressed the kraft card front onto it to create a mono print.
I created the tag by cutting a strip of navy card stock to 2" wide and punched the end with the Stampin Up Banner Triple Punch.  The kraft layer was cut to 1.5" and punched the same way.  These were adhered together. I stamped the sentiment from the SU Simply Sketched stamp set in SU Night of Navy ink.  I adhered the canvas butterfly above the sentiment with Zots. I punched a hole in the upper left hand corner and added a cotton string matching the butterfly.  The tag is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Submitting to the following challenge:
Tag You're It Challenge #45

Any Occasion Cards - Butterflies

I made several of these and will give them to the family today at the funeral.  At this difficult time, there should be no need to run to the store for cards.  During these difficult times people pitch in and help as needed and a card of appreciation is always a nice thing to do.  The family can do as they wish with the cards and I hope they come in handy.
Another Basic Grey DSP - Granola ripped and mounted onto a black card.  The ivory canvas butterfly was hot glued to the card front.

Sympathy Cards

I made these cards for my brother in law and his family. His father Joe had a stroke in June 2015 and has been in hospital and extended care since that time.  He passed away Sunday and the funeral is today.  I have shared many meals with this man as the families lived near each other and extended family was included in birthday and other celebrations. He will be sorely missed.  I believe he is in a better place.  

The pear paper is by Basic Grey DSP. One card is coordinated with teal card stock and the other with a brown card.  The greetings are Stampin Up Word Window punchies.  I have hot glued ivory canvas butterflies on all three.  On the 2 pear ones I have added grosgrain ribbon in coordinating colors.

The polka dot paper is by Bella Blvd - One Fall Day - Needle in a Haystack. 

Birthday Card Order - Set 2

The focal element on this card is the designer paper by Karen Foster named My Granda, My Hero Collage Paper.  I chose a layer of light blue behind the paper to which I glued the ripped DSP.  I added this layer to the dark warm blue card base.  I printed the greeting and punched it with the Stampin Up 1 1/4 inch circle punch and then glued it to a 1 3/8 dark blue circle.  The greeting was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.




This card is very similar except of orientation in portrait and the layer is grey.

I used leftovers pieces of designer paper from a calendar project last year.  I trimmed the strips of designer paper in patterned and lavendar colors.  I rounded the bottom ends with a circle punch.  I adhered them directly to the the green card front.  I added a length of ribbed ivory ribbon across the bottom half and taped the ends to the inside of the card.  I added a canvas flower held in place with Zots.  I then cut a button from lavender card stock and added thread to the holes.  The button was then added to the center of the flower with a Zot.  I printed a greeting in lavender and trimmed close to the border then adhered it to the card front with 3D foam tape.

This card is similar with the same family of designer paper in warm pinks.  It features a green layer between the DP and the soft green card base.

Mosaic Monday - House Canvas

Here's my last canvas.  I wanted to make a house one which could be given to someone who just purchased a house or just place in the front hall.
I started by creating a gradient background from blue at the top to earthy colors at the bottom using artist pigments Carribean Blue, Laguna and Yellow Citron. I painted yellow onto watercolor for the bright windows. I cut my house from white textured card stock. The main body, the roof and chimney.  I cut out windows and framed them with paint.  I painted the door and cut it out.  I painted a path way to the door and the tree trunk in darker colors.  I cut out the foliage for the tree and added birds and flowers.  I crunched and stained tissue paper in green and adhered it to the bottom of the canvas to create grass.  Added some clouds in the sky, smoke from the chimney and a red heart in the peak of the roof.

Submitting this to Mosaic Monday hosted my Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Card Club - October - Oval Tag

It's time for Card Club again.  For this card I started with a turquoise card and added a Stampin Up  Pretty Print embossing folder.  This was adhered to the card front.  I then aligned the largest flower and the tag to the card front and made a hole through to the card front with a push pin. Then I placed the small, medium and large flowers onto the brad and put it through the hole I made and pressed the prongs apart on the inside of the card.  I then aligned the 3 small flowers on the right hand side and again made holes with the push pin. I place the flower sequin and the flower onto the brad and push them through the card front and pressed the prongs apart on the inside of the card.  And repeated the process for the remaining flowers. 

Mosaic Monday - Leaf Canvas

Here's another canvas I have been working on.  I wanted to do some nature printing which involves taking real leaves, applying acrylic paint to them and printing them onto a substrate.  I the past, I have used card stock and used the prints in cards.  I thought I would to the same process on canvas.  Again, the lack of stiffness to the canvas presented a challenge.

I used Liquidtex Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red Medium, Titanium White, Phthalo Blue.  I have applied a thin layer of Texture Paste with a palette knife.

Overall it was not too bad but I found the final piece a little flat.  The maple leaf I had used for the printing was a deep dark color and was really gorgeous looking and I hated to throw it away.  With the canvas looking flat I thought this is just what it needs.  How to preserve it?  A bit of checking and I painted both sides with Modge Podge.  It needed a bit of strengthing so I using Modge Podge I adhered some deep burgundy mulberry paper to the back in strategic places.  That will do nicely.

I cut letters from card stock painted with deep dark brown paint.  I cut them with Stampin Up Little Letters framelits.  I brushed them with some gold acrylic then adhered them to the canvas with quick dry adhesive.

Sharing as part of Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Paris Mixed Media Canvas

I'm preparing some art work for an event in the Christmas season.  I have only done this type of mixed media once before.  Check it out here.
I am working with Gotrick Stretched Canvas 8"x8"and Liquitex Acrylic Paint. I taped the back with painters tape to keep it clean and provide a defined edge.  I mixed this toned down pink with Winsor Newton Permanent Rose acrylic along with some white and black Liquitex.  I painted the canvas with a large brush including the sides and left to dry over night.  The next morning I applied Tim Holtz Textured Paste with a palette knife through a Heidi Swapp Stencil and just pressed some paste around the canvas with the knife. I left it to dry while I took my morning walk.  I had planned on applying some elements by printing some Paris graphics reversed on freezer paper and transferring them to the canvas.  This DID NOT work. You need a solid and hard surface to press onto and of course the canvas is not.  Plan B.  I diecut the Tim Holtz Eiffel Tower in chipboard and a black shadow layer.  I applied 3 coats of Titanium White to the chipboard making sure I got the sides as well.  I adhered the black shadow just offset a bit to the right.  The white was pretty stark so I took a chance that my printing had not dried on the freezer paper.  It printed pretty well onto the painted chipboard with using a brayer to apply even and consistent pressure.  I cut the letters with the Cricut and the Storybook cartridge at 1.5 inches.  Again white letters with black shadows to repeat what I did on the tower.  The tower and the letters were adhered to the canvas with Quick Dry Adhesive.  I have rubbed some of the edges and corners with a bit of black paint. I then spattered the canvas with some black paint using a old toothbrush and a butter knife.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Submitting to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage. 

Family Get Together - Art Class

I just got back from a family get together on the weekend.  We had a great time with about 60 in attendance. There were great conversations with those from near and far and great food!
We had bingo games, raffle draws, a calendar fundraiser (more about that later), baseball, and an art class.
My aunt who is an artist held a class Saturday afternoon and I was one of the students.  This is my very first painting.  This was done with acrylic paints.  We did some charcoal doodles as practice to engage our right brain. Then  we sketched what we wanted to do on the canvas then we laid it out in the drawing in light grey to get all our elements in place then she gave us colors and we went for it.  I think we had about 12-15 folks paint canvas by the end of the afternoon.  It was a blast!!

Card - Accordion Card

I made this card for a couple who are leaving our office and moving to Toronto. I needed a large card for everyone to sign. I decided on an accordion card. I wanted the left side to represent Alberta so I added mountains and pine tree. The vellum in the centre represents our Muttart Conservatory in the river valley. Then along the road in the centre I created sign posts with locations long their way east; Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Sudbury. The right hand cover represents Toronto and Ontario. The cityscape, CN Tower and the water.

I used artists canvas 6x9" for the covers. I painted the sky and the grass on with acrylic paint with a bit of a dry brush technique. I used 50lb text weight paper for the accordion which was painted in the same way. I used my Creative Memories Wavy Cutter to create the highway that runs the full length of the card from left to right. I added the white centre line with a Marvy Opaque marker. The mountains were cut by hand, the pine tree is a Sizzix die cut, and the grass was ripped and cut with decorative edge scissors. The Muttart Conservatory is 3 large glass pyramids so I decided on vellum which was scored and then I added a bit of fine black marker to add definition. I designed the road markers in Corel Draw. The cityscape was cut on the Cricut - Paper Dolls Dress Up. I placed yellow paper behind to put light in the windows. I cut the waves with the wavy cutter and chalked them to add some depth. The CN tower was a clipart image which I printed and cut close to the edge. The clouds were cut with the Cricut - Create a Critter. I made a vellum sleeve to hold and protect the card.