Sheer Fabrics & Zig Zag

So today was highly productive, thanks to my new needle felting kit (images and tips on my other blog shortly) and of course the trusty sewing machine. The two sets of ATCs made today were sheer fabrics and zig zag stitch.

Zig Zag Stitch:

 These lovelies were made using a Clover needle felting tool and prepared fleece, with some fluffy fancy yarns felted in. Then I literally just stitched all over the top to make an interesting surface, experimenting with different sizes of zig zag and layering the stitches.

Sheer Fabrics:

Obviously these were made with different kinds of sheer fabrics, from organza materials to ribbons. Cut into strips, these were then folded in half and stitched horizontally, then vertically in two directions to give a folded pleated effect. The beads were then added on afterwards. I was going to heat gun them to give an interesting surface texture, but my Mum talked me out of it as she likes them as they are.

Nothing should go to waste so with a few left over bits, I managed to make some inchies which will be a lovely RAK for someone!

A New Year With Cream/White Fabric Postcards

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! =D

I cannot tell you what joy it is to be able to use my sewing machine again!!! Unfortunately it is too big and heavy to smuggle to university without my Mum noticing so I have to use it as much as I can now.
As I keep on telling you, I have joined up for many different kinds of swaps, one of them being a postcard swap.
I have only done one postcard swap before- some of you may remember the Sunset Silhouette cards (of which I am very proud)- so this is still relatively new to me and very exciting.
I have to admit that my favourite kinds of swaps are abstract fabric ones, and this swap was exactly the kind of thing I like- the only rules were the size and the colour.
For those who read my other blog (Beth's Natural Inspirations), my main technique (neat edged circles) used in the cards will not be unfamiliar to you. So what do you think of these?

They are really simple- some thickly woven upholstery fabric, paper doilies, vintage lace, banana yarn and some lace flowers! The bottom card did go slightly wrong with the edging, one corner was accidentally chopped off so the rest had to come off too. Hopefully it sort of looks like it was meant to be like that...

Book Reviews

I promise that one day soon I will be making more ATCs, but to keep you going I have been reading some fantastic topical books on ATCs and stitched postcards that I would really recommend for all you crafty people.
The first book is Artist Trading Card Workshop: Create, Collect, Swap by Bernie Berlin (link to Amazon here).

It gives many good techniques and ideas for you to use, including: friendly plastic, image transfers, using resin, embossing powders etc. When you are stuck for ideas it is perfect to have a flick through as it also includes gallery images of a variety of other people's work.

My second book is Stitched Postcards by Christa Rolf  (link to Amazon here).

This book is just utterly gorgeous!! The materials and techniques used are right up my street, with water soluble fabrics, tyvek, silk paper, felting etc. The pictures are all really high quality so you can see every fibre strand and it will definitely encourage you to have a go yourself!!

So I hope these books will inspire you to have a go- I have signed up to a fabric postcard swap so I will be definitely looking through my second book for inspiration, and there are many ATCs to make for the New Year!

A Big Relief

I have been having massive issue with my postal service lately, in that I seem to lose most of the post sent to me, so it was a massive relief to get these ATC returns, even if they were incredibly late-- maybe I will one day get the rest of my post as well!!
Anyway, on a generally black and white theme, here are my returns!

 (By Becky)                                                    (By Wendy)

There may be a bit of a lull now until I go on holiday and have access to a sewing machine again. I have been having massive withdrawal symptoms from sewing machines- it is on my Christmas list however!!- and have been having to think up alternative methods of making ATCs. I have joined up to several hundred swaps for the new year though so the blog will be buzzing!!

Alphabets Q, R, S & T

I was very bad and behind this week with my alphabet ATCs. I had to email our poor host Wendy and ask for a cheeky extension to the deadline. (I did have a very important assignment due in last weekend, although I did have a month to make them so it isn't really that great an excuse). Still, to make up for it, I have also sent her next month's cards so I don't have to worry about it over Christmas.

I have also signed up for zillions of new swaps due in in January and February, with an inchie swap that I am hosting, a rainbow accordion book, postcards and ATCs. So next year is going to be really exciting!!

The Last of the Inchies

So today I received the last of the inchies needed before swapping them out. Totally worth waiting for as they were all really cute.

(By Paula)



Luckily we had a good amount of people in this swap so every body got one of everyone else's which was nice as there was a good variety. Here are the ones that I kept, although it was really hard to choose and I wanted to keep all of them!

Some of you may notice that there are seven instead of six- don't panic, I got an RAK from SueM so was able to take two of her lovely ones!
I have been really excited by this swap and really hope that I can host another one in the New Year- any ideas for themes??

October Pears

Happy Bonfire Night!!! Hope you are all out enjoying the fireworks!
Yesterday I got my alphabet returns so I would like to share those with you!

 (By Hazel)                                                  (By Annie)

Mind your O's and P's

I've just realised that I haven't posted up the photos of my latest Alphabet ATCs- very remiss of me! Anyway, here they are now!

I was asked by one of my friends if I had used leatherette for the lettering. I was quite surprised as they are simply made from cardboard!! -- Handy tip, use cereal box card and paint it with watercolour!!

Inchie Overload

So my inchie swap is drawing to a close now with only a few people left to send them in- I am getting increasingly worried about having to choose the ones I want to keep as I want to keep them all (may have to get my flatmates to choose for me!!)

I have finally made my own ones as well, and got a little carried away so made lots and lots!!!

 Some of the inchies double up in the photos so I haven't quite made this many.

Anyway, they aren't as good as the ones I've been getting. Take a look at these and maybe you'll understand my dilemma!!

 (By Annie)                                                      (By SueH)   

(By Wendy)

Annie also very kindly sent me some little fabric leftovers which were big enough to turn into ATCs (not sure if she meant them as ATCs as she didn't put a backing on them, but they look gorgeous so I have backed them and put them with all the others).

Buildings & Dragonflies

Ahh, I love post- especially when it involves ATCs. Today I was in for a real treat with both my building and dragonfly returns.

First up are the Dragonflies:

 (By Hilary)                                                  (By Becky)

(By SueM)

And now the buildings:

 (By SueM)

 (By Paula)

(By SueH)





Inchies!!

A few months ago I suggested to the MixedMediaATC_UK group that we try our hand at some Inchies. I had never made any so thought it might be a nice thing to try, and several other people agreed! I offered to host and have recently seen them start to flood in!!
First to arrive was Alison's very cute little cards.

And today's arrival was from SueM who has also very kindly sent me a RAK to go with it! Great start to the day!

This of course means that I now have to make my own ones!! And I have no idea where to start!

Autumnal ATCS

I have also had my returns for the Colours of Autumn swap, which has got me very excited because they are beautiful!!! There's no two ways about it, they are gorgeous!!

                                 (By Linda)                                                        (By Susan)

(By Wendy)

M & N

I've had to wait a while for these cards because they were redirected from my house in Sussex (sounds very posh when put like that!!). Still, as always it was worth the wait!

                                      (By Becky)                                               (By Alison)

Of course, this means that I now have to get on with the next lot!!!

Colours of Autumn & Buildings

So, on further examination of the brief for the Colours of Autumn swap, I noticed that it was a fabric swap, so have had to make them all again. This time with more fabric in them!!

 

I also finally got round to making my building ATCs- opting for a simple, almost childish layout with buildings made from Shrinkies!!!