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!!