Sarah"s Fabric Book Page

This is my page for Sarah's Fabric Book - a swap organised by FiberArtFriends Group. Her theme is a "Womans work is never done". I was thinking about the theme and it's so true, we are such a busy bunch of people, and there never seems to be enough time. So, that is what I based my page on "Never Enough Time". The glitter in the hour glass will pass through if you shake the page...........

Journal Cover

For the last few days I've been busy making a journal cover. It was made by weaving strips of fabric through rug canvas, and heavily stitched with decorative machine stitching. I read about this method in a book called Fabric Leftovers by D'Arcy-Jean Milne. The piece of fabric I had woven wasn't quite large enough for me to add a pocket inside for the journal to fit into, so instead I plaited some of the leftover strips together, threaded them through the journal's spine attached the journal to the cover with the strip - knotting the end to keep the journal snug and secure inside the cover. The knot at the end of the plait can be undone if you want to remove the journal (not that I'll ever need to - I haven't even started a journal yet!!!)..... I wanted the closure to be quick and easy to open, so made a cord which wraps once around the cover and hooks around the button at the front. Also to give the cover more of an "arty" type of look - I rubbed purple and gold Treasure Gold over the top, and also ironed on a bit of painted vliesofix. All in all, I'm really happy with the end result!!!

Birthday Postcards/Atc

Today I made 2 birthday postcards for the June birthday girls on FiberArtFriends group. They are made with foil on felt, embellished with the Xpression and then I sewed some decorative machine stitches on them. The ATC is made from leftover fabric from the Treasure Boxes, and this is going to Fabienne in France. Now my only commitment left for this month is the fabric page swap for the FiberArtFriends group.

Treasure Boxes/Fibre And Stitch

I have most of the Quilting Arts Magazines, as when I read my first one a while back I loved it so much that I went and back ordered every issue (apart from a few that had completely sold out). So now I've decided I need to actually do some of the projects that have been featured in the magazine. I've seen many pictures of other Treasure Boxes made, and now it's my turn. I made the first one the size of the template in the magazine - it is soooo cute, as it's quite tiny. The second one I enlarged the template 200%. Both sizes are great. The teeny weeny size would be perfect for holding a gift of jewellery.

Sorry, I'm too lazy to go and get the magazine to see what issue it is - I'll add that in my next post.

FIBRE AND STITCH
Oh, and I should mention FibreandStitch, the new mixed media art zine which will be available in September. Check out this website: http://www.fibreandstitch.com/. I will be subscribing -with such talented ladies involved it's sure to be one not to miss!!

Mail Received/Sent - Up a Tree

I received my page from Terri for the FiberArtFriend fabric page swap. It is really beautiful!! Also, with the page I received this wonderful beaded ATC - it's so much better for real - I love it. Thanks so much Terri!!

I made this ATC for a swap with Muriel in France - hope she likes it.

These ATC's were from Nadia in Norway, the wonderful black, white and red one, and from Muriel in France - the beautifully embroidered tree.

Here are my little darlings (little monkeys) - "up a gum tree" at the back of our house.

Little Stamped Books/ATC's Received/Possum on a Full Moon

Here's what I made with some of my dyed fabric. They are only little - about 5" x 3 1/2", and I have sewn a signature inside with 3 sheets of pink paper. The fabric for the front and back cover was from my dyed fabric with an additional stamped piece added to the front cover. For the closure, I braided some yarn and wrapped it around a button. These were inspired by a DVD by Sandra McCall, called Fabricadabra.



More lovely ATC's received!! 1. Beautiful embellished ATC from Waltraud. 2. Gorgeously textured ATC from Peggy. 3. Soooo pretty and in my favourite colours, from Fabienne. Thankyou very much - they are all wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



















Possum on a Full Moon
Isn't this just beautiful?! My 11 y/o son made it for a 3D project for school. It is hanging up in our living room - he is soooo clever!!!!

Fabric Dyeing

Today I tried fabric dyeing for the first time!! Not sure if I did it the "correct" way (if there is a correct way), as every book I read about dyeing was different, so I just sort of picked the easiest bits out of each book. Anyway, here are my results! I'm pretty happy with them. I used fuscia and turquoise MX dyes, and folded and tied the fabrics in different ways - and don't ask me which one is what - I can't remember!! Next time I'll have to write it all down.......