Busy,busy

I have begun to put some new kits together and here is a sneak peek.

Things have been a bit slow, as those of you who read my blue hare blog will know, because a kitchen fire this summer has slowed the creativity a bit.

However, in an effort to get things moving again I have joined the Blogtoberfest, commiting myself to blog every day of October. You can join in at any time if you fancy the challlenge.

On the Quilt Routes front I have decided it is about time I got around to stitching this piece.

I use it to demonstrate stamping when I give my talk, which involves looking at different ways of painting and printing on fabric. I made the stamps for this using pizza bases (details to come later) and when I say bases I don't mean the dough base but the packaging base. I have to clarify this because I was once asked how I stopped the paint from breaking up the dough!

Stay tuned.

Scrappy Journal Part 2

Yesterdays post showed you how I use the paper cloths/towels that I clean up with to create pages from which I made this Scrappy Journal.

The quick and easy cover was made with a mop up cloth folded over some batting, that was stitched around the open edges and then decorated with stamps.

I made six mini books (signatures) and stitched them into the cover.

Each section had been stamped and stitched.....

                                      ....with added pockets and inserts, using up any bits that I had to hand.

I finished off by adding torn strips of fabric to the spine. My daughter thinks I over did it this, but once I had started I couldn't leave any bald spots!

This was very easy and a lot of fun to do.

Lots more photos here.

Scrappy Journal Part 1

NOTHING gets wasted when I do fabric painting. I even save the paper cloths that I mop up with.

I just can't throw away anything that colourful!

I think I first saw this technique in this book by Traci Bautista.

It is so simple and a great way to re-cycle paper cloths that would otherwise end up in the rubbish bin.

It's like creating your own art supplies for free.

This is a quick over view of what I do.

Separate the two layers of tissue that you usually get, and lay them onto a non stick surface. I am using an old plastic tray here.

Using an old wide brush and a mixture of approx. 3 parts water to 1 part PVA glue, flatten the tissue down onto the surface.

I iron the tissue flat first because it is easier to work with. (I avoid ironing my family's clothes if possible, but I am happy to iron used paper towels!!) 

Keep adding layer upon layer of  tissue until you are happy. You can put down blocks of colour or tear up strips to add more interest. You can also cut out shapes or trap things between the layers.

Three to four layers are usually enough, maybe less if you buy the posh stuff!!

Wait for it all to dry thoroughly and then it can be folded and cut up to make pages like these.

They can also be cut into shapes to make a paper quilt.

  These pages have gone into a Scrappy Journal that I will share with you next time.

Autumn Leaves

Summer has given way to Autumn in one fell swoop around here.

With that in mind, here are some ways to produce painted fabrics with an Autumnal feel.

From the top: Positive and negative stencilling. Sun printing. Leaf printing.



Some good strong colours for making appliques.

Scrappy Sea Scene

I know things have been quiet around here lately, but it has all been going on over on my blue hare blog, some good, some not so good.

Things are starting to settle down around here and I have lots of things planed for Quilt Routes, but I am
sure you know how hard it can be to get back into the rythmn after a break.

I find that just diving in and doing anything creative helps even if it is not something you should be doing. It is just nice to do a fun activity and get the creative juices flowing.
When I saw this post from Alisa Burke I knew it was something I wanted to try.

So using strips of painted fabric and an old canvas not needed any more I did this. 

I covered the canvas in gesso, sticking the strips on whilst the paint was still wet. When dry I made sure everything was secured into place with a couple of coats of artists varnish.
It was so easy to do and very satisfying.
Why don't you give it a try?

fabric friday

sun printing, a photo by Quilt Routes on Flickr.

Thinking of Sunflowers

Snuggled in the far corner at the back of the house away from the sea winds I have managed to grow a sunflower. No mean feat I can tell you.



I have also been thinking of sunflowers in my stitching.

Using one of my Solitary Sunflower kits I have put together a little wall hanging using up some scraps.

Here is the original with simple straight line stitching around the edge of the applique shapes, but I wanted to try something different.

Beginning with the leaves....

I have dropped the feed dogs and put on my darning foot to do some free motion stitching, but I have set the machine to a narrow open zig zag. This is a great stitch to practise free motion because the needle is going from side to side which means it is not running away from you gives you more control.

I have used a variegated thread and gone around the edges twice.

Same for the petals.....

Here are some more sunflower that have been intensively stitched.

Sunflower applique template pattern available to download here and from my other online shops.

Happy Stitching!