Progress!

Stitching done!  Let the cutting begin!

Artist Trading Cards: Let Them Eat Cake

Over the last two weeks I’ve written about my interest in Artist Trading Cards.  Today I am sharing one of the swaps that I participated in entitled “Let Them Eat Cake.”  Interpretation of this theme was wide open as long as it included cake.  With each card that I created I tried to tie the theme into a use of fabric in some way since my cards were all made from fabric.  So for this swap I created Red Velvet, Sponge and Chiffon cakes.

I began with some free clip art of cakes in various forms.  I then used fabric to render the various sweets. 

For the sponge cake I cut a “shadow” layer of black fabric and fused on the top layer of yellow cake.  For the sponge portion I cut a common household sponge into a very thin layer and stitched it in place.

The cake pedestal on the chiffon cake card was fused in place and stitched down.  I then cut a piece of silk chiffon larger than the cake area and gently pleated it while stitching it down to mimic fluffy icing.

The red velvet cake layers were cut from that fabric; the icing layers were white velvet.  All of the layers were stitched into place. 

Each card had the name of the cake stamped on using small letter stamps and ink.

I had a lot of fun dreaming up and creating these cards. What other flavors can you come up with?

Artist Trading Cards: My Blue Period

Last week I wrote about my interest in Artist Trading Cards.  You can read that post here to get the background story.  This week I’m going to share with you the cards I call my “Blue Period” cards.

As I explained last week, one purpose of these cards was to serve as a memento of some of my sewing projects.  I participated in a card swap entitled “The Art Doll Swap”.  I chose to make my art dolls in the style of paper dolls.  I made four cards for this series; each one is wearing a dress made from a scrap of material from an actual dress I sewed for myself (I wear a lot of blue).

This was a fun, mixed-media project for me.  I started by stipple stitching the background fabric that would be the card base with a variegated thread.  Next, I fused a neck shaped piece of fabric onto the card.  I used Evy Hawkins’ (A Bit of Stitch) embroidery designs, Applique Fashion Dresses, for the dresses.  I appliquéd these onto the card bases over top of the neck shapes.  The rest of the body parts (arms, legs, face) were created from cardstock that I fused fabric to.  I attached these parts to the torso with paper fasteners to make them working paper dolls.

I cut the hair from metallic scrapbook paper and embossed it using a rubbing plate (to mimic my crazy, wavy hair).  I drew the facial features on with fine tipped markers.

I made two complete sets of these “dolls”, one set to swap and one to keep.  I love that I have a little reminder of the dresses I sewed that will last long after I outgrow those dresses.

Next week:  the “Let Them Eat Cake” swap!

Artist Trading Cards: In the Beginning

A few years ago I developed a real fascination with Artist Trading Cards.  For those of you who may not be familiar with them, ATCs are original, miniature works of art, 2.5” by 3.5” (the same size as other trading cards, such as baseball).  They came about as a way for artists to network and get to know each other’s work.   And, just like other works of art, they come in all types of media including fabric.  When I first discovered these little gems I also discovered a website for participating in card swaps.  Someone establishes a theme and those who are interested sign up and commit to making cards to share with others.  In turn, everyone receives cards back from other participants.  This was really fun: coming up with creative interpretations of the theme was the best part.

So, once I discovered this art form, I realized that I could use them to “document” some of the creative items coming out of my sewing room.  I started saving little scraps from my various projects and turning them into tiny cards, mini-mementoes of sorts.

The first card I made used scraps left over from this quilted photo album cover.

I simply took what I had left from the project and stitched it onto a foundation and backed it with a piece of muslin.  I was then able to write out the details about the piece on the back, sign, and date it. 

My second card came about the same way.  I had beautiful little snippets left from a purse project, The Vintage Reticule (this was my second post ever on the blog and my very first Bag of the Week post).  Again, I stitched them to a foundation (probably a piece of canvas) and added an autographed backing.  I was hooked.

I started participating in swaps.  I always made myself an extra card to keep each time.  Here is the very first card I created for a swap which I entitled “Winter Along Duke Street”.  The theme was “Nature Fabric Swap” to be interpreted in any way.  My inspiration came from a line of trees on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic Temple near where I live.  I stamped silk organza with black ink and a tree silhouette, and used that as an overlay on a cotton background, stippled with metallic thread.  The red bead evokes a lone cardinal.

I also created a self-portrait card.  I started with a photo of myself and altered it using Photoshop to resemble a pastel drawing.  I printed it out on fabric and used crayons to enhance the color.  Then, using rayon thread, I thread painted the various details.  Here’s a picture of the original picture beside the fabric version.

Over the next few weeks I will share additional cards I made for both swaps and as keepsakes of my sewing projects.  Goodness knows there isn’t much else coming out of my sewing room at present (summer is just too full of other goodness and little boys).  I hope you enjoyed this different form of artistic expression.  The small size makes these very quick to work up, and the surface is the perfect place to explore some new techniques or ideas.  I hope you will give them a try for yourself sometime. 

Summer in a Jar

Earlier this week I came across this recipe for Sunshine Tomatoes (which I like to call Summer in a Jar).  This technique could not be easier, and the results could not be tastier.  If you like fresh, summertime tomatoes, you will love this dish.

Start with a selection of tomatoes.  You can use all one type or mix and match as I did.  Roughly chop them and place in a glass jar.  Add garlic (chopped or pressed), minced basil, olive oil, salt and pepper.  The proportions are pretty flexible (see the original recipe here if you need specifics).  Once all of the ingredients are collected in the jar, give it a good stir and then cover (with the jar lid or plastic wrap).  Place in the sun for at least 2 hours. 

The flavors will marry together and you will be left with a delectable concoction that you can use in any number of ways:  mixed with pasta, over fish or chicken or topping grilled bread as bruschetta.  Today I prepared the latter, spreading butter on sliced sourdough bread and toasting on my gas grill until browned.

My tomatoes are just starting to produce despite the late date we got them planted.  This year we are once again using the Earthtainers that I posted about last year.  We get the most exuberant plants using this method!  I suggested this to a friend who tells me that this year's tomatoes are the best she has ever grown.

So, yay for summer and tomatoes!  Try this recipe and you'll be making it all summer long.