sketchbook 4/14 – 4/20
sketchbook 4/7 – 4/13
fabric markers, the best adhesive in the world and stitched botanicals
Did you know fabric markers are a thing? I had no idea but happened upon a giant display of them in a big art supply store. They are fantastic and a perfect tool for the botanical classes I taught last week in LA.
I’m always on the lookout for easy ways to make organic looking marks on fabric (there is a whole post about how to do that with bleach printing here). These markers are perfect. There were lots of different sizes and tips to choose from. My favorites were the brush and dot tips. I love a slightly imperfect dot.
The olive marker is a beautiful translucent shade of green. Perfect for adding leaf details to fabric that was dyed olive green. So easy. And you can spritz with water to bleed and smudge and blend the colors. So many possibilities.
*Some links below are affiliate links meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link.
If you’d like to try the markers: the brush tip marker is a Marvy Uchida Fabric Marker. The big dot tips are Tee Juice Fabric Markers and the thinner brush tips are Fabrico markers.
By the way I dip my green fabric twice. First in Olive green Dylon Dye (my favorite brand of dye- you can find it at Joann) and then in a light solution of orange dye (Dylon Goldfish is a great orange) to make it brighter, a more acid tone and a little variegated.
Check out a few of the marvelous botanical experiments from the workshop below.
While we are talking about supplies…
I’ll share my new favorite adhesive too. I love everything about Nori Paste. I even love the container. It’s great for collage, easy to work with, extremely smooth and the papers never wrinkle.
Not even a little and I’m using very old, thin and fragile papers. I also tried it on a whispery thin bit of fabric for the bug wings thinking it would fail but the result was perfect. I painted a thin layer of paste to the paper and pressed the fabric into it. Get a10 oz. jar here. It’s so good. And fyi I get a tiny commission if you purchase through this link.
PS – Beetles are on my mind lately. So are ghostly ships and green birds and owls. Stay tuned and have a lovely weekend – ann
sketchbook 3/31 – 4/6
sketchbook – 3/24 -3/30
extreme mending, sledding lambs and the 100 day project
Extreme mending, that’s what happens when you can’t let go. I can’t let go of this giant flannel shirt. I got it for a quarter at the Herkimer NY Goodwill in 2010. I started mending it a couple years ago, mostly just worn edges. Last winter it had some major sleeve blowouts and other serious issues. It was barely a shirt anymore but I remain too attached to part with it. I spent my 3 hour train ride to Vermont (more on that in a minute) stabilizing it. And now I’m plugging leaks. Besides my ridiculous attachment to it I like the process of this kind of meandering mending. And I like the result, the unexpected layers and combinations that turn up.
I’m mending my linen smock too where I have worn it thin, keeping it mostly pale. I’ll never part with it either and it will eventually be all patches. I’m good with that.
100 days of creativity
The Hundred Day Project starts on Tuesday April 2. It’s a free art project that takes place online. Every spring, people all around the world commit to 100 days of creativity. Are you participating? I sort of am. I do a little painting or drawing everyday anyway so I think that counts. All you need to do is commit to a project (big or small or very small) and tag your instagram posts with #The100DayProject. You can do anything, You could mend something if you like.
This blog started with a similar experiment. It was a little different, I committed to making 100 cardboard horses. I made one Monday through Friday and gave myself the weekend off. Much like my daily practice now, somedays I loved it and some days I most certainly did not. But I know now I need it.
If you decide to participate I can offer you some of what I’ve learned:
* Be realistic about time. The amount of time you commit can be very small and still have lots of benefits.
* Have a plan for the bad days, a minimal but acceptable effort. And accept the bad days. Everybody will have lots of them. I have some very bad days and post some real stinkers.
* It’s helpful to do it around the same time everyday. Your subconscious gets on board after a while and shows up with ideas.
* Think of it as an opportunity to listen to yourself and maybe get glimpses into your singular and powerful imagination that you would not otherwise get. Plus new instagram friends.
And if you feel like making your daily art a cardboard horse feel free – there is a whole tutorial here. And as an added bonus when you’re done you have a stampede.
Back to Vermont.
I took the train up to Warm Brook Barn in Vermont to teach at their Maple Harvest retreat with French General. The group was lovely and intensely creative. We made silk necklaces, talismans, beeswax candles, wax seals and lambs in pants. There was a beautiful snowstorm of almost exactly the right duration and intensity and It was all generally a blast. And I loved exploring all the fabulous details of the old houses.
PS- If you’d like to make a little sled it’s super easy – I found a tutorial here.
And PPS – A rare occurrence – I’m usually like a ninja, a lamb in pants making stealthy ninja. I was captured in the wild in Vermont, caught in the act, sneaking up on a sledding lamb in pants for a photo.
sketchbook 3/17 – 3/23
sketchbook 3/10 – 3/16
easy to make rag doll shoes : a free tutorial
Easy to make and elegant. I love an expressive foot. Who doesn’t. Most of the dolls I make wear shoes, even when they are otherwise nude, and I usually sew them on like the elegant slippers above.
If you prefer something removable you can make these sweet felt lace up shoes. Both are easy and will work for any doll with a simple, straight rag doll foot. I’ll show you how to make the stitched on shoe first.
Get the complete elegant rag doll sewing pattern here.
stitched on doll shoes
Trace your doll’s feet onto doubled fabric (I’m using light cotton). Trace about 1/8 of an inch from the edge of the foot.
Stitch along the lines. You can stitch by hand or machine but I think machine is better for this. Either way use very small stitches.
Cut out each shoe leaving a small seam allowance.
Clip notches around the toes.
Cut a slit down the middle – a little more than half way – on one side of each shoe. Turn them right side out.
Place the foot in the shoe and tuck each front side in.
Begin to whip stitch the folded edge of the shoe to the foot. At the center make several neat little stitches close together to cover the bit of little raw edge at the center of the V. You could also use a decorative stitch (like blanket stitch) and embroidery thread here to attach the shoe to the foot if you would like an extra fancy slipper.
sketchbook 3/3 – 3/9
spring ideas to try
I’ve gathered a few sweet spring projects to share with you:
1. Stitch up some paper treat packages. I may have shared this idea with you before. I love it. Quick and delightful. Find the paper bunnies on the Kreative blog.
2. Nana Company has lots of great tutorials including this basket. I love her fabric choices. The raw linen and eyelet trim are simple and perfect.
3. Or stitch this bunny basket for somebody little. It’s made from an old sweater. Adorable.
4. Make a fabric egg (or a bunch!) – Retro Mama has a pattern and full tutorial.
The dancing hares above were made by Jennifer – find the free sewing tutorial here.
Find the sheep DIY here.
Find the minimalist chicken tutorial here.
And if you’ve got the very nice mice pattern you can add some long ears for bunnies. The sweet parade is by Elizabeth.
shop news:
So many paper cuts… But I love making packages. Lot’s of happy snail mail is on the way.
