I first saw the book Printing By Hand by Lena Corwin many years ago. Printing on fabric has always intrigued me so when I saw this book and how easy it could be I thought I'd like to try it someday. Fast forward to about a year ago when I again saw the book at a fabric shop. I bought it on impulse because it was 1/2 off and proceeded to put it on a shelf for another year. This year I took it along when we went camping and read it from cover to cover.
Yesterday I found myself with a little extra time and decided to experiment with making a freezer paper stencil. I'm not much of an artist so drawing something and then cutting it out isn't my best skill. I have to say I am pleased with the way it came out. I found this little wallet pattern in a Stitch magazine (sitting on the shelf.....of course) and whipped it up this morning.
I'd like to try to print enough fabric for a baby quilt next. I think I'll stick with geometrics since that's about the extent of my drawing ability! The book covers stamping, stenciling and silk screens. I hope at some point to give them all a try. It may be next summer until I get to it however!
Happy Wednesday.
I've been pondering the trash we make and the impact a few changes could make for the earth. So today I focused on wine. I do love a good glass of vino on the weekend with a good meal. What I don't like is the paper and plastic bags that package the bottle. We do reuse our plastic bags for our cat litter but the paper bag tends to go into the trash.
I was given some heavy muslin-like fabric that was going to be sent to the thrift store. I thought it would be perfect for this project. It will work well for another project I have in mind, too. More on that later.
I used the paper bag as a guide for the measurements. I love making patterns when I have something to base the pattern on. I made quite a few stupid mistakes while working on this. I figure I learn best by making mistakes.
I wanted the bag to be fairly unobtrusive which is why I liked the plain fabric. After crafting it without the contrasting band I thought it was a little too plain.
I think the floral band at the top adds a nice touch without being too fancy for a trip home from the liquor store. It could be fun to do some kind of printing or stamping on the front.
I put the ribbon on the inside (by mistake, actually) but I kind of like how it worked out. I just tied the ribbon once I pulled it tight so it would stay closed. I'm also thinking there could be some other closure options.
This bag fits a large bottle of wine better than the smaller bottles. I'd like to make a bag for the smaller bottles, too. Once I have things figured out I'll post a tutorial. With the week I'm having it'll be a while!
I've been spending more time looking at things. Seeing the beautiful in the simple details. I gave myself some fun money out of my travel check from work to go fabric and thrift shopping. I took my camera along, too. I used to do that all the time and am trying to do so again. Alicia Paulson has so many comforting things to say about taking pictures of everyday life in her book, Stitched in Time. It really made me want to do the same.
I spent the morning driving into the country (which is getting harder and harder around here with all the development). I drove into the country to go to the Goodville Fabric Outlet. I wasn't really looking for anything but wanted to remind myself of what they have. I want to continue drafting my own patterns and that requires some inexpensive fabric to make my muslin (or practice piece) out of. I was able to get quite a bit of fabric (see the fill a bag for $2 photo) for that cause. It was fun.
On my way home I stopped at two really wonderful thrift stores. One was a Goodwill and the other a Re-Use It shop. I found some wonderful things. You can see a few of them in the last photo. I guess it's sort of silly to put kitchen things in my sewing room but I love the way they look and I'm hoping to use the tins for some notion storage. I'm absolutely enamored with strawberries, too. I couldn't resist these little salt and pepper shakers. They don't go with our kitchen at all but they make me happy in the sewing room.
I've got lots of little projects in my head right now that I'm hoping to work on as I'm able. Mike and I are heading out to see David Wilcox tonight. I only have one of his albums and it was from before we had kids (Nathan's almost 16) so I doubt we'll hear any of those songs! He's a really great lyricist. There are a few songwriters who can capture parts of life that I didn't really think so much about until I heard the music. David Wilcox is one of them. I'm looking forward to a night out with my man.
We're so fortunate to have the Lancaster Creative Reuse here in our fair town. Fortunate for those who are cleaning out the house to have somewhere unique to donate their goods and fortunate for those of us who sew and craft and create to have somewhere to purchase amazing products for very little money.
I am in charge of the craft for the Kids Camp we run at work. I've been able to find most of what we need at the Reuse. I think so far I've spent $10. Of course, while I'm there I also have to see if there are any goodies for me. This week I was able to find some great fabrics.
We had a very rainy, overcast day, so my photos aren't as vibrant as I'd like but you'll get the idea. The above fabric was the best find. It was labeled 1972 on the original sales sticker. I think the almost 10 yards was originally priced at $4. I bought it for $13. That's $1.30 per yard. I'm going to use it to back quilts. I always have trouble ironing that much fabric so I only ironed the bit I used last night for my quilt. It looks great. I can't wait to get started on the quilting.
All of the fabrics I'm showing you today were in a vintage box. The above pieces were $.35 each. Did I mention how much I love the Creative Reuse? I'm pretty sure I'm going to make something for myself out of these. I just haven't decided yet. Maybe some placemats and napkins.
And finally this lovely cowboy piece. I think it was an old sheet but the fabric is pretty thick. Price tag? $1. I'm trying to think on how to work this one in to a quilt. I'm so excited about these fabrics. I'm trying not to be too depressed about the lack of time I have to work on projects! So much creative energy, so little time.
