I have been teaching myself
free-motion machine embroidery
and really enjoying the process.
A blog about art, art education, up-cycling and design. It features tutorials, free designs and insight into Elle and Lou designs and processes.
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Etsy. Show all posts
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Free Motion Embroidery: 1st timer
I've had a hankering to try my hand at something different.
So I purchased a new foot for my machine
and began to have a small play
with some fabric sample discards.
Not to sure where this was going,
I glued it onto some more sample fabric
from Reverse Garbage.
Working over the print with some more
stitching added some much needed detailing.
Time for framing in the hoop.
Finishing the edges.
Fabric glued.
(Note to self- but some more bull dog clips)
Amazing stories:
I'm actually happy with it!
(I might even put it on my wall)
I'm
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Photo Advice wanted
I get bored very easily.
This is ONE of the reasons
I find it hard to stick with a project.
Take a look around my studio
and you'll exactly what I'm on about.
So, today I was listing some of my travel card sleeves and luggage tags on Etsy and realised I was dead bored with the white background routine.
(see below)
I decided to have a little play with backgrounds, like this-
Grace Kelly went from this-
to this
on white-
and on fabric
Not only do I get bored easily,
but I can be indecisive too.
(painting a pretty rosy picture here-not)
I'd love any feedback.
I do wonder if these new backgrounds
are too busy and distracting?
I can take it :)
...I think ;)
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Commuting and eco-design: Travel Card Holders
Going Somewhere?
It feels an age since I've hoped on a plane.
At one stage in my life it was a regular thing.
Shirley Flight
(who you might remember from previous posts)
got me researching and introduced me to a whole new era of travel glamour...
...and plain sexism,
but I DO confess I love the outfit!
For now, however, my hot pants and boots
are staying in the closet.
Of course I still travel though.
Of course!
To work!
I am a public transport freak!
I actually enjoy catching the bus
and bypassing all those suckers
stuck in the daily traffic jam.
and bypassing all those suckers
stuck in the daily traffic jam.
I don't listen to music, read a book
or play with my phone (well maybe sometimes).
I look around- taking in all the sights,
smells and goings on.
Eventually though, as always,
my eyes track down to my ugly travel pass.
Being a visual person,
I need to look at pleasant things not government logos!
or play with my phone (well maybe sometimes).
I look around- taking in all the sights,
smells and goings on.
Eventually though, as always,
my eyes track down to my ugly travel pass.
Being a visual person,
I need to look at pleasant things not government logos!
So I have been designing and making travel card holders-eco travel card holders.
I have paired micro-fiche sheets with retro papers and created a series of travel passes
I have paired micro-fiche sheets with retro papers and created a series of travel passes
So I may not be stepping onto the tarmac tomorrow
but I do have a little bit of travel glam in my bag!
but I do have a little bit of travel glam in my bag!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Cinderella and Prince Charming Luggage Tags
My love of retro papers, microfiche and eco-cycling have been a marriage made in heaven
at least I think so :)
His and Hers luggage tags for the Bride and Groom to be.
Can you think of a Cinderella and Prince Charming, planning a long haul flight?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Children's Gift Tags: Retro and laminate up-cycling
The new school year is only a few weeks old here in Australia.
Already, the weekends are filling up with class parties for my children's friends.
Presents to buy.
Presents to wrap.
Presents to decorate.
Presents that need gift tags!
Lets face it- kids aren't really interested in cards.
They are usually just tossed to one side.
But a gift tag on the other hand....
A child will turn over a tag over, searching for THEIR name on it.
They love bright colours.
And these retro images will still captivate this new generation.
This new generation will also reap other benefits,
because these gift tags are up-cycled & eco-friendly!
They began their life as laminate sample discards-destined for landfill.
That is until I got my scissors and hole punch to them.
With paper on the back to write a short message on and a ribbon, they begin to take shape.
Naturally, the sweet images are also up-cycled from an old kids book.
I am officially gift tag ready!
Now, I guess I should go a buy a few gifts to attach the tags on to.
Monday
Hating Martha
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com.au/
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Up-cycled Lolly Containers - Vintage Papers
2012 plastics enhance vintage papers
providing a new 'canvas' on which
to display their bright colours and style.
The recent silly season, with all its parties and food,
left me with the dilemma of what to do with the remaining plastic packing.
These brightly coloured plastic lolly tubes were begging to be up cycled.
Hunt and Gather these Materials
- Some plastic lolly tubes (these were Skittles but I know there are similar ones around).
- Mod Podge or PVA.
- Papers for wrapping around the tube. These could be maps, origami papers, old patterns, anything that excites you! I love these Golden Book Illustrated Dictionary from the 1960's.
Get Creating
- First, soak the lolly tubes in water for a couple of hours. This 'helps' to get the wrapper off. I say 'helps' because nothing, and I mean NOTHING seems to remove the industrial strength glue off these tubes. But that is Ok because you are going to cover it anyway - lucky!
- Choose your papers. Smaller patterns or designs work best.
- Cut the papers with your slicer or kraft knife. These tubes required 8.5cm (h) x 9.5cm (w) / 3.3 inches (w) x 3.7 inches(h).
- Brush the Mod Podge to the underside.
- Starting at the back, place one edge of paper onto the tube.
- Smooth the paper onto the tube getting rid of bubbles and creases as you go. Easy!
- Brush Mod Podge onto to outside paper to protect it from wear and tear.
This 1970s pattern compliments the glossy orange.
Plastics and Patterns ...groovy man!
Maps and atlas papers.
Just so I remember where I am.
Vintage defininitions
for my amusement (a-MYOOZ-ment)
The only hard this about these up-cycled lolly tubes?
Deciding what to put in them.....
buttons, tacs, more lollies, pins.
So many possibilities, so few tubes.
Looks like the silly season may need to continue,
so I can get my hands on a few more of these plastic packs!
Oh, how we suffer for our art ;)
Deciding what to put in them.....
buttons, tacs, more lollies, pins.
So many possibilities, so few tubes.
Looks like the silly season may need to continue,
so I can get my hands on a few more of these plastic packs!
Oh, how we suffer for our art ;)
Linking up this Elle and Lou post with these fabulous sites:
Friday
http://www.releasemecreations.com
Saturday
http://www.serenitynowblog.com/
Monday
Hating Martha
Tuesday
Monday, November 21, 2011
Christmas Book Bunting
Christmas is around the corner,
so I've been getting some decorations ready!
I couldn't resist a little Aussie reference (below)
they are not snow white boomers,
but I still seem to have Rolf Harris going around,
and around,
and around,
in my head!
(and you know that's not a good thing)
This book bunting features
"The Animals' Christmas Eve"
and "Babies First Christmas"
Yes, I know Bambi has nothing to do with Christmas...
but he is a deer and that must count for something right?
This book bunting makes a great eco-gift
and is on display at Reverse Garbage's
exhibition "I Heart Handmade".
This book bunting makes a great eco-gift
and is on display at Reverse Garbage's
exhibition "I Heart Handmade".
Friday
Saturday
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