Sal's Graduation Picture

Handmade Fabrics

I took an awesome fiber arts class at a local art center. I had no idea what to expect and, to be honest, was a little intimidated. I'm learning is there is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to creating. Some of the most beautiful pieces come out of accidents and miscalculations!
Thus far I've explored texture printing and different types of fabric making. Yesterday we used hand dyed silk fibers and created our own fabric sheets by layering the fibers in different patterns with other elements. I used metallic thread bits and I love the results. We also made some really cool fabric by layering fabric bits, metallics, screen, ribbon, and misc. fibers between two sheets of Solvy, free motion stitching over the top (I used metallic thread) and washing the solvy away. I can think of a million things to make with these fabrics. I think the first thing I'm going to tackle is a journal cover for my daughter and then maybe a purse.

Fiber Art Cards

These are cards I made for an internet trade utilizing acrylic paints and the "painted dryer sheet" method. Yep, that's right - painted, used, dryer sheets. A friend of mine made the most beautiful journal cover utilizing this method. I was so impressed with it I had to try it. I painted dryer sheets with Shiva paintsticks and Lumiere paint, used that as my base then layered angelina fibers, other fibers, beads and mbossed elements and free-motioned embroidered over that. I am fairly pleased with the results. All three of these cards went out to Europe.

1" Art Square Trade

This is my first try at creating 1" art squares. While I thoroughly enjoyed designing and creating them, it was a little more difficult than I had anticipated. It's very difficult working with these little critters. I was especially challenged by finishing the edges. I don't know if I'm happy with these yet. I'm going to keep working on them.

These are fiber art postcards I made for an internet trade. They are appliqued, free motion embroidered, and embellished with angelina fibers and Shiva Paintsticks.

Hand Painted Fabric

I belong to an internet art group that issues a monthly challenges to a group of artists. These challenges are designed to stretch our imagination and abilities utilizing different materials and altering different surfaces in various ways. This piece is the result of a challenge I participated in with an internet group wherein we were to "alter" the surface of fabric and then make an ATC. I hand painted and embossed the surface of my fabric, then embellished it with beads, sequin and crystals. This was my first attempt at painting fabric.