Mixed Media Tote Bag

 I am having so much fun taking a blank canvas bag and turning it into something bright and new. Fabric stamping, acrylic paint with fabric medium, stencils and free motion stitch are my mediums of choice right now. This was one of my favorites so I gifted it to someone special - I hope it inspires her!

The back side is basic with antique letter stamping. I just love a "travel journal" vibe.

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Today's Gratitude

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."

– Mark Twain

I've been thinking a lot about this, especially in the last month as I have struggled to come to terms with our world, with Sandy Hook in particular and with feelings of depression, fear and anger. I think I have found a way, my way, to help. I figure all I can do is add some positivity into the pool. Send a ripple effect of good, however small it may be, to counteract the negative. I am going to try my best! More to come...

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Fabric Art Journal Cover

 I am so in love with this project right now! I'm getting ready to head to a women's retreat with my besty who happens to be a knock out artist (www.rcrunningwild.blogspot.com). She is going to be leading some art journaling sessions and asked me to do a cover as an example. I fussed over the idea for a bit then decided I would make a fabric book of my own since I always drool over the ones in Sew Somerset magazine and Cloth, Paper, Scissors. This is so fun!!

 I wanted a heart theme for the cover and I wanted to play with the Angelina Fiber I just bought.

 Swirls are a pattern I am always drawn to and these are some of my favorite fabrics pulled from the stash-o-plenty in my cabinet.

Stamping on fabric was one of my first creative efforts and I love it. Here the stamping adds depth where it shows through the mesh fabric. I planning to use this journal to try new techniques on a small scale before using them in projects. I will continue to share as it grows!

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Tried Something New - Needle Felting

So this past weekend I finally got up the nerve to pull out my brand new needle felting tool. I've seen so many beautiful projects out there I was a little intimidated, then I decided to just play. I grabbed a plain tote bag and some wool suiting from my stash of repurposed fabric and got down to business.

I cut some flower shapes from stencils and just messed around with felting them onto the bag. No pressure of a finished project - just some play time. I am so thrilled to have the felting tools and I like the way it works. Now that I've broken the ice I can't wait to try this on an actual project!! If there's something you've been pondering I say just go for it - I wish I'd tried it sooner.

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Stitched Paper Gift Bag

 Here's an easy, fun way to turn a plain paper bag into a personalized gift tote.

1. Stamp the entire bag.

2. Spritz the entire bag with glimmer mist to add additional color and sparkle.

3. While that is drying, trim a separate paper sack with decorative scissors; cut to size of front side of gift bag.

4. Stamp paper and spritz paper lightly with glimmer mist, let dry (this should only take a couple minutes).

5. Cut bright fabric scraps into circles for flowers.

6. Enable free motion stitching on sewing machine and attach flowers with varying stitch designs. Then add stems and leaves. I like bright thread and live by the motto "the messier the better."

7. If you want to free motion a word or message I suggest lightly writing it in pencil, then following along with stitching.

8. Have fun, get creative, try anything!

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