Lost Aussie on the loose

Have A Heart - to Exchange

Many moons ago, one of the things that I used to do a LOT was SWAP art.  I have tomes full of Artist Trading Cards, participated in big collaborative projects, signed up for LOTs of FAT Book swaps and have many burgeoning boxes filled with fabric art, photo book swaps, you name it, I did it.  And I loved it.  Lots of it was published either via Cloth Paper Scissors or Sommerset Studio.

And then I decided to stop and focus on gallery work and my own portfolio and it seemed like a good idea at the time.

What I did not factor in was the loss of community.

Yes, sometimes art swapping or exchanges can be a pretty hit and miss affair and I have suffered plenty of angst when I have opened an envelope and thought "WTH"? is that??? (other than garbage)?

On the other hand I have framed art on the walls of my home that I have garnered though exchanges and boy - is some of that pretty handsome!  (way better than some I have seen in galleries here in NYC).

So now I have started to tiptoe my way back into some exchange projects.  I am a little bit more discerning than I used to be but regardless of the outcome, there is something really nice about crafting a well thought out piece or package that meets Swap requirements.  Getting to know the person you are sending stuff off to - even if you have never met them and then the anticipation of what you might receive in return.

It's nice to put yourself out there sometimes.  Make new friends.  Kind of like the pen pals we had in 7th grade and ended up staying with for a weekend when you were 30.

You never know how or what you send OUT THERE will come back and greet you.

And?  Are we ever too old to make a new friend with a lovely gesture??

FYI these fabric hearts are about to wing their way off to Poland, along with an English book and some other good ephemera as part of a swap that Lawendula organised last month.

(AND....My thanks to everyone who left a comment or emailed me about yesterday's post.  I really appreciate your support!)

A (Slip) Stitch In Time

Yes well, what can I say?  I've been on a sewing jag for the past few days and nothing much else has been achieved.  My best laid plans to get some "work" done have fallen by the wayside.

My apologies, but with the stitch muse screeching in my ear - and better any muse than none right? - I felt compelled to listen.

I shall return with Digital Goodness as promised soon (I think) ..... maybe ...

Sewing It UP

There's no doubt that the appearance of sunshine and temperatures above the 50's improve my mood, as well as my creative MOJO!

I spent today in the company of my trusty fabric shears and sewing machine, whipping up a couple of totes.  The first was pieced together using store bought fabrics (part of the massive stash in the basement that DH does his best to ignore)!  The second was a little more a little more of a creative escapade and came about as I was tidying up bits pieces strewn all over the floor.  Among them were snips of denim and the AHA light bulb went on, and I figured piecing the denim bits together might make for an interesting look........... ergo the re-cycled jean tote was born!
I liked the challenge of collaging? fabric from different chopped up pieces to create the whole, including using the bib tabs, various pockets and different denims.

I've put them both for sale in my ETSY STORE if you are interested in owning a one of a kind creation!
EDIT: The Recycled Journal Bag is SOLD - thank you :-)

A Little Bead Magic

I picked up Ruth Rae's new book - Layered, tattered and stitched the other day.  A lovely little tome, particularly if you are a fabric junkie of any kind (which I am!)

Her book inspired me to make a start on some of my handmade holiday gifts - so the other day I got down to dyeing, painting and stamping some plain muslin, which I then cut into star shapes.  From there my adherence to the book's principles took a rapid left turn as I decided to machine felt and quilt some backgrounds for the stars, which I wanted to make into mini hanging Holiday Cards.

Not quite the ephemeral and whimsical pastel treasures that Ruth features in her book - but hey....I did use Beads!  Oh yeah, lots and lots of beads!

Sew Colourful

With all the rain we had last week the basement seemed like a warm and cozy place to hide.  My fabric stash beckoned and I got to work whipping up a few of these cute little totes.  The bright and lovely colours were fun to work with given the gray skies we were having!

Available for sale in my ETSY Store!

Sew "Green"

Lately I have been having a love affair with painting and printing on magazine pages - a vain attempt to re-cycle some of the paper that passes through this house but one that my Husband tells me is largely forgone by the time I have sprayed fixative and matt or gloss coating all over them, thereby trashing the ozone...oh well, a girl can try!

What to do with all of these delightful and intriguing papers?  Well this lot got sandwiched together with some fabric, free motion quilted and stitched.  A couple of eyelets were hammered in to hold a rather loose signature of mixed papers that I had lying around on the desk.  Add a little ribbon to hold it all together, a few beads for good measure....and there you have it.......... another JUNQUE Journal!....which although appears quite RED, was at least an honest attempt at "Green" art!

Pretty Well Covered

For one reason and another I've ended up spending the last few days indoors, around the house and feeling thoroughly tired of my computer, I decided to head down to the basement and pull out some of my sewing supplies.

One thing lead to another and before I knew it I was not only stitching but painting and beading...and well you know how THAT kind of story goes!

Fun though and a nice change from waxing lyrical with my Wacom tablet!