Birds & Words

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

November Creative Challenge - Stitches


You Keep Me in Stitches!!
November Creative Challenge

Art is a lovely diversion just now, isn't it?  I loved it when Annette announced her theme for this month.  If you follow Annette's blog, which you absolutely should, you know the outstanding quality of her art and her joyful embrace of life.  She's an amazing artist, a wonderful friend, and a beautiful person all around.  I'm a little jealous and fighting bitterness.  #dontjudgeme

Wink, wink.  Kidding!!!

You really oughta join us for this one, the possibilities are endless.  Just visit the Creative Carte Blanche website for the guidelines for our monthly Creative Adventures and link your project.  What does "stitches" mean?  That's for you to decide.  Carte blanche!!  Here's my interpretation:

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 I'm finding myself using fabric more and more in my art and I have just gotten a fantastic new stash of ribbons and ephemera from Creative Impressions.
This was a REALLY backward process for me.  I cut a piece of linen to work with.  This was going to be just a practice piece, but when I was done I loved the flowers so much, I wanted to use them.  I wish I'd cut a bigger piece of linen!!!  Oh well, make it work, right?

I have a stash of "ready to altar" items and found there a zippered pencil bag my friend and fellow Creative Cohort Yvonne Blair had given me.  BOOM!  This linen panel would trim the front of my pencil bag.

I stamped the flowers with the big daisy from Cling Daisy Mix from Stampendous.  I just got this set and it's SO cool!  It comes with pre-die cut masks of all the images which makes it super quick and easy to get a layered look.  I used Eggplant 3/4 Crepe ribbon from Creative Impressions to stitch my flowers.  The brads are embossed with Cement EP from Ranger and I added just a touch of Fossilized Amber Distress Paint with my finger.  The brads didn't quite cover the circle left for the flower center, so i experimented with punching some leftover bits of painted lace, which didn't thrill me.  I punched circles out Creative Impressions 2" Gray Web Ribbon and liked the effect.  
I used Distress Crayons on the outline of the stamped leaf image and then used a water brush to spread the color.  Absolutely loved it, I didn't know I could use Distress Crayons on fabric!  I also used black Web Ribbon behind the panel to edge the entire piece.
It needs a frame, no?  I used black embroidery thread to stitch a border all around.
I totally, totally love these Words Remnant Rubs from Tim Holtz.  This phrase reminds me that when it comes to art, I must be brave, experiment, practice and not be afraid of failure.  I don't claim to be brave yet, but I recognize the value of this encouragement.
This dragonfly brad, and all the metal pieces used here, are from Creative Impressions.
Yvonne included a little collection of charms on the zipper pull when she gave this to me.  The "C" is my initial, so cute!!
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Okay, you're up!!  Link up your project, we wanna see it!!!!
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