Welcome!

Thank you for visiting artful embellishments. This is the third year for this blog and I am so happy to keep publishing. I started in 2011 and began with a quilt of the week, this lead to the leaf of the week for my newly designed paper tree that is located on the wall of my garage in 2012.......2013 is going to bring a lot of excitement and positive change. As a personal challenge for 2013, I plan on designing a artist trading card each week to be featured on the blog.
With so many interests, there will be quilting, art quilting, leaves (and more leaves), as well as experiments in thermofax screen printing, fabric dying, and tons of DIY recycle projects. I may even enter that altered fashion scene. To a happy and healthy 2013, may we all find happiness in those things we create....thank you for stoping by artful embellishments.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The art quilt for week four is a celebration of northern michigan winters. One of my favorite places to visit is Harbor Springs. This photo was taken on a beautiful tree lined street in December of 2009 by my sister Jennifer. The photo was printed on photo fabric that has been prepared for an ink jet printer. The quote by Rosalia de Castrol fits northern michigan perfectly, "I see a path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it."

Friday, January 21, 2011

The quilt journal for week three is a fabric scrapbook page from a recent cruise that I took. In December, we went on the Royal Caribbean Allure. It was a fun filled week with a lot of great memories. The picture of the cruise ship was edited in Photoshop elements utilizing the Artistic Cutout filter. It was stitched onto vintage gold lame and red velvet fabric. The ticket to Maegan's Bay was included. A pocket to hold my room key was made with a dryer sheet and was embellished with beads. Finally, a picture from one of our formal dinners was altered in photoshop elements using sepia tones. Looking forward to week 4!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The quilt journal is coming along. Week 2 is a technique that I learned on Quilting Arts TV, season 1, episode 113-1 "Flower Power". Patricia Bolton the host of quilting arts teaches a unique technique. Take an original photo and utilizing photo editing software convert it to black/white/ copy. This should look like a sketch. Print the converted image onto fabric. Color in the picture with water soluble crayons. Take a paint brush and dip in water, the water soluble crayon turns into paint. Allow to dry completely. Then quilt and thread paint for added definition. This was so much fun and as you can see by the steps above it was super easy.
www.quiltingartstv.com
www.quiltingarts.com

Start with your own photograph! In photo editing software convert it to black and white. In photoshop there is a "copy" option. Select this and it converts your photograph into a sketch. Print the sketch out on your ink jet printer onto fabric. See next post for instructions on using crayons.

Color the sketch photograph with water soluble crayons. I used Neoart Aquarelle crayons. They were very easy to use and I purchased the 15 pack. Next take a brush and dip in water. Apply the water in very small amounts to the fabric and begin to "paint". After you finish painting allow the fabric to dry and then quilt and stitch!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

More on Natalya

In my previous post, I mentioned Natalya Aikens. I have received her permission to post her links and I hope you will take the time to visit her website which contains her work as well as access to her blog, facebook, and twitter. She is a true inspiration. I am currently working on week #2 journal quilt for 2011. Thanks for sharing your techniques Natalya!


Friday, January 7, 2011

After watching "Quilting Arts TV" Season 1 episode 107-5, I was mesmerized by Natalya Aikens commitment to make on journal quilt each week for an entire year. She used 5" X 5" for her journal. I have chosen 10" X 10". The first quilt was intended to be admitted to the cloth paper scissors reader challenge "The street where you live". Unfortunately I didn't get it done in time. However, it was still a great experience putting this journal quilt. The address if for a home in Cross Village. Woodpeckers are frequent guests. Journal quilt is made from recycled clothing. (Yes the tree was from a pair of woman's shorts found at the Good Will), paper, craft leaves, and craft feathers. Quilting Arts TV is available in DVD and is a great way to expand your art quilting skills. www.quiltingartstv.com!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The color "Poppy"

Poppy Perfection was the name of the contest by Somerset Studio. I typically use muted colors in the cream family. This challenged sounded well, like a challenge. I have a love for found objects and finding unique ways to incorporate them in projects. I thoroughly enjoyed using the wool to make her hair. I had acquired that treasure through an organization called Rug Works that was based in Cross Village Michigan.