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.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Spring Time Cross Village

I was trying to figure out how to use a lens for my camera. This would be a lens that I have had for almost two years. I managed to capture this shot through a window. This woodpecker kept moving so I am trying to keep up with him while moving my camera and lens weighing about 8 lbs on a tripod. Needless to say not perfect, but after shooting about 15 pictures he is at least visible as a bird in this one. It was a great weekend watching all the birds at our bird feeders. I was so fortunate to have this opportunity.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Fabric Paper

This is another piece of fabric paper. It was constructed in a similar fashion to the purple piece displayed yesterday. This one had some flowered tissue paper added. Th over all colors were chartreuse and mild blue. Glitter, shimmer mist, and diluted acrylics were added.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Fabric Paper

Previously I had posted some fabric paper that I had made using Beryl Taylors method. I had purchased the book Stitch Alchemy by Kelli Perkins. I opened the book for the first time and found a world of tips for making this great mixed media substrate. It works off of Beryl Taylors original method of fabric, paper and glue. Added to this is a book of wonderful methods to color your paper and to embellish.

This paper was done in a purple motif. I had gathered many scraps of paper, fabric, and even an old bag from a store with purple writing. Taking a piece of muslin I covered it with the glue mixture. I then placed papers, ephemera, and fabric scraps. I then layered it with another coat of glue mixture. Finally, I used glitter, shimmer mist, and alcohol inks to color the overall ensemble. Voila, purple fabric paper, perfect for the "signature color" reader challenge in Quiting Arts. Now, I am off to design a quilt with my original, hand made fabric paper.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

My signature Color

My signature color is a quilting challenge sponsored by Quilting Arts Magazine. It requires you to show your "signature color" in an 8" X 8" quilt. I choose this bright blue. It reminds me of the sky on those gorgeous warm days.

The fabric for the backgrounds was upholstery fabric scraps. I am wondering who would be courageous enough to use the bright blue cheetah pattern poking out of the top of this quilt.

The birds were constructed from fabric that I have previously shown on the blog. This is silk that was dyed with old neck ties. Yes, believe it or not there is a neck tie with bright orange hawaiian flowers on it!

The branch that the birds are sitting on was needle felted using wool from the previous "Rug Works". (Boy do I miss THAT place.)

The quilt was embellished with paper flowers, buttons and ephemera. Enjoy every moment of this wonderful spring!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Gift Tag #7 The Dove

The gift tag is back! I just love making these. They are fast and simple. The perfect way to get art in every day! This tag started out with some fabulous scrapbook paper. I love the 60's colors in this paper. I then stamped a dove with embossing ink. I chose an iridescent white embossing powder. I added a vintage piece of dictionary text. May this Easter bring you peace.