Journal 23 What's your sign?

Week 23 is another journal on a brown grocery bag. This is so addicting. This time I actually used my sketch book for ideas. I had been practicing with the Tulip fabric paint and stencils. I liked this combination of colors. Thus this journal quilt was born. This quilt started with a grocery bag that was sprayed with three colors of tulip fabric paint. (Yellow, orange, green). I then used a stencil with black Tulip fabric paint. I love looking through old books. I found a very cool picture of an astrology wheel. I decoupaged it with some tissue paper in purple and yellow. I added the silver letters which are sewn on as added embellishments. There is a dictionary definition of astrology. Words cut out from old books say "What is your sign?"

Journal 22 Weeds in The Garden

Week 22 is titled Weeds in the Garden. I had recently purchased a new lens with the help of my friend Tim. He is a phenomenal photographer and helped me pick out my 100mm macro lens. Right before a huge thunderstorm I saw this dandelion sitting in my flower bed. I snapped the shot. Not perfect, but still one of my favorites. Not two days after I took this picture and article was forwarded to me. The article talked about "Weeds in the garden of medicine". It was addressed to those of us women who choose a life over a career. I found it highly entertaining, and so this quilt journal is dedicated to all you weeds out there. May you have a full life and enjoy every minute of it!

Week 21 The Cardinal

The Cardinal started as a challenge to use my felting machine. It was very easy and fun to use. I wanted to "upcycle" an old garment for one of the journal quilts. I was able to utilize an old sweater. The tree, cardinal, nest, and leaves were all felted using wool or silk roving. In Natalia Aikens DVD "Texture Transformation Stitch, Alter, Recycle" she demonstrates using dryer lint. I couldn't resist trying this technique. I was able to use dryer lint in the birds nest. The flowers are paper and were found at a craft store on clearance. Bead embellishments were added for more dimension. I suspect the entire journal would have "popped" with a different background since the flowers are pink. I will take that as one of those "lessons learned".

Week 20 is all about the game! I had so much fun with the brown grocery bag that I continued on the back of the bag. This was painted with acrylic paint. I then used a stencil with the Tulip fabric spray pain. Cards and game pieces were added for additional embellishments. The ribbon was sewn around the edges for a finishing touch.

Journal Quilt 19

It has been such a busy month. I am a little behind, but I do have a great summer schedule to get caught up! Week 19 is a actually made from a brown grocery bag. The techniques are from Alisa Burke "Expression Session" and Julie Fei Fen Balzer "Collage Fast and Furious". If you don't own these DVD's you should put them on your wish list! The paper bag was painted with inexpensive acrylic paint. The background was accented with Tulip Fabric paint (spray bottles). I then used a stencil for the numbers and painted over the stencil with black Tulip fabric paint. The dictionary page was added and the white numbers were stamped. The number "7" charm was sewn on as an embellishment. The trim was ribbon that was sewn on with a zigzag stitch. I couldn't believe how easy it was to use the paper bag. After the paint was added it took on a fabric like quality. Enjoy your summer!

Week 18 Flintstone

Week 18 is a photo journal quilt dedicated to the memory of Flint aka Flintstone. Flint was a golden retriever that I rescued who had a large tumor when I adopted him. He passed after a few happy months with me and his friends. He was such an awesome dog, worthy of so much more than an art quilt. I used photoshop to alter the photo by "painting" it using the mixer brush. I included a great friendship quotation, a dog tag, and old scrabble letters. He will be missed by all.

Week 17 the Bike

Week 17, This was so much fun. I actually was able to use some of the skills I learned in photoshop class. This picture I took in Antigua. I must say, Antigua was not my favorite place, but I did get some fun pictures. This bike was in front of this graffiti ridden metal fence. It was just amazing. I took almost 20 pictures. While in photoshop I was able to "age" the photo by using the pointillize filter under the pixelate menu. I also changed the color saturation. It gives the photo a worn, older look. The picture was then printer on photo-fabric. I then used some scraps of fabric to make this quilt square. I am fascinated with old dictionary pages so a small plastic tag was made using an older dictionary definition of the word bicycle.....