Fiber Fragment Shrines Link

Here is the link that we have tried to post to Fabric in Altered Art for examples of the Fiber Fragment Shrines. Mixed Media Collage ( I believe that is the name) has some great examples.

First Itty Bittys

These are my first Itty Bittys, made for Lenna's Creative Swaps. The theme is Summer. I used one of my favorite images, added some coordinating paper, and lots of stitching. I love to add stitching to paper projects. It just seems to add dimension and sometimes and unexpected touch. Don't you love those starfish charms? They were perfect for these itty bittys.

Row House Swap

These are not fabric but I still wanted to share. These are four of the houses I did for the Row House Swap on Treasure Art Trends. I decided to make a few extras and choose the ones that I wanted to keep but ended up making 4 that I will keep for myself. I think one of the reasons that I enjoyed these so much is because they are all different. They were a lot of fun to work on tho they took a little time. We are swapping 15 for 15. They had to be 4" wide but the heights could vary. Some will bind theirs into a book. I think I am going to mount mine on something and hang on the wall. I may find a way to attach them to the mounting surface so that they can be changed out every once in a while. Maybe just 8 or 9 at a time. That will still be 3 feet wide and that is probably plenty. I also have some coming from another row house swap as well as some ATCs so I should have a very nice mix!

Quilted Western Purse/Tote

This is a western themed quilted purse that I finished this evening. The construction is the same as the purple one that I made for the swap on Fabric in Altered Art. The main difference besides the theme is this one has more in the way of embellishments. I have a steer head/skull stamp that I really like and don't get to use much. I stamped it onto 2 different pieces of leather and stitched them to a few of the fabric scraps. I added several buttons and a few charms as well. I really like the purse but I am actually tired of all of the brown fabric that I have laying all over the place and I am ready to get out something bright and cheerful. This is the first purse that I have made that I am keeping for myself. I am really looking forward to using it!

Altered Tea Towel

This is one of the tea towels I did for an altered tea towel swap on Fabric in Altered Art. The other one is similar with lace in place of the rick rack. I had some coffee themed fabric that seemed perfect for the towels. I simply cut strips for each end, pressed the edges under 1/4" and stitched them down. I had a fat quarter that had several images of pots, mugs and machines. I cut 3 for each end of the towel and zigzagged them on. Simple, tho a little time consuming. It was a fun swap and and ready to mail out tomorrow.

Latest Quilted Purse

This is the purse I made for the quilted purse swap on Fabric in Altered Art.. I received a packet of 7 fat quarters from EQuilter.com, my fav online fabric shop, and wondered what I would do with all of the purple fabric. It was time to start my quilted purse so I decided that I would challenge myself to use those 7 fat quarters. I did add a few other scraps of fabric on top of the main pieces but the outside, lining and straps are all made from the fat quarters. I had received a quilted purse from Debi Minter that gave me the inspiration for my purse. She had used a piece of decorator type fabric and then stitched fabric scraps all over it. I created the pieces for the outside of the bag by sewing two FQs together and then cutting them to create the front and back. The lining is created pretty much the same way except one side of the lining is more of a print, the other is more of a solid. After creating the front and back pieces I cut rectangles, squares and triangles from some of the other FQs that were left along with other purple scraps I had. It was a really fun a creative project! I have everything together to make another one in the near future. I will be posting the directions from start to finish along with a supply list and pictures for anyone that wants to make one of these purses. If you would like to join us just let me know. Please e-mail me at the address in the upper left hand corner of the blog. If you just leave a comment make sure your e-mail address is included in your comment.

Learn to make a Quilted Purse/Tote

Sometime in the next 2 weeks the members of Fabric in Altered Art is going to begin a new project. We are going to learn to make a quilted purse or tote. I have made a few in the last few months and I could not believe how simple they are to make. And I don't quilt! I can't even free motion quilt. Don't know why but I just can't get it. Thanks to a fellow member of Fabric in Altered Art, I found a very simple and colorful way to quilt a piece of fabric. I am going to write out the directions for a purse or tote that you can make simple changes to. I will add a few illustrations and make it as simple as possible. You will be able to change the shape and size of the bag very easily. You can add pockets or leave them off. Short handles or long. We will use one simple set of instructions and I am guessing we will all end up with totally different bags. I think you will be amazed at how simple it is. You know those totes that seem to have those perfect squared off bottoms and you wonder how that happens. It's soooooo simple. My daughter was really impressed until the turned the bag wrong side out and showed her how to do it.

If you would like to join us contact me at CathyJohnson42000@yahoo.com and I will send you and invite to the group.