Textile Mail Art Project

I've had so much fun making ATCs recently and through the connections I’ve made with people overseas I’ve discovered a beautiful idea called the Textile Mail Art Project. The idea is to have artists from all around the world submit a piece of original artwork based on the theme of textiles. This has got me a little excited at the limitless possibilities for having a real play around with the materials we all use in quilting and extending the experimentation I am doing with ATCs into a slightly larger format.

The deadline for this project has been extended to October 31, 2011 so there is still time to join in if you would like to make something for this project.

Go check it out and have a look at some of the gorgeous projects that have been submitted so far!

http://textile-mail-art-project.blogspot.com

Give Away!

I've just finished off the pattern for the steampunk filigree butterfly for Happy Bobbin and thought it might be time for a give away since I've reached my first dozen patterns.

If you'd like a chance to win a free pattern of your choice - perhaps the chicken purse or the owl applique? - there are 5 ways to enter, so please head over to the Happy Bobbin Blog to learn more!!

While we're at it, there is a 20% off sale until June 5th too!

Point, Click, Quilt

I don't think I have ever pre-ordered a book before, but the preview images from the author have thoroughly intrigued me. The only down side is I have to wait 3 months before I can get my hands on it!

The authors blog has two beautiful examples on offer at the moment. First is Papillon from the cover showing a little of her blending techniques and the original photo inspiration. Second is Rusty Chevys and the detail in the glass, cars and road is exquisite. The images are simplified, yet still quite detailed. Can you tell I'm excited??

If this has piqued your interest and you'd like to order this book too you can get a good price, free shipping plus another 10% off with the code "May11" (from their homepage) at Book Depository.

I highly recommend Book Depository as I can rarely find a better price and have had great experiences through them.

Electronics and... Sewing?

What on earth has this got to do with sewing?? Well now that my basic circuit is working and I know how to put the batteries into those neat little battery holders I am going to start working on an electro-textiles project.

Electro-textiles started with wearable computers and surface mounted displays and has evolved into conductive threads and yarns which can enable you to build an electronic circuit in your textile garment or object. To me, conductive thread just sounds fascinating and I knew when I discovered it about a year ago that it was something I wanted to play with at some stage.

I've finally got myself some conductive thread which I am going to use to sew a circuit into an art piece to enable LED lights to light up when the switch is turned on. I decided to build a switch into my project to make it more convenient than having to remove the battery from the holder each time you want to turn the LEDs off.

There are a number of applications where electro-textiles are being used today. Many costumers are beginning to use LEDs in their projects, but on a more practical level people in colder climates are using conductive thread sewn into the fingertips of their gloves in order to use touch screens on computers and mobile phones while staying warm.

Well I am off to continue on with my project. I need to finish the base before I can start sewing in my LEDs and I am eager to see this one finished!!

Have you had a play with electro-textiles? Or can you think of some nifty applications for this emerging technology?

Bottled Toy ATC

I wanted to share this even though I won't be sending it to whoever I get as my swap partner for a couple of weeks yet. This is a little Artist Trading Card (ATC) which is only 2.5" x 3.5". It was made for a challenge where 2 out of 5 theme words needed to be used in one ATC. I was the one who started the challenge and I still found it hard!!

I thought I'd post it up here because I'm really happy with how it turned out and I don't think my potential swap partners are watching this blog, though perhaps if you want to join in too you might get it!!

I started off with a rough design sketched on paper after tossing up ideas for a couple of weeks. I was going to try and do something with the words Duet and Cultivate... or Journey and Cultivate... but then I thought about a ship in a bottle and the idea took form - so this suits the challenge words Bottled and Toy.

The design is made up of cut fabrics that have been raw-edge appliqued to a base fabric. I used a sheer piece of white fabric over the top which is transparant enough for the bottle. To finish, there are 3 or 4 layers of interfacing between the front and back layers and then I used a quilt binding technique for the edges which gives a great border.

What do you think? Would you like to receive this ATC in the mail? Or would you just like to try out the challenge yourself. Well there is still time to sign up so check out the challenge before the 8th of May!!

If you have any questions about making fabric ATCs let me know!