Dragonfly Fabric Art & a sort-of Sunset!

For a long long time, I have been interested in fabric art/collage/mixed media using fabric. But it has been one of the few crafts I have procrastinted about actually doing - -having a go. I don't really know why. Maybe because I do NOT see myself as a quilter or a sewer, even though I love art quilts and sewn pieces. Maybe because my great-aunt Phoebe's trusty Bernina is not in an entirely accessible go-to place........

I am hoping to conquer this and be completely inspired by some books I have coming in the mail, including this one, Fabric Art Collage, reviewed recently at Julie Balzer's blog. It is without doubt that I will be inspired, but I will make a commitment to playing & having fun in the name of fabric & feeling brave enough to share here!

Here is a glimpse of one of my new-to-me techniques for using watercolour/dye-based ink and perfect pearls & stamping. Thanks to Jennifer McGuire for the original tutorial on her blog here
Watercolours would have to be one of my bring- me-instant-joy techniques. I LOVE that you can never predict what will happen with them - for me they are magic.
Combining them with embossed stamping to have great texture & it is bliss - I could make soooo many cards this way.

What about you - do you like playing with watercolours........or do you include fabric in your creations often?

Artful Flight

busy times during school holidays....& these ones have been quite enjoyable despite the wintry weather.
Firstly, I must recap the fabulous opportunity I had at the end of June to attend one of Tim Holtz's classes presented by Stamp It, Melbourne. Unfortunately, I was only there for less than 24 hours (!) but even that time was bliss.....kid-free....& a chance to indulge my passion.
Here are some photos......

the kit before we started, including a Ranger apron (yay) to replace my yucky lurid purple one

Mr Holtz in action - charming, funny and a portable encyclopaedia of crafty tips & techniques! - sorry about the poor photo

the project - not quite complete

the obligatory photo-with-Tim after the class

the project complete on grungy shed door - it was really really fun to make - not completely my style, but making it was a fab way to learn how to use the bits & bobs and techniques & apply them to my own projects