Fabricated

Fabricated

Hi Everyone!

Hope everything is on

track for you - all going

smoothly here

In fact, I am even contemplating

digging out the sewing machine

Shall reserve this exercise for a

rainy day - hope I can still 

remember how to thread it.....

.........it's been a while.....

Craftyfield is joining us today

with a rather nice tutorial using

the lovely Starlight Textile Paints

"When I received the new Starlight Textile

 paints and a lenght of calico from 

the Craft Barn I settled down to test 

my new materials.

 In this first piece, I applied a mix of Starlight 

with a slightly wet sponge. 

I noticed that the darker Starlights were 

not as shiny as the Pearl but I 

guess it's necessary to give a good depth 

of colour.  Also, by using a sponge, 

I only applied a thin layer and the metal flakes

 in the paint are spread over a larger area 

for a more discreet look

In my second experiment, I wanted to combine 

the textile Starlights and So soft paints for a

 contrast between the shiny paints and

 traditional colours. 

I used the Gelli plate to layer the stencilled 

So soft paint in Dark burgundy and 

the Starlight in Petroleum which I applied 

all over the Gelli plate (over the already 

stencilled paint). 

The technique worked well enough but the 

paint was drying too quickly for a decent print on fabric. 

The distressed look is interesting but not for 

today's project however...

 I like my makes to be useful and my cushion 

covers badly needed a replacement 

so this is what I decided to make. 

I have no sewing skills so I try to simplify 

and use shortcuts at every opportunity. 

I worked out my cushion design to include 

a velcro closure as the easiest one to sew, 

although I'd have plumped for snaps closures

 if I'd had the tool to set them!

I thought I'd better make up the cushion first 

before decorating to make sure the art was centered.

The velcro closure.
I haven't decorated the back, 

although this could happen in the future... 

I'd love to try the new textile sprays 

with stencils next!

I placed the stencil and used masking tape 

all around to stick it down firmly.

 A pad of scrapbook papers is ensuring the 

fabric is held taut and prevents the paint from 

oozing to the back

I created an ombre look from the center out

 adding Pearl incrementally to the Petroleum 

with a palette knife. 

Unlike my previous tests the paint is a 

lot thicker which gives a lot more shine 

as well as a 3D look.

See how the ombre gradation emphasises the

 impression of a rotating wheel. 

In fact, my other half can't bear to look at it!

For a bonus project, do come by to my blog 

to see what I did with one of my test pieces !"

Supplies:

Sunburst Stencil
Starlight Textile paints
Palette knife 
And if you don't fancy sewing your own cushion cover, 

here's one already sewn up for you
or pick from a selection of fabric bags here

Super tutorial Craftyfield

I have to agree with your

other half - that stencil is

quite mesmerising just

looking at it on screen

..........!  What a fabulous

effect that is - thank you

I can see I shall have to invest

in that stencil...........

'Till tomorrow

Mickie xx

Fabricated

Fabricated

Hallo There!

Lovely day again.  What's

the weather like where you are?

Whatever it is doing, it is always

sunny here on the Blog

Today is no exception - you

should get yourself some

refreshment and find a comfy

seat before you go any further

Angela Radford is here today

and oh my, has she got a

fabulous project to share...

 "Hi Angela back again! 

Sorry yet another lengthy tutorial but 

hope you enjoy watching as much as I 

enjoyed making it. 

To start with here is the collection of 

Starlights Textiles paints I used for this project:

Put a small amount of paint into a palette 

and spread it so that you don't have too 

much paint on your brush.

The fabric is the Calico that Sandy stocks 

and I used a full width by 45 cm but obviously 

this depends on what you decide to make when 

this stage is complete. 

Using Tim Holtz stencils apply the paint 

by dabbing gently through each one. 

I made about six or seven of each one

 I used, covering the whole length of fabric.

When you have finished the stencilling 

allow these to dry and iron on the wrong side. 

Complete instructions are on the jars. 

I used scissors to begin cutting them apart 

but actually ripped them as I wanted

 the frayed edges to show.

Now it's time to start attaching them 

to the backing. 

I used a batting fabric for this as I wanted 

a quilted effect but another piece of the Calico 

would work too.

And here is the finished piece. 

I've used several different stencils and 

different stitches too. 

This is definitely a grungy style 

with the frayed edges showing.

 I removed a small section at the end to use

 for the closure and then you need to sew the 

sides of the main fabric and lining.

 I like to box my corners when making a bag

 but this is up to you.

Here you can see the finished corner, nice and neat.

It's a good idea now to iron the seams flat 

before continuing. 

I would cover this with a piece of 

muslin before ironing.

 Place the lining inside the bag with the 

wrong sides together and pin.

Machine all the way round.

I cut a strip of the Calico to go all the way 

round the top of the bag and machined 

it in place on the inside and then 

folded it out to the front.

Tack this in place to cover the top edge 

and then machine all the way round.

Here is the flap ready to be attached at the back

Cut two lengths of fabric to the length and 

width you prefer and sew these inside out 

with interfacing attached and 

then turn the right way round.

And here you have the completed bag. 

I wanted this to be large enough to 

carry a 12x12 journal so it is quite big.

Here you can see the inside with the flap 

attached at the back and the handles securely

 sewn in place.

I left the flap open at the top as it can be used as a pocket.

I used velcro as the fastening for the closure

 but again this is just preference. 

So that's your lot my friends. 

Hope you enjoyed that and see you soon.

 Angela xXx"

Materials Used:

Stalights Textiles Paints

Calico

Lining Fabric

Batting

Tim Holtz Stencils

Velcro

Interfacing

Thank you Angela

What can I say?  I am absolutely

speechless - I need to go back

to school and repeat the

Use of English course I did

way back when........

Maybe this will cover it:

Wunderbar, die Tasche ist 

enfach super! 

Bis Morgen!   oh sorry....

Till tomorrow

Mickie xx

Homespun Wreath - Rachel Snook

Morning all,

Kicking off a new week here on The Craft Barn Blog,

this week we will be featuring Homespun Wreath and the DT will be 

showing you what they have created.....

Ok, today we are starting with a project from our very own

Rachel.  Many of you will know her from the shop, not only

as sales but also as a tutor.  Rachel is going to join us on 

the DT bringing you two projects each month! 

Cover the wreath with 2" wide strips off burlap,fixing the start

and finish points using hot glue gun. 

Seal the edges with Matte Medium with sponge 

applicator in dabbing motion and leave to one side to dry.  

The medium should dry clear.

 Take the burlap squares and sponge these with Matte
Medium and leave to dry, do the same with the white calico.

  The medium stops the materials fraying.

Spray the calico with Biscotti Perfect Pearls when dry 
this will leave a  slight shimmer when materials are dry
die cut both the burlap and calico with Tim Holtz 
Tattered Florals. 

Decide how many flowers you would like and how 
you wish to place them on you wrapped wreath.  
Glue the flowers together with hot glue gun.

Thread the buttons with loose threads from the burlap 
                                         and knot on the back.

                                      Glue buttons in the flowers. 

  Decorate the wreath as desired.

With the remaining burlap I sealed down the side with some 

strips with glue.

 

I removed the long threads by pulling

them out.

I then folded the strip over and sealed the same 

with hot glue. Roll the strip making a loopy flower, these

would make a nice backing for a brooch but turned out too

deep for the look I wanted on my wreath.

Items used -

Polystyrene Wreath

Stix 2 Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

DecoArt Matte Medium

Burlap and Canvas packs

Sizzix - Tattered Floral Die

Perfect Pearls - Biscotti

Assorted Cream Buttons

Sponge Paint Brushes

So that is our first wreath of this week.
What do you think?
You know we like to hear your comments!

I'll be back tomorrow with another project,

Jane x