Creating Texture on on Needle Felted Projects

I have been reading loads of tutorials lately on textured felted or needle felted projects.

I always found using a good assortment of wool roving, yarns, and fabrics can create interesting texture with out too much difficultly.

So I have put together a picture file of ways you can use fibers/embellishments to create textures on their own. All pieces have been needle felted on a base of wool. All items are my own creations.

                                          What I like about this piece is the use of silk ribbon and scrim(cheesecloth)

Silk when needle felted has the tendency to crinkle and only bits and pieces of it will be felted down. The scrim on the other hand naturally sticks to its self unless you stretch it out flat.

The wool rose, also add texture , especially if you only needle felt the centers.

In this piece texture was added by NF using bulky yarns. Beads were added later to finish piece.

In this one by adding white silk to the edge of a darker shade create depth.

Using different fibers together, like in the first example as in this one can achieve
motion. L to R, silk cocoons, merino romney, fine merino rove, harrieville fleece, tussah silk top
and assorted mixed blends.
I call this feeling you enter fiber, as how the fibers lay on the wool base can deplete how your project
 will gain texture and movement.

'The Reef', shown here previously, but a good example of creating textured movement using
assorted fibers, yarns and embellishments.

Probably one of of most most shown pieces, due to the fact it was created using mostly silk fabric.
NF on a wool base, then machine free stitched.

If I can empress on on thing, don't limit yourself to using just roving, I have found my greatest inspirations by going out side of the box and using what ever I have. Sometimes needles get broke, due to thickness, and that is okay, Nothing is gained by not trying. Give it a shot.

-TNFrmgrl

Glass Tile Pendants

As spring has arrived in Tennessee I find myself wanting to do more art with a nature theme. Today I decided to hand paint glass tile pendants.

Lupine at twilight *

I used bath tiles I found at our local Home Depot*, they are slightly larger than the standard glass pendants at the arts and craft** stores and also already come with a white backing on them.Plus they were a lot less expensive, 60 tiles for $9.00 compared to  3 tiles for $4 at the A/C store.
For my  purpose I am painting on the front side , then covering with a coat of non yellowing resin.

I also choose to use alcohol ink pens (Spectrum Noir) and (Ranger) alcohol inks in bottles.
This gave me a chance to do so wild abstract backgrounds, but also do some fine point hand drawing with the pens.
Whatever medium you use, you will still need to coat with some type of resin or gel coating to protect the surface once done.

Bloom **

The star after the caption on the above tiles show the difference of the two types of tiles I painted on.
* Home Depot tiles ** Art store tiles

Once I was happy with the painting and it dried, I then put a gloss coat on it. I used Gloss Mod Podge on these two painting on three layers , letting each dry between coats. I made a light, non glare finish.

On these two I used Glossy Accents by Ranger. They will take about 12+hours to cure and dry completely. They have a high shine gloss coat. One coat is usually enough.

This pink one however, was a curious cause and effect. Even though the ink was dried it for some reason blended with the Mod Podge coating I painted on it.(top view) The second picture I added a little more ink to the bottom to see what would happen. it repealed the glue pushing it to the center of the tile.I then applied a little heat with my heat gun and this was the finish on it.The third picture is of it almost dry, you can see the raised area where the glue was pushed to the center left of tile .
It created a interesting effect. It will still need to have another two coats of Mod Podge , but I think I will wait a day before doing it to make sure it is really dry this time.



I will add silver bails on the back once all are dried. This is an easy craft , Acrylics would work just as easily as the inks. You could also use a sharpie marker if you are doing it with youngsters. It would make an awesome Easter or Mothers Day gift for kids in preschool or after care programs.

Enjoy,
-TNfrmgrl

Pink 

Alcohol Inks & Cheesecloth

Happy 2015!

The time for new creations and ideas is here.

This week I have busily creating fiber wrapped bangles and dyeing cheese cloth with alcohol inks.

Today though I want to share with you an easy way to use up leftover alcohol ink.

I used 5"x 7" double folded cheesecloth rectangles. I dipped each into water and wrung out until damp and not dripping. Lay on a flat surface you don't mind getting stained with the inks. 

(note: you can clean up any spills, drips with a soft cloth and rubbing alcohol.)

Drip inks in random or controlled patterns onto cheesecloth. Just like when you are working on a non porous surface the inks will blend slightly. To blend even more scrunch up fabric in hand, lay flat and repeat. You can leave cloth in a ball and drip over it, effect is more subtle /softer especially if you continue to work the colors in by scrunching or wadding up. (Note: if you don't want your hands stained by the inks , wear plastic gloves.)

When you are happy with your outcome, air or machine dry on no heat, rinse and repeat , The ink is permanent but some may come out on the first rinsing.  Heat set between a cloth or paper towel with a iron on cotton setting. It can now be used in any project you want.each layer will be a little lighter, great effect for ombre effects; keeping only two layers you can control how dark your colors come out. The red above, can out evenly on both sides, the more scrunching together you do the more the ink is set in the fabric. Be sure to work quickly as the alcohol will evaporate quickly. That is one reason why I wet the cheesecloth in the beginning. 

Your probably thinking why would I dye my cheese cloth with this method. Its simple, I had leftover ink, you know that little bit left in the bottle, I could have used it with another Yupo project, but I chose to do something a little different. I also added a little rubbing alcohol to my bottles it was great way to extend what was left in them; however it did dilute the colors. 

As artists or crafters materials can be expensive and finding new ways to use them is always a treat. 

Look toward the next post as I'll tell you about making the fiber wrapped bangles I mentioned at the beginning of this post.

Happy Crafting in 2015!

-TNfrmgrl

Weaving

Happy Fall.I always see the autumn time as a time of warmth and wanting to create items that embodies that. So I have started making some miniature woven brooches and bracelets. 

Do you knit or crochet? I crochet some but not really enough to say I am really good at it. Doing a chain stitch or a granny stitch is about as far as my skills go. Still it does add an edge to whatever surface design I am working on. Weaving is much easier; at least way I am doing it is.

I have always loved the look of woven rugs, place-mats, doilies etc. So learning how to make them seemed like the next step in learning a new art skill.

Surprisingly making them a miniature level was quite easy.

I chose to use a heavy cardboard as my base. My first attempt was very small, About 2"x 3".

I carefully measured and cut 10 slits on each end only. (about 1/4") then I wrapped Perle thread Around each slot taping down the ends with double sided tape. 

Now we are ready to weave. I chose to use a chunky pencil rove in assorted colors to quickly fill in my weaving board.

weaving side

                                                                                                                                                               Next choose the side of your board that the strings look the evenest.This is the side you will be weaving on.

wrong side

Using a tapestry needled loaded with about 20" of yarn, rove, ribbon etc. carefully go under , over, under over, etc each strand of Perle thread, changing directions as you get to the side of your board. Each time you make anew row, tighten up your weaving by lightly pushing rows together.(the tighter your weaving is the nicer it will hold together in the end. )I continued weaving until I was about 1/2 inch from end of my board. At this time I tacked my rove on to the tape. Flip your piece over and carefully cut the strings in the center back all the way across. Take it off board.Lay your woven piece flat, and tie the stings into a knot on the edges. Two or three strings at a time. Doing both ends to secure your woven piece.

The rove I used quickly filled in the spaces and I really liked how it turned out. Wool rove likes to poof open , making it a great yarn to weave with or needle felt .

I chose at this point to fold under my stringed edges to the back and glue a small piece of felt to hide them under. I then added a piece of foam rubber and another piece of felt, this strengthened my piece to turn it into a brooch for everyday wearing. 

Embellish it as you see fit with, beads, buttons, trim . I choose a water theme, So I added Miliefiore beads, a starfish and crocheted ribbon.

TA-DA! you are almost done. Just add pin back and you are ready to wear and go. 

To make bracelets or larger pieces just make your board larger. Pinterest has some great ideas for making weaving boards, I had the heavy cardboard so that is what I used, but wood would be more durable, especially if you wish to make many. 

Key Fobs: The day I glued my fingers together

Happy Memorial Day weekend! Yeah!, summer is about to begin along with the rush to get crafts done for my first summer craft show in a couple of weeks.

This morning before the adventures of tree trimming and barn roof fixing begins at the farm I am working on making cotton webbing key fobs. sounds easy huh? For the most part it really is. I am using two types of glue, Beacons 3-in-1 to glue down ribbon and other embellishments and Aleene's Jewelry/Metal glue to hold the metal key piece in place.
Beacons, although it is permanent, dries fairly quickly and slides off the skin like rubber cement.
The Aleene's though is a different story.This stuff and I do like using it, is like thick clumpy super glue( squeeze tube SLOWLY, it has a mind of its own and will continue to come out even after you stop squeezing), if you get it on you , clean up immediately with nail polish remover, other wise you can very easily glue your fingers together. :( I really thought I cleaned it up well, I guess not.. as I was pinching my key piece in place, my thumb and forefinger began stick to the metal.Ouch, is the word. I quickly, one handily unstuck my fingers before it became a permanent  fixture to my fingers.  Ah craftiness, you gotta love the dilemmas that occasionally happen.

Anyway, as you can see I did become unstuck.and continued to make these cute fobs.
They are really easy to make.
1. Cut your cotton webbing to about 10",

2. Using a lighter carefully burn the edges to keep webbing from fraying, you could use fray block, but since    this edge is hidden under metal finding I chose to burn it.

3. Sew on (which I recommend)or glue ribbon or trim down center. On the camo ones I chose to leave          these blank without embellishment.

4. Fold webbing in half and add a small line of Beacons 3-in-1 glue to the edge of cut line, pinch together or    clamp for a few seconds to set.

5. Once set, add a small amount of Aleene's to the inside V of metal finding (above bar prongs in picture below). Place cut edge of webbing inside and hold for about 10 seconds to set. I then set aside for about 10 minutes to let that glue dry well BEFORE I clamp it down.
6. If you have jewelry pliers with the plastic or soft vises use these. I don't, so I used regular pliers with a scrap piece of wool wrapped around my metal finding and squeeze gently, swapping sides until  finding is closed . If you clamp from the side I find this easier and it will not bend the U part of the finding. (top of picture, this part hold your key ring)
7. Once done set aside once more to finish drying all the way. Once you get it the pattern down you can make one in about 10 minutes or less, gluing and sewing takes the most time.

Easy Peasy, right?  I purchased my metal finding and webbing from an Etsy supplier out of Mankato, MN
www.agraffsupplies.etsy.com .
This would be a very easy project for girl or boy scouts or any kid friendly event.


Gardening on Bedrock
Two weeks ago we planted our garden, this year we decided to pot all our veggies  since our back yard is about 3 inches of dirt set upon bedrock. raised beds are the only way to go. Tennessee has loads of caves and we set on a fault line.So we don't dig deep in our back yard. We save that for the farm.
Anyway, here is a few pictures of our potted garden.
Oh, how my little garden grows...

left to right: sage, peppers, tomatoes, tomatoes, lettuce

lettuce, yellow squash

Cucumbers and okra

radishes

carrots

I still want pumpkins and have a plan to get them planted above ground in hay bales, may try watermelon this way too. 

Happy summer everyone...

-TNfrmgrl