Colour It, Fuse It! - a NEW Online Workshop

I'll bet you are often wondering what else you can fling paint onto and create wonderful effects on your fabrics? Did you know that you can paint, stamp, glitterize (is that a word?) and generally add colour to fusible web and interfacing products? Yes, you can!

Isn't this gorgeous? Would you like to make something like this?

 All you need is a few fusible products.....

Some paints and tools.....

You can paint, splatter, sunprint and more.....

Make sunsets......

 

And seascapes.....

Would you like to learn more? Then check out my introductory video:

My online workshop is open for registration here: http://susanpm.com/online-workshops/

Join in the fun!

How Old Is the Oldest.....

So, just how old is the oldest thing in your studio? I'll bet you've never given it much thought, right? Well, I'm not sure if these books are the oldest in my studio but I have had them a very long time and judging by the topics on the cover, they date to the 1940's....Mend and Save for Victory, On the Home Front...... I'm not that old, they belonged to my mother and I cherish them!

I love some of the topics in the books (they are a series of 10 different ones) about making a foot stool from a wooden crate, lots of embroidery stitch diagrams, making curtains and bedskirts and so many other topics.
You can make a sunshade, I make one last summer, but it didnt look like this:

 

Braided rugs, with suggested colour combinations: 

There are some wonderful ideas in these little books, we don't do much work like this anymore! What is the oldest item in your studio?

So my purpose in showing you these, is that I've made up some great little Thermofax screens from some of the images. You can order them here: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/197547273/thermofax-screen-try-a-new-stitch?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/197547191/thermofax-screen-feather-stitch?ref=listing-21

https://www.etsy.com/listing/197535776/thermofax-screen-embroidered-towels?ref=listing-22

https://www.etsy.com/listing/197535759/thermofax-screen-mend-and-save?ref=listing-25

Bowker Creek Art Show and Gelatin Printing

Last Sunday I was part of the Oak Bay Artists Society's outdoor show known as the Bowker Creek Brush-Up, what fun it was! Set along one of the major creeks in our neighbourhood, visitors could ramble along the path and visit the different art displays. The weather was perfect and it was a wonderful day for all!
The artists are asked to demonstrate their work when possible, so I decided to work on some gelatine plate monoprints, a technique I often return to when time allows. Since the day was so warm and in the later afternoon, I was set up in full sun, the paint dried quickly!

 Here are some of the items I had for display, they include a variety of techniques such as screen printing and stitch!

If you like them, they are available here: http://fabricimagery.com/category/art/  and include mats.

I worked on making samples through the day and here are some that I completed. I think I will add more colour with dyes and perhaps some paintsticks!

The one above was done using willow leaves as masks, I just had to reach up and grab a few!

These will be great for collage or stitching.

 And I like the ghost print on the left, that I got with this one.....
If you would like to learn more about Gelli or Gelatin printing, this is a great book to use as a resource:

Did you know that its not necessary to buy a Gelli Plate for great printing? You can make your own quite easily! Try this link: http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.ca/2011/05/gelatin-plate-printing-tutorial.html for instructions. A plate that is made with just gelatine and water will eventually break down, but can be revived by melting in the microwave for a pot on the stove and reformed.
If you'd like a more permanent homemade printing plate, you can make one by adding glycerin, here's a recipe plus lots of great tips: http://thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/a-permanent-gelatin-printing-plate-hectograph-an-annoying-project-a-birthday-card/

Are you excited yet? If not, here's more great news! I'll be teaching a Gelatin Printing Workshop on Sept. 30th in my studio. I'm just in the middle of getting the information on my website, so stay tuned, its going to be lots of fun!