Fill a Bare Book and Try New Art Medium - Done

Hello Friends,

As part of a series of drawing sessions between Monica and I, I managed to fill a bare book and try several new types of art media.  Great exercise all around and it got us making art again more frequently. It turned out to be a counting book called 11Wheels.  Great fun.  Below are some examples from the book including papercut, masking fluid,  digital, block print, and pen on top of gouache.

Much love,

Nicole

Create a T-Shirt Design - Done

Hello Friends,

After beginning an illustration class, and not really digging the first assignment, I began reworking a t-shirt design that I had started in the fall.  It combines my fascination with bubbles and their power to calm toddlers with shape work.  I think I finally managed to get the bubble blower more accurate proportions.

Much love,

Nicole

The Sketchbook Project

 

http://www.sketchbookproject.com/

Making Monday: Kool Aid Yarn Dyeing

Learn how from Knitty.

Massive Knit Tag

During the move it became very clear just how much craft materials we have acquired, we also have a very ugly large pipe right in front of the washer and dryer. So the answer to both was knit a giant knit tag!

The installation went quite well and now I have something fun to look at and less yarn. Wins all around.

Making Monday: The Unvieling of our Irrigate Project

 

We ended up collecting 28 textile squares for students and staff at the Hubbs Center. We put them all together and hung it for everyone to enjoy tonight at the Hubbs Center.

Northern Spark Project Progress

These are very fantastic lino-block stamps which will be used to stamp secondhand clothing for our Northern Spark project.  We are quite excited about the progress so far.

Making Monday: Bunting

Handmade custom bunting to replace crepe paper.  Easy and reusable.

Wet Paint

If you live in or around Saint Paul, and you have never been to the wonder that is Wet Paint Art Supply Store... Go Now!

Making Monday: Teddy Bear

 

In an attempt to use up some of the materials we have sitting around this Bear pattern got chosen. He is very friendly, though he was not very easy to make, I am happy with the result. His blue body is made from corduroy upholstery, his shirt scraps from Ghanaian fabric and his shorts are simple brown cotton.   

Selling Color

This piece sold recently and our proposal for Northern Spark 2013 was accepted.  More information on that to follow, but make sure to check us out at the Festival.

Making Monday: Paper Chains

Our crafty young people were very creative with a paper chain project making them into hats, scarves, and very silly earrings.  This group is all over the color wheel with their choices, which is great to see.

Crafty Kids

Our crafty rock stars hard at play.  Today, we should find out about a proposal we sent in.  Waiting for the outcome is usually the hardest part.

Making Monday: Sculpture Play

These things will someday soon become a cool outdoor sculpture.  Many a good time to be had working on it.

Making Monday: a Late Valentines Card

In the rush of everyday life this Valentine didn't even get started before Valentine's Day, but I say better late then never. A little knit heart, a simple white card, and a heartfelt message, later, happy feelings all around.

Making Monday: Duck Tape Rings

In a somewhat silly turn of events, we had our Duck Tape class on the floor.  It was probably the best one yet.  The kids decided to make Duck Tape rings.  Quite clever, really.

Making Monday: Pot Holder

Looking at some photos online I was inspired to crochet a vintage looking potholder. Once we figured out the pattern it crocheted right up. Though larger than I would have liked it will be lots of fun to put fresh pies on it.

Making Monday: Recycle Blanket

Mattress pad leftover from previous roommate = batting.  T-shirts = top of blanket.  Old sheets = t-shirt backing and blanket bottom.

Making Monday: The Cabled Hat

I love knit cables, but have always been too afraid to try and to knit my own. I finally pushed aside my worry and knit this amazing hat, with my first cables! I used the Wedding Hat pattern out of "The Yarn Girl's Guide to Beyond the Basics". It was super simple and a quick knit. I have been using it and it is so warm, and comfy, along with being super fun to brag about!

Making Monday: Freezer Paper Magic

 

1.  Take a piece of paper.  Draw a design.  We would suggest something not as complicated as our first one, shown here. 

2.  Trace your design in ink or colored pencil so you will be able to trace the design onto the freezer paper clearly.

3.  Cut a piece of freezer paper slightly larger than your design.  Trace the design onto the matte side of the freezer paper by placing your drawing underneath the freezer paper shiny side down.

4.  Tape the freezer paper to a cutting surface and use a crafting knife to cut out the parts of the design you would like to be inked.

5.  Choose a fabric item to affix the design to.
6.  Using an iron on medium-high heat attach the design, shiny side down, to the fabric.  Hold the iron even and flat to press down across the design a few times first so that none of the edges get folded over by the iron.  Then move the iron back and forth a few times to stick the design completely to the fabric.  We also found placing a piece of paper between the iron and design can help keep the corners from folding over.  This process does not take long at all.  Be sure to keep the iron moving and not burn the fabric.
7.  Attach another piece of freezer paper the size of the design on the other side of the fabric to avoid bleed through.  You can do this before or after you attach the design to the fabric.  We did it before the design because we had to turn the t-shirt inside out in order to attach the protective sheet to the inside.
8.  Use fabric paint to paint within the stencil using a brush by dabbing up and down or pulling the paint from the freezer paper to the fabric to avoid getting paint underneath the edges of the stencil.

9.  Wait for the paint to dry.  Add another coat or two if necessary.  Then peel off the freezer paper using a tweezers for any tough spots.  Peel off the back piece as well.

10.  Use a small brush or toothpick to touch up any problem spots.
11.  Heat set with an iron, wash, and use.