Fabric… it is an addiction and I have the most wonderful ideas when I buy it, I just have trouble actually cutting into it! you would think the world will end if I make a mistake, so I am happy to just have the fabric right now. It is starting to get a little difficult to store it all, time to actually MAKE things with it – hope this book can push me past buying and into creating!

going to check it out now…

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Winner of “Fabricate”!!

I’ve got a copy of Interweave Press’s new fabric arts book to give away! Fabricate: 17 innovative sewing projects that make fabric the star can be yours just for leaving a comment below. Tell me what the last fabric project you did was, or what you’d like it to be if you’ve never worked with fabric before. Next Tuesday, I’ll randomly choose a winner from the comments list. You can read a review of Fabricate here.

FREE STUFF ALERT***FREE STUFF ALERT!!

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Giveaway: Fabricate

This article for Threads magazine, by Lois Ericson, shares many great tips, the materials lists, step by step instructions, and photos so that you’ll know exactly what you’re doing and so you’ll take all the proper safety precautions.  Please, be careful when working with bleach!

Image: Threads/David Coffin

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Dyeing fabric with bleach

The Artful Crafter
“Panadieres for Zambia” is a neat story and one small example of crafters helping crafters – all around the world. As Eileen likes to say, “Crafters are just the nicest people.”

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a technique in this post about embossing on slick surfaces!

About Family Crafts
What are your cleaning tips for crafting with kids? Please take a moment to share your tips and then browse through tips shared by others.

Aileen’s Musings
Hard as it was, Aileen has narrowed down the playing field and needs your help again to choose from her favorite sayings that have been posted for her blog giveway! Stop by and pick your favorite.

Cathie Filian
If you are wondering what to eat, craft and play on the 4th of July then head over to Cathie’s blog for ideas.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside you can watch the latest Look, Learn & Create video that includes tips on drawing, two techniques and projects for cutting photos up, a bit of fabric eye candy, and a free paper stencil and project from the new book The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils 2 and if you leave answers to the day’s questions you are entered to win free books!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy uses her jewelry making skills to create some beautiful and functional stitch markers.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane reviews an intriguing new book: Micro Macrame, by Annika DeGroot

Cross Stitch at About.com
Work at Your Own Pace – An encounter with a critter in the yard has Connie thinking about Cross Stitch (imagine that!) and speed.

Naughty Secretary Club
Arty Masterpieces are overrated, it’s all about the Glittery Crafterpieces! Take a peek at the handmade art around my house and try your hand at making a fun glittery deer picture!

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Artsy blogging round-up!

The new book is Fabric Art Projects, and my supposition is that it is an expansion of the last book.  The description says that it teaches techniques and provides projects to use them in.  I’m thinking that perhaps it would be best to take a look at the book first if you’ve already bought the first one, but if not, this one might be a nice alternative.

I’ve not seen a copy of this book yet, but I’m very much looking forward to it!

Image: Amazon

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Book review: Fabric Art Projects

For the first two fabric painting techniques, visit these links:
Painting fabric in a bag
Twisted fabric painting

This time, you’ll need the usual ripped or cut piece of plain muslin, acrylic paints, a large soft brush or painting sponge, tape of different widths, and a large stamp or two.

Step by step instructions

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Wiped and striped fabrics

Here is another of the fabrics that I painted a few weeks ago (back when I inexplicably had some time on my hands!).  This one is a little more complex than the last two, but it’s not at all difficult.  To prepare for the tutorial tomorrow, gather up some plain muslin, acrylic paints, a stamp or two if you want, and tape: masking tape, electrical tape, graphic arts tape…anything that’s a bit low tack.  Don’t use duct tape for this project!

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Wiped and striped. Fabric, that is.

Again, you’ll need to rip or cut a piece of plain muslin, gather up the acylic paints that you want to use, and find an old bottle (wine bottles are perfect), some paint brushes, and a rubber band.

Step by step instructions

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Twisted fabric painting

Twisting your fabric up before painting it is a really fun way to create easy background fabrics for other projects.  You never know quite what you’re going to get when you do this.  Tomorrow I’ll show you the steps, so gather up some plain muslin, acrylic paints, painting sponges, a bottle, and a couple of rubber bands!

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Let’s do the twist…with fabric!

Painting your fabric in a plastic bag is a great technique to choose when you want a surprise: you never know what you’re going to end up with when you let everything swirl around together in a bag. So rip off a length of plain muslin and gather up your acrylic paints, small cups, water, and oh yeah…a gallon sized plastic bag.

Step by step instructions

You can see what I used this piece of cloth for here

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Painting fabric in a bag