QuiltingAndPatchwork.com 
Quilters aren’t running for public office, that I know of (although some probably are in their community or state).  However, quilters are expressing their support for Barack Obama through their art.
At Kyra’s Black Threads, I read a post, Fiber Artists for Obama, about the artists who are using their talents to support the candidate of their choice.  Kyra directs you to Cultural Expressions for more information.
Are there quilters and fiber artists supporting other candidates through quilting or who simply are raising the consiciousness of citizens to take an interest in the political scene and vote?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

QuiltingAndPatchwork.com 
I visit Jen’s Domestick Goddess blog regularly and always find fascinating ideas.  The latest that captured my attention is Virginia Fleck Mandala Art, guest posted by Pelf Nyok.
Virginia Fleck creates strikingly colorful mandalas from….Guess what?  Plastic bags!  As Pelf says:
With all the hoo-haas around the excessive use of plastic bags, it is heartening to learn that there are people who turn these plastic bags into beautiful art pieces!
Virginia’s art is displayed in galleries, public buildings, and private homes.  At Domestik Goddess and Virginia’s web site, you can view her work.
Even though the mandalas are not made of fabric as quilters think …read more

One of my daughter’s favorite magazines for ideas and updates is Cloth Paper Scissors.  The current issue (July?August 2007) contains more than 50 pages of mixed media techniques.  There’s also an article, “A Year Captured in Fabric,” about fabric collage journaling.
If your quilting interests have taken you into the quilting and mixed media arts world, you’ll find these ideas (may complete with instructions) a bonanza for you.
(The same company that publishes Cloth Paper Scissors also puts out Quilting Arts magazine, another innovative resource in the quilting and fabric art world.)

Recently I wrote a post, Converting Paper Quilts into Mixed Media Ones, inspired by Katelyn’s posting at Stamping Mad.  We both said we’d have to try these quilts, Katelyn doing paper ones and I creating some with fabric added.
Katelyn is way ahead of me and has some posted on her blog, Artful Monday – Paper Quilts.   They are lovely.  I’m impressed! 
 Click over to Katelyn’s blog and take a look.

Katelyn at Stamping Mad, with her post, Paper Quilts, called my attention to Chrysti’s delightful collection of these items, on her Art by Chrysti blog .  Using leftover paper scraps, Chrysti created lovely postcard art.  Katelyn mentioned she is going to try some, and I hope she posts her results on her blog.
This has me wondering about adding fabric scraps, rick-rack, lace, etc. to the paper scraps for a mixed media piece of art.  Just as Katelyn wants to try the paper quilt/post cards, I should try some of the mixed media variation.
Another term for paper quilts and mixed media art is …read more

As I explored the topic of ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards), postcards, and greeting cards, I discovered some interesting variations.  One of these is the Kaleidoscope Art Card, designed and created by quilter Ann S. Lainhart.
Ann makes these cards with fabric kaleidoscope shapes in the center of each.  They are coordinated with colored envelopes.  On her web site, you’ll find a colorful array of cards.  She also explains how she creates them.
If you’d like further inspiration for fabric and mixed media cards, check out various books that have been written on this topic.  These are just one of the variations that have evolved in the …read more

“I started out as a quiltmaker but now I’ve discovered mixed media,” so many quilters tell me.  This has become a trend with so many quilters as they’ve begun to explore the world beyond fabric.
Mixed media consists of adding other materials, such as fiber, wood, metal, mica, beads, buttons and paper to fabric.  These items are wall hangings, art objects, postcards, clothing, sculpture and books rather than bed quilts.
My daughter, Beth, discovered the world of mixed media and began introducing it to me.  We’ve had fun exploring this realm and stretching our creativity.  We still can make bed quilts if we need.  But …read more

Katelyn Thomas, of the Life Without Memories blog and b5media’s Stamping Mad, is concerned about proposed decreases in federal funding for Alzheimer’s research and has been thinking of some fund raising projects.  Among these is using one’s artistic ability to raise money for Alzheimer’s research.
One of the ideas she’s considering involves Artist Trading Cards (ATCs), those playing card size creations from fabric or fabric and paper.  These have become very popular and are traded and sold among quilters and collectors.
Katelyn has created the Stamp Out Alzheimer’s Yahoo Group so she can find out what form of fund raiser would be most popular.  Check out more …read more

The January theme for our Arts and Crafts Channel’s Theme Day is “All Things New.”  This could mean new projects, new directions, turning your hobby into a business, taking new classes…essentially venturing out of your comfort zone.
I’ve found quiltmaking has changed so much over the years, from the “traditional” patterns and styles I made with my grandmother in the 1940s and then during our country’s Bicentennial Years of 1975-76.  Quiltmakering has grown from a utilitarian craft into an art form.  Quilts have become wall hangings of various sizes, even postcards and calling cards. 
Then quilters began experimenting with many types of fabric and fibers …read more