A few more upcycled fabric feathers

Curious as to the effect that could be gained from using different fabrics for making feathers I dug through my stash and found several heavy weight fabrics with printed designs to see what the results would be.  I am pleased with my experiment.  I used silver wire on these.  It worked as well as the gold.   Though, I have to recommend that choosing very tightly woven fabric will lengthen the time required to pull the surplus threads.  The green feather was made from such a fabric and took a LONG while to create.  I chose to use gray thread to create the shaft as it was featured in the original design of the fabric but I see that little remains on the feather though having a printed design does give the feathers more texture and interest and will allow a greater breath in the possibilities for cards.  The fabric I used for the pink feather would be appropriate weight for a book bag and worked very well though its loose weave does give the feather less substance.  It was an educational experience and I am encouraged that almost any heavy weight fabric can be used to make feather so have fun making feathers with what you have on hand!!          Therese

Exchange cards featuring floral die cuts, coordinating papers and canvas frames

These cards are my two exchange cards for August.  I decided to use a paper pack I received a while back that had two canvas frames.  

For my first card, I cut a dark teal card to fit in a large envelope from my stash.  I trimmed several sheets from the pack to create my background - the main portion features little hearts, the top a leaf pattern and the lower piece from a piece that relates very much to the pattern on the frame before adhering it to my card front.  From a different sheet, I trimmed a small strip, punched it with my eyelet punch (SU) and then scored a line with my score tool before adhering it to the back of my frame.  I layered the frame onto my background using double side tape.  I created my focal element using a large flower die cut (SX) which I watercoloured and then embossed.  I added a yellow circle punchie and then a coordinating stamped punchie.  I punched two leaves, embossed them and then assembled my flower by gluing the layers to each other starting from the front.  I added the large flower to my card front inside the frame using 3D foam tape.  I chose to not add a greeting which makes it more versatile and during this time when we are not meeting each other face to face as much it makes sense to send a card to let people know you are thinking of them!!

 For my second card, I started with a large envelope and I trimmed a neutral gray card to fit inside.  I trimmed a piece of paper with words from one sheet and added two pieces of the leaf pattern paper on each side to create my background before adhering it to my card front.  I positioned the frame to highlight the words and adhered it to my background using double sided tape leaving the release paper on the ones on the bottom section so I could add my flowers.  I die cut four flowers (TH - Wildflowers) from the variegated sheet which I cut the border from for my first card, added dots of white glue using a fine tip applicator and then tucked them inside the bottom of the frame.  After they dried for a bit I lifted the release paper from the bottom edge of the frame and pressed it into place.  I found a round font greeting in my stash and punched a scalloped circle in a coordinating colour then sponged coordinating colours onto both of their edges.  I adhered the greeting to the scalloped circle (SU) and used a push pin to pierce each scallop which adds texture to this element.  I used 3D foam tape to adhere the greeting to my card to the left of the flowers and overlapping the bottom edge of my frame.  Really happy with how these cards turned out and they will be headed to my partners in this weeks mail.

Therese

An all occasion card featuring an upcycled denim feather, an embossed layer, decorative paper and thread

 I experimented with the creation of upcycled denim feathers recently with the idea of adding them to my handmade cards.  This is my first card but I am sure it will not be my last!!

I started with a card base similar in colour to my feather.  I found a pack of Asian decorative paper in my stash and I really like the  navy blue and yellow so I trimmed out a 4" x 5.25" layer for my card and adhered it in place as my background.  To coordinate with my paper I chose a strip of navy cardstock which I embossed and trimmed to size and then a bright yellow strip which I trimmed on the right hand size with my deckle decorative scissors.  I trimmed it to be just a bit wider than my cardstock and the same length.  I adhered the navy strip to the yellow and then added a row of paper piercing using my tracing wheel.  I added a loop  and swirl to the top of my feather and then added it to my card by tying it to my navy/yellow strip using white thread wrapped several times around and tied with a double knot.  Really happy with how this one turned out and I am looking forward to make several more!!

Therese

All occasion card featuring decorative paper, ribbon and die cut butterflies

 For this all occasion card I started with the floral image which was trimmed from a sheet of scrapbook paper.  I added a layer of the same paper below to get the height I needed and to cover where they join I added a strip of green cardstock which I had run my tracing wheel over several times and tied on a length of pink ribbon using one knot.  I adhered my large layer onto a dark green card front and added four little butterfly die cuts (SU) using white glue in a fine tip applicator placing a line down the middle on the back and simply placing them.  I let the glue dry before pressing my card.  This one will go into my stash and may get a greeting when I use it!!

Therese