Lavinia Stamps: Fairies on Fabric.

Hi  Bloggsters  following my post earlier this week, I am now making the canvas for this project.
I do have a tendency to get a bit carried away when working with the Fairies on Fabric downloads.
I so love the designs that I want to be sure that the techniques I use do justice to them.
Just a reminder, here is the picture I have been working on.

 

As promised here are the instructions for completing the canvas.

I am using a 30x25 cm canvas as the frame for this picture.

To start this, I turned the canvas over and covered it with Gesso to seal the wood as I am using the underside.

 

 

 

 

 

To decorate the canvas I started by spreading moulding paste fairly thickly over the edge.

I stamped into the moulding paste using Lavinia stamps and then painted this with diluted Eco Green paint as a wash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then painted this with diluted Eco Green paint as a wash.

 

 

 

 

To add colour to the canvas I used Moon Glow's Starburst stain dabbers.

I like these because they are translucent and colour without the thickness of an acrylic paint so you are more likely to retain the texture below and they contain Mica which adds a nice glow to the finish.

 

 

This close-up shows the textural detail.

 

 

 

To help the stamp images stand out better, I went over the stains with black distress ink using a blending tool.

I rubbed this on lightly so that it caught the top of the texture rather than colouring the whole image.

 

You do not need to paint the inside of the canvas as the fabric is going to cover this space.

 

I decided to make some embellishments by printing the digi downloads onto shrink plastic and then cutting these out and shrinking.

This is the shrink plastic I used which is available from

The Stamp Man. 

 

 

And these are the embellishments.

Not quite decided where they will go yet.

 

 

Here is the decorated canvas:
I added extra stain with a paint brush to highlight the images.
Then sealed the colour with Spray & Shine by Crafter's Companion.
I prefer a spray glue as there is no smudging with colours that are not waterproof.

 

 

To complete the picture, I wanted to edge it and for this I used silk fabric which I had coloured with dye and then added salt to remove some of the colour (Watercolour Salt Technique) and a shear ribbon.

The effect can clearly be seen here.

 

 

This is the edging when complete.

 

 

Close-up of the stitchwork.

 

 

And the finished panel with the embellishments added.

 

 

 

 I hope you like this project and will go over and visit
Lavinia Stamps to view the range of stamps and downloads available.

Happy Crafting

Back soon,

Angela x

WOYWW # 257 What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday.

Hi Blogbuddies another week on my desk and desks throughout the world, brought to you by our host Julia at the Stamping Ground.

And here is my desk for this week:

Sorry but I am still pushing back and sideways actually lol!

the boxes are ready for a good tidy again! but I have been busy making stuff lol!

 

Just there on the right of the picture is some lovely net that I saved from some fruit, not sure yet what I shall do with it.

On the left some new Timmy dies, lovely and in the centre a canvas that I am using as a frame for a Lavina Stamp digi download.

The lanyard hung up is by Tim Holtz and was a gift at 'Art from the Heart', I keep my paper distresser attached to it so I know where it is when I need it.

 

I think next week I shall start opening the drawers and let you have a peek inside as one or two people have shown interest in having a look and to be honest I am not exactly sure what's in there myself lol!

 

 

Well that's my desk for this week and it's up to you whether you choose to go any further down this post.

You have lots of desks to look at so it's up to you.

Have a great week and happy crafting,

Angela x

 

However I must continue with the project for this week as it has been taking me a while to complete due to family commitments.

If you are still here you might like to come with me.

 

 

This is a Lavinia Stamps digi download (Fairies On Fabric) called Zen Houses which I have printed onto fabric and which you can find here.

You can also get the printable fabric media here too.

 

I began by tacking a layer of wadding to the back of the fabric and then starting the stitch work.

 

 

Various threads and beads were used to decorate this fabric picture.

 

 

When I have finished the design, I will complete the canvas and will be back with this later in the week.

 

Bye for now and happy crafting,

Angela x

 

 

 

Lavinia Stamps Fairies on Fabric.

Hi Blogging Friends  thought it would be nice to use some of the heart downloads as we are approaching Valentine's Day.

This is the download I used which is available from Lavinia Stamps.

 I also used wadding for the backing and various hand and machine embroidery threads.

Begin by tacking the wadding to the back of the fabric and then using hand stitching, embroider the detail to enhance the design.

There is no need for complicated stitch work, I use stitches such as Chain stitch, Back stitch, Running stitch, Stem stitch, French Knots and Satin stitch.

It is particularly nice if you are able to add some metallic threads as these work well as focal points.

The pictures below show the work in progress.

To give depth to the finished design it is better not to fill the whole of the printed design with stitchwork. By leaving some of the print it appears to fade into the background.

I also had an idea to create embellishments by printing onto shrink plastic to use with the fabric.

It is possible to buy shrink plastic which works in an inkjet printer. I purchased mine from the Stamp Man.

After printing the images I cut them out ready to shrink as I only wanted the hearts not the background.

Don't forget to punch a hole at this stage before shrinking the plastic.

I know that some people are a little nervous when using a heat gun  as the plastic curls up but in my experience if you just keep going it will flatten out again.

I often turn it over half way and then continue to heat it and....

I finish off by placing my old iron over the top,while it is still warm, to flatten the plastic.

I decided that the plastic needed colour on the back as the white seemed a bit harsh and then finished it with a Lavinia Stamps Fairy Words stamp and embossed it.

When the embroidery is complete, sew around the outside of each heart, this can be done with hand or machine stitching, to attach the wadding to the printed fabric.

 

Sew two of the hearts together, catching the ribbon in the centre as you sew and pad the inside. I attached the embellishments to the ribbon and finished it with a bow.

The more I use the downloads for Needle Art, the more I like them.
The designs are so gorgeous that it is easy to add as much or as little stitchwork as you wish and then use the finished project as wall art, place mats, sections on clothing, bags, table runners, tags, cushions, book covers and of course greeting cards, it is just endless and I am sure you will think of other ways to use them.

        That's all for now, back soon.
                  Angela x

Lavinia Stamps Faries on Fabric.

Hi Blogging friends, just a little something extra, had a small piece of the printed fabric left over from something else and thought it would nice to use it on a tag, so here it is.

 

First I placed wadding at the back of the fabric, machined the leaf veins and enhanced this with hand stitching using gold thread.

I machined on the black flower trim before trimming away excess wadding, glueing the fabric to the tag and edging it with crackle glaze.

When the glaze was dry, I went around the edge with a gold gilding pen.

 I have included this closeup as it shows the crackle glaze better.

 

I love the Lavinia Mushroom stamps (Zen Tall Mushrooms) and the idea of combining them with the downloads so decided to stamp them onto a sheet of acetate, (Stazon ink is best for this).

I have used this as an overlay for the tag.

 

I just had to make their eyes stand out so added brads.

 

Finished this off by joining the fabric section and the acetate with a black cord.

 

This is a fairly quick way to use the downloads as there is a lot less hand sewing.

 Hoping Tracey likes this.

             Back soon,
              Angela x

Lavinia Stamps Fairies on Fabric.

Hi Blogbuddies finished this at last, not that I haven't enjoyed making it more a matter of knowing when to stop lol!
These downloadable designs are so inspiring, you can quilt on them, add hand or machine embroidery, embellish with beads, buttons and sequins etc., use them in patchwork, alter the colours with an art program or just leave them as they are.
I felt a bit guilty at first embellishing them as the designs are so gorgeous on their own.
None the less here is the finished project and I hope you like it.

I make no apologies for this being a rather long posting, this was a fairly lengthy project but I hope you think it is worth it.

These are the downloads (Lavinia Stamps) as they are when printed and the printing media.

 

I began by tacking the coloured organza on the back and applying machine stitching around sections of the design and cutting away some of the printed fabric to reveal the colours below.

 

 Next I inserted wadding into the face section by opening the back slightly and then started the embroidery and embellishments.

 

 This shows the early stages of the surface embellishment.

 
Now for the border.

Used cotton calico for the background and sprayed it using Deka Silk dye. I will not apologise for the messy jars, you can see they are well used.
I like to use a diffuser for spraying as it gives a better finish but other methods will work too.
Allow this to dry and iron to ensure the dye is set.
I don't really worry too much about the fastness of the dye as this type of product will not be washed.
I also cut out a paper arch which will be used later.

 

Next I used Distress Inks and Big and Juicy to stamp a sunburst stamp (Lavinia Stamps) over the sprayed fabric.

For the following process I used polyester fabrics (net and organza) as they melt easily.

 

On the sample piece below you can see that I have layered these up using the calico as the backing, as this will not melt, the net and organza can be layered in whatever order you wish.

 

 

Machine stitch using whatever design you prefer. I made a curved grid pattern.

 

Then comes the exciting bit or scary depending on how you look at it.

It is a good idea to work in a well ventilated room for this, just to be on the safe side.

Be brave and start the heat gun, the fabric will start to melt very quickly so keep an eye on what is happening.

I use the scissors to stop the fabric moving about rather than burn your fingers.

And there you have it, fabulous texture!!!
You can melt this as much or as little as you wish, I wanted to be able to see the stamped detail beneath.

 

When this has cooled you can pull it back into shape which will separate even more of the fabrics, don't worry.

When the fabric is back into shape and flat this is the effect you can expect to see.

 

Next, I sprayed some lace, whatever you have is great.

These are the inks I used.

 

 

Gather the lace and tack everything together in the centre of the fabric in an arch shape.

I used the paper arch template as a guide.

When that is complete, cut away the centre leaving a small seam allowance. You will need to cut little notches into the seam allowance to help it turn over.

 

Once you have turned the calico inside, tack the edge and machine it to keep it in place.

 I then used Treasure Silver and rubbed this over the fabric but you could add other stitch work to this if wished.

 

Ensure that the lace is at the front ready for the next stage.

 

And now for the final stages.

I caught the lace down with small french knots and then lined the back with calico and edge stitched it to keep it nice and flat.

If you want a more ridged finish to the hanging you can insert thin board inside before completing the lining.

I don't tend to press the finished work as it can flatten it but that's up to you.

I have sewn a brass ring onto the back so that it can be hung on the wall.

 

 

And here is a closeup of the finished design.

 

 

I do hope you like it and that it will inspire you to visit Lavinia Stamps and maybe invest in the downloads.

Although I have used these on fabric they can be printed onto anything that will go into your printer.

What about acetate, now there's an idea for a future project.

 

Bye for now, wishing you lots of creative moments,

Angela x