Play Day with Friends

Rhonda, Lynette and I got together at Lynette's house for a play day today. We were going to use the transfer paints that were left over from a workshop with Sandra Meech about 3 years ago! Would the paints still be OK?
We couldn't find any instructions from the workshop so were trying to rely on our collective memories and other books we had read. Anyway there was painted paper left over from the workshop and we used whatever was to hand.
So here we have a selection of painted paper drying before we can use it:

some painted paper with salt crystals:

Here is my material (polyester sateen) with some mesh for design, and the crumpled transfer painted tissue:

End result:

It is hard to tell what the paint will be and the hue. We found that different papers released paint differently and some could be re-used more than others. It also depended on how hot and how long the iron was in contact with the paper.
This one, for example was used on satin, vilene and lutradur:

The painted paper is the darkest sheet in the photo.
So not only did we have various painted fabrics, Lynette and Rhonda have papers to use for journaling and card making.
Lynette has a giveaway over on her blog. A small book she has made with her decorated papers (she is so clever!). Actually so is Rhonda! And I learn so much from both of their work.
Ahh! 3 days of fun!
Hope the sun was shining at your place today!

Fifth Set of Pieces for Exhibition

After the group finished making the collaborative art journals, we pondered on what to do next. The biggest problem was having no deadlines, well lax ones anyway, and being motivated. We decided to each choose a theme and work on something. But, best laid plans and all, not all of us did much about it - citing every excuse under the sun! I am REALLY talking about myself here!
The first theme was seasons, so I at least started with an idea, but it didn't really fire me up. The 3 pieces I started, languished in the wardrobe, waiting for the 4th. But, I'm not one to waste a good start, so have used 3 pieces here for the exhibition. Now, there is no perspective involved, it's just an emotion (?) and a play!
Here we have Spring, Summer and Autumn.

Each of the tree trunks represents the silver birch tree. I stitched across the shape with Lana thread then painted across it with Textile Ink. I think that if I hadn't used such a 'furry' thread the paint may not have stuck to it so much, therefore giving me the 'look' I was after - but never mind, these pieces are mostly experimental.
Spring:

The batik background is cool-ish, because spring is such changeable weather. I have made 'catkins' (yes I know they look big) from polystyrene 'worms', covered in un-spun wool and wrapped with embroidery thread. There are 'seed' stitches on the ground, because if you were a little Alice, you would see the seeds, and there are a few lutradur leaves on the tree.

 Summer: 

a hot batik for this background, leaves made from lutradur (cut with a soldering iron and stitched on), and a few leaves made from painted Vliesofix (I don't really like that effect, though).

Autumn:
I have used a heavier weight of lutradur here, painted, cut out with the soldering iron, plus some 'burning' on the top. I then used some metallic paint as highlights. There are also some leaves made from organza - this is done with Washaway sandwiched between 2 pieces of organza, stitched, washed and trimmed. I love the effect and I think I will have to make some more soon.

Third Set of Pieces for Exhibition

Here is another trio of Liquid amber leaves. 

The first piece is a photo printed on to cotton, stitched veins and around the leaves, then I've added over the top some more leaves than have been made from florist's gauze that was painted and cut out to shape.

 This second piece has painted lutradur, cut into leaf shapes with a soldering iron, then stitched onto a painted cotton background.

Finally, the third piece uses the same painted background as the 2nd, the painted florist's gauze leaves and then copper shim leaves which have been embossed and heated over a gas flame. I also wanted to see if the copper shim would change colour if it had been sitting in vinegar and balsamic vinegar, but it made no obvious difference, after heating.