Saturday, April 11, 2015

Fabric collaging

I've become enamored with cutting up fabric and Mod Podging it to canvas (yes, Mod Podging is totally a word). Who would have thunk that sewing wouldn't be enough? I bought a bunch of canvases (and by a bunch, I mean 7) from Michael's more than a year ago. They were supposed to be the surfaces I'd mount a bunch of pretty sewn churn dash blocks on to hang around our living area. While that may still happen, I could always buy more canvases (they're cheap on sale)... so for now, I'm going with my newfound obsession.


I made up the process as I went along but later found this tutorial by Crazy Mom Quilts, which explains most of what I did. I prefer to paint Mod Podge onto the canvas, press scraps down, paint Mod Podge over them, and then continue to layer. So much fun - and it keeps me using my scraps! Plus, I love leaving the threads hanging - they harden from the Mod Podge but it looks authentic, you know? I might experiment with clean edges in the future just for kicks.

The first one I made, above, was for my friend Julie, who I met in college a few years ago. We became quick friends - when she transferred, I met her in musical theater, and we started hanging out. Later, when she was student teaching and off-campus more, we would meet once a week for dinner in the dining hall to trade teaching and class stories. Ever since, we've been trading crafts, too. I've made her two t-shirt quilts and a pillow, and Julie photographed my wedding (she did an absolutely lovely job). She's commissioned me to make several of my double-sided fall/winter tablerunners this coming summer, too. I treasure her friendship and I love that we can be crafty together! She also makes the cutest handmade ornaments every year! I thought this gift would be appropriate and treasured by her.


The second one is for a special little lady who has a 3rd birthday - my niece, Audriana. :) I know it's not your *typical* gift for a 3-year-old.... but I'm one of those people who likes giving practical and/or handmade gifts, even when said birthday girl is turning 3. I painted the sides blue for an extra flair, and wrote a special birthday message on the bottom. Hopefully she loves it and will treasure it as she grows older and sees it on her wall. :)

I plan to make these as gifts throughout the year; in fact, I'm already working on a third for quilty friend! I'll be sure to post more of them (I'm also thinking about selling them - do you think people would buy them? I'm thinking locally because they will be difficult to ship).



6 comments:

  1. How awesome and cool, Jess. Handmade and personalized gifts are the best. I really love the one you made for your niece, and especially how it has so much of you in it (purple!!). :)

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  2. I love the "Make" piece. So great with that camera fabric! What fun gifts!!

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  3. oh yes- Mod Podging IS defintely a word. After my most recent project with this, I have decided that I'm going to start doing these more as well. Maybe with some verses or quotes painted in the middle. So. much. fun!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  4. I cannot remember the last time I opened my bottle of mod podge...but this looks like a fun way to use scraps!

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  5. Hi Jes, I don't know which I like best - your designs or your enthusiasm! I just love reading your posts. They are so uplifting and happy. Keep up the good work. You make me smile, even on a bad day.

    xo Linda

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  6. These are cool. I made a beautiful rainbow colored long postcard for my granddaughter and instead of mailing it, I sponged color onto a canvas and mounted the postcard and mailed it to her for her birthday. She loved it!!!

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