CyberFyber Postcard

I've finished my exchange postcard to return to Susan Lenz. It was the first time I've done a postcard - I thought having worked at A4 scale for many years it wouldn't prove too difficult but although I enjoyed solving some of the technical problems that arose, I can't say I warmed to the technique.



I finished the back off with a digital print ( 'second' quality) and practised using the machine to stitch my signature (normally you can't read my writing so that's a step forward!) However it hid the stitching that I'd done - I like the backs of my quilts to be as interesting as the fronts and they normally are with the amount of stitching that goes into them

I used Timtex to give more rigidity than wadding but it's really wierd to stitch. It's a bit like a shock absorber, swallowing the 'hills and vales' that you get when quilting with wadding. When I was trimming it down , you could see the stitches embedded when viewed in cross section.

This lack of dips and rises became more obvious when I came to paint with acrylics over the stitching (the front base was a slubby kimono fabric) Instead of the stitching pulling up the fabric and wadding, the stitches stood proud on the surface so I didn't get the variation in paint texture I aim for.

Given the limitations I was quite pleased how it turned out but I won't rush to do another.

CyberFyber Exchange

Over a week since I last blogged - standards are slipping! Last week I received this postcard from Susan Lenz as part of her Cyber Fyber project - I now need to make postcard to send for her exhibition . Great idea! Its made using an embellisher - not something I've wanted to have a go at myself but lovely to receive. I'm planning something painted in return.Besides making some headway on my March TIF challenge and on a piece based on cranes in Brentford, I've been teaching an orchid seed sowing course and taking delivery of some brand new bookshelves for the 'parlour' . I've been having a happy time unpacking some of the book boxes that have been in storage and trying to be ruthless about rationalising it ( as I did with my fabric stash a few weeks ago). I had an editing session before they went into storage but I've moved on so much just in the couple of years since then. Where's the best place to get rid of dated quilting books ?(some might count as antique!)