Monday, April 29, 2013

Tickets, please!!!

There is still one phenomenon yet to be measured by science. That being the unknown depths of a woman's bag... With that in mind and the great new Passport theme over at  Simon says Stamp & Show, I decided to combine my love of sewing and crafting and came up with a bright and funky passport holder.
I started out with some medium weight artists canvas which you can get from a good fabric store. I cut two 6.5 by 12.5 inch pieces and then prepped them with a wash of gesso so I would have a base for the colour.
You do need a gesso base coat otherwise the paint will just sit on your fabric and not take. It's best to let it dry naturally as drying with a heat gun can cause shrinkage. Then I applied a watered down mix of Distress Paint to create the colour, using sweeping strokes and the widest brush from Claudine Helmuth's fabulous set. Keep the brush wet and keep the paint moving. Blend, blend, blend...!
When dry, I added some random zig-zag stitching to both pieces, then I stitched the pieces together (right sides together) around the edge, leaving a 3 inch gap for turning. Trim the seams and corners, turn right sides out and iron well. I then top stitched around the edges using red thread. My machine was having a wobbly day and so I went with the rustic look! Turn in two inches either end to the inside to create the inner flaps, press and then stitch twice around the whole piece again. Hey presto, a passport holder!
Then the fun part come when you can add whatever you want. I thought a few stamped dots broke up the background and then I went for these yummy Wendy flowers and leaves. They are stamped onto sticky back canvas with Archival Ink and then coloured with Distress Inks.

I finished off with a little chain stitching on my flower (taking care not to stitch through both layers which fiddly but doable!) Then lots of holiday inspired stamped words to add some flavour. At this point I accidentally dropped my holder onto an blue ink pad. Not funny. But with a bit of a scrub, some repainting and edging I kind of hid it. Phew!

Okay, so it's not Haute Couture, but it was fun and hopefully I will be able to find my passport in a flash on my next little gettaway!
Passports is a really fabulous challenge theme - full of inky potential... Check out the really wonderful  ideas from the rest of the Design Team here! We are on the hunt for our top three artists and there is this very generous $50 voucher to be won too. Do join in and share your art with us.
That's me all done for today. Have a good week y'all!!!!
Sarah.

15 comments:

Helen said...

So pretty!! Should also help you not lose the passport, it is so bright and cheerful.

Redanne said...

A brilliant, wonderful, colourful passport holder, love the stitching and the gorgeous flowers. And practical too, what could be better than that! Love it. Hugs, Anne x

Juls said...

Fabulous!!! Great and wonderful idea, love the bright colours, Hugs Juls

Candy C said...

Sarah...your passport holder is darling! I love this idea! This is so typical YOU...a sweet, colorful flower on a beautiful background with some added fussy stitching to give it that artsy flair! I love your Wendy flower! So cute and so colorful! You did such a nice job creating this project. <3 Candy

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

I love this idea Sarah. The stitching adds so much detail to this piece, I love it. The flower is a fabulous focal image and the stitching around the edge is the perfect touch. Fabulous use of colour as always. Tracy x

Claudine said...

This is beautiful, love the color, so pretty.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Lovely craftwork!

kind regards, Alie :-)

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Gorgeous canvas book, Sarah! I really love the added texture! :)

*mwah*
Steph
SImon Says Stamp!

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful canvas book! Lovely beautiful flowers!

Sandra said...

What a sweet cheerful passport holder. It's really funky indeed! If you weren't excited about traveling, you would be as soon as you see that holder! Hugs, Sandra

Janny Jager said...

Gorgeous Sarah your canvas book.
Great colors and flowers.
Greetings Janny

Anonymous said...

this is so fun! As always, I just love your use of color :)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Oh Sarah...totally digging your journal here! I love the colorful flower and the fabric and canvas are fabulous! Great DESIGN!!!!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I meant passport cover rather than journal...too late in the evening...sorry!

Carol McCready said...

Love your passport cover. The flowers and fabric are so pretty.