Postcard Swap

Sue's fabric postcard swap group is still carrying on after about 15 years, swapping cards twice a year.  We are still at 5 members, though one of our originals bowed out after the last exchange. However we picked up a new member so we break even.  Our spring swap is due by the end of June; 3 of us have sent our cards, while 2 are still in the works.  Sue sent hers out last week so it's safe to reveal here on the blog.

The theme for this go-round is "corvids".  Corvids, also known as the crow family, is a family of birds that includes crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs and nutcrackers.  Before doing a little research, Sue only knew of crows being in this group, so when she saw the other birds included, she chose to feature the blue jay. Since those in her back yard didn't cooperate for a photograph, she found one licensed to use on Wikimedia Commons taken by Jocelyn Anderson. (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Jay_(185317371).jpeg ) Sue's first step was to alter the image in Photoshop to remove the background and apply a filter as she does when creating screen images. Then the image was printed in black and white on inkjet fabric sheets.  (Sue uses EQ Printables by The Electric Quilt Company)

The images were then colored with water soluble wax pastels made by Reeves, and cut out.  After applying the color, brushing over it with water softens and blends the color.

Finding a background for the card was the next step.  Sue settled on a piece of ice-dyed fabric that was mainly green but with bits of other colors to give the effect of a tree or greenery. The base of the postcard is a stiff fusible like Peltex that is fusible on both sides, so the fronts and backs of the cards can be fused in place before stitching.

Then a branch was cut out of brown hand-dyed fabric and fused on top of the background.

Some machine stitching added texture to the branch. Then the blue jays were fused on top and stitched around the edges.  The fusible product used is Mistyfuse, a very thin fusible.

After adding the backing, the edges are satin stitched.  Here's a close up.

The other 2 cards received so far both feature crows.

This interpretation of the theme is by Grace Ng.  One member pointed out that 3 crows together means "health".  How appropriate!

Cathy Tyler created her version of Mourdour, a talking raven who lives in North Yorkshire, England.

Can't wait to see the next two cards!

May Musings

Wow, again its been 2 months since our last post.  You would think with all this time staying at home through the corona virus pandemic that we'd post more often.  But like many of you, we seem to be focused more inward, just trying to maintain some semblance of routine in this very abnormal situation. For most people this has been a time of reflection and adaptation.  Whether working at home, home schooling children, sequestered with your spouse or housemates, or home alone, it may still be some time before we get back to life as we knew it so trying to keep a routine and healthy habits is important.

Sue is home in Virginia with her husband.  She maintains a fairly consistent exercise routine - walking, online Zumba and yoga classes.  Working on various quilt projects, some just for mindless sewing, other art pieces that require more thought and time.  Of course there's been the mask making and also PPE gown making for her sister-in-law who works in a nursing home.  And making bi-weekly trips to the grocery store.  Her husband rides a motorcycle, so they have been able to take some rides for a welcome change of scenery.

Elizabeth was in Mississippi at her mother's house when the stay at home orders started.  She and her sister had the goal of finishing cleaning out the house in order to put it on the market this spring.  So she is still in Mississippi, unfortunately without a sewing machine!  All those sewing tools had previously been removed.  So she has had to find different creative outlets.  In addition to continuing to make cyanotype prints, we have both been following Marisela Rumberg as she leads Thursday evening Facebook Live classes on Zentangle, and have now completed 10 lessons on this abstract drawing method. (#ZentangleBeforeBed)

In case you were wondering, our Thermofax screen business is still going strong.  Most all orders through the Etsy shop are prepared and mailed without leaving home.  Supplies are sourced online. We added some new screens to the Etsy shop in March and April; if you're a newsletter subscriber you'll have seen them.  If you're not, you can subscribe at the top right of this page.  We are also always happy to make custom screens for you to assist in your creative endeavors. Just be sure there are no copyright restrictions on images you send us for screens.

Like many of you, we are missing family and friends and those routine activities we may have taken for granted. Birthdays, holidays, graduations pass without the usual celebrations.  Elizabeth missed her grandson's 2nd birthday.  Sue's family celebrated a socially distant Mother's Day.  We treasure the opportunities to connect over Zoom or Facetime.  Special events have been cancelled over the last 2 months and in the months to come. Already several quilting events for early 2021 have announced that they will transition to virtual events instead of live. (QuiltCon, Craft Napa) Still others like International Quilt Festival Houston remain on the calendar, waiting to see what happens. But we carry on, like you, trying to make the best of the situation.

What have you been doing/working on over the last few months?  Have you focused on UFOs?  New projects? Mask making?  Learning something new?  It seems that opportunities abound for online learning, projects and quilt alongs in the creative community.   What have you done to maintain a routine in this time of uncertainty?  Please share your thoughts, projects, new endeavors in the comments or on our Facebook page.  We so appreciate hearing from you, now more than ever!