Saturday, September 6, 2014

The first Mirror Crack'd Mixed Media challenge

This morning when I was visiting my friend Patty's Magpie Nest blog, she left a link to a new mixed media group called The Mirror Crack'd.  Then I saw a comment left by Angela Radford, one of the DTs who I met on another blog (WOYWW), about the same group.  The rules are simple.  You must create something mixed media that follows the once monthly theme.

I fell in love with everything the DTs made.  They are some incredibly gifted artists.  I can't begin to compare, but I can join and hopefully learn by example along the way.

One thing I noticed was none of the DTs had introduced fabric as part of the challenge.  Since this month's challenge was "Anything Mixed Media Goes," I thought this would be a good time to use up some of those bits of fabric that were hanging around my craft room.  So I sewed the front where I incorporate (from the top) rusted fabric, oatmeal resist dyed fabric, commercial fabric (old shorts), flour resist dyed fabric, and more commercial fabric.

Next, I added the back, which (from the top) includes commercial fabric, snow dyed fabric, hand painted fabric using my own shimmering mists, rust dyed fabric, and commercial fabric.  So far, all I have to show for this piece are fabric and thread, along with batting and a Starbuck's coffee stirrer stick that are hidden from view.  It was definitely time to pull out the mixed media.

I added three newly made tyvek flowers, cheese cloth, and a few buttons.  As the glue (E-6000) was drying, I used my Crop-a-dile to cut holes in the area where the stirrer stick was.  Then I added a final piece of printer ink dyed fabric for the hanger.

I'm calling this one "Not your Grandmother's Crazy Quilt."  It is approximately 8" X 9" (20,32 cm X 22,86 cm) not including the fabric hanger.

23 thoughtful remarks:

Dianne said...

Fabulous little quilt dear! terrific combination of fabrics, color and of course the buttons!

voodoo vixen said...

Love this to bits E! The rusty fabrics and those gorgeous flowers out of Tyvek are my favourite parts but the overall effect is brilliant!
I am still unpacking boxes, have kitchen fitters in making my kitchen beautiful but my sanity is now very much in question... and Chris is off on a new assignment tomorrow to leave me to sort the rest on my own! Oh no!! LOL

froebelsternchen said...

Oh MY GOSH!
You make my day mixed medial!
What a fantastic piece..wow..
I love to see that you used your tyvek flowers on this amazing fabric collage..
I have to say: You inspire me so often Elizabeth!
Thanks a lot for sharing the progress here again- that is fab to see.. I am always to lazy to make step photos, when I am in a flow ...lol!
Happy SUNDAY!
Susi

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Elizabeth and Bleubeard of course! So pleased you decided to join in the challenge. Love your wall quilt, the fabrics and the colours are gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing this lovely project with us at The Mirror Crack'd. Happy crafting, Angela x

johanna said...

i love your mix of fabrics and i always admire if somebody dyes themself... the tyvek flowers are gorgeous, too.
thanks for comment, elizabeth. as a non-facebooker etc i sometimes feel like a dinosaur... but i will resist!

Susanne Rose said...

Wow Wow Wow! What a wonderful piece is that??? I love the soft colors. I love the look the fabric creates! Your flowers are awsome. Thanks a lot for sharing your creation on The Mirror Crack'd Challenge Blog! Have a nice day, hugs, Susanne.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

You make this look so easy which I know it is not! Those tyvek flowers are just amazing! And yes, I want in on this challenge so badly! You know I am very challenged mixed media speaking, but you inspired me with your words, " but I can join and hopefully learn by example along the way." I think anything goes will be a good one for me to try! Thank you for all your inspiration!

Nan G said...

Wow! What a cool little quilty wall hanging, E! Love your quirky dyed fabric. Hugs from the Girls. Recovery is slow going.

Nancy said...

Very nice- love the flowers! It's amazing how much goes into small pieces given all the different techniques you used on the fabrics.

Sharon Fritchman said...

WOWZA!!!!! You amaze me! This is absolutely wonderful - so creative and beautiful.

~*~Patty S said...

Fabric in mixed media is great anytime in my book and your creation is lovely and so original E!
Fun seeing how it came together too...
I know it takes considerable extra effort to pause and snap photos while in the throws of making things.
I often get excited and well you know...
Maybe I have finally gotten caught up with you...you are a whirling dervish of creativity and challenges !
oxo

Karla B said...

Wonderful combination, my friend!I love mixed media with fabric.

Carol said...

I really like this and NO WAY am I going to that sight and even think about admiring their work. I have enough on my plate right now and you know how weak I am when it comes to these art challenges :)

Kelly said...

Great piece! You'll fit in with the group just fine. And we are always after learning something new. One thing about artists... we are hungry to learn a new technique or a new way of doing a classic one. I love watching you play with the fabric. Look forward to more.
Creative Blessings!

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Wow! I haven't seen much of fabric mixed media..but this is fab! Loved how the pieces come together and the flowers and buttons add the softness here. The dyed hanging is great idea. Thank you so much for stopping by.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Elizabeth! This is my favourite so far in this massive catch up! The colours are just gorgeous and your flowers are beautiful - a great use of all those wonderful textures and fabrics! Chrisx

Greta said...

Creative & beautiful!

Anni - My Creative Life and Mixed Media Books said...

Oh this is so wonderfully made, love all the beautiful dyed fabrics and the tyvek flowers, thanks for your sweet comment on my blog.
Anni

Lin said...

First of all I want to thank you for the incredibly inspiring comment you left on my personal blog. You lifted my spirits and made me feel ready to dive in and have another go! I also want to thank you for the lovely compliments you have paid my team.

Now onto your gorgeous creation. I love that you have done something almost entirely from fabric as your mixed media piece. Those gorgeous tyvek flowers have reminded me that I have some tyvek tucked away somewhere. So many craft products, so little time, lol

Thank you so much for sharing your talent and gorgeous work of art in our first ever challenge

Lin
The Mirror Crack'd

Cec said...

What a fantastic hanging. I love all the fun fabrics that you have combined and the big flowers are to die for (sure would love to know how those were created). Thanks for joining us at The Mirror Crack'd.
Hugs!
Cec

Claudia N. said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this, Elizabeth!

The Tyvek flowers, the cheesecloth, the rusted fabric, the colours....what a wonderful mixed media piece!

It spreads that special kind of magic! Crafted poetry!

Claudia x

sheila 77 said...

Great fun, I love your non-traditional textiles and your unconventional ways with techniques and materials. (Saw this at "The Mirror Crack'd).

vania said...

Very interesting project !
I like it
Thanks for joining us at The Mirror Crack'd
Vania