Thursday, November 10, 2011

Inspiration Avenue: homage to needlecraft

I'm a day early with my Inspiration Avenue challenge entry this week because tomorrow, my usual day I post my challenge entry, is Veteran's Day. This week, for our Inspiration Avenue challenge, Hettienne asked us to pay homage to needlecraft. Originally, I was going to turn one of my empty thread spools into a message keepsake, but I simply didn't have time to plan out and make something I've never made before, especially since I was gone all day yesterday and will be gone most of today (Thursday).

I had intended to make a new "Mess in a Bag" as I call my dresses, but these take at least eight days, which means I didn't have time to make one in time to enter it in the challenge. However, I had just finished one and sent it to a friend, so I hope she doesn't see it on my blog (grin).

Although I took no photos of the piece I made for my friend, here is how I made it, based on one I made about a month ago.


You begin with Liquid Nails or caulk (which I used), a zip locking bag, and a bit of water.

Place your caulk and a bit of water in a bag. The amount of water you use will be something you will have to play with. I've made three of these and haven't gotten it right yet! I keep ending up with too much water in the mix.

Add your doll or infant dress and knead the bag, getting complete coverage of the caulk and water. Allow to sit unattended for at least a day until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Pour off the excess liquid, knead a bit more, then remove as much air from the bag as possible, and allow the dress to sit in the bag for at least five days.


When the dress has set for a week, remove it from the bag and position it on your substrate. You should not need any glue unless you don't immediately affix it to your substrate. Position the piece on the substrate as you want it to be when dry. If you want a subtle look, paint the dress while it is still wet.


Allow the dress to dry for at least two days in the position you want it to dry in. That means if you want to hang the piece, you will need to stand it up to dry. When completely dry, paint the dress using acrylics, if you have not already added paint.


This is the piece I just finished. I'm not sure you can tell, but this dress is quite dimensional because I shaped the bodice. In addition to the above directions, I added pink paint to the caulk and the water when I originally placed the doll dress in the bag and kneaded. This is a tip-in that is going to a friend in a color swap. Her colors are orange and pink and the size of the tip-in is 8 inches by 11 inches or about A4.

I hope this is not too far fetched to be considered for this challenge. It was a difficult one to comprehend what was really expected, so I went by the examples Hettienne gave us.

21 thoughtful remarks:

Unknown said...

LOVE this dress, and the way you shaped the bodice and skirt- too cool! Also, I'm a fan a orange and pink....hmmm, I might have to use that combo for my next journal....
BTW, I had a hard time with this challenge too; until I remembered the journals I've been working on! I just need to do the drilling, then it'll be ready to sew up.....tomorrow- Lord willing and the creeks don't rise!

Halle said...

Oh wow! You did such a great job with that little dress! Great inspiration. I still have that set to do...as well as finish the jade set.

Caterina Giglio said...

wow, very interesting tutorial E... thanks!

Patti Edmon Artist said...

Oh My!!! This is fabulous and thank you so much for sharing your technique - talk about backgrounds!!
I love the way the dress looks and can't wait to try it - I hope you'll pick up a toothbrush now and then:) Take good care!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I know that your swap friend is going to love that pink dress! So sweet from the little pink bow and hanger down to the hem points!

Hettienne Grobler said...

This is a wonderful entry for this week's challenge! Simply perfect!!

Monica said...

I just found your site after finding something impressive you created and my beat up brain forgets what though the wow impression remains.

What is this dress for. is it a free standing sort a sculpture, is it hard or soft , how do you use it in a journal or do you write all over it. And what is my cat doing on your page! I knew he had a secret life.

elle said...

What a delightfully whimsical dress! Such a great tip in. Pink and orange are so very yummy.

Gaby Bee said...

This dress looks gorgeous. Love the color combo! Thanks for sharing your technique, Elizabeth!

Have a good day!
Hugs,
Gaby

Margaret said...

what an interesting technique! very cool results. Mx

CRAFTY WOMBLE said...

Fantastic - glad I came back to look, thanks for the heads up. I am sure the recipient will be delighted and good luck with the challenge :)

You are entirely undiminished I assure you. Harry Potter I think the films come off better than the books (I'm sure I will be shot for saying that) as for Twilight best kept away from or one gets inexplicably sucked in (my sister is still apologising). There is plenty of stuff out there in the world to keep us all gainfully entertained and likely much more constructively!

sandra de said...

wow, i never thought you could do so much with the hardware products. I imagine the little dress will be quite hard when dry. Interesting to see how the process evolves and the end piece of work.

Ann B said...

Well this is a first for me, not seen that technique before. Fab results and can see it working with so many things. Thanks for letting me know you had finished this one

Terrie said...

My goodness - what a creative project! Honestly, I never would have figured all that out, nor even really thought to try! What a cool idea though and I think it's perfect for the challenge - different and creative and that's what we're all about, right!

Canace said...

Hmm.. the wheels are turning.... lots of possibilities.

Thanks Elizabeth!

Glenda T. said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and this was such an interesting tutorial!!

voodoo vixen said...

I love your little... or actually, not so little pink dress... reminiscent of the flapper style!
I have been missing in action... a weekend away with mum before she leaves and now Chris is home... normality will return shortly and I will be able to play properly again!!

Tracey FK said...

Great method to get round the sewing part... it was a tough one but these are just amazing... I have never seen anything like these before and they are really effective... love them xx

artangel said...

It's gorgeous, and reading about your process is always fascinating! I really like your idea of the "empty spool message keepsake" too - one for the future maybe!

Priti Lisa said...

I remembered this process...and I really like this piece, I think it is perfect for the challenge. I am with Angie...the empty spool project sounds fascinating! ♥♥♥

craftydvl said...

I love process posts, so this was super cool. And I absolutely love the dress! I wish I could wear it, and be happy, clad in pink, and twirling around in a similarly pink Sunset (-: Wonderful job!