Anything you can do . . .

That song "Anything you can do, I can do better," kept running through my head right after I looked at these miserable fabric swatches. I still have more flour resist to wash out of even more fabric . . . torn bed sheets, but I was so disappointed in the results, I got discouraged.

Then I realized this was NOT a disappointment, but an opportunity. That's when the song started playing in my head. Of course, I had to change the words, because this is not BETTER, just DIFFERENT (actually I should say the SAME).

That's what led to this idea for these pieces I finally have a finished (or partly finished) today. Unfortunately, the fabric was too long for the scanner bed, but


the paper fit well on the scanner.

So what does that song have to do with this post, you ask? Today I'm here to show you that anything you can do with paper, you can also do with fabric and vise versa.

I began with a sheet of cardstock (110 lb) and a piece of previously flour-resist dyed fabric that seriously needed to either be overdyed or added to.


I decided to begin with a technique I have never performed before. I often use punchinella (sequin waste) in my art, but have never used bubble wrap. I chose three different sizes, small, medium, and large bubbles, although I only used the small and medium in my art.

I dug out my Fluid Acrylics and went to town. Now I admit, I don't buy many art supplies, especially anything this expensive. But what you see is an accumulation of over three years of collecting these bottles that I get whenever I have a coupon for Michael's, a big box craft store, the only one in town that sells them. Saving anywhere from 40-60% off the regular price is something I can actually afford!

Also shown is a foam brush and the small bubble wrap.

I applied the fluid acrylic with the brush, then took a photo. I got in a hurry so the photo is even more blurry than usual (you don't have to remind me I need a better camera). I knew this would dry in minutes if I didn't get it on both the paper and the fabric.

So much for the small bubbles.

Next came the medium bubbles and yellow fluid acrylic. I failed to show the bubble wrap, because I had already soaked it in water. Just goes to show how I clean up and put away supplies after I have finished using them.

Placing these pieces side by side to dry, I realized I needed to turn that white cardstock into something resembling the fabric background color.

I used a metallic blue and green acrylic paint I scraped on using an old gift card. I got so much green on the piece, I covered the yellow completely. I quickly grabbed a paper towel and set out to remove some of the green paint.

Next, I grabbed a cardboard roll and painted the red on using a paint brush and red acrylic paint. Then I dry brushed over a small part of each piece using the material (in the back right) as a stencil. I have NO idea where this came from, but I found it in my stash.

I did a little stamping using an acrylic stamp and my clear acrylic block.

I used a rubber stamp next, but it is so faint, especially with my camera, you can only see it in the scanned pieces. I also spritzed a bit of color mist on each piece.

Using an old gift card, I drew a few lines of gesso on each piece while the mist dried.

Finally, I used another acrylic paint, this time "Pineapple," along with a paint brush, to cover the piece of plastic canvas.

I hope this shows anything you can do with fabric,


you can also do with paper. I plan to use the paper in my Houses altered book and the fabric as part of a fabric book cover. I hope this appealed to those of you who play with paper, as well as those of you who play with fabric. Maybe this will encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and try this, too.