Happy Valentine Wishes

Before Blogger imposed its wrath on my life, I was reading several of my friends' blogs talking about their Gelli plates.   As many who read my blog know, I don't own one of those plates, and my craft budget isn't that rich.  However, I have a plexiglass plate that won't replace the Gelli plate, but will hopefully work in a pinch.

Note the broken mug I've kept around just for this very occasion.  I knew I wanted to use it for a Valentine or maybe a broken heart collage.

 

I know realized from before that I was supposed to roll the paint out on a plate, then place it on the plexiglass, but remembered only after I had already spread the paint on the plexiglass.   Oh look, I even have the plate ready for the paint.  Why I forgot is beyond me.

You are going to get tired of seeing this blue bed sheet, but it is quite useful for painting cotton.  I dipped the broken mug into the paint on the plexiglass and went to town, but, after monoprinting the fabric, I didn't get the results I was hoping for.  The design actually worked better on the used file folder than the fabric, which seems to have soaked up too much paint.

Not to be deterred, I made this art flag I intended for a friend who just had heart surgery.  I've already popped it in the mail in hopes it will bring a smile to his face.  This doesn't look anything like the art flags I have made in the past, mostly due to my dear friend Patty at Magpie's Nest, who explained how she made hers.  Apparently, I was making mine wrong, since I was adding strings to mine, and they obviously don't take strings.  Instead, art flags are strung on a rope or line which is then hung between two fixed points. 

Because my camera is so puny, I decided to scan this before I mailed it.  My friend is very masculine, so I didn't want to add any lace or frills.  I do, however, hope he gets the message!

For this flag, I used a piece of torn bed sheet, paint, hand dyed fabric, my broken heart mug, a black Zig pen, a white Zig pen, and lavender thread.

And while we are on the subject of hearts and Valentines, don't forget to join the Billion Rising To End Violence Against Women and Girls today.  It's the best way to show the world and your community your feelings about this injustice that affects one in three women worldwide, much of it from "loved ones."  In case you aren't familiar with this worldwide movement, or to read more about it, go here or type the words "Billion Women Rising" into your favorite search engine.  Since there isn't an event within 200 miles of where I live, I plan to dance in the street like I will suggest my friends and I do who are coming to tea today.

And please have a fun and safe Valentine's day!!