Happy New Year 2009-Help me save the planet!

....and a return the the wonderful world of the Internet!
I bought myself a new PC for Christmas...yippee...& I'm back on-line
finally. Now to get back to sewing, & blogging!!!
Also, I'm gonna start the new year out right by finding new things to re-cycle. I know all of us generate so much trash on a daily basis, & we have become such a disposable society. We don't use & re-use anything, we just buy, use, & throw away. almost all of my light bulbs have been changed to spiral fluorescent bulbs to save energy. I unplug all of my small appliances & chargers when they are not in use. If I use disposable plates...which isn't often...I buy paper, not plastic. I crush my own cans, put magazines,newspapers,soda bottles, & phone books in the re-cycle bin for the city. Tin cans,cardboard boxes, &Styrofoam packing are now finding their way into the bin as well. I wonder how many of you recycle your trash? What do you re-cycle? What else can we do to help save the planet for our children's children??? Leave me your feedback in the comment section please.

Sunbathing Cow

Sunbathing Cow
Originally uploaded by redthreads

Another cow fiber postcard completed. This one is sunbathing on a blue towel. The palm trees were stenciled, then quilted w/variegated thread. A yellow scrap is the sand.

Some new cards

House swap from Mel

House swap from Kathy N

Purple Weave (unfinished)

Summer Fun

Paper,Peace,Home

This postcard was created using "Quilt Wizard" software, & is paper pieced. The tree on the left was added after the quilting was done using gel pens, & was heat set with an iron.

Postcards 2008 Spring Swap

Postcards 2008 Spring Swap
Originally uploaded by redthreads

I'm catching up on my fabric postcard swaps finally. I call this one "4-patch Butterflies"

Focus Fabrics

Making Fabric0012
Originally uploaded by redthreads

Today I pulled out some focus fabric blocks that I love, but didn't know what to do with. It just so happens that the fabric I've been "making" with my scraps go really well with these blocks.....
Here is a sample of the 1st 2 blocks I've cut & sewn back together today.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetrap/sets/72157606872619156/

Making Fabric

I have been piecing together some small scraps to make my own fabric using the technique described in Pat Sloan's book, Crooked Cabin Quilts. Below are some recent pics of the random pieces I have made so far. It's a very small sample of what I've sewn together. I don't bother to trim them up until I'm adding to the side I'm working on, & I've been chain piecing many different sizes at the same time until I get a workable size to add bigger pieces or strips closer to the outside. All of the center pieces are pretty small to start, & I add bigger pieces & strips as I work my way to the outside. I do however press the seams before adding another round, so sewing in chains is the fastest way to go.

Figure 1: This piece is about 1 x 2.5



Figure 2: This block is about 2 x 3.5









Figure 3: This block is about 5 X 5.

Strippin' Along

Here is another new book in my collection. It uses jelly rolls, but I think you could also use up alot of like-color scrappy strings as well for a more contemporary look. Anyone else out there using this book as a guide for their projects? Alot of nice ideas here for placemats, & hot-pads...even art!

Crooked Cabin Quilts

Well I went to my local fabric store yesterday looking for some new inspiration. It was great luck to find out that all of their books/leaflets were 30% off! I have way too many scraps, & not enough time to spend making perfect cuts, & matching seams, & squaring everything up....so this book is just perfect!!! I think I need to find more books by Pat Sloan
because this one just looks like too much fun. If you make crooked log cabin quilts, I would love to see some of your work, so please contact me.

August

Wow! Where did June & July go??? Summer is going by so fast. My kids will be going back to school soon, & it will be time for me to get back to work on my sewing machine.

Well, the re-cycled/up-cycled pooh postcard was a big hit!
I gave it my friend Gloria for her 49th Birthday....yes @ her age she is the "Biggest" Winnie the pooh fan! Last year she went to see the Musical/Show...live & on stage....with a million screaming kids wearing her pooh house shoes....Yes she was the oldest member in the audience...not counting her date of course.

On another note- On a previous entry, I posted a pic of my newest postcard, "The jungle sings at night". Well I'm so excited to tell you that it was my 1st sale at my etsy store.
I can't wait to get some new stuff made!!!

Well everyone enjoy what is left of your summer, and watch out for some great deals on school supplies in your newspaper ads, weekly....that's what I do!

Pooh Postcard

Pooh Postcard
Originally uploaded by redthreads

I've really started getting into re-cycling used clothing. I think the new term is called up-cycle???
Anyway I made this fabric postcard using the front pocket that was on the bib of a pair of over-alls. Denim makes a great base for my fabric postcards, so you will be seeing more of these denim creations in the future!

Sampler postcard

Sampler postcard0001
Originally uploaded by redthreads

I made this postcard for Kathyoz' birthday. I used a stencil & fabric paint to get the miniature blocks on muslin. It was a simple process, & a test of sorts. I would like to try another stencil that is more complex, that needs different colors, including shading.

Fiber Postcard for Lynne

This is the postcard I made for Lynne's Birthday. I hope she likes it!

Mel's Swan

Mel's Swan
Originally uploaded by redthreads

This is was I made from the "ugly" FQ for Mel.
Her daughter just went wild, so I'll be making another one for her...with lots of glitter...LOL!

Mel's ugly FQ for Swan Swap

Mel's ugly FQ
Originally uploaded by redthreads

This is what Mel sent to me.
I saw many possibilities for this card. Also, I didn't think it was "ugly" at all, which made the challenge harder!

Happy Birthday Jackie!

Jackie 2007
Originally uploaded by redthreads

This is the fiber postcard that I made for Jackie's Birthday!
I hope she enjoys this card!

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Lorchen's Lighthouse Postcard

I made this for my friend Hannelore, who lives in the UK. She is just crazy about lighthouses! This is for her birthday.

Batik Beauty Flower Series 1 & 2 of 12

These cards were sent to Doni, & Alison, for the spring swap.

Kid's Swap

My 14 year old designed this card. This is where she is planning on going to college.
Go Longhorns!