A New Friend {with JoFY stamps by Designer Jo Firth-Young}

Hi everyone.  Hope this blog post finds you well. I'm Jo Firth-Young, designer of the JOFY range of stamps.  In the 18 months of multiple stamp releases I have really enjoyed designing each set and seeing what YOU make with them even more!

A while back I made a 'Critter' (my weird little creations made from fabric) for PaperArtsy - you may have seen him on the stand at shows - he sometimes likes to tag along (& he pops up on several pages of the PA site). 

He's called PAMM (PaperArsty Mini Mascot) and he was created using PaperArtsy Minis - and not how you would normally see them used, go here to see the stamps used and more of the Mini designs.

I thought it was time he had a friend to keep him company and so here she is.

She looks like fun doesn't she?  She may lead PAMM into all kinds of trouble and she'll definitely lead him onto the dance floor. lol I've decided to call her PAGG (PaperArtsy Glamorous Girlfriend).

Critters are quirky little fabric creations I make - they are made in an organic way- I don't really plan them. I just take rectangles of fabric and sew them together - and they are never intended to be 'perfect', or symmetrical - they are all 'not quite right'.. and that is part of their charm... and I've wanted to create a Critter with JOFY stamps for a while and to make a friend for PAMM was the perfect reason.

But, I did plan this Critter and drew a sketch to remind myself & list options, I find this a really useful thing to do:

I flicked through all the JOFY stamps sets looking for images that could become body parts, facial features and clothing patterns.

I knew that I wanted to use the large flower from JOFY10 for eyes (always knew that image would make great eyes!)

I tested a couple of options for eyelashes - flower from JOFY12 and JOFY14.
Of the two options, the seed head on JOFY12 and the large flower on JOFY14, the latter made the most fantastic eyelashes when stamped upside down!

       

What you'll notice in the photograph below is that I have cut the stems off the flower heads.  I often do this with stamps to make them more versatile - I do it very carefully (with sharp scissors) and in such a way (with one or two clean cuts) that I am able to piece them back together on an acrylic block when I want to use the stamp 'complete' again.

To create the eyes I stamped the flower head first in Black Archival ink, masked it off and then stamped the selected flower upside down over the top.

PAGG is created mainly with calico - I find this a lovely fabric to work on/with because it is strong enough to have items added to it/sewn onto, it accepts paints and inks really well and is fairly hard wearing. It is easily available from most fabric shops and is reasonably priced. I teamed the calico with a lovely blue quilting cotton that I had in my stash.

To gauge how big I need the base rectangles I stamped the two eyes onto scrap, cut them out & laid them on the fabric pieces.

Happy with the size I sewed the calico and blue cotton together - I did this twice creating a back and front for the Critter.I then stamped JM14 repeatedly on the blue fabric to create a pattern for PAGG's clothes (and ironed it to 'set' the ink).

I stamped the eyes and eyelashes using black Archival ink, and also created 'hair' by stamping the grass image from JOFY11:

I die cut feet from grey felt using the Tim Holtz Artful Dwellings die and placed them as shown in the photo, placed the other panel right side down on top and sewed them together around the  edges of the blue area of the fabric (as if I was making a bag).

 I then created a base for Critter so it stands up - sewing a triangle across the corners....

....will create a sturdy base like this: (known as a square bottom, and used in bag making)

When the corners had been sewn it was time to add hair ( and very funky hair it is too!, I used felting wool).  Hair is added across the top seam - positioned in the same way as the feet (see diagram  and photos below)

Then, with the hair added it was time to sew up all the remaining sides leaving a gap for stuffing through. I stuff the critters so they are full but not too firm.  Beans or beads could be added at the bottom of the critter to weigh it down and keep it upright.  The hole is sewn closed by hand.

I stamped several leaves (JOFY09)onto painted calico (using Hey Pesto Fresco Finish)

I planned to stitch them around the Critter's waist as a kind of frill but changed my mind and they became a hair accessory when teamed with felt flower and button.

PAGG is now sewn up completely, stuffed and ready for embellishment.  Buttons for eyes, a nice little hair accessory, an simple embroidered mouth and a ribbon around her waist.  I also hand sewed on arms - just in case she wants to hold PAMM's hand.

So that's PAGG - please join me in welcoming her to the PA family, she's going to live at PAHQ, and please say hello to her if you see her at the shows.

I hope this project has inspired you - whether its to sew, paint on fabric, stamp on fabric or re-purpose stamp designs.  If it has, then please create something and share it as usual.

Jo Firth-Young

A huge welcome back and thank you to Jo from PaperArtsy HQ. What can we say but, firstly Wow! and then Aww! This is a fabulous example of how to use your stamps in unusual ways. We adore PAGG and we know her and PAMM will be lifelong buddies. Even though Jo has used a simple rectangle shape here, the choice of stamps is carefully planned and the attention to detail is perfect. I think you will agree that we all need a JoFY critter in our creative spaces. 

If you would like to join in our weekly challenge with any of this week's guests who have blogged since Sunday night, then join in to link up your creativity HERE. You will go in the draw to win PA stamps of your choice! You need to link your entry by 17:00 (London time) Sunday January 19th 2014