Saturday 17 January 2015

2015 #1 Paper-Fabric Postcards {by Darcy, PA Signature Designer}

2015 Topic 1: Fragile Papers


Hi everyone Darcy here, joining you this evening with a post about paper fabric, using fragile papers. I love creating stuff from other stuff, mashing things together, and using ephemera for purposes other than the one it was designed for. hence I glue a lot of 'stuff' together... This theme suited me perfectly, I love fragile paper, I love all kinds of paper ephemera. (So much that I have the word 'ephemera' as a tattoo!)



What are fragile papers? well over the past fortnight I am sure you have discovered many of your own, here are a few of mine. 

Tissue papers, plain, coloured, patterned, stamped and dressmaking tissue
Book pages, English and Egyptian, painted tracing paper, music paper, origami and wrapping paper, blueprints and marbled paper
Doilies, paper napkins, shopping receipts, coffee filters tissues( yes those bank notes are tissues) moulded toilet tissue
Handmade paper - bought and homemade, silk paper, and paper containing fibres



I often make painty layered papers and patchwork papers and this is a combination of both... Paper fabric, is usually created on fabric... the clue is in the name. This creates a pretty strong and durable medium, useful for all sorts of projects. The idea of the paper being fragile, not meant for a long life, really appeals to me. I wanted to keep that fragility, but add just a little stability. So instead of using cotton fabric as my base I used 'nappy liners'.( Only those of you that ever used fabric nappies/diapers will have come across them) These too are fragile, and easily ripped, they are very thin. 



I lay one liner down and added some watery white glue, then I began to add torn pieces of my fragile papers. 


I covered the whole of the liner, overlapping many of the pieces. The thinner tissue was layered over other pieces entirely. 


To finish the sandwich, I added more watery white glue, then a sheet of plain white tissue paper. I patted this down very gently, working from the centre outwards. The paper fabric is now done and just needs to dry. I blasted mine with a heatgun, till they were no longer soggy, then put them aside to dry overnight. 


Here are 2 pieces after drying the top layer of white tissue has all but disappeared, and all those lovely bits are showing through. 

This photo shows the back, on the left you can see the piece made on a nappy liner. The piece on the right is made using cotton calico fabric. The top surfaces look identical, but you can see how very different they look on the back. The fabric one is much stiffer and stronger, the one on the liner is still very fragile. 


Now to decorate.. Using Fresco paints in lots of shades I brayered, and stencilled. I added a light layer of brayered Snowflake, and then stencilled some more. 


For this layer I gently rubbed Archival ink pads over my pieces. I just love how the ink picks up the wrinkles in the top layer of tissue paper. 


Now for some stamping. I used lots of background stamps, dots and circles and lots of text, including the German text from ESN01

ESN01

At this point I also added more pops of colour using Fibralo pens, on some pieces I coloured in stamps and on others I dripped. I love these pens so much for their drippage qualities! i also added details like the black lines, just an old credit card dipped in Little Black Dress. 


Then onto some more focal stamping, one of the images I used was the text heart from EDY01

EDY01
Then I added some glittery embossing powders over some border stamps, I loved using this one from EDY05 with a silver powder. Finally I added circles of white using an old bottle lid. 

EDY05 
These pieces had all sorts thrown at them, the more you add the stronger they become and the more interesting the layers. The eagle eyed detectives amongst you will notice there are BRAND NEW stamp images on these pieces...

Whoooaaah! Sneaky peek alert!


I know, I know, so cruel, but look carefully at this photo and you will spot more sneaks. 


Almost done, I printed off these postcard blanks onto Heavy Smoothy card, cut them out and glued one to the back of each of my painty pieces. 


The final step was to trim the edges and then take each postcard to my sewing machine and stitch around the edges. You really don't have to do this, but I think it finished them off nicely and it makes sure they aren't going to come apart. 


So many painty,inky,stampy layers... all on top of those original fragile paper layers, add in a bit of shimmer and some threads.. Be still my beating heart. 




Giveaway ( now closed)

I had a lot of painty messy fun making these postcards, and yes they are real postcards.I love that they still have the fragility of a postcard, they could easily be damaged.  I would like to share them with you. please leave a comment below and on Monday 19th 2015 (at 7pm) I will draw 6 names at random from the comments. I will then post a card to each winner, not in an envelope, but actually as a real postcard. 

Winners

10. Miriam
16. Bracken Sparkes
29. Emma Elliot
42. Miek
48. Wendy K
58. Barbara Moore

please get in touch with me, Darcy, with your postal details. 

darcydotneedles@hotmail.com

We would love you to join in with challenge #1: Fragile Papers. If you are inspired by any of our guests who have blogged on this topic over this fortnight, then please join in and link up your creativity HERE

All links go in the draw to win a voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. This link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, Jan 18th 2015, winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

60 comments:

Helen said...

such a clever way to make your own paper fabric postcards, very individual art! Love them, and the sneak peaks of the new stamps too.

Gabrielle said...

Love these Darcy! You're so inventive! Love the sneaky peek too!

Magia Crafts said...

Love it! So cool will defo have a go at this myself. Thanks for the inspiration. :)

Unknown said...

Still haven't managed to join the party, but I will have a go at making some postcards - lurve this idea

massofhair said...

Loving the sneaky peeks Darcy, i love your final postcards, the sewing really makes me smile as i love the textures :-) xxx

jojo79 said...

Love your postcards and the sneek peaks of your new stamps

Jo

mikosspot.blogspot.com said...

really love these.. I wonder if i could try the same thing on top of fabric softener sheets? love these stamps!! tfs

craftytrog said...

What a brilliant technique, and those postcards are just gorgeous Darcy! xxx

Claire said...

A great and very original post tonight! Loving the postcards with all those lovely layers and textures. Beautiful work xx

Miriam said...

Love the sneak peeks..... fabulous pages

Colleen said...

Darcy,
I'm so inspired by your use of layers for me that takes real bravery. How do know how it will turn out? How do you give yourself permission to just do it? I'm not being funny or over dramatic I'm serious I just get stuck. Your work is always so beautiful. Love, love the new stamps.

Kezzy said...

Oh wow wow wow, I so need to try this, what an awesome technique and every since I have been brayering with paint I am always wiping off on scraps of deli and tissue paper. And even more wow that I get a chance to receive a postcard, oooooo to be able to feel it lol. Keeping my fingers crossed. Happy Creating :-) Kezzy xxx

Christine said...

Thank you so much for sharing these details - I am new to mixed media. I am about to start a journal 9my first one!) for my daughter's first pregnancy so I have bought some paper to use as master boards and then to make the journal with. My journal will DEFINITELY have some pages using this technique.
Thank you so much for this inspiration.

Lucy Edmondson said...

These are gorgeous, Darcy, I love how you've pulled the whole look together and I love the stitching. Would never have thought of the nappy liners but then I've never used them!

Lucy x

Anonymous said...

wow, these are brilliant.
Amazing, so amazing.
Wish I was one of the lucky ones!

Unknown said...

These are fabulous Darcy...you have a heck of a gift! I've got a long way before I come anywhere near to this but I'm looking forward to the journey!:) If I had the chance to hold one of those in my hand, I would frame it, not even joking! Everyone arty I meet, I get them to sign something and it gets framed! Thanks for sharing this with us all and I can't wait for the new stamps.

Words and Pictures said...

Oh, what fabulous messy fun! They look brilliant, Darcy... and what a tease you are with the sneak peeks! I'd love to get one in the post...
Alison xx

Julie Lee said...

These are just lovely! When our daughter was a baby we wanted to be as green as we could be and not to use disposables, so we used a nappy service, I remember those nappy liners well! What a beautiful use you have put them to! I really would love to have a go at this and - of course - to receive some of your mail art would be such a thrill! xxx

~*~Patty S said...

WOW what an exciting process...
thank you so much for sharing how you created these super lovely postcards!
Brilliant use of paper and more.
Thanks also for the chance to be a very lucky winner of one of these beauties.

Hazel Agnew said...

A little bit Wooooo, a little bit way, a little bit on the edge.. Must be Darcy. Love all the messy elements and the results are fabulous! Just love your stuff! X x

Maz said...

LOVE these! And the new stamps look fab too (what I managed to see of them in your photos, you sneaky woman!). X

CastleKelly Crafts said...

Wow such an inspiring blog, love the colours and the finished postcards. I've got my fingers and toes crossed that I'm one of the lucky names in the draw as I would be thrilled to own one of your wonderful pieces and have it on the wall in my craft room. Brings a whole new world into nappy liners x

Gina said...

Oh my!...:D XXX

becslb said...

I hadn't thought of stitching the edges but yes, would certainly make the postcards more durable and secure - what a fab idea! Loved the postcards - a great mail art treat for penfriends :-)

Kay said...

These are wonderful! I really need to try this technique. Do you think used dryer sheets would work as a fabric base?

Carol said...

Love, love, love these...a much better use for a nappy liner! Must give this a go. xx

Craftyfield said...

So cool... There are so many layers I wouldn't know when to carry on or when to stop! Those postcards looks wonderful.

Anonymous said...

INSPIRING!!!
Only made fabric paper once and always intended to go back to it but now, here is a new twist on the idea. Absolutely brilliant.
Please add my name to the ever growing list of those who want one to pop through their letterbox!
Wishes
Lynne

Unknown said...

I so love this just Awesome Stunning designs and colours would be a fantastic prize thankyou for the chance :)

MsShutterbugg said...

Ooo me likey the sneak peek Darcy, can't wait to see more of your stuff! Erika aka MsShutterbugg

Rita Montgomery said...

I love the idea of paper fabric. It looks strong enough to sew on. I love the whimsical stamps as well. Thanks for the chance to win a postcard from you.

Anonymous said...

I have made fabric paper before with fragile bits - but never heard of or thought to use nappy liners. :) I LOVE the postcard idea! Would really like to win one of yours - will serve as continuous reminder to experiment and enjoy.

:) Linda

Linda S. said...

As always, your creations are beyond beautiful. Now you have included a tutorial so that we may all have a go at it ourselves. I must admit, it looks like great fun. I will be crossing my fingers for the thought of one of your postcards arriving in my box. Thanks for your kindness.

pipers1mom said...

Such colorful postcards. Love the purples, blues and greens

Dee dee said...

Such a cool idea! Beautiful. Postcards!

Seth said...

Love all the layers. And the colors too!

Unknown said...

Those postcards are so fun! I want to try them now myself! Got my wonderful package from you this week, and love all of the great stamps! Thanks so much!
Gini

Anonymous said...

Brilliant idea Darcy! Sue C x

Cardgenie said...

Wow Darcy - fab postcards. I just love your posts as I can just imagine you getting all painty and inky when building up those gorgeous layers - the end result is amazing. Hope I'm lucky enough to be picked - a real Darcy masterpiece to adorn my new craft room would be wicked! Jean.x

Lin said...

wow Darcy you put so much into your creations!! love these postcards with all their layers and you're right the stitching does finish them off nicely xxxx

Etsuko said...

What a brilliant project and cool idea Darcy! These are beauuutiful pieces-have to try!! I sew very concentrated and found many yummy!! Can't wait xxx

Miek said...

Just amazing the way you made these georgeous lovely postcards. I love all the beautiful papers.

SCarol said...

These postcards are wonderful. Love the idea of using all those fragile paper scraps and ending up with something like this.

Susan Battensby said...

These are gorgeous. Must have a go at this as I have lots of tissue papers I've been saving and didn't know what to do with, thanks for the inspiration.

bockel24 said...

wonderful postcards, and I´d love to receive one in the mail!

Maggie said...

Wow fabulous tutorial and love love the finished postcards will have a go at this unfortunately not in time for the challenge but I am inspired to make paper! Thanks for the opportunity to win one of these gorgeous postcards.

MaggieH

Sarah B said...

Another wonderful technique . I love how many layers you always use, I'm always cautious on it just ending up in a mess. Love the finished postcards xx

WendyK said...

I love making fabric paper, and your idea of using nappy liners is brilliant. Some fabrics make the whole thing very stiff, so will have a go at this. I love the postcards, and the sewing finishes them off brilliantly.

Alison said...

I love these and would so love to win one. I will have to go out and buy nappy liners now! Thanks
Alison

Annie said...

Oh man! I am a postcard mail art junkie. I so hope I win one of these. I'd love to be holding one in my hot little hands. They look so great and this is an awesome tutorial of your process. Really great inspiration.

Ruth said...

Fabulous idea and love your results, I still have some liners....never throw anything out! Ruth x

Unknown said...

Wow, you have really inspired me to have a go at these. I have been so 'out of the loop' for lots of reasons out of my control. This is a wonderful, gentle way to get me back into crafting again and waking up my mojo. No difficult techniques, no huge outlay on expensive equipment, I can just rummage and use what I have, and perhaps invest in a few of your original stamps to uplift the end 'product'. Thank you so very much for including me in you draw. Excited fingers crossed for good luck

Cocofolies said...

Whoaaaaah!!! Love the sneak peek! :D And all your cards are FABULOUS Darcy, as well as your transformed ephemera papers, love love the technique, as much as the results. Thanks for the giveaway, of course pls count me in your draw! :) Coco xxx

ionabunny said...

These are absolutely gorgeous. Nappy liners! Don't have those. Maybe dryer sheets are close. Love the layered, painty, stampiness of it all. Hugz

cathy said...

These are amazing!! Thank you for sharing so much inspiration!

Kirsten said...

The postcards look amazing Darcy, so many layers of gorgeousness.

craftimamma said...

These are brilliant Darcy! I remember those liners well not to mention the days before them, lol! The finished postcards are gorgeous and I'm glad I didn't miss the chance to be in the draw.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Cindy said...

Be still my heart! These postcards are just fabulous! Would definitely love to get some of this "Happy Mail". I've made and sent postcards before but never in this manner. I love what you did.

Unknown said...

What a fabulous idea for a postcard - maybe people will start sending them again, if they can make them look so vibrant and colourful. Brilliant blog post with great inspiration as always x

Jay said...

Awesome idea and very well done. Darcy is by far the best designer I know.