Sew Special at A Vintage Journey

Hi everyone and welcome! It's the start of a new challenge over at A Vintage Journey and I'm proud to be hosting this one. This month we are all about fabric; Add fabric to your entry in some way be it felt, burlap, ribbon or cloth and if you're really feeling brave maybe include a touch of real or faux stitching! We are looking forward to seeing what ideas you have to incorporate this Sew Special theme in your vintage, shabby, mixed-media, art journalling, industrial or steampunk projects.

This month we are proud to be sponsored by the wonderful people over at Calico Craft Parts. With a randomly drawn lucky winner and three hand picked Pinworthies offered a Guest appearance for later challenge it's really worth entering HERE.

Being the host Creative Guide I felt it was important to pull out all the stops for this one. Plus it gave me chance to play with my Eileen Hull Sizzix Stitchlits Thin Dies. If like me you hate having to punch separate holes to stitch through in order to add sewing detail to your projects these are the best! I grabbed some Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabric and set to it with this canvas...

If you're wondering how it came together here goes...

Start by getting a piece of paper/card with a mid brown hue (I used one from the Tim Holtz Lost and Found collection). Spread Texture Paste through the Burlap layering stencil and when dry add a coat of Crazing Distress Collage Medium over the whole lot.

Now your surface 'slick' scribble the two brown Distress Crayons over and blend vertically with a baby wipe. This will help to reveal the crazing and let you choose how much/little colour you want on your final piece.

Cut strips of Eclectic Elements fabric and glue them in place over the stencilling.

Here's where those Stitchlits dies come in really useful - stick more strips of the same fabric to card then die cut with the various stitch patterns to cut your holes. You can then easily sew embroidery cottons (or similar) through the holes. Layer them on top of the first set of strips.

With the background complete I added Ruler Ribbon and a buckle, various handmade flowers, buttons and brads and the Remnant Rub words (because stamping on this uneven surface may have spoiled the lot but this was easy!) Here are some close ups so you can catch the details...

So that's my interpretation of this theme. I urge you to hop on over to A Vintage Journey to see what my fellow Creative Guides have come up with - it's Sew Special! Then it's over to you - the challenge will remain open for a month so there's plenty of time to get those creative juices flowing and link up your entries to be in with a chance to win!

Before I close I want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to each and every one of you who took the time and trouble to wish me luck, cheer me on and watch my first shows on Hochanda. Knowing you were all backing me to succeed was a huge boost and I'm pleased to say there will be more to come! For now take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx