Fabric Artist Trading Cards

Good Morning paper crafters!  I love trying new things, and a couple of months ago I came across a yahoo group that creates Fabric Artist Trading Cards ( 2 1/2" x 3 1/2").  I had never heard of such a thing, so I joined the group just to see what it was all about, because I like making trading cards.  And oh what fun I have had learning to work with fabric to create art. 

The group has a monthly theme for their swap.  Once you have made your card, you upload it to that months "album" and then at the end of the month, we swap.

I was told that a true fabric trading card is fabric from front to back.  All of mine but the last one have paper on the back.  I picked up a couple of embroidery books and as you can see, I am still learning.

The theme for this one was "April Showers Bring May Flowers" and it could be anything spring-like.  So I decided a potted plant would be fun to attempt, and easy for me to cut the pot shape.  This was the first time I had ever done the applique stitch.  It's a little rough, hopefully I will get better.  And the flowers and leaves are a very simple detached chain stitch.  I wanted a more decorated border, so I decided to try the Pekinese stitch on this one.  I really like how this one turned out, and I'm not sure if I'm going to trade it or not.

This is the one I have up for trade this month.  I figured the easiest way to create these would probably be to find fabric with a cute design and embellish it, since I'm new to this.  I used several different stitches on this one as well.  Did you know there is an Embroidery Stitch Bible book.  Yep, and I figured if it was the bible for stitching then that was the one I needed!  Ha.  Over 200 stitches in this book.  Ok, I will probably never use more than the 10 simplest, teehee.  The border on this one almost drove me crazy!  But once I got in a grove, I picked up pace.  It's called a "crossed sloping blanket stitch".  I think it finished the edges nicely.

This was the first one I created, for March's "Green" challenge.  And it is still up for trade if anyone is interested.  I stamped the flower images on felt, which did not stamp very well, but there was enough of an image to use as guidelines.  I used simple outline stitching and french knots, and then embellished with glitter glue.  I used a simple blanket stictch around the edges. 

And this is the one I traded for March's "Green" challenge.  I actually used the sewing machine on this one!  I would use that thing more, but I HATE changing the thread colors out.  I started with a piece of decorative fabric on this one.  I cut the fabric butterflies out and stiffened them with white glue so I could pop them up and shape the wings.  I stitched a piece of matching ribbon down the side and added a flower button.

So what do think about my latest creative outlet???  I love to try new things, so who knows how long I will create these.  But I figure I could handle at least 1 a month for the swap.

Wanna join me???  The group has a huge membership, but not very many participating.  We would love to have you join us if you like working with fabric and want to give it a try!

If you need more info on Artisted Trading Cards and a list of resources, then check out this post from last year:

http://melisawaldorf.blogspot.com/2010/09/artist-trading-cards.html

You can view all of my ATC's HERE

Check out the Fabric Artist Trading Card group HERE.  PLEASE join me!

Have a great day!

Melisa