Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Houses and Hideaways


Thanks for following me here from the Sketchbook Challenge blog.
If you haven't read my post over there, hop over there and read it so you are up to date about what I'm talking about.

I wanted to use the whimsical house imagery on a couple of projects but didn't have the time (or the inclination) to redraw it every time.
Enter my beloved Thermofax machine.

I drew three houses that I liked and created screens from them.
A large, a medium and a small one (even though they all look to be the same size here, they really aren't).





I decided (after several false starts) to make a small bag from Multipurpose cloth.
I have been wanting to make a pouch to throw my loose strings in (to sit beside my sewing machine) and this seemed to be a good time to try it.

I always say this after I make something that it sure would be easier to think things out before I make them...but, alas, I did it again.
I jumped in with only half an idea and made up the remainder as I went.

Using my handy dandy thermofax screen, I printed one of the houses onto the front surface of the
MPC (Multipurpose Cloth).
Then decided that I wanted to do some stitching on it.
Then realized that the screen printed image would be Wonderful to use as a stitching guide!
Great news for someone (like me) that isn't too adept at free motion stitching (especially if it's a recognized shape).
But free motion stitching with an outline is a piece of cake.
Easy.
Peasy.


Instructions:
1. Screen print onto fabric.

I was so excited about the easy stitching that I added a tree
and a small yard for the house before I realized it!
 2. Stitch loosely around lines of house (or whatever imagery you have printed).

No need to worry about stitching outside of the line
with my painting plans.

3. Paint inside (or outside) of stitching lines.


I loved one of the houses in my art journal so much
that I decided to use it as inspiration in my paint colors.


I thought that the scene needed a cloud or two.

I used the same color but added a glazing medium to it to thin the color out some.
I also added a bit more color to the tree trunk.
And now it looks a little suspicious to me...


Just as I suspected!
There is a giraffe in that tree!

A quick sketch to confirm it.

And there he is, peeking from behind the tree!

I felt that I needed to add the "real" tree trunk
since the first one turned out to be the giraffe neck.
Now to stitch the real trunk in.
Now it's all done.
Well, I do need to add more grass to the front yard...


Almost finished.
I just need to add the strap to hang it from my cabinet door.


I did add more stitching and paint in the front yard.



4. Stitch up sides of pouch.
5. Enjoy!


The best part of all of it is the playing part.
The learning, screwing up and figuring out a better way to do it.
That's the place where you hear your own creative voice whispering to you.
And it usually starts with "Hey, I wonder what would happen if I did it this way?"

I think that I promised a give away in my Sketchbook Challenge post, didn't I?

I'd like to send someone a thermofax screen. I was going to give away one of the house screens but I think that I will let whoever wins pick out what they want from my Etsy shop or one of the whimsical houses.

Here's the deal - leave me a comment and make sure that you include your email address (or some way to get in touch with you) so I can notify you.
I'll give the winner that I choose (from a random number generator) about a week to let me know what they want.
It's open to everyone so please comment!
I'll post the winner on this blog on Sept. 26 so tune in to see who wins.
I'm thinking that I might add a few more surprises in the mailing but you will never know unless you are the winner.
Good luck everyone!

52 comments:

Misty said...

ooh thanks for the giveaway! i've always wanted to try one of those screens.

Lynn Ruehlmann said...

I really enjoyed watching your giraffe evolve--just was watching a live one at the zoo last weekend!
And now, it would be so fun to try thermofax!

meecindy said...

i just love your little houses, so cute!! would be fun to live in one. thanks for the opportunity to join in on the giveaway - fingers crossed!
cindy (meecindy@aol.com)
www.YogaAndaLatte.blogspot.com

dolores said...

I don't know what I'm more excited about....being able to print on fabric easily or your idea about using that as a stitching guide!! I now have so many ideas floating around in my head...I need to go write them down!!
Thanks for the inspiration...and chance to win!!

NatalieMcNee said...

I left you a comment on TSC page - just said how inspiring your work is and it's given me the confidence to be more playful with my sketches.

Thanks, Natalie (natcrabb@gmail.com)

Valerie Brown said...

I like how the giraffe snuck it's way into the picture!!

I didn't even know about thermofax screens until yesterday - thanks to the Sketchbook Challenge! I would love to win one to play with.

Gillian Pearce said...

I love that combination of machine stitching and painting within the lines. Everytime I see something like this I'm tempted to get a sewing machine but I already have enough supplies to be going on with. Really love the houses.

Anne said...

So much fun, love your little houses and of course the giraffe. Amazing work thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win a thermofax screen.

MarveLes Art Studios said...

i just visited your shop on etsy; it was a fun trip! you have so much to offer, it would be tough to pick! {but i would do it!!! lol}

thanks for the chance! leslievaskey@msn.com

Deborah said...

Love your sense of explorative play. Just what I need to allow more often! Thanks for generously making a screen available!

lee said...

love love those houses, and a screen I have always wanted one, so thanks for the opportunity to win one

lee
pat54lee@yahoo.ca

sewbeit said...

Love the little houses!!!!!! Would love to own one.

Unknown said...

Love the houses on the Sketchbook Challenge. As I go off on a bird trip one of the bird images would be great to use on bags for Christmas for the other participants of my trip.
cindytedesco@earthlink.net

Loretta said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Loretta said...

So much fun with thread, paint, thermofax stencil....and your own inventive way of doing a project! Love it all. Thanks for sharing.
lgarmstrong@comcast.net

Doreen K. said...

Thank you for such a generous give a way. I have not used a thermofax screen before. And sewing on the lines is a great idea.
I am not good at free motion either.

Lori W said...

Exactly what I need - a new house. LOVE this post and your art here. Thanks for the game to play and the good ideas!

Jane LaFazio said...

wonderful post, Carol!!

Art and Light said...

My daughter's last name is Longnecker. This is adorable! I often suspect that my work has hidden inhabitants. I will look more closely.

Penny said...

Just love little houses and yours are such fun, love the giraffe. I havent used a thermofax screen but would love to try one.

lakelly said...

I love the whsical houses and your method for using them for a variety of projects!

Unknown said...

I love the house that you created. The whimsy of it is so adorable. I must try this technique. I know nothing about thermofax, so I must do some research. Winning this giveaway would be so cool. Thanks

Regina B Dunn said...

That was a very fun and informative post. Thank you.

smokeysmom said...

I know nothing about using screens, but I LOVE your designs of the houses! Maybe I will learn something new:)

Karen S said...

Your houses are so charming! this blog hop is gr8! thanks for sharing ... Karen

k.starr 27@ comcast.net

Kerro said...

Love it when I come across an article that leads me to another that happens upon a fabulous blogg ! From my little haven in Africa it was beautiful to see the giraffe peeping out from behind that tree .."Its a sign" I thought !!!!

roadie said...

You have made the convincing argument for using thermo-fax screens - not having to redraw something multiple times! Thank you for the impetus to try a new technique.

Desiree's Designs said...

I love it and would love to win one of your houses!

Jo Murray said...

Great use of a lovely design. That pouch rocks!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing your process. The giraffe is so charming as he munches on your tree. I would love to win a screen. Your process is fun!

Jane Prater said...

Your houses are so emotion filled. Thanks for sharing the process.

Dot H said...

Carol--love that you have continued with the cute houses you are known for--love the bag and great instructions---the sketchbook challenge is wonderful as usual.
Dot Highter

Jan's Art and Musings said...

Love your houses - so whimsical. Would love to be a winner. Thank you.

Jan Jackson
jcjckson@aol.com

denise in wnc said...

This was such a fun read. You make it sound so easy and relaxed. I'd have a great time with one of your designs! So please pick me!

Carrie said...

Your houses are adorable! Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win something!

Unknown said...

Pretty cute house. I would enjoy that screen. Have a good day. Judy Haas

Jeannie said...

I love your wonky houses and the giraffe tree is so inspired! It made me think of Pippi Longstockings and here house. (Yes, I had a fantasy of being her when I grew up. :D) Thanks for the great idea and the tutorial.

M. Austen said...

Love your whimsical houses!! They are precious!

Susan E. J. White said...

Carol, great fun to watch you have fun with the giraffe and do it in stitch and paint. sejwhite@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi Carol! This is very cool - the houses, the doodles, the blog hopping, the instructions, and of course, the finished bag! Love the giraffe and the wind-blown clouds. This would be such an amazing gift for an artistically challenged sister-in-law!

Rose said...

Learning how to make screens with a thermofax is something I intend to do!

Cindy Trobaugh said...

I love your little houses, and every home needs a giraffe in the backyard.

Carol C said...

I love how your bag evolved. I need to learn to be more patient and go with the flow. Loved the giraffe! Thanks for the chance to win.

Barbara said...

Love your houses, they are so sweet.

Kate said...

Carol, wow! Would love to win a thermofax screen! Great post and thank you for a generous giveaway!

Sharmond said...

I enjoyed watching your design come to life. It interesting how things develop as you go along.

The Spiritual Existential Nihilist said...

I always think of elves when I see your houses. Whimsical but not childish. They make me happy.

Judith said...

I love being able to see the fun come to life on the page. The giraffe is just delightful. My sewing machine is going to find a home in my studio where I can just turn to it instead of having to set it up all the time. Thank you for the inspiration.

Ila said...

Love your houses!! the colors are amazing!!

Gill said...

What a great idea - I'd love to try this!
Thanks for a fabulous giveaway!

Valerie said...

Your houses are too cute. I would love to have one of your screens to play with. Thanks for the chance to win.

cHim-prints said...

The houses are adorable. Love them!
I'd also love to win. :-)
chimprints@hotmail.com