Fabric Postcards

I like to have a supply of fabric postcards on hand. Last winter I made a bunch using selvages and putting a picture cut from a fabric in the middle. I liked them, I like using selvages. And I've nearly used up the 40 or so I made at that time. SO -- it was time to make more. Here are two dozen of the 30 I finished today -- they've been the project of the week, not just today.

If you click to enlarge you'll see the photos were actually taken before I finished them. They had been made and backed and ironed [I used spray starch on the front], but they had not had their ends closed -- I used the "pillowcase" backing method. I thought that was where I'd stop today so I took the pictures. But then I had a spell of ambition so I actually finished them except for writing POST CARD on the back, which seems to be necessary to convince the geniuses who work in the P.O. that these ARE post cards.

I've recently received a couple of fabric postcards with a neat stamp on the back that is like the old fashioned postcard message on the once-upon-a-time penny post cards. I might mention that one amazing correspondent sent me a two cent postcard recently -- with the other 40 cents added. She must have found it at a flea market. I DO remember both the penny and two cent postcard. Sometimes I think I have a century's worth of memories stored in that pound or two of gray matter.

I think I'll venture into that very dangerous [to the pocketbook] store downtown that sells all kinds of scrapbooking supplies including many stamps, and see if they have the stamp. I'll try to put blinders on so I don't get too distracted by the beautiful papers and other supplies there. I do not need a new craft so I stay out of that store as well as out of the very neat bead store that's also on the main street. It's always been hard to be a Gemini, I am so distractable and want to try so many things. Time just doesn't allow it. Alas!

Intersting mail

I love snail mail -- although this month it seemed to have gone from snail-like to downright sluggish. A major reason I enjoy the Swap-bot site is because I can very often go to my mail box and have something interesting and far more cheering than bills and assorted junk advertisements. In the last couple of weeks I've received a pair of unusual postcards that I'm keeping in sight at the moment and will find a permanent place for soon.

The postcard above is a fabric one. It has a feather, as you see, on a batik fabric and there are beads and sequins -- the later did not photograph well. And the new and amazing detail is, it has a large round hole at the base of the feather. The hole is finished like the edges with satin stitch [Machine done] but has a spider-web of woven threads in it and a couple of little sparkling beads. How clever is that! I've never seen anything like it. It arrived in a clear plastic envelop with small bubble wrap over the face of it. The creator is Nancy Thomas of Oakdale, CT.


The postcard below is unusual in that it is square but that's not what I love about it. I think this is the youngest looking self-portrait of Frida Khalo that I have ever seen. She hsa that looking-at-you gaze, and the earring is a hand which she wore in later paintings as well. Her hair is a wonderful combination, braided on the left, free and full on the right. And she has drawn a third-eye/bindi like pattern between the heavy eyebrows. She has also written her name on the broach at her throat. The drawing is full of careful details and promise of the woman she was to paint so many times in her life.

Merrily Making post cards

I am not an obsessive compulsive person -- by no means! But I go through brief periods of activity addiction. That's why I'm making selvage postcards right now. I made another half dozen this afternoon and may make as many tomorrow morning. I'm on a roll and don't want to stop. Here are eight more from last week's spasm of postcard making. In truth I don't think they are as pretty or interesting really as the 50 butterfly postcards I made in a similar spell a couple of years ago but that was far, far more hard work I had thought of making more butterflies because I have additional very tempting patterns. I might yet. But for now it's the faat and furious I want to do. So, no apologies. I've begun seeing more and more quilters using selvages. Sometimes they put on the Serious Somberro and declare they're "saving history" or "being thrifty" -- that's my "frugalista" story.

Truth be told I just like fabric with words on it. I'm sorry that the printer I have which I love for many reasons, does not like to print fabric I've ironed onto freezer paper. If it did I'd probably go nuts. As it is, I have to purchase expensive packs of prepared paper for printing and I have not liked the tightness of the weave of the ones I've had. Besides, the "frugalista" part of me wants to use my own fabric, maybe even print pictures over certain kinds of prints. However, I've reached a point where I have to rein myself in with sewing projects as I've had to do with all kinds of things all my life. If I indulged in everything that sounds interesting or fun I'd never concentrate on any one thing. So, the opposite of obsessive, too scattered. I try to find a balance. Mostly I'm fairly content but I do allow myself these little "fits."