Patty Van Dorin

Beautyberry

 
The berries are just starting to turn. This fall, my plan is to try dyeing some fabrics with the berries. 

Have you tried dying with natural plant materials? 
If so, please share with us in the comment section.

Chicken Coop Fabric Journal Book

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
When I came to binding this fabric book, I decided the chickens needed more structure.  A fence made of bamboo and was used as binding rods on this journal. Not sure I like the thread wraps but after a couple of trys, I have left it as is.

cluck

 
The fabric book I am working on right now. I have no idea where it is going or how I am going to bind each single page. I am just kind of winging it...
 
These fabric transfers of hens and eggs have been sitting in my studio for a very long time. The same with the neon and bright little fabric samples.

 
All of the pages are assembled with hand stitching and then embellished with more stitching and a bit of beading.

More to follow soon.

I added a new category over in the right column called "currently reading".  Are you reading something good right now? Something old or something new, post a comment or email. I love reading a book as much as I like making books.

winter relief

 
on a drab, dull, cold wintry day, you sometimes need a pop of bright cheery colors

a page from a tiny fabric book I am working on

more fabric journal

 
this one has a working zipper
a place to tuck a little hidden note
 
detail
 
another
 
detail

once I have all the pages finished, I will bind them into a book form

rut buster

It happens to all of us. Falling in a rut, doing the same old thing over and over again. When this happens to me, I try and challenge myself to try new colors, patterns or working with a medium that I don't use often.
 
Many times these experiments don't turn out well or as expected. I can't say I care much for this page but it was fun playing with markers. I think I will like it more once I add some journaling to the page.
Vintage fabric (below) was used for the inspiration.

 
Colors and patterns that normally don't find their way into the journal.
Next I will play with the vintage Japanese fabric in brown, ivory and pale sage green.

So don't sit and pout. Look around the house for inspiration, try some new motifs and use colors that you would never dream of putting together.

Thanks to all the nice emails regarding the fabric journal and for all the requests for more closeup pictures. Here are a few.
 
 
 

flowers in the garden

"We have so many problems in this world, color brings just a little bit of joy into our lives" ~Vera
 
played with color in today's fabric journal page
 
a little tip:
-if you have a digital camera, take a picture of the layout that you like
-then you can open the picture up on your computer and this will give a reference when making the page
 

fabric journal for 2011

a new fabric journal has been started
 
today's page was inspired by this

creamy neutrals, beiges and winter whites 
 
with fabric it is not literal but a feel of color and texture
a found piece of wire, beads and bits of knits

Control is the main focus of this fabric journal. My goal is to keep the pages in check so they don't become so large like the last fabric journal. 

 
 

sewing on the deck

It was a perfect day to sit on the deck and stitch in the fabric journal.

 
working on pages individually, which will then be bound into a book

 
a favorite little area on this page.

Hopefully this week, I am going to reduce, de-stash the volumne of fabric and offer small packets on my Etsy shop.  Will make a mention when I have some available.