Sunday, January 17, 2010

Aussie bookmarks...



I've been making some aussie style bookmarks for Charlie to take away. There is an absolute lack of 'decent' aussie souvenirs and most of them are made in China anyway.



This idea was in the Quilting Arts and Gifts Christmas 2009 issue.
[Fabulous issue, lots of really wonderful stuff i want to try. While the ones in the mag were quilted from left over quilt scraps i did mine from layering scraps of cotton, threads, wool, textiva, organzas, tulle onto felt and stitching wildly.
On some of them i burnt the tulle away with heat gun.
It was a great way to get to know my new sewing machine and test out the stitches. It probably would have been better with the free motion set up but as i'm running out of time, i just used the normal foot.
The gum leaf has a piece of textiva under it and a greeny gold organza as the leaf.
They are quite sparkly from the patterned organza and textiva but i was a bit late in the day for taking pics.

The wattle [and its not the quite right gold, but i like it] has cotton overlayed with yellow organza and the bottlebrushes the same. I like how the organza over the top just softens it.



i didnt have any green grosgrain ribbon so i painted white with diluted green paint, scrunched it up and ironed it dry. It has some cool patterns in it.
There is always a way!


Adjustable back of bookmark...


I think these will make great little gifties and wont take up much room in her luggage.

And best of all they are Aussie made.

Hope you are all having a good week , i'm on holidays!! for two weeks :))))

15 comments:

Jacky said...

Wow Jen, you are so creative. What a wonderful idea...you're right, there arent many nice Aussie gift ideas out there are there?

Jacky xox

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

Wow, Jen, these are lovely, what a wonderful gift idea!
You are so talented with the sewing :)

Jan x

Hermine said...

Fantastic, love them!

Diane said...

These are great, Jen! I am really getting interested in fabric & sewing. I absolutely love these! Beautiful work! xoxo Diane

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Oh dear Jen
each one is a treasure and something useful not only beautiful!!!

I'm sure your lovely daughter will be very proud to gift people with your little works of art ... really special!
oxo

Jenny said...

Jen these are just gorgeous and beautiful gifts for Charlie to take with her. Happy holidays to you too, enjoy!!

Doreen G said...

What a great idea Jen and they will make fabulous gifts.

Rossylalah said...

These are beautiful Jen. They look like they were a lot of work!

Unknown said...

And dont forget, they are beautiful too!!! I just love them.........

Margaret said...

Superb Jen! especially the bottlebrushes, what a wonderful gift! Mx

Lesley said...

Oh Jen, what lovely gifts. Love your stitching and the fabrics are lovely just as you named me. LOL
K now go over to my blog I just uploaded the fused fibers.
xo
Lovely Les

Viola said...

Wonderful pieces! :)

Kathy said...

Oh those are lovely Jen.. you outdid yourself.. am sure the host families will love them..
Kath
xoxo

Miek said...

This is great !

manda said...

Oh Jn I just LOVE these!!!!! You HAVE to post a tutorial for us!!! They are just fabulous! And I love the Aussie designs!