Melting Tyvek Technique from Creative Cloth Explorations by Patti Medaris Culea

OK, it is the day after Christmas and in between all the sale shopping, returns and putting the holiday decorations away there just might be a little time for crafting. So I thought this looked way-cool! I have some shipping to do and I think some of those envelopes available at the shipping stores are made from Tyvek. I think I'll try to score some to try this out:

Click on image to enlarge)

It is a page from:

Creative Cloth Explorations
Adventures with Fairy-Inspired Fiber Art

By

Patti Medaris Culea

This book is the fifth installment on making creative cloth fiber arts from popular art doll designer, fiber artist, and workshop instructor Patti Culea, following Creative Cloth Doll Making, Creative Cloth Doll Faces, Creative Cloth Doll Couture, and Creative Cloth Doll Beading. Readers will learn to make flat figures, fabric books, and a fairy-style fan.

This book builds on the previous four by delving into how to make fun and elaborate-looking projects using similar materials for unique projects and book structures. Culea covers the basics and provides new techniques–such as using Shiva paint sticks and stencils, working with silk rods and waste, and using lace and trims–while teaching you to how create a flat-figure doll, a memory journal with embellished cloth pages, and a beautiful fan. Professional tips, ideas for embellishments, cutting-edge techniques, and complete patterns for all the projects are included.

Patti Medaris Culea studied art in Los Angeles and Japan and began as a painter and portrait artist. She has a full-line of cloth doll patterns and her work has appeared in books, magazines, and galleries. She is the author of Creative Cloth Doll Making, Creative Cloth Doll Faces, Creative Cloth Doll Couture , and Creative Cloth Doll Beading.

And today is the first day of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African-American culture. Kwanzaa lasts for seven days; it starts on December 26th, and ends on New Year's Day. The word "Kwanzaa" means "first fruits" in Swahili. Maulena Karenga, an African-American scholar and activist, founded Kwanzaa in 1966.

Kwanzaa celebrates seven principles ("Nguzo Saba" in Swahili), including: 

• Unity (umoja), signified by the gathering of family, friends, and community

• Faith (imani)
• Purpose (nia)
• Collective work and responsibility (ujima) - the commitment to the high ideals of the African community
• Cooperative economics (ujamaa)
• Self-determination (kujichagulia)
• Creativity (kuumba)

Pop on over to this sight for some Kwanzaa crafts!

Comments

[Jan]

I can't wait to see your work with Tyvek! I have had fun playing with it in the past. Heating the front vs the back gives different results as well as the using a heat gun vs an iron. I love using lumiere paint on it for smashing colors. Be sure to share your results...Thanks!

[Sherelyn Nichol]

Thanks for the Kwanzaa info. I have wondered what the meaning was!

[Chris]

It's so great that you highlight this celebration! I really want to try tyvek and I'm hoping this year. my list is getting full, though!
Looking forward to photos.

[Tammy]

I love the idea of mixing book art and fabrics. The cover of this book is amazing!