QR code

A few posts back, I mentioned that I have a new tablet. This technology is completely new to me as I never did get on board with a cell phone that could do anything more than make and receive calls. So each day I try to learn something new and it is endlessly fascinating.
Have you seen these around?They are popping up everywhere and are codes known as Quick Reference (gee, and I thought the QR stood for Quilt Rat)
anyway I decided to figure this stuff out yesterday....created my own code for my site (the one shown here), and then took it a bit further.
Since the idea is that, using an app that allows you to "grab" a code, one can scan it with their device and be directed immediately to the web site it is attached to, I thought it might be cool to attach these to my quilts. Then when someone wanted to access more of my work, they scan the code and voila! they land right here..............ah BUT would it work?

I, of course, HAD to give it a try. I took my code and using photo editing software, I created a page full, I flipped the page so that I could print it out on to transfer paper.
Cut them apart, and ironed them onto fabric bits. Now I have a whole bunch of little labels I can add to my finished quilts. In the future I can just simply add the code, along with other information as I create my labels.
I was afraid that all that re-sizing, manipulating, flipping, and ironing might distort the code and render it useless....BUT it WORKED!!!! Now come on....who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Labels & Doodles

 Note*  if you are looking for information on printing fabric with an inkjet printer and or, a homemade Bubble Jet Set solution......please click on the "Tutorials" tab above.......it contains the most complete and up to date info

Want to be sure your quilt and it's label are never separated? Instead of merely adding the label to the back when the quilt is finished why not use your label as part of the pieced back? That is exactly what I have done with this quilt...sorry can't show you the front just yet.......well....okay how about a little sneak peak.
Since my fabric was not quite wide enough and had to be pieced anyway I decided to go ahead, print my label to incorporate it into the backing.

Have you tried making my homemade Bubble Jet Set solution? you can find those earlier posts here. While my first few batches stayed clear, my most recent one, I discovered, had separated and settled in the bottom of the jar. Not sure why, but I went ahead and shook it up......it was cloudy, sort of like watery milk but it worked fine and was just as effective as before.

Now for the doodles........did you notice my initials on the label? I try to include them on all of my labels.
Jaye is still providing us with our weekly prompt and this week's CPP word is Whisk so here is what I have for you Jaye.

Photocopy Transfer

I have a very long list of techniques I'd like to try. Recently, I tried some different ways of transferring photocopied images to fabric. My understanding is that this will work only with actual photocopies and not images directly from your printer.

This first method requires some patience and is a bit messy but very effective for larger images. Begin with a photocopy (if it has text it will need to be reversed) lay it face down on your fabric and then using a paint brush, generously coat the back of your copy with Golden Medium. This is where the patience part comes in, you need to let this dry thoroughly, at least 24 hours. Here comes the messy part, you will now need to immerse this into water and as the paper saturates you will be able to begin to remove the paper by rubbing gently......... very gently! When it looks as though all of the paper has been removed, you should be left with a good clean image. Once dry, however, you may notice that there is still a bit of paper left and if this is the case you will need to repeat the wetting and rubbing process.............did I mention you'll need some patience?

The above method was used for the postcard. The birds, feather and quilt block were all transferred using this method. Later I added some colourful fabric wings while colour was added to the feather and quilt block using Sharpie markers. I changed my mind from what I had originally intended and cut the images out to place on that wonderful green background
Take a look at this portion of a quilt label I made. Do you see that area (the word stitched), that is not as crisp and clear as the rest? This really needed another dunk in the water but I believe I was out of patience by that time. ( I had already gone through the process twice)
This particular label has lots of text, is 9"x 6" and I am very pleased at the result achieved with this method.

The simplest and easiest method is also great for small images, but involves a solvent of some sort. The best result for me, was achieved using acetone ( nail polish remover) Place your image face down onto your fabric and swipe the back of it with an acetone dampened (not wet) cotton ball, then, using the back of spoon or some other tool, burnish the image until it transfers. I used a small piece of masking tape to hold the image in place so that I could lift the edge and see if the image had transferred to my liking.
I had absolutely no luck at all with the CitraSolv I purchased.........have no idea why it didn't work. Obviously with any solvent based method you will want to work in a well ventilated area.
Once you have the image you want, you can go a step further and add colour. Here I used coloured pencils for the quilt block and crayons for the flip flops, buttons and butterflies. Extra details were added using Sharpie markers. The final step was to paint a thin layer of textile medium on top of the colours, once dry, it was heat set using a hot dry iron.