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The Speed Demon

(Internetus interuptus: I started this post last night and our modem went dead!)

I was flying through the day yesterday with a mission – to make something creative for the guild board members and committee chairs. I am the post card queen – can I make 33 post cards in one day?

First, I must confess to getting a speeding ticket on my way home from the market to make dinner for Mr. C and Mark who had been laboring in the fields (our yard) all day. The cop said I was going 65 in a 55 zone and was passing cars. This is true. I do it all them time. I should have told him that I was in a rush because I was making 33 fiber postcards for my quilt guild – maybe he would have let me off. Traffic school, here I come!

Anyway, I got home. After dinner I sped upstairs (no cop is going to slow me down) and finished 33 postcards by midnight. Here is how I did it.

First, you need a pile of pre-fused scraps, preferably acquired from Mrs. Mel, who has Delicious hand-dyed stuff.
Fusedscraps

Next, I made a grid on a large scrap piece of batting, and started laying out my postcard designs.

Batinggrid

Here they are – all fused.

Fusedcards

Next, I machine quilted them as a batch. This way, I could do several that needed the same thread color at the same time.

Machinequilt

I then fused the back with more Underwonder and fused the whole piece to canvas. Then I rotary cut the post cards to size.

Trimcards

I then zigzagged the edges of each one and signed them.

Signature

Voila!! Thirty-three postcards:

33postcards

These are not museum quality, but they are quite wonderful. I tried to do a variety of styles to suit the different styles in the guild. I hope they like them. I had fun being the maniacal postcard maker.

I am off to guild to pass on the gavel and then my friends and I are going out to lunch to celebrate the end of my term.

21 Responses to “The Speed Demon”

  1. PaMdora says:

    Sorry, didn’t mean to sound so flippant, but I was just shocked and amazed that you could do all that in one day and they all could look so different and interesting! Great job, Gerrie!

  2. PaMdora says:

    When exactly did you grow four arms? What is in the water you’re drinking?!!!!!

    I tried to respond to your questions but it bounced. I have both mouse and tablet to draw. Although I’m very comfortable with the tablet, sometimes it’s quicker to draw with a mouse.

  3. Deborah says:

    Beautiful! Fused to canvas? That sounds like a great idea.

  4. Kathie says:

    Organization and pre-planning–what a great concept. Wish I had some of that here. Your cards are sensational.

  5. Jan Krentz says:

    Great job – you have kicked my creativity into gear – TERRIFIC cards!

    Thanks for posting your process on the blog – it’s hard to stop and take photos when you’re really zooming along!

    Jan

  6. teri says:

    Well….guess I need to get off MY ass and give this method a try!!

    teri

  7. dee says:

    the speed thing seems to be a trait common to those with artistic leanings. I’m usually pissed that people are keeping me from getting to quilting, reading,anythinging.Thinking of you while watching the Abramoff debacle unfold.Have you ever seen anyone looking more like a gangster since the 50s? Could be time for a good rant. By the way, what a fabulous way to construct those post cards. Your right coast doppleganger,dee

  8. Amy says:

    WOW! (I have/had that cactus fabric….) Talk about an assembly line. Hopefully they (or anyone else) are not going to expect that from you often….

  9. Caitlin says:

    All Hail The Postcard Queen! Wow, the cards look fabulous – well done! Ouch on the speeding ticket though… what is traffic school?

  10. lisa says:

    you are insane. i guess it takes one to know one, but really, mom. you amaze me.

  11. Mary Manahan says:

    Gerrie,

    You are amazing!

  12. Micki says:

    well aren’t you just the speedy gonzales of wonder undered post cards. these are really great. hope everyone appreciates them.

  13. jenclair says:

    I’m bowing – and seconding all above karoda comments.

  14. Karoda says:

    oh my word! i must pay honor to you by hailing your postcard making wisdom…hear ye, hear ye, The Postcard Queen performs a miracle, everyone bow!

  15. Jen Anderson says:

    Thanks for the speed demon lesson, Gerrie. They are all beautiful, speed and all! Have a great day! Jen

  16. KT says:

    You are a machine! Those are great. Wow! I am very inspired by your ability to economize (is that a word?) your time.

  17. First, what a great process…should you try this with larger work…not big but say 10″ x 12″ or something along those lines.
    Second, when our family all travels somewhere together we have to take several cars, being there are so many of us. I am always the only one who knows how to get to the destination so I lead the pack. My daughter in law, Christy, says that you don’t so much follow mom as you chase her. No tickets yet but certain the day will come.

  18. DebR says:

    PS….Sorry to hear about the speeding ticket. He could’ve let you off with a warning. Sheesh.

  19. DebR says:

    Dayum!! You’re GOOD! I love these! 🙂

  20. Dale Anne says:

    Gerrie,
    They are simply GORGEOUS and I’m sure they will be very much LOVED by the board…….you did an AMAZING JOB!!!
    I like the idea of making a grid on the batting……….hummmmm will have to steal that idea!
    Let us know how they went over.

  21. MsLizF says:

    I love your postcards!! I am inspired to make my own. You use batting…I’ve read about using Temtex. Which is better?? I know the Temtex would be more expensive and I have lots of batting scraps. I will make postcards soon.