Ahhh, when Franki emailed in December to ask if I would write the article for (mid-) January, it sounded like a long way off... and here I am, the day of the deadline, searching for the velvet I know I bought about two years ago! Okay, in my defense, I've moved twice in two years, once only two months ago.

Which brings me to a discussion of Resolutions. You knew there couldn't be an article for January without discussing Resolutions! One of the reasons I am so in love with quilted postcards is that they present such an easy forum to experiment with designs or new techniques... such a small investment of time and materials can provide a rich experience. So my Resolution for the year is to try one new technique each month. Well, we feel like we try new things every time we create, but I'm going to take this seriously enough to actually identify for myself what the new technique for that month is, and give it a whirl. If it doesn't work out, and it ends up in the recycle bin, at least I've treated myself to the experience. It's like adding tools to my tool kit, with each new experience.

Rubber stamp(s):  The rubber stamp store, where I had seen the first example of this craft, recommended that the rubber stamp should have some pretty solid areas, not just fine detail. I chose three of my stamps for this experiment, a dragonfly, a fern, and a leaf. I decided to cover my ironing board with a Teflon pressing sheet, and then laid the rubber stamps flat on top of that.

All of the articles seemed to recommend a WOOL setting for the iron, but the pressing time ranged from 10 to 30 seconds. I do think it's worth experimenting, as the different times gave me different results. I lean more toward "20 to 30" seconds.

All of the instructions recommend that once the velvet has been moved, that you do not try to re-do the embossing. On my third impression (the dragonfly again), the 10-15 seconds gave almost no impression at all. Since I figured that portion of velvet would be tossed anyway, I tried to re-do it. Even though the second try didn't line up perfectly, I'm not as inclined to toss it out... it sort of appears to have a shadow.

I decided to use the fern impression to make a postcard. I layered two pieces of Warm N Natural batting, and Peltex 72, and then used a green rayon thread to outline quilt on the stems of the fern. For the most part, the stitching is buried in the velvet and doesn't show, but it does create a loft which causes the embossing to really show well. My camera had trouble taking a good photo of the velvet.

For a quick-and-easy edging, I used an open knit fabric that I had purchased at Jo-Ann a few years ago, just prior to Halloween. It has wavy lines of almost-holographic blue and green on a black background. Since it did not ravel on any of the edges, I just took a one-inch wide strip of it and zigzagged it on to the edge of the postcard, leaving the raw edges loose. The looseness causes the blues and greens in the knit to catch the light better than if it had been stitched flat.

I'm quite pleased with the postcard and the experience. I'll definitely play with this technique again.

Its not too late to make a resolution for 2008 to try a new technique each month. Even if you don't find this article until mid-year, you could still begin today!