Category Archives: William’s Quilt

Autumn Leaves, Coastal Color, Creatibve Assistants, Label Blocks, Natural Elements, Quilt Exploration Group (QuEGs), William's Quilt

Winter

January 7, 2016 admin 1 Comment

Hello,

The woman who works with her hands is a laborer. The woman who works with her head and her hands is a craftsman. The woman who works with her hands , her head and her heart is an Artist. St Francis of Assisi

This quote really spoke to me this week. My wish for all my friends is that they be Artists. I spent a lot of time with those artist this week. One day I went to the Turquoise Street Studio and work with three other gals. Beth was doing pastels, while Barb and the other two were painting. What a lot of fun to work with this energy flowing.

Then because it was the beginning of the month the QuIGs and Diva’s meant too. The gals in those groups help me so much when it comes to problems I have with my techniques. I learned a lot about mixing different types of fabrics this week. Corrine was showing off her daughters aromatic jewelry at the meeting and she even sold one. Then yesterday the FAB group meant at Patti’s house. She shared beautiful fabrics from the far east with us. There was wonderful weaving in all of them with lots of color and gold threads. My one other event this week was to be a part of the judging of Scholastic Art. I so enjoy seeing what the middle school and high school students are doing when it comes to art. It was very enjoyable.

Progress Report: Creative Assistants While I was at the studio with all the other artists I worked on these little guys. I was only stitching them closed and adding a pin to the back, but I got 20 of them done. I added the paint when I got home and they are now ready to pass along to others.

Williams’s Quilt I finished the stitch in the ditch quilting on this project this week. There were lots of lines to do. Now I am ready to start to do the binding. It will take about and hour to do each side. It is a bright colorful work – just great for an active little boy.

Coastal Colors I made progress on this piece this week. It is done as far as the machine work is concerned. But I am concerned about the ripple. The gals at the meetings all had great suggestions about how to deal with that and I learned from them.

Hopefully I can stretch it well enough to get it flat. The bad news is I already laided out and started two more that I fear will have the same problem. But the next time I try to mix felting with machine drawing, I will know better then to put stiffener as a part of that step. It does not shrink at the same rate as the wool and that is the source of the problem we think.

Autumn Leaves I am doing the free motion drawing of the vanes of the leaves now. I am having fun and I have learned how Mother Nature designs each species differently.

Label Block #34 I remember taking the Pooh label off a blanket for Alexis when she was little. She is 20 now. Do I hold onto things for a long time or what?

Keep Creating

Carol

Autumn Leaves, Autumns Collection, Buffalo Bluffs A & B, Coastal Color, Label Blocks, Natural Elements, Stretch Works, William's Quilt

Reflection

December 31, 2015 admin

Hello-

We are coming to the end of another year and I have been thinking not only about my dreams for the future, but also reviewing what happened in 2015.

A Jewish Proved says it best:

The Quality of life is fuelled by our productive wealth.

With this in mind I can say I am very wealthy. For me it has been a very productive year. For the first time I counted the number of spools of thread I used in my work. All that machine drawing does add up and I finished off 65 spools this year. This is reflective of the number of works I completed and with Autumn Collection added today that number is 49. I do so enjoy challenging myself and the amount of work I do reflects this drive I have.

I enjoyed my travels this year and visited lots of friends. I went south to Susan in Florida in March. I took a trip to Maine to see Barbara and Elizabeth with Marty in May. I went to see Barb in Indiana in June. There was also loss in my life this year as two friends died. The WWII veteran, Fred Bishop, who lived up the street passed away in March. My good friend and mentor Ethel Whitmore died in August. I miss her greatly, but do to the generosity of her children I am wrapped in her fabrics and dyes that now fill my studio. I made a promise to myself that I would use some of her material in every work I create for a year. That will not be too much of a challenge as I already find her fabrics blending into my work with ease. She helped me grow so very much and all the joy I find in creating and using Silk Paper is do to her introduction to that material. I am thankful that she was a part of my life for such a long time.

Progress Report: Buffalo Bluffs This diptych is now complete. Both units are stretched and measure 16” X 20 “. I learned a lot about cutting up a unified work with this project. I had to make some additions to both sides when I sliced it to make each section work on its own as well as in tandem. I based the work on this part of a photo I took last summer. I enjoyed building up the surface with lace , velvet, cotton, felt, silk and organza.

I continue to use the fabrics that do the job texturally as well as colorfully to keep the piece functioning.

Autumn Collection This work is 37” X 30.5 “ With is quilt I finally used the silk leaves that I created with Cris in the silk paper workshop earlier this fall. The piece has lots of different techniques and fabrics in it. Not only the silk leaves but also leaves cut from cotton and organza fabrics. The trunk has some of the fabric that Marty and I spray painted after we came back from visiting with Elizabeth last spring. I also included some colored pencil drawing along the top of the hill to suggest far away trees behind the weeds. It was great fun to work on this piece.

Autumn Leaves I am now doing the quilting on this piece. I loaded the bobbin with thick cotton thread and did the outline of the leaf from the back of the quilt. Then flipped it over and drew in the vanes. I am happy with how it is coming along.

Coastal Color- Red Rock I have only just started the thread painting on this work. It is different to be building on top of a felted surface. This work is based on a small portion of a photo. I block off only the section I want to look at and use it as my starting point. This is the section of the rock face.

New work I built this collage a few weeks ago and it is the start of another work. I am not going to copy the colors – but try to keep the shapes and tones in the work the same. This is the first pin up of the fabrics I have selected for this project. Two of them are from Ethel’s stash, but most are ones I have altered with dye and paint.

William’s Quilt The top and back are now complete and I have the two sections united. I am doing stitch in the ditch quilting starting by quilting around all the photos and working out form there. This process is not fast, but it is enjoyable for me.

Label Block # 33 There is not rush here just slow and steady progress on this project.

May the 2016 bring you joy and delight.

Carol

Autumns Collection, Buffalo Bluffs, Coastal Color, Label Blocks, Turning Autumn, William's Quilt

Solicits

December 24, 2015 admin

Hello,

Winter has begun according to the calendar. But I am not so sure about that as our mild weather sure makes me feel otherwise. I have enjoyed my walks and the sun shine helps me feel calmer and much less stressed during this holiday season of hurry and worry. This shot of the sky reflected in a rain created pool is also a part of this unique season. If I ever had any doubts about how the weather effects my work a look at the colors of the stuff I am working on this week will sure confirm the fact that I am still feeling the influences of fall.

My only out side activity this week was an afternoon when I sat in the gallery at the Schweinfurth to answer folks questions. It was pleasant to talk with students and quilters and I did a lot of hand work. More little faces for Creative Assistants.

Progress Report: Buffalo Bluffs

I am now done with the assembly of this work. This is the last photo of it as a total unit as I plan to cut it in half and make a diptych out of it. That was the plan form the start and building it as one big unit first makes for unity I think. I will slash it and stretch it before next week I hope.

Autumns Collection This is a close up of this work as I am almost done with the building. I even got the silk leaves on the piece this time. I am adding the facings now so it will be done by next week. I have a little bit of bobbling in two areas so I will need to go back in and quilt a bit more to flatten it. I can always draw more leaves with my machine.

Turning Autumn This quilt is ready for the quilting step now too. I am doing stitch in the ditch at the moment to stabilize it for now and then I will begin to do the machine drawing step. I will do some sketch book work before I begin that however.

Williams Quilt This is a shot of the back of this work. I only need to add to the sides about 10 inches as it is a bit narrow . Then I can begin to assemble the parts. It sure is bright and colorful for the grand child who will receive this gift.

Coastal Color This series of three works is based on a photo of the Atlantic coast. On one cliff the color of the rock went from green moss covered section to red rocks at the top. I tried to capture that feel with these three starts. My main machine had to go for a quick cleaning – I can not believe I have had it a year already. So I pulled the Felter out for a little play in a different mode. They are starting places for machine and hand work now .

Label Block 32 I just do the work.

Enjoy the wonders of the season. Hugs

Carol

Autumn Collection, Label Blocks, Near Indian Creek, William's Quilt

Mild Days

December 17, 2015 admin

Hello-

I like most of folks in the east am enjoying the wonderful weather we are having. Blue sky is always a welcome sight and the mild temps do not hurt either.

I came across this quote this week.

There are no mistakes. What happens during the process of making something is sacred and organic. Vicki Noble.

I like this idea and always used and thought a similar idea when I work. I just see errors as a small challenge to my way forward. It is reassuring to find reinforcements for ones ideas.

There was a FAB meeting this week. Judy is creating her one of her wool tied quilts for her daughter. Big and bright is her motto. I am finished with Scrubs for my grand daughter. They are cheerful as she asked.

Progress Report: Near Indian Creek This piece is 16″ X 20″ and stretch on a blank canvas. I m trying to think of different ways to present my work and this is one of them. There is a lot I do not know about this process.

It is finally complete after many starts and stops getting it stretched. I need to thank Andrea for explaining how to cut away the excess fabric at the corners for a smooth fold over. Then she also suggested that I put fabric on the back instead of paper and I really like that solution too. I have all the materials and I am set for three more rock based pieces in this little series. I learned a lot doing work this way and look forward to next ones.

William’s Quilt I am working away on this project and I can see the end of this step. I only need to assemble three more rows and the top will be done. Then it is on to the back of the project.

Autumn Collection The back ground is all laid out and stitched down for this project. Now I will begin to add the leaves. I am so lucky to have my friends looking out for me. In this case Patty gave me some great old scarves that are just the perfect color to use as a part of the leaf clutter under this tree.

Double Rock This is not the official title for this work. Just a working one. I am trying to make two pieces that work together so I am sewing both of them at the same time and I will cut them apart when I am done. These will also be stretched pieces. The only draw back is the big size problem when I am doing the free motion work. But I think it will pay off in the end.

Label Block # 31 One more done in this process. I For me this is very calming work at the end of the day. Thanks too to the folks who have passed more labels on to me.

Keep Creating

Carol

Grounded, Label Blocks, Uncategorized, William's Quilt

Paying Attention

December 10, 2015 admin

Hello-

I was trying to pay attention to lines and I noticed this rather gray bit of pavement. It is almost a landscape in its self. All the horizontal lines suggest it could become one without too much effort. What I was really trying to notice on my walk that day was how the leaves pilled up around the tree trunks. Sometimes they are deep and the tree seems to lean a lot. Sometimes the leaves and earth round the base of the tree pile high and other times it seems to fall away. Then I came across this tree on the side of a hill and found many of the roots exposed. I was doing all this visual research for my next quilt project using leaves as the first took on a life of its own and I could not use the silk leaves I had created.

I went up to see Sharon’s senior show in Oswego this week. Lots of good work there. She explored lots of different areas in her college work. Sharon will start work on her master’s degree next month.

Because of the way Nancy works I made a run to her house today to talk about the lay out of her boarders on her next project. She really did not need me as she had done the work- but it was fun to talk about what she is doing. I enjoy how she mixes and uses fabrics that I would never pick out to use myself.

Progress Report: Grounded This quilt has been fun to work on. I really enjoyed the free motion work. Out lining all the printed leaves was a learning experience. There were so many veins. The paint I used was transparent so the leaves showed through one another. That made the image seem deeper I think. I the background is made from Judy Roberts hand dyed fabric( the brown) and Randy’s deconstructed screen printed fabric( the yellow) The irregular surfaces of both fabrics added interest too. I am showing one shot of the back of the quilt to show the machine work with out the color distraction.

Hand Bag I also though I needed a new hand bag for the season so I pulled out this piece of Regina fabric and made myself a one. Its dark and will not show spots I don’t think. My only regret is that I did not put a pocket on the outside of this piece and I do miss that.

Williams Quilt I am building the blocks for William’s Quilt. It will be colorful when it is complete. I will lay it all out on the floor this week to see how the parts work together.

New Work These fabrics are my loose layout for the next leaf quilt. I will try to mix the two images from the top of this blog into one image that I can work with. I will also be on the look out to keep the leaves around the base of this tree a little simpler so I can use the silk leaves that got me started on this leave thing from the first place.

New Rock Work This is the very beginning of my next rock piece. I am working from the same photo graphic that was taken of Dead Horse Canyon wall. This is about a 4″ X 6″ section of the photo. Lots more build up is yet to come here as even what it pictured is only pinned in place.

Label Block This is block # 30. So now I am one fourth finished with the creation of the blocks for his project.

Keep Creating

Carol

Grounded, Label Blocks, Truquoise Street Studio, William's Quilt

Moving Along

December 3, 2015 admin

Hello,

Our fall has been dry and crisp. I have enjoyed my walks and enjoyed natures bounty. It is raining today however and I will walk to the Dr with my eyes and umbrella open.

A week ago Saturday I went to a new group. Lots of old friends were there and we talked and shared ideas about going forward with a unified idea. There was show and tell of course. Anne talked about her work as did everyone else. I really like this work that she created for a challenge project. There was a lot of talent in that room.

I also spend a day at the Turquoise Street Studio last week. Barbara was working on a sign for a Black Friday event. Beth worked on two pastels. This one of cows and another of a barn landscape. Both were from pictures she took last summer on the same day.

I went off to the Schweinfurt on Sunday to hear my good friend, Cheri do a trunk show and talk. She was very entertaining and I enjoyed seeing all her work together again.

This is also the beginning of a new month so I had group meetings to attend.

At Diva’s Regina had four Christmas banners she had completed to share with us. They all used Christmas carols as the themes for the blocks. She said she will put one up and then replace it with another the next week. All the thread she uses makes my mind boggle.

Noel showed us a fun nine patch she had done years ago of her husband to demonstrate what she was working on. She has a cartoon of her grand daughter that she was cutting up in the same fashion to make for her a Christmas gift. It was cute but still all in pieces.

Tanya came to the studio yesterday and we made silk paper. I have more material for my rock quilts now.

Progress Report: Grounded I am to the fun part of this project now. I do enjoy the free motion work so very much. I am outlining the leaves- each in a different colored thread as my quilting on this one. I am about half way done with the process.

Christmas Cards I took time to make a batch of Christmas cards this week too. I am finally using the great printed papers that I got from the British Museum. Simple but enjoyable.

Williams Quilt I finally got the images transferred to fabric this week. I plan to really concentrate on this project now as I want it finished in two weeks if possible. The fabrics are all washed and ready for cutting. It was fun looking for the topic fabrics on the list. Nancy found the brownie print fabric for me.

Label Blocks Two more blocks numbers 28 ans 29. Soon I will be one forth done with this project. I do need and infusion of labels though as it seems I am getting near the bottom of my box. I will just have to ask for help with this.

Keep Creating

Carol

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Category Archives: William’s Quilt

Winter

Reflection

Solicits

Mild Days

Paying Attention

Moving Along

Creative Fiber Collage Artist Carol Boyer