Good morning, and please forgive me for being late on this post. I like everyone at one time or another I got off track. I enjoyed my walk yesterday and loved noticing the wonders of spring. I spotted my first Robins- two males singing at full throat in the top of two different trees. At ground level I saw Snow Drops and Wind Flowers showing there faces through the soil. My Tulips are pocking through- only about an inch It always makes my heart light. When I got home I was informed that we were having guests- so I spent my morning cleaning up in preparation for that instead of doing this project. We had a good time and I enjoyed seeing the old friends but by the time they departed it was late and I like to do this project with a clear mind. I think what I really have learned from this is that I just might start before Thursday morning to build the blog.
Progress Report: Blue Frogs- Adventure Challenge
This quilt is coming along. I did a bit of shifting of the frogs and now I like the lay out. I have started to do a bit of reflective quilting around the out side of the frogs to keep the undulating feel.
This close up shows the how the striped fabric makes the movement of the knots show when you tie this frog. I intend to explore this knotting frog technique a bit more .
Spiraling Out
As this view shows I am still adding buttons to the spiral. My wonderful friends at the Tea Cups and QEG’s meetings gave me additional buttons and I am making progress. I showed this quilt in progress at the meeting on Tue and got some great feed back on how to do my facings in a more accurate fashion too. So I tried that method on one of the other quilts this week. I like the effect. It is great to have lots of feed back on what one is doing.
Crimson Diminished DMC VI
I had this quilt laid out last week. This is the sixth quilt where I am still using the limited pallet from the DMC project. I have added the text like fabric in this case. I think there is just enought to build one more piece to complete this series. I have added ruby beads and silver roses to the surface here . I am quilting with the machine in a geometric pattern that is created by the shapes of the pieced units. I am enjoying this project and over doing as I always do.
Cycling Circuits
This is just one corner of this quilt. I am done with the quilting step and I am applying the new facing technique that Noel told me about at the QEG’s meeting. She also had a great suggestion for a better way to face shapes that I intend to apply to the next work were I use that idea. I have several ideas for what I want to do in the openings and will work at that prat of the process this week.
I intend to keep enjoying the wonders of spring this week .
Button Necklace Instructions: Carol Boyer March 2012
Step A. Sizing the necklace:
1. Sort your buttons by size into at least five stacks. You need the most buttons in the smaller sizes and as few as five of the biggest ones. ( but do not worry if you do not have a lot of the smallest ones- I usually do not use them too much after the first group of 5(the first two inches) and the last 5( final two inches) of the necklace construction. I usually throw in a few “Fancy” and or color contrast buttons too to add interest. Now you are ready to begin constructing the necklace.
2.Using crochet Hook #6 start by chaining through a shank button twice( I tend to choose a color that is different from the basic color of the necklace so I can find it easily when I am wearing the finished necklace)
3. Then chain for 20”. Taking note of this point- chain 12 more stitches slipping the last one into the end of the 20 stitch to create a loop. Now stitch over all the stitches in the loop until you have returned to the 20” section.
4. At this point chain through all the stitches back to the button.
5. Using safety pins- mark the 10” location on the chain between the button and the loop. (I usually put two pins here so I can easily see its location as I work back.) Then mark with safety pins every two inches on the chain.
Step B Adding the buttons:
1. Using the hook and thread turn back one stitch toward the loop end of the chain.
2. Skipping one stitch then slip the hook into the second stitch and make three stitches that hang below the chain.
3. With the third stitch slip the hook through one of the buttons form the smallest pile (you may need to change to the smaller hook to do this process)
4. With the hook, grab a bit of the thread and pull it through the whole in the button and make a stitch with it.
5. Now Stitch back through the first stitches until you are back to the base chain.
6. At this point set aside a button of similar size to the one you just used to be used at the other end of the necklace.( I usually put the set aside buttons in a zip lock bag that I mark A)
7. Chain into the base row, skip a stitch and chain in again.
8. Now you are ready to add the next button by chaining down three stitches.
9. Repeat steps 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 about five times or until you reach the safety pin. **
Step C Adding two buttons
1. Skip one stitch and chain down three stitches.
2. Slip your hook through the next size up button from your collection and pull the tread back through the loop so the button is on the thread.
3. Now chain down two more stitches and add a button (one of your smallest ones if you have enough to do so) in the same manner as you did the first five times.
4. Now carefully chain up the whole five stitches back to the base chain, being careful not to pull the thread too tightly so the hanging units become stiff.
5. Chain into the base row over two stitches.
6. Start as second zip lock bag to hold the matching buttons for the second two inches on the second half of the necklace. Mark this bag B
7. Repeat steps 1 to 5 under heading C adding buttons to the necklace base and to the bag as you proceed to the next safety pin. **
Step D Adding three buttons and four buttons
1. Skip one stitch and chain down three stitches.
2. Slip your hook through the next size up button from your collection and pull the tread back through the loop so the button is on the thread. (This is the third size)
3. Now chain down three more stitches and add a button (one of your second sized ones.) in the same manner as you have been doing.
4. This time you chain down two more stitches and add the smaller button to the bottom before you turn and chain back up to the top. Again be careful not to pull too much so the chain is stiff. Begin bag C with matching buttons.
5. Chain into the base row over two stitches and repeat step four. Do this action three times.
6. On the fourth trip down you add one more button any were along the way that you feel it needs it. I usually feel the necklace needs and extra button near the top. Do this for drop rows four and five and you should be to the next safety pin. **
Step E Adding five and six buttons
1. Skip one stitch and chain down three stitches. Now add one of your biggest buttons and chain down three more and add another button.
2. Continue to chain and add a buttons in ever smaller sizes until you have five in the line. Then chin back up the string to the base row. At this time I also start to add a novelty button into my mix if I have any. Start a new zip lock bag.
3. Chain into the base row over two stitches to start the next addition. You may increase to six buttons as you near the safety pin if you desire as this is the center of the necklace.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 as you proceed to the center safety pin. **
5. CONGRATULATIONS! You are half way done.
Step F Adding five and six buttons.
1. Skip one stitch and chain down three stitches. Again add one of your biggest buttons and chain down three more and add another button.
2. Continue to chain and add a buttons in ever smaller sizes until you have five or six in the line depending on you previous choices. Then chin back up the string to the base row. I continue to add the novelty buttons. Now you remove buttons from the zip lock bag and put them on the necklace.
3. Chain into the base row over two stitches to start the next addition. If you increased to six buttons try to decrease to five as you near the safety pin.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 as you proceed to the next safety pin. **
Step G Adding three and four buttons.
1. Skip one stitch and chain down three stitches. Now select a button from you bag marked C.
2. Slip your hook through the button from your collection and pull the tread back through the button.
3. Now chain down three more stitches and add a button (one of your second sized ones.) in the same manner as you have been doing. Repeat until you have four buttons on the chain before you turn and chain back up to the top.
4. Chain into the base row over two stitches and repeat step 3. Do this action two more times.
5. On the fourth trip down you add only three buttons before returning to the top. Repeat the three button addition twice. You should be at the safety pin. **
Step G Two buttons
1. Skip one stitch and chain down three stitches.
2. Slip your hook through the next size up button from bag B and pull the tread back through the loop so the button is on the thread.
3. Now chain down two more stitches and add a small button.
4. Chain back to the base chain.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 until you have reached the safety pin. **
Step H Final buttons
1. Skip one stitch then slip the hook into the second stitch and make three stitches that hang below the chain. Add a button from the bag marked A
2. Chain back to the base. Continue to do step 1and 2 until you have fie ore six buttons on the base or you have reached the loop.
3 Tie off the thread with two knots and weave the tail into the chain.
**
**GLUE**
I recommend that you do this every two inches or each safety pin- but you may not want to stop at the safety pins.
1. on a piece of scrap paper squeeze out a drop of white glue.
2. With a tooth pick dip into the glue and then slip the tooth pick into one of the stitches in each hang down row of the necklace. This little bit of glue dries clear and will assure that the necklace dose not pull apart.
CONGRADULATE yourself and wear you buttons with pride.
As I started the day this morning I noticed how dry my hands were feeling and I stopped and put some special hand lotion on them. I tend to get splits on the tips of my thumbs and index fingers in the winter. But I can keep that problem at bay if I pay attention and keep them well lubricated. I learned the value of my hands when I had to have a carpal tunnel operation and had to live without the use of my right hand( for me the dominate one) for six weeks. That was six years go now and I am fine- but I learned my lesson about the value my fingers are to my creative life! Hands have always been important to me and a subject of may drawings. I think every sketch book I have ever
Hand
created has at least one hand drawing in it. And one time in high school a drawing of friends hands won a ribbon in a school fair. I wonder if she still has the drawing. This drawing is from the current sketch book. My hands are not what I would call pretty, in fact I find the fingers short and stubby- but they are still my most reliable tool! They are get a lot of use on a daily bases from tying of shoes and putting butter on toast in the morning to opening pill bottles before bed. I have a needle threader on my sewing machine- but tend to do it by hand any way. And they are always giving me information about the texture of things. And texture is one of my passions. My friend Susan suggested that I may just love texture because the world has become very slick. Smooth cups, cans, handles, nobs, screens, surfaces and smooth phones as well as various other devices that we use every day. She does have a point- but I think that touching a texture is very reassuring and individualistic. A baby’s hair, the fur of a cat, the stubble of my husbands beard, a brad all are hair but have very different textures and I enjoy them all for their differences. When I mentioned my thing about textures at the Tea Cups meeting a second friend named Susie agreed-ed with me and went on top point out that texture catches the light better and is more attractive to the eye too. So I had better keep the lotion flowing on my fingers so they do not snag on my material as it passes through the machine on its way to becoming the next textural creation.
Progress Report
I seem to be a bit stuck on Blue Frogs. When I looked at the image at the end of the post last week I realized I did not like the lay out. So I put the work on the bottom of the stack and I have not looked at it for a week. Even in my minds eye I do not see a solution so I will continue to let is set. I did not touch Golden Rounds either. It is all ready for some intense work but I have not had a block of time to work on that type of thing this week.
Spiraling Out
This may be as far as I can go on this quilt for a while too. I have used over three fourth’s of the buttons that I had in the pale blue and purple. Most of them are from my Aunt May’s button box and some are from Grandmother Esters. It looked like so may until I started applying them. So I have asked a few of my friends to do a little searching to see if they can help me finish up the spiral. And I got some additional buttons already.
Sax Circles- DMC 5
This quilt is the fifth quilt using the DMC fabrics plus two additional ones. The pale blue green and the blue printed fabric are additional. The building process is similar to several of the others in this series as well. I am nearly finished with this work. I am going to mount it on black fabric and stretch it. I am working on different ways to present my work and this is just one more exploration. I may frame it when the stretching is done, that will be a decision I make later.
DMC 6
I was frustrated with Blue Frogs and the paper quilt so I moved on and created this new top with more of the left overs from the DMC fabrics. I do not have a title yet nor do I know were I am going with it. That will come with the process. I think there may be enough basic DMC fabric for one more small top and then I will have to close this combination. I have enjoyed it.
Cycling Circuits
I finished doing the back of this quilt this week. Then I added the circular appliques to the top. I am now ready to quilt the circuit connections into the work. I also want to add some painted lumiar in the openings. Because this quilt is about 40 inches wide and 44 inches long is it a much slower process than the other work I am doing. I like how it is going however.
Friends
This is a before shot of the top.
This is the newest form of my friend Sally’s top. She was unhappy with it and she sent it to me to work with. I decided that the shapes she had used were too big so I sliced them and added in three batiks of my own. All the additions were horizontal stripes- one in pinks, one in creams and one in blue purples. There simplicity worked with the others to break up the surface and not destroy the unity of the work.
I have quilted this quilt with words that describe my friend and how I feel about her. I put a heart between each word to make it easy to see were one ended and the next began. In looking at the quilt this morning I see that I will need to add additional row s of just the hearts in the spaces between the rows of words.
Mini 2
This is the next in the mini series. I am going to give it to the Meals on Wheels program for their fund raisor. I am also going to give them a small quilt- but I have not decided what one yet.
It is a bit gray this morning, but the last few days have been beautifully sunny. The planet is shifting slowly south and the sun dose shine into my studio that is on the east end of the house. I am not changing the time I rise so I am aware of the increasing light every morning when I enter. In a week I find I am no longer looking at the pin wall and seeing works in shades of gray and white. Color greets my eye and not just in the studio. The group discussion at QEG’s and the books on color that I have been reading have really made me aware of its presents. I even used my 3 in 1 color tool to make a choice when it came to color for one of my works this week.
Progress Report Adventure Challenge- Blue Frogs
Here is where I use the color tool. I would not have selected the “orange”- I see it as golden brown to add to this blue combination if I had not looked at the chart. I love the way the frogs are created with a continuous line. This idea is from the same book”, by Louis Ericson, Design It and Sew It Yourself. I know there will be more work with this idea. I find it so very fascinating.
Spiraling Out
My continuing fascination with the orange and blue combination has also lead to this new work. I really think the print fabric is mostly responsible though. I love how the artist put so many colors together and they really dance well. Not until I though of using fabric that had very little or no print of its own did I find a way to use it. This work is getting a texture treatment in the form of various buttons that will spiral out from and off center location. I started with an enamel button that I had purchased years ago. It has like the fabric always been such a strong bit that I have not been able to use it in the past. I do not think it will over power this work.
Sax Circles
This quilt top is an extension of the DMC project. I added two other pieces of fabric to the combo of the Crimson and blue green to do this one and I used the same construction method I used on the last three works in that group. I though that is needed a little kick of texture so I am adding to the surface. Years ago a friend gave me some old pads are from the keys of Saxophones. I painted some blue and aqua and now I am adding them to the surface to add the interest I think it needs. As you can see some of the pads took the paint better than others.
Cycle Circuits
This quilt is now a full top. I like the openings and that is just a continuing explorations thing for me. I am to the tedious part of this project were I have to carefully add the batting in between the openings and add parts to the back by building onto the facings of each opening too. I am much more excited about some of the other work I am doing so this keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the work stack.
Golden Rounds Paper Quilt I picked the paper quilt and after a bit of sketching, I started cutting away at it. I am not sure if I am done with the cutting- but I do like what is happening so far. I am thinking about adding beads in the opening to do a bit more Faggoting. It is worth a try
Mini’s Lastly I did frame two of the mini works. I am having trouble shooting them as they do show the light on the glass. I have though about that as I have been working this morning and I think I can conquer that problem if I put the light source from the side.
Mini1
I also want to get a little closer next time to show the detail more.
It has been a full week as they all seem to be. I will keep looking at and thinking about color and light in the days ahead.
When I walked into the studio this morning before I turned on the light I looked at the pin wall. Because the day is gray the light was not strong so the wall appeared in colors of darks, grays and tans. Is this what a color blind person sees all the time I wondered? I love color and it dose effect my life. I am keenly aware of red this week for lots of reasons- Valentines day being a big part of that. I was a hostess and had to bring balloons as table decorations to the luncheon on Tuesday. Getting four of these clusters of balloons in the car was a challenge. But the process made me smile all day long. I have one cluster in the studio now and I am still grinning about the whole idea. My husband gave me Red Roses for the holiday too. They are another study in the wonders of red. Color is a strong influence on my life.Color is so very complex. There are labels like tint, shade and hue. They are used to label feelings like” black moods”, ” seeing red”, and “feeling blue”. We all have our favorites and colors we dislike for various reasons. Angela’s suggestion from the QEG’s meeting was that we study color, so I have purchased two books on that subject.( there are lots of them) I intend to read do some exercises and see if I can build some additional color confidence. In the mean time I will keep my eyes open and try to be more aware of the color that fills my world, being thankful that I see them.
Biases Bound is now done. Those biases strips sure started a lot of different projects and I learned a lot about color using them too. I am still enjoying the process and plan to try to work again with solid fabric strips on the next one.You can see from the close up how complex the strips were and understand why they frustrated me a bit. I do like the way they look however. As you can see I have added the size to the title section of the blog. I am not sure if this is were it will remain- but I feel it is and important bit of information about the quilt. I also am trying to find a standard small item to add to my close ups so the viewer will get a sense of scale there as well. A postage stamp perhaps……
Paper Quilt – Rocks and Water 13.5″X22″
Rocks and Water
I am quite happy with how this quilt finally resolved its self. My wanting the “river” like cuts to be uneven did not make it an easy process however. I like the use of the purple ribbon in the back as it adds to the depth of water feel I was after here too. The process is still a challenge to me so I will keep working in this fashion for at least a few more pieces. I can see so many ways to keep adding and playing with this concept- adding buttons or beads on top. More fabric and how about paper from other sources? Fun in the future.
Black White and Burgundy 18″X 24″. I am trying new ideas for presentation of my work. Some where I read about mounting art quilts on canvas. I do not remember where I read this or the exact method the author was pushing so I had to try my own thing. I just stitched the work to the surface- only at the top this time.
Black, White and Burgundy
This quilt grew out of the Adventure Challenge . I made this background for the biases work and it is strong- but far too much action for the biases strips. I like the color balance here. The mounting process does shows off the quilting well. I like the way the beads show up here as well.
I am learning that I must really keep myself in check when I am building a small back because I get into the design process so much this type of thing happens. The work that I referred to at the beginning of the blog is one where I have let that happen. Over doing is so easy for me.
Mini Series I have lots of old quilts. Some I am reworking like ” The Moon She Called Me” ( Feb 2 posting), but after talking with my friends Barbara and Beth at there studio a few weeks ago- they suggested I look at some of the older work and try to make them into smaller units. Here is my attempt. This quilt- Juggling a Friendship was 38″X44″ and it was created in 1994. Now I feel there is just too much happening in this work so seeing it is a prim candidate for the cut up. I made a frame with a 5″X7″ opening and moved it around on the surface until I found an area I though was pleasing. Then I pulled up my courage and cut…….. I kept moving around the surface until I ended up with a dozen little works that are about 7″X9″. That size because then I can put them easily in standard matts and frames. I then zigzagged around the raw edges to stabilize them. I discovered that the edges would not warp as much if I put paper under the edges. The picture shows the pile of mini’s with the paper bound pieces in the top. It is going well I think and I am happy with the little works. Now I am off to do the framing and the glass. I hate to admit that the pile of scraps is calling up a new idea too……..
I hope you are all being creative and enjoying the wonders of the season. Have a productive week.
This last week has been an especially active one for me. It really started last Thur evening. My friend Barbara had encouraged me to enter an art show with her. The title of the show was “Figurative Art”, and she remembered some of my older quilts with figures in them. So I pulled the work and went to Rome NY to the Arts Center there with Barbara two weeks ago and entered my work along with her. To my delight I was accepted and the reception was last Thur eve. Again Barbara made the drive to Rome and went to the reception. The show although small, only forth pieces was very strong for a first time show in this venue. Barbara had all four of her pastels accepted and won a fist place ribbon for one of her works.
Barbara at show with work
I had two pieces in the show and got an Honorable Mention for my piece “Gals in Green.” After the awards ceremony I was approached by a fine couple who really were drawn to the work. We talked a bit and they later informed me that they had purchased my piece. I was/am so excited by this I still can not believe it has happened. I did not know how validating it can be to have a stranger be so taken by your work that they wish to poses it. I get all sparkly inside when I think about it.
Gals In Green
Tue was the other big day this week. I am fortunate to be a part to two different Art Critique groups. They bot consist of about a dozen women and bot happen to meet on the first Tue of each mouth. One meets at noon and the other in the evening. Not only do they become a goal post for the completion of work on a monthly basis, but they also are great places to get feed back on work in progress and stimulation for new ideas. At the noon group- called Quilt Exploration Group or QuEG’s for short we ended up talking a lot about color. This grew out of my showing all the DMC challenged together.
The color interpretation element alone is one of the most complex elements of this project. The Crimson has created three interpretations here showing various hues and values. The same can be said of the other two colors. I am excited about the idea of working on this aspect of my work with others over the next few mouths.
The DIVA group is the one that meets in the evening. I was really excited by Cindy’s work. She uses big swatches of color with such confidence and power.
Here is an example of one of her new pieces. I like how the muddy brown that represents the flood waters passes through the work.
Ruth also had a great piece at the meeting. She is creating cell like shapes with silk and her quilts are wonderfully rounded shapes with openings.
Ruth with one of her cell quilts
The other person’s quilt I want to show from the meeting is a part of Sharon’s quilt. She is doing this huge work to hang in the chapel of the cancer unit of the hospital. I will add her web sight to the blog when she posts it and you can checkout the total work there. This is only a shot of the crown but you can see the hands of the children are woven into the branches in a beautiful fashion.
Healing Tree
All this activity has my brain going at a fast pace. Now to get a little sit down time to work at the machine myself.
Progress Report
Adventure Challenge- Sand Bar
I created the background of this work for the Bias project. But it was too soft. So when I was looking to try a second Adventure Challenge I started out with it. I saw the Yo-yos and like the idea. I added the beads as well for additional texture. I need to finish tacking down the facings and the sleeve and this quilt will be complete.
Sand Bar in progress
Pillows- Twinkling Tracings
Beth's Pillows
I created these two pillows to go on the white leather couch to accompany the Twinkling Tracings quilts that I completed in early Jan. I used the extra fabric strips to make the surface. The blue lines are similar to the ones on the quilt units only much narrower. I will deliver these this eve.
Paper Quilt I am continuing to work on this paper quilt. I do not have a title yet, but feel it will be something with flowing water, because it makes me see a river pattern and the paper “rocks” created from the wholes continue that feeling.
The purple is a ribbon that I am thinking about adding in the cracked sections of this work. I am having fun on this piece even if I am very unsure about were it is going.
Valentines I love to get hand made valentines so I like to make a few to send to friends. I cut a stamp of hearts from an eraser on Monday and stamped some white fabric with it that day too. Yesterday I collage some net, ribbon and the stamped images together for my cards. They will go into the mail on Friday.
Valentines 2012
I hope you all have a Happy Valentines day too. Keep Creating
The Spring like weather yesterday made me do a bit of cleaning and tidying up. Something I tend to put off as I want to get to work. But there were lots of piles of fabric sorted for furture projects- or at lest things I though would work together well. I put some fabric back on the shelves were it belongs and put the potential stuff in the yellow bins that I have for that purpose. It looks a lot better with the bins on the shelving were they go and the cutting table all cleared off. My goal for the bins is to keep all the parts of projects in one area. I then did a more of the same to the bay window. That area was filled with plants, painting supplies and lots of items that did not seem to belong any were else. After putting the paints back were they really go and watering the plants, I decided to give away the old printer that I have not even plugged in for over a year and a half . I can use the one in the computer/office room if I want to copy things. And de-cluttering the space was part of the mission. This morning I went confidently to the shelves with the yellow bins and started searching for a project. I remember putting the created, but unsuccessful parts in one bin. And in deed there was a bin full of just such items- but the background that I was looking for, the first one created for the basis project that was too soft in color, was not in the box. So I looked in all the bins…. no background. A side benefit of the cleaning the day before was that I had found some spring green fabric that I though would make great Yo-yo’s for the next Adventure Project. So I had cut the circles and did the work last eve while I watched TV and I wanted to scatter them on the background. “It has to be here,” I told myself. ” How could I lose it?” Then I looked across the studio to the area I had not cleaned. The chair serves as my staging area for work that I will do by hand had been overloaded and the pile had slipped to the floor. OK, I though, I will at least pick that up before I start the blog- and then look again for that back. So I plied the whole bit on my desk and sorted and folded. Found the lost back!
Adventure Challenge III
Lost Back
The yo-yo idea came from the next book I selected. It is called “The Art of Manipulating Fabric” by Colette Wolff. This one is only 8 years old.
Yo-yo's
Adventure Challenge I Bias Bound
This project got a lot of attention this week. The quilting is reflective of the actual bias lines. I am calling this Adventure Challenge I even though this was the third back that I created, the bias was the first book idea that I have tried. The idea of doing “frogs” is still in the idea stage , but it will come to the surface with time.
Adventure Challenge II, DMC 4 , Slight Slip
This quilt fits under all three ideas. I used Dawn’s fabric in her layout for this project (look at old blog to see layout). When I decided that I wanted to slice the quilt in two I did not consciously think about the Faggoting stitches with beads until later.
Slight Slip DMC 4
The close up is of the faggoting on the left and the metal beads across the center. I really like this look, but the process is very slow.
Slight Slip- showing Faggotting
This last detail shows the candle floats with clear beads in the centers. I like how this idea is similar to Sasha mirrors that are used in middle eastern works sometimes.
Slight Slip - close up 2
Pillow Tops I created these two pillow tops from the leftovers of Twinkling Tracings. They will include the blue fabric when completed and will accompany the wall pieces. I still have lots of leftovers so I am sure the color combinations will turn up again.
Pillow Tops
Wholes Series- Circular Openings I am still in love with wholes so I decided to start a new quilt in this vain. I also thought that this time I would create the shapes first and face them at the beginning. Then I would build the quilt around the pieces. I hope this is works.
Faced Circles
This shot shows the fabrics sewn together and ready for clipping and turning. After I have done that step I will sew as close to the seam as possible so that when it is flipped it will lie flat.
There is lots of work ahead of me this week . I will try to keep the studio tidy so I do not lose anything this time too.
This morning I blew a fuse and lost the power in the studio. What a way to make one come to a halt. As I sat in the pale light that came through my bay window on this gray day, I was suddenly aware of how much I depend on this magical stuff we call electricity. I was in the middle of sewing a seam so the stop really make me take notice. How many items were on before it happened I asked myself? The sewing machine of course, the two Ott lights on the desk, the two power bars of three lights that are over head, the iron, the two spot lights from taking pictures for the blog, the extra heat unit in the studio, and the light in the laundry room downstairs is also on this line. And did I leave the light on in the closet when I went for fabric, I wondered? That is a high demand, I thought, and some of that is unnecessary as well as a bit lazy on my part. So I went around the room and turned off things- including the sewing machine as I like to always use the switch to start it, and went down to the basement to throw the fuse in the box. In the process I discovered that the light for the area leading to the fuse box is also on that circuit and it was on because that leads to the laundry too. I do not think that I have more items then most folks, but I do think I need to be more mindful of what I am using. If the problem had been caused by a source that I could not fix my day would have really been stopped. So with that in mind I will try to use power carefully, remembering to turn things off when not in use and keep in mind what are the consequences of its loss. Electricity is a powerful material that one can easily take for granted until it is taken away. So to keep the magic of Electricity in my studio I will be a better steward of its use.
Progress Report
DMC Challenge- Limber Loss and Slight Slip
I finished up Limber Loss this week. I still need to do the pressing, but I am happy with the look. It continues the theme that was started with Amended Squares.
I like the way the units all work together here. In the detail one can see the metal additions. They are the units off the bottom of candles that allow the candle to float. In this case I trimmed off the points that stick into the wax. You can also see the close alignment of the bugle beads to create the circle
Detail
Slit Slip is coming along nicely too. I have completed the quilting and I am almost done with the facings.( you can see the last ones on the bottom. I plan to use beads between the two units to connect them and create one big irruglar shape with it.
Slit Slip
Re Work – The Moon She Called Me
I have given lots of works away this year as a part of my Project Divest , but there are some works that I am finding in that process that need a bit of sprucing up. So I have saved them to do just that. This old piece has been hanging on the back of the door for mouths. I decided to add a moon to the surface of the work and add some additional quilting. Here is were I am sorry to say that I have not taken enough photos so the progress is not documented. I am still learning. I made several moons and they have been rejected-Too small, too transparent, too busy and finally I created on that I was happy with. This Moon is water marked satin with dark fabric underneath and lots of free motion quilting on top.
The Moon She called Me
Adventure Challenge- Black,White, and Burgundy
This is another case were the the act of creating go away from me. I was having such a good time crating a background that it got far too complex. When I realized this I just kept going, but it will have to end in a different fashion as I do not want to use the bias strips on this surface, there is far too much action for that to work. I am still using the three colors that I had selected last week.
Black, White and Burgundy
Adventure Challenge- Bias Bound
This is the top I will apply the bias strips too. It is much quieter and I hope I can make it work. The same three colors are still in use. I an thinking that I will cut it down a bit too. But I must make the visual decisions visually.
Bias Bound
Paper Quilt
I had started this paper quilt last week. I think I am going to call it Crannies. But I still need to think on this title. At the moment it is cut and there are a few openings. This is and in progress piece.
Crannies- in progress
I have lots of options for this at this point and I am still running them around in my mind and on the pin wall.
I plan to spend a lot of time in the studio this week and hopefully make progress on many fronts. I hope to get the post from the 5th of Jan fixed this week too. Every entry gives me more confidence and helps me do a better job I think. There is still a long way to go- but each mistake is a part of the growth process.
It was so very cold this morning and still dark- I so wanted to stay in bed…….. But others needed rousing and the day would not do its self, so I rolled out and did the morning rituals. Still unexcited I then off to the studio. I had a “no mind” project to work on- the Scrap Happy quilt. So I stared by sewing on the pre-pinned row of blocks. Before I knew it I was sewing on the last row and an hour had passed. My mind was fully engaged in how I wanted to attempt the problem that was on the pin wall. I realized I had won against the winter doldrums……” Just DO IT” as the saying goes. It really dose work- that plus stopping on a project were the next step is obvious really dose not hurt either.
Progress Report
Pink Button Necklace
This project is now done. I am working on getting the instructions completed too. They will go up as a tutorial when that is finished. My goal is to have that complete by next Thur. I am still cleaning up details and I know I need to write read, re read let some time pass and check again before I put up instructions so it takes me time to do it correctly.
Adventure Challenge
Last week I talked about getting inspiration from some of my older books, and I think this will be a fun thing to do. I decided to use the Louis Ericson book Design&Sew it Yourself for the first project to try. I selected to do some work with bias strips. I loved the look of the frogs in the book so I sort of started with that in mind. But the material I selected- a black and white print was far too busy for the fancy work of the cords to show up. Perhaps later I can try that. So I built a background of light green, with a pale purple and white strip across it. Then making a visual decision visually, I decided that this did not show off the bias to its best advantage and created a new color combo to use the strips on. This works a lot better for my eye. So I will build a new platform for the bias work using these fabrics.
Blue Fantasy
I have been working on this quite little piece for a while. I hold onto fabric for a long time as I made the marbleized fabric in a class at Quilting By the Lake before 1985.
I enjoyed applying the bead work and french knots to the surface to enhance the marbleized area. It is now a completed work. I like the horizonal format and the close color palate.DMC Project
There are several quilts in this project that I worked on this week.
Amended Squares is the oldest one. As the pictures shows I have done a lot of the machine quilting and some bead work here. I feel that it is complete at this point.
This sloution is far less clutterd than the first attempt with this lay out. I am still very close to the works and find they both have strong points. I do feel that this one is a better place to work from for the next two in the series however and so I kept the others similar in feel and simplicity.
Limber Loss is the next one in the series and they are Marty’s colors and her lay out of the pieces. I think it is a fine complement to Amended Squares.Limber Loss is in the bead application process.
Slit Slip
This is the third in the revised DMC series. I really altered this lay out one- but I followed the rule 5- If you want to do it- DO IT. I am plan to join the two units with beads in the opening….. I hope I can pull this off successfully.
Paper Quilts
I enjoyed my work with the openings on the paper quilt that I worked on last week that my mind went running in a new direction with that concept. So I painted up two more colored paper piles and built two addition surfaces to work on. No titles yet but that will come as I play with the work. I am enjoying the process.
I have been working away in the studio as usual this past week. One of the things that I was finishing up was the commission- Twinkling Tracings. The last step in the studio when I am doing something as large as this one is, becomes the flattening step. I do the ironing thing of course, then while it is still a bit damp, I lay it out on the floor on top of a sheet. I put a second piece of fabric on top and then place my big cutting matt or 3 matts in this case, on top of that. The final bit is book stacks that cover the whole area of the quilt. I had almost all the books from my studio shelves on top of the quilts. It was quite a sight- but I did not think to take a photo….next time. Anyway, when I started pulling the books off the quilt and re-shelving them, I realized I had not looked in some of the books in years. So I paused, spread the covers of ” Design &Sew it Yourself” by Louis Ericson and Diane Frode, a book I purchased in 1988, and my mind was off and running. This book is directed at clothing embellishment- but the same ideas can be applied to fiber work. I decided that I would be adventurous and try to use these ideas in some of my new works for this year. I am in a different place then I was when I got this book- so it will now be used in a different fashion. The Adventure Challenge will be to pull a technique from the old books( I saved five as I was re-shelving) and combine it with a concept or idea that I am thinking about using in my art over the next year. Now I love books and have a big collection-I got five new fiber and art related books for Christmas. So I am not sure how much of a commitment I am making, but the adventure will be stimulating!
Progress Report
Paper Quilt-A Few Fishers
Close up A Few FracturesA Few Fishers- Jan 2012
A Few Fishers is the name of this new paper quilt. This first shot is a close up of the center area were you can see the painted paper and fabric as well as the sequin waste. You can also see the cut paper circle- pale purple- that was added and two of the reflective circles. The two openings have painted ground cloth behind them so you do not see the wall behind the quilt. The second shot is a full view of the final work. I need to add a hanging bar to this for total completion.
Scrap Happy-
Scrap Happy #355
Red and White
I am always working on what I call my Scrap Happy quilts. These are all full sized quilts that are made up of scraps from other works some of them are failed experiments. I just save the scraps and such in a box and when it is full I will assemble all the scarps into big sections that I then cut into 2.5 inch strips. The strips are then applied to both sides of a 4.5 inch strip that is cut into 8.5 inch blocks. A Roman Strip of sorts. The blocks are them arranged and built into a quilt. I build these to give away as fundraisers for organizations that I support and to give as gifts when I think someone needs a cozy wrap.
DMC Challenge- Circling Galaxies- Amended Squares-Limber Loss
This is the one going project were the limits were set by the three participants.
DMC Carol's layout
1.Each of us chose a color-Crimson, dark Turquoise and I chose blue green.
2.Size limit 18″X24″- with at least one irregular edge.
3.If you want to do it – then do it.
We each purchased material to fit the color choices in amounts to make three tops. We selected the location of the parts and pinned them to the selected back ground color. Then shipped our selection off to the other two. Extra fabric was shipped as well.
Circling Galaxies
Circling Galaxies
This one is my fabric selection so I started with it. I liked using lots of texture. I do feel that there is a lot going on in
this piece so I will try it again and try to be simpler with the presentation. There is always more than one solution and I am pron to try to put too much into a piece if I am not careful. I learned a lot about the irrugler shape challenge with this project.
1. Keep it simple
2. Make the protrusions at least an inch long
3. Press the corners and cut the binding at a 45 degrees
Amended Squares
Because I had a lot of fabric left over I tackled the problem a second time. I was going for a much simpler solution with this effort. I also wanted to use some unique metal candle floats that my friend Dorla had given me earlier this year. I liked the shape and thought they would work well with the triangle metal sequins that I had.
Amended Squares
This is a shot of the metal candle floats. They are sharp and I hope that they do not tear up the material.
Candle Floats
Limber Loss
DMC Project Marty's layout
This is the layout of Marty’s fabrics for the DMC projects. I am trying to stay in the same feel as I did with Amended Squares for this one as well and so I have cut and assembled it in this fashion.
Limber Loss- early
I am ready to trim this and start embellishing. I think I will use the metal candle floaters again- but see if I can change the shape a bit by trimming off the edges.
Capture
Capture
This is a quilt I am amending. The 3-D additions are plastic units that have big purple beads in the centers, and all of this is trapped under pale purple nylon net.
Capture - close up
The close up shows better how the beads are under the nylon netting. But I am still not sure this is how it will remain.
I seam to have lots of stuff in process at the moment and that is true. I may not get back to some of the problems quickly but I am sure that with time I will do so.
This quilt is coming along. I did a bit of shifting of the frogs and now I like the lay out. I have started to do a bit of reflective quilting around the out side of the frogs to keep the undulating feel.
This close up shows the how the striped fabric makes the movement of the knots show when you tie this frog. I intend to explore this knotting frog technique a bit more .
I had this quilt laid out last week. This is the sixth quilt where I am still using the limited pallet from the DMC project. I have added the text like fabric in this case. I think there is just enought to build one more piece to complete this series. I have added ruby beads and silver roses to the surface here . I am quilting with the machine in a geometric pattern that is created by the shapes of the pieced units. 
I am enjoying this project and over doing as I always do.
This is just one corner of this quilt. I am done with the quilting step and I am applying the new facing technique that Noel told me about at the QEG’s meeting. She also had a great suggestion for a better way to face shapes that I intend to apply to the next work were I use that idea. I have several ideas for what I want to do in the openings and will work at that prat of the process this week.
