THE QUILT WILL TELL YOU......

 How many times have you heard....."listen to what the quilt says?"  It's a comment that might be dismissed if it wasn't so darn true.

My current project is small, only about 22" w x 17" L and yet it has been yapping away at me from the beginning.  And yes, I am listening, maybe not fast enough but I am paying attention!

My current in-progress step has been to add hand embroidery to the background.......when yet again, the quilt started speaking very loudly.  I - 'the quilter' wanted to add dense embroidery, but 'the quilt' didn't want me to continue, no matter which approach I tried.  

Sorry about the inaccurate color but you'll get the idea.....three different stitching styles that only served to compete against the trees.  I'm back on track now.....coming soon.

LET THE HAND WORK BEGIN!

 Hours and hours have gone into stitching these trees......in part it's because I don't free motion stitch so lots of turning of the quilt is required.  I achieve much better results this way so for me it's okay to take the time to do it right the first time.

Now some serious hand embroidery will be the next step.  I've always enjoyed handwork and am looking forward to some peaceful stitching.  Check back won't you?

STITCHING BRANCHES

The process continues as my trees 'grow'.....crazy how long it takes to stitch branches!! 5 hours in and only 3/4th of the largest tree have been completed. I'm using two solid color threads in the needle (dark brown and goldish brown). All threads are pulled to wrong side, both at starting and stopping point, and tied off.  

So...... I need to remind myself....this isn't a race!  

Art Quilt Rescue & Sip & Snack

 The struggle to rescue my latest art quilt design. continues.  Several more attempts to make something out of the gel printed stone path have not be satisfactory.  New approaches are either too much or too little additional texturing of the stones.....so....I'm covering them up.  Well not totally but they will no longer be the emphasis.

A fellow quilter invited me to join her for what she cleverly calls Sip & Snack.  This isn't ordinary snacking......it's actually worthy of a classy restaurant.  thank you Toni!

 

ANY EXCUSE FOR AN OUTING

 My newly purchased eyeglasses had to go back to the manufacturer to replace the defective coating. That required  purchasing another pair to tide me over for the 2+ weeks the original pair would be gone.  

Circumstances caused a mix up and my new snazzy red glasses also had to be remade, but finally both were ready for pickup....and an outing was born.  

My neighborhood pal Susan & I headed to Eye Chicks in Loomis, CA (I covet their extensive selection of cool 'specs') with a side trip across the street to High Hand Nursery. (No wonder we get along so well...she's an Appleton, WI native!!)

It's a fabulous garden nursery and cafe where their creative displays made me smile and lunch in the garden setting was wonderfully relaxing and delicious.  Enjoy our discoveries. I even posed for a photo or two donned with my new red glasses. Susan, and avoid gardener was talked into modeling too.

Does anyone know what kind of tree this is....beautiful!!

PLAN B

An idea was brewing to utilize some of the gel printed fabrics recently created featuring a pattern from a plastic sink mat. After some trimming to highlight their shapes, they became a stone path. Okay that worked....but the next design idea didn't..... So, I'm now on a pause trying to come up with Plan B. 

BLOCK PRINTING

I came across th is video which will give you a good appreciation about just what goes into creating block printed fabrics......

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIgn9QHPPz6/

READY SET PRINT

 I'm back printing on the gel plate again. The weather isn't cooperating with my notion to work in the garage so I'm trying to be careful working in my studio which is (yuck) carpeted.  This time I'm attempting to create 'grunge' fabric.  It's MESSY....but I think I've achieved some good ones.

Because the use of acrylic paints can make fabric a bit stiff, from time to time I use Liberty of London Lawn cotton.  Some might gasp at using this precious fabric in such a manner, but since I have a nice amount in solid colors I'd probably never otherwise use, the outcome provides a lovely softer 'hand'.

ROSEVILLE QUILT GUILD SHOW

 The Roseville quilt guild show was so delightful....their theme was Red and White.....What a stunning display.  The Feathered Star opportunity quilt was a masterpiece!

Even though I volunteered several times to measure and label the vast amount of donated fabrics (which was presented along with an incredible amount of quilting tools and supplies) it was impossible to grasp just how much they had acquired over a year.

Take a look - 48 tables FILLED with fabric, plus bins, quilt racks, and other display options to hold these treasures.  Talk about bargains - full yard fabrics = $3.00 and if one hung around long enough...prices were reduced mid afternoon on the last day.  Sales were brisk!

BREAD MAKING TODAY

Don't we all love the smell of bread baking in the oven!?  Cookie baking runs a hot 2nd in my aroma favorites.

Pasta Carbonara with petit peas & the incomparable Nueske's  black pepper crusted bacon absolutely calls for crunchy Artisan freshly baked bread......oh yummmm.....  Note to self.....add 30 minutes more to morning forced march for the next couple of days!

ORANGE CRUSH

 One gel print among the many I just created stood out.  It gave me the idea to make a companion piece to complement another recently framed art quilt.

It'd be great for both of these pieces to be hung together.  SPECIAL PRICING for the pair.  Shipping via USPS Priority available - US only. Contact me for details and additional photos.

ORANGE CRUSH - 13" X 13"

Vintage Indonesian block printed cotton batiks, gel plate printing on cotton, hand-dyed & commercial white on white cottons. Fused raw edge appliqué, hand embroidery, and pieced.  Wrapped on canvas frame & secured in a black wood frame without glass.

WHITE SWAN LILY - 13" X 13"

Cotton batiks, fused motifs with appliquéd edges, machine thread play and quilted.  Wrapped on canvas frame & secured in a black wood frame without glass.

 

A TEASE

 A little more teasing before I can share the finished piece...inspired by my recent marathon of gel printing. I've forgotten just how much time handwork takes vs machine....but chicken scratching is worth it!!

IMPATIENT!!

 Couldn't wait....already creating with one of the new gel prints. Looking at this photo....I realized the backside is just as interesting.

WISE WORDS

I saw this on one of the online groups I belong to. So very, very profound. 

PLAYING WITH GEL PLATE

 My stash of gel plate fabrics was getting low....a great reason to spend two days printing more.  I need to rethink how I'll do it in the future.  My studio, is a spare bedroom, though it has an ensuite bathroom it's not sufficient to handle the messy constant clean up nor is a carpeted floor the best option of where to work.

That said, lots of trips back and forth to the laundry room's big sink provided plenty of 'steps' for those days.

Here's a peek at some of my results. Note to self.....do not dry outside in the covered patio....it acts like a wind tunnel!

Stay tuned....I already have a project idea banging around in my head!

NEW PATH REWARDED

I dipped my toes into a new (for me) design pond. Growing up with Mid-Century Modern decor, the current trend to that style hadn't tempted me until recently.

AND....I'm glad I did because my first attempt already found a new home.

"Revisiting Mid-Century Modern" - 15" x 12" 

SOLD

Hand-dyed cottons, raw edge appliqué, thread play details & quilted

LINKING TO NINA-MARIE'S OFF THE WALL FRIDAY

CHRISTMAS IN MAY???

 A gal after my own heart.....a long time follower and collector of my work just purchased 2 large covered journals.....yes, for Christmas gifts!!  Very impressive forward thinker!!  Thank you Kris.

I will have them at the Heritage Placer Vineyards Artisan Faire May 31st., however you can jump the line and purchase them now and have it sent directly to your home.  Or pick one up at my home if you are local.

Since shipping has become more costly, this option would be best if purchasing two.  Shipping cost for 2 is $10 for flat rate USPS - US sales only.....

Each includes a composition book...large journal books alone typically cost $4.12 at Staples.  It measures 7.5" x 10.5". 

First three photos are large sizes.  Last photo are mini books measuring -  3.25" x 4.5".  Great for one's purse or tote bag!

Contact me for pricing and availability of the various sizes & designs.