FAILURE??

 Geesh.....some projects are simply hair tearing experiences. I RARELY give up on a piece, in fact I can't remember the last time I did!

My current art quilt is now on its 3rd try! I spent an entire day gel printing purples/pinks and other "sunset" colors onto white cotton fabric. After overnight drying, the following day I was raring to tackle a scene depicted in a photo (thank you Sonja M.) posted in our community Facebook page. No matter how I manipulated the fabrics, the design failed to materialize. 

So I gave up working with those printed fabrics and decided to begin by creating a tree in silhouette form. It took me hours and hours to thread paint the shape onto water-soluble film. Once the film was dissolved I realized the stitching was too dense. Humm...will I make another thread tree or shift to fabric??

And finally more time was (perhaps) wasted as I attempted to 'dye-paint' the background fabric to obtain a less harsh appearance.

It has not been a joyful time in the Stori studio these last few days....stay tuned....I'll either solve the design problems or become bald. FYI: Sonja's inspiration photo is the last one posted here.....

TWEET TWEET

 JUST finished....30 mins. ago!!

Inspiration struck after noticing so many recent posts and references to bird nests.  Nature at her finest!

                                   TWEET TWEET - 15” x 15”

 AVAILABLE in online shop

Artist ice-dyed silk noil, gel printed cottons, rust dyed 

felted wools, batiks.  Raw edge fused appliqué, machine 

quilted. Double fold binding, hanging sleeved attached.

NEGLECTED BLOG.....

 I realized I've been neglecting this blog......so few readers access blogs these days, reverting to Facebook instead where I tend to post more regularly. My bad!!

I'm often asked where my design ideas come from. I don't have a written 'list' that I refer to, rather inspiration can hit from repeated images or a specific subject that I'm exposed to repeatedly, in a short amount of time, or one that begins as an itch and over time, needs to be scratched.

I wasted no time beginning a new project after the close out of our communities Spring Artisan Faire this past weekend. This theme was definitely a result of similar posts I've seen very recently. Can you guess where I'm heading??

NEW WORK - LADIES OF THE WOODS

 The redo of the silk noil from my previous post certainly was an inspiration for this new piece.

LADIES OF THE WOODS - 13” x 13”

$150

Artist dyed silk noil, mono printed cottons, Ultra-Suede, 

raw edge fused appliqué, & thread play. Wrapped on a canvas 

frame & secured in a black wood frame without glass. 

NOTE: White birch trees are so named because they 

are the first trees to leaf out in the spring.

I HEAR IT CALLING

 No sooner did the re-do on a piece of silk noil that had been previously dyed become dry.....it started calling me.

I wanted to add one more small framed piece to my inventory for the upcoming our Heritage Placer Vineyard Artisan Faire (May 2nd), happily that piece sold within hours of sharing it online.

Of course that was all the push I needed to hear the call of this newly revamped piece of fabric.  Here's another look at the fabric inspiration and a how I'm integrating it into a new design.  Watch for the reveal soon....

 

MY SISTER'S FAVORITE FLOWER

 A display of Lily of The Valley plants caught my eye recently and the images have stuck with me, mainly because it was a favorite of my twin sister.

Perhaps it will be one of yours too.  Now available.  SOLD YEAH....ANOTHER SUPER FAST SALE IN 5 HOURS....  

LILY OF THE VALLEY -  13” x 13”

SOLD

Genuine rare vintage Shweshwe & Kashmel Indigo cotton, printed in England & South Africa under names such as 3 Cats. Batik and commercial cottons. Raw edge fused appliqué, hand embroidery.

Prismacolor enhancement. Wrapped on canvas frame & secured in a white wood frame without glass. 

REDO

 This piece of Procion dyed silk noil has been quietly asking for its turn for quite awhile.  Despite fondling it numerous times, it wasn't connecting with any design ideas.

Often my designs are inspired by the fabric itself.....this one, not so much.  What the heck....the light areas were distracting...why not make them go away?

Out came several tan/brown acrylic paints which I diluted with water and "painted" the solution in the offending areas.

Now we are talking....I mean the fabric and me......

WITH THE WIND

Each new piece is greeted with enthusiasm and challenges, that's what I love about creating one-of-a-kind art quilts.  Waking up each day anxious to get back in the studio, even after all my years of quilting is a true gift.

Here's the newest one now available for purchase.

WITH THE WIND -  21” x 31”

Click on gallery shop link at top or side for details.

Japanese cottons, layered sheers, metallic thread, water-soluble image enhancement, raw edge fused appliqué, machine quilted, double fold binding, hanging sleeve attached.

TIPS AND TRICKS

 I was preparing this post to share some tips/tricks that I've resorted to while working on my current art quilt. An internet pal Peggy just happened to post frustration about the excessive amount of fraying (even on good quality fabrics) she's been experiencing. (

Because I'm such a perfectionist, I can NOT tolerate frayed edges on raw edge applique. It drives me nuts!! So even though my solution adds extra steps during construction........I do it anyway for carefree applique with great results.

TIP #1. I take all the precautions in my bag of tricks to avoid fraying.

(a) Spray starch the fabric before cutting (b) Use paperbacked fusible adhesive which for me requires less handling than the temporary stick and reposition adhesives. (c) My secret weapon: Fray Block by June Tailer. I squeeze a small amount at a time into a small plastic cup (think NyQuil dosage cups). Then using a very thin inexpensive artist brush I apply this clear liquid to the edges of the appliqué motif that has already been fused in place. Let dry.... Enjoy care-free appliqué. CREDIT....The best applique artist I know, Linda Cantrell taught me this.....

TIP #2. You've got fabric that has the exact shape, size with motifs you wish to feature, but it the color blends into the background. There are a number of ways I handle this problem. but here's what I did on my current project. Instead of appliquéing with invisible or matching color thread, using a high contrast thread allows the motif to 'pop'.

TIP#3. Nearly the same problem as tip 2.....the 'bird' fabric that fit my theme yielded the right size, shape but NOT the right color. The motifs didn't stand out enough. Even outlining wasn't going to help in this case. So, I used a white water-soluble wax pastel to lighten the fabric.

I'm tackling one final problem in my design right now....I expect there will be another answer in a 2:00 AM thought!! Visit again, won't you?

BRAGGING ON MY TALENTED FREIND

 Long time friendships are precious.  While working for TWA in Chicago my roommate (Sandy) and I met and married roommates (Steve & David).  Interestingly, we all were born and raised in Wisconsin.

Now 61 years later we continue our friendship.  Sadly, we lost Steve a few years ago, but never forgotten.  What's more surprising, none of us ever expected to leave the midwest, but we find ourselves in Roseville & Clovis. Life sure has surprises.

Sandy has developed talent as a watercolor artist and sent me this rendition of our Clyde, NC home.  Yes, long time friendships are precious!

PLAY TIME

 With the Easter holiday weekend now upon us and looking forward to family coming.....I still managed to get in a little play time yesterday.

I lent my book "Embellishing With Felted Wool" to a friend which got me digging into a couple of bins filled with felted wool.  Naturally, I was inspired all over again and this time in a new direction.

One piece had a discolored line.....no problem....out came my gelli plate and pretty soon I was printing various designs onto small pieces of felted wool.

Why?  Who know how my mind works??  But I am having fun creating small baskets/bowls with the reimagined felt pieces.

SUNNY SIDE UP!!

 It's rewarding to put the finishing touches on some of the small projects I've created for our community upcoming Artisan Faire.

SUNNY SIDE UP!!  - 12” x 12”

Commercial cottons, raw edge appliqué,

 mounted on canvas covered frame.

Finished backing, prepared for hanging or consider displaying this piece on a small table top easel.

STRUTTING

It's rewarding to finish a couple small projects that have been patiently waiting their turn!

 

STRUTTING - 12” x 12”

$45

Vintage indigo dyed & commercial cottons, 

raw edge appliqué, machine quilted, mounted on 

canvas covered frame. Prepared for hanging or display 

on a small tabletop easel.

HELLO SPRING!!

NO, I don't work this fast......often there's only time to squeeze in  an hour or two in the studio at a time.  So....sometimes projects evolve slowly, such as this one.

                                                                   HELLO SPRING!! - 12” x 16.5”

Indigo dyed cotton, batiks, mono printed fabric,

Raw edge appliqué, machine quilted.

PLAYING!!!

After completing two large landscape pieces back to back, a whimsy smaller art quilt idea has caught my attention.....

Come back soon to see the finished results.

NATURE'S HARMONY

 With some serious 'seat time" in the studio.....it's now finished and ready to find a forever home.    SOLD

NATURE'S HARMONY - 23" x 33"

SOLD

Authentic Japanese cotton, hand dyed & mono printed fabric, oil pastels, dense thread blending, fused appliqué, machine quilted, faced edges, hanging sleeve attached.

SLOW BUT STEADY

Work continues........I've now cut and auditioned the bamboo leaves pinned in place using my design wall. (what did we do before we had design walls....so very helpful!!)

Next begins the machine appliqué.....I use an open toe walking foot but not FMQ.  Yes, it take more time as the quilt needs to be turned every couple of stitches but I have much more control that way.  Being a perfectionist does not mean projects go quickly!

Stay tuned for what comes next, won't you???

SLACKING OFF ON MY POSTS

 It's been awhile.......been dealing with a severe allergic reaction to a spider bite but after losing 9 days of creativity.....I'm now back in my happy place, just stitching away.

My newest landscape piece has taken a new direction after lots of time to reflect on where it was going.  So here's how it's progressed.  Stay tuned, won't you??

 

RIDICULOUS INDECISION

 My once very large stash of Asian fabrics has shrunk!  Well, meaning the type of designs I favor working with are nearly gone.  Because I do love a challenge, I've been pondering what to create with the midsize prints that don't easily coordinate with each other.

Okay I have an idea....and idea however is not necessarily a plan!  Yet again, I cut, piece, enlarge working size and almost immediately take apart to reduce it.  Gosh, lately so much indecision has me in a tizzy.

No sense providing comments for these photos illustrating the growth, shrinkage, and then enlargement of the piece.....enough to say the width and length are hopefully now established.  Hours of thread stitching is complete and I'm ready for the next step.

Not sure when that will happened because I have another mysterious rash and swelling on my ankle and 1 foot.  The foot is so swollen it looks similar to a huge glove balloon.  It's so painful I've had to retreat to my recliner with ice packs.  Naturally this gal is not a happy camper!!  Am I allergic to California??  Do check back though!

SPECIAL WNC DESIGNED FABRIC.

 The one...the only.... Georgia Bonesteel continues to inspire quilters everywhere with her creativity and designing skills.

In conjunction with Beginnings Quilt Shop https://www.beginningsquiltshop.com/

a very limited two-color way fabric design has now been printed.  The motifs bring smiles to all who know and love Western North Carolina, especially those areas around Hendersonville and Flat Rock.

Contact the shop to obtain your collectors' fabric right now.  Georgia shared some with me and I can't wait to develop just the right quilt to show off these treasures.

Georgia has selected some of her own well known quilts for sale.....visit her website for details.  

https://www.georgiabonesteel.com/

We all are aware of the Appalachian Trail.  Of course Carl Sandburg and George Masa are highlighted.  See how many other images you can recognize. 

GETTING TOGETHER

 Participating with a small quilt group has been part of my life prior to travel teaching and now after retirement.  Each meeting we all go home reinvigorated, inspired, and ready to create.  Six of us gather monthly to share our current projects, get and give advice/suggestions, and enjoy general chit chat.

This is a diverse group.....there are 2 long arm quilters, 1 heirloom quilter, 1 very enthusiastic new quilter, 1 who loves it all, and me, the art quilter.

My camera didn't come out fast enough to photograph all the work shown, however the pictures are an example of how we can learn different approaches from each other.

This is a panel (from Angela Walters) that Teddy is using to practice free motion skills.  

 Judy, our heirloom sewer is creating 3 identical lap quilts, using blocks and fabric started by a relative who has passed away.  There is an incredible amount of hand embroidery and digitized sewing utilized for the quilts that will be given to family members.

This is the center block.

Nancy is one of the long arm quilter.  A retired University professor her attention to detail and preciseness is very apparent.  She has stacks of beautiful quilts she's created.

As quilters we all love to share....so whether you do it in person or online......pass on your love of quilting!!!