THE MAGIC OF SHEERS

I enjoy sharing construction/design tips as my art quilts develop. Hummm.....seems I posted the completed piece prior to this tidbit. However, perhaps this technique will come in handy for you someday.

In order to achieve the appearance of transparency of the water, I resorted to covering the blue batik cotton print with sheer fabric. Often I'll dye or otherwise alter sheer fabric for color enhancement. This time I used just a white sheer. I began by fusing wonder under directly onto the 'water' portion of the quilt top.

Next, using a long handled fire starter lighter, I quickly and carefully ran the flame along the top edge of the sheer to melt the fibers, preventing them from fraying. When attempted with cotton fabric, it will burn, but polyester's will melt. Beware it must be done quickly or your fabric will disappear like the Wicked Witch of the West before your eyes! Once the edge was prepared, it was fused to the water section of the quilt top.

The difference will be easily seen in the posted photos.

Note - For locals who would like to play with sheers, my pal Jenny Lyon will be teaching a "Blooming Sheers" workshop at Ridge Quilters Guild in November. Contact her for details: jenny@quiltskipper.com 

SAYING GOODBYE IS HARD TO DO!!!

 We said goodbye to our fabulous, best dog ever, 16 year old black (rescue) lab on Monday. Because for 3 days, our regular vet was unable to 'fit her in', I finally called VEG ER VET on Roseville Parkway - Galleria area. One issue we had was Sooty could no longer jump into the car and I can't lift her. VEG emailed a registration link to speed up the intake info and met me at the door to get her inside. (Our always helpful neighbor Randy got her in the car for me at this end.)

I could write pages about what an excellent company this is. I now understand there are 140 office around the country. Walking in you'd think it's a people ER...WHO KNEW??? The staff, every single person and there were many, were kind, helpful, knowledgeable, & compassionate. Dr. Dutton was an angel!!

About 60 mins. later the inevitable was faced and they got her back in the car (she loved the car) and I drove us home to get my husband so he too could say goodbye. They encourage families to participate if desired. Once we returned we were given a private room....like a small den with snacks, books for kids to help them understand the process, couch, candles, even small vials to store a keepsake of the pets fur if desired. One could stay as long as they wished, you rang a bell when you were ready. They thought of everything to make the experience less painful.

Anyone who knows labs knows they LOVE food, Sooty was no exception. She enjoyed a huge bowl of whipped cream, chocolate kisses, Cheetos, and later chocolate cupcake and more whipped cream and yup....plenty of Cheetos. If you want more details I'm happy to sing their praises even more, feel free to ask. However my reason for this post is to make others aware if you are in need of an excellent 24-7 vet service....VEG ER hands down will not disappoint. I posted as few photos to provide a little overview.

https://www.veg.com/locations/california/roseville?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=google_business

PLAYTIME - FISHING - new work

 After completing several long time commitment  pieces, it was time for some whimsy fun.

FISHING  -  13” x 13”

$90 - plus shipping

Batik cottons, sheer overlay, machine appliqué, thread painting machine quilted, secured in wood frame without glass.

JUMPING AHEAD

 Looking back I see none of the in progress posts about this piece made it to my blog.  I'm sorry as there were many step-by-steps......I feel it may be too confusing now to post.....so I'm jumping ahead to the finished piece.

My long time (1960's roommate who married 'the husband's roommate) sent me a photo of a watercolor she painted.  I was awed and though I've only tried to recreate a photograph a few times before, decided to have a go at this. 

 It was HARD!!!!  The construction method was quite different from my norm.....but as you know, I do like a challenge.....so here's my piece. It's available for purchase. Contact me for further details.

ADOBE BY THE SEA 

17” x 14.5”

Artist’s altered white cottons by ice-dyeing, grunge gelli printing, hand-dyeing, Prisma colored pencils, wax pastels, distress inks, thread drawing, appliqué & machine quilting.  Inspired by a watercolor painted by Sandy Smith, used with permission. Faced edges with handing sleeve attached.

Watercolor inspiration by Sandy Smith

NEW PROJECT UNDERWAY

Today I thought I'd share with you material choices....which for me can make or break a project. You might be surprised at the amount of experimenting/testing that is required as my pieces move along in their various construction phases.

The photo I posted yesterday is an example. Comments have been made about the success of the sky and water......that's all the fabric folks! It did the work for me. The sky was a piece of my hand-ice-dyed cottons. The water was gelli printed cotton, made using a 'grunge' approach where Alcohol Resist created the texture.

This work in progress started with a line drawing cloned from my good friend Sandy S's watercolor painting. It was enlarged on my home computer in sections, taping them together for the final 'pattern'. Using my window as a light box, I pencil traced onto my main fabric that had been altered with dyes/inks to provide just the right color. That was followed by VERY slow and VERY careful straight stitching. Some areas required a more pronounced outline, so testing the stitch settings on scrap fabric provided a documented guide for future use as the piece progresses.

To obtain accurate "templates" of other details....for instance this door. I traced just that section onto a stabilizer, then transferred the shape to wonder-under which was fused to a piece of blue hand-dyed cotton fabric. Once in place, details were stitched onto the door. You can see how something as simple as adding a door requires many steps.

I've come to depend on my gelli plate to provide unique textured fabrics with just the right colors for the desired motifs. Creating 'grunge' prints are my favorite!! BUT the real advantage is that similar to batiks, these fabrics do not easily fray, perfect for raw edge fusing of small detailed motifs.

I hope this overview inspires you to try some 'new to you' techniques and further reveals the length of time that is required for me to create one-of-a-kind art quilts. Keep watching for further views.

HALLOWEEN FUN!

 I am reminded that not everyone checks in with my posts on Facebook.....I apologize....I've gotten a bit lazy and neglected to post here as well.....so here's a couple of belated posts.  **This is for you Kris!!

Goofing around, having fun figuring out how to make a Platypus Halloween costume for our 11 year old Grandson. (Who for some reason is fascinated by this odd looking animal.)

Silly pictures of me trying it on....the hood didn't sit correctly for the photo (and of course 'the husband' didn't notice the eyes weren't showing!!) You'll get the idea anyway and I'm sure he'll have fun wearing it.

RIPPING!!

 After spending most of the day testing various approaches for some thread painting on my new project.....it only took 45 mins. to rip it all out.  Sometimes it just goes that way!!!

CONE FLOWERS

 Cone flowers are one of my favorite flowers.  The textured top knot, colorful petals, stately posture & long lasting blooms makes them a worthy art quilt subject.

DM if interested......my smaller, modestly priced art quilts tend to sell very quickly.

CONE FLOWERS  -12” x 17”

$165

Artist hand-dyed cottons, commercial & batik cottons, machine 

Appliquéd, & quilted. Double fold binding, hanging sleeve attached. 

SO MANY POSSBILITIES

 The final fabric selection for my next small art quilt.  For me, anticipation is always high once the subject and fabrics are chosen.  Even if this palette is rather limited, I can't wait to dig in.

 Don't we all feel that way?!?

 

FALL ARTISAN FAIRE

 **** UPDATE - ALL THE BOOKS ARE NOW SOLD.  THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR INTEREST.  

After some scheduling concerns we got word that our Community Fall Artisan Faire will be held Oct. 24th at the new clubhouse.  Yeah.....thank you to the committee who have worked hard to keep this tradition going strong and better each time.

I was able to get an indoor space reserved and am now revamping my inventory/display approach. The space is considerably, by 50% smaller than previous.  Still I'm grateful to be indoors since borrowing all the equipment for outdoor use was simply not practical....nor was the set up and take down.  Without girlfriends I could never have managed the spring event alone!

That brings me to this post.  Due to space limitations, I'm  discontinuing my fabric book covers, which include a wide lined composition book.  My loss is your gain.  Take advantage of 20% - 30% off on the following:

*****. UPDATE - BLACK AND WHITE COVERS ARE SOLD!!    

DM to reserve yours.....  locals come by and select your favorites, shipping available for non-locals.

THE SECRET SAUCE

 Let your materials work for you......here's an example.  Various shades of grey fabrics become feathers.  Great right??

Now merge those fabrics, add texture, and visual interest by stitching with variegated rayon thread.  Even better, right?

JUMPING AHEAD TO THE FINISH LINE

 There are some projects that move along without hair pulling.....happily this was one.  Occasionally a few Egrets and Herons wade in a marshy area of our community in the (too short) period of time when the retaining basin fills.  Our last rainfall was early April, we haven't seen a drop at our home since.

I trust this guy is fishing elsewhere and will visit us again in the fall.

GREY MARSH HERON - 12” x 14”

SOLD

Artist ice-dyed cottons, batiks, felted wool, appliqué, hand embroidery, dense thread painting, machine quilted, faced

edges, & hanging sleeved attached.

LET THE FABRIC DO MOST OF THE WORK

Finding just the right fabric to express a theme or subject can sometimes create a happy dance.  The lower section of this ongoing small piece does just that....surely you can recognize the direction of the design.

A BOY AND HIS DOG

 I rarely share personal posts.....this is too cute not to......

Our grandsons got a dog....after much begging......adopted from someone who was moving and could not have a pet in their new housing.

THE TIME HAS COME.....

And the answer is.....

FABRIC FORTUNE COOKIES - complete with paper fortunes hidden inside.  I've made these as stocking stuffers for Xmas.  

Our son's wife is Japanese American......her parents were born in Chicago and no one in the family speaks Japanese.  However they follow the tradition of a close knit family, politeness, respectful,, & kindness.  We couldn't have asked for a better DIL plus the bonus of a loving extended family.

A HINT

 Have you been trying to guess what my new project is?  Ya, I know.....there wasn't much to go on....so here's another clue.

WHAT'S NEXT??

 Like most of you, a long list of 'next projects' await.  This one will be on a short time line.  Here are my supplies.......you'll never guess what it will be....but you can try!!!  Bring it on.....

TAHOE SUNSET

 Last stitch completed today.....ready for a forever home....... Interested?  Contact me.....

TAHOE AFTERGLOW

16” x 18”

Artist ice-dyed, gelli printed & batik cottons. Appliquéd motifs, dense machine embroidery, hand embroidery & machine quilting.  Faced edges. Ready to hang. 

PROGRESS

 I've been busy enjoying the company of my long time friend and roommate in the 60's.  We attended the same WI high school and both worked in the airline business at O'Hare.  Our husband's were both WI natives who lived in Chicago and were also roommates.  Amazing.....  All 4 of us vowed that CA would be the last place on earth we'd ever live.  Joke is on us....they moved to Clovis 10 years ago and we relocated to Roseville 2 years ago. Offsprings are very good magnets and we old dogs have now learned new tricks!!

Work continues on my current project.....still a few more design elements may be added.  Perhaps these photos will show the direction this art quilt is headed.

A FAVORITE THEME

 Sunrise & sunset themes, along with trees are subjects that seems to resonate with me.  Creating gel printed fabrics that are featured in these art quilts is....well.....FUN!!  Utilizing my stash of ice-dyed fabrics and commercial batiks completes the palette. 

Often these fabrics end up looking like Swiss Cheese as I "fussy cut" sections to better coordinate with the surrounding fabrics. Photo #1

With the aid of my walking foot, my favorite appliqué stitch is the blanket stitch.  As seen in photo #2.  A simple slightly curvy straight stitch with variegated threads coordinates the various fabric patterns and colors as well as adding texture. Photo #3 & #4.

To prevent the fabrics from distortion/buckling I always use a stabilizer as a foundation for nearly all of my art quilts. Photo #5