as i knew you always would be.
from Coco Ginger’s Blog
as i knew you always would be
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D is For Do-Over
There aren’t too many things in this life that we can ‘do over.’ It’s not like a computer game where we can push the restart button and proceed; this time, of course, knowing the pitfalls and the previous mistakes that we made
In this case my Do-Over is of something of relative inconsequence.
This past January I made a small art quilt to go along with our Haiku prompt “Exhilaration”. I was pleased with some aspects of my quilt. For instance, I thought the quilting was terrific (even if I do say so myself, lol), there was considerable texture (I had experimented with light molding paste) and the colors were bold and beautiful.
But the composition was awful to my critical eye and I wasn’t happy with it.
Here’s the original:
Original Exhilaration Quilt
See what I mean?
So here’s what I did.
I needed to break up the huge expanse of yellow and somehow integrate the various elements. So I painted some fusible web, cut it out, burned the edges with my multi heat tool and applied some of it to the quilt.
Then I printed the Haiku on Extravorganza, fringed the edges and painted them. Then affixed the Haiku to the quilt with BoNash.
Here’s my do-over. Please let me know what you think? How would you have proceeded? I’m really interested in your comments.
Exhilaration The Re-Do
Like this:
Fish Out of Water
When I posted here several months ago I mentioned that I was working on a piece that needed some hand embroidery to be added. This was a fun project – something different and incorporating several different techniques.
Here is a photo of my Fish Out Of Water
And here is an overview of how I made him.
I collaged several fabrics onto a mottled yellow background. I made a stencil from a fish drawing and when I cut it out I was careful to keep the remaining stencil material intact so that I could use it too.
Then I painted the fish image onto the quilt using the stencil and acrylic paint. When it was dry I thought that more contrast was needed around the fish so I used the “fish” part of the stencil and painted around the outline.
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I outlined the collage pieces with perle cotton and added embroidery to the fish. Then I added some beads and a button eye to accent the fish. Outline Stitching and Button Eye |
 Beaded Tail |
Finally I stitched and beaded a spray of coral.
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I used a pillowcase type of backing and accented the edges with a perle cotton running stitch.
Art Quilting Takes the Spotlight in Woodland Hills
One of the most gratifying things as a teacher is that moment when your students’ eyes light up and you can see their creative juices churning.
Well that was a moment repeated many times over the past few weeks as a group of eager sewers and quilters attended our Art Quilt Intro Series.
This was an introductory series of 3 sessions at Baron’s Sewing Center in Woodland Hills. A fourth informal class is planned this week so that the participants can put the final touches on their creations with the instructors on hand for assistance.
Art quilting encompasses a vast number and variety of techniques that are both fun to learn and valuable tools to have when planning a new piece. With limited time available it was a daunting task to select only a few of them. We did so with emphasis on straightforward versatile techniques. We also presented methods that were fun to do and that used products that wouldn’t be too difficult to find. The focus was on technique but each participant was encouraged to put together a piece that would incorporate these newly learned skills.
Guila Discussing Use of Discharge Paste
Betsy Demo-ing Use of Rubbing Plate with Shiva Paintstiks
Session one
We focused on preparing backgrounds; either as a first layer for additional embellishments or to serve as the composition itself.
We introduced a variety of ways to get paint onto your quilt: using fluid acrylic paints and solid oil sticks, the group practiced applications using rubbings, stencils and stamps.
We also discussed and demonstrated Discharge Techniques- various ways of removing color from fabric. These included household bleach and discharge pastes – plain and with color added.
When we got to the “hands on” part of the class, they all took off like a shot – full of enthusiasm and creative ideas It’s unusual to see an entire group just take off and run with their new knowledge the way these women did. We all had a blast.
Practicing with paint and stencils, stamps
Peggy Making Art
Session Two
We turned our attention to preparing the quilts for quilting. A very important part occurs before your first stitch and we introduced the topic of thread selection, determining function and style and so on. During this session we also started our discussion of embellishment techniques. We focused on fusible appliqué and methods of securing these design elements. The students also learned how to use foil as a highlighting embellishment – using glue, fusible sheets or a powdered fusible called BoNash to transfer the foil to the fabric surface.
A lot of additional designing went on during the week 2 workshop and both Betsy and I worked closely one on one with the students to help them through their design decisions and implementation.
Busy at Work on Their Quilts
Session Three
Time to add a little glitz and glamor to our art quilts. We discussed beautiful sparkly Angelina – how to use it, stamp it, apply it to the quilt surface and much more. Wow, exciting stuff to stir up your imagination!
Hey, Look What I Just Made!
Angelina Wings
We also talked about and demo’d the use of glitter in your quilt. Talk about your sparkle opportunity.
Suzanne’s Sparkly Key
The little art quilts, well under way, needed to eventually be finished. So we went over various ways to finish the ‘edges’ of the quilts and various methods of applying the ‘false’ back to the quilt.
During these classes the quilting and embellishments were done with the following quilt layers in place: top, stabilizer, batting, muslin. Then, later a more pleasing/interesting fabric backing was added.
We will be putting the final touches on the quilts this next Wednesday morning.
**And we are all looking forward to diving further into the art quilting world this summer. The highly anticipated Art Quilt Camp for Quilters will be held from July 16 through July 20 from 10 AM until 5 PM each day. Sign up now to reserve your spot!
Whimsy with a Stamp
Lola’s Quilt Well Under Way
Like this:
True Friends
I awaken, open my eyes and remember with a sinking feeling
that I won’t be hearing from you today.
You won’t be there to surprise me with a sweet hello.
Such a silly little thing to have been so often the highlight of an otherwise dull day filled with monotonous chores.
Such a silly little thing to miss so fiercely,
but so typical of the you I’ve come to know.
And come to count on to pick me up from the depths and kick my butt and tell me not to be so hard on myself.
Reminding me that life’s too short to be hung up on the little things.
I took it all to heart
Even if you thought I wasn’t listening.
It’s been a hard journey made easier by words like yours,
always timely, ever welcome
Open to hearing my woesome tales of loss, of disappointment and grief
Patient with my ranting and tolerant of misplaced anger
You’ve been a constant in a capricious world.
Demonstrating by example the courage to travel your own path
As I was embarking upon my own;
applauding my successes and dishing out heady
doses of lavish praise that stirred my creative spirit.
While I watched you as you tilled the soil of your life’s journey –
Planning your future and showing your devotion to your family.
Always feeling close
Almost a kinship
Certainly one of spirit and harmony.
Life is full of surprises and things change.
Inevitably and never according to our timetables
Friendships begin, evolve, and strengthen
And sometimes meet with chaotic forces
that threaten to destroy all the inherent good.
Always being tested by external stresses. we sometimes
create our own distracters unaware of potential for harm.
And when communication is lacking or unclear
or expectations not well defined
we cause hurt without rancor to those we care for most.
Utter spiteful words, throw out hasty accusations,
or fail to explain actions that could be perceived as hostile.
Beyond the words, despite the actions
the singular beauty of friendship
can survive or perish
determined by the value placed on it.
The repercussions of this episode will echo
endlessly for this lonely friend
unless some resolution is made possible.
There’s still a lot to do
more hurdles to overcome, more strength needed.
The support, encouragement and admiration of a true friend
Is precious and sometimes even vital.
You are that precious vital friend.
Like this:
Every Artist Needs a Muse
Art Journaling Basics to Get You Started | Art Camp for Women
This is one of the best overviews of art journaling that I’ve read. It gives you some ideas of what supplies are needed and how to go about putting together some simple pages to get started. It is from the Art Camp for Women blog.
Art Journaling Basics to Get You Started | Art Camp for Women.
