A New Art Quilt

I am furiously working on a new art quilt showing my 3D flowers.   When I got the notice that my quilt got into Paducah, I realized I was planning to use that one to show one of my techniques at my upcoming workshop in April.  

I needed to replace it, but had limited time.   I remembered I had sewn together a black and white background and then put it away.  I pulled it out, but realized it was just too harsh to have my blue 3D flowers on the top.  Unfortunately, I never thought to take a picture, but you can see the colour of the binding is one of the fabric pieces in the background.   Anyway, I had some tulle and laid over it, but that didn't give me the effect I was looking for.  Then I found a piece of lace that did the trick.  I put that over and did a stippling all over it.   I have to finish binding it.

Next I will lay my flowers on and see how it looks.

I have 15 m of fabric being dyed at the moment.  I just love seeing what fabulous colours come out when it is done.

A New Art Quilt

I am working on a new art quilt.   This one had me stumped for over two months.   This is what hung on my design wall during that time.

I knew it needed more, so I took it back down, mixed up some thickened dye and created this.

I put red circles all over it.   Then it hung for another six weeks.  I stared at it every day, thinking it needed something else, and not knowing how to put my focal point on it in a pleasing manner.   I knew what I wanted on there, and have that part made up (3D), but did not know how to get the quilt to flow together and look good.   

Last week, after flipping through books for inspiration, it came to me.   I was a little nervous because I have never cut up the background of a quilt before.   I also knew this had to be improved.  I took a deep breath, grabbed my cutter and closed my eyes.   Kidding!  I did not shut my eyes!

Here is what I came up with.

I am happy with it now.   The darker blue is my hand dyed fabric and the lighter blue is a linen I had in my stash.   I learned quickly that linen can really fray... fast!   

I now have a strong design in my sketch pad, did some work in my Paint program and got some photocopying done.   I am ready for the next step... this consists of circles and ovals.   I do have a thing for them right now.   

Will keep you posted as I progress to the next step.   I think I am only a few posts off till I hit 500, so will plan a giveaway for that celebration!  One more thing, I started a Facebook page, if you feel inclined, can you give it a 'like'.

Giveaway Winner and Other Stuff

Let's cut right to the winner of the charm pack of 'Hoo's in the Forest'.   The random generator picked #83.   I have emailed them.

 Anonymous said...

From YOUR shop I love the pink and purple overdyed fabric. Or maybe the blue dyed fabric. Oh...wait...maybe.

Now onto some other stuff, I have some super duper exciting news.... that will benefit my followers too!   But I can't share just yet... in about 2 weeks I think.   

I am at 495 posts.   Okay, I think this one will probably be 496.   When I reach 500 I am doing a good giveaway.     

I will put my thinking cap on and think of something really really juicy, or rather textile-y.   That may not be a word though.  But you get my drift.

In the meantime, I have 2 projects on the go.   One is my art quilt.  I sliced it in half and then half again.   I will take some pics of that over the weekend and show you.  

Here is a sneak peak of a project I have done for Pellon.

It is so pretty.   Well, you will probably have to trust me on that one, seeing as I didn't show you the whole picture.   I used my hand dyed fabrics.   As soon as Pellon posts it, I will reveal the whole quilt.   And you will be able to go to their website and make one for yourself.

  

My Etsy Shop

After a year of thinking about it, I took the plunge.   I opened up an etsy shop.    I am quite nervous about the whole venture, but will take a chance and see how I do.  I just received two bolts of PFD fabric today, so I can begin dyeing more to put in my shop.  

I have some more items that I have from the recent quilt show still to put in, and hope to do so over the weekend.  

Please feel free to take a look and soon I will be offering coupons for my readers for discounts in my etsy store.   

I think this should be celebrated with a giveaway, so check back on Monday!

Hand Dyed Fabric

I spent yesterday ironing, and tagging my hand dyed fabric.   I have it all ready to go to our quilt show next weekend.  It is going to be on sale at our guild boutique.   This will be the first time I have ever sold, or should I say tried to sell it.  

I also have done some hand dyed 100% silk scarves.  

Here are my pics.
These are my fat quarter bundles, packs of 4.

Here are some 1 yard cuts, with my silk scarves on top. 

Look at the silk scarf on top, it has white dots on it!   Love that one so much.

Thread Painting and Hand Dyed Fabrics

My mom had this beautiful panel that she wanted to put in our upcoming quilt show.  I offered to thread paint it for her.   I used a similar dark yellow shade for the centre and just carried the lines out further.   For the petals, I went with a brighter hue of pink instead of the burgundy.   I wanted the quilting to stand out a bit more rather than recede into the quilt.    The batting used is a high loft, so you can really see the areas that stand out.

I have a great respect for thread painting, even though it just looks like you get in and fill up  areas with thread, you don't.   You have to try and figure out where to start, how to get from one place to another and where to end.   Otherwise you have stray lines all over the place, no need to ask me how I know this!

Our quilt show is in 13 days and this is my first time volunteering to be on the quilt show committee for our guild.   (Well, it is the first time I have volunteered at a quilt show, but we don't need to mention that to my guild.)   We decided to keep the committee small and do most meetings via email.  So far it has worked.

Our big catch, is that we are bringing the Ground Zero quilt to our little town.   This quilt made by Lois Jarvis was made in memory of 9/11 and has over 700 faces of the deceased victims on it.

It will be coming on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and it is the first time this quilt will  enter Canada.  It has been to 123 places so far.

We are very thrilled to be able to receive such a meaningful tribute to 9/11 for our quilt show.  I would love to invite all of you, but most of you live very very far from me=)

We always have a guild boutique where guild members can sell their quilted items etc.   This year I got super brave and am going to sell my hand dyed fabric.  Well try to anyway.   Here is a shot of some fat quarters I have ready to be bundled.

When I get everything packaged and labelled, I will take another picture.   Each piece of fabric is not a solid shade, I manipulate it so it has alot of texture in it.   So my question to all my dear followers, would you buy any?