Egads It's May already..?!

I can't believe April is over and May has started! I'm afraid I've blinked.
I've been busy busy getting scarves dyed (more on those later) and getting wall hangings ready for the North Carolina Quilt Symposium in Fayetville, North Carolina May 23 - 26. I made it easy on myself and I only had to create one from scratch, the other two were projects I had done previously.

"Dragonfly" is the result of a Thread Sketching class I took with Susan Brubaker Knapp http://www.bluemoonriver.com/ at the 2011 NC Quilt Symposium. Susan taught a great class and instead of letting my dragonfly become a UFO (Un-Finished Object) I Appliqued some leaves and branches with left over batiks and I dug up a fairy scrap and per her on as well. I like Susan's class so much I'm signed  up to take her "Painting on Broadcloth" class at this year's NC Symposium.

"Asharah" is a wall hanging I made last fall. She was my depiction of water. I had used different values of blue to try and emulate the flow of water and since Asharah was a Goddess, I gave her some funky hair and jewels. I quilted in different shapes of birds, plants and people. I like how it turned out.

"Finally Finished" is a challenge quilt I finally finished. My sister Anne had given Dawn and myself a panel to do something with. I am sad to say that I didn't get mine done in time to show at Symposium last year. However I did finally get it done this year. I didn't know what to do, especially after seeing Anne's and Dawn's. (see just below)







Anne's Quilt





Dawn's Quilt

 All three of us managed to come up with something different. When I was trying to figure out what to do








 I started to doodle...



                                               .........and I came up with a sketch.

I really liked the sketch and and it was definitely different than Anne and Dawn.
I decided to use a technique I learned with Katie Pasquini Masopust http://www.katiepm.com/ when she taught a workshop at Capital Quilt Guild.
Ghost Layers and Color Washes.
I decided to just look at the value side of things and leave out the Ghost Layers.

You can't see if from here however I decided to use use the white background in the panel be my starting point and chose a light and medium dark value to the cream.  Then when I finished making my pattern I marked up the values and colors on the pattern.(you can't see it in this picture) and glued it to white poster board.


Once the glue is dry you can cut your pieces out and you now have a template to cut your pieces out and you can fold them over and get a really nice edge. (well, KMP can, I still need major practice!)

After you cut your pattern piece out. You want to lay it print side down on the back side of the fabric.

Then, I (using a ruler as a guide) traced out the pattern, measuring out roughly .25 of an inch around your template using a pen or pencil. I used a wonderful pen that you can mark fabric up with and the ink disappears when it's subjected to heat.

After I got the pattern drawn, and cut out. I then ironed the seams back so form the shape of the template. I was really glad I had one of these small handy dandy irons to press...my fingers would have been literally fried with a large iron.

When you get done ironing you piece as you can see the seams hold their own and then you match it to the pattern you've copied on to some Sulky Heat Away Stabilizer.

Then you do the same thing with the rest of your pieces. Cut the pattern piece out, trace it, cut it, shape it.

and then match it.

When you get all the pieces matched, then iron it down, small dabs of Elmers Glue works if some spots aren't cooperating. then you take clear thread and sew down every seam.

I'm sorry to say I didn't any other pictures in the construction than these. Believe me when I say I was in a hurry to get this finished...

I am happy with the results and I think it turned out pretty close to my original sketch and the final outcome.

I got into Peakfest!!!!

I was excited to find out I got accepted into Peakfest 2013 Saturday May 4th! Peakfest a festival held in downtown Apex, NC.  After reviewing my inventory,  I found I had to get busy dying as soon as I could. Lucky for me Sunday was a lovely 70 degree day and I could get some scarves dyed.
I ADORE the ice dye effect so I decided to use the technique. I also thought I'd share with you how I do Ice Dying in in case you want to try it yourself. I've Ice Dyed with silk/rayon blends, 100 % silk and 100% cotton fabrics. I'm going to try wool roving at a later time. I also bet 100% cotton batting would work as well.
What you'll need:

• Containers to hold ice and dye, I got mine at the Dollar Tree
• Natural fiber fabric (cotton, silk, rayon) soaked in a soda ash solution for 45 minutes
• Bagged ice to cover your fabric. (I went through 2-10lb bags and a tray of ice out of my freezer for 18 scarves)
• Procian Fiber Reactive dyes, variety of colors
• Synthropyl (to wash scarves after rinse)

1) After the items have soaked in a soda ash solution for 45 minutes, Layer some ice cubes at the bottom of your chosen containers. (use containers that you don't care if they stain, or glass)

Just enough ice to cover the bottom.

2) Put the items in that you are dying into the ice. You can put multiples in together. I prefer not to have them touch too much. (but that's just me)

3) Once you get the items arranged, cover them with more ice until you get as much coverage as you can.

4) Then you get out your handy Procian Fiber Reactive Dyes and some plastic spoons.

5) Let your inner color freak take over and start to sprinkle dye powder over the ice in random areas. Typically I start with yellows and then blues and leave red to the very end. (Red is VERY dominate so ease up just a little on the color)

6) I also had some leaf green that looked pretty so I added a touch of that to a couple of containers. I then went on to blues, a light value and a dark value.

7) Then I started to add the red. As you can see I'm very sparing with it.

Don't  these colors look luscious?

They almost look like candy to me....sprinkled with sugar

After the ice has melted (about 4-6 hours), rinse the scarves in running water until they run clear. Wash in warm water in the washer with a tablespoon of Synthropyl . Air Dry and iron.

The results were awesome!!!

Wall Hanging Updates

In my last post I told you about two wall  hangings I had in process, "Daydreaming...Outside the Box" and one I've now named "Dancing Back to the Light".
I finally got my needles and beads into "Dancing back to the Light" and I was pretty happy with the results,  I wanted a curvy look to go with the dye pattern so I tried to do a curve border....well I tried. Then I free motion quilted curves and texture into the piece and finished it off with beads and sequins.

I was happy with the results       
and think it turned out pretty nice. I decided to mount it on canvas instead of the traditional "sleeve" on the back. Using glitter glue I added more swirls to keep the motion consistent. I like how it turned out and it gives be an opportunity to add another dimension to the work. It also makes it a "mixed media" type of piece and can be entered as such.
I don't think it would be accepted in a traditional quilt competition but I can use this for any art shows  may enter.

I did the same type of mounting with "Daydreaming...Outside the Box". Using Gel Medium I took the yellow organza that I had added to the wall hanging and put in on the canvas. It helped to pull the yellows out since green was so heavy in the piece. I was very happy with the results.

I was so happy that I entered both pieces in the Johnston County Art and Food Festival, Friday March 1 in Smithfield.  I am very proud to say that "Daydreaming....Outside the Box" placed second in the Mixed Media category.
Woo Hoo!!! I haven't entered a competition like this since the early 80's.
Below is how it looked with a lovely red ribbon adorning it. :-) It helps bring out the red in the background colors.

February 8, 2013

Come see me at the Holly Springs Arts Festival Saturday February 9 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM!!!
300 West Ballentine St, Holly Springs, NC.

Wow! Has it ever been stated before that TIME FLIES!!!!! I can't believe we are now into the second month of the new year. I can't believe it's been so long since my last post but I have been swamped!

I'd like to share with your the two customer orders I completed.

This was using pictures from Nuremberg Germany that my client and I both had.

This wall hanging was for a client in Durham. She supplied some of the pictures and I took the others the weekend I was at the Holiday Market at the Durham Arts Center.


I was quite happy at how they both turned out and my clients were VERY happy with the results.




I finally, (after neglecting to do so for at least three years) shut my studio down  and cleaned and organized it. It's amazing how much clutter can build up especially with Mixed Media supplies. I was too ashamed to take before pictures, I think Mr. Wonderful would have died of embarrassment if I had. I refused to do anything fun or crafty until I got it done so it took me one full weekend and two weeks but I got 98% of it done.

Gone are the piles that were starting to expand over the floor.

All my supplies now have a place and I also bought a labe er so mark the bins and drawers. The Picture on the left is the Mixed Media (paints, gels, etc) in the bakers rack. and next to that on the dresser is my drum carder.

I moved all my square wire shelves together and bought small bins to put all my fabric in. So instead of seeing fabric "Piled" in the shelves it's now sorted by color and value which helps when trying to find the right color. All big pieces are in a separate bin. I also made a new ironing table that is large enough to iron big items. I also added drawers where ever I could to leave my options open. I just have to discipline myself that if I buy something it has to be put away immediately (yeahhhhhh but it can be a goal right?) What I like the best is all fabric is with fabric, MM with MM and wool with wool. I also have cork squares started around the room so I can use it as a design board or pin up bits and pieces as I see fit.

My current project is FINALLY working on some of the batiks I dyed in November.

This is how it looked as it was drying in the sun. None of the wax had been removed. But you get the general idea of how it was going to turn out.

I'm finally playing with the results and my new resolution is to get better about taking pictures AS I work on a project instead of when it's almost over.

Below is how it looks after some thread and organza additions. I asked my Facebook buddies for their input and got some great suggestions for names.

There are some of the names:

Faded Rainbow

Ragged Glory

Skyscraper

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Woodstock

Changing Seasons

Kaleidoscope

Colorpalooza

Dreaming.....outside the box

Psychedelic Marshmallows

Block Party

Windows

Stained Glass

Cathedral Windows

Reflections

When it's all done I'll post a new picture of it with the name.

I can't wait to get my needles into the one below!

Boylan Heights Art Walk December 2, 2012

Wow what an amazing experience! The weather couldn't have been nicer, the neighborhood was lovely and my porch mate, Leigh Griffin, was awesome!
Mr. Wonderful came with me and helped me set up which made it very quick work. Leigh had been in the location last year so she knew what we were about. Our products complimented eachother. Leigh designs beautiful jewlerery from sea glass, semi-precious stones and sterling silver. If you want to see any of Leigh's work, click on this link http://www.etsy.com/shop/AraLeighStudios
Below are some pictures of  the booth.

It was a great selling day! 26 scarves flew off the rack and I sold both of the small wallhangings.

My friend and fellow CMMAG guild member Donna Sloma, the amazing owner artist of Studio 119 was also there.  All in all it was a great day for all!

Merry Christmas Everone!!

Durham Holiday Market

I had my first show in Durham November 16 and 17th at the Durham Arts Counsel. What a great time! I met some great artists while I was there. Some from Durham and some from Raleigh. Since it was a two day show I decided to leave early from work and get set up so I didn't have to rush. (I'm also not that familiar with Durham) So as I packed the Edge and left the house I had this nagging feeling that I was forgetting something...something...as I ticked off my mental list of what was packed...I was fine...I was just being paranoid...until I got to the Arts Counsel building and unloaded my stuff and started putting things together when I realized that I forgot my scarf display....yep...I forgot the big piece of my display...and it's a one hour drive to my house and an hour drive back....I fought then rising panic and the internal name calling calmed down and decided that I had just been given a new opportunity to find a way to display the scarves I've not yet tried. Thank God I had gotten the grid walls last month!! I also had some extra shower curtain rings so this is what I came up with:

It turned out really well after all so I may just do away with the display rack all together. The grid walls display the Cityscapes I did of Raleigh really well.

Once I got done setting up I had a late lunch at an awesome little restaurant called "Toast" I have to go back.

Crostini Special and a salad!

All in all it was a great sale and if I had Durham Cityscapes, I'd have sold them over and over. Saturday morning I walked around downtown Durham and took lots of pictures....next time I'll have Durham Cityscapes. In fact I'm working on a custom order as I type. I can't wait to see how it turns out.