Progress

I though I needed a focal point, so choose some circles.  First running stitches then the couched yarn.  thinking about adding more stitches to the running stitched lines to make them more visual.  Liking this process.  Loving the free stitching.  Loving letting the piece tell me what is needed.  When do I stop??????

Handwork

I discharged this piece ages and ages ago.  Loved it so much, I just didn't know what to do with it.  I certainly knew I didn't want to cut it up!  I machine stitched, using the bleached marks to guide my way along.  Then the piece sat..... and sat...... and sat.

My taking Jude Hill's class, I brought out the needle and thread - the latter being in my stash of threads - just the right color.  I've spent the last few days stitching.  Here are my thoughts:

Journey
crooked paths - leading to the same point of it it away from that point?
One step at a time - or should I say - one stitch at a time.
crooked steps - still in route
Decisions : which path to take
stepping around obstacles
The journey not necessarily the distinctions is important
Breath in, breath out

Jude Hill has a story - really many stories.
Where are my stories???  I don't talk about my work much and when i do I don't express my stories well.

Time.......  the journey

Sun, Moon, Stars

Sun, Moon, Stars

I believe it's finished.  This is the product of Jude Hill's online class entitiled the same.  I've loved her way of teaching and have just signed up for more.  Her artwork is fabulous!

Serene Seen completed

Serene Seen  by Diane Hamburg 29x18" $290

Don't you love my husband's play on words???!!!  He is asked on occasion to give me some suggestions of titles.  I had hinted on the feeling of serenity when I look out of my studio window upon the sea.  The feeling of serenity/peace/contentment seldom fails to come over me.

I am so grateful for the loan of this piece of land to me and mine.  It belongs to the universe but the feeling, I believe, is mine.

Painting beach scene

I painted some fabric for a beach scene.

 

 

This is the wet fabric all scrunched up.  I let it dry over night.

 It wasn't dried the next day, but I ironed it.  Here it is ready for me to layer: batting and backing.  Then machine quilting comes, followed by some hand stitching I believe!

 

Gelli Plate Class

I'm in the middle of taking an online class with Carla Sonheim.  It's wonderful!  I'm learning a lot.  She is presenting a whole new way of using the gelli plate that I have not explored before.  The following are images from Day One.  http://www.carlasonheim.blogspot.com/

I lost 2 others in cyber space......
The folllowing images are influenced by Jane Davies.

Day 3 of Carla's class - Day 2 was my gathering stencil/stamp material.

These are not my best.  Hopefully I can salvage them during Friday's printing class!

Things I have learned so far
1.  A whole new way of gell printing:  ink up part of the plate, print just part of the paper, watercolor effect (adding water to the leftover paint on the plate), hold 2 ends of the paper and dip onto plate
2.  always add a second color to the plate - don't use paint right from bottle/tube
3.  Cardstock stencils may stick to the plate - ugh - leaves pulp behind
4.  Cardstock stencils end up looking beautiful with layers of paint - great collage material!
5.  Work in a series.  Carla had us print 8 papers - of course 8 was not enough for me.....

I'm sure there's more.......  I'll return to gelli printing again after Friday's class.

I highly recommend Carla's class.  Check the Flickr link to the class images.  A real treat.  http://www.flickr.com/groups/2247646@N22/pool/with/8784377807/#photo_8784377807

Teaching Kids and Slow cloth progress

The first two images show some examples of stitching using the straight stitching:  running stitch and the ladder stitch that I used for the classes I taught at my local Island Art Association's youth art classes.  I taught elementary aged children, none of whom said they've never stitched before.  I had a good time sharing my love of stitch.  Most seemed to enjoy themselves.  I hope I inspired the rest to stitch some more. 

 These below are just my stitching along side the children.  Way too much fun!

 

Here's some works in progress.  I am sure enjoying the needle and thread, stitching in and out, filling up the spaces.  Added some words:  machine stitched and hand stitched.

 





Decided to machine quilt the woven strips of my own silk tie dyed fabrics, then tacked the silk red heart down.  I've done some more work on these two.  I'll take some more work in progress images to document my journey.

The background is hand painted and printed on this last piece.  All the fabrics are recycled ones:  a blouse, ties, dresser scarf.  Even the painted and printed background - I clean my brushes and brayers on a damp old bed sheet. let it dry all scrunched up and then leaf print and stamp it.