New Work

Full Moon

I was going through my discharged fabrics, should I say fondling them really, thinking I would like to create something new, simple, using minimal machine stitching and some hand stitching.   I love the process of discharging - taking the color out.  I've had this piece of fabric for a long time and have loved it.   I think it was one whole piece to begin with and I had used part of it elsewhere.  I designed the larger middle section and had the 2 narrow pieces just lying around - ended up using all three.  I have this wonder and awe about the moon ever since I moved to the beach and get such fantastic views of the moons, first coming up on the horizon and then traveling across the sky.  I even love the moon in the early morning sky.  So I cut out a circle.

The piece is simplistic with minimal stitching.  How I love the hand stitching, the holding of the fabrics, the in and out rhythmic motion of the mark making.  I started with a few machine lines, then the hand couching on black yarn, the ladder stitching in black floss, the larger red ladder stitches and quilting - lastly the red beads around the moon.  I'm pleased with the result.

Heart Felt

Heart Felt is a technique I remember seeing elsewhere and wanted to try.  It took a bit of work but I did like the process and will pursue it further.  Small pieces of fabrics placed on batting and fused.  I played around with the "zentangle" line drawing using the machine.  Lots of machine work in this one.

These two I entered into a juried show at St. Augustine Art Association in the themed show "Red."  I guess they've been accepted as I haven't gotten a call to pick them up.  I do like themed shows if something pops into my head right away. 

I'm working on a quilt for the grandson - a more modern one - using some scraps plus new fabrics - mostly blue and red.  I've sewn a crazy patched piece for a focus.  We'll see how the design progresses.  I'll be stitching this up in between other projects.

It's been way too long!

Lots have been going on in my life - son getting married - daughter having her second baby - my second grandchild!!!!!  Along with a grandson, I now have a granddaughter!!!!!!  I am one happy granny.  I spent six weeks with my daughter and her little family, so I could use that as an excuse for so little creative work but it would not be truthful.  I so definitely, most definitely, was in a slump.  But I'm back!!!!!

I created the following for my local theater which exhibits act in the lobby.  The theme has something to do with the title of the play.  I'm hoping these get accepted.

This first one I used Shiva oil sticks and torn paper masks and then quilted like crazy.  It was fun to do!  I spent some time in the NC mountains this Fall attending and teaching at the nature Printing Society's annual workshop.  (Which reminds me to add some pictures of my nature creations soon.)

Mountain View 13x15 $100

 The next two were created together, different sizes.  I used raw edged piecing and lots of stitching.   I enjoyed the two but didn't really get into my artsy self.

Perfect Place 25x20  $275

Sunny Morning 20x14 $155

 

I'm working on a triptych now using discharged black fabric, a moon, and meditative hand stitching after minimal machine stitching.  I'm really enjoying the flow of the hand work.  I'll show it soon.

 

I'm in the middle of some ice dyeing as well.  Can't wait to wash, dry and iron the red pieces!  For another juried show.

More Monoprints

 As you can see I've been having way too much fun.  Gel printing/monoprinting is quite addictive.  Now what to do with all of these creations.  Several of the paper ones were my favorites so I printed the images onto inkjet fabric sheets.  I'm using Jacquard Cotton today.   I've used several other brands.  I don't have a favorite at this point.  I'll stitch - hand and machine - at a later date.

Below is a mock-up of a fabric monoprint.  I added some fabrics I printed and painted using the same paints to help coordinate the design.  Needs a zinger color/fabric.

 I've repeated that happy experiment of spraying leaves and plate with water.

 A paper favorite

 Definitely another favorite.

Now I must get supplies in order for the Wildacres, NC Nature Printing Society Workshop.  Husband and I leave Monday!!!!!!

More Monotypes

 I was planning on layering this one but I kind of like them the way they are.

 Above is the first layer. Below is the second layer.

 This one is the one on the above left - I didn't like the white so spray painted it.

 The images below are ones with two or more layers.

World of Books

                               

"Nature Revealed" is a wee little book 3" square that won Third Prize at my local Island Art Association's Nouveau Art Exhibit entitled "World of Books."  Leaf printing - both direct and monotype.  The colorful inside was cut from a very large paper I printed while the children in the free once-a-month class at Island Art Association were printing themselves. They were quite independent and didn't need me.  I created this little book in a very short time.  I'm amazed and thrilled it won a prize.

 

"Watch the Leaves Turn" was the other entry to the show.  I spent a lot of time on this one.  I love it!  I've since changed the closure as the threads kept tangling.

I love making books!  Especially nature printed ones.

Beaded bracelet

My fiber friend, Ronnie, who is a fantastic beader, taught my local Itching to Stitch group this macrame beaded bracelet.  I loved it and made two.  I'm planning on making more.  They're fun to wear!

Oh, it's been such a long, long time........

Months have gone by and I have not written.  Shame on me!
I've been getting ready for the annual Nature Printing Society's Workshop which will be held at Wildacres, NC.  I'll be taking classes in printing paper and fabric, polymer clay and giving a class in gelatin printing.  So I've been experimenting, though I definitely feel like it's playing!  I've been having a great time!  Here are some of my results.

 Reorienting myself to how much paint to put on the plate.  I'm using a gelli plate instead of making my own plate using Knox plain gelatin.  It's so much easier and spontaneous.  The above - a bit more paint then I'd like in order to layer.  First print, a ghost, then removed the leave/mask and printed the last.

The next image was a delightful find.  I sprayed the used plate I had already printed from with water and placed paper on top - twice!

 This is a fabric piece I plan to collage from fabric, stitch until done!

 Some printing using a stencil with rectangles cut out over inked plate and masks and printed, then masks and stencil removed.  I used some fabric as well as paper.

 Printing on black papers - so cool

 I use the same brush and brayer throughout the printing session - to clean them I remove the excess paint onto fabric and/or paper so as not to waste the paints.  Here are two examples.

 Below are some of the materials I used as masks.  I will incorporate them into collages, etc.

I noticed I didn't take an images of the papers I printed in transparent layers.  I will shortly!

Such fun!!!!!!