Inspired by Fall

The first photo is a colored pencil drawing on my art tablet. I then copied it onto some Avery fabric transfer paper (you can get it at any office supply), and ironed it onto plain white fabric. At first it wasn't working, but then when I ironed it with the fabric side up, it worked right away. The colors stayed very true, and the hand is still pretty soft as long as you pull the backing paper off quickly rather than leaving it on while the fabric and image cool down. The second photo shows you how little you lose in the transfer process. (One note: your image will be flipped, so beware of text).

Progress on Big Bird

As I add more elements to this composition, I get more ideas. I'm nowhere near done, but that's okay, I don't have any deadlines hanging over my head right now, and I'm able to take my time and explore with this one. The close-up picture shows an applique of reddish organza with a sharpie drawing of a seed. When I stitch over the lines they're nicely emphasized. I'll just keep adding layers until it looks right - hopefully I'll know, and won't overdo it. Stay tuned!

Big Bird

This will be a whole cloth quilt, all one piece of fabric. I drew the sparrow, and started spritzing dye through stencils for an under layer of design. I'll add semi opaque paint over the top once it's heat set, then moisten and drop color until I'm happy with the way it looks. More later - I'm not sure where this is going beyond that!

Packing Up for Granby

We'll be painting on fabric in a few different ways - stencils and stamps are among the most fun and easy. They're a can't-miss, no-fail way to create pretties. The best part is that if you don't like part of the finished swatch, you can cut it off and use the good part. Creatively edit!

Great Stuff in Store for the Grandby Quilters

I'll be in Grandby this weekend at the Peaks -N- Pines Quilters group doing a workshop. There'll be opportunities for the ladies to try fabric painting, stamping, freezer paper techniques, stencils, and basically a surface design overview.

I was there last July to do a presentation, and loved the spirit of the group: so ready to see, to learn, to do the techniques themselves. So, here I go again! Grand Lake is a beautiful area in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and near Hot Sulphur Springs, a wildlife viewing area, and I'm looking forward to a great weekend for Bob and I!

From Drawing to Collage Quilt

This is the finished piece: I added several collaged elements, including a painted Sculpy heart, buttons, other painted and bits of cloth. (Less is NOT more - MORE is more)!!

Heart Thermofax Stage Two

I screened the heart image onto plain white cotton muslin, then added smaller images with acrylic paint and stencils. After that was dry, I sprayed the fabric with plain water, then dropped diluted paint onto it, one color at a time. (Let each color dry before adding more to keep them separate and distinct). More later when I add other sections of fabric.

I Just Ordered 3 More Thermofaxes

Here's the original drawing for the heart thermofax. (I didn't mail Lyric Kinard the real drawings; I made a good, dark copy of each of them). I'll get them back as small plastic screens good for many, many prints on fabric.

The Reception was Fun!

The first shot is us comparing shoes. (You had to be there). I was glad to see our dear friends show up even though it was an hour or more for most of them to drive. Meeting new friends was really enjoyable too, since we were part of the Downtown Colorado Springs First Friday art walk. And I sold one piece right away, which doesn't hurt anything. The show hangs all summer in the City Administration building, so there will be more sales. . . I'd say it was a wonderful evening!

Preview for Show on June 7th

I found that each element in the composition was easier to stitch and glue down if I ironed it onto lightweight interfacing first. I attached the pieces to the painted canvas with gel medium.