Failure or Creative Opportunity?

Sometimes a sun-print just doesn't take very well. In this case, the day went from brilliant sun and clear blue sky to completely cloudy, very quickly.  I had been using some small metal charms to see just how intricate a print I could get, when of course, there was a sudden change in weather. The fabric was almost dry and I did get a "decent" image but not as clear as I am sure it could have been had the clouds not rolled in. But....wait....maybe I could "enhance" them.

These photos show the images left by the sun

and this is how they looked with a bit of help from my Sharpie marker

Thirsty?

CPP # 218   "Milkshake"

Stitching, Colouring, Doodling & Cutting

Last week I showed you the start of a little piece inspired by an article I read in Quilting Arts Magazine. Some colour had been added at that point........then after lots and lots of stitching, even more colour was applied.

I decided it might be fun to incorporate this week's CPP word, #217 "Pen".........so I took out a black Micron pen and doodled on the piece.

I have been discussing the idea of a collaborative effort, using crows as subject matter with a friend and fellow quilter, she challenged me to do a "Crow"Flake.....I do love a challenge!

this is what it looked like before it was unfolded

Linking to Nina-Maries  Off the Wall Fridays

Stitch and Inktense Pencils

Have you picked up the current Quilting Arts Magazine? This issue contains an article by Terri Stegmiller that just looked like so much fun, I HAD to give it a go.

If you like the little piece that I am working on, then believe me, you will WANT to check out this article and see exactly what Terri reveals about making her whimsical "story" quilts. She talks about her article in a blog post here.........I don't want to give too much away....plus, I was just so incredibly eager to get playing that I have to admit I did skip a few steps.
I created a drawing that I thought would work....(in hindsight, maybe something simpler for my first effort would have been a wiser choice)
I basically grabbed an interesting batik, taped my drawing onto the light table and began transferring the image onto the fabric using a black Micron permanent pen.

Next I batted and backed this piece and got it ready for stitching.

This is a tremendous exercise for working on your free motion stitching control.  You see, Those lines drawn with black pen are now being stitched over with black thread.

Once I had all my lines covered with thread, I couldn't wait to begin adding colour.

While Terri's demonstration used transparent paints in her article, my Inktense pencils have been languishing in a drawer so I decided to see what sort of result I could achieve using them.

This is as far as I got last night.....it is work "in progress"   :-)

This is just a tiny start to the possibilities that Terri shares in her article.....I am looking forward to exploring this more.....much, MUCH more! Thanks for the inspiration Terri!!!!


Linking up to Nina Marie's Off the Wall Fridays 

Another prompt response

What sparks your creativity?  When does inspiration strike for you? The Creative Prompt project strives to help you along, one word at a time. This week's word, #215, is "Plate"
I most often do a doodle, but as I passed by one of my vintage sewing machines, a different idea came to me.
This is the face Plate on one of my vintage Singer machines.

observing the elements in the design, I folded paper, drew the shapes, and began cutting

and this is what I got

On my Toes

I actually managed to do this week's Creative Prompt project response while it is still current.
 Jaye's word for us this week.......... #214 on the list,  is "Dance"

The Show is Over

The Grand National Quilt Show 2013, "Local Colour" has come to a close.
The exhibition ran for 9 weeks and I was absolutely thrilled to have my work included. 

"Going to Seed" is now back home and up on my wall. 

I have placed a link to the full catalogue on my side bar if you are interested in seeing the other works that made up this fabulous show.  (check out page 5 to see what the Curator had to say about my piece)

a huge THANK YOU! to the organizing committee,  judges, volunteers and sponsors......these show can't happen with out them.

Raffle ticket winners

I have drawn 3 names from the comments left on my last post. Congratulations to Sherri D, Cathy H, and Glenda. I will send you a private email for your personal info so that I can fill out the ticket stubs.

Thanks to everyone who entered .....I will do this again in a few weeks so be sure to check back

Did you know that Jaye over at Artquiltmaker posts a different word each week and invites everyone to be inspired by it in the way of a drawing, a photo, a short story...whatever you like.........it has been quite a while since I have participated, so I was definitely due, and since I needed an image for this post.... here is my response to #212 of The Creative Prompt Project.  "Ribbon"

A Chance......at a chance

Over the past few years, I have entered the annual block contest at Joseph Schneider haus. The Friends of Joseph Schneider haus, is a dedicated group, always striving to contribute to the growth and health of this historic site.  One of the ways they raise funds for various projects, is by holding a raffle, the prize is the quilt that is made from the blocks submitted to the contest each year.

My entry, 2nd row, 3rd from the left

I have tickets....I am going to purchase tickets and give them away here.....so you see, you have a chance...at a chance....to win this quilt.  You don't have to be in the region to win......if your ticket number is the lucky number drawn, the quilt will be mailed directly to you. It is a chance to own a quilt containing original work by 20 different Canadian quilt artists, expertly hand quilted by women from the local Mennonite community.

Hot off the quilt rack

here it is ready to be trimmed and bound

The draw for this quilt is not until early December, meaning, I have lots of time to have random giveaways in the coming months........So would you like a chance....at a chance?  Just leave a comment for me in this post. I'll draw a name.... or maybe a few, on the weekend

Please note that the winner (or winners) of this giveaway.......need to be willing to provide me your address and phone number so that I will be able to properly fill out the information on the ticket stub.....I promise that information will be used for this purpose only and NOT be shared. I will send the winner a scan showing the ticket and stub 

Wool Batting

A couple of months ago, I purchased some wool batting, I generally use cotton batting in my pieces but wanted to experiment to see what effect wool batt could give to my quilting.

I set out to pre-shrink a large piece of the batting ( first lesson learned...wool batting is extremely absorbent!)....oh Yes!, I learned this quickly, as I put a couple of inches of water into the tub and placed the hunk of batting into said water....at first I thought the tub had drained on me.....nope! The batting sucked up every bit of water instantly, so after much squeezing and squishing, I managed to get enough of the water out to be able to move the piece to a rack to dry.....the drying process took a couple of days....anyone have any advice on pre-shrinking wool batt?  I am fairly certain there is an easier way   :-)

I took a small piece to play with and I have to say I am LOVING this batting.
The following photos show the progression.....I began by stitching to define a few sections, added feathers, then used sticky dots to mark circle placement......and, as you can see, just had fun stitching a variety of patterns.

Hand dyed cotton on wool batting, stitched with Aurifil 40wt cotton