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Monday, July 30, 2012

Week 30. Thank goodness that week is over. Not only was the life at "work" a major headache but this project of the week was right up there too.
A friend stopped over and asked for a small favor. I have learned that when exhusbands say "can I ask you a question?", I must say no, roll up the window and drive away, quickly. When friends ask for a favor, I don't run fast enough, hence this week's project. This friend, rarely asks for anything, so I was intrigued.
She asked for several little pillow cases. Easy enough. When she pulled out the fabric, that's when I wanted to run. If you have worked on slippery polyester before, you can understand why. As nonsewers, people don't realize what a pain this is to sew up, much less add a zipper too. Being the person I am, I sucked it up and finished them in one day, so I wouldn't have to look at them anymore. They turned out cute, but not my favorite thing to do. I'm still working on my series quilt. I think I mentioned that I'm going to be working on a series of quilts because my oldest told me it would show a "cohesive body of work". I'm not sure why I care but I guess this will show me as a serious artist. HAHAHAHA. Sorry, I found that extremely funny for some reason. Well, maybe next week I can show something fun off. We shall see. Keep on working on those projects.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Weeks 27, 28 and 29. Well I will have to say that I've been busy and have finally caught up. Yippee.
This week I have learned a lot especially about mixed media. I figure that if something will work on paper, it should also work on fabric. Not always true, but you do get some interesting effects.For example: project week 27- watercolor crayons.



                                                                                                                                                                                                 












I learned that you really need to spray them with lots of water so that the colors will run, especially on fabric (I used canvas). They are messy and the effect on paper was lovely...Not so much on canvas, I think.


Week 28 project- A paper pieced block I made from a pattern from quilterscache.com. The block is called Night and Day. I really like the block and think it could work as a background for applique if I used muted colors. If you have never been to this website, it is amazing. So much to chose from and such great ideas, and it is free.

Week 29 project is a gessoed alcohol ink technique that I pinned off of pinterest. The tutorial was by Shelly Hickox. Once again, I thought why not fabric. I learned a lot and even have ideas on improvements with the fabric. Here is the picture of the results, I used canvas fabric and next time will try a muslin that I have backed with heavy fusible so that the embossing would show up better. I will  use a different color of embossing powder so it would also show up better. I was pleased with the results and learned to play with the alcohol inks, and the cuttlebug with the embossing plates. Pretty sweet.

 
Well, now I have caught up and have to think of a project for this week. I'm working on a big quilt and it's coming along fine, have 2 layers done of a partial piece. (I have a long way to go).
Until next week, keep on quilting and always stretch your limts.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Okay, so I'm late and behind, this will be week 26 project although it should be week 29...so I had best get my rear in gear and start to catch up. I took a two week much needed vacation and although I thought about art and quilting a lot, I didn't produce anything. I did manage to attend a quilt show in Hawaii since it wasn't far from where I was vacationing.
For this week's project, I made an adorable Circle Zip Earbud Pouch from a tutorial by Erin Erickson I pinned from pinterest. It really was easy and went together as it was supposed to.
I'm working on another quilt, having finished the pattern today. It is going to be the first of a series because my first born tells me that I have to do a series to show I have a cohesive body of work. I'm excited about it and hope it turns out okay.
I shipped my first quilt off for the exhibit "I'm not crazy" that is titled "Moody Blues". It is about depression.  It will travel for a year or so. I know that I showed my label before but here is the quilt.
At the end of the month I send my quilt "Bedazzled" to be in the exhibit "In the American Tradition" that starts in Houston in October. Here is the picture of that. This will also be traveling for a year or so. A detail picture of it is also in the catalog for Houston I think it is on page 5.
So I have been busy, just not productive, if that makes sense. I'll work on it. Until then....Keep on quilting.