Felted Wool, Hand Stitching, & New Books

Felting Wool

This week started on the low side. Logic says one shouldn't get sick in the heat of summer, but I did, and then throw a nasty yellow jacket encounter on top of that. It's hard to determine what made me sicker, but I'm on the mend. Life happens. It meant quick trips over to my studio looking for little projects to keep me going while binge watching Downton Abbey, but mainly the Doxie girls and I snoozed through our week. (Yeah, they loved it.)

New Ideas to Finish Whole Cloth Prints

Whole Cloth Prints

The stack of prints I made from deconstructed silk screening was perfect for some experimental stitching, quilting, and beading. Most things I'd seen had little or no stitching, and so I had few examples to compare what might be ideal. Once again, I found myself exploring new territory. (I like that!) I made myself a rule:

When the print itself carries so much interest, the addition of any ornamentation needs to add to it without competing. 

Mini Round Robin: Round 3

Our Round Robin Continues

This project among friends has given me a chance to to work out of my comfort zone--something I encourage everyone to do. It's a little intimidating receiving a block where you truly believe you will have a hard time following the person who pieced just before you. It's caused me to do some research into Round Robins, and I'll share what I've learned today.

But first, this is my block for the month started by Sandra of mmm! quilts, who began with the house motif, white background, and batik stripes. Tish of Tish's Adventures in Wonderland add the spinning stars border, and three cheers to her for accurate piecing because I had to sew against all those star points. She's good! (Cindy of Stichin At Home is the fourth participant, but she will be adding the last round to this block.)

Using Hot Glue Stencils On Fabric: Possibilities

Test Papers Using the First Samples

Are you ready to see a real application to all this madness? Good. I'm ready to show you. But first, let's talk about this technique. These are stencils made from using a hot glue gun, and common glue sticks. It's so easy that nearly anyone can do it. It works with both high and low temperature glue guns so even kids can use it with adult supervision.

When Difficult Quilts Happen to Determined People

The Best Part So Far 

Just in case you're asking yourself why on Earth I would make this my opening photo, it's because it's the best part of the quilt at this point. 

Minis: Quilts and Disciplined Progress In the Studio

"I spy with my little eye--a flounder, a whale tail, porpoises, kelp,..."

Behind all the fun I am having in the studio, I am working toward a big goal. This goal has a deadline, and I should have begun earlier. Even starting at the last hour I calculated that I could make it, but frankly, it's kicking my keester. (Can I say that here?) I have become very disciplined at showing up in the studio, systematically working through problems, and making good progress. Will I make the deadline? I don't know, but I will work until the end to try.

How and Why to Make Dye Test Swatches

Accurate Record Keeping
Is Important

Whether you dye or quilt or paint, keeping track of materials is a very important issue for us all. I know quilters who snap a picture of stack of fabrics they purchase to remember what they got. How about noting on the receipt the special fabrics and amounts, and snapping a shot of that? You will not only know how much you have of a certain fabric, but also what you paid for it. This is helpful if you are making a custom quilt for someone, and want to be sure you're recouping your costs.

Printing with a Gelli Plate

Prints from a Gel Printing Plate
from Gelli Arts

These paper prints were some of the very first pulls I took from a new gel plate. For someone without any background in acrylics or painting, it was a very exciting moment in the studio. My whole world stopped until I could watch and read nearly everything out there about gel printing, and get more background on acrylics. I could see the potential to change the way I was approaching surface decoration.

Secret Surprise Happy Mail

Delightful, Happy Mail

from Sandra at 

Studio Sew of Course

Nearly a month ago, I received a surprise package in the mail. There was a whole bundle of goodies, and as I opened it I was trying to think why someone had sent me this--from Ireland, to boot! All the while, I was tickled pink by the surprise! My mind slowly went back months to maybe a year before when I had had traded emails with another blogger about being part of an exchange of sorts. In order to be a part of it, I just had to agree to send one or more forward. There were no hard rules, nor a set timeline. (Oh, I liked that part!) So, I did agree, and then forgot about it until this lovely package turned up.

Using Inks and Paints Not Labelled Safe for Fabrics

Green, Green Ohio!

The lilies are about to bloom. 

Can you see all the different

shades of green?

While heading toward the middle of July here in Ohio, the rain is soaking us less often. Yards might have a bit of browning, but for the most part it is still very green. I think it's natural for our surroundings to influence our work, and sure enough, I mixed up some grass green printing ink for a project.