Thursday already!

I can't believe I haven't posted since Monday! That's not like me at all...not sure what I've done this week. Visited with my friend Mary and her great grand daughter on Tues. , ran some errands and went to funeral home for my DIL's grandma on Wed. Today, I didn't do much..had bad migraine this a.m. and couldn't even stand up until after 11. Better now but still have a slight headache. So I'll be a couch potato the rest of the evening. I did get 3 loads of laundry done but that was about it.

Artwork wise, I finished stitching a smaller piece (11 1/2" x 12") with strips and then I dyed it with thickened dyes. I really love the colors in this piece and can't wait to put the facing on and start some embellishment with beads and fibers.

I started beading my Frankenthaler piece. I'm using bugle beads and creating a waterfall effect down each colorway of the piece. I think this is turning out to be one of m favorites of my Inspired by the Masters. Plus, it's good TV work too!

I won't be posting until Monday as my friend, Carol, and I are going to a workshop in Ann Arbor with Ilze Aviks this weekend. We're leaving Friday and staying over so we can eat, talk, eat somemore and of course, have a glass of wine or two! The workshop is called The Expressive Hand-stitch and I'm hoping to learn lots of new techniques using hand stitching. I love any hand work whether it's stitching, beading , putting on facing or binding on quilts. It's relaxing to me so I know (or I'm hoping!) the workshop will be the same way. We'll also be working with dye crayons and collage along with the hand stitching.

So until Monday, enjoy the weekend.

DNA and other stuff

Back in 2006, I was invited along with 30 other artists from the area to create a piece of art work for the Genome Project. Our art work was going to be on display at The Whiting in conjunction with the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange when they presented the "Ferocious Beauty: Genome" dance program. Seven of us are friends and we were each 'assigned' a particular section of DNA/Genome. I was given Chromatin Fiber and here's my piece. It's 20" x 24" and the circles were from fabric I had screen printed. Only problem, I ran out so I scanned in a piece of the fabric and printed it out! What would we do without our computers/scanners/printers! I hand dyed the cording and filled the cirles with beads, which were glued down.

Here's a closup of the piece. You know, I've never lost a bead yet!

Anyway, my friend, Karen, was over today and we were taking pictures of her DNA quilt she made. So I thought I'd post my DNA/chromatin fiber piece. Funny, you never would think DNA would make an art quilt!

On another note.....I use the expression 'my dance card is filling up' or 'put me on your dance card'. I visit Life at Willow Manor and saw on her blog today she's giving an explanation of what a 'dance card' is! I thought I was the only one who still used this saying! I always have to explain it to my friends or family that ask! So for those who never wanted to ask me here's an explanation!

And on a sad note, my DIL's grandma, Eileen, passed today. Eileen was a sweetheart and I'm glad I got to visit her two weeks ago. I always had a soft spot for Eileen....she was always so sweet and gentle. She's at peace now and I'm sure enjoying the company in heaven with her other family and friends. We'll miss you but you'll always be in our thoughts!

Birthday Pics!

Saturday was Birthday party time for Nick's 6th BD. He wanted a costume party and that's what he got for sure. What a great time with family, food and friends! Kris again out did herself with ALL the wonderful food she prepared. The decorations for kids and adults was great!!! The entire garage was decorated with webs and a Halloween theme. The kids loved it!! So here's the pics from the party!

This is Katie and Ginny on both ends (Kris' nieces) and Kris' mom is in the middle. Her costume was GREAT!!! She looked so cute...Bob said it was the best costume and it was!
This was the cake Nancy (Kris' mom) made along with cookies and cupcakes! Now you know where Kris gets all her entertainment creativity from!

One of the decorations around the food table

Grandma Robbie and the birthday boy (I just went as a artist/painter..duh!)

And my other baby! I didn't even know this was Darrin! I had to ask who it was! Bob said "he's the tallest one and you didn't recognize him?" Nope..I didn't!

Katie with her 'grandma' Robbie. Katie babysat two summers ago for the kids. She's a senior this year!

Some of the kids! Amber was all dressed up like a beauty queen but it was getting chilly so she put on her sweatshirt.

Bobbing for doughnuts! Kids loved this. I didn't get any pics when they bobbed for apples. We just had to get out lots of towels and the kids got soaked on that one! Nick was really into this!

Nick was doing a good job!

And here is our hostess! Kris did such a great job! I didn't get any better shots of her!!

Thanks, kids for the memory!!! It was such a fun party!!

Sneak peaks

First, I won a stamp from Ruthie Powers, Next Signal Designs! How cool is that! It's a leaf stamp, which for those who know me is right up my alley! I love flowers, leaves..anything nature. Can't wait to receive it and use it in my art work. Ruthie has some really nice contemporary stamps that would look great in some art. Might be one of my expenditures for next month's budget!

So the sneak peaks are a closeup of one of my 'lady' shrinky dink's I made. I added some beading to her for 'hair'. OK, so it might not look like hair to you but that's what it is!
And TaDa! My Frankenthaler all dyed up! The dye/print paste actually dyed the muslin quite well. This usually isn't the norm but I think it's due to the amount of dye I use in my print paste. I'm sure it's overkill to say the least! I'm not sure which way I'm going to hang the pieces..horizontal or vertical...I am going to embellish it and have some ideas but that will be in the next two weeks that I'll decide. I want to have all my projects out of the way by Nov. 1st to get ready for Christmas.

It's Nick's BD party today and a costume party...hmmmmmmm I'm just wearing a painted apron with paint on my face and going as a....PAINTER! Go Figure! Bob is going as himself...

Frankenthaler In Progress

I've had a few ideas in my mind for creating the next piece for our Inspired by the Masters project. Helen Frankenthaler is the next artist. I've been following Judi Hurwitt's blog called Approachable Art and was intrigued by her working with strips onto fabric. Judi's work is fantastic and I love seeing her photo's as well! She's quite a talented artist and an inspiration for sure.
One of Judi's entries really inspired me as a technique to try and I asked her if she would mind if I tried her technique. Check it out here. Judi has also been influenced by the book 'Stitching to Dye in Quilt Art' by June Barnes. I purchased this book last year while in Florida and played with some of the techniques in the pages for my art diary. The premise behind the book is quilting then dyeing your piece. It's a great book!

This is one of Frankenthaler's paintings that I was inspired to work from.

I quilted a piece about 22"x22" and then I have to sew down strips of fabric, then dye the entire piece, then wash/dry multiple times and end up getting a really cool frayed look. Let's hope!

Here are the torn strips...I used mainly muslin and added some over dyed commercial fabric I had on hand.

Then came the boring part. I had to laugh as Judi said you have to get in a "zen" mode to do this part! For sure...

Here's the piece with all the strips sewn down...

I did make up two small sample pieces in which I just did immersion dyeing but I wanted certain colors in certain areas so I mixed up some print paste and brushed it on. Only hard part was getting the print paste in between the rows. I felt like I was putting hair dye on someone! Here's the piece 'soaking' in the print paste. I wanted the piece to be bright and intense since I wasn't sure how well the muslin would take the dye.

The piece is now in the dryer as I type this. It looks pretty good so far. I did fold some of my strips so when it comes out of the dryer I'm going to cut those and give it another 'bath' and another spin in the dryer. I won't get to this piece until this afternoon. Mandy has her 'day job' as a therapy dog at the Lutheran School reading program. It's raining right now and should continue with rain for most of the morning. Good day to be in reading!

Shrinky Dink Time

I'm been making some shrinky dink pieces for an upcoming project. Fun to do. In fact, Nick just loves to make these. I'm sure Darrin and Kris would prefer not to, so they don't have little pieces of plastic around the house!
First I sanded and stamped a piece of the shrinky dink material (you can buy at any craft store).
I colored in her eyes and lips using a permanent marker. You just need to be sure to color on the sanded side. Ask me how I know! Duh! I had to redo...

You cut out your shape and bake in the oven (takes too much time for me!) or use the heat gun, which I prefer. I love watching the pieces shrink!

Here's a video clip of the pieces being shrunk. For those who aren't familiar with Shrinky Dink you can see why kids love this! Actually, I think it's kinda fun too..I just have to have a reason to do it! You can also see my better half passing by in the background! We're downstairs in our work room(s).

Here's the finished shrunk piece.

And some more of her friends!

I'm also working on another 'Inspired by the Masters' piece. I made some sample pieces over the weekend and I'll show the progress of that piece tomorrow. Not sure it will turn out as I'm hoping but if not, I can use the piece somewhere! Let's hope!

Fiber Post Cards

My DIL and her mom have been doing some 'spring' cleaning and came upon lots of old patterns and fabric that belong to her grandma. So last Wed. Darrin loaded up my car with boxes of fabrics and other great finds! Great finds for any fiber artist for sure! There are dress patterns from the late 40's and early 50's. What a hoot to see the designs of these dresses! So, of course I had to do something to thank Kris and her mom.
I cut a strip of one of the old dishcloths and painted over it with diluted matt gel. Then I tore pieces of the front of a pattern laid on top along with some other pieces of 'stash' I had on hand.

Another coat of diluted matt gel along with some colored tissue paper and then I painted on some Procion dye I had in the frig (I never throw anything out!).

Here's a closeup of the different layers..you can see the bubbles on the left top are the dye just sitting there!

Here's Nancy's fiber card.

And Kris' fiber card

I mailed their cards yesterday and hope they like them for a keepsake. Just wanted to thank them both for thinking of me. I will treasure the items from Eileen and use them with respect in my art work.

I did have a small piece left and I made another one for Amber, which I'll give her on Wed. Just a little keepsake of her great, grandma's sewing items.

It's raining again today and windy so Bob is going to start bowling again. So glad he's still physically able to bowl but who knows for how long! He'll still golf, weather permitting. I'm off to get the old roots dyed today then back home to finish working on my ATC's for Weaver's Challenge. I'm having fun with these. I'm also working on another stamping project due in Nov. Trying to keep up with my projects just in case I get another RA flareup! This time last year I wasn't walking or moving well at all! I shutter just thinking about the pain and how depressing it was. Glad that's behind me for now!

Gelatin prints

First, Ian update..not new stats to post...due to rain outs but he does have a meet this week, I believe. We're pulling for you Ian!!

I did get lots accomplished yesterday. I finished my CCC Challenge using the snow fencing. I can't show the completed challenge until Nov. but here's a closeup! More to come on that. I also made two fiber postcards which I'll post tomorrow.
At our CCC fiber meeting this past Thursday, one of our ladies, Michelle, did the technique of monprinting on gelatin. This is a fun process that makes you feel like you are a kid again! I've done this type of printing a few years ago at a workshop by Deb Gash but we used paper rather then fabric. I like using the paper and pressing onto the gelatin!
So the process starts with you making up a gelatin mold (4tablespoons unflavored gelatin, 1 cup cold water, 1 cup hot/boiling water mixed into an 8"x8" pan).
After the mold sets up, you use fabric paints on top of the gelatin, use resists, draw, whatever you want to do in the paint then place your fabric on top. Easy and fun. Here are some of my pieces.

I used some leaves as resist.

I used a bath rubber shell matt and tile spacers.

Spacers and a feather

String

So who inspires you?

Inspiration...boy, it's all around us isn't it! I was reading about an artist who was inspired by fish skin! Yep, it's true. Fran Reed makes sculpture and baskets using fish parts. I would love to know how she recognized this 'item' as inspiration. At times I am inspired by a piece of fabric, fiber or even a piece of paper, but I am also inspired by my friends and other artists. I have to say one of the first fiber artist that taught me so much about techniques and color was Hollis Chatelain. I still have 10 pages of notes from a lecture class on threads that I took in Houston and I reference those notes often in my work. I've taken classes from some of the best, I feel, and I have learned so much from each of them. But now that I don't necessarily want to travel to the shows, I've found the Internet to be the best resource for me. I can take 'classes' and learn so much and not leave the 'farm' as they say!

My inspiration lately is from the mother and daughter team, Linda and Laura Kemshall. I have always been in awe of their work and now you can watch them on their web site! They started Design Matters TV a few months ago and I had to sign up right away! It's wonderful to be able to watch this team in action. You feel just like you're in a classroom! No, you can't ask them a question (but I bet you could email them if you did have one!) but their instructions are so clear so far I haven't had a question to ask! I have both of Linda's books (Color Moves: Transfer Paints on Fabric and The Painted Quilt) and their thr3fold Journals have so much info in them that you are inspired from the 1st page!

Last October, after being so inspired by Laura's article on mono printing, in one of the thr3fold Journals, I made the pear mono print above. My first attempt at mono printing and it was so much fun. And my art diary was another project that was inspired by this duo! This is rolling paint on your quilted piece.

I look forward to each new issue and web video. Just gives you that jump start to get inspired! I did finish my CCC challenge yesterday but I can't post pics until Nov. after our Christmas Party! Yes, it was inspired by Linda and Laura! So if you're looking for inspiration, you just have to go to their web site and check out the new Design Matters TV. So now I need to go 'surfing' and see what other inspiration I can find today!

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY, NICK!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NICK! Here's the birthday boy last night at the Red Wings Hockey game his dad took him to. Nick told me this a.m. they left the game at 9:30 and arrived home at 10:14! He's very exact isn't it! Such a doll!!
He got his skateboard along with padding!! Thank goodness!!! I can see broken arms now! Yikes...but grandma's and mum's do worry! We can't help it!

Nick is having his birthday party next weekend and it's a costume party at that! Amber asked if I was busy making any quilts and if not, could I make her American Girl a pumpkin costume..so yesterday with my JoAnn coupons in hand I headed to the store. Well, I could find any costume pattern so I got a dress pattern for the American Girl doll and made it into a pumpkin dress! Last night while watching the Tigers I knitted a little hat for her. I just have to finish stitching the face on the dress and it will be done. I think it turned out ok..let's hope Amber likes it!

I haven't sewn clothing for years! and who knew..they now use 1/4" seam instead of 5/8" like in the old days..or maybe that's just on doll clothes?? I prefer sewing art quilts for sure.

And speaking of quilts...if anyone has a quilt they would like to donate or make to donate to a good cause....Cyndee, from the Lansing area, participates in our MQAI exhibit each year. She does a lot of work with Habitat and is looking for donation quilts to give to the new home owners when they get their house. If you would like to donate check out Cyndee's blog and get in touch with her.

Rainy today and of course, headache day! Go figure! I'll clean today so I can play the rest of the week!

What I'm working on

This is a picture of Mandy's BFF, Cody! He was over for his weekend visit with 'grandma and grandpa' this past weekend. I just think it's a hoot how much Mandy plays with Cody! She's such a snob with other dogs!
With heading to Florida come December, I have to get my projects finished. So the first one I'm working on is the challenge for our CCC fiber group. We were each given a piece of snow fencing and the challenge is to make something using it. Of course, my piece would be quilted so I'm working on that.

I also started quilting one of my fabrics that I used my own cut stamp on for my natuare journal for Oct. This is the piece I did in Dijanne's online stamping class. I did start quilting it and I bought some beads yesterday. The quilting I did isn't showing up and I'm thinking of painting some areas to give it the contrast it needs.

On this same note of stamping, you have to check out Ruthie Powers Next Signal Designs web site and blog. She has some great stamps and I'm looking forward to reading more on her blog about her methods and ideas. She has some cool stamps on her web site as well.

Tonight is our CCC meeting and we're going to be doing some printing using gelatin and fabric paints. Should be a fun evening and of course we meet for dinner before hand! It's still been quite warm and muggy here in good old Michigan but beats the cold winter so that's fine with me!

Shibori Testing

Here's my shibori process that didn't quite work out. I started off with this hand dyed pastel piece (white/blue) which I used for my other shibori pieces (that turned out great!). This isn't the piece I did but just want to show what I started with. My piece is approximately 20" x 40".

Here it is all tied up! This took quite sometime to stitch but was good TV work!

Here it is getting its 'roots' dyed! I used black procion dye...and lots of black!

Here's my finished piece. As we were driving to Ann Arbor this weekend and ladies were looking at my piece...Mary asked what kind of thread I used. I bought some 'button' thread which is quite strong...I thought I was doing good using this...but Mary gave a good opinion that it looked like the threads took the dye..hence, the dye ran in between my stitching which ended up not giving a good contrast. The areas that appear white here are actually gray. So I think Mary hit on something. I just purchased another four spools of this thread but I'm taking it back and sticking with my quilting thread (which is quite strong). Live and learn!

This music clip is for my friend, Karen...It's Cecilla!