Question and Answer Time

What do I use to pull my prints with, when I'm doing deconstructed screen printing? 

Well, you will need a tool. I use an outdated credit card, or something similar, if I am doing a very small area. I have a couple of squeegees that I have used for larger areas.  I think the point is to be able to just pull across your screen once. However, this is deconstructed screen printing, so you can pull to your preference, just be cautious that the mixture you are using isn't picking up  too much color from the screen and becoming a color you don't want. 

Then there is the actual mixture that you bring across with that squeegee. I have used procion mx dyes, thickened with sodium alginate, just like I used on the first application. This is a good place to use a color that will blend. But if you're into trying for some beautiful browns, you could use a compliment. This is where you will want to progress slowly and perhaps clean that squeegee off completely after each pull across. I have also used chemical water thickened with sodium alginate and no dye.  There are also products, on the market,  that are referred to as print paste. The best thing is to try a small quantity, from a reputable dealer, and follow the directions.

 I have mixed some that were so thin it poured right thru my screen,

and some so thick I could hardly get them out of the container. A picture here would just show me washing things out,,,

I will caution about disposing of any excess when you're ready to finish your day. Do not just dump it down the sink or toilet. As far as I know, there is no harm to sewer lines, but if you don't have it diluted with enough water, you could get a clogged drain.

It's best to not make up a lot at the beginning. Give yourself the time to enjoy the process without turning it into work. Ask me why I say that,,,

Don't forget to check out the Fire Blog again today, my second post will be on. 

www.andthenwesetitonfire.blogspot.com

Have a beautiful day,

Luann

Question from Fire Blog

Yesterday my first post was put up on the Fire Blog.  

You can get to the site using the address:   www.andthenwesetitonfire.blogspot.com  

The question was about my screens for deconstructed screen printing. I did make all of them. I would have purchased some but I wanted to keep costs down while I experimented. Here's a group before being cleaned. 

  

I used inexpensive matting, duct tape, and screen printing fabric. The fabric was from an art supply store as I wanted to be sure my thickened dyes would go thru properly. I've seen where people have used pantyhose or sheer curtain fabric. I had neither of those on hand. I decided to go for a good quality in this item. I'm glad I did, as they have taken some scrubbing and are holding up nicely. 

Recently, I redid some of the taping and trimmed the excessive amount of space around the larger ones. I also deconstructed the two frames that I made using stretcher bars. I found that I couldn't get the well as clean as I wanted it. And my favorite thing about the "flats" is that I'm not working over an edge. I don't use copious amounts of product to pull thru the screen. If I need to, I will just do another pull before lifting the screen. 

I laid these on top of insulation boards. Next time, I will put a piece of plastic under them and not dye the boards along the way. Or perhaps some sort of risers to keep the thickened dyes 'on' the screen. 

Hope this helps you with a method of screens that don't break the bank. 

Luann

How Cool Is That? I'm on Fire!

Just to clarify that statement,

I'm on,  www.andthenwesetitonfire.blogspot.com  

When the yarn goddess asked me if I would be interested in being a guest blogger on the fire blog I was honored. I've been following it for some time now. I enjoy seeing how others interpret a technique. I said a big 'Sure!'  and this week is my show time. So on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of this week you will be able to see my take on deconstructed screen printing. Here's a teaser:

 

Things sure get wrinkled when they go to show and tell. 

You may recognize this from my post on May 5, Four Projects. 

Perhaps, this week, I will get some progress made on this piece. I am really unsure of what my next step will be, as I have too many ideas to sift thru first. And maybe, just maybe, I will get out more of my deconstructed screen printing fabrics and make another flimsy!

Off to Create, or at the very least Ponder the possibilities,

May God bless your comings and goings,

Luann

Four Projects

#1: Just Use It Challenge - Frame It

The base piece started out as a white damask napkin. My friend, Hazel, stenciled the wisteria onto it with gorgeous fabric paints. I decided to dye it with an assortment of softened hues that I felt would go better with my decor. It came out just how I wanted it. I would like to make this into a "postage stamp". I need to decide if I want it to stand alone or be on a post card. I have some large walls that could hold a 4' by 6' piece. I'm perplexed as to what else I would put on the remainder of the post card, but I think it can progress along that direction. 

#2: Lola Jenkins Class

 

I'm really happy with how far I am with this piece. Lola was an awesome teacher. I enjoyed every minute of the workshop. She really helped me with those lower eye lashes and the nose. The silk piece hanging along the side is from Thee Coyote. I would like to incorporate it into the finished piece. This is not a self portrait, but using Lola's methods I don't think it would be difficult to find a picture of myself and go for it. Maybe a series of family members,,, hmmm. 

#3: Cut Phobia Challenge

This is a piece that is coming together slowly. The idea is to use several different pieces from the collection of swapped fabrics I have received thru the StitchinFingers surface design group. I'm very comfortable putting lots of different fabrics together in traditional quilting methods. This one is more than a stretch for me. I have decided that as long as I like it, I'm not going to stress about it's artistic balance. 

#4: Improvisation Deconstructed Playground

Sorry for all the wrinkles, but it's been traveling. I made these blocks in a deconstructed screen printing workshop back in December. I used various width strips of white and improvisationally framed them. The seam allowances give the impression of being a pojagi piece. I love that look, so I intentionally pressed them to do that. The plan, at present, is to stitch all of those seams with a twin or triple needle and a pale color thread to enhance them. Next I would like to do thread work in each of the printed blocks. Then I would layer up the quilt sandwich, and do the actual quilting of it. 

So, that's four of my 'IN PROGRESS' pieces. 

Off to be creative,

Luann

Busy Week Over and Busy Week Ahead

This past week has been a busy one, indeed!

Monday was the usual routine of laundry and general cleaning.

Tuesday brought a full day of artsy stuff and an evening with our Ladies Ministry group at church. We had Secret Sisters last year and this was on the apron Julie gave me,

Wednesday included decluttering of the Art Studio. I tend to save a lot of "stuff" that can be recycled.

Thursday had Jennifer from Farm to Table Delivery stopping by with our produce, dairy, and meat order.

Friday morning I went to ABC at 9:30 to introduce myself to the With These Hands group of stitchers.
That afternoon I also connected with a stitcher in my neighborhood and was invited to join another group.

Saturday, the Palmetto Fiber Arts Guild met at the Charleston Museum for a behind-the-scenes tour of some of the lovely textiles they have available for study. Maria Louisa and Maria introduced me to Puerto Rican food afterwards. I had steak Mofongo. Getting to know these two ladies was definitely the highpoint of the entire day. 

Sunday came and off to Cornerstone Baptist Church we went. Salmon on the grill was George's offering for our lunch. Also took care of getting the menu planned for the upcoming week and did the grocery shopping.

AND now for the upcoming week's activities:

Monday- laundry, general cleaning, install driver for new printer, haircut (?), prepare Sangria dye solution and do the first testing of it, Playday if Fran can make it, and all the other things I have on my "routine"

Tuesday- first day of a new Bible study group, lunch with friends, spend some time in my sewing room OR dyeing more things if I like the Sangria color

Wednesday- I'll be meeting Vicki and the group of stitchers at the clubhouse nearby for a morning of stitching and lunch with them, hopefully I will be in the midst of some dyeing or deconstructed screen printing

Thursday- Leslie's Birthday, should do a full system backup on my computer, and I'd better get some progress done on the Challenge #1 piece I've been mulling over for too long

Friday- will be checking in with Carol at the Antique shop for an update on my consigned items, set appointment for health insurance conference, Challenge #1 piece! ! ! !

Saturday- George will be away for the weekend so this would be a very good time to work in my sewing lab or art studio and order food delivered????

Sunday- March 1, time to tweak the plan and decide on weekly focuses

I think that's a pretty full week coming up. I'll let you know how well I do at staying to plan.

Let's Create Today,
Something that brings us joy and contentment.
Luann

Deconstructed Screens, The Inspector, and A Worker Bee

Here are more pictures of the screens I used in my deconstructed printing day. 

 

 

 

 

And the "inspector",,,

 

The "worker bee" on the screen porch. 

And the inside workroom. 

Tomorrow's forecast is for "mostly cloudy", a good day to create!

Let's Create Today and Every Day!!

Luann

New Year's Eve Project

I just realized that I didn't post any pictures of my newest project. I started the sewing portion on December 31, 2014!  I know most folks celebrate this evening by going out, etc. But not me!!

During December I did some deconstructed screen printing. It was my first time and I was experimenting all the way. The prints I ended up with seemed to fall into three distinct color ways. 

Two of the sets had a predominantly blue hue. 

I used an improvisational trimming and sashing method. My new design wall came in handy. I had to decide where more white would be added to bring these pieces all together into one cohesive unit.  My design wall was laying on it's side when I took this picture. I think you can still see the "pojagi" look that is appearing. 

I want the size to be larger but I haven't settled on the best way to accomplish it. I want to stay true to using only white and fabrics that I have printed. I also want to keep the improvisational approach. At present I'm leaning towards an improv pieced border using much smaller pieces of the printed fabric and narrower strips of white. 

I think that even if you are doing something in the improv mode, there comes a point at which one must make very calculated choices in order to portray the feeling or mood you're going for. At least that's how I'm feeling at this point with this piece. 

Something that's really been different about this quilt is that from the very first trimming of fabrics I've had a sense of what I want the quilting designs to be. This is the first time I can remember that happening! 

I've also decided that I will NOT agonize over any small imperfections, and maybe not over any BIG ones either! I want to let this unfold and move forward at it's own pace. And now that I am feeling better, that should be picking up momentum shortly. 

I hope you are all creating from your heart, and enjoying the journey. 

Let's Create Today 

Luann

Here's what a few of my screens looked like before printing.