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. 

Sunday Health Report

As many of you know, we have been suffering through colds. This all started while we were in The Midwest on vacation during early January. We are getting better daily, but still very lethargic. Today, we gave ourselves some very needed warmth. We went to the beach. I started out walking with three layers between unders and winter coat. By the time I warmed up, I was down to my cami and a sweater!! Yes, I kept my pants on!! Not only did I sit on the beach, I felt a sand angel needed to be made. After all, if I was back in Wisconsin, it would have been a snow angel! So here is the best I could do,

And just to show you I am feeling a lot better,

I wish you all could be here with me. We would invest some serious time on the beach!!!

First "finish" for 2015

Here's a picture of a fun little whole cloth baby napping quilt, or oversized changing pad. It's going to a mom-to-be in my church family. She's a sweet kid (under 30). I don't know the daddy much. Those young people tend to be shy around us Grannies!!  I know they'll get plenty of use out of it. 

DIL, Leslie, uses the smalls I made for her girls as dresser scarves, doll bed blankets, and whatever the need may be. She says just knowing they are sturdy, and can go in the washer and dryer make them versatile. 

I used to get all in a tither  making baby quilts. Then I realized the most important thing was for it to be useful. If I make an heirloom piece it won't be for a child to "look at"! 

So there you have it,

Sweet, simple, and finished!

Let's Create Today,

Luann

PS: I've been quite this month. First I was away on vacation, then I got a nasty cold/flu bug. I am still recouping but spending a few more hours each day in a state of wakefulness. LOL

Today I'm linking up with.  Ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

You may want to check her out,,,

My Only Goal for 2015

The following picture is of a beautiful wall hanging I saw at a wedding back in February, 2013. I don't know the artists, but I know the subject!

The first post of the year is my hardest!  

I spend quite some time trying to set some reasonable goals, but not too comfortable. I have made lists, crossed things off, added more items, and realized that they just weren't what I wanted to say. 

This year is different for me.

In December I felt led by The Holy Spirit to drop out of several group activities and personal pursuits. 24 hours each day is all I have, and I want them to be of value. So, there's a lot of letting go going on. And, it's not bothering me. But I was still bothered by the whole "goal" thing. So, I asked for some clarity and this morning I received my answer. 

What was bothering me? All of the goals that I have ever had were related! The common thread was that it really didn't matter if that particular goal happened today, tomorrow, or a year from now. There was something bigger than all of them. My goals were too small and in all reality, very attainable.

I knew what that one major goal was. I'd known for a long time. I just never put it into words. 

I know I will fall far short of it!  But, I know that as long as my heart's desire is right, I will succeed!

Bringing Honor and Glory to GOD in all I do, for the rest of my life. 

Let God Inspire Us To Create to His Glory and Honor

Luann

Art Supplies Shopping Day

Three hours, three shops, and a little less gas in the car. 

 

And what did I get?

Screen printing ink, black and copper. One yard of screen mesh, a roll of duct tape, a floral stencil, and four 11 x 14, two 8 x 10, three 5 x 7, and four 3&1/2 x 5 mats that I will use in my screen printing experiments. A jumbo roll of burlap ribbon to stencil on. Eight new shades of Lumiere paints. One UHU stic of glue. Some blending solution for my alcohol inks. Several hanks and balls of white cotton threads for dyeing. Four new colors of procion dyes. Three rub 'n buff colors. A value pack of chipwood brushes. Glazing liquid in gloss and satin. Celluclay and e-z form plaster cloth wrap. The Exciter Packs of Lumiere (with neopaques) and Textile Traditions, both are Jacquard products. An Inkodye print fabric with light kit. It's orange but it was a very reduced price and I will experiment with this color before I use my Sepia and Blue. The last three items don't relate easily to any of the previous ones. But, here goes, a silicone oven glove in the shape of a muffin. This is large enough to fit my chubby fingers. Binder's needles, because I want to try doing Coptic stitch and I have my art work that I want to make into book format. And that final little piece that is straddling the roll of screening,,, it's a purse frame. It has holes for sewing the purse structure into it. I have wanted to make one for a long time, now I have the frame, and I can put it on my "I get to do these" list. 

It's a bit early for opening gifts, but sometimes being nice to yourself is very nurturing. 

And a picture of where my collage piece is today,,, color has been changed again. Those Lumieres are going to get a crack at this piece. 

The color isn't even close, but you get the idea I'm sure. It is painted with portrait deep pink, which is actually a beautiful chocolate with pink undertones. We'll see if I can bring this to where my mind's eye thinks it can go.  I'll keep you posted. 

So, until next time, I'm off to create something,

Have a Merry Christmas, after all it's the ultimate present! 

Luann

2014 Altered Fabric Swap Recap

The Altered Fabric group, of the Surface Design, at Stitchinfingers.ning.com gave me an entire year filled with encouragement and inspirations.

Here are some of the pieces I sent out. 

This was a piece that I wrapped plastic whiffle balls inside, put ice over the piece, and then sprinkled on a special black dye mix I had made. The color in the photo isn't as interesting as the piece was!

This piece was the fabric I refer to below, with Setacolor used on it. My rubber floor mat went over it on the grass and then the sun did it's work. Because it was on grass many spots are more out of focus, which can be very lovely when you want it like that. 

Above you can see the black on white print that I started with. I overdyed several pieces in various colors and I really preferred the darker colors and obviously the reverse side. I ordered this cloth thinking it had a smooth tight weave. When I received the BOLT it turned out to be more loosely woven than what I originally planned to use it for. That made it a good candidate for experiments throughout this year. 

This was an attempt at foiling on an unknown content fabric. I think there may be a finish on it and that can play havoc I with your foil staying on. 

This was another month of over dyeing for me. I included a piece of the original fabric. I enjoy the unique little scenes that my mind finds on pieces like this. 

Here's a typical rust dyed piece. I have done some research on the health hazards of true rust dyeing, and I probably won't do it again. I am now diligently working at achieving a rust color from mixing true hues of procion mx dyes. I will thicken it and paint it into "rusty looking" designs once I have that range of colors I want. I will keep you posted on my progress. 

To the left above is the original cloth. My granddaughter wanted purple and black, and I started to overdye this piece. There was no noticeable change. Then I removed some of the color. It turned out to be a pinkish, yellowish, purpley blob. So, when we chose to do some mono printing I decided this was a likely candidate for printing on. I used many different colors, texture items, and those little flower stamps. They are 1" chair leg pads, cut apart and stuck onto a pill bottle cap! Love the design I got with them. 

Here is a crayon rubbing over texture plates. Some turned out better than others. Typical of what happens in my art room. 

These were a blast to make. I used shave cream and Tsukeniko inks with a stencil I purchased.

This was a marbling with the shave cream and Tsukeniko inks. 

Here is my favorite. First splattered wax drops and some specific designs, that way I would have some white. I then dyed the fabric black, grey, or pewter. Next came more wax application. Bleaching out these colors left me with black and white areas of wax, along with some places where voids happened. I didn't mind them at all. Then it was time to overdye each piece. I scrunched each piece up. Applied three complimentary hues in specific areas. I then let them start to batch. Then I massaged them to distribute the dyes and have them intermingle. I finished them off in a conventional dye wash out method after the rest of the batching time. 

I fell in love with these and almost didn't share them at all. I was going to do more for our "resist" focus, but then I knew the next group would be just as hard to give up and the people that I swap with are so appreciative. So, off they went. 

And the one I like the least. Well, one of them had to be at the bottom of the pile!  

One friend said that it was like the colors were fighting, and I completely agreed. Most of them had significantly more paint on them. 

Look at just the bottom 1/4 of the picture, hmmmm. I could see that  being the wings to something. So, it just goes to show, if I stop looking at things as a whole piece, I may like my experiments better. Who knew? I should also turn things upside down and over!

And with that being said, here is the back side of my first pull through a screen print. I used black, but as we all know black is made up of many different colors,,, I really like this one!

It is subtle yet distinct. 

2014 has been a very interesting year. And I believe 2015 will be even better!

So,

Let's Create Today

Luann