Iris Skies

Again, working further with the fabric that I previously parfait dyed using RIT dyes,

I've created a series that I plan to mount separately on 1 1/2" deep canvases for hanging.

 The RIT dyes produced  fabric that was almost ethereal in appearance. This was fun to work with in contrast with a Denyse Schmidt print, alongside a Kona cotton, a commercial solid and a batik.

By simplifying my color pallet, I found that this piecing technique created framing that looked like portals, gates or entrances to the skies.

I used a few directional lines of stitching to help guide the viewer's eye. 

Hmmm? They still need something more. Maybe another layer. Some paint? Distressing? . . .
Not really done yet. 

 Iris Skies

3 - 12" x 12" x 1/12"

A Bee on the window

Yesterday we had one of those rare but miserable three digit temperature days here in Portland.

I was so grateful that we have air conditioning. But, my sewing machine is upstairs in the dormer.

It can stay pretty warm in there, once the sun comes around to heat up that part of the house.

So, I spent my sewing time in the dark. Sewing only by the light of my machine, with a fan blowing at my feet.

I was pretty comfortable for a few hours, then had to call its quits for the day.

I managed to get some lines quilted on this piece from this week's 'Parfait dyed' fabric, which I gave instructions for in a previous blog. It ended up being the one piece of fabric that received the least amount of dye. Always going for the challenge of using the ugliest piece of fabric, I had to see what I could come up with. When I first opened it out, it reminded me of a pane of glass - or a window.

I added a bee to it that I had previously inked, enlarged and painted. 

It reproduced well on a piece of fusible fabric. 

Here it is ready to mount on a canvas.

Bee On The Window

16" x 20"

Creative process

Yesterday I squeezed in some time to finish up the beading on my most recent quilt.

When I first began this project, little did I know that it's inspiration would come from our trip last week to Crater Lake. My husband and I had taken a side trip to that area on our way back from visiting our son in California.

After we got home, I was feeling some pressure to create new work in order to have a few pieces to hang at the co-op gallery I have joined.

I started with a pile of fabric that I had previously stacked and put to the side in my studio.

 Given a size requirement by the gallery, I began with my usual. Cutting and assembling of three major units that would form the base of my design. As I worked, things just weren't coming together as easily as they should. I left the first three units on my cutting board until the next day. Nope, still not what I wanted. But, I felt I was running out of time in order to meet the hanging deadline for next month's show. So, I pushed on.

My goal was to fit this onto a 16" x 16" canvas for ease in hanging. The gallery has a 'one nail' rule, so most traditional ways to hang up fiber art can't be considered. 

When I couldn't sew together any more pieces - already getting too big for what I had planned - I stopped. 

I took my work over to the ironing board for a good pressing, staring with the back side.

As you probably already figured out, as I flipped the piece over on my ironing board, a new perspective came to light. What started as "over extending to the right side" became "longer than it should be". . .

Hmmm?  . . . And of course, I just love the irregular edges. Can't cut that off!

So, I abandoned the 16" x 16" idea completely. This had already become a different quilt. 

And, guess what? . . it reminded me of Crater Lake.

Da - Hadn't we just been there?  Guess this one was just in there waiting to come out. . .

The mysteries of the human mind at work.

Crater Lake

 18" x 30"

 

On Hiatus

I am on hiatus, enjoying summer travel.

Collecting ideas, friends and good times spent with loved ones.