QUILT DESIGNED ON THE COMPUTER

I've just finished my first quilt, called "COME TOGETHER" that I designed on the computer.  I used a program called "EazyDraw".  The video tutorials made it easier for me than I thought possible.

Here's the drawing that I used as a pattern.  I used a digital projector to get the pattern projected onto a sheet of freezer paper. I then traced the pattern onto the paper.  Once I had the pattern drawn onto the freezer paper, I then placed it under a light weight piece of white cotton fabric. I then redrew the pattern onto the cotton. Each pattern piece was then pinned to the white fabric to ensure proper placement. Even at that, I had to constantly work with the colored pattern to make sure the placement was correct.

Here's a photo of the cut out pieces being pinned to the white background. Each piece  had Misty Fuse on the back of it, but, I did not fuse any of the pieces until I had everything pinned into place. I did the final fusing while the whole piece was pinned to the design wall.

You can also see in this photo, that additional design elements are being added to the original design. Of course, the colors are also changed due to the fabric selections.

 I used Quilter's Dream Orient batting which is a blend of silk, bamboo, Tencel and cotton. I really liked the look of the quilting with this batting.

After quilting the whole piece, I started adding in  embellishments.  The embellishments, which are glass, natural stones, butterflies, turtles, swallows, etc,. add to the organic/feminine theme of the quilt.

 Viola! The finished quilt.  It will be part of the Quilt Artisans of Kentucky "Quilts with a Kick" Exhibit which can be seen July 6, 2012 through August 25, 2012 at the Berea Arts Council Gallery in Berea, KY.


Until next time,

Happy Creating,
Karen

MOUNTING ART QUILTS ON CANVAS -PART 3

Despite the fact that I've been doing the gardening work of March, April and May all in the past week, (if not in reality, it at least feels like it with the super warm temperatures we've had,) I did manage to get 2 more small Art Quilt pieces mounted on painter's canvas.

Again I painted the canvases with Jaquard Lumiere paints. 

     "THE LAC"

This canvas was painted and then further embellishment was added using a black pigma pen.  Again, I have sewed the quilt onto the canvas. I think it makes for a nicer piece that won't sag or bag, especially in humid weather or as time goes on.  The canvas size is 8" x 10". 

*********************

 

 "DIAMONDS ON THE LAC"

Here I painted the canvas with  2 different colors of black, one opaque and one metallic. I thought it looked too plain so I added the metalic threads going out from the quilt around the edge of the canvas.

 I used Madiera FS20 metallic thread for the edging and in the piece. I love using that thread. For me, it's been great in the machine and for hand work.

I signed on the back of the canvas in addition to already having signed on the back of my piece.

I still have not decided whether to hang these pieces or display them on easels.  They look great in black easels.

Ok, I'm heading out to the studio to feed that hungry muse ;-)

Karen

PS. Someone said they tried to post a comment and could not do so. If you are a member of QAK and want to post a comment, you can do so on the QAK Facebook page.  In the meantime, I'll try to figure out why comments cannot be posted.

Mounting Art Quits on Painter's Canvas: Part 2

Mounting Art Quits on Painter's Canvas: Part 2

I finally finished my first attempt at mounting a small art quilt on Painter's canvas.

The piece, "Winter Sycamore", is about 9"x11".  I mounted it on an 11"x14" canvas. 

I painted the canvas with 4 different colors of Jaquard paint, mostly metallic. Then I glued down angelina scraps to represent the fallen leaves that surround the tree all winter.

Here are pictures that show the whole the finishing process.

 After painting the canvas, I decided to see if I could put a better finish on the edges of the art piece. The silver edge just didn't finish it right. I decided on using a variegated ribbon yarn. 

 

 I had to apply the ribbon yarn by hand. I could have done it by machine but I had beaded too close to the edge to use the machine.

The colors in the yarn really pick up the colors in the piece and connect all the design elements.

 

I sewed the piece into place using black quilting thread.  Now I'm trying to decide if I should add hanging wire to the back or just a little hook for hanging the piece. The picture was taken on a black design board.

 

Close-up of the thread painting stitching/quilting, over the heat bonded silk roving. Angelina fibers were needle punched into the base of the tree.

Here's a close-up of the heart of the tree. It's a blister pearl that has been captured with 2 strands of delica seed beads.  The gold seed beads represent the seed pods that hang on the tree all winter.

I think I'm going to be using this mounting process a lot in the future. It really gives a presence to the smaller pieces and makes them easier to hang or place on an easel.  In fact, I have 2 more smaller canvases painted and ready to have the postcard size pieces mounted on them.

The canvases can also be covered with fabric but I like the effects I get with paint.

I'm going to experiment more with different ways of attaching the pieces to the canvas.

Hopefully, I'll be posting something more about all of that in the next week.

In the meantime, I'm having a very difficult time actually spending much time in the studio. The warm weather is causing havoc in the garden and there have already been many hours spent outside trying to have some kind of order put back into place.  So far, I'm way behind in the game.

Remember to feed the muse,

Karen

Mounting Art Quits on Painter's Canvas

I have a small, about 8"x11", piece that I have not been happy with the way it finished out.  I have recently learned about using artist canvases for mounting small fiber arts works.

I found a canvas that is the perfect size for my "Winter Sycamore" piece. I painted it using three different colors of Jaquard metallic and opaque paints.

i am still deciding on how to mount the piece.

Here are some pictures of "Winter Sycamore" and some ideas that I'm playing with.

 Painted canvas with "Winter Sycamore"

 "Winter Sycamore" is coming alive after being placed on the painted canvas.

 Experimenting with a variety of trims to use to attach the piece to the canvas.

I'll get the pictures of the finished piece posted in the next week. 

In the meantime "Remember to feed your inner muse with lots of creativity."

Karen

Marbling fabric

A week ago I took part in a marbling workshop, along with a few other members of the Lexington Fiber Arts Guild. One of our members graciously let us use her basement studio, and even some prepared fabrics for us newbies in the art.

 I was very pleased by my first feeble attempts at marbling fabric.  I am going to try it again and am wondering what it might look like on silk. 

In the meantime, I have discovered two wonderful web sites that deal with marbling.
Here they are:
http://www.marbledmusings.com/
http://marbleart.us/

Here are some pictures of the few pieces that I managed to do at the workshop. Hmmm, wonder what some stamping would do to them.  I'll let you know when I find out. For now, I'm heading out to take a walk around the farm and enjoy the balmy weather.   Never bored, Karen

Barn Quilt Square

We recently had a Barn Quilt installed on our old tobacco barn. The pattern is "Flying Swallows" . I chose it because my studio is "Birdsong Studio" and the farm is "Birdsong Farm" and, ta da, because we have lots of Barn and Tree Swallows swooping all over our summer skies.
I sponge painted the blue background squares. I wanted them to reflect the blue sky and white clouds that are behind and around the barn.  It works great.
The quilt square was installed by "The Woodford County Quilt Trail".  Ours was the 4th square they have installed. They hope to put up 30 squares.
Our square is 8' by 8' so it really stands out. We have had neighbors stop and wave who have never noticed us before, strangers stop and take pictures and yesterday, a family stopped and asked my husband about out barn "sign". He gladly told them that it is a quilt square, the pattern name and everything else he could think of about the whole project.  They seemed very happy to learn about the quilt pattern and the quilt trail.

Here are some pictures of the quilt square in progress and as it looks on the barn.

 Sponging the blue background with some help from a friend.

 Installing the quilt square. It took a lot of volunteer labor and about 1 1/2 hours on a very cold day.

 It's beautiful and fun to look at.;-)


I am wondering if these quilt squares will help to ignite new interest in traditional and modern forms of quilting.  I hope so. I'd love to see some younger people getting involved in quilting again. Also, as much as I love art quilting, we really need to be sure we keep the heritage of traditional quilts alive.
Happy Quilting,

Karen

Words of Wisdom

Never open the cover on a dehydrator while there are rose petals in it and it's still running. Talk about a rose petals carpeting the floor.

"Analysis Paralysis"  don't let it stifle your need to create!