What Next?

...or how to incorporate all these 'little metals' into my textile work.

This has been a fun year full of mark-making, slow-stitching and now turning a wide corner with playing with metals... but, the love of silk and thread has a strong pull on my soul.

So with each group of 'little metals' I have turned to playing with fabric in ways to incorporate them or feature them in textiles. I some cases I have created specially designed canvases using Fast-Piece Applique.

 

 

 this combination became one of my favorites so far.

when using Fast-Piece Applique for these I use invisible thread and no couching... which was one of the many ways I showed in my last book.

These poppy pieces are now done and ready to prepare for hanging. Yes, this pieces are shown off in a different way and made ready for hanging in a special way as well -- (more on this tomorrow).

Besides using Fast-Piece Applique I have had a blast stitching up some great canvases using improvisational piecing which I show how to do in my first book-Dream Landscapes.

More on how these pieces are finished tomorrow.

Disappearing Act

Hi All!
It is hard to believe that it is December already, and even harder to believe that I have not been sharing all that I have been up to since September. It has been hard at times over this period because I had injured my back and am only know getting relief.

It has also been a pretty creative time for me, too. Since last May I have been taking a few workshops relating to metal and resin work, and taking a college sculpture class at Paducah Art & Design.

The biggest change brought about by all this infusion of 'metal stuff' has been the building of a metals studio in my basement. There is plenty of room down there so back in July I had my trusted handyman Bob begin the transformation process by installing new lighting and separate circuits to handle my kiln.... yes, folks my kiln. The first thing discovered on putting up the lighting was just how much the floors needed to be swept.

With lighting up, clean up done the space was fitted out with an exhaust system and a new sink installed. Purchases made of enamels and equipment -- (a new close bond with the UPS guy) and the play began.

This is what the space looks like -- one side for enameling -- the other for metal working.

and, the pictures below are some of first pieces that I have made.

When I began this newest journey I had wanted to mix these in with my textiles. Tomorrow I will share a bit of what steps I have taking to mix it up with these 'little metal' pieces.

Rag-Quilt Saga

Since sometime last year I have known that the extra colorful quilt I kept on my bed would have to be replaced. It had been way overly loved since it was made in 1998 and had gone beyond just showing wear to having holes. These holes were made even bigger by a certain kitten who will remain nameless.

I had tried time and again to think of a design that I wanted to use, but it wasn't until I got my birthday present from my friend Angelique that I KNEW what the bed was calling out for. Angelique knew that I wanted a lap quilt for the living room which had been redone and she sent me a wonderful rag-quilt!

When I saw that quilt, I knew Angelique had provided the perfect idea for the bed quilt redo. All the colorful fabrics in my stash could be used....
I was off!!

 

 So I pulled a ton of fabrics from my stash.

 And, even though Ralphie took over the piles I managed to get all the fabric cut.

 I could tell from the scraps that I was going to like it.

 Edgar....

 and Ralphie helped with the sewing....

 until the blocks were stacked high...

then the blocks were stitched and stitched.

Lastly, all was cut and washed to fluff.... leaving a very contented kitty.
He no longer has the holes to play with, but I don't think he misses them.

If you think you want to try one for yourself there are a ton of quilters who have given directions on how to.
Click here for one of those wonderful folks.

Happily covered in Kentucky,
~Rose

btw - that old quilt just might show up is some other transformation soon

The Hunt Turns to Embellishments

Last Friday I flew into Orange County --
I wanted to sneak in and be there waiting for my daughter-in-law at a  surprise party being held for her on Sat....
it went off without a hitch,
of course with the help of a small number of friends.

Before I left home I worked on a series of small quilt works --
all silk, and all ready for some wild embellishing stitch-portunities.

Since visiting the OC last year there seems to be a new bunch of stores that have moved in. Think Japanese dollar store, then check out the on-line Daiso stores.  Everything in these stores is a $1.50 and fun, so it seemed a great place to find things that may work out as embellishments.

So, along with things pulled from my stash I'm going to try and incorporate some of these finds...

What do you think?
Could you come up with ways to use some of these items?

I'm looking forward to jumping in soon.

The Hunt Began

This Memorial Day finds me feeling much better, but still trying to kick the butt off this bronchitis...The 2nd round of antibiotics along with allergy medicine is finally letting me breathe.

While trying to be good and rest up I turned to my sketchbook and had fun working through some ideas that had been popping up several times while I was doing the daily word challenge.

To celebrate feeling better I decided to start pulling fabrics --- and I found my mind turning to this one particular blue silk.
The hunt was on - with the pulling out a blue bin of silk...
Sort of overwhelming.
It has been a while since I went for silk -- so much of my quilt making for my books is cotton.

First, I was a bit surprised by the sheer amount of silk that burst forth when I flipped off the lid. Then I was happily engaged with all the colors and textures of all the fabric --- mind you, I never really found the piece I was looking for, but I was having fun.

The opening of the blue bin, lead to the opening of the green -- then it was on to the purple and lastly the red/orange bin.

 

With the opening and digging through all the fabric poured memories. Fabric from this place or that place. Fabric that had been used in this quilt or that.
Does this happen to you, too?
The hunt for once piece of fabric let me reconnect not only to the fabric itself, but the history that brought it all to me.

It also was quite apparent to me that 1. I did not need anymore silk -- so during my upcoming trip to SoCalifornia I can stay clear of the Garment District, and 2. It is time for some silky projects!

All in all, a good day.

An Artist Date -- To Rural King?!?

What's a Rural King? That was the question I asked last year as construction on their new store here in Paducah was underway. It's kind of like a Lowe's I was told, and just never took the time to go wander through for myself... until, over some knitting others in the group said they really did not go there for it was more farm related -- even had baby chickens....

Well, that stuck with me, and I found myself planning an artist's date to go discover for myself. I'd give it any hour... but, 1 1/2 hours later I did leave but with areas left to explore.

It was wonderfully intriguing, educational and there was stuff there that may never see found down on the farm if I get my hands on it. There were things I'd only heard of, and a selection of other materials that I use that was beyond what could ever be found in a Lowe's or Home Depot. Last, night at mixed media group one described it s Harbor Freight on steroids. I am going to try and post all my pictures here, they will be small, click to make them larger... then you can tell for yourself!

See anything that gets your own
creative mind spinning?

Day 1 - The Challenge Fun Begins

Below is the first word to kick off the
21 Day Springtime Creativity Challenge

Now grab your sketchbook or some paper & a pencil
Draw anything/ everything that comes to mind
when you think about the word 'sprouting'

& STOP at 5 minutes
THEN(optional but highly desired) Snap a picture of your drawing and post it to our group on Facebook.

For every time you post a picture of your 5 minute work out drawings during our challenge, you'll get one chance to win a copy of my book Design, Create, Quilt

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with ....
hmmmm.... SPROUTING!

Getting Ready

The 21-Day Springtime Creativity Warm-Up Challenge is set to begin here in just two days. There are lots of you that have asked to be part of the FaceBook Group and that's pretty exciting.

There will be lots of us jumping in together to warm-up our creativity.
Who knows where it will lead. 


Meantime, I'm getting all my supplies lined up.
OK, so it really only requires some paper and pencil...
BUT, I am a self-confessed office & art supplies junkie.

So, when you say paper.... I say, what kind?
In the past I did these exercises in a sketch book. It kept everything together, and it was an excuse to buy another sketchbook.
Since that first sketchbook was filled I started using tracing paper. I like using tracing paper in my design process, so this was a natural for me.. again, BUT...

While doing many, many of these over several years with my design group there came the suggestion to use 12"x12" sandwich wrap papers.
The 1000 sheet box purchased at Cosco is still pretty full, but I love using this paper, and I store them in a scrapbook box.

Now, the pencil. This is still up in the air. I gathered up all the pencils I have on hand and am trying to decide. This will probably take until Saturday, so it's a good thing that I started this now.

What do you think? Which pencil?

I told you I am a supply junkie... Maybe I'll go buy a new mechanical pencil, hmmm.

Be Creative Everyday

Being creative every day is a way to keep our brains charged and ready for the infinite possibilities that come our way. (in other words – to stay sane).

It's important and not as hard, or time consuming as you may think. How? 5 minute quick sketches, is how? That is sketches, not stretches - though you will be stretching your mind and imagination. I've been using these 5 minute sketches myself, over the last several years as a tool to kick start -- well, myself. They have proven to be effective and fun, and some have made their way into quilt designs - in fact there's at least one quilt designs that came about from this exercise that became a quilt in my latest book.

They are not meant to be pretty finished drawings --
just quick sketches that get things out of you head and onto paper.

So are you ready to let your imagination take flight, and you're ready to get a jump on creativity, I'm ready to be your work-out buddy!

Join me for the
21 Day Springtime Creativity Warm-Up Challenge!
In 5 minutes a day you’ll:

• improve your drawing skills
• loosen up-get your mind open for the day
• increase your creativity
• get your imagination stirring
• and, possibly produce new concepts

Here's how the challenge will work.

Each day there will be a new WORD (or phrase)
I will post them on my blog and also on our FaceBook Group page.

That’s your queue to grab your sketchbook or some paper & a pencil
1. Then draw anything/ everything that comes to mind when you think about the WORD.
2. STOP at 5 minutes.
3. (optional but highly desired) Snap a picture of your drawing and post it to our group page on Facebook.

Join in by sending me an instant message on FaceBook–
I’ll then send you an invite-and you’re in!

Are you needing a NUDGE?

How about a book give-away?!?

Join me on this challenge,
and for every time you post a picture of one of your own 5 minute work-out drawings to our group FaceBook Page,
your name will be entered to
win a copy of my book Design, Create, Quilt

(After all, it was in this book that
I first suggested these ‘artifying’ exercises).

The challenge begins
March 21st
and runs through April 10th
The drawing for my book Design, Create, Quilt
will be on April 11th.

Painted Ladies = Cat House

August brings with the start of new projects
and winding up and down of others.

Winding Down:
Yesterday I painted the last bits of colors to the shed...
luckily I chatted with my daughter-in-law, Dawn, for just at the right moment she said it should have some inspirational words, and I had just the right spot.

Now, I look out the window to visions of
Live, Laugh, Dream, Love, Create

The Start:
Shaping up with Fast-Piece Applique is underway, and I am loving being able to share with students literally from around the world.

Winding Up:
Book 4's next tick in the schedule is due mid-August..
with early announcement's on Amazon, etc, so I have also planned something fun for around the 15th... so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the cat houses are calling.
Below you can begin to see how the wild colors of the painted ladies are starting to take shape.

UPDATE: APRIL 2015

Looky what happened to the CAT HOUSES!
Find all the patterns and instructions in Generation Q Magazine.

Getting Ready for Quilt Week

Just like springtime finally moving in --
Quilt Week rolls in to town.
Are you planning on being here to share in the fun?

It is a time when all the fabricy people around town have been prepping for, for some time...but it is fun to see all the last minute primping. Almost everywhere you go things are being put into place to share with all the quilters that visit us this week.

I feel lucky to have moved here and feel a part of the primping and prepping.

You'll find my own quilts on display at the Mayor's Office -- yes, you can go see where the business of running the city takes place and see quilts, too!

There's a special selection of my springtime quilts at Ephemera of Paducah --- and you may also want to add my 1 or more of my mini workshops to your schedule while you're here.

But, there are quilt and fiber art works going up everywhere...
one of my favorite places -- and a must for anyone looking for amazing hand-dyed fabric is the Jefferson St. Studio of Bob & Helene Davis -- The ladder here with Bob hanging quilts will have been put away by now, but oh, what a treat of color, fabric and BEADS awaits.

I also will be doing book signings at the Antique Mart on the corner of 4th & Jefferson on Friday & Saturday from 11-1. Stop by -- for behind this door you'll not only find wonderful antique quilts but amazing silk Kimonos --- wonderful, yummy fabric!

Color Blocking

Happy, Happy Spring!!

We have finally started to see some warmer weather and my mind has been swimming with new projects and possibilities for the garden. Too, early though to anything but work on the skeletal remains and dream.

In the studio with my friend Helene though it has been a bit different. We both wanted to just have some fun with color and fabric so for the last couple of weeks when we met I had been printing on some, long-ago hand-dyed fabric I found in my stash.

It has been so much fun... I had to share!

The fabric paint was pulled and using just some scrap rubber left over from rubber-stamp carvings I rolled on the color.