The Stripper Part Three

Today I've been working on The Stripper part three.  I am putting this together on an applique sheet.  The applique sheet is transparent and I can see the pattern underneath so I can place the pattern pieces in the correct order.



This photo is the butterfly before watercolor pencil are added.  The Butterfly below is after watercolor pencil is added.   Notice all those little white dots.  They are all fussy cut one at a time.  The watercolor pencil adds a lot of dimension to the body.

The Stripper - Part II

I've started working on the second of four panels that will make up my new piece titled The Stripper.

This piece isn't finished yet but I think you can get the idea.  I chose a piece of black mottled fabric to make the base of my cocoon.  I then cut out shapes of orange to begin making the wings.  I added some black with white dots, a little gold lame and a little color pencil. Over that I fused a piece of organza with a little glimmer and a piece of white tulle.    I think thread will add another dimension.

The leaf has quit a bit of work to be done, I need to get that bend so the leaf doesn't look flat.  I think I can do that with thread as well.

I'm really enjoying working on this and hope to get to part three tomorrow.

The Stripper

When I finished for the day yesterday, I knew I needed to make some changes in the piece I had been working on..  One thing that bothered me was the flower in the background.  This morning when I went down to work, I removed the stem and cut it down.  It still bothered me.  Then my husband walked into my studio and said, "why do you have the flower in the background?"  Why indeed.  I like this much better.  Sometimes my hubby knows what he's talking about.


  I have started painting the Caterpillar to the left.   The one to the bottom is finished.

This is the photograph I've been working from.  I took this photo years ago and it was published as the back flap in Sandlapper Magazine.   I'm slowly learning the new system Blogger has put up.  I think it will be better but it's a pain right now.  More to come.

The Stripper

I started the day working on the piece that I've been having trouble with the machine stitch. After installing a new bobbin, rethreading the needle and all the things you're suppose to do, I gave up. Will start out tomorrow morning going for the whole process again including cleaning the machine. In the mean time I had to do something to fill that creative need.

 Sooo, I started on a new piece that I've been thinking about for quite a while. This piece will have four panels and this is just the beginning of the first panel.  Lots more work to do.  Keep watch and see it grow.

A day of Sewing and Unsewing

It's been one of those days. The quilting process is far from my favorite part of making a piece of fiber art. I thought I was really making progress today, the top of the quilt looked quite good. It was only after I quit for the day that I found all kinds of weird things going on behind the quilt. Just finished taking out all the work I did today. Not happy! This makes me really want to stop and create a new top but I have to get over my reluctance to this process, so I will continue again tomorrow. I did stop at the end of the day to put together a few things to take to NC with me. It looks like we are returning again soon and I really need to have something to keep me together. Bear with me, Blogger has updated and for some reason I can't get paragraphs to come up in my message.

Home Again and Working in the Studio

It is so good to be back home again and to have time for working in the studio. I started Sanctuary quite a while back. I put the layers together ready to quilt and haven't had time to do so. I often put off the quilting part since it is not my favorite process. I didn't do that intentionally this time but life has had other things for me to do.

I'm hoping to finish the quilting this week because I have an exciting new project I'm ready to begin. I've know since Jan. of 2010 that I had to have a challenge finished for Sept. of 2012. Our HiFiber group is putting together a challenge for "The Artist Lost" in Seneca to run the same time our local quilt guild, Lake and Mountain Quilt Guild, has it semi annual show. The challenge is called "Strip". I have been drawing a blank on what to do but think I have finally had the inspiration. I'm ready!

Hannah III accepted in Juried Art Show

I'm back in McDonald's again checking on email etc. and decided that I would post some news I just found in an email. Hannah III has been accepted in the Pickens County Museum Juried SC Art Show.

You may remember that I asked for help in trying to decide how to frame Hannah. This thread painted portrait was my first attempt in creating a portrait from thread. I'm quite pleased with it and had first through I would add it to a more complicated background. However, after much thought and many days looking at her on my design wall she called to be framed. I did just that and am very happy with the results.

Since I am away from home I'm not sure when the opening is but am hoping I will be back to attend. If I get a photo of her hanging in the show I will post it on my blog.

This and That

I'm sitting in a McDonald's today using their wireless internet. We are away from home with no Internet access. I had a lot to catch-up on today so I decided I would visit McDoanld's.

I almost have my new PowerPoint presentation (Fabricating Faces) finished and will be using it April the 19th. for the Shelby, NC guild. I will be glad to see it in full screen as I've only been able to see it on it in my computer.

We've had several family emergencies recently and it makes us so much more aware of how much we love everyone and how fragile life can be. Things are looking up now and I wanted to share why I've not been posting as much. We will be away for another couple of weeks and then maybe I will have something new to share. Thanks for listening.

Ramblings and Other Things

Well, I've decided that I will use the name "Create, Merge, Print & Stitch for my new class at JC Campbell next year. Got the description and information off today. Glad to get that done.

Close-up of Medea Escaping by: Marilyn Belford http://www.marilynbelford.com/

One of the things I've been working on lately is a PowerPoint presentation on "Fabricating Faces". I decided that I wanted to start the presentation with photographs of portraits from quilters that I admire. I also wanted to show the many different technique that can be used to make portraits with fiber.

I sent out an email to many well known and, some so not well known, quilters asking permission to use photos of their work. I even had to ask many of these artist to send photos since I was having trouble downloading off the internet.

I did not get one NO! In fact Deidre Scherer volunteered to send a set of photos depicting the stages of her technique. Deidre is perhaps the pioneer of fiber portraits. If you aren't familiar with her work take a look at her web site. http://www.dscherer.com/

I put this presentation together for guild presentations. If you're interested in seeing/hearing this presentation email me.

I took Hannah III over to the Pickens Museum of Art & History to be juried for the upcoming show for SC Artist. Check off one more thing.

I also sent three computer generated images off to ITAB International TECHstyle Art Biennial for jurying into that show. Lots of opportunities to show my art work now and I'm taking advantage. I'm ready to get these things done so that I can get back to the studio.

Description of New Class; still searching for name

I was going to post the name I had come up with for my new class tonight but Sandy sent some suggestions that I really like. I decided to wait a few days before I submit this to John C. Campbell Folk School for their 2013 catalog. This is the description of my new class.

In this class we will explore creating a portrait; believe it or not this can be done in one day. We will then search our photo image file to find a suitable image that will blend well with the portrait. After we have manipulated the photo to our satisfaction we will print the image on fabric. When the printing is complete we will then explore the possibilities of framing or continuing by adding quilted blocks and/or stitching for the finishing touches.

Any more comments?