A Good Week in the Studio

 A note about last weeks post. I asked for possible names for the piece to the left. Ravishing was the one I like the most and felt fit his piece. Thanks to Irena Teal.





I've had a productive week in the studio. It's not often that I have a whole day to dedicate to just creating. Wednesday was one of those days. I was also able to work several hours on Monday and Tuesday as well. I began a new confetti piece this week but I will save those photos for another time.

You may remember from months back that I was working on a thread painting of my grandson watering our garden.
For various reason I put it aside to work on other projects. I decided this week to get it out and hopefully get it finished before long. I had this much finished at that time.

I was quite happy with this part of the bib and metal clasp.

I'm also pretty happy with this part.

I took a photo of how I set my print up behind my sewing machine so that I can get good light and access to the image as I thread paint.

The area below the watering can is where I began this week. While it is mostly done that is some fine tuning I need to do to join areas of color together. The other thing that had me puzzled was how to represent the water drops that are coming out of the can. They are also dripping off the bottom of the can.

I sent and email to the SAQA Yahoo blog group asking for suggestions. This group of talented artists are so helpful and free with their information. This group would be worth the membership fee to the organization even if it had no other benefits. Below is the results of some of the suggestions.

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Today, after spending quite a few hours on my feet working on a new piece, I pulled out a sample fabric sandwich to practice on.

I first made some drops on a dark piece of fabric but decided that I really needed to thread paint it similar to the jeans. I then made different shapes, used different threads as well as different colors. It's still hard for me to decided if this is going to look right in context. However, I think I'm on the right tract.

Looking forward to more time in the studio.

This post is linked to www.ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

Confetti Piece Finished

I finished my confetti piece this week and am really happy with the results. I wrote about this earlier asking for suggestions as to how I might attach the small pieces on fabric as opposed to batting.

The solution I came up with was to apply Misty Fuse to the front of the fabric and lay the pieces on top. I then covered with parchment paper to press. After this was completed I covered with tulle. I used different color tulle over some of the flower areas and a green tulle over the entire piece.

I felt the the green tulle helped push the flowers into the background and that was what I wanted.

I fussy cut the flower shapes and placed them over the quilted background. I then quilted the flowers.

I have been using Steam A Steam light for one of my classes.  I found out a while back that they had changed manufactures and were putting out a similar new improved SAS.  Not Good!

I decided that I was going to try the produce on the flowers in this piece before I purchased a lot of the product for my Fabricating Faces class. This photo shows the problem that I had with the product. The one on the left shows the paper coming off in spots leaving paper and taking the sticky off in other places.  The piece on the top right shows where some sticky was left and other spots where it was totally removed.  The one on the bottom right all the sticky came off. All the paper was very difficult to remove. Don't yet know what I will use for my class.  I need something that has a sticky backing after it is ironed onto the fabric. I'm going to have to do a bit of experimenting with this one.  To get the pieces that worked I just ironed Misty Fuse to the back and cut out. This is my preferred fusible but I haven't quite figured out how to make it work for my other class. Any suggestions?

I'm also looking for a name for this piece. I know there is a great one out there somewhere. Would love to have suggestions.

This post is linked to www.ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

Vacation & More

I've been away from my blog for a while. My teaching schedule has kept me busy and last week we were at the beach. Had a wonderful, lazy, restorative week.

 I love the beach. There is something so calming about walking in the sand.

Love that lime green umbrella.

Isn't nature amazing. This beautiful flower grows under the harshest conditions.

Beach birds lined in a row.

Everywhere I go I look for artist. We were lucky to meet Michael Smalls demonstrating the making of a SC lowcounty tradition, Sweetgrass Basket making.

Traditionally the women make the baskets while the men and boys harvest the sweetgrass and pineneedles. I said as much to Michael when we were talking. His answer was yes, that's true but I don't like rattle snakes and alligators.  Can't say as I blame him.

One of Michael's beautiful creations.

Well vacation is over, it's time to get back to the studio. As much as I enjoyed the week I am ready to create again. I wish I could come close to what Mother Nature creates and while I know she is far more talented than I am I will do my best.

SAQA Auction Begins Sept. 9

I'm on the road this week teaching in Charlotte, NC.  The workshop yesterday went really well and there were some ah-moments. I love those.We start work again this morning and will be finishing the project we started yesterday as well and learning the process of making the pattern for our portraits.

I want my main post today to be about the SAQA Art Auction. This auction is the main support for the cost of running this wonderful organization so it's very important that word gets out to the public. It also give the public an opportunity to purchase some wonderful art work. If you are a member of Pinterest
you can search SAQA Auction and see a photo of all the artwork that will be coming up for sale.

This piece A Study in Green is my contribution to the auction. It is my understanding that they put up X number for a set number of days at a beginning price and each day the price goes down. Of course, if you want a piece bad enough you best bid early.

Green Mansions by Annie Helmericks-Loder

There are lots of pieces featuring crow. I've often wondered the attraction to crows for artist. While ready a wonderful book recently, Eternaon on the Water I began to realize the why. They are quite intriguing. By the way this is a wonderful book.

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Another interesting crow.

Natures Energy Drink by: Eileen Wintemute

Free by:Carolyn Sharkey

Northern Cardinal by:Ruth Powers

One of my favorites.

That's all I have time for this morning. I'm  off to teach.

I hope you will take a look at the art work and bid.

this post is linked to www.ninamariesayre.blogspot.com