Continuing my special presentation of articles submitted by my guest bloggers.
Playing with Spray-On Fabric Dyes
by guest blogger Christine Predd (originally published 15 June 2009)
Several days ago I purchased some spray on fabric dyes at Hobby Lobby . . . I think they were sold for tie-dye projects, althogh I was planning to use them to dye some fabric for my art quilts. I live in a ranch style condo and only have a small patio, not a lot of room for serious fabric dyeing. This sounded perfect for my situation. I only bought the primary colors, hoping to create new colors as I used them.
The sun was shining today so I decided to get started. I cut two pieces of PDF fabric, 22 inches square or so. After laying one piece on a drop cloth on the patio, I proceeded to use some photo matting as my stencil and begin spraying on dyes in different places with the matting in different position. See the photos below.
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The Creative Journey
by guest blogger Katherine Sands (originally published 21st April 2009)
For me, the creative life is a journey…and I learn and see so many interesting things along the way!
Some artists are able to plan ahead; I love their work and their process, but that doesn’t seem to be the way I work. I am a fly-by-the-seat-0f-your-pants serendipity kind of gal. Too much planning and I would probably be bored. A case in point…since a larger, new art quilt I had done didn’t fit the size requirements for an upcoming arts council exhibit, I decided to start a new piece of art. I was on a deadline, so I decided to keep it simple. I pieced and quilted it, using simple hand dyed fabrics and one black and white screen printed fabric. I didn’t quilt it all over, but left areas that were not quilted which “poufed” a bit.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Dawn Goldsmith
If you enjoyed Dawn’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
I’m a quilt and fabric arts lover, a writer about the topic, and dabble a bit. For several years I’ve enjoyed sharing this interest through my blog: Subversive Stitchers: Women Armed with Needles. And this past year several guest bloggers have joined me in sharing their experiences, tips, trials, and loves, too. I was pleased to support and give a little shout out for Virginia Spiegel and her efforts to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Her success inspired me.
When it came time to find a way to raise funds for the ALS Association, my thoughts immediately turned to quilts. There is nothing more comforting than a quilt and it just seemed the most appropriate medium for a fund raiser. Particularly a fund raiser for a novice at such things as I am.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Christine Predd
If you enjoyed Christine’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
Adding Arty Fun to that Traditional Quilt
Escape by Christine Predd
Maybe some readers make quilts from patterns and have a little bit of an itch to reach into the art quilt world at the same time. This can be done by thinking a little creatively as you work……..maybe adding a different technique, or just something out of the ordinary to that pattern and making it more your own creation.
Here’s some ways that may work for you to do just that! These are not original ideas by any means, just ideas I’ve gathered along the way.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Katherine Sands
If you enjoyed Katherine’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
Using Unusual Materials
I was raised by grandparents who grew up during the great depression. We made do with what we had and we didn’t throw anything away! I still have trouble throwing things away. Watch me save those hard plastic tags on potato and onion bags; I know someday I will come up with a use for them!
With the current economic conditions we face, quilters are looking to use what is in their stash. A recent exhibit at the Illinois State Museum shop gave me an opportunity. The exhibit was called Repurposed, Renewed, Reborn. Each participant was to use items they already had and not purchase anything new. I went a step further and actually used re-cycled items in my entries.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Christine Predd
If you enjoyed Christine’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
Making my Own Stamps
There are two articles about creating original woodblocks and stamps in the April/May issue of Quilting Arts magazine. I was intrigued……..so I went off to the local hardware and bought a roll of rubber tape in the insulation department, 3/4 inch wide. It has an adhesive back, so it adheres quickly to my wood holders.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Christine Predd
If you enjoyed Christine’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
When Inspiration Sources Unite
I recently made an art quilt that I realized came together due to three different sources of inspiration.
First, I had a piece of hand dyed/painted fabric that reminded me of barbed wire. I had made these brown crosses randomly on this piece, and that’s all I could think about: barbed wire.
Second, in my daily walks here in Florida I began to encounter what seemed to be a homeless man walking along the same streets I was walking. I saw him over a period of several days at least three times. He was obviously out of place as I could tell by his clothing and physical hygiene. It made me sad. I wanted to do something but didn’t know what.
Third, one day while walking I was listening to music from Simon and Garfunkel, a 60’s group that you may recall. The song entitled “Boxer” has a line that just stood out to me………”where the ragged people go”.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Christine Predd
If you enjoyed Christine’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
Thinking of New Inspirations
Maybe you keep an idea file………maybe you keep a photo file…….here’s a way to jog your inspiration by just planning some regular “think” time.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Virginia Spiegel
If you enjoyed Ellen’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
Collage Mania
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“Growth” Rhonda Baldwin
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“She did it for me” Lynn Colwell
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Collage Mania, a Fiberart For A Cause fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, opens May 5 with 383 fiber collages donated by 161 artists from around the world.
The artwork can be previewed previewed here.
Collage Mania opens May 5 with an $80 minimum donation for each artwork. On May 6 and 7, the minimum donation drops to $40. Of course, since this is a fundraiser, patrons are encouraged to donate a bit more if they are able. The goal of this three-day art extravaganza is to raise at least $20,000 for the American Cancer Society.
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An inspirational article by my guest blogger – Ellen Lindner
If you enjoyed Ellen’s article, please leave a comment and let her know!
Ah, Now I Feel Better
Not that I felt bad before. But, I had been sitting at the computer for a while, and I wanted a diversion. So, I grabbed my camera and headed for my yard. My goal was to look at things in a new way.
I stepped into a cloudy day, as I started photographing my surroundings, taking my time, and slowly strolling around. Zooming in revealed many wonderful details in my viewfinder. Soon, I had discovered many little treasures in the vegetation I normally just walk past. I was beginning to get that creative buzz in the back of my head, my adrenalin was starting to flow, and I felt like my artistic eyes were slowly reopening.
What a kick!
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