Suzan Engler - Textile Artist

My First Quilt

2012-01-29T20:33:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd share my first ever quilt with you. It was hand pieced, hand quilted, and embroidered. It was made in 1982.

I did not have a pattern, I just sort of made it up as I went along.

Evidently I chose REALLY fluffy batting! I think that was popular back in the '80s. It is 30 years old and it is still about 1 1/2 inches thick!

My next quilt? It was made about 17 years later (life got in the way!)

2012-01-21T20:07:00.000-06:00

I am and probably always will be in constant pursuit of organization. I've blogged about it several times before here and here. My theory is the less stuff, the easier to keep organized, right?

I have a box filled with photos, sketches, and prototypes. However, I find that they do me little good if they are hidden away in a box because I tend to forget about them. I want to see them and be inspired by them. What to do? Make them digital of course!

I take a picture of each item and then upload all the photos to the computer. Once I have digital images, I put them all into one directory on the computer. The files in this directory will be displayed individually as my PC's background. I also add inspirational photos taken at quilt shows, vacation, etc., to this directory.

On my computer, the path to define the background is start / control panel / appearance and personalization / change desktop background. Disclaimer: the path on your computer may be very different!

Select the directory with the images and check each photo that you want to be displayed as a background image. I have it set up so that the images are shuffled and displayed for 3 minutes at a time. Then the next inspirational image comes into view.

Recycled tamale bags

2012-01-08T19:32:00.002-06:00

We love tamales at our house, especially during the holidays. One of the brands that we buy comes in these little cotton bags.

Hmmm... the bags are about the same size as a pot holder. I inserted layers of leftover cotton batting into the bag and then quilted it in a concentric pattern.

Next time I will quilt more closely so that the potholder is more pliable.

The Art in Fiber 2012

2012-01-07T14:15:00.003-06:00

My artwork is featured on the poster for the upcoming The Art in Fiber 2012 at The Copper Shade Tree in Round Top, Texas.

The model for this piece was actually an black Angus bull calf at my parent's ranch in Oklahoma.

17 quilts completed

2012-01-01T18:25:00.000-06:00

New Year's Day might just be my favorite day of the year. I absolutely love the promise of a new year; a blank canvas just waiting for me to fill as I choose.

Resolutions help me focus on the future and while I am not one to dwell on the past, I do like to take stock of the previous year. Sometimes I am surprised how much gets accomplished while I am busy dealing with everyday life.

I won't share my whole list but here are a few highlights.

- I actually finished 17 quilts in 2011! Who knew?
- I sold 4 art quilts and displayed my work in 3 galleries.
- I worked on an art quilt with a group of artists that I respect.
- I had quilts, photographs, and a haiku displayed at the Houston International Quilt Festival.
- I homeschooled 2 teenage boys.
- I drove three 1000 mile round-trips to visit my parents.
- I attended vegetable gardening classes.
- I spent time with dear friends.

Even if you don't do New Year's Resolutions, I encourage you to pause at the beginning of 2012 and write down 50 or 100 of your accomplishments from 2011. You might also be pleasantly surprised with all that you have accomplished.

Window to the past

2011-06-12T08:40:00.000-05:00

This is hand painted and quilted; then mounted to a stretched canvas and framed.

Juicy Pear

2011-06-07T07:45:00.000-05:00

Juicy Pear
© 2010 Suzan Engler
Textile Painting (hand painted silk, silk dupioni border, machine stitching, mounted on stretched canvas)
Size: 16" x 20"
$275

I just love the color saturation that silk provides

Austin Area Quilt Show

2010-09-19T08:31:00.000-05:00

Road Trip!!

My artsy buddies and I took a road trip to Austin to see the Austin Area Quilt Guild Show and Sale. Ihighly recommend it. It is in a great venue and very professionally done. Wonderful quilts of all sizes, shapes and techniques.

And vendors too! I showed amazing resistance and only came home with a few purchases. For example, I did not buy the new Janome, I bought only 3 jars of paint instead of the 24 that I wanted and only 5 packages of beads instead on a bucketful.

I bought a hank of this amazing...stuff....I don't even know what to call it. It is strips of old saris cut into strips and sewn together in a long string. I'll be making a loosely knit scarf out of it very soon!

Seed Pods From the Rare Seed Bead Tree

2010-09-19T08:28:00.000-05:00

Here is the finished mini-quilt

Seed Pods From The Rare Seed Bead Tree
© 2010 Suzan Engler
9"x12" Textile Painting (cotton, beads, thread, machine and hand stitching)

This will be displayed at the SAQA Booth at the Houston International Quilt Festival. If you are in Houston come visit the SAQA booth and learn more about this wonderful organization for the Art Quilter.

Quilted Background

2010-09-14T08:17:00.000-05:00

The three "seed pods" will be appliquéd to this background.

I used the same greek key quilting motif as on the circles. I drew squares as a go-by for the greek key with a blue water soluble marker and use Superior Threads Rainbow Salsa for the quilting.When I spritzed the quilted fabric to get out the marker, dye ran and tinted the backing fabric! I soaked it and rinsed it multiple times until the water ran clear to get the excess dye out. I guess that is how they get such a saturated color!

The piece was now very wet so it had to dry quite a while. After several hours, I became impatient to proceed; I thought I'd speed up the drying process by ironing the quilted piece. I placed layers of muslin on top and bottom and pressed only to find that now the muslin pieces now had dye on them also! Nothing was ruined but if this fabric had been a part of a larger piece it could have been a real problem. Lesson learned, next time I will be much more careful about pre-washing my hand dyed fabrics.

Satin Stitched Edging

2010-09-14T08:15:00.000-05:00

The red beads from 2 blogs ago have resurfaced in a new form. I have cut them out and will appliqué the circles onto another quilted surface.
Now they look like seed pods to me - seed beads seeds!

I satin stitched (twice) over pearl cotton to make a nice clean finish on the edges. I used the couching foot; it holds the pearl cotton in place while doing the satin stitch. The foot makes it very easy to do; I probably would not have tried it otherwise!

Any little threads that were sticking out after stitching were colored with a black fabric marker.

This is a great finish for ATCs and other small projects.

Full moon and flying crane

2010-09-05T10:51:00.000-05:00

It's not a very intriguiing title, is it? It might change if I become inspired. However, here is my latest work-in-progress.

The first layer is gray batik with an appliquéd circle. Second layer is silk organza (printed on my home computer). My Epson will print on just about any fabric as long as it is well trimmed and ironed to freezer paper. The printed crane images are from Dover clip Matsuya Japanese Crest Designs. Funny, the black bars looked great at 10:30 last night. Now that I see them in day light they will definitely have to be redone!

Lastly, I embroidered a crane; the crane image is clip art that comes with CorelDRAW.

Red Beads

2010-09-01T20:07:00.002-05:00

Here is my current work-in-progress.I faced the circles and when turning, left just a little of the facing fabric showing. Makes a nice ring of color around the circles with very little work.

I am (im)patiently waiting for my order from Superior Threads to arrive before I can start quilting. I needed a special coloration for this little quilt - Rainbow Mango, Mango! I wish I had one of all of their threads on hand so I did not have to wait even a day or two.Oh BTW, I'm thinking about doing handstitching!?!

Cutting Station

2010-08-28T20:47:00.002-05:00

I have not found an iPad app that will cut my fabric for me!

However here is the next best thing for the way I work.

First I have a cutting board with L-shaped bumpers at the back and one side (you can move it to either side). What makes it so perfect for me are the bumpers - I push my ruler up to a bumper and it keeps the ruler straight with much less strain on my hands. The first strip I used to cut would be perfect but as I continued along strips would become increasingly wonky - but no more!

Secondly I have my rulers hanging beside my cutting station. If they are easy to see, I am more likely to use the right one for the job. I hang the rotary cutter up so it is out of the way when not in use.

Third, I buy extra rotary replacement blades when I have a coupon for Hancock's or Hobbylobby so that I always have several on hand. Dull blades make for sloppy cuts and tired hands.

Irish Chain

2010-08-28T20:46:00.000-05:00

Here is the quilt that convinced me that I needed to find a way to improve my fabric cutting skills.It was a consignment quilt - 120" x 120". Yes, that is 10 feet by 10 feet!!! It is shown here on a very tall queen size bed. I used Eleanor Burn's Quilt-in-A-Day method and it was really not too intimidating. However it is not a quilt that I want to make very often either!

"simply irRESISTible"

2010-08-16T08:51:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo! Two of my art quilts are going to be in the "simply irRESISTible" exhibit!

Skrunch

2010-08-09T20:51:00.002-05:00

Here is Skrunch.

It is very textural and looks like it just might crawl off the work table.

Skrunch
© Suzan Engler
4"x4" Textile Painting (recycled yarn, thread, wool mounted on stretched canvas)

When I was a kid, my mom made a cookie/candy called Skrunch. I had not thought about it in years until the Canvas Project assigned me the word. Now I think I am going to have to make some!

Here is the recipe for Skrunch:

Mix in a large bowl and set aside:
1/2 cups chocolate chips
2 cups corn flakes
1 cup rice krispies
1 cup walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup raisins

Combine in a small sauce pan:
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup corn syrup
2 tablespoon butter

Stir over medium heat to a full boil. Boil 3 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla. You don't want it too hot or it will melt all the chocolate chips. Pour over mixture in large bowl and toss to mix. Press into a buttered pan and refrigerate. Cut into small squares

The Canvas Project

2010-08-08T15:07:00.000-05:00

As part of The Canvas Project, I was assigned three words to serve as inspiration for my art work: sponge, skrunch, and aires.

While most of the artists are painting their 4"x4" canvases, I will be making textile paintings and attaching them to the canvases.

This is sponge. Painted and quilted silk.

Tomorrow -- skrunch.

Polka Dotted Feather

2010-08-05T09:22:00.000-05:00

We have to possibilities as to the original owner of the polka dotted feather: a downy woodpecker or a cuckoo. Both are native to my area.

The cuckoo shown above is not exactly the type that is native to my area but it is the only photo I could find that showed the spotted tail feathers!

Delights

2010-08-04T18:11:00.000-05:00

I came upon several delights today.

First, a wonderful bar of JoJo's handmade soap was in my mailbox. It smells so wonderful I'm surprised the mail lady did not deliver it to the door just so she could see what was inside the box.

It smells like a cobbler baking in the oven, but no calories! Thanks so much JoJo!

Second, while out checking the tomoto plants I found this tiny spotted feather. It is only about 2 inches long. Anyone have know what type of bird has this sort of plumage? I could not find any information in my **Birds of Texas** guide. I like to note whenever I see a particular type of bird in my book.

Last, a juvenile egret stood still long enough for a few pictures. This bird stands about 28 inches tall and lacks the "fancy" head and tail feathers of the other local egrets.

I hope your day held something delightful!

We interrupt this art quilt...

2010-08-02T14:36:00.000-05:00

We interrupt this art quilt for a traditional quilt! Yes, I make those also.

This block is called the Colorado Star.

The quilt is for my mom and in her favorite color of red!

Sketchbook Project Update

2010-07-30T11:39:00.000-05:00

You might remember that I am taking part in the Sketchbook Project (it is just me and a couple of thousand other artists).

I thought that the inside cover of my sketchbook should represent my overall theme of Lines and Grids so I created a pattern made up of lines arranged in a grid.

I think this will become an inspiration for a quilt. I like the simplicity and repetition. Here are a couple of variations on the theme.

I modified the original photo in Photoshop Elements using the filters: fresco, graphic pen and glowing edges. I highly recommend Photoshop Elements; it is so much fun to quickly try out various ideas.

Our Dream Rocket Quilt is on the Pepsi Refresh Website!

2010-07-26T14:48:00.000-05:00

The Dream Rocket Project is in the running for a portion of the $1,300,000 that Pepsi is donating monthly to groups with ideas that will have a positive impact. JoJo, CMoellers, Ritzy and I collaborated on a quilt for the Dream Rocket; Our quilt is on the Pepsi website in the video explaining the concept behind the Dream Rocket project! Way cool.

You can view the video and vote for the Dream Rocket at http://www.refresheverything.com/thedreamrocket
Note: Our quilt is at about 1:26 on the video!

You can see my previous posts on the Dream Rocket here:
What is your dream? Dream Rocket part 1
Virtual Quilting Bee - Dream Rocket part 2
Dream Rocket part 3
We are cut from the same cloth -Dream Rocket part 4
Dream Rocket 5

Art Quilt Group Challenge

2010-07-25T11:51:00.011-05:00

I just joined a local artist's group. It is so delightful to spend time with kindred spirits!!

The challenge this month was to create an 8x8 block in oange, yellow and turquoise (OYT). Here is my third attempt at a block for the challenge. With little restrictions, it was tough to know if I should create a complete mini art quilt or something that would be embellished or modified as part of the larger group effort. My other two OYT blocks are here. This one was my favorite bcause of the intensity of color.

In the end, the group decided to not combine the OYT blocks into a group quilt so we were free to take our blocks home. What do you think? Should I make this into mini art quilt or into ATCs (artist trading cards)?

Texas Quilt

2009-12-22T11:46:00.000-06:00

I have a new blog posting that tells about my Texas quilt in progress. You can read more at www.suzanengler.com.

Update on Sunflower Quilt

2009-10-31T20:12:00.004-05:00

For an update on the sunflower quilt go to http://www.suzanengler.com/

Fall Leaves and Bird

2009-10-25T10:00:00.000-05:00

I have a new blog post on my website at http://www.suzanengler.com/.

Hope you are having a wonderFALL day!

Suzan

Top 10 Favorite Things About Houston

2009-10-18T21:04:00.000-05:00

I have a new blog post at http://www.suzanengler.com/

I list my top 10 favorite things about the Houston International Quilt Festival this past week.

Top 10 Rules For Blogging

2009-10-09T20:34:00.002-05:00

I have a new blog posting on my website http://www.suzanengler.com/.
Check out my personal top 10 rules for blogging.

On a side note, can anyone refer me to clear instructions for using a RSS?
I would like to provide my followers instructions on using a RSS so that
they can continue to get automatic updates. I am sure there must be some
good instructions out there on the web.

My blog is moving!

2009-10-04T06:20:00.000-05:00

My blog now lives at my main website along with my gallery photos and résumé. The new format will provide more flexibility in the things that I bring to you.

Please reset your links to http://www.suzanengler.com/.

Suzan

Imagine Hope

2009-10-03T05:48:00.001-05:00

If I had to credit one person with inspiring me to the more contemporary side of quilting it would hands down, have to be Hollis Chatelain.

I can vividly remember the first time I saw The Grandfather. The love and kindness on the grandfather's face as he peeled the orange; the intent stare of the child waiting for the juicy treat. My eyes could not drink in the detail of the image, color and stitching fast enough.

Hollis has set up an organization called Imagine Hope Awareness Through Art. Fourteen of her works will be on display at the Houston International Quilt Festival at the Imagine Hope booth (#814). I will be volunteering at Hollis's booth on Wednesday night and Friday morning and would love to meet you!

Suzan

VIrtual Quilting Bee

2009-09-28T20:56:00.000-05:00

TQS members Ritzy, Ladyquilter, CMoellers and I are collaborating on a quilt for the Dream Rocket project. What fun to be in a virtual quilt bee with these talented ladies. One idea is submitted and the each builds on it making it better and better. We all have diverse backgrounds and interests but that is what makes the finished product stronger.

We are currently designing the piece: focal point, background, and coloration. No fabric has been cut yet; We will let you know as it progresses.

How to decide on a color palette

2009-09-27T20:10:00.000-05:00

Not much progress to report on any front this week, I've come down with
the flu and it is taking quite a while to kick it. Funny, I'm scheduled for my
flu shot tomorrow.

Gina at ContemporaryArtQuilt.org mentions a color palette generator that

I had to try out. Here is a photo of a plumeria in my back yard. It did

a pretty good job of getting the major colors but it did miss the subtle

colors like the terra cotta of the pot.

Have a great week (and consider getting a flu shot)!

MIxed Media

2009-09-21T14:46:00.022-05:00

Watercolor: Sepia Study.

I've done a little dabbling with paint now and then. I like straying from the familiar occasionally to give the possibility of new dimnsion to my work.

Here is a painting that I did in Julie Prichard's Layer Love class. Julie uses lots of transparant layers in her work that give a great depth. I think some of the concepts that I learned in Layer Love will flow into my Deep Summer Shade quilt.

My two paintings are very different in style aren't they!

My next class is Spill It! with Carmen Torbus. It is online; LOVE online
classes because they fit my schedule! I view the videos when I have time to
focus and do the exercises when the house is quiet. I'm anxious to see
what wonderful new things I will learn and how they will impact my art quilts.
Check out Carmen's class at http://www.carmentorbus.com/spillit/.
Cannot wait for the class to start!

Update on Wavy Border

2009-09-19T10:14:00.000-05:00

The wavy border has been turned under. It took lots of snips with scissors and lots pins to hold the curves in place long enough to press.

Did mention a lot of pins? I used spray sizing while pressing with the iron to help the fabric remember my intentions! The spray sizing was sprayed into a bottle cap and then applied with a paint brush. This keeps it just where I want it without rippling the freezer paper. I will wash the quilt after quilting and before the leaves are added to get rid of the spray sizing. It is preferrable to not leave anything in the quilt but fabric, batting and thread!

Here is the quilt with the border pinned in place on the design wall to validate that the border is straight and the quilt is centered. It looks different on the wall than it did on the work table and needed a few adjustments. I measured on the table so theoretically it was acruate but I always go with my eye. My theory is that even if it measures correctly but there is an optical illusions it will look "off".

I am anxious to applique the border down and start experimenting with the Superior Threads that arrived this week.

I'll keep you posted. Have a creative day!

Suzan

Ancient Artist Gives Advice

2009-09-17T20:22:00.000-05:00

Sue Smith's blog, Ancient Artist: Developing An Art Career After 50, gives advice that (in my opinion) is relevant to any age. I love her blog name, her artwork and her attitude! One thing that I thing that I found partically interesting was her article on how to develop a business plan. Please check out her website if you are interested in a career in art.

I finally finished a UFO from several (maybe 7?) years ago. I donated it to a baby shower sponsored for a family that recently immigrated to the USA with very, very little. I hope the colors make them feel happy and optimistic!

Baby quilts are a fun way to practice free motion quilting. They do not have to be competition perfect. Little hands do not care; they want it warm and comforting.

Wavy Border

2009-09-13T10:10:00.022-05:00

I am working on the black border for Deep Summer Shade. It will be wavy on the inner edge where it reaches the rest of the quilt and straight on the outer edge.

The border is upside down on the quilt as I work with freezer paper and spray starch to form the "waves". I usually use a glue stick to shape my applique but thought spray starch might be better in this situation. Glue is definately quicker..... I am also playing with the leaves; maybe they grow along the wavy black border?

I went to the book store last night. I will read these during lunch at work so I can figure out how to have more control over the layout of my blog! I started sewing when I was 11 because I wanted control of the color, fit and style of my wardrobe. I like control! There is a lot about life I cannot control so I take it when I can!

A note of apology to those who receive feeds of my blog. Blogger is publishing whenever I hit the enter key! So you may receive several feeds while I am still drafting my blog. Thanks for your patience and thanks for following!

Feedback on blog format

2009-09-12T11:32:00.000-05:00

First THANK YOU to all the readers and commenters of my blog! I really appreciate you.

I have reformatted my blog and would like your feedback. My goal was to make more space for content and have less big white blank borders on the sides. Does everything fit okay on your computer monitor? Does anything look awkward? Since everyone has various sized monitors, I have no idea how this looks to you!

Also here is a close up of the Orbit gum -- love those circles. Doesn't Bernina make an attachment that will make perfect circles?

Fabric Leaves and Orbit Gum

2009-09-12T09:47:00.006-05:00

I am experimenting with fabric leaves for my Deep Summer Shade quilt. I was very inspired by Maggi's willow leaves. I bought a few quarter yards of sheer fabric at the local Hancock's Fabric. I did not even change thread color I just started sewing. I zigzaged leaf shapes and then cut them out. They ripple and curl sightly whcih gives them a nice dimensional quality. I'll probably combine the sheer leaves with ones made from batik.

I plan to add a black wavy inner border to the quilt, it needs more organic lines. I ordered a bunch of threads from Superior Threads for quilting and cannot wait to see how they work with the other elements.

Speaking of quilting, I was inspired by the lines in my Orbit gum package! Although this quilt will have a branch and leaf quilting lines. I will find some other quilt to use a circle pattern similar to the design on the package and gum wrappers. You never know where you will find inspiration.

9/11

2009-09-11T08:21:00.005-05:00

I liked the blog post today from is this Houston? He takes photos of Houston strictly from his cell phone camera. His shots are not over Photoshop'd glossys with the real life cropped out. I love seeing new perspectives of my city. He even has tips on getting the best photos with a cell phone.

His post today is a local photo and a list of words he has not heard lately related to 9/11. Check it out.

I am not a butterfly collector

2009-09-06T09:21:00.018-05:00

I have received so many great comments and emails in response to my blog about rejection. It is great to be part of a community that is so supportive.

Geni (TQS Eugenie) suggested that I look at David Walker's site for additional insights on rejection. (Thanks Geni!) While surfing around on his website, I found a quote on his Words page that just felt right for today.

I embrace emerging experience. I participate in discovery. I am a butterfly. I am not a butterfly collector. ---WILLIAM STAFFORD

What luxury to have two days left before I have to go back to the day job. I plan to focus on my Getting Arboreal inspired quilt, Deep Summer Shade. Here is my inspiration:

On the day that I took the photo the heat, the humidity,the shade, the sky and the green leaves were intense. The graceful branches were very secondary so a layer of tulle outlined with a King Tut varigated thread creates the illusion of crape myrtle branches.

If this is too subtle, I will enhance with additional thread work later. I played with various border sizes in EQ6. This is a really fast way to try out ideas and tweak sizing of blocks and borders. I did not take the time to draw in the tree branches but you get the basic idea.

I'm off to work on the inner most border with appliqued leaves (utilize a lot of the batik scraps). Keep creating!

Woo Hoo, I've been rejected?

2009-09-04T20:02:00.010-05:00

No, really, it is not negative but I have been "officially" rejected for the second time.

1. I submitted an article idea to a quilting magazine. I waited 2-3 months and received a "Thank you but we do not see a place for your idea in our magazine" email. Rats.

2. I submitted a quilt for inclusion in a book as an example of the book's technique. This heartfelt rejection notice was filled with encouragement. The bad news note was so uplifting that I did not feel bad at all!

Some will, some won't , so what's next? I am looking at rejection as part of the process of finding the right avenue(s) for me and my artwork. While acceptance would have been delightful, rejection does not scare me like it once did. So what's next? Maybe some rejections and definitely some successes!

Misc Fun Stuff Found While Surfing

2009-08-27T19:25:00.014-05:00

Kind Over Matter is having a give away of cool Polarity magnetic lockets. I hope I win, I want the locket set by Carmen Torbus!
http://kindovermatter.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaway-thursday-with-polarity.html

Blue Mood River provides information on how to create a favicon ( as Susan puts it "teeny tiny square icon thing-a-ma-jig next to the website URL, in the address bar of the web browser"). Makes your blog or website to look really professional.
http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/2009/08/making-favicon.html

KathyAnne White talks about printing on aluminum soda cans that she uses in her textile arts! I'm not sure I am willing to try printing on aluminum with my printer but it is an interesting concept. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R39_5pIDS4&feature=related

Bridget Benton at the Matchbook has a demo on using regular wheat flour as a resist for batik. I have not tried it yet but will this weekend. If I like the result it would provide a more cost effective than Elmer's glue, wax or the other flours that are commonly used for resists and batik.
http://eyesaflame.blogspot.com/2008/06/demo-flour-paste-batik.html

Have you found anything interesting on the web?

Deep Summer Shade

2009-08-24T18:35:00.008-05:00

I asked my buddies on TQS (The Quilt Show) for suggestions on how to finish this small quilt. It is great to put a question out on the Internet to a virtual quilt guild and get back so many helpful suggestions in less than 24 hours. Each suggestion seemed to build on the last - I will be combining ideas from 11 quilters. I've grouped them into design elements:

Repetition
1. The quilt is 3 blocks wide so use 3 borders
2. At least one of the borders will be the same width as the strips in the blocks
3. One border will be piano keys, triangles or leaves made up from fabrics already in the quilt (this one could count as rhythm also)

Focal Point
4. Add a tree (or seaweed or landscape) by applique, embroidery or quilting.

Contrast
5. Use contrasting thread (maybe metallic) for quilting and/or applique

Balance
6. The focal point will not be perfectly centered but will "grow" from one side of the quilt

I will call it Deep Summer Shade and take the balance of my inspiration from my photos for the Getting Arboreal: A Nature Collection.

Thanks to my buddies for their great ideas: Constance, VernalGrandma, Quilting00, Bridget437, SewDreamy, WhiteWitchCrafts, Margo, Liiddz, 1Ruby, Sanann, and LittleFlower.

Seen any good trees lately?

2009-08-22T11:38:00.012-05:00

Julie at The Land of Lost Luggage is sponsoring her second annual virtual photo excursion: Getting Arboreal: A Nature Collection. This collaborative event will document a single tree's journey from Summer to Fall/Winter to Spring.

I like participating in collaborations with other artists so I decided I needed to take part. Plus I love trees. There are so many trees but this one I found very appealing today. I like its attitude.

The taller trees are trying to overshadow but it perseveres.

It is August 22, it is hot (98 degrees) but it blooms big happy blooms.

Too little rain but its leaves are dark and glossy.

Too much wind but its limbs are delicate and graceful.

I will share photos with you of this southern belle of a tree as it transitions from Summer to Winter to Spring.

Sounds like the inspiration for a quilt or series of quilts if you ask me.

What is your dream?

2009-08-19T20:46:00.002-05:00

Official National Press Release From DreamRocket.com

SATURN V ROCKET WILL BE WRAPPED WITH ART CONTRIBUTED FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Over 8,000 "Dream Theme" Panels Will Be Stitched Together
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama, August 17, 2009 – One of the 20th-century icons, the 37-story Saturn V Moon Rocket, will be transformed into the world’s largest collaborative public art project – The Dream Rocket.

The goal is to cover a Saturn V rocket with 8000 2'x2' panels each depicting a dream: (world peace, a cure for cancer, clean water for a village, a college education, etc.)

You can find out more about the project here http://www.thedreamrocket.com/

If you were to make a 2x2 panel, what would be your subject?

IBOL

2009-08-16T16:50:00.005-05:00

I recieved the Two Creative Studios! newsletter today.

It mentioned the "Iraqi Bundles of Love Project". Here is an excerpt: "I wanted to let you all know about a project started by Kristin La Flamme's husband, Art.

Art has put together a truly amazing project: he is collecting bundles of sewing supplies to be distributed to Iraqi families before his unit departs from Iraq. Read about how you can contribute to this cause by putting together a box of fabric or knitting supplies from your own stash by clicking here. This is a great opportunity to clear out some of your own stash and help others at the same time. To get the address to send your box to, just leave a comment on Art's blog here and he'll email you directly with it. Hurry though, we only have until 9/7/09 to get all the boxes to him for distribution".

I look around my studio and am so blessed. I need to share some of these blessings with others.

Playing with the star

2009-08-15T19:27:00.008-05:00

While I contemplating what my next textile project should be, I took a photo of the Your a Super Star in My Eyes quilt and started playing around with it.

The star still has rays but not quilted ones!

Well that was fun. I still don't have the inspiration for my next quilt. However, if I start cleaning the house I'm sure that procraftination will take over and I'll come up with ideas. Thanks to Patti for the new word, I love it!

You Are a Super Star in My Eyes

2009-08-14T15:35:00.009-05:00

I have finished my kaleidoscope using Ricky Tims', Kool Kaleidoscope technique. Ricky will include 20 quilts in his upcoming book. While I don't have any delusions that my quilt will be in the book, it was a good opportunity to compete on a very non-threatening level. I learned a lot in the process.

The quilting on the background is free motion lines that radiate out from the star. I asked my husband if they looked like it was light radiating out from the star or if it looked like poor quilting. He assured me it looked like rays radiating out from the star but he forgot our anniversary last week so he my just be trying to make up for that!

Within the star, I mimicked the lines of the individual pieces of fabric. I wanted everything to support the focal point.

When it came time to name the quilt, I thought of my sister Sandy. She is a super mom, sister, puppet maker, Christian, daughter, wife and the most creative person that I know. Hey Sandy just to let you know, You Are a Super Star in My Eyes!!

Simple

2009-08-12T07:30:00.019-05:00

Here is a guide to living simple from Christine Kane. I like the idea of simplifying life to provide more time, energy and focus for what is really important to me.

Live Simple: An Easy Guide to Joy

What does it mean to Live Simple? Does it mean you toss out your belongings and head to the woods to live deliberately? No. (Though you could do worse!)

Does it mean that money is bad, and you can get self-righteous about wealth? Nope. (This is often just a convenient way to ignore your own money issues.)

To Live Simple is to be empowered and present. It means you honor the massive power of your attention by making clear choices and creating a life you love - free from clutter of all kinds. Here's how to start living simple right now...

Eat Simple Instead of complicated recipes, get local organic produce at tailgate markets. A tray of sliced raw vegetables dipped in hummus or vinaigrette is a great dinner. Or lightly steamed greens with rice. These are easy to prepare and easy to digest. The fewer foods you combine in a single meal, the easier it is for your body to use the energy.

Shop Simple My favorite thing to carry with me when I shop is this mantra: "If it's not an Absolute Yes, it's a No."

Heal Simple The Western approach to health is often about adding stuff to fix symptoms of imbalance. This typically involves more pills - which cause more side effects. Here's a better way: Allow the body to heal itself. This means removing the excess - excess toxins, fats, sugar, meds. Healing - while sometimes challenging - can be a simple, loving process when we let our body express its inner wisdom.

Carry Simple Do you hoist around a giant purse crammed full of stuff? Bring only the basics. Say, lipstick and a credit card. It's a great feeling to ditch the purse! Or, try this: Take all of your membership numbers (AAA, Priority Club, etc), type them onto a small piece of paper, and laminate it. You'll cut your wallet size in half!

Store Simple Just because you have storage space doesn't mean you have to fill it. See your storage areas as a metaphor for your life and your body. Clear out the old stuff that you don't use. Stop clutching to the, "Oh! But I might need that one day!" excuse. Trust the Universe to provide what you need when you need it.

Feel Simple Honor your emotions, and learn how to talk about them simply. Emotions aren't as complicated as we make them. It's the stories we attach to them that make them feel so complicated.

Nurture Simple In my Uplevel Your Life Mastery Program, participants often discover that they don't really love sugar, junk food, or hours of television. They only use these things as substitutes for what they really want. (Which is often a nap!) Junk food and television are often fake comforts. Authentic nurturing is usually laughter, sleep, or a great meal.

Grab Simple Do you grab that free tube of "acne cleansing lavender toner" the mall employee is handing out even though you haven't had a pimple in years? In other words, if it's "free," do you automatically grab? Start looking at your space and your energy as more valuable than the dollar. Our culture has it all wrong when it sees money at the top of the value chain. Free stuff isn't free. Take your power back, and place a high value on your time and space!

Drink Simple Get a Sigg Bottle and make filtered water your drink of choice.

Join Simple Remove yourself from membership programs, catalog subscription lists, churches, clubs and/or associations about which you don't feel passionate.

Intend Simple When we have too many goals and intentions occupying our minds and spirits then we never get to feel the power of completion. We're always "catching up." Honor your deepest intentions right now, and let the hundreds of other possibilities go.

Speak Simple Listen more. Talk less. Give up the complaining habit. Cease all gossip. Take a moment to breathe before you answer a question. Recognize that listening doesn't mean waiting for your turn to talk.

Love Simple Here's how I love someone best: I am really with them when we're together. I watch their facial expressions and truly listen to them without trying to fix or critique their choices. I delight in them. For me, this is love at its most simple. It has nothing to do with greeting cards, gifts, or "proving my love." Loving simple is the easiest of all of these things. That's why I saved it for last.

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

Visitor in the studio

2009-08-08T21:32:00.010-05:00

I am very focused working to get my Kool Kaleidoscope quilt done by August 15th. But I had a visitor on the studio window and just had to stop and take a few pictures. This is the underside of a green tree frog. It is about 1 1/4" long and bright green on the top. For some reason they like to hang out in the upper corners of the windows and sliding glass doors. I wonder if has something to do with the air conditioning?

When Kalynn (eye on quilts) saw a photo of the kaleidoscope quilt ready for quilting, her creative eye saw beads instead of basting pins. I decided that I should follow her intuitive lead and will add some beads to the center of the quilt and the background.

The quilt has been quilted and is blocking. Tomorrow I'll add the binding and start beading!

Christmas in July uhh.... August

2009-08-03T12:42:00.013-05:00

Not sure why I have thinking about Christmas when it is 100 degrees here in Texas but I would like to challenge everyone this year to make or purchase handmade items for your winter holiday gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa (please forgive if I left out your favorite holiday).

While this is not always practical (i.e. a 13 year old with needs for electronics), many would welcome a thoughtful gift that was actually made by a human rather than a machine. You would be supporting our creative community as well as the livelihood of an artist.

Beside your own work or that of local artists, you can find handmade items on Etsy, 1000 Markets, etc. If those on your gift list would not like a handmade item what about giving them the gift of creativity? A watercolor set, knitting needles and yarn, or maybe a painting, cooking or quilting lesson.

I would love to have all the readers of my blog leave comments with suggestions of handmade gifts or favorite resources.

I'll go first! My clever nieces came up with the idea of market bags; the ones you carry to the super market and use instead of paper or plastic bags. This would be a great way to use up fabrics that have not found their a way into a quilt and try out new techniques. I've even seen some very clever ones that were made out of recycled plastic bags or dog food bags. With slight variations one basic pattern could become book bags or crayon and coloring book bags.

Okay now it is your turn! What is your idea for a handmade gift?

NIce Neat Fabric Stacks

2009-08-02T10:35:00.018-05:00

I am often frustrated that I cannot find the exact fabric that I am looking for. No wonder I currently have 12 plastic bins of fabric. They started out very organized but over time they are somewhat random. I am reorganizing my fabrics so that I can see exactly what I have.

A 6" ruler provides a great way to fold the fabrics so they all end up the same size. Most quilters have such a ruler so there is no waste, nothing new to buy.

Place a 6" x 24" see-through ruler on the fabric with the edge of the fabric even with the 1" line on the ruler. Leave about 3" or 4" of fabric extending past the ruler, fold this back onto the ruler as shown above. Hold the fabric/ruler on the edge that you just foled over and fold the fabric/ruler over the fabric. You are basically making a bolt of fabric just like in the fabric/quilt shop but using a ruler instead of a card board insert.

Keep wrapping the fabric around the ruler until it is all wrapped. Fold any remaining fabric under so that all edges end at the ruler. This way there are no raw edges showing anywhere.

Once all the fabric has been wrapped, slide out the ruler and fold your little bolt of fabric in half.

A fat quarter and yardage both folded with the same technique. Note that the fat quarter is distinctly smaller which helps distinguish fat quarters from larger pieces of fabric.

While I have a long way to go, I think this organization system will save me time and frustration because I will be able to see what fabrics I have as well as an approximate quantity.

Warning: one major downfall of this system is that it will clearly identify to all how much fabric I actually own!

Get A Move On

2009-07-21T18:56:00.025-05:00

What are your top 10 favorite quilting or textile arts tools? Here is my list (in no particular order):

1. Quality sewing machine with lots of attachments (love my Bernina!)
2. Rowenta iron that gets really hot and does not have an automatic shutoff
3. Rotary cutter
4. Wheels on everything
5. Fabric paint/dye/stamps/silk screening supplies
6. Fabric stash
7. Office supplies (post it notes, double sided tape, etc.)
8. Storage and organization ( I like boxes with labels and neat stacks of fabric)
9. Laptop computer (research, The Quilt Show, instructional DVDs, iTunes, read blogs)
10. Sharp scissors (the ones that no one else is supposed to touch)

Are wheels on your list? Wheels are high on mine.

My cute little black chairs have wheels. My laptop is wireless and on a stand with wheels.

My nifty work table is on large 4" wheels from Lowes and stores plastic bins underneath.

My hibiscus tree is on wheels so I can rotate it for even growth. My serger, printer, and cutting tables are also on wheels. I love the flexibility of being able to rearrange everything in my studio easily. I can roll the cutting table near the window on a beautiful day or near the television so I can catch every detail of The Fashion Show. Some days just call for the recreation of the studio to accommodate the creation of art.

Just when I was feeling quite smug about my flexible studio I noticed the 1913 Singer sewing machine cabinet that I use for a TV stand. It has wheels; maybe wheels and flexibility in the studio are not such a new idea after all.

Kinda like a fire hose

2009-07-14T12:51:00.013-05:00

I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma. ~Eartha Kitt.

A few things I have learned recently:

1. While at a recent quilt show I found that while it is the color and pattern that draw me TO a quilt, it is the quilting that draws me IN to linger. I will find a good balance of design in my quilts that attracts and holds a viewer from both 20 feet and 20 inches.

2. It is amazing how much knowledge people are willing to share if you just ask. I sent a note to Melody Johnson, an artist that I really respect. The following is a brief summary of her answer. For Melody’s full reply see her blog of July 6. She has a lot of good advice, scroll down to the section with the title Advice Bits.

Melody,

I am a faithful reader of your blog and always look forward to hearing your latest adventure or endeavor. I would appreciate some advice from you. I have a full time day job but want to transition to making my living selling my art quilts.

What do you find is the best venue for selling your artwork?

Do you have to teach to sell art work or is it a way to diversify and supplement the income?

Do I have to have quilts on display at the major quilt show to be taken seriously?

What are the top 3 or 4 bits of advice you would give?

Thanks so much.

Dear Faithful Reader,

As you are aware, I am always happy to spew my opinions. So you want to sell your art quilts for a living? Here's some ideas that may work (in a perfect world).

1. Spread out all your available work and corral them into piles of like subjects or styles. Look at what is your best, or strongest original work.

2. Make more work.

3. Take great photos or have great photos taken by a pro. Put those great photos in the hands of a professional website designer and have a great website designed for your work.

4. Yes it is important to have your work in competitions. It is a strengthening process to have it compete with others who have the same hopes of making a living with their work.

5. Teaching may or may not be something you desire. I loved it but it is not for everyone. But I sold most of my art to my students. Let me rephrase that. I sold ALL of my art quilts to my students.

6. Send your work to magazines.

7. Try a vending at a quilt show.

8. Approach interior designers with your work.

9. Put your work in online venues like Artful Home or join SAQA which also has a selling site.

10. Find something in your work that shouts WOW! This cannot be underestimated.

I hope these gave you some good ideas and encouragement.

Melody

3. When the student is ready the master appears. ~Buddhist Proverb

I as I put myself in a learning mode, I find the information that I need is coming at me from all directions. I mean in all directions, kinda like a fire hose!

You may touch the quilt?

2009-07-14T12:36:00.005-05:00

I took a weeklong vacation and then have been working double time at the day job to make up for it!

While on vacation I went to the quilt show sponsored by the Grand Lake O'The Cherokees Quilt Guild in Grove Oklahoma. After paying the registration fee, I was handed a little pencil, a Viewer's Choice ballot and a lightweight plastic glove like is used in food service.

I was told the glove was so you could touch the quilts. "You have to be able to look at the quilting on the back" I was advised. What fun to be able to actually touch the quilts! I ended up voting for a stunning black and white quilt using a toile of New York City. They were all winners, thanks Grand Lake O'The Cherokees Quilt Guild.

Snapshots From the Life Of An Artist

2009-06-25T21:25:00.007-05:00

This small art quilt contains a few snapshots from the life of an artist. Her paint brush will be used to hang the quilt.

The great southwestern fabrics are by J Michelle Watts for Moda. The photos and writing were printed on fabric with my Epson ink jet printer.

Artist of the Month

2009-06-21T10:22:00.003-05:00

I have been named Artist of the Month by Contemporary Quilt Art.org!

Here is a link: http://www.contemporaryquiltart.org/artistprofiles/suzanengler/July09.html

Thanks Gina DeLoreniz for this honor. Please check out Gina's website at http://www.quilts4u.com/.

Blue with Circles Completed

2009-06-20T11:08:00.017-05:00

Blue with Circles

14" x 38" (approximate)

Cotton fabric, cotton batting, acrylic paint, machine quilted

$200

Detail of Blue with Circles. There are lots of subtle details in this quilt (quilting, stamping, silkcreen, kalideoscopic circles). It does not scream, but talks softly.

Here is the subject of my next quilt:

It is a photo of my grandparents and aunt. I'm doing a tribute quilt as a gift for my aunt.

My grandmother always had such great style no matter what the situation. Look at her spotless shoes. She wore a size 7 and had the best shoes. I was in 7th grade when I started borrowing her shoes.

The back of the quilt looks better than the front?

2009-06-14T09:55:00.019-05:00

As I put the finishing touches on the blue circles quilt it struck me that I liked the back of the quilt just as much as I liked the front! This is my first experience with that. The front is supposed to the focal point and the back, is just that, it's the back.

But the quiting on this quilt really shows up on the back. It is simple, clean and graphic. The squiggled circles are perfect in their imperfection. They are doodles, a stream of consciousness, evidence of the human hand.

I like them so much that the next quilt in my circle exploration series will be a whole cloth quilt with this type of doodle quilting! My experience with whole cloth quilts has only been with white on white. I think the contrast between the blue thread on muslin is what attracts me with this one.

Next weekend I'll post the finished blue circles quilt.

Have a creative week!

Suzan

Quilting in Circles

2009-06-12T06:45:00.011-05:00

I have quilted and am ready to finish off the blue quilt. I stitched around each circle a couple of times using a regular stitch then did free motion circles to fill the rest of the space. They look like little pebbles or dragon skin to me.

Recently each quilt gets finished in a different manner. It seems like either they call for an elaborate border or no visible border whatsoever. Any frame or binding would detract from the simple, clean design that I am striving for on this one.

On a different topic, I have problems consistently photographing my quilts. I cannot get good detail, the colors are off, too bright, etc. I used to have a little Fuji 5 megapixel that I just pointed in the general direction and it took great pictures; zoom, close up, it did not matter. It finally wore out and I have had two higher priced 12 megapixel cameras since that don't take as good pictures. Inside, outside, no flash, flash nothing seems to resolve my problems. I'm thinking about getting a bottom of the line Canon SLR. Does anyone have a Canon or any other recommendations or advice for me?

The Twelve Golden Promises of a Kick-Butt Culture Change

2009-06-08T21:08:00.004-05:00

Here is some advice for creating a better corporate workplace; a lot of it applies to us artists as well.

The Twelve Golden Promises of a Kick-Butt Culture Change

Shared via AddThis

Alien Footprints

2009-06-05T09:33:00.008-05:00

I have silkscreened and stamped images onto the indigo blue cloth. The wooden block is from Rayela, the silk screen is from Ginney Eckley and the white stamp I carved from an art eraser.

Don't exactly know why, but the little stamped images look like little footprints to me; alien footprints. I was going for subtle, ghostly images that would not detract from the circular focal points. Ghostly, alien, either way I like them.

Next step; quilting and binding.

Repetition

2009-05-29T21:19:00.018-05:00

I am starting a quilt using the kaleidoscopes made from wooden block prints that I shared in previous posts. It delights me that a fairly primitive original design transforms itself to to something delicate and lacy just through repetition.

The kaleidoscopes will be round, not square as shown. I need to get out the Photoshop help and figure out how to crop away the white squares.

My next step will be to add depth to the indigo blue background. Since over half of the quilt is a solid background, I want it to have a lot of subtle visual interest. I'm thinking about stamping the background with black ink using the original wooden blocks; more repetition of the image that started this whole thought process.

Virtual Series

2009-05-23T09:36:00.024-05:00

One of my New Year’s goals is to find my unique voice as an artist. As part of that exercise, right now I’m not limiting myself to a specific set of techniques or materials. I am free to explore anything and everything; next year’s goal will be to be more marketable. My long term goal is to quit the day job and make my living from my art; note that I do not intend to be a starving artist!

Right now I am struggling with the concept of a distinctive style. Must I have a distinctive style to be taken seriously as an artist? Mention Ricky Tims, Caryl Bryer Fallert or Jeanne Williamson; a very unique picture comes to mind. If I want a gallery to represent my work I will need to have a recognizable style or at a minimum work in a series that is easy to market.

Today’s exercise is to create a series. I like the idea of thinking in a series even if I do not actually physically construct all of the ideas; sort of a virtual series. There is something satisfying about starting with a single idea and building upon it to find new and better ideas.

I am enamored with my wooden blocks so they are the basis of today’s Virtual Series:

Stamp with paint, ink or dye on flat fabric before sewing or quilting (the obvious one)
Apply resist to fabric prior to dying or painting
Stamp discharge or color remover
Press into polymer clay

Cut out buttons for a garment.
Cut into shapes for necklace or drop earrings.
Create an opposite image block. Use both to stamp the same piece of fabric.
Create a picture frame.

Stamp ready made clothing
Stamp on home dec items (napkins, pillows, lamp shade, etc.)
Digitize image and manipulate

Create border or frame for photos printed on fabric.
Manipulate image into at least 3 sizes and use all in an art quilt (i.e. frame, background, focal point, etc.).
Create business logo, use on website, blog and business card
Create kaleidoscope images; use in circle quilt series.

Stamp on a completed quilt for added dimension.
Use as a basis for embellishment with paint, embroidery, foiling, or beading.
Stamp on brown paper bags for stationary, envelopes or gift wrap.

Ten ideas but they sure are all over the place!

How good is your eye for color?

2009-05-15T22:39:00.013-05:00

Have you ever seen a quilt and thought "What were they thinking? They must be color blind!". Maybe so. It is thought that .05% of women and 6% of men are color blind.

On Gina DeLoreniz's blog I found a link where you can test your ability to see and distinguish between shades and tints of color. Depending upon the type of quilting or artwork that you do, this ability could be critical in achieving the results you desire.

Click on Color Test to take the test. It is easy (rearrange blocks of colors), takes only a few minutes and instantly shows you where you score . I have heard that one's ability to distinguish the subtleties of some colors diminishes with age (something about rods and cones) but was comforted that my test came back pretty good!

Doodle Kaleidoscope

2009-05-11T12:41:00.022-05:00

I use Kaleidoscope Kreator make the kaleidoscopes shown on the blog. It is software that easily creates kaleidoscopes from an imported image (photo, sketch, clip art, etc.). It is great fun!

Here I am using a photo of some doodles. It is amazing to me that mindless squiggles on paper can result in a totally transformed end product. I think it is the rhythm and repetition of elements that make kaleidoscopes so pleasing.

The process can also be done with Photoshop but I find it much more time consuming since I am not very proficient with Photoshop. Visit Sue O'Kieffe's blog for Photoshop instructions if you want to give it a try.

I'm thinking about a quilt based on various kaleidoscopes made from a single image. I'll share as I work through the process.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T13:12:00.005-05:00

I am blessed with the most wonderful mother. I love you!

Ordinary Things Viewed Just A Bit Differently

2009-05-08T19:48:00.010-05:00

Wood block print (see my blog post from April 26)

Doodles on notebook paper (see my blog post March 6).

Car tire tracks in the sand.

Root ball from tree toppled by Hurricane Ike.

Crepe myrtle tree in the winter.

Ordinary things viewed just a little bit differently.

I've always enjoyed painting

2009-05-01T20:13:00.013-05:00

I've always liked to paint; my nails, my walls, my watercolors. Today I painted a quilt.

I did a lovely white-on-white study. Cotton fabric with insets of a Donghia upholstery fabric, cotton batting, hand stitching and machine quilting. I worked to make sure there was plenty of texture since texture would take the place of color in this piece. My plan did not work. It was too subtle (and a little boring).

Paint sticks to the rescue. I added some color and definition with Shiva paint sticks (gold, blue, and copper). Better. But still needs something more. If I had started with a dark background fabric in the first place I'd probably really like it now.

So I painted the quilt with thinned Pebeo fabric paint. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

I placed it on a raised rack to dry. It was humid in Houston today so I placed a lamp near the quilt to help it dry. Moldy batting is not the look I'm going for!

Here is the finished quilt. Because of the various layers it is a little confusing. Is it painted? Is it carved terracotta? Is it cloth? It is not for everyone but I'm happy!

Layer Love

2009-04-30T21:46:00.007-05:00

I just ordered my supplies from Dick Blick for an online class from Julie Prichard over at Land of Lost Luggage. I feel the same excitement as the first day of school with a new box of crayons!

Julie does acrylic paintings (journal covers, canvas, etc.) with amazing depth. I'm anxious to see how her techniques will translate and inspire my fiber art.

See what the postman delivered!

2009-04-26T11:09:00.011-05:00

I wanted to share with you my latest find from Rayela . They are wooded blocks originally used for printing textiles (maybe batiks?) in India or Pakistan. I did a quick print from each with fabric paint to get an idea of the design.

I thought they were really special. A simple block of wood that was hand carved and used to print hundreds, maybe thousands of yards of fabric. I believe that objects can "take on" or convey some characteristics of the maker. Think about it; does not a baby sleep better in a handmade 100% cotton quilt than one expelled from an assembly line at 5,000 pieces/hour? It is not just the cotton fabric but the love and care of the quilter that make the quilt so comforting.

As I hold each block in my hand I envision the heat and fatigue of the artist but also the joy and satisfaction of creating of a thing of utility and beauty. I will add some of my essence to the blocks as I incorporate them into my art work.

I'm off to sketch and design a quilt using these designs. Have a wonderful, creative week.

Make Only New Mistakes

2009-04-19T18:10:00.017-05:00

One of my pet peeves is making the same mistake twice. I like to think that I learn from my mistakes and only make new mistakes. One of the benefits of the Internet is that we no longer have to make all the mistakes ourselves. Others have blazed the artistic trail and are generously willing to share their knowledge.

For example, look for HELPFUL STUFF on Melody Johnson's blog including a great little book on free motion machine quilting designs. You can find it at:http://www.meliscellaneous.com/misc/fibermania/Free_Motion_Machine_Quilting_Designs.pdf

Judy Cotes Perez has instructions on making canvas book with a tooled copper cover. http://judyperez.blogspot.com/2009/03/flora-copper-canvas-book.html

Empty Easel gives advice on marketing your art work online. http://emptyeasel.com/art-business-advice/selling-art-online/

I found one more cool site to share with you this week. Visit Jodie at http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2008/03/selvedge-bag.html. She makes amazing things from the selvedges of fabric! I love this type of creativity. Something that most throw away she turns into bags, scarves and even a dress.

Interesting Discovery

2009-04-16T16:55:00.025-05:00

Interesting discovery -- most of my UFOs are complete except for the binding. Why is this?

I enjoy the entire process; designing, picking out the fabric and embellishments, sewing, painting, quilting….but then it comes to a screeching halt at the binding. I don't enjoy (dare I say hate?) putting on the bindings! This might be because bindings are most unpredictable for me. My bindings are sometimes flat and perfectly mitered and other times fat and obtuse. Is it me? Is it the fabric? Is it the Houston humidity? (I thought this excuse was quite creative!)

Recently I found a solution for smaller quilts, potholders, scarves, greeting cards, and similar projects that need a wide finished edge -- I use a double mitered edging. It creates a “frame” that lays flat and is less bulky than traditional bound edges. Also, since the backing fabric wraps to the front and forms the border, it has the added benefit of neatly covering a messy back (beading knots, quilting bird’s nests, etc.).

This art quilt wanted a 1” wide edging and is what actually prompted me to try out the technique. Originally I tried a narrower traditional binding but it just looked out of proportion.

Here is a photo of a coaster that shows just how nice and flat the corners can be. It is photographed on a black background because my flash was over reacting to a white background.

If there is any interest I'll create an instruction sheet on the technique.

A few of the things that I am grateful for today:

Friday night Tex-Mex with my husband
Todays' rain without any hail or damaging winds
The online artistic community of people that I may never meet in person but from whom I have learned so much.
Dark chocolate. Chocolate or ice cream seem to show up every week...
Saturdays. My official play day.

The Promise of Tomorrow

2009-04-11T20:53:00.023-05:00

No art work this weekend, instead I'm making a jacket. Admittedly, I do not find garment sewing quite is not as fun as other artistic endeavours. However, selecting fabric, notions and patterns does provide some satisfaction. I could not find buttons that I liked for this jacket so I made some from polymer clay. They work pretty well but are somewhat brittle (so make a few extra just in case).

I am delighted that shows like Project Runway encourage the next generation to learn to sew. What wonderful independence to decide your own personal style and be the designer.

In addition to being grateful that I can sew, I am grateful for:

Easter Dinner that I don't have to prepare. My son-in-law is an absolute master on the barbeque grill and smoker: brisket, sausage, and jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped with backstrap! It was fantastic. I did contribute Red Velvet cake and deviled eggs.

My studio - with enough space and height to work. Do 8' ceilings stifle your creative spirit? Mine seems to need space to soar.

My spouse accepts my need for creativity - although he does not necessarily understand it.

Spring green - the color of new leaves in the spring time that is so bright it looks artificial.

The promise of tomorrow - another day, a fresh start. I guess that is what this time of year is all about.

How big is your stash?

2009-04-03T21:16:00.011-05:00

I came across an interesting blog the other day (I wish I remembered who it was so that I could give credit). The blogger's premise was that since they learned to dye fabric, their entire stash was composed of only one bolt of PFD fabric and a palette of dyes.

I really had to stop and ponder this concept because for some reason I found it very unsettling, actually a little scary. What if I had to design solely with fabrics that I personally created? I can paint, silk screen, stamp, dye, and create on the computer. Would this be enough? Would it fuel or stifle my creativity? What about the inspiratinon of fabrics created by someone with a perspective so different from my own?

I have created a few fabrics via the computer (see Spoonflower blog). When I was unable to find a similar fabric for the lone star I scanned the diamond and then printed multiples of it on fabric with my home computer (can you guess which one it is?).

I've raised a lot of questions in my mind but have few answers. For now, I will continue to create fabrics and buy fabrics created by others!

The three silks shown in this blog were created in a class given by Ginny Eckley at Houston. Take a class with her if you have a chance, she is a fabulous teacher.

Determination

2009-04-02T20:50:00.000-05:00

I am a very determined person. Stubborn, hard-headed, focused ... you get the idea. But no amount of determination was going to make the center of the Louise's lone star lay flat. I've heard of quilts having an "A-Cup" but this one has more of a donut.

I am determined that the quilt look the way that Louise intended so I started ripping out the center portion of the star. I saved each and every piece to reassemble somewhat flatter but otherwise unchanged. The old, frayed fabrics refused.

I am determined that the star center that I have now pieced from new but similar fabrics will be just fine. The pieces from the original center will be incorporated into the label.

I am determined to take time everyday to be grateful. It changes my outlook and perspective from negative to positive.

Today I am grateful for:

My talented, smart, loving family
A great job
Hardy, determined, wild flowers that grow in challenging soils (especially Texas Bluebonnets)
Ice cream
Quiet

What are you grateful for?

Fabric Arrived from Spoonflower

2009-03-27T19:51:00.000-05:00

The package from Spoonflower arrived in the mail today! I am pleased with the results of my little trial. I did 2 variations; one with a light background (just the base off-white cotton) and one with a dark gray background. I ordered a fat quarter of each but in retrospect, I wish I had ordered a yard of each (fat quarter @ $11 versus full yard @ $18). The fabric quality is great and it has a really nice hand.

I was a little worried that some of my line work was too fine to print well but all of the detail in my original artwork is also in the final fabric.

My design was just a fun design; I did not have a specific project in mind (in contrast to my normally very practical brain). Now I have to figure out a good use for the fabric. I was thinking about a purse or tote. But if you have any other ideas, I'd sure appreciate your suggestions.

I had no idea!

2009-03-26T12:51:00.001-05:00

I've been blogging about 2 months now. I had no idea what I was getting into but I have learned a few things about myself:

I want to help. I want send out positive, creative, and thoughtful information into the universe.

I don't want to bore you. Several people have signed up as followers of my blog, what a wonderful compliment! I don't want to let you down.

I want to be popular. I started checking the stats to see how many people were checking into my blog. Read me! Pick me! (temporary flashback to being picked last for the dodgeball team in elementary school).

I want to be famous and private!?! I went to Google, clicked on images and typed in "pink and purple horse". The first image was mine....how thrilling, how scary. Thoughts and images are sent out with little control of the life they will lead after I hit enter.

I need you. Interactions with other kindred spirits nourish my inner artist and give me inspiration. Before finding the on-line textile/quilting family, I felt rather alone on my creative journey. Not anymore. I am a member of a complex, wonderful, and ever-evolving community. Thank you all!

Her Name was Louise

2009-03-21T12:43:00.000-05:00

What was your grandmother’s name? “Grandma” was my husband’s instinctual response. He had to think a minute, her name was Louise. Louise Specht Engler. She raised a garden and made the best bread and lemon meringue pie he has ever eaten.

I’ve heard of quilts “talking” but I’ve never experienced it to the extend I have with this one. As I sit and carefully take apart the crumbling portions of the lone star, I felt I needed to know more about the woman that made the quilt top. What was she like? What color were her eyes? Was she happy?

Some of the fabrics were clearly leftovers from some other project. Many of the diamonds are composed of smaller pieces joined together. The red dots (with the addition of a white collar and cuffs) would have made a cheery dress. The disintegrating striped fabric came from something special; maybe an Easter dress. Was the gingham a favorite apron or curtains at the kitchen window?

I’m going to send emails to my sister-in-laws asking about her and compile Louise’s story; maybe as part of the label on the back of the quilt. I think I might also take a break and make a lemon meringue pie.

IMPACT

2009-03-14T08:13:00.000-05:00

My university art professor is retiring after 28 years of teaching. Her students have each been asked to create an 8"x8" drawing representing the impact that she has had on our lives.

My first thought was an 8"x8" is not enough space to document the impact a wise teacher can have on a student. Imagine a practical, INTJ, single mom with a degree in computer science taking her first university art course. The first reading assignment was The Tao of Physics! I didn't get it, she must be a crazy woman. I was a fish out of water; at first I missed the target at every assignment. To me my work technically fulfilled the assignment but I was missing the intent. Slowly, with much patience, she taught me to question, to feel, and to sense.

Here is my 8”x8”. Wings to fly, courage to try.

I started with an image of a dragonfly wing and made it into a kalidescope. I'm still trying to decide if it gets printed on brown paper or fabric.

Who has made a positive impact on you and your life? Why not send them a note today?

Designs submitted

2009-03-09T19:58:00.000-05:00

I have submitted two designs to Spoonflower for printing. I chose a fat quarter (21" x 18") of each design for $11.00 each. It is $18 for a full yard. I guess I should have done that but I was a little concerned that my line work is too thin and will not print well.

The motif is mirrored both vertically and horizontally so there is a total of 4 motifs in a fat quarter. Here is a link to one of the designs where you can play with repeat (mirror, half-step, centered, etc).

http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric_items/new?design_id=30460

I'll let you know as soon as I recieve the fabrics and also share any lesson's learned along the way.

I did not end up where I thought I was going!

2009-03-08T11:26:00.000-05:00

I've been playing around with Corel Draw and have a couple of designs. I did not end up where I thought I was going!

Comments and crits welcome.

Big Time Fabric Designer (insert your name here)

2009-03-06T15:04:00.000-06:00

Have you ever dreamed of designing your own fabric line? I sure have. And my dream consists not of individual little 8 ½ x 11 sheets of fabric but true yardage! Yards of curtains, piles of pillows, and maybe a smart-looking jacket all out of the same fabulous fabric.

I have found a way to make the dream come true even if your fantasy does not include a jacket. Check out www.Spoonflower.com. It is an internet site that prints your design on quality quilting-weight cotton. You can print a little or a lot.

I’m super anxious to give it a try but I’m also trying to exercise a little discipline and come up with a good design first. Has anyone tried it yet?

Antique Lone Star Quilt (aka The Patchwork Alligator)

2009-02-28T07:31:00.000-06:00

I decided that if I had a large worktable to lay the 72” x 72” quilt out for ironing and blocking it would not be so intimidating. Right now I feel like I’m wrestling a patchwork alligator.

Work table materials list:
1. 30” x 96” folding table.

2. 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood. Doesn’t have to be pretty since it gets covered in the following steps.

3. Two layers of 2’ x 4’ ceiling tiles. They are very lightweight, an excellent material to push pins into, and the whole box only cost $2 on the clearance aisle at Lowes.

4. Layer of cotton batting. It is stuff I bought on sale several years ago and didn’t like very well.

5. Cotton canvas. 60” wide so there will be no seams on the entire surface, just flat and smooth (like I want my quilts to be!).

6. Husband with staple gun.

7. Spray bottle of water. This and an iron will shrink the canvas smooth and tight.

8. Bed lifters. Placing these under the table legs will raise the whole table up a more comfortable standing work height.

Here is the finished table; in the living room because there was not room for it in my little studio (don't worry my husband won't mind, he is making a head board out of lumber from my parent's ranch and has had it laid out on the dining room table for the past 3 weeks).

I have no excuses left; I'm ready to tackle preparing the lone star for quilting.

Possible Future Chapters:
Flattening, blocking, and tackling -- sounds more like football
10,000 safety pins or machine baste?
Which stitch on my Bernina is hand quilting?

I Can't Resist Resist!

2009-02-22T08:38:00.000-06:00

I've always said that I can resist anything but temptation. Now I cannot resist resists!

Here is a report on my recent explorations with Elmer' glue, water soluble, and gutta resists. All projects shown are on 100% cotton PFD fabric and Pebeo or Jacquard Dyna-Flo textile paints.

1. Jacquard Clear Gutta resist: Used in the Mardi Gras Mandala in the header of my blog.

Pros: The real deal, works very well since it is a rubber-based product.

Cons: Gutta resist must be removed by dry cleaning or resist solvent. It is a flammable liquid and vapor with a flash point of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Must use in a well ventilated area.

Note: I don't like the vapors and solvent.

2. Saber Silk Colorless Water-Based Resist: Skyler's Fantastic Pink and Purple Horse

Pros: The water-based resist is non-toxic and odorless. Safe to use around children. Resist is removed by soaking in water.

Cons: It may not hold as crisp a line as gutta although I did not have any problems.

Note: This piece was done with 10 year old Skyler; she also named it. Great fun for both of us.

3. Jacquard Black Permanent Water-Based Resist: Mardi Gras Mandala Deux

Pros: Resist is permanent and dry cleanable. It can also be added to a piece after dyeing.

Cons: It is permanent so mistakes are permanent also! It has a slight shine but this may be because I have it on too thickly.

Note: The resist was thick and needed to be thinned for good adhesion. If I had heeded the instruction I would have not had a problem. However, I did not so it just sat on top of the fabric, did not provide a resist and the Dyna- Flo flowed outside of the boundaries. Next time I will test more thoroughly to ensure I have it thinned properly. I'll try a thicker fabric paint that will not spread to see if I can salvage this piece.

4. Elmer's Gel School Glue: Spirals

Pros: readily available, low cost, safe for children to use. Resist is removed by soaking in water.

Cons: The glue spreads while drying so the results are somewhat unpredictable. I probably used way, way too much glue.

Notes: For full instructions on glue resist refer to the article by Cynthia St. Charles in Quilting Arts Magazine, February/March 2009. You will note my spirals are very similar to the technique in the magazine! When trying a technique for the first time I try to follow the example somewhat before I get too creative. This process was really fun and low stress. I'll experiment more with the technique. I plan to look for glue at the Back To School sales this fall when they usually have Elmer's 2 for $1.00.

Let me know if you have experience with these or other types of resists. I'd like to learn more.

Big Button

2009-02-14T18:33:00.001-06:00

This was constructed from a large polymer clay button purchased at Houston International Quilt Festival, wool felt, and beads.

Progression of an idea goes full circle

2009-02-09T20:33:00.000-06:00

Have you visited Sue O'Kieffe's website Sacred Circle Mandalas? I find her work very inspirational and decided to explore mandalas.

First I started with a simple line drawing. I like using a computer program to do this because I can try so many variations quickly. I can also undo just as quickly.

I printed the full-size pattern and traced it onto prepared for dye fabric. Note to self: make pencil lines lighter next time. Gutta resist was painted on the lines that serve both as a design element and a boundary to keep colors neatly contained. Note to self: make sure all the gutta lines meet so there are no leaks between colors.

I'm lovin' the translucent colors; this is so much fun! Just as soon as the paint is dry I quilt with black thread to further accentuate the resist lines. It just keeps getting better. Shiva paint sticks add another dimension. Wow, I just love it but why are the resist lines kind of sticky? Note to self: remove gutta resist before quilting or adding paint sticks.

Okay, I've learned several valuable lessons in this process but what now? There are flaws so it is not ever going to be display quality. I decided to cut up the mandala quilt and made a journal cover – now I get to see and use it everyday. It makes me happy.

With another part I made a mini quilt and attached it to a 4x5 stretched canvas. The rest will become artist trading cards and greeting cards.

Lastly, with a photo of the quilt (prior to cutting it up) I made several more mandalas with Kaleidoscope Kreator.

A mandala used to create more mandalas; how appropriate! This mandala has gone full circle and completed its peaceful cycle.

I wonder what journey I will take with the next mandala?

Attic Lone Star

2009-02-09T19:57:00.000-06:00

When my in-laws moved to assisted-living, we found this in the attic in a little plastic bag. It is a Lone Star pieced by my husband’s grandmother. Everyone seemed to know that it was there but no one wanted it; except me!

It is machine pieced, mostly cottons. However there are two fabrics (maybe nylon?) that are much more deteriorated than the rest. The cheddar-color bias triangles at the outsides of the star are stretched and the piecing thread has shrunk so the individual diamonds are rippled. The very center of the star does not lay flat but forms a D-cup!

I love it and want to preserve it the best I can. Right now I don't plan on replacing any of the pieces, just working with it as is.

I need your advice on how to preserve and quilt this treasure. Should I iron it or just hand smooth it? Should I use starch or sizing to give substance to the delicate fabrics while quilting? Any way to machine quilt or does it have to be hand quilted? All your recommendations are much appreciated!

New Year, New Blog

2009-01-19T20:32:00.001-06:00

New Year's Resolutions

1. Start blogging. I have read that the act of describing your thoughts to another helps to solidify concepts and makes you a better artist.

2. Lose 25 pounds. I lost 50 pounds in 2008 so I just have to keep on the wagon (the ride gets really bumpy sometimes).

3. Find my voice as an artist. I believe we all have a unique genius; I just have to refine mine.

Here is my latest project, I call it Grandmother Could Ride.

It is a photograph of my grandmother on which she had written Mexico Range Girl!!. I decided to not crop out her handwriting, I liked having her hand on my work. I sewed her necklace and ear rings to the piece. These were a gift to her from my dad's first paycheck (he quit school in 8th grade after his father died to help support the family). I’m sending it off to my dad as a late Christmas gift. He is not the sentimental type but I hope he likes it.