Getting Inventory Ready for Fiberlandia Sales - April 30th!

Slow and steady wins the race... it's my April mantra! I WILL have enough inventory for sale... I WILL have enough inventory by the April 30th SAQA conference! It's time to crush distractions and focus on creating piles and piles of one-of-a-kind fabrics for sale! When every piece is unique it can be pretty slow going but with my new mantra I will be fine (I think!).

Over the weekend I created a small but decent pile of "design starters". Each piece was screened onto my fabric and can be used to spark the beginnings of a new fiber art piece. 

This design was created by Hannah my talented daughter-in-law. I printed about a dozen in a variety of colors. They would be beautiful incorporated into a wall hanging or perhaps on a handbag!

This sweet teacup was designed by Lynn Krawczyk of Smudged Textiles Studio!
Drop by her website to see her latest projects... QA's TV... DVD's and more! 

I can't remember the next 2 artists who created these lovely designs but I will defiantly dig into my files to figure it out! My wish is for artists to sign the screens before they ship them out. I feel sad when I forget who the original screen designer was! 

COMING SOON - Guest Blogger Judy Sall Fiber Artist!

Judy Sall is an incredibly talented and creative artist. She's been working with soy wax for many years and I've asked Judy to share her tips and talents with us. In my last post I mentioned how I found it challenging to remove the soy wax from my fabric. Judy is going to debunk the mystery. 

Stay tuned for Judy's guest blog spot later this week!

Snow Shoeing + Lichen = Inspiration!

When I go snow shoeing I tend to get caught up in looking at the trees and rocks due to the stark contrast between the snow and everything else. I noticed this tree with beautiful lichen growing in circles along the bark. For the rest of the adventure I kept thinking about how to create that very cool lichen-look. 

I started by dyeing a half yard of cotton in the color Jade. Once the fabric was rinsed and washed I used a large round sponge to stamp melted soy wax in a random pattern... trying to channel my inner lichen! Lastly, I immersed the fabric in a dye bath of Havana Brown. It's a bear to cure the waxy cloth but it was the only way I could think of to achieve that lacy lichen look! 

I'm defiantly going to continue creating a lichen-look design only next time I'll tone down the jade to create a softer color. Maybe I'll try thickened dye rather than soy wax... to be continued!   

Look What Misty Cole Did!

Celestial Spheres, 50"x 50"

Misty Cole

I met Misty last spring when we both attended the national SAQA conference in VA. We've stayed connected cyberly (is that a word?!) and I've been able to see some of the cool pieces she's created over the past year! Misty shared Celestial Spheres from a recent exhibition called, The Best Little Quilt Show in Maryland. She combined some of my fabrics with commercial fabrics for this very unique design. The more you look at it the more sub designs you see! 

 Thanks for sharing Misty! 

Over the past year I've stayed connected with a number of artist that I met at the SAQA conference = awesome! SAQA has a west coast conference coming up May 1 - 4 in Portland, OR and I can't wait for the chance to met more fabulous artists! 

Snow + Folds + Clamps = Cool Designs!

Just for fun I folded and clamped the fabric before topping with snow! I shook dye powder over the surface of the snow and walked away. Once the snow melted I washed the fabric and voila - kinda fun! 

 

I'm teaching a workshop on dyeing at the New Britain Museum of American Art on March 29th! Sadly I realized too late that the 29th is also Palm Sunday... not the best choice for students! We may have a challenge filling the class - if you're interested please be sure to register now!

Learn 3 fun ways to dye fabric!

The class will explore dyeing with ice, the low immersion process and confetti dyeing in a bag. Students will learn how the dye reacts differently to the 3 techniques. Students will gain an understanding of the dye process and tips on how to dye fabric successfully at home. The class will create 3 yards of one-of-a-kind fabric to take home!

Fabric and dyes included; students bring small containers, gloves, dust mask and a few other incidentals. Supply list available with registration.

Adult Studio Workshop

12:30-4:30 p.m.

Sunday March 29th

Registration required

$70 members/$95 non members

Look What Susan Vassallo Created!

Susan Vassallo and I crossed paths at the 2014 SAQA conference in Alexandria, VA. Susan chose a large piece of snow dyed fabric to bring home with her and I was blown away by her creative vision! Just take a look at how she embellished and enhanced the fabric design... WOW! The panels are called The Sandra Day O'Connor series and each piece is 17" X 38". 

Susan added beads for some lovely bling! 

Here are some beautiful painted flowers! 

I love them all but do you have a favorite?

Please visit Susan on her blog, facebook and website for more creative treats! 

My Snow Bursts Are Getting Larger!

The snow bursts on my latest fabric range from 11" - 17" across! It all depends on what I pull from the recycling bin - the larger the elevated surface the larger the snow burst. The way the colors meander together is knocking me out - I love color! For my next challenge I will try to reduce the size of the snow bursts... gotta hurry up as the spring rains are here and eating up the snow!

Sylvia's New Scarf!

Recently a silk scarf I made traveled to El Salvador where it will live with Sylvia! Doesn't she look radiant in her brightly colored dress and dragonfly's flitting about her scarf. Thank you Rita who wanted to share some American made art with her friend.

The scarf was ice dyed twice and stenciled with metallic dragonfly's. It was fun to create and a thrill to see such a happy gal! 

We Have a Winner!

CONGRATULATIONS to "Cathy in beautiful Sonoma CA"! The fabrics will be shipped right out! A huge thank you to everyone who left a comment. Jule B. Booth is the Printed Fabric Bee Queen in March and has chosen MOLA as her theme. Get ready for a chance to win her collection beginning April 1st! Click here to view her blog.

Win Custom Fabric - Monthly Printed Fabric Bee Giveaway!

Oh joy of joys! I am the "Queen" of the Printed Fabric Bee this month! It was easy to decide on a theme - the forest floor. Nature is my biggest influence when dyeing fabrics and designing wall art. The colors, textures, smells and sounds are unique and endless. I was imagining what a view of the forest floor would be  from the vantage point of a bird or maybe a squirrel leaping from branch to branch in the tall trees. The group did not disappoint! 

I made no color suggestions and gave each artist free range to interpret the theme. I love the diversity of the groups imagination... so here you go!

Leave a comment below for a chance to WIN your own forest floor custom fabric collection. I'll be choosing a random winner on March 15th. Please take a moment to visit each of the Printed Fabric Bee member's blog to see how they created their piece!

Good luck!

Deborah Boschert

Jackie Lams

Gerrie Congdon

Lynn Krawczyk

Julie Booth

Leslie Jenison

Judy Gula

Jane Davila

Susan Purney Mark

Lisa Chin