A Chance to Win One of a Kind Fabric!

I am the guest blogger for The Printed Fabric Bee during the month of June. Each week I had an opportunity to interview a guest and introduce a unique surface design technique with a focus on working in Plein Air! 

Week 1: Creating an Outdoor Work Space + Ice Cube Fabric Painting

Week 2: Cyanotype & Heligraphic Printing with Sue Reno

Week 3: Rusting Fabric with Maggie Vanderweit

Week 4: Fabric Painting, Dyeing & Discharging Fabrics from a clothesline ~ Finding Creative Inspiration with Lorie Hancock McCown

Hop over to The Printed Fabric Bee blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a pack of fat quarters for each technique discussed in June. The winner will be announced June 30th! 

Week 5: FABRIC GIVE AWAY! 

Only one more post before the Working in Plein Air Series is over and The Printed Fabric Bee moves onto our next member's inspirations and techniques for the month of July!

The Printed Fabric Bee = A Year of Surface Design Tutorials for YOU!

GREAT NEWS- The Printed Fabric Bee is continuing in 2016!

The Bee in moving in a new direction this year...and we hope you'll be as excited as we are about that new direction! Instead of monthly fabric collections for our members...this year the focus in on YOU!

Each month a member of the Bee will post surface design tutorials on The Printed Fabric Bee blog. Imagine 12 months of free mini-classes from national and internationally known surface design artists and teachers! BUT....that's not all!!! Each month, the artist-of-the-month will offer a fabulous giveaway that will range from custom designed fabric to art supplies to books and DVDs. All you have to do is leave a comment on at least one of the blog posts during that month to be eligible. The artist-of-the month will draw the winner at the end of the month.

The first artist of 2016 is Julie B. Booth author of Fabric Printing at Home! 

Fabric Giveaway - The Printed Fabric Bee!

We have been hosting this giveaway for the last two years. This is our last collection. We will be back in January with a new format which we think you will like. Please stay tuned.

This month Judy Gula was the "Queen" for the month. She chose Caribbean Blue as her theme and the Printed Fabric Bee artists got to work each creating their interpretation of Judy' theme. 

I tried to capture the ebb and flow of the tides as they perpetually move. 

This is my 6X6 giveaway piece! 

Go to The Printed Fabric Bee blog or Judy's blog and leave a comment under the photo of the collection by October 15 and you will be eligible to win the entire collection. Imagine what you could make with 11 squares of fabulous fabrics! Judy will be choosing a winner on October 16. Good luck!
 

Be sure to also stop by all the Bee members' blogs to read about how they made their contribution to this collection. Good Luck!

Carol R. Eaton
Jackie Lams
Lynda Heines
Gerrie Congdon
Susan Purney Mark
Deborah Boschert
Jane Davila
Lisa Chin
Lynn Krawczyk
Leslie Jenison
Julie B. Booth 

Fabric Giveaway!

I am remiss in getting this Printed Fabric Bee giveaway posted! Deborah Boschert is the featured artist and her theme was Blue Architecture! If you are familiar with Deborah's work you'll quickly see why she chose this theme! Hop over to Deborah's blog to leave a comment for a chance to win your own Blue Architecture custom fabric pack! Hurry - I'm late with the post and she will draw a winner on September 15th... do it now! You can also leave a comment on the Printed Fabric Bee blog - good luck! 

Here is my 6" X 6" fabric contribution to the giveaway. 

I started with a piece of blue ice dyed fabric. Next using a discharge paste I took a Thermofax screen to add a blueprint design. I'm so sorry but I don't know the name of the artist who created the screen. I wish they would all add their name to the screen borders so I could remember!  OK - next I used a stencil by Margret Applin to add the suggestion of old buildings. 

The theme was opposite of my usual design subject which is why this group is so fun! Please be sure to check out the other Printed Fabric Bee artists and leave a comment with Deborah to win the fabric?

Carol R. Eaton
Jackie Lams
Lynda Heines
Gerrie Congdon
Susan Purney Mark
Deborah Boschert
Jane Davila
Lisa Chin
Lynn Krawczyk
Leslie Jenison
Judy Gula 
Julie B. Booth

Fabric Giveaway - Insects are the Theme this Month!

Fellow Printed Fabric Bee member Jane Davila chose insects as her theme this month. For those who know Jane the choice of insects is no surprise! For my piece I thought about how some insects view the world with eyes that break everything down into mini lenses! 

I started by coloring silk with Sharpie markers. Next I dropped rubbing alcohol onto the markers allowing the colors to spread and meander into each other. 

Once this phase was done I realized that it wouldn't be obvious to Jane that this an insects view of the world! So I pulled out one of my all time favorite stencils... the beloved dragonfly! 

OK... now I think it makes sense and fits the theme! Please hop over to Jane's blog or the Printed Fabric Bee blog and leave a comment. Jane will chose a winner for a 6" X 6" fabric pack of custom insect themed fabric... what could be better than that! Hurry, Jane will chose a winner on August 15th. Here is my giveaway piece!

Stay tuned for next month's Printed Fabric Bee giveaway, Deborah Boschert theme is Blueprints! 

Please visit the other Printed Fabric Bee members - they are ll exceptional artist! 

Lynn Krawczyk

Judy Gula

Jane Davila

Lynda Heines

Deborah Boschert

Lisa Chin

Gerrie Congdon

Susan Purney Mark

Carol R. Eaton

Jackie Lams

Leslie TuckerJenison

Vintage Themed Custom Fabric Give-Away!

Here we go again! Are you ready for a chance to win a custom fabric pack? In June Lynn Krawczyk was the Printed Fabric Bee Queen and chose a vintage theme! Lynn will pull a winning name on July 11th so hop oer to her blog to leave a comment!

Here is my contribution to the custom fabric pack giveaway!  

I started by painting a piece of cotton. Next I printed with a piece of vintage lace that was given to me by my buddy Mary! Don't forget to leave a comment on Lynn's blog and you may be the lucky winner!

Stay tuned for July's giveaway - Jane Davila's theme is "insects"! 

An Endless Supply of Hand Crafted Fabric + Energy = Free Form Fun!

I'm ready to use the fabrics I've been setting aside! When I create fabrics the majority of the inventory is for sale but I do have a little stash of fabrics that have been tucked away for the right moment. I've also been hanging onto a custom fabric collection made especially for me by the members of The Printed Fabric Bee. I figured I better take advantage of the energy as I haven't felt this compulsion in a long while. Nothing is quilted but the pieces have come together. 

This is "Falling Leaves" and only pinned. I plan to stitch along the raw edge and add some detail for the veins and stem... we'll see if I stay true to that or if another idea comes along.

I'm calling this piece, "Connecticut Woodlands". It reminds me of all the things I enjoy about summer in Connecticut. I created most of the fabrics but some are from my buddies at The Printed Fabric Bee. 

95% of the fabrics used in this design were created by fellow artists in The Printed Fabric Bee. It's a combination of collections the members made when it was my turn to be Queen and choose the theme. I screened over the top once it was pieced and I think I'll quilt circles across the surface. The working title is "Secrets in Grandmother's Garden". I just realized it needs a border of sorts to keep your eye from wandering away!  

There is a freedom to jumping in with both feet and not worrying about making a mistake or planning the design in advance! 

How do you work best? Are you a planner or a jump in and figure it out later artist - maybe a combination of both?

The Printed Fabric Bee - Time for a Giveaway!

It's that time again when The Printed Fabric Bee has a custom fabric pack giveaway! Our group has been discussing the fact that we've been giving away a fabric pack each month for about a year and a half... wow! That is a lot of fabulous fabric and I hope YOU are the next lucky winner. 

Leslie Tucker Jenison is this month's Queen and chose "Markings" as her theme. The only direction given was neutral with a pop of color. The artist created some really nice pieces so please hop over to The Printed Fabric Bee's Facebook page to leave a comment for a chance to win a fabric pack! 

I enjoyed the theme and focused on finding objects on a spring walk that I could use to mark the fabric. After a few false starts (I feel like I say that every month!) I settled on marking the fabric with bark and leaves. 

This is Leslie's finished piece. I look forward to whatever
she creates with this collection!  

Here are the found objects I used to create the free form design.

I started with a piece of fabric that I had previously stamped with thickened dyes and non skid carpet rubber. The rubber happen's to be one of my favorite go-to "tools" for surface design! 

My sister in law gave me some sliced wood that I was using as a coaster. I couldn't resist stamping the fabric to add to more texture.

I took oak leaves and using fabric paint and my finger I spread the paint over the edges of the leaves to create an impression that a leaf had been there. 

Here is my 6" X 6" piece that will be part of the giveaway collection. Don't forget to leave a comment on The Printed Fabric Bee's Facebook page. The winner will be drawn on June 15th!
Good Luck! 

Fabric Giveaway - The Printed Fabric Bee!

Gerrie Congdon is this month's Queen of the Printed Fabric Bee artists. Gerrie chose Geometric Shapes as her inspiration and gave the artists full liberty for design and color. The winner of a custom fabric pack collection will be drawn on May 15th - are you feeling lucky! Hop over to Gerrie's blog and leave a comment for a chance to win! 

I went for the lumpy and rounded look vs a sharp and angular design. I'm not sure why but sharp and angular just didn't feel right. 

To create my design I cut shapes from freezer paper. Pressing the paper onto fabric creates a nice bond between the paper resist and fabric. Next I pulled out some favorite thermofax screens and stencils. The stencils and screen designs used were created by Terri Stegmiller, Lisa Chin and Lynn Krawscyk - all fabulous artists! 

I laid the screen or stencil across the open shape of the freezer paper and pulled the fabric paint across the fabric. The shapes looked a bit lost...

I ironed the paper back into place and added an outline of black using a permanent sharpie marker. It's really fun to peel the freezer paper off to reveal the design! 

This doddle design comes directly from Lisa's creative mind - gorgeous isn't it! 

Here is the 6" X 6" piece for Gerrie's giveaway! Don't forget to stop by her blog for a chance to win - click here! 

Mola Inspired Fabric Giveaway - The Printed Fabric Bee!

This month's "Queen" of The Printed Fabric Bee was Julie B. Booth - artist, author and teacher extraordinaire! Julie has a passion for the reverse applique technique of Mola. I too never tire of looking at the beautiful and intricate work. I enjoy the contrast and bright colors - so bold and dramatic. It was intimidating to develop a fabric design that would represent this technique. I share my process below but first... how to win your own 6" X 6" custom fabric collection! 

Hop over to Julie's blog and leave a comment or go over to The Printed Fabric Bee blog and leave one there. Julie will choose a winner Wednesday, April 15th! 

I had a few false starts on creating my piece but ended up using a freezer paper resist. First I drew a design on the paper and cut it out. 

Next I lightly touched the iron  to the non-shiny side of the paper to tack it to the screen.

 Now for the fun! I held my breath and picked up the screen to see if my concept worked.

All right, all right, all right... it worked! None of them were "perfect" so I kept going and filled up the fabric (ice dyed). 

 I settled on a couple that were decent and cut them out. 

 I added some design details to try to capture the essence of the Mola stitch work.  

 Here is the 6" X 6" piece I created for the giveaway. Hurry and enter to win! Please check out the other artists blogs as they share their inspiration and processes. The unique approach will give you lots of ideas for your own work! 

Jackie Lams

Lynda Heines

Gerrie Congdon

Susan Purney Mark

Deborah Boschert

Jane Davila

Lisa Chin

Lynn Krawczyk

Leslie Jenison

Judy Gula 

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

Time for Another Fabric Collection Giveaway - Are You Feeling Lucky!

This month artist Lynda Heines asked the Printed Fabric Bee members to create a fabric collection using Petroglyphs for inspiration! You'll notice a wide range of interpretations among the members which always leads to a really cool collection. YOU have an opportunity to win your own 6" X 6" fabric pack! Leave a post on Lynda's blog to be eligible. A random winner will be selected on February 14th! 

For my piece I found inspiration in photos taken on a family trip to Moab, Utah a few years ago. We were all fascinated with the Petroglyphs and I tired to channel a story through my piece. 

I imagined being on a hunt and recording the story on the wall of my cave. I used multiple layers of dye, fabric paint, flour resist, thermofax screens and markers. It's funny how in our modern world we get used to images being precise and it was hard to let go and allow the design to look like... well, like a caveman drew it! 

Don't forget to hop over to Lynda's blog to leave a comment for a chance to win this custom fabric pack. 

Next month I get to be "Queen"! I can hardly wait to see how the artists interpret my theme of a forest floor! 

Old World Maps - The Printed Fabric Bee Giveaway!

Old World maps is a favorite topic for fellow Bee artist Lisa Chin! She is fascinated by them and the Printed Fabric Bee dug deep to create some very interesting custom fabrics. There are still a few artists finishing up their pieces but the giveaway fun has begun! Jump over to Lisa's blog to post a comment and you are automatically entered into the drawing! I loved the idea of Old World maps and had fun creating an antique look from something new...

I created a fictional 1674 European city. I started by staining the fabric with tea and splatterings of paint.  I had a stencil of a modern city and using a little of one section and than another I built Lisa's Old World map. It was challenging to get the old flavor but once again my involvement with the Printed Fabric Bee pushed me outside my comfort zone to explore... and I love exploring! 

Here is my 6' X 6" giveaway piece. Please head over to Lisa's blog to leave your comment before the January 15th drawing - click HERE.  Lisa has links to all the other artists and you can follow their design approach and progress to creating their custom piece. 

Fabric Giveaway Time!

It's time for another Printed Fabric Bee giveaway! Susan Purney Mark challenged the hive to create sunflower inspired fabrics!

What a fun collection... all you need to do for a chance to win your own 6" X 6" fabric pack is to post a comment on Susan's blog or The Printed Fabric Bee blog - it's that easy! 

Although sunflowers make everyone smile and it seemed like an easy theme to come up with a design I had some false starts. Each one seemed so simplistic I scraped them until I settled on using Inktense pencils for a more detailed look.

False start #1 and false start #2
The proportions of the flowers on the right were too large to keep going!

I decided to use the piece on the left since the scale was smaller. I applied small brown dots using fabric paint for the sunflower centers. Next I pulled out my Inktense pencils to create the flower pedals.

Inktense pencils are a pretty cool tool. You apply them like any colored pencil but then brush water over the color and they behave like a dye and really pop with color.
I just noticed the Inktense pencils are on sale at Dharma Trading Co - click here for details.

Here is the 6" X 6" piece for the collections give away.

This is Susan's piece. I think some of the flowers wanted to be zinnias rather than sunflowers but the fabric fits nicely into the overall collection and I hope Susan will be pleased!

Click here to hop over to Susan's blog and leave a comment for a chance to win the custom fabric pack ~ the winner will be randomly selected on December 15th!