Thursday, March 27, 2014

ART PROMPT - #7 - Week 2 – Use glue


A day early!!


new and improved - (I hope)
Last week, I really was not happy with what was happening with the quilting – not only my thread choice but also my quilting itself.

This is what it looked like last week: yuck!

first attempt
The first thing I did, after posting last week, was quilt the outside edges using a yellow Bottom Line Thread by Libby Lehman.   It is a fine thread and let the design left by the glue resist show through.  So I ripped out the quilting on the swirls and quilted over with the same thread.    The pebbling was done in a turquoise Wonderfil Konfetti, an Egyptian 50wt cotton.   

I like the two rows of quilting with my original thread, kind of acts as a little border.  I'm a lot happier with the whole thing now.

detail - now

detail - then
No binding because I think it will probably get cut up to use in other projects.

This piece measures 22½” x 21½”. 


See you next week,

Terry



NEXT ART PROMPT - #8 – Add a strong diagonal

HERE'S MY PLAN

One prompt, one project (taking as long as required to finish the project)

It's OK to finish a previously started project (UFO)

Make something creative.

Use any Media.

Blog about the project every Friday.

Pick a prompt for the next week once the project is done.




Saturday, March 22, 2014

ART PROMPT - #7 - Week 1 – Use glue


This week, I started a new project using glue. I have been wanting to try using hot glue on fabric and then dyeing over top to see what would happen when the glue was removed.

I chose a piece of white cotton approximately 24”x 24” (a little ambitious, I'm thinking......now!), and Procion H Liquid Dyes.

I thought I would kill 2 birds with 1 stone and dye some threads at the same time.

I taped down a piece of cheaper white cotton thinking I might get a second piece of dyed fabric but that didn't work! I swirled some crocheting thread (for embroidery) and a cord that I want to use for bookbinding on top of that.

first layer and thread and cord
I then taped down my “good” white cotton on top of everything, added the hot glue with a cranky glue gun and painted on the dye. Frog tape (a painter's tape) is great for wet projects.

glue on second layer 
I was hoping the swirling of the threads would show through. It showed on the back but only a little came through to the top.
thread and cord on back
top dyed with Procion H

This is what it looked like when dry.

dry & glue removed 
And the mess of dried glue.

glue

I have used Elmer's blue school glue on Life is Good here and actually got some pretty good results with less work.

I don't know what made me use both white and ecru crochet cotton but I'm glad I did. Look at the difference, the ecru really took the dye well.  
dyed thread and cord 
I started quilting and am not happy with what I have, I especially don't like my thread choice for the swirls.  Also not yet sure what to do with the border.

quilting in progress
 Tune in next week and see if I end up liking it better.  
detail



See you next week,

Terry

NEXT ART PROMPT - #7 – Use glue

HERE'S MY PLAN

One prompt, one project (taking as long as required to finish the project)

It's OK to finish a previously started project (UFO)

Make something creative.

Use any Media.

Blog about the project every Friday.

Pick a prompt for the next week once the project is done.





Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Stitches 71 to 74


Take a Stitch Tuesday

Four samples for TAST this week with Sharon b. at Pin Tangle
Sharon presents a new stitch challenge every week.  Hoping to catch up some day.

TAST Stitches 71 to 74


I especially liked all of these four stitches, although some were a little more time consuming than others.


Stitch 71 – Bullion Buttonhole Stitch

This one takes a little extra time but easy combination of the buttonhole and bullion stitches.

Bullion Buttonhole Stitch

Stitch 72 – Wrapped Coral Stitch

I found this easy to do and I like the looks of it too.

Wrapped Coral Stitch

Stitch 73 – Portuguese Stem Stitch

This one I like a lot even though I did not do the second wrap when I stitched my 4” frame.
It was a few days before I got back to it and decided to reread the instructions before doing the centre swirl, and that is when I noticed my boo-boo. Much nicer with 2 wraps.

Portuguese Stem Stitch

Stitch 74 – Zig Zag Chain Stitch

This one is OK but I found it a little harder to keep it neat looking. I like how it looks with 2 or 3 rows close together.


Zig zag Chain Stitch

I will link up to TAST at Pin Tangle

Check out this site as well as the comments to see all the beautiful work going on there.

Happy Stitching,

Terry


Pape's Clematis


ART PROMPT - #6 - Week 3 – Use rubber stamps



Pape's Clematis
After last week's post, I let the ink dry overnight and then heat set it by pressing with an iron.

A little hand embroidery and all that was left to do was the quilting.

detail

I used Isacord thread for all of the quilting.

detail

The background has a simple diagonal grid.

background grid
I then stapled the quilt to an artist canvas.

I'm really pleased with the way the way it turned out and especially how well the colours show up.

I've registered for a printmaking workshop, so probably more stamped projects to come.



See you next week,

Terry

NEXT ART PROMPT - #7 – Use glue

HERE'S MY PLAN

One prompt, one project (taking as long as required to finish the project)

It's OK to finish a previously started project (UFO)

Make something creative.

Use any Media.

Blog about the project every Friday.

Pick a prompt for the next week once the project is done.




Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Take a Stitch Tuesday




Stitches 68 to 70

Stitches 68, 69, 70
 Three more samples for TAST with Sharon b. at Pin Tangle
Sharon presents a new stitch challenge every week. She now has more than 100 stitches of which I have now tackled 70. It is a lot of fun trying to figure what can be done with each stitch.

Stitch 68 – Slipped Detached Chain Stitch

I like this one a lot, it easy and fun to stitch

Slipped Detached Chain Stitch

Stitch 69 – Buttonholed Double Chain Stitch

This stitch just about did me in. I started with the top row and just could not keep the lines straight. I ended up stitching into the edge stitch of the buttonhole bar in order to stop the bar from flipping up and it also helped keep the lines more or less straight. I found this one very difficult to do. The french knot were an attempt to make my colour choice play nice together.

Buttonholed Double Chain Stitch
Stitch 70 – Crested Chain Stitch

I like this one, easy to do.


Crested Chain Stitch

I will link up to TAST at Pin Tangle

Check out this site as well as the comments to see all the beautiful work going on there.

Happy Stitching,

Terry


Friday, March 7, 2014

ART PROMPT - #6 - Week 2 – Use rubber stamps



I was away most of the week but did manage to get the printing done today.

I experimented with acrylics first and did not like the results. I then remembered that a friend had given me some Textile Screen Printing Inks so gave that a try. Much better.

I cut out paper patterns of my clematis flowers and pinned them on my background so I would have an idea where to place the leaves.

Flower placement
 And this is what it looks like now. I decided to darken the paint going downwards, not sure it that was a good idea. I have to let it dry overnight and heat set it before doing the stitching.

Stamped

See you next week,

Terry


NEXT ART PROMPT - #6 – Use rubber stamps

HERE'S MY PLAN

One prompt, one project (taking as long as required to finish the project)

It's OK to finish a previously started project (UFO)

Make something creative.

Use any Media.

Blog about the project every Friday.

Pick a prompt for the next week once the project is done.