Dye, dye, dye!

I have been asked by the Montana Art Educator's Association to teach a quilt workshop for their annual get together for Montana High School art students.  This years' workshop is being hosted by Glacier High School here is Kalispell.

I've had a lot of muslin scraps just hanging out in the studio the last few years, so I thought I'd dye the scraps for the kids to use in the quilt workshop. It is spring break here this week so I've been in the studio with my helpers dyeing muslin.

Sophie helped me rip down the muslin into manageable pieces.

Wasabi is helping all he can.

Mixing the dye powders into solution.

Dye molecules in solution looking for fiber molecules to bond with.

Muslin after soaking in soda ash.

Fiber molecules waiting for dye molecules.

Dyes have been added.

Helper Kitty making sure everything is o.k.

More beautiful fabric.

Early Work

Since I'm trying to get the Dahlia quilt quilted, I don't have anything new to show you so I thought I'd post some pictures of my early quilts. Enjoy! 

Waiting for Time 1

Waiting for Time 2

                   

Waiting for Time 3

"Waiting for Time" is a triptych I did in 2005 They are whole cloth, mono-prints. I thickened the dyes with sodium algenate (seaweed) and placed the dyes on a smooth, rubberized surface. I then placed the treated fabric on top of the dyes and ran a squeegee over the top of the fabric to spread the color around.          

Finding Sanctuary 1

Finding Sanctuary 2

Another triptych I did was called "Finding Sanctuary". Finding Sanctuary 1 was exhibited in a show called: "Transformations: Artists working with Fibers" in 2005.

This piece is owned by Russel and Stanley Conte. Russel owns the Sewing Arts Center in Santa Monica, CA where I have also exhibited and taught a dyeing workshop.

Finding Sanctuary 3

Study 3.23

I gifted this little quilt, titled "Study 3.23  (16" x 16"), to my friend Lanette. Study 3.23 was in the National Small Art Quilt Exhibition in 2006. 

"Peace"

The very first show I ever entered and was juried into was "Quilts=Art=Quilts" at the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center in  Auburn, New York in 2005.

These two quilts, "Peace" and "Waiting" were my debut into the world of art quilts.

Wow, that was nine years ago!

"Waiting"

Well folks, that's all for this post. I hope you enjoyed taking this little trip down memory lane with me. We are off to the Bigfork Children's Theater to see "Lucky Dollar: Private Eye."
Our son Cole is running the lights!

Ready to Quilt

The quilt top is finished and ready to quilt.

Coming Attraction

One of my goals is to enter the International Quilt Festival in Houston, TX.

I've started working on my entry.

Dahlia Quilt

As you can see, the design for this quilt produces two "medallions" (partial section of second medallion off to the right) so I will have another quilt similar to this one.

Dahlia Detail

I was inspired by a red Dahlia.

Another detail shot.


I just can't wait to see this quilt all together.

Border Shot

I love this quilt and will keep you posted on my progress. The entry deadline is May 29. 

Must keep working...

Delinquent!

Wow. I can't believe my last post was around Thanksgiving of 2013. Where has the time gone?

I was able to get a lot of quilting done over our holiday break from school. I finished quilting Dave and Christy's wedding quilt. (Only six years after their wedding!) Sometimes inspiration comes slowly.

Wedding gift for David and Christy Swindlehurst

Another project I finished was a commissioned quilt. You can see the progression below.

I quilt on an HQ-16 which is considered a mid-arm quilting machine. It is sitting quite comfortably on its own sewing table in my studio. I love my HQ.

My HQ-16

 When using a long arm quilting machine, the quilter moves the machine. When using a sit-down version of a mid-arm machine, the quilter has to move the quilt. In order to move the quilt, the quilt layers have to be pin basted together. 

Quilt Backing

Step One:

Prepare the quilt back. 

Batting layer

Step Two:

Add the batting

Quilt sandwich ready to pin

Step Three:

Place the top and pin the layers together.

Sherry's finished quilt in its new home.


Remember the Mondo Bags I made a while back? One is enjoying the sunshine in Aruba.

I'm jealous! (And I think the flamingo is too!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

It has been a slow week in the studio though I did manage to make a little something for a special someone who is turning 10 tomorrow!

Bitty Bag

 Above is the "Bitty Bag" (pattern by the same company as the Mondo Bag) made with Moda's new line of fabrics called Soho Chic. 

Charm and Mini-Charm packs.

 I wish I could afford to buy a few yards of each of the 40 fabrics in the line but alas I had to settle for Charm and Mini-Charm packs and yardage for lining. I love this new line from Moda.

Mondo Bag and Bitty Bag

I posted a picture of the Mondo bag a while back. Here are the two side by side so you could see the size difference. There is a mid-size bag pattern also.

Pumpkin Dessert, Pecan pie and Triple Berry Pie

My mother-in-law wanted to roast the turkey this year so I was put in charge of pies. There will be six of us for dinner so I made a Pecan pie, Chocolate Silk pie, Triple Berry pie and a Pennsylvania Dutch Sour Cream Apple pie plus a Pumpkin Dessert. Hmmmm. Overkill? We'll be eating pie for a week! And as you can tell from the Triple Berry Pie, I have an oven to clean.

Just in the oven!

Two of the things I love to do in life is quilt and make pie. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. You are treasured.

Saturday

The view from my front door.

It appears winter is trying to invade the valley so it is a good morning to get stuff done around the house.

There were a bunch of chicken/turkey bones in the freezer so I started the stock pot. I had some crimini mushrooms in the fridge so I made mushrooms in marinara for my breakfast.

Stock and breakfast

But most importantly...

Feather design

I'm in the studio quilting on Dave and Christy's quilt. I drew up a feather design to incorporate into their quilt. I don't do feathers very much but admire the feather work I see on other quilts, especially from two of my favorite local professional quilters, Selena Beckwith and Vicki Ibison. (One of the reasons I don't do very many feathers is because I'm not that good at them.) 

Sample of Salena's feather work. 

So inspiring!

Salena's award winning quilt.

So, as it has been said, "Practice makes perfect!" 
So I practice and maybe someday I will quilt like a pro! 

It has been a slow week in the studio but I  have been trying to be diligent because I have a lot of quilts to get quilted. I want to get a lot accomplished today because I'm hoping this quilt will be done by next weekend or at least ready for the binding.

Dave and Christy's quilt at the machine.

It is time to go to the studio, switch laundry loads around and get back to quilting. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by.