Third gutta project

Here is my third project for the gutta resist class. Not my best work. I tried to hurry it along and it doesn't like to be rushed. Most important lesson so far: allow plenty of time. It is kind of fun and funky so I like it even if it isn't quite what I envisioned when I started this lesson. One more lesson for this class but I probably won't get to it until next week. We have a birthday at our house today and I have a couple of quick Halloween costumes to make.

I am enjoying watching all of the quilting patterns that Leah Day is posting on her blog. She is trying to create 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs. I have two more big projects to finish and than I am going to devote time just for quilting. I'm hoping to practice with her designs and then try to make some of my own. I know when I start to concentrate on designs like this, I see them everywhere. The pattern of the ceiling tile in the waiting room at the doctor's office, or the chair fabric, or the brick path, or the meandering clouds in the sky....I have to remember to take a small sketch book with me so I can quickly try to copy these patterns. If I wait they are gone by the time I have returned home. What patterns do you see? Do you carry a sketchbook?

Have a creative day.

Janet

Gutta love it!

I have my second gutta resist project finished. I like the way this turned out. I'm seeing lot's of fall leaves when I look out my window so I went with fall colors on my silk. I was surprised the colors stayed so vibrant. The line is a little wider than I would like so I think I will try a smaller tip for the next project. I think I need to take the class on photographing my quilts. It really does look better in person.

I've been adding lot's of postcards to my postcards received slideshow lately. We are getting to our deadline for the Postmark'd Art group so I have guite a few arriving in the mail daily. I still have one last group to complete. That is on Monday's to-do list. Don't forget you can click on the postcard slideshow and it takes you to my picasa site, than you can look at your leisure.

Have a creative day.

Janet

Classes and a new pet.

I've been taking a couple of classes at Quilt University lately. One is helping me learn more about the EQ6 program and all that it can do. This class is taught by Fran Gonzalez and has really pushed me to learn more about EQ6. QU has a series of four classes that you can take, I've taken two so far. She walks you through creating blocks so you can learn something new with each block. I really had no idea how complex this program is.

I am also taking Gutta Resist on Silk right now. This class is taught by Marjie McWilliams. I've taken a number of classes taught by Marjie. She is a dedicated and fun teacher, always willing to answer any question. I have never used gutta before so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I like silk but don't use it often in what I make. So, this was a step outside the box for me. I've done two of the four lessons so far. This is the sampler I made in the first lesson. The second lesson is still drying on my stretcher bars.

My son has a new pet. I have to admit when he said he was getting this, I was a little skeptical. It didn't sound like a fun pet to me. It does have a very cute face, and he is taking care of it (I told him I wouldn't). He is having trouble thinking of a name. Any suggestions? He doesn't want the obvious 'Sonic' (as in sonic the hedgehog video game).

Have a creative day! Janet

I won the pendant!

I just found out I won a pendant offered by Beth Wheeler on her blog. I am thrilled! I know just the person who deserves this necklace. The necklace was made by Phyllis Crawley from South Bend, Indiana. She sells them for $16 each with $10 going to the Susan Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. Phyllis has an etsy shop where you can purchase this necklace or others.

http://www.redbuddesigns.etsy.com

I didn't win the tiara contest that Nancy Eha held. You should go an check out the winning tiara's. They really are amazing.

I just started experimenting with printing on cans. My son likes Arizona iced tea so that is what I have used for my first experiment. It's pretty interesting! I can't wait to try more.

Have a creative day

Janet

What do you do with learning pieces?

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it."

by Pablo Picasso

Now I'm not comparing myself to Picasso but, I am always trying to learn things I don't know how to do. I like to learn new skills. One reason is, my brain needs all the help it can get to keep alert and learning new skills is one way to do that. The second reason, I'm curious and maybe a little adventurous. I like to learn.

When I took the points and curves class, I made samples that were goofy. If you look at them you can see my points don't always point where they are supposed to. I accepted that and learned how to make them the right way. (Also someone in the class gave me grief about them being wrong, so I had extra motivation to get them right for the final project). In other words I learned from my mistakes. I tend to keep them to remind me where I have been and what I need to do different. I have a friend who always throws her class projects away. What do you do with your learning pieces? I have turned a couple into other projects, but some just keep hanging around.

I finished my thread painted postcards for Postmark'd Art. I had some photos of flowers printed on fabric. I decided to use these to thread paint. I needed to make nine cards. I used four different photos.

Nancy Eha has the voting open for the tiara's now. You should go and check them out whether you vote or not. There are some wonderful works of art.