Quilting on the Edge

Tuesday's Two Cents: Your Own Billboard

Wonder if you were given the chance to create a huge billboard and you could put anything you wanted on it?  at no cost to you.  I don't know why I've been thinking about this, but I have and have wondered what message I would want to put out there.  I don't think I'd advertise anything, but I would want to leave a message.  Color would be important, as well as what images you chose to include, if any.   I would have a billboard with a lovely image of waves gently rolling into a shoreline on a blue sky day.  Various shades of blue in the water.  Then, somewhere off to the side, like in the lower right hand corner, I would have the word RELAX, with smaller words underneath that read  "Live in the moment".   What would you create?  For a short discussion on the psychology of color, click on this link: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/7acCfE/www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html

Tutorial: Fast, Fun, Fabric Fish

These fish are a lot of fun to make and display, as you see mine here on a low bench.  I have about 8 or so in all different batiks and colorful fabrics.  Here's how:  Draw a free hand fish pattern, you can see the outline of mine.  Mine are about 16 inches, but you can make them any size.  I drew my pattern on freezer paper, so I could iron it to my fabric pieces, and it can be used over and over again. Layer two fabrics, I used different ones on front and back, layer them WRONG sides together......transfer your pattern to the top fabric.  With freezer paper, I ironed it on the top fabric.  Sew on the machine along the pattern edge, but not on the pattern.  Or, draw along the edge of the pattern and sew on that drawn line.  Leave a space open for stuffing your fish, you'll close this later with a slip stitch by hand, or sew by machine.   After sewing, cut about one half inch away from the sewn line to see your fish.  He's flat now, but not for long.  To create the raggy edge, clip along the seam allowances about every quarter to half inch, up to the seam line, but not through the line.  I was making a bunch of them, so at this point, I ran all my fish bodies through the machine to start the process of ragging the edge.  After they dried in the drier, stuff the fish to the degree you like.  I had no stuffing or batting to use, so I used plastic grocery bags which we always seem to have in great supply.  This makes a  nice stuffing, besides, you're also recycling.  When stuffed to your satisfaction, close the opened edge with a slip stitch or on the machine.  I added a decorative button for an eye, or else you could do something with embroidery or beads, whatever your pleasure, even felt if you like that look.  You could arrange them as I have, or stuff a bunch in a basket  with all their heads sticking out.  Make a really large one for a pillow!  Or make smaller ones to hang by fishing line and make a mobile.......I could see 4 or 6 inch sizes for this idea.  I also like the large pillow idea........in that case, you could make the fabric patchwork first, then cut the large fish pattern out.  Sounds like a nice accent for a kids' room.  Hope you have fun making these fast fun fabric fish! 

Art Quilt: Anna Maria Island Series: Alfresco at Ginny's

Here's my fourth piece in the Anna Maria Island series.  This one is much larger than my others.....it's 30 inches wide by 23 inches tall.  This is a place we often go for coffee that is only two blocks from our home.  It is a gift shop, as well as an internet cafe and bakery/deli.  I isolated one of the tables and chairs outside for this photo.  We love to sit outside here and watch all the people and traffic go by.  The chairs are really a dark aqua, but that gave little contrast to this piece, so I took the liberty of changing them to red.  I'm pretty sure if you know the island, you'll recognize this site.  Shadows were a challenge, but I'm ready to put it aside now and move on.  Now I have four pieces completed in the series.......wonder what I'll do next?

Tuesdays' Two Cents: Warped ATC's

Here are my ATC's for the April challenge, the theme was warped. Judging by this chick's image, I think I met the challenge.  Click on the image for a closeup and you'll notice the facial features are made of seashells.  I created the image, took a photo, then attached the image to a fabric background.  The hair is a painted strand from a mop head......so there she is.  Her name is Shelley.  Others in my group made uneven, or warped cards, and one made a card with weaving elements, which were both pretty neat.  

Prom dress from Doritos Bag?

Have you heard about the Doritos Bag Prom Dress?  Now this gal has creativity!   Click here: http://www.ky3.com/news/local/91097659.html

Quilts on Anna Maria Island Notecards for Sale

I have created a set of four notecards of photos of four different quilts in scenic places on Anna Maria Island, and they are for sale on my website at this link: http://www.christinepreddquiltart.com/art/quilts-on-anna-maria-island-notecards-series-i/.  Be sure to click on and view all four photos so you can see the different cards included in the set of four.  The set is 14.00 and includes envelopes and shipping costs. Besides being unique cards, the set makes a nice gift for a quilter or anyone who like unique stationery for their correspondence.  Thanks for checking them out!  If you have difficulty ordering from that site, you can contact me directly at my email address  which is fpredd@comcast.net.  

Fabric Dyeing: Layering with Multiple Colors

  A few days ago I once again did some fabric dyeing, using the layering technique but this time with more than one color per layer.  Here are three glass jars that I used.  Each jar has four different fabric pieces, larger than a fat quarter, but cut in that orientation.  I start with white PFD fabric.  I would place in a scrunched up piece of fabric at the bottom of each jar, then apply two different color dyes in a dripping method over the fabric.  Once that dye was absorbed in the fabric, I'd add another piece, scrunch if down, then add two more colors of dyes, and repeat this process two more times for each jar.  I then left it sit for a few hours, and you can see here the photos of some of the pieces of fabric I created by this method.  I am very happy with these results!  I have a nice selection of multicolored pieces, some lighter, some of medium value, and some even with a darker value.  I can't wait to do it again, as the surprise of seeing what has been created is just exciting!  and I'm planning on creating a really great quilt from this collection.

Tuesday's Two Cents: What are your Must Haves?

I hear  that a busy hurricane season is predicted for Florida this season, and altho I don't let that piece of information distress me, it does cause me to think about all I have and having it all blown away, literally.  This then leads to thinking what I would take with me if I had to evacuate our place here.  Of course the usual records and photos are at the top of the list. But then it turns into an exercise in what do I value most among all my possessions?  After people of course.  I mean among the things I have. This is probably a good exercise for all of us to try.  Forget bad weather, wonder if our life situation dictated we get rid of most of what we have, and pare down to the bare minimum.  What would be on your bare minimum list?  Let's assume clothing is done, important papers and records, and photos. Pets have been dealt with.   Now we're getting down to the real nitty gritty of it. I'm pretty sure my quilts would be next on the list.  If space were an issue, I'd probably have to leave some behind, so that would be another priority list I'd have to do. Then I think I'd be sure to take some of my favorite books.  I already know which those are, do you?  I could grab them in a few minutes. Maybe limit myself to five or six.  Furniture is out, but what about all those "things" around the house that make it a home?  I'd probably have to grab a few small things.  Is my car full yet?  Maybe.  I think now I'd grab my laptop and phone, maybe camera.   Then what? I think I'm done.  Honestly, it seems I know, and you surely do too, the things that will bring you comfort in such a situation.  And very quickly, you also know the things that are just there and you can replace if needed or just do without.  Taking a look around my home here, that's a lot of stuff I could do without.  This certainly gives new perspective to all we have in our lives, at least it does for me.   Maybe we simply do not need anymore.  Of course we knew that already, didn't we?

   

Here's that azalea I was talking about!

Sunday Solution: We've all heard that one key to happiness is to be grateful.......books and writings abound with the idea that everyday we should last five things for which we are grateful that we experienced that day. When I've done that consistently, I find I do have a greater sense of well being, but I often don't remember to do it and look at it as a chore. Recently I came up with a quick way to make that list of five easier to do. I use the five senses.......something I've seen, something I've smelled, something I've tasted, something I've heard, and something I've felt. Yesterday, I saw a full blooming azalea shrub in bright pink......heard the tinkling of windchimes on my deck... smelled the lovely fragrant flowering trees all over the island......tasted blackened grouper.........and felt the wind in my face as I sat watching the waves on the island pier. Pretty easy. Maybe it will work for you. Happy Sunday!