Dyptich

Since I am at the country house, I thought it would be ok to post this work with a back drop of our forest on my hand made clothesline!

The theme I continue to work with is CONNECTION 

I created this work for my last session of my course with Jane Dunnewold.  It represents a combination of many of the techniques we are learning from her (as well as a few of my own invention).  

Here is a detail where I use the technique that I developed during my thesis process.  It is a combination of free motion stitchery on silk organza with Ricky Tims stabilizing fabric upon which I have printed the image of the bird which I altered using an adobe illustrator program.  I know, I know, a bit of a run on sentence.  All I can tell you is that the run on sentence represents an even longer run on steps.  Suffice it to to say, if you are curious enough to want details, please send me a comment and I would be happy to share.  

This is another detail that is illustrating some thermofax printing of my own designs.  The background was created with printers ink over a surface of cotton that was prepared with flour paste.  This is an invention of Jane Dunnewold's, and I love the distressed crackling effect one can create with it.  

I am now preparing some more pieces to bring to our next session in San Antonio in the fall.  This time we have been asked to bring a "body of work" and I have inserted colour into these pieces.  So....stay tuned!   

Silk vest- dyed!

My sister Vicky kindly agreed to model for me. 

I obviously used many different jewel tones and perhaps next time less will be more. 

The silk loves the dyes and makes much more vibrant tones than the cotton.  

Here the vest is turned upside down and then the length can be worn as an extra layer or...

As a draped collar.  

Lots of possibilities.  

I think the arm holes ended up being too big and I agree with those who commented that the long end is a bit too long. The pattern still needs some work but it is a fun idea to play with.  

Young men and their T's

How lucky can one girl get!?!  My son, Nicholas and his friend, John, took a road trip on their days off and came to visit me at our country house! While we did the obligatory lounging around, B.B.Q.'ing, canoeing, and reading, The boys also agreed to model some new t-shirt creations.  John even decided to take a try at designing his own. 

John decided he wanted his to be two tone, divided on the diagonal and the two colours needed to be purple and green. (A new colour combination for me)

We spent a long time deciding exactly where the 'be' print was going to 'be' and he was so pleased with the result.  

The boys had lots of fun playing at amateur models in action poses.  

I am not sure they are ready to sign up for any modelling agencies yet, but I love the way they make my T-shirt experiments look.  And John was thrilled with his custom design!

New t shirt experiments

My dear friend Ellen agreed to model my new creations.  Once again I am working with procion dyes to create interesting effects on cotton t shirts I have bought from Dharma trading.  The cotton is lovely and it "eats" the dye well. 

This hoodie began in a pale yellow dye bath, and then I over dyed part of it with a blue.  The hood has stayed yellow as have part of the arms which gives it an ombré effect.  Then I printed it with a thermofax print I created.  

Ellen is sporting a sleeveless tee that was only partially dyed and then printed with another thermofax design.  To be or not to be......

Michael is modelling a tee shirt that was dyed in two different dye baths over a couple of days, rinsed and washed in between.  I left white at the chest line, and the dye creeped up and joined in spots.  I feel like I'm narrating my own fashion show!

I'm having fun with this partial immersion idea and plan to continue.  Thoughts?

First dye pots of the season

I have set up my supplies and print table for the season at my beloved "country house".  

In different parts of Canada this summer retreat is called different things; cottage,summer home, cabin, chalet, or country house in Quebec. (Which is where I am).  But as the saying goes 'a rose by any other name is just as sweet'.  Or something like that. 

I have brought tons of supplies and work in progress and a brand new bolt of prepared for dying cotton from Dharma trading so I'm all set!

Plunging into the first pots!

I will try to keep the lake and the wildlife from distracting me too much!

new vest idea

Silk Vest

I am working on a new idea for the circle vest that I had made in the past out of cotton.  This vest is made out of silk jersey and it is more of an oval than a complete circle.  It still has the large holes for the arms that I like but it drapes a bit better and is less bulky than the cotton.

I'm not the best model but I am just trying to get a sense whether the oval is better than the full circle and that the slightly shorter length in the back is a bit more convenient.
My friend, Kirsten, let me use her serger so I have serged all the edges rather than create a binding which was a great time saver and also reduces the bulk.

I would love your thoughts!
Can't wait to dye it!  The thread I serged it with was also silk.  A bit more expensive but a must if the dying is to be seemless.

SAQA Auction

SAQA on line Auction will be open soon

Benefit Auction

SAQA’s signature fundraising event starts Sept 18!

This is your chance to own beautiful, unique art quilts by some of the world’s finest artists. Plus, your purchases help increase the recognition for art quilts and the artists who make them while supporting SAQA’s exhibitions, publications, and education outreach. Thanks to our donors and bidders in 2014, the Benefit Auction raised over $55,000!

This is my submission for the auction
 

Every piece submitted is only 12" square.  Tiny treasures of fibre art!

Detail

my piece is called "Let's Chat" and is inspired by a photo of two very good friends enjoying the moment.

To find out more about SAQA, who we are, current exhibitions, artists, .... just google WWW.SAQA and review the colourful website!