Love Those Skills

The wonderful part of learning sewing and quilting skills is that you can use those techniques in so many different ways. Aside from the wall art that I have been making, I can travel off in another direction at a blink of any eye.

I layered a lovely green batik with a piece of batting and a backing 

and set up my machine for quilting.

After quilting the fabric, I cut it into pieces for a small purse. 

I adapted the directions from quilting instructor Wendy Rieves' pattern 

for "Wendy's Essentials Purse". 

I used the batik for the back of the purse.

The front was cut from a hand-dyed fabric. 

There was a soft image on the hand-dyed that I enhanced 

with quilting and then added the beading.

Now I have the perfect little bag to match my wardrobe. 

My walls won't be the only thing with a new spring look.

Double Pop

After making my poppies, I tried them on my busy background. The light reflection of the satin weave fabric along with the large area of solid color seem to outshine the background. I think this will work. At least, I will continue on.

I also tried narrow strips of fabric that I printed with a handmade stamp. I like the balance and the interest that these bring to the project.

To add life to my flowers they needed to be connected to the earth. Of course, stems could be drawn out and carefully planned. Or you can fly free and simply cut.

This will work.

Adding the stems and buds and appliquéing them in place.

My completed project. 

Did I accomplish my mission to subdue the diva background?

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Poppies Popping Up

Working with my vivid background, I felt anything that I put on it would have to be strong. 

I chose the bright pink because I could see large poppies "popping" up.

I used paint to add detail to the center. 

I know this doesn't look like much and I questioned if I were just ruining my fabric.

After I added a gathering stitch close to the center, poppies were starting to emerge.

Maybe??

Please, come back and see what happens next..........

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Ideas are Popping Up

A new day and on to new things.
A piece that has been quietly waiting has caught my attention.

(Quietly waiting? Really? How could this piece ever bring to mind the word "quiet"?)

Not content to complete this as is it, today I see it was a stimulating background that I can use as a starting point for a new piece of art.

Because the fabric design is quite powerful, it will be an creative challenge to push this domineering start into a subordinate role. Can it be tamed? Is it too strong?

(This isn't the first time I've chosen to work with a diva background. The result of that experiment was not pretty! Will this turn into the same calamity?)

I've found a selection of fabrics that possibly could be used with this piece. Now the challenge begins..................