Do You Like Your Ducks in a Row?

This week I thought I would take a step away from the sewing machine and my rotary cutter and have some fun stamping on fabric to create my own unique designs.

 The fabric paints I used were Jacquard Textile color and Dye-Na-Flow. I carved two stamps from white polymer erasers readily available in the office supply section of the local store.

Put a little stamp in my hand and I found out how regimented I can be. I found myself lining up all my stamps in nice even rows. The Dye-Na-Flow was perhaps a little thin for this process but gave a more watery, transparent look that I found interesting.

In this sample, I stretched out a bit and got a little further away from that straight and even look. The Textile Color paint has more body and worked well for stamping.

Finally, I managed to break out and get away from straight lines.

I can't wait to use my samples and see where they will take me. How would you use them?

Come back again, I can see these becoming my next Quilter's Tiles. See you on Tuesday.

Tuesday's Tile - It's Not Always Hearts and Roses

Quilter's Tile - alias Tooth Fairy Pillow
8" x 8"
©2012 - Sharon V. Rotz

A Valentine filled with hearts and roses wasn't on the tile this Valentine's Day. Not when you get a phone call with important news. "Grandpa, I've got something exciting to tell you. I lost my first tooth."

Of course, this deserves an important gift. A tooth fairy pillow in which to place that treasured tooth and others to follow.

A lily pad shape was perfect for the pocket.

Nicholas' name was added with machine stitched letters. Because this is not something I do often, this step took a little time as I  had to try several times and get out my sewing machine manual. Now that I am more familiar with the technique, I'm brainstorming on other ways I can use this feature. (Do you have any ideas for me?)

When frogs are in the picture, perhaps the tooth fairy looks like a dragonfly? I made this one from two layers of sheer placed on a stabilizer. After I stitched the shape, I trimmed close to the stitching.

Here is my Quilter's Tile for the week, turned tooth fairy pillow ready and waiting to be stuffed and finished.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day, whether there are hearts (or frogs) coming your way.

Happy Quilted Chocolate Valentines Day

Thinking of those red hearts and sentimental verses?

Try a quilted valentine this year. Here we have a lovely (low calorie) treat. Chocolate hearts decorated with vanilla icing. 

Easy to make. Use a fusible to attach your heart to the backing and stitch around it with your favorite machine stitch (blanket stitch or zigzag works well). Couch down yarn (by zigzagging over it) to decorate.

For those of you who prefer just a touch of chocolate, try it in reverse. Vanilla hearts with chocolate icing.

To double the fun, try free motion quilting (hearts, of course) to finish your piece.

Happy Day to all of you.  

Tuesday's Tiles - Chocolate and Chartreuse

Quilter's Tile - Chocolate and Chartreuse
8" x 8"
©2012 - Sharon V. Rotz

I am amused by the fact that we, as fiber artists, often strive to make quilts that resemble flat paintings and other artists strive to add brush strokes and shading to mimic the look of texture.

We have that world of texture right at our finger tips.  We can employ the use of a vast number of three-dimensional techniques to create our art work. We have an unlimited supply of fibers which we can add to our flat surface. We have threads and stitching that can bring our work (or should we really say, play) to new heights.

In this week's Tuesday's Tile I've played (It was certainly more play than work.) with different yarns and a bit of gift wrap.

As I was looking at a roll of chartreuse wrapping paper, I noted on the label that it was metallic poly.

POLY?

I know Poly.
Although, I usually address her by her given name, Poly Ester. (even when I'm not mad at her)


Poly and my sewing machine have been friends for a long time.

Therefore:
If this wrapping paper is poly, I can sew it! And, I did!

Before, I stitched I did have a little fun with a heat gun, warping Poly's personality at bit.

What's new with you? Have you been busy this week?
Have you created a tile that you would like to share? If you have, please add a comment.

What a Simple Plan

Did you ever have a simple plan that turned into a multiple week adventure?

I thought it was an easy plan. I wanted to take a photo of my art quilt in the Winter's Garden exhibit. But there are days and then there are more days.

Day 1:  Got to the exhibit. Not opened.
Day 2:  Got to the exhibit. Forgot the camera.
Day 3:  Got to the exhibit. Camera battery was dead.
Day 4:  Got to the exhibit. Got in the middle of a tour group.

Yes, we followed a flock of mallards right up to the door.

But, I finally got in with camera working and once again enjoyed the beauty of the orchids and the artwork.

I even got a photo of my quilt in the exhibit.

A lesson learned. 

When I paid a visit to the Art of the Quilter II exhibit, I arrived with my camera in hand and working and snapped these photos.

The entries were varied and each fascinated us with the mastering of different technique.

The quilts were artfully arranged to show off at their best.

 Our lives are enriched when we have the opportunity to view beautiful art. It captures our imagination and inspires us.