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

Hearts for You

Happy Valentine's Day.

We are all thinking hearts this week, 

so I wanted to share some of the hearts that I made.

I started with two fabrics, a light batik and a solid pink. 

After seaming them together, I enhanced them by using crayons over a rough texture. 

I set up my sewing machine for free-motion quilting and quilted a feather design.

Adding a touch of Lumiere paint in each feather provides fabulous detail.

I  invite you to join me for a class exploring these techniques.

"Feathered Art Quilt"

I will be at Sew Smart in Rhinelander, WI on March 13, 2014, 

and at Sew Smart in Wausau, WI on March 27, 2014.

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

The Art Quilt Blog

Tuesday's Tile - Oh, I Didn't See That Coming!

Quilter's Tile - The Fan

8" x8"

©2012 Sharon V. Rotz

When I was searching my stash for pink fabric, I discovered this paper pieced fan block between the pieces.

I laid it aside, but it kept calling to me. It measured 8" so it would be perfect for a Quilter's Tile.

I auditioned several fabrics looking for the best background.

This fabric fit the mood of the picture in my mind.

Contemporary styling was not the choice this time. Out came a variety of traditional trims.

I opened up small sections of the seam allowance, tucked the end of the rickrack in and added narrow rickrack along each point.

When I checked my block it was definitely not square, as you can see. Vertically, it is on the line. Horizontally, it is at least a 1/2" off.  Could this be why it didn't make it into the original project?

All to often, I have seen quilters take out their rotary cutter and square ruler and trim off the excess, mis-shaping the block in the effort to make it square again.

I like to pin the outside of the block to a square corner and see if I can steam press the block back into the correct shape. Here is the bumpy block pinned in position.

And, after steaming, it is laying flat and square.

Since I have no idea where the pattern is for the outside of my fan, I will make a new pattern. When the fan was laying on the paper, I traced along the outside edge.

Using a flexible curve, I drew a line 1/2" inside my first line. This will become my cutting line.

The pattern piece drawn and cut to size.

The seam line will be midway between my two lines.

The fabric was cut using the new pattern. It is marked in quarters and pinned to the fan ready for stitching.

Stitched on, a perfect fit.

The fan was finished with machine quilting and lace around the edge for a binding. I added, not tiny pearl beads, but  dots of Pearl White Lumiere paint.

Tuesday's Tile - Pods on Golden Pond

Quilter's Tile - Pods on Golden Pond

8" x 8"

©2012 - Sharon V. Rotz

This tile started with a drawing from my sketchbook. My drawing abilities are limited but they are improving the more time I spend observing and practicing my sketching. 

I seemed to acquired a collection of metallic paints. How could I resist those sparkling colors? It was time to break open those bottles and spend a little time playing. Since I was pleased with my pods sketch, I redrew it on fabric and started in with the paints.

I am so pleased with the results. I can't wait to try this technique on a larger piece. This Quilter's Tile has served its purpose. It has given me the chance to try a technique on a smaller scale. Since I was serious about finishing the piece with quilting and binding, I treated it differently and learned more than I would have if I was just practicing on scrap fabric.

Tuesday's Tile - The Walk

Quilter's Tile - The Walk

8" x 8"

©2012 Sharon V. Rotz

This week for my Quilter's Tile I used many of the same products and techniques that I used last week for a totally different result. 

Starting with white muslin, I painted the background with Dye-Na-Flow paints. I added the blue Lumiere metallic paint using a credit card as my brush to create large areas of color. The edge of the card was used to make thin lines for my trees. To create thin, delicate branches I used a Micron Pigma 01 pen. This was a new effort for me and I really liked the results. I'll do this again.

Because I find hand embroidery relaxing and gives me time away from my machine, I made joyful little french knots with DMC embroidery floss. Using all six strands made heavy knots, while three strands made smaller knots to create a feeling of depth.i

This walk is a definite contrast to the scene outside our window today. We awoke to a snow covered winter wonderland. The white blanket of snow was breathtaking. Who knows, today's walk may lead to a new Tuesday's Tile. Check back next week to find out.

Tuesday's Tile - Looking at a New Age

Quilter's Tile - "Looking at a New Age"

8" x 8"

©2012 - Sharon V. Rotz

Some Quilter's Tiles happen quickly. An idea may come and I jump on it and it is finished before I know it. Other Quilter's Tiles are the product of several adventures with different techniques.

The background of this tile was painted with Dye-Na-Flow paints some time ago. Later, I bought some Lumiere Metallic paints and another bit was added.

The borders are added using Kaufman Radiance silk fabric. They have a wonderful reflective quality that adds highlights to your quilt. The fabric blended beautifully with the shine of the metallic paint. 

I especially liked the contrast of the olive borders with the hand-dyed turquoise (lovely fabric dyed by Frieda Anderson). 

I machine quilted some areas of the quilt and then had quiet moments while I relaxed and added hand embroidery stitches. Love making those cute little french knots.

Not all finished in a flash, but a slow process as I meandered from technique to technique. 

Tuesday's Tiles

Quilter's Tile - Ghosts of Koi
8" x 8"
©2011 Sharon V. Rotz

One bright and sunny day, the happy little quilter decided to brighten up her garden with a soothing and serene pond full of colorful, orange and white koi. The little quilter dug and dug and filled her pond with clear, clean water. Cheerfully, she admired her beautiful koi as she placed them in the water. How she loved their bright, intense orange color.

But, as the fish splashed into the water, their brilliant color began to bleed. Alas, they were not colorfast. The sad little quilter was left with nothing but ghosts of koi.


Moral of story: Always test your koi before adding them to your pond.




Today's Tile was made using Jacquard's Dye-na-Flow and Lumiere paints. The orange Dye-na-Flow was marbled into the background. The metallic olive Lumiere was painted on with a round brush. The fish were drawn on with Zig Textile markers. The borders were fused on with Lite Steam-a-Seam. The free-motion quilting was done with a rich rust Madeira rayon thread.


I enjoyed each step along the way in this project, exploring and trying new things.

I tried a new way of finishing the quilt. (These steps were done before quilting.)

I pieced the back leaving a slit to turn the quilt. I then layered the backing, top and batting and stitched totally around the quilt.

I turned the quilt, only to find that the corners were not not firmly stitched and starting to pull apart. Oops!

As you can tell by my lack of concern, things like this often happen and I just carry on.

Plan 2:  I am now "rounding" the corners. I'm going to like this so much better now!! (Actually, I did.)

After turning the quilt, I hand stitched the opening closed. I then pressed the edges and machine quilted my quilter's tile.

I did like this finishing method and I would do it again.