Making Progress

I have been busy with three different pieces in the last few weeks.   I have just finished two of them (see photos below).  With "The Bench",  I simply finished it by binding the edges instead of creating a fabric frame because I plan to frame it.  I think its simplicity calls for a frame.    In the case of "Water Lily"  I used the same white fabric with muted pinks, yellows and blues for the backing that I had used for the petals.   I simply folded the backing over to the front to create a narrow binding.  I wanted to see it in a matted frame as well so "Water Lily" is now at the framers for a custom framing because of its odd shape.....and I am hoping it turns out the way I had envisioned.   The binding is there just to finish the piece - it will be covered by the matt once framed.  I am framing it without glass.

The third piece is a monochromatic one called "Heard it Through the Grapevine".  I began with a photo of grape leaves on my patio.  Part of my class project, I drew a pattern from the photo, agonized over the colours and placement of the leaves, trying to capture the sunlight bouncing off the larger outside leaves and the gradual darkening of the shaded underlying leaves.  I finally came up with this image......lots of embroidery stitching still to be done with this one.

The second photo shows the stitching as I start the process of embroidering each leaf -  four down, twenty more to go....more or less.

dyeing workshop

Last Saturday's class with Elaine Quehl was an exercise in dyeing fabric.   Elaine gave us very clear step-by-step instructions, we worked hard all day and, like magic, here are the results.   I was very pleased when I finished the process (rinsing and washing) at home the next evening and saw my beautiful fat quarters.   Here are some photos of my earth tone colour wheel and a few fat quarters where we added three colours for varying effects.

I have been very busy in the last two weeks with several pieces in progress and will post some photos in my next post.

Glebe Artisan and Craft Fair

I spent this past weekend at the Glebe Fair in Ottawa.   It was a lovely show with lots of talented craftspeople.    I was happy to see there was much interest in my work.    During the 3 days I got to talk to other quilters and got several good ideas for future shows.   I entered the show at the last minute so the last two weeks were busy planning my display.

The best part of it all was the way my friends supported me.    I have to thank all of you for pitching in - lending me display items, picking them up and delivering them to me,  making my table covers (don't they look great), helping me to set up and take down, providing me with food and drink, taking over so I could have a lunch break, giving constructive criticism and moral support, and even purchasing my work.

I've posted a couple of photos of my booth in the beautiful Glebe Community Centre (where I used to display my work for many years as a member of the Ottawa Guild of Potters).

This week I need to work on preparing for the Art Quilt class I am taking.  Our next session is Saturday.

My latest piece

Here is a photo of my latest piece - the first in my flower series - The Iris.   I create leaves in the winter and flowers in the autumn....it makes sense to me!

More News

In an earlier post I described the black and white challenge that I entered with one of my online quilting groups (see photo in September 26 post). A poll was taken and my piece won! What a nice surprise. The prize is a bundle of batik fat quarters - candy to a quilter!