I'm a Painter too

I've been buried in old issues of Quilting Arts Magazine Judie was kind enough to share with me. It is amazing how creative and uninhibited quilt artists are. Since I have a hard time finding commercial fabrics that inspire me, I decided I am going to paint my own canvas, if you will. I purchased some PFD (prepared for dying) fabric and textile paints and all the assorted goodies that a painter needs and I am embarking on designing my own fabric. I even got some Tjaunting tools to draw with batik wax- way cool stuff. After painting and dying, I will draw with my thread to add dimension and detail.



I think it was Judy Coates Perez' blog that pushed me over the edge to bite the bullet and plunge into painting on fabric. Her work is incredible. You can check her out at www.judyperez.blogspot.com

I'm also studying color theory with her. We are doing an online interactive 6 week class using Setacolor transparent paints on watercolor paper to make our own color wheels, combinations, etc. It starts next week, and I can't wait.


And if you know me, you know I usually don't do anything half way, so to get a shot of self confidence before putting paint to fabric (which can get expensive) , I've spent the last 2 Wednesday nights at a watercolor painting class, where I am just about done with my very first watercolor picture. It's called "View from a Window" and depicts a set of shutters open with a view towards the water, where a sailboat sits, with the mountains in the background. I am doing a second watercolor of the Jupiter lighthouse next- Jay doesn't know about this project, since I want to give him the painting for his birthday in July....so don't tell!


I'm happy to report that while my hip is still on injured reserve I am back on my bike and up to 7 miles in the morning time. Gotta love it!


Until next time,



Amy

domestic diva

It's been some time since my last post. I really don't know where the time has gone. When I worked I couldn't imagine how I'd fill my days. Now that I'm not working, there isn't enough time in a day to get done all the things I want to accomplish. Time seems to be rushing by.

This post is called domestic diva. I guess I've become one of those...I can actually cook. I've been chastised for years that I can't cook, but I've discovered I can. I even made a chutney with pineapple, dried cherries, almonds, and various other goodies that I put on chicken. Jay went wild- he couldn't believe I made it. I am, however, a utilitarian cook for the most part. I put a well balanced meal on the table (well, sofa- since we sit on the sofa to eat as I hate sitting at the table) every week night for dinner. Mark taught me how he makes salad dressing and I make my own, fresh, every night. It's got flax seed oil, organic apple cider vinegar, organic soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, agave nectar, cayenne pepper, ginger, and garlic. If that doesn't qualify me for domestic diva status, I don't know what would.

I had a slow week with my quilting as Rachel was home for 10 days visiting in between semesters. Since I couldn't get any uninterrupted quilting time, I decided my sewing room needed some color. Our new home is currently "beige" on "beige" on "beige." I am NOT a beige person. So I pulled out Jay's 8 ft ladder and painted the room, one wall at a time. It took me 3 days to complete (I did 2 walls in one day). I love it. Two walls are a lime green and the other two are a soft lavender.

Rachel left on Mother's Day morning and I've been back in my sewing room quilting away. Toby's face is just about done. I need one more white fabric to complete his chest then I get to start thread painting. I just taught myself thread painting. I found a book with progressive lessons and off I went. I've done lessons 1-3 and can say without hesitation that thread painting rocks!

I'm excited that I get to spend the day with Kathy tomorrow. We've formed a Thursday quilt artist group and will work with various mediums doing lots of experimenting. Natalie and Judie are also in our group. I can't wait to show everyone the stuff we work on.

I've put up a few pictures of my thread painting lesson pieces and an updated Toby face. I also finished a lone star quilt that I free motion quilted with wild feathers and I made a monstera leaf quilt using invisible machine applique as the technique. CLICK on any picture to see the details. Hope you all like them.

Until next time,

Amy