tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38738938322088853892024-03-16T11:53:10.528-07:00Piece, Love & Happiness!Piecing quilts...loving fabric & color...great happiness quilting away in my studio!Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.comBlogger770125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-56044106527833232392024-03-09T23:48:00.000-08:002024-03-10T00:15:59.638-08:00Project Quilting 15.5: Wearables<p>This week's <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/03/15-5-hourglass-challenge-5-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Project Quilting challenge theme, Wearables</a>, certainly caused a pang of panic when it was first announced. Our project must be wearable, or have been made from previously worn items, or have another connection to clothes, shoes and fashion accessories. Eek! Not only was I traveling/teaching at Empty Spools Seminars for the first half of the week, but my garment-making experience and skills are sparse. Thankfully, this week's challenge allowed us to break the typical rules requirement that all entries must include 3-layers or embellished or pieced: How could I resist the opportunity to break the rules!?!</p><p>On my drive home from teaching, I reflected on my week of teaching Mark Making & Mandala Magic. As we were playing with a variety of acrylic paints, I wore my apron that was gifted to me after serving on my guild's Quilt Show planning committee. It's certainly gotten a lot of use with fabric dyeing and a variety of surface design techniques...which is exactly why I wear it! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuqxp1Inan_lQxXFUFYu-EMfWOajzOW_WFVGZDQuMstWawOJhGfe2Z5-9w62LQUEG6cmgYraZVe7rawzvJc6vQr7n1zLT9Xws6uqkqZl1CKu3OIJW24njROztRvLtdawrsByhS3q2AJ0AFHGcLPzmCkgbM4PIdRtLEu7J5JWj5VGFxMqDQr3ZArT_X-w/s5120/PQ151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuqxp1Inan_lQxXFUFYu-EMfWOajzOW_WFVGZDQuMstWawOJhGfe2Z5-9w62LQUEG6cmgYraZVe7rawzvJc6vQr7n1zLT9Xws6uqkqZl1CKu3OIJW24njROztRvLtdawrsByhS3q2AJ0AFHGcLPzmCkgbM4PIdRtLEu7J5JWj5VGFxMqDQr3ZArT_X-w/w640-h320/PQ151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Two of my students sported spiffy aprons that one of them made featuring a beautiful mandala and their names. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to sew a new apron to wear while teaching my surface design workshops! </p><p>My initial game plan was to start with a piece of duck cloth, add a bit of block printing (perhaps a block-printed mandala?), and use some <a href="https://www.fabmo.org/" target="_blank">Fabmo fabric </a>for the pocket thereby fulfilling my two personal challenges for this season. I already had an assortment of duck cloth on hand from making tote bags and found this lovely aqua blue piece that I washed to remove any sizing/chemicals. I pulled out a few Fabmo fabrics from my stash, but nothing that really excited me. Luckily, Fabmo had shopping appointments on Saturday and so I brought a swatch of the blue duck cloth and hoped I might find some better fabric options.</p><p>I couldn't believe my luck when I found this single large flat-fold swatch as it beautifully coordinated with the blue duck cloth and it included incredible colors, lines, patterns, and shapes!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYi7C5WGlEWpboUozpTCnEuKHieC0AQI-1tl4rZLdhSTOTEesKMn0KGVaBA-BUru_F8qb5D98Miy8qzVqNHb2aS0L5tVzS1VAE2oB_xSL4q4OiPpw9NaGsmLFR_U_FKZnPKogX1cYFG4NyDhlgylJJ1DxZa2aqbX7EjacylHQ0fXCCgvU5-AaWsxrJb8/s2677/PXL_20240309_211722054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2676" data-original-width="2677" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnYi7C5WGlEWpboUozpTCnEuKHieC0AQI-1tl4rZLdhSTOTEesKMn0KGVaBA-BUru_F8qb5D98Miy8qzVqNHb2aS0L5tVzS1VAE2oB_xSL4q4OiPpw9NaGsmLFR_U_FKZnPKogX1cYFG4NyDhlgylJJ1DxZa2aqbX7EjacylHQ0fXCCgvU5-AaWsxrJb8/w640-h640/PXL_20240309_211722054.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Instead of using this fabulous print only for the pocket, I decided to use it for the body of the apron as it was thankfully big enough--just barely!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpilmYYW0pm3KRMO0mujbpX0aWssbw9Jcw3Bh7rXvjWGis1opzps8PzPdqya57AM8fhra9e313IVVun4A8cbfm1k7HJSNQy_1rHKjmoU9Wk6gZ40yk1QYuhZjKjg7oxNM5MRjLXQUKr_wCXkdDchTnN-AyVhcnmrKdDKm_WMvb0Uv8IY9yRfG29JA1io/s4024/PXL_20240309_214214905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2831" data-original-width="4024" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpilmYYW0pm3KRMO0mujbpX0aWssbw9Jcw3Bh7rXvjWGis1opzps8PzPdqya57AM8fhra9e313IVVun4A8cbfm1k7HJSNQy_1rHKjmoU9Wk6gZ40yk1QYuhZjKjg7oxNM5MRjLXQUKr_wCXkdDchTnN-AyVhcnmrKdDKm_WMvb0Uv8IY9yRfG29JA1io/w640-h450/PXL_20240309_214214905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I used my old apron as a template to draft a pattern with slight modifications.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pxjNAT4rfEQMga6TYNBaQSvc43_oK-aZdp0_7MjJ1JCqcEm2tjWD2LCXTwL3nR6tbW1A86qo26RCYZ1WxgZPhSUcqoKNvXtTO0npvhycW8UhdL8QBC84VVm8nQUN-63iXBC_OE_Qw_5i2MTVCCdbqEyF3qsH4fpzD9-j9h2ZW8QaQ1lXMZOURUOjFpI/s5120/PQ15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pxjNAT4rfEQMga6TYNBaQSvc43_oK-aZdp0_7MjJ1JCqcEm2tjWD2LCXTwL3nR6tbW1A86qo26RCYZ1WxgZPhSUcqoKNvXtTO0npvhycW8UhdL8QBC84VVm8nQUN-63iXBC_OE_Qw_5i2MTVCCdbqEyF3qsH4fpzD9-j9h2ZW8QaQ1lXMZOURUOjFpI/w640-h640/PQ15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only I would use all my scissors to help weight down the pattern for cutting the fabric! I was not looking forward to spending hours prepare yards and yards of bias tape to finish my apron but then I remembered that I had quite a few packages of Wright's bias-tape already on hand. I was especially delighted to find two packages of a coordinating grey which would save me considerable effort and time. Unfortunately these plans were thrwarted when I realized it was single fold and way too skinny. A quick online search showed that the closest Joann's had several colors in stock so I grabbed my car keys to go. GPS indicated it would be a half hour drive but then I remembered a Fabric R'Us store that was only 8 minutes away! There I found a beautiful coordinating green wide double-fold bias tape and purchased 7 yards just to be on the safe side for less than $6 total. Once back home, I used Elmer's white school glue to glue baste the binding into place before top stitching to finish the raw edges. I made the ties extra long so I could wrap around me and tie in front.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBvC9CwpcDX0hyCxOTxcVq3myetKbNiQB3d9Y7Ffr_xaE0NY3iw-zAzpxZKOTUbXAtOwTKp-YeshsiF5C1kJ5Sa0dH94W19qJ0kaminY_bsFmwmbTZO-QcVZwE9ouGWc5EBtju_d6-dAihMT0KQMTrppIIQ4M1BiGtMYJW_Y3PiN66a5uuWK-e6pfwag/s5120/PQ152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBvC9CwpcDX0hyCxOTxcVq3myetKbNiQB3d9Y7Ffr_xaE0NY3iw-zAzpxZKOTUbXAtOwTKp-YeshsiF5C1kJ5Sa0dH94W19qJ0kaminY_bsFmwmbTZO-QcVZwE9ouGWc5EBtju_d6-dAihMT0KQMTrppIIQ4M1BiGtMYJW_Y3PiN66a5uuWK-e6pfwag/w640-h426/PQ152.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was hard to believe that by 4:30 PM Saturday afternoon, I had a technically-finished wearable for Project Quilting! But I still wanted to add some original mark making and a much-needed pocket to complete my project! I gathered a collection of hand-carved blocks as well as other tools to make coordinating marks on the blue duck cloth to create a large front pocket.<div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KboCwF2TcLvFYiNdnbWFo233TfDUIq4M0_aD6-VBwqwKFCvE2u3YgXaOagLfqOMPJncr1pBJmdMzkdshKvk5N88P23UlwYYgxgmSM7DGnMUDwN081nVd8tPGzNRIIoDsIcYxlFX2-b1lCRjvRGpOsDrr6Kgcs41_6kvTiheOgJVrFIALhrINqBX1MS0/s5120/PQ153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KboCwF2TcLvFYiNdnbWFo233TfDUIq4M0_aD6-VBwqwKFCvE2u3YgXaOagLfqOMPJncr1pBJmdMzkdshKvk5N88P23UlwYYgxgmSM7DGnMUDwN081nVd8tPGzNRIIoDsIcYxlFX2-b1lCRjvRGpOsDrr6Kgcs41_6kvTiheOgJVrFIALhrINqBX1MS0/w640-h640/PQ153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Once the paint was dry, I prepared the pocket and stitched it on including a center stitch line to form two smaller pockets. Here is the finished apron...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfMOsm4q5v0HpuGhCxWxLvzU3bkU0MNIg50OPBR55TJOshxt0EkB1eOJvUnfzKArT_fgCwPCoKVHZch20fUYSBYl9hA1w1hH1AbFIt4mBYy9DljkEcq8RJQ_EM3m1MP-VWGDt2Vxi8NwrVw9lcwq7CepZ8VU5mmUuVaeN_H5IBUfTzu7xC19mhORp9mg/s3024/PXL_20240310_044402363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfMOsm4q5v0HpuGhCxWxLvzU3bkU0MNIg50OPBR55TJOshxt0EkB1eOJvUnfzKArT_fgCwPCoKVHZch20fUYSBYl9hA1w1hH1AbFIt4mBYy9DljkEcq8RJQ_EM3m1MP-VWGDt2Vxi8NwrVw9lcwq7CepZ8VU5mmUuVaeN_H5IBUfTzu7xC19mhORp9mg/w640-h640/PXL_20240310_044402363.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And here is proof I can make wearables!</div></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPzjI2zRisdXFzzJqCN9BDaSQXLKWGBGKWriIF88T4UcGeBL7IJYzFUXkzhNMtmwD14755wa8cBFAeSADqfjOo2_YZvYce_uaH7_A4uxBDxEpM1gnD7WFiBaOJKyV0OChAYX9NprTfTjYtun75sg3E8XwqeG6iIcLfDjRJTIAdbE_Qt69B6VfebH4XgQ/s2953/PXL_20240310_044039193.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2953" data-original-width="2953" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPzjI2zRisdXFzzJqCN9BDaSQXLKWGBGKWriIF88T4UcGeBL7IJYzFUXkzhNMtmwD14755wa8cBFAeSADqfjOo2_YZvYce_uaH7_A4uxBDxEpM1gnD7WFiBaOJKyV0OChAYX9NprTfTjYtun75sg3E8XwqeG6iIcLfDjRJTIAdbE_Qt69B6VfebH4XgQ/w640-h640/PXL_20240310_044039193.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for Mark-Making Fun & Teaching!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you Trish and Kim for hosting this fun <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/03/15-5-hourglass-challenge-5-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Wearables challenge</a> as it definitely nudged me out of my comfort zone! I am very excited to wear my new apron when teaching some of my newer surface design workshops: Block Print & Play!, Mark Making Magic, and a new <a href="https://www.quiltfest.com/register/pacific-international-quilt-festival/workshops-by-instructor/mel-beach-modern-quilts/" target="_blank">Exploring Evolon in Your Fiber Art workshop that will debut while teaching at Pacific International Quilt Festival this July</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm1I9F05pdxg-7xW7DZz7uyC9eJlpAKLSk6pk25FHxa1QmvkGbWZFZ85EHO5RnTyNeL0zki-9p06cQMidZax2Kv_mI2kPnXQ9LbYpwmLT85j_OEyJ97hF0mNbzFMA6KLxLFB-U1bXOyBr6-cypYxR0KRpBM7Bsv3nOIXaPlWGToJ9YYwvTpSlLgrv15U/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm1I9F05pdxg-7xW7DZz7uyC9eJlpAKLSk6pk25FHxa1QmvkGbWZFZ85EHO5RnTyNeL0zki-9p06cQMidZax2Kv_mI2kPnXQ9LbYpwmLT85j_OEyJ97hF0mNbzFMA6KLxLFB-U1bXOyBr6-cypYxR0KRpBM7Bsv3nOIXaPlWGToJ9YYwvTpSlLgrv15U/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-2691134421576924312024-02-24T22:34:00.000-08:002024-02-24T22:34:53.381-08:00Project Quilting 15.4: Hourglass<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8r9s7FAjPU4J2IfqLqL9rS3o7ETf1wUA7qZWeI-MVgM4p-ldl7tXKpcKwq093RplY4vKkWwc0EEmnCwU8n9Jachs8p5L2SQ9VVXNzfNKubvdi7aCiMvQYFibvYiRZhB-eQ4dSbKu85KO3Mbt-amINKZp1v6NBj1lwCmwhNFQLaHdL-CL4SqZWshr8cY/s2940/PXL_20240224_035538645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="2940" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8r9s7FAjPU4J2IfqLqL9rS3o7ETf1wUA7qZWeI-MVgM4p-ldl7tXKpcKwq093RplY4vKkWwc0EEmnCwU8n9Jachs8p5L2SQ9VVXNzfNKubvdi7aCiMvQYFibvYiRZhB-eQ4dSbKu85KO3Mbt-amINKZp1v6NBj1lwCmwhNFQLaHdL-CL4SqZWshr8cY/w640-h428/PXL_20240224_035538645.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This week's <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/02/15-4-hourglass-challenge-4-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Project Quilting 15.4 Challenge theme is Hourglass</a>. Participants were instructed to "use an hourglass SHAPE in your project, but you do not have to use the exact hourglass BLOCK." </div><div><br /></div><div>Early into the week, I researched the symbolism of the hourglass and time was a recurring theme: use of our time, limited time, time running out, etc. The time connection was especially relevant as Project Quilting challenges have a 1-week time limit and much of my week was jam-packed with teaching engagements, thereby limiting my studio time to create this week's PQ entry. Additionally, March 1st is the deadline for submitting small 6" x 8" art quilts for SAQA's (Studio Art Quilt Associates) Spotlight Auction which takes placing during our upcoming <a href="https://www.saqa.com/events/annual-conference/plurality-heritage-saqa-2024-conference" target="_blank">April 12-20th Plurality & Heritage Virtual Annual Conference showcasing Europe & the Middle East</a>. To help me save a bit of time, I chose the 6" x 8" format and size for making this week's Project Quilting entry which will double as my Spotlight Auction donation. </div><div><br /></div><div>My design explorations began by pulling out several previously carved blocks that could be printed into an hourglass shape. And at my mother's suggestion, I gathered a collection of board game hourglass timers, including a few other hourglass-shaped game pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5crTWcGVyPxImKU_hd-LA1ksHsWSXHi2m0a5BoiPdkUZv0paf6A4TKZQRQ7W0sXAEHmJkIEP1j1s63vWrnRRQ1ot1jM5wh2fC291OQ5WSNd5yZ5fvYJ4IDT9TswIIx6VQVL3KY9UynZ8m9_0VmdI8lS-RtqOpMEsDeTWLbrhECH7A8qCTU_z_oMX0uI/s5120/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5crTWcGVyPxImKU_hd-LA1ksHsWSXHi2m0a5BoiPdkUZv0paf6A4TKZQRQ7W0sXAEHmJkIEP1j1s63vWrnRRQ1ot1jM5wh2fC291OQ5WSNd5yZ5fvYJ4IDT9TswIIx6VQVL3KY9UynZ8m9_0VmdI8lS-RtqOpMEsDeTWLbrhECH7A8qCTU_z_oMX0uI/w640-h320/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There were certainly many directions to explore here, but those board game hourglass timers inspired me to draft and carve a new set of block prints. Initial test prints were incorproated into a set of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3l_7FFrdMT/?hl=en&img_index=1" target="_blank">Artist Trading Cards as part of my 100 Day Project of Making and Mailing ATCs</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmZJJqztk9WFhkrOlHVb7Uw_cqpbPSPDmYWkZrmRaT_dmwNMoiLWiGekcuERzLXd2AWiZYmDq6ZiZeJ0UMTxfTZWKCX1yFZ8tsduuCBsA40QulJ-4ojFFWSCvodPPoObveRKTp4iQX3PMedfCUbde2obmkI85nnAh0DzrCV9hYeS4rgrqNSzrVsTOl7g/s5120/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmZJJqztk9WFhkrOlHVb7Uw_cqpbPSPDmYWkZrmRaT_dmwNMoiLWiGekcuERzLXd2AWiZYmDq6ZiZeJ0UMTxfTZWKCX1yFZ8tsduuCBsA40QulJ-4ojFFWSCvodPPoObveRKTp4iQX3PMedfCUbde2obmkI85nnAh0DzrCV9hYeS4rgrqNSzrVsTOl7g/w640-h640/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Over the past year or so, I've amassed several commercial alphabet block sets in assorted fonts and sizes which I wanted to use for printing the word "time" into my composition. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIB-aLxUyxNgNrIy5slPYsbTro3m0UxaAxdflRcOiG4gVCLQYXYfUO4RAC8Zkzw2XHUwT7_hXutJp8tf3PNrN72vHdUOfzOg6xOLTXWeYprE-WgylBxtMooZoFljKEkGIpwVdU4NslgRzpe1nY8APol8na6ruULfM9yX8lur0Cq1DTEWtLCiwLfHX6Pc/s2827/PXL_20240224_001226313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2827" data-original-width="2827" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIB-aLxUyxNgNrIy5slPYsbTro3m0UxaAxdflRcOiG4gVCLQYXYfUO4RAC8Zkzw2XHUwT7_hXutJp8tf3PNrN72vHdUOfzOg6xOLTXWeYprE-WgylBxtMooZoFljKEkGIpwVdU4NslgRzpe1nY8APol8na6ruULfM9yX8lur0Cq1DTEWtLCiwLfHX6Pc/w640-h640/PXL_20240224_001226313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Rather than print each letter separately which would have likely led to misalignment and potential typos, I used blue painter's tape to hold the blocks together to help me save time and effort during the printing process.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL_L5bPYeeQd2ck6Znq5kC9-vlT7bXGPxXAj62Fee3NHIpDPWgzwsIWUBom2O9FtFv1StDPc-FkWHpyQirzfBPTZ4qdxNjsrZNNYyUyoRuRMB7g1kkLcT76VNjNA8nrkgK5_8QQ4pdg2OPqE3ERzJvSbN6HBYrKrTZMGggyEppMwvjpPX6QqT-sI3O0g/s5120/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL_L5bPYeeQd2ck6Znq5kC9-vlT7bXGPxXAj62Fee3NHIpDPWgzwsIWUBom2O9FtFv1StDPc-FkWHpyQirzfBPTZ4qdxNjsrZNNYyUyoRuRMB7g1kkLcT76VNjNA8nrkgK5_8QQ4pdg2OPqE3ERzJvSbN6HBYrKrTZMGggyEppMwvjpPX6QqT-sI3O0g/w640-h320/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Each 6" x 8" Spotlight Auction piece will be displayed in mats with a 4.5" x 6.5” opening. These dimensions were drafted onto paper to use as a design guide for exploring layout options to best showcase the various block-printed elements within the viewable area. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iO_11YGDhc3UbJhTvPTwrO8ohmsCZOc_rNvqCxETT418Hh1tnIM3dhGY4yErRE-T_iz7agP41Kux4Zq7mSJHrDj0TDhEfpyGLRiswmUMhL7_bCv1JHagdIM9n-HfbkoWD4cXp9_b4lW44VpcWCjPiQwjIWQ1-HM9CKltBnqEZLemqsyCO0OuGBm_7cg/s3206/PXL_20240221_052030958~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3206" data-original-width="2436" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iO_11YGDhc3UbJhTvPTwrO8ohmsCZOc_rNvqCxETT418Hh1tnIM3dhGY4yErRE-T_iz7agP41Kux4Zq7mSJHrDj0TDhEfpyGLRiswmUMhL7_bCv1JHagdIM9n-HfbkoWD4cXp9_b4lW44VpcWCjPiQwjIWQ1-HM9CKltBnqEZLemqsyCO0OuGBm_7cg/w486-h640/PXL_20240221_052030958~2.jpg" width="486" /></a></div><br /><div>During my research phase, I came across this quotes by John Estrin, television producer, writer, and director, that really resonated with me:</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>"The way we spend our time defines who we are."</blockquote></div></div><div>After several auditions, I chose to use four focal hourglass prints that each represent the four categories of how I choose to spend my time, as evidenced by the catalog of meetings, projects, and tasks in my weekly bullet journal spreads: </div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Creative Play</b> (100 Day Project, mixed media classes, etc)</li><li><b>Teaching</b> (lectures, workshops, and other business-related tasks)</li><li><b>SAQA</b> (as I currently serve as Board President which involves several committees, meetings, and tasks, along with participation in many of the global and regional events/programs)</li><li><b>Personal</b> (ie, medical appointments, dog care, health/fitness, family & friends, household tasks, etc). </li></ol></div><div>The next step was printing onto fabric. To guide the placement and positioning of the block-printed elements, I drafted a grid that was visible through the fabric thanks to the use of a lighbox. A smaller swatch was used for test prints and ink color auditions. An assortment of Ranger Archival Inkpads and one VersaFine inkpad was used for the blockprinting, which included a few ghostprints (printing a second and third time before reinking the block to create more faint prints).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfso73o5Z1t4Bh8mk3zIiBsVqVQ5IeuL1qNn6WU8m0Fa_191WpnJHt3NUnT-tI8fbfxzNqfcU0FehVlPcOPIYT4D6gE0dBqc97478Y_hno9-QOWywPp6JYrCfkbmAnRdi8tDFvtmlUGPU_K_QAQpSFSYJtFZasnIWUS35oeq_uXZq4rxXrEA6mVBIKSY/s5120/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfso73o5Z1t4Bh8mk3zIiBsVqVQ5IeuL1qNn6WU8m0Fa_191WpnJHt3NUnT-tI8fbfxzNqfcU0FehVlPcOPIYT4D6gE0dBqc97478Y_hno9-QOWywPp6JYrCfkbmAnRdi8tDFvtmlUGPU_K_QAQpSFSYJtFZasnIWUS35oeq_uXZq4rxXrEA6mVBIKSY/w640-h640/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To create the illusion of time fading, I explored the idea of printing onto a sheer fabric. While digging through my collection of sheer swatches, I found a beautiful swatch that had parallel lines of stitching that certainly intrigued me, especially when placed on an angle to match the staggered hourglasses. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM16c1_pMoOIZObWiDhNYWjbFbgrt6cvLgiFnysGskGdDbv_2T1JcQRA-29fMBzy4FiIWHBcxwcw8Q8e4V17y8mMGdv61A4miRRxy00CCpz4RuELptPvSu9fPytuVxvphaKZoNYW4OqOhJrw2KDT89nAiCqAq3E2HlqmDr1nnZa1fxkJX_2KqpvK6dD6M/s5120/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM16c1_pMoOIZObWiDhNYWjbFbgrt6cvLgiFnysGskGdDbv_2T1JcQRA-29fMBzy4FiIWHBcxwcw8Q8e4V17y8mMGdv61A4miRRxy00CCpz4RuELptPvSu9fPytuVxvphaKZoNYW4OqOhJrw2KDT89nAiCqAq3E2HlqmDr1nnZa1fxkJX_2KqpvK6dD6M/w640-h426/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br />Minimal quilting was done to outline each of the hourglasses, which was barely visible once the sheer fabric was layered on top.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Gs34zdWsd1VJHAp0TEnwHUNznVs2Hu9eCj3ptSUOQotBeerwtKGbaCNAAbV3ysovlPACHqsL_WZFDJUbzjI5WJoIuM2NHuG4gfvcnkxVtkirFmuadn1Aaw_1ONsalCLBpWdbve4O6pccnM2kc0deM5NF2NqryqZ_KZVUWurizDzf-R3GVQvQfg2Kwxw/s3001/PXL_20240223_232432268.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3001" data-original-width="2997" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Gs34zdWsd1VJHAp0TEnwHUNznVs2Hu9eCj3ptSUOQotBeerwtKGbaCNAAbV3ysovlPACHqsL_WZFDJUbzjI5WJoIuM2NHuG4gfvcnkxVtkirFmuadn1Aaw_1ONsalCLBpWdbve4O6pccnM2kc0deM5NF2NqryqZ_KZVUWurizDzf-R3GVQvQfg2Kwxw/w640-h640/PXL_20240223_232432268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The 6" x 8" perimeter was marked with skinny lines of blue painter's tape for a final round of outline stitching. Once the stitching was completed, the quilt was trimmed and the edges were painted with a matching cream-colored Tulip dimensional fabric paint (aka Puffy Paint). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel4VfeCXnK2l6yelvYeOdt7LV7RVQr7_XKHB6HW1jxPtNON96MVlFhNFBAloqwmfDfYbx3cvLmzdFOgjTiVcSoDIpi2mQaAzAmN6t-EqwoxSILoPE4AdD2mfXCqwM9Im17evQHRI3zY09y6cEx70TCf8uJlnfb2qhWr1nyweXBL1Pu_mqTiK21NAWCl0/s5120/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel4VfeCXnK2l6yelvYeOdt7LV7RVQr7_XKHB6HW1jxPtNON96MVlFhNFBAloqwmfDfYbx3cvLmzdFOgjTiVcSoDIpi2mQaAzAmN6t-EqwoxSILoPE4AdD2mfXCqwM9Im17evQHRI3zY09y6cEx70TCf8uJlnfb2qhWr1nyweXBL1Pu_mqTiK21NAWCl0/w640-h320/PQ%2015%204%20Hour%20Glass6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As I was looking through my collection of Fabmo fabric swatches, I found the perfect backing fabric featuring an hourglass repeat print!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4r5I0kYLl-OKTmK-YOOM1SLsXUuzBGbGePQ94s-LI3rgkcAGLAKElCVI_Tp60qZRkPR9qd92W5BgXgERlws7m78aGLmDONxacjLXlJ6QB8GGVUMdX0inuuB0cNj99Ia8PvFkr1Izv2z-PRx5Wd7kTYGOeS1FcW_tRSzIyWRG4zdm-xISG2-sMXoA2Hc/s3023/PXL_20240224_040350511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3020" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4r5I0kYLl-OKTmK-YOOM1SLsXUuzBGbGePQ94s-LI3rgkcAGLAKElCVI_Tp60qZRkPR9qd92W5BgXgERlws7m78aGLmDONxacjLXlJ6QB8GGVUMdX0inuuB0cNj99Ia8PvFkr1Izv2z-PRx5Wd7kTYGOeS1FcW_tRSzIyWRG4zdm-xISG2-sMXoA2Hc/w640-h640/PXL_20240224_040350511.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the finished piece in it's entirety...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSe5gwKxQicQVrjVJtN8B-o6gu8G63oTfxQZv9rS9coQYw5kbraElXafpIhdI9eaza0P9SzZTY41ERgyfb4uB5sLX8FR0jQAyR0qx_xtBlqket5oweOmZhlmNIVeenqXhwPAzUg2CQrvP5mTVuYBwkcdTPmy6VTz8v36QL1pr9ZZHronkjVHJxbDEty4/s2794/PXL_20240224_040331742.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2794" data-original-width="2793" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSe5gwKxQicQVrjVJtN8B-o6gu8G63oTfxQZv9rS9coQYw5kbraElXafpIhdI9eaza0P9SzZTY41ERgyfb4uB5sLX8FR0jQAyR0qx_xtBlqket5oweOmZhlmNIVeenqXhwPAzUg2CQrvP5mTVuYBwkcdTPmy6VTz8v36QL1pr9ZZHronkjVHJxbDEty4/w640-h640/PXL_20240224_040331742.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"tiME" finishes 6" x 8"</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Here is a preview of what it will look like once it is displayed within a mat frame.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrjOqFIStrRNcP2TNAMEqWwrXpX4Zt1qb1xHaA5mTmG2DcJNXYAiEbXn9TnrAhVtgfedngQNF9Iapwh6iZawIwn5QusQpK88uE0o-3mZWdhChujB6sZV22MDz9kUMxBLdhclCapZ3naK87JmBAKQQEfbnw6XKHK9qHtfobz6Ay13lnZgbWxXYz0AxPt0/s2838/PXL_20240224_040156915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2838" data-original-width="2835" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrjOqFIStrRNcP2TNAMEqWwrXpX4Zt1qb1xHaA5mTmG2DcJNXYAiEbXn9TnrAhVtgfedngQNF9Iapwh6iZawIwn5QusQpK88uE0o-3mZWdhChujB6sZV22MDz9kUMxBLdhclCapZ3naK87JmBAKQQEfbnw6XKHK9qHtfobz6Ay13lnZgbWxXYz0AxPt0/w640-h640/PXL_20240224_040156915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Working on this piece certainly gave me time to reflect on how I choose to spend my tiME, thereby defining ME. How do we carve out time for ourselves, especially our creativity? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I invite you to take a few moments to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Reflect on how you choose to spend your time. How might you assign each of these hourglasses related to different aspects of your identity?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2. Check out all the incredible <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/02/15-4-hourglass-challenge-4-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">hourglass-inspired PQ entries </a>made this past week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3. Learn more about the upcoming <a href="https://www.saqa.com/events/2024-saqa-virtual-conference-plurality-heritage" target="_blank">SAQA Virtual Conference</a> that will be held virtually April 12-20, 2024. Registration is open to guests/visitors and the conference recordings will be available to watch/rewatch for 3 months. And I'll be sure to post information about how you can bid to win this piece and any of the 200+ art quilts that will be included in SAQA's 2024 Spotlight Auction!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLnwdBdr0v7AxiOJUWQFYym8Ri_cCbk6n-wazQcLM6Fv_IS-UaY8U3ZCDjGR7-oNqLT8jhObyiygV9j3rptmwhN9fGPG-1QAaV-1lGnl3EOUHOHXqvFIxaL3Mu4SGwNNCboqaFPtWJT2er3dx9Iio7ejBLgXGPE-Dpdj1Lt7uq0F7CrG9DbaXSr45Vzs/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLnwdBdr0v7AxiOJUWQFYym8Ri_cCbk6n-wazQcLM6Fv_IS-UaY8U3ZCDjGR7-oNqLT8jhObyiygV9j3rptmwhN9fGPG-1QAaV-1lGnl3EOUHOHXqvFIxaL3Mu4SGwNNCboqaFPtWJT2er3dx9Iio7ejBLgXGPE-Dpdj1Lt7uq0F7CrG9DbaXSr45Vzs/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br />Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-6840428241028574282024-02-15T21:13:00.000-08:002024-02-15T21:36:27.682-08:00100 Days of Making and Mailing ATCs: Set Up and Goals<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazwFPBJh1MrO7qRiIFqVBnEXtZOO3SNk99AVOsnUXpNEQs3BOej-BU6DmbkrqC9JeyQylQ9e59iT0ns1pcf30zLQSSur9-avNS_fJ10U0QA7QQuSVSYJAyxPrUCVOYD8LhiukoatvocaJ7HQ6BsVE2Jr-Lfi4usOYpW8GQmZHjg88tZ2-Nuwv2zdyy2w/s2631/PXL_20240215_224429734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2631" data-original-width="2630" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazwFPBJh1MrO7qRiIFqVBnEXtZOO3SNk99AVOsnUXpNEQs3BOej-BU6DmbkrqC9JeyQylQ9e59iT0ns1pcf30zLQSSur9-avNS_fJ10U0QA7QQuSVSYJAyxPrUCVOYD8LhiukoatvocaJ7HQ6BsVE2Jr-Lfi4usOYpW8GQmZHjg88tZ2-Nuwv2zdyy2w/w640-h640/PXL_20240215_224429734.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Woo hoo! I am excited to kick off a new <a href="https://www.the100dayproject.org/" target="_blank">100 day project </a>starting February 18th! This year's project will be 100 days of making and mailing Artist Trading Cards aka ATCs. ATCs are small 2.5" x 3.5" sized artworks that can be exchanged, swapped, and/or traded with others. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPizhUG98wxuFHwu2AqY2PQ7TmmdqZUdBE5XDlGch7wf23tn4wr1wbXNw9OCSYa_RE2kFRE7lpM-wGmkrZY6jcWTh9IhK7-dQZeUXf1m7DAeQAH8T7vPCc0mSHg-B-6UALIN008vlDlAIfZoep7K2SyHSYnj0VSvkCBMYkjJWtMjK6SKgns2uaeyU1g4/s2742/PXL_20240215_224228870.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="2742" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPizhUG98wxuFHwu2AqY2PQ7TmmdqZUdBE5XDlGch7wf23tn4wr1wbXNw9OCSYa_RE2kFRE7lpM-wGmkrZY6jcWTh9IhK7-dQZeUXf1m7DAeQAH8T7vPCc0mSHg-B-6UALIN008vlDlAIfZoep7K2SyHSYnj0VSvkCBMYkjJWtMjK6SKgns2uaeyU1g4/w640-h638/PXL_20240215_224228870.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>So between February 18 and May 27th, my goal is to make one or more ATCs each day to exchange with others all around the world. Once again, I'll be rolling the dice to prompt me with different artist combinations. </div><div><br /></div><div>The first colum with the white die will determine a source of fodder:</div><div>1. book papers</div><div>2. deli paper/tissue paper</div><div>3. envelopes</div><div>4. made fodder</div><div>5. scraps</div><div>6. artist choice</div><div><br /></div><div>The second column with the black die will determine which medium/technique I will layer over the fodder:</div><div>1. block printing/stamping</div><div>2. ink (spray/acrylic/indian)</div><div>3. markers/pens</div><div>4. paints (acrylic/watercolor)</div><div>5. paper punches</div><div>6. artist choice</div><div><br /></div><div>To set me up for success, I've started to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ZZAU5Ouj4/?hl=en&img_index=1" target="_blank">gather and prepare some of the supplies</a> to help me make and mail ATCs. Most of my ATC's will be made on a base of watercolor paper. I have a pad of it ready to go for days where it may be advantageous to make a whole sheet and subcut into 8 ATCs. For days where I may be pressed for time, I've subcut the watercolor paper into smaller sizes including the standard 2.5" x 3.5" ATC size. I designed a special label to affix to the backside of each ATC which includes my information, the day, and dice roll. Plus I have my handy corner punch to round those corners! Each ATC will be attached to a smaller notecard using photo corners. This small basket is well stocked with a colorful assortment of A2 envelopes measuring 4 3/8" x 5 3/4" which have already been stamped with my return address. I've stocked up on forever USA stamps as well as several global stamps as the 100 day project is a global event with thousands of artists participating all around the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfS46dHkuWZzGRcJQ5YEHKlQTu6FEYhCDCdKDTWgkuey3JQV488ET_FF9myZMI-Lz2hDvOIe0xeJ5FAnKxCA0mtirBhndgzYPqFfGjpdmgKn5k126NNAUD41CVWT6ovNPbnOQ2qDXX2vpxmcoQiQGc4_QBp0GVXvb2f_YX08Rrjrp2nZsYtRjdqz6r7I/s5120/100%20Days%20of%20Making%20and%20Mailing%20ATCs1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfS46dHkuWZzGRcJQ5YEHKlQTu6FEYhCDCdKDTWgkuey3JQV488ET_FF9myZMI-Lz2hDvOIe0xeJ5FAnKxCA0mtirBhndgzYPqFfGjpdmgKn5k126NNAUD41CVWT6ovNPbnOQ2qDXX2vpxmcoQiQGc4_QBp0GVXvb2f_YX08Rrjrp2nZsYtRjdqz6r7I/w640-h640/100%20Days%20of%20Making%20and%20Mailing%20ATCs1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To help me organize all the ATCs that will be going out and received in exchange, I've <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ZZAU5Ouj4/?hl=en&img_index=6" target="_blank">organized a binder</a>. Inside is a copy of my game plan and a log to track my daily dice rolls and total number of ATCs created. There is a log to help me track who I will be exchanging ATCs--both outgoing and hopefully incoming ATCs! I'll also be tracking city/state/country as well as I'd love to exchange with artists in all 50 US states and as many countries around the world. The majority of the binder is filled with protective pages to display 9 ATCs per page. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsbBbbtUxqCZRg9vF3duz6XQDkG8YWEMTxj-zAi2K__OK9DlwO5I2yeEOvrvj2aqlXkBuzPE_5R5Vfwn6bMuWZ6btHUpGdk4f6VYbmuFet8bx6Zspc1TnEVhDgQ3qHMEtzn9idf-pRjxuk6IffBDCbnET2k2p5gc6_gHncl2SM9zvmFj14xAHGDkeV_g/s5120/100%20Days%20of%20Making%20and%20Mailing%20ATCs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsbBbbtUxqCZRg9vF3duz6XQDkG8YWEMTxj-zAi2K__OK9DlwO5I2yeEOvrvj2aqlXkBuzPE_5R5Vfwn6bMuWZ6btHUpGdk4f6VYbmuFet8bx6Zspc1TnEVhDgQ3qHMEtzn9idf-pRjxuk6IffBDCbnET2k2p5gc6_gHncl2SM9zvmFj14xAHGDkeV_g/w640-h640/100%20Days%20of%20Making%20and%20Mailing%20ATCs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Y'all are invited to join me on this journey in several ways:<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Join the <a href="https://www.the100dayproject.org/" target="_blank">#The100DayProject</a> It is a free, global art project that takes place online. Every year, thousands of people all around the world commit to 100 days of creating. Anyone can participate in one or all one hundred days! </li><li>Join me in making and mailing ATCs. You can download a free copy of my game plan from my <a href="https://melbeachquilts.com/gallery#/designbydice/" target="_blank">Design by Dice gallery</a> to use as is and/or adapt to include your favorite materials/techniques.</li><li>Follow my daily progress on Instagram where I'll post my daily dice rolls and ATC creations using the hashtag #100daysofmakingandmailingATCs <br />I'll also post the ATCs received and tag the artists along with their general location. </li><li>Last but not least, I invite you to exchange an ATC with me! I'll be making at least 100 ATCs throughout the duration of this project--and likely to make many more to exchange! I'm still sorting out how I will coordinate the exchange process--most likely via Instagram by leaving a comment that you are interested in exchanging for one of the posted ATCs. If selected, I will DM you directly to exchange mailing addresses. My plan is to include a bit of bonus fodder as well from my studio to incorporate into your own art! </li></ul><div>I'm excited to see what this new adventure will inspire me to create!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvtRUOXfsu8uCyHyQu1ZnvD5f75QOqDtfU5k7ZfpVtV1wAHLAps-Dyh3f2iSV6YwyGNk2ToeaRaiaROI2_2r7woBQw4RqBEUB5QWvq2hil3YLCZ8vq1RVz7PzZEFvgpHH5RjrF4RWwg76FW4Vz1_HC27S_jTuIEEsakhqMjNi9muxOTKqRakv_OUw4h4/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvtRUOXfsu8uCyHyQu1ZnvD5f75QOqDtfU5k7ZfpVtV1wAHLAps-Dyh3f2iSV6YwyGNk2ToeaRaiaROI2_2r7woBQw4RqBEUB5QWvq2hil3YLCZ8vq1RVz7PzZEFvgpHH5RjrF4RWwg76FW4Vz1_HC27S_jTuIEEsakhqMjNi9muxOTKqRakv_OUw4h4/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-22762027272449401062024-02-11T02:38:00.000-08:002024-02-11T02:38:08.611-08:00Project Quilting 15.3: Inside Out<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtFYDToRRXr0nzH_QbThKTbuQRe5coI222_bV_bmfK7kOgL3afToGh1_s8liphu764Tr3xtFXUwguwNJXQwS1CbbZXNFT3cKWodEUxQYYqfKmO8-ow5IFrsrNPcg1JT5k7NXfAtzRKTJgHa-zuKsa1LXEDPX_sdLe5aMEx-pL5qUSGzUkUTZHuhjGiNs/s4032/PXL_20240211_083317492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2691" data-original-width="4032" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtFYDToRRXr0nzH_QbThKTbuQRe5coI222_bV_bmfK7kOgL3afToGh1_s8liphu764Tr3xtFXUwguwNJXQwS1CbbZXNFT3cKWodEUxQYYqfKmO8-ow5IFrsrNPcg1JT5k7NXfAtzRKTJgHa-zuKsa1LXEDPX_sdLe5aMEx-pL5qUSGzUkUTZHuhjGiNs/w640-h428/PXL_20240211_083317492.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This week's <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/02/15-3-insideout-challenge-3-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Project Quilting 15.3 Challenge theme is Inside Out</a>. While I was stumped for ideas, I needed to get started as I had several teaching engagements scheduled for this week, including one that involved travel.</p><p>While researching ideas online, I found a TED Talk by french artist JR entitled <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/jr_my_wish_use_art_to_turn_the_world_inside_out?language=en" target="_blank">"My wish: Use art to turn the world inside out"</a> where he shares how he "uses his camera to show the world its true face, by pasting photos of the human face across massive canvases" such as buildings, trains, and iconic landmarks. Towards the end of his TED Talk, he introducees his <a href="https://www.jr-art.net/project-list/inside-out" target="_blank">Inside Out Project</a> which "gives everyone the opportunity to share their portrait and a statement of what they stand for, with the world. IOP provides individuals and groups from corners of the globe with a vehicle to make a statement. Anyone can participate, and is challenged to use photographic portraits to share the untold stories and images of people in their communities."</p><p>Recently I participated in a coaching session which involved taking self-portraits. Many of JR's installations features a cropped image of the subjects face and I was especially drawn to their eyes. So I found one of my favorite selfies and zoomed in on my eyes and glasses. In my editing program, I turned the selected photo into a black and white image and then posterized to translate the image into two values of white and black to use for carving a new block print. I transferred the image onto a easy carving block material and packed my carving gouges and a limited block printing kit so I could carve in the hotel room in between teaching engagements. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFp-R52CsUHM2oR3zm07J-Tq2TBJKLftFqMo4atHdwgkbLf3x_9QsxPmRw0a-uJ6nC8UaPr7IFMtYmGlLrz-Ts7JWLBWAAMnLP9R5LjXoTdH2Ak8k6lFLs2tHvU7VNPL8RNKLuZ07qDp1DKt3bg4w-cqX3S3o5ViEJ6gKFiTiYuplGvpnvB_WC_UvXp8/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="5120" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFp-R52CsUHM2oR3zm07J-Tq2TBJKLftFqMo4atHdwgkbLf3x_9QsxPmRw0a-uJ6nC8UaPr7IFMtYmGlLrz-Ts7JWLBWAAMnLP9R5LjXoTdH2Ak8k6lFLs2tHvU7VNPL8RNKLuZ07qDp1DKt3bg4w-cqX3S3o5ViEJ6gKFiTiYuplGvpnvB_WC_UvXp8/w640-h512/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once I arrived to my destination and checked into the hotel, I had a little over an hour before my first engagement. I used this time to outline the various elements, which required quite a bit of focus as I didn't have any spare carving block material! I started with some of the easier spaces and took my time. I didn't finish the carving but needed to head out for dinner followed by an evening lecture as part of the guild's monthly meeting. There was so much creative energy in the guild meeting that I was still pumped up when I returned to my hotel room. Finishing up the carving was the perfect way to wind down for bedtime. Of course, once I was finished with the carving, I was pleasantly surprised by the resulting prints. As I was still a bit punchy from my presentation and the meeting, I had fun taking more playful selfies with the carved block and print.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ee0KuJz0sqqqy5I3boFxBkhxB6X_yaUBIlqvg32zhoPEKp0LN24nApnZtShU47MwRmV6v6CLVOFLXZ_hx7P3pB07c5n2mJQZJg45oFPPs_3gMzvo4XSUP-ploTTe2yAfu2HNth9-b5y7RdA6-Xtc9DiZmtQJ3x7hFOni-uwIrdAOZvDHcdHXj6sCwis/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ee0KuJz0sqqqy5I3boFxBkhxB6X_yaUBIlqvg32zhoPEKp0LN24nApnZtShU47MwRmV6v6CLVOFLXZ_hx7P3pB07c5n2mJQZJg45oFPPs_3gMzvo4XSUP-ploTTe2yAfu2HNth9-b5y7RdA6-Xtc9DiZmtQJ3x7hFOni-uwIrdAOZvDHcdHXj6sCwis/w640-h640/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I was eager to return home to block print onto fabric. I chose a gorgeous palette of handwoven rayon/silk fabrics from Fabmo that each cost $.25!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5sk3mpsImJdDEHXbVmCK618PEh447AiLtzdjaXhSuvVNQcMqEyAwmCPtN9pGa0w-eXn6kJCm6WwLvaFHLuFnC-8CJtDgn73akjFoK5wkcWhygOJuOBAggFLNx1oGnerTsg7lVOL_osup_BP9bueET9pSQw2_ZHUAeY7Y7-OBZw08ktsHnblj5Gez2yM/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5sk3mpsImJdDEHXbVmCK618PEh447AiLtzdjaXhSuvVNQcMqEyAwmCPtN9pGa0w-eXn6kJCm6WwLvaFHLuFnC-8CJtDgn73akjFoK5wkcWhygOJuOBAggFLNx1oGnerTsg7lVOL_osup_BP9bueET9pSQw2_ZHUAeY7Y7-OBZw08ktsHnblj5Gez2yM/w640-h320/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A Ranger Archival Ink pad was used for the block printing, but I found that layering some paper towels underneath the fabric provided a bit of cushioning and resulted in more crisp and detailed block prints. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBVys0BShHFJUqmjREK46OZHZubB8NdEGvV6gLWIeSBu4T3L3D7gNAtIvceh8YY6cVFOsW1Gf2dZf6jkNbZffIBj8zZuYVEmu59OSsQj7zHk9zxiw4RFwvDU_j9DjgRArm2OGNoVG4nyyU_s7sJywSzZwu_t7_D4Lcri-Ghm1LbJvm8X4YRvu6VtV87Y/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBVys0BShHFJUqmjREK46OZHZubB8NdEGvV6gLWIeSBu4T3L3D7gNAtIvceh8YY6cVFOsW1Gf2dZf6jkNbZffIBj8zZuYVEmu59OSsQj7zHk9zxiw4RFwvDU_j9DjgRArm2OGNoVG4nyyU_s7sJywSzZwu_t7_D4Lcri-Ghm1LbJvm8X4YRvu6VtV87Y/w640-h640/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>There were lots of eyes watching over me as I pressed and trimmed the block-printed swatches...it was a bit surreal! The rayon/silk swatches were a bit slinky, so I stablized them by fusing Pellon SF-101 Stacy Shapeflex woven interfacing onto the backside of each block-printed swatch.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFk2G-x6FY5TAXLW0bP8gcYx9APtznfeeuFimaptGJTRslJ52NY3aPQeSJmBpFEOW-Ec1_xiF_of391U_7ltUGAC1uPoaiV9OPsPlL4EBNIzaGTdDUV4AXeglswZilGl-5RVKGTh8NS_DfUNuIWbYc42QEq9CcUUnfmow5kpn7LyWRYTTVLRpvwngAcU/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFk2G-x6FY5TAXLW0bP8gcYx9APtznfeeuFimaptGJTRslJ52NY3aPQeSJmBpFEOW-Ec1_xiF_of391U_7ltUGAC1uPoaiV9OPsPlL4EBNIzaGTdDUV4AXeglswZilGl-5RVKGTh8NS_DfUNuIWbYc42QEq9CcUUnfmow5kpn7LyWRYTTVLRpvwngAcU/w640-h640/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Once all the block printed selfies were trimmed, it was time to play with layout. I have another art call that I would like to enter which has a minimum size requirement of 16" x 16". Laying them out 4 across and 6 down would not meet the height requirement, so I opted for 3 across by 7 down--similar to some of the cityscapes and buildings that were covered with portraits in JR's Inside Out Project. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalNj5OxnrrkvfXtYFYdtx8xa7PhQxK3JzBaL4gQ080gygVtEiJhpjaeapYk8wibj8qkvU4lp98lAFmSR3plpZwl1LmSwqZjxXg6-ti745AA36Ay8PtJDZpG2_iLoxAXqDVyR1kKCROfkN4g4mh28dGWodYijjwY_DJsaQLL9QUflRULaq-ILv8Zhr68k/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="5120" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalNj5OxnrrkvfXtYFYdtx8xa7PhQxK3JzBaL4gQ080gygVtEiJhpjaeapYk8wibj8qkvU4lp98lAFmSR3plpZwl1LmSwqZjxXg6-ti745AA36Ay8PtJDZpG2_iLoxAXqDVyR1kKCROfkN4g4mh28dGWodYijjwY_DJsaQLL9QUflRULaq-ILv8Zhr68k/w640-h290/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As I was laying out my block printed fabrics, I explored inverting every other one. Not only did these inverted images amuse me, but they created a reflection. In order to align the reflected images, I auditioned with a pin before stitching each seam. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideJaKw1TEwKSL_x1G_BATkNmMtJmUZp9SpCfoJ72hrAx-pN_8ozcZyLtq6wgPT4UV9EJ-jUHGWnKz3Xtci646A1yqgEOSNKfAX33SlGnPlIP42fjJL_mBCv60aBiWqxYOHhXtuNSVCTJ5VIH9nq8vIuAh2tHesdLt_y6XFX9Ln0itpy7zI2TH0GEJQu8/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2792" data-original-width="5120" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideJaKw1TEwKSL_x1G_BATkNmMtJmUZp9SpCfoJ72hrAx-pN_8ozcZyLtq6wgPT4UV9EJ-jUHGWnKz3Xtci646A1yqgEOSNKfAX33SlGnPlIP42fjJL_mBCv60aBiWqxYOHhXtuNSVCTJ5VIH9nq8vIuAh2tHesdLt_y6XFX9Ln0itpy7zI2TH0GEJQu8/w640-h350/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Once the columns were carefully pieced together, many fabrics were auditioned for potential sashing strips and borders.</div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh5OvNenTtcbm5-93dMgXu_Jr6E-Jy1lwYw4pcZ7z_l6nyxMiJ33Vl3k0BFYQiTNDoj-8VB2w0vKPyAmhw-T42XUHj0Hen9RfbQWNM_u5N-LP23Lc7tyV2okNTWsVBcVlwW03Tv8LmI0_GTYO_aK4MdIhMU042YkeSt8RBWugWW8R_gTAEg4scfrZISA/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="5120" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh5OvNenTtcbm5-93dMgXu_Jr6E-Jy1lwYw4pcZ7z_l6nyxMiJ33Vl3k0BFYQiTNDoj-8VB2w0vKPyAmhw-T42XUHj0Hen9RfbQWNM_u5N-LP23Lc7tyV2okNTWsVBcVlwW03Tv8LmI0_GTYO_aK4MdIhMU042YkeSt8RBWugWW8R_gTAEg4scfrZISA/w640-h290/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>After many fabric auditions, I ended up ditching the sashing strip idea before returning most of the fabric swatches uncermoniouosly back on top of the fabric basket. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIKM0TsrUit-OvkGzOIf78rZ7-CGNPh69rObuwuBDBxGQQeqBfmb3QvzW9NzoTkQqfGfxkBVfv1-90ODiceS7_b4KDSHIPxsmwvOx8Uu7BDRY3xDaz_OenaJBzOfS49kak0yl77NDY8hFMChFYQcuVmCZDYE1R_FWp2X2f6FJnqnWAtbrsk7SZUrHH0w/s5120/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIKM0TsrUit-OvkGzOIf78rZ7-CGNPh69rObuwuBDBxGQQeqBfmb3QvzW9NzoTkQqfGfxkBVfv1-90ODiceS7_b4KDSHIPxsmwvOx8Uu7BDRY3xDaz_OenaJBzOfS49kak0yl77NDY8hFMChFYQcuVmCZDYE1R_FWp2X2f6FJnqnWAtbrsk7SZUrHH0w/w640-h320/PQ%2015%203%20Inside%20Out9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Three patterned and highly textured fabrics were used to create assymetrical borders that captured some of the architectural features of JR's installations.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GbaQuC2zdar2BYL_KMbT9MDC6KNE8DHIwgPCJNbwwI8tLo9n1fwL0cx6fhF2PiuSFzoh_XjR6NIkkChIOG9JrMy-rcZd8QJZWym3YoGeRTfJi9SHN3G5aGgVtcC6v0xgBAskmDUE2FxTv2Z_NfXkBJU7_fwFeC9VXdup9WpP2doNsHzJ33fRZD6At5I/s3110/PXL_20240211_083253504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2756" data-original-width="3110" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GbaQuC2zdar2BYL_KMbT9MDC6KNE8DHIwgPCJNbwwI8tLo9n1fwL0cx6fhF2PiuSFzoh_XjR6NIkkChIOG9JrMy-rcZd8QJZWym3YoGeRTfJi9SHN3G5aGgVtcC6v0xgBAskmDUE2FxTv2Z_NfXkBJU7_fwFeC9VXdup9WpP2doNsHzJ33fRZD6At5I/w640-h568/PXL_20240211_083253504.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Windows Into the Soul" finishes 25" x 22"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The title references how a person's eyes can reveal so much about their innermost feelings, thoughts, and emotions. Last month, I was prescribed trifocal progressive glasses. This has certainly been a huge adjustment both mentally as I must recognize that my vision is not what it used to be. But I've also had to acclimate to wearing these new glasses which required considerably more effort and time than anticipated. I continue to adapt to my new glasses and reflect upon how they have shifted my outward appearance as well as my inward thoughts about these life changes.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncJnQ0O7Jh7Q2xYWSM9ZIhApuqsUGxpXAE4TlWP98goZLN0JcUXZDktqaQKwj6ht0ZehAQPBGFD3SdjfY2Z8BSGsEk9bRNGxE8bwP-8cJ7wy0akuGiRLL1JEd0fZp07h7YsqswatsDt5gEiRqOpsVbNqHt6lsTC-PGclHVWHJ5xg5gXXBh-uxCZU-B-s/s2661/PXL_20240211_083333032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="2661" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncJnQ0O7Jh7Q2xYWSM9ZIhApuqsUGxpXAE4TlWP98goZLN0JcUXZDktqaQKwj6ht0ZehAQPBGFD3SdjfY2Z8BSGsEk9bRNGxE8bwP-8cJ7wy0akuGiRLL1JEd0fZp07h7YsqswatsDt5gEiRqOpsVbNqHt6lsTC-PGclHVWHJ5xg5gXXBh-uxCZU-B-s/w640-h640/PXL_20240211_083333032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And to answer JR's Inside Out Project question--I stand for playful curiousity! Thankfully these Project Quilting challenge themes always pique my curiousity as I love exploring new designs and techniques over the course of each challenge week. I invite you to check out all the other <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/02/15-3-insideout-challenge-3-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Inside Out Project Quilting entries </a>created this past week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfL91vowJgcmQDi87Fu8Ln6ieia3Ps8r-uMecjUrJC-gYMk1B78Q2qSpsfJm26uvCCKj5LZjorcZOZYYRI8WeUPCWU29vSnl8T6nJ_1IhBVxMiNJ_gZVcFHytz3IFYe1uHRzfXC9sfIiGKp4tjjXeUCPhaUyxrJMSWyHHZQQ3L0QCBgQ875b3xyILROU/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfL91vowJgcmQDi87Fu8Ln6ieia3Ps8r-uMecjUrJC-gYMk1B78Q2qSpsfJm26uvCCKj5LZjorcZOZYYRI8WeUPCWU29vSnl8T6nJ_1IhBVxMiNJ_gZVcFHytz3IFYe1uHRzfXC9sfIiGKp4tjjXeUCPhaUyxrJMSWyHHZQQ3L0QCBgQ875b3xyILROU/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-48910519682989645702024-01-28T02:35:00.000-08:002024-01-30T00:10:15.505-08:00Project Quilting 15.2: Sky Color <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikygzou8bym-MN91Sd0K1jOsET5rX_ZkBZttJy12WpKTxg4WM-jUZCeMeBDulP8HO69-KCaF-Ns-Fpsh3TKfU6xOg5e89OZaM7e0fF9_Sr-lC04-hrCbsUpgQVawF1STFryUop1Q8KluFTCbkxB9C3WT-7WKm_4Th9HaXB3Syem6ZGZJIQTN-12Yl1vdM/s3242/PXL_20240128_090959701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2162" data-original-width="3242" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikygzou8bym-MN91Sd0K1jOsET5rX_ZkBZttJy12WpKTxg4WM-jUZCeMeBDulP8HO69-KCaF-Ns-Fpsh3TKfU6xOg5e89OZaM7e0fF9_Sr-lC04-hrCbsUpgQVawF1STFryUop1Q8KluFTCbkxB9C3WT-7WKm_4Th9HaXB3Syem6ZGZJIQTN-12Yl1vdM/w640-h426/PXL_20240128_090959701.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This week's <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/01/15-2-sky-_color-challenge-2-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Project Quilting 15.2 challenge theme is Sky Colors</a>. Participants were challenged to create a project that takes inspiration from the colors of the sky, but exclude or use less than 10% of the usual cerulean blue color.</p><p>I decided to create a night sky and pulled this rich and very textured palette of fabric swatches from <a href="https://www.fabmo.org/" target="_blank">Fabmo</a> which includes silvers, dark blues, charcoal, and black fabrics. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoMMxGGuSfxOThHEyaSyLfP_UoBucJBHLveDtxz-FfOCLvYgD6MGsSeDv4tHbsAyhAgN_UjymgNa3MmV1MWauAqa-7RAAj2Ij39nfDaytQZmp-W6zktd9402Y5vw4YwdnD5utuRa_25enWZg6eYIzOncMi5rM99lCxNBRtua5bChMMetEF24XFmXeFyQ/s2591/PXL_20240124_222608966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2585" data-original-width="2591" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoMMxGGuSfxOThHEyaSyLfP_UoBucJBHLveDtxz-FfOCLvYgD6MGsSeDv4tHbsAyhAgN_UjymgNa3MmV1MWauAqa-7RAAj2Ij39nfDaytQZmp-W6zktd9402Y5vw4YwdnD5utuRa_25enWZg6eYIzOncMi5rM99lCxNBRtua5bChMMetEF24XFmXeFyQ/w640-h638/PXL_20240124_222608966.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Next I started to gather a variety of block prints and stamps. I knew I had a commercial stamp with small stars but was having difficulty locating it in my studio. Despite looking in my collection of stamps and various bins, I could not find it! I went to look one more time and opened the drawer where I thought it should be. Alas, it was not there, but this <a href="https://artfoamies.com/" target="_blank">ArtFoamies</a> foam face stamp was looking up at me. What was an initially nebulous design idea suddenly emerged with this as a central moon shape! I did a bit of block printing using two different Memento Luxe ink colors to have a few options and alternates just in case!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqv-agBZ7-ASaOXB-CJyzQit6PuRnCj3yI48kKP-1BNsQfNzs0tq8KYf5tPoEg6DZE3uIQXmP2FwnxJ9NEx0XDFaAD3fV9rPDrcXyVGltFu5RkUjj6mPgflpRwJpbiBKsJ2-TtBAl7i4qgtA6QsxDloQW0tX6VURhsww9LsuLVr0aF-msu1tsh_q9Gn0/s3024/PXL_20240124_225604595.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqv-agBZ7-ASaOXB-CJyzQit6PuRnCj3yI48kKP-1BNsQfNzs0tq8KYf5tPoEg6DZE3uIQXmP2FwnxJ9NEx0XDFaAD3fV9rPDrcXyVGltFu5RkUjj6mPgflpRwJpbiBKsJ2-TtBAl7i4qgtA6QsxDloQW0tX6VURhsww9LsuLVr0aF-msu1tsh_q9Gn0/w640-h640/PXL_20240124_225604595.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>All my fabrics were fused with Wonder Under...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWkW33spbehDsQ3OIonaehmAAIZwbOt033cqEfbid-s6yB5Z0O04QBnijOy2VLsg7fYGJfBaHUArq8WzueASle1fDkB1R0VgB9WkmZTTKmq5JjnCf1Xjxftxb001mcgHq_HA8SQ4IDUGasaoDsZ8EBFqfzibDhyphenhyphenNrp5eH4f99S8gsihrBAw8HnPtCEq0/s2797/PXL_20240125_035922618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2797" data-original-width="2797" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWkW33spbehDsQ3OIonaehmAAIZwbOt033cqEfbid-s6yB5Z0O04QBnijOy2VLsg7fYGJfBaHUArq8WzueASle1fDkB1R0VgB9WkmZTTKmq5JjnCf1Xjxftxb001mcgHq_HA8SQ4IDUGasaoDsZ8EBFqfzibDhyphenhyphenNrp5eH4f99S8gsihrBAw8HnPtCEq0/w640-h640/PXL_20240125_035922618.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>And a very rough sketch was made as a road map for my project. Note that I did find that stamp the next day, but it was too late as I was much more excited for this new design direction!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rE68znbjrlXj63HAMAxfm0Sp55gvlCN5P170FhgDw7MVeFNCLwQyQff2CcSybb7PIQmyw17LYbwP12bCFil_9gpma-UabNnKo1oIIb5pgIUw-H4qS-cFdeRKcBlWMBrLedfJ9WFTLhHmaOL5VYzFj0xIGjpuX_MxuaJGCUu4ssi7IS5CSSmi47jJdGc/s2525/PXL_20240125_003947449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="2525" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rE68znbjrlXj63HAMAxfm0Sp55gvlCN5P170FhgDw7MVeFNCLwQyQff2CcSybb7PIQmyw17LYbwP12bCFil_9gpma-UabNnKo1oIIb5pgIUw-H4qS-cFdeRKcBlWMBrLedfJ9WFTLhHmaOL5VYzFj0xIGjpuX_MxuaJGCUu4ssi7IS5CSSmi47jJdGc/w640-h638/PXL_20240125_003947449.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>In preparation for quilting, the fabric swatches were fused onto squares of black craft felt which doubled as both my batting and my quilt backing.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_7dKW8ZAl6IY5HRty4YIkj-A4iLrDMINn3O9Rhwo_S04IUOEBCcYKo8EtCVxDXSSLQHaWBM567WZx7URpIxxSBKBhpEWFyfxH5ytUWsgP9Ik4L_5-5UFf9iJH3bfyaaCheAGQ2z6JWooZ3hJ8mzXWB6TNj5fDtSTOSda1oHAietq9nkVJn_tX8lgki0/s3931/PXL_20240127_054248918.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3931" data-original-width="2913" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_7dKW8ZAl6IY5HRty4YIkj-A4iLrDMINn3O9Rhwo_S04IUOEBCcYKo8EtCVxDXSSLQHaWBM567WZx7URpIxxSBKBhpEWFyfxH5ytUWsgP9Ik4L_5-5UFf9iJH3bfyaaCheAGQ2z6JWooZ3hJ8mzXWB6TNj5fDtSTOSda1oHAietq9nkVJn_tX8lgki0/w474-h640/PXL_20240127_054248918.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /></div>While I love the textures of these fabrics, I rarely know the fiber content. One of the fabrics shrunk slightly while fusing on the Wonder Under but I was able to flatten it. Unfortunately it really warped when I went to fuse it onto the black felt and it was ultimately scrapped from my project (but I may revisit it as a fabric bowl?!?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zWYM-nRpxPs1IBLsgJL2xy2tKugeYcL9ugka1tYAwyjzQZXe_NZFdfa5H45ycBQQM430jv6cxxdv7YAWLsmRf1aZOs-Zj0z-zEVuTFdYWAD4mkR6ETy83b7V0dnWpM7M4S7YwDi0i-NBMfBYljfh2PtCSZrzWeFrd4Uk01pI9kmHXmlECloE_xNgsoo/s3024/PXL_20240127_054150792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zWYM-nRpxPs1IBLsgJL2xy2tKugeYcL9ugka1tYAwyjzQZXe_NZFdfa5H45ycBQQM430jv6cxxdv7YAWLsmRf1aZOs-Zj0z-zEVuTFdYWAD4mkR6ETy83b7V0dnWpM7M4S7YwDi0i-NBMfBYljfh2PtCSZrzWeFrd4Uk01pI9kmHXmlECloE_xNgsoo/w640-h640/PXL_20240127_054150792.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My trusty blue painter's tape was used to mark wedge shapes from each quilt sandwich before adding a bit of quilting, especially to the more solid-like fabrics. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xFe8AHpuKOxgK5u_KLV2grlBUU19XFsTyID2I3BXKYVBvNU6Y89HvzQ6IkNXcTXzFz8-9wwwqD_IbQfpHxNiqGsl5bD22lrE_SjV8Gpjor5SY0FkMDetxfCc5NNdGFVwePcxw_vxsuOShuXoACNAhbRaaKwH9ZUJbu2RKH06GAcIRPCIcbsDV_hC1lY/s5120/PQ%2015_22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xFe8AHpuKOxgK5u_KLV2grlBUU19XFsTyID2I3BXKYVBvNU6Y89HvzQ6IkNXcTXzFz8-9wwwqD_IbQfpHxNiqGsl5bD22lrE_SjV8Gpjor5SY0FkMDetxfCc5NNdGFVwePcxw_vxsuOShuXoACNAhbRaaKwH9ZUJbu2RKH06GAcIRPCIcbsDV_hC1lY/w640-h320/PQ%2015_22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Matching Isacord threads were used for the quilting. Luckily--they contrasted well with the black felt backing and so the quilt sandwiches were turned over to the backside for trimming. While most of the fabrics are a bit thicker than traditional quilting cottons, the first batch required quite a bit of muscle to rotary cut. I decided to change the blade for the second batch. Wow! What a noticeable difference as the new blade cut through the layers like butter!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A4fW01qG-G02O8EiOEZLCltdREoY1kierxxdMe1LEl95GfwxEinhORpufvuDI2xYQVG5_iPQMeMZC4RdCxlXx4dWCh3u336tZ_Et6FSjpbgi02StbZGBwBGxp41HrDvdpP1q9fdch9hyINvEv3yGECiaL-uS5180ITSE4AeXq8j9ZbKLW57yco9JUVc/s2843/PXL_20240128_015229967.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="2843" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7A4fW01qG-G02O8EiOEZLCltdREoY1kierxxdMe1LEl95GfwxEinhORpufvuDI2xYQVG5_iPQMeMZC4RdCxlXx4dWCh3u336tZ_Et6FSjpbgi02StbZGBwBGxp41HrDvdpP1q9fdch9hyINvEv3yGECiaL-uS5180ITSE4AeXq8j9ZbKLW57yco9JUVc/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_015229967.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The next step was finishing three of the edges with Tulip dimensional fabric paint. All these painted edges required some resourceful solutions for drying. Thank goodness for my IKEA curtain hook clips, Raskog cart fitted with a thread rack, tiered serving tray, and our clothes drying rack (a great suggestion from my partner)! Batch after batch, my studio looked like a little quilted and painted wedge factory!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxssF74PCRtLFP05CYdbfHnmZ9eJft6LeFS_k7baXmLmKzkEGcfHQdqhNIPWep4uw_KxcXsQ3zzYzbUn21tbJdULkk9rz7_sXCBx2LFguba3gSivFVFeiQhjuujZ-WHSG7q4l41V2tCY9iU_j-nqVCW6k-pWOH972YNm-8Cd0hv0FEY4FnZ2xlSxfTn8/s5120/PQ%2015_21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxssF74PCRtLFP05CYdbfHnmZ9eJft6LeFS_k7baXmLmKzkEGcfHQdqhNIPWep4uw_KxcXsQ3zzYzbUn21tbJdULkk9rz7_sXCBx2LFguba3gSivFVFeiQhjuujZ-WHSG7q4l41V2tCY9iU_j-nqVCW6k-pWOH972YNm-8Cd0hv0FEY4FnZ2xlSxfTn8/w640-h640/PQ%2015_21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of sitting around watching paint to dry, we made a froyo run, followed by a bit of photo editing and starting my blog post. When I returned to the studio, all my wedges were dry and safe to handle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cwbEHaSbQGw_7tamfRGhucFfbs_HA_0HKLAHPHjZeAPpv7IbEGjPjeR7goK_jHPVNQRd2PaKme7XWzBwULFxwlrD8IbGthBozOUTmqtFBIdx3k3WRlCLGSa_Obb7vIl7mzgsIpPyS9IBjaYq-ixqsLoGPuwxxdp3mL1qTKtnO4pVD5vmRYMQVc49040/s2722/PXL_20240128_070744868.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="2722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cwbEHaSbQGw_7tamfRGhucFfbs_HA_0HKLAHPHjZeAPpv7IbEGjPjeR7goK_jHPVNQRd2PaKme7XWzBwULFxwlrD8IbGthBozOUTmqtFBIdx3k3WRlCLGSa_Obb7vIl7mzgsIpPyS9IBjaYq-ixqsLoGPuwxxdp3mL1qTKtnO4pVD5vmRYMQVc49040/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_070744868.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Up until this point, I honestly wasn't sure how the final assembly would all come together. At first I thought it might be easier to start with the outside and work my way into the center, but there were too many unknowns with this approach. So like most of my mandalas, I started with the center and worked my way out one ring at a time. My portable ironing board had a radial grid which helped to align all the wedges before glue basting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAfDH7exQNUtptyKCYqWkqvfmkrIwBULLevash-pxn0HWgi6ctGNMMx7PvDrYm73cUSKYUa0BZHmbdkY9xAvIWeqD8EnXBlfzUmKmsQwsGnupJZ2uLsou1mBNntVbRdFNlGWIFU_rv4Q_oqklYhTZ8sJwRYFnRHoQT-jdQKz344RfHPEsjM5roo3vYhs/s2802/PXL_20240128_071327728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2802" data-original-width="2802" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAfDH7exQNUtptyKCYqWkqvfmkrIwBULLevash-pxn0HWgi6ctGNMMx7PvDrYm73cUSKYUa0BZHmbdkY9xAvIWeqD8EnXBlfzUmKmsQwsGnupJZ2uLsou1mBNntVbRdFNlGWIFU_rv4Q_oqklYhTZ8sJwRYFnRHoQT-jdQKz344RfHPEsjM5roo3vYhs/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_071327728.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The glue basted units still required careful handling to transport to my sewing machine for a ring of topstitching.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GUN1QzuddfcJHVTkS9f_38vDq5B27ogCje21sARgwEKpfJZDzAFHEiydqaMm28LpSDx8wddBtmINhKsPalmPU4q9kndoZhYFCcSSQgO3qn_F6pEDIUlMyK_kGEztYerAaKlGhdS3vYWqmxI1yIZs5mbRPsiR7U6CVUDHvkeoRqu9gD_m7hyIeqCp4Kc/s3024/PXL_20240128_072156792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1GUN1QzuddfcJHVTkS9f_38vDq5B27ogCje21sARgwEKpfJZDzAFHEiydqaMm28LpSDx8wddBtmINhKsPalmPU4q9kndoZhYFCcSSQgO3qn_F6pEDIUlMyK_kGEztYerAaKlGhdS3vYWqmxI1yIZs5mbRPsiR7U6CVUDHvkeoRqu9gD_m7hyIeqCp4Kc/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_072156792.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Adding each ring of wedges presented its own share of technical challenges, requiring a bit of creative engineering along the way.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FMxoC7O3hixP1-JyNZxYOj6o11jAzdyfdNVUMHk9GTYXoT5pkrCZPE1pNJBLNaH1zIP5ARhSujK8oQZwJa8Az_7OfQaC8KVrYU2bhyhIM78KOaAx_G72d8WM4v2GEuyhDnCKsuXMFnJeY43S6OlT_dfGEwdPJW7IegXKlFBky2WhgQ2aSH0PE8U7SlY/s2787/PXL_20240128_073911105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="2787" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FMxoC7O3hixP1-JyNZxYOj6o11jAzdyfdNVUMHk9GTYXoT5pkrCZPE1pNJBLNaH1zIP5ARhSujK8oQZwJa8Az_7OfQaC8KVrYU2bhyhIM78KOaAx_G72d8WM4v2GEuyhDnCKsuXMFnJeY43S6OlT_dfGEwdPJW7IegXKlFBky2WhgQ2aSH0PE8U7SlY/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_073911105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But with patience and persistence, the rings came together...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ClyyGLK7yBoaJ-9ozrfVEflKbZCn-WgqGz8cASuYMEHzY7CnEkj-bdD3_XLSfDv-PP0a5-pb3fJB3s46puEQX_slQ4F6GzsFQWflcVJY1FekciHOT63SiYA9JHrBZ4bATWGCFUJ0lwAzzzt80PPhYYD4m42VRa3WWdZwqr2QY2wvwM8EBYcjNXWRL0Y/s3024/PXL_20240128_081215703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ClyyGLK7yBoaJ-9ozrfVEflKbZCn-WgqGz8cASuYMEHzY7CnEkj-bdD3_XLSfDv-PP0a5-pb3fJB3s46puEQX_slQ4F6GzsFQWflcVJY1FekciHOT63SiYA9JHrBZ4bATWGCFUJ0lwAzzzt80PPhYYD4m42VRa3WWdZwqr2QY2wvwM8EBYcjNXWRL0Y/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_081215703.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>...perhaps with an occasional set back or two along the way. My Juki TL-2010 sewing machine is a real workhorse so I wasn't too worried about stitching through all the layers. I was extra careful to remove the pins before stitching, but still managed to break a needle at one particularly bulky section. As I was loading a new needle, it got stuck and it too broke! The third needle was the charm and I was back to stitching my way around the rings.<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7_Hyt1_DpwOrT8wOR1iZe9RLtbWwOfHDI1MXsFQtp3pIoqDEJ8lECTmcYyY-SVJHieh80MzTCdDWpl99NfdVFysrCeVnyHxHLEXDTdT4isiUxdfc45I81cyHOL9Z_R5OraKkrt15LZKcRfSaSPNEcsXkPX0LoC0UqwMLcnwtTJ4uAXnykz9473PnMIw/s1643/PXL_20240128_090541593.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1643" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7_Hyt1_DpwOrT8wOR1iZe9RLtbWwOfHDI1MXsFQtp3pIoqDEJ8lECTmcYyY-SVJHieh80MzTCdDWpl99NfdVFysrCeVnyHxHLEXDTdT4isiUxdfc45I81cyHOL9Z_R5OraKkrt15LZKcRfSaSPNEcsXkPX0LoC0UqwMLcnwtTJ4uAXnykz9473PnMIw/w638-h640/PXL_20240128_090541593.jpg" width="638" /></a><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly after 1 AM, my quilt was finished and I am absolutely in love with all the sparkle and texture achieved by both the fabrics and the stitching! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i9I5_KYkdYGQZ7vzvoPplFd2ucaR9GIRrL07huEhMShnob94qrSReQMIzETo4NbGFPOk-cXP7fjzh139-qPi2_3-Ym8jZxjFBYsAgOVC9jHGnqjNlQdkUL6_yrFoDmStvQZOM9HBPhGdANWosAm5XVpAsGmPvdjPf3qEaT4nUJg5du-PaCqoBx-ov-o/s3024/PXL_20240128_090923128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0i9I5_KYkdYGQZ7vzvoPplFd2ucaR9GIRrL07huEhMShnob94qrSReQMIzETo4NbGFPOk-cXP7fjzh139-qPi2_3-Ym8jZxjFBYsAgOVC9jHGnqjNlQdkUL6_yrFoDmStvQZOM9HBPhGdANWosAm5XVpAsGmPvdjPf3qEaT4nUJg5du-PaCqoBx-ov-o/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_090923128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Growing up in upstate New York, my father routinely plowed snow for his work. He was quite attuned to watching for moon rings, also known as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22%C2%B0_halo" target="_blank">22° halos</a>, which often appeared the night before a big snow storm. This is my interpretation of those glowing winter moon auras.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRBNGltxeRjQKWDbucaX0lq2Z7ZYVu5QtLt8rJ2Wu1RihoYPovqCgomBkybEM6GqKwfUHqQKVMU79TD4qpler_2Z159b6We3B-IYNu3ikNiMtCmSwxiMJtBiUQbxYxCWjAuNukJS5M3gAWHKbwwEUbuTTVJwZl0An1tdny7epDdW8Hupu9KUsfdIG9xc/s2883/PXL_20240128_090846844.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2883" data-original-width="2882" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRBNGltxeRjQKWDbucaX0lq2Z7ZYVu5QtLt8rJ2Wu1RihoYPovqCgomBkybEM6GqKwfUHqQKVMU79TD4qpler_2Z159b6We3B-IYNu3ikNiMtCmSwxiMJtBiUQbxYxCWjAuNukJS5M3gAWHKbwwEUbuTTVJwZl0An1tdny7epDdW8Hupu9KUsfdIG9xc/w640-h640/PXL_20240128_090846844.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Winter Moon Ring Mandala" finishes 19" x 19"</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Thank you for visiting! I encourage you to check out the <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/01/15-2-sky-_color-challenge-2-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Project Quilting page for all the brilliant Sky Color quilts</a> made this week! </p><p>And this is definitely a favorite finish for this month, so I am linking it up with <a href="https://quiltingjetgirl.com/2024/01/26/favorite-finish-january-2024/" target="_blank">January 2024 Favorite Finish monthly linkup</a> hosted by Yvonne of @Quilting Jetgirl. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40pkmnW-Zawj5K4-H7Br4tNSpWE7rOgI29eOnIr9JuBL2vkTzVGTcIZV68FykvFWUQZ0byEyooLGxYr75Tri3kccf1NuLoIyhs-JA3KuwYGE9SThMnXTm_ge7IubktUVXN4bqKv4Zn782O_i7wMiVPtNlb93FMSOjidV59yjwgxDo03ugMzZByv2iUEc/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40pkmnW-Zawj5K4-H7Br4tNSpWE7rOgI29eOnIr9JuBL2vkTzVGTcIZV68FykvFWUQZ0byEyooLGxYr75Tri3kccf1NuLoIyhs-JA3KuwYGE9SThMnXTm_ge7IubktUVXN4bqKv4Zn782O_i7wMiVPtNlb93FMSOjidV59yjwgxDo03ugMzZByv2iUEc/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-49220927617122885082024-01-14T03:16:00.000-08:002024-01-14T19:48:39.640-08:00Project Quilting 15.1: Bird House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOlQXpUSNxq9xXNulbWp760CQxFl8NKSFZp3osIuA7XSa6Ovimb5mRvfaR-Qjzbz9c89TVCz6nvcGyJ6SEBZIrcfY4KyNggDtSEEYLCAbgTWgMlEpPImZ7ajNNaEfoi-WCX14UaRjxinvaArv3-VFeUEIQ1WoeQO_Ddx0PRIBorUOsmjqawWkep5kaqM/s3024/PXL_20240114_095951335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOlQXpUSNxq9xXNulbWp760CQxFl8NKSFZp3osIuA7XSa6Ovimb5mRvfaR-Qjzbz9c89TVCz6nvcGyJ6SEBZIrcfY4KyNggDtSEEYLCAbgTWgMlEpPImZ7ajNNaEfoi-WCX14UaRjxinvaArv3-VFeUEIQ1WoeQO_Ddx0PRIBorUOsmjqawWkep5kaqM/w640-h640/PXL_20240114_095951335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's Project Quilting Season 15 which kicked off with a fun new challenge theme: <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/01/15-1-bird-house-challenge-1-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Bird House</a>. I confess that I haven't had much of a sewjo lately, but was optimistic that a Project Quilting challenge week would help me find it. </p><p>In past Project Quilting seasons, I've given myself an extra challenge such as wholecloth quilts, unconventional materials, and mark-making. This year I am hoping to incorporate more block printing and recycled fabrics sourced from <a href="https://www.fabmo.org/fabmo/Home.html" target="_blank">Fabmo</a>. Fabmo is a nonprofit organization that rescues designer materials such as upholstery fabric samples for creative reuse. I've been attending their shopping days every month or so where I usually spend $15-20 and bring home at least one if not two bags full of fabric and wall paper samples!</p><p>When the Bird House theme was announced on Sunday, I immediately thought of a few bird block prints recently carved as part of CarveDecember 2023 and 2022 including these two.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6VUdsRq4asR07HWSOGzwpmRFvBvBiqk30YZgcE2IjeogAtl8_SGp4TGWmD2wsIqYC28Ih_zGHxh9w4bMIjuv3Mah96xz_bbh-thsuHlbfqalmLjYsO8TKYOfB9mRH_874z4WqMS6Mf6vqsuCVeUJc-vchqrqw5mKJ7fQBJAp-LVzlIt5veSffpoDm3E/s5120/PQ%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6VUdsRq4asR07HWSOGzwpmRFvBvBiqk30YZgcE2IjeogAtl8_SGp4TGWmD2wsIqYC28Ih_zGHxh9w4bMIjuv3Mah96xz_bbh-thsuHlbfqalmLjYsO8TKYOfB9mRH_874z4WqMS6Mf6vqsuCVeUJc-vchqrqw5mKJ7fQBJAp-LVzlIt5veSffpoDm3E/w640-h640/PQ%2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Early in the week, I gathered the bird blocks along with some commercial bird prints, and an assortment of Fabmo swatches that were either colorful and/or evoked a nest-like pattern/texture.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zmV00MW6f8b9A5Qu2aM5ezQbeL5HICBbn7WlKUxaVmZaayhJYxHAplkPkBusGBtHFQ4MxtDCyCalkWAfzNygjvJwadMnsfCT7vodZNfSKKEQGCs1kKLinx0t66HM4yKYWsTv6lmCTTpQ9sEl63D7M6F2EnfiHvLaXcwILhZu483JkC8IQU_VagBUVpU/s2557/PXL_20240108_050333239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2557" data-original-width="2555" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zmV00MW6f8b9A5Qu2aM5ezQbeL5HICBbn7WlKUxaVmZaayhJYxHAplkPkBusGBtHFQ4MxtDCyCalkWAfzNygjvJwadMnsfCT7vodZNfSKKEQGCs1kKLinx0t66HM4yKYWsTv6lmCTTpQ9sEl63D7M6F2EnfiHvLaXcwILhZu483JkC8IQU_VagBUVpU/w640-h640/PXL_20240108_050333239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And these materials sat waiting for a game plan. Oh I had plenty of ideas swirling about my head but not clear vision. Time was running out, especially as I had a busy weekend of teaching including 2 lectures and 2 workshops! Saturday morning was an early start for an east coast morning lecture. In the hour between the lecture and workshop, I got started block printing the birds and nests onto some of the colorful silky swatches using inkpads. After the workshop concluded, I printed the eggs using acrylic paints. Layered prints were required to achieve the robin's egg blue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzu6TPc8MohLrfSyJjEHq5i0DoEdQP2RlHFRVnnVGX1D_NMS-xG5UNNxzE6ah88a3QdBQrKgQumSlOagtDwYLe9FD8gfT5snuvV2rgQ12tvpW__uUDOsKyR7Sl6k6wIfARCgFx1IsGIqU48DvjGClfJqTGXzRo6h5Pisd_F4UxLtkcefSQ4RrTzGeGkA/s5120/PQ%20151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYzu6TPc8MohLrfSyJjEHq5i0DoEdQP2RlHFRVnnVGX1D_NMS-xG5UNNxzE6ah88a3QdBQrKgQumSlOagtDwYLe9FD8gfT5snuvV2rgQ12tvpW__uUDOsKyR7Sl6k6wIfARCgFx1IsGIqU48DvjGClfJqTGXzRo6h5Pisd_F4UxLtkcefSQ4RrTzGeGkA/w640-h640/PQ%20151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After dinner I heat set all the printed swatches and tried to figure out how best to use them. Each motif was fused with Wonder Under before cutting away the background. I started to play with potential layout combinations...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbYfo4EJX7TsZpsFQBU-x6iCNDArRxBaD4OZQ0R4sQxGnfbcooT9yx8-fGdOXDxFqXgTnh7qvsowRSxn0xbnWfs553ejnOrgnFfwaqfbI06ks3kumr8NPgWkedeSiEZcbT5iqeTybFsnqx-sg7xubmqLps5LJZqOJdARJCx80dN2g7yXnTeuNaHRsq6Y/s5120/PQ%20152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="4096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbYfo4EJX7TsZpsFQBU-x6iCNDArRxBaD4OZQ0R4sQxGnfbcooT9yx8-fGdOXDxFqXgTnh7qvsowRSxn0xbnWfs553ejnOrgnFfwaqfbI06ks3kumr8NPgWkedeSiEZcbT5iqeTybFsnqx-sg7xubmqLps5LJZqOJdARJCx80dN2g7yXnTeuNaHRsq6Y/w512-h640/PQ%20152.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div>I found a woven metallic background for the birds and started to improvisationally add strips of fabric in a log cabin design which seemed appropriate for the bird house theme.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu_qeEv5bpoCrpqWLZo_-Ko7ya7rcJyreAMbt_iOvuMRN-SrPx4NhX8q-H0S3tG_rhS3Sqi4XJLqY_BcwdvfVp2XdAu155wU5qAYjSIfNpsIyFsgB6J5zfZuJJgJhuK4W3vnlas4bvPauqb4hkrTVRn1nTcd_6URA4nxJZmpCdvSBJ_ohn2OZ_lGuUZs/s2576/PXL_20240114_041923017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2571" data-original-width="2576" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAu_qeEv5bpoCrpqWLZo_-Ko7ya7rcJyreAMbt_iOvuMRN-SrPx4NhX8q-H0S3tG_rhS3Sqi4XJLqY_BcwdvfVp2XdAu155wU5qAYjSIfNpsIyFsgB6J5zfZuJJgJhuK4W3vnlas4bvPauqb4hkrTVRn1nTcd_6URA4nxJZmpCdvSBJ_ohn2OZ_lGuUZs/w640-h638/PXL_20240114_041923017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I had recently organized my collection of Fabmo fabric into 3 wire baskets--but they quickly exploded in my search for fabrics with interesting patterns of textures to evoke bird nests. At one point my floor was covered in fabric swatches...below is everything piled on top of the baskets needing to be reorganized before I can return the baskets to the racks.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOfBMArzoIP5Iz_7FLZROz9HDbjQR_4xY9NdQg2lpPqo3qjBp5xGDTHinKzky-ZoDDPe4FqRoJAn6WMNauA75Ng_Rlt3U49b61PXjVHP0EIqxV4gKldtCNOAC9wF3H-_FdVN5gKTYFI8i42GfPAQpctguBlcAhKDZA5UV0T0MAxiaYyeXpO1KdUqIRkI/s3024/PXL_20240114_095320709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOfBMArzoIP5Iz_7FLZROz9HDbjQR_4xY9NdQg2lpPqo3qjBp5xGDTHinKzky-ZoDDPe4FqRoJAn6WMNauA75Ng_Rlt3U49b61PXjVHP0EIqxV4gKldtCNOAC9wF3H-_FdVN5gKTYFI8i42GfPAQpctguBlcAhKDZA5UV0T0MAxiaYyeXpO1KdUqIRkI/w640-h640/PXL_20240114_095320709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Swatch by swatch, my improv log cabin units started to come together before filling in the negative space with additonal patterns and textures. Once everything was pieced together, I fused the nests into the dark blue strips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACfcRUPFcwN-2cNd_knF1Btz6EBlH7yioOFMQ8c0PGi010QN_sjb_86LqPMd44_IVkKsr2BOwns-pNXnN4abg-PFn4sDc8hiyEe7dlSb9bJIu60h__1GL8w9JN0onjX7u75Sc5Zk9Y9OIVR9PZ2CVtu8A19G5CVlLLDZ3bgVx-cvKqstL4kwPM9w71AE/s5120/PQ%20153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACfcRUPFcwN-2cNd_knF1Btz6EBlH7yioOFMQ8c0PGi010QN_sjb_86LqPMd44_IVkKsr2BOwns-pNXnN4abg-PFn4sDc8hiyEe7dlSb9bJIu60h__1GL8w9JN0onjX7u75Sc5Zk9Y9OIVR9PZ2CVtu8A19G5CVlLLDZ3bgVx-cvKqstL4kwPM9w71AE/w640-h426/PQ%20153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I finished most of the quilting close to midnight with just a bit more added here and there. By 1:30, my quilt was bound using a blue and lime green striped fabric that coordinated with the patterns and prints.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcytghGYs8neaiUHFIARSlGRcHQQN016nRFPIZT56SN8NLAhrxSu0CrcgtpfBKhZYzQAXazYyJJ0mVB-VwItziwGlEXo_IeZcaiFkOIl9pdlutVtZgT7QrUK6U7aMp5NmM4rdedZLibReE3OBu-m-p4jaPLZ88g-AkowWYfVcFxDsEP1ueWemVR9foaWw/s3473/PXL_20240114_205148797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3473" data-original-width="2742" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcytghGYs8neaiUHFIARSlGRcHQQN016nRFPIZT56SN8NLAhrxSu0CrcgtpfBKhZYzQAXazYyJJ0mVB-VwItziwGlEXo_IeZcaiFkOIl9pdlutVtZgT7QrUK6U7aMp5NmM4rdedZLibReE3OBu-m-p4jaPLZ88g-AkowWYfVcFxDsEP1ueWemVR9foaWw/w506-h640/PXL_20240114_205148797.jpg" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Block Nest Birds, Finishes 21" x 27"</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>This project is a success on 3 fronts:<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>It features quite a bit of block printing</li><li>The majority of fabrics used are sourced from Fabmo. While I absolutely love the patterns and textures, these fabrics do require a bit of extra care and wrangling, especially when one of the fabrics started to melt onto my hot dry iron! In fact, only 3 commercial fabrics were used in this project: the green print with white and blue eggs, the striped binding, and a Michael Miller Hash Dot for the backing (which is not shown). </li><li>I got my sewjo back!</li></ol><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyPpfHtkKUnFwbWVs_oZlpm_xa79BnZxaPX5V6nzSL3CKa2ZSh0dKGbktlKBajq6BAcrRkDcmJakB-7nE1XzIZ-2z2vsPHXqxnRrumsH49xp5PWDY4hsY1hbPXX5tBjJQ41-mdqTr-Blok5hyphenhyphend6vIeA2Oy3S1up6pEt3amME1fpylTQwdPeJWu-pymrE/s2604/PXL_20240114_095921658.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="2603" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyPpfHtkKUnFwbWVs_oZlpm_xa79BnZxaPX5V6nzSL3CKa2ZSh0dKGbktlKBajq6BAcrRkDcmJakB-7nE1XzIZ-2z2vsPHXqxnRrumsH49xp5PWDY4hsY1hbPXX5tBjJQ41-mdqTr-Blok5hyphenhyphend6vIeA2Oy3S1up6pEt3amME1fpylTQwdPeJWu-pymrE/w640-h640/PXL_20240114_095921658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Be sure to check out all the incredible <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2024/01/15-1-bird-house-challenge-1-of-project-quilting-season-15.html" target="_blank">Bird House quilts started and finished this past week</a>! And as always, thanks to PQ hosts: Kim and Trish for another fun challenge theme and week!</p></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-7263652521154450482023-11-16T19:57:00.000-08:002023-11-16T19:57:44.332-08:00Block Printed & Stitched: Peace OMind<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioF5Zs42oO1UQPPsyVYNhMyVJlStY0NzTRUNNDn3CDOTukNSBztszLeyemDJL2JmklNHdZdicrPlhDOfE6jnB053cF4kzb-Hmjup9T7yCtO9Vf93YlGWgOAuYsY-qm_agQ6kJlimsXymnYodwE-N1gqWlPGUXQ1MmhAvIe_-LeR9VMRoXCOMDvaUEI6IE/s4028/PXL_20231115_163942110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="4028" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioF5Zs42oO1UQPPsyVYNhMyVJlStY0NzTRUNNDn3CDOTukNSBztszLeyemDJL2JmklNHdZdicrPlhDOfE6jnB053cF4kzb-Hmjup9T7yCtO9Vf93YlGWgOAuYsY-qm_agQ6kJlimsXymnYodwE-N1gqWlPGUXQ1MmhAvIe_-LeR9VMRoXCOMDvaUEI6IE/w640-h426/PXL_20231115_163942110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div>Time to share the 7th finished in my series of Block Printed & Stitched series of wholecloth art quilts layered with painted and block-printed Evolon, free-motion quilting, hand embroidery, and sequins.<p>Enjoy watching the transformation from painted evolon, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvJRN-KrRpr/?hl=en&img_index=4" target="_blank">through block printing</a>, stitching, and finishing. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKYjQ2gV1U0PBelH8nSiqy0v6JzqvLq0oZb8wXlT0KX_z4TMDvtIScwldJnHLf-9p3ThgvN3tjGVDfVNLLzn371d1YY3oSgXLHIdsicJXnbAV862i_V3qfLoKt2nfdzRcm8i4KmKFfdDMUYmeal6hHTfsjXpJbuY0WIa7WNcacYUB9wNen1_7uK4gbOo/s2737/PXL_20230725_011858334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="2737" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKYjQ2gV1U0PBelH8nSiqy0v6JzqvLq0oZb8wXlT0KX_z4TMDvtIScwldJnHLf-9p3ThgvN3tjGVDfVNLLzn371d1YY3oSgXLHIdsicJXnbAV862i_V3qfLoKt2nfdzRcm8i4KmKFfdDMUYmeal6hHTfsjXpJbuY0WIa7WNcacYUB9wNen1_7uK4gbOo/w640-h638/PXL_20230725_011858334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Most mandalas start by pulling out and auditioning a large assortment of threads and sequins. Inevitably more sequins and threads are always pulled out as the project progresses but these help me get started.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5hmkDYzJl875qSl8DY9AUNiG464gKd8Cy2p2gLmwiBAbnx1fqEF050zxANg6QUa8H2wCJWjLMAvdOUA6jArODW0zqhWtZbS4NgiY5yEdRBTLSI_acEMyOlzJl_3o2J2_GtCW1aRe5Lih6pbRfJ0IM4LW7b7Lm9zSSyKKFv-nVbOn3VG6WhGwg5NtWr8/s2731/PXL_20230920_013617190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="2731" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5hmkDYzJl875qSl8DY9AUNiG464gKd8Cy2p2gLmwiBAbnx1fqEF050zxANg6QUa8H2wCJWjLMAvdOUA6jArODW0zqhWtZbS4NgiY5yEdRBTLSI_acEMyOlzJl_3o2J2_GtCW1aRe5Lih6pbRfJ0IM4LW7b7Lm9zSSyKKFv-nVbOn3VG6WhGwg5NtWr8/w640-h640/PXL_20230920_013617190.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here are just a few of the many sequin auditions. I do love adding bling to my mandalas!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2I8DschewOxapBwpoK3Z2vPLXzwo-2sjD0-qJJGKjbcGN5R1IvuoFJW0Stt-Izwaer3rfrF8Pk1hwteFanG641PHZLHFoQgAKPI4R7BLjkR_CGSPM2suQhDk_NiCsDnvyMCpX-zFmcKLRMSYdrdK0Kwqr0WiDQWZXcZN_HqE4aBDmysKOWYITrM3GBw/s5120/Yellow%20Mandala2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2I8DschewOxapBwpoK3Z2vPLXzwo-2sjD0-qJJGKjbcGN5R1IvuoFJW0Stt-Izwaer3rfrF8Pk1hwteFanG641PHZLHFoQgAKPI4R7BLjkR_CGSPM2suQhDk_NiCsDnvyMCpX-zFmcKLRMSYdrdK0Kwqr0WiDQWZXcZN_HqE4aBDmysKOWYITrM3GBw/w640-h320/Yellow%20Mandala2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Night after night, my mandala filled with stitched texture using an assortment of threads, sequins, and stitching: colonial knots, backstitching, and whipped backstitching. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbms2jEnCASzp-Zy_e0bOav_e5cFjrLRHI8yXaFRDIeWXSpB_SbPo6QKBmr8KvylaaISYDYiNpyZN-yo-fxDrVCjFr3DbAywNrrowZ6DBXop1rnZ6BXOB8ww_pbX-2YfCyQd-fpqz4Ml43r_iE_iVcRmyjctceNiZukI6uoQcTO7ZntNvOwIXgwh0Newo/s5120/Yellow%20Mandala3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbms2jEnCASzp-Zy_e0bOav_e5cFjrLRHI8yXaFRDIeWXSpB_SbPo6QKBmr8KvylaaISYDYiNpyZN-yo-fxDrVCjFr3DbAywNrrowZ6DBXop1rnZ6BXOB8ww_pbX-2YfCyQd-fpqz4Ml43r_iE_iVcRmyjctceNiZukI6uoQcTO7ZntNvOwIXgwh0Newo/w640-h426/Yellow%20Mandala3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After a week of making daily progress, I hit a wall on how to stitch the remaining outer rings and so I hit a pause on this project.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN6fI7-6tIHTpu8uzJW1fKwvyq6X7TadPv_TGdS8fX9CymcUUeuuRlDq0fsMgSuH5EMbJEhOJXgYpOWAhEJ6q3ckFTniGOBcZXfRsnjMX7RE1E9tGLdPGDykoTcK_-SdqoADBdlSLQWj-yk4PVq8k1-_tqVYEvD7gGL2cBYrhSeIV6ZmJZZTWT0ZNqoo/s2742/PXL_20231007_000352501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2742" data-original-width="2742" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN6fI7-6tIHTpu8uzJW1fKwvyq6X7TadPv_TGdS8fX9CymcUUeuuRlDq0fsMgSuH5EMbJEhOJXgYpOWAhEJ6q3ckFTniGOBcZXfRsnjMX7RE1E9tGLdPGDykoTcK_-SdqoADBdlSLQWj-yk4PVq8k1-_tqVYEvD7gGL2cBYrhSeIV6ZmJZZTWT0ZNqoo/w640-h640/PXL_20231007_000352501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After a month-long break, I brought out the partially stitched mandala and gathered some new sequins and threads to play again. After a few auditions, new design possibilities presented themselves and I was back to stitching and embellishing. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw6XkQzkJzxORc7mkPRv3gu_6MK44JKnNamiFxuXCtIvq0VqFWYXUrtUSJmj8QhYARXI9JdnU_9ntECYAXMsEwC3_5jt8yzfqO1p5kSHhDMZ1RxZwgzA4Q5S9gR9KEWRKzDa5yDwBISLbP3nAbAZ3djkqQyiNMy4l9figMd8N0AZk1cUNvu9uvY_00S8/s5120/Yellow%20Mandala4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw6XkQzkJzxORc7mkPRv3gu_6MK44JKnNamiFxuXCtIvq0VqFWYXUrtUSJmj8QhYARXI9JdnU_9ntECYAXMsEwC3_5jt8yzfqO1p5kSHhDMZ1RxZwgzA4Q5S9gR9KEWRKzDa5yDwBISLbP3nAbAZ3djkqQyiNMy4l9figMd8N0AZk1cUNvu9uvY_00S8/w640-h426/Yellow%20Mandala4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Less than 24 hours after pulling it of its time-out, I even managed to trim and finish the edges.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP53xG8BpfZxcTTa3JJ6sE-7SM8Mlj1SPwHrRzt-LEIjq6F6-7rM8OXRU41NSEO2gj8uT91RTAaSjv5K4cc2cAlaqbVGR7xV0Y-32MAt_qG_gzdXnSRo87gpnMRYwpXjHG5RkEZ94ioBosxyIzVb1F-nX25ReAlS34-NLmcM57dSScpTGEL8X-8qTH9Y/s5120/Yellow%20Mandala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP53xG8BpfZxcTTa3JJ6sE-7SM8Mlj1SPwHrRzt-LEIjq6F6-7rM8OXRU41NSEO2gj8uT91RTAaSjv5K4cc2cAlaqbVGR7xV0Y-32MAt_qG_gzdXnSRo87gpnMRYwpXjHG5RkEZ94ioBosxyIzVb1F-nX25ReAlS34-NLmcM57dSScpTGEL8X-8qTH9Y/w640-h320/Yellow%20Mandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It's always amazing how a little time off provides a fresh perspective! I always love seeing the before and after stitching photos!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdwDk5_66Gj56fxRrDpVbPhdpr0dOML_C7yym00aeDx08YsGpYznirQcpsXwh80L8Wg0O3TeXtrnkOeo-ESk1beTyVsKU0UwjOo_Lry_T9OH0baiZEPXXgsklF7YRUiFdMSdOZ6jM1M1RvPtJVeT6f2EDfH_eZ9cMYa2m0wjikLsrYdPP3vMNe9DPdPE/s5120/Yellow%20Mandala1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdwDk5_66Gj56fxRrDpVbPhdpr0dOML_C7yym00aeDx08YsGpYznirQcpsXwh80L8Wg0O3TeXtrnkOeo-ESk1beTyVsKU0UwjOo_Lry_T9OH0baiZEPXXgsklF7YRUiFdMSdOZ6jM1M1RvPtJVeT6f2EDfH_eZ9cMYa2m0wjikLsrYdPP3vMNe9DPdPE/w640-h320/Yellow%20Mandala1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I wish you could reach into your screen to touch all this incredible stitched texture!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8U1sOsxUWN8z3fFBEbGjrhijUS7AVKxGbei1CopXmJjgKRRuGi5keCjIfhTnp9vKCghRIXEm3u1EpowEjRzOICvCC_zmZxLGiJnJrdIQ6RrIaLoiUqGlitadzHTJgWetewb84OkCm6jWdFhYzQ0OC1GtAvXex5h_7NiTI4YT_U6P_ZLNhwipkFuthis/s4028/PXL_20231115_163942110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="4028" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8U1sOsxUWN8z3fFBEbGjrhijUS7AVKxGbei1CopXmJjgKRRuGi5keCjIfhTnp9vKCghRIXEm3u1EpowEjRzOICvCC_zmZxLGiJnJrdIQ6RrIaLoiUqGlitadzHTJgWetewb84OkCm6jWdFhYzQ0OC1GtAvXex5h_7NiTI4YT_U6P_ZLNhwipkFuthis/w640-h426/PXL_20231115_163942110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And here is the finished block printed & stitched mandala...</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AVmhjUpGYn2OyavXfmDHIFIXWCZS-tSZOXaUK7d7KXhV4x1xC6T5S8vnx50PZdQsYIa-_f90_keOCsT2OGiCO3xU1VCdrZdgzBpcigmpBUdrcvOnSiMQzNl0vHVYQd3YNhhftbtWXtpvgh7HviCQlzK5Epyg6QSx9hA6inSZhQ07J4N6MzDPWGEL-as/s2863/MBeach_Peace%20OMind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2863" data-original-width="2862" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AVmhjUpGYn2OyavXfmDHIFIXWCZS-tSZOXaUK7d7KXhV4x1xC6T5S8vnx50PZdQsYIa-_f90_keOCsT2OGiCO3xU1VCdrZdgzBpcigmpBUdrcvOnSiMQzNl0vHVYQd3YNhhftbtWXtpvgh7HviCQlzK5Epyg6QSx9hA6inSZhQ07J4N6MzDPWGEL-as/w640-h640/MBeach_Peace%20OMind.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace OMind, Finishes 12.5" x 12.5"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>I've got a few more block printed squares of evolon and I am brimming with more ideas for a new series of block printed and stitched designs! Stay tuned!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuPrfV_7Ya2wqt6dNay3Mf625jLCnY9PmVC0CB64fiR0PJEwDZxc0ELCSThAGHdkycb-SSi_FMCGlUmQRfZ6W1CKJzUZtGoRtYH6XSKgEf6RPsFRsigh85uT4mmhQEmbEcG1XSpsmBIWC8qkYT5HgDfZNnV9qIWsPpSMhi5w-3uRnkcK-SpPApBU0n4k/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuPrfV_7Ya2wqt6dNay3Mf625jLCnY9PmVC0CB64fiR0PJEwDZxc0ELCSThAGHdkycb-SSi_FMCGlUmQRfZ6W1CKJzUZtGoRtYH6XSKgEf6RPsFRsigh85uT4mmhQEmbEcG1XSpsmBIWC8qkYT5HgDfZNnV9qIWsPpSMhi5w-3uRnkcK-SpPApBU0n4k/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-27902299323065699312023-09-18T20:09:00.001-07:002023-09-18T20:09:20.910-07:00Block Printed & Stitched: Yoga Flow(ers)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOMdAtPpGViCfUqrl6-aq6ntOexLCj7C43hfYYm2XN3HZJdOEEw8qujRgVdNTHpH6fbPg-crTIlV4iTR4Mh6vgtD42Qguq4-bKVSn6a488ZijAVFo0pcMetbIeQc_Yjw0kIPIEDOkkDXRm1cvF0uCuKGlCVOjSVGDV8ebZNboIablDSB55mlRx68PacE/s3189/PXL_20230916_030742897.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2124" data-original-width="3189" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOMdAtPpGViCfUqrl6-aq6ntOexLCj7C43hfYYm2XN3HZJdOEEw8qujRgVdNTHpH6fbPg-crTIlV4iTR4Mh6vgtD42Qguq4-bKVSn6a488ZijAVFo0pcMetbIeQc_Yjw0kIPIEDOkkDXRm1cvF0uCuKGlCVOjSVGDV8ebZNboIablDSB55mlRx68PacE/w640-h426/PXL_20230916_030742897.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Time for another wholecloth, block printed, and stitched mandala reveal! Like the other block printed & stitched pieces, this one began by faux dyeing a square of evolon non-woven fiber. Several of the blocks have a connection to my yoga practice including the om symbol in the center and surrounding lotus flowers. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivunGzwUrQqusUmD4PToLwAotdbQOEiayEjSr1A6gB2M6lIXjKHsgochu3QaoYQ2quYDwmazvwT9Fjslr7Sf9k4HnEPHuRVQ5F4pGO-TpZ3SknrHSarVVCWtL7o5_s86PNBVML4uVdYa1edRJlSkGP4QL2ik2nMUEJrMovEN3b6lllQmszzlE-bfM7R44/s5120/Green%20Mandala1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivunGzwUrQqusUmD4PToLwAotdbQOEiayEjSr1A6gB2M6lIXjKHsgochu3QaoYQ2quYDwmazvwT9Fjslr7Sf9k4HnEPHuRVQ5F4pGO-TpZ3SknrHSarVVCWtL7o5_s86PNBVML4uVdYa1edRJlSkGP4QL2ik2nMUEJrMovEN3b6lllQmszzlE-bfM7R44/w640-h320/Green%20Mandala1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once the block printed square is layered and fused with batting, it is time to play with colorsful sequins and threads! I chose a warm and floral color scheme and pulled out a range of sequins and threads to have ready for stitching. I try not to edit anything at this time and usually more threads are pulled as the project evolves. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrHvhcvBwgr3KjUmkIhaebeKsj2ZdT8tIkD9UNUSjmfTfIRheUTuNKJZiP4udSvaXzP6GkQH6mIFD_O4d7CGDodqmZQCfjfuyuwUeOpQxlHDPaGmrX1vAio1IwGHx_fRLtve3NiyAND9Y7yCNvy8-WH0LFx6WODK7l-R4zlb3QWZnnswHGqmPpQf-aDs/s3002/PXL_20230823_034227597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3002" data-original-width="3002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrHvhcvBwgr3KjUmkIhaebeKsj2ZdT8tIkD9UNUSjmfTfIRheUTuNKJZiP4udSvaXzP6GkQH6mIFD_O4d7CGDodqmZQCfjfuyuwUeOpQxlHDPaGmrX1vAio1IwGHx_fRLtve3NiyAND9Y7yCNvy8-WH0LFx6WODK7l-R4zlb3QWZnnswHGqmPpQf-aDs/w640-h640/PXL_20230823_034227597.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This piece came together at a slower pace as I took off several days to meditate and mull over next steps especially in choosing stitches and sequins. The stitching started in the center and I definitely had my doubts about the high contrast, electric colors. But these worries were calmed once more stitching was added into the surrounding rings. At one point, I did swap out some of the green stitches for a lighter green.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3duEbLFoGIsL4Xeh3OUXmCq2PDwLMDIePAj_IX7vfBnTdByswGwW3F26n9ciDbovlUjiVk4xAgo01NDzztW6LvbbG6Gth4uxBQ2koNl0iKo_wxNHPgHGSCuIIdCSiD3CBKmclrsLFG9B93o5yUbhxq2HEwQ87Mbmf1Ylv45NNUkgsAkeUo1PP59N0A90/s5120/Green%20Mandala2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5120" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3duEbLFoGIsL4Xeh3OUXmCq2PDwLMDIePAj_IX7vfBnTdByswGwW3F26n9ciDbovlUjiVk4xAgo01NDzztW6LvbbG6Gth4uxBQ2koNl0iKo_wxNHPgHGSCuIIdCSiD3CBKmclrsLFG9B93o5yUbhxq2HEwQ87Mbmf1Ylv45NNUkgsAkeUo1PP59N0A90/w640-h480/Green%20Mandala2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Many years ago, I was given a shoebox of sequins and other baubles. So whenever I need a particular sequin color or shape, a fair amount of digging through the bin is required to find enough matching sequins. It was time to find a better organization system which was the perfect project to catch up on some podcast episodes!</div><div><br /></div><div>With my mostly organized sequin system, I was able to conduct several sequin auditions. There were several that I loved the shape, but not the color, and other times where I loved the color, but not the shape or size. After searching online, I added a few packages of sequins to my online shopping cart, and much to my surprise, I found a bag of them for 75 cents at <a href="https://www.fabmo.org/" target="_blank">Fabmo</a>! While these new sequins did not quite work for this project, I have a feeling they will be a wonderful addition to future block printed and stitched creations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin28inVz0zBEnEVpyr243VavmtRiDZL4lDWVWQnpcWNKQYRY-9fiQeMunTll5QYi4IbyEK25BWrnmHG3Vp_9ERtDeszTjZi5L0s1wYRkxbuneneaie09ChUwM3JXwssZyxu_WmkRjkjnuCqSJCFBIvSpHdOijUI4rlBOWhn-SENhDzXN_F_urFeoNIMwA/s5120/Green%20Mandala3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin28inVz0zBEnEVpyr243VavmtRiDZL4lDWVWQnpcWNKQYRY-9fiQeMunTll5QYi4IbyEK25BWrnmHG3Vp_9ERtDeszTjZi5L0s1wYRkxbuneneaie09ChUwM3JXwssZyxu_WmkRjkjnuCqSJCFBIvSpHdOijUI4rlBOWhn-SENhDzXN_F_urFeoNIMwA/w640-h426/Green%20Mandala3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few photos from my stitching sessions:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Lil' Callie patiently waiting for me to finish stitching, so I could give her some belly rubs</li><li>Retiring an old, very grungy, and worn out pair of machinger gloves to make room for a new set. </li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mfjSeOeue8LFQS06IACr8fiRlCrc6L3rrNQR1EQMPDCU4smpF2KIt7Fbnt6_flhnwR9jKl5dB2ECwMCOaZ_oOuXQdGQ100jaOfniKBGKoiRUEZ449D--khYlU0Mm0e5Zo0YlnIbLMGyFm0F8d7VdgVXhrfWG1x7F5boKFs7704nG3uCmWpYmiQ_NM4o/s5120/Green%20Mandala5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mfjSeOeue8LFQS06IACr8fiRlCrc6L3rrNQR1EQMPDCU4smpF2KIt7Fbnt6_flhnwR9jKl5dB2ECwMCOaZ_oOuXQdGQ100jaOfniKBGKoiRUEZ449D--khYlU0Mm0e5Zo0YlnIbLMGyFm0F8d7VdgVXhrfWG1x7F5boKFs7704nG3uCmWpYmiQ_NM4o/w640-h320/Green%20Mandala5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Initially I had planned to finish this mandala as a circle. But when I pulled out my large compass, I quickly discovered that a circle finish would involve cutting through the heart flowers or going off the evolon square. So a CD and plastic lid were used to outline a scalloped border!</div><div><br /></div><div>The scallop edge was topstitched before free-motion quilting a dense zig zag fill around the flowers. Once the stitching was complete, I took a photo of the backside...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n8U07esoyvQf_tAe8MWkfN_yjmgougVLAp4X0sqlWhYpnOf-PC89F717fEo2ji-MwExLCqqKWFAqgFM0GkQ5lfKEoNZWJFyZwnWMHX3xsC7Q7eShZSqShzI7wGw2yntO5mB8jhBEE0XZ1CbsZ6A8ivMM0iZtVWagND2YhZMpHBHiCJJBBoo351D7pQ8/s2883/PXL_20230915_223152743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2883" data-original-width="2878" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n8U07esoyvQf_tAe8MWkfN_yjmgougVLAp4X0sqlWhYpnOf-PC89F717fEo2ji-MwExLCqqKWFAqgFM0GkQ5lfKEoNZWJFyZwnWMHX3xsC7Q7eShZSqShzI7wGw2yntO5mB8jhBEE0XZ1CbsZ6A8ivMM0iZtVWagND2YhZMpHBHiCJJBBoo351D7pQ8/w638-h640/PXL_20230915_223152743.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>...although I totally forgot to take a photo of the quilt top as I was ready to layer and finish this piece. In my excitement, I may have cut a backing square that was JUST barely big enough with mere threads to spare after stitching around the perimeter of the layered quilt sandwich! Phew! Thankfully I trim the edges very close to the perimeter stitching and finish with Tulip puffy paint. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGfcYbX00vaEDERvwnblF1RRQOKPoSkn2QhU-jEkX7-4h6hV5F6uVnglH7x7_mBWbIvl3URDsx6JAieSAgnT--vCemWkEZF6w-XT-5-tsDzl5QUcXinqnPcKktzAppcTiFQ9lOjXQPPRDRSwlBSvmYwOL8t5wXaALbUkp_IXU25dVXlOWINdXgn-yR10/s5120/Green%20Mandala4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGfcYbX00vaEDERvwnblF1RRQOKPoSkn2QhU-jEkX7-4h6hV5F6uVnglH7x7_mBWbIvl3URDsx6JAieSAgnT--vCemWkEZF6w-XT-5-tsDzl5QUcXinqnPcKktzAppcTiFQ9lOjXQPPRDRSwlBSvmYwOL8t5wXaALbUkp_IXU25dVXlOWINdXgn-yR10/w640-h320/Green%20Mandala4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And here is the completed mandala quilt!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeo9dwz2qMwTiBoRdtyT2FHedg2N2KaZ9fBpQTNL65INBavQluRQ8zUdPN2GTmJr_4jzzipLfRYntPTFL2pPi6C3EIuBzjaUQpBqnfoLi9Hjf2wBp_bKTnggbHnj74-g4M7ouThSX5cg4kdS1VVkfkfEef6sYVP-NT84MnMZ3awj1_HA1WBukSnWmNaU/s2924/PXL_20230916_030450471.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2924" data-original-width="2923" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeo9dwz2qMwTiBoRdtyT2FHedg2N2KaZ9fBpQTNL65INBavQluRQ8zUdPN2GTmJr_4jzzipLfRYntPTFL2pPi6C3EIuBzjaUQpBqnfoLi9Hjf2wBp_bKTnggbHnj74-g4M7ouThSX5cg4kdS1VVkfkfEef6sYVP-NT84MnMZ3awj1_HA1WBukSnWmNaU/w640-h640/PXL_20230916_030450471.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yoga Flow(ers)" Finishes 13" x 13"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>And a detail photo...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrPNHqkY1Mi64piAIXDKxBtSa7MN7BQ4mZ5BEEFg8SraPIZE9uN69DscS60kHuPFYrE4PpphIQIFdsRNUCSIf_YMqe5hCXUGttf4sKg19m7g0ZjGtdzQ2xO3p18eiIuxD5XmQaCen4snCZeRs9ffMH6r8cGsIwB7AUFjxmCvzXqDVM9pWVuf8Bv0KFhQ/s2956/PXL_20230916_030746534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2956" data-original-width="2955" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrPNHqkY1Mi64piAIXDKxBtSa7MN7BQ4mZ5BEEFg8SraPIZE9uN69DscS60kHuPFYrE4PpphIQIFdsRNUCSIf_YMqe5hCXUGttf4sKg19m7g0ZjGtdzQ2xO3p18eiIuxD5XmQaCen4snCZeRs9ffMH6r8cGsIwB7AUFjxmCvzXqDVM9pWVuf8Bv0KFhQ/w640-h640/PXL_20230916_030746534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>While many threads were pulled out in consideration of this piece, these are the ones that were actually stitched into this piece: a lovely assortment from Aurifil, House of Embroidery, Isacord, Superior, and Wonderfil. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTp7rwroHWVSao1ZmrcznaYDIw07Dk3RcUP1Qc1-X7v1J4xf-N2Y7wXiFEr8KLIfsQXm0Hee3RkHHnwqV96r7spQ5fGUd_XFuY8NACdt6gE-CJ7Rvfer7gE1iQjxfGDDppeuCyUs8qujTMyoXNjKpgnG5t31R9Z3-UPcNPgmZkl13XMDgfG-b-NxjF0U/s2611/PXL_20230916_010211853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2610" data-original-width="2611" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJTp7rwroHWVSao1ZmrcznaYDIw07Dk3RcUP1Qc1-X7v1J4xf-N2Y7wXiFEr8KLIfsQXm0Hee3RkHHnwqV96r7spQ5fGUd_XFuY8NACdt6gE-CJ7Rvfer7gE1iQjxfGDDppeuCyUs8qujTMyoXNjKpgnG5t31R9Z3-UPcNPgmZkl13XMDgfG-b-NxjF0U/w640-h640/PXL_20230916_010211853.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It is always fascinating to see before and after photos that showcase how the stitching totally transforms each block printed design!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuN7M3PbO2dyUnrcurU3Dz7UQaye6zmaSQ6Vs15Ln3sOZzmX1Q6Quz_ZYrLeZoRych9U7W8QiJRf75odiDnI7gXLvgJjI2zGLAeUjT6mEsv4LGeGRr4aY-CyirC33G36b9_3WuPGJKPK5VLSgx1cQoDkSHctlouHiVH8PVj5wf1iLetQt4Pas7ql85f0/s5120/Green%20Mandala.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuN7M3PbO2dyUnrcurU3Dz7UQaye6zmaSQ6Vs15Ln3sOZzmX1Q6Quz_ZYrLeZoRych9U7W8QiJRf75odiDnI7gXLvgJjI2zGLAeUjT6mEsv4LGeGRr4aY-CyirC33G36b9_3WuPGJKPK5VLSgx1cQoDkSHctlouHiVH8PVj5wf1iLetQt4Pas7ql85f0/w640-h320/Green%20Mandala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for joining me on this creative journey. Time to meditate whether to stitch the remaining block printed mandalas, print up new designs, or explore other block printed and stitched creations.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZIjIqyPHtedoEo3D4duz_0qfwdIjnPMZC6nhsnBUqY04qooOVlJElENXtYGFhjhHaMsIYrfb-QBoVHTOOw0dzMzmR7bVnKpwGvvFDwQkB4yglJcm5pwGS0JuBR8SSTiIuZksMLHbJbQc_AAxr8YyOPkb9_rr5Y8EEcGkh-xoqbS0-AHfGEIP9hnvYtk/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZIjIqyPHtedoEo3D4duz_0qfwdIjnPMZC6nhsnBUqY04qooOVlJElENXtYGFhjhHaMsIYrfb-QBoVHTOOw0dzMzmR7bVnKpwGvvFDwQkB4yglJcm5pwGS0JuBR8SSTiIuZksMLHbJbQc_AAxr8YyOPkb9_rr5Y8EEcGkh-xoqbS0-AHfGEIP9hnvYtk/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-44273648099870541292023-08-21T18:26:00.000-07:002023-08-21T18:26:11.205-07:00Block Printed & Stitched: Limelight & Delight<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuoOD-Y8uFAfWfNGpNsSY-BwrLbz4tCeiqjcWwo_hdQ_UGO58fSP062hpwGPIzTmI68hV67Q3EFYiSyb4ojmXqMbe9kSwkNiaJDym63LqvJGEoZGaa53bsfOZDNimCyvCK4TiZ4UUmxG_-RJDs70zZN1U8jM1uu8afSZcoMIeXc89r3BOAjMLUBaxT80/s3938/PXL_20230820_150411334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="3938" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuoOD-Y8uFAfWfNGpNsSY-BwrLbz4tCeiqjcWwo_hdQ_UGO58fSP062hpwGPIzTmI68hV67Q3EFYiSyb4ojmXqMbe9kSwkNiaJDym63LqvJGEoZGaa53bsfOZDNimCyvCK4TiZ4UUmxG_-RJDs70zZN1U8jM1uu8afSZcoMIeXc89r3BOAjMLUBaxT80/w640-h426/PXL_20230820_150411334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>My block printed & stitched series continues with this fifth finish. A square of Evolon was faux dyed with ProChem ProSilk and Fabric paints before some <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvGvxhVLext/?img_index=3" target="_blank">improvisational block printing</a> using my growing collection of hand carved stamps.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Up_EG7Y_7Iz_vTpjpWYMekHyc3j0ZTmesI7qEH4F5QdBpxUKKghADuG0GjvDmG1kRBR5QqyLDQfgpsxyIdfGwEkscP_qPffasQkzQcK3EmXWDkA7zs27eQ2zomh7XjoU4hRJYrrQP6T6zElLnIi6O5W3jnbUcBMw-02HyWtqkZ5qDMgInm5BE8yyc28/s2775/PXL_20230724_232227341~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="2775" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Up_EG7Y_7Iz_vTpjpWYMekHyc3j0ZTmesI7qEH4F5QdBpxUKKghADuG0GjvDmG1kRBR5QqyLDQfgpsxyIdfGwEkscP_qPffasQkzQcK3EmXWDkA7zs27eQ2zomh7XjoU4hRJYrrQP6T6zElLnIi6O5W3jnbUcBMw-02HyWtqkZ5qDMgInm5BE8yyc28/w640-h640/PXL_20230724_232227341~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was fused with a layer of cotton batting as it awaited its turn in the limelight for stitching! <div><br /></div><div>Here are some threads and sequins I pulled out for this mandala, although many more were added to the mix.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWsvoa3ya4cbTp59dlATlBPd8PvNhZuMI4TGD1GB61LZtHPTjFrB1zLe48gyYP2vl_XvaPCrkU6IHBaGGcPZVSCt_-b32yutc-wCpQs2dln1ptKRrDDLEaOnH6EeBXe__3mwlH1tEJXUsO-VP_o9WIUne2ITKgv4FbexRZ2oHeazsrendpY-wUE1jncM/s2929/PXL_20230807_040829925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="2929" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWsvoa3ya4cbTp59dlATlBPd8PvNhZuMI4TGD1GB61LZtHPTjFrB1zLe48gyYP2vl_XvaPCrkU6IHBaGGcPZVSCt_-b32yutc-wCpQs2dln1ptKRrDDLEaOnH6EeBXe__3mwlH1tEJXUsO-VP_o9WIUne2ITKgv4FbexRZ2oHeazsrendpY-wUE1jncM/w640-h640/PXL_20230807_040829925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>For this mandala design, I took a few alternate approaches with the stitching:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I skipped the initial round of free-motion quilting and dove right into hand embroidery. In fact, free-motion was the last set of stitching added to this mandala design!</li><li>Instead of starting in the center and working my way out, I skipped ahead to the second and third rings while I considered options for stitching the block printed rose center which was done on the second day.</li><li>Thanks to a friend who generously shared her collection of embroidery threads which introduced me to using a combination of 12wt threads (Aurifil and Wonderfil Spagetti) for some finer stitches, along with Razzle and Dazzle threads also by Wonderfil which added wonderful sheen and sparkle.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6kvse9kSkbkuRptWsMAVtVgZu0Q7cwxpwRqCZN69a4VaaGi6bv07zQjIfk4NlzwEJxmhHiYeUnOk3FMK7aRnp9B8W-6ryERFPfDZGhgFW_x00N24LwNhjPxXOevM5rC_-mVexCqQk-R2ehq_1WS5S5Br6fOMJwSSmPenP_-zq33utktthGPYnlS66jU/s5120/Lime%20Mandala4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6kvse9kSkbkuRptWsMAVtVgZu0Q7cwxpwRqCZN69a4VaaGi6bv07zQjIfk4NlzwEJxmhHiYeUnOk3FMK7aRnp9B8W-6ryERFPfDZGhgFW_x00N24LwNhjPxXOevM5rC_-mVexCqQk-R2ehq_1WS5S5Br6fOMJwSSmPenP_-zq33utktthGPYnlS66jU/w640-h426/Lime%20Mandala4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Once the ogee shape was stitched, my daily progress slowed down considerably as I figured out how best to stitch the clam shell fans. I spent well over an hour researching and auditioning different stitches. I even made two practice stitches which were immediately removed as they were not a good fit. The next day I did some simple stitches inside the fans to which I then tried wrapping another thread in and around the threads. After auditioning several thread combinations, I opted for blue Razzle. I loved the striped effect up close, but wasn't so sure when I stepped back. The raspberry and blue threads twisted together to create purple bands which wasn't quite what I was expecting. I almost ripped it all out but decided to sleep on it and revisit in the morning with fresh perspective.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErB6izPJ4SohioIdp432FcMFPX0prAe_W10sG0IbneXg1DtcO6SY3DsO3I9-7nHQvIiRaWMlpAKHJUyqQ4ijCRoHcibWhduzZurfzF7SKu5CxgHlYHECh3ajRzEH7qt0UyHXaiegqsDm_k2NTrAjrTVqwijO1WndO7xL4kTD9_y5JP-5NOOhLmjfCuZ4/s5120/Lime%20Mandala5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErB6izPJ4SohioIdp432FcMFPX0prAe_W10sG0IbneXg1DtcO6SY3DsO3I9-7nHQvIiRaWMlpAKHJUyqQ4ijCRoHcibWhduzZurfzF7SKu5CxgHlYHECh3ajRzEH7qt0UyHXaiegqsDm_k2NTrAjrTVqwijO1WndO7xL4kTD9_y5JP-5NOOhLmjfCuZ4/w640-h426/Lime%20Mandala5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Still unsure about the stitched arches, I moved forward by outlining the circle perimeter with a Stanley FatMax Giant Compass, followed by topstitching just inside the pencil lines. Next I added some stitching and sequins around the outer ring. Interestingly, the stitched arches didn't bother me as much. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpdO4YlS2g-fH46YUm7YsayEEwjjl9GxKXbwJZX4eBAnlfgrK4Rsb-E3LJ31DmWJTj5F5tUP4_xIAKnpJcH15Mst8htwYfNd2gslblAQcjMD5i3SB0VJptZy3nUxARm73_T_-T_TxtUnT8GdmC5-RRW6FqZbjIP2p9VKuw44vT8ZpWZHr6XnigLQryOQ/s5120/Lime%20Mandala6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpdO4YlS2g-fH46YUm7YsayEEwjjl9GxKXbwJZX4eBAnlfgrK4Rsb-E3LJ31DmWJTj5F5tUP4_xIAKnpJcH15Mst8htwYfNd2gslblAQcjMD5i3SB0VJptZy3nUxARm73_T_-T_TxtUnT8GdmC5-RRW6FqZbjIP2p9VKuw44vT8ZpWZHr6XnigLQryOQ/w640-h640/Lime%20Mandala6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Next up was adding seed stitches along the perimeter using a variegated 8wt Perle cotton thread which added a festive feel. The final set of stitching was done via free-motion quilting to embellish and outline the clam shell fans. I was nervous I might snag one of the nearby sequins or seed stitches with my open toe foot, but it was surprisingly easy.<div><br /></div><div>Here is the backside of the stitching.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TiNajwze4uC7iCaGgEN1qrQRClRf428reaqpF2IunoMva4JMjJ8Co4BvmFzEKXfztKWJfU5CUQonhtsLBdd0VBmqnyaZjBjYPuPykCHWnAGMjrWyL7RR8r1oFbw3dURGUyRT8QXhBNKV2ngv5rBIPa4GiUxDWaW0Gw0EiIaoqjn9q8u51Q7our4Rmf8/s2835/PXL_20230819_220130335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2835" data-original-width="2835" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TiNajwze4uC7iCaGgEN1qrQRClRf428reaqpF2IunoMva4JMjJ8Co4BvmFzEKXfztKWJfU5CUQonhtsLBdd0VBmqnyaZjBjYPuPykCHWnAGMjrWyL7RR8r1oFbw3dURGUyRT8QXhBNKV2ngv5rBIPa4GiUxDWaW0Gw0EiIaoqjn9q8u51Q7our4Rmf8/w640-h640/PXL_20230819_220130335.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was layered and fused with <a href="https://www.pellonprojects.com/products/70-peltex-sew-in-ultra-firm-stabilizer/" target="_blank">Pellon 70 Peltex® Sew-In Ultra Firm Stabilizer</a> and a quilt back.</div><div>Care was taken to fuse along the edges without melting the sequins. Once the fusing was complete, two passes of topstitching were done around the perimeter. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xQENSQcEAj1ddVrd5prkrPwHUYLhp081pSEpCahLqpwGX9gmb3kvEkAwD0SCT9s19oqrWYwc5b-S1x7WD6gGw4gTbkaFOvsF7v21FiqSTF79xW-YXh-ho06J72oX05LiOAaXPuSNLfPW4TWHPp_V7J83rjGpxioQ9it740IgcmmB-UpWO9JxgxkXXYA/s5120/Lime%20Mandala7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xQENSQcEAj1ddVrd5prkrPwHUYLhp081pSEpCahLqpwGX9gmb3kvEkAwD0SCT9s19oqrWYwc5b-S1x7WD6gGw4gTbkaFOvsF7v21FiqSTF79xW-YXh-ho06J72oX05LiOAaXPuSNLfPW4TWHPp_V7J83rjGpxioQ9it740IgcmmB-UpWO9JxgxkXXYA/w640-h640/Lime%20Mandala7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>With the circle stitched and reinforced, I could then carefully trim around the perimeter and finish the edges with an electric blue Tulip dimensional fabric paint. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjU9wU7JnnhBoNF-dRpNwh6Ncccx6gc-6Oh-9ru_3O6ugm_VjYtwADRzbCg7iQKJQDrB2tmJH90Ru0Bxyob6b6PMaGl-fzs55gi8GZvCiwIs2OnfLmzVnu0xRz11-YNRxTdGKIKXO2DauXJ95zyaCaWkIo1qj4zF8PACk5xswi_IVvKLNu1xVU09Vvl8/s5120/Lime%20Mandala8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjU9wU7JnnhBoNF-dRpNwh6Ncccx6gc-6Oh-9ru_3O6ugm_VjYtwADRzbCg7iQKJQDrB2tmJH90Ru0Bxyob6b6PMaGl-fzs55gi8GZvCiwIs2OnfLmzVnu0xRz11-YNRxTdGKIKXO2DauXJ95zyaCaWkIo1qj4zF8PACk5xswi_IVvKLNu1xVU09Vvl8/w640-h426/Lime%20Mandala8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm always amazed at how the block printed designs are transformed with stitching as evidenced by the before and after photo mosaic below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVhdnpIPXhF5Pph8N-hAVk7jGcHMQwxh8F6DgH1tsE-AENaPj3j1dlAXmFd844325jPxgk-BYnqE8GQtXG5G-UndO0gGYtmP97Ya0d5j2cMlUD9V-LuqOaKXfm1LrvZ2tQQIcg3XWMI75h9aIuosQAhzUBqngbqA3pBHrJ8t74RaWKDQQ3REsDvg9uFY/s5120/Lime%20Mandala2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVhdnpIPXhF5Pph8N-hAVk7jGcHMQwxh8F6DgH1tsE-AENaPj3j1dlAXmFd844325jPxgk-BYnqE8GQtXG5G-UndO0gGYtmP97Ya0d5j2cMlUD9V-LuqOaKXfm1LrvZ2tQQIcg3XWMI75h9aIuosQAhzUBqngbqA3pBHrJ8t74RaWKDQQ3REsDvg9uFY/w640-h320/Lime%20Mandala2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Here are all the threads and supplies used as part of this mandala transformation.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNTjpYt3AU7IAFjtROuHrVMRgOvtB79yGsmhvRrbMda0SsPanFCdEbbF1hJNabrocm90jRnCmQNO4Vl4bZ-oANTfehWS-XKsCyNDhneu4Cd1JOcjsGWFHBKUqrM43ygm1kWeKh63ixsIgdQBEfD84XofjPZoD-G_Dn5jVSDvS8UyS7PdeBGB55fD3rdg/s2541/PXL_20230821_024242899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="2541" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNTjpYt3AU7IAFjtROuHrVMRgOvtB79yGsmhvRrbMda0SsPanFCdEbbF1hJNabrocm90jRnCmQNO4Vl4bZ-oANTfehWS-XKsCyNDhneu4Cd1JOcjsGWFHBKUqrM43ygm1kWeKh63ixsIgdQBEfD84XofjPZoD-G_Dn5jVSDvS8UyS7PdeBGB55fD3rdg/w640-h640/PXL_20230821_024242899.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div>Check out all that incredible stitched texture!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Pl_hAsTyqgzbzlHx1_FyAQvH9xJb8grB-Il2MdZDzAR5LAGX9WXCWRnXLTh460-c87moRS2dnaiRsXxni2FwWUmZgP3zK1-3PculqiB_fZUY8auxAYISC5LQEScHsghQhX_SUe9A36D3a7aEGIhk9UXW36UGT3ur51HUbpYSIAQDGYaiH7fLpG-oKQ0/s3024/PXL_20230820_150413413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Pl_hAsTyqgzbzlHx1_FyAQvH9xJb8grB-Il2MdZDzAR5LAGX9WXCWRnXLTh460-c87moRS2dnaiRsXxni2FwWUmZgP3zK1-3PculqiB_fZUY8auxAYISC5LQEScHsghQhX_SUe9A36D3a7aEGIhk9UXW36UGT3ur51HUbpYSIAQDGYaiH7fLpG-oKQ0/w640-h640/PXL_20230820_150413413.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And here is the finished block printed & stitched mandala...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHlplrclqXrRSCOn1EAFHcw8uqrLUATtS38WHX0-dRTkxLrq3HbGGITf5NuVACk9Q_a4ryuR-3RzM49zCENgsVuELMV5G6qyP8pHYosZ5USDYl88QnvCEetQ_aRgUaKZeNL1XghkSAJrIOKveWtto6rLTUASsTRdt6M5MocDkibHay0ReilZD7Eu8yS0/s2465/PXL_20230820_150357281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2465" data-original-width="2465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHlplrclqXrRSCOn1EAFHcw8uqrLUATtS38WHX0-dRTkxLrq3HbGGITf5NuVACk9Q_a4ryuR-3RzM49zCENgsVuELMV5G6qyP8pHYosZ5USDYl88QnvCEetQ_aRgUaKZeNL1XghkSAJrIOKveWtto6rLTUASsTRdt6M5MocDkibHay0ReilZD7Eu8yS0/w640-h640/PXL_20230820_150357281.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Limelight & Delight", Finishes 12.5" x 12.5"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4luTVFEbyDNgccketTJk7rdfqRBX52310ng7CqrEW5ulqV2nQ1xBZWlzkRW8K7rPcQ1eGYMGO8TKfuS3-aaLEaBWjqwa621vcsggrZTeDmv9mnN7qAuqmRY5nbm2zTdHdjL60kQWgsRrysA-o8SDF8_oqG3rvGa6D_XKDW9PXF8s9A7FwtpZTXwuexU/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4luTVFEbyDNgccketTJk7rdfqRBX52310ng7CqrEW5ulqV2nQ1xBZWlzkRW8K7rPcQ1eGYMGO8TKfuS3-aaLEaBWjqwa621vcsggrZTeDmv9mnN7qAuqmRY5nbm2zTdHdjL60kQWgsRrysA-o8SDF8_oqG3rvGa6D_XKDW9PXF8s9A7FwtpZTXwuexU/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div><br /></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-73610767006604377682023-08-07T18:25:00.000-07:002023-08-07T18:25:17.505-07:00Block Printed & Stitched: Peacock FANdango<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy2PkS6kQO8Ws1HDFJgENWrx7IHzQYkrGMABnaShKdEgp4X1HDCP5UpFzDfhvn6AHLO9zbcXkADOoZO6McxPhkss9_kdnDc_UUvOaIaJMfs4PWiatifnupAytSydGkhDxe040u9VMx9dSzVayBDd7rkydwQkVhl3qJP3BUtDg6F7qutulCqVMBxSXdjo/s3665/PXL_20230806_143321819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2446" data-original-width="3665" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisy2PkS6kQO8Ws1HDFJgENWrx7IHzQYkrGMABnaShKdEgp4X1HDCP5UpFzDfhvn6AHLO9zbcXkADOoZO6McxPhkss9_kdnDc_UUvOaIaJMfs4PWiatifnupAytSydGkhDxe040u9VMx9dSzVayBDd7rkydwQkVhl3qJP3BUtDg6F7qutulCqVMBxSXdjo/w640-h428/PXL_20230806_143321819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;">"When one door closes, another opens."</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Alexander Graham Bell</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p>There has been an art call that has intrigued me for 3+ years. And each year I would talk myself out of applying thinking that my work wasn't strong enough or I wouldn't have the time to create the pieces required. This year I gathered the courage to submit a proposal project. I was proud of myself and was only slightly disappointed when I got the rejection letter. In some ways I was slightly relieved as it would require an intense time commitment to complete 50 small pieces in 50 days. Instead of dwelling on this rejection, I started my first block printed & stitched piece, <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2023/07/peace-parcheesi.html" target="_blank">Peace & Parcheesi</a>, which was so enjoyable to create that I have now finished my fourth piece in this series. This new finish is a mandala design, which interestingly would have been the theme of the 50 pieces I had initially proposed. So where one door closes, another opens and I was able go bigger and enjoy every step of this journey!</p><p>Join me as I share my process for creating this meditative mandala design...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFXZNORYJowg2LY9zBRmRqkFmHwCqJmawgCxvidFFOUtFfS6Pj2Q4ST-Ew2j0WfHS7nxGiBCbTn_rypuULAwPDCbE-UfiWmEcDwJObL_tKz1Y5KYZeB2V3psNp-cVVXTCUx4cEVpXOIdIrAVTv17qLJGWO_WH1lxVbiExeFKCipQMRL-Nd8hcwpOYHO0/s5120/Red%20mandala2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFXZNORYJowg2LY9zBRmRqkFmHwCqJmawgCxvidFFOUtFfS6Pj2Q4ST-Ew2j0WfHS7nxGiBCbTn_rypuULAwPDCbE-UfiWmEcDwJObL_tKz1Y5KYZeB2V3psNp-cVVXTCUx4cEVpXOIdIrAVTv17qLJGWO_WH1lxVbiExeFKCipQMRL-Nd8hcwpOYHO0/w640-h320/Red%20mandala2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Several squares of white <a href="https://www.talasonline.com/Evolon-CR-Non-Woven-Textile" target="_blank">Evolon non-woven fiber</a> were faux dyed with <a href="https://prochemicalanddye.net/pro-silk-fabric-paints.html" target="_blank">ProChem Pro Silk & Fabric paints</a>. The Evolon takes up the paint beautifully and once they are laid out flat in the sun, they dry within an hour or so and have a slightly mottled texture. </p><p>It took me nearly 3 weeks to start the block printing as I just kept putting it off mostly out of fear. It has been almost a year since I last block printed mandalas for <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2022/08/mind-over-matter.html" target="_blank">Mind Over MATter</a>, and they came so effortlessly that I worried it was a fluke. And so I kept bumping it off my daily to do list. I warmed up to the idea by pulling out all my hand-carved block prints that might work--several of which are newer additions. I confess that I was tempted to recreate some of the earlier block printed mandalas to help me get started, but I really wanted to explore new mandala designs. And so I finally gathered the courage, set up my space, hit record, and just got started auditioning various block prints within a mandala design, working my way out from the center. You can watch the time-lapsed videos <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvGvxhVLext/?img_index=1" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvJRN-KrRpr/?img_index=1" target="_blank">here</a> as I block printed 6 mandalas in one evening! Yes, once I got started it was hard to stop as I was enjoying the creative flow!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6GPx0tREGe7lmdMugl-ME_fbAtznl4vVQwOPeUS-ExK7eRrPiibSbkgxzCDaFEH9NEhS1AGVa2jMOeQGwcMzlrrXRM1k1mM9Gw_RVrKayxXnSJULtz5WHGPX5xWAZw1ekAFOBmHvvyfDQ89xfgOm4edgn-q__engxPo-QAcgfEV7mommrC4XT3IMUBI/s5120/Block%20Printed%20Mandalas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6GPx0tREGe7lmdMugl-ME_fbAtznl4vVQwOPeUS-ExK7eRrPiibSbkgxzCDaFEH9NEhS1AGVa2jMOeQGwcMzlrrXRM1k1mM9Gw_RVrKayxXnSJULtz5WHGPX5xWAZw1ekAFOBmHvvyfDQ89xfgOm4edgn-q__engxPo-QAcgfEV7mommrC4XT3IMUBI/w640-h640/Block%20Printed%20Mandalas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Now I had the daunting task of choosing which of these block printed mandalas to stitch first! They were all fused onto a layer of batting giving me some time to stall while getting better acquainted with each of the designs. The red mandala was chosen as there were several patterns and shapes that I thought would be fun to stitch. Using a coordinating <a href="https://www.superiorthreads.com/metallics-062-red-mini-cone/p/101-02-062" target="_blank">Superior Red Metallic 40wt thread</a>, </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznCNCzKzgRDX9Rnp9vmr8KWkLK5OcsXZzxRB4-yC47p9-JxaHjdU-KhP6R3_XSxRraJeXsktWdaRkxl0l0G4-1OLzoqmQy2oYCHAcWO1DIevr0-2_DykDAZN9IlXeFOR6Ls_gvcnD5UId7Nlnzw-hTbD2ZS5DgKfE0qieCGz7_Jx_Awmrmg7tZQMiE9w/s5120/Red%20mandala5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznCNCzKzgRDX9Rnp9vmr8KWkLK5OcsXZzxRB4-yC47p9-JxaHjdU-KhP6R3_XSxRraJeXsktWdaRkxl0l0G4-1OLzoqmQy2oYCHAcWO1DIevr0-2_DykDAZN9IlXeFOR6Ls_gvcnD5UId7Nlnzw-hTbD2ZS5DgKfE0qieCGz7_Jx_Awmrmg7tZQMiE9w/w640-h320/Red%20mandala5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Minimal free-motion quilting to outline some of the larger block printed elements, leaving lots of space for hand embroidery! While choosing embroidery threads, I envisioned a color gradient out from the center. Initially I chose almost a full rainbow of pastel colors flowing from pink, peach, light yellow flowing into teal. I absolutely loved how the teal thread popped against the red background and so I pulled another thread palette ranging from white and a very pale teal to darker teals, still honoring the gradient vision.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXruwMtcXx5HbMuorrQrXO-0n6TK7YNssJWx03ykplcmM_WfON457dWFb9cYh_rOJb-hcfr_xA1xlNiDIBVbc_azgEMPlzb9EhArVoXlcikQ9xK5RFvez-X2aoU1wTIXGI3_JqFtn_pDU_SwQEfI2vpF3LDkJYtkLHZHeeb7jnlk3etNVh1AyRlI5Zuss/s5120/Red%20mandala6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXruwMtcXx5HbMuorrQrXO-0n6TK7YNssJWx03ykplcmM_WfON457dWFb9cYh_rOJb-hcfr_xA1xlNiDIBVbc_azgEMPlzb9EhArVoXlcikQ9xK5RFvez-X2aoU1wTIXGI3_JqFtn_pDU_SwQEfI2vpF3LDkJYtkLHZHeeb7jnlk3etNVh1AyRlI5Zuss/w640-h320/Red%20mandala6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Both were lovely options and since both started with white in the center, I started there and mulled over my options. It didn't take me long to decide to go with the teal colorway! Each day I would add stitching to one or more rings using a combination of Wonderfil 8wt Eleganza perle cotton and Aurifil 28 wt threads. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfIzLkoEHeJvPDA2I-psvwVknsXPLDvSdLr5BGv-vodnJmMqT-fgX2mytksnsvPrvEhspgKuMjnSMu6_kjIv05qPmNBHT4D_2sZBIenlR6KPpuyTla3JQ08uKX5z4EWrJFvKHCS32BlQlebHD4gzrMe8KColm2OxRq_QJtKcPQ_QH5uW6EBrEtej3EU0/s5120/Red%20mandala7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfIzLkoEHeJvPDA2I-psvwVknsXPLDvSdLr5BGv-vodnJmMqT-fgX2mytksnsvPrvEhspgKuMjnSMu6_kjIv05qPmNBHT4D_2sZBIenlR6KPpuyTla3JQ08uKX5z4EWrJFvKHCS32BlQlebHD4gzrMe8KColm2OxRq_QJtKcPQ_QH5uW6EBrEtej3EU0/w640-h320/Red%20mandala7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My plan was to trim away some of the excess red background but since the edges were very irregular I opted to finish as a circle. A <a href="https://www.stanleytools.com/product/fmht16579/stanley-fatmax-chisel-compass" target="_blank">Stanley Fatmax Chisel Compass</a> was used to lightly mark a circle perimeter. A dense zig zag was free-motion stitched back and forth to fill in the space between the outer ring and the marked circle. After stitching two inches, I wasn't feeling very confident about it, but there was no turning back now, so I kept stitching. As I worked my way around the circle, I felt better about it. More silver and teal sequins were chosen to add some bling along the perimeter. After stitching halfway around, I realized there was too much bling (I never thought I would utter such words!) And so the stitching was removed and I replaced it with sequins only at the end of the ogee shape and then colonial knots in the smaller circles...but then I determined the thread was too dark. So I removed the stitching one more time and went with a lighter thread which lightened up the edges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEf5HZvZmYNAR1v9htVqbCAeQ8P1jzkyMJvyuu5QEgnt4nzI108CSpdpaRkzYcGs9mqqS-VOo94bTFdxKpBtK_bM4-fTqUtQmXjKICntRBQu59k6zNKDm05YFwMCNEL3GzNL2m-IkB2nmNHc9tO6J-maX7rUcqZfWU1wzpDl6CmXzVjKFU4mYdFJenucE/s5120/Red%20mandala8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEf5HZvZmYNAR1v9htVqbCAeQ8P1jzkyMJvyuu5QEgnt4nzI108CSpdpaRkzYcGs9mqqS-VOo94bTFdxKpBtK_bM4-fTqUtQmXjKICntRBQu59k6zNKDm05YFwMCNEL3GzNL2m-IkB2nmNHc9tO6J-maX7rUcqZfWU1wzpDl6CmXzVjKFU4mYdFJenucE/w640-h640/Red%20mandala8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's always a bittersweet moment when the stitching phase is complete. Here is the front and backsides of all the quilting on this small piece.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L-LbR8yxLyeywwwgfGXloQQWa3qEW0XXjZ14bhEEpblswgL0geoAK1M5h8u4frrmLr8syGdPLDCNIaYKvzFT_9X14LYFFv_moYyDG6BH3pm1Mc37MN9zmrxTQinfxS_aNJOSXT2NvEhz_vEC4eHhPC0KESNLubAAm5L2xz6WuU6-6StdvoALYyKX4Do/s5120/Red%20mandala9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7L-LbR8yxLyeywwwgfGXloQQWa3qEW0XXjZ14bhEEpblswgL0geoAK1M5h8u4frrmLr8syGdPLDCNIaYKvzFT_9X14LYFFv_moYyDG6BH3pm1Mc37MN9zmrxTQinfxS_aNJOSXT2NvEhz_vEC4eHhPC0KESNLubAAm5L2xz6WuU6-6StdvoALYyKX4Do/w640-h320/Red%20mandala9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Imagine my delight when I found the perfect print to use as a backing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay5-x8OQCFMQCW3FWNNMv3qiZC_PD51eOOjI_ocTpOe_Z1G5m8BeiCE43mQBSv2KMUpU8W77YNAKAiHbRipx4x3E3Hgg3jnc2j80aFACKmayQgPz8Qrpqwq1licqdQfwm0MZfh4R7WhJ8jwBb--LVbna2Oh6FNCxk_m54H38nhLR8szHJWZfL7axoVmo/s5120/Red%20mandala10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay5-x8OQCFMQCW3FWNNMv3qiZC_PD51eOOjI_ocTpOe_Z1G5m8BeiCE43mQBSv2KMUpU8W77YNAKAiHbRipx4x3E3Hgg3jnc2j80aFACKmayQgPz8Qrpqwq1licqdQfwm0MZfh4R7WhJ8jwBb--LVbna2Oh6FNCxk_m54H38nhLR8szHJWZfL7axoVmo/w640-h320/Red%20mandala10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The stitched quilt top was layered and fused with <a href="https://www.pellonprojects.com/products/70-peltex-sew-in-ultra-firm-stabilizer/" target="_blank">Pellon's 70 Peltex® Sew-In Ultra Firm Stabilizer</a> and backing print before completing two passes of ropstitching around the perimeter. Trimming away the excess background was much easier than scalloped borders, but I still took it slow to trim close to the stitched perimeter. The edges were then painted with a coordinating Bright Teal Tulip Puffy Paint/Dimensional Fabric Paint adding a subtle pop.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk9VevOFLCWAP5NWFcEvDL0baplnF1d9Xc-N7yRB6gdaMOBhg1_hx1i4YvxZzny2aLdDpTce_CGHHjMmYOTfmd2qxxybIeQz-C3kuJkjY0lDLKMqKu0xQpproAXSpSj-lCUBBn-NmdgXAcC1o9hKVfjykx62Xn_ufpaM1dXCHuvZHZ_VCMk9lOCUNsj8/s5120/Red%20mandala1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk9VevOFLCWAP5NWFcEvDL0baplnF1d9Xc-N7yRB6gdaMOBhg1_hx1i4YvxZzny2aLdDpTce_CGHHjMmYOTfmd2qxxybIeQz-C3kuJkjY0lDLKMqKu0xQpproAXSpSj-lCUBBn-NmdgXAcC1o9hKVfjykx62Xn_ufpaM1dXCHuvZHZ_VCMk9lOCUNsj8/w640-h320/Red%20mandala1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And here is the finished piece...Peacock FANdango!</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM9RXLDL2GH7GKCbNKWQV7JcosUjBDJbsHVcWx-Dse4cmKhs85-1rK8pAyhiWoB9Qgb7JrORxt5NRWHV485hZn_E2JbZxp-eIZJUF34gEcRwJqe3pTrXO6Hh5IZ6HWXlV_lR9ubZcy0qYH1fIyJc2dYqsxXj7un2WlihP7MS3AERyvTMj5JvZmi1ZitI/s2268/PXL_20230806_143328665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2267" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM9RXLDL2GH7GKCbNKWQV7JcosUjBDJbsHVcWx-Dse4cmKhs85-1rK8pAyhiWoB9Qgb7JrORxt5NRWHV485hZn_E2JbZxp-eIZJUF34gEcRwJqe3pTrXO6Hh5IZ6HWXlV_lR9ubZcy0qYH1fIyJc2dYqsxXj7un2WlihP7MS3AERyvTMj5JvZmi1ZitI/w640-h640/PXL_20230806_143328665.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peacock FANdango" finishes 12.5" x 12.5"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>It is always fun to round up all the materials and threads used with each piece.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrMmWfD6h9QN679b4xYMoL4rUVj89odfYlLWI0XCxEZQTW49HCRJoI310aOWkaqON-YsCf92tejdNbHyRfz_tsktEjE3sIwQed2ILsi5-2MnoVKaKbSnLrP2e8Jxn3-RbW6MWld7BTIfq3vuxO1fxoKGbbIeNyK159RPbV7UeWow6cs0-r-WyqQZlzfg/s2742/PXL_20230806_222447051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2742" data-original-width="2742" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrMmWfD6h9QN679b4xYMoL4rUVj89odfYlLWI0XCxEZQTW49HCRJoI310aOWkaqON-YsCf92tejdNbHyRfz_tsktEjE3sIwQed2ILsi5-2MnoVKaKbSnLrP2e8Jxn3-RbW6MWld7BTIfq3vuxO1fxoKGbbIeNyK159RPbV7UeWow6cs0-r-WyqQZlzfg/w640-h640/PXL_20230806_222447051.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Speaking of thread, I am in awe of the transformation that stitching has on these block printed designs!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKU-x2lg6lDk0t9PiUcfgWqXqMIqMTLU8qg2yMwabVCU_TIqsKLubm1jE7KLBRTGfF1E4EKLX7n8d8AANtZzelbYwt8xHs_F27wpth7ry01UYjSjM5RFDZGR1dx93zeLVM1MZloZk9_V15hAS_YD58NT97xWu-Cprvhe-9M1ZvLXVoE_4mf7vR7HB32o/s5120/Red%20mandala4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKU-x2lg6lDk0t9PiUcfgWqXqMIqMTLU8qg2yMwabVCU_TIqsKLubm1jE7KLBRTGfF1E4EKLX7n8d8AANtZzelbYwt8xHs_F27wpth7ry01UYjSjM5RFDZGR1dx93zeLVM1MZloZk9_V15hAS_YD58NT97xWu-Cprvhe-9M1ZvLXVoE_4mf7vR7HB32o/w640-h320/Red%20mandala4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Celebrating this finished mandala and now I am off to stitch the next block printed mandala design!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gJmPnd79ptM5Xg3cJ45L0t446AyquJgL8sGjFzq5Yc9f0MromctZvwHnWkqcvdIALDNde7f3ozZJ7SIW2cCUdAf0DjwFFRBeDedmDh5hJ_uw7koZ1x4pca2yijG3vw2rK-JNLyQheSFJE3YSPZfdPp5F_iLWfKVUeeAmowoGzW7puBTmpMnhHldL6XA/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gJmPnd79ptM5Xg3cJ45L0t446AyquJgL8sGjFzq5Yc9f0MromctZvwHnWkqcvdIALDNde7f3ozZJ7SIW2cCUdAf0DjwFFRBeDedmDh5hJ_uw7koZ1x4pca2yijG3vw2rK-JNLyQheSFJE3YSPZfdPp5F_iLWfKVUeeAmowoGzW7puBTmpMnhHldL6XA/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-85321090527955021182023-07-24T10:17:00.000-07:002023-07-24T10:17:22.306-07:00Artist Trading Cards and Exchanges<p> In June, I took a fantastic Art Play: Artist Trading Cards 1-hour class with <a href="https://www.jenniferwilkinpenick.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Wilkin Penick</a>. This is probably my 7th Art Play session with Jennifer as I love the 1-hour format which includes quite a bit of demo, inspiration, in a very fun and relaxing setting. Participants have the option of watching and/or creating along with Jennifer. Earlier in the day, Jennifer posted a photo of her fodder scraps in preparation for the workshop and that inspired me to pull out my scraps and play along!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8qfnx40aVOfJ_5deXtyZLcBNZ8A6jZ2BndYJVCEksrn9lSHYs6zPZSS06SYhz6zbsVuBVvyhwhbrEBH-_0DoWIw2_HUJLk9O94Zh_gAp4SCV9GX7WDRW2NJ5mD_Ixgn1x197hDRa_T_l1hSq3vd5oZ6cz2vPuYB6Z2-5fTFYT3mkFSMoUo9Y5nf8R4c/s3024/PXL_20230630_170736067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8qfnx40aVOfJ_5deXtyZLcBNZ8A6jZ2BndYJVCEksrn9lSHYs6zPZSS06SYhz6zbsVuBVvyhwhbrEBH-_0DoWIw2_HUJLk9O94Zh_gAp4SCV9GX7WDRW2NJ5mD_Ixgn1x197hDRa_T_l1hSq3vd5oZ6cz2vPuYB6Z2-5fTFYT3mkFSMoUo9Y5nf8R4c/w640-h640/PXL_20230630_170736067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jennifer demonstrated 3 or 4 different ATC designs and by the end of the day I had made 8 ATCs and was immediately hooked on this small format for mixed media art.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeQkdD3Ryk1De3IsWMjKkpBkNUrM0FYefjbSjjTQ7nMZPCvPboSLf8MZbAhlUuq81hntrrCfPoW9ZkNIJhTNDEjWEcIAndUwyZZUFjBSKayUiGkXiS1Mns2vsLla0153SW2b89K_MKxzpJqEqwVdFWrpQTh5RRF5LY8G69m3lh4JWNnBuFHtE0nUFCfc/s2903/PXL_20230701_031232831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="2903" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeQkdD3Ryk1De3IsWMjKkpBkNUrM0FYefjbSjjTQ7nMZPCvPboSLf8MZbAhlUuq81hntrrCfPoW9ZkNIJhTNDEjWEcIAndUwyZZUFjBSKayUiGkXiS1Mns2vsLla0153SW2b89K_MKxzpJqEqwVdFWrpQTh5RRF5LY8G69m3lh4JWNnBuFHtE0nUFCfc/w640-h640/PXL_20230701_031232831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jennifer offered to swap ATCs with class participants and invited us to swap with each other. I was delighted to swap with Jennifer and 4 other classmates. I had fun embellishing notecards and selecting bonus fodder for each swap partner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QRrTH3fxv7pNHE1iTIhvb-iCp1wHg6giiH2hclS7aXZIoGTJW0gg7cnNhjspXglN-skDTH17euR8R-1h23XhCyxG4rsXNDRJo834XMMvQDjcVqC0YFdzEMx6k_PwNSGWTlfznI7c8hvRY_FHAh1EbL70eC8U3SZbRfXSsYhiyzoMEMX90WoFO9BWiVo/s5120/ATC%20Swap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QRrTH3fxv7pNHE1iTIhvb-iCp1wHg6giiH2hclS7aXZIoGTJW0gg7cnNhjspXglN-skDTH17euR8R-1h23XhCyxG4rsXNDRJo834XMMvQDjcVqC0YFdzEMx6k_PwNSGWTlfznI7c8hvRY_FHAh1EbL70eC8U3SZbRfXSsYhiyzoMEMX90WoFO9BWiVo/w640-h426/ATC%20Swap2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And below are the beautiful ATCs I received in the mail (artist credits starting top left, going clockwise):<div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Jennifer Wilkin Penick, Washington DC</li><li>Kate K, Indiana</li><li>Pat S, New York</li><li>Stephanie T, California</li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxt3vDhhrYRyV95NoFj6t9LIC9K-dvIIeA_CeTpqYbWECc6Nd5i1wC87ETqWkMlQCZ67pXv9CChZgzxXdTsoaPe01FuJab4jCLd0Xn5U7MKvbbledEBol-zi9lqrDkSXEfp9TZ8vskb45QqB57WSnLF6l6OyJU5EBJuymiS3GAk3CKmfqcImGn5iikw8/s5120/ATC%20Swap3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxt3vDhhrYRyV95NoFj6t9LIC9K-dvIIeA_CeTpqYbWECc6Nd5i1wC87ETqWkMlQCZ67pXv9CChZgzxXdTsoaPe01FuJab4jCLd0Xn5U7MKvbbledEBol-zi9lqrDkSXEfp9TZ8vskb45QqB57WSnLF6l6OyJU5EBJuymiS3GAk3CKmfqcImGn5iikw8/w640-h640/ATC%20Swap3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I also saw two other artists offering to swap via their Instagram posts and responded with my interest. So more ATCs were made and sent out with fodder bits. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh234T6NhFvul6Hxtj-mVX9khQGKTSMZ3gZvJKZjhEAtmAY4u8sIGACXcnR1TARYyArJ_sHdDeoGmLa_BlroDBTngp-252kXJwkQoxOg04Ma6FXmpzK1AKfgIOWHP_liacjkOzqPG4sZ_zPAzbId38xFei2LrPFzUlXbskS78F68TrGaL-5W118zTBXXd0/s5120/ATC%20Swap5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh234T6NhFvul6Hxtj-mVX9khQGKTSMZ3gZvJKZjhEAtmAY4u8sIGACXcnR1TARYyArJ_sHdDeoGmLa_BlroDBTngp-252kXJwkQoxOg04Ma6FXmpzK1AKfgIOWHP_liacjkOzqPG4sZ_zPAzbId38xFei2LrPFzUlXbskS78F68TrGaL-5W118zTBXXd0/w640-h640/ATC%20Swap5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And here are the ATCs received from those exchanges:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Patti F aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p4craftstudio?hl=en" target="_blank">@p4craftstudio</a>, Ontario, CA (left)</li><li>Dee Dee aka <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuo1313I62z91R-APOad-j6aQFzYlChPgMgDxw0/?hl=en" target="_blank">@bettsy_doodle</a>, United Kingdom (right)</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGcRPXwx79w3rBO7YprkWpajLxaxv0l5_5lfZrRAioDH4z876cKbT35X3TRtOXncTupN7jj18rMRMZtEBaNtV-Q60dHvnQEayVqpEAwn_27g2wtWRoDkufgyZhXI8yeT71ZhdwI-t7J40-YnpB363JdZFQ0oBKUYuEHYLBksqqFSFS3xloQ8Y_JnhONE/s5120/ATC%20Swap6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGcRPXwx79w3rBO7YprkWpajLxaxv0l5_5lfZrRAioDH4z876cKbT35X3TRtOXncTupN7jj18rMRMZtEBaNtV-Q60dHvnQEayVqpEAwn_27g2wtWRoDkufgyZhXI8yeT71ZhdwI-t7J40-YnpB363JdZFQ0oBKUYuEHYLBksqqFSFS3xloQ8Y_JnhONE/w640-h320/ATC%20Swap6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I am really enjoying these ATC Swaps and hope to make and exchange more ATCs in the upcoming months. I've created a binder with 9-Pocket Trading Card Storage Album Pages to hold my collection of ATCs made and received, as well as started an inventory sheet to log the maker's information: date, name, location, network/IG handle. I also designed an ATC label to affix onto the backsides of my ATCs making it way easier for me to include my information. And I finally ordered a customized rubber stamp with my mailing address, which has been on my to do list for 7-8 months now.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh444lOTWDNcYZRuc5AkUkgUEZy5QeUAJ8shXKejyMQYI0Em-nrDTRfb8tvcoj6i8LwDpnHkz4buD8-TcQOmez78StetscUp1pnl7VL1PwUYURxkfchxLgGkhqsmftTtUUXzqqD6YkaNJusKyLVoviODaswHmunCz3bprHvIPCPhzmGVzshgCxl_NXcKOU/s5120/ATC%20Swap7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh444lOTWDNcYZRuc5AkUkgUEZy5QeUAJ8shXKejyMQYI0Em-nrDTRfb8tvcoj6i8LwDpnHkz4buD8-TcQOmez78StetscUp1pnl7VL1PwUYURxkfchxLgGkhqsmftTtUUXzqqD6YkaNJusKyLVoviODaswHmunCz3bprHvIPCPhzmGVzshgCxl_NXcKOU/w640-h426/ATC%20Swap7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I even found some of the ATCs I made and traded with fellow fiber artists through the <a href="http://www.cqfa.org/" target="_blank">Contemporary Quilt and Fiber Artist group</a> back in 2012 including: Maureen L (x2 cards), Jaye L (x2 cards), Bron Mc (x2 cards), Chris C, Angela O (x2 cards), and Rhonda L.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMP3bByrsbrNriKL_F_A8E_9ESEiFo9FzhLwxJ07JlO-7LFcaKLjYfd94_yxTPlvUxjs18AzGhe7RsAGTRqGCqS2JwCT9LcfEA9TTwe-OLLq4gVvSA82yfRmGwfgJE6xyrNw5sE2q3HczWgVlbLmgJLNI1wZWQMLGK-xW5U8uyFXZtV7HPsg0nyS_Tjo/s5120/ATC%20Swap8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="5120" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMP3bByrsbrNriKL_F_A8E_9ESEiFo9FzhLwxJ07JlO-7LFcaKLjYfd94_yxTPlvUxjs18AzGhe7RsAGTRqGCqS2JwCT9LcfEA9TTwe-OLLq4gVvSA82yfRmGwfgJE6xyrNw5sE2q3HczWgVlbLmgJLNI1wZWQMLGK-xW5U8uyFXZtV7HPsg0nyS_Tjo/w640-h512/ATC%20Swap8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm having lots of fun making and sending some of my art out into the world, plus I love receiving happy mail with others' artwork! I've even signed up for the #Trading Paper Pals swap to exchange paper fodder with other mixed media and collage artists!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpCVBIqenPAJ2KBQhH1OlxOVtNQaHtedaBscg6eA5_kAvSilUv4mz75l4Ya4ZXl-HKrYgHz2CO2ZrvGJE2ITvZrlocISv8c8q-kvhtndqmt2oHFeCXJiCuU5KQyUPz-U_-PCTjpjiE6KCGCFK7A8jEKT6pQMMIPWg8bAVAbkNrkFb-mmuzEBS58TktKg/s409/trading%20paper%20pals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="409" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpCVBIqenPAJ2KBQhH1OlxOVtNQaHtedaBscg6eA5_kAvSilUv4mz75l4Ya4ZXl-HKrYgHz2CO2ZrvGJE2ITvZrlocISv8c8q-kvhtndqmt2oHFeCXJiCuU5KQyUPz-U_-PCTjpjiE6KCGCFK7A8jEKT6pQMMIPWg8bAVAbkNrkFb-mmuzEBS58TktKg/w640-h630/trading%20paper%20pals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ_d65uFl6yF97YdpfgCJuBx-vAtkaGOusEYMpqqhhyxA1WVWY3oZYVK2oZM4RK6V_-9QTguIcHIRHfO4J4VPPqdKvSKvm8WZUHG5omgoV-AUBDiz9EdE1jkJx7QN1wd9S_xhv3_sbmCWx-iRnsEoEi5Moc6rwjaqWdpN1C3trWCzGJKSQ2XO0xtug9s/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ_d65uFl6yF97YdpfgCJuBx-vAtkaGOusEYMpqqhhyxA1WVWY3oZYVK2oZM4RK6V_-9QTguIcHIRHfO4J4VPPqdKvSKvm8WZUHG5omgoV-AUBDiz9EdE1jkJx7QN1wd9S_xhv3_sbmCWx-iRnsEoEi5Moc6rwjaqWdpN1C3trWCzGJKSQ2XO0xtug9s/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-73484007341851207342023-07-21T15:35:00.000-07:002023-07-21T15:35:18.398-07:00Block Printed & Stitched: Flora Fiesta<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tvnc0cgxn5f5UxoXvUbIW3fVtPoScJRsDrG9xPWmX61org6tq60J7Kz6eGoyPnFiwqBerZueAR0-NDeWmJy2nQDQnoT26pnwE7QFXmZUx-5fVL1MmEUmiPX-G2vTFg1GK9ZwlcplTIl0DGWU2vTm9_r5W1ltURSggvODnqB-Nb8eYqOcIDs1xhtTGBo/s3024/PXL_20230721_134505364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="3024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tvnc0cgxn5f5UxoXvUbIW3fVtPoScJRsDrG9xPWmX61org6tq60J7Kz6eGoyPnFiwqBerZueAR0-NDeWmJy2nQDQnoT26pnwE7QFXmZUx-5fVL1MmEUmiPX-G2vTFg1GK9ZwlcplTIl0DGWU2vTm9_r5W1ltURSggvODnqB-Nb8eYqOcIDs1xhtTGBo/w640-h426/PXL_20230721_134505364.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>I am absolutely loving this exciting new direction in my fiber art as it combines my favorite materials and techniques, plus it is so meditative! You can learn more about <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2023/07/peace-parcheesi.html" target="_blank">Peace & Parcheesi</a> and <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2023/07/block-printed-stitched-emerald-gardens.html" target="_blank">Emerald Gardens</a> in previous blog posts. Read on to learn about my latest piece made as part of this Block Printed & Stitched series of art quilts...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOobhcdhslsqHFk-XfwSDepRt4EaPUzPViI0RIjptOE6nSbrnB9fztbrytltRs7Gb1yGu7T_zZKKXeE3IGM4ICQlp3DBFeWJMf06SEYn4UVDbhrcmxwAyGv47ya2Rl07nLTWjOeHGJzwojW_eeTXwCecjdcoQUjqItQWyQNjvu0B7BV-XxfeuGl5da_fg/s5120/Teal%20Block%20Print2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOobhcdhslsqHFk-XfwSDepRt4EaPUzPViI0RIjptOE6nSbrnB9fztbrytltRs7Gb1yGu7T_zZKKXeE3IGM4ICQlp3DBFeWJMf06SEYn4UVDbhrcmxwAyGv47ya2Rl07nLTWjOeHGJzwojW_eeTXwCecjdcoQUjqItQWyQNjvu0B7BV-XxfeuGl5da_fg/w640-h426/Teal%20Block%20Print2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The Evolon was faux dyed along with the two other squares used for the previous pieces. I absolutely love this blue green color, so I was disappointed when there was a slight misalignment during the block printing phase which you can see just above the triangle block facing east.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcYWh5JV0hwgRg_LaScnPQtVaG1Tojr8fq6dQg0Wh1W-Eo5XuKmMLIdfjOAln6H4yGn_udCBB2JWoGbE0kimCqI_E6W1Gwp2AqFZJikFghYQZUfEsFg01UBvUQLEVSmm2fHmhcFXBoxCr9LgFdd_vh0jeHB2fnLk2Zok54MWyiM80wKpcaOuobbtYFZA/s2707/PXL_20230620_035615460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2707" data-original-width="2706" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcYWh5JV0hwgRg_LaScnPQtVaG1Tojr8fq6dQg0Wh1W-Eo5XuKmMLIdfjOAln6H4yGn_udCBB2JWoGbE0kimCqI_E6W1Gwp2AqFZJikFghYQZUfEsFg01UBvUQLEVSmm2fHmhcFXBoxCr9LgFdd_vh0jeHB2fnLk2Zok54MWyiM80wKpcaOuobbtYFZA/w640-h640/PXL_20230620_035615460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I wasn't about to let this 1/8" misprint derail this from finishing. In fact, I challenged myself to stitch it differently than the previous designs, despite the similar block prints used. During the free-motion quilting phase, a metallic green thread was used and I purposely left more areas unquilted in order to make room for hand embroidery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAU9tHcVlMPJhd2SCgzyBTD5UGWqKcouVY46ZcftkWjTtSvde9HSLqq2FYeG921mcb_fVdqwfAxE-pMFSVnQFF9oDDoRcoTL76vEd7H0xxpWEJDISKtqV-2uz-G6ORLhaDcdwDPeI_Xupojc4CXiDDrai3kCw0OlKfixB0rXsfkZvgJn7JDHdWrPXNWE/s5120/Teal%20Block%20Print3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAU9tHcVlMPJhd2SCgzyBTD5UGWqKcouVY46ZcftkWjTtSvde9HSLqq2FYeG921mcb_fVdqwfAxE-pMFSVnQFF9oDDoRcoTL76vEd7H0xxpWEJDISKtqV-2uz-G6ORLhaDcdwDPeI_Xupojc4CXiDDrai3kCw0OlKfixB0rXsfkZvgJn7JDHdWrPXNWE/w640-h640/Teal%20Block%20Print3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here is nearly every yellow, gold, orange, and red-orange Perle cotton thread I own ready to be auditioned for use with the hand embroidery...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuveCuQqrQWA9y3JN3xQiQeoL6CyvHs5ABa4YDen7GvA0G3vFWyjr9rKRo0hGbHG71hLX24rZZdKgkE9MN_cyO9JQi4-Py6nEqOnzGLdW9BcXHPExXCDsM7qjMmbUeZj5wHF_WckAUBhvimB4APMyhmFOCi84L3J4-xWUBu0DZmIj56MmiOHJ-0fPTlFQ/s3029/PXL_20230712_045944822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3029" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuveCuQqrQWA9y3JN3xQiQeoL6CyvHs5ABa4YDen7GvA0G3vFWyjr9rKRo0hGbHG71hLX24rZZdKgkE9MN_cyO9JQi4-Py6nEqOnzGLdW9BcXHPExXCDsM7qjMmbUeZj5wHF_WckAUBhvimB4APMyhmFOCi84L3J4-xWUBu0DZmIj56MmiOHJ-0fPTlFQ/w638-h640/PXL_20230712_045944822.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><div>It was at this point that I recognized that my drawer of Perle cotton threads was in need of some serious reorganization, so here is the newly tidied up drawer with space reserved for all the yellow/orange spools.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDUhX2hqlFKdZ0wbI3uEAQ3cJY622vKwQZQiJ8taRYcIJsoMRV4KXHYaTzdq2I-I2ODvbhh_Do-QrqcCUmTBlDM_STrSuV6fNVgcoe2GriE_YilKyPQ21TFFRWgEqX1iOWIyLFKtSIfIIYBpEgY3gv8AP5Etrj7D5dQVnWzjrc_eDq8YKBNUTTJy-Z4I/s3024/PXL_20230714_140257737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDUhX2hqlFKdZ0wbI3uEAQ3cJY622vKwQZQiJ8taRYcIJsoMRV4KXHYaTzdq2I-I2ODvbhh_Do-QrqcCUmTBlDM_STrSuV6fNVgcoe2GriE_YilKyPQ21TFFRWgEqX1iOWIyLFKtSIfIIYBpEgY3gv8AP5Etrj7D5dQVnWzjrc_eDq8YKBNUTTJy-Z4I/w640-h640/PXL_20230714_140257737.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I am really surprising myself by how much I am enjoying the meditative nature of hand embroidery plus how much I am able to accomplish while multitasking during Zoom presentations, pushing through afternoon lunch comas, and while watching TV in the evenings. Stitch by stitch my block-printed square was transformed with color and whimsical patterns!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT-rOwxog_y_D4joeawPSr0QM7JXP3k0-5g_tkPMUgi8lCUDo7C8NKmYaUClCjui9m828j-LI8rXfXQnGN87e0nrcv4yBMwUgV8-T2TiITuGtacQxS2wrUHvEEMxJ7XaG0B-o0s2yiLcBi4tWm141PI3pdQpo3R4AGvXf5F5GzmEw2KoFPxfYH3qCqWM/s5120/Teal%20Block%20Print4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT-rOwxog_y_D4joeawPSr0QM7JXP3k0-5g_tkPMUgi8lCUDo7C8NKmYaUClCjui9m828j-LI8rXfXQnGN87e0nrcv4yBMwUgV8-T2TiITuGtacQxS2wrUHvEEMxJ7XaG0B-o0s2yiLcBi4tWm141PI3pdQpo3R4AGvXf5F5GzmEw2KoFPxfYH3qCqWM/w640-h640/Teal%20Block%20Print4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>As I was challenging myself to stitch this one differently, there were a few motifs I attempted which did not work. Thankfully these were quick discoveries and I was able to easily remove the stitches before I realized I should have taken a photo first. I did revisit a few successful stitches from previous designs including the large stitches around the peace sign and around the mandala borders as they create incredible depth and texture!</div><div><br /></div><div>Another stitching learning curve occurred along the arch border prints. They initially stumped me as I did not want the stitching to detract from the grid print. I absolutely loved stitching the lazy daisy stitch to create the leaves at the base of each of the printed circles, and that inspired me to carry the floral inspiration out to the borders using more lazy daisy stitch to create small 4-petal flowers. I did a quick sketch on the block printed templates I used to audition different combinations. Just as I started stitching, I got the idea to stitch a couple of colonial knots on either side of the flower, which were almost immediately removed as I preferred the simplicty of the single flower.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVl56YTFkAgqMmApb2TioEPs9aZi5ipbrAPK1ndCgC4XybBgfuJ6AmlBslQ8lX551AGAzsVTi2jlAC-6WA8NVSmlBcSkfW54TLBUBhP_9xtyHepEsn4SrKwDH1N8OR3HYIUdi5baTQfW946UXz_MWSKLwCWUa4WdmB21RnNwjrQy6VJ7ckN8zIY1Pw-g/s5120/Teal%20Block%20Print5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVl56YTFkAgqMmApb2TioEPs9aZi5ipbrAPK1ndCgC4XybBgfuJ6AmlBslQ8lX551AGAzsVTi2jlAC-6WA8NVSmlBcSkfW54TLBUBhP_9xtyHepEsn4SrKwDH1N8OR3HYIUdi5baTQfW946UXz_MWSKLwCWUa4WdmB21RnNwjrQy6VJ7ckN8zIY1Pw-g/w640-h640/Teal%20Block%20Print5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The hand embroidery was done over the course of 6 days, so finishing it was certainly a bittersweet moment. This milestone was certainly worth of celebrating the front and back side of my quilt sandwich.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_4G5qlfpaG2JhDoi9FeV95fzoPg4TtxIfG5hCsypF9LurjAJdtHubsG-u_miEF_1IofRfqwOPJYGv7mEbp2q-ItknrXyeRr-e4NcLi41s0bCuYxao1rSDNMskSAD94fxN9dERfdF9elsEmYoiwTkYayt-Sg9FNLybZ37oKh58TTdrsdfTVz4ST07iSo/s5120/Teal%20Block%20Print6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_4G5qlfpaG2JhDoi9FeV95fzoPg4TtxIfG5hCsypF9LurjAJdtHubsG-u_miEF_1IofRfqwOPJYGv7mEbp2q-ItknrXyeRr-e4NcLi41s0bCuYxao1rSDNMskSAD94fxN9dERfdF9elsEmYoiwTkYayt-Sg9FNLybZ37oKh58TTdrsdfTVz4ST07iSo/w640-h320/Teal%20Block%20Print6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It was then fused with a layer of Pellon 70 Ultrafirm Stabilizer and backing fabric with a minimal amount of stitching through all 4 layers. Despite taking care to avoid stitching over the hand embroidered details, my open toe foot definitely snagged two of the big stitches, but thankfully they were easy enough to smooth back into place...phew! Once the edges were stitched, I was able to carefully trim along the scallops and finish the edges with Tulip puffy paint/dimensional fabric paint in orange for a small pop of color from certain angles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjloqojEBv809zCYRTkmmb5T0q8eCcF7JCaVeyXBQlK2i7Aej11Kqj0b620zCNmfn3PfU9PLMA8o8iWB24SWK56guIEfGYkonfL8OY00tlif-ujq0lwRF_HbdntWMgDEqIJXmiLOVdAYRAplVlk5w_3X_KQc3EuB_CGCTIAF5ElhSI7X34wu13D_Y9XI/s5120/Teal%20Block%20Print7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjjloqojEBv809zCYRTkmmb5T0q8eCcF7JCaVeyXBQlK2i7Aej11Kqj0b620zCNmfn3PfU9PLMA8o8iWB24SWK56guIEfGYkonfL8OY00tlif-ujq0lwRF_HbdntWMgDEqIJXmiLOVdAYRAplVlk5w_3X_KQc3EuB_CGCTIAF5ElhSI7X34wu13D_Y9XI/w640-h640/Teal%20Block%20Print7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Here is a photo of the blocks, threads, and paint used to create this piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pyDq2dURbjNpL-oHAva2DAYE2mUh67Cd42QcnYbQfXuMdD_unBRpuHv9C4xlprW6lb5UK5_3i_cQkce4TCDUFcDHrOt1f1k9f2b7bRElk5OeAmgxSSjCbkULs5mR32NJ38Ncdb7izSEKj-vziOaQdmB6ytZIAf20YCrv7Lhs0Q_P4hBvlqscNNJVFPI/s2676/PXL_20230721_140157242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2676" data-original-width="2676" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pyDq2dURbjNpL-oHAva2DAYE2mUh67Cd42QcnYbQfXuMdD_unBRpuHv9C4xlprW6lb5UK5_3i_cQkce4TCDUFcDHrOt1f1k9f2b7bRElk5OeAmgxSSjCbkULs5mR32NJ38Ncdb7izSEKj-vziOaQdmB6ytZIAf20YCrv7Lhs0Q_P4hBvlqscNNJVFPI/w640-h640/PXL_20230721_140157242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Wowza--I absolutely love the finished piece! My eyes keep moving around to the different block printed and stitched areas. The thread colors sparkle against the teal/black background and thanks to the repeat floral elements (sequins, circle flower heads with stems & leaves, and flowers along the border), I titled this Flora Fiesta. </div><div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTpu_IGz2yIEn1zyHM7pseECAFUSSDM-9u_Bi_PRTR7PkqX8Njn6m4EWEiESpg50GyJ6MfaU99fNax9DbSM8H-teGCNj6aHuW-ULhZR9hYQyK6ns8qq6GUjLXfVz3xnU9PVcSernUMwlmmO_hQqKj_IvTY22hbeBCVXE6KMRXzAcyed2VN_wOBpyDx4s/s2605/MBeach_Flora%20Fiesta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2605" data-original-width="2601" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTpu_IGz2yIEn1zyHM7pseECAFUSSDM-9u_Bi_PRTR7PkqX8Njn6m4EWEiESpg50GyJ6MfaU99fNax9DbSM8H-teGCNj6aHuW-ULhZR9hYQyK6ns8qq6GUjLXfVz3xnU9PVcSernUMwlmmO_hQqKj_IvTY22hbeBCVXE6KMRXzAcyed2VN_wOBpyDx4s/w640-h640/MBeach_Flora%20Fiesta.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Flora Fiesta" Finishes 12" x 12"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And I'm just getting started as I've got more block printed & stitched designs in mind using these faux-dyed squares of Evolon!<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgxThAHErL9lqR-sLxBWK0d3v9cvlfCiDukVHCJY4aEv1xbzbfI6aaGZgNfuf8XgG-jpQ1zzxYVpBU4r9suGwB-xj9DSs3xaELvB4Ch6m5kQCToddEHiPMn_0QtwUai_QnXmmhBwd_55qsCj8vT4NuE8mzNujgMuoQz11v38kWUJtlkrefYFttzDekmQ/s2904/PXL_20230703_222151443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="2904" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgxThAHErL9lqR-sLxBWK0d3v9cvlfCiDukVHCJY4aEv1xbzbfI6aaGZgNfuf8XgG-jpQ1zzxYVpBU4r9suGwB-xj9DSs3xaELvB4Ch6m5kQCToddEHiPMn_0QtwUai_QnXmmhBwd_55qsCj8vT4NuE8mzNujgMuoQz11v38kWUJtlkrefYFttzDekmQ/w640-h640/PXL_20230703_222151443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJzZhw3xnupbDyIy0RlCOnbrPJRRbrnRkoOu66Qy64-CR5--JQqjhBJ1KE-SjgQtpGc3uMGKWDro_e7NkxAVMmcnTycPR5quiEQV2sz_ilB0PjhLhIAHDiRK4QE7fuz0Terf7_1-dGeomSkJwXMRaVVoPSgLapibYJOq_hIr7dksVoQoGLXdoosKFjxU/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJzZhw3xnupbDyIy0RlCOnbrPJRRbrnRkoOu66Qy64-CR5--JQqjhBJ1KE-SjgQtpGc3uMGKWDro_e7NkxAVMmcnTycPR5quiEQV2sz_ilB0PjhLhIAHDiRK4QE7fuz0Terf7_1-dGeomSkJwXMRaVVoPSgLapibYJOq_hIr7dksVoQoGLXdoosKFjxU/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-69596968852252284132023-07-17T10:55:00.001-07:002023-07-17T10:55:28.379-07:00My First Custom Built Watercolor Palette<p>Over the past few months, I've embraced the meditative nature of watercolor painting. At first I experimented with the <a href="https://shop.yasutomo.com/collections/niji-artist-watercoolors" target="_blank">Yasatomo Niji Artist Watercolors Essential Set of 12 Colors</a> and was delighted with the range of colors I could mix. I also really like the tin case that held the half pans as they could be moved around and there were 6 well areas to mix paint colors. I've also started to accumulate tubes of watercolor paint from workshop kits and/or were recommended by some of the watercolor instructors. So I set out to create my own watercolor set. </p><p>I ordered a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Watercolor-Palette-Colorful-Storage/dp/B08T9N3VXW" target="_blank">set of two empty Metal Palette paint cases </a>that were almost identical to the Niji set and included 40+ half pans that could be filled with watercolor paint. I watched two YouTube tutorials that provided lots of great tips for filling the half pans and creating a custom palette:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyHCUQYJsrI&list=PLBTSA9QOxSRrTcCFN2OQQ8axzjS-NNHnD&index=25" target="_blank">Best Way to Fill Half Pans</a> by Wildlife in Watercolour@TheDevonArtist </li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O6HOl42lRM&list=PLBTSA9QOxSRrTcCFN2OQQ8axzjS-NNHnD" target="_blank">Building the Perfect Watercolor Palette</a> by @arleebean (I was especially fascinated by her process for mixing a Color Chart that is played around the 6:55 minute mark)</li></ul><p></p><p>My next step was to sort my paint tubes into groupings of pinks/reds, yellows, blues, and neutral colors. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfhPHxpolo7P7sDY6nnBWyQpApcHkpnCkiWml4ZAKWNFmrMi7I3q09BW4mD-SX5k4YEz-uSwFm-KWVzLzVP_dnovW0VUZClLmyN0WyrzKIfKyfvyfVz7QdD-A3Tqper47cNbwZTktH51MsCDuEJuKvqQwu2SoDE8ToVoSAB8KTAumlJLAo4vYacCtgnk/s2918/PXL_20230615_045733620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2918" data-original-width="2918" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfhPHxpolo7P7sDY6nnBWyQpApcHkpnCkiWml4ZAKWNFmrMi7I3q09BW4mD-SX5k4YEz-uSwFm-KWVzLzVP_dnovW0VUZClLmyN0WyrzKIfKyfvyfVz7QdD-A3Tqper47cNbwZTktH51MsCDuEJuKvqQwu2SoDE8ToVoSAB8KTAumlJLAo4vYacCtgnk/w640-h640/PXL_20230615_045733620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As recommended by The Devon Artist, I used a toothpick to push the paint into the corners/edges of the half pans and remove any air bubbles. I used a clean, wet brush to scoop off any remaining paint off the toothpick to create a swatch card. It was amazing to see how differently many of the colors looked from their gel form versus swatched out on watercolor paper. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8U0HTI9xzrpoN8nsDfOUAXOHlaBPgK6zIa8JMQDth18yXKFfsHuQ6xxmxpc5nenKPgYeRFleuljvmXZ63N7YRtFbTsze4zhlTBU4xtGRoESZqkKz28C65UQsK0wBMLGuVAkN_AuvmMOYuQTjWSgQXWVSIkviYLS677M7VkxzXyAV4QvFdBKgGT_mPW8/s3824/PXL_20230615_064703637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="3824" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8U0HTI9xzrpoN8nsDfOUAXOHlaBPgK6zIa8JMQDth18yXKFfsHuQ6xxmxpc5nenKPgYeRFleuljvmXZ63N7YRtFbTsze4zhlTBU4xtGRoESZqkKz28C65UQsK0wBMLGuVAkN_AuvmMOYuQTjWSgQXWVSIkviYLS677M7VkxzXyAV4QvFdBKgGT_mPW8/w640-h488/PXL_20230615_064703637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This swatching step really helped me to map out the order/placement of colors within my palette. I cut out a small rectangle of watercolor to fit into my case to use as a chart of corresponding colors. After 3-4 days, the half pan paints had dried out and were ready for a second layer of paint from the tubes. This time I used a pin to push paint into corners, edges, and any cracks that may have occurred as the paints dried. Any paint left on the pin was used to fill in the corresponding box of my reference color chart.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xXlJF1nrqxNqLsKoq7dK-i_2CmIRvRqxhvG2KqZn_Wp8yROkp2MxaCiX7m4ewlkvJHNby7J3a9iM8dhla6FO4fMuOhjZI_TVvLL0m_Voss1nnVTX1KRXlUTX4kGWuz-JtGppsg1SXxBSs6pILEVKiJHFlW0COYPaIiHDPacRn7gFMOPK7Gha12YesO8/s2873/PXL_20230618_064131315.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2873" data-original-width="2871" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xXlJF1nrqxNqLsKoq7dK-i_2CmIRvRqxhvG2KqZn_Wp8yROkp2MxaCiX7m4ewlkvJHNby7J3a9iM8dhla6FO4fMuOhjZI_TVvLL0m_Voss1nnVTX1KRXlUTX4kGWuz-JtGppsg1SXxBSs6pILEVKiJHFlW0COYPaIiHDPacRn7gFMOPK7Gha12YesO8/w640-h640/PXL_20230618_064131315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm really pleased with how this first palette came together. I am even more excited by how easy it will be to adapt as my color preferences evolve. I can swap out any colors that are close in color/value and replace them with new color options. One of those empty half pans has already been filled with Payne's Gray as I wanted another neutral that would allow me to create tones. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do love the size of this new palette, but I do have two smaller size palettes to fill. These fit into small tins that frequently hold mints/candies. I am going to hold off on filling these until I have some time to play with my new palette and figure out which colors to include in these compact palettes! These will be great for traveling, camping, etc!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpma9XiWzX9T5xP2cIBTxW5gnFAEJQQpcJZeg9mzZXgLQDpH1zSwHqt7y18i3MYxmdl9CBY7vmbMK_QGp47PE6-tN5C6plGKMv2EqyXCa9ed-DnWTmvY6Y6d_Z5OIdc6D22px7asD_HvPOad4OytrjyJ_3R4wi1woA8MX-U0fE5aSo4XqgjzgOmlpTotw/s2228/PXL_20230708_020201022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2228" data-original-width="2228" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpma9XiWzX9T5xP2cIBTxW5gnFAEJQQpcJZeg9mzZXgLQDpH1zSwHqt7y18i3MYxmdl9CBY7vmbMK_QGp47PE6-tN5C6plGKMv2EqyXCa9ed-DnWTmvY6Y6d_Z5OIdc6D22px7asD_HvPOad4OytrjyJ_3R4wi1woA8MX-U0fE5aSo4XqgjzgOmlpTotw/w640-h640/PXL_20230708_020201022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday, I had a chance to play with my new watercolor palette. While there is only one green paint included my current set, I challenged myself to see how many greens I could mix to create these botanical beauties. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVyLcB9TA94M308L0jCwGOADzhJviwNfrjjdMfEwWdn7AFeeegr4abQDs_hOCzb1NorMF0uxJ3C3oID7_QjFUaBLrSiZqgZrLZ-AeZHqPSa3Ch-AC7JUskFqqrqRVs5svIQvifC1ivCI0mKDvOG2JUlaG1IOefsDaCwAligYP3uV0mrnKiKHmip_dMxg/s2924/PXL_20230629_194822488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2924" data-original-width="2924" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVyLcB9TA94M308L0jCwGOADzhJviwNfrjjdMfEwWdn7AFeeegr4abQDs_hOCzb1NorMF0uxJ3C3oID7_QjFUaBLrSiZqgZrLZ-AeZHqPSa3Ch-AC7JUskFqqrqRVs5svIQvifC1ivCI0mKDvOG2JUlaG1IOefsDaCwAligYP3uV0mrnKiKHmip_dMxg/w640-h640/PXL_20230629_194822488.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I just kept mixing and painting, while enjoying the meditative nature of watercolor painting...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpD1gumSeNN1xcvAGl4W6rJOB2RtUGp-TavWJYs_RCZcYf_abW07yC1cZf0g028NYJWcpfabEeM4G79Bnmqsqhm7s_lnqxr6V6ghWN1Mlcs-id5psysyGQjSaZHi9s5kiR121mLzNTuwKUqrkQ1cW2HbbYCtuzY3a5BtDzBwWtDCI5LLDNeaAiR2OOfM/s3024/PXL_20230629_195032775.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpD1gumSeNN1xcvAGl4W6rJOB2RtUGp-TavWJYs_RCZcYf_abW07yC1cZf0g028NYJWcpfabEeM4G79Bnmqsqhm7s_lnqxr6V6ghWN1Mlcs-id5psysyGQjSaZHi9s5kiR121mLzNTuwKUqrkQ1cW2HbbYCtuzY3a5BtDzBwWtDCI5LLDNeaAiR2OOfM/w640-h640/PXL_20230629_195032775.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I filled nearly 24 pages with different stems/leaves, sprouts, and wreaths, before going rogue on a few colorful pages inspired by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3_KNLg5U9k&list=PLBTSA9QOxSRrTcCFN2OQQ8axzjS-NNHnD" target="_blank">Wendy Solganik's (aka Willa Wanders) YouTube video demo: The Mother Method of Color Mixing for All Artists and All Paint Mediums</a>. I am really excited by these initial pages and look forward to lots more color mixing ahead with my new custom paint palette!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXWg1biUK1L1ITih0UnJDNisV9-LJDJqraMCVd0k_17EmgdtmLLjQfgXHIpnOPIX5QTzDBKBCN2s1wWWJKaKNg-Z_ZbfM1v0aKpmiBRNDGDUIxI4ODtY8zRHnxogWe3-VLndSiFkTZm82J7oYxryjJL_QGjnB3UC_Shm-c_J1qsInP7Dcoj1B6U26Rxk/s2717/PXL_20230629_195245329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="2716" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXWg1biUK1L1ITih0UnJDNisV9-LJDJqraMCVd0k_17EmgdtmLLjQfgXHIpnOPIX5QTzDBKBCN2s1wWWJKaKNg-Z_ZbfM1v0aKpmiBRNDGDUIxI4ODtY8zRHnxogWe3-VLndSiFkTZm82J7oYxryjJL_QGjnB3UC_Shm-c_J1qsInP7Dcoj1B6U26Rxk/w640-h640/PXL_20230629_195245329.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And now I have plenty of cutting to do while attending meetings/presentations. Here are just a few that I cut out today for use in future mixed media projects!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWvV8MzvKQSvY8ztdqudqymNYlUrIdWNbOLIIjYS0My-esahq2o5xwQMQAUpuegGB4o2nz0ArqmvfbMA_Mkqq3JPRKQAQTB_PuUjcuVReBMDtX_Pt4WQJRyVl5b9uNMWnF3IcESedgv8Ypjh4PqSnA6uJkWdCwHbjCNUzqCPcRtaldVVFtaROPGTVd28/s3024/PXL_20230630_005729836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWvV8MzvKQSvY8ztdqudqymNYlUrIdWNbOLIIjYS0My-esahq2o5xwQMQAUpuegGB4o2nz0ArqmvfbMA_Mkqq3JPRKQAQTB_PuUjcuVReBMDtX_Pt4WQJRyVl5b9uNMWnF3IcESedgv8Ypjh4PqSnA6uJkWdCwHbjCNUzqCPcRtaldVVFtaROPGTVd28/w640-h640/PXL_20230630_005729836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMP1_EL0QG-j9HPXi0eZ_3-Hq36srJPG-Zea5xUisRDCgvcLqGk0PRHnR9x-7zrfDWULtQFWfd7AYVj402BUpc13Qf8sc79NtywTdvUzZHLFg4bk7E2n52tSKOzWi9Ljf0JllTI1gS6H7IKQ4B5JiZF7t8bmD6J8eLtzSgOA7EIAxuMgJstm4JauM/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMP1_EL0QG-j9HPXi0eZ_3-Hq36srJPG-Zea5xUisRDCgvcLqGk0PRHnR9x-7zrfDWULtQFWfd7AYVj402BUpc13Qf8sc79NtywTdvUzZHLFg4bk7E2n52tSKOzWi9Ljf0JllTI1gS6H7IKQ4B5JiZF7t8bmD6J8eLtzSgOA7EIAxuMgJstm4JauM/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-2553901678157870642023-07-17T10:45:00.002-07:002023-07-17T10:45:49.171-07:00Block Printed & Stitched: Emerald Gardens<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVwpYhKFrbJKYLv673M75-KD8YLj0baNn-EbBsl8IqtS9pGcyFQ50CjyeHraBvYhBxFvnwLTCBg3I8UF4vUXvul_afkf4kXdlltAcalaNiY6oRHuH-T3HlcO51REauu4swrRSkqv4kBaBMLUBbe7X6LOgM1-4Wzw7D9BiZ3fVM3ujKW0WO_EfhC4QUSA/s4028/PXL_20230712_141034725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="4028" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVwpYhKFrbJKYLv673M75-KD8YLj0baNn-EbBsl8IqtS9pGcyFQ50CjyeHraBvYhBxFvnwLTCBg3I8UF4vUXvul_afkf4kXdlltAcalaNiY6oRHuH-T3HlcO51REauu4swrRSkqv4kBaBMLUBbe7X6LOgM1-4Wzw7D9BiZ3fVM3ujKW0WO_EfhC4QUSA/w640-h426/PXL_20230712_141034725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>While making <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2023/07/peace-parcheesi.html" target="_blank">Peace and Parcheesi,</a> I painted and block printed two other squares. Read onto to learn more about the progress made on the green painted square...</p><p>This vibrant green was created by mixing two <a href="https://prochemicalanddye.net/pro-silk-fabric-paints.html" target="_blank">ProChem ProSilk & Fabric Paints</a>: Sunshine Yellow and Caribbean blue. The <a href="https://www.talasonline.com/Evolon-CR-Non-Woven-Textile" target="_blank">Evolon non-woven fiber</a> soaks up lots of paint. Thankfully we've had some sunny, warm weather here in northern California, so once the squares are laid outside flat, they dry within an hour or so.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmhXq601wcNid1fIgguHycOs-3ZCyuwBzkHy8cO5jnVBvk0rRriE2OWBEb0lJonGhMpDjWoczLyyiS1GHhGCk6W4MotJEnKOdJZgdQXe0CPtq9Mcfsn7SHsHsUiAExmV3JrUpTVFbN5gVxq2OvLE2G__K-DvUVYpMLf7jNlzjc2NWI9jc1zzxoCbc194/s5120/3%20evolon%20fauxdyeing1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmhXq601wcNid1fIgguHycOs-3ZCyuwBzkHy8cO5jnVBvk0rRriE2OWBEb0lJonGhMpDjWoczLyyiS1GHhGCk6W4MotJEnKOdJZgdQXe0CPtq9Mcfsn7SHsHsUiAExmV3JrUpTVFbN5gVxq2OvLE2G__K-DvUVYpMLf7jNlzjc2NWI9jc1zzxoCbc194/w640-h320/3%20evolon%20fauxdyeing1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>As I was not sure which square I would be donating to the <a href="https://www.saqa.com/auction" target="_blank">SAQA Benefit Auction</a>, I moved forward block printing all 3 squares. I absolutely love how the block printing pops against the glowing green background!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdrfi26liUkMWfUiMhI0YuGM0SJpnx952DEaTcKdKM3xPSriU191Bl0oWmylUBjeLC844KCpGiXT37l5WiyN4uMUO2VJ4o_5KcfEbzZpXpRYzrhEA8S_pp7KgfwMCeB4FFGyS1TLkzYmdmaVr6tHzcCBXRjbtKg2fiIV0BLHqqzw44ET6IvV8tbXJ788/s2672/PXL_20230620_035434173.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="2672" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdrfi26liUkMWfUiMhI0YuGM0SJpnx952DEaTcKdKM3xPSriU191Bl0oWmylUBjeLC844KCpGiXT37l5WiyN4uMUO2VJ4o_5KcfEbzZpXpRYzrhEA8S_pp7KgfwMCeB4FFGyS1TLkzYmdmaVr6tHzcCBXRjbtKg2fiIV0BLHqqzw44ET6IvV8tbXJ788/w640-h640/PXL_20230620_035434173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This was the first of 3 block printed designs to be quilted by machine. I started with a matching green thread and wondered if I should have used a more contrasting thread given all the stitching involved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3yXI1jL241LcwIDP4WaeukeKNy6ZFo7tH0Hiis3P4clg3LEodcmAg5NYV1T-KZy6KbA9jdscw4OuDXuWVMHxiqvV4NM6FA8LR-FOzqE7MIfTZtSndoptc2YUUXohdLFcgaQngDe55kjD132-bPwJsncygVFw39NCiNneSGkizk8r5tAVosxIu39E_Ys/s3024/PXL_20230624_173137406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3yXI1jL241LcwIDP4WaeukeKNy6ZFo7tH0Hiis3P4clg3LEodcmAg5NYV1T-KZy6KbA9jdscw4OuDXuWVMHxiqvV4NM6FA8LR-FOzqE7MIfTZtSndoptc2YUUXohdLFcgaQngDe55kjD132-bPwJsncygVFw39NCiNneSGkizk8r5tAVosxIu39E_Ys/w640-h640/PXL_20230624_173137406.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Thankfully I was able to add lots of visual interest during the hand-embroidery phase!I started out by adding sequins secured with colonial knots. Most evenings, I would stitch another area or two while watching TV with my partner. It was fun to see how each section stitched enhanced the block printed design. Most of the stitches are fairly simple, but I experimented with different placements, directions, colors of Wonderfil's Eleganza 8wt Perle cotton embroidery threads, including a few metallic accents. I especially love how the larger stitches around the center square and each of the four mandalas creates incredible dimension to those areas and wish you could reach into the screen to feel the incredible texture of this piece.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippIBs62v7qDI-ZvyTnNrlYbsEyoBhz6VgkWOdurdOmtL03od-AGsvkzZQeq1p-4VMFHYaBf6q8EOPJZGoZsfsTJnYSkYjzpjNcVxHiU7uskBPQuArfyKFE2hHM-FvQRjlJ1Q8dZcEw9tGt2gfB5XZGm6DaQIW89ukkPvZVWqvtr3qNQ3K8wd80q-oYcg/s5120/Green%20Block%20Print2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippIBs62v7qDI-ZvyTnNrlYbsEyoBhz6VgkWOdurdOmtL03od-AGsvkzZQeq1p-4VMFHYaBf6q8EOPJZGoZsfsTJnYSkYjzpjNcVxHiU7uskBPQuArfyKFE2hHM-FvQRjlJ1Q8dZcEw9tGt2gfB5XZGm6DaQIW89ukkPvZVWqvtr3qNQ3K8wd80q-oYcg/w640-h320/Green%20Block%20Print2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Some additional free-motion quilting was added in and around the triangle prints using Superior Metallic threads. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNxBlXSBQrL-Ana1_gJKP-G89nrXQsOH_6Kj0n5m4C92gqA1H0vW3LA4JsoUmnPKseLY-jsDpDQFXh9I1ciomx1DlTfw_Wx5MuMqteDIv3M9oZoWLpBZJ107qBMMR3zBfiH7nAJQXenwxxWU0A2kP7jS0P8SB3abAHeUDYm_o_TQ-9CMVKtQxtn0L5Ms/s2569/PXL_20230706_184808151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2566" data-original-width="2569" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNxBlXSBQrL-Ana1_gJKP-G89nrXQsOH_6Kj0n5m4C92gqA1H0vW3LA4JsoUmnPKseLY-jsDpDQFXh9I1ciomx1DlTfw_Wx5MuMqteDIv3M9oZoWLpBZJ107qBMMR3zBfiH7nAJQXenwxxWU0A2kP7jS0P8SB3abAHeUDYm_o_TQ-9CMVKtQxtn0L5Ms/w640-h640/PXL_20230706_184808151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These stitching sessions, both by machine and by hand, were truly meditative. It was bittersweet when I finished the last of 300 colonial knots stitched into this piece! But that meant I was ready to finish those edges. A layer of 70 Peltex Sew In Ultra Firm stabilizer is layered between the batting and backing, giving the entire piece some rigidity, especially along the scalloped edges so they don't flop once the background is trimmed. Some miniminal stitching is done through all 4 layers (top, batting, stabilizer, and backing) around the square and each arc. Then I carefully trim around the scalloped border and paint the edges using a coordinating Tulip Puffy Paint/Dimensional Fabric paint. I considered several paint colors, but opted for the yellow to coordinate with the yellow colonial knots stitched all round the perimeter. The painted edges is barely visible when viewing the piece straight on, but you can see small pops when viewing from a slight angle. Once all 4 edges were painted, I was able to prop the entire piece onto a large jar for drying. Usually the drying is quick within a few hours for completeling any necessary touch ups, and then I leave it overnight for thorough drying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ462cM3y0sOtRUDW2x5ulnOzTOeKKGdVFQMwO5dpBGJHncxTtevVCzSSbD94qsDTZR8R0qZSLIHLlflddaAPhd8F0JwmPxyoF-0wqE_AVDIeZS9iMP-3HxPxElFffPlhdvsEtXar86d-N18HrnrZy_CZdp9hEu1qr0xthKLVjzFfoKq0fDnFaLLfqsHs/s5120/Green%20Block%20Print3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ462cM3y0sOtRUDW2x5ulnOzTOeKKGdVFQMwO5dpBGJHncxTtevVCzSSbD94qsDTZR8R0qZSLIHLlflddaAPhd8F0JwmPxyoF-0wqE_AVDIeZS9iMP-3HxPxElFffPlhdvsEtXar86d-N18HrnrZy_CZdp9hEu1qr0xthKLVjzFfoKq0fDnFaLLfqsHs/w640-h640/Green%20Block%20Print3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are all the blocks and threads used to create this piece...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC79z1Rk0Olv6v3HFlPFPDmohdiNZ2_Wv5k4qf9B_0KP7Tfc2M6Q8maIwbaiT8LmzQuk9uWBygcxCXzs7hWQmfYjR234gM6kGzGWW2-uhCyEsvMWMnMtL7A9VTXFHOQ3oCQeL4bi9LHw3iyTG9fBdQbqLTnRM1QjDhaImz3mTcmVTwiWvxUL4hjxhCQmY/s2888/PXL_20230712_142054623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2883" data-original-width="2888" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC79z1Rk0Olv6v3HFlPFPDmohdiNZ2_Wv5k4qf9B_0KP7Tfc2M6Q8maIwbaiT8LmzQuk9uWBygcxCXzs7hWQmfYjR234gM6kGzGWW2-uhCyEsvMWMnMtL7A9VTXFHOQ3oCQeL4bi9LHw3iyTG9fBdQbqLTnRM1QjDhaImz3mTcmVTwiWvxUL4hjxhCQmY/w640-h638/PXL_20230712_142054623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And a lovely detail shot of the center!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-QyZ9xi2LE2eGJzMRUDgNvt1DIhIcjQ40w5Ifzx3kqzsePT28kpW2BF9gZ40flXW2dxYDuU7tcwUMprFuWDDr8-QVFJYMYtCgT0otTz11r5Zat3-6f2uudbC9o9nUYlazzXGYVZLLurTSdm0SdLaE6KorVnJcV0kH_gXHNKlz7MUXKNZNa7rKJtGoJE/s3820/PXL_20230712_141058551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2547" data-original-width="3820" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-QyZ9xi2LE2eGJzMRUDgNvt1DIhIcjQ40w5Ifzx3kqzsePT28kpW2BF9gZ40flXW2dxYDuU7tcwUMprFuWDDr8-QVFJYMYtCgT0otTz11r5Zat3-6f2uudbC9o9nUYlazzXGYVZLLurTSdm0SdLaE6KorVnJcV0kH_gXHNKlz7MUXKNZNa7rKJtGoJE/w640-h426/PXL_20230712_141058551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the finished piece...Emerald Gardens:</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMf_v8jusUbnS5JXG8Bvh7AJzCVAkAQk2jnIjMByKWz5F1qA_HEDGo9X--RXSJ328KsMCrmZ6-aioYHjVhYgt8scnqUPcXJYy45bqkWc_UtSrP_-x3V7PxUI2zgUGe7XzMtWbRWx6YPh8skN1ZWI6nEc9DI3FmW4oLFKqKU3kcUCFjNRPtpgJJey_8Cg/s2850/PXL_20230712_140943640.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="2845" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjMf_v8jusUbnS5JXG8Bvh7AJzCVAkAQk2jnIjMByKWz5F1qA_HEDGo9X--RXSJ328KsMCrmZ6-aioYHjVhYgt8scnqUPcXJYy45bqkWc_UtSrP_-x3V7PxUI2zgUGe7XzMtWbRWx6YPh8skN1ZWI6nEc9DI3FmW4oLFKqKU3kcUCFjNRPtpgJJey_8Cg/w638-h640/PXL_20230712_140943640.jpg" width="638" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerald Gardens, Finishes 12" x 12"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It still needs a quilt label and sleeve, which can wait, as I am eager to start the next piece in this painted, block-printed, and stitched series, which I hope to enter into an upcoming art call. I'll continue to post daily progress updates via Instagram and Facebook. Plus I have several more plans ahead for new shapes and designs using my collection of hand carved blocks. Stay tuned!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9RrenI0814ma4UQHCo-SWwcGSma8-2Uq85ynQLpmNKeEBjZh9QPncDhK7eomcD3nkbhimpwKPrcrxO8bpgP5p6_AfK5jIEet3_O8MkOFGJjqdsnvsmiOKa1G_6c5XfhaG5siRdiEUOWV5b7bsue4AqvbdUpoB2XS59LnCqv2xLLTOxRvfS-i2N2uOYk/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9RrenI0814ma4UQHCo-SWwcGSma8-2Uq85ynQLpmNKeEBjZh9QPncDhK7eomcD3nkbhimpwKPrcrxO8bpgP5p6_AfK5jIEet3_O8MkOFGJjqdsnvsmiOKa1G_6c5XfhaG5siRdiEUOWV5b7bsue4AqvbdUpoB2XS59LnCqv2xLLTOxRvfS-i2N2uOYk/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-79426588890656971562023-07-03T18:41:00.002-07:002023-07-03T18:41:41.634-07:00Peace & Parcheesi<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5DMumpPtZBlLGaqpPGx_bxXMbfbQSQ5tOQdIuToo7BfrTxHwDLwviPF2LWIlJ6SanD7XjwJTzkJbRzM0dcD7p3bY0mgxMwTvBgvxCqJDM9izeeZ3-WezuL1bTEqxG3Iyp2f9lPyErToqeF9QZw-ORubCk25Cus9zKjJZEJnjCN9mEVIF4GZe6bI8lls/s2492/PXL_20230630_140108858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2492" data-original-width="2491" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5DMumpPtZBlLGaqpPGx_bxXMbfbQSQ5tOQdIuToo7BfrTxHwDLwviPF2LWIlJ6SanD7XjwJTzkJbRzM0dcD7p3bY0mgxMwTvBgvxCqJDM9izeeZ3-WezuL1bTEqxG3Iyp2f9lPyErToqeF9QZw-ORubCk25Cus9zKjJZEJnjCN9mEVIF4GZe6bI8lls/w640-h640/PXL_20230630_140108858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div>The <a href="https://www.saqa.com/auction" target="_blank">annual Benefit Auction</a> is SAQA's premier fundraising event with all proceeds raised funding SAQA's global exhibitions, publications, and educational programming. June 30th was the deadline for members to submit their donations and as usual, I waited until June 16th to start working on mine! Read on to learn more about my piece from design inspiration, materials, and process...</div><div><br /></div><div>My SewJo has been been missing for nearly 4 month with little energy or motivation to sew much of anything. So I hoped that the Benefit Auction might spark some new excitement for art quilting. Recently I did a bit of block printing which got my creative juices flowing, so I turned to more block printing for inspiration and motivation on my submission. I started with a very rough grid sketch and then proceeded to pull out some of my favorite carved blocks to play within the grid layout. To help me audition different block combinations, I printed a gridded page of all my favorite blocks along with a second page of border designs featuring half-circle blocks. </div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rls1fCP-R_VaIMrV2S2V-wr9nvXwhVBC2gux-VMQjaFkIVg6NU-D2HdsoBngHcqnXsZnIyeFAJ8OMBoyPijxM-93MPvE44uExUInGYC3Sn7r6nfdc7umK2Ue_Y2SU1HuzNCBTxZGQ6XxCzqbXv738LtyEL2vhtR9k3hmn-ZNvfV7PXzLHAvHwQIpD1c/s5120/2%20layout%20auditions1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rls1fCP-R_VaIMrV2S2V-wr9nvXwhVBC2gux-VMQjaFkIVg6NU-D2HdsoBngHcqnXsZnIyeFAJ8OMBoyPijxM-93MPvE44uExUInGYC3Sn7r6nfdc7umK2Ue_Y2SU1HuzNCBTxZGQ6XxCzqbXv738LtyEL2vhtR9k3hmn-ZNvfV7PXzLHAvHwQIpD1c/w640-h320/2%20layout%20auditions1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Both mastersheets were photocopied before cutting out the various blocks and borders to fit within the grid layout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi887j_6n5MZvhuVDtOuOiwfvPbZbi7iuqe9epCeoVu54qhIBCWhcoZKk195Tsy_5Y3fVHPAxyY22kmwqd3QcThk9Qjis1ROs8WlP-3JkFrn2zYrNUKHKzqa-vY1PAKYkJfrwTFEAvXcGl-YGABCWcqdMML4_P84Kpa4gshi0c9fGMj6NRIf9sX4XHuJeE/s3016/PXL_20230619_045021860%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1984" data-original-width="3016" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi887j_6n5MZvhuVDtOuOiwfvPbZbi7iuqe9epCeoVu54qhIBCWhcoZKk195Tsy_5Y3fVHPAxyY22kmwqd3QcThk9Qjis1ROs8WlP-3JkFrn2zYrNUKHKzqa-vY1PAKYkJfrwTFEAvXcGl-YGABCWcqdMML4_P84Kpa4gshi0c9fGMj6NRIf9sX4XHuJeE/w640-h422/PXL_20230619_045021860%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Only a quadrant needed to be laid out before using a hinged mirror to recreate the other 3 quadrants. This way I was able to quickly audition different combinations of center blocks, mandalas, and borders!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz0HJrSuL-bDvGP0VBGUlDCYeTufS5LY6h_GoBzg47o0PNcTmaRbv597ag8qWRJJicn4RDO9jpXweI_HNTolJCSlJDd2Z4KLLa60oeTsKoe2W2k3OEcfIVb0wq3WU_7IxWc7yRnQxYpEBkKAV_SLUYjBMXinTAtvtuB4LmwPOEY2HDftNGDOhe8spAx4/s5120/2%20layout%20auditions.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFz0HJrSuL-bDvGP0VBGUlDCYeTufS5LY6h_GoBzg47o0PNcTmaRbv597ag8qWRJJicn4RDO9jpXweI_HNTolJCSlJDd2Z4KLLa60oeTsKoe2W2k3OEcfIVb0wq3WU_7IxWc7yRnQxYpEBkKAV_SLUYjBMXinTAtvtuB4LmwPOEY2HDftNGDOhe8spAx4/w640-h640/2%20layout%20auditions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>With all these potential layouts in mind, it was time to faux dye some background squares. Lately, my go to for block printing fiber art is to use <a href="https://www.talasonline.com/Evolon-CR-Non-Woven-Textile" target="_blank">Evolon CR Non-Woven Textile</a>. Made from polyester and polyamide, Evolon is lightweight, super soft, absorbs acrylic paint beautifully, does not fray, and stitches beautifully by machine and hand. It can be purchased in sheets, yardage, and by the bolt. For the faux dyeing, I use liquid acrylics such as ProChem Pro Silk & Fabric paints and/or Jacquard's Dye-Na-Flow. Each 13" square of Evolon soaks up lots of paint. I left them in the pint-sized containers overnight and they were still very wet in the morning, but they dried out within an hour or so once laid out flat on corrugated plastic in the hot, dry sun. Scrunching the fabric in the cups creates the slight mottled texture.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxaT7ObQz7psIk72P4zK5_YmY7iZcr-V8p9b8qc6ffgSE1uC5SP4YDdTNZdrTLDG8N-ih0Q9QsF_M_5imd9_whLkfMkVk0wVtE4EZQyrII91iocb5qP2CHcCcNbI49yepvSl4X5RgDkzmBdSeSnjjfwz62AqadzahH2m_WslxLI01Akaq25kz6rDlAhE/s5120/3%20evolon%20fauxdyeing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxaT7ObQz7psIk72P4zK5_YmY7iZcr-V8p9b8qc6ffgSE1uC5SP4YDdTNZdrTLDG8N-ih0Q9QsF_M_5imd9_whLkfMkVk0wVtE4EZQyrII91iocb5qP2CHcCcNbI49yepvSl4X5RgDkzmBdSeSnjjfwz62AqadzahH2m_WslxLI01Akaq25kz6rDlAhE/w640-h640/3%20evolon%20fauxdyeing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Strips of blue painter's tape were placed 2" apart across the Evolon squares and then marked with 2" lines to create a grid outline. The tape lines helped with alignment of the block prints, while also ensuring each print was 2" square as some of the blocks are from my earlier carving days before I was able to accurately carve/trim 2" squares.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije2OCvrqSU5nSpy9rsc8tLGkzUEoQZZyL0jY3jjZB3L_SPKE_sVA7buZRN3yBJVHaV2mEZJWDHOtomCNHm-_RQh-WGg7wl7rynnsxRXXGpr2HjZrh9OK42vQsA7mD8FGueLXSZrFAk8G8N-rQYUShqgtZ6s5O4M8_t0M3wSi-vb9XjnO-h5tnNW3T93c/s5120/4%20block%20printing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije2OCvrqSU5nSpy9rsc8tLGkzUEoQZZyL0jY3jjZB3L_SPKE_sVA7buZRN3yBJVHaV2mEZJWDHOtomCNHm-_RQh-WGg7wl7rynnsxRXXGpr2HjZrh9OK42vQsA7mD8FGueLXSZrFAk8G8N-rQYUShqgtZ6s5O4M8_t0M3wSi-vb9XjnO-h5tnNW3T93c/w640-h320/4%20block%20printing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>Each square contains a total of 35 block prints, so it was total concentration during the printing process. There was one small section on the blue/green square where there was a bit of overlapped printing, but otherise, I was really thrilled that I hadn't inverted any of the prints or dropped an inked block! Phew! Although I did have a small blister from this stamping session!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIXJV2C6a6v8ZD_Qv5YjPPQhHNHntf3Aa91RMnSseMUI6pxw9D98fGTnuzTGr5ha1AN2b2I_R8EhJeTT7N7BjDlflJq9S-cf6rkgTXD0ZnVPd6kJJWFuio5nNXApxm9r6iFUX0GdpWJd2QkayAAhIurD-2pN5lIQA9QS_XfrL0wSYhgZFEm12eEDMQhs/s5120/4%20block%20printing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="5120" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIXJV2C6a6v8ZD_Qv5YjPPQhHNHntf3Aa91RMnSseMUI6pxw9D98fGTnuzTGr5ha1AN2b2I_R8EhJeTT7N7BjDlflJq9S-cf6rkgTXD0ZnVPd6kJJWFuio5nNXApxm9r6iFUX0GdpWJd2QkayAAhIurD-2pN5lIQA9QS_XfrL0wSYhgZFEm12eEDMQhs/w640-h214/4%20block%20printing1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>Even with the slight misprinted area, I loved all 3 block-printed squares but knew that sooner or later, I would need to choose one to donate. All 3 were layered with batting to proceed with quilting. I started with the green one and choose a coordinating green thread to outline some of the major lines and shapes. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lNXORLF5hxWTegcLFQ5I052mVxZwm6yZLS2jDcGs2DPOu0obsCOMivI76EuI9tmLT4RVlKDezPxFd2B9Q9cr9CXAzJBNSOiwxG-aoFkesoIaGOBTl65EuIpVFG14u64ddxf3hQ9evvbDMzWQW9SHYsZNdOBTFsPAgunYK6f_RU13ECq7pIGtAbYYvUY/s3024/PXL_20230624_173137406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9lNXORLF5hxWTegcLFQ5I052mVxZwm6yZLS2jDcGs2DPOu0obsCOMivI76EuI9tmLT4RVlKDezPxFd2B9Q9cr9CXAzJBNSOiwxG-aoFkesoIaGOBTl65EuIpVFG14u64ddxf3hQ9evvbDMzWQW9SHYsZNdOBTFsPAgunYK6f_RU13ECq7pIGtAbYYvUY/w640-h640/PXL_20230624_173137406.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was lovely, but the outline stitching did not really add anything to the design. So I set it aside and auditioned some contrasting threads for the red-orange square. You can see a subset of the threads that were included in the thread auditions featuring different thread brands, weights, fibers, and colors. Started with complementary blues and blue-greens before taking a deep break and diving into the metallic threads. I know metallic threads can get a bad rap for being persnickety, but I've had very good luck with Superior's metallic threads, so why not add some sparkle to this mandala design.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbV_ZUasi3c9pcU_RMlILwg6ZuW-nCfj3r3FEoaC0d2dO4R1zg6AKnBX-bxs6Qxu2v3omiHT7i76lCc_aLDGl4xJnZkp9Bn-c7UhT7hN3DyOZyMALReCen5tChA9VGtGpRTQxznnGaX-F0F0I9XZ5OX23mxBojW3554cRX_9YW3_SrXvxEQ3LRI4nhgY/s5120/5%20Quilting1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbV_ZUasi3c9pcU_RMlILwg6ZuW-nCfj3r3FEoaC0d2dO4R1zg6AKnBX-bxs6Qxu2v3omiHT7i76lCc_aLDGl4xJnZkp9Bn-c7UhT7hN3DyOZyMALReCen5tChA9VGtGpRTQxznnGaX-F0F0I9XZ5OX23mxBojW3554cRX_9YW3_SrXvxEQ3LRI4nhgY/w640-h640/5%20Quilting1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Whereas the green stitching was too safe, I worried that the metallic threads might be too much. There was a big sigh of relief once I finished most of the blue stitching.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-W0Hl0mlknIpW3N7tFqNE87cNqV6lzC7z3M2Q0nbmDqPQr1XTuvCN_9Zyb7A_t3j7Kpy5p4BStowTj_iOX9yXP52utMRzWGl-qGyX6dEhzX1sIvapmTNnO4dycH49z8QYOaOsvu9SWEZa2IH1W8xNhVXEqFmSdTBon3sqcereOz28ePPCIxiwUvI580/s4032/PXL_20230626_185740157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="4032" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-W0Hl0mlknIpW3N7tFqNE87cNqV6lzC7z3M2Q0nbmDqPQr1XTuvCN_9Zyb7A_t3j7Kpy5p4BStowTj_iOX9yXP52utMRzWGl-qGyX6dEhzX1sIvapmTNnO4dycH49z8QYOaOsvu9SWEZa2IH1W8xNhVXEqFmSdTBon3sqcereOz28ePPCIxiwUvI580/w640-h434/PXL_20230626_185740157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I especially love the dense zig zag filler around the triangles which you can <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct-1enfL_h5/?hl=en" target="_blank">watch me stitch in this post</a>. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZbtmXxgKevzvil2m0ZDWUUaMupUWsgF48j34drraTURpVlmB0zie4BBQaBwjk6Z5TeQPcM1NYLhAEUzOwzoFfyAad5jzUi5nfnpbUMFmKDizNl3-8bb-aoWRqTP2MpcLWmV_sYYGbbBPiY7CrBIm-euyejWGcNS5HmNSBNQ-jqg5vN-HBC2GUna3mIE/s2822/PXL_20230626_185717798~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2822" data-original-width="2821" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZbtmXxgKevzvil2m0ZDWUUaMupUWsgF48j34drraTURpVlmB0zie4BBQaBwjk6Z5TeQPcM1NYLhAEUzOwzoFfyAad5jzUi5nfnpbUMFmKDizNl3-8bb-aoWRqTP2MpcLWmV_sYYGbbBPiY7CrBIm-euyejWGcNS5HmNSBNQ-jqg5vN-HBC2GUna3mIE/w640-h640/PXL_20230626_185717798~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But why limit the sparkle to just metallic threads when you can add sequins too!?! Of course, more auditions were conducted with different colors, sizes, shapes, and combinations of sequins along with a few beads too. I opted to layer two sequins which were stitched in place with a colonial knot, before adding more colonial knots around each mandala.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgkAKZqkSBla3nDyfPbxvzr9TUsXFKc4VGcTyvslSQAMGf67tZQf3xOV6qt1HUOGv8OAMWCL5Uh3ngzH6ONsul5nFffvrcchlZicPalywEfUHN2S2RpihbRnkG6By_FWK1-5x9nI0s-3mDpAJ5AFW7mbkb4DOuj0EQ42qds1P4B8pS7DCr4CSfONRkn0/s3024/PXL_20230627_045920564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgkAKZqkSBla3nDyfPbxvzr9TUsXFKc4VGcTyvslSQAMGf67tZQf3xOV6qt1HUOGv8OAMWCL5Uh3ngzH6ONsul5nFffvrcchlZicPalywEfUHN2S2RpihbRnkG6By_FWK1-5x9nI0s-3mDpAJ5AFW7mbkb4DOuj0EQ42qds1P4B8pS7DCr4CSfONRkn0/w640-h640/PXL_20230627_045920564.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Some copper/orange stitched accents were added to the four triangles, central peace sign, and border prints. A few last colonial knots were stitched into the circle prints!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBvOSLY6tzaFNSOLbU2R9jFD_gKLPbnLiwqsp3Ns3VVRMPiWNHQ2iPU9XYdtL4yYx_U7rvr6D1g_j7AeApSuAFnXxhqJy-OiO2nxNYGD3TkdJ1gn5K9J2s9U_VansZr6IkXufk02IXOp2nYpGHNYTVSYhTIaZL5u_0cz2sPN26_94jD2DwNmuxSm0a7U/s5120/7%20Orange%20Quilting%20and%20Embellishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBvOSLY6tzaFNSOLbU2R9jFD_gKLPbnLiwqsp3Ns3VVRMPiWNHQ2iPU9XYdtL4yYx_U7rvr6D1g_j7AeApSuAFnXxhqJy-OiO2nxNYGD3TkdJ1gn5K9J2s9U_VansZr6IkXufk02IXOp2nYpGHNYTVSYhTIaZL5u_0cz2sPN26_94jD2DwNmuxSm0a7U/w640-h640/7%20Orange%20Quilting%20and%20Embellishing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Adding hand embroidred elements was always part of my plan so I waited to add a backing fabric so I could conceal the backside. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor8pulQjI150j9aMIgDdmAfArfTBlhBJV0SqmCqiaUeUVGAPXvW-Lwp55IWIs6diB0jEpEj2xqYDmf4oMOvJxrz7uWLX7YECy46FwpsOchgTSqqlFSFn3QDkWVIHUBf2sGdR7AUuYReP0hCTmZYCLzSTleSRx9CvodMouiC2Urz93wIiDuL42-hP28SU/s2717/PXL_20230629_051330660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="2711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgor8pulQjI150j9aMIgDdmAfArfTBlhBJV0SqmCqiaUeUVGAPXvW-Lwp55IWIs6diB0jEpEj2xqYDmf4oMOvJxrz7uWLX7YECy46FwpsOchgTSqqlFSFn3QDkWVIHUBf2sGdR7AUuYReP0hCTmZYCLzSTleSRx9CvodMouiC2Urz93wIiDuL42-hP28SU/w638-h640/PXL_20230629_051330660.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A square of <a href="https://www.pellonprojects.com/products/70-peltex-sew-in-ultra-firm-stabilizer/" target="_blank">70 Peltex® Sew-In Ultra Firm Stabilizer</a> was layered and fused between the batting and backing, providing some rigidity for the edges. Outline stitching was done around the border with a 1/8" echo around the perimeter before trimming along the scalloped borders. I absolutely love how this transformed the entire piece! With great concentration, the edges were painted with Tulip Dimensional Fabric paint. Once the paint was applied, it was propped onto some jars and wow did the stabilizer keep the piece flat for drying. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7tMCLHGOyIyUZFU91s8BMWxVkRlpYskidEf22xC-rwhNXT3nUk1tZXlTGhr2GA3JHu0uX8_uwfJkPD-IZj-5WuTOSRCfRwpS1vbTR1-7SCgAF2t99PLm2D9v1eTeS1OCAtXZqK9VeCSpJuqzqzDNuga62-nFXj3x6Zh1tqjVcoVJJ8AaYveNbX-YmnA/s5120/8%20Finishing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7tMCLHGOyIyUZFU91s8BMWxVkRlpYskidEf22xC-rwhNXT3nUk1tZXlTGhr2GA3JHu0uX8_uwfJkPD-IZj-5WuTOSRCfRwpS1vbTR1-7SCgAF2t99PLm2D9v1eTeS1OCAtXZqK9VeCSpJuqzqzDNuga62-nFXj3x6Zh1tqjVcoVJJ8AaYveNbX-YmnA/w640-h426/8%20Finishing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>My hand-carved tjap block was printed on the label. My mother helped to title this piece. She asked to see just the stitching and said it reminded her of a Parcheesi game board. Not only is it a very close resemblance to the board game layout, but this project was truly lots of play with my favorite blocks, materials, and techniques. I almost forgot to add a quilt sleeve/bar, but remembered to add both before shipping it off to be included in SAQA's Benefit Auction.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopQuwvSjBFiTMqIFS4tUXfMNgEhHRX-bfbPs7Km_NnElhbTUzBJFwQplCEWppu74HYozmHrNEZ_4sLGHj09-w0kbQcUCP3BILuJzbG2Rea2kLn-E4dfi5YyyGABhrx-L-ePp0vvQyqs3PKOatF_MXvTqlqnpdibIqqg3Vc4YG7rHaYruzo-kps8RlUr8/s5120/8%20Finishing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopQuwvSjBFiTMqIFS4tUXfMNgEhHRX-bfbPs7Km_NnElhbTUzBJFwQplCEWppu74HYozmHrNEZ_4sLGHj09-w0kbQcUCP3BILuJzbG2Rea2kLn-E4dfi5YyyGABhrx-L-ePp0vvQyqs3PKOatF_MXvTqlqnpdibIqqg3Vc4YG7rHaYruzo-kps8RlUr8/w640-h320/8%20Finishing1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are most of the materials used throughout this project...</div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVn-_P1LwBJ7e1Mn9nX10p0MvaHWtPmZSpWk7Qlkm783o3O1TWTIqpNiuEmIxM1dIAlRKNJywcJG4nujEMIdq7JYvApy-i5tYctViLSGsx5qIqrDAwPGvjaQOMjH4BeFDcQs67vZ6l6bi70rqjOy8TWmRxuK392zIG5AIl7RZ6-o9DJuG7pWDzqW57tY/s2212/PXL_20230703_190757880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2212" data-original-width="2212" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVn-_P1LwBJ7e1Mn9nX10p0MvaHWtPmZSpWk7Qlkm783o3O1TWTIqpNiuEmIxM1dIAlRKNJywcJG4nujEMIdq7JYvApy-i5tYctViLSGsx5qIqrDAwPGvjaQOMjH4BeFDcQs67vZ6l6bi70rqjOy8TWmRxuK392zIG5AIl7RZ6-o9DJuG7pWDzqW57tY/w640-h640/PXL_20230703_190757880.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here is my artist's statement: "This year’s benefit auction inspired me to play with my favorite materials, techniques, and tools. What fun to alter the white Evolon fabric through a combination of faux dyeing, block printing, free-motion quilting, sequins, and hand-embroidery! Each transformation was both meditative and playful—hence Peace & Parcheesi!"</p><p>And here is the finished piece... </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6EGbS52nGrpv3s_rPJVbnQ__92Z5lZgpW-MQT2xm-YzJZJlP9k1gFYddurn6ukQWVplz2aTbUez6xeMewex4nizvilxrHsheKleTaw2VlZedS7KS5QZFRiJnwQ7XCTxkPaEGhIYA7D4riVVkDMbI2rT7dmGL6R-riHpacL3nge8kLEv2V0obTKUo2ZE/s2787/MBeach_Peace%20and%20Parcheesi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="2787" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6EGbS52nGrpv3s_rPJVbnQ__92Z5lZgpW-MQT2xm-YzJZJlP9k1gFYddurn6ukQWVplz2aTbUez6xeMewex4nizvilxrHsheKleTaw2VlZedS7KS5QZFRiJnwQ7XCTxkPaEGhIYA7D4riVVkDMbI2rT7dmGL6R-riHpacL3nge8kLEv2V0obTKUo2ZE/w640-h640/MBeach_Peace%20and%20Parcheesi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace & Parcheesi, Finishes 12" x 12"<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Peace & Parcheesi be available for bidding as part of the 2023 <a href="https://www.saqa.com/auction" target="_blank">Benefit Auction</a> that will take place online from September 14 through October 9. Mark your calendars so you can bid to win incredible fiber art pieces made by SAQA members all around the world!</div><div><br /></div><div>I confess that it was difficult to part ways with this beauty, but thankfully my mind is now preoccupied as I revisit it's green sibling and have nine newly faux-dyed squares of evolon ready for more block printing play! I'll be sharing my progress on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melbeachquilts/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/melbeachquilts" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdbqUknDbrdrEdbw9lJ8lKJr_WKSlT8G0CYgNOtZPkuM-qDOmKZofwE7iXk9YAcF_q9-sBnv3OEhifzFzzMnNrNLRKOBy1aRzz1IIv--Bmv6LCRV--YtqLzI36bUiyEurmNHj_O2nN2n9BEp7NOCmQTDvDgRao-LaoZVuh4Azd3UgklAfz0TdDbtWJic/s5120/Evolon%20Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdbqUknDbrdrEdbw9lJ8lKJr_WKSlT8G0CYgNOtZPkuM-qDOmKZofwE7iXk9YAcF_q9-sBnv3OEhifzFzzMnNrNLRKOBy1aRzz1IIv--Bmv6LCRV--YtqLzI36bUiyEurmNHj_O2nN2n9BEp7NOCmQTDvDgRao-LaoZVuh4Azd3UgklAfz0TdDbtWJic/w640-h640/Evolon%20Painting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZLCfc_Kx7dcWyeelwW-XlYTVn7D5PMUg7Cz-fSCk0uFFmaumEMqZb5y3zVdzz_7i7dqooJ08bgTha1-tTjf37m017WB0zjQOIU3hbtSFO-4Do4wOmSyFxgNov3FOcDIaMxXy_MMR7xybkBBYFdspLuBcheqNDEAdyGRiIgLwQUI70nctdJJ5HCwu4w0/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZLCfc_Kx7dcWyeelwW-XlYTVn7D5PMUg7Cz-fSCk0uFFmaumEMqZb5y3zVdzz_7i7dqooJ08bgTha1-tTjf37m017WB0zjQOIU3hbtSFO-4Do4wOmSyFxgNov3FOcDIaMxXy_MMR7xybkBBYFdspLuBcheqNDEAdyGRiIgLwQUI70nctdJJ5HCwu4w0/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W2gyWmFyPrtdfmep-DoYP-nfUWbkFAUqgC14Dgri1SC-PDHW5VLDRZVySTo3nvwLIbG8EnCe16JvjPpb_Pn6yEnAfpWJp16jr6iDDcSdnz8Os34JtOKXYJlS2BKPOhAUvoGUl03ZeE4ChrdlsyIsz17k7AxLM2tVnKw9XsUh2tKHjSo1U_T1UJCj/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div><br /></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-21794545934833466732023-06-29T14:25:00.005-07:002023-06-29T14:25:47.890-07:00100 Days of I Spy Dice Designs: Celebratory Wrap Up & Reflections on Fodder, Tools, Techniques, Organization/Storage, and Travel<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6SeR1-hqoeoDvUC6sjvxaq5YZIbGcZGJBS6qtC_7bCZLtGTuoJ3eQqWz-qN27LMEUrF__CjW8_GQJxAuHfXKfKU9yoUK7unj1egzuiJ44DKb06iHZcYu8PfL7ELvgFmQemRuRdUrTN7Fnpgmun_LinoxKG1v4BLzds057BKnTXLBtOfaWU_RbaU4lhw/s2419/PXL_20230526_181930833%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2419" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6SeR1-hqoeoDvUC6sjvxaq5YZIbGcZGJBS6qtC_7bCZLtGTuoJ3eQqWz-qN27LMEUrF__CjW8_GQJxAuHfXKfKU9yoUK7unj1egzuiJ44DKb06iHZcYu8PfL7ELvgFmQemRuRdUrTN7Fnpgmun_LinoxKG1v4BLzds057BKnTXLBtOfaWU_RbaU4lhw/w640-h406/PXL_20230526_181930833%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></p></div>In my earlier blog post, I reflected upon <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2023/06/100-days-of-i-spy-dice-designs.html" target="_blank">design inspiration discovered throughout my 100 Days of I Spy Dice Designs</a>. In this post, I will focus more on the sources of fodder, materials, tools, techniques, and organization to support my creative process. I received quite a few questions about the what and how I was creating especially while traveling, so I hope this blog post helps answer a few of your questions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0bPKmsbjYYypDPeCH6JmJpdQk85aJYcj9hcdkHHeCp6SKluZF_QZzyYAObMsO36wG9IqLMWiM0gwNwMnsCwyokJbFGEQLTM2fDhudPaCccpwXrV63fEtpNKTJCUY3ni1MvtEAoCgfxx8AQxlmIEAFK26O4PEFYZN3-YrAPiRbe11gx33WqQWyiz5YaU/s5120/All%20100%20Pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0bPKmsbjYYypDPeCH6JmJpdQk85aJYcj9hcdkHHeCp6SKluZF_QZzyYAObMsO36wG9IqLMWiM0gwNwMnsCwyokJbFGEQLTM2fDhudPaCccpwXrV63fEtpNKTJCUY3ni1MvtEAoCgfxx8AQxlmIEAFK26O4PEFYZN3-YrAPiRbe11gx33WqQWyiz5YaU/w640-h640/All%20100%20Pages.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Collaging Into Children's Board Books</h3><p>Using children's board books for my I Spy Dice Design books was inspired by <a href="https://www.subscribepage.com/v9t7f7" target="_blank">Drew Steinbrecher's free online, class: Build your Creativity: Board Book Basics</a>. Used board books are readily available at thrift stores in a variety of sizes and shapes. For this series, I used this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Library-Boxset-Board/dp/9387779262/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=my+first+library+boxset+of+10+board+books&qid=1688061818&sprefix=my+first+library%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-3" target="_blank">"My First Library"</a> set as there were 10 books, each with 11 page spreads, plus they were very small and portable. I will confess that this smaller size definitely challenged me, especially at the start when I had originally planned to include the inspiration photo, text, and artwork all within each day's spread. By Day 3, I scrapped that plan and included a mosaic of all the inspiration photos in the first two pages of each book. This freed me up to use the full 7" x 4" spread to focus on text and art as inspired by the photo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf8j0auMBQIR41WxU7MR-JY2U0T4wSrBGtQCgEMrCK7TUF93MtLr4o_6uim0hJLOs7TF7PQLKKOdvypMtwcYtHFXM1qHycBEMtoiOdSyXta-UX3Xi6sSsBbMwGw7iWrbe2SB2THPQXVkFyXXZwI6xFXKNOa5K38S-Vp1F8SnWlBx2SgMluCrWQmE3Pn8/s5120/Supplies3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf8j0auMBQIR41WxU7MR-JY2U0T4wSrBGtQCgEMrCK7TUF93MtLr4o_6uim0hJLOs7TF7PQLKKOdvypMtwcYtHFXM1qHycBEMtoiOdSyXta-UX3Xi6sSsBbMwGw7iWrbe2SB2THPQXVkFyXXZwI6xFXKNOa5K38S-Vp1F8SnWlBx2SgMluCrWQmE3Pn8/w640-h426/Supplies3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was amazed at how much each book grew with each daily collage. Only 6 finished books fit into the original box. In Drew's class, he shares how he cuts open the book spine to allow for this growth. When it was time to finish my book, I used a length of duct tape to wrap around and reinforce the spine before covering with gel prints. A bone folder was used to fold the papers to snuggly wrap around from the back to the front. <a href="https://www.reptileadhesive.com/shop" target="_blank">Reptile Primum Craft Adhesive</a> was then used to affix the covers and mosaics. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYZImpzxNv4cN_woei-JfmNmk_MTuRXCqZWVFaliRoO8YgPOGNa6CiBC3nPAVXscNFita6c8Ctiec_FaY30oPgxcbRcmQyLbuKwI9KCGmmEEB7uTX0cAY6HpArZf7C7sZHIfrPzWHBdPhUvxSuS4GLkl8AlzgrhXMptZsrOd6gqj8mOpKQGT8KghvzU0/s2862/PXL_20230608_180528375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="2858" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYZImpzxNv4cN_woei-JfmNmk_MTuRXCqZWVFaliRoO8YgPOGNa6CiBC3nPAVXscNFita6c8Ctiec_FaY30oPgxcbRcmQyLbuKwI9KCGmmEEB7uTX0cAY6HpArZf7C7sZHIfrPzWHBdPhUvxSuS4GLkl8AlzgrhXMptZsrOd6gqj8mOpKQGT8KghvzU0/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_180528375.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Rolling the Dice to Determine Fodder Used</h3>Over the course of the 100 days, I rolled two dice. One die determined design inspiration, while the other determined what kind of fodder I would incorporate into my layered collage. Other fodder sources were also permitted, but this provided an opportunity to experiment with different kinds of fodder bits! Fodder is pretty much any kind of paper/medium that can be used in an art collage. Below are the different dice rolls, how many times I rolled them, examples of the fodder used, as well as daily spreads showcasing that particular fodder source! <div><p>1. <b>Junk Mail/Flyers</b>-16 rolls</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItzSd-QK3gfsba6efUBGvXhFPKF-qeH-CiXeN4HL6Muf6DGpbN-naazR9Y2OpvKPR0EwRGzL3RBDwyMzdNixWP-ch1wm9Khddz8fJ8YXGGKX43lsfn3QhqqkcBMuzjUJuGUzYxLjE3a95jmlZRzSEmKvcdVOfv1kyXe_LGqGEz-BUpCFyEQd9qurbag8/s2858/PXL_20230608_172907586.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2858" data-original-width="2858" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItzSd-QK3gfsba6efUBGvXhFPKF-qeH-CiXeN4HL6Muf6DGpbN-naazR9Y2OpvKPR0EwRGzL3RBDwyMzdNixWP-ch1wm9Khddz8fJ8YXGGKX43lsfn3QhqqkcBMuzjUJuGUzYxLjE3a95jmlZRzSEmKvcdVOfv1kyXe_LGqGEz-BUpCFyEQd9qurbag8/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_172907586.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I took greater interest in my junk mail throughout these 100 days, especially the patterned linings of security envelopes. Now I find myself silently judging companies and organizations on their envelopes and feel disappointed by boring, plain envelopes! Here are just a few of the pages featuring patterned security envelopes. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf8YGL5hbprQ-Vpl-mR7CikaSj_DorL1Re6PkE5P0HDDVWOOkSJZEIYvZTT3Grx2CoTfDmRJX_M0_6FwuY6rtUZ9BmNwDOMgyCkCokCbiM3J8PD21bw877R9Ro1nPnax4zVjvzjjteNjcq862hNcBUUzeb7-_OF-xvbVLpLphHBpxpdrSXWl-qk3D9Bo/s5120/Envelope%20Liners.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrf8YGL5hbprQ-Vpl-mR7CikaSj_DorL1Re6PkE5P0HDDVWOOkSJZEIYvZTT3Grx2CoTfDmRJX_M0_6FwuY6rtUZ9BmNwDOMgyCkCokCbiM3J8PD21bw877R9Ro1nPnax4zVjvzjjteNjcq862hNcBUUzeb7-_OF-xvbVLpLphHBpxpdrSXWl-qk3D9Bo/w640-h426/Envelope%20Liners.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><b>2. Packaging</b>-16 rolls</div><div>Packaging used in my 100 day project included single use plastic bags, paper bags, tissue boxes, food labels, toilet paper wrapping, and more. If it had interesting swatches of color and/or pattern, I would hold onto it for future use in my daily spreads and on multiple occasions I raided the recycling bin for much needed fodder. I even unwrapped some of my canned goods to find the right color swatches--although I made sure I labeled the can first and then taped the cut up label before returning the can back to the cupboard! While traveling, I saved little bits of wrapping from the hotel room, meals, etc, just in case! Even paper bags and cardboard boxes made for blank canvases to create using different mediums!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ljuvfhQH9WQIM3rUIZ8YlmncOeFvSEkCexA-BGAF3kTFiCQ0fpTnZPgqrp2GtaPwbpzWlKfdsWh5Wdkzlt4uWs7Pm5TRjbuK70D4RHy8zJnEXZJ9V9yAzEjwodAmajZnyDABzswIOFEQVRdGf7AIwJeoGFkXddwn9l0e2aMjQZ3vha13oxCHs8BGQEo/s5120/Daily%20Spread10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="5120" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ljuvfhQH9WQIM3rUIZ8YlmncOeFvSEkCexA-BGAF3kTFiCQ0fpTnZPgqrp2GtaPwbpzWlKfdsWh5Wdkzlt4uWs7Pm5TRjbuK70D4RHy8zJnEXZJ9V9yAzEjwodAmajZnyDABzswIOFEQVRdGf7AIwJeoGFkXddwn9l0e2aMjQZ3vha13oxCHs8BGQEo/w640-h512/Daily%20Spread10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>3. Books/Magazines</b>-18 rolls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUdpLB04yaKPpY_npNG9AYtPtuVJQvuqvoflDEmILQsqNaFHmGp7csDMhS6R7expuzTQfrNNJwbRE8bgvwhVIzplVCU1MFE3arsBNlcIGP62OsTCYYZm7uaQ-FonzQYbL1C-_VMck1FlSTKKL2GvMiPx7tkBJmXsKcA1dcJORXusVjhcpY1HCqIcmsPA/s2933/PXL_20230608_173013597.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2933" data-original-width="2933" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUdpLB04yaKPpY_npNG9AYtPtuVJQvuqvoflDEmILQsqNaFHmGp7csDMhS6R7expuzTQfrNNJwbRE8bgvwhVIzplVCU1MFE3arsBNlcIGP62OsTCYYZm7uaQ-FonzQYbL1C-_VMck1FlSTKKL2GvMiPx7tkBJmXsKcA1dcJORXusVjhcpY1HCqIcmsPA/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_173013597.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a pretty big category with lots of versatility. These IEEE Spectrum magazines were from my partner and had lots of colorful graphics. Travel brochures gathered in hotels and airports were also included in this category and were a fun way to celebrate my travel adventures. Here are a few spreads featuring glossy magazines and travel brochures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiA3M_U8z-IaEOYgxo9--CoDeynuqiR2orHZl-_hD-c_84WZlR86boWUbKDkvBPS-XSMxGPNQKN5BQs6bTg0K3rUTE3xsyMbvRZzG-vMZ4Mlkkq_lkk_NvCoJ2hz7iwd8y29bHQhk1kPjoCjbJL_bgzyo3UxlXfJ_qK_6jz9txtHfwJ7VKVbTf7hixa8/s5120/Magazines%20and%20Brochures.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiA3M_U8z-IaEOYgxo9--CoDeynuqiR2orHZl-_hD-c_84WZlR86boWUbKDkvBPS-XSMxGPNQKN5BQs6bTg0K3rUTE3xsyMbvRZzG-vMZ4Mlkkq_lkk_NvCoJ2hz7iwd8y29bHQhk1kPjoCjbJL_bgzyo3UxlXfJ_qK_6jz9txtHfwJ7VKVbTf7hixa8/w640-h426/Magazines%20and%20Brochures.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I purchased several used books from local thrift stores for fodder including books with music and foreign text. They added visual interest to my backgrounds, especially when layered with watercolor painting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnBdsEhu2l8bJ8JqSK75U6RuHxRAJIWLUjk0s8Aa_1abd5dB9U1u1eacxBP5UdD40zwzi6tkD4ir6RM7YmjdkxS6httvFcC1ZScLkRr2CgM4W9Fkexr7_tlyAO9oFEBM_xbSDZB3cO7BmW4LheDp3uNBqvrK5rCqokU8ChiKa8kEjoh4EHK-U_lbQ1CE/s5120/Book%20Fodder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbnBdsEhu2l8bJ8JqSK75U6RuHxRAJIWLUjk0s8Aa_1abd5dB9U1u1eacxBP5UdD40zwzi6tkD4ir6RM7YmjdkxS6httvFcC1ZScLkRr2CgM4W9Fkexr7_tlyAO9oFEBM_xbSDZB3cO7BmW4LheDp3uNBqvrK5rCqokU8ChiKa8kEjoh4EHK-U_lbQ1CE/w640-h320/Book%20Fodder.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>4. Made Fodder</b>--Gel Plate Prints-15 rolls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K1NP-vYBVdVa6-knUKE6k9t1YwGx45UNFUUSb5MZ1dYJkl6G2tjT1zzlKbZ8NNxv4QpiFm2WFmseihAII_BKM7j7hTzKAD8NuVK6ZwpDV25t1S33ANOxQO7cjx7AjpCZr9-GY0KUqouqen0jl8yEv_F4tcFXR6_MWIz8sch1vBxkwSIYzFby6K07aH4/s5120/Gel%20Plate%20Prints.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3657" data-original-width="5120" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5K1NP-vYBVdVa6-knUKE6k9t1YwGx45UNFUUSb5MZ1dYJkl6G2tjT1zzlKbZ8NNxv4QpiFm2WFmseihAII_BKM7j7hTzKAD8NuVK6ZwpDV25t1S33ANOxQO7cjx7AjpCZr9-GY0KUqouqen0jl8yEv_F4tcFXR6_MWIz8sch1vBxkwSIYzFby6K07aH4/w640-h458/Gel%20Plate%20Prints.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>These dice rolls were the perfect opportunity to cut into and use my growing collection of gel plate prints. Even though several pages were special, I wasn't as fearful cutting into these pages as I often feel with fabric. I didn't worry about cutting into the center to get just the right color or swatch! Any scraps were saved for future projects and/or adding hand-lettered words/phrases for my bowl of text!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCdQvuJ5XP-Df2Ypze1OccR5_tZ2b7-tKYMAEfZcZJ66WwIYWMyY4I8a97PMjINpZ5Qt0xH1_bN12HLNMuHXJVvY8-Mm-uhXS1vr5hMNjzfQ_W3YhT9B-OgTU0-FoQDCCUnmqhlB6eqSBPwteOXm-rLWXwm9ocUyK8gxYWrrH-f8ZPNiYuaoqzK3M8rU/s2948/PXL_20230608_175932393.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2948" data-original-width="2948" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCdQvuJ5XP-Df2Ypze1OccR5_tZ2b7-tKYMAEfZcZJ66WwIYWMyY4I8a97PMjINpZ5Qt0xH1_bN12HLNMuHXJVvY8-Mm-uhXS1vr5hMNjzfQ_W3YhT9B-OgTU0-FoQDCCUnmqhlB6eqSBPwteOXm-rLWXwm9ocUyK8gxYWrrH-f8ZPNiYuaoqzK3M8rU/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_175932393.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I especially enjoyed using tone-on-tone prints for my finished book covers. Did you notice that each new book cover and spine were added in rainbow order?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA8xdnxDf676hjLtPIn8dNOWOjyJr0HrFkm2cSkw5FE7JlbYtycgaT-oEMzQalKVxGXPRW_C3l1gA_rXkzaWggfDFpbSOVNyV-AdfOs_sE5Vy4cq1EO7JXhfODs5mhS24Xg_is7njX5kcy_2Qh7Qu39ANgE_9z50RuYecRrDTKkQkI_VlDeWUtMtYWOo/s5120/Finished%20Books2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="5120" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA8xdnxDf676hjLtPIn8dNOWOjyJr0HrFkm2cSkw5FE7JlbYtycgaT-oEMzQalKVxGXPRW_C3l1gA_rXkzaWggfDFpbSOVNyV-AdfOs_sE5Vy4cq1EO7JXhfODs5mhS24Xg_is7njX5kcy_2Qh7Qu39ANgE_9z50RuYecRrDTKkQkI_VlDeWUtMtYWOo/w640-h256/Finished%20Books2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><b>5. Made Fodder-Tissue/Deli Paper</b>-13 rolls<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCemhO2yAYSGXzhG6RRioJy1FNcxs6eooqp-b8T5FwN7mmCmAXWubC0LaG9CxJgA6QvXr170tJcMUoZmxTobUW2xqCufzaNJKh0J3C-VfdGzwD_MUkRTSIdP4f8Ui6N3aB8zPYKj8xvg3YTOnmfhJ2d6HFMdCuGzeu7Pz0WQ0FNleUn34g923NIyJ2m4/s3024/PXL_20230608_175205085.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCemhO2yAYSGXzhG6RRioJy1FNcxs6eooqp-b8T5FwN7mmCmAXWubC0LaG9CxJgA6QvXr170tJcMUoZmxTobUW2xqCufzaNJKh0J3C-VfdGzwD_MUkRTSIdP4f8Ui6N3aB8zPYKj8xvg3YTOnmfhJ2d6HFMdCuGzeu7Pz0WQ0FNleUn34g923NIyJ2m4/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_175205085.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I enjoyed working with transparent fodder including deli paper, tissue paper, and vellum! Because they were thin and sometimes porous, I used a sheet of plastic underneath when painting/marking to capture any ink/paint. I also had to use other papers underneath to conceal the children's board book illustrations.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipPkPaLxp0EQ0Zpsqqu5h3EKzBetpsa-MdJ20W5sSk0YEfDlbaBbBU45nDBX8GX4U31ZKnFSVBXW5Y8OfXtSqpjBfryadDNpiS6d-fhzNJVWbJ-c0ioThSrr9sHtFPufyesk1SbLQ8d0vTnNYSYcxLSxJgtarsU1NNO68R4sU8_KiqGmhspBZ4_qMqxI/s5120/Daily%20Spread11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2925" data-original-width="5120" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhipPkPaLxp0EQ0Zpsqqu5h3EKzBetpsa-MdJ20W5sSk0YEfDlbaBbBU45nDBX8GX4U31ZKnFSVBXW5Y8OfXtSqpjBfryadDNpiS6d-fhzNJVWbJ-c0ioThSrr9sHtFPufyesk1SbLQ8d0vTnNYSYcxLSxJgtarsU1NNO68R4sU8_KiqGmhspBZ4_qMqxI/w640-h366/Daily%20Spread11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>6. Artist Choice</b>-22 rolls</p><p>I always enjoy including an Artist Choice roll as it affords me the opportunity to explore my favorite sources of fodder and/or experiment with new materials that may not fit the assigned categories. Here are a few different sources of fodder that made repeat appearances in my daily collages:</p><p>Tape including washi tape and painter's tape to construct a ladder shadow, striped flags, lettering, and accents...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo_EF6ivdjoTUjx2Hnt7baYp6bISyDTsNT2hl6oIAKYTbY4kv2cbAk1MHds1TcQMvGvhZOsTAPtbJ0oCef1j23YsTHaBESmZQF3MoLEQAlzgvtNGc6nfIRGqoU2z5jY8891Ri_VgE9sXFMyXikP83svaVNDjNKqx5Ym1KdbCPL1BHonRdWZrAwafhtgw/s5120/Tape.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIo_EF6ivdjoTUjx2Hnt7baYp6bISyDTsNT2hl6oIAKYTbY4kv2cbAk1MHds1TcQMvGvhZOsTAPtbJ0oCef1j23YsTHaBESmZQF3MoLEQAlzgvtNGc6nfIRGqoU2z5jY8891Ri_VgE9sXFMyXikP83svaVNDjNKqx5Ym1KdbCPL1BHonRdWZrAwafhtgw/w640-h426/Tape.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Another source of fodder was wallpaper samples sourced from <a href="https://www.fabmo.org" target="_blank">Fabmo, Inc</a> , an organization dedicated to rescuing designer materials for creative reuse. They have a room full of wall paper swatches with each sheet priced between $.10 - $.25 each, so I always pick out a few new pieces during each visit!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmb5GplyqXyR2uoqQ0wGnT_QWUGwZl4WY4Cvp8NTTf3qe5ERjxtkNZPfrOWppQZLOlXl_w7MTU4exe1lAN10mYU20PSeKZZB9C621JQMo9vYa-BVQUM9-qVJXrkF3vXF-wnnIlr939q0i96aZMplfAf2ikqTOhLJIrxk0s58PIh63BQyycRFn-_cf6E0/s3024/PXL_20230608_180234653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmb5GplyqXyR2uoqQ0wGnT_QWUGwZl4WY4Cvp8NTTf3qe5ERjxtkNZPfrOWppQZLOlXl_w7MTU4exe1lAN10mYU20PSeKZZB9C621JQMo9vYa-BVQUM9-qVJXrkF3vXF-wnnIlr939q0i96aZMplfAf2ikqTOhLJIrxk0s58PIh63BQyycRFn-_cf6E0/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_180234653.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These swatches introduced lots of gorgeous colors, patterns, and textures, including metallic accents! After seeing all these fun spreads, I definitely want to use more of these wall paper swatches in my future mixed-media creations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TR2rPyu69CO4DtzX3bdP_DqXobKdl1gDdthr9cl6px4afxUuTpjI3f5b8gp0ua5LYjmcyg2IGhqZ9byvQVnf4xEBQIfsKPAnNLziWO1732cZSvfOTY5UOOSX-Yycggadv54ox_TAKcjjPU0dfs_nXwAvL32WuqQQYLzLCBaSgLNR9zIU9zSJl9roZdE/s5120/Wall%20Paper.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8TR2rPyu69CO4DtzX3bdP_DqXobKdl1gDdthr9cl6px4afxUuTpjI3f5b8gp0ua5LYjmcyg2IGhqZ9byvQVnf4xEBQIfsKPAnNLziWO1732cZSvfOTY5UOOSX-Yycggadv54ox_TAKcjjPU0dfs_nXwAvL32WuqQQYLzLCBaSgLNR9zIU9zSJl9roZdE/w640-h320/Wall%20Paper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Mixed Media Techniques</h3><p>Over the course of the 100 days, there were several techniques that were revisited in new and exciting ways as inspired by the dice rolls. </p><p><b>Block Printing: </b>I couldn't resist the urge to incorporate block printing. Some days I revisited previously carved blocks and/or commercial foam stamps. Other days I was inspired to carve a new block and/or create a foam sticker stamp as inspired by the design photo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVLBvDvaf_6DlstdE3PaajB2yhM73QCy3nCD8vFADcFC_qfMKmL7QJh-tgdYiNEw-y1_PgqXecf6vrGzLuvLQ987TktYGuUl2-dt09eRrLRbxnmqKIBKbKoIrvWqhckMKUYTNHhuB9WcEsVdUXCCuzynh-GhESmMsg4urTEUfM6Q60e667ARgxclo0VE/s5120/Block%20Printing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3657" data-original-width="5120" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVLBvDvaf_6DlstdE3PaajB2yhM73QCy3nCD8vFADcFC_qfMKmL7QJh-tgdYiNEw-y1_PgqXecf6vrGzLuvLQ987TktYGuUl2-dt09eRrLRbxnmqKIBKbKoIrvWqhckMKUYTNHhuB9WcEsVdUXCCuzynh-GhESmMsg4urTEUfM6Q60e667ARgxclo0VE/w640-h458/Block%20Printing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Markers/Pens:</b> Markers and pens were certainly used for much of the hand-lettered text, but oftentimes, the markers & pens played a significant roll in the overall design and/or adding accents/details to individual elements. Some of my favorite markers include Posca Paint Pens (both the large bullet tip and fine bullet tip), Ecoline Brush Pens, Tombow 2 in 1 brush pens, Uniball Signo Gel Pens, and Gelly Roll pens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpn3auUI-1JRVcuDoSyX3PODMfCvftfmwDxNaSlWrnstkRM2BVS-HTB398CoONDnPnmHGYCZ7r6cd12v1eJYdllaVPkvRLQoojGA3yswUTjq5Oxhd3Arr5sd0TYSuKZm398NI9uwspHqMhqba4jSnKeruMG68eOBTVvMpkg85Q34hKyUIXhpPufZjncs/s5120/Markers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpn3auUI-1JRVcuDoSyX3PODMfCvftfmwDxNaSlWrnstkRM2BVS-HTB398CoONDnPnmHGYCZ7r6cd12v1eJYdllaVPkvRLQoojGA3yswUTjq5Oxhd3Arr5sd0TYSuKZm398NI9uwspHqMhqba4jSnKeruMG68eOBTVvMpkg85Q34hKyUIXhpPufZjncs/w640-h426/Markers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><b>Circle Abstractions: </b>I believe it was Jennifer Wilkin Penick's 1-hour Color Wheels Art Play class that introduced me to circle punches. After her demo, I ordered 6 different sizes and put those circle punches to use in several of my layered collages!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl5qUtlJ5ZxpUrdRCC56heemSQEpfOCHFUDuRCoEPKxzQVa8GpI57UWDl_jH_KR-_18Dh4CPEyizt7SU6MTMCKelxaPG_xuBARaJo66CHDzA7YTlW4IBPiBLsCuvR83cV68jkKbRsNslE7YAVG-xeUGsuKXmuy-smmrU5VBoc2MsGBppYtCeGZvbLSaA/s5120/Circle%20Punches.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl5qUtlJ5ZxpUrdRCC56heemSQEpfOCHFUDuRCoEPKxzQVa8GpI57UWDl_jH_KR-_18Dh4CPEyizt7SU6MTMCKelxaPG_xuBARaJo66CHDzA7YTlW4IBPiBLsCuvR83cV68jkKbRsNslE7YAVG-xeUGsuKXmuy-smmrU5VBoc2MsGBppYtCeGZvbLSaA/w640-h320/Circle%20Punches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Watercolor: </b>For years, watercolor painting never really appealed to me partially because I perceived them to be difficult to control and they yielded very muted colors. Several of the Love Your Imperfect Hand Lettering challenges involved watercolor painting and so I decided to revisit watercolor painting. Wow--I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the meditative nature of watercolor painting! I purchased a <a href="https://shop.yasutomo.com/collections/niji-artist-watercoolors" target="_blank">Niji Artist Watercolors Essential Set of 12 Colors</a> and watched several YouTube videos including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3_KNLg5U9k" target="_blank">Willa Wander's video demo on The Mother Method of Color Mixing for All Artists and All Paint Mediums.</a> After seeing the range of colors that can be created from a limited color palette, I was hooked on watercolor painting! I especially enjoyed painting little bits that I could then carefully cut out and incorporate into my collages!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg1hrgdqrJ_eYQcYqS5FSx55SeCUt9N_SvD4-urqiy51hEqiGqDPa42HdmqCs9MzZiMTrxZnw0OQ25BVZTO4ior4bWSOLkUjxfhVLKS7KegKaM0xXSNwCmWvGZq-v9GqHcelw8ByHtKtMq-1xqa2Ljt2oiNx6MY_1bzJkCfV3YIbIvMVMx7V7Ld9hzzM/s5120/Watercolor%20Play.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="5120" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg1hrgdqrJ_eYQcYqS5FSx55SeCUt9N_SvD4-urqiy51hEqiGqDPa42HdmqCs9MzZiMTrxZnw0OQ25BVZTO4ior4bWSOLkUjxfhVLKS7KegKaM0xXSNwCmWvGZq-v9GqHcelw8ByHtKtMq-1xqa2Ljt2oiNx6MY_1bzJkCfV3YIbIvMVMx7V7Ld9hzzM/w640-h384/Watercolor%20Play.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Tools:</b></h3><div>I've mentioned several of the tools/supplies, used, but thought I would include a list of my favorite supplies used in this 100 Day Project...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB4oWTQsZmyWv8MnCTzkx4UgDi9L_SBdl0fTkY2zOd21HYdZW_WvDS65O2SBr2IvYPkX-Xkvh96V-QdAUuyNGde9sXU8FVUzJi-m4a51xrbBOS-dvMuMBP3t47MPbI0b7YwHnuh1OSDQgVyWvjWByRwKXPTYTf9AwjA8bzWXQslziyAWFr0e-ufi6UnY/s2848/PXL_20230608_173428815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB4oWTQsZmyWv8MnCTzkx4UgDi9L_SBdl0fTkY2zOd21HYdZW_WvDS65O2SBr2IvYPkX-Xkvh96V-QdAUuyNGde9sXU8FVUzJi-m4a51xrbBOS-dvMuMBP3t47MPbI0b7YwHnuh1OSDQgVyWvjWByRwKXPTYTf9AwjA8bzWXQslziyAWFr0e-ufi6UnY/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_173428815.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are some of my favorite go-to tools for creating these layered collages:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.tonic-studios.com/collections/tim-holtz?usf_sort=bestselling" target="_blank">Tim Holtz Tonic brand Snips and Shears</a>: I had the 5" Mini Snips (great for fussy cutting small elements) and the 9.5" Shears, but purchased the 7" towards the end of my project too.</li><li>Circle Punches in a variety of sizes. Given the small size of my compositions, I used the 1", 3/4" and 1/4" the most, but I have several other larger sizes for use with larger projects.</li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sizzix-664140-Accessory-Fine-Tip-Multicolour/dp/B07SRCD1Z1" target="_blank">Sizzix Curved Fine Tip Tweezers</a>: These are amazing for handling delicate elements especially when applying glue and placing within my compositions. </li><li><a href="https://www.reptileadhesive.com/shop" target="_blank">Reptile Premium Craft Adhesive</a>: Wendy Solganic aka Willa Wanders introduced me to this glue during one of her Fodder School lessons and I too love it because it sets fairly quickly and dries clear. I transferred it into a small bottle with a fine tip which worked even better for applying onto small bits.</li><li>Assorted Washi Tape--both for taping down layers when tracing and block printing, as well as for designing.</li><li>Rotary Cutter, Mat and Rulers: I had several from making quilts. My rotary cutter blade definitely needs to be changed after it was used with paper and often got bits of glue onto it when trimming each page even with the board book background. When traveling, I packed a small Accuquilt GO! cutting mat for use with my rotary cutter!</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZRjsWuNyPxv_lW5jml1NW6nyx-hYQxxCvOELiTvE0dTap2JoURG6Pwngw570O8ZsCNofTZBuhYX56BnKvyb-90R1QH0ScX6w_Pht8bX-ziN8PnNyN-CUQqPU5nDPZ9wJFM0aYp0uioxaamqoSuQ9RH3Pkyd-7dpYvi17n7n-rI2LX9JnmJIYQWsaeg8/s2953/PXL_20230608_174307036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2953" data-original-width="2953" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZRjsWuNyPxv_lW5jml1NW6nyx-hYQxxCvOELiTvE0dTap2JoURG6Pwngw570O8ZsCNofTZBuhYX56BnKvyb-90R1QH0ScX6w_Pht8bX-ziN8PnNyN-CUQqPU5nDPZ9wJFM0aYp0uioxaamqoSuQ9RH3Pkyd-7dpYvi17n7n-rI2LX9JnmJIYQWsaeg8/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_174307036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here are some of my favorite mark-making supplies from the project:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Posca paint pens (large bullet tip and fine bullet tip)</li><li>Uniball Signo UM 153 pens--they come in a variety of colors and I especially love the white, silver, and gold pens for use on dark backgrounds!</li><li>Uniball Air pens that Wendy aka Willa Wanders introduced in her Love Your Imperfect Lettering course.</li><li>Sakura's Gelly Roll pens</li><li><a href="https://shop.yasutomo.com/collections/niji-artist-watercoolors" target="_blank">Yasatomo's Niji Artist Watercolors Essential Set of 12 Colors</a> and their <a href="https://shop.yasutomo.com/collections/fusion-brushes" target="_blank">Fusion Brushes sizes 2-5</a>.</li><li>Sakura's Micron Pens (available in a variety of colors and tips)</li><li>Liqeo Pro Permanent Marker</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBkZOH0HcV6lVFs2E5XbJFYof4WCYhUWOh8giM2WPsoWZD0IiGYnvUWA-IjRl44cprcLSwLdH-Iw9XgNNedTaeGbpN_GUHvKkTGSETdb4ZlVa4M6jrSAb0nqASqE_YXMyNVxjiDrCRNotPfbwaBUwDN6fL5rcU6plTePX5AlXkKEVb68_nikfE7De3Fg/s2848/PXL_20230608_174734195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBkZOH0HcV6lVFs2E5XbJFYof4WCYhUWOh8giM2WPsoWZD0IiGYnvUWA-IjRl44cprcLSwLdH-Iw9XgNNedTaeGbpN_GUHvKkTGSETdb4ZlVa4M6jrSAb0nqASqE_YXMyNVxjiDrCRNotPfbwaBUwDN6fL5rcU6plTePX5AlXkKEVb68_nikfE7De3Fg/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_174734195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Organization:</h3><p>It's always interesting to see how my studio adapts for each 100 Day Project in order to have the materials and supplies readily accessible and organized. Earlier in the year, I purchased a small <a href="https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/vattenkar-desktop-shelf-white-20541568/#content" target="_blank">VATTENKAR Desktop shelf from IKEA</a> which was perfect for holding many of my to-go tools: scissors, glue, rotary cutter, Washi tape, tweezers, etc next to where I did much of my creating. Behind me, my pegboard cabinet originally contained mostly quilting notions--many of which I rarely, if ever used. So I pulled everything out and consolidated much of the quilting gear to the right side, leaving the left side available for paints, circle cutters, and other mixed media tools!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovjRB5tNySBd1-lkTV6_gcBxA6s1lAMrJk2O_D3YlCiqzzRqGWVDGKXgHMcYSUOZsAq7fE7ghY-Zs87khndhdVlfi_qSOe_qFwUa3f9r07GRO5NyiMW6Vx73Q6r70hVISwXCDo5eCfJK18tkm3FoNNVgp7KCy5azdhYSLfdCVYyjx5WDEAmVpA8QN2aw/s5120/Supplies5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovjRB5tNySBd1-lkTV6_gcBxA6s1lAMrJk2O_D3YlCiqzzRqGWVDGKXgHMcYSUOZsAq7fE7ghY-Zs87khndhdVlfi_qSOe_qFwUa3f9r07GRO5NyiMW6Vx73Q6r70hVISwXCDo5eCfJK18tkm3FoNNVgp7KCy5azdhYSLfdCVYyjx5WDEAmVpA8QN2aw/w640-h320/Supplies5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Between this 100 Day Project, Fodder School, Gel Plate Printing, and other mixed-media classes, my collection of fodder continues to expand. At the start of this project I would sort through a pile of gel prints hoping to find just the right one, which took a lot of time and made it harder to find papers for future spreads. So I finally sorted them into 4 magazine racks: warm colors, cool colors, neutrals, and multi-color. This was progress, but was still difficult to find given the different sources of fodder, several of which (tissue paper/deli paper) were delicate and needed more careful handling. Thankfully I picked up some great organization ideas from the Papercrafters Get Organized Summit in April! A visit to the Container Store and Staples yielded a new rainbow filing system with folders for each color and separate spaces for gel prints, delicate prints, security envelopes, and more. This fodder storage system will be a work in progress as I have some fodder that still needs sorting, as well as new fodder being added to the mix, and who knows what kind of fodder awaits me in future Fodder School lessons and other mixed media classes! So for now, I have a box that holds unsorted fodder that I tackle in small bits each week.</div><div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKha4YPVYi8QOiNTCseEkYIffhesKJ--9fBQnyfTPZrdu6pmwGrXtvKvzQCvBnR6z9IQcP4VKZsNZbpzNxqqMskCxUiNNoVygkqqvov6pogjIKpPTzc44r2-U_c3Fl-XiKn8MiH5aaMdNJk7vrp6_RyayKm86iLmcP14aV7oRj8SsZbkfpWPGUvYduhc/s5120/Supplies4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKha4YPVYi8QOiNTCseEkYIffhesKJ--9fBQnyfTPZrdu6pmwGrXtvKvzQCvBnR6z9IQcP4VKZsNZbpzNxqqMskCxUiNNoVygkqqvov6pogjIKpPTzc44r2-U_c3Fl-XiKn8MiH5aaMdNJk7vrp6_RyayKm86iLmcP14aV7oRj8SsZbkfpWPGUvYduhc/w640-h426/Supplies4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Creating Throughout My Travels</h3><div>There were several travel trips that that coincided and almost deterred my participation in this year's 100 Day Project. Instead I tried to celebrate these upcoming trips as an infusion of new design inspiration for my project. I am proud of the fact that I managed to continue my daily creations throughout the entirety of this project, especially during my trips where my space and time for creating were limited. I thought I would share some of the challenges I faced and how I made it work during those trips.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully these board books were fairly small with each page measuring 3.5" x 4". While this smaller format was challenging design-wise, it made this project fairly portable. Below are a few images I took of my temporary travel studios including:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Top Row L to R: Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove while teaching at Empty Spools Seminars (first two photos), Fresno hotel, and Toronto Hilton.</li><li>Bottom Row: Southwest flight (first two) and Kauai trip (last two)</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGM3j7yeuMxg8SJUOdDHfjiheJ2f9PaTJkdHAZJkE1RViqBa8UWmmmepcHOmu77zC5iX0802nHsxQWORH1jTUM7WycE7VQqDxzXbi3VziGkUZEWLwVxsyRPk6NUFoorjEHgirnB5yVHWHsWV8ZmTpA9njzwuDLCC5V67bsGcsmp8PuZ3ykCosDgOcldc/s5120/Travel%20Studio%20Set%20Ups.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGM3j7yeuMxg8SJUOdDHfjiheJ2f9PaTJkdHAZJkE1RViqBa8UWmmmepcHOmu77zC5iX0802nHsxQWORH1jTUM7WycE7VQqDxzXbi3VziGkUZEWLwVxsyRPk6NUFoorjEHgirnB5yVHWHsWV8ZmTpA9njzwuDLCC5V67bsGcsmp8PuZ3ykCosDgOcldc/w640-h320/Travel%20Studio%20Set%20Ups.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully the first two trips to involved car travel, so I was able to pack extra supplies. As my trip to Toronto approached, I was able to determine which tools/supplies were essential and consolidate accordingly as I was limited to carryon luggage only. Besides very limited space, my biggest challenge was not being able to bring my rotary cutter to Toronto, so the edges of that book are not quite as smooth as I was using small scissors to trim. Thankfully I was flying Southwest to Kauai, so I had an entire suitcase dedicated just to art supplies...some of which I carried on for a bit of in-flight creative play!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I certainly scaled down the mark making tools to my watercolor basic set, a few black pens/markers, metallic/white pens, and I usually brought the entire collection of Posca pens which fit into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OgcrswCxcFSRAjNDA62yTGipyi-Xz_Kl2e3r9IFL_qJh6C0ZCU2RGXN6T8rkgTaGXoaCciJXwuJJcnr_Odu7TvkfEJrsdB7IwBUz7SLahi2lSZEzzv2BYwQjvS9UkeeXHStZ6Cla_U3kDkPhcwEFGaqsFX_Z-ia7ix_HzGabaCRsNEx8sO-YT97V-ZQ/s2848/PXL_20230608_174734195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2847" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OgcrswCxcFSRAjNDA62yTGipyi-Xz_Kl2e3r9IFL_qJh6C0ZCU2RGXN6T8rkgTaGXoaCciJXwuJJcnr_Odu7TvkfEJrsdB7IwBUz7SLahi2lSZEzzv2BYwQjvS9UkeeXHStZ6Cla_U3kDkPhcwEFGaqsFX_Z-ia7ix_HzGabaCRsNEx8sO-YT97V-ZQ/w640-h640/PXL_20230608_174734195.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Below are the travel tools I took with me (with exception of the large shears and rotary cutter for my Toronto travel as they were not safe for carryon luggage). I transferred the Reptile glue into the small bottle to stay under the liquids rule, brought the small snips which complied with TSA's rules, and had several zip pouches containing mostly raw materials for making fodder: torn out pages from the books, deli paper, black paper, and small pads of watercolor paper. I also brought the small scraps cut away from previous projects for a bit of hand made fodder to create on the fly. Otherwise, I was a bit of a scavenger, saving travel brochures, maps, and all and any packaging from my travels. In some ways, having limited supplies made it easier to jump in and get creating, with the limited time I had away from teaching and/or attending the SAQA conference. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblD-1G64KU_z2OQE2lyzQ-BjQCfKqOxW6E8vdRC8QguVw6wr0Ad-LOdciOItxIFQXQV5RLGwbYsvUhnLP9E4iL3CqmOjk6yalCGp4AaGIrIrUaPaDI7fUsZbHYVfhTT9uf1VfT-dLOX5ix8OC11K-6fBT6_2GvGsm7HIhHmQWRVBN4PADFd-zCJUG2zk/s5120/Supplies2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblD-1G64KU_z2OQE2lyzQ-BjQCfKqOxW6E8vdRC8QguVw6wr0Ad-LOdciOItxIFQXQV5RLGwbYsvUhnLP9E4iL3CqmOjk6yalCGp4AaGIrIrUaPaDI7fUsZbHYVfhTT9uf1VfT-dLOX5ix8OC11K-6fBT6_2GvGsm7HIhHmQWRVBN4PADFd-zCJUG2zk/w640-h640/Supplies2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I feel like I am forgetting something big, but hopefully this captures the scope of my project and helps answer some of your questions. If you have other questions, leave a comment below.</p><p>Many thanks to everyone who joined me on this creative journey. Special thanks to all the artists who influenced my daily creations, all my family and friends who patiently waited as I paused to take lots of photos for inspiration, my travel companions who were understanding when I snuck away to create, and to all of you for your encouragement throughout this project!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p9SFfLFBwPmoOAQEtitVzaxFhd4dvb_rSJR_u5ynzkqLYomeYVI2JVYLXuqTbnv7UaxYlpaQoYkPZ5wSbLo2Ttp6QFGe6SC1l0qsq7MabPJLssKcDmPlIT1qZKhCc-zRlQeO-Anlj-92f5bEndojIS8vz1I4-PxYS_haQ-8Jls_iiSkePjVf-yLYpNg/s2253/PXL_20230609_012642119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="2253" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8p9SFfLFBwPmoOAQEtitVzaxFhd4dvb_rSJR_u5ynzkqLYomeYVI2JVYLXuqTbnv7UaxYlpaQoYkPZ5wSbLo2Ttp6QFGe6SC1l0qsq7MabPJLssKcDmPlIT1qZKhCc-zRlQeO-Anlj-92f5bEndojIS8vz1I4-PxYS_haQ-8Jls_iiSkePjVf-yLYpNg/w640-h640/PXL_20230609_012642119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWf3mnvHyMsLxehCIQlYA-i0F3sQLpQBKHvgdS0BC9QfKRAeflWAkWKROY7deqojDMHy5BkeYz0Pji-j7y5xjnW8-cW3nbLKVP3A1NErSm9TtwAqTVqrkOM-4d9AN5HAM54j1r5W2pdAGa23Rr0QrbBGMSvsIb3K7ecwOM_vHh6Pcw5dMYzfVZLTY/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWf3mnvHyMsLxehCIQlYA-i0F3sQLpQBKHvgdS0BC9QfKRAeflWAkWKROY7deqojDMHy5BkeYz0Pji-j7y5xjnW8-cW3nbLKVP3A1NErSm9TtwAqTVqrkOM-4d9AN5HAM54j1r5W2pdAGa23Rr0QrbBGMSvsIb3K7ecwOM_vHh6Pcw5dMYzfVZLTY/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-73578552922853092342023-06-27T18:16:00.001-07:002023-06-27T18:16:10.108-07:00100 Days of I Spy Dice Designs: Celebratory Wrap Up & Reflections on Design Inspiration<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJL528r3Y3oKbRofqcRhBwNQLBiSqZA5iGsR9iuav37-_gS4uJo-XSIpLuOHYdhZ9N4jemZ76Ui9rkEboqSbnrJznIKnUj93vmwbnk-bYrJF8EQkIU12SmsowmLqiD9uEtLR3O30vIp0ZuCbEOdlCLvG8QvJE7ntwoBAMgMNb9rn4oYQVI_b7-qtRyDk/s3024/PXL_20230609_012310237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJL528r3Y3oKbRofqcRhBwNQLBiSqZA5iGsR9iuav37-_gS4uJo-XSIpLuOHYdhZ9N4jemZ76Ui9rkEboqSbnrJznIKnUj93vmwbnk-bYrJF8EQkIU12SmsowmLqiD9uEtLR3O30vIp0ZuCbEOdlCLvG8QvJE7ntwoBAMgMNb9rn4oYQVI_b7-qtRyDk/w640-h640/PXL_20230609_012310237.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Crossing the finishing line on these 100 Day Projects is always bittersweet. There is a sense of excitement in celebrating the successful completion of 100 consecutive days of creative play, sense of relief to have a bit more time to myself, but also a sadness as each journey concludes. It usually takes me some time to reflect and there is so much I want to share from this project. So I've decided to celebrate with two blog posts starting with this first one focused on design inspiration. <div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYzYMQk0W9H8LXpKnPPfL2FG-O9PcfhJGvjViSbRLoy2icQJHRPVRgOZ_imDcesXveJA4vDEgvjwTLVbcrIB1gNbEQsRBnjIrVgDMqWd-4-CsE_cO65tswiaALowaTcbNuzXusaZYBn5D3BE_lrF5y95eRx-1962Chek_XapmFeRJQy9Tq_6zHnmJU4E/s5120/All%20100%20Pages.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYzYMQk0W9H8LXpKnPPfL2FG-O9PcfhJGvjViSbRLoy2icQJHRPVRgOZ_imDcesXveJA4vDEgvjwTLVbcrIB1gNbEQsRBnjIrVgDMqWd-4-CsE_cO65tswiaALowaTcbNuzXusaZYBn5D3BE_lrF5y95eRx-1962Chek_XapmFeRJQy9Tq_6zHnmJU4E/w640-h640/All%20100%20Pages.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Finding 100 sources of daily inspiration can be a bit intimidating. Thankfully, rolling the dice provided a focal point for my daily I Spy explorations. </div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Color - 22 rolls</li><li>Contrast - 12 rolls</li><li>Line - 16 rolls</li><li>Pattern - 15 rolls</li><li>Shape - 17 rolls</li><li>Artist Choice - 18 rolls</li></ol></div><div>Each roll provided a lens for exploring the world around me and helping me see my surroundings in an all new way. Oftentimes, it was taking delight in seeing extraordinary color, contrast, line, pattern, and/or shape in everyday, ordinary objects that get overlooked in the hustle and bustle of life. Below are all 100 discoveries that inspired my daily play, although I took nearly 1000 more photos throughout the duration of this project that I kept in a back up inspiration folder.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwHtkkdklP83khhsCplfF2aSx1XBFvuCboTJpyO2VEnI2BRJfZdwD5GxvTV8DzXdUXpXzvq1x9lX9usTCbzrpMIld7miwZRvyss8UiG01K2m3522QrgtBKEB0D5Z2d6BTFICNLo5dCZa7B11OOXi155inpoPKxNCaSEs11ZMKLg1jzYXe7n4RfhIbxGs/s5120/All%20100%20Sources%20of%20Inspiration.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwHtkkdklP83khhsCplfF2aSx1XBFvuCboTJpyO2VEnI2BRJfZdwD5GxvTV8DzXdUXpXzvq1x9lX9usTCbzrpMIld7miwZRvyss8UiG01K2m3522QrgtBKEB0D5Z2d6BTFICNLo5dCZa7B11OOXi155inpoPKxNCaSEs11ZMKLg1jzYXe7n4RfhIbxGs/w640-h640/All%20100%20Sources%20of%20Inspiration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Many of my I Spy inspiration photos were taken here at home. Despite living here for 13+ years, I discovered new delights on a daily basis.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x1Rj6VcfmeBV-SQSwyog9e2xpoz-XzSH-OmpQ5V6No_CoaM7Vee-SL9qLBt8Z1uQ7ffxZNZxEhmGjIZqUKb0Un9WSwmKVNHZdygl8JRyLGsvxmAXuKWxDAdoI3Jbg8DsDjjalofIxKokHoEH0uASuYHx3C_br-H9VSiEEsxFc6CY8DCZ410URGhquJs/s5120/My%20House.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x1Rj6VcfmeBV-SQSwyog9e2xpoz-XzSH-OmpQ5V6No_CoaM7Vee-SL9qLBt8Z1uQ7ffxZNZxEhmGjIZqUKb0Un9WSwmKVNHZdygl8JRyLGsvxmAXuKWxDAdoI3Jbg8DsDjjalofIxKokHoEH0uASuYHx3C_br-H9VSiEEsxFc6CY8DCZ410URGhquJs/w640-h426/My%20House.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The daily dice rolls also helped me to seek out and find new design discoveries throughout our neighborhood as part of our evening walks with the pups. Special thanks to my pups who patiently waited while I took lots of photos, and to many of my neighbors whose gorgeous gardens provided lots of inspiration along our walking route.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZdt92QG_Dw3Jg4-njPWm7b7q-p9KpXvfnkNvKA8y0VMV0rHsXo8_Rp_uFbSHG7aTitlrgRaT0OmXFrLW-trqwrfqAO7AGjWy0SvLHqpfeFYLPvcWLCBpKhgMoFxOiNyCVA847_pj4wsDCEZX14Gr-INyzlS2gqiyxgNlxCqeeI2v1lrI7tFctGdXNFw/s5120/Neighborhood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZdt92QG_Dw3Jg4-njPWm7b7q-p9KpXvfnkNvKA8y0VMV0rHsXo8_Rp_uFbSHG7aTitlrgRaT0OmXFrLW-trqwrfqAO7AGjWy0SvLHqpfeFYLPvcWLCBpKhgMoFxOiNyCVA847_pj4wsDCEZX14Gr-INyzlS2gqiyxgNlxCqeeI2v1lrI7tFctGdXNFw/w640-h320/Neighborhood.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As the world reopens, I find myself venturing out more and more. Many of my travels ranged from an hour or so away from home to include trips to California destinations such as Palo Alto, Pacific Grove, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Fresno which included visits to museums, exhibitions, teaching, and judging. And then there were two big trips to Toronto for the SAQA conference and Kauai for much needed relaxation. Each of these trips provided a wonderful boost of design inspiration as there was always something new, different, and exciting to photograph!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OzfzA7u29k0MbeMYeijILuDcp2OwNjy8ohC1hkqEs1AWCBN0xrAiKJBA37zEj0bwvPlj2F0DSuDAYENSE-RxBtjtkNoNbaPSbaenXZFk3ZuKPEThyu3j8Ih8CPgz2nw1YuzUQ2ai6EFRdseknGQNMpnLNfvfcyxgJbC-2b_RV1aaujssV-bhpAVyJgQ/s5120/Travel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="5120" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OzfzA7u29k0MbeMYeijILuDcp2OwNjy8ohC1hkqEs1AWCBN0xrAiKJBA37zEj0bwvPlj2F0DSuDAYENSE-RxBtjtkNoNbaPSbaenXZFk3ZuKPEThyu3j8Ih8CPgz2nw1YuzUQ2ai6EFRdseknGQNMpnLNfvfcyxgJbC-2b_RV1aaujssV-bhpAVyJgQ/w640-h512/Travel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Regardless of location, I noticed a few themes to my I Spy inspirational photos. Nature was by far the biggest source of inspiration, especially in the form of flowers and plants. Mother Nature provides such rich design inspiration in the form of colors, lines, patterns, and colors! Having this year's 100 Day Project dates coincide with our Spring season provided plenty of new discoveries as the landscape shifted with new daily plant growth and lots of brilliant blooms!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zc7lv8dTKXYJ2u46AwXFA6-zYjmTZMAXuc0bHZL0MZmL7sEdIQF9KJyIRWxhP0LiFqC_DLFaKivrmGkqvBJGPOuxDpC-_2pCRIgtXdKSp4MEWngY91kD_Vt351Q-mDpKQwdd9QOXLg3IdYolfIImjJMlKIjf0p9CeH----GmU0YCdK-Os8_vd3iPWY0/s5120/Flora.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="5120" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Zc7lv8dTKXYJ2u46AwXFA6-zYjmTZMAXuc0bHZL0MZmL7sEdIQF9KJyIRWxhP0LiFqC_DLFaKivrmGkqvBJGPOuxDpC-_2pCRIgtXdKSp4MEWngY91kD_Vt351Q-mDpKQwdd9QOXLg3IdYolfIImjJMlKIjf0p9CeH----GmU0YCdK-Os8_vd3iPWY0/w640-h512/Flora.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I also took great delight in celebrating the artistry of human-made creations, especially related to architecture, engineering, and interior/exterior decor. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8izTWzlFLSX_poJH1QSgpmOIe8FMI9oxct-8hTH6AwkhKBqOLlU8W1ezfYoqPB1OEbsAvAtbV_IvJhypRMEjFJloCQ-2A4yP2SA7niyg6H4IYOt3e9ll0Tc4SudPNeBdCuhWsCuZgv_-tAzX5Tfq1NAoo6Up7o4SuMuptijn9f5r_BtqEe9PeV6Iras/s5120/Architecture%20and%20Design.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="5120" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8izTWzlFLSX_poJH1QSgpmOIe8FMI9oxct-8hTH6AwkhKBqOLlU8W1ezfYoqPB1OEbsAvAtbV_IvJhypRMEjFJloCQ-2A4yP2SA7niyg6H4IYOt3e9ll0Tc4SudPNeBdCuhWsCuZgv_-tAzX5Tfq1NAoo6Up7o4SuMuptijn9f5r_BtqEe9PeV6Iras/w640-h512/Architecture%20and%20Design.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Several I Spy Dice Designs were inspired by food, whether they were the raw ingredients or sights seen while dining out and picking up to-go food orders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHUzgCF1HgeYSe8vnEG8XIw2OxX5lKgsb8mPdWLo-eQFDLeJnlHajFjDzh2l37qO899J6iI3n5g96voJQ2gWzPAaooNZvr9a4i6xLhQ7sT6vqsDa8ey4HPqEtVKnyFVPSriQrGQUJYciyw4ZRj8-Nk4RiBAoNVCVmHVdzX4qlGrGTejVZFQQK_2hDJ4g/s5120/Food%20and%20meals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHUzgCF1HgeYSe8vnEG8XIw2OxX5lKgsb8mPdWLo-eQFDLeJnlHajFjDzh2l37qO899J6iI3n5g96voJQ2gWzPAaooNZvr9a4i6xLhQ7sT6vqsDa8ey4HPqEtVKnyFVPSriQrGQUJYciyw4ZRj8-Nk4RiBAoNVCVmHVdzX4qlGrGTejVZFQQK_2hDJ4g/w640-h320/Food%20and%20meals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>One final genre of inspiration was related to travel: tires, vehicles, roads, and airports. This was especially fitting as there was lots of travel involved throughout this project!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPw0fNl-4Y_QooVw-nNyOpLLaFWJoInxKE12WUDVXHGuPkwqUsOrxbsL2YZ2cAxn6-gJVIL9foUHcGuL4g_-yHm8W-xcCWb56IxX4PSOv_iBW-X3Ay5MK_RjY3_Hf4bIh3-CYHIq2XGJzf9I63hF1BZPqhqIMHPsmuLD8y4dKH2G6BZ9COWy8WJbsDIY/s5120/Transportation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPw0fNl-4Y_QooVw-nNyOpLLaFWJoInxKE12WUDVXHGuPkwqUsOrxbsL2YZ2cAxn6-gJVIL9foUHcGuL4g_-yHm8W-xcCWb56IxX4PSOv_iBW-X3Ay5MK_RjY3_Hf4bIh3-CYHIq2XGJzf9I63hF1BZPqhqIMHPsmuLD8y4dKH2G6BZ9COWy8WJbsDIY/w640-h640/Transportation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p>It is important that I also honor many of the artists and teachers who inspired many of my daily creations:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuesfTrdLLbArAtnOzRBlK3kc9ANU5minlvdYm77a54llQpbQiSk7YEAEW-XntgdUXllsOZuYuruiQ5iMS8f6vBA-eTeWxBzZ-EfPE--GNzgHaEECIz1uwCSCx4zWvw0qwmg0VPn0XT6mwD9SYsj3ZL5bVm99foSK1tUnp8rUG-Cz8oofQkvJIiMW_u0/s5120/Daily%20Spread5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuesfTrdLLbArAtnOzRBlK3kc9ANU5minlvdYm77a54llQpbQiSk7YEAEW-XntgdUXllsOZuYuruiQ5iMS8f6vBA-eTeWxBzZ-EfPE--GNzgHaEECIz1uwCSCx4zWvw0qwmg0VPn0XT6mwD9SYsj3ZL5bVm99foSK1tUnp8rUG-Cz8oofQkvJIiMW_u0/w640-h320/Daily%20Spread5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.willawanders.com/online-classes" target="_blank">Wendy Solganik aka Willa Wanders</a> and her fabulous mixed-media courses. Her "Love Your (Imperfect) Letters" course definitely helped me to improve and gain confidence with my hand lettering. The course concluded with 30 daily challenges, which I completed as I incorporated those designs and techniques into days 6 through 36 (as shown above), before repeating several of my favorites in subsequent days before going rogue towards the end! I also incorporated inspiration from several of Wendy's other classes including Watercolor Leaves & Florals, Wonky Bits, and of course Fodder School (all shown below).</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aQssWlByAGBE-mUkTx0qx34xslpdzL2GpSPsW3JXxxoiHkYxVCMLjYGDh-dR0ZKBxMrIm_UcqGE8RTSooMz4ss5hlz8nWtHIhI0PbWTrwemn2pWifvGp8AXZAbZlkxV4l3xXCG19O0SH4FQGr81ChXAuW3BHFPwNraryIOQfSjmNxKdL9KosUDENo8o/s5120/Daily%20Spread6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aQssWlByAGBE-mUkTx0qx34xslpdzL2GpSPsW3JXxxoiHkYxVCMLjYGDh-dR0ZKBxMrIm_UcqGE8RTSooMz4ss5hlz8nWtHIhI0PbWTrwemn2pWifvGp8AXZAbZlkxV4l3xXCG19O0SH4FQGr81ChXAuW3BHFPwNraryIOQfSjmNxKdL9KosUDENo8o/w640-h360/Daily%20Spread6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.andrewsteinbrecher.com/" target="_blank">Drew Steinbrecher</a> especially his free online class, <a href="https://www.subscribepage.com/v9t7f7" target="_blank">Build your Creativity: Board Book Basics! </a>which provided lots of tips for using the small kids board books for all 10 of my I Spy Dice Design books. His Print Your Creativity: Exploring Gel Plates! course also inspired many of my gel plate printed pages. </li><li><a href="http://www.janesassaman.com/index.php" target="_blank">Jane Sassaman</a> and her incredible Abstracting From Nature course that I took in November 2018. The exercises and lessons learned in that course continue to influence my artwork, especially these pages inspired by nature!</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiODnHvSO1aOgLSzqgV6j5-yYqSOG5Wb8akL4N33s9qvjGtIOFOyp-37W_J-p2GZpOPvwayX_TetMUIzWnt84_ql97S6phJh8pAZPYdr6jG6yY4m9rurE48m5XH4kucs88ftPnNHojpCT0Na2WG0yjWz_qevTgsyJVUHhKPUpqP5ywRWjjrdBexjHgRU/s5120/Daily%20Spread9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiODnHvSO1aOgLSzqgV6j5-yYqSOG5Wb8akL4N33s9qvjGtIOFOyp-37W_J-p2GZpOPvwayX_TetMUIzWnt84_ql97S6phJh8pAZPYdr6jG6yY4m9rurE48m5XH4kucs88ftPnNHojpCT0Na2WG0yjWz_qevTgsyJVUHhKPUpqP5ywRWjjrdBexjHgRU/w640-h360/Daily%20Spread9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.jenniferwilkinpenick.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer Wilkin Penick</a> and her 1-hour Art Play classes which included Collage Valentines, Color Wheels, and Gel Plate + Stamps (as shown below). </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilstFQs8t-XoN3842cPFgayz86DC3nvtWGD0tGg7qY_OkuN0MLKYTIiyLdLh8rQ6xKLLwxTBKUr9fV3RXcMmnmqRjUmHj-IERM38tUnbrDVK69xE_9qA9gm2E_NadYrsdP4MFy5AP86hQ-WUb_MORbetd1tegKXsBw3Tu0uP4hM_-niWDtIvtEfLBQCw0/s5120/Daily%20Spread7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilstFQs8t-XoN3842cPFgayz86DC3nvtWGD0tGg7qY_OkuN0MLKYTIiyLdLh8rQ6xKLLwxTBKUr9fV3RXcMmnmqRjUmHj-IERM38tUnbrDVK69xE_9qA9gm2E_NadYrsdP4MFy5AP86hQ-WUb_MORbetd1tegKXsBw3Tu0uP4hM_-niWDtIvtEfLBQCw0/w360-h640/Daily%20Spread7.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.3dottedpenguins.com/" target="_blank">Ali Baecker's Block Printing Classes</a> as I carved several block prints used in this project.</li><li><a href="https://www.showupsociety.com/" target="_blank">Coach Tammie Bennett's Dare to Show Up Group Coaching</a> which inspired me to keep showing up in my art practice and inspired the playground-themed spread.</li><li><a href="https://www.janedunnewold.com/confidentcolor" target="_blank">Jane Dunnewold's Confident Color Class</a> which inspired the color wheel play!</li><li><a href="https://www.artbynatalya.com/" target="_blank">Natalia Khorover's </a>use of single-use plastic to create art.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeAMWiNZzjq2u00QkGNx6-YkU2H26a6__cvTwOAraUwDuIYk-H0ObmzD0jROl92fwXWVDbKoTx-IWl9BA7RzorxQn52YhUyGkz7weIziGLpZI7apF8iB46mhC5wyQ3nrgNBNwgyJ2xhgkoK3q3vclrYTA60FEjn8_UjvDc1yGL0OpCjIyoEUen3Zlma0/s5120/Daily%20Spread8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeAMWiNZzjq2u00QkGNx6-YkU2H26a6__cvTwOAraUwDuIYk-H0ObmzD0jROl92fwXWVDbKoTx-IWl9BA7RzorxQn52YhUyGkz7weIziGLpZI7apF8iB46mhC5wyQ3nrgNBNwgyJ2xhgkoK3q3vclrYTA60FEjn8_UjvDc1yGL0OpCjIyoEUen3Zlma0/w640-h360/Daily%20Spread8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my next post, I'll share more about how sources of Fodder influenced my daily play, along with my favorite materials, techniques, and tools, along with how I organized all this fodder within my studio and what I packed for travel!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdUdSoHfYISAVKIJO7TSF-u_MnchgOFpLHXqEDf5XDp94mN7afyMcOk3ziyibOxCZEbu0VD6tUsbvi5w7orqFAoZ2jNK6mUzrUMSfeMk9Hu30Z0kwuE3iLhDjA7Z2oZg-cKK3qVq39RC5bBSt4-5nia-tv3vLORfB9v2Lwx_50akehOqhXsCdoUJy/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdUdSoHfYISAVKIJO7TSF-u_MnchgOFpLHXqEDf5XDp94mN7afyMcOk3ziyibOxCZEbu0VD6tUsbvi5w7orqFAoZ2jNK6mUzrUMSfeMk9Hu30Z0kwuE3iLhDjA7Z2oZg-cKK3qVq39RC5bBSt4-5nia-tv3vLORfB9v2Lwx_50akehOqhXsCdoUJy/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-15919808769519615512023-03-25T19:43:00.004-07:002023-06-01T12:25:52.169-07:00A Week of Teaching Mark Making & Mandala Magic at Empty Spools Seminars<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDv3184gAu2vJKzAjenxdKVeeBZxy6lUIPTzMsRt7HA39Pe3Mjzl-FnVnYxbVEUAeU0ZQq6jgM2DZh947gZFtWBksS6Whta6-usmbacRPKmIOZ4rWe1aX6a4L9mdDZnsU_8Euj8B-5u7acDEVlhgj8eYTyTwhOEdFSgDgatqVT3Y28zVp5XxcmpW4A/s5120/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDv3184gAu2vJKzAjenxdKVeeBZxy6lUIPTzMsRt7HA39Pe3Mjzl-FnVnYxbVEUAeU0ZQq6jgM2DZh947gZFtWBksS6Whta6-usmbacRPKmIOZ4rWe1aX6a4L9mdDZnsU_8Euj8B-5u7acDEVlhgj8eYTyTwhOEdFSgDgatqVT3Y28zVp5XxcmpW4A/w640-h640/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I'm long overdue on sharing my experiences of teaching at <a href="https://www.emptyspoolsseminars.com/" target="_blank">Empty Spools Seminars</a> earlier this month. This class was almost a year and a half in the making with plenty of last minute preparations involved. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VUhS-z7fzAHf_6jZJYm3zIrhIOG0xYDrLbI3GK-Ut3LELzcOarxHezxIqcAq263j7SmXJG_KCozXw5lEpi3S4dufyvoct2doABkPgA4f6Acg8SLsZ4eXgvzIkBNWY0MmgNn7iepXiCMS2713no_jP5_AJh3eXXR3-xKwLYX0w-a1wBEnuPo6ueLj/s5120/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VUhS-z7fzAHf_6jZJYm3zIrhIOG0xYDrLbI3GK-Ut3LELzcOarxHezxIqcAq263j7SmXJG_KCozXw5lEpi3S4dufyvoct2doABkPgA4f6Acg8SLsZ4eXgvzIkBNWY0MmgNn7iepXiCMS2713no_jP5_AJh3eXXR3-xKwLYX0w-a1wBEnuPo6ueLj/w640-h640/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In many ways I felt like I was packing up my entire studio as I was bringing all of my favorite materials, supplies, tools, and techniques to share with my students. Thankfully it all fit into my car and much of this would be going home with students as part of their class kits.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGJE3vPumbbpVPoeucgM10MCocDEuPej6goeD63XSjgUxzQlvSAbwfFwg2FWOMAPhMecYxbeyRq-ckiYwUtm-E8rhRR8DrKDsByvGJeKouxA2bqrD57PmzAmUIF2IypE3p0r1JoZpJSlhGJ8NsgZyf4R5SOHGshChBPul3k9t60NRF9b4KrVR1n9T/s5120/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGJE3vPumbbpVPoeucgM10MCocDEuPej6goeD63XSjgUxzQlvSAbwfFwg2FWOMAPhMecYxbeyRq-ckiYwUtm-E8rhRR8DrKDsByvGJeKouxA2bqrD57PmzAmUIF2IypE3p0r1JoZpJSlhGJ8NsgZyf4R5SOHGshChBPul3k9t60NRF9b4KrVR1n9T/w640-h640/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>I had a beautiful ride down and arrived early before check in was ready, which meant I had time to visit the beach. This Zen time was perfect as the next hour or so would be a flurry of activity to find my classroom (not an easy feat), unload and set up in time for welcoming my students for an introductory lesson to the week of Mark Making & Mandala Magic.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCInJdOCBERZZpLILMrQn8i8sa_poaBu2-RBajmQd8At_f6k_lnxbcjtMimz64PUXUkGkGvtJ638jl-ohHTuZ7oUnmAmRaV05nBfTwlSDfaKisPzzGogKiWbl2BzadZYhNGft1mJFxBiSczRFJvGyzfI_v6nzLLLRhgbwCV0fveWweGUN7JhVMWG-/s5120/Collages1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="3957" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCInJdOCBERZZpLILMrQn8i8sa_poaBu2-RBajmQd8At_f6k_lnxbcjtMimz64PUXUkGkGvtJ638jl-ohHTuZ7oUnmAmRaV05nBfTwlSDfaKisPzzGogKiWbl2BzadZYhNGft1mJFxBiSczRFJvGyzfI_v6nzLLLRhgbwCV0fveWweGUN7JhVMWG-/w494-h640/Collages1.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The first two days involved a wide array of mark making techniques to create a custom fabric palette. We used acrylic paints with sunless printing, fauxbori, faux dyeing, and lots of stamping. It was great fun to see everyone add their own personality to the various techniques and the fabric reveals were so much fun!! </div><div><br /></div><div>On Wednesday, it was time to shift gears and learn how to design mandalas using their beautiful, new fabrics! Below are a few glimpses into the extraordinary work that my amazing students created throughout the week...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xm_LrFFMl08h2oxubnQ4pTnDzb3pGax22kgYWKJDoHoow0a6i3ZB-sZq0WTztaDPrUR5gxwm-ws4o3l0BJRDHsAesalkn58CAHBWnipGqxhXjZQA7nMbBNPlsyVe9RA57bFuy6tUeNeJrTXfUiAmSkfDHhM_fwlhMBtip8XMo3btmzVhtVmVHQJn/s5120/Class%20Photos.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xm_LrFFMl08h2oxubnQ4pTnDzb3pGax22kgYWKJDoHoow0a6i3ZB-sZq0WTztaDPrUR5gxwm-ws4o3l0BJRDHsAesalkn58CAHBWnipGqxhXjZQA7nMbBNPlsyVe9RA57bFuy6tUeNeJrTXfUiAmSkfDHhM_fwlhMBtip8XMo3btmzVhtVmVHQJn/w640-h640/Class%20Photos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92okWvdmwasz2dZT1dgMFEOR477QifxF9tMXnjceJOlaZ6Cf1gJP0NmfcfLUw3yxyMx0NBUgrk44TluzbnzU4iSBD8HbSiiT25zcTKRKFHT1sLO49FKaEbCJrZ-DCTNQepJUbpkwnRSeXjt-3qnsehnCYjTOD7wr69xPdgHgDZ9_jBn4Xjr_Xmmbl/s5120/Class%20Photos1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92okWvdmwasz2dZT1dgMFEOR477QifxF9tMXnjceJOlaZ6Cf1gJP0NmfcfLUw3yxyMx0NBUgrk44TluzbnzU4iSBD8HbSiiT25zcTKRKFHT1sLO49FKaEbCJrZ-DCTNQepJUbpkwnRSeXjt-3qnsehnCYjTOD7wr69xPdgHgDZ9_jBn4Xjr_Xmmbl/w640-h640/Class%20Photos1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H5vJcq9aUMfpDJloExJymNc6ivJVegknBkT7t47KEP9Zt1zikdVBUezyq9prflwxdxJl-5aoTA4kamTCXQw6bhWVxee8wZWLpw_DHWtYi60b03E4hBjqP9Viciqg0yHRq-RSZ6Z3wzZyYwIvTq3qPomI9AYasFJ-B5pu8ZBsIUbP-3anqtPYfOpj/s5120/Class%20Photos2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_H5vJcq9aUMfpDJloExJymNc6ivJVegknBkT7t47KEP9Zt1zikdVBUezyq9prflwxdxJl-5aoTA4kamTCXQw6bhWVxee8wZWLpw_DHWtYi60b03E4hBjqP9Viciqg0yHRq-RSZ6Z3wzZyYwIvTq3qPomI9AYasFJ-B5pu8ZBsIUbP-3anqtPYfOpj/w640-h640/Class%20Photos2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsten</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2a3R7mk2sfel7m5EacnicwEOugtoeUnlhY7ewPZY5tPo9l_xEdx1oNSWp5HhAsW7YiVqJnpF3xviVobQTdiVEOU3uf9PE9aFufRK8_BZZAWaeIUqUBzMASd9BKpH2NoXPx7sgn18tdsA09-SOWZGWLPkXM14PYaTKImSsUt227AtcL52AS-U48zZ/s5120/Class%20Photos3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp2a3R7mk2sfel7m5EacnicwEOugtoeUnlhY7ewPZY5tPo9l_xEdx1oNSWp5HhAsW7YiVqJnpF3xviVobQTdiVEOU3uf9PE9aFufRK8_BZZAWaeIUqUBzMASd9BKpH2NoXPx7sgn18tdsA09-SOWZGWLPkXM14PYaTKImSsUt227AtcL52AS-U48zZ/w640-h640/Class%20Photos3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheara</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghH2t7Cc_6l2dVAMcOT2mMgl1cITNKpKYApMTG-3WXjiQ7QivH53WylSlZQZU7xiGF3X2jeazQ69T_3lWYYfachNHUQ_dvo5hu-tb-1JQgVLxSYe39kDOcjRlnsWbGTR_5pkQqZkALjdQA4MIyTwLQExY_nS0WC_LVOOCJ26dL4Y8MyesjQ7HBKgea/s5120/Class%20Photos4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghH2t7Cc_6l2dVAMcOT2mMgl1cITNKpKYApMTG-3WXjiQ7QivH53WylSlZQZU7xiGF3X2jeazQ69T_3lWYYfachNHUQ_dvo5hu-tb-1JQgVLxSYe39kDOcjRlnsWbGTR_5pkQqZkALjdQA4MIyTwLQExY_nS0WC_LVOOCJ26dL4Y8MyesjQ7HBKgea/w640-h640/Class%20Photos4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanne</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUQyT8ADP3I8u089-1AmYJ0QBxm5NoJvuvILgjWomtSpUlrOkv3L_Au_uRS2x9cd0c7_9maA4_UkCh3FB_O3gVVtJZF0fIXvD_N0Xaf9JaoZSY_qU4sRav-q5WOkJCMutssRPGfOLnCOrJtyeZHn_kn-OQVDL7IklPE0UPtGv_Hy0MdPrjsD1mxAR/s5120/Class%20Photos5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUQyT8ADP3I8u089-1AmYJ0QBxm5NoJvuvILgjWomtSpUlrOkv3L_Au_uRS2x9cd0c7_9maA4_UkCh3FB_O3gVVtJZF0fIXvD_N0Xaf9JaoZSY_qU4sRav-q5WOkJCMutssRPGfOLnCOrJtyeZHn_kn-OQVDL7IklPE0UPtGv_Hy0MdPrjsD1mxAR/w640-h640/Class%20Photos5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debi</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqiM8UduvltcvHPeLmGa-vUZehcABu85HCC_oA9g7l-GgMFoPPl-rAo-LZH0OoKMKWulvxQtW_oI_6jhcGtKzub329U2lwON3Q3CUGV4sk7RI5KAyEGW4W6Jsw7rpMSb6mdaKeEE6UodkIazuPU6sfksOAkQ2ohPfBYVBAVN0W2OgFJzcI_1seUme/s5120/Class%20Photos6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqiM8UduvltcvHPeLmGa-vUZehcABu85HCC_oA9g7l-GgMFoPPl-rAo-LZH0OoKMKWulvxQtW_oI_6jhcGtKzub329U2lwON3Q3CUGV4sk7RI5KAyEGW4W6Jsw7rpMSb6mdaKeEE6UodkIazuPU6sfksOAkQ2ohPfBYVBAVN0W2OgFJzcI_1seUme/w640-h640/Class%20Photos6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg558zCkA9y8Y-r1l9oF00-pXSBJAVD1ZsDd5xxCa96633EGL5mR4Bp1CqU7wZQmNpIOPoNP5ZNW3LdBB-9tsxFtHK3pN3z5I30nP8Db6NDNmph3xDSuJBuIsnMpO9ACYYUVngXfnrk8LSSbakaDjfE0VH4qvuGnwyC994NsCsfr29wJoUNRA5Qwpzu/s5120/Class%20Photos7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg558zCkA9y8Y-r1l9oF00-pXSBJAVD1ZsDd5xxCa96633EGL5mR4Bp1CqU7wZQmNpIOPoNP5ZNW3LdBB-9tsxFtHK3pN3z5I30nP8Db6NDNmph3xDSuJBuIsnMpO9ACYYUVngXfnrk8LSSbakaDjfE0VH4qvuGnwyC994NsCsfr29wJoUNRA5Qwpzu/w640-h640/Class%20Photos7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anita</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I so enjoyed getting to know each of these artists over the course of the week, seeing their confidence grow day by day, and all the moments of delight as they revealed their fabrics and growing mandalas! Their joy translated beautifully into their fabrics and their growing mandalas!</div><div><br /></div>A major storm was due to strike the region the final night. Thankfully there was minimal rain/wind during the Open House, so there were lots of visitors to the classroom. They were in awe of the vibrant display of fabrics and in-progress mandalas created by my amazing students over the week. After open house, the wind picked up and we woke to find several trees had fallen down with one obstructing one of the main roadways on the Asilomar Conference grounds. Just as I was powering up my projector for our final lesson on Friday, the power went out! After waiting for it to come back on, we shifted over towards the window to take advantage of the limited light for a closing lesson. When the power never returned, everyone started to pack up all their precious fabrics, mandalas, and supplies. Alas I never managed to get final photos of their fabric palettes and/or mandalas...but at least we got a class photo before folks started to head home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJSs3tv7O-A5mRYbl8M1lfkFJ26o53jHHPg5-xvTQE8PLGaFyBagnayHNwWcJk2_Az3ZiwqsKV8E4f4Bv-f0CcV_M2xYGDLVcE9QT3yjMYvo2YzqYEjzF5zuc3V6FSld78lcalMqIy7LJAt7kyGXIIjgAKQQGuLUN_qFCi9c64A-DurADlnK1Gixj/s3000/PXL_20230310_180707831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2359" data-original-width="3000" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJSs3tv7O-A5mRYbl8M1lfkFJ26o53jHHPg5-xvTQE8PLGaFyBagnayHNwWcJk2_Az3ZiwqsKV8E4f4Bv-f0CcV_M2xYGDLVcE9QT3yjMYvo2YzqYEjzF5zuc3V6FSld78lcalMqIy7LJAt7kyGXIIjgAKQQGuLUN_qFCi9c64A-DurADlnK1Gixj/w640-h504/PXL_20230310_180707831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What an absolute gift to have these incredible women in my class. On Friday, they surprised me with a teacher's gift of a beautiful Asilomar journal to use for my art making as well as a beautiful card filled with lovely messages.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisZ2Rg04ZapDWkyN1kVTZxaZtDqTyLzQ3-zS5s_t403JBrME__UwL4z4uFCxbjH7Aw4B7ZlQ7_bZ3H35wDSgGZiMelwe60jbw8w0ACmm8b6Bi22zUKInr35gNE24A57iAL0XMZ7Het7SflxzVW3B26tbthTLxvcgTnnTCgtguD36QDGZMalhpMlZV/s2882/PXL_20230316_224138004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="2882" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisZ2Rg04ZapDWkyN1kVTZxaZtDqTyLzQ3-zS5s_t403JBrME__UwL4z4uFCxbjH7Aw4B7ZlQ7_bZ3H35wDSgGZiMelwe60jbw8w0ACmm8b6Bi22zUKInr35gNE24A57iAL0XMZ7Het7SflxzVW3B26tbthTLxvcgTnnTCgtguD36QDGZMalhpMlZV/w640-h456/PXL_20230316_224138004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I also brought home some precious fabrics created during my class demos...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQwbgsC8DfzWLMVrxs5ddCDORpJ3XFGiUPam3JLnq_4I2wjvwk30uOr7fYGCKd2hX_w_Tb1g0IhraRbeimOCUS6j2Kas477BGwwUkllSdVmtJ8cdd9ZDIL4Uu9L1X2NPlvtzefa9EAzaYB6sUWvlvi989brtc_rfV7J9wPS3W3cLaVQ9gVArP9ozt/s2662/PXL_20230317_000122944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="2662" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQwbgsC8DfzWLMVrxs5ddCDORpJ3XFGiUPam3JLnq_4I2wjvwk30uOr7fYGCKd2hX_w_Tb1g0IhraRbeimOCUS6j2Kas477BGwwUkllSdVmtJ8cdd9ZDIL4Uu9L1X2NPlvtzefa9EAzaYB6sUWvlvi989brtc_rfV7J9wPS3W3cLaVQ9gVArP9ozt/w640-h640/PXL_20230317_000122944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And lots of photos of the surrounding nature for future inspiration...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR1R17QPUZ0vQw1YVpAUUIEq8a9YG4eaLC0oRvnu-yXOP0EnvtVaVb4YvPV3bLonxVbjvk2bpnSLJokhzQqMXURvjWiysb4BhpWLHp7-8c-WDCrBbYdDhW43DQj0S3cYEf_iAtrZr5by5lcL9GWtZShXgvCnGrP36Y60TdzHvCuxdGEIdRN3CVSgr/s5120/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUR1R17QPUZ0vQw1YVpAUUIEq8a9YG4eaLC0oRvnu-yXOP0EnvtVaVb4YvPV3bLonxVbjvk2bpnSLJokhzQqMXURvjWiysb4BhpWLHp7-8c-WDCrBbYdDhW43DQj0S3cYEf_iAtrZr5by5lcL9GWtZShXgvCnGrP36Y60TdzHvCuxdGEIdRN3CVSgr/w640-h640/Empty%20Spools%20Seminars1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>In fact, you'll see some of these and more photos of my Asilomar adventures included in my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp6ZPwALBYl/?hl=en" target="_blank">100 Days of I Spy Dice Designs project</a>. Yes, I brought fodder with me, set up a small studio space in my room, and carved out time each evening to add new pages to my small I Spy Dice Designs books!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKhrHGtyGgqn97__J4TYvcgD-kSEdAaCSkN5duCmIbdZeXBsr5PhUpgvZmPOE96lcWOK8P1b9XN5EKRKOq-LFRPzRRXaHmtnzPPQB8bTkRlzOapWbK1HquV7N2d-dyUx32vZOphwp6UqNIuNYiTFHOhfvZTvt2PuDJ3L32HcCBl-h-cmkv6qk0fDC/s5120/Day%20123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKhrHGtyGgqn97__J4TYvcgD-kSEdAaCSkN5duCmIbdZeXBsr5PhUpgvZmPOE96lcWOK8P1b9XN5EKRKOq-LFRPzRRXaHmtnzPPQB8bTkRlzOapWbK1HquV7N2d-dyUx32vZOphwp6UqNIuNYiTFHOhfvZTvt2PuDJ3L32HcCBl-h-cmkv6qk0fDC/w640-h320/Day%20123.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Many thanks to Gayle and Suzanne for inviting me to teach as part of <a href="https://www.emptyspoolsseminars.com/" target="_blank">Empty Spools Seminars 2023</a>. It was an honor and joy to be part of this incredible program. </p><p>Update: I am delighted to return and offer this workshop again from March 1-6 for Empty Spools Seminars 2024. To learn more and register, <a href="https://www.emptyspoolsseminars.com/" target="_blank">please visit the Empty Spools Website. </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTJZjPyFWcLTP_dlDjVEI9CEJiOVZeC7TwesIWAehfHUF-kJwUhLJotfeBHtjTPEQKlA8dnXWnxWzeSSENCiGO4Ajz2dirgYji0d0xSt1urr28pdMRLun0xKO25Zel6Yhrg35fOPu_N4frDs-xheH7FEzMRCG0rEdFF_Ofn0cH9R9hX6sBrdNsHdY/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTJZjPyFWcLTP_dlDjVEI9CEJiOVZeC7TwesIWAehfHUF-kJwUhLJotfeBHtjTPEQKlA8dnXWnxWzeSSENCiGO4Ajz2dirgYji0d0xSt1urr28pdMRLun0xKO25Zel6Yhrg35fOPu_N4frDs-xheH7FEzMRCG0rEdFF_Ofn0cH9R9hX6sBrdNsHdY/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-39283312194125044562023-03-19T01:13:00.001-07:002023-03-19T01:13:44.887-07:00Project Quilting 14.6: Conquer a Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjDEa8zkeUJGt8OUPdLZkdnCg3a-4ZxeumJFjn4Daz2FdlOKp9fitHgQ2E_3loFl5zrjBpT_jtAW3R0nkR1pB3Na7qWIpwpVJoUrvsJmKSysZMeQ6ZMb2U_wf0_KNsfoRgeftrelr_XHA92xuuqHBraqi9yKx1ycogMiF159J4vQzGlAD662IUSWA/s1215/PXL_20230319_052238349%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1215" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjDEa8zkeUJGt8OUPdLZkdnCg3a-4ZxeumJFjn4Daz2FdlOKp9fitHgQ2E_3loFl5zrjBpT_jtAW3R0nkR1pB3Na7qWIpwpVJoUrvsJmKSysZMeQ6ZMb2U_wf0_KNsfoRgeftrelr_XHA92xuuqHBraqi9yKx1ycogMiF159J4vQzGlAD662IUSWA/w640-h426/PXL_20230319_052238349%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>This week's Project Quilting challenge theme was <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/03/14-6-conquer-a-fear-challenge-6-of-project-quilting-season-14.html" target="_blank">Conquer a Fear</a>, inviting participants to "confront something you fear. Your project must be about growing through exploring the unknown."</p><p>Over the past 8 years, Project Quilting has provided a safe space for me to explore and play with new design ideas and techniques that were totally new to me. As a result, I tend to be pretty fearless when it comes to trying new techniques to create my <a href="https://melbeachquilts.com/gallery#/project-quilting-challenges/" target="_blank">1-week projects</a> which has included improv piecing, foundation piecing, wholecloth quilting, applique (raw edge fusible and bias tape), trapunto, curved piecing with lame fabric, incorporating unconventional materials (computer parts, UNO cards, office supplies, and plastic trash!), mark making on fabric, and 3-D fiber art! </p><p>So all that is left for me to fear is time, more specifically running out of time! There is so much I want to do and try---and I feel like I am always up against the timer, especially the past few months. So with less than 24 hours until the final deadline of the season, I set out to create an hourglass timer! </p><p></p><blockquote>"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”<br />--Gandalf, Lord of the Rings, Written by J.R.R. Tolkien</blockquote><p></p><p>Time flew by quickly as I was so immersed in figuring out the engineering, that I never paused to take any process photos. I'll do my best to describe my approach. Starting with an hourglass paper template, I topstitched around it through a quilt sandwich comprised of 5 layers: backing fabric, batting, heavyweight stabilizer, this fabulous design fabric swatch from FabMo, and a single-use plastic bag. After my first pass of stitching, the center throat space was nearly 1/2" across. I figured I would echo stitch inside to create a narrower throat, but wasn't sure how much space to leave, so I conducted a little experiment using some beads. Thank goodness for this test, as the beads I had originally planned to use were too big to easily travel between the two halves! So I went down to the smallest bead size and even they required a little intervention to pass! The raw edges were finished with Tulip puffy paint and left to air dry while we went out for date night (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp9d3fvOz32/?hl=en" target="_blank">dinner and two awesome laser shows at the DeAnza Planetarium</a>). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2HMbGQlK0zaGpBbbSfbYSKWDErElX15f7STBr3iIUhYwj_wZ49Uvzcp5EaEebrC_o9qK93JHb5J8slHzzD8j8zG1qW8Z3dj0eEIjr0Obq7yq-CZRsFcm47zwdi18nSPawxe5AdUvS41dpV2-DMvZWdZKawmAyBgk8aBGefCAFrGfVZJvz6OXhZpC/s3024/PXL_20230318_205251088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2HMbGQlK0zaGpBbbSfbYSKWDErElX15f7STBr3iIUhYwj_wZ49Uvzcp5EaEebrC_o9qK93JHb5J8slHzzD8j8zG1qW8Z3dj0eEIjr0Obq7yq-CZRsFcm47zwdi18nSPawxe5AdUvS41dpV2-DMvZWdZKawmAyBgk8aBGefCAFrGfVZJvz6OXhZpC/w640-h640/PXL_20230318_205251088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully I only had a few steps left to finish my hourglass timer. Scraps of navy blue fabric were used to create double-fold binding tape to finish and close the top and bottom. Once the bottom half was bound, I added the remaining beads and finished the top half. Here are most of the supplies used for this project... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug5aYdIdT7KxT-DzTFWaME-k5NIp2hS9zQUYL8jxY1zz6bAUdrjKnpJBEH9yTSzsBMlAypGy8d2tEaNOxFsUZ0bOO2Da5jecs566CR4tmMBOnypBB12eF3l0yII20JAiqQcUOohP5bHwL4GPEHd9cV-mxEivcGdYdnTmhayEt1hDHsdvMlPt6TuPc/s2717/PXL_20230319_053748260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2717" data-original-width="2717" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug5aYdIdT7KxT-DzTFWaME-k5NIp2hS9zQUYL8jxY1zz6bAUdrjKnpJBEH9yTSzsBMlAypGy8d2tEaNOxFsUZ0bOO2Da5jecs566CR4tmMBOnypBB12eF3l0yII20JAiqQcUOohP5bHwL4GPEHd9cV-mxEivcGdYdnTmhayEt1hDHsdvMlPt6TuPc/w640-h640/PXL_20230319_053748260.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Inadvertently, my wish for time to stand still came true using my timer as the beads do not freely fall! A gentle pinch to the throatspace easily alleviates the bottlenecking of beads. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t8H2U7se7BLdSRZMBu8ggu8NoojbdiYSm4dPw_NBHRQ7ICpRdWIX-OhHvto18wuO2bqoRhpmVFjv717krY6lhQPrXDLafU5P2ReaPpn0WP-voOMRDmp_LgeLFmC5qbQvPPAqlZ2ug8UeNF_2x_NUxSXsgEK-Xio7ntlJzlvVqcRLgrJyxMOS0c0F/s5120/PQ%2014%2061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t8H2U7se7BLdSRZMBu8ggu8NoojbdiYSm4dPw_NBHRQ7ICpRdWIX-OhHvto18wuO2bqoRhpmVFjv717krY6lhQPrXDLafU5P2ReaPpn0WP-voOMRDmp_LgeLFmC5qbQvPPAqlZ2ug8UeNF_2x_NUxSXsgEK-Xio7ntlJzlvVqcRLgrJyxMOS0c0F/w640-h640/PQ%2014%2061.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Time's Up!", Finishes 6" x 12.5"</td></tr></tbody></table><br />After finishing the last of the stitching in record time, I had a bit of time to spare. In next to no time, I quickly discovered a few alternate uses for my new finish: bikini top, hair bow, bow tie, and glasses!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHbymy8-V4vAJZkKZvDTXOSr80JtEP4wzi0dsArcwfcRTQ2y98fxlksWPGQ1W8_pjoyOD563EakZQjyGFEEc0uDryxg4moCBB9_ByW4IaSvdBTCec9wcnjVGHNfuchsdAzhMR6VkaMlGWLewPPro5LacscBL-8OKM2XX2_kDJZD_JVY4kc7ZNoAsc/s5120/PQ%2014%206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHbymy8-V4vAJZkKZvDTXOSr80JtEP4wzi0dsArcwfcRTQ2y98fxlksWPGQ1W8_pjoyOD563EakZQjyGFEEc0uDryxg4moCBB9_ByW4IaSvdBTCec9wcnjVGHNfuchsdAzhMR6VkaMlGWLewPPro5LacscBL-8OKM2XX2_kDJZD_JVY4kc7ZNoAsc/w640-h640/PQ%2014%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Project Quilting Season 14 has flown by way too fast! Many thanks to Kim Lapacek (Host-extraordinaire) and Trish Frankland (Challenge Mistress), for all the good times this season. Until next time...happy quilting all!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfIreHdlq_NDsvqSgC-E6_0PztHLUb9F6QiqaSN6kL7GqnF-cA3V69cSNQLRpS47qhgACz648sDWDQxuzWwTXeAIqGChdfXob-SFIwAQjb1A6F7MnWWMfxdBIA7QsJyJ0gu2em85udES8vQHNWMqX0gU0dYJDdXUWZ73vY5KOervxBYQ0DcOz7aab/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfIreHdlq_NDsvqSgC-E6_0PztHLUb9F6QiqaSN6kL7GqnF-cA3V69cSNQLRpS47qhgACz648sDWDQxuzWwTXeAIqGChdfXob-SFIwAQjb1A6F7MnWWMfxdBIA7QsJyJ0gu2em85udES8vQHNWMqX0gU0dYJDdXUWZ73vY5KOervxBYQ0DcOz7aab/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-4744836948821948442023-03-05T00:38:00.001-08:002023-03-05T00:38:26.616-08:00Project Quilting 14.5: Sew Not a Square<p>This week's Project Quilting challenge theme was <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/02/14-5-sew-not-a-square-challenge-5-of-project-quilting-season-14.html" target="_blank">Sew Not a Square</a> where Trish challenged participants to create a project but use no square shapes in doing it, and don’t end up with a square. She even provided us with a definition: "square – (noun) /skwer/ a plane figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles."</p><p>I was excited for this open-ended theme as I had some pretty big deadlines this week. Monday evening, I put together a fun group of FabMo fabrics ensuring none had any square references and even sketched out some design ideas with a mid-century mod vibe.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmdMfAbXVs0htr3f0Bcl_da2VY4ajUtlWmvER9zVaCF51eeDI9EP3oDe-CNz4tjijDYW4Txs9lS1IN0q-glkvwSa0oLXuw20t7LDFWhxvhDJMq4nw_2fJms4kFvhd1I3sYQJvlB1kkV-W70Q1xvGGLfiP6KUwdTePJ-QfB2j9X1vhTCtv50dyTkwd/s2661/PXL_20230228_042936490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="2661" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmdMfAbXVs0htr3f0Bcl_da2VY4ajUtlWmvER9zVaCF51eeDI9EP3oDe-CNz4tjijDYW4Txs9lS1IN0q-glkvwSa0oLXuw20t7LDFWhxvhDJMq4nw_2fJms4kFvhd1I3sYQJvlB1kkV-W70Q1xvGGLfiP6KUwdTePJ-QfB2j9X1vhTCtv50dyTkwd/w640-h640/PXL_20230228_042936490.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And this pretty palette sat untouched the rest of the week...<div><br /></div><div>By Saturday night, I was starting to fear that I might miss my first PQ deadline since starting back in 2016! A little after 11 PM , I went into my studio in need of some Zen and decided to stitch a mini, mini mandala. Starting with a 6-7" scrap of fabric, I just started stitching and messed it up pretty much immediately. No worries as I have plenty more scraps, so I created another small sandwich and flubbed up that mandala too! Eeek! This was not looking very good. Thankfully third time's a charm!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHx9xlO1ZuqORzSf9qSR5ckCxCp9HYzAuxczSu2dFJMz8o1eiMjKLT3mUKr6DI6TXpLpWKEismxTsCJ9Vf-FSKC1V5QllX86XCVVE4Ocg2KZwEP4hStHUwnbK0nYMeHAHbbVZCf9P7powmFkrSaiJ1YaMjanXxW0k6jhKQgoO-qVUh6yUk-hzepk4/s3024/PXL_20230305_074811339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHx9xlO1ZuqORzSf9qSR5ckCxCp9HYzAuxczSu2dFJMz8o1eiMjKLT3mUKr6DI6TXpLpWKEismxTsCJ9Vf-FSKC1V5QllX86XCVVE4Ocg2KZwEP4hStHUwnbK0nYMeHAHbbVZCf9P7powmFkrSaiJ1YaMjanXxW0k6jhKQgoO-qVUh6yUk-hzepk4/w640-h640/PXL_20230305_074811339.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once the stitching was complete, I trimmed it to a circle shape and finished the edges with Tulip Puffy paint. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOczzyTt7RsdLuXgaRd0it6Lr064_o14n3s3V75ZwtwQ5kLPj5_SDzNubSH_7y9A-0MG7xsUcWnE4pL-OlWWUd2-70VKTBERw46OtPzSkoSvYwqfLngAYSeetznBeGvYK0KL38_h-SwIduCpcof9gzArBOR7xnBxB4wfMV3CqvExZHWWgB5JFysOT/s2747/PXL_20230305_075507029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="2746" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOczzyTt7RsdLuXgaRd0it6Lr064_o14n3s3V75ZwtwQ5kLPj5_SDzNubSH_7y9A-0MG7xsUcWnE4pL-OlWWUd2-70VKTBERw46OtPzSkoSvYwqfLngAYSeetznBeGvYK0KL38_h-SwIduCpcof9gzArBOR7xnBxB4wfMV3CqvExZHWWgB5JFysOT/w640-h640/PXL_20230305_075507029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Less than 60 minutes later, my mandala was finished and air drying!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUsxLJeYb_AdLpCaBcNSncvoyQUt5iFKPUDda-ywLCScMVIwZYRnCFxW4XH-6gmmDiDQDhsrMReQVIS268XFepKViokeOftKbnzDatKF5BozBVreRKV_3ZIYZAZZgb1xudJQ-A6Lq8x5PGn2Jf9TCKf9iHns_txni5CqN1_QSq1M4uNyQjr7FP21N/s2318/PXL_20230305_075717804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2318" data-original-width="2318" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUsxLJeYb_AdLpCaBcNSncvoyQUt5iFKPUDda-ywLCScMVIwZYRnCFxW4XH-6gmmDiDQDhsrMReQVIS268XFepKViokeOftKbnzDatKF5BozBVreRKV_3ZIYZAZZgb1xudJQ-A6Lq8x5PGn2Jf9TCKf9iHns_txni5CqN1_QSq1M4uNyQjr7FP21N/w640-h640/PXL_20230305_075717804.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Less Than 60 Minutes Mini Mandala", Finishes with 4.5" Diameter</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This mini mandala involved pretty minimal supplies:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Scrap fabric</li><li>Scrap batting</li><li>Isacord thread</li><li>Tulip Puffy Paint!</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmFqYwkvs9_EuSogjqDLwRdHsV5O90sDkhiCuRykxplcfTnYTbh5Z7PCSy2q-FUgdkVCcx3T0QLw-P3m1hyZECwXWw2ZvvMMGDVmo1QzPWlgbXMBplckn3NIea9mTq-54E8HJzaLeCYMNqpOWCIvh4K_Usr4EJ_Uaw8GFo5JL1Ikoc9qaC46VJeDM/s2722/PXL_20230305_075758714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="2722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmFqYwkvs9_EuSogjqDLwRdHsV5O90sDkhiCuRykxplcfTnYTbh5Z7PCSy2q-FUgdkVCcx3T0QLw-P3m1hyZECwXWw2ZvvMMGDVmo1QzPWlgbXMBplckn3NIea9mTq-54E8HJzaLeCYMNqpOWCIvh4K_Usr4EJ_Uaw8GFo5JL1Ikoc9qaC46VJeDM/w640-h640/PXL_20230305_075758714.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Heck! This blog post may have taken longer to write than stitching my mandala!!<p></p><p>Thanks Project Quilting for this much needed 60 minutes of mandala Zen...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXfvg2T1yMmT2DCPzdMr02D1YVDT__k9B00ZyFe76FsUcQ33aKTMzke6TlInZ3uqAUipqLp2VsGbSO5i8TKkOe0QwLC1NB9fBlQDGR60uJnuaU3rLM6fGKiJEqU9x8l-tvVSWaecu_zcFIsWzYsnOscNxnTot0eBUaGI1hoFA888vs_qYfpG5nyYK/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXfvg2T1yMmT2DCPzdMr02D1YVDT__k9B00ZyFe76FsUcQ33aKTMzke6TlInZ3uqAUipqLp2VsGbSO5i8TKkOe0QwLC1NB9fBlQDGR60uJnuaU3rLM6fGKiJEqU9x8l-tvVSWaecu_zcFIsWzYsnOscNxnTot0eBUaGI1hoFA888vs_qYfpG5nyYK/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-8294665714368452302023-02-22T20:54:00.000-08:002023-02-22T20:54:34.077-08:00100 Days of I Spy Dice Designs: Goals and Set Up<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKBl8Il8cmpbGX4L1h6OQMy5BDjiyo2EGc8OUZNsxdgxLhAugqF_iJzTiZhGoi8QgjU1P3PNEpDhNev_8wf1nkeaByfqTn5_dV3Gd2oi3N8JDKBz60nmzDsa-TVb8H2WCyPef6EhdOd6SXvnGvqGB4iFjAYWr8oPwVUqQZHQ0uwVbnTcXGee7FgEv/s1800/100%20Day%20Project%20Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKBl8Il8cmpbGX4L1h6OQMy5BDjiyo2EGc8OUZNsxdgxLhAugqF_iJzTiZhGoi8QgjU1P3PNEpDhNev_8wf1nkeaByfqTn5_dV3Gd2oi3N8JDKBz60nmzDsa-TVb8H2WCyPef6EhdOd6SXvnGvqGB4iFjAYWr8oPwVUqQZHQ0uwVbnTcXGee7FgEv/w640-h640/100%20Day%20Project%20Graphic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.the100dayproject.org/" target="_blank">#The100DayProject</a> kicks off today! This will be my 4th time participating in this global, online art project and my <a href="https://melbeachquilts.com/gallery#/designbydice/" target="_blank">6th 100 day project involving dice</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div>The start/end time tends to shift from year to year with this year's project running February 22nd through June 1st. As I checked my calendar, I quickly realized that I have 3 big trips scheduled that will have me out of my studio for 22 of the 100 days. As two of these trips involves flying, I will be unable to bring my sewing machine which was required for my original project idea. I was initially disappointed but knew I could always revisit this idea later in the year. </div><div><br /></div><div>With a bit of a mindshift change, instead of looking at these trips as a barrier to participation, I came up with a game plan that would be portable, stretch my creativity, and celebrate the design inspiration awaiting me on these 3 trips!</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Introducing 100 Days of I Spy Dice Designs...</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdwzyAL5wF4s0Khu3NEOMN-I2kPWh6cOfT8ICIsA1AEkDO_eR0pwWWOuGPwvIPucRBm8duIuVA09t5Rx9bRgmyy_uHDmZBuHU_7OEIJ1Yd48C7RH4h_UMk1MuFQ_NF5TEAgomzc6OWPJmajwPTbezXxBDLPIHtUfKN_n7xhZWDZdQ02v7-CtdnWHP/s2835/PXL_20230222_211110605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2829" data-original-width="2835" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdwzyAL5wF4s0Khu3NEOMN-I2kPWh6cOfT8ICIsA1AEkDO_eR0pwWWOuGPwvIPucRBm8duIuVA09t5Rx9bRgmyy_uHDmZBuHU_7OEIJ1Yd48C7RH4h_UMk1MuFQ_NF5TEAgomzc6OWPJmajwPTbezXxBDLPIHtUfKN_n7xhZWDZdQ02v7-CtdnWHP/w640-h638/PXL_20230222_211110605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><b>My goals for participation include:</b></div><div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I Spy the design elements in my surroundings and photograph for design inspiration</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I Spy and use various sources of fodder to create 2-page spread as inspired by my selected photo (with a placeholder for the inspiration photo)</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I Spy for quotes/text to practice my lettering skills within each spread</div><div><br /></div><div>I will be posting to Instagram and Facebook daily with my inspiration photo, spread, and quote, followed by a blog post to celebrate each board book finish (approximately every 10 days)</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Here are some of the supplies I spied and gathered from around my studio and more may be added to the mix as my project progresses:</b></div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>10 small board books (each page measures ~3.5" x 4")</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>My smartphone's camera</div><div>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Assorted mixed media supplies: paper/fodder, paint/markers/pens, stamps, glue, scissors, glue/gesso/matte medium, block printing, brushes, fabric, etc</div></div><div><br /></div><div>And then I'll head to my local copy/printer store to print out the inspiration photos to add to my book every 10 days or so to complete each book.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>Day 1/100: Shape + Artist's Choice</b></h3><div>When life hands you lemons...use them for shape inspiration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14wQJfN_MmfpZ-yWNUCfSTzpkA3A2UU6541alCdovteKsNJ0gwH7PzqZqz1pM0rAWz71N8reeZs7M1qB5sGYVUL1Mc7Qpd_WtnNJ80EnAS_KP-lfsNqtGoBNZ_a56qnWWh2nAqQU7O9DZdShBQrugojzJI41t2WDcczE_Flc796pcNUuMyO7FbZ2G/s5120/Day%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14wQJfN_MmfpZ-yWNUCfSTzpkA3A2UU6541alCdovteKsNJ0gwH7PzqZqz1pM0rAWz71N8reeZs7M1qB5sGYVUL1Mc7Qpd_WtnNJ80EnAS_KP-lfsNqtGoBNZ_a56qnWWh2nAqQU7O9DZdShBQrugojzJI41t2WDcczE_Flc796pcNUuMyO7FbZ2G/w640-h320/Day%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After my photography walk about, I started sorting through my mail and was delighted by all the yellow fodder to be discovered along with a few pops of blue and green. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rtatOswFs6iZExHuYjYb8UGcIr36jVelv5cegTS62TVuwssf5YCgu1PFbF0u-q3EUZan35-0pQvEduRXBXvZ9id0g2Yo3XbSkjk3L8uu42Y7Arm0gOSwVegu5hJYkbE9_oDsFUjNpyFKiOhjZh_VBUob3SAQcLYAyhV87u7T_lRnh0JwFViak6zd/s5120/Day%2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rtatOswFs6iZExHuYjYb8UGcIr36jVelv5cegTS62TVuwssf5YCgu1PFbF0u-q3EUZan35-0pQvEduRXBXvZ9id0g2Yo3XbSkjk3L8uu42Y7Arm0gOSwVegu5hJYkbE9_oDsFUjNpyFKiOhjZh_VBUob3SAQcLYAyhV87u7T_lRnh0JwFViak6zd/w640-h320/Day%2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For my hand lettered text, I chose "Easy, Peasy, Lemon, Squeezy" which I think may have jinxed me as there were <u>lots </u>of oops and redos required on both the lettering and the layout. I suspect this will get easier as I get familiarized with this small format and find my groove.<div><br /></div><div>I started with page 2 and love how it finally came together...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-sen3sJqH3JiRZcVrCkqX9-zNnJZfPWV-ghFKK8_nCrTPysElbZkYme8k6S3avNDccqf2mVOWXGHasV6PbRSkTbndVbcK35qJdfv2N_p8KEXRgVenZPNPbXcE3frpVHF-b-28RE-_3EweOxziFhvGtpSbMm0im5gwAF7LMvZyy_SQtplEYC1I9kq/s2867/PXL_20230223_040225468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2867" data-original-width="2865" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-sen3sJqH3JiRZcVrCkqX9-zNnJZfPWV-ghFKK8_nCrTPysElbZkYme8k6S3avNDccqf2mVOWXGHasV6PbRSkTbndVbcK35qJdfv2N_p8KEXRgVenZPNPbXcE3frpVHF-b-28RE-_3EweOxziFhvGtpSbMm0im5gwAF7LMvZyy_SQtplEYC1I9kq/w640-h640/PXL_20230223_040225468.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Here is the companion page with the inspiration photo, bringing some of the elements over from the previous page...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JjHhITW525_0f7itigFaXjPbAxCICN83PGrevLSq2T55roITpdzl0uG6fIG48Co3VVSvZRgA-uCTFU8EX1ytLXk56EsvrKIL4h-6ZIXd1jvgHVByS_QkMkeKbSLcsgBxrECy1bru0zQL9rPbKZQ7sD0MHi_7FdGmuj3Jp6C9d1VNDS_2RWuOhzfk/s2821/PXL_20230223_040706245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="2812" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JjHhITW525_0f7itigFaXjPbAxCICN83PGrevLSq2T55roITpdzl0uG6fIG48Co3VVSvZRgA-uCTFU8EX1ytLXk56EsvrKIL4h-6ZIXd1jvgHVByS_QkMkeKbSLcsgBxrECy1bru0zQL9rPbKZQ7sD0MHi_7FdGmuj3Jp6C9d1VNDS_2RWuOhzfk/w638-h640/PXL_20230223_040706245.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><br /><div>And here they are side by side:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh3JHNZ5cCjMyvwbPidcEsi-WL1zd0hKfUpTXefF6lWVBCV-OMeywlAdiHNDVqu5j5Wu7NOSo2ccthuIQMMAn_XvfssulcjTWmw5ninYHIewTQNOCqcyWpOgQsrF7PJtIb_-m2rs11-RrqVYAcuAhAo9BxZ_cGSD9cQU9GOiACfk8IzN6t_-2tlph/s2934/PXL_20230223_040651997%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1779" data-original-width="2934" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFh3JHNZ5cCjMyvwbPidcEsi-WL1zd0hKfUpTXefF6lWVBCV-OMeywlAdiHNDVqu5j5Wu7NOSo2ccthuIQMMAn_XvfssulcjTWmw5ninYHIewTQNOCqcyWpOgQsrF7PJtIb_-m2rs11-RrqVYAcuAhAo9BxZ_cGSD9cQU9GOiACfk8IzN6t_-2tlph/w640-h388/PXL_20230223_040651997%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Seeing all these lemons left me craving a Lemon Drop Martini...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHVdP4Y0NV3Wq3vv63b3IGur3aXvR0PNAV4TLIO0hYNAvWWl1jzA32TYV618IIu-ZXq7nQlkalnKqS4b4N5Zu9noGI2KOElqGW_39Qi-p4pyQmzHa0uaEel8Ye7ToZSjZo0UUkqVT8HP8HlNeBTrsq96ySTCutf3Yhlodll6cB3oVmp7oSubi3Fpp/s2945/PXL_20230223_042148782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="2943" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvHVdP4Y0NV3Wq3vv63b3IGur3aXvR0PNAV4TLIO0hYNAvWWl1jzA32TYV618IIu-ZXq7nQlkalnKqS4b4N5Zu9noGI2KOElqGW_39Qi-p4pyQmzHa0uaEel8Ye7ToZSjZo0UUkqVT8HP8HlNeBTrsq96ySTCutf3Yhlodll6cB3oVmp7oSubi3Fpp/w640-h640/PXL_20230223_042148782.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cheers to 100 Days of I Spy Dice Designs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div>I hope you'll join me on this creative journey as I'll be posting using #100daysofiSPYdicedesigns</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHONHtNK6tFNlwGyL6E0Ny0lekdI0H1zei3kcdnKRfdziQKi3NRH35aNtxeaAwp-3Rmg8TXb-lmLPk35LRV7QbPdjLHg9Dvp3vMTtTBk9oaQ8C-BGfIM91sOmYFRmDqh5QWbdPXa2RiV27arhDJb7R7AjVJA89duuLxVFIuuncqtLVCskLY3LHQcOO/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHONHtNK6tFNlwGyL6E0Ny0lekdI0H1zei3kcdnKRfdziQKi3NRH35aNtxeaAwp-3Rmg8TXb-lmLPk35LRV7QbPdjLHg9Dvp3vMTtTBk9oaQ8C-BGfIM91sOmYFRmDqh5QWbdPXa2RiV27arhDJb7R7AjVJA89duuLxVFIuuncqtLVCskLY3LHQcOO/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-81313190606024363082023-02-19T01:39:00.000-08:002023-02-19T01:39:24.738-08:00Project Quilting 14.4: A Novel Project<p>This week's Project Quilting challenge theme is <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/02/14-4_anovelproject-challenge-4-of-project-quilting-season-14.html" target="_blank">A Novel Project</a> inciting participants to make a project inspired by books we've read. Oooh--so many possibilities!</p><p>On Wednesday I listed some of my favorite books: Anne of Green Gables, The Little Prince before remembering The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (which you can <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HH-PHw2Uvw" target="_blank">listen to in Storybook Nany Read Aloud here</a>). I found my copy for a quick read. Of course I misted up as I read about the Giving Tree and the little boy that would come visit her to "gather her leaves...climb up her trunk...swing from her branches, and eat apples." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK9_7WX5d1RntnO0x0t9fyC5dXbxRziqja6kn8MD2b9Otf8bX1L6p3oybXKJNuIgJC8rZhzaptM2jVLg18Dd-f3djRLb9t6T8GsacD1PU6NKmnAZapKNzRWw51gWuG5Rprqp__iWk5VUQ7pfikVc0BZjTNi7lrAiIf83py--zrmzIFc3v8Hb8TFPT/s2843/PXL_20230215_004423106%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="2843" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKK9_7WX5d1RntnO0x0t9fyC5dXbxRziqja6kn8MD2b9Otf8bX1L6p3oybXKJNuIgJC8rZhzaptM2jVLg18Dd-f3djRLb9t6T8GsacD1PU6NKmnAZapKNzRWw51gWuG5Rprqp__iWk5VUQ7pfikVc0BZjTNi7lrAiIf83py--zrmzIFc3v8Hb8TFPT/w640-h640/PXL_20230215_004423106%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the quick sketch I made before heading into my studio to pull fabric and materials to translate my vision into a small 6" x 8" art quilt that would double as my donation piece for <a href="https://www.saqa.com/spotlight" target="_blank">Studio Art Quilt Associate's upcoming Spotlight Auction</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>A variety of fabrics from my mark-making experiments were combined with showroom fabric swatches that <a href="https://www.fabmo.org/about" target="_blank">FabMo</a> saves from going to the landfill and makes available to the local community for a very nominal purchase price (or completely free in their Priceless Treasures room!) An assortment of threads, trims, and embellishments were added to the mix.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_VZZ_yGYqRgJC-FCplGpzr_XfvX8tyXOyFdS4U2jSduu9hutkHO4XV7M-RUnB6TwxSMvfG_lBJWzQaXMkxq8CpF-jhSa1rDvAoWC9sCWiBh4376g54UXBX00GYt-vnbXfNFWAfSQB-I3WfCEOlWkPHpvNyV__RhszbZ0JVIaCVD2cim_aTFICbSA/s3024/PXL_20230215_080355165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_VZZ_yGYqRgJC-FCplGpzr_XfvX8tyXOyFdS4U2jSduu9hutkHO4XV7M-RUnB6TwxSMvfG_lBJWzQaXMkxq8CpF-jhSa1rDvAoWC9sCWiBh4376g54UXBX00GYt-vnbXfNFWAfSQB-I3WfCEOlWkPHpvNyV__RhszbZ0JVIaCVD2cim_aTFICbSA/w640-h640/PXL_20230215_080355165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Spotlight Auction pieces are displayed in mats with a 4.5" x 6.5” opening, so I find it helpful to recreate these dimensions on my ruler to help with the design planning. Of course I quickly realized there was no way I would be able to fit all those fabrics/trims into my piece, so some serious editing would be required! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhso2E2K6iak_OAdIXo3Qaytq0H_velgslb663ukeyEa72c0IkJKxaoaSu7demzeOdf2beH1G9tJ0MAzysll8vOMTCyzgAamnmBGjdnpeS6205qLJkIsD2hmMVUJx94SKmQlmbsBeMIvq6XL2fTNPwHpHb1gGc1GyJBOgnWRzwjS9CETL4et0C8rm/s3024/PXL_20230216_050206373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhso2E2K6iak_OAdIXo3Qaytq0H_velgslb663ukeyEa72c0IkJKxaoaSu7demzeOdf2beH1G9tJ0MAzysll8vOMTCyzgAamnmBGjdnpeS6205qLJkIsD2hmMVUJx94SKmQlmbsBeMIvq6XL2fTNPwHpHb1gGc1GyJBOgnWRzwjS9CETL4et0C8rm/w640-h640/PXL_20230216_050206373.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I started forming the tree trunk using a brown batik fabric and a small swatch of upholstery fabric that resembled woodgrain that was layered below the batik. A small heart template was cut out of contact paper and placed over the small swatched area. A variegated brown/gold yarn was couched with free-motion quilting, outlining the heart first before filling in the background with a tree bark motif. I started with a Juki echo quilting foot which hovers over the surface, before switching to my open toe foot and guiding the thread an inch or so ahead of the needle. Once the stitching was complete, I removed the heart template and used my fabric snips to trim away the batik to reveal the wood grain fabric hidden beneath the surface.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3sYLp52GYIrsU-TrIGo03ce8dQSAcEgcMTfT1CS9EUASV46j4lLFxKw_JIrc2yAHAhHYmzoNhynkcfSCvNFIkIFAplxcqN_SYIRFac7gYxO4yG-wbnFWFotuXYNR-8iDYWcxn71F69kp8s-W9w33EeSKRETKWQnKSZKR_BseLXzlesDXR39UNjd6/s5120/PQ%2014_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3sYLp52GYIrsU-TrIGo03ce8dQSAcEgcMTfT1CS9EUASV46j4lLFxKw_JIrc2yAHAhHYmzoNhynkcfSCvNFIkIFAplxcqN_SYIRFac7gYxO4yG-wbnFWFotuXYNR-8iDYWcxn71F69kp8s-W9w33EeSKRETKWQnKSZKR_BseLXzlesDXR39UNjd6/w640-h640/PQ%2014_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>With my tree trunk prepared, I narrowed down the fabric palette for creating leaves and apples.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixycxeDEqlShKWuAblrH0zGaeALze1wQ1Oo5Y4s8_UHkcJmCXwDzVG72P492UHTwNd6o1O_8rXJLlSYUotqpCOVMre_bvlHSmw2jS2bFA_C7ppwvtPqh7i9iq_N-AF7Jc4n0o-oSuJUHOLyWAJhRJtXXeKuwh9VV2ix1l6W_avhvrpFnbX_tAZDO_d/s2540/PXL_20230216_064904840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2535" data-original-width="2540" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixycxeDEqlShKWuAblrH0zGaeALze1wQ1Oo5Y4s8_UHkcJmCXwDzVG72P492UHTwNd6o1O_8rXJLlSYUotqpCOVMre_bvlHSmw2jS2bFA_C7ppwvtPqh7i9iq_N-AF7Jc4n0o-oSuJUHOLyWAJhRJtXXeKuwh9VV2ix1l6W_avhvrpFnbX_tAZDO_d/w640-h638/PXL_20230216_064904840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>These leafy green fabrics all started out as white fabric previously transformed with several of my favorite mark-making techniques: block printing, gel plate printing, and sunprinting. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRkjK4h_veVqP64orzJRjABX1G4WFeUQHiRKZJi7e45iR_De4oW22oIVOSRQF908ZDpmVWMBx0gaoH4WqKRV6XEr8iu8FiwO8p03fMD0idL_Nei9EmAryLdSx3qd_KLTRG_0htUvSgFbxiZCfFtIk3n4eaxSafKXkAyZKL5iC1ZrFfxAT-mOTTI3e/s2938/PXL_20230217_051642159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2938" data-original-width="2938" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRkjK4h_veVqP64orzJRjABX1G4WFeUQHiRKZJi7e45iR_De4oW22oIVOSRQF908ZDpmVWMBx0gaoH4WqKRV6XEr8iu8FiwO8p03fMD0idL_Nei9EmAryLdSx3qd_KLTRG_0htUvSgFbxiZCfFtIk3n4eaxSafKXkAyZKL5iC1ZrFfxAT-mOTTI3e/w640-h640/PXL_20230217_051642159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The top center leaf prints were cut in half and fused on top of a contrasting green swatch to create two-toned leaves that were fused onto Pellon fusible fleece. Free-motion quilting was used to outline each leaf and midrib before adding zig zag motif for the veins. To achieve dimension with my leaves, I used wire cutters and pliers to create a twisted loop of floral wire structure within each leaf. As a precaution, electrical tape was wrapped around the cut ends to prevent them from cutting or piercing through the leaves. These wire spines were centered onto the backside of the quilted leaves and fused into place with a small swatch of Heat n Bond Ultra Hold fusible web. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KE4pPXN9Occ4GZN1XnhrA8E6-BojErMybRQistKMQtfq0ej5kmkU0_2acIUPg4oFommn3pnjFQ6M9aEMk7yApbviWIi9iTsnJRUFfWISeMSzp40XpXQYg_i5d449LIZrOoREYK47TSSSu2XjTzgJSEuCDvKj_qPGsj6MEkBmnFkGpsRnDqHuwyZg/s5120/PQ%2014_42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KE4pPXN9Occ4GZN1XnhrA8E6-BojErMybRQistKMQtfq0ej5kmkU0_2acIUPg4oFommn3pnjFQ6M9aEMk7yApbviWIi9iTsnJRUFfWISeMSzp40XpXQYg_i5d449LIZrOoREYK47TSSSu2XjTzgJSEuCDvKj_qPGsj6MEkBmnFkGpsRnDqHuwyZg/w640-h320/PQ%2014_42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Care was taken taken to keep the wire and fusible away from the edges which would require another round of top stitching. Once fused into place, another layer of fusible fleece and backing fabric was fused onto the backside before completing two final passes of topstitching around each leaf's perimeter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H8Mol3Drdt-lAk1o-fp7q6wVLtGZhGeoUekgQt_QPeICoaVWdHkgctoBBsspLdJP4UgnmtC1RjjCLEGmAMEEn3PxAcZrIp_YLnTpJKkQ2k3p5Ha9c9OMhkYfRmbym5SVihhcwsO_nu6DiSrPCYWN7UBRH_y2LTz-faYIrv8CAP74XqyYswHXu14X/s2909/PXL_20230217_075946071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2903" data-original-width="2909" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H8Mol3Drdt-lAk1o-fp7q6wVLtGZhGeoUekgQt_QPeICoaVWdHkgctoBBsspLdJP4UgnmtC1RjjCLEGmAMEEn3PxAcZrIp_YLnTpJKkQ2k3p5Ha9c9OMhkYfRmbym5SVihhcwsO_nu6DiSrPCYWN7UBRH_y2LTz-faYIrv8CAP74XqyYswHXu14X/w640-h638/PXL_20230217_075946071.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Once the individual leaves were trimmed, a leaf pile was formed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLRWdgwzauHA52m7JhXjMXlDzseoP2GSX87JCUTEZl9mITZThTDEZT-ZCC04AeeYD2_phEOVtYCr4cuoidXiNpYBY5XI5vfk6AbViYEmiOQEy5S0POvaXJlAAfuAZHq_FAg8LcU6sXxMRkY8kDNt34Jak5St-ZqJYm5tzzYY4Dv2icvzx_WOkrLbz/s5120/PQ%2014_43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLRWdgwzauHA52m7JhXjMXlDzseoP2GSX87JCUTEZl9mITZThTDEZT-ZCC04AeeYD2_phEOVtYCr4cuoidXiNpYBY5XI5vfk6AbViYEmiOQEy5S0POvaXJlAAfuAZHq_FAg8LcU6sXxMRkY8kDNt34Jak5St-ZqJYm5tzzYY4Dv2icvzx_WOkrLbz/w640-h320/PQ%2014_43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In addition to laying out my quilted leaves, I couldn't resist playing with the leftover negative space. I was intrigued by layering the cutout sections and took photos for future experiments. As I was taking the photo, I realized that one of the quilted leaves was left behind!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg144lIBqx5M4zN2VH7FjkKi0479Pbg_E3LmQUwjYf7Ri4hfEfEXU6mMEGZgYCeN8fGC4kORbfzUbkvgCbAVXk8fq_iNBCTYKkDDqqlxO91yQ4zxxbnSiQ6YKmZUGKp0AS7ExBIo2OgDq3IZjJGQU-qRQNjVeynW8cQq-sCztg-DRGx3hw7rdMeAnpw/s3802/PXL_20230218_041251778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2639" data-original-width="3802" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg144lIBqx5M4zN2VH7FjkKi0479Pbg_E3LmQUwjYf7Ri4hfEfEXU6mMEGZgYCeN8fGC4kORbfzUbkvgCbAVXk8fq_iNBCTYKkDDqqlxO91yQ4zxxbnSiQ6YKmZUGKp0AS7ExBIo2OgDq3IZjJGQU-qRQNjVeynW8cQq-sCztg-DRGx3hw7rdMeAnpw/w640-h444/PXL_20230218_041251778.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The leaf edges were finished with Tulip puffy paint aka dimensional paint...one of which was Leaf Green...how perfect! The leaves were then carefully propped up onto a small spool of Aurifil thread while the painted edges dried.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlXA-sjW6DHTUcuHTQGGg3QQ2SYS3WGtrAjpDUTWwJKKHGbGtt3XJmQe5glefxtqx449ddRpvfLxJ-jG0QmRQwrqkx18MhxEQw1noHFwvkqqta3ApsC6P9P88zjLpkYs8n8GsBlTfX-KuyVZo3qZHxAJsVoYjabGYp50QeWWITwpQcnN0R0vD2zGM/s5120/PQ%2014_44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlXA-sjW6DHTUcuHTQGGg3QQ2SYS3WGtrAjpDUTWwJKKHGbGtt3XJmQe5glefxtqx449ddRpvfLxJ-jG0QmRQwrqkx18MhxEQw1noHFwvkqqta3ApsC6P9P88zjLpkYs8n8GsBlTfX-KuyVZo3qZHxAJsVoYjabGYp50QeWWITwpQcnN0R0vD2zGM/w640-h320/PQ%2014_44.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Once dry, I was able to bend and curl the leaves to create even more dimension!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPGP0yi1rDzQqNgWG8Uik6aZUnFeuIi7trU8sX_NT423wcdxXg4H3xNDm4xXBPciqz3mE-WcM1X_Q9qZobqFvdfmjCtYzOtOByj7kYqC0SlRF6Oi4ROnK6LK-Xi41pXD3jYywzC3dLPIM2sWmQTTn1dehH7EdgfL_DMNoJfSSadw-WuU1lORYI7IP/s5120/PQ%2014_45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPGP0yi1rDzQqNgWG8Uik6aZUnFeuIi7trU8sX_NT423wcdxXg4H3xNDm4xXBPciqz3mE-WcM1X_Q9qZobqFvdfmjCtYzOtOByj7kYqC0SlRF6Oi4ROnK6LK-Xi41pXD3jYywzC3dLPIM2sWmQTTn1dehH7EdgfL_DMNoJfSSadw-WuU1lORYI7IP/w640-h320/PQ%2014_45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Now it was time to prepare my apples. There were some Cosmic Crisp apples in the fridge that I photographed and printed to use as both design inspiration and as a quilting template. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinbv4mwzmCnDXStIH4sI-DavxStBgbV0MgHLuu-DHJyxKOQ8VBRI_-nZjiyD7dTwYEmlXOVeE_zL9wrn-Gs93rPmMD0t2Z-LBQe7JxyiSHHx1hS0e1KLCgVWek6UHBTBCA47bOuMOHtFfrl4sTHXy0D3Rc4pUsHiOugha4FbkPMYa0TJNYBXwMUhv/s5120/PQ%2014_46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinbv4mwzmCnDXStIH4sI-DavxStBgbV0MgHLuu-DHJyxKOQ8VBRI_-nZjiyD7dTwYEmlXOVeE_zL9wrn-Gs93rPmMD0t2Z-LBQe7JxyiSHHx1hS0e1KLCgVWek6UHBTBCA47bOuMOHtFfrl4sTHXy0D3Rc4pUsHiOugha4FbkPMYa0TJNYBXwMUhv/w640-h426/PQ%2014_46.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The quilted apples were trimmed and painted.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcxeLjT0sDR-8ln1I4pxQoKJpkeBO8oHbl2pXpEkzNSRz_CcOKhcK0Yg4yPauF5ZjlmIM9wdK8bJBdEkhI3vsW1X2H5uHgbA5YknSdp0JslTlU7k0c2AW3cllGR5nK_3J7k3-qXK9xiTP4Xonu30WiqmfEWrexatVZL1Q4xSAhIwUGfZWrjmHp6os/s5120/PQ%2014_47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcxeLjT0sDR-8ln1I4pxQoKJpkeBO8oHbl2pXpEkzNSRz_CcOKhcK0Yg4yPauF5ZjlmIM9wdK8bJBdEkhI3vsW1X2H5uHgbA5YknSdp0JslTlU7k0c2AW3cllGR5nK_3J7k3-qXK9xiTP4Xonu30WiqmfEWrexatVZL1Q4xSAhIwUGfZWrjmHp6os/w640-h320/PQ%2014_47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Now that all my elements were prepared, it was time to figure out the final composition. I tried to multitask during a few morning Zoom meetings, but this stage required my full attention. Ironically, high levels of tree pollen triggered my allergies in the afternoon, postponing my layout play until after dinner. I made extra bits to provide options, so again I needed to edit, edit, edit.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4kyw67kQouyVhdE79_mHAIPEq7nGEcYhkBtaBUiiKxU5mAHKAyEtr2s93p2QU8YtYg5sVpkhAxRgtM_SDnbReKPp_-njfEGKL5DyhCmBcQlU-PMPDLwocV_aZ1B3LCfb929JE3gJF4sGarzvsEL6NvVZbg-k1kPlW-A6NivlcRz8caI7wae6mnRP/s5120/PQ%2014_48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="4096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4kyw67kQouyVhdE79_mHAIPEq7nGEcYhkBtaBUiiKxU5mAHKAyEtr2s93p2QU8YtYg5sVpkhAxRgtM_SDnbReKPp_-njfEGKL5DyhCmBcQlU-PMPDLwocV_aZ1B3LCfb929JE3gJF4sGarzvsEL6NvVZbg-k1kPlW-A6NivlcRz8caI7wae6mnRP/w512-h640/PQ%2014_48.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The apples seemed kind of simple as compared to the leaves, so my friend <a href="https://www.sarahgoerquilts.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Goer</a> suggested stuffing the apple to add more dimension. At first I was hesitant as the edges were already finished, but with a bit of engineering, I was able to stitch the apple onto the background and top stitch 3/4 around the edge leaving a small opening to add stuffing before completing a final pass of top stitching to close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKPxSfAL48bLX9MbGu3ivtVi62W8Vm1TIenX6URLxl5pZGbmhL2LhYHvJSj4_JdzhPEW9d-_ceEzf-H987sKOt7B-LMTQG7KIPHbRRoyVl_IX2XY0-puF7Oa1g_XFzJ8vKt4JEkCgvmVeJoTGenOFNLDuGM85lqw6xInDsvk05ZU3eB5MvLHdTyQG/s5120/PQ%2014_49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKPxSfAL48bLX9MbGu3ivtVi62W8Vm1TIenX6URLxl5pZGbmhL2LhYHvJSj4_JdzhPEW9d-_ceEzf-H987sKOt7B-LMTQG7KIPHbRRoyVl_IX2XY0-puF7Oa1g_XFzJ8vKt4JEkCgvmVeJoTGenOFNLDuGM85lqw6xInDsvk05ZU3eB5MvLHdTyQG/w640-h320/PQ%2014_49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>After evaluating the many layers that would need to be stitched in order to attach the leaves, I opted for finishing by machine. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLMgDwdPOimR1H8oIE0NjvJGht-_3Se4gQH6payVFrfhLL7kWcL7ygckWonJH1XiKZvNNti5vtie4flFsIEfrqxt63SCUiAcMpbO_HiPsb607oPBmHXQJDA9xTX0jBzh2VR2Z2QaFn8S3Z_cwyCgE9SZnJuGFlKP8AbU2FfEUWtT_VmIEC-lllRKI/s2480/PXL_20230219_071914781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2476" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLMgDwdPOimR1H8oIE0NjvJGht-_3Se4gQH6payVFrfhLL7kWcL7ygckWonJH1XiKZvNNti5vtie4flFsIEfrqxt63SCUiAcMpbO_HiPsb607oPBmHXQJDA9xTX0jBzh2VR2Z2QaFn8S3Z_cwyCgE9SZnJuGFlKP8AbU2FfEUWtT_VmIEC-lllRKI/w638-h640/PXL_20230219_071914781.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The apples were a bit plain as compared to all the other elements. The apple scraps were perfect for auditioning Uniball Signo pens to add dotted accents and highlights. One of the leftover apples and pair of leaves were used to create a label that hangs from the backside. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEfgQBrAbw-HNFDjhiAKFxOhNGkPBPpxvEFqdEDLIAKWoinR2V7EkLKxmayjHqxNyhBHBOp2COerksCiHcNbe_rhcSsJKBT3mes4rVrS9oDg5obYs-oUYKlMnuqTRBlDLAateqkHcqiLL7Rz5grvNTCTE24SrYxtktCbgolqSoqPegCkpKw772j4W/s5120/PQ%2014_411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5120" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEfgQBrAbw-HNFDjhiAKFxOhNGkPBPpxvEFqdEDLIAKWoinR2V7EkLKxmayjHqxNyhBHBOp2COerksCiHcNbe_rhcSsJKBT3mes4rVrS9oDg5obYs-oUYKlMnuqTRBlDLAateqkHcqiLL7Rz5grvNTCTE24SrYxtktCbgolqSoqPegCkpKw772j4W/w640-h360/PQ%2014_411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Here are many of the fabrics, paints/pens, threads, and other supplies used to create my finished piece...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gN6PZJ2OezYb_jK_emmxuvK1-ktUrrMlx9eOk-ekwjSqxhV07KBYwMOfxTfjvBOoix5KDLWCJfbFYaOct7kSjjZwKIKbd39X7jxQCyBZkX-6wloWFVqPckQD-rslW8Ui2dyF21keDEfbw8hQ-r5Y86k1WDlMqiDAlyYmMqOD1OdTnrRQ7IBpdnA_/s2880/PXL_20230219_081350210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2879" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gN6PZJ2OezYb_jK_emmxuvK1-ktUrrMlx9eOk-ekwjSqxhV07KBYwMOfxTfjvBOoix5KDLWCJfbFYaOct7kSjjZwKIKbd39X7jxQCyBZkX-6wloWFVqPckQD-rslW8Ui2dyF21keDEfbw8hQ-r5Y86k1WDlMqiDAlyYmMqOD1OdTnrRQ7IBpdnA_/w640-h640/PXL_20230219_081350210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I'm really pleased with my quilted interpretation of this childhood favorite...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAhxsUH6LDoYiZhoUgVvDMBUj1TSKfuF09ErIIh31CJYgLpM_Q7u66zZxx3CMacn-KtYTZzvG9QR72swUcz662GsSpnh03MPDfQEje-bPdr6sqM6TXuPsyiKwLGn5vtXlkrBVAi5fu_fPR0N8lxUYJ5oHN-XjHnHP20srYqobuOeeWqHd9pJ1VIYp/s2964/PXL_20230219_081632364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1981" data-original-width="2964" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAhxsUH6LDoYiZhoUgVvDMBUj1TSKfuF09ErIIh31CJYgLpM_Q7u66zZxx3CMacn-KtYTZzvG9QR72swUcz662GsSpnh03MPDfQEje-bPdr6sqM6TXuPsyiKwLGn5vtXlkrBVAi5fu_fPR0N8lxUYJ5oHN-XjHnHP20srYqobuOeeWqHd9pJ1VIYp/w640-h428/PXL_20230219_081632364.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This piece will be available for online bidding as part of the SAQA Annual Conference <a href="https://www.saqa.com/spotlight" target="_blank">Spotlight Auction </a>that will conclude on Saturday, April 29th. All proceeds will help SAQA promote the art quilt worldwide. I'll be sure to share more information about the Spotlight Auction as April approaches so you can scope out all the incredible art quilts that you can bid to win...including "UnbeLEAF-apple!"<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE8PvqVw7CcGm9HKSUxVBSwuwanDxN2VFUyBBiyoaPEQ2aLt9w4aXz598wiCfUQb-oUfMpDkPpQ-uWi5WWl991jY1GDYqWSQAgMp9OGcPcz5M7dLjh1jyIrzW89KiBMXHJ5THT5KwbbhrR_MbViHtz0IDbHd-1zvbNZB0uy_DVoyXC2H6IIwDICmz/s2973/PXL_20230219_083612329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="2233" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE8PvqVw7CcGm9HKSUxVBSwuwanDxN2VFUyBBiyoaPEQ2aLt9w4aXz598wiCfUQb-oUfMpDkPpQ-uWi5WWl991jY1GDYqWSQAgMp9OGcPcz5M7dLjh1jyIrzW89KiBMXHJ5THT5KwbbhrR_MbViHtz0IDbHd-1zvbNZB0uy_DVoyXC2H6IIwDICmz/w480-h640/PXL_20230219_083612329.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"UnbeLEAF-apple!" finishes 6" x 8"</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Looking to add new books to your reading list? Be sure to check out all the <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/02/14-4_anovelproject-challenge-4-of-project-quilting-season-14.html" target="_blank">incredible book-inspired entries started and finished this week.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjUX1ZzV8L5kicTvGM23Oz7DSvgDVGlzIEMMKFMcekYydhWIX8nJXKK8vBz24E93U1wQ0NctIk3Knh6rMxyE_1_UcNBbFTthJm-X7M8j_b_YQD7dXklWAgD6K91KM472Ywn533d_8wWm2WqcHVdsyDNbjbxVsKnlTaZ3pfX4ilPYCKjXX5jqhG3hi/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjUX1ZzV8L5kicTvGM23Oz7DSvgDVGlzIEMMKFMcekYydhWIX8nJXKK8vBz24E93U1wQ0NctIk3Knh6rMxyE_1_UcNBbFTthJm-X7M8j_b_YQD7dXklWAgD6K91KM472Ywn533d_8wWm2WqcHVdsyDNbjbxVsKnlTaZ3pfX4ilPYCKjXX5jqhG3hi/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-89258153586533628102023-02-05T08:49:00.001-08:002023-02-05T08:50:05.037-08:00Project Quilting 14.3: Inner Peace <p>Most Project Quilting seasons include one weekly challenge theme inspired by a traditional quilt block. This week's challenge invited participants to start and finish a quilt project inspired by and use the traditional <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/01/14-3-54-40-or-fight-challenge-3-of-project-quilting-season-14.html" target="_blank">54-40 or Fight block</a>. This was a new-to-me quilt block, so I enjoyed learning more about its political history as well as studying the various units that made up this block.</p><p>Instead of piecing one or more blocks, I turned to block printing! Three new 2" square block prints were carved to print out a 54-40 or Fight quilt block. Initially I printed onto paper to refine the design which included playing with the orientation of blocks, lightening up the 4-patch corner design, and printing with my new Blue Breeze Kaleidacolor raised rainbow dye inkpad.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xpFm2pWhhVxpOjR5OcYLbGaO_6H0uTwuUfQNBJF5vvoqy63h5bwq25rXuXNGbPWYRcsRSJJLQgb_4tVKbsR1kynBzkh27Mao7wwAzQul7YWluKkmyyz2ZF_4DIp-z--beLy6GBvwwCqPO_SJxD1jHFDd05V0OuW8KYdleADCMPn4JzwtlKaVrEFd/s5120/PQ%2014_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xpFm2pWhhVxpOjR5OcYLbGaO_6H0uTwuUfQNBJF5vvoqy63h5bwq25rXuXNGbPWYRcsRSJJLQgb_4tVKbsR1kynBzkh27Mao7wwAzQul7YWluKkmyyz2ZF_4DIp-z--beLy6GBvwwCqPO_SJxD1jHFDd05V0OuW8KYdleADCMPn4JzwtlKaVrEFd/w640-h320/PQ%2014_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I knew my next step was to print this design onto fabric but I wasn't quite sure what would come next. While warming up for yoga here in my studio, I looked up at my growing collection of mobiles when I pictured a mobile of floating block elements that would twirl to form the 54-40 or Fight block design. When I shared this idea with my yoga partner, she suggested the addition of a cubed elements. Below is my very rough sketch and notes on the individual units needed to construct this vision.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ4awgsWnyJYnmLXDjMs76pMDaDsipB3zxdVtDUnfagEdyKE4Qxrv2Y0-4NMEakVQtrmzNDkCkZPARtq5ZNGP4rffYC9Jz1k-c3uu_L810jgae4SLoDpZX3UkMQT9tkf_qkOAdU_SqKV911tOy4mHTpwGgwBa6NLnul72mGhK9Dp8apEFp2lqiLGt/s2360/PXL_20230205_090353447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2360" data-original-width="2352" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ4awgsWnyJYnmLXDjMs76pMDaDsipB3zxdVtDUnfagEdyKE4Qxrv2Y0-4NMEakVQtrmzNDkCkZPARtq5ZNGP4rffYC9Jz1k-c3uu_L810jgae4SLoDpZX3UkMQT9tkf_qkOAdU_SqKV911tOy4mHTpwGgwBa6NLnul72mGhK9Dp8apEFp2lqiLGt/w638-h640/PXL_20230205_090353447.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Instead of fighting, I was hoping to channel peace throughout my project, so I turned to my collection of hippie hand-dyed fabrics to find this one great panel and paired it with a cherished Michael Miller prints with tiny peace signs for use with some of the 3-D interior sections.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSlN-RyVL65MvKYFvdKNiTtgQAai5GaovLWbtkNE1pcXFwGx1NVe1QfnytlDL41uliKp6zaHFwjAD0Y2hLpupZ-AHRYEXP8TWvilkDbVCh6XjbBLfNxcThv-ftlX-5wGKX87mYlabOr4fuFanGn5KKVSvfbQgJ5lbBDN3_PqueUJ4YWPwe9jdipQw/s2890/PXL_20230203_191142637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="2887" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSlN-RyVL65MvKYFvdKNiTtgQAai5GaovLWbtkNE1pcXFwGx1NVe1QfnytlDL41uliKp6zaHFwjAD0Y2hLpupZ-AHRYEXP8TWvilkDbVCh6XjbBLfNxcThv-ftlX-5wGKX87mYlabOr4fuFanGn5KKVSvfbQgJ5lbBDN3_PqueUJ4YWPwe9jdipQw/w640-h640/PXL_20230203_191142637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The next step involved combining two of my loves: block printing and hand dyed fabric! I didn't think hand dyed fabric could get any better, but wow these block printed, hand-dyed fabrics sparkle! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMraDiD8YZ3WwhO3o6-vk9Gxyk_ZU1W5HjFWdcDwIGdretxEEj9Rfga74jTRisEgTuDlb12OiHUTf9UWiDbeA1YU9wf3vLAxBErPTTrje9wQVNWsfI-Dz2U7z95UA8UHGSYuzhTxOPS1DoeaFvs691LM27VUAmj_V0njvk2tUt_Pj1lltpL4_2TcGG/s3024/PXL_20230203_231552799.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMraDiD8YZ3WwhO3o6-vk9Gxyk_ZU1W5HjFWdcDwIGdretxEEj9Rfga74jTRisEgTuDlb12OiHUTf9UWiDbeA1YU9wf3vLAxBErPTTrje9wQVNWsfI-Dz2U7z95UA8UHGSYuzhTxOPS1DoeaFvs691LM27VUAmj_V0njvk2tUt_Pj1lltpL4_2TcGG/w640-h640/PXL_20230203_231552799.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I recorded a short <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CoOaMxsLTTB/?hl=en" target="_blank">time-lapsed video of me block printing</a> with black acrylic craft paint applied using a foam dauber/pouncer. Once the paint was dry, I heat set it with a hot dry iron. It was then layered into sandwiches with Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece to add some dimension once quilted and Pellon #50 Heavyweight Stabilizer for structure. Multiple threads were auditioned before I found two amazing metallic threads that added a little sparkle without detracting from the printed fabrics. Unfortunately, this was a new-to-me metallic thread and despite lots of troubleshooting using the video tips suggested by the thread manufacturer, it continued to result in lots of shredding and frustration. I loved the sparkle and switched back to my preferred metallic thread by Superior to complete the remaining quilting and thankfully only experienced one small thread break which was actually in the bobbin and not the metallic thread.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSB_f_zVMszA49h3Qv3fxOfVKAGPiMJ5cdyNUWzNabrrb7Kw05Vx3cHwwQRXqAsqS3t14GCekgX7Ea3nSDBIlqJSmChs2sxgeWI5h219QTGDR1S9VFZHv3qCc2ye1302Vdx1zbHGc3vFCYoTmeCMBbXS2WB592jZiw6C8bW5wp_GppgP57pyXf-VP/s5120/PQ%2014_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSB_f_zVMszA49h3Qv3fxOfVKAGPiMJ5cdyNUWzNabrrb7Kw05Vx3cHwwQRXqAsqS3t14GCekgX7Ea3nSDBIlqJSmChs2sxgeWI5h219QTGDR1S9VFZHv3qCc2ye1302Vdx1zbHGc3vFCYoTmeCMBbXS2WB592jZiw6C8bW5wp_GppgP57pyXf-VP/w640-h426/PQ%2014_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The smaller floating units were all trimmed before painting the edges with black Tulip dimensional fabric paint. As the units would be twirling in the air, I needed to recreate the design onto the backside so the block could be completed when viewed from different sides. Since I was running short on time to finish my project, I opted to stamp the backside with Tsukineko Memento Luxe inkpad, specially formulated for use on fabric and mixed media. To heat set the ink with a hot dry iron, each unit was placed into a parchment sandwich to protect both the paint and my iron.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVr57S45bbogHt1Ml2Csf9Pts-YJHq8Fg2jsix_UGk8k6hy7z9ckAuK4wBCHMH7Kee4f5rJGQmsn6AM0-BDcsKdQXhH69KrV3Mn6w1zhBZo7XpVzt30TSyclg5tM1Njs-JItZzVbuqJZI-44FEObt9eOO-8kmvt3RpyikwvMSOCcBvhcT1yhRCrLI/s5120/PQ%2014_31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVr57S45bbogHt1Ml2Csf9Pts-YJHq8Fg2jsix_UGk8k6hy7z9ckAuK4wBCHMH7Kee4f5rJGQmsn6AM0-BDcsKdQXhH69KrV3Mn6w1zhBZo7XpVzt30TSyclg5tM1Njs-JItZzVbuqJZI-44FEObt9eOO-8kmvt3RpyikwvMSOCcBvhcT1yhRCrLI/w640-h640/PQ%2014_31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To form the cubed elements, I planned to connect the quilted panels with zig zag stitching, which required the use of my Brother Innova 450Q (as my Juki primary machine only has straight stitch capability). The edges of each panel were prepared with 3 rounds of stitching:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>The first pass was a simple top stitch ~1/8" from the edge to reinforce the edges.</li><li>The next pass was a narrow satin stitch (2.5 stitch width/0.4 stitch length) which came right up to the topstitched perimeter.</li><li>The last pass was a slightly wider satin stitch (3.0 stitch width/0.4 stitch length) which filled in any gaps in the stitching for a really nice finished look.</li></ol></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKoxBEkbWyzpYcS6ouzO8Q3V1tPvPg9ybuXcdiEl3KvZjEe7SlT1_CHiTVuOtnrNqqMTXZrO7ihotGkr6o2VB6mhqGoUT5X5008SoVnQTyG2-k1gyohaOTCx_ht6CwTRB8auZhXQpaOtP-RSPI_kgQDnzT_r-M-9vw9iPW7NowvoHyb19zFCKcu-O/s5120/PQ%2014_32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKoxBEkbWyzpYcS6ouzO8Q3V1tPvPg9ybuXcdiEl3KvZjEe7SlT1_CHiTVuOtnrNqqMTXZrO7ihotGkr6o2VB6mhqGoUT5X5008SoVnQTyG2-k1gyohaOTCx_ht6CwTRB8auZhXQpaOtP-RSPI_kgQDnzT_r-M-9vw9iPW7NowvoHyb19zFCKcu-O/w640-h320/PQ%2014_32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>At least now I had a finished 54-40 or Fight project (4 of them!) that could be linked up if I ran out of time or couldn't figure out the 3-D elements. </div><div><br /></div><div>A less dense and skinnier zig zag stitch was used to stitch adjacent panels together, creating hinged sides. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB86R1Hr78LSAUH0MUsc9cMXSen7Y3utBJQxsTWX8f-MAfYxRo2p8CS1IEOqo1JN2nkfhZdoVQ-_CANyq_tdE9f4TO2bcmbp6cylDZprD6Gi0-MCzekAqgXoa1E0bYy4KCZyBKgHkyOINrXk2t4GLrLti0Ga9wTfPJZj3KFB6i7gh0V6FPmY_yP60/s3028/PXL_20230205_041350294.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRB86R1Hr78LSAUH0MUsc9cMXSen7Y3utBJQxsTWX8f-MAfYxRo2p8CS1IEOqo1JN2nkfhZdoVQ-_CANyq_tdE9f4TO2bcmbp6cylDZprD6Gi0-MCzekAqgXoa1E0bYy4KCZyBKgHkyOINrXk2t4GLrLti0Ga9wTfPJZj3KFB6i7gh0V6FPmY_yP60/w640-h640/PXL_20230205_041350294.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Hmmm...perhaps I should stop here and enter my stylish quilted hat?!?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigogrQk4xOou_guYXWbHbN09LzNuA6QfGfA8GEdKCBaC60D3KH4HczHGk_dOOWXAxtwMLSOFB8mvkY7XH8sIjCXqNyQOKnq8mii4549g0lIl-AGu9fB_qQ0NpZeew-M-SvKfnnBA9EjyDWgNWR2Snrk6vnCldNvnn-ewxVswLBa23oe3ESKQNhQIuQ/s2467/PXL_20230205_051212293.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2467" data-original-width="2460" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigogrQk4xOou_guYXWbHbN09LzNuA6QfGfA8GEdKCBaC60D3KH4HczHGk_dOOWXAxtwMLSOFB8mvkY7XH8sIjCXqNyQOKnq8mii4549g0lIl-AGu9fB_qQ0NpZeew-M-SvKfnnBA9EjyDWgNWR2Snrk6vnCldNvnn-ewxVswLBa23oe3ESKQNhQIuQ/w638-h640/PXL_20230205_051212293.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Tempting, but there was still another 3-D element to create, which had me especially nervous as this one would have 6 quilted sides to assemble and might not be as forgiving. I made sure all 6 panels were trimmed to the same size and took care to minimize any distortion while satin stitching the edges. Instead of pins, wonder clips were used to hold the two edges together and prevent any shifting. Nearly all (9 out of 12) sides were connected by machine, with exception to the last three on top. I attached the twirling units above and below before filling my little cube with stuffing and 2 jingle bells. The remaining 3 seams were securely closed with hand stitching.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezfI8w7Nfosp3COZyELpUIasa3TTCw7ZbkuW-tZOMdeLQ159GC_pNyBqI2ce_ZFUVgxJ0j5gCfabE0uCIttspPa_RIRVO4D50KiQJh607hMFWYCHH5ukwrW5-e18rq_jC97YopnEJs9fgY0GWdQOYrO19E-2IbjW6EqxnY-ueFMshlZOTQfRgVq3M/s5120/PQ%2014_33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezfI8w7Nfosp3COZyELpUIasa3TTCw7ZbkuW-tZOMdeLQ159GC_pNyBqI2ce_ZFUVgxJ0j5gCfabE0uCIttspPa_RIRVO4D50KiQJh607hMFWYCHH5ukwrW5-e18rq_jC97YopnEJs9fgY0GWdQOYrO19E-2IbjW6EqxnY-ueFMshlZOTQfRgVq3M/w640-h640/PQ%2014_33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A map of the floating elements was laid out to ensure order and orientation when assembling the 54-40 or Fight block design. The individual strands came together fairly quickly thanks to the hand stitched and beaded process I finetuned while making my prototype wind chime for the <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2023/01/project-quilting-141-my-first-time.html" target="_blank">PQ 14.1 First One challenge</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next new learning curve involved attaching the center strand to the top four corners of the larger lantern shape and back together into a hanging loop. I made great progress until one of my strands tore just as I was getting ready to tie the final loop! I tried to fix it and created a big knot in the center and ultimately had to cut everything out and start again. This time I called my partner Doug into the studio for an extra set of hands. This step required quite a bit of focus and persistence, so I didn't capture any process photos of the process, but here are nearly all the materials and supplies used for making this project (fusible fleece, stabilizer, and filling not included).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WQluAi9F9rP856aJgOH1OMfZXAfGjiq-oZIJ-2LIsPFhOi_73i9V2t9DZAITpu4jPGECOrePcNTI-SvKm5Y_-5UXDaH4EWuOdXdWqw69VnzfI1kh1lKQJFAP_1Lk4w21SqzNhikYvGMJceDj7Voe7qiC4Wy2zsvxTOLMTf9HdGuoWd--NUcheX0t/s3332/PXL_20230205_090315621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="3332" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WQluAi9F9rP856aJgOH1OMfZXAfGjiq-oZIJ-2LIsPFhOi_73i9V2t9DZAITpu4jPGECOrePcNTI-SvKm5Y_-5UXDaH4EWuOdXdWqw69VnzfI1kh1lKQJFAP_1Lk4w21SqzNhikYvGMJceDj7Voe7qiC4Wy2zsvxTOLMTf9HdGuoWd--NUcheX0t/w640-h522/PXL_20230205_090315621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><p>While researching title ideas, I found this quote:</p><div><div></div><blockquote><div>“There is peace even in the storm”</div><div>― Vincent van Gogh</div></blockquote><p>The next morning I woke to a boom of lightning followed by some pretty heavy rain, which posed a challenge for photographing my finished piece. Thankfully there was a lull in the rain to do a quick outdoor photo/video shoot. I hope you will check out the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CoSboqTptq7/?hl=en" target="_blank">video and accompanying audio</a> to better appreciate of how the various elements dance and twirl to form the block design, while the center peace block remains fairly calm and steady. Wishing you all "Inner Peace."</p><div></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YwZ7-X84hXe1a23HkLLiBSe4mjxOu5_ZkeAFTxa7Fy88H6YwniWWQ5hZl1KGgw1r6sTd3LRF48HBtp5-H-TsqI-zvMpwbBQt_elyKYnoaYPybFQB6X_zVrRCjXHi7iC9VKLPsKwbBRvT-HwoM5TgU9VnBlEj0UlT-qWBksW111bSqyO8xuQbJuJW/s2641/PXL_20230205_155304525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2641" data-original-width="2637" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YwZ7-X84hXe1a23HkLLiBSe4mjxOu5_ZkeAFTxa7Fy88H6YwniWWQ5hZl1KGgw1r6sTd3LRF48HBtp5-H-TsqI-zvMpwbBQt_elyKYnoaYPybFQB6X_zVrRCjXHi7iC9VKLPsKwbBRvT-HwoM5TgU9VnBlEj0UlT-qWBksW111bSqyO8xuQbJuJW/w640-h640/PXL_20230205_155304525.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner Peace, Finishes 26" tall and 11" in diameter</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Be sure to hop over to see all the incredible <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/01/14-3-54-40-or-fight-challenge-3-of-project-quilting-season-14.html" target="_blank">54-40 or Fight projects created for this week's Project Quilting challenge.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBP7IY8S6F-KOrUv1O4Kdsd3aqqSh2-sS0bXP16pkgEKM0OPeG2nKNJxzUszukr6d85IwS2vFpg_r_kAg0GHSco1auME-h5GI9JTXkibafg1vSCTREEzsNfvLCNMxF0QTgiElY6DYTb69lrSYDcoh6n3GgfpT-Bp1vcl2HoQ2M6LMG-0X9WLvOx0x/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBP7IY8S6F-KOrUv1O4Kdsd3aqqSh2-sS0bXP16pkgEKM0OPeG2nKNJxzUszukr6d85IwS2vFpg_r_kAg0GHSco1auME-h5GI9JTXkibafg1vSCTREEzsNfvLCNMxF0QTgiElY6DYTb69lrSYDcoh6n3GgfpT-Bp1vcl2HoQ2M6LMG-0X9WLvOx0x/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-34581003638812014532023-02-03T08:41:00.000-08:002023-02-03T08:41:04.017-08:00Honoring Memories of Fatherhood and Flannel<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkwZembb52nRF4fs5ev49Ggxitlee7it0NQpm-p8XBzKIXYiQr1gLGPkOEhPkSHa5HNAZRA8UxyHNxtMW4FmzZ7zcTju3CccM2GbODji1xDXwhraxby4k2SLHvAxdfMIvffOfhH3Cb7W0mWyckVbko6SjFgfdiirp-if2O-0rC5XFSaoXYICCiM8x/s2398/PXL_20230106_222904082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1606" data-original-width="2398" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkwZembb52nRF4fs5ev49Ggxitlee7it0NQpm-p8XBzKIXYiQr1gLGPkOEhPkSHa5HNAZRA8UxyHNxtMW4FmzZ7zcTju3CccM2GbODji1xDXwhraxby4k2SLHvAxdfMIvffOfhH3Cb7W0mWyckVbko6SjFgfdiirp-if2O-0rC5XFSaoXYICCiM8x/w640-h428/PXL_20230106_222904082.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A dear friend from graduate school reached out to ask if I could make a few pillows to honor her husband who had passed away recently. She saved several of his flannel shirts and wondered if I could use them to sew 3 pillows for his two young sons and herself. I was honored and said yes immediately, although I confess that I was also daunted by this request as I wasn't sure how best to proceed with the design and/or construction. I just hoped that once the shirts arrived, the inspiration would come to create something special to honor his life as a loving husband and father, while also bringing a bit of comfort to his surviving family members. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Read on as I share my design inspiration and process for constructing four quilted pillowcases in his memory, may they inspire you to create something celebrating your loved ones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My first step was to deconstruct the 6 flannel shirts, taking great care to preserve every inch of usable fabric, especially since I didn't have a design or construction plan yet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjsLdz7RSHGyJLO7FaxyCnxh8jzykaUqGU_Q2NIk-JgJDglI7S0HjG1x20QeicHNb9Sn7ZmXjji2TKdPg0oWX1SOVvVZG_O3pM5-GB1Z9PPXKRznsejApVGQolB7F41T4Z_GA10W3HHFMFkznY3mO7NYkFo9yp_C_KiCrkbjCm2eIwWuBPP-MVqst/s3028/PXL_20221219_063442696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjsLdz7RSHGyJLO7FaxyCnxh8jzykaUqGU_Q2NIk-JgJDglI7S0HjG1x20QeicHNb9Sn7ZmXjji2TKdPg0oWX1SOVvVZG_O3pM5-GB1Z9PPXKRznsejApVGQolB7F41T4Z_GA10W3HHFMFkznY3mO7NYkFo9yp_C_KiCrkbjCm2eIwWuBPP-MVqst/w640-h640/PXL_20221219_063442696.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This process helped me to get a sense of available yardage while also seeing how the colors/patterns interacted with each other. Here is a rough sketch that helped me get started.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vnAQzre7-ThpCoXPKcwp6ZFHC8n4ClX_qUe2zqaSJI6QG5z2mm7jBvfwtjO22bO8OuDgXsdPTLALHSNWZGKIVcr9n8aE7kTtEJdd8bpvIUoiDkFNDGIlgG-kaeTutY9aDxTCaVAbFkOKBeDOsgfhc4Ko-8ySWUCq5FILi6uQlf8HaOHXBqLcs1tx/s3024/PXL_20221223_191254480.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3023" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vnAQzre7-ThpCoXPKcwp6ZFHC8n4ClX_qUe2zqaSJI6QG5z2mm7jBvfwtjO22bO8OuDgXsdPTLALHSNWZGKIVcr9n8aE7kTtEJdd8bpvIUoiDkFNDGIlgG-kaeTutY9aDxTCaVAbFkOKBeDOsgfhc4Ko-8ySWUCq5FILi6uQlf8HaOHXBqLcs1tx/w640-h640/PXL_20221223_191254480.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I revisited an improvisational stack and whack technique used while making this <a href="https://pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com/2021/01/reach-for-stars-with-michael-millers.html" target="_blank">Shoot for the Stars</a> quilt. While only three pillows were requested, this technique would yield four, which provided a little insurance for any mishaps. Four 10" squares were cut out of four of the contrasting flannel shirt panels. Four piles of four squares were stacked, ensuring each pile included a square from each of the four shirts. As the flannel fabric had no right and wrong side, I did not have to worry about ensuring the right side was facing up, but once the cuts were made, I had to be careful not to turn any of them over so the would fit properly when pieced. Using a rotary cutter and rule for a straight edge only (no measuring), the following order of cuts were sliced through each stack:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Removing 2" from one corner which would help reduce bulk so I did not have 16 seams coming into the center and make it easier to piece. I used the markings on my mat to cut from 2" up and over.</li><li>A diagonal cut to the opposite corner</li><li>Two more cuts that were roughly spaced between the center diagonal and outside edges</li></ol></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchTrGtgsKDGnok35yN_-7BtLDtbi6uAF_wMN3Mpfg7PrirzVHSJJg_sdcNh9IeuJ52qyoKlEfZ2af-d5IsRB4Vbs_dMbLSX4MT-UR4iwM9tv5wUJgWJLYfizFVkQPB9Hg32RKtMaPyRUmZR-EOso60J2xr2n8WAC65L_RQ2EgEb8aOIVnH5VrYj1q/s5120/2%20Block%20Piecing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="5120" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchTrGtgsKDGnok35yN_-7BtLDtbi6uAF_wMN3Mpfg7PrirzVHSJJg_sdcNh9IeuJ52qyoKlEfZ2af-d5IsRB4Vbs_dMbLSX4MT-UR4iwM9tv5wUJgWJLYfizFVkQPB9Hg32RKtMaPyRUmZR-EOso60J2xr2n8WAC65L_RQ2EgEb8aOIVnH5VrYj1q/w640-h214/2%20Block%20Piecing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each stack was then shuffled onto its own tray for chain piecing, taking care to keep them organized and together with their respective stack. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9O3RqKJScuVCqo7S7zzbIa_Ejb3ahsmz88yZvhXM3_lnuoWDsXRJ08Q8sxqczIVNQxdyfO4ecHr5uwz9JvHoTItuZxZWDeXQoY7Jnb5vjP1Ws3gMHNdaQMsjgnG92TIVlakSN0B89EODf-y7a3h-VvdKZT9MO8Rcrcot3vVkhja682fcIa7zguFt/s2763/PXL_20221223_231102461.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="2763" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9O3RqKJScuVCqo7S7zzbIa_Ejb3ahsmz88yZvhXM3_lnuoWDsXRJ08Q8sxqczIVNQxdyfO4ecHr5uwz9JvHoTItuZxZWDeXQoY7Jnb5vjP1Ws3gMHNdaQMsjgnG92TIVlakSN0B89EODf-y7a3h-VvdKZT9MO8Rcrcot3vVkhja682fcIa7zguFt/w640-h640/PXL_20221223_231102461.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All four wedges were cut on the bias, plus the flannel fabric had a bit of stretch causing some distortion to the blocks. In effort to square them back up for piecing into a 4-patch, I used the 45-degree line on my square block to align with the center diagonal line and trimmed only the two outside wedges which would be pieced next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwZixhr0kz3xRmZsdmjcsvl7-BJE4-K0Zym-fe-VZYE4SjCaLr5wrkeVnM8_VZlc7vfqgWfzimJFcVuKF-aM_SBfKQBHhyXBzq9d7Jam9VYhs5vlTZqpWnqrVF0-cz4Zi0ihQIFxE7u8xdoY0h0C81PamXgHaxR79RHxva8gbuF4f5zj8UTwf5GH1/s3024/PXL_20221224_035406304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwZixhr0kz3xRmZsdmjcsvl7-BJE4-K0Zym-fe-VZYE4SjCaLr5wrkeVnM8_VZlc7vfqgWfzimJFcVuKF-aM_SBfKQBHhyXBzq9d7Jam9VYhs5vlTZqpWnqrVF0-cz4Zi0ihQIFxE7u8xdoY0h0C81PamXgHaxR79RHxva8gbuF4f5zj8UTwf5GH1/w640-h640/PXL_20221224_035406304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A wooden clapper was used with pressing to help the center seams lay flat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iRdMQxn7553TTZBe0UcnmwGe8hcb9uDSOFuQWNNpSsLnuTsRDevwv7d8gghl6aE2IrgqGQ185U9ierc4Jb_Cs9JI_v9l-jkn3Qr1Oa_6dSTyR1zQBf4NGz30xPnfgJMEEWEYwza7lwbwA2q5jsqm2H_yDADx0QVJFut-t5I9x8EWrcT0xwtjVewM/s5120/2%20Block%20Piecing1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iRdMQxn7553TTZBe0UcnmwGe8hcb9uDSOFuQWNNpSsLnuTsRDevwv7d8gghl6aE2IrgqGQ185U9ierc4Jb_Cs9JI_v9l-jkn3Qr1Oa_6dSTyR1zQBf4NGz30xPnfgJMEEWEYwza7lwbwA2q5jsqm2H_yDADx0QVJFut-t5I9x8EWrcT0xwtjVewM/w640-h320/2%20Block%20Piecing1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Thanks to cutting out those 2" central triangles, I was able to significantly reduce the bulky centers, but a few had small gaps, which did not concern me as I knew they would be concealed with applique.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpm9tmt-fYttcnPFjkMAXIXdZK-0WiNd_UNX5oxIpgOyUF4jktPX-IF7veaUQuuvPF3mgw5KsAy-BSE7w1KX81ujUvIXqhU-taR0xC9S7nikByObspuLxkUIzYf9m-jKAX5c4aD32XlpXGn3mpKf51l24Icp15A4yolGrdLQ-ZRivo8rVisWzc9twD/s2908/PXL_20221224_043838616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="2908" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpm9tmt-fYttcnPFjkMAXIXdZK-0WiNd_UNX5oxIpgOyUF4jktPX-IF7veaUQuuvPF3mgw5KsAy-BSE7w1KX81ujUvIXqhU-taR0xC9S7nikByObspuLxkUIzYf9m-jKAX5c4aD32XlpXGn3mpKf51l24Icp15A4yolGrdLQ-ZRivo8rVisWzc9twD/w640-h640/PXL_20221224_043838616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two of the flannel shirts were set aside for use with a central applique design. Here they are folded to audition size and scale in comparison to the pieced background.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV1tu3qdHJFTFXc1qIyh-OSMml6LqJ9OD-kbClU5_IJY6sWrt0A09KGRFHn6Qb9ZtXsyS9YOpFabEYi1LWE5dGOyAsqyYeoYHDMUIU0RwpKmffajul-ooqobIVLkzAGSTKO4tT5UaRBcfiZX4qp9qa4werh-YZwbkfEVSNsVGDjr0U65PMZYcwdva/s2898/PXL_20221226_051554188.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2898" data-original-width="2898" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjV1tu3qdHJFTFXc1qIyh-OSMml6LqJ9OD-kbClU5_IJY6sWrt0A09KGRFHn6Qb9ZtXsyS9YOpFabEYi1LWE5dGOyAsqyYeoYHDMUIU0RwpKmffajul-ooqobIVLkzAGSTKO4tT5UaRBcfiZX4qp9qa4werh-YZwbkfEVSNsVGDjr0U65PMZYcwdva/w640-h640/PXL_20221226_051554188.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The red and black flannel was perfect for creating small hearts. A paper heart template was cut out of a scrap of paper to capture four color quadrants in each heart. The flannel was layered over a slightly larger rectangle of lightweight fusible interfacing (glue side up), and pinned with the heart template centrally positioned for outline stitching. After completing two passes of stitching, any excess fabric beyond a scant 1/4" seam allowance was carefully trimmed away and care was taken to cut a top notch up to, but not past the stitching, as well as clipping off the bottom tip.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTYwvL0lHwg_GOJEgzW-sCV1orVqbJWS3Hql7UydZx8DuPPFaXwVZi4Db6yEZU8DYCNRe1eU04-j8X8Np85jOvQ6Q0ZaxkXOZ6VVfV7mTcEuKO7eVGKzJr1YCIvdduK2GlqXBtyfepaCSNFSdSqOBqsx7tHBe8fcmUvcPqtAjbr1mduPESMsbI0Cr/s5120/3%20Applique%20Heart1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTYwvL0lHwg_GOJEgzW-sCV1orVqbJWS3Hql7UydZx8DuPPFaXwVZi4Db6yEZU8DYCNRe1eU04-j8X8Np85jOvQ6Q0ZaxkXOZ6VVfV7mTcEuKO7eVGKzJr1YCIvdduK2GlqXBtyfepaCSNFSdSqOBqsx7tHBe8fcmUvcPqtAjbr1mduPESMsbI0Cr/w640-h426/3%20Applique%20Heart1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The fusible interfacing was pinched away from the flannel heart before cutting a small cross to create an opening to turn the heart right side out with the fusible glue bumps now appearing on the backside of the heart. A chopstick was used to gently smooth out the edges before placing onto a piece of parchment paper for a hot dry press.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujvVN8HsitzIf8sthifdg0SYyAYFW_k3dujI2V-eQBKCHi4SLg4jcaCMlwTD6hBXoM8x5hU9Ky9EqKx0ota5s3zsb6A-sVR7182_ehW44BUqsAwZTccjYClcG04dxtRWrTsVSk4mpsXWB8y_4u1Zmm0Vqo7gVry6PAdBsEZftnUfXSLOVIRNRVQEP/s5120/3%20Applique%20Heart2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujvVN8HsitzIf8sthifdg0SYyAYFW_k3dujI2V-eQBKCHi4SLg4jcaCMlwTD6hBXoM8x5hU9Ky9EqKx0ota5s3zsb6A-sVR7182_ehW44BUqsAwZTccjYClcG04dxtRWrTsVSk4mpsXWB8y_4u1Zmm0Vqo7gVry6PAdBsEZftnUfXSLOVIRNRVQEP/w640-h640/3%20Applique%20Heart2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A circular frame was cut out of paper to audition circle backgrounds using the remaining white and grey flannel shirt.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3em3zuFVypUvbfz0LawwO6poBCbCxd9OrU3OxoXC1z994vEVmEfha1QmhfuN3PSeTk1L_l95RKO8kb1LbMDywfpAcgu-GaNs_F8VSwlpUZ10MVf67_IGlsl3cvJCW8akV142wxLCRTsvk7GWDMLEJdeWxOOAz-v89-YxcXFvR0YbxrYdJse5FDWQs/s5120/3%20Applique%20Heart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3em3zuFVypUvbfz0LawwO6poBCbCxd9OrU3OxoXC1z994vEVmEfha1QmhfuN3PSeTk1L_l95RKO8kb1LbMDywfpAcgu-GaNs_F8VSwlpUZ10MVf67_IGlsl3cvJCW8akV142wxLCRTsvk7GWDMLEJdeWxOOAz-v89-YxcXFvR0YbxrYdJse5FDWQs/w640-h640/3%20Applique%20Heart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Once a section was selected, I was able to center my heart and fuse it into place for topstitching.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_fVd-KQs5Wa7mT9fG7DK-bLGBkRBoYqraRbwAHsDzfHbt8rSNw7TlKVeLhy5MBbrx1PKo1nsJVKNnckNl6Qr-m5TqCoSmAAC7Gu_7ba9gmFqUEcMD1oDuPEMRMn39rGK-H1kEzr8d-RLoEFHXX1EkiDpreklFoN5SsXQ1Ee9uBqxSPLwuStR0Orh/s5120/3%20Applique%20Heart3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="5120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_fVd-KQs5Wa7mT9fG7DK-bLGBkRBoYqraRbwAHsDzfHbt8rSNw7TlKVeLhy5MBbrx1PKo1nsJVKNnckNl6Qr-m5TqCoSmAAC7Gu_7ba9gmFqUEcMD1oDuPEMRMn39rGK-H1kEzr8d-RLoEFHXX1EkiDpreklFoN5SsXQ1Ee9uBqxSPLwuStR0Orh/w640-h640/3%20Applique%20Heart3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>A circle was traced onto the lightweight interfacing with the north, south, east, and west positions marked to help align with the background print before placing it glue bumps side down. I realized the background circle was too big so I resized it by stitching 1/4" inside the marked circle. A small slit was made into the fusible interfacing to turn the circle right side out. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP68MNFJMiEJcjteIGn-V6WqOAjr_NQ4yzOSIoY3OOopImvHMczJKivsxSvBo3UGLhTrHC4fuB4DmaQV8ysNNKczKipRYGcdI5JjkQUTKBW7KJhvLmyo2lMT8Rz25gtBck5NA_s9GKexNSvM95x97_GazLSGtDraZ1P_yM3E2ciZjW-5Ku9H5dRuq/s5120/3%20Applique%20Heart4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="5120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUP68MNFJMiEJcjteIGn-V6WqOAjr_NQ4yzOSIoY3OOopImvHMczJKivsxSvBo3UGLhTrHC4fuB4DmaQV8ysNNKczKipRYGcdI5JjkQUTKBW7KJhvLmyo2lMT8Rz25gtBck5NA_s9GKexNSvM95x97_GazLSGtDraZ1P_yM3E2ciZjW-5Ku9H5dRuq/w640-h320/3%20Applique%20Heart4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The prepared circles were then stitched into the center of each pieced block before layering with batting and a backing fabric for quilting.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHE_xFIKVb5GSxIHUwQ7kbOWFH-D2XfFYXoVYiyhcdWONx-P1_jmriGyRM-uS7gF31sWgc_f8J2ftSMMV_wqRGAB5TN7yZBUbQChbbmBRklJvscziQoXbJFohvZc4b2yFon2-xoRODyJMfJsdRbuVfPpNRjau6tqbS-9y4iLTeL_B5UOgJ1jpktnt/s2949/PXL_20230102_055619520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2949" data-original-width="2949" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHE_xFIKVb5GSxIHUwQ7kbOWFH-D2XfFYXoVYiyhcdWONx-P1_jmriGyRM-uS7gF31sWgc_f8J2ftSMMV_wqRGAB5TN7yZBUbQChbbmBRklJvscziQoXbJFohvZc4b2yFon2-xoRODyJMfJsdRbuVfPpNRjau6tqbS-9y4iLTeL_B5UOgJ1jpktnt/w640-h640/PXL_20230102_055619520.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Initially I drafted straight lines radiating out from the center circle, but opted for wavy lines which would be more forgiving and would offer a contrast to all the straight plaid lines. Once the quilting was complete, the panels were trimmed square.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6xyH1ni_diHi4hdxqDRar9wN7836V3ILTaEWRWJI4TN3nfz57M8ptTHttIeqdOMOZPB2arUqSZxtGNLBSm6N13h8zyMkupp_O9Davp3D1DFFeGD2KUaqus4by2h1dlE-sWwe9ZcDIE6GAOoMwqZHCx56tZl0Ww8B3AkEvwFPxm0vVRfikHQYSgbQ/s5120/4%20Quilting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2327" data-original-width="5120" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6xyH1ni_diHi4hdxqDRar9wN7836V3ILTaEWRWJI4TN3nfz57M8ptTHttIeqdOMOZPB2arUqSZxtGNLBSm6N13h8zyMkupp_O9Davp3D1DFFeGD2KUaqus4by2h1dlE-sWwe9ZcDIE6GAOoMwqZHCx56tZl0Ww8B3AkEvwFPxm0vVRfikHQYSgbQ/w640-h290/4%20Quilting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While I've been quilting for many years, I have very little experience sewing zippers. Luckily these were all button up shirts, which I could use for the pillow back, making it easy to unbutton and slip in a pillow form. I carefully positioned the quilted panel, right sides facing each other, taking great care to avoid having the stitching perimeter anywhere near the buttons for fear of breaking a needle, as well as away from the extra bulk of the breast pockets. Rounded corners were marked using a mason jar lid before stitching all the way around twice. The rounded corners were clipped every 3/8" - 1/2" to help the corners stay rounded when the pillows were turned right side out.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P3OGpc4xpkzEI12ANDvEG0iT9Q89PYV8V3HCa2Jz9Z4xn2agE4aspeh1rcZbuPPOhO33b2OROUkcjy707zK4hJq61xNfNm6YHLJZ3aSXKgGhYU1DirJH3x5YqIt5_bgGZJ8sg-zRkbR2IVmkjiVObWD2yApNGY7TYZPWNR9PybfkWxNOkCfx6Sb0/s5120/5%20Assembly.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="5120" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P3OGpc4xpkzEI12ANDvEG0iT9Q89PYV8V3HCa2Jz9Z4xn2agE4aspeh1rcZbuPPOhO33b2OROUkcjy707zK4hJq61xNfNm6YHLJZ3aSXKgGhYU1DirJH3x5YqIt5_bgGZJ8sg-zRkbR2IVmkjiVObWD2yApNGY7TYZPWNR9PybfkWxNOkCfx6Sb0/w640-h426/5%20Assembly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It was an honor to be entrusted with these cherished memories. I am really pleased with how these four pillows sparkle with the flannel plaid fabrics. They have been shipped and were well-received by the family. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_My3JAgIgbSUDo2LyHZGCsxJzhe_E_bfq9WctUoVFhzoD_RxZybU2insko-PJeDdLa2lm0US8GGBpuObKuiCd2bbfKKEuvk_EC6in_Bp-ni9oGuokupsbzELB6GiZr_AwgxCsSTBjfAwJ1XJyfKDfwNH5syA53duobTtS4hZXXWUN6Nwj6j3sbEBt/s2940/PXL_20230106_222709951~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2940" data-original-width="2939" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_My3JAgIgbSUDo2LyHZGCsxJzhe_E_bfq9WctUoVFhzoD_RxZybU2insko-PJeDdLa2lm0US8GGBpuObKuiCd2bbfKKEuvk_EC6in_Bp-ni9oGuokupsbzELB6GiZr_AwgxCsSTBjfAwJ1XJyfKDfwNH5syA53duobTtS4hZXXWUN6Nwj6j3sbEBt/w640-h640/PXL_20230106_222709951~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And here are the buttoned up backsides of the pillows--<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw6E4lRi-xoN_uaTl4QQhejiyaMoe2qMDtRoeJi4tD5q9uMEKTn3J3VaS3D8qF0IRJVUZPhcIOcvoI9znBt3SpV65j9rXiAX9zHO4KV2OaXbWVJLXjVjbYsnRPbdBCGyXhNjH-EkUNtTz3O1EI8GdYt5SQy7p1AjnFJfcWOo1lRMorkL3GXkwZ5xy/s3024/PXL_20230106_222834779~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw6E4lRi-xoN_uaTl4QQhejiyaMoe2qMDtRoeJi4tD5q9uMEKTn3J3VaS3D8qF0IRJVUZPhcIOcvoI9znBt3SpV65j9rXiAX9zHO4KV2OaXbWVJLXjVjbYsnRPbdBCGyXhNjH-EkUNtTz3O1EI8GdYt5SQy7p1AjnFJfcWOo1lRMorkL3GXkwZ5xy/w640-h640/PXL_20230106_222834779~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Seeing all these flannels shirts reminded me of my own father who passed away last year. I wish I had saved some of his flannel shirts to create something by which to remember him...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivmVX9_GZ1VFq7ANT01YIZhIyI2mFlgN8YdjGKfImw1OzOMvnJg4fmguHxXGkaoxUnBc-rN8xGem_LvFbYlAlUeh9tC6URo2JI8z6_lwBQjcqU7jrdIZec6bt3LNGSS6JmEAkUcbgcydiGtWjHLRVOPKy0CYPTLx3PEuNvkDTK7hrIuwvsiyhGT7e/s2775/PXL_20230106_222920173.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="2775" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivmVX9_GZ1VFq7ANT01YIZhIyI2mFlgN8YdjGKfImw1OzOMvnJg4fmguHxXGkaoxUnBc-rN8xGem_LvFbYlAlUeh9tC6URo2JI8z6_lwBQjcqU7jrdIZec6bt3LNGSS6JmEAkUcbgcydiGtWjHLRVOPKy0CYPTLx3PEuNvkDTK7hrIuwvsiyhGT7e/w640-h640/PXL_20230106_222920173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRarqPv6PH_mpgxogCRqNv-4ZWbb9pvNbHlEQqQrqdWBFmaJ6IkOpbzORhhdNVYV9w1Yw50jURtVDVNTRAQt1CxfhjKZMSNdM5jrGT3jGNyfxCR-EYCqxOBkCcHJtEog3p1QzTisYCaRphsGpprkmE7BwSrMN4qp76ojo3wxEHkEKtL4fFu8BiNDM/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRarqPv6PH_mpgxogCRqNv-4ZWbb9pvNbHlEQqQrqdWBFmaJ6IkOpbzORhhdNVYV9w1Yw50jURtVDVNTRAQt1CxfhjKZMSNdM5jrGT3jGNyfxCR-EYCqxOBkCcHJtEog3p1QzTisYCaRphsGpprkmE7BwSrMN4qp76ojo3wxEHkEKtL4fFu8BiNDM/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><br />Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873893832208885389.post-59485840216675549942023-01-22T01:05:00.002-08:002023-01-22T01:20:05.065-08:00Project Quilting 14.2: Pink Tint Tool Wrap Prototype<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDygxUDnsRUuu8gIKM61k2d6JjyORNl9iP0ioiqIwOKkVB_POErJkly4GUknM-2atNDxB06avep6MUuVHDoBRIhkQ73t7mOT6odZk-7NeNQRTDc7K0ohbMDY_LkFQLhqxHK1ioQgEqG0PMCQ8cpv4KhbaWzysAAOgTHig67g1pZxwgpubvjZ6UgSK/s2944/PXL_20230122_053610725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2942" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDygxUDnsRUuu8gIKM61k2d6JjyORNl9iP0ioiqIwOKkVB_POErJkly4GUknM-2atNDxB06avep6MUuVHDoBRIhkQ73t7mOT6odZk-7NeNQRTDc7K0ohbMDY_LkFQLhqxHK1ioQgEqG0PMCQ8cpv4KhbaWzysAAOgTHig67g1pZxwgpubvjZ6UgSK/w640-h640/PXL_20230122_053610725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This week's <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/01/14-2-pink-tint-challenge-2-of-project-quilting-season-14.html?fbclid=IwAR0jG-9pMxm2zfL_amwyOMND9gMk-VmyF_TnFiQJtRnD7AdNqKE_irKtpJA" target="_blank">Project Quilting Pink Tint challenge</a> theme invites participants to use some shade of pink that must dominate our project. Continuing with my goal of using precious fabrics, I pulled out an assortment of pink painted and dyed fabrics, along with some pink duck cloth, stripes, and one of my all-time favorite black and white zebra stripe prints.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6-q9E4y5UnNGJgU_ld5SQKy0wYsSFa21Xx0wEYIXiAHoRY_r1zs_f1_ehGXhS4X1hWkXupa0l9jsJulZX2Q4kR1ypR4q_4xPDar6tGR2QzY5apgQb0EU1v6Q1UEUn_Y9ogJSldlk9QLwJrIMjpcVrMFjjEXK8aA9HCKKNJfu9v2sMBOdRsgqKhwB/s2561/PXL_20230119_195412327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2561" data-original-width="2560" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6-q9E4y5UnNGJgU_ld5SQKy0wYsSFa21Xx0wEYIXiAHoRY_r1zs_f1_ehGXhS4X1hWkXupa0l9jsJulZX2Q4kR1ypR4q_4xPDar6tGR2QzY5apgQb0EU1v6Q1UEUn_Y9ogJSldlk9QLwJrIMjpcVrMFjjEXK8aA9HCKKNJfu9v2sMBOdRsgqKhwB/w640-h640/PXL_20230119_195412327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My plan was to create a tool wrap for my carving gouges. While it isn't a traditional quilt--there were multiple layers of fabric and stitching, so I think I met Project Quilting's challenge construction requirements. After studying several tool wrap designs and tutorials, I set out to create my own pink prototype using the pink duck cloth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5m_Vj2TCiBJntAdAowvEry9_S2MvrZzPJKvCwvoIAmu8Aef51Vob48Usx88SIm8-XdBPVRa88ExUPBYG98Z4zosnq2jF_PFW3SOw6kDEIKG4aaiL_dV1ytByGqXZ0XJ8Pu_D7GoLGSmtBQwJbsjEYWBwlsoW9IcQTyZ1HR6ANb9xh-_PsBUTQpHs/s2895/PXL_20230120_051333084.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2895" data-original-width="2892" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5m_Vj2TCiBJntAdAowvEry9_S2MvrZzPJKvCwvoIAmu8Aef51Vob48Usx88SIm8-XdBPVRa88ExUPBYG98Z4zosnq2jF_PFW3SOw6kDEIKG4aaiL_dV1ytByGqXZ0XJ8Pu_D7GoLGSmtBQwJbsjEYWBwlsoW9IcQTyZ1HR6ANb9xh-_PsBUTQpHs/w640-h640/PXL_20230120_051333084.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>It felt strange to be adding binding so early into the week, but that was a necessary first step to create a finished edge for the pockets that would later contain all my tools.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course it made sense to do a bit of block printing on the solid pink duck cloth. As this was my first time printing onto duck cloth, which is a bit more coarse than the usual Pimatex or quilting cotton fabrics, I conducted a few block printing experiments using an assortment of inks and paints.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTSVZ70UDZr9OqsPbxqIlqg6z6gSmSwllOBTvFvfIbWnOJJZgyGq07vda8_zOeqyz29C2o2Gg9s9hVll9WViCRHam3kB73ugoQWfZpL_D7P16zdYpKzcdDqgCPAn4F2D2a2pWf0kkQAfsaiJvjLQ9SlUicTJ53nnWk_NwensvV6VwStGIlYCueEoj/s2842/PXL_20230120_041343066~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="2841" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTSVZ70UDZr9OqsPbxqIlqg6z6gSmSwllOBTvFvfIbWnOJJZgyGq07vda8_zOeqyz29C2o2Gg9s9hVll9WViCRHam3kB73ugoQWfZpL_D7P16zdYpKzcdDqgCPAn4F2D2a2pWf0kkQAfsaiJvjLQ9SlUicTJ53nnWk_NwensvV6VwStGIlYCueEoj/w640-h640/PXL_20230120_041343066~2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>In the end I opted to use the black Apple Barrel Gloss acrylic paint as it was fairly dark, easy to clean up, and did not require as much time to cure. The harder decision to make was choosing my favorite block prints to embellish my tool wrap.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVBpDOa3qbpxo7Zm8l-wf_7gscEX21HuzEFYFPsCywytFsdkdHF50catw46nJ_sppEX5yk-CImxEZ1CN2pvjjWN48DqiVP36oCJkrrtbiqbfs17fwvrdMySWSdGOoaahKNcLek3-hYiU6kCkvjo0_WeuK3McAaLjt-COB475ZRJk_9U6oErXqRjoO/s1785/PXL_20230121_035450693.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="1785" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVBpDOa3qbpxo7Zm8l-wf_7gscEX21HuzEFYFPsCywytFsdkdHF50catw46nJ_sppEX5yk-CImxEZ1CN2pvjjWN48DqiVP36oCJkrrtbiqbfs17fwvrdMySWSdGOoaahKNcLek3-hYiU6kCkvjo0_WeuK3McAaLjt-COB475ZRJk_9U6oErXqRjoO/w640-h640/PXL_20230121_035450693.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Any initial nervousness about making mistakes during the block printing were quickly dissipated once I got started. The stamping was very meditative and fun as you can see in <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnqnNZbLJxl/?hl=en" target="_blank">these short video clips</a>. I just double and triple checked to make sure the orientation of the blocks matched the various sections that would be folded to create my tool wrap.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgaGsrP1pbYgrxcqCmhUxgTOrSJdbeU_kf0GenqLgs_jNW6B7fi6XOz_o95XOa6LudXwA6qkSa3rAvthATxAfQfx39AIwEo-ycbirwUNZYYfojsNTbu_5IvTITee47vuFqSSsfCNiiVh6Za9y7dGhSOCUpiV_3AepXQadSwX3Z5EUZxTkGGOaN2qB/s3028/PXL_20230121_044408235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgaGsrP1pbYgrxcqCmhUxgTOrSJdbeU_kf0GenqLgs_jNW6B7fi6XOz_o95XOa6LudXwA6qkSa3rAvthATxAfQfx39AIwEo-ycbirwUNZYYfojsNTbu_5IvTITee47vuFqSSsfCNiiVh6Za9y7dGhSOCUpiV_3AepXQadSwX3Z5EUZxTkGGOaN2qB/w640-h640/PXL_20230121_044408235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>While the paint dried fairly quickly, I left the fabric to dry overnight and gave it a hot dry press before using it in my project. Washi tape was used as a straight-edge guide for stitching the pockets using a matching pink Aurifil thread.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpKSewZrqIOhCt95Z4zFGVVsAv_QJVf_Jmx0l3aEgzpFclWb-Gi_rCp0UsoGzillfRlSE6XRYFbx3v9tn9-0tdHUNaODdbRN9zk_l4spjhW_GKFkwmCJa4HUYLJ9PKnBXZG7segzIW-xyqUDuSp9wdjztXRgTWmOHOOcSkSPpdvID458MOAueE89t/s2773/PXL_20230122_041321733.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2773" data-original-width="2769" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpKSewZrqIOhCt95Z4zFGVVsAv_QJVf_Jmx0l3aEgzpFclWb-Gi_rCp0UsoGzillfRlSE6XRYFbx3v9tn9-0tdHUNaODdbRN9zk_l4spjhW_GKFkwmCJa4HUYLJ9PKnBXZG7segzIW-xyqUDuSp9wdjztXRgTWmOHOOcSkSPpdvID458MOAueE89t/w640-h640/PXL_20230122_041321733.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>2" wide strips of the zebra striped fabric were used to finish the three remaining raw edges and to form a tie by pressing the long edges into the center and then folded in half again before top stitching the edges closed. The tie's middle point was tucked into the edge of the tool wrap just before top stitching the binding with reinforced stitching to secure the tie in place. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-4IsiZKnt7EMPbQ_6hO7X93nq40i8aV9sa58oqZFB6h4kUVCiDrjXviZ-rylc_wAAB6y2j-Vy-ISBmgqTexLK0kCnbKcfV9iDh6K-i2w-d8Yb5W1tuEMvwQCGLXEoVCycaM64v6j3NQsTcOmEeGHochsIRx2ZltTgnGK8O8kOkku23TopM9LbtAB/s3028/PXL_20230122_052103012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3028" data-original-width="3019" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-4IsiZKnt7EMPbQ_6hO7X93nq40i8aV9sa58oqZFB6h4kUVCiDrjXviZ-rylc_wAAB6y2j-Vy-ISBmgqTexLK0kCnbKcfV9iDh6K-i2w-d8Yb5W1tuEMvwQCGLXEoVCycaM64v6j3NQsTcOmEeGHochsIRx2ZltTgnGK8O8kOkku23TopM9LbtAB/w638-h640/PXL_20230122_052103012.jpg" width="638" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the outside of my finished tool wrap measuring 19" x 12" with the flap open...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVvzCP79tf_bGRGvadQZWcbBeS-4rAYgSpKzMjccDlmDCj9TbFa7ociW5ajJedjLh14liUeW8C7tS1f5wUel2pI8CMbhnpUTcyQGbKpAWTuwZvVfVVEpbrqge2t-Su5YyelQW43X-3fgRASCDn3cm7cX7cjVs0USnqI8VjxLsOcNLWpj8Po28Z6eK/s2951/PXL_20230122_053314899%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2165" data-original-width="2951" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVvzCP79tf_bGRGvadQZWcbBeS-4rAYgSpKzMjccDlmDCj9TbFa7ociW5ajJedjLh14liUeW8C7tS1f5wUel2pI8CMbhnpUTcyQGbKpAWTuwZvVfVVEpbrqge2t-Su5YyelQW43X-3fgRASCDn3cm7cX7cjVs0USnqI8VjxLsOcNLWpj8Po28Z6eK/w640-h470/PXL_20230122_053314899%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And here is the inside with all the sharp edges of my carving gouges safely tucked into their stitched pockets. You can watch an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cntk7ZAuARg/?hl=en" target="_blank">unwrapping video here</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH84wpSyZqVrSxFoxopnkT5zVfHKoUDI3VDNZo8YSCOJbJvcGNXvFfKcszQYiWhoc6UkVVVOjli7hhFsK8yy0icIkPIb3b1b918DMtSQxoXeHgrQS8RNQG2W4UDtV1louJzgSexab8Hzf-WacNeet3xNNXDK9riFxrlpAKLipwsdw00avn0Sew9Ae/s2964/PXL_20230122_053451961%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="2964" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTH84wpSyZqVrSxFoxopnkT5zVfHKoUDI3VDNZo8YSCOJbJvcGNXvFfKcszQYiWhoc6UkVVVOjli7hhFsK8yy0icIkPIb3b1b918DMtSQxoXeHgrQS8RNQG2W4UDtV1louJzgSexab8Hzf-WacNeet3xNNXDK9riFxrlpAKLipwsdw00avn0Sew9Ae/w640-h498/PXL_20230122_053451961%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Here are many of the materials/supplies used to create my block printing tool wrap:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>acrylic paint</li><li>hand-carved blocks (mostly carved with Speedball Speedy Carve block which is PINK!)</li><li>foam dauber</li><li>Speedball baren </li><li>PINK duck cloth and zebra stripe fabric</li><li>PINK Auril and white Isacord threads</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNXk8UvDfL8quQR-Pj_YRs2u3QoJrRn31LQgWA8moVp_-nY5X0nZ8XCxbvNZT3ViuLN_2rWcmSkh88mX4IOakkdpElzqMhLzb35jNhon07yvl1Q_G_C2tOk0cVTqEj1t3ABVR_IpDIHm61vMd8962QOEZuGa8q4ehNeLF9YM4xM0gCgZkXWV3bdqK/s2818/PXL_20230122_055238245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2818" data-original-width="2815" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNXk8UvDfL8quQR-Pj_YRs2u3QoJrRn31LQgWA8moVp_-nY5X0nZ8XCxbvNZT3ViuLN_2rWcmSkh88mX4IOakkdpElzqMhLzb35jNhon07yvl1Q_G_C2tOk0cVTqEj1t3ABVR_IpDIHm61vMd8962QOEZuGa8q4ehNeLF9YM4xM0gCgZkXWV3bdqK/w640-h640/PXL_20230122_055238245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It felt strange to wrap up my project before 9:30 PM on Saturday night as I am usually up into the early morning hours! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjfGqMsERG3jXg46VsUO0jmyuLgGjM_wVjKkt35PMSL87ShnlfDXMEqEkJyQ9eAwzpWl1X3Oz1goRzhc0zXQO96hs_dQStuMBkF8PlYO6ooI0MX3sKKwtRrdoylZOhWMldRQk-b2viaBSwsZlA5K8BFXsDrzjpy3CbefPaocbe3XIgfc9uxAodw90/s2370/PXL_20230122_053552247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2370" data-original-width="2367" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjfGqMsERG3jXg46VsUO0jmyuLgGjM_wVjKkt35PMSL87ShnlfDXMEqEkJyQ9eAwzpWl1X3Oz1goRzhc0zXQO96hs_dQStuMBkF8PlYO6ooI0MX3sKKwtRrdoylZOhWMldRQk-b2viaBSwsZlA5K8BFXsDrzjpy3CbefPaocbe3XIgfc9uxAodw90/w640-h640/PXL_20230122_053552247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Add a pop of pink into your day by perusing all the <a href="https://kimlapacek.com/2023/01/14-2-pink-tint-challenge-2-of-project-quilting-season-14.html?fbclid=IwAR0jG-9pMxm2zfL_amwyOMND9gMk-VmyF_TnFiQJtRnD7AdNqKE_irKtpJA" target="_blank">Pink Tint submissions </a>started and finished this week!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhPpRq8Ft6_zEpwV_u3USvJMeHG0_exaYfC1PIFZFOjTjKsK5PbkXPJ9Tqsl6p7ZOnwUQKpomUDSyTFFv4polBHXhk71DLcPsU0A64HdW1U0PaeKSK33_VN8XhsAAdlG70VzZj8pAo5Uj7OMqKn-c1CCiiSexND_NN7tAFPl8dbkQDxSFQn9BWLdz/s832/blog%20signature.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="832" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhPpRq8Ft6_zEpwV_u3USvJMeHG0_exaYfC1PIFZFOjTjKsK5PbkXPJ9Tqsl6p7ZOnwUQKpomUDSyTFFv4polBHXhk71DLcPsU0A64HdW1U0PaeKSK33_VN8XhsAAdlG70VzZj8pAo5Uj7OMqKn-c1CCiiSexND_NN7tAFPl8dbkQDxSFQn9BWLdz/s320/blog%20signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Mel Beachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05998501501622773357noreply@blogger.com8