Purple Stitch and Slash- Another one Started

I still haven't finished the last Stitch and Slash project, but I wanted to start another one.  Because of the colors I chose, this one has a much more graphic look.  It sort of reminds me of hieroglyphics or maybe cave wall paintings. That wasn't planned - it just happened.  One of the things that I find cool about this process is the fact that you don't know how it will look when you start but it is always interesting. 

Modern Cave Wall

For those who don't know or don't remember, I learned to do this in the Carol Waugh class Stitch and Slash on Craftsy.

So this is a great time to tell you that Craftsy is having a sale  starting Friday October 28 until Monday October 31 at 11:59 Mountain Time.  All classes will be less than $20 (excluding "The Great Courses" classes as they are a partner entity.)

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Painting - Sunflower Trio

The last time I was scheduled for a gallery show, there was a mistake with scheduling. Fortunately we have rescheduled for 2017.  To that end, I have been working on various items to place in the gallery show.
The following is a photo of a water color painting that I did a few years ago.

This is one of those paintings that I thought "Ehhhh" when I did it.
 But,  now I see the raw joy in this piece of art. 

I have mounted this on a 5" by 7" canvas with the painting wrapping around the edges so that it can be hung without a frame.  It has also been coated with acrylic gel medium to add a protective layer.  This way no glass is required.  The gel medium makes it fully archival so that the paper will not deteriorate.
I am working on another one that I will show later.

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In Honor

In honor of my Father, the man who helped me to become the man I am today.

He was far from perfect, as we all are, but he did the best he could.  He taught me that things can be fixed if you know how - and by example that some things you should not try to fix. (He destroyed a couple of television sets attempting to "fix" them.)  But, his success -and failures- showed me that you can not succeed if you don't try - and if you fail, the world goes on turning. A failure at something doesn't make *me* (or you) a failure.  Instead, we learn what doesn't work.

The below is a repeat of part of a post  first published in 2013. I did a correction for the age.

A Remembrance
Today is Dad's birthday, October 18th.  He would have been 79  82 today. 
Here is a picture of him that I painted/sketched.  I really sketched it first and then used that sketch to make a monochromatic painting that kept the sketchy feeling.

I have a few photographs of Dad also.

This is a family photo - notice Dad had on his cap.  It was rare to see him without a cap. The young one is my nephew. I am the weird looking one with the facial hair. Ha ha.

Here we are years ago. Dad, Mom, my baby brother, me and my sister.  Weren't we the fashion plates? But Dad didn't have on a cap in this one.

Dad with my adorably beautiful niece. 

Dad and Mom - a portrait of true love

Dad at a family reunion in 2008 (yes, he had a cap on again!) 

Happy Birthday Dad.  I miss you, but I know you are smiling down on us.
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A Finish - well Kind of a Finish

My loom has had a certain warp on it for a while - actually a month.  But on Saturday,  suddenly, I was at the end of the warp and got to take the fabric from the loom.

I did not measure the fabric yet as it is not yet wet finished. To wet finish this I am washing it - in the washing machine in warm water on the permanent press cycle.  I did bundle the fringes to keep them from tangling. When it comes out of the washing machine, it gets ironed while wet/damp. Then I will hang it to air dry.  Here are some detail shots:

I can hardly wait to see that this becomes.  When it is dry I will measure it and see if I can develop a plan for it - or as we say "if it tells me what it wants to be."
Have a great week!
FYI - Craftsy is having a Fall Supply Sale that ends at midnight Sunday October 16.
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Stitch and Slash Progress

Here is an update on my last Stitch and Slash art quilt.    I have finished the slashing and have layered it and started quilting on it.

Don't you love the texture where the edges lift from the background?

As you may notice, I did not remove all of the red layer. Nor did I remove all of the green layer. I have added some embellishments.  Now I am in the midst of quilting it.
Here are some quilting detail shots:

I started in the center and used a simple stipple - okay - it is my version of a stipple.   It is harder to quilt in these narrow areas because you have to hold the edges out of the way as you go. 

In this square I did a spiral in the very center.   You can see that there are LOTS of threads that will need cleaned up once this is finished. The green fabric does a lot of shedding.  So I will spend a lot of time snipping those away - later.  

I plan to mount this piece on a board of some type so that it will hang on the wall like a painting. 

But for now, I have more quilting to do on it.  I am planning more pieces like this.  Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to hang them in a gallery in the coming year. 

If you are curious about this technique, the class is on sale at Craftsy for $14.99 (at least it was when I checked earlier today.) 

The same instructor, Carol Ann Waugh, teaches a class called Stupendous Stitching which is also half price right now. That is a low $19.99  for a great class. I did this piece in the class.

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Stitching and Slashing

Did you see that squirrel run past????  I had to chase it.   Ha ha.
This is a technique that I originally learned in 2013.  It is called Stitch and Slash. To start I picked four fabrics.  I chose the three batiks and one mottled green that looks dyed (not printed.)

I layered them and sewed a design plan through the layered fabric.  Then I started slashing.  Fun!
Here is the piece as it is at this moment.

I have slashed away most of the top layer of blue.  You can see what is left of it.  Then I started slashing away the red batik.   But on two pieces I had to see what it would look like after I got through all three layers - because you don't slash the bottom layer!  I am thinking that I will really like this one. Of course after all the slashing, there will be embellishments added by machine and perhaps by hand. 

I learned this in a class by Carol Waugh on Craftsy.   The class is called Stitch and Slash.  I was surprised to see that it is on sale today for $14.99 - which is half price. So if you want to join in the fun, click HERE and sign up for this fun class. 

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A Creative Endeavor

Tuesday brought about a small period of time when I could use some creative skills.  Prior to Mom getting sick, I had been working on some machine embroidery designs for  my neighbors.  They have a small store and sell the best homemade ice cream in town - and maybe in the state.  They also have helped me out with many things and I am doing this as  a "Thank You" to them.

Using some software that I have had for a long time and only recently got to work for me, I created the lettering.  (The software is Embroidery Fonts Plus and it is a free download.) I had asked them what they wanted and it was pretty simple - just words, no pictures.
They also brought me a shirt for each of them on which to embroider the design.

Please note, these shirts haven't been washed after embroidering.  And they look better in person than in the photo.

The larger design is the one he chose.  The smaller one was her choice

.  I learned a bit more about hooping for a logo design on a t-shirt 

while I was getting ready to do these.  

I am pretty happy with the results. 

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Update

Not a lot going on in my creative world right now.  I did hem a pair of pants on the sewing machine, but I didn't take a picture.
Mom is improving and life is good.

Craftsy has redesigned their website and to get you to take another look, they are offering a discount of $5 off $25 or more purchase.  Use the code FRESHLOOK25


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Core Spinning Video

As promised here is the video that shows how I spin the silk onto a core yarn.

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Update -Good News!

I am very happy to report that my Mom was released from the hospital and is resting at home. Life is GOOD.  Thank you for you prayers, warm thoughts and understanding.

I will still be less present since I will be with her more now, but LIFE is Good!
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in posts may be affiliate links for which I am compensated if you click through and purchase.