When was the last time you gave yourself three full days for relaxation and creativity?

I know I don't do it enough. It's been a rough couple years, I think we should treat ourselves to more time for artistic exploration and creativity, it's good for the soul!

Join me this July 19-21, that's just 2 months from now! for a 3 day painting retreat, Art Quilts: Painting & Surface Techniques at Idyllwild Arts in the scenic mountains of Southern, California.

This is going to be so fun! On the first day we are going to work on color. Through a series of color exercises, you will learn how to mix paint colors to create the colors you want, learn how colors interact and affect each other and know what color combinations will give your art the most impact.

On the second day we are going to learn about painting on fabric; how to avoid paint bleeding, how to paint backgrounds, use freezer paper resists, paint smooth gradations, work with transparent glazes to build up color and contrast and how to paint fine lines and details.

On our last day we will add mixed media techniques to fabric; collage with sheer paper imagery and tea bags, use paintsticks, colored pencils, rubber stamps and transfers.

It's going to be an information packed 3 days, sure to give you the tools you need to take on your next big painted quilt or mixed media textile project. Check out the details and register now.

Let's spend some creative time together! 

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Paper and Paint

My daughter Nina gave me a lovely sketch/scrap book made with banana fiber pages. I love the speckled natural color of the paper. I really want to spend more time drawing, I used to be really good about keeping sketchbooks. Funny how once kids came into the picture, that sort of slipped away. I want to get back in the habit of drawing for the sake of drawing and not just when I want to design a quilt.  

I like the way the drawings look on this paper, but I found that it is not the best for paint. I think it's too absorbent and soft, so it is not as easy to move the paint around on the surface of the paper. I persevered though, using opaque watercolors to paint the images.

I will end this post with todays Oprah siting. Mayor Daley held a press conference outside to announce that he renamed the section of Carpenter street between our loft building and Harpo studios "Oprah Winfrey Way".

photos taken from my 5th floor balcony

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The last week of April

Last week was an interesting one, so I thought I would share a few images from it.

On wednesday President Obama was next door at Harpo studios. Several news vans were outside with cameras set up to document the arrival.

I watched the motorcade drive up and into the studio garage, there were at least a dozen vans and cars. All the streets for several blocks around the building were closed to through traffic for 3 hours. The street below was filled with secret service guys, it was reassuring to see there was a lot of care done to protect the president.  I was not able to really get any photos because the secret service guys waved us off the balcony shortly after the president arrived.

Friday morning I stepped out of the shower and heard groups of women shouting out their love of Oprah. When I looked out the window I saw the sidewalk below filled with brightly dressed women in dresses and hats.

Then I realized this was an episode celebrating the royal wedding that had just happened that morning.

On the weekend, Nina and I went downtown

 to the Merchandise Mart. It is such a massive building.

We went to Artropolis, a huge fine art venue, on saturday and then the Antiques Fair on sunday. 

Both events were a lot of fun, but I really loved seeing the decorative arts at the Antiques fair. It was amazing to see so many pieces; from paintings, prints, renaissance period parchment manuscripts, furniture, to suits of armor, that one would typically see in museum exhibits.

One booth had several original paintings on canvas for old Guinness ads.

Another had doll molds, don't these hands look like they are doing the royal wave?

I adore these hand painted floral engravings!

A truly exciting thing that we saw was a French traveling salesmen's cotton fabric sample book from the 1820's. It was huge, probably 18" x 24" and at least 4 inches thick and it cost $35,000. The fabric swatches were in perfect shape and could easily be used to reproduce new fabric since it was old enough to be copyright free. What a treasure trove!

I love this view of the Chicago river from inside the Merchandise Mart.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

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Show your stuff!

Are your inspired by the projects in Quilting Arts magazine? If you like trying out new ideas and techniques, Muppin from the Quilting Arts Forum has a new challenge for you. The artwork can be any size and any technique that you have seen in the magazine over the last 10 years, but your work should be something new made for this challenge. Upload your photo to the forum page by May 31st and show your stuff! Random participants will also get prizes.

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An Artist Village Blog Tour

Last year my friend, Kathy York, had a brilliant idea to organize a project to create an artist village with three dimensional stitched houses. She was inspired by the houses I made several years ago, that were published in Cloth Paper Scissors.

Kathy just happened to have this beautiful green quilt that works perfectly as the village green. Hopefully, this fabulous project will get accepted to Tactile Architecture, so lots of people will have the opportunity to see it.

For the public unveiling of the project, Kathy has also organized a blog tour during the month of May where each artist will post information and photos about their individual house in the village.

Susan Else (website)  May 2 

Frances Holliday Alford  May 3 

Pamela Allen (website)  May 4 

Frieda Anderson  May 5 

Lisa Call  May 6 

Jane Davila  May 9 

Naomi Adams  May 10 

Jamie Fingal  May 11 

Barb Forrister  May 12 

Vickie Hallmark  May 13 

Connie Hudson May 16 

Leslie Jenison  May 17 

Sherri McCauley  May 18 

Judy Coates Perez  May 19 

Melanie Testa  May 20 

Laura Wasilowski  May 23 

Kathy York  May 24 

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May I have a drum roll please!

The winner is:

Congratulations Sherrie of Chelly and Me for winning Laura Wasilowski's new book Fanciful Stitches, Colorful Quilts!


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A Color Theory Testimonial

As the current class wraps up and I get ready to launch the next Color Theory Class, I wanted to share a wonderful note from one of my students describing her experience with the online color theory class.

First, I want to thank you for the wonderful lessons and recommended book. I took my time with the lessons and really tried to understand the material. I am a bit embarrassed to say I have been sewing for 20 years and am just now taking the time to explore color- in the proper way. And really take a look at the color wheel and UNDERSTAND it's use. Not just pick it up and take it to the store with me. Very sad how much I have been missing.

I have dyed fabric for the past few years and am amazed at how much this class will help me as well.

I was most intrigued by how much I loved the burnt sienna palette and never liked these colors before. Seeing how they interacted with each other was really lovely. it was another lesson on how I must try colors and not just rely on the safety of certain colors.

I do again thank you. I would recommend this class to one and all. I was intimidated by the thought of painting but I shouldn't have been. Because that just isn't the point.

With much more enthusiaism for color and appreciation of a great teacher

-Colleen

If you are interested in joining the next Color Theory Class click here for more details.

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Welcome to the Fanciful Stitches blog tour!

If you are a fan of bright hand dyed fabrics, fusible applique and beautiful embroidered stitching, you have arrived at the right place.

Today, I am sitting down with my good friend Laura Wasilowski for a little chat about her new book

Fanciful Stitches, Colorful Quilts
11 Easy Appliqué Projects 
to Embroider by Hand.

Please, pour a hot cup of tea and make yourself comfortable.

Laura seated in the infamous blue chair

Judy:  Laura, your pattern transfer process, where you trace the pattern piece onto the silicon release paper and then iron it to the fused side of the fabric, is brilliant!

I am guessing, that was one of those happy accidents that you discovered along the way of making fused quilts?

Laura:  Yes! It’s a miracle! Discovering how to transfer a specific shape to fused fabric by drawing the shape on silicon release paper was a happy accident. I had written some numbers on release paper, then ironed fused fabric to that same paper. Voila! The numbers transferred to the fused side of the fabric. I then realized you could use release paper and a Sharpie marker to transfer pattern shapes to fabric. 

Here’s a link to my recent blog post on how to transfer patterns:

There are so many great stitching ideas!
with easy to follow stitching diagrams.

Judy:  Do you have another great tip or technique that you always recommend to your students for fusing success?

Laura:  Thou shalt not kill the glue. 

Fusible web is a heat activated glue. Every time it feels the heat of the iron, it melts, and then re-solidifies. Exposure to too much heat for too long will burn the glue into the fabric. When that happens the fabric gets really stiff, may look like it has oil stains, is hard to stitch, and may no longer glue into place.

Practice safe fusing. Apply only 5 seconds of heat at a time while building your fused composition. When finished with your art work, steam set it to the batting for 10 seconds in each spot. The steam sets the glue.

Go here for more fusing tips:    

Judy:  What is your preferred method for hanging your small fused quilts?

Laura:  My favorite method of hanging small quilts is a little loop that is sewn into place on the back in the upper center. These quilts have a wrapped binding around batting and Timtex so they are rigid and have wavy edges. They hang flat and I don’t have to deal with a stupid rod pocket!

Here are directions for the wrapped binding.

Judy:  Have you come up with a theme song to go with your new book?

Laura:  Of course! It is sung to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic:

Mine Eyes have seen the glory of embroidery on quilts,

How a simple stitch can take your quilt from flat to fabulous,

Whether running stitch or French knots, or the mighty herringbone,

One stitch is all you need.

Glory, glory to the stitcher,

May your quilt tops look much richer,

Be proud of what you do for your work is artistry,

All hail embroidery!

Thanks Judy! May your edges be free yet stuck for ages.

Leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of Laura's new book! (sorry U.S. residents only, publishers request)

Be sure and check back Friday when the winner will be announced and in the meantime check out all these other fun stops on the tour.

The Fanciful Stitches, Colorful Quilts Blog Tour! rolls on:

April 19  Annie Smith 
April 23  Melody Johnson
April 24  Jane Moxey 
April 25  Lyric Kinard 
April 26 Judy Coates Perez
April 29  Jane LaFazio 
May 2 Susan Brubaker Knapp 
May 3  Frieda Anderson 
May 4 Connecting Threads

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Online Color Theory Class

next class begins May 23, 2011

9 week online course $60

Did you know the color choices you make can transform an average piece of artwork into something spectacular? Be surprised and delighted by the effects and illusions you can create by understanding the mysteries of color. In this hands-on experiential class you'll learn key color concepts with visual examples, mix new paint colors, and create helpful charts, all providing you with the tools you’ll need to see color in a whole new light.

Click here to see the Supply List

As part of this class you will start a color journal and learn to mix color using textile paints, creating charts to address the different color theory principles.

Lessons include:

The color wheel

Color Schemes

Tints, Shades and Tones

Value Color Studies

Complimentary Color

Transparency

The class website is designed for students to work at their own pace with each lesson accessible at any time. The lessons include color diagrams and examples with explanations of the different principles for working with color. After each lesson you will make a useful chart, from color swatches that you create by blending different colors of paint, to help you understand the concepts being covered each week. An accompanying online discussion group allows students to share work, get feedback and ask questions through out the class.

a testimonial from one of my recent color theory students:

First, I want to thank you for the wonderful lessons and recommended book. I took my time with the lessons and really tried to understand the material. I am a bit embarrassed to say I have been sewing for 20 years and am just now taking the time to explore color- in the proper way. And really take a look at the color wheel and UNDERSTAND it's use. Not just pick it up and take it to the store with me. Very sad how much I have been missing.

I have dyed fabric for the past few years and am amazed at how much this class will help me as well.

I was most intrigued by how much I loved the burnt sienna palette and never liked these colors before. Seeing how they interacted with each other was really lovely. it was another lesson on how I must try colors and not just rely on the safety of certain colors.

I do again thank you. I would recommend this class to one and all. I was intimidated by the thought of painting but I shouldn't have been. Because that just isn't the point.

With much more enthusiasm for color and appreciation of a great teacher

-Colleen

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The blog tour has begun!

The Fanciful Stitches, Colorful Quilts blog tour that is! 

My good friend Laura Wasilowski, has a new book. Lucky me, I got to see a preview copy and I can tell you, it's a keeper! Laura's work has such a wonderful whimsical quality, so bright and cheerful, just like she is.

To celebrate this momentous publishing event, Laura is giving away a free copy of her fabulous new book at each blog on the tour. So you have lots of chances to win!

Next week, be sure to stop by each blog and leave a comment, on the designated day of the tour, for a chance to get a copy of this delightful book in your hot little stitchin' hands.

Leave a comment Tuesday, April 26th 
for a chance to win!

The tour schedule is:

April 19  Annie Smith 
April 23  Melody Johnson
April 24  Jane Moxey 
April 25  Lyric Kinard 
April 26 Judy Coates Perez  Right here!
April 28  Linda Teufel 
April 29  Jane LaFazio 
May 2 Susan Brubaker Knapp 
May 3  Frieda Anderson 
May 4 Connecting Threads

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