Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists

Hanging for our Exhibit

2011-10-03T14:04:00.004-04:00

Our Exhibit will be on display the month of October. Reception on Saturday,
October 8th. The challenge quilt theme for the year is White on White. We had 11 members complete art quilts. Each on was very different.

Dirty Dozen 8th Exhibit! 2011

2011-09-05T15:47:00.002-04:00

Dirty Dozen Fiber Artist's 8th Exhibit is coming up fast. One of the art quilts used for publicity is by Peg Horsfield

Dirty Dozen 8th Exhibit! 2011

2011-07-06T21:18:00.006-04:00

Fiber Art Exhibit
Opens October 1 st
From October lst through October 31st

The Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists will transform the Boutique 4 Quilters
classroom into an exhibit of over 50 original fiber art pieces, including two group projects.

Reception October 8th, 1-3 PM
General viewing during regular store hours

Boutique 4 Quilters is located at
2945 W. New Haven Ave., West Melbourne, Fl
Store hours are M-F 9:30-5, Sat. 9:30-4, Phone 321-768-2060

2011-02-04T10:46:00.002-05:00

Collaborations! is a premier invitational mixed media exhibit of local artists who teamed
together with fiber artists and quilters to design vignettes based on their personal choices
of themes and ideas. Paintings, pottery, ceramics tilework, fabric arts and quilts will be
presented. Nineteen teams will each set up their own display. Many of the pieces will be for
sale, and this will be the first time most of the pieces are exhibited. This is also the first time
Seaside Piecemakers, the local quilt guild, has organized an event to engage other artists
in the community to work collectively.
Several members of Dirty Dozen will have their work on display.

Location: Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne Florida
-Dates: Thursday- Friday, March 10-12, 2011.
Thursday and Friday hours are 9:00 - 4:00.
-The Opening Reception is Thursday, March 10, 2011, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

January 2011 Program

2011-01-08T22:18:00.003-05:00

The first program of the year is on new techniques. I traveled to a Iowa Retreat and created a mixed media doll. Some of the products are great for adding texture to any art quilt as well as to use on dolls. Much to my surprise I sold the doll which I was to use in my demo, but do have a picture to share

Annual November Playday

2010-11-30T13:52:00.002-05:00

Our "play" produced the following creations. We each would work on a piece, directed by Ellen, and pass it to the next person. This is just a sample of our work.

Annual November Playday

2010-11-30T13:43:00.003-05:00

Each November we have a playday in the "Barn". This includes member and guest. We begin with a short meeting, show and tell and a "play", led by Ellen Lindner this year.

Held Over!

2010-10-13T22:44:00.004-04:00

The Tall & Thin Collection

The Dirty Dozen Exposed 2010 show has been held over through the month of November! Please join us for a special series of artists' demonstrations on Saturday, November 13th at 2PM.

Come see the results of our "Flower Power" fractured quilts and our Tall & Thin group challenge along with over 60 other fine art quilts! And bring a friend ☺

Save the Date!

2010-09-15T23:35:00.005-04:00

What happens when...........

2010-08-14T14:25:00.005-04:00

What happens when a dozen creative fiber artists each create their interpretation of this zinnia?

...and then they each cut theirs into quarters and trade with 3 other artists...

...and then they reassemble the flowers with thread and fabric and beads and embroidery and all things imaginable........imagine the possibilities!

To view the resulting "Flower Power" exhibit and many more exciting works from the

Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists, plan to attend:

"Dirty Dozen Exposed 2010"

October 2nd through October 31st

Boutique 4 Quilters

2945 W. New Haven Ave

Melbourne, FL

Opening reception October 2, 2-4 PM

Fiber Art Show at Art Gallery of Viera

2010-05-21T20:29:00.006-04:00

Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists were asked to be the featured exhibit at Art Gallery of Viera for the month of May, 2010, in their Floral and Fiber Art Show. Eight of us accepted the invitation, and were excited to be able to "show our stuff" to the broader art community. Here are some pictures of the pieces that are on display until May 29th. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by the gallery in the Home Center at 5410 Murrell Road, Viera, Florida. You can see more pictures and read about the gallery at http://www.artgalleryofviera.com

Shows, Shows, Shows

2010-03-05T15:34:00.010-05:00

Many of our members are showing their work in a variety of venues around the country this month. Locally, members of the Seaside Piecemakers Quilt Guild, including most of the Dirty Dozen, will be showing their fiber art at their upcoming Annual Show in Melbourne, FL, March 12 and 13th.

Member, Lisa-Marie Sanders, is currently exhibiting at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY "Quilts of the Coastal South" show through April 6th. For a quick video about the show, please, click here.

Member, Martha Wolfe, is exhibiting in the "Cacophony of Fiber" show at the Rose Gallery in the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, FL, through April 30th.

Match the Dirty Dozen Artists

2009-10-08T08:24:00.005-04:00

by Martha Wolfe

(L to R) Dij Pacarro, Lisa-Marie Sanders, Jill Brown, Peggy Horsfield, Paula Furgason, Bev O'Connell, Ellen Lindner, Martha Wolfe,

Barbara Bilbo, Irene Watson, Ruth Anne Parker.

Missing from photo, Elizabeth King

Our 6th Annual Exhibit opened on Saturday with a wonderful, well attended reception! The show features over eighty unique fiber art works by the 12 artists, including the Swedish Cafe photo challenge and a "Group Therapy" project building from surface texture techniques taught by Ruth Anne.

If you haven't enjoyed the exhibit yet, it will be continuing through the end of October. As you enter, you'll find the artists' self-portraits hanging on your right. How well do you think you could match the artists with their portrait? Try your luck!

Our 6th Annual Exhibit!

2009-09-24T08:12:00.010-04:00

Please help us kick off the

2009 Dirty Dozen Exposed! exhibit!

Opening Reception, October 3^rd, from 1-3PM

@Boutique 4 Quilters

2945 W. New Haven Ave., West Melbourne, FL

General viewing during regular store hours:

M-F 9:30-5, Sat. 9:30-4. Phone 321-768-2060

October 2^nd through October 31^st

The exhibit includes over 60 original fiber art pieces,

made with a variety of exciting materials and techniques.

In addition, two group projects will be featured.

Photo Challenge 2009: The Swedish Cafe

2009-09-17T03:00:00.007-04:00

by Martha Wolfe

Again, this year, we have all participated in a challenge using a photograph as our inspiration. The photo was selected by the whole group. The picture was taken by Martha Wolfe in "The Prince's Kitchen" at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, an art museum within Djurgården in Stockholm.

As you have seen in the recent Fruit Stand Challenge posts, each artist has focussed on a part of the image that captured their attention and imagination. What would you choose from this photo? Stay posted to see the results of our 2009 Photo Challenge........or better yet, plan to attend our show, Dirty Dozen Exposed, 2009! and see the real deal!

Bev's Fruit Stand Challenge

2009-09-13T14:02:00.006-04:00

by Bev O'Connell

"Yes, We Have No Bananas"

Another installment in the series of challenge quilts from a previous annual show. The quilt was created from hand-painted fabrics, papers and Ellen's cast-off knitted yarn. It includes machine embroidery and was free-motion quilted.

Jill's Fruit Stand Challenge Quilt

2009-09-02T06:15:00.003-04:00

By Jill Brown
The inspiration for this quilt was the bananas! This quilt was a little out of my comfort zone for me - as I normally do not do abstract, nor do I work with orange or yellow colors / tones.

I thread painted my bananas onto my background with a variegated purple thread (I did get my purple in there!!). It scrunched up the fabric so much, I had to really stipple the background fabric it get it to lay flat. I then beaded "Going Bananas" across the middle two bananas. (The bead work is hard to see in this photo).

This was a fun challenge to do, and everyone's quilt turned out to be very different!

Barbara's Fruit Stand Challenge

2009-08-27T12:27:00.008-04:00

Posted by Barbara Bilbo

I looked at the fruit stand picture and decided to do a raw edge collage. After working long and hard, the piece didn't work. Besides, it was too large to be accepted. So I folded it up and away.

Then I decided to do a more abstract piece with the feel of the bushes and the flowers. I also put in the rock wall. And... I did it the correct size.

2009 Retreat: Fabric, Friends and Fun

2009-08-25T15:45:00.007-04:00

by Lisa-Marie Sanders

Does your quilting group have an annual retreat? If not, I’d highly recommend it! We just finished our annual weekend retreat and it was a blast. Our monthly meetings are great but it is hard to surpass the bonding that takes place when you spend two days together crammed into small condos, stepping around sewing machines, supplies and drying fabric. I loved watching my friends as they struggled with creative or technical decisions. I loved the help and insights that each person brought to bear on my dilemmas.

There is something from everyone in each of my projects from the retreat: fabric from Irene, paint from Paula, beads from Jill, yarn from Ruth Anne, Photoshop work from Martha and borders from Ellen. And though we worked a lot, we played too. We had a road trip to a bead shop, we took a post-midnight turtle walk on the beach, we dined together and we learned more about each other on a personal level. Did I mention we laughed a lot? We did.

There were so many hysterical moments that I began to chronicle them so we’d have a way to remember them all. Some you might enjoy:
- A glass of wine helps with free motion quilting
- Whatever problem you may have, there’s a bead for that
- Late night wisdom: don’t crop until morning
- Pass your purse to the person on your left (so you won’t spend too much at the store)

It’s only been a week and I’m already looking forward to next year’s retreat.

(the photo is of Irene Watson working through lunch one day.)

Paula's Fruit Stand Challenge Quilt

2009-08-21T17:36:00.009-04:00

Posted by Paula Furgason

The first thing I thought of when I saw the inspiration photo was what great texture could be found in the tire. Inspired by the colors and lines in the photo, I created a pile of turquoise tires with pink tread and took some rubbings of my bike tire.

Quilted in a tread pattern, this piece named itself Off Track.

Ellen's Fruit Stand Challenge Quilt

2009-08-17T06:00:00.004-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

Although our inspiration photo had many wonderful components, I was attracted to the colors and shapes of the mangos. Thus, my piece Tropical Fruit was born (below.) The green background fabrics were inspired by the vegetation of the area.

BTW, this is not the first mango quilt I've made. You might also be interested in Mangolicious.

Group Photo Challenge Revisited

2009-08-12T20:01:00.010-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

Each year we have a group challenge as part of our annual exhibit. This year's challenge is to create art that's inspired by a particular photo. Most of that is still top secret: to be revealed at our October exhibit.

But, since this year's challenge is very similar to what we did in 2007, I thought you might be interested in it.

This was our inspiration photo, selected by the entire group. This fruit stand photo was taken by Ruth Anne Parker in Maui.

Although the goal was for each participant to be inspired by the image, exact replication of the photo was not expected. (But, certainly allowed.) Therefore, we wanted a photo with lots going on, and this one met that criteria. As you'll see in coming posts, some members reproduced the entire image. Others were inspired by the colors, the textures, or one particular element.

Watch for future posts to see the results!

Basic Business Acumen

2009-07-23T16:12:00.006-04:00

Posted by Lisa-Marie Sanders

I should’ve known better. Nonetheless, after 25 years of business and entrepreneurial experience, I violated a fundamental principle of agreements: get it in writing. When a quilt shop owner invited me to promote my book (http://www.quiltingwithaliens.com/) as the featured item in her booth for AQS Knoxville Expo, I was so excited I allowed my emotions to override reason. Over the three week planning horizon, the agreement changed so many times it ultimately became untenable. I’m saddened by the lost opportunity, but I am hoping that you can learn from my mistake and avoid similar pain in the future.

Three basic tenets to remember when selling your art or entering into any agreement:
1. Define your goals in advance (what you hope to achieve, what you will provide, what you require as consideration/compensation, etc.)
2. Clarify expectations (mutual responsibilities, time lines, communication)
3. Get it in writing

I find that I learn (and remember) the most from difficult circumstances and, for that reason, I am thankful for this situation. I hope you can also benefit from this lesson learned.

Playing with Molding Paste

2009-07-21T15:29:00.008-04:00

Posted by Ellen Lindner

At a recent Dirty Dozen meeting, Ruth Anne showed us a ton of cool ways to use a variety of gel mediums. I was especially intrigued with the molding paste, so I came home and began to play with it. The results are fairly subtle in this first piece. In it, I used sequin waste as a stencil for the paste. Once it was dry, I painted the entire piece.

The green piece utilized needlepoint canvas as a stencil, and produced very good results.

I learned one thing: when it comes to molding paste, more is better. The subtle images that I attempted with stamps and such didn't show up very well.

BTW, both of these fabrics were painted with matte medium, before anything else was done.

This was a lot of fun, and I'll definitely try it again!

Goldfish Blues

2009-07-17T11:44:00.003-04:00

Posted by Dij Pacarro.
I created this collage using Susan Carlson's "Free Style Quilts" technique. It was fun gathering just the right fabrics to make him fanciful yet lifelike. I covered everything with dark purple tulle before quilting, which gives it an underwater feel.

What I'm Made Of

2009-07-12T08:11:00.021-04:00

from Martha Wolfe

As part of your membership in the Dirty Dozen, you need to create a representational, self portrait. Being a fairly new member, I am working to complete mine for our upcoming show in October (more details soon!).

The technique I have been using lately for representational images is pretty simple. Starting with a photo (in this case, not the best, but an interesting one), I open it in Photoshop and use one of the stock filters---in this case I used "Cutout", then played with the number of levels and the edge settings until I got an image I felt I could collage successfully.

The collage is all raw edge with machine applique. I chose batiks, because the variegation in color makes the image look more alive. The striped shirt will be a challenge! Here is the work in progress.

Design Opportunity

2009-06-28T22:00:00.001-04:00

From Irene Watson

I recently had time to play with the techniques in C June Barne’s book, Stitching to Dye in Quilt Art. I really like the pieces she’s done using her foundation technique so I ran out on a shopping spree and bought every white and off-white cotton and cotton blend in the area.

Armed with my new stash, I loaded a plain piece of muslin onto my long-arm. I stitched down strips and quilted as I went. I really liked the results of the undyed piece and struggled with the decision to dye or not dye for weeks.

Last week I threw caution to the wind and decided to dump that bugger in a bucket of dye. I made two mistakes. The first was dyeing on a day when I was fighting a virus. I sneezed while holding the dye container over the bucket and spilled a good amount of dye into my solution. The second was ignoring the first mistake. My little golden yellow piece is now lovely neon orange. The color in the picture is not true. It’s a really eye burning orange.

I haven’t decided whether to view this as a challenge and work with it as is, to overdye it with bronze or a light red to try to tone it down, or to bleach the heck out of it to remove some of the color. I’m leaning towards bleaching it. If it ends up with holes, it’ll just be another design opportunity. Right?

Reward for a Morning Walk

2009-06-24T20:00:00.000-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

I know that observation is a large part of inspiration. And that practicing those skills improves them. So, I was delighted when, after four days of walking past them, I finally noticed a patch of Black Eyed Susans. As the dog tugged impatiently on her leash, I gleefully picked handfuls. As I did so, I noticed that the flowers that were past their prime were equally interesting. (Another observation!) I picked those ratty flowers with only half their petals, and ones that had no petals at all. Plus the buds. What a wonderfully diverse collection.

Since I'm doing a series called "Around the Neighborhood," I think there's a good chance these flowers will make their way into a quilt.

Abstract from Realism

2009-06-21T20:00:00.000-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

At our recent play day, we did an exercise about finding abstract designs around us. The assignment started with photographing objects throughout the house. Later, we were to sketch one of the objects, removing as many details as possible, in order to reveal "the essence" of that object.

I decided to try a similar thing with some photos from that day. My question: How much could I omit and still be able to show the essence of these items?

I'm sure you can identify the old phone, above. I was struck by the strong design of this little photo. Maybe a future quilt design?

Can you identify the items below? (They belong to Jill.)

Yep. Her crocs.

This is a fun, and I think, valuable creative exercise.

Fun Play Day

2009-06-18T17:01:00.003-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

We had a fun play day at my house, yesterday, with projects ranging from hand work to computer work. Although we were initially spread out, by late afternoon we had all migrated to one spot. After all, it's all about the socializing right?

Above, L-R: Ruth Anne, Paula, Peggy and Barbara

Above, L-R: Martha and Jill

Brevard Live Magazine Featured Artist *NEWS FLASH

2009-06-14T16:21:00.021-04:00

Posted by Dij Pacarro.

*NEWS FLASH! Dij just got accepted into the Art Gallery of Viera. Check out their website to see more of her quilts. Grand opening is Friday and Saturday, June 19th and 20th.

Lou Belcher wrote the most wonderful (and kind) article about me, complete with photos, in the June issue of Brevard Live Magazine.

You can download it online at: http://www.brevardlive.com/

Once you download the June issue, scroll down to pages 56-58 to see my article. I'm so jazzed!

Asian Fusion: Take Out With a Twist

2009-06-13T14:55:00.007-04:00

From Jill Brown
Here is my take on the Brevard Art Museum's challenge using the white take out box. I started with a bright oriental themed fabric and another coordinating fabric. I matched two colors of fusible glass with my fabrics. I then created a "dome" out of the fused glass to fit over the take out box, placing the metal handle through the dome. I quilted the oriental fabric, cut it into strips, then wove it into the glass dome, leaving spaces to show the white take out box below. I then added my bead "steam" on the top of the box.

The dome and box were placed on an oriental style plate, with a pair of chopsticks next to it, ready to enjoy the hot steamy meal inside!

The place mat underneath was woven using the oriental themed fabric, and the coordinating green fabric. They were cut on the bias, at a 45 degree angle (in opposite directions), woven and then quilted.

Bon Appetit!

The Thinker

2009-06-04T17:43:00.021-04:00

From Paula
Doll making has become my passion, and using Tyvek is one of my favorite techniques. So, when given the opportunity to enter the Brevard Art Museum's Take Out Exhibition, it was a no-brainer for me to combine them to create The Thinker, Outside the Box. Her body is made from a piece of hand dyed fabric I made in a class, and later stamped during a program at a Dirty Dozen meeting. Her hair is a few natural silk cocoons, topped with a Tyvek kerchief painted to match her body fabric.

First, I covered both the inside and outside of the container with fabric made from painted dryer sheets, Angelina fiber, and tulle. Using recycled Tyvek, I painted and heated small pieces and covered the outside, taking care that the edges were also covered.

I made sure there were a few spots where the liner would show through. I made a few beads and curly-q's to form the vines and stalagmites, then polished it off with some hot-fix crystals.

The final challenge was what to do with the wire handle. It turned out that it made a perfect sash when strung with the Tyvek beads.

Here she sits on her Tyvek throne, holding a mysterious crystal and pondering the origin of this mysterious beauty. Maybe it came from the crystal laden grotto below.....

Class Results

2009-05-26T23:55:00.005-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

As mentioned in the previous post, I found this class to be challenging - in a good way. My project is shown, in progress, below. Eventually, it will resemble prickly pear cactus, but I think it has quite a way to go yet. But, perhaps, you can see some of the 3D effect that was created by shading with paint.

One of my classmates, Sue Dennis from Australia, posted more class photos on her blog. (See May 21.)

Class with Leslie Gabrielse

2009-05-26T23:22:00.010-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

I recently took a 3 day class from Leslie Gabrielse, a professional artist from Holland. The class was very interesting, challenging, and exhilirating!

Leslie's techniques are nothing like those used in mainstream quilting. (He's been making fabric "paintings" for over 30 years, and only recently learned about art quilts.) He paints directly onto the fabric with acrylic paints, and attaches everything with big decorative hand stitches.

One really useful technique is that of using a sheer overlay to mark and position the fabric. Leslie uses a product called Tarlatan, available from Dick Blick. He marks his design on it, and then can mark right through it to the fabrics below. See his funky teapot, in progress below, with and without the tarlatan overlay.

Quilt National

2009-05-25T06:24:00.007-04:00

From Ellen Lindner

I'm just back from a SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) conference, in Athens, OH. As part of the fun, I got to attend the opening of Quilt National. Wow! The quilts were amazing: VERY innovative, and (mostly) beautiful.

My roommate for the conference was Anna Her gert, from Canada. She was absolutely delightful AND, she had a quilt in the show! Here she is with her quilt, which is 3D.

The diagonal panels create large rolls in the front. I think you can tell in the detail shot, below.

Small Pieces, Big Ideas

2009-05-16T13:47:00.009-04:00

The art quilt photo challenge I've been working on is coming to fruition! Sisters in Cloth is preparing for their exhibit at the Guilford Art Center, in Guilford, CT, May 26th to June 6th. (Sisters in Cloth is a group that includes members from the Quilt group I participated in when I lived in CT, 6 years ago.) Each participant in the challenge received 5 photos to "create". Above is my entry for the Emperor's Summer Palace-Kyoto, the photo is shown as the insert on the postcard below. To see other pieces, you can click here.

2009-05-14T14:16:00.005-04:00

My entry for Brevard Art Museum's ´Take Out" exhibition began its life as a humble white Chinese Take Out carton, as required. I pulled some fabrics from my stash, and started designing. For the inside, I used a piece of fabric I had embellished with foiling and oil sticks. For the outside, I cut random strips from some hand painted fabrics a friend brought me from New Zealand. I layered them on another piece of fabric, fused them, then quilted them with metallic thread.

I applied fusible web to both pieces of fabric, opened up the box, sandwiched it between the two layers and fused it all together. I made sure the fabric extended a little beyond the cardboard, knowing I had to satin stitch the edges.

I folded the box back into its proper shape, then had to figure out how to get it to stay together. I ended up using an awl (with my husband's help) to poke holes through all the layers, so I could sew buttons on it. Kind of a four hand job. Then I decided it needed more embellishment on the inside, so I foiled each flap (after I had sewn it together, mind you.)

I foiled some more fabric, cut it into strips, then wove the little placemat, Then I fused it to a background fabric and quilted it with metallic thread. For a final touch, I added beads to the metal handle. At this point, my box became a little tipsy. So I ended up balancing it on the handle, hence the name of my piece is "Balancing Act."

I'm happy to say "Balancing Act" was accepted for the exhibit, and is sharing a table with Jill's piece. Drop by Brevard Art Museum if you have a chance - you will be amazed at all of the imaginative and beautiful creations.

Mola Jacket

2009-05-13T14:15:00.008-04:00

Machine Embroidery is my other love. Done on a recycled sweatshirt.

Nature Art Quilts

2009-05-13T13:54:00.014-04:00

This series incoroprates my love of gardening to my love of fiber art.

Rusted fabrics, tree bark, coconut fibers,

seed pods, painted dryer sheets, dried moss,painted fern impressions, shiva oil sticks, painted & burned tyvek paper, yarns, thread painting found objects.

Board Book Results

2009-05-13T07:42:00.007-04:00

I'm having great fun playing with my little board book. (See "Something Different", April 2009.) My plan is to use it as a canvas for quick compositions and experiments.

As my first creation, I made this little paper collage of a strawberry. It was fast and fun! On the facing page, I taped off squares into which I'm spreading various acrylic mediums, to create a sample board. That's fun, too - and useful. I've also done quite a bit of documenting on that page, recording the products and techniques used on both pages.

FYI: As a collage glue, I used diluted gel medium (gloss.) Just like I do with my glued fabric collages, only with a higher water ratio.

Interesting link: I was inspired to do this little collage after seeing the work of Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson. She does fantastic work!

Take Out

2009-05-10T21:37:00.003-04:00

What in the world is a group of fiber artists doing with a simple take out container? From May 9-July 12, 2009, The Brevard Art Museum in Melbourne is holding an invitational exhibition starring artwork created from this humble little box. Submissions had to be original in content, concept, and design, use the container provided by the museum, and be 15 inches or less in their final form. Always up for a challenge, three members of The Dirty Dozen submitted artwork and now have their creations on display. Each used fiber in some way, and will soon individually post about her piece. What will become of this little white box?

Necessity is the mother of invention.......

2009-04-21T08:08:00.042-04:00

I'm involved in a photo-challenge and have been struggling with this image. I'm just not a landscape person. I've looked at the image many ways, undecided, and finally uploaded it into Photoshop. I tried a bunch of different filters and still couldn't see something I wanted to work with.

(Note: Click on images to enlarge)

Finally, in desperation, I started drawing lines on it. After I'd finished, I realized I'd created something similar to Ruth McDowell's pieced patterns, but much more quickly than the ruler and tracing paper method.

Quickly flipping the pattern horizontally.......

....and turning off the image layer (the first layer I started with) by clicking on the eye next to it, Voila! I have my pattern.

Print and start sewing!

I'm not a big paper piecer, but it seems to be working for this project and now that I've figured this out I feel lots more ideas brewing in the back of my mind! Here is the bottom half of the quilt, in progress. It will be embroidered and embellished before it is done. (Update--to see the finished piece, click here)

Finished or Almost Finished?

2009-04-11T18:34:00.002-04:00

I've almost finished the quilt inspired by our play day at Riverhouse. The first photo was the inspiration for my abstract quilt. The second photo is the quilt in process - almost finished! My mother-in-law swears I should call it "done" but my original inspiration included the circular bruises from hammer marks on the wood. I think I have to follow my instinct and add the circular element. Although I love the strong geometry of the piece now, I also want to stir it up with something different.

Something Different

2009-04-11T00:39:00.006-04:00

Lately, I've seen some really interesting art books. These are usually books that have been altered with a variety of mixed media techniques. They look like they'd be a lot of fun to create, so I've decided to give it a try.

I started with a board book, purchased at my local childrens' consignment shop. I painted the pages with gesso, and propped it up to dry. Because some of the pages briefly touched, the gesso got "messed up" into a frost-like pattern. No problem: I took detail shots of the cool pattern and then smoothed on another coat.

Now that my book is dry, it's on to the fun part!

P.S. If you're not familiar with gesso, it's the stuff that covers prepared artists' canvasses. It provides a good base for just about any medium.

An Evening with Bonnie McCaffery

2009-04-08T11:30:00.003-04:00

On Monday evening, Ruth Anne, Ellen and I attended the Bonnie McCaffery lecture as guests of the Cabin Fever Quilt Guild in Orlando. Besides her own methods, her presentation included a variety of artists who use different techniques in their portrait quilts.

As a long time admirer of her work, I was thrilled to see those fascinating pieces from her book, Portrait Quilts, which has now been reprinted. I was so inspired, I think I'll finally have to try a painted portrait!

Bonnie is also known for her vidcasts. Check out more from Bonnie at http://bonniemccaffery.com/

FiberFusion!

2009-04-06T21:14:00.005-04:00

I have been adding a new medium to my fiber art - Fused glass!!
I add fabric / fiber to fused glass, as in this sculpture (called Transcendence). I also add fused glass cabochons onto my fiber art quilts! I call this process FiberFusion!!

I Did it Again

2009-04-03T18:54:00.009-04:00

I changed horses midstream.

I was happily working along on a new piece, deciding on the placement of lots of small orange circles. Then, I had, what was for me, a very radical thought: What if I made this a very calm almost monochromatic piece? What? ME monochromatic? I let that idea percolate for a while and decided to audition some sheer fabrics in similar colors.

So, this is where I am now. The photo shows my collection of "cut" (actually soldered) sheer circles. My circles went from opaque orange to sheer blue-greens and such. I'm liking it!

This is the thing about changing horses: I generally find the new one much fresher. I'm almost always happy with my midstream radical changes.

And this is the other thing: these ideas come over time. They're not my first inclination. I think that's one of the good things about the slow process of quilt making. If I were a painter, I could more quickly display my first thought. But then, these slow ideas wouldn't have a chance to develop. Something for me to remember when I get in a hurry.

A Visit to the Focus on Fiber Retreat

2009-03-31T23:19:00.006-04:00

I recently got to visit the Focus on Fiber retreat, in New Smyrna Beach, FL for a few hours. Oh what fun! I arrived in time for dinner and Show and Tell. (Apparently, I just missed the dancing.)

Everyone present was clearly having a blast, while also being very creative, and productive. There was gorgeous fabric drying on the line, beautiful surface design going on in the wet studio, and lots of fantastic works-in-progress visible in the dance studio. There was a buzz in the air from the wonderful sense of camaraderie, as well as the adrenalin surges that accompany creativity.

The photo shows a close up of the beading on Marianne R. Williamson's quilt, Constellation. It caught my attention as it was draped across an ironing board, with the beads sparkling beautifully in the afternoon light.

The retreat is held at Atlantic Center for the Arts, which is a fantastic facility. Nestled in the middle of palmetto bushes and oak trees, it's a true retreat in every sense of the word. For more details on the retreat, see http://marymcbridearts.homestead.com/Retreats.html or contact the organizer, Mary McBride, at mrsgorgon@gmail.com

2009-03-19T22:44:00.007-04:00

Posted by Ellen Lindner:

Our recent play day at RiverHouse was loads of fun! We spent some time photographing and sketching our beautiful environment. Then, we all made small fabric collages which were inspired by what we'd seen. A very creative exercise.

This is my favorite photo from that day: fire plant hanging down from the porch

2008-09-17T18:38:00.004-04:00

Dirty Dozen Exposed! V

From October 2nd – 31st, Boutique 4 Quilters, in Melbourne, will host an exhibit of original fiber art pieces made by the Dirty Dozen Fiber Artists.

The exhibit will feature original quilts and other fiber works, made with a variety of techniques and materials including two new group projects.

The opening reception is on October 4th from 1-3 PM. Come enjoy light refreshments, meet the artists, and see what these innovative gals have been up to. You can also view the exhibit during regular store hours.

Boutique 4 Quilters is located at 2945 W. New Haven Ave. in Melbourne (next to Michael’s).

Store hours are M-F 9:30-5, Sat. 9:30-4.

Phone 321-768-2060

Olde Eau Gallie Walk In Clinic

2007-08-29T21:02:00.000-04:00

We are very excited to be invited to show our work at the Olde Eau Gallie Walk In Clinic! We are currently showing our Retreat Challenge - Group Therapy 2 from last year. They are located at 1403 Highland Ave, Melbourne FL. Our work can be viewed during normal business hours - daily from 10am to 4 pm, and on the first Friday of the month from 5:30 to 8pm in conjunction with the First Friday Festival. Come see what we are up to!

Welcome To Our Blog!

2007-06-12T14:27:00.000-04:00

We have so many fun things going on we decided we couldn't keep them to ourselves any longer! Some very exciting news is that our very own Ellen Lindner has been asked to submit a proposal for a column in an upcoming issue in Quilting Arts Magazine. How cool is that? Stay tuned for more info on this one.

Some of us will be attending "Quilt Camp", a two day event at the end of June. This will be an appetizer for our annual Dirty Dozen retreat in August, where we inspire each other, plan a group project, get creative, and of course over indulge in the four basic food groups: chocolate, pastry, candy, and Key Lime pie. As if that isn't enough, we're sponsoring a special workshop with Laura Cater-Woods this fall, followed by our annual exhibit in October. We'll be talking about all these events and adding pictures as they happen, so check in often. Thanks for visiting our blog!