a quiet holiday Monday

It's just my husband and I this weekend. We joined some family at the cottage for a potluck dinner last night. This morning we got up at our own time and decided to do a few household chores rather than go to the golf course. Even though it had stopped raining, everything was still wet.
I've been puttering around in the sewing room and studio this afternoon. The first thing I did was to wrap my painted fabric onto a tin can to paint.
 I mixed up a color of fabric paint and applied it with a sponge brush. Below you can see where I've started to unwrap it. I did take a picture of the piece completely unwrapped but the color didn't come out true. I want to re-wrap it anyway so I can get to a couple of unpainted areas. On any other pieces I did using this shibori technique, I used white cotton string. Since I couldn't find it, I resorted to a nylon string.which I wouldn't recommend. It slips too much.
I'm not really happy with the color of the 'trees' either. I may have to paint another piece and get out to buy the right string. It really is about the process isn't it? I will show it once it's painted and pressed though.

Since I wanted to feel like I finished something, I put the cushion together. I didn't have the right size cushion for the inside which is why it is looking a little deflated. It's a good example of how truly disorganized I am sometimes. I didn't even measure it and make it for a standard cushion. Now I must measure and if I can't get a preformed cushion, I'll make one. OK, so it's not quite finished. I sure like the colors though!

Winners!

It's just a quick post to announce the winners of my birthday/anniversary giveaway.
The winner of the magazine subscription for A Needle Pulling Thread is Wanda at

http://exuberantcolor.blogspot.ca/

And the winner of my little fabric postcard is Donna C.

Congratulations!

One of these days I will need to figure out how to use a random number generator. I assure you it was fair though. I cut all the bits the same and had my husband do the choosing.

Giveaway draw tomorrow

It's a been a while since I used the Setacolour transparent paints and I'd quite forgotten how much they fade as they dry. Here is my piece from yesterday.

Since it 's much too pale for what I had in mind, I went at it with the paints again. It has to be darker than the desired result.

The one above is still wet.

And here is the same piece all dry. I think I can work with it.
I had also forgotten how nice the transparent paints feel on the cotton. I may be thinking up more projects.

I've been working on getting a screen made by Margaret Aplin. My samples from the other day seemed to have too much black, so this afternoon, I got caught up in doing more.
The one above was my favourite in the bunch. You will be amazed at what Margaret can do with it using Photoshop.
So, no sewing. All this leads to another fabric piece though. They are always multi layered both in ideas and techniques.

Don't forget to comment on this post from Oct 3rd if you haven't already to be eligible for the draw.

painting on fabric and machine quilting

I need to finish up a couple of pieces I've been working, on but yesterday while I was doing laps at the pool, I had this idea floating around in my head. that I just had to try  this afternoon before I could sit down to sew.
I've still got more shibori painted trees in my mind. This time I wondered about painting a background first instead of using a commercial print like I used in the birches piece. I'm showing you this as I work through it and have no idea if it will work or not! It's an experiment.
I used Setacolor transparent paints, spritzed the white Kona cotton and applied them in a watered down solution that I mixed on a recycled Styrofoam meat tray.  Using a soft watercolor brush I loosely dabbled it on. Here is what it looks like wet:

I left it to dry and moved on to the sewing machine where I finished the bit of free motion quilting on the grey and mauve piece. I've decided to make it into a pillow with a linen backing.

Here is a bit of detail of the quilting on the back. Not perfect but it'll be OK. Who'll be examining it it when they're sitting against it, eh? Well maybe a quilter.

I hope you're having a creative Thursday!

A Special Giveaway

It is beautiful, sunny and warm out. Boy do I feel better today! I think yesterday was too much for me when I was still catching up after the weekend. Last night, I had a good sleep and this morning, I went to the spa to do my laps. I was alone in the pool with the sun streaming through the wall of windows while I swam. In the sauna I stretched out and concentrated on my breathing. By the time I was done, I felt relaxed and replenished.
All during my laps I thought about the painting I wanted to do this afternoon. I was intrigued by Margaret Applin's post and little tutorial using India ink and black acrylic paint.Making a Thermofax screen

On the first attempts I didn't quite get the concept of watering down the India ink to produce a grey which could then be worked over top of with the black acrylic. I loved the concept and the shapes I was getting and by the third attempt I did get some grey.
My watercolour paper was quite large too, varying, but about 16 by 20.

This one was too black but I was having fun!

When leaving the pool this morning, I found these weeds on the edge of the parking lot. I loved the shape of the leaves and the wispy lines of the dried flower heads.
This one is my favorite!

And now for the giveaway!!! I've been blogging for 3 years. The exact date was sometime in August but I decided to celebrate the blog anniversary along with my birthday which is on Saturday.
I am giving away prizes!!! The first is the fabric postcard you can see above.
The second prize was very graciously provided by the magazine A Needle Pulling Thread. It is a wonderful Canadian needle arts magazine. They have offered me a full year's subscription for a lucky commenter.

A Needle Pulling Thread

I'm not sure how clear my picture above of the fall issue will be, but you can go check out the link.

So, all you have to do is leave me a comment and you'll be entered to win one of the two items. I will make the draw on my birthday, Saturday, Oct. 6th at 8:00 DST.

A sewing day with friends

I have a small group of about a dozen friends who for many years have gotten together for quilting days, retreats, Christmas parties and even coffee at Tim's. We've been there for each other in times of loss, of celebration and in times of transition. We had a sewing day today; there were four of us. I knew I should have bowed out this week due to a guild meeting tonight but I went and now I'm too exhausted to do anything else.

A few of the quilters have taken a liking to the Granny square block. They got together and exchanged strips. Florence was putting this one together today.

Susan was making piano keys for her jewel box quilt done in repros.

I didn't do the best job taking this picture. I got it at a bit of an angle but you get the idea. I'm making it for my sister in law who has a neutral beige and brown bedroom with a small touch of rust. She wants the quilt to be neutral as well. I think it will be quite soft and pretty. On my screen the right hand print is showing quite peachy when it is more golden in color.
As you know I spend most of my time on my art and Fiber art so I will keep this quilt boxed up to take to Tuesdays sewing group some weeks as well as our guild UFO days. I like the companion ship and still like to put the odd quilt together.
The one that I did as my son's wedding gift, I did in the same way last winter. Then when I'm at home, I concentrate on my artwork.

some sketching

Today, I'm recuperating from my big weekend. I'm still on such a high from the wedding! (See my last post) I did a little house cleaning and got some clothes out on the line.
Besides the wedding, my mind is also still on my trail walk from the other day and some of the beautiful pictures I took.
These bright pink leaves against a backdrop of green really caught my eye.

 As I wrote on my page, the colors remind me of watermelon. Funny how you may see the same colors reflected in different places. I like the shape of these leaves too.

 I can't resist showing you this little fellow who tolerated me for a bit and then ran up a tree and chattered at me in anger. I love how the light caught his wispy tale.

I hope you're having Monday!