Because You Ask ~

Artists are often asked to explain how they create, what their process is and if they have a 'road map' in their heads before they begin?  Today I reread a statement I'd written in reply to a similar inquiry and thought I'd share it here.

"For me, working without a 'recipe' whether in the kitchen or in my studio, invigorates my experimental side. Using the cooking analogy ~ when you have cooked enough to be comfortable in the kitchen, you can read a recipe and tell if it will be bland or could use some spicing up. Eventually, what you know leads to 'original recipes' rather than following a cookbook. The same applies to my art.

I've tried to analyze my creative approach at various times in my life but see no recognizable 'formula' for how I work, which is most likely due to the wide range of media I use and the absence of a personal repeatable style. From youth I've tinkered artistically with any accessible materials ~ often discards. I remember Dad sharing his colored electrical wiring and showing me how to braid a 5-strand length of wire, or giving me his wood scraps and use of his jigsaw, hammer and nails. My top childhood gift requests were always art oriented. You get the idea... I mention this because for me, expanding my skills and knowledge through experimentation and education, have filled my 'toolbox' with multiple abilities and the confidence to use them.

The ability to create something from nothing is actually more inspirational for me than starting from a blank piece of paper and pencil, although I've done both as need and mood dictate. If one method of kick starting me doesn't work, I try another. Sometimes my ideas begin from doodles, or photos, or a word and sometimes I just peruse my art quilt books or get online for ideas. I seldom toss failures or scraps away and if you keep like items organized and handy you are more likely to use them. (skip hiding them in the sock and pj drawer) lol

"Interwoven Through The Ages" by Judy Wedemeyer (12" square)

With my Interwoven piece I invested 90% of my time in the cogitative state. I do feel it's significant to ask yourself what you want to achieve before you begin and from there, what materials and colors might work that will reinforce your ideas. Most importantly, I've discovered that I must remain flexible in my approach, letting each step dictate what the next could be to improve the piece, and asking myself if I am adhering to the basic art 'rules' of successful design ~ contrast, line, color, balance, etc.

When creative constipation occurs I deliberately step away from my studio and get my brain entirely off the project. A fresh view may speak volumes and open a floodgate of ideas."

I hope I've answered your question to some degree and would love to hear how the rest of you navigate your art quilt design process.

Canyon Colors & Curves

Here is my newest Material Maven's challenge quilt.  The theme was Canyon.

fabric side

felted wool side

Click on the link above to read about its construction as well as the other group submissions. 

Fabric Floral Brooches

Slightly darker photo shows the fabric contrast a bit better.

The lighter red flower was my first one made of polar fleece.  I like the variety of fabrics and textures in the 30 I made over the weekend.

The flower petals were cut with pinking shears in several sized circles.  I intentionally stacked and glued them with contrasting colors to depict depth.  The first time I made these I used hot glue but found it to be messier with the glue strings flying around.  This time I used Aileen's Tacky Glue and was very pleased with the results.  The pin backs were adhered with a liberal application of Aileen's Fast Grab Glue ~ it dries clear. 

I plan to donate these pins to the Anchorage Senior Center Gift Shop.  Finishing this project freed up a baking sheet holding all the supplies as well as table space in my studio.  Yay!

Recycling Fabric & Batting Scraps

Whenever I can re-purpose discarded items to keep them from the landfill I enthusiastically do so.   Fabric and batting trimmings from recent quilt projects  (including the liners from dress ties), all got tossed in a plastic bag until I had enough to fill a 28" square dog bed.  Here is the result.

28" square corduroy covered dog bed

I made a liner from ugly rust dyed fabric that didn't turn out nice enough for my art projects but was perfect for this project.  I stuffed the scraps in the liner and sewed the opening closed with a slightly larger stitch for easy reopening.  The liner can be refilled with fresh scraps or new fiberfill when needed and the quilted cover can be machine washed separately.

As a dog walker for Friends of Pets - a local animal rescue shelter - this will be the first of hopefully many hand made dog beds I will assemble from my studio scraps and donate to the pooches.  My plan is to make a few liners and covers in advance.  I'll bet I can get stuffing donations from fellow quilters at our guild.  Dog bed covers can also be made from old blue jeans and upholstery fabric.  Love to keep that stuff out of the landfill.  Lighter, smaller beds can be made for the kitties too.  And as a side note: I've been shredding office paper and bagging it to donate for the small critters like hamsters and guinea pigs for Animal Control.  I hope they will take it, otherwise it goes to the recycling center.

Material Maven Theme Challenge: Communication

"SOS" by Judy Wedemeyer (12"x12")

Today is reveal day for our  Communication themed art quilts.  Here is my  Material Maven's submission.  Read the details here.

The first photo transfer had a slight smudge from my printer so I used it as a practice piece.  Slightly larger dimensions allowed for more embroidery details  (both hand and machine) in the border.

"SOS" by Judy Wedemeyer (14"x15")

Transformed Treasures 2013 Lamp Project

In short, I refurbished this candlestick style table lamp with bell shade by hand scraping the old paint off the base and repainting with several light coats of copper colored Infusion spray paint.  I discovered the lamp was both metal and plastic composite.  Infusion paint is formulated to adhere to plastic as well as wood, ceramic and metal so it covered my base materials evenly without disappointment.  I'm a new fan!

The 'replacement' shade didn't work out so I ended up recycling the original one.

The old lampshade was layered with dust buildup and had no character to speak of.  After removing the fringe and outer fabric I carefully took apart the inner lining to use as a pattern.  I added a bit more seam allowance to accommodate the fabric fitting as the outer shade.  This bell shaped shade consists of two curved pieces sewn into a tube and is then stretched evenly over the outer shade frame.  I anchored the fabric to frame ribs at top and bottom with button hole thread.  This allowed me to stretch the fabric evenly before I hand glued the edges using Ailene's Fast Grab glue.  LOVE that stuff!  I chose not to replace the lining but I made matching bias tape to cover the edges. It too is secured with the Fast Grab glue.  Bias tape provides a stretchiness needed to follow the curves smoothly.  Voila! New lampshade I like so much I think I will have to bid on it at the auction.

Transformed Treasures 2013 - Lapquilt

This lap quilt measures 51" X 66", and was layered and machine quilted in seven separate sections to enable me the physical ease to do a project this size on my home machine without struggle.  It takes longer to construct but there is no fabric distortion from tugging on the quilt when it's done this way.

With my Salvation Army artist vouchers I purchased eight men's dress shirts and a purple corduroy jumper to coordinate with the two yards of leaf print fabric.  I ended up not using the black shirt.  With careful cutting, there was plenty of fabric to make the backing and still have some fabric left over.  All of the fabric is 100% cotton including the Warm & Natural batting inside.  This quilt is an original design and will be auctioned off at the Salvation Army's Transformed Treasures Luncheon in May.