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One of my favorite ways to learn is in online classes. I'm currently enrolled in Wanderlust 2020 which offers weekly mixed media instruction taught by a variety of teachers. A recent lesson by Jeanne Oliver was jam-packed with new techniques. We learned to dye fabrics using avocado pits, turmeric, tea, and other kitchen items. Then we used those fabrics, or other dyed ones, in printing lino cuts of faces. And finally, we added embroidered details to complete the pieces. This face is printed on ice-dyed fabric and backed with dyed cheesecloth. It was great fun to make, and I learned a lot about lino cuts. There's a learning curve!
I made a second print on another scrap of dyed fabric, but this time I used free-motion stitching to outline and define some of the features. A bit of fabric marker for lips and cheeks, and she's done. The machine stitching allowed me to fill in some areas missing ink. I used acrylic paint as I didn't have any lino printing ink for fabric, so the coverage of my prints is a bit light.
The learning curve involves remembering that what you want to show in the print stays, and the rest gets carved away. Somehow my brain resists that line of thought so I had to keep reminding myself. And I learned that if you slip and cut away something you wanted, it can't be put back. Note part of her lip along with a couple of other places where a steadier hand might have helped.
Since the acrylic ink didn't work so well, I then tried permanent stamp pad ink. That's a bit too light as well. So I've ordered some of the proper ink, and we'll see what happens. The yellow background is turmeric dyed cotton. I'll keep practicing this new skill.
Meanwhile, our instructor for the online class Sunshine Dolls, Kecia Deveney, encouraged us to try our hand at drawing faces for dolls. So I drew some circles on cotton fabric and spent an evening drawing and coloring these whimsical faces. They'll be used in some upcoming doll projects. So for right now, it's all about the faces!
Hearts- apparently a theme for me. I began this heart needlework piece years ago and it just sat, unfinished, in my sewing room. I'd come across it, think I needed to do something with it, and set it aside again. Well at last the heart has come into its own. I finished it in time for Valentine's Day! All those lace, silk ribbon, button trims- finally see the light of day.
I turned the heart into a stuffed hanging door accent by stitching on some silk ribbon-yarn ties. Now I can look at it an enjoy it on a daily basis.
Hearts are a tricky shape when it comes to stuffing them and keeping a smooth edge. My method to overcome the challenge is to completely stitch around the heart shape with the backing, right sides together and leaving no opening for turning. Then I slice the backing and turn the heart right side out through it. And I add the poly-fill stuffing through the slit. That allows me to push the stuffing up against the seamlines all the way around, while trying to smooth the edges as best I can. Once that's done, I hand stitch the opening closed in the back and add another heart shape to cover it. I used double-stick fusible to the second heart shape and stitched on beads to edge it. Now the back looks presentable again.
Here's another hand- and machine-stitched heart ornament made some years ago. It was shown in Piecework Magazine in response to a call for readers to submit entries.
I used the same method to cover the opening in the backing.
And the third heart is one I showed recently on the blog, but it seemed to be a good time to add it to the mix. I do love the Crazy Quilt style. More than two of anything is a "collection" I'm told. So here is my heart collection!
With a good deal of excitement I'm sharing the current issue of Somerset Studio (Spring 2020 issue), on newsstands February 1. My crinkle journal is one of the featured articles! I sent it off to the editorial offices in response to a call for journal art and was invited to submit an article describing the process of making it. The cover line says, "A Crinkle in Time-A Handmade Book Filled with Transparent Beauty." There are more than a dozen other articles plus lots of photos of art work in the issue.
Are you familiar with the Stampington & Company magazines? They are beautiful quality publications with wonderful photography. I'm delighted with the images and layout of my article. The journal has a transparent look and is made using cereal box liners. Those allow you to embed threads, images, paper doilies and more in the pages. And you can sew it all up. Recycling at its best!
And in other arty news... I had the chance to visit Ocala, Florida's Appleton Museum for the opening of a wonderful exhibit on Flamenco-From Spain to the US. In addition to the exhibit, which features beautiful costumes and artifacts from Flamenco's history as performance art, we were treated to a guest speaker and curator's lecture and demonstration. Photography of the exhibit itself is not permitted so I can't share that other than to say it's worth the admission price! The exhibit is on until late May.
We learned that Flamenco has its roots in the tradition of the Romany Gypsy people of Spain. Our speaker, from Santa Fe's Museum of International Folk Art, has danced Flamenco from the age of 11 years. She outlined the elements of Flamenco and told how it developed and was shaped by cultural influences.
Fans were used to tell a story in the festive dance.
And of course castanets! There are pairs in the exhibit for museum visitors to try out. Our speaker advised that castanets are to be worn over the thumbs- there is a right and a left in each pair. And each one of the pair has a slightly different sound. Percussion is a big part of Flamenco.
Colorful embroidered shawls are also a part of the drama of the dance. They were usually imported from China.
Want to try it yourself? The museum gift shop has a colorful display of shawls, fans, books and more.
And here's a fun addition in the shop- it's the Art-o-Mat. Purchase a special coin, drop it into the vending machine, and choose a lever to pull. Out pops a small treasure created by an artisan. Support the arts and get a surprise!
