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Archive for the ‘Surface Design Techniques’ Category

The Printed Fabric Bee – Old World Maps

Monday, January 5th, 2015

Old world maps was the theme for December – given to us by Lisa Chin. This was a real challenge for me. I started by Binging old world maps. I saw a theme of symbols that were used, but I felt it was a graphic that would be used by others. I wanted something different and I like to try different methods of image transfer. In my search, I came across this pirate treasure map.

My creative brain kicked in and I decided to do a Citrasolve transfer and then color in some details with Inktense color pencils. First, I found a great fabric in my stash of hand dyes that resembled the map. Then I photoshopped the map to black and white, printed it in reverse and then made copies on my old Canon copier with carbon based toner.

Here is a very bad photo of my supplies: Citrasolve, bowl and cotton balls.

It is very easy to do this transfer. You put the toner side down on the fabric and rub with cotton ball wet with Citrasolve.

I did not take many process photos – sorry – I just got involved in getting it done because we were going to be in CA for the last week of December. Once I was happy with the transfer and it was dry, I colored in details with Inktense color pencils. To set the color, I dampened a piece of muslin with water, placed it on the fabric and ironed it until it was dry.

Here is the 9″ by 16″ piece for Linda:

Here is the six inch piece for the giveaway. For a chance to win this collection of fabrics, leave a comment on our Printed Fabric Bee blog or on Lisa’s blog.

Posted in My creations, photo transfer, photo transfers, Surface Design Techniques, The Printed Fabric Bee, Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Deconstructed Sunflower Print

Sunday, November 30th, 2014

Here it is the last day of November, so soon. Where did the month go? For The Printed Fabric Bee this month, Susan Purney Mark was the Queen Bee. She asked for sunflowers. I tried coming up with various sunflower motifs and they all looked like ordinary sunflowers. I decided that what would suit my artistic sensibility would be to deconstruct the sunflower into its essential parts.

I started with printing a leafy background on a pale green hand-dyed cotton. I used a real leaf that looked like a miniature of an actual sunflower leaf.

After doing some random leaf prints, I cut a couple of petal shapes from a piece of foam and started printing petals in various shades of yellow and yellow/orange.

For the sunflower seeds, I used some sequin waste to print random dots of brown.

Susan requested that her piece be 6 inches by 24 inches. Here is the piece that will go into the giveaway:

When we get the collage of all the pieces put together and we are ready for the drawing for the fabric collection, I will post it here.

We had a great Thanksgiving at Stephanie’s home. She cooked a whole turkey for the first time and it was delicious. I brought cranberry chutney, roasted squash and gluten free pumpkin pie.We enjoyed a walk in the neighborhood between dinner and dessert. Miles is really bonding with Scooter now, but he still is not ready to pick up the poop

I spent Friday and Saturday getting end of the month SDA work completed. This morning, Steph and I headed to Seattle, where I am right now. This is what greeted me in our hotel room.

Paige’s Mom is having an all day interview at U of W Children’s Hospital tomorrow and so Steph and I are going to entertain this little charmer. The weather here is very cold, but with bright sun so it was a nice drive and nice to be out walking around in the University Village area.

Maybe I will check in tomorrow after our day in Seattle with Paige.

Posted in Family, Paige Ada, painting fabric, Surface Design Techniques, The Printed Fabric Bee, Travels | Comments Off on Deconstructed Sunflower Print

Fabric Printing at Home

Thursday, November 6th, 2014

Julie Booth, one of the members of The Printed Fabric Bee has written a wonderful book about printing on fabric at home. She uses every thing but the kitchen sink – on second thought, I think she probably uses the kitchen sink!! As a surface designer, I always enjoy looking at books with fresh ideas. I really enjoyed going through Julie’s book. It is packed with good information and beautiful photos.

She starts the book with very excellent information about setting up a home printing area and gathering the needed supplies – brushes, paints, and other tools. Scattered through the book are highlighted areas with extra information, tips and photos such as this one on how to make a portable padded print board.

Julie provides a plethora of ideas for using found items and stuff you will find in your kitchen cabinets for resists and printing – such as flour, sugar, veggies, foil. You can also find ways to use things you might normally throw in the trash or recycle bin to print gorgeous fabric.

I especially like this trio of fabrics printed with blocks embellished with rubber bands, twist ties and string or twine. Click on any photo to see it larger,

This piece has a nice textured background that has been over printed using veggies.

You can pre-order the book from Amazon HERE. Photos are used with permission from Quarry Books.

Posted in Art Cloth, Book reviews, painting fabric, Surface Design Techniques | 1 Comment »

Science Themed Printed Fabric Bee

Sunday, November 2nd, 2014

October’s theme, chosen by Jackie Lams, was science. I was a bit baffled about what to do. All I could think of was the atomic symbol. So, I did a search on science clip art and came up with DNA strands.

I drew them with india ink pens and made thermofax screens, but the screens burned too much and the screens started disintegrating. So, back home to regroup. This time I took the drawn screens and made photocopies on my old Canon copier and got much better screens.

I played around with different colors and background fabric and ended up using chartreuse for the background. Here is the 12 x12 piece for Jackie.

And here is the 6 inch piece for the give away.

After doing the dna strand printing, I thought the piece needed something more so I used one of my little stencils and added the red squares.

For a chance to win this fabric pack, go to Jackie’s blog, our FB page and the Printed Fabric Bee Blog and leave a comment.

Posted in painting fabric, Surface Design Techniques, The Printed Fabric Bee, thermofax | 1 Comment »

Here I Am!!

Saturday, October 25th, 2014

It has been a week since our critique group met. I have been busy, busy. Here is Taking Leaf of My Senses redux. I like it so much more. I need to take some yellow paint to the fall leaves as they are not showing up as well as I would like.

Here is Flight Through Sky Blue Pink redux. I lopped off the top so that the pink cheesecloth area is not in the middle. I think it works much better. You can click on either image to see them larger.

I met with the church ladies in Albany on Monday. I thought I was a go to get the commission and then I got an e-mail from them saying that the church requires to submissions so they were meeting with a second artist this week. Then they will take both proposals to the board next month to make the final decision.

I received my copy of Women Who Come to the Table this week. It is a book about the Dinner at Eight exhibits that Jamie Fingal and Leslie Jenison have curated for several years. It is a nice book of images of all the quilts and photos of the dinners that have taken place in Houston.

I was honored to have my Hugs and Kisses quilt introduce the section about the An Exquisite Moment exhibit, last year.

I have been in 3 of the exhibits. I never got anything done for this year since I was busy moving.

I have been working on printing fabric for this month’s theme for The Printed Fabric Bee. The theme is science. Here is a sneak peak:

We just got home from a wonderful concert by The Oregon Symphony. Time to call it a day.

Posted in critiques, painting fabric, Quilting Friends, Surface Design Techniques, thermofax | 2 Comments »

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