Turmoil and Tranquility

I chose this piece to illustrate the theme of the challenge presented by my fiber arts group this year. I find my Tranquility from the Turmoil in my life in the oasis of my swimming pool, where bubbles frantically rise to the surface in an effort to escape. But at the same time, the bubbles are calming, presenting a soft popping sound that is duplicated no where else. And I love to watch their little dances as they scurry around on their journey. 

This is a small art quilt that began with a batik I had made several years ago. It is a waxed design on rayon, painted with Procion dyes and textured with salt. I machine quilted the background, and also around each bubble, with metallic thread. I stuffed each bubble from the back of the quilt with fiberfil, backed it with repurposed rayon, then bound the quilt with white piping and hand-made dyed silk binding. Tiny beads are hand-sewn on, scattered throughout.

Love Repurposing!

A friend gave me some vintage fabric, and I used it to make some handy drink coasters. 

I also used some of my ice-dyed and tie-dyed fabrics to make two more sets. 

Handmade, reversible, washable....they make a nice little gift!

Fearless Art Quilt!

Several months ago I was privileged to be able to take a class 

with the talented Helen Midge Mattesi Baudouin. 

I finally finished my art piece today!

I am eternally grateful to Midge for helping me think outside the box 

(or as in this case, not thinking at all, just feeling!)

 Here are some close ups of inspirational words I chose to use:

My quilt is on my studio wall....it makes me happy just to look at it!

HalloWeenies!

In the spirit of the season and in my unique mini-art doll style, 

I have created "HalloWeenies," a version of my copyrighted SeaBeanies© 

to celebrate Dia de los Muertos,  Day of the Dead.

 These soft sculpture mini-art dolls can be worn as funky jewelry 

(there's a clasp hand-sewn to the back) or they can be hung by the hidden loop.

They are hand-made from repurposed fabric with

individually molded hand-painted polymer clay face, glass beads and yarn hair. 

Fun wearable art for Halloween!

Fabrics to Dye For....

I'll be teaching the basics of Procion dyeing on cotton fabrics next week at Art & Soul Studios in Satellite Beach. Workshops will be held on Thursday, September 24 or Saturday, September 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. All materials are included, and you get to take home some lovely fabric pieces like the one you see below. Email me at bright_ideas_studio@yahoo.com...hope you can join us!

More Funky Cuffs

I finished 3 more fabric cuff bracelets today. Got some cool new-old buttons from my BFF Marlyn for embellishing....

...but one also has little turtle beads crawling across it. I'll be selling these on Etsy and in Art & Antique Studio in EGAD (Eau Gallie Arts District.)

Funky Quilted Cuff Bracelets

I made a few of these bracelets this week from scraps of my hand-printed fabrics and embellished them with some of my collection of buttons and yarns. Kind of cute, huh?

This is what they look like un-fastened. I added extra buttons on one end to make them adjustable to fit small and large wrist sizes.

I'm making more in other colors...next batch is in the blue/turquoise family.

And yes, they are for sale!

Fiber Arts

A variety of techniques adorn this fabric, some of which I will be teaching in my 

"Fabrics To Dye For" workshop in September.

Also featured at the Art & Soul Studio are my classes in Sewing for all ages, 

including the new "Open Studio" where you can simply sew your heart out 

in a comfortable, unstructured atmosphere.

The schedule appears below... let me know if you can attend!

Fun and Messy

Our art quilt group met today and we played with applying color to quilted fabric with Gelli plates and acrylic paints. Yes, I did get messy... and yes, it was FUN!

Gorgeous, unpredictable results....I love it!!!

Pretty Little Faces

Polymer clay cabochons ready for firing...

...and soon to embellish a new batch of my original "Sea Beanies"!

Art Is Everywhere

Who would have thought that a trip to the doctor would result in a beautiful photo? This is an immature fruit or "burr" of the Southern Magnolia, the tree under which I parked today. I plan to turn this image into an art quilt, or if I'm feeling brave, a painting. Or maybe some of the elements will become ideas for embellishments for an art doll. Whichever way, I am inspired to channel nature into my art!

Cooling Off With Ice-Dyeing!

It's Spring (well, almost Summer and it sure feels like Summer here in Florida!) and a great time to get outside and do some messy stuff.

 The ice-dyeing pans are so pretty!

My husband actually loved this t-shirt, but alas, 

he is so buff that even an XL was too tight on him...*sigh*!

I love dyeing rayon, and I can't wait to make a kimono out of this piece.

 

Found this great lace-edged tablecloth at a thrift store. 

Ice-dyed and laid on the grass, it looks like a lost jellyfish!

The best (IMHO) ice-dyeing tutorial:

http://www.dharmatrading.com/home/learn-how-to-ice-dye.html

Soft & Silky Serendipity

I am totally hooked on this Deconstructed Silk Screen process. After I printed several yards of fabric, and tried to decide what I was going to do with it, what first came to mind was to make scarves. However, I had a few PFD silk scarves hanging around the studio, so I printed directly onto them. The results are fabulous!

The printed designs are so unique, and completely unpredictable. What a great process for me! I'm usually so meticulous about having everything come out perfectly, so this technique gets me right out of that box and into serendipitous surrender. I love it!

Back In The Studio!

Survived the holidays, the flu, and several other challenges, but I'm back! Totally hooked on Deconstructed Screen Printing. Here's a sample:

More photos to come....after batching, washing and drying process is complete!