The quarterly challenge that was due at the end of June for my 12x12 group was 'Leaves'. I was initially excited about it because I wanted to try a technique one of you members, Karrie, showed me. You take an Oliver Twist "One Off" and make a tree out of it . Here is a picture of a "One Off". You lay it out in tree form and stitch. (Side note- I also love, love, love the Oliver Twist thread shown in the photo. It quilts wonderfully.) Another note- I did not have a "One Off" in the color I needed, so I created my own from fibers in my stash. Last note, when I look back at Karrie's tree, I begin to see where I began to go off track; hers is free-flowing and artsy.
I got to this point and my work just did not speak to me (in fact it was yelling some bad stuff at me). At this point, I was already late on the challenge, so I decided to experiment.
Next I used Tombow markers and drew around the trunk and branches and spray it with water.
I made leaves out of used teabags and used a combo of Tombow markers and Dye-Na-Flow to color them. Still not loving it yet....
What do you do when your art is not going in the direction you would like?
Mt husband and I were recently visiting the Northern Michigan and its fabulous wineries. We stopped at a quilt shop (of course!) and hubby found this quilt stand for me to rotate my 12x12 quilts. Here is the website for it http://www.ackfeldwire.com/, it is called a table stand.
Enjoy! Kathy
I love the polka dots! Yes if you want to use the threads like I do its best to " go with the flow". I have a small stash of One Offs. I can't get enough of them. I love your piece even if you don't. So excited that inspired I you to try something. I'm always inspired by your work.
ReplyDeleteKarrie- Your work always inspires me, especially your yarns...I drool each time I see your new ones.
DeleteKathy, all the dots reminded me of our travels to Australia. I fell in love with the aboriginal art and bought fabric inspired by it. It is a fun piece, especially your opening comment!. Maybe we are too self critical. I haven't heard of Tombow markers... Anyway, what do I do with my miss directed art work? Some I toss immediately and others I keep just in case. An aside, my hubby makes wood quilt stands that hold up to a 14" mini. Use some. Sell some. You know, we have toad lilies and checkerboard lilies here - that's what your leaves remind me of! Love them.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, Thank-you for your kind response. I saw Tombow markers on a Quilt Show episode a few weeks ago and fell in love with them. I do the same where I keep some of my unfinished, going no-where and some get tossed. I would love to see your hubby's stands.
Delete