ATC Swap

Tonight, the Dallas Area Fiber Artists will have an ATC swap as the mini workshop. Aside from meeting the size requirement of 2 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches, the only other criteria is 50% fabric. I decided to try a technique that is new to me - Discharge Paste mixed with fabric paint. I used a hand dyed piece that I wasn't in love with and added images with a stencil of a butterfly and texture with a couple of text stamps. I then ironed the fabric using lots of steam and the result is a very interesting piece.
I fused it to Peltex, added some thread sketching and cut it to ATC size. A little foil and a backing and I was done. I am very happy with the results. I have an extra piece of discharged fabric that I cannot wait to use. Here are a few pictures - the first one is a shot of the ATCs pinned to my 'design wall'. The 'design wall' in this case was the back of my desk chair - what can I say, it is padded and fabric and the correct height for the fan to reach it to dry the glue.

cut to ATC size and pinned to 'design wall'

after foiling and before treating the edges with black paint

here is the extra piece and what the fabric looked like before stitching and foiling

One of the Employee Resource Groups at my place of employment is sponsoring its second annual art show. The show is for any and all employees who wants to show their creative side. There are not real rules just different categories and an opportunity to donate your work to raise funds for the Special Olympics. I decided to enter this year and submitted the following pieces.

'Marsh Grass' is one of my favorites

'En Pointe' displayed with the Twisted Stitchers special exhibit at the Dallas Quilt Show 2010

'City Lights' displayed with the DAFA special exhibit at the Dallas Quilt Show 2010

When I dropped my piece off, it was wonderful to see how many boxes were lined up with submissions from employees and/or family from around the country including Alaska and Mexico. They will hang the works October 3rd and I cannot wait to see the show. I did get a glimpse of a piece from an associate in Mexico that was painted tile - it was wonderful! I will post pictures ...

We Will Never Forget

Deborah Boschert Inspires the Dallas Quilt Guild

Today was a good day. My friend Deborah Boschertwho used to reside in Texas and who is a member of the Twisted Stitchers friendship art quilt group, presented the September program for the Dallas Quilters' Guild. She gave a wonder talk on the 12 X 12 Quilt Collaboration project, sharing her inspiration for interpreting the various themes the 'Twelves' were presented with. Here is Deborah with her set of Color Play quilts. Today was the last reveal for the Color Play series. The lower right hand corner is Deborah's interpretation of the color orange - Hibiscus. I like her use of 3 dimensional embellishments and the abstract nature of her work. I always enjoy visiting the 12 X 12 blog on reveal day. To see Deborah's work and the works of the other 'Twelves', you will have to visit the International Quilt Festival in Houston this fall. There is a link to the 12 X 12 blog on the left.