Monday, July 30, 2012

Guessing Game


Can you guess what blocks I used to print this fabric?

Hint: It will be the focus of next month's Julie B Booth Surface Design News. See the new Newsletter Archives in the right hand column.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Colossal Weed Takes Over Studio

VIENNA VIRGINIA: Sighting of colossal weed in front of suburban home. When harvested, it came in at a whopping 100 inches!

I've been watching this weed grow throughout the summer wondering just how tall it would get. Even I was amazed when I measured it! I decided that this king of the weeds deserved to be recorded. I also decided that I better harvest it before the Vienna Beautification Police left a citation (just kidding).

I had to pull it out by the root ball and it was just taller than the length of my eight foot work table.


Hmm...how to print this colossus of weeds...

First, I covered it with a length of Prepared for Dyeing Kona Cotton fabric and used my Rollrite brayer with Opaque Pebeo Setacolor fabric paint to do a rubbing.



Then, I placed the weed on a second length of fabric and used my brayer to roll paint over and around it. The weed acted like a stencil.



Here are the two prints side by side.


I think there is a future piece here, combining these prints with other fabrics to create two portraits of this weed king.



Friday, July 27, 2012

An Evening of Printing

On Thursday evening, I was invited to present a mini-workshop for the G Street Fabrics Quilt Club (Falls Church, Virginia store). I decided to focus on nature as an inspiration.

I showed them how to nature print with leaves and lemons, as well as nature rubbings with a brayer.


In addition, they created print blocks from adhesive craft foam.

Adhesive craft foam block

It was a really enjoyable evening. Thanks G Street Quilt Club!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Shameless Plug

Sun printing with objects from the kitchen
Okay...here goes...
A reminder that Issue #3 of my free online newsletter, Julie B Booth Surface Design News is coming out this Saturday, July 28. The focus, this month, is on sun printing using objects from your kitchen, especially that catch-all drawer.

For those of you who have signed up...thanks! For those of you who haven't, I encourage you to join me as I explore the kitchen as a surface design resource. Every month I will introduce a new project or technique.

To sign up, just look at the top of the upper right hand column of this blog. You will see the sign-up form. In addition, you will receive a free list of Ten Kitchen Surface Design Ideas just for signing up (more FREE stuff!).

Thanks for enduring my shameless plug...

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

More Animals from Fiber Camp!

Pink and Green Monkey

Today, I taught my second and final session of Fiber Camp at The Art League School. Eighteen enthusiastic campers ranging in age from 7 to 11 years old. Here are the wonderful, colorful animals they created in camp.

Blue and Brown Dog
Yellow Rabbit
Green Dog
Yellow Giraffe
Green Giraffe
Yellow and Blue Rabbit
Pink Horse
Green Turtle
Purple Cat
Yellow Tiger with Googly Eyes
Purple Owl
Yellow Tiger
Rainbow Giraffe
Rainbow Horse
Rainbow Panda
Saber-tooth Tiger

Monday, July 23, 2012

Roy Challenge Winner and African Influences

Gene Greer

First things first...

Searching for Roy G Biv Challenge Fabric for July

The winner of the Searching for Roy G Biv Challenge fabric for July is Joan S. Congrats Joan and thanks for taking part in the Challenge. Thanks also to Lisa over at Arzigogolare for participating. I hope that more of you will join in the fun next month (third Thursday) when green will be the Challenge color.

I spent Sunday teaching African Influences: Textile Inspirations. Thank you students for an enjoyable and extremely colorful day. Here are some of the fabrics created in class.

Gene Greer
Sue Greer
Sue Greer
Jae Woo Lee
Jae Woo Lee
Jae Woo Lee
Keith Braswell
Keith Braswell
Keith Braswell

I talked with Gene and Sue about the memorial quilt. It sounds like quite a challenge. They are incorporating  favorite T-shirts, hats and the American flag that was presented to the soldier's widow. They have promised to send photos when it is finished. I can't wait to see it.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Class Prep and More Yellows


Getting my supplies together to teach tomorrow: African Influences: Textile Inspirations.

I'm particularly excited because Sue and Gene Greer are taking the class. I'm looking forward to seeing some in-process photos of the memorial quilt.

Lisa over at Arzigogolare decided to play along with Roy. I hope you take a look at her earthy Venetian yellows.

The drawing for the challenge fabric will be tomorrow. More likely tomorrow evening while I'm relaxing with a glass of Pinot Gregio!

Yellow Challenge Fabric Detail