Thursday, September 25, 2014

A New Newsletter Coming this Sunday!


Issue #21 of Julie B Booth Surface Design News is just about ready. I'll be releasing it this Sunday, September 28th.

I decided to play with some packing tape this month to create some nifty stencils. Hope you enjoy reading it! And...if you don't yet receive it...hope you'll consider signing up...it's free, after all!

Sign up is in the right hand column of this here blog.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Offerings for the Start of the New Year


This evening marks the start of another new year...Erev Rosh Hashanah. I'm finding myself in a contemplative mood. I often feel this way at this time of year. Tonight, I'll hear familiar prayers and beautiful music.

It was a good day for a contemplative walk. I have a lot on my plate for the next few months. This morning the sky is gray and the air cool...it really IS the start of autumn.

I found these feathers on my journey. Small offerings. Distinct and beautiful.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Searching for Roy G Biv III: BLACK Final Update


This month's Search once again goes beyond the rainbow to BLACK.

I decided to challenge myself on a walk last weekend. With my camera in hand, I sought out BLACK.

BLACK turned up in unusual places....often hidden-in-plain-sight places...



Some BLACK seemed to subtly turn into other colors...


Other BLACKS reminded me of fabric...

This BLACK was strangely hidden in the crook of a tree branch!

Where did you find BLACK this month?

Post up to five BLACK photos by Saturday, September 20 (midnight Eastern USA time) and leave a comment here or on Jennifer Coyne Qudeen's blog. (Jennifer will be posting starting on Friday...busy woman!) We'll link to your post and update as new comments come in. It's always fun to see what inspires others...hope you'll join in!

Maya at Million Little Stitches has BLACK with some local flavor! Also some beautiful stitched details from two of her scarves.

Yarngoddess, Diane, discovered BLACKS all around her home and yard...especially love that furry one!

Sharmon at True Adventures of An Art Addict found an eclectic array of arty BLACKS.

Lisa at arzigogolare has found rich  Florentine BLACKS.


Mary Ann at Blue Sky Dreaming has some "Throwback" BLACKS.

Yippee! Jennifer posted her abundant archival BLACKS!!

Jill at Recycled Daze has photo shoot BLACKS, space mouse BLACK and even a BLACK mustache!

Barbara at Salt Air and Pistachios has some fireplace BLACK!

Joan S. is joining in this month (Yay, Joan!) Here is the BLACK bear she observed in South Dakota this summer (and yes she was in her car!).

Eric at Cerulean has BLACK light and white noise...take a look!

 We're extending the Search for Roy through the end of the year...
October 16: White
November 20: Brown
December 18: Blogger's Choice 

Friday, September 12, 2014

Roy Reminder: BLACK

A Roy G Biv array of kayaks along the Potomac River near Georgetown.

Hi all! This is just your little reminder that Jennifer and I will be playing another month of Roy....as in Roy G Biv...the colors of the rainbow.

Since we've made it through all the usual rainbow colors we are swerving off into new territory. This month we'll be exploring BLACK. To play along, just post up to five photos featuring BLACK on Thursday, Sept 18th. Post a comment on either Jennifer's or my blog and we'll link to your blog for a fun little blog hop!

We always enjoy having new participants...so don't be shy!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

New (and Final) Cover Design!


Well, here it is...the new (and final) cover design for my upcoming book, Fabric Printing at Home! I'm really excited (and a bit nervous!)...this dream of mine is finally becoming real.

I've been working on some of the marketing over the past month. I'm trying to approach it all with an open mind and, with the help of two wonderful folks at Quarry (Stef and Becky), with a creative mind as well.

I'm now officially an Amazon and Goodreads book author. That means if you find my book on either of these sites and click on my name, you will go to my author page (or click on the highlighted words for a direct link). I have a snazzy new photo (thanks Pam Soorenko...photographer extraordinaire!) of me in my studio and a bio blurb. Check it out!

I'm also working on some giveaways. Look for a pre-order giveaway in mid-October. I'll be giving away signed book plates and will then put those names in a hat for a drawing for fabric printed by yours truly using techniques from my book. That's just the start!!!

Thanks to all my friends and family for your love and support. Thanks to all the folks at Quarry Books for all your help and guidance. You are all great and I couldn't have done this without you!!!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Artful African Fabrics

Fabric by Barbara H.

Yesterday, I taught my African Influences, Textile Inspirations class.

A colorful array of fabrics!

It was a day full of color and fun!

Fabric by Barbara H.
Fabric by Barbara H.
Fabric by Barbara H.
Fabric by Mitzie S-M.
Fabric by Mitzie S-M.
Fabric by Mitzie S-M.
Fabric by Pam D.
Fabric detail by Pam D.
Fabric by Pam D.
Thanks, Barbara, Mitzie and Pam for a great class!

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

A Priceless Gift


Yesterday afternoon, there was a quick knock at the door. I saw the UPS driver get into his truck. Outside was a large box.

We are always purchasing items online. I assumed it was for my husband, but it was for me. I wracked my brain...what did I buy that was this large that I couldn't remember?

Then I saw the return address. It was from my friend Martha's daughter. I dragged the box inside.

It took me a while to open it. I had an idea of what it might be. I wanted to be in the right frame of mind... quiet and contemplative.

Finally, I opened it.



Inside was a well-wrapped frame with a note attached:

...Enclosed is a piece from my mother's portfolio that reminded me of the kind of "lively" and "creative" discussions you had shared with her. I thought you would enjoy having it...

I was speechless.

I am so grateful to have a piece of my friend's work. I've been gazing at it and wondering what she was thinking when she chose each piece of paper. How she decided to place one piece on top of another. Why there is a dark void in the center.


I wish I could have a talk with her about it.

Thank you dear Kate for your priceless gift!


Monday, September 1, 2014

The Printed Fabric Bee: Inspirational Words Giveaway


This month, Queen Lynda Heines had all us worker bees producing fabrics with the theme, Inspirational Words.

I thought a while about what I wanted to do and decided to use the Adinkra symbol for strength. This symbol is two stylized sets of ram's horns coming together to form a beautiful symmetrical design. I've often played with variations of this symbol. I love the swirling spirals. When I make this symbol, I think of friends or family recovering from illness and in need of strength.

Lynda's requested colors were: orange, light green, blue and plum. Of course, I couldn't print just one piece! I had to play with the color combinations. I also wanted to be sure that I had enough fabric in case I made a mistake while printing. So...three color combinations. I'll be sending two off to Lynda (Lynda- the first two unless you prefer the third one. Let me know before Tuesday) and one off to the giveaway winner. The remaining fabrics may show up in a future fabric giveaway of my own.

Here is what I did...

After painting washes of color on white PFD cotton, I decided to use two of the pasta blocks from Issue #20 of Julie B Booth Surface Design News: Pasta Play. I wanted to have some interesting textures going on in the background.


Next, I designed and carved the symbol and two variations of the word, STRENGTH using a font I found online that looked "African".


I printed the Adinkra symbol over the pasta textures. I used a rectangular piece of craft foam the same size as the carved words to set the words off from the background.


Finally, I painted some details in the letters to make them pop!

Here are the final pieces.


And here is the giveaway fabric. It's a bit larger than the usual 6" square because I wanted the winner to get a repeat of the design.


Now...here's how you can win...go to either Lynda Heines' blog and post a comment under the giveaway photo OR go to The Printed Fabric Bee blog and post a comment there. Lynda will post a date for the giveaway and the winner.

Good luck!!!