Stitched Treasures from Mexico

My friend and yoga teacher, Katherine, brought me some stitched treasures from her latest trip to Mexico.

I love the bright colors and the childlike expressiveness of these little embroideries.

While trying to figure out what stitch was used to create these, I became fascinated by the back of each piece.

I plan to add these to my growing collection of Latin American textiles. I could definitely see some future block designs based on these.

Simply Orange

Okay, so this seems a bit ridiculous after yesterday's post...but I couldn't resist!

We are one week away from the Searching for Roy G Biv Challenge. And in case it isn't completely obvious... the challenge color this month is orange.

For those of you just stumbling upon this you can read about the challenge rules here.

As some of you may already know, I am offering an incentive to play this game with Jennifer and me. Each month, I will be creating a piece of fabric in the challenge color. I started painted some color backgrounds last night.

The piece I'm envisioning will have a bit of nature printing and some block printing.

In order to have an opportunity to win this piece, you have to post at least one photograph (taken by you) highlighting the color orange. You will need to post a comment on this blog or on Jennifer's blog and either one of us will link back to your blog (or website or Flickr page). So this is also an opportunity for more people to find out about you and your artwork.

Now, I know that some of you may not have a blog, website or Flickr page and may still want to play. In that case, email me with your photo(s) attached and I will either post them here or to my Flickr page. Hmm...you are now saying...how do I email Julie? Well, if you sign up for my newsletter (see the top of the right hand column of this blog), I will be emailing you a free list of ideas for surface design in the kitchen...and voila! you will have my email.

So enough of the hype...I hope you will consider playing, just for the fun of it...just for the opportunity to get out and about ...to take a good look at your surroundings and snap a few photos...

Can't wait to see all the orange next Thursday!

A Little Bit of Healing Magic

Butterfly hanging in my studio

Yesterday, while working at Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery, some magical things happened.

I was training a new member who is originally from Korea. At some point while we were talking, I decided to show her my mom's 80th birthday hamsa.

She was really intrigued by it and told me that it reminded her of Korean shamanic symbols. I wanted to know more. I was surprised to find out that Shamans in Korea are women. That this title and role in the community often passes from mother to daughter. But on occasion, there will be a woman who is not of shamanic lineage...she is called to this duty by a natural ability to communicate with the spirits of the ancestors...

Later in the day, a young woman came into the gallery. Although somewhat hesistant, she wanted to ask a question. Did I know of someone who might be willing to make a memorial quilt for her. Her husband, a member of the military, had recently died in action. She had his uniform and some of his clothes and could not bear the thought of giving or throwing them away.

I immediately thought of the wonderful quilting couple, Sue and Gene, who had just taken my weekend workshop. The words that best describe these two are warm and generous. They work together to create commemorative quilts and what I can best describe as healing quilts. I was most moved by the quilts they make for very young terminally ill children. These are always butterfly quilts which comfort the children and later comfort the parents.

I sent them an email last night with the young woman's information. This morning, I received an email that they looked forward to getting in touch with the young widow.

All I can say is that perhaps a bit of shamanic magic was involved...or at least a little bit of healing magic.

What If-ing Weeds Part 3: Plein Air Printing

Despite the fact that it was a hot Sunday in Northern Virginia, I packed up some gear (i.e. cotton fabric, opaque fabric paints, glass palettes, Rollrite brayers and my camera) and headed outside to test out a what if that's been rolling around in my head all week.

What if I lay some fabric down directly on the growing weeds in the garden and roll fabric paint over the fabric?

My first test was a bunch of dandelions in the front garden.

I found it interesting that the dandelion stems showed up in these brayer rubbings but not softer, leafy parts.

I then tried a patch of clover in the grass.

Finally, I managed to lay a piece of fabric really in the thick of it...over those pesky Velcro (my name) weeds with their furry little burrs.

Here are the results...

Interesting....

Changing the Face of Fabric Sampler

Gene Greer

I had three enthusiastic students today.

Painted commercial fabrics drying

They painted fabrics...

Claudia W.

Gene Greer

Created blocks...

Gene Greer

Made brayer rubbings...

Susan Greer

Learned about masks and stencils...

Susan Greer

Claudia W.

Had a good time...

Gene Greer

Thanks for a fun day!

Gone Teachin': Changing the Face of Fabric

Original fabric was very pale blue with white stripes! by Julie B Booth

Off teaching today...Changing the Face of Fabric...we will be taking commercial fabrics and painting, printing and stenciling them to create something entirely new. Can't wait to see what my students design!

Original fabric was white with gold stars! by Julie B Booth

Exploring Surface Design Spring 2012 Wrap Up Part 2

Keith Ryder: Shiva Paintstiks over wipe-up cloth

Below are fabrics completed in the spring session of Exploring Surface Design by Keith Ryder and Sheryle Yount.

The work of Keith Ryder:

Salt resist

Torn freezer paper masks with transparent paint

Folded resist

Brayer rubbings and stenciling over blue glue resist

Block printing over printed wheat flour resist

Wheat flour "crackle" over knotted resist

Block printing over cut freezer paper mask

 
The work of Sheryle Yount:

Stenciling with doily over sun printed fabric

Multiple layers of printing and painting over blue glue gel resist

Multiple layers of printing and stenciling over blue glue gel resist

T-shirt detail: Block printing over wheat flour resist "crackle"

Block printing over brayer rubbing

Block printing and stenciling

Blue glue gel with cut freezer paper mask