Rags N Quilts

Getting started was the hardest part.  After spending several hundred hours quilting this piece that looked pretty good without the color, I was a little anxious.  But as with many things, that first brush stroke was the most difficult.  Once that was done, I was able to relax and concentrate on building and blending my layers of color.When I have a little extra time, I’ll update this project on my website with all the step by step details.  For now though, I’ll give you a brief look at the beginning of the task.

The first 3 layers of color to the sun

and the rays

and after the 4th layer…just a touch of gold

I have now finished the sun and moved on to the next section. I’ll post another update in a couple days.

At MQR.   Starting February 22, 2010 I will be doing an online class series using the Circle Lord.  A one week session each month all year long, featuring a different template each month.  If you are interested in learning some creative ways to use your circle lord you can find the details of the class series and registration info here.

And also at MQR..Starting February 8,2010, Suzanne Earley will be doing her Feather Boot Camp.  If you want to improve the way your feathers look you can check this class out here.

And as long as we’re talking about classes, I am also teaching a design class at MQS in May.  ”A Walk on the Wide Side”  where we will learn to transform those ungainly wide borders into spectacular complex beauties with ease. You will come away with a lot of new design ideas and you’ll never look at wide borders the same again.

So join me! You will be lots of fun and learn tons of useful stuff that will take your quilting to the next level.

The soaking and blocking is done, and it’s currently drying.  Tomorrow the painting begins. A couple pictures so you can see how it looks before painting.

And the back…

I must admit that after spending over 200 hours quilting this, I am a little nervous about my plan to use a wet technique  for color. But it worked very well on my  small test pieces so I will stick with the plan.    Wish me luck!

For those who have been e-mailing and asking, the magnifier I use came from the Daylight Co.  I did a post on this a year or so ago.  Gammill is now carrying a very similar one that costs about $9 less than the one from the Daylight Co.

And no, there is no vibration or distortion.

I’m finishing up the quilting on” Solar Powered”…that means I’m doing the background fill.  Endless hours of tiny stitches.  Thank goodness for my magnifier, or I would be blind by the time I get this done!  Once this is done, I’ll be adding the color.  I’ll leave you with a few pictures; please  ignore the thread tails…they will be buried later.

I’m really looking forward to adding the color and seeing it come alive.

Have a great night!

And that means both a giveaway and a big sale!  Be sure to visit her to get your name in the hat for the giveaway. Details can be found at:

Suzanne’s Great Big Giveaway (and sale)

And be sure to visit her shop Knots and Bolts for a great sale on her fabrics and yarns.

As I near the end of quilting on “Solar Powered” I have been thinking about which technique I want to use to add the color.  The more I think about it, the more I am leaning toward using a wet technique.

So just to be sure, I decided to do another small piece. I had one 12″x 12″ pre quilted piece left  from the class I taught in November.  I used Jacquards Textile colors and Lumiere.  This time I filmed and explained the entire process.  The video is currently available to MQResource Premier members.

Again, the process worked well and was easy to accomplish.  I really like this technique and will use it on “Solar Powered”.  We’ll see how much I still like it after doing a 56″ x 56″ quilt!

Here is a photo of the second small piece. The “sparkles” you see come from brushing Jo Sonja’s “Opal Dust” over the entire piece after it was dry.

Have a great Saturday!

Today is the day for the Fiberactions “Initiative ” reveal. And here is mine.

Initiative is the first step to creativity…hence the name of my piece.  My description is as follows:

Initiative is the first step to creativity. Taking that first step allows your art to emerge… just as the butterfly emerges from its chrysalis. Harness and nurture that creativity and the beauty within you will become evident in your work. Your art will soar higher and faster than you can imagine. Initiative gives your vision wings and allows it to blossom.

As many of you know, this is my first year in a long time to work on my own quilting without the distraction of quilting for others.  So this challenge is perfect timing for me.  I am so looking forward to this time to explore my many ideas.

This piece is a painted wholecloth.  The fabric is one of Vicki’s hand dyes. The paints are Jacquards Textile colors and Lumiere.  The batting is a layer of Quilters Dream wool over a layer of Quilters Dream cotton.  The threads are from Superior; King Tut, So Fine, and metallic.  The finished size is 16″ x20″.

I’m looking forward to the next one!

Be sure to head over to the Fiberactions blog to see all the fabulous interpretations by the others.  You will be amazed at all their incredible work!