Quilters aren’t running for public office, that I know of (although some probably are in their community or state).  However, quilters are expressing their support for Barack Obama through their art.

At Kyra’s Black Threads, I read a post, Fiber Artists for Obama, about the artists who are using their talents to support the candidate of their choice.  Kyra directs you to Cultural Expressions for more information.

Are there quilters and fiber artists supporting other candidates through quilting or who simply are raising the consiciousness of citizens to take an interest in the political scene and vote?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters Enter the Political Arena

I visit Jen’s Domestick Goddess blog regularly and always find fascinating ideas.  The latest that captured my attention is Virginia Fleck Mandala Art, guest posted by Pelf Nyok.

Virginia Fleck creates strikingly colorful mandalas from….Guess what?  Plastic bags!  As Pelf says:

With all the hoo-haas around the excessive use of plastic bags, it is heartening to learn that there are people who turn these plastic bags into beautiful art pieces!

Virginia’s art is displayed in galleries, public buildings, and private homes.  At Domestik Goddess and Virginia’s web site, you can view her work.

Even though the mandalas are not made of fabric as quilters think of it, I’m sure you can appreciate the colorful approach Virginia has used with this mixed media.  Think what you could do with fabric.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting With a Different Approach

As I opened the blinds this morning to let in the welcome sunshine (we’ve had numerous cloudy, snowy days here in New Hampshire), I had to step over some gauze spread out on a plastic bag in front of the large windows.  It was very attractive with streaks of green, blue and aqua.

“Ah, Beth has been painting fabric again,” I realized. 

My daughter had the day off yesterday and worked at some of her fabric painting experiments.  Now I wonder what she’s planning to do with this piece of fabric.  I’m sure if I look around, I’ll find some other pieces of fabric from yesterday that had dried and are folded away.

You can see that many of Beth’s quilting and fabric art activities reflect her interest in her favorite books.  The Painted Quilt by Linda and Laura Kempshall is one appearing on her list that I mentioned in the post, 5 Favorite Quilting/Fabric Art Books.

What are your quilting/fabric art interests?  Share some of your favorite books.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

A “Painting Fabric” Day

My daughter has experimented with transferring photos to fabric by using her computer and printer.  Seems amazing what can be done in our electronic world nowadays.

According to Photos to Fabric at Quilted Paradise,

Copying photos or memorabilia to fabric is a fairly simple process and can be done with a minimum amount of equipment. You will need a color inkjet printer, a supply of pre-treated fabric sheets especially for the inkjet printer, and your photos or memorabilia and an iron.

Check out the above article at Quilted Paradise for a detailed tutorial on how to do this and have fun experimenting with a new techinque for your quilting and fabric art.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Tips for Transferring Photos to Fabric for Quilters

   Do you have favorite books that have helped you with your quilting and fabric art? Perhaps they are instructional. Others may be inspirational.  Maybe they delve into quilting history.  Also, you may read some for pure enjoyment.

These also may change, depending on your current quilting needs and interests. Some of your favorites may be out of print, but if someone searches diligently, they probably can find with a copy.

I asked my daughter Beth (Meandering Threads) what her five favorite books currently are.  She actually came up with six, two by the same author.

1. The Painted Quilt by Linda & Laura Kempshall

2. Landscape in Contemporary Quilts by Ineke Berlyn

3. Hand-Dyed Fabric Made Easy by Adriene Buffington

4. Contemporary Quilts: Design, Surface & Stitch

     Creative Quilts: Inspiration, Texture & Stitch both by Sandra Meech

5. Mixed Media Explorations by Beryl Taylor

Let me know what your 5 favorite are and I’ll mention them here.

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

5 Favorite Quilting/Fabric Art Books

  More quilters are discovering the fascination of art quilts, those you hang on the wall and use for decorative effect.  You might place them on a bed but generally use only for adornment.  Perhaps you’ll use fabric art pieces in clothing, too.

To embellish their art quilts, quilters and fabric artists often choose beads and buttons, some of which they may make themselves.  I ran a poll to determine whether my readers are into this type of embellishment.

Question – Do You Use Beads and Buttons to Embellish Your Quilts?

10%  – Yes, frequently

70% – Yes, occasionally

20% – No, never

It would seem that throughout the quilting world, embellishments are becoming popular.  Some fabric artists, like my daughter, make beads from a variety of materials to add to their work.

How about telling me how you use beads and buttons.  Do you have any pictures of projects on your blog or web site you’d like to share?

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Poll Results – Using Beads & Buttons to Embellish Your Quilts

  Swapping fabric post cards has become a fascinating hobby for fabric artists and quilters.  Many different themes abound, with each group selecting something that strikes their fancy or has special meaning.

I discovered “Postcards from the 1930’s” at Kate’s Quilting (and other fiber arts) Blog.  This appears to be an ongoing swap and Kate has posted a few of these cards, along with others she sends and receives.

Since fabric postcards fascinate me…I see many my daughter makes and receives.  So I’m frequently browsing other web sites and blogs for them.

Two of Kate’s postcard posts:

Sunday: work done 

Postcards today

Here are some for a 1920’s swap:  Postcardy day

In addition to these cards, Kate has a multitude of others to enjoy and glean ideas.  What have you been doing with postcards lately?

Post from: Blisstree

Fabric Postcards from the 30s & 20’s … Quilters’ Delight!

Don’t miss Cyndi’s work of art over at Layers Upon Layers.

Post from: Blisstree

Enjoy Superb Creativity in an Autumn Quilt

For this, she’s using taffeta as the fabric and her own hand-carved stamps.  She gives you a mini tutorial at her blog so you, too, can create your own exotic designs.

In addition to Chloe’s suggestions, you may want to check out ideas in some of the many books on this topic.  Chloe keeps her techniques simple which is great for the beginner.

Post from: Blisstree

The Delights of Painting on Fabric for Quilting & Other Art

                          Those of you with friends and family who consider your quilting and fabric arts “just” a little hobby, may be interested in checking out the periodic myth destroying taking place at Home Biz Notes.  Co-blogger Yvonne Russell came up with the idea and readers are sharing the myths about home businesses that are untrue.

Many quilters are involved in this art for the pure enjoyment it adds to their lives. However, for others, this interest evolves into a small (and perhaps eventually a large) business whether it’s making products, teaching classes, giving talks, writing books, or producing a TV show.

You probably will encounter along the way some of the myths that Yvonne talks about in this series about home business myths.  You even could share your experience with her by leaving a comment or writing her over at Home Biz Notes.

The latest, Home Business Is Not Just a Cushy Job, explores the realities of a home business and and destroys the myth that it’s total fun every minute.  (In my case, making quilts for customers generally was enjoyable…but not taking a quilt apart, removing the batting, and putting in new because it seeped through the fabric in tiny tufts.  All this renovating was done at my time and expense!  However, the customer was totally pleased with the results.) 

What experiences in myth destruction have you had?

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters – Check Out the Myth Destruction at Home Biz Notes