Make-It University

For the past several years the Queen of Quilting Arts has sponsored Make-It University at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. Right in the middle of the show floor you find a large space with several artists demonstrating their techniques (Open Studios) and a classroom space open to the view of all the passersby. Patricia "Pokey" Bolton is one solid bundle of energy (I think she shoots caffeine directly into her veins) and things get pretty lively as she hosts her own classes and draws names from the jar of hopefuls who might want to take a class.

I had a ton of fun both presenting in Open Studios and teaching on MIU class last year and have the great pleasure of doing so again this October. If you happen to be down on the show floor and need a spot to rest your feet - throw your name in the jar to see if you win the lottery and get into my "Hopes, Wishes, and Dreams Booklet" class. We'll be doing a number of quick and easy little surface design techniques on both fabric and paper and having a ton of fun to boot!

See you there!

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered!

Mission accomplished!

I don't usually take commissions. I know where my limitations lie. Deadlines are always tough to meet when you have children as your prime responsibility to care for. Mostly - I worry the whole time whether the client will like the piece, instead of enjoying the process.

This was an exception in many ways. I proposed the commission, the client chose something that was already mostly complete and I had a relaxed, rather than a rigid, timeline. And.... she loved it. Whew. I love it myself.

It began with plain white print cloth.

Dyed - pinkish. Overdyed with browns.

Several images were manipulated in Photoshop to create screens; violin, manuscript, wings.

Manuscript was screened with a discharge agent to remove dye from the fabric.

Manuscript was screened with brown textile paints.

Violins and wings were screen printed.

Large violin was screen printed and brush painted.

Hand stitching around the small violins.

Machine stitching to emphasize the large violin.

Textural machine stitching in areas to help highlight both large and small elements.

Very subtle beads added to add that ... spark.

Presentation - stretched and secured onto gallery wrapped canvas. The client can choose to hang it as-is or add a frame.