"Garden Party I"
In the spring of 2006, I challenged my self to make one small art quilt each week. My goal for each piece was to try a new technique or to experiment with new design elements. I named the collection "The Notebook Series," both for the size of each piece (8" by 10") and the idea that each one told a story of my inspiration for that week. You can see some of these pieces on this page of my web site.
In the spring of 2006, I challenged my self to make one small art quilt each week. My goal for each piece was to try a new technique or to experiment with new design elements. I named the collection "The Notebook Series," both for the size of each piece (8" by 10") and the idea that each one told a story of my inspiration for that week. You can see some of these pieces on this page of my web site.
The project lasted about 6 months, and I concluded recently that one of the reasons for its demise was that I had chosen a relatively large size within which to work (that's my story, and I'm sticking to it . . .). So, I've decided to revisit the idea of weekly art quilts, but to limit the size of each one to 4" by 6". This smaller format should be more conducive to starting a design, knowing that I'm more likely to complete it in a few hours. Also, I'll have a finished piece that I can use in several ways -- to give as a gift, to trade with another artist, or to sell at quilt shows in which my art group, ARTAA, participates (sounds good on paper . . .).
Here is the first of what I hope will be many Postcards With An Edge. The elements are fused, the piece is machine quilted and embellished with French knots, and I printed a fabric address label for the back (do not adjust your computer -- the printing is a little wavy, but I plan to get better at this).
So, in addition to my resolution to Live Outside The Box, I also plan to Make More Art in 2010.
Here's to a New Year filled with creativity, happiness, and good health for all of us.
Diane
15 comments:
This piece is absolutely gorgeous. Its a little 'bleeding heart" (Dicentra) yes?
Even at this small scale your design is so well balanced and your quilting impecable. I love it.
As a suggestion for the fabric printing I recently discovered that you can 'stick' your printing fabric to a sheet of steam a seam on a temporary basis. Peel away the protective paper from one side of the steam a seam sheet then press onto your printing fabric (I use washed calico treated with bubble jet set) . Then rotary cut through both fabric and steam a seam to make sure there is no sticky exposed to catch in the printer. I find the steam a seam is sufficiently sticky enough to hold the fabric AND 'stiff' enough to pass it through your printer with some excellent results. The steam a seam retains enough 'sticky' for several print passes too and can still be used finally to stick fabric to fabric with an application of steam.
Keep on making these postcards .... I'll send you my address ..LOL!
It's perfect! I love it. What a gorgeous collection of postcards you will have if they are all as beautiful as this one.
This is so lovely. I did a weekly quilt challenge in 2007 and while I made it through the entire year, I will admit it was hard at times to stay committed to it.
Well Diane, I must say that this is a most amazing piece.
I LOVE doing postcards for the vary reasons you mentioned.
It is a fabulous way to create, experiment and learn without a huge investment of time and materials.
Simply gorgeous postcards! I am anxious to see the entire series. 4 X 6 is totally doable per week. Love it!
I love the colors and design! I'm looking forward to seeing your series.
What a gorgeous postcard. I've tried a few, but none of mine even came close to yours. I'm not ever showing mine now! LOL
Beautiful, beautiful piece. A very merry christmas and happy new year to you too. I am interested in looking outside of the box myself. I will enjoy reading your blog on the journey!
Excellent design! I love your composition
this is so pretty. and i LOVE your art work in your blog header. what lovely colors and lines!
i'd like to invite you to add your blog to my Postcard Challenge:
http://thepostcardchallenge.blogspot.com/
And I'm going to add your website to the sidebar.
Happy new year!
Sounds like a great plan Diane. Happy New Year.
I quite like the idea of a fabric postcard too as the size means its as you say "do able"..happy new year and heres to an arty 2010..love your quilts
Love the Postcard and the idea to work small each week. Schenectady - who knew? My aunt and uncle lived in Schenectady, and we would visit regularly. We moved to Glens Falls and were closer to them. My dad was born in Amsterdam - it amazes me at just how small the world is!
I am speechless with your art pieces! Would love your small quilts as stationary! What a CELEBRATION to have found your blog! I am going to write about you on mine! Thank you for sharing your gift with me! and rest of lucky readers.
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