Self Portrait and Ordering Books

Morning! I just finished my Self Portrait. I love it! I can't wait to show it off at the Dallas Area Fiber Artists meeting Monday night. It only took me 6 months to complete this art quilt, I started it at a workshop we had with Sue Benner in January.
I've also posted a picture of the back of the quilt, I love it as much as the front! Gives me ideas for future quilts, whole cloth with the images just outlined, or find a place to hang a quilt that the front and back can be seen!
This morning I also ordered two books by Jane Dunnewold "Complex Cloth: A Comprehensive Guide to Surface Design" and "Art Cloth: A Guide to Surface Design for Fabric". While I was on Amazon I ran across "Color by Accident: Low-Water Immersion Dyeing" by Ann Johnston. Ordered it too. I think I have ample summer reading and future processes to try out! Let me know if you have read these books and what you think!

Self Portrait

I decided to work on quilting my self portrait today. This picture is the back of my quilt, I just love the way the back can tell another story of a quilt. Just the basic lines.
I have to listen to music when I quilt. So far this morning it's been Three Dog Night and Norah Jones while picking out threads and doing the outline of my face. Now it is time to work on my hair, my "Wild Child" part of the quilt, so I guess it is time to turn on ZZ Top, The Eagles, and Foreigner!
What do you listen to when you are quilting?

Weeping Angel Art Quilt

I spent the day finishing up this precious quilt. I transferred the image of the angel from the computer onto Jacquard's Extrav Organza. I hand painted with textile paints over the image, fused MistyFuse to the back, cut the monument out and replaced it with one I cut out of silk. The silk monument has been hand drawn with Fabrico Markers (I love these!). Next, I fused the angel and monument to this beautiful cotton organdy I bought a few years ago at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. I've been saving it for just the right quilt! Okay, anyway, I finished the quilt off with beads and sequins. Love these sequins, they were from one of those little packets you get with a top, in case you need to replace them...yeah, right...they go straight into my stash!
This piece measures 13" x 12.5" and is listed in my Art Fire Studio!

Summer Sale at StudioJules Art Fire Studio

Well, the summer heat has reached 100 degrees, so I'm having a Summer Sale and have marked all, yes all, of the "Fabric by the Yard" fabric to $1/yard and yes, that means the "Less Than A Yard" fabrics are less than a $1! All Trims are $1/yard! Handkerchief blanks have been marked to $2.99 each!
Visit StudioJules on Art Fire and enjoy the Summer Sale! It's the best way to beat the heat!
All hand dyed and hand painted fabrics are at regular price....for now......

The Project of the Day

I'm trying to get several things done at one time....trying to wrangle myself into doing smaller, day or two projects and not ones that take me weeks to complete. My attention span is waining at the moment, but I'm having trouble changing my scope and making decisions. This week I have been working on my "Angel Series", trying to make some decisions, how to paint, how to quilt, how to embellish....all while new quilt ideas are running through my head! What to do!!!!
So here are the pictures of the "Angel Series" quilts that are in progress...



This quilt background is hand dyed cotton organdy. The angel I took from a grieving angel statue I found in a cemetery. It is photo transfer on silk organza and then painted with textile paints and fabric pens.



This is the same angel but I wanted the monument to be different, so I traced it out onto silk with fabric pens and wrote the last two verses to Psalm 126 on the monument.



Now, several months ago I took a "Self Portrait" workshop with Sue Benner. The workshop was put on by the Dallas Area Fiber Artists group. Well, par for the course, I couldn't get happy with my self portrait and it has remained incomplete and in the "I'll finish it later" pile in my studio. Well this morning I got up and decided that today was the day to work on my self portrait and this is what I have gotten done. I have a hard time "stepping out of my box" sometimes and really have to force myself to do it, so this self portrait shows my body in a formal, traditional manner, but my hair! It's the creative side of my jumping out and going full force into the colorful world I love.

Just as God Created Art Quilt

Several years ago my cousins' wife started a group in East Texas to support the families and children of Down Syndrome. Each year they have a Buddy Walk to raise money for the East Texas Down Syndrome Group. This year I have been blessed with creating a quilt for them to raffle off at the time of the Buddy Walk. Creating this quilt has been a joy and a blessing for me to be able to participate with this group in this way. With their permission, I am posting a picture of the quilt in hopes of raising awareness of these precious children and their families.
My thanks and love go to this group and especially Chris, Lisha and Alex.

Sunset

Isn't this beautiful? I took this picture when we were on our cruise last month. I printed it off on cotton and then enhanced it with Fabrico fabric markers and Shiva Paintstiks. The canvas is covered with hand dyed silk organdy that I bought a few years ago. It measures 14x11.

What am I working on now? Well, I have several angel pictures scattered around the studio and on my work wall. My "Angel Series" is underway and I have several different processes that I'm testing out and working with right now. Hopefully I'll get far enough along on one of them today to be able to post tomorrow.

On to New Work

Now that a busy May is out of the way, June is going to be a month of "Art Quilt Accomplishment". I have one quilt on my table to finish painting, then quilting and then my slate (aka work-wall and work-table) is clean and ready for new work. This morning I have been busy sorting through pictures and fabric, trying to decide what to work on next. There are three quilts stitching through my brain right now, we'll see which one ends up on the work-wall first. Who knows, maybe all three will end up on the table and wall at the same time! Hmmm...maybe it's time to try some new techniques too....whatcha think?
Time to turn up the music and get busy!
Happy Stitching!

Dancing Olivia

This past weekend our sweet friend, Olivia, graduated from Round Rock High School. Olivia danced with the RRHS Dragonettes for three years, so I thought I would do a special quilt for her to take to college and hang on the wall. I took this image from a picture that was taken of her during a solo she was performing during a competition.
Olivia, may you always dance and enjoy the freedom of the music!

Oxide Gallery - Main Show

I'm very excited to announce that three of my pieces have been accepted into the Main Show at Oxide Gallery in Denton, Texas. Oxide is a great little gallery with a variety of artists. Tonight, Tuesday, June 1, 2010, is this months "Gallery Night", so I will be there to meet the other artists and art lovers. If your in the area the gallery will open 6pm to 8pm for the event.
What pieces of mine are showing? Well, here they are!


Sunflower with a Passion for Color



Color Explosion



Dancing Angel

Mexican Sunflower in Batik Accepted into National Exhibit

Yesterday I received news that "Mexican Sunflower in Batik" was accepted into a special exhibit at the International Quilt Festival. The exhibit is called In Full Bloom 2010: Floral Quilts in Memory of Helen Pearce O’Bryant! I'm so excited! Gave my husband a scare with my gasp when I read the email, he was driving at the time....
If you go to the International Quilt Festival, whether in Houston, Cincinnati or Long Beach, go by and see the exhibit. The quilts are always beautiful!
With this much excitement I have had to do some work in my studio to settle me down so I can work on one of the three, almost 4 quilts I have started. I have a Dry Erase board above my desk that I have written my "Goals for 2010", so my project this morning was to wipe it down and make two columns: Goals and Accomplishments. I thought if I am able to move the Goals over to the Accomplishments column, that I will stay better focused and driven when working on my quilts. I guess is it a way to stop the distractions that I feel sometimes (everyday!).

Kimono Jacket Finished! And Angel Quilts Started!

I'm so excited about my new jacket! I love the way the fabrics dyed and came together. In my previous post there is a picture of the Indigo fabric. The silk accent fabric was pink Silk Shantung that I discharged and then over dyed with Indigo, Turquoise and Chartreuse. I modified Lois Ericson's "Kimono Encore" pattern to suit my vision. I wanted the back to have some interest (other than the dyed fabric) so I created the lower panel of the silk. The neckline seemed flat so I made a scarf out of the silk too and attached it and then remembered I had a chiffon scarf of the same colors in my closet and added it.
I'm toying with adding some beads to the edges of the scarf, but right now I think I need to get on with creating some quilts and finish painting a quilt I've already started.

I made Hong Kong seam finishes. Hong Kong seam finishes always look so clean to me, especially in a jacket.


Friday I started two Angel quilts. I'm going to start quilting them this afternoon and adding the embellishments. Don't you just love the whimsical nature each of these has?

Dyeing to Show You What I'm Working On!

It is a beautiful day today. Overcast, cool and barely a breeze, so I've been outside dyeing the fabric and shirts that have been soaking in soda ash.
I can't wait to see how the pieces on the PVC turn out, there is even a shirt scrunched on one of them! I loved snow dyeing, so I tried using ice with one of the pieces, the results should be interesting...
I love the way the shirts look. I dyed the tank to go with white jeans and the jacket that I am making.






Here are my little cardinals that wake me up in the morning and keep me company all day. They even decided to get close to the area I was working in today! The feeders being refilled today probably helped too!

Hand Dyed Fabrics from Yesterday

Here are pictures of the washed and ironed fabrics that I dyed yesterday. I'm so excited about how beautiful the colors and designs turned out.
All these are listed on my Art Fire account - StudioJules

Dyeing Fabric and Trying New Techniques

Even though the day is windy, I'm dyeing fabric and setting it outside to dry. I've "cornered" the fabric with long straight pins so that it doesn't blow around the backyard. The first picture of of three yards container dyed in Deep Purple, just love this color! The second picture is three yards dyed Indigo Blue. This is definitely my favorite color! I twisted this fabric and wish I had left it twisted, I love the variation of the dye throughout the fabric.


















Picture three is of how I twisted the next sections of fabric before I added the colors or Turquoise, Chartreuse, Sun Yellow, Fuchsia and Deep Purple. When I untwisted the fabrics there were a few places I wanted the colors deeper, so I squirted more dye and twisted it again to mixed the dye into the fabric evenly.













The next three pictures are of the dyed fabrics. I can't wait for them to be dry so I can run them through the wash and iron them out.











I have another bolt of fabric sitting in the soda ash waiting to be dyed, so I'm off to dye some more. My plan is to dye fabric in the morning and start painting a new quilt this afternoon.
Till tomorrow, enjoy the sunshine and the music of the birds!

Snow Dyed - Hand Dyed Cotton Fabric

Well, I promised finished pictures of my snow dyed fabric and here it is! I'm thrilled with the results and now I wish I had done more!
This first picture is of two 1/2 yard pieces of 100% cotton, previously soaked in Soda Ash water, on an old window screen with snow piled on top.

Second picture: with dyes squirted on top - colors: Fuchsia, Purple, Yellow and Chartreuse.

Pictures 3 & 4: one of the 1/2 yard pieces complete, after washing and ironing. I love the way the snow moved the colors, they look like they just explode into each other.


Pictures 5 & 6: second 1/2 yard of fabric with results just as beautiful as the first!

Even though I love the warm Texas weather, now I'm going to look forward to our rare snow days and maybe even attempt this process with my snow cone machine!
These two pieces, plus the hand dyes I previously posted about have been added to my ArtFire Studio - StudioJules, along with the Old Alton Bridge art quilt.
Enjoy! Spring is here, the windows are open and cardinals are singing!

Dyeing Fabric on Saturday

I spent the day Saturday dyeing fabric. I have several books on dyeing, so I just kind of took from all of them and did some experimenting. The turquoise fabric is going to be a new jacket from a pattern I bought last week at the Dallas Quilt Celebration. The Fuchsia fabric is beautiful. I just love that color! The Chartreuse fabric looks so soft and very modeled. I added a salt water mixture to the Chartreuse dye mix, that may have added caused the dye to move differently in the fabric, I really like the movement. I also over-dyed some pink silk that I purchased several years ago. I think the deeper color looks very rich.
The Fuchsia has some modeling in it, but not as much as the Chartreuse.
I over-dyed a piece of commercial fabric in the turquoise, along with the PFD fabric. I want to use it as the back of the jacket I am going to make. I also tied one piece of the turquoise to give the lines across it. Hopefully this is enough for the collar of the jacket.
Well, my next posting will be on the snow dyeing I did yesterday. Since is snowed Saturday night I was able to test this process out too! Need to go set the fabric to dry!
Stay tuned for the next post!

Sunflower with a Passion for Color

I finished!!!! I finally finished beading "Sunflower with a Passion for Color" yesterday morning, just in time to visit the quilt appraiser. I'm really pleased with the way this quilt evolved. All hand painted fabrics, hand dyed fiber for the center and hand beaded...and beaded...and beaded.....
Today I filled out the form to enter this quilt and Mexican Sunflower in Batik in the IQA "In Full Bloom" exhibit. Now it is time to keep our flower petals crossed!
Next on the list is a quilt I am creating for a charity that supports Downs Syndrome kids. I'll tell you more about it when I get further on it, but it is designed and sketched out. This afternoon I'm going to set some fabrics to dye and discharge some fabrics that I bought several years ago and haven't done anything with. We'll see what happens, so stay tuned!

Dallas Area Fiber Artists Exhibit at the Dallas Quilt Celebration

Friday kicks off the 2010 Dallas Quilt Celebration and the Dallas Area Fiber Artists have a wonderful exhibit showcasing the different works of our members. Today I helped with the setup of the exhibit and it is wonderful! I had taken my "Sunflower with a Passion for Color" quilt with me to add some beads to it if I had time while we were waiting for our group to submit their artwork. You know how it is, you always have to take something to work on or a book to read, no matter where you go or what you do! Anyway, we ended up needing a couple of extra pieces, so I added some more beads and then hung it up! I'm so excited! The other pieces I have in the show are my Old Alton Bridge, Mexican Sunflower and Sunflower Shawl. These call all be seen on my website or my gallery that is linked to my blog.
If you are in the Dallas area, it is worth the time to come to the show and see all the wonderful quilts and the DAFA exhibit!

Ideas for the Day

Well, I enjoyed my journey through my Georgia O'Keeffe book yesterday. I concentrated on the simplicity, definition and movement with her work. Some were very simple lines, others had a story to tell. What struck me and is sticking with me is "less can be more". Sometimes I get into a quilt process and think "Oh, I need to add more beads, or more paint, or more thread", when sometimes, I just need to leave it alone and let it stand on its own.
Today I'm going to finish beading my "Sunflower with a Passion for Color" quilt. I have a few quilts in my wall that I need to start on, maybe I use my "less is more" thought process on those. Who knows!

Igniting My Creativity Today

I had sinus surgery a couple of days ago. My sinus issues have really dampened my creativity, so today is going to be a new day! Even though I am still under the weather a bit I'm going to spend the day enjoying my book Georgia O'Keeffe Museum - Celebrating Ten Years 1997-2007 and glean for inspirations. Hopefully it will inspire me to do some sketching today.
My latest quilt "Sunflower with a Passion for Color" is almost complete. I am adding beads to the center and when it is complete I will post a picture of it. Maybe Georgia will inspire me to bead today too. Who knows!
I hope each one of you has a creative and beautiful day! If the sun is shining, open the blinds and let it in! I am!

Last Week of Dallas Area Fiber Artist Exhibit at The Pointe

This week is the last week of the Dallas Area Fiber Artists exhibit at The Pointe (CC Young Campus in Dallas). If you haven't been able to get to Dallas to see the exhibit, I hope you will be able to this week. We are so fortuate to have such talented artists in our group, viewing their work is a treat.
If you miss this month's exhibit you will have another opportunity to see the works of the Dallas Area Fiber Artists, March 12-14, 2010. DAFA will be hosting a Special Exhibit at the Dallas Quilt Celebration 2010.
Hope you can make it out for one of these exhbits!

New Website!

I'm very blessed to have talented kids. This past week my son set up a website for "Studio Jules Art". I love the look and the way it flows. "Studio Jules Art" is a site to show my quilt art and let you know where you can see my art "in person". There are still a few minor tweaks we need to make, but link on over and see the site! Let me know what you think, comments are always welcome!

I'm still working on my latest Sunflower quilt. Hand work goes slow sometimes, but the center of the sunflower is really looking great. I've almost finished the thread painting on the petals and the background quilting is going to very simple.

Meet the Artist Night at "The Pointe"

Well, due to the snow we are to have tomorrow and tomorrow night, The Pointe and the Dallas Area Fiber Artist group have decided to cancel the "Meet the Artist" night. It's a bummer that the weather is cancelling an evening we were all looking forward to, but we rather be safe, than sorry. The exhibit is running through February 25th. If you can get a chance to see it you will be impressed with the talent of the artists that are displayed.
This week I'm working on the thread painting of my latest Sunflower quilt. I'm very pleased with the way it is turning out. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it tomorrow and get pictures up of it.
Well, all of you that are experiencing the cold, snowy weather, stay warm and stay safe!

Dallas Area Fiber Artists Show

I had the best time yesterday! I'm a member of the Dallas Area Fiber Artists (DAFA) and was asked to coordinate our groups' show at The Pointe at C.C. Young in Dallas. Yesterday was the day to hang the art work and what fun! DAFA is blessed with numerous artists with a wide variety of visions and talents. I'm so blessed to be a member of this group. With such a variety of art work, different styles, colors and sizes, hanging the show was fun. Everything flows very well.
If you are in the Dallas area the exhibit is showing through February 25, 2010. The Pointe - Center for Arts and Education is located in the C.C. Young campus at 4847 West Lawther Drive, Dallas, TX. On February 11, 2010 we will be having a "Meet the Artist" reception from 6pm to 7:30pm. Hope to see you there!

Looking Forward to Dying Fabric and Fibers

Today I'm going to spend the day catching up on shows on the DVR and researching dying fabric. I paint fabric, but I have never dyed fabric by myself. I've dyed in workshops/classes and everyone has their own way of dying, so today I am reading through my notes, books and online information...for tomorrow I plan on dying fabric and fibers!
North Texas weather is so fickle, a few weeks ago it was snowing, tomorrow it is going to be in the 70's, perfect weather for being outside and dying fabric! So, if you are local and want to dye fabric, give me a call, come over and let's have some fun together tomorrow!

Helping the People of Haiti

This past week a devastating earthquake hit Haiti. I can’t imagine the living and survival conditions for these people. The way we live our lives is a luxury that most of these people can’t even fathom. My heart goes out to them, but I feel helpless in giving them help, with the exception of daily prayer. During my prayer time and through the day I am reminded of Jesus teaching us that how we serve others is also the way we serve Him. If we don’t feed and clothe a stranger, we aren’t feeding or clothing Him. So with that on my heart, and in my prayers of asking Him what I can do to serve Him, I have decided to donate funds to the Red Cross so that they can afford the resources they need to assist these people in medical aid, food, search teams, make shift shelters and rebuilding. So, for the remainder of the month of January, all of the sales from Studio Jules will be donated to the Red Cross. In addition, I am pledging to personally match the sales I am pledging to the Red Cross.
Please join with me this month in helping the victims of this horrendous devastation. Fabric by the Yard, Less Than a Yard Fabric, Trim and Notions are still on sale. If you would like to directly make a donation to the Red Cross, just click and the link will take you to their site for donations for Haiti.
Thank you for helping me in assisting the people of Haiti.
Jules of Studio Jules on ArtFire

Half Way Through January Already!

I can't believe we are half way through January already. The days are flying as I juggle appointments, grandchildren, designing quilts, working on quilts and being very excited about my new work table and ironing table in my studio.
I listen/watched the SAQA Webinar on Saturday. Listening to it really helped me know that I am working towards my goals and desires in a good way and gave me some great goals to work towards too. I really appreciate the work that goes into the SAQA programs and the information they share to encourage artists and quilters. I have set 10 goals on my dry erase board. I'm happy to say that two are "Complete", and three are "In Process". What a great feeling!
Today I am working on designing a quilt for a charity raffle. I'm really excited about it and should have the pattern complete today, and hopefully I can start testing some paint techniques for it too.
My Indian Sunflower Quilt is fused and sitting on my board. I'm waiting for my shipment of paints to start the painting stage. It is so light, bright and cheerful...working on the detail of this quilt is going to be very energizing.
With that, I hope you have a bright and cheerful day, no matter if it is a gloomy day outside, make it a bright day inside!