Textiles in Bloom
I have been doing some leaf dyeing and here are some pix to show you some lovelies!
The one on the left is showing prints from Japanese maple leaves and the one on the right is from rose petals. Who knew this could be done so easily? Dip them in mordant, lay out on PFD silk. Wrap them on a wood dowel and submerge in boiling water for 2 hours. Unroll and voila!
Evolving Perceptions – Fiber Art Exhibits
The opening reception of the new exhibit, “Evolving Perceptions”, at the Foothills Art Center was a wonderful experience. Friends and artists attended and also members of the FAC. It was an inspirational evening and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with fellow artists.
I also have some new inspiration from my garden!
Today I’m off to the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum to deliver 2 quilts for the next exhibit called “Evolutions”. Below are detail shots of “Breakthrough” and “Awakening”.
Art Quilts

“Forest Walk” (see above) is using painted dryer sheets, gelli printing, and organza with lots of hand stitching and machine quilting on fusible batting. It’s a very filmy piece with uneven edges. I recently read about “forest bathing” and this is a reference to total immersion in the forest experience.
“Submerged” (below) shows lots of texture and the viewer can see what lies underwater in my fantasy microcosm. I have used painted Tyvek, cheesecloth, sun printed fabric and hand painted fabric along with some coral and a sea shell.

Art Quilts at Foothills Art Center!
Just received notice that 2 quilts have been juried into “Evolving Perceptions” to be held at the Foothills Art Center in Golden, CO. This is a regional Studio Art Quilts Association show with medium to large wall hangings and installations included. Below, see “Lichen with Branches” which is painted silk, hand beading and felted wool. I have included natural painted branches from a birch tree. It has hand and machine stitching with lace added along with painted heat distressed Tyvek, rimmed with black lava. The show runs from June 28th through October 6th.

Below is a detail shot of the above quilt.

I also have a quilt called “Fragile Within” in this exhibit. It is a 2 sided quilt hanging from the ceiling.

Here is a detail of “Fragile Within”. This is painted cotton with organza, linen thread, Lunaria seed pods and excelsior. I have attached painted twigs at the bottom, as you see above to symbolize the brittle bones of osteoporosis.

Evolutions Art Quilt Exhibit
Yay! I have been selected to exhibit two art quilts in Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum’s Evolutions 2019 Exhibit, which runs from July 22 to October 19th. This is a biennial exhibit featuring international quilt artists with their best interpretation of either personal or global evolution. It’s a “celebration of yesterday’s traditions, as well as tomorrow’s innovations”.
Below is “Awakening” which is a small wall hanging created with gelli prints, painted used dryer sheets and spun polyester stitched and fused to batting. I have printed a personal photo onto organza and used hand and machine stitching to enhance the surface.
Below is “Breakthrough” which used painted organza, shredded paper and cording as a reference to the Japanese tradition of filling cracks in china or pottery with gold. I have added hand and machine stitching and couched decorative thread to embellish the surface.
Vanishing

This is a detail shot of my quilt destined for the art auction held by the Wild Animal Sanctuary sometime this fall. I have used my own embellished photo printed on organza and layered on top of a painted background. Then I added raw edge appliqued leaves and machine quilted it. My DH had to take the quilting machine apart because I broke 2 needles that lodged themselves into the bobbin area. We “re-timed” it (well, I held the flashlight), cleaned the area and it now works great!
Snow Visitor
Here is a photo of a snowstorm visitor who found shelter under our juniper bush.

I’ve been experimenting with Photoshop Elements 2019 and found out how to “improve” my photo. I’m ok with my first attempt!
Portfolio 2019 – Best of 2018
I have been accepted into Portfolio 2019, an online exhibit at artquilters.org. The quilts will be available for viewing next week. Yay! It is quite an honor to be included into this group of art quilters. The quilt below is called “Breakthrough”. I have used painted packing paper and organza with hand and machine quilting.
I have another quilt in this exhibit called “Seeing Through”, which has painted organza and dryer sheets with hand stitching added to fusible batting, with transparent layering.
The photo on the left is the full quilt with a black background to show off the irregular edge. The square photo on the right is a detail shot to show the hand stitching.