FFFC Challenge #38

FFFC Challenge #38: October 23, 2009 Due: October 31
Hostess: Cynthia Morgan

Animals, from man to mouse and everything in between, are the inspiration
for our Challenge this month. Anything goes….Abstract, realistic, stylized,
whimsical, traditional, contemporary or anything else. Use one or more
techniques, like trapunto, reverse appliqué and cut away, to create some
depth and subtle dimension.

Nature Theme: Animals
I think I'm ready!

Indigo Dye results from Surface Design Group

Well, I stitched a length of medium weightcotton twill to a pole, compacted it by pushing the ends together and this is what came of it.

I hope the photo isn't too dark.

Perhaps I need to use a real camera
instead of my phone.

RESIST-able soy wax

A few weeks ago I was experimenting with soy wax resist on a bit of hand dyed linen.  After the wax cooled, I painted over with thickened dye.  I like the effect, but on the whole, there were only a few areas of the cloth that were worth salvaging.  I cut them up, and fused them to a piece of cotton,  and machine stitched it to a thin cotton bat - with a little hand stitch definition it turned into a decent post card! 

Blue Bushtit Birthday Post Card

Fabric Post Card.  Materials: Cotton, hand dyed and screen printed; dupioni silk bits fused on the face.  Blue polyester fabric printed with perched bird image.  Hand quilted and decorative hand stitching using silk thread  Satin stich machine edging. 

I made this for my friend Heidi for her birthday.  She was very surprised when she opened her mailbox!

FFFC Challenge 37 - Blue Moon

Challenge #37 - Sept 2009- Theme of Outer Space using different materials and embellishments.
This is my completed piece, "Blue Moon".

The full moon is especially potent and magical.

The features of this moon were free cut from a remnant of polyester chiffon in hombre blues and applied to the surface with a single strand of silk sewing thread to keep it floaty and something of a suggestion. The background, or black-ground, is cotton velveteen with black paisley jacquard applique. I used a polyester bat for loft and to add dimension to the moon. Everything was hand stitched, right down to my little craters on the bright underside of the moon.

I started by cutting a hole for the moon in the velveteen.  Then I stitched the chiffon to the back and ended up with a transparent moon.  It is still transparent and glows when held up to a light source.

This is my first larger-size piece, 16.5"x 21.5" approximate, thanks to Cinda, who gave me the final push to the finish line. <3

Down to the Wire

Finally, I've come up with a suitable idea for the challenge and have drawn a template for the 17"x22" body of the piece.

There have been a lot of really exciting photos posted by other FFFC participants.  Lots of color and great perspective.  I have tried really hard not to allow myself to be influenced by their work! 

Mine will be simple - only a few colors rather than a riot; deciding on sheers and two kinds of velvet (cotton and rayon).  There will be lots of hand stitching, since I find that a safe way to take risks! 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch . .

It's been more than 24 hours since Challenge #37 was issued, and I'm still pondering 'outer space'.  I do have a few ideas that I'm trying to connect . . .with sheers, angelina fibers, and hand stitching, but I'm not ready to commit..

I was at Matt's studio this morning for a workout and discovered this stuck on the wall.  It's a small piece, about 4x4.  I'm not sure how it is constructed, but find it very interesting.  He claims there is a crane there.  It has the feel of impermanence - meaning it could be either coming....or going.  I like it.

And now, back to pondering outer space.

Challenge #37 has been issued!

Outer Space.  A view of outer space or from outer space is the challenge.

I recently joined the Fast Friday Fabric Challenge group.  Am I excited?  Yes I am.  I have been learning and practicing various techniques with dyes and resists on fabric for a while now.   I really am craving the opportunity for some guided challenges along with supportive critiques that a group like this offers.

The FFFC Yahoogroup is presented with an artistic challenge once a month that must be completed within one week!

I am awaiting the next challenge announcement on September 25.

If you want to visit the FFFC blog to view previous challenges including the most recent Challenge #36 (transparencies with low horizons), check it out.. You will find some fascinating work.