Quilting In The Desert - Jan 25-29 2016

Off to Arizona next January 2016 to teach  5 days of Painted Quilt Art. Yahoo!   Web site is partially loaded ( classes and supply lists) with remaining registration info scheduled to be up by month end.
  see     http://www.quiltcamp.com. I love the 5 day format... It allows for  deeper learning and starting and finishing a quilt ( i.e. quilting) IF one wants.   IF one wishes to paint for 5 days... that's good too.

Create Your Own Mottled Background Fabric

I usually paint on white fabric using pigment ink and sometimes Setacolor paint.  I'm thinking this time I might appreciate a light color of yellow in the background using Dynaflow by Jacquard to " dye" my white fabric.  First I've placed my clean white sheer cotton fabric ( Hoffman PFD #1377)  on my plastic work surface.  I've heavily misted it with clear water, then loosely brushed on Dynaflow in varied directions. This looks really bright but I don't think it will be when dry... If so, I'll do it "another time lighter."

Since I'm not at all interested in creating a perfectly even finish on the surface, I'll even throw on a bit of rock salt hopefully to further mottle the finished surface.     Now to let it air dry!!!!

 A couple hours later, all is well and the final thing to do is to heat set.  Iron set on dry cotton setting and merely iron it like a shirt .  The reverse side is lighter than the painted side. Take Your pick. The modeling is  satisfactory to my thinking!
                                   

The Winding Path of Creating

I love the creative process largely because I give myself the okay to change direction.  Years ago, I was lucky enough to study watercolor with Robert E Wood . One quote I think of often.. "Creativity is a winding path to an unknown destination." THANK YOU Mr. Wood!

The winding part allows for change in direction as many times as 'needed.'The drawing below is last evenings sketch of the high tea tray I would include in my final Bit of Bliss block. As I began to make those tiny finger sandwiches.... I concluded it was too much work for too little effect. So the path began to wind.

                             
I recalled purchasing some cupcake fabric for another project. What the heck.... those cupcakes look good here so I'm using.  I have some stitching yet to do but I am happy with this image.  Looks like a fun tea party I think.
                           

Music for The Soul

The "Bit of Bliss" pattern quilt is down to 2 blocks... neither of which related to my personal bit of bliss so I'm designing my own. The  finished  previously posted block that will be adjacent to this is the bubble bath tub.  Well, if I were taking THAT bath, I'd like some great tunes playing.. I also get to make up what songs I'm listening to in this game.  The radio below is a made up contemporary version of an old portable from I'd guess the 50s or 60s. The music "I'm"playing (this is so fun making up "the story")... is the "ONLY YOU" album put out long ago by  music genius Harry Connick Jr.  This  album came out before the Katrina hurricane in New Orleans, and I so remember seeing news coverage of Harry in waist high suspender waders carrying people through water.. on to safety.  Not only was he the knight in shining armor that day... but he was workout buff and shirtless while being a hero. I must admit... that image burned in my brain and when I recently found the old CD... I started listening to it near nonstop. Incredible voice and phrasing!  So you can pick your own music to identify your bliss. Apparently, Harry is mine, but I'll share!  :-)

I looked  all over for a really good still shot of that Katrina memory. This is all I could find... but you get the idea for sure. Good job Harry! 

and the album...yeah. 

Now on to identifying /creating the bliss that will accompany the english tea pot.

"Take Me To Tea!"

Some of my best memories in life are attending high tea with friends.... At the Empress Hotel in Victoria B.C.  with departed quilter friend Judy Greenwood of Canada, at The Empress with dear friend Laurie Lyon, at our hosted high tea with the Wanabe Quilters, and at least 3 more events. So sweet.

2 more blocks to complete... but I need design new blocks that better reflect my own "Bit of Bliss"

A bit of Bliss Bubble Bath

This block is so playful.  Lots of bubble and fun. My planned standard background is Sew Batiks Gossimer Blue... ( really white with a splash of pale blue and a bit of orchid.)...but the background was so near to the white bubbles... I added some  background dry brush mottled Cherry Pink ink for value change and a bit more girlie look.  Then so as not to make the whole block pink and look out of place with the overall pattern plan,  I added some silver and white Wains coating ( ??? how that is spelled..)

FRIENDS!!!!

This is a wide/ narrow block that will grab attention on the quilt top. It IS all about friends after all and this fabric palette makes it fun to do.  I think there are only 3 more patterns for this quilt.... Waaaaaah!

Next pattern in an english tea pot and cups.  Should be fun to do!

Time for A Sidewalk Cafe

This Bit of Bliss Block 8 means for gal pals to take time outs to chat whenever possible.  Doesn't happen as often as we'd all like I suppose.  These coffee times are pretty precious!  I get them following my friends weekend walk most Saturdays.  :-)  'Admit it's a pretty wild umbrella here, but it just looked FUN!!!!

My Girlie Girlie House

I confess I changed up this pattern plan.  Bit of Bliss Block 7 had a picket fenced house with a truck in front of it. I dumped the truck idea in exchange for alot of flowers, albeit some pretty wacky. I added black and white arch stained glass windows and a pretty cool black and white swirled roof.  Sew FUN!!!!

Here Comes The Flower Cart

" Bit of Bliss' by Pearl Louise ...Block 6 is the smallest so far and had a great deal of raw fused edges to secure.   Even though I used a good stabilizer on the backside,  there is so much stitching that I will need to starch this baby back to really FLAT!

2 more black and white fabrics added to the mix.  Lord knows I have/bought a bunch of them.

Hat's OFF! .. or On!!!

Sometime in this unfolding quilt story of friendship/s, I will be going to coffee/or tea with a friend. Block 5 is a fantasy hat.  By now, you've concluded there are black and white fabrics showing up throughout this quilt. Who doesn't love black and white?