Favorites

I spent most of the day getting ready for a family party tonight...so this post is all about  favorites!

They snickered at her life full of many patterns...but she smiled knowing she was only being true to herself. Alisson Burda

This is of my favorite quotes...it seems like it was written just for me. And it's perfect for what is now of my favorite puzzles. 

I'm sorting the pieces for the next one....and it's so different. I tried to start it once a while ago and had to put it away. It's a treasure....but it's also going to be a big challenge for me. But it seems like the right time for a big challenge.

More on that another time.

I've used this many patterns quote in all kinds of art projects and journals...including this page for our accordion book with my art group. Which...by the way was one of my favorite shared art projects. 

You can read about it here:

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2023/04/patterns.html

I also used the quote here in this post...in the start of my Funky Faces in Stitch class  with Gina Ferrari where we embellished blind continuous drawings of our faces. It was one of my all time favorite classes!

It took me back on a journey to all the posts of my projects during and after the class. We started on paper...and I loved the process I went through coming up with background designs and developing a style.

 

We ended thread painting on fabric....and OMG I had fun and learned so much. Lots of patterns in these projects! At some point it will be time to get more stitching back into my life! I have so many favorites things I love to do!

Speaking of faces...remember the post about Dotty's found faces. Turns out they were all found in ONE neurographic drawing. How cool is this. You can read her post...and fabulous predawn walk poem here.

Anchor Image Exchange #1

Subtitle: Ponder and Play

I will have to say....this Anchor Image Exchange project was both challenging....and incredibly fun.  The images couldn't have been more different...and each one sent me on a unique creative journey.

I got Tracie's image of a window first....and it came with this quote: "You are looking at the world from your window, that's good, but there is something missing here, something very big: You must also look at your window from the world to see yourself!"  Mehmet Murat ildan

After quite a bit of pondering....
I came up with a wacky idea....and just went with it. 

I decided to use one of my blind continuous line self portraits I did while taking  the "Funky Faces In Stitch" class with Gina Ferrari. I wanted "me" in the window...and this version of me seemed just right.

Tracie enjoyed hearing about that class here on the blog....and ended up doing her own blind self portrait. And I ended up recreating her drawing in stitch and sending it to her as a gift.  You can see that project here: https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2022/11/friendly-face.html

I loved this class....and this post shows some of my advanced process for doing some of my funky faces towards the end of the class: 

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2022/10/mistakes-become-opportunities.html

After coloring in a copy of one of my drawings I cut it out and auditioned several backgrounds.  

In the end I typed out random words and phrases that I hope describe me....how I would like the world to see me. 

I cut out a purple window grid from a gelli print...because Tracie lives in a purple house...so why not! The anchor image house was pink....purple made perfect sense.

I wanted the illusion of shutters....and wanted include a window box. I had to ponder and play for a while and there's lots of evidence of that all around in this photo. I'm chuckling now...because this simple lined paper looks pretty good....less busy. 

But in the end I came across a printed image of my rolled paper tubes that is the header for my blog....and it reminded me of the lines on a shutter. And it oozes MaryAnn!

I used some of my loose watercolor flowers and leaves in the window box.  And there's some of that lined paper being put to use as the window box.

Finally, I edited my ramblings a bit for the back. My rendition of Tracie's anchor image is a little wacky....and I had a blast pondering....playing....and putting it together.

I found some complimentary paper for the envelope liner....and Tracie's anchor image project was ready to go.

When Tracie was choosing her image....she had narrowed it down to four photos of a window.  

She chose just one to send around to the rest of us....but her own card included four separate windows representing different aspects of her life. It was fun hearing all the details and stories about her decisions and painting process. Her watercolor images are just precious...and she tucked in a cat...or two on all her cards.

Brenda created a scene from the outside looking into her own home.  It included her dog Farley who is always at the window greeting everyone....and her beautiful hydrangea garden right outside. I love the mix of watercolor....and an actual photograph of Farley.

Becky's window was reflective of her mood at the time....quiet and reflective....and like the cat....sometimes just hanging on! Some of the pieces and parts of her card were dimensional and the color scheme has such a moody....and cozy vibe!

Friendly Face

The late afternoon sky.

I'm still working on some of the techniques I'm learning in the Funky Faces course....making it totally my own.  

I was getting a little tired of my own face....and remembered Tracie sent me a few sketches when she gave blind continuous drawing a try.  So I used Tracie's friendly face....and experimented with a few applique pieces and parts.

I'm mostly sticking with my theme of focusing on creating funky backgrounds.  I've enjoyed coming up with the backgrounds as much as I've like the faces....maybe more.  Once the class is over....I know I'll continue with other subjects....with funky backgrounds. I kept pretty true to Tracie's drawing don't you think?

To start....I added some fusible webbing on the back of coordinating polka dotted fabrics....and cut out some circles. At this point it was just an idea in my head....I wasn't sure if it would work.

I drew some very light vertical guide lines around the face to help with placement of the dots. I will admit that I didn't have a whole lot of hope at the point......it looked pretty bad.  But I kept going.  And....my machine takes on a life of its own when I'm free motion stitching....and sometimes I forget what my pattern is....but it just adds to the charm and wonkiness.  Or at least that's my story.

I did love how the polka dots were transformed by stitching......stitching changes everything is one of my mantras.

And the purple batik hair was a game changer.  I wasn't sure I would be sold on applique parts...but I was wrong.

I found the perfect stripe for the border....and used my tried and true fused binding technique to finish it off.  It will be on its way to Madison tomorrow.....and hopefully bring a smile to Tracie's friendly face.

Mistakes Become Opportunities

Everytime I visit Margie I have to check the winterberry....I just love it. 

Then when I looked at the photos....I was most taken with the whisper thin spider webs.  And I still love the winterberry.

I'm still working my way through the lessons in the funky faces class. Although none of my self portraits really look like me...it may be time for another subject.  I am starting to experiment with other images to stitch....I'm sticking with faces for the class.  But I think I need a different face.....so I'll have to start sketching again.

Using another one of my continuous line self portraits....I recently did two projects that were almost exactly the same. This is the start of the second one....after it was stitched. This time around I wanted to experiment with funky free motion backgrounds....it's a little goofy. 

The first one I did I thought I ruined it when I colored the hair in purple again.  I only have one shade of purple posca pen....and this time I didn't like it at all.  I didn't even take a photo.  So I stitched a second one just like it....with the same wonky background....and this time I experimented with thread painting for the hair....another one of Gina's lessons. 

I've never done thread painting before....and It's pretty fun....and very effective.  Basically...you're just coloring in with stitch.....and I have lots of choices for thread colors!

So here's the second attempt.....with her glorious green thread painted hair. After coloring the oxalis plant with colored pencil....I had another option. So after doing some free motion black dots on the dress...I colored it in with pencil blending several colors.  The soft color of the pencil gives contrast without being overwhelming.  

Then I thought maybe I can fix the first one!  So I thread painted over the purple hair ...and it was a big improvement.  And what I love most about it...is that there is extra texture because you can see hints of the paint underneath adding to the color variation and interest. It's kind of like highlights. I wished I would have colored the hair green before I thread painted.  Now I know. It's nice when a mistake becomes an opportunity.

They kind of remind me of the puzzle that was finished on Margie's board.! 

She said it was a fun one.  Maybe I should do a funky cat....in stitch.

Funky Frame

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way....things I had no words for."  Georgia O'keeffe

I know I'll be stitching more funky faces....and other funky stitched things are rolling around in my head.....but I needed closure on this piece before I could move on. 

I was sure I was going to use a black pinstripe fabric for the binding because I thought it would give a nod to the black stitching in the piece. But after auditioning....it just wasn't right. Because I did so much painting...it really became more about the colors and patterns and less about the stitching. Lesson learned.

I went through my stash and decided that since the baubles were my favorite element...I wanted to lean into them.  Then when I found the orange and purple polka dot....and I knew it was right. It's the perfect funky fabric for my perfectly imperfect funky stitched face.

Can you see how the woods has changed?  It made the turn to mostly yellow a week or so ago...now it's rounding the corner to brown....and just glowing here in the morning light.

This is how the backyard looked in the late afternoon light. It won't be long before all the leaves will be down.....then I'll get to enjoy the dark silhouettes of the trees.  I love that too. The woods needs to rest.

A Funky Face In Stitch

"I'm so glad I live in world where there are Octobers."  

Anne of Green Gables

Paul and I drove through Evergreen Cemetery today.....it was magical.  

I found a little joy.....and a ginkgo tree I'm going to try and watch.

I've been quietly working on a funky face....and this time actually in stitch. 

I hadn't done free motion quilting in a while....but it went surprisingly well. 

Not all of you are interested in the process....but for those of you who are....here I go. Hopefully it will make some sense.

Because this is a paid class....I can't say too much.....but any into I give is my own version of what was suggested.  

 

I traced one of my drawings onto a piece linen....which in the end wasn't the best choice because of the loose weave and texture.  I stabalied it onto heavyweight interfacing making it easier to sew.  Not bad for a free motion novice!

I mostly colored with acrylic posca pens....

they worked well...and didn't bleed. 

I hand stitched lines on the glasses to make stripes. 

The baubles are my favorite part of the whole piece.

I had already decided that funky backgrounds were going to be my thing....so started with vertical lines stitched with a regular foot.  This was a pain in the neck because I had stop and start the stitch line when I got to the face and pull the stitches to the back. 

I stitched the pattern on the dress with the free motion foot so I was able to knot the threads and cut them short.....which was much easier.  I should have done that with the background as well.

I really wanted to create a plaid with a variety of line widths....but because pulling the threads to the back was so tedious I ended up just doing a simple grid. You can see the loose threads that had to be pulled to the back.

At first I was tying them on the back....but after a while I just left them because I knew they would be secured when I glued the piece to a backing.

I'm not in love with my color choices for the background....but I kept adding layers and outlines until I was satisfied enough.  In the end green was the wrong choice and  I wish I would have developed where I was in the first photo more adding some darker rosey pink with the yellow and leaving every other block empty. Too late now...so I had to just go with the green.

It helped tie it in to outline the green in the same color as the glasses.  The first layer  of green was a regular marker...and it didn't cover as well.  I did add the dark rosey pink around the yellow....and yes...it helped those squares too.  The next one I want to do the background all in stitch...then fuse the face on top.  That way I'll have all kind of freedom to stitch like crazy from one side to the other in all kinds of colors.

But in the end..... not bad for my first funky face in stitch!