Learning Curve

This patch of coneflowers is on one our morning walk routes....and I've been watching it progress. I absolutely love that all the stages of the blooms  that are on display....there is something about the spindly way these flowers begin that make them look a little cartoony and whimsical.

Christine let me know that the inspiration photo for my "swoop of color" project was done by Ellen Lindner.  Christine and I took an online fabric collage class from Ellen several years ago...and I've been following her ever since. She's one of my inspiration artists.  http://adventurequilter.com/

You can read about my "Sticky Fingers" class project here:

http://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/search/label/glued%20fabric%20collage

It makes perfect sense that this is her work.  It's called Florida Native #2 and you can read about it here on Ellen's blog.

http://adventurequilter.com/quilt-gallery/around-the-neighborhood-gallery-partial/florida-native-2/

Although I'm practicing the skills from Isobel's class....as I look at Ellen's imagine again I love the simplicity of it.  I'll go simple next time....I certainly didn't this time.

I prepared my background as directed in Isobel's class. I stitched a "stem" line as a reference and fused down some Kaffe Fassett stripes to give me some guidelines for petal placement. 

Then I started adding fabric pieces....

...and decorative machine stitches.  

I was reminded that contrasting colors are better.  The purple stitching stands out...but the green under the yellow petal gets lost. This is why I practice.

Time for fibers....

...and hand stitching.

This is where I stopped....and probably not in time. There are things I like....and things I would do differently next time. I will likely do another piece inspired by Ellen's organic leaf shape....but keep it WAY more simple....leave more breathing space and do less stitching and embellishing. But It's all a learning curve....and that's how I roll. 

Practice, practice, practice. 

It's time to move on.

The day was way too bright to take photos....so the coloring is yellowed and off....and I know I say this all the time...but it does look better in person. 

Swoop of Color

"We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us."  John Lewis

Sometime the smallest of things capture our attention.  Paul noticed these sweet little mushrooms on a walk and knew I would love them.

He also knew I'd like a context shot.

And this little dried stem captured my attention...complete with a perfect little dried curl.  It most certainly is a keeper.

I came across this image on one of my Pinterest boards last evening and I couldn't get it out of my head.  So starting about 8:00 last night....I got to work on not so much a "swirl of color"...but more of a "swoop of color." 

I tried to track down where this image came from....but no luck.

I got quite a bit farther than this today....but need some time to sort and edit through the photos.  I'll share more about the project in the next couple of days.....I'm having fun!

A little pile of fiber inspiration.     

Rainbows and Swirls

We found a rainbow of colors on our walk this morning.

Which leads right into my finished rainbow piece for the Swirls of Color class with Isobel Moore.  I'm known for starting lots of projects....and only finishing a few. I really wanted to start experimenting with some other swirl ideas today....but I thought it was more important to get closure on this one.  

I think I'm going to keep this piece....so wanted it small to tuck somewhere in my studio.  I chose to bind it onto a canvas like I did for a recent fabric stained glass piece....simple and clean.

http://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2020/07/fused-bound-binding.html

There are lots of strings that go off the edge....so the binding a little lumpy...but that's the nature of the project. I'm actually pretty happy with it....which is unusual for me to say. Isobel is such a great teacher....and I can't wait to keep working with strips of cloth and fibers.

I cut my piece the exact size of my 8" wooden paint panel (a reject from my painted papers class).  I prepared the binding with a 1/2 inch of fusible webbing along the edge and sewed it on the piece like I would a quilt with mitered corners. I glued the piece on the panel with thick gel medium and weighed it down until it was dry...then fused the binding around to the back.

Before I read the finishing lesson from the class...I was thinking about binding it with this soft stripe...that blended so well with all the colors. But based on Isobel's advise in the lesson....I chose the simple linen....and fused some of the stripe on the back for extra strength and as a little surprise.  It was the right call!!  Thank you Isobel!!!

This oversized marble that spins on a base looks as if it was my inspiration!

You can check out a little video of this marble in action on my Instagram page.  Just click through the first couple of photos to the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CCmdbAMH0Pf/

Yarns, Strings, and Bling

"I am inspired by colour and spaces, pattern and intricate detail. I love the lines of fields and hillsides, the expanse of wild landscapes and seascapes, the greens and blues of the sea, the details of leaves and shells, and the pattern of tree branches against the sky."  Isobel Moore

https://www.isobelmoore.co.uk/

This has been one of my all time favorite class experiences....can't wait to start playing with wild landscapes! 

I couldn't have had more fun today adding fibers and decorative stitches to my Swirls of Color piece...and I think I stopped while I was still happy with it this time.  I'm going to let it sit for a bit...then it will be time for handwork. I'll check in with Isobel for feedback and recommendations.  

One of my greatest strengths is my vast supply of yarns, strings and bling.....and I'm so excited to be using them....along with the decorative stitches on my sewing machine.

I've been mostly using strips of batik fabrics because I love the colors and textures...but I'm looking forward to experimenting with other fabrics....like stripes. 

I posted a short little video of some sewing action on my Instagram page: 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCgxpxSH_q9/

I added a few and eliminated a few....but it was fun shopping my yarns, strings, and bling!

Broken Record

I know I'm a broken record....but my little moonbeam blooms tickle me down to my toes.

There are about a dozen open now...and they are so delicate and pretty next to the wispy coral bell blooms. When there's a breeze...they kind of dance.

The irony is that if they were in more sun....they would do better.  But I kind of like them a bit spindly. 

Elle asked for a little more information about the Swirls of Color class I'm taking from Isobel Moore.  I realized that I've been so busy with the class (mostly making mistakes) that I haven't written much about it.  I can't describe any of the class content...but I can describe how the class is structured.  

There are 36 little mini lessons....with written directions and short videos. We got all of them right at the beginning so we could work through them at our own pace. And what was most helpful is that I was able to watch them all ahead and go back to them as needed....which I am finding extremely helpful.  Most of the videos are only about a minute or two long where Isobel demonstrates a particular skill.  She has close-ups of her sewing with beautiful music playing....I could watch for hours.  The lessons focus on techniques for preparing a background, layering fabric strips, adding fibers, beads and other embellishments, as well as finishing techniques.  

https://www.facebook.com/IsobelMooreArt/videos/725047851655042

There is a private Facebook group where class members can share their work and chat about our progress.  Isobel is also available on the class site for questions on any particular lesson.  She is very attentive and readily available to give feedback and advise...I'm learning so much that I can apply to so many projects.

https://www.instagram.com/izzyfmoore/

https://www.facebook.com/IsobelMooreArt

Like I mentioned yesterday I got pretty frustrated with my first project....so got a fresh start today with some pretty summer colors. 

Tomorrow I'll add fibers and decorative stitching. Some of my curves are a little off...but hopefully I can compensate with the fibers and change the flow a bit.  And this time....I'll try to have a little restraint.  Once I get a swirl project I'm happy with....I want to try a land or seascape. 

Restraint

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." C.S. Lewis

The moonbeam coreopsis is opening....one perfect tiny bloom at a time.  And I just adore them.

The lessons in the Swirls of Color class are so clear...and the videos are just a joy to watch. Isobel is a great teacher and I've already learned so much that I can apply to so many of my projects.

I had fun adding decorative machine stitches and learning how to couch fibers with invisible thread....but I didn't know when to stop and it only got worse from here.  It's all part of the learning process and I'll just start again...apply what I've learned and have a little restraint next time.  I'm in control of how this ends.  

Another Transition Day

Colors I left behind in Lexington.....

The hydrangea bloom is more purple than just a few days ago.

...and the colors that greeted me in Portland.  You can't actually see them very well...but there are now three little blooms on the coreopsis...and several are about to pop.  I'm glad they waited for me.  And what's not to love about that coral bell.  It's nice when the plant itself is as beautiful as any bloom.

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday getting started on my "Swirls of Color" class project.  Because this is a paid class, I can't share the course content and "how to" of what I'm doing.....but I have Isobel's permission to share images of my progress.  This is a little peak into where I'm at now and I'll post more tomorrow when I have more time. I'm having a blast!

There's never enough hours in a transition day.

"Swirls of Colour"

I've been admiring textile artist Isobel Moore's work for quite some time.  She creates amazing organic  swirls of color as well and land and seascapes.  Isobel uses recycled materials and textiles and embellishes with fibers, beads, embroidery and anything else she can get her hands on.  Her work just oozes JOY!

https://www.isobelmoore.co.uk/

All the images on this post are Isobel's and these, and many many more can be found on her Instagram account and Facebook Pages....I highly recommend you check them out.

https://www.facebook.com/IsobelMooreArt

https://www.instagram.com/izzyfmoore/

Just recently I noticed a last call for an on-line class and decided in a split second to go for it. If not now...when? It's called Swirls of Colour...and I couldn't be more excited.  As many of you know I am nearly drowning in recycled papers, fibers, beads, and fabric....so I already had EVERYTHING I needed to begin. I also think I'll be able to use some of my painted papers from the last class I took. I'm thinking it will be a good way to honor my "stash."

Here's a short little class teaser video Isobel posted on her Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/IsobelMooreArt/videos/725047851655042