New bags

It feels good to be creating again. I finished three bags this weekend, I like the style; lot's of pockets but not too large.
Now onto to some different color schemes :)

We had a huge snow storm on Fri. It melted a bit yesterday but then cooled off and made it quite icey out there. Halloween was very quiet, only a handful of trick and treaters.

Fast Friday Fabric Challenge #38

I've missed the last two FFFC so managed to get this one done in time. Our challenge was to do an animal and create depth by reverse applique etc.  I cropped a picture of a zebra and used it as a reference for drawing.  Laid down a piece of hand painted fabric, with black overtop. Drew the design on the paper back of the stabalizer and stitched. Then came the hard part, cutting it all out.  I used a blanket stitch with blue thread on the black lines. It measures 21x24" I call it 'African Sunset'.
 A fun piece.
Thanks for having a look.

Heavy snow fall warning in the Peace, and it has been coming down pretty steady all day...oh well It is just about Haloween.

New purse/bag

After nearly a month I finally got into the studio on the weekend. My sister, son and I took a trip down to North Central WA, we did the shop hop and had such a great time. Wow, the fabrics south of the border are sure less expensive than up here.
Then we stopped at Keremeos and loaded up on veggies and fruit, so then when I got home it was canning time.
Anyway, here is what I did on the weekend.
I painted paper sided stabalizer and ironed it to the fabric, added some shapes and gold foil etc., I like it. But I like the back side the best :) I can see making more of these.

Have a nice day.

Quilted Tote Bags

I deesigned a tote bag pattern and have been having some fun with it. The bag is quite large, and has 3" deep sides, It also has binding all around, which I like. It is quilted on the back and the front, which makes it quite sturdy.

I've posted some pics of the ones I've made.

First Class

I taught my first fabric class on the 12 and 13th. I was quite nervous going into it, but it was a huge success. Lots of great feedback on the evaluation forms.
Here are a few pictures from the class, and you can see more at this link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gizmo100/
I love that the participants took my pattern and made it their own. That's what teaching is all about.
I'm planning another one for the end of October.

Enjoy.

rust dyeing

This is my first attempt at rust dyeing. What a fun process. I had a box of rusted 'junk' that I brought from the farm. I remember my son saying,
what do you want that for???? I didn't really know, sentimental value??/ Anyway it is coming in handy.
The first piece was a saw blade, and old stove damper 'thingy' and some large washers.The second piece was wrapped around an old lantern, I did the wrapping twice.
I have three more bags on the go :)
Now what to do with them.

Painted Swans, stitched

I have finished the swans that I showed the other day.
I used WonderFil Rayon threads for the stitching, a bit of blue metallic under the birds. I used a variegated WonderFil Accent thread for the trees in the foreground.
For a first attempt I'm quite pleased with the results.
I look forward to your comments.

Radar Lake

I sun printed a lot of my hand painted fabric last summer. My grandaughter and I collected all sorts of foliage at a small lake near our community. Thus the title. I have had the idea for a quilt swimming in my head for nearly a year!
It is not quilted, just have the top finished. I found it exciting to put together this piece. Unfortuanately the sun printing on the light areas don't show up in the picture, but they are there.
I'm trying hard to cross of things from my ever lengthening list of things to do or try :)
We are having a gorgeous crisp morning in the South Peace, it didn't freeze last night but was close.
The tomatoes are still on the vine, ripening, so must start covering them at night.
Have a great day.

Playing with Fabric Paints

I had a fun time today playing with fabric paints. I used Pebeo Setacolor for this. I hope to sandwich it tomorrow and get some stitching added. Such fun. Does anyone know of a good resist for fabric? I guess the swans are ok with the bit of blue, I used two layers of freezer paper for the template.
Enjoy.

Seeds of Change

Finally some new work, or a piece finished! I seem to be doing a lot of 'starts' lately.
This piece was done for the Fast Friday Fabric Challenge group, the challenge was radial symmetry.
I've wanted to do a woman and child for awhile, so this was a great opportunity. All the hungry children in the world, oh my it bothers me.
Seeds of Change developed. With a helping hand from others new hope for those suffering.
The seeds; water, seeds and children.
I look forward to your critique.