beading

AQ # 5: Sunrise (An Update)

| Cindy Anderson

One of My Favorites

Sunrise, Art Quilt # 5, has always been one of my favorites. While small in stature, measuring only 11 7/8″ x 8″, it’s visual impact makes it appear much larger. This piece has a prominent place in my home where I can see and enjoy it every day.

Beading Class

I participated in a beading class in early June at the QSDS held in Ohio at the Columbus College of Arts. This was not my first art quilt beading class. In fact it was the third time I took a class with this teacher. The instructor was Lisa Binkley.

Sunrise
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise
What to Pack?

Before packing for my trip I was supposed to decide which quilt I wanted to embellish. I found the decision difficult to make because I had so many wonderful available options. Rather than make the selection on my own I chose to take along several small pieces. I figured the instructor, with her many years of experience, would help be decide. Through a process of elimination I chose Sunrise (pictured above) as my candidate for embellishment.

Bead Box
Beads galore from various vendors
Also traveling with me was this box of beads. I have been collecting them for the sole purpose of enhancing art quilts. I have absolutely no intention of making jewelry.

A Tour

Now let’s take a tour of the textures and adornments added to my mini art quilt.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise (view of right side)
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with added seed stitch
I added a variety of beads as well as stitching to my Sunrise quilt. First to be incorporated was a seed stitch. Using a variegated thread I filled in the yellow areas of the white dotted fabric.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise (side view of top left corner)
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with lime green and teal beads
In the multi-colored strip along the left edge I added stacks of lime green and teal beads.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise (upper left corner)
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with chili pepper dangles
Traveling a little further to the right, in the vertical yellow strip with white dots, I added three groupings containing a shiny, square, blue bead connected to an orange carrot or chili pepper.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise (view of middle right section)
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with two stacks containing a teal, and orange and a teeny-tiny green bead
Just up and slightly to the right of the dangling chili pepper is a stack consisting of a teal, an orange and a teeny-tiny, lime green bead. Below that are two teal beads embossed with a copper colored bird.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise (view of top right corner)
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with three tiny teal beads
Slightly higher that those stacks are these three tiny teal beads.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise (view of bottom right corner)
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with iridescent face grouping
In the very bottom right corner is a medallion created from an iridescent blue face, five orange chili peppers linked together with teal and lime green beads.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise (view of bottom edge)
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with dangling bird beads
Along the bottom edge of the art quilt I stitched seven groupings of bird beads.

Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise, The Quilt
Art Quilt # 5: Sunrise with its many embellishments
Here’s a photo of the entire piece.

One of a Kind

With the addition of numerous embellishments this tiny, but stylish, quilt dances to the beat of its own drummer. Nowhere else on earth is there a quilt quite like this. Sunrise truly is a one-of-a-kind art piece.

Even though the process was lengthy I had a great time dressing up my Sunrise quilt. However, I don’t intend to give each of my quilts the same attention. Only the chosen few will experience this special treatment.

Did I Loose You?

I have a hunch that the guided tour we just took may have lost a few of you somewhere along the way. Sometimes my attempts at pointing out details go a bit overboard. While my ramblings make total sense to me they may sound like white noise to you. If you are one of the readers that found the excursion to be confusing don’t feel bad. I often confuse myself!  🙂 Hopefully the last photo speaks for itself.

Thank you for your visit! I look forward to hearing your comments and reactions.

Cindy Anderson

 

 

Time to Confess

| Cindy Anderson

I’m always looking for unique items to add to my arsenal of art supplies. I say “art” because I consider quilting, no matter what method you use, to be an art. On several recent occasions I had the opportunity to add an item or two. I know I’ve made a commitment to down-size through consumption but sometimes I just can’t help myself!

In June, while attending a class at the QSDS (Quilt Surface Design Symposium), I fell head-over-heels into the snare of a pop-up vendor called Fiber on a Whim. This vendor knew exactly what she was doing when she stocked her tiny space. Being in the creative mindset, brought on by the school’s atmosphere, probably didn’t help my cause. In spite of the mantra, “I will not buy supplies,” circulating through my head, I fell victim.

Purchased from this vendor were many of these items.

QSDS Purchases.jpg

I say many because some of them I won while participating, on the last night of the school, in the door prize event. I don’t have a specific plan mapped out for each item. Some may simply remain untouched, acting as decorations for my studio. Who knows!

Lets unpack the basket. Inside are the following:

Threads
Threads to be used in my art quilt beading purchased from Fiber on a Whim
Embellishments
Hand-Dyed Sari Silk, Ric Rac, and Lace purchased from Fiber on a Whim
Fiber on a Whim Fabrics
Hand-Dyed Cheesecloth, Hand-Dyed Linen, Hand-Dyed Crinkle Silk, Hand-Dyed Silk, and Hand-Dyed Cotton purchased from Fiber on a Whim
Silk Carrier Rods
Hand-Dyed Carrier Rods purchased from Fiber on a Whim
Silk Play Pack
Silk Play Pack: Silk Hankie, Silk Cocoons, Silk Carrier Rods, Ribbon, Throwsters Waste purchased from Fiber on a Whim
A Roll of Wire and Flowers
Small Flowers for Embellishment purchased from Fiber on a Whim and a Roll of Wire purchased from Vintage Bliss

Also purchased from Fiber on a Whim, but not included in the basket, was these two stacks of Hand-dyed burlap and the small roll of wool. The gingham burlap, sitting behind the wool, was purchased from Vintage Bliss.

Burlap and Wool
Hand-Dyed Burlap and Wool from QSDS/Fiber on a Whim and Gingham Burlap from Vintage Bliss

One of my favorite places to snatch-up vintage items, among other goodies, is Vintage Bliss. Purchased from their store were these two items

Burlap and Crochet
Crocheted Table Runner and a Roll of Burlap Purchased from Vintage Bliss

The crocheted table runner and the burlap will be cut into sections and incorporated into my art pieces.

I made a trip to a local fabric store looking for solids and came home with these two packages of charm squares.

Charm Packs
Charm Squares Purchased from Loose Threads for my Art Quilts

Last but not least was this stack of Kona solids, four fat-quarters a cheery button and a small pile of colorful zipper pulls acquired from the Electric Needle.

Solids, Fat Quarters & Zipper Pulls
Kona Solids, Four Fat-Quarters, A Sunny Button and a small pile of Zipper Pulls all purchased from the Electric Needle

You can obviously figure out how I might use the solids as well as the fat-quarters. The button was just for fun. I will add it to my fabric name tag.

Name Tag
Quilt Guild Name Tag

As I browsed the Electric Needle I spied a small container holding a stash of pastel colored zipper pulls. I couldn’t help smiling when I saw them. Who but me would have a light-bulb moment. I’m always on a quest to find unusual items suitable for attaching to art quilts. Once I saw these zipper pulls I just knew I had to add them to my bead and button box.

Bead Box
Beads galore from various vendors

They will someday make a wonderful addition to an art quilt.

Well that’s the end of my confession. I bet you thought it was never going to end. Me either! That’s what I get for waiting so long. At least I have a clear conscience now. 🙂 LOL!

Time to make something with all these goodies!

Cindy Anderson