Wednesday, April 6, 2016

More Hand dye Fabric

It's supposed to be spring and

it's still freezing cold out.

Look who I saw in my backyard


I couldn't get a better photo; I was

still in my PJ's.  He was probably 

looking for fish in the creek. It

was breakfast time. 

Working to build up more inventory

in my shop.  Here's the latest


 This is one of my favorite techniques
that I developed. I love this!
All of the ones that I had listed
sold out!  More to come.


 Brown and beige shibori - good
for trees or landscape fabric.



 Sunset and sky fabric.



 More Sky fabric - done shibori pole
wrap technique.



 More Sky Fabric - I really love
the way this one came out!



 I also added a couple of scrap 
packs with shibori and textures.

If you're interested in any of these;
head on over to my etsy shop - See
side bar.

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Hand Dyed Fabric

It's that time of year!


When I start to dye fabrics! YAY!


And I love experimenting with new

ideas and techniques!


One of my favorites - Tree Bark!



 And Sky Fabric in different colors!

All are available in my Etsy Shop.

Happy Quilting!



 

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Patriotic Table Runner - UFO finish

Going through my fabric bins and

closet to find more UFO's - I can't 

believe that I have so many! But I 

don't feel so bad after a quilter on Facebook

admitted that she had over 100!  Oh My!


A Patriotic Table Runner 

  
Measures 14" x 33"  A nice size to use

on your tables - Kitchen, dinning, or coffee.

For Sale in my Etsy shop.

I don't know which UFO will be next....? LOL

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

UFO Finish - Improv Quilt

Well I finally finished another UFO 

that has been patiently waiting it's turn.

 I used all the left over fabrics from other 

projects that I had made and just improvised.

What is an Improv Quilt? 

Taking Fabrics, cutting pieces and sewing them
 
in an artistic manner through a creative impulse.


Exploring new designs without a written or visual 

pattern to follow.



I hand quilted in the big stitch style

using different color threads  in circles.




 I also cut out some flowers and circles  with

steam a seam and fused them on.

I love the wonkiness to it and also the bright

colors!  I think it would fit in nicely in a nursery

or child's room.

I do have several more UFO's to finish!  

Happy Quilting!



Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Decorative Stitches

I have been using the decorative stitches

on my sewing machine more and more.

Instead of using free motion or straight line

quilting on a quilt; I'm finding that the use

of decorative stitches gives the piece a very

different but pretty finish.

 On this batik table runner; I used a leaf design

with green variegated thread all along the

sashing lines. (in the ditch)



I really like the way that it came out!






 On this crazy quilt; I used the decorative 

stitches right in the middle of the sashing and

also on the pieced crazy blocks.


 I also used the letters on the machine to

write the animal's names on this Kid's snack

mat. 


 Another great idea is to use this decorative stitch

instead of trying to free motion some wavy lines!

I love this stitch!

Happy Quilting!



 

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Winter and a Memory Pillow

I'm one of those people who really really 

don't like winter. 



 I don't think birds like it either - no food.

 I try to throw some seeds on the frozen snow.
The stupid squirrel broke my hanging feeder.

 Trying to find my steps and walk way.

But I'm  happy now that it all melted - well

almost. And yesterday I saw some life!  The

crocus is  starting to make it's way  up through

the soil! YAY  Only one more month and it's

spring!

I did some baking; which I love to do in the winter

months.


Banana Walnut Cake - one of my favorites and

easy to make besides being delicious.

I was rummaging through my closet the other

day (I was supposed to be cleaning) and found

a couple of my husband's cotton shirts that I

had kept. (he passed away 5 years ago) 

I had saved the shirts thinking that some day 

I would make a quilt out of them but then I saw

on Facebook that someone had made a memory

pillow out of one.  So,  I washed the shirt and 

Ironed it and looked for a tutorial. I found a

couple to get a general idea and then did it my

way in the end.   


It felt kind of weird to be cutting the shirt; I 

can't explain it. I felt like I was committing a sin.

I know that probably  sounds silly. 


My husband worked for Verizon for over 27 years and

I  found an anniversary pin, what year I don't know

but it was when Verizon was called N.Y. Tel.

I put it on the pocket. It felt so sad and happy at

the same time. 

I then packed it up and as a surprise; mailed it to

my daughter who lives  on Long Island. She was

so overjoyed and surprised!  

I have some pieces left from that shirt and  am

thinking of some some  items to make with them.

I  also have two more shirts left. I might make

another pillow for myself.

I'm so happy that I saved them. I only wish that

I had saved more but I donated them.

Happy Quilting!


Saturday, January 16, 2016

Natural Dyes - Leaf Dye

Oak Leaf Print


 Below is one of my photographs
that I transferred onto one
of my eco dyed pieces


I extracted dye from leaves that
I picked up in my backyard. Most
of the leaves are from the fall
2 years ago. The colors are still
vibrant! 

 Even the cotton doily, thread and
lace came out very good. 
 Oak bark with some printed leaves.
The other print picked up the string
marks that I wrapped around the bark.

 I made some sample packs -
these are all for sale in my 
Etsy shop here
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaterialisticVisions?section_id=16846026&ref=shopsection_leftnav_5 

 There are also more sets available.

@ Materialistic Visions.

Thanks for visiting!