*New* Year, *New* challenges



It's a New Year! This time of the year always makes me reflect and think where I am in my life and how this influences my art.
It is always part of a story in progress. I try to use materials in a different way, a way that stretches me in different directions.

I love to challenge myself. And this year will be no different. With all that is happening in the world my need for art has substantially increased.

Currently I am working on a *pieced* quilt, yes it is my first time working with little pieces of fabric. The next picture  shows one third of the quilt. It still is a work in progress. It is composed of 365 little squares. If you do a search online about *Temperature quilts* you will see hundreds of beautiful designs; mine is made from paper, paint and cloth!



The picture above shows a finished pillow based on my workshop *Surprise Printing on the Go* -a portable painting technique.

Do you feel the need to do more art as well?

*ZOOM* Meeting Artcloth with Paper and Fabric

*ZOOM* Meeting made with paper and fabric.
27 inches by 31 inches
 
My inspiration for this artcloth came from the directive to stay home and the need for internet communication. Each circle and square represent a person participating in a video call.
 


 I started by creating a color palette and mixing the paint colors. On rare occasions I have used the original paint color that the manufacturer provides.


Then I chose old newspapers from the bin. In this case, the papers came from seven different countries.


After the newsprint was infused into the cloth (INC a washable paper and cloth) a new painting technique was applied which I called *Phantom Printing*. With this technique one never knows for certain where the images appear. It thus has a certain serendipity factor in it. The picture above has the first layer application.


This picture shows the second layer, the *surprise* layer where a second image appears, in this case the white lettering.

 
 
 
close ups

 
before hand embroidery
 
 

after hand-embroidery
 
 
This art piece will always remind me of how precarious life is. Things can change in a blink of an eye. To cherish what we have, don't take anything for granted and try to live intensely.
 
 
Please stay safe.
 

*BLUE* quilt - *Stitched* Celebrating the Art of Quilting

 
*BLUE*
 
To celebrate *The Art of Quilting in Memphis-Tennessee* I am participating in an event called Stitched.
 
The requirements are to make a stitched three layer quilt with any material but a measurement of 24" by 24". Also, it has to be predominantly in blue color. 
 
Did anybody mention *ANY material*? Of course I took advantage of this and embarked on making the quilt you see above with paper and fabric.
 

For the background fabric I applied hand-lettered words to write *Blue-Azúl* . I also made brick shapes in different hues of blue.


Then, I applied my technique Infused Newsprint Cloth (INC) as part of the flower shapes.


Afterwards, simple hand stitching with thick embroidery thread was applied (the same color as my paint)



 

I used the *Hug Stitch* around the flowers and on top in brick shapes for texture.


Detail
 

 
Detail
 

As a surprise to the viewer I hid  the word blue. So while quilting the three layers together  I made sure to stop at the drawed lines which caused the letters to pop out. It will be interesting to see how many people will notice this detail :). 

I will be teaching Infused Newsprint cloth in May: more details here.

NEW *WORKSHOPS*

 
*Cold Foil and Tulle..Oh My!!*
 
In this class we will combine foil with tulle to make an unusual fish quilt top. You will learn how to add metallic color to your fiber art with the cold foil technique, using Deco foil sheets. No need to use paint and wait for it to dry or the use of an iron to apply foil. You will also learn how to tame tulle to add delicate designs. Afterwards we will complete our project by sewing simple stitches with embroidery thread.
 
 
 
 
* Hand Appliqué with Paper and Fabric*
 
Give new life to magazine clippings and combine them with fabric to make beautiful and unique fiber art. First, we will design your block using paper and hand-dyed fabrics. Then you will cut, fuse, and hand-stitch the pieces in place. This is a great opportunity to learn how to stitch on paper. There will be also a demonstration on how to laminate and foil the magazine clippings.
 

Just for *FUN*



 

One of my favorite ways to relax is doing small works of art. For this project, I took out pieces of hand-dyed fabrics, tulle, embroidery threads, beads and Deco foil.
Many of the techniques I use in my work takes patience since there are many steps involved before I can say it’s done.
This time around I wanted instant gratification. I wanted to add metallic color but didn’t want to use paint and wait for it to dry or use the iron to apply the foil.
Playing around, I discovered a way to apply *COLD FOIL* on fabric. Oh my, how much fun this is.

detail
 
I am thinking to offer this as a one-day workshop.

*Hand Appliqué with Paper and Fabric* at AQS Fall Show 2018

 
*Hand  Appliqué with Paper and Fabric* # 53513 
 
I made *NEW* samples for my coming workshop at AQS- Fall 2018.
 
 As my student you can choose to work on:
 
1) A printed block *silkscreened by me*.... or
 
 
 
2) To work on a non-colored block., and choose one of the deco-flowers or leaves to appliqué.

I will bring a kit with most of the materials needed to work in class, you just come with basic sewing supplies and ready to have fun!
 

*GIVEAWAY*

 
 
*Blue Ferns* technique used: Sun-Less Printing
 
Giveaway
How would you like to own a copy of the latest SIMPLY MODERNE #13 ?
 

Using my technique featured in the article you can paint different weights of fabric that can be used for wearable art, like the examples below:

 

 
Apron made with duck cloth fabric

 
 
close up
 

Silk scarf
 
You can watch  here the VIDEO OF MY TECHNIQUE
 
It is open to everybody, you can follow me here: Facebook Page or Instagram for an extra chance to win. Just leave a message below telling me which is your favorite color.
 
The winner will be chosen randomly Sunday, June 25 PST.
Good luck and Happy Painting!