Mixed Media

Today is the First Day of Autumn! Happy Autumn everyone! I certainly welcome cooler temperatures after a horribly hot summer! This is a special time of year, the season that brings us such a vibrant mix of colors!

I would encourage you to take a look at the amazing Images from Texas “Rob” has taken in his journey around the Texas Hill Country! This is just one example:

Such inspiration!

Now on to today’s topic…

Mixed media is also known as Fiber Art, Textile Art, or Multi-Media Art. It is the process of using a mixture of fabric textures, paints, embellishments, and other mediums to create amazing works of art! Just look at all the lovely creations I found on Pinterest…

I’ve dabbled with mixing textures and objects (doo-dads) when creating Action Quilts (aka Fidget Quilts).

I’ve also created a Prayer Flag using a mixture of applications. Ideas of many more designs and techniques are filling my mind!

In addition, Crazy Quilts are a prime example of mixing different forms of embellishments to create a beautiful work of fiber art! Beautiful embroidery stitches, beads, and ribbons are among few items artisans use on fabric to create unique pieces.

Thanks to Sharon B’s over at Pin Tangle, for providing us – for free – a gold mine of detailed information (WITH PHOTOS!) how to hand embroidery! If it’s your thing, I highly recommend exploring her TAST website (Take a Stitch Tuesday), and joining her Facebook Group!

I love the free style of Sharon Blackman!

I had never heard of the British artist Mary Fedden, until I stumbled across Sharon’s tribute to her. This is another great example of where and how folks get inspiration.

Sometimes I shake my head, silently saying, This is way over my head, especially when I see works by fiber artists like Lea McComas! This is a snap shot of her website. How these beautiful quilts are created, I haven’t a clue. I also include the listing of the various classes she conducts. If they were held in Texas, do I want to learn?  Maybe…. Someday…

But for now, I’ll create another Prayer Flag using some of the ideas found today!

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Simple Instructions

First, a little background – A while back, my sister gave me a HUGE tub full of unused/unopened craft projects ~ mostly quilting related. The tub was too heavy for me to pick up as it was packed full of goodies! Thank you again, Sister! I quickly separated/sorted into smaller boxes and brought them home. What I learned, a friend’s grandmother had passed away and no one in the family wanted the items, so they gave them to those interested in either creating them, or to pass along to someone who would.

As I organized the multiple packages for “Quilt of the Month” Blocks, I discovered an amazing thing! One had 95% of the pieces already cut to size! Only a tad worth needs additional marking/cutting! YES! The perfect project I needed to work on right now… not much thinking or deciding or designing required!

Although I’m not all that excited about the colors and prints the creators selected, I keep reminding myself it is an autumn quilt. The finished quilt is supposed to be 89” x 97” but I’m hoping to redesign and make two lap quilts with the blocks using the “backing” provided in the “Setting Kit” package. If it works! I’ll give an update later with its status, and what the veterans end up receiving!

I love the simple instructions – WITH PICTURES – within each block kit. They even have little arrows pointing to which direction to press the seam! No thinking needed!

I’ve never bought/used a kit before. They are a little too pricy for me. BUT, considering the instructions provided to make new blocks never tried before and the “save” on my hands cutting out all the pieces, I may have to reconsider/rethink!

If you’re interested in learning how to piece a quilt top together, try a kit!