New Blog on Wordpress!

I have decided to try out Word Press and have a second blog there.
Blogger has good features however, Word Press has advantages that blogger does not.
For one, you may have more than one page and most important, the blog can be incorporated into a website. This is my next step. Gloria Hansen developed my website and is currently restructuring it to update and expand it.

So, please visit my new blog at:
http://www.debabin.wordpress.com

As always, comments are welcome!

Debbie Babin

On line Classes begin Oct 6-sign up now!

Hello-
I will be offering my two online classes in October.

Sign up now to participate

Classes
1-Textile Art with Pizzazz! (TAP)
Oct 6, six lessons, $65

*NEW! Refresher course for TAP-$25*
(See note below)
2-Think "outside" the Take out Box
Oct 7, four lessons, $45

These classes were available on Joggles in July and have now completed. They will not be offered again on that site until February. This is one extra opportunity to attend these classes.

Flora Rosa Created by Bente-Norway











Refresher course offered-
For those who have previously attended Textile Art with Pizzazz! (TAP) and for any reason were unable to complete the course OR would like to refresh your memory/review.

The TAP course provides quite a bit of good information and practice. The "meat and potatoes" are served following lesson 3. Many times people have written to me explaining how circumstances interfered with their best laid plans to complete the course; some only able to make it through lesson 3. If you would like to refresh your learning experience, regroup and start again; the refresher course is for you.

You may sign up here on this blog. Look for the pay pal button on the right column.

If you are interested in the refresher course, I am in the process of setting up a separate pay pal button this week. In the meantime, Contact me instead to express your interest.

TAP class is for people who are developing textile art and want to push the envelop and enrich the results. This course is not difficult, but to get the complete presentation you should plan to make a commitment to complete all of the lessons.

Think "outside" the Take out Box is a light hearted fun class that has a focus towards CRAFT but is definitely still about art.

A detailed description of both classes and supply lists are available here

I look forward to having the opportunity to share these classes with you.
Please tell your friends about the classes; word of mouth is the best form of advertisement.

Thank You,
Debbie Babin

Madeleine's' bedroom is complete!

This is a quilt I made for my granddaughter Madeleine last year for her fifth birthday.
Title: Zertz
Size: 80”x80”(original design)

I started this project with a “lap quilt” size in mind. Needless to say, the size evolved. This is the first time I have made a large square quilt. I enjoyed making it and am pleased with the results.

Madeleine LOVES to eat dessert. Her name for dessert is: Zert.

There are 5 hearts in each corner to represent her age. One big heart is in the very center. There are yo-yo’s in the center of each heart as well as the center of the four pinwheels. The yo-yo’s are hand button hole stitched. Yo-yo’s are also used as flowers in each basket.

Each outer corner has a sweet treat:
Ice cream cone, piece of chocolate cake, cup cake and lollipop.

The theme fabric is used for the border; it has all kinds of desserts on it.

Recently I visited her in Seattle. She now has a new bed which is a twin size day bed that has a trundle bed underneath. She needed a bed skirt to not only hide the extra bed but to also complete the look. I used left over fabric to make a multicolored the bed skirt. I barely had enough!

Madeleine loves the results and so do I!

September 3, 2008

Madeleine (AKA Goober)

You Are Worth the Time

A friend forwarded this link to me recently. It is titled: You Are Worth the Time
It is also, WORTH the time to go to this link to see the video. The message is pertinent to artists of all mediums and beautifully explains why artists DO make art.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EaUb4zk0Ow

I would love to hear your comments about this video.
Debbie Babin

(Thank you to Linda from Sunny St PetersburgDomestic Goddess - Contessa of Da Messa)

It is a glorious day in Seattle!

I am visiting my daughter and her family this week. They live in Snoqualmie, a town just outside Seattle. It is about 65 degrees and sunny here today! It is the first day of school. I am fortunate to be able to visit them this week and witness Madeleine, 6, go off to her first day of first grade. Little Aaron, 3, also bounced out the door happily on his way to pre school announcing, "I will make a lot of new friends!". What exhiliration and confindence they have. It is so touching to observe them as they enthusiatically embrace their new home here in Washington state.

The progress of my workbook study will be halted while I travel to one more destination next week. My husband and I will travel to Mexico for my birthday. This is our favorite destination and I am looking forward to it. Summer is my favorite season and I agonize as it comes to an end. This trip will extend summer a bit longer.

Home For Sale: I posted a notice about my home being for sale a few months back. Well, we have a family that MAY be interested. We are holding our breath in hopes they will make us and offer. We will not be surprised if it is a rather low offer. This is the trend in the housing market today. However, we are optomistic!

Debbie Babin

Art Quilt Workbook Chapter 4

Chapter 4 was about collage. I was definitely challenged! Creating a composition using my theme of water did not "flow" easily! I struggled to think how I could render the effects of water. I am realizing the programming that is stored in my brain about water; these are interfering with my

creativity. I tend to think of water mostly as a seascape, sunny and pleasant. I am realizing I need to think broader about water. So, I plan to do some more sketching, thinking and journaling about this subject.
In the meantime, here is what I created.

I used 8mm habotai silk to print an image I took of a pier in the Caribbean. The rocks are man made and had sharp angles which I thought looked sculptural. The water was crystal clear. I like the image completely so I could not alter it! Instead I added strips from a second image to the edge and quilted it. The quilting followed the water patterns. The finished quilt has a beautiful quality. The sheen of the silk and the colors are very reminiscent of the actual turquoise water.

I was not completely pleased with my work because the work was so controlled so, I tried again. This time I tried to create the effect of the ocean at dawn.

I am pleased with this collage. I used hand painted kona cotton for the sky area and some of the pieces for highlights in the water. Hand painted silk and organza overlap to create the water and clouds.
I actually go into developing the clouds as much as the water; after all, clouds are water too. Finally, I decided to cut the outside to reflect the patterns of the water instead of a hard edge.

I was still not happy with my controlled thinking so I continued with a third quilt just to push myself in the opposite direction and created the ocean at night. This was also challenging. I am pleased with the results.

The concept is something I had never tried before. I used several shades of organza. I cut them into strips free hand and overlapped them crisscross. The colors: red, purple, white created the highlights over dark green and black. I also mixed in slivers of sparkly multicolored fabric.
I actually like this one turned sideways. This orientation looks MUCH more abstracted, but nothing resembling water!
This Chapter stretched my thinking which is always welcome!

Art Quilt Workbook Chapter 3

Chapter 3 through me off a bit because there ar 3 quilts assigned and none pertain to my chosen theme. I decided to follow the directions (specifically) for the pear design. I thought the technique was effective but interfered with my creativity. If I were to use it again I would cut the shapes free hand.

The same week I was studying Chapter three, I read about twin sisters that collaborate to create textile art they call "paintings". http://tinyurl.com/6pxafu

Co-incidentally, they utilize a similar method and guess what? They were using pears as the subject and were using a similar technique cutting out the fabric free hand.

Affirmation is wonderful!

I am looking forward to Chapter 4 as the topic is Abstract. Now I can get back to my theme of water.

Art Quilt Workbook Group

I am participating in a workbook group. We are studying the Art Quilt Workbook by Jane Davila and Elin Waterston. There are 30 of us studying together online. We are now in Chapter 3. I have chosen water as my theme and set a color palette. Chapter 1 introduced the concepts. Chapter 2 covers several elements. A 9x12" quilt is made for each chapter. We are allowing 2 weeks per chapter to finish and report our experiences. There are 10 chapters; the last focuses on the business of art. When we finish we should have a nice series of 9x12" quilts.

I chose water as my theme because I live near a beautiful wide creek. This water is a daily part of my life. I have always lived near water and would not be comfortable without water access. Being near water gives me the feeling of freedom.

I have also been enjoying our pool this summer. So, I
started sketching while sitting by the pool. I also took photos of different sources of water. Water is usually moving which is challenging!

I happened to see a wonderful fountain while at the WWII war memorial in Washington DC. It was such a hot day I almost jumped in!

For Chapter 2, I chose the topic of perspective.


I painted some Kona cotton with the theme in my mind.

I found an old post card that I purchased over 20 years ago on a trip to Italy. I found it while looking through my sketch book. I have all sorts of references taped inside along with sketches. The scene on the post card was the perfect combination of water and perspective.

I used a piece of the painted kona cotton for the base and added many layers of sheers to create the effect of water.

I used the painted painted kona cotton for the base. Some of the sheers were hand painted silk and some printed.

The composition came together better than I expected; this was a good study. I now may attempt a larger version.

Homage to Edrica Huws and Wake Up Call!

Recently I was fortunate to have a link passed along to me that I am very grateful for. It is a link to a video on You Tube. The video is not professionally photographed and has too much movement, but it is still worth seeing. It is a retrospective exhibit of her life's work including personal history and statements. It is narrated by her son (I think) and has subtitles in English.

edrica huws patchworks 2 An insight into this original fabric artist's work - Edrica Huws.

This link will take you to all three videos
http://tinyurl.com/666r4l

This is an excellent art source and (timely) very relevant to the content of Clairan Ferrono's essay on The Ragged Cloth Cafe recently.

Clairan has prompted a tremendous amount of introspective thinking, which is excellent!

I was compelled to do some thinking of my own. Writing about my art, as she suggested, was the best method to assist me with sorting through aspects and reasons to answer the question:
"Just what IS my artwork about?"

I can say that my writing did reveal something to me and that is: I need to reach deeper; that my some of my subjects are not ABOUT anything; at least anything profound.

I tend to function well with the elements of art instead of the subject. I enjoy exploring and discovering as I create. What makes me land on a certain combination? I am not sure yet.
I follow my instincts and many times I am successful, so something is connecting; I just need to find out what and how this happens.

I am not terribly concerned about it because I don't want to interfere with my instincts. They have served me well; however, to grow and rise to higher levels of accomplishment I agree, I should evaluate my work now.

Now that this has been raised to my consciousness, as I work, I will be thinking about it enough (hopefully) to find new insight. I hope to realize what else I can explore and enjoy while advancing onward.

Clairan's essay was a wake up call for me and many others. Thank you Clairan!

By the way, there are many additional posts on the Ragged Cloth Cafe by accomplished textile artists, that are well worth the time to read.

Home Alone

Well, this week I had a week to myself!! I had company here for the week prior and had a good amount of "chill" time. My husband left for a week long conference in Boston along with the company. Mass exit! It was perfect timing...after I realized the precious gift of private (studio) time was in my grasp, I was off and running!

I thought at first I would just jump right in and have fun; however, I soon realized...it had been awhile since I had actually sat down, totally focused AND had NO distractions. This was actually eerie....I did not get off to the robust "charge out of the gate" pace I first anticipated! Instead, I found out I was NOT focused at all. My mind was going in too many different directions. I had to go through and sort out.....what did I want to do the most? What had I been aching to accomplish, if I only had the time? What was that technique I wanted to try? Where is that fabric I have been saving? Next, I took a nap.

My second visit to the studio was equally weird. I sort of stood there and stared at things.

Finally, I said to myself, "Just jump in and go for it!" So, I did just that. I started to cut strips, (how ordinary is that?). It was methodical, it freed my mind to not have to think to hard.

Cut, sew, cut sew....I did this for hours. Then, I started to see something developing!

Backtrack....I have been reading a good book: The Disorder of Longing
I have that condition...I admit I do "long for".
I was about 3/4 through it; savoring the approaching ending.


I decided to take a break and read for a while. What a luxury even to be able to let give myself permission to take the time to do these things.
There is one scene in particular, that is descriptive of which the entire story hinged upon.

While reading this section I am immediately stop; I have to get a pencil and paper to take notes.
The story is set in the late 1800's, Victorian era. The main character, a female has discovered the most rare and precious orchid in Brazil.
She describes the setting: She has on a turquoise dress, simple cotton sun dress and barefoot. She spots the cluster of colors: red, purple, yellow and must go closer to see clearer. She inhales the perfume while taking in this incredible scene. She decides to lie down among the flowers and become one with them. Her turquoise dress mingles with the orchids. She is now looking up through the flowers to see the view from under the leaves. She sees the red, yellow and purple flowers against the vibrant blue sky.

What a palette. As I jot down the colors....I realize...OMG---these are the VERY colors I had been working in all day!

The next day, back in the studio I ponder the composite I have created. It is not a composition at all.
But, I like sections. After a good bit of thinking I decided to divide it.

One section that I liked the most became a 5x11" design I titled: Hopscotch

The fabrics I used created an interesting illusion of transparency.
The block shapes look as if they are moving and playful.
The base fabric, a gorgeous hand dyed in shades of red and yellow. After cutting strips of various other fabrics I decided to weave them and place them onto the hand dyed fabric. I included strips of painted watercolor paper. They were painted in deep tones of purple and turquoise.

I tore the painted paper and this created a white edge. The white edge became an important accent within the composition.

The transparency was created by using printed chiffon. This fabric is really tacky....but, has great color passages.

The challenge came when I needed to finish the edges. Hopscotch finished

In my first attempt I used the lining fabric, single layer stitched 1/4" from the front. This didn't look too bad....but didn't suit the mood of the piece.









My second attempt utilized the chiffon. Same width and method. This looked better, but still not right.









My third try proved successful. I used the chiffon, however, I placed it strategically along the edge to continue the color passages as best I could. I didn't want to stop the flow of color. I sewed the single layer strip to the front with a 1/8" seam, turn to the back nice and tight. Along the way I decided the orientation should be vertical; the view as in playing Hopscotch.

Now, the remaining sections are under "construction".
One is developing and has promise.
Title: Peace, 5x6"




This is the longest post I have made yet!

When it rains, it pours! I enjoyed the rain...
does it show?

I am always interested in your comments; please let me know what you think.

Think "outside" the

Take out Box class has concluded on Joggles.com. The class was joyful! New ideas came forth!

Jane R. had three cleaver ideas: Her lantern version is lined with shiny gold fabric. I love this idea!
Her traditional version is delightful.




Her third version is for a friend with cats. She plans to fill it with cat nip goodies.

This class is available in October on my yahoo site.
Four Lessons, $45

For details contact me: contact me

My yahoo site: Studio Quilts Goldilocks and Friends is open to all who are interested in learning and communicating about Textile Art. We share the passion for art in general but focus on fiber as our primary medium.

Handmade Postcards are

fun to make!
I made these two postcards today.

We have a postcard exchange group for June/July in my yahoo group.
This card is made from cotton/parchment (C/P).
This is a surface I make from wallpaper that is bonded to muslin and painted. It is a versatile surface! I use it for a lot of my work.

This card is machine stitched. There are bits of dyed lace for curtains on the windows and flowers. An old button is the doorknob. The recipient, Bente, lives in Norway. I thought Norway may have quaint cottages, so I thought this card would be appropriate for her.

The back is made from hand dyed fabric, stamped and addressed by hand. The "stamp" is cut from the C/P.

The second card is made from C/P as well.
The seaweed in this underwater scene is created with random rotary cut pieces of chiffon and bits of C/P. The fish is made from a second type of surface I make that I call "tulle trap". The fish is made separately and stitched on along with the other details. The pieces are arranged and then stitched by machine.

The surfaces: cotton/parchment and tulle-trap are both included in my current class:
Think "outside" the Take out Box.
This class is conducted on Joggles.

Even though these are postcards, I put them into an envelope. I can't bare to think of the cards going through the machines.

The image on the right shows the second card in progress.

Quite a difference!

I discovered a new paint product recently. Lumin Arte Shimmering Mist. This product is available on Joggles.

I sprayed the surface of the C/P used for the underwater scene. The color: Persimmon.

The information on the bottle states it is a watercolor with mica. It is meant to be used on paper. The shimmer is magnificent! It is sort of opalescent. This shimmer shows in the upper right corner.

If you haven't made a postcard yet, I highly recommend it. They make a great gift.

Textile Art with Pizzazz! opens July 16th!

The opportunity to learn A LOT about creating textile art is available STARTING WEDNESDAY.
Go to: www.joggles.com to sign up
Information is available for all of the classes offered on Joggles.

This class is an in depth study. The text for the six lessons is virtually a book! In fact, I am considering publication. Many people who have taken the class have commented about the abundance of information.

Please contact me for more information.

This image shows the center section of Flora Rosa Key Lime.

(See a students' comments in my previous post below.)

Classes are just around

the corner!

Two of my classes start this month on www.Joggles.com

Thinking OUTSIDE the Take out Box
July 3-Four Lessons





Textile Art with Pizzazz!
July 16-Six Lessons



Sign up now!
The supply sheet is available. Contact me if you would like to see a copy of it.

The Take out Box has contents too! The contents is TOP SECRET until the last lesson. You will be totally delighted with the contents......I promise! This class is fun and unique.

The Textile Art with Pizzazz! class is in depth study. This course is FULL of solid information. Be prepared to stretch your thinking skills.

Comments from a student-

This class has been quite a challenge to me. Working on someone else’s design was a new experience, but I’m so happy to have completed all the assignments. I have gained so much knowledge about how to create pizzazz, which I can transfer to my future work, so it has been worth all the efforts. I want to encourage you all to go through wit all the assignments in the class.

The most challenging part for me was to put so much into such a small place. Every time I uploaded a picture and thought I had overdone everything, Debbie told me to put on more and more. But I can see now it was necessary to create the pizzazz. I’m glad I overcame my reluctance to put on more. Without Debbie’s gentle pushing, I would never have taken it so far.

Bente-Norway

Pizzazz abounds!

My class Textile Art with Pizzazz! Students have successfully concluded the six weeks of in depth study of value, color, color tempertures and the Flora Rosa design has provided the structure for dynamic art!

Student: Bente Kultorp Andresen has finished her textile art work titled: Red Glow

Bente did a superb job with the fabric selections, techniques, quilting and finishing.






Title: Red Glow

Students work with my original design: Flora Rosa to learn how to utilize certain art elements that will create pizzazz!

In addition to the primary Flora Rosa pattern, several exercise patterns are utilized to practice techniques and experiment with fabric. Mini quilts are the result of these exercises.
Bente's mini quilt 1 is nicely finished with a simple border that takes the place of an art mat.
Mini quilt 2 shows how the composition can work without the addition of a mat.


Textile Art with Pizzazz! will be offered agian on www.joggles.com starting July 16th.

Baby Liam has arrived!

My daughter gave birth on June 4th, 2008.
Baby Liam weighed 7 lbs. 2 0z., 20" long; very fair and cute as a button!
Labor was 18 hours; it was a long time to wait! I was invited into the delivery room; witnessing a birth is the most miraculous event possible!
We all were exhausted but what a wonderful gift to receive. He is very sweet and bringing us joy each day.

Liam, 10 minutes old.

He has blonde down covering his velvet skin.















And a dimple at the top of his bum.
How cute!
He turns his head to listen to familiar voices. We are not sure of the color of his eyes yet.
Basically, pure sweetness and love. Being a Grandmother is fabulous!

No baby yet!

I am in Seattle staying with my daughter Michelle and her family. We are all anxiously awaiting the arrival of "Liam"; he is due any day now.

May 27th was their 8th wedding anniversary and May 28th was my grandaughter Madeleine's 6th birthday.
She wanted to go to a Mexican restaurant, wear the big sombrero and have Happy Birthday sung to her. So we did that!


















Next, Aaron, my 3 year old grandson had to try
on the sombrero....well, it was a bit too big!








Now, you can see his cute face!


The two kids are really fun to be with.
They keep me laughing all of the time.
Being a Grandmother is truly joyous!

YahooGroup-StudioQuilts-Goldilocks&Friends Fabric Postcard Exchange

Several members have signed up to make and exchange fabric postcards for June and July. Many of them have never made one and will take this opportunity to learn how. We will make one for each month and send each one to a different member. This will also help members to get to know each other.

I have found several good links about making fabric postcards-
(see previous post): Red Shoe Ramblings, fiber artist: Deb Richardson

http://debrichardson.blogspot.com/2005/09/how-to-make-fabric-postcard-debr-style.html

http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ss/fabric_postcard.htm

http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22328/48637-make-fabric-postcard-artist-trading

http://mousemailart.blogspot.com/

Making fabric poscards can stimulate creativity. Working within a small scale can be freeing; you will be amazed how much you can get into a small area!
Try to make some and see!

Red Shoe Ramblings: How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style

Red Shoe Ramblings: How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style

Classes starting in July

I have two online classes starting in July on www.Joggles.com

Textile Art with Pizzazz!
July 15th Six Lessons

Thinking out side the Take out Box
July 3rd Four Lessons






Take out Box






Textile Art with Pizzazz!
Class Sample

Spring In Full Bloom!!

Every Spring I look forward to the blooms on my Peony tree. It is a strange little tree. It is about 3.5' high and the trunk is fragile and the wood is brittle. When it blooms it is very top heavy.
This year the little tree out did itself! These blossoms are 10" across! They lasted about 1 week.
The tree must be exhausted. ha!