Textile Art with Pizzazz! is open

Lesson One opened on Monday and we are making good progress already.

A student from my previous class on Quilt University finished her art quilt and sent some great images. Her name is: Pia and she lives in Denmark
She has titled it: Inspiration

Isnt' this a fantastic art quilt?








Notice the dense quilting.


She says she really likes it and plans to make another.

I stress the importance of making a series.
A series will teach you more than you ever thought was possible.
Try it with a design sometime.





Debbie Babin

Student Testimonial

"I really enjoyed taking the class "Floral pizzazz" with Debbie Babin through Quilt University.com. She was very thorough in her explanations and open to any questions, had straight forward comments, which I liked ! Thanks again !"

Catherine

This comment is one of many positive ones I received following the QU class I conducted. Thank you Catherine!

Class: Textile Art with Pizazz starts April 28

Textile Art with Pizazz (formerly Floral Pizazz)
Dates: April 28-June 9
Five Lessons (with one week in between Lesson 3 and 4)
$45 Level-Intermediate to Advanced

If you would like information on this class, contact me:
debbiebabin@studioquilts.com

The class will cover elements of art and how to utilize them to add pizazz to your art work.

Techniques included: foundation appliqué and fabric collage
Pattern is provided.

Attended the Focus on Fiber Retreat2008-Fabulous!

I had a wonderful time in New Symrna Beach Florida at the Focus on Fiber Retreat
I met some wonderful talented, encouraging and most of all FUN people there.



Bella stole the show! Thanks Tommy for bringing Bella to visit us!


I ended up giving an impromptu demo of how to make paper/fabric. Afterward, Marion Shirk, the origami expert, presented me with a little paper purse she made with a piece of it.

I happened to have some beads; she had some wire to contribute and I was able to customize and finish it there on the spot. Now, we had the original crowd who watched the demo wanting to learn how to make the purse! Okay, time for the second demo! I think the origami was much more challenging to do than making the paper/fabric. Somewhere between the mountains and the monkeys ears, I fumbled around a managed to make a "beginner" purse; no where near as polished as Marion's!

Several impromptu things happened at the retreat. We danced to tribal music outdoors in the amphitheater. The breezes were blowing right along with the drums. It was a new experience for me....not one I was completely sure about, but one that definitely opened my mind to using my body in a creative way. We all were amazed at how much better we felt mentally and physically afterward.....and, hungry! Now the food was actually the best part! WEll, almost the best. It was a close second to the art.

We also had a wonderful yoga instructor visit everyday and did simple yoga outside as well. She also provided massage which I definately took advantage of.

We worked independently in open studios with huge tall windows that made you feel like you were working outdoors. There was only natural (jungle) foliage visible through the windows.






Handyed fabric

Hand dyed wool by: Janet Bernhardt

Yahoo Group Created-You are invited to join

I have decided to create my own Yahoo Group.
Title: Studio Quilts-Goldilocks And Friends
the link for this group is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StudioQuilts-GoldilocksAndFriends/
This group is directed to those who share the interests associated with Fiber Art.
I will be posting news there about my work, exhibitions, travels and teaching schedule.
I will also share news about Fiber Art topics and events.
I started the group last weekend and there are already 8 members. It will be fun to watch the evolution of the group. I hope to have you as a member.
Fondly,
Debbie Babin

Mini designs from within

I have discovered mini designs within a large design.

This quilt titled: Flower Market, size: 26"h x 28"w, is a good example of this. The end result of the design could be better. I like it howerver; it did not receive good reviews.

I discovered what I like most is the mini designs within the complete design.

Each measure about 3" x 4".

The thought of breaking it into sections is tempting. I am not ready to cut into it just yet.

I would love to hear comments; what do you think?

Honor of Leaves

This is my most recent art work. Title: Honor of Leaves, size: 12" x 18".
I am calling the method "crossover collage".

I decided to dedicate my first piece to leaves which are my favorite motif.

I have been working for the last few weeks making and gathering an assortment of things to have a collection to work with.

My experimentation with paper and fabric combined, turned out to be very interesting! I learned a lot. This piece is actually a combination of "fragments" from trimmed quilts, that I always save and paper collage. The fragments are the same type that I used to make the vessel (see my post-My recent Article Quilting Arts, 12/2708). The detail image below, shows buttons, the focal point leaf and some of the fragments on the right. The focal point leaf is made from layers collaged "fancy" fabrics. It is sewn to a piece of hand painted kimono silk. This is hand stitched to a piece of hand painted rag paper.
The paper is attached with glue.

There are numerous details with several collage layers. miscellaneous details, embellishments, fabrics and papers.

Black kimono silk lines the back while the edges are finished with binding made from hand painted kimono silk.


Now I am trying to decided whether to mount it to a canvas base or leave as is.