Sue Bleiweiss

Book review : Art + Quilt

Art & Quilt: Design Principles and Creativity Exercises
by Lyric Kinard

The author opens the book by saying that it will not teach you everything you need to know but that she hopes it will give you a solid foundation from which to spring and give you direction for further study.  The book begins opens with a discussion on getting ready to create that includes guest essays by Janine Leblan who talks about Overcoming Fear, Laura Cater-Woods tells you "Yes, You are Creative" and Hollis Chatelain talks about "Doing the Work".    The second chapter in this book introduces you to the Elements of Art starting with some guidelines on how to do the exercises and materials and tools and then moves into talking about elements for the textile artist which include texture, shape, line, color and value.  Chapter three deals with principle of design covering unity and variety, focal point, balance and symmetry, scale and proportion, depth and space, motion, and rhythm.  Chapter four focuses on using a 45 minute a day exercise to explore all of the subjects covered in the previous chapters and includes a student gallery to illustrate the results.  The book closes with a chapter on evaluation and critique to help you evaluate your own work and how to interpret the opinions of others. This is achieved with several gallery style pages of the authors work accompanied by questions to ask as you view the piece.

While this is a well written book filled with lots of beautiful work it does lack the in depth look at any of the topics covered in the second and third chapter which deal with the elements of art and the principles of design.  However, it does,  as the author states in the beginning of the book give you a basic foundation from which to work forward from.

Book review - The Quilted Object

The Quilted Object

Making things with quilt art techniques

by Ineke Berlyn

The name of this book really doesn't do justice to what this book is about and the cover photograph would lead you to believe that you'll find a lot of similarly quilted type projects inside.   The book begins with a discussion about keeping a journal and sketchbook and then moves into some information about creating journal quilts including a quilt as you go technique and how to organize your own quilt group challenges, where to find inspiration and developing your designs.  The author then moves into a section on adding colour to fabric with dyes, indigo, bleach discharge and dissolving or deconstructed screenprinting.  None of these topics is covered in depth so a beginner to these subjects may find the information lacking.

Later chapters cover making postcards and wall hangings, bags (like the one on the book cover), boxes, creative dolls (you'll love the chicken one and the sheep one is just too cute), working with lutradur, how to color it and turn it into boxes and landscapes.  The book finishes with a chapter on finishing touches with information on binding the edges of your quilts.  This is a beautiful book filled with some intriguing and engaging projects and surface design techniques however, it is not a "quilting projects" book in the traditional sense as the title may lead you to believe.

book review

Carry Me
20 Boutique Bags to Sew
by Yuka Koshizen

If you want to make bags with a sophisticated, elegant and fashionable edge then you'll love this book.    A refreshing change from the overly cute, trendy, boring make your own bag styles that have become popular in the last few years this book shows you how to create gorgeous boutique style bags.  The Winter Tweed Boston bag has a snap frame closure and leather handle along with coordinating small purse making it perfect for a weekend trip.  I love the clean, unobtrusive shape of the market day canvas tote, and the Cabana tote bag.  You'll also find a messenger bag, urban travel trunk and laptop bag pattern as well as patterns for everyday use bags such as the shoulder bag, wayfarer denim tote with coordinating zippered clutch and the Left Bank Granny bag with coordinating drawstring day bag.  Just about all of the bag projects have a coordinating smaller project making the 20 projects that the book is named for much higher.  The circle pochette bag that accompanies the business class laptop bag certainly can stand on it's own as a bag project and you'll probably end up making several of the book covers that go with the Cabana Tote bag.   It's the special touches that set these bag designs apart from the ones you typically find.  Leather straps, eyelets, tassles on the zipper pulls, fabric covered buttons, purse feet, adjustable straps, and twist lock fasteners all give these bag designs an upscale, chic look.

Another nice touch are the full sized pull out patterns included with the book.  You'll also find a tips and techniques section that will help you achieve professional polished results which each bag you make. Each project includes information about the fabric used as well a full materials list and finished project size.

Recommended for the intermediate to advanced sewer.

another book review...

experimental textiles
A journey through design, interpretation and inspiration
by Kim Thittichai
ISBN 978-1906388478

Let me begin this review by telling you what this book isn't: it is not a book of how to techniques. There are no step by step directions on how to create any of the gorgeous pieces in this book. What it is though, is a guide to how you can develop your own textile art. It begins with a section on exploring where ideas come from and then how to create and develop your designs and ideas based on your own sketches, photographs and other collected ephemera. There is a brief discussion about color in textiles and the color wheel that is straightforward and easy to understand. The second part of this book guides you through finding a focus for your work beginning with choosing a subject, interpreting it into a body of work, working in the three-dimension and the challenges associated with creating structure with textiles followed by a discussion regarding scale and things to consider when working with large 3d pieces. The book closes with a discussion about inspiration focusing on the work of 8 artists and where they find theirs and showcases the work of Ruth Issett, Cylde Olliver, Judy Martin, Myriam Tripet, Angie Hughes, Lee Brown, Bobby Britnell, and Gwen Hedley. This is a beautiful book that's very well written and filled with stunning photographs that are impossible not to be inspired by.

Book review & painted canvas

The Creative Edge

exercises to celebrate your creative self

by Mary Todd Beam

ISBN 978-1600611117

As you all know I am not a painter but  I found that all of the exercises and techniques in this book are easily adaptable to working on cloth instead of wrapped canvas.  I haven't put this book down since I got it and it's really pushing me to do more experimenting with different types of mediums and tools for applying color to cloth.  It's a spiral bound book so it lays flat when opened and it's filled with page after page of beautiful photos of the processes and the finished works.  If you're looking for a way to jump start your creative muse buy this book, you won't be dissapointed.   As a matter of fact the other day I went and grabbed some canvas fabric, all my Goldens fluid acrylic paints and painted up a few surfaces to work with.

 

All of these are painted with the Golden's Fluid Acrylics.  The first two above are just as I've painted them but these next two I wasn't entirely thrilled with because the colors were a bit too much.  So I left them to dry and then I threw them in the washer and dryer hoping to wash out some of the color. 

 

There wasn't as much color loss at all which actually surprised me since I was working with an acrylic paint and I didn't bother to do any type of heat setting to it before I washed them.  Now that I know this I'll be less hesitant to use these paints on a fabric that I know I will wash because the paints didn't effect the hand of the cloth at all and I think that if I had let the fabric cure for several days first and then applied some heat I may not have had even as much as I did.  Of course I've only washed these once so it will be interesting to see what happens the next time they go through the wash/dry cycle. 

The next step for these fabrics is to apply some imagery with either silkscreens or some other method...

Book review - Green Guide for Artists

Green Guide For Artists
Nontoxic recipes, green art ideas & resources for the eco-conscious artist
by Karen Michel
ISBN 978-1592535187

Artists today are also becoming more aware of the impact that the supplies and tools they use have on their environment, living and working spaces. This book is great resource for the artist and crafter who wants to explore using non-toxic earth friendly paints, adhesives and mediums. There is more here than just recipes for paint and adhesives; you'll also find information on how to understand the product safety labels found on art materials and supplies along with web resources for further research. Also included are several green product that encourage you to re-purpose, reuse and recycle what you have on hand. I loved the Papier-mache birds project! Some other projects include making notepads from recycled materials, learn to stretch your own canvas, repurposing unused objects into art and a plastic bag list makers journal.

Project and recipe directions are easy to understand and follow and are accompanied by tons of beautiful full color photographs. An artist gallery provides loads of inspiration and eye candy. An impressive comprehensive 3 page list of resources that include where to buy green art supplies, resources for alternative art materials, artist resources and organizations and more is included at the back of the book.  

book review

fabric art collage
40+ mixed media techniques
by Rebekah Meier
ISBN 978-1571205803

Without a doubt Rebekah's work is beautiful and if you're new to the world of mixed media then you'll find this book an invaluable reference. The author covers a wide range of techniques for adding color, texture, stitching and embellishments to fabric along with ways to create distressed fabrics and work with heat tools. There's no in depth look at any of the techniques but she gives enough information to get the reader started along with variations to consider and helpful tips. There are 5 small quilt projects provided and a five page gallery of the authors work provides a lot of eye candy and inspiration. Artist new to the mixed media art form will find this book easy to read and follow and a great guide for jumping in and experimenting with a wide range of techniques.  Experienced mixed media artists will find it a nice reference to have on hand especially when looking for inspiration, a finishing touch technique for their own pieces or a memory jogger for a technique they haven't used in a while.

book & product review

I don't usually share personal things on my blog but today I will make an exception.  Over the last year or so I've developed severe tendinitis in my elbows from all the cutting that I do with my rotary cutter cutting fabric and paper and my utility knife when I cut book board.  And now I've also got it in my hand in my thumb joint.  For those of you who also have this condition you know how painful it can be some days to use your rotary cutter.  Well I'm not willing to give up my rotary cutter so what's a girl to do?  The other day I was looking around blog land and I came across someone's post (I can't remember who it was and I can't seem to find it again) and they were talking about this new type of rotary cutter:

It's put out by Martelli.  I was skeptical but ordered a 60mm sized one and I have to say it's fanatastic!  Because of the way you hold it in your hand it takes the pressure off the thumb joint and I swear that I have an easier time controlling it when doing long cuts than my standard rotary cutter.  I love it!    You can buy them direct on the Martelli website here.   I have no affiliation with the Martelli people,  just a happy customer!

and I recently received this book to review:

Freestyle Machine Embroidery: Techniques and Inspiration for Fiber Art
Carol Shinn
ISBN: 978-1596680425

Carol Shinn is a master at freestyle machine embroidery and shares her techniques and methods for creating beautiful works of art with thread.  Beginning with an overview to help the reader understand the process she moves into color mixing and how layering threads and understanding gradation can add depth, interest and complexity to your finished pieces.   Then she takes you step by step through her process for creating a piece starting with choosing a subject right through to presenting and framing the finished piece.  Clear close up photos of the steps make it easy to understand and follow the written directions and makes this book an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to explore or expand their knowledge of the techniques in this book.  You'll find it hard not to be inspired by the wonderful clear color photos of Carol's work that appear throughout the book.  This book is an outstanding guide to the art of freestyle machine embroidery.  Highly recommended.

Book review!

It's been a while since I posted a book review so.....

Inspired to Quilt
Creative Experiments in Art Quilt Imagery
By Melanie Testa
ISBN: 9781596680968

If you want to learn how to translate those pages of sketches and drawings in your journals into stunning art quilts then you must have this book. Learn the authors techniques for working with thickened dyes to stamp, stencil and monoprint your fabric along with how to use soy wax as a resist and direct dye painting to create gorgeous results on cotton and silk organza.  Then use Melanie's signature technique of layering the two together along with free motion embroidery, hand stitching and foiling to create a truly unique art quilt.   For those readers who don't want to start with an art quilt she's included several patterns (small zippered purse, sewing holster, ATC's & postcards) for working on a smaller scale so you can experiment with the techniques before committing to a larger project.  A beautifully illustrated book filled with images of Melanie's work it's difficult to flip through the pages without being inspired.  She has a comfortable and engaging writing style that makes her techniques easy to follow and understand.    I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to explore a new and unique way to create imagery on cloth while expanding his or her library of surface design techniques.

Book review & journal closures

In my last post Deb left a comment asking me about journal closures so I thought I'd talk about the closures that I use on my journals here for those of you who are interested.

For my hardcover books I usually use these:

These are leather straps that install very easily with a hammer.  They come in a natural brown color but they're easily colored using textile paints.  You can get these at www.scrapbook.com

For fabric journals (and sometimes my hardcover journals too) I will use elastics.

The ones on the left are easily found in the notions aisle at the fabric store.  I prefer the round elastic cording to the flat type. The ones on the right I buy from Judith M Millinery Supplies

Sometimes I'll use a leather or suede cording to close my journals:

Check your craft store for these.  I actually get these in Joannes craft store in the beading section of the store. 

Another option for a wrapped closure is to use these gorgeous rayon Corde' Twists:

These came from Joggles.com  These make a beautiful wrap tie around a journal.  I like to use 4 strands knotted together when I use these on journal like I did on this one:

A knot every so often in the cords keeps them from getting all tangled up.  Notice that on this journal (and on a lot of my journals actually) I have a coordinating button.  I make these using the button kits from Dritz:

You can find these in the fabric store too.  I like the 1 1/2" size but they come in a lot of different sizes.

You can also use velcro as a closure.  It comes in a lot of different colors but if you can't find the color you like you can "dye" the white velcro by dipping it in a jar of Jacquard dye-na-flow paint.  Just make sure you buy the sew in type.  Don't ever try to sew the stick on type, you'll ruin your needle on your machine and you'll never get a good seam.

Hope you all find that information helpful  - if you have any other ideas for closures on books and journals, please pass them along!

I love this new book by Violette!

Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash Your Inner Eccentric
By: Violette
ISBN: 978-1600611896

There are a lot of journaling how to books out on the shelves these days but this new book by Violette stands out above them all. Page after page of Violette's wonderful, whimsical and engaging artwork along with prompts, tips and creative techniques to get you started on creating your own art journals. Even if you're a practiced art journaler you'll enjoy this book because it's impossible to flip through it and not be inspired by the imagery. But there's more here to be inspired by than just the artwork. Violette covers a ton of techniques starting with silencing your inner critic and then moves into creating groovy backgrounds, image transfers and fanciful lettering as well as doodling and bodacious borders. I highly recommend this book, it's a must have for anyone interested in art journaling!