Fall in Virginia

Virginia is a beautiful state, especially on a crisp autumn day. What could be better than a motorcycle ride through the gorgeous countryside of pastures, woods, vineyards, and small towns, enjoying the colors, sights and scents of fall.

Photo to Black & White Image

Here are the leaf images, converted to black & white using photoshop elements. After converting the color photo to black & white, I then used a filter choice called Sketch, and within that, a "stamp" effect. Now they can be printed on paper, and the print used to create a thermofax screen for printing on fabric.

Leaves

A few days ago, I collected some fall leaves while out for a walk. After pressing in a phone book to flatten them, I pulled them out today and took photos, with the intent of turning them into thermofax screens.

Marvelous Mushrooms

Found these marvelous mushrooms in the woods behind my house today.  I have never seen such large clusters or all the ruffly edges.  They are quite firm, not nearly as delicate as they look.

Hurricane!

We survived Hurrican Irene with lots of rain, and leaves and twigs scattered everywhere.  Power flickered but stayed on, thank goodness.  So I was able to get in some quilting time.  I added borders to 2 of my quilt camp pieces, got them sandwiched with backing and batting, so they are ready to be quilted.  Also played a bit with some printing.

Above is a piece called Color Theory.  The primary and secondary color rectangles were hand-dyed and textured with paint sticks, and fused to the background.  Next, some hand stitching to highlight the color theme.  The other piece I worked on is for a challenge, so pictures of that will have to wait.

 These are some pieces I dyed earlier this month; some half yards and an assortment of other linens and crocheted pieces.

My husband's been growing okra in the garden but nobody eats it!  So it seemed like the perfect thing to use for making some vegetable prints.  The cross-cut pieces make a nice little flower shape.

Earthquake!

Busy at work today when I suddenly felt a strange vibration under my feet.  I couldn't imagine who was moving something that would make a concrete floor rumble like that!  Next thing I know, the top section  of my desk (shelves full of 3-ring binders) was on the floor.  Luckily I was not sitting at the desk!  Close call!

Pillows

I made these 2 pillows for my daughter who recently moved to an apartment.  The blue & green segments with screen printing are hand dyes and the screen is of money plant, made from a photo I took when the plant was going to seed.  The other fabrics are commercial prints.  I did the printing and put the tops together at "quilt camp", and did the quilting and fnishing at home.

                                          Above is a close-up of the quilting.