PLAY DAY
Posted by mountaintopquilting on Saturday, April 18th, 2009
Time is running out for the completion of my journal quilt block for this month of April. Our word this month was "freedom" and the quote:
Happiness is Freedom; Freedom is Courage.
Our technique challenge: we're to visit our art supply cupboards and find materials that would work for developing surface design on our blocks. During our gathering Catherine had some things from her stash and she let us play for a bit, but with about a dozen of us there with limited time and space conditions weren't quite the best for really developing an understanding of how different mediums might work on fabric. So Marje and Ann and I decided to have our own play day.
We gathered up all of our art supplies ... pencils, markers, crayons, inks, paint sticks, fabric paints ... anything we thought might be fun to play with. We each had a piece of muslin and any books that might have instructions - I had a DVD that came with my Tsunikeniko Inks for us to watch. Marje was testing a finishing product she had read about that helps set color pencil work on fabric. Ann had some inks from her glass egg dyeing days and a wealth of knowledge from her painting and colored pencil art background to share with us.
We brainstormed; we problem solved; we experimented and played; we laughed and had fun being "free and courageous" as we let our creative juices flow. Marje settled in on her journal block design. She'll be doing something with zebras. Marje is working with the concept of having the freedom to find the courage to dare to be different.
Ann is working more on a Native American theme and has started a weaving using a light gauzy fabric and several funky fibers and yarn that is full of texture. She wants to add beading and some found object collage work centered around the flight of the eagle.
And I am challenging myself to work in a minimalist style for my composition. I would like to use tone on tone neutrals for the backgorund with a single small star pieced up in the right hand corner. I'm planning to use the inks for simple textural detail work to add interest and flow to the piece. My theme is patriotic in nature.
When you give yourself the gift of time - the freedom and courage - to tap into your creative muse and play, you'll find that creativity spreading out into all aspects of your quilting projects. Embrace the "what-ifs" and "I wonders." Find a friend and dare to embark on a journey of exploration together. It will feed your soul and fill your heart with joy!
And now ... all we have to do is get started putting our ideas into motion and onto the fabric. What a fun day and creative day.
