warmth blocks in winter

I have started stitching on a couple of winter blocks. My theme hasn't strayed far from the block I stitched last year. 

I am making the new ones 12X12 inches to be compatible with last years'. If I can make one or two each year I can eventually sew them all together to make a quilt.

Moving inside as it gets colder outside inspires lots of imagery about warmth. I think a lot about keeping my family busy and happy as it becomes harder to spend time outside.

Filling our house with people always helps with warmth and cheer. I wish the same for all of you.

sharpening points

So much better for me to work in rows towards these stars - and adds a few more possibilities.

winter stars

More of the star, but winter colors now. We have snow and cold. The white backdrop of the snow makes it easier to appreciate the lovely lines of the plant stems and seed heads that have held on on through the weather. There's a lot of inspiration out there.

and I think I have worked a few things out for the construction of these stars, but only in my head so far. I learn a bit more with each one. I am now cutting things out to make a few more with the new plan. Some pieces of pale indigo I dyed during Glennis Dolce's online class a few years back are giving some variation against the whites. I think the pieced stars nicely echo the frost patterns, snowflakes and crispness of winter. Natural organization.

We have been busy celebrating 8 years old with our youngest and it's official today. Above - waiting "patiently" at 5:30 this morning to open his gifts. He's a funny one.

painting vs dyeing

This piece was made with painted cloth. Some of the variation in color resembles dyed cloth but it is painted. I used a small amount of paint to apply washes as needed to create the colors I wanted with the fabrics I already had. Most of the fabrics I used were solid colors to begin with - I used the paint to add some variation. I also used the paint to emphasize edges - darkening with washes inside or outside of a stitched line. 

I used Pebeo Setacolor transparent fabric paints. The big bottles I have had for quite awhile. The small bottles are part of a wonderful starter set available through Dharma Trading Co.

I also used sun printed fabric (sun printed with the same transparent fabric paint) I had made awhile back and just cut choice pieces out of it. 

However, we did dye some fabrics in the gold and amber range with smashed apples this weekend, which yielded some similar colors. I think I have mentioned this on here before but we just made cider this weekend and so here it is again.

My people (and pup) - Brett holding the apples that have been pureed through a garbage disposal system he has built for cider making (not shown). The cider colored bag is full of the pulp before it has been pressed. That bag has been used for several years and retains a beautiful rich cider color.

The one used for years shown on the right. Two new bags shown left and middle - of those two only the middle one was used this time. This is after being washed. Pretty amazing I think - just apples.

The lighting on some of my inside photos are all over the place today. We have crossed over into winter temperatures in the last few hours and it feels like it has been getting dark since about noon today. So -  hot cider tonight. Stay warm.

lines and shaped edges

Celebrating some fall color with those pieced stars. I think in layers as I start to work out the color and then the line of a cloth. The line work eventually rising above the blocks of color and the various depths of line suggested with the color of thread. I haven't made it back to stitching leaves yet, but there are so many similarities in an insect wing.

I also gave a shaped edge a try - a star as fringe.

and Eva has fully claimed the fabric scrap corner in the top of the very big basket next to my sewing machine. The pets stay close as the days get colder.

Have a great weekend.

starry light

Sorry for the delay, all is very well - and this is where I spent my extra hour this morning.