Latest Works
I'm posting a picture of le sock in progress... the yarn is some German stuff, and I'm knitting a 1x1 ribbed cuff/leg. When I get another inch or so, I'll start working the heel. That will be a new experience...
I don't think its actually patterning correctly, either. I wish I was clever enough to figure out how to cast on in a way that would guarantee the striping pattern intended. The sock band on this yarn didn't have a picture but I am pretty sure this is supposed to be a striping design of some sort. If I knew how to force the stripe, I'd unravel and re-knit this puppy. Chances are good though, that sock #2 will have the same patterning on it since I don't know what I'm doing, eh?
This is a quicky journal quilt in progress. Kim over at Skybell Arts is doing a Friday Collage challenge again this year, with the January theme being Everyday Life. I had admired her crossword quilt which she showed last week, as I do a crossword every day. I had this partial block leftover from a swap project, and thought this might be a fun background for a journal quilt. A cup of coffee and the puzzle are a standard part of my everyday life.
I don't think this is finished. Of course it needs quilting, and therein lies my question....
When is it a collage? When is it mixed media? When is it just a little quilt? In my mind, this example is just a little quilt at the moment. My interpretation of Kim's past Friday Collage quilts is that they can be made using a variety of techniques, including those which make it mixed media (fabric, paper, embellishments, applique) and that this makes it a collage - an assemblage of parts and pieces to express an idea. There are no "rules" to follow and no guidelines to be met in this fun little weekly project. So, in theory, this piece could be finished after quilting. Next question....
How would you embellish this to enhance the design? I'm stumped on this one, as in, if I wanted this to be a mixed media piece, I don't know where I would go next. I am not interested in adding gratuitous bling to this little piece. If it doesn't need it, why add it? At the same time, this piece already says "coffee and the puzzle are part of my everyday life" right now; would embellishment further communicate my fondness for the subject matter?
Let me show you a fantastic postcard I got the other day from Suzan Morgan, a member of the Art2Mail 19 postcard group.
"Beach Time"
The beadwork on this just blows me away. It gives this little piece so much movement - its a perfect example (in my opinion) of effective embellishment.
So, back to my coffee cup quiltlet... I have brainstormed for a moment and come up with a few ideas. Add some angelina to the steam wisps to give them some glitz. Bead around the edges of the appliques (red on the cup, black or white on the steam) to give them some sparkle. Bead some additional wispy lines amongst the coffee steam appliques. Stamp or emboss some coffee designs in paint on the background. Print some words enclosed in boxes (like crossword puzzle answers) on fabric and attach them to the quilt...like a coffee-house phrase or even a quote of some kind. Add a cluster of white beads and a scrap of pink fabric as a torn packet of sweetner. Tack a little silver spoon to the piece. (see, its becoming more mixed media and collage-like) Applique a big ol' donut with pink icing and a bunch of beady sprinkles to the piece, on top of a real napkin. (Yeah, I wish a donut was part of my everyday life!) Stamp coffee cup rings in brown ink on the piece?
How do you know when a collage/journal quilt is finished? I spent less than an hour fusing and appliqueing the base piece, and have thought about it for the next 10 hours! I believe the original Journal Quilt group at QuiltArt was allowed one day to create their piece as part of the challenge. I like the idea of spending just a few hours on these little pieces, simply because I see it as an exercise in spontaneous creativity and because I have other things to work on. To me this is a way to play with an idea and have some fun.
I'd love to have some feedback. I think I'm over-analyzing this, and that's the thing I want to get past - tell me how you decide what to do, and how you accomplish it in a certain amount of time. Tell the truth, do you really spend a lot of time thinking about it before you actually execute the idea? Or is it one of those things that starts flowing once you get started?
I love your piece the way it is...I wouldn't change a thing.
Posted by: Beth | January 13, 2007 at 09:54 AM
I found a great sock tuitorial if you're interested, I've used it over and over and over!
What about scanning the pencil and fusing it on?
I love-love-love the idea of the stamped coffee ring...
Can't wait to see it's next stage!
Posted by: QuiltingFitzy | January 13, 2007 at 08:27 AM
I think it is a darling piece. I don't have any answers to your questions, as I'm still trying to figure them out for myself. I think the main thing is when YOU think you should say it is done.
Posted by: Suzanne | January 12, 2007 at 03:52 PM
I'd probably be more likely to hand-quilt in (outline-draw) a pencil somewhere on it than actually attaching a real pencil.
I'd also probably (but with much grumbling and cursing as I don't like working with the stuff) embroider steam-curls from the cup in a metallic thread.
I sort of like it as it is, though.I tend to do things over-simply sometimes though.
One thing I do to test out "is it finished, is it "enough"" is to set something else on there I'm thinking of adding (or just tack it on temporarily) and see if I like it more or like it less with the addition. In lots of cases I like the addition less and I take it off.
Posted by: fillyjonk | January 12, 2007 at 02:56 PM
I can't believe we're all into cups, but I guess they're a big part of life! I didn't understand from what Kim said that the three hour limit actually has to hold, but you could certainly add angelina wisps in no time. I personally don't care for things hanging from quilts in general, but that's just me.
In any case, you've certainly got lots of ideas! It was fun to read your thought process about the collage.
Posted by: Kay | January 12, 2007 at 12:42 PM
I think the socks are cool. I have seen some that pattern our like that. I don't think you have done anything wrong.
Posted by: tami | January 12, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Well since its a wallie, why not add a bit of a real crossword puzzle, if its the newspaper type. And a pencil or pen on it would be cool.
Posted by: Vicky | January 11, 2007 at 06:38 PM
I think that it is totally up to you when a piece is done. Or, when the piece tells you that it is done! Don't force more because then you won't like it any more.
Posted by: DebGeyer | January 11, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Jeri -love the quiltlet especially the crossword fabric (I never seem to make it to the fabric store!)
"Over-analyzing" - ya think? For me, I spent a lot of time "thinking" about ideas while driving, shopping, working (wherever) - when the idea for the collage comes I usually sit down and "just do it." Today's Thursday - it's time to get one done. I have a couple of loose ideas, nothing firm but I know I'll finish it before I start dinner!
Posted by: kim | January 11, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Hi Jeri
I think I would drill holes through a small spoon or pencil and sew it on the quilt.
And I love your sock yarn! I don't think it is supposed to be striped. I am knitting a pair of socks now that are striped, and the color areas are much longer.. maybe 36" than they are in your yarn. The heel flap hasn't been that hard, but it is the gusset that I am sure that I am messing up. Oh well, that's how we learn.
Posted by: Teri | January 11, 2007 at 10:49 AM