Who Loves Ginkgo?

There is something so universally appealing about the shape and form of Ginkgo leaves that artists have used them in their designs and artwork. Think of the Asian artists, particularly the Japanese or how the Arts and Crafts movement stylized them for decorations.

I looked up information about Ginkgo and found out that the ginkgo is a living fossil, with fossils recognizably related to modern ginkgo from the Permian, dating back 270 million years. The closest living relatives are the cycads, which share with the extant G. biloba the characteristic of motile sperm. Fossils attributable to the genus Ginkgo first appeared in the Early Jurassic, and the genus diversified and spread throughout Laurasia during the middle Jurassic and  by the Palaeocene, only a few Ginkgo species remained in the Northern Hemisphere.  At the end of the Pliocene, Ginkgo fossils disappeared from the fossil record everywhere except in a small area of central China, where the modern species survived.
Ginkgo evolved in an era before flowering plants, when ferns, cycads, and cycadeoids dominated disturbed streamside environments, forming a low, open, shrubby canopy. The large seeds of Ginkgo and its habit of "bolting"—growing to a height of 10 metres (33 ft) before elongating its side branches—may be adaptations to such an environment. (edited from Wikipedia)

I planted a small Ginkgo tree in a planter on my deck. Family questioned my sanity by mentioning how tall it grows but I'm hoping that my great grand children will be around to see in planted in the backyard and thriving in the sunshine!
Now, I'm happy to offer three designs in Thermofax Screens that I've created with Ginkgo Leaves as the inspiration. They come taped and ready in three different sized frames: Small = 3 3/4" x 5", Medium = 5" x 8", Large = 8" x 10 3/4". Check them out here: http://fabricimagery.com/category/nature/

Thread Play and more.....

After some trial and error in learning to skein my threads properly, they are ready and waiting for you on my website: http://fabricimagery.com/category/threads-and-beads/

I discovered dyeing and organizing the threads to be highly addictive, so rest assured there will be lots more to come!
You'll want more than one or two of these lovelies:

New Fabrics

Last week I spent some time dyeing up half yard pieces. Today I got them listed in my store. Lots of creativity happening in my dye room.....

 

Come by and take a closer look: http://fabricimagery.com/category/yardage/

Latest from the Printed Fabric Bee

I'm a bit late in posting this but here's the sample of swatches that was won on Gerrie Congdon's blog
http://www.gericondesigns.com/weblog/?p=13228
I promise I'll be more up to date with the next one!

 

What have you done with your fabric lately?

Kristy's Quilt - Help Get It Started!

Are you looking for a heartwarming quilt-related gift for a child or grandchild in your family? Brandy Lynn Maslowski, the host of Canadian Quilt Talk, is constantly telling her listeners to share quilting with a younger generation on her talk show, her blog and everywhere she plays on social media. But she’s not just talking about it. She’s now making a move to get her children’s picture book, Kristy’s Quilt, published and in the hands and hearts of quilters and children everywhere.

 

Kristy's Quilt is a heartwarming quilt adventure based on a true story. This children's book features 10 year old Kristy, a spunky little quilter who blossoms at the In Stitches Quilting Retreat. A book for ages 2-92.

 Join Brandy Lynn, the Host of Canadian Quilt Talk on Feb. 14th for the launch of the Kristy’s Quilt Kickstarter campaign!

What’s Kickstarter? Supporters of the project (like you) fund the book in exchange for early bird copies and other fantastic rewards. Basically, if you back the project for $20 or more you’ll be one of the first people on earth to get a copy of the book in your hands this spring. You can choose any level of funding from $5 and up for all kinds of great rewards including bookmarks, softcover or hardcover copies, a doll quilt made by Brandy herself, and more. And most importantly, once the book is in your hands, you’ll be able to share your love of quilting with a child.

 

YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS HEARTWARMING PROJECT starting on Valentine’s Day and anytime from February 14th to March 14th by visiting to www.kickstarter.com and searching for Kristy’s Quilt. Thank you for sharing the heritage of quilting with a child.  

Here's the link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1295648186/a-spunky-little-quilter-blossoms-in-kristys-quilt?ref=live

Colour Blocking with Thickened Dyes

One of the lessons in my Screen Print with Success workshop involves using thickened dyes to print across the surface of the fabric. I love doing this exercise as its a fabulous way to play with colour mixing.
Here are some of my results:

Its not too late to register: http://susanpm.com/online-workshops/

Colour Play!

Last week I ordered a 25 metre bolt of white PFD (prepared for dyeing) fabric. I used it all up in less than a week! Its been a dyeing frenzy around here, with colour, dye, rinsing and washing happening at all hours of the day and night. Actually I had a great system of dyeing a batch first thing in the morning and rinsing it in the afternoon and then dyeing more and having it ready to rinse in the morning before beginning the dye process all over again.
I was concentrating on half metre pieces and doing colour gradations as well as some planned colour movements. I'll be taking all these with me when I'm lecturing this month for my own Victoria Quilters Guild and next month for the Boundary Bay Quilters Guild.
What do you think of these beauties?

I added threads to some of the fabrics in my colour gradations and made up these totally awesome packs that I've added to my store. So you can order them here: http://fabricimagery.com/category/colour-play/
I've got five colourways right now but will be adding more as I create them. Each pack contains four 11" x 18" fat eights and four 10 yard skeins of perle cotton, all packed up just for you! You can't stop at just one!

Screen Print with Success!

Screen Print with Success is open for registration! Join in this fun class and learn several ways to create image, texture and colour on fabric. These techniques show that screen printing is not difficult or expensive.Students will learn to make simple, basic screens that will meet all their needs and the appropriate paints and tools to use.

We will begin with freezer paper stencils and other masks, then move on to using soy wax on the screens with thickened dyes. Fabric dyes provide wonderful transparency, allowing you to build layers of colours without changing the hand of the fabric. Other screen printing techniques will be demonstrated including Thermofax screens, using gel mediums for foil and special effects.

Time will be spent on showing how the printed fabrics can be used in quilts, clothing and mixed media. Workshop fee will include one small Thermofax screen of student’s choice, mailed at the beginning of the workshop.

Does this sound like a fit for you? Well, hurry on over to: http://susanpm.com/online-workshops/ and sign up, registration is limited so don't delay! We'll see you in class!

Under Your Feet!

Do you spend a bit of time looking down at what you are walking on? Sidewalks, carpets and grating all have some awesome designs to inspire us....
Check these photos out that I took in my travels:









What have you seen under your feet?

Enjoy, Susan!

Learn all about Soy Wax!

Curious about how Soy Wax works, all the possible ways to apply and use Soy Wax? Looking to expand the techniques you already know?
Then join me for an exciting two days of dyeing, printing, painting and more as we make beautiful cloth!

 

Set aside March 12-13th for a colourful blast of fun! Students design their own unique one-of-a-kind fabrics using simple tools, dyes and soy wax…no messy clean-up, just wash this wax away!

Students will be using colour and pattern in new ways with sponging, stamping, drizzling and dabbing. You're sure to have so much fun making dynamic and exciting fabrics for all to admire.

Simple techniques and perfect for the beginner designer!

 

The workshop will be held in Duncan, BC in a beautiful 1200 sq ft. studio, located in a country setting. Join me and many others while we create and inspire each other!

 

You can get further details here: http://www.studiogart.com/workshops/ or email me: susanpm@shaw.ca