Wisconsin Illinois Landscapes

This week-end we drove up to Madison WI to visit my brother-in-law and his girlfriend. I have mentioned this before, but I love to see the landscape flying by out the car window. I am always snapping pictures of the fields and barns as we drive along. I will be driving down to Bloomington IN on Wednesday to teach at the IHQS and will of course have my camera out and taking pictures as I drive along.

I don’t know why but seeing the landscapes like this makes me feel safe and warm and good all over.

Of course I have starting turning these images into quilts and am constantly thinking about the colors and layout of these compositions.

Illinois Landscape

On the way home

Sister Trees

And the winner is…

I just got home from a week in PA visiting my new grandson Micah. Isn’t he the cutest!!

Micah and his mom and dad picked the winner for my drawing of a free copy of Noriko Endo’s inspirational book called “Confetti Naturescapes” from Dragon Threads – Extraordinary Textile Arts Books.

Micah says he hopes that BEV in Utah enjoys her new copy of this fabulous addition to her library. Bev if you are reading this send me an email with your mailing address to -

frieda@friestyle.com

I’ll be giving away something exciting next month so please be sure and check in to see what it could possibly be.

Forest Verge

Tomorrow I will pick a name to send out the free copy of Noriko’s book.

This wonderful landscape is titled “Forest Verge”

Noriko says about this quilt

“This quilt is my first large Confetti Naure scape quilt. I wanted to achieve in cloth what the impressionist painters achieved in their oil paintings.

I was doing a lot of cutting fabrics into toothpick-size pieces but this quilt also has lots of large on inch square pieces.”

Noriko

Of course I love Noriko’s work. She loves trees and leaves and so do I. Here are several more overall shots of some of her work. In the book you also get great close-up pictures, you can really see how these are made. And she talks about her inspiration.

Ohio Land

Cotton, tulle, machine appliquéd and quilted.

Grand Teton #1 Snake River

Cotton, machine quilted and hand appliqué.

Leave me your comments and be sure and tell a friend about the free give away.

Noriko Endo

Noriko's work is like taking a walk through these wonderful landscapes.

I love her use of color and perspective.
Let me know what you think.

Confetti Naturescapes

Noriko Endo has written a wonderful book – Confetti Naturescapes.
Noriko is an award-winning quilter, she was born and raised in Japan.  Her unique perspective makes this one of the most interesting quilting books on the market. In Confetti Naturescapes Noriko writes about the inspiration she finds everywhere in nature and the techniques she employs to create her masterpieces.
Her naturescapes have the look of impressionist paintings and feature trees, leaves, flowers, lakes, small forest creatures, mushroom, spider webs, and more.  Shapes and images in Noriko’s naturescapes are created using her confetti techniques, which  involves layering colorful bits of fabric on batting, adding a covering of tulle and then machine quilting the entire piece.  Noriko takes readers step-by-step through her process of choosing a subject and selecting colors, then designing, constructing and finishing the work.

I meet Noriko years ago when we were in a workshop together. She is a lovely, lively and talented artist. I know you are going to enjoy her book. This week I am going to feature several of her quilts and on Friday I will be giving away a copy of her book to one lucky winner.
So leave your comments with email address and on Friday my new little grandson and his mom and dad will pick one lucky winner who will receive a free copy of “Confetti Naturescapes” to enjoy.

Purple Coneflowers

This is your chance to own one of my original art pieces. Purple Coneflowers is made with Hoffman Batik fabrics and measures 16” x 20”. It is machine quilted with Superior Rayon Thread and is a raw edged fused original Frieda Anderson design. The bidding on Ebay ends Feb 20, 2011 5:00:20 pm PST. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to have original art work hanging on the wall of your studio – work space.

Traditional frames

Of course you can always go the traditional route and just frame your small quilts. For some reason I hate to see fiber behind glass. But it sure looks professional.

TimTex frame

A new idea that I have used recently is to create a frame using TimTex ®, a heavy interfacing.
Picture #5










I used a wavy blade in my rotary cutter to cut out the frame for this art quilt.
Using fusible web, I attached my complimentary fabric color to both sides of a heavy piece of TimTex that is cut at least three inches larger all around than my art piece. I then trim this TimTex sandwich with a decorative rotary blade in my rotary cutter to the size I need. (Use the decorative blade(s) of your own choice). This creates a frame that I can center my art on. In the center of the back of this frame, I place a cord that will act as a hanging loop. The cord is attached by creating a loop with tails. The tails are caught behind a piece of square fabric that is fused to the back in the center of the frame. I stitch around the edges of the square to secure this fabric, and the cord tails are stitched down behind the fabric square.
Picture #6
I used a pinking blade in my rotary cutter to cut out the frame for this art quilt.
I use the same method of applying Velcro to the frame and the art work as I have mentioned before.

The back of the frame with a loop or I-cord applied to hang the frame.

Valentine's Day Cards

Every year I hand make Valentine's cards for my family.
I usually make each one very different and it takes me days to make them all. But this year I was a little pressed for time and it dawned on me I could just make variations on a theme. So that is what I did and boy did they go a lot faster.
I used mostly left over fused silk this year. It was very hard to photograph for you.

I start out with a pile of left over fused scraps and card stock that I bought at Target that has matching envelops. I use my decorative rotary blade to give some pizzaz to the edges of the background silk and the card itself. I fused the designs directly to the card stock. It couldn't be any easier. I did pre-print the side of the card before I started with "Happy Valentines" I couldn't fit Day on there so I left it off. I used Adobe Illustrator to position the writing on the card.

I even use the leftover leftovers to create a really random collage. I sent this one to my sister.

Valentine Hearts

Happy Valentine’s Day XXOO

Winter is still here, but the great thing about February is that I am a new Grandmother!! I am so excited. There is another little person to love. February IS the month for love. The heart is an ancient symbol. It is possible that the symbol began as an iconic sign for the body's heart. But now, throughout the Western world, it signifies togetherness and love. I know that I have always been attracted to the shape and used it in my quilts. This month's special will include that shape. With every order, I will send you the free pattern to make the this small fused art quilt Valentine Hearts.To go along with the pattern, two of the fabrics that I use in this pattern are on sale for the month of February for $20 a yard - Summer Flowers and Pink Pulp. This is a great deal as the price of cotton has just gone up, but not my prices! You have lots of fabric in a yard and could easily make two or three versions of this quilt. One for you and one for your best friend.

Purple Coneflowers - Fused Art Quilt by Frieda Anderson

 

Each month I am going to auction off one of my small art quilts on ebay. This months quilt was inspired by the purple cone-flowers that grow in my garden. I do love these flowers and the way they multiple and fill in garden.

It could soon grace your walls. Bidding starts today Bid now.
Purple Haze©2009 16″ x 20″ (Fabric; Island Batiks and my hand dyes, machine quilted with Superior Rayon Thread) 
Bidding ends February 20th.

Small stretcher frames

Small stretcher frames can be covered with felt, or you can use canvas frames that have been either spray painted or covered with fabric as a base to put your fiber art on. I like to use Velcro as an alternative to sewing or gluing your art work to the frame. By using the Velcro, you can easily switch out your art if the sizes are similar.
Picture #4

This is the piece of art I made for my niece for Christmas. She told me she got new furniture that was red and blue. The stretcher frame is covered with black felt that has been backed with a stabilizer, the felt is too flimsy on its own.
Here is another version of using a stretcher frame. I layered the quilt top with batting and backing and quilted it. Once it was quilted I stretched the edges over the frame and attached it to the back with a staple gun. I think I would rather finish the piece and then stretch fabric over the frame and then attach it to the fabric on the frame. What do you think?

The back of the frame

Someone asked about the framing wire on the back of the plexi-glass frame. Here is a picture of it. I used plastic coated wire, but really any wire works fine.

More framing

Years ago I discovered a nice and inexpensive technique to create a frame for my smaller fiber art pieces that I still use to display my art. I use ¼” clear Plexiglas cut at least 2 inches larger all around than the art work. Any framer will be able to sell you ¼” clear Plexiglas. I attach a piece of framing wire to the back side of the Plexiglas. To attach the wire, I use a new sharp drill bit in a power drill to drill 4 holes in the center back of the Plexiglas and run a piece of picture framing wire through the four holes. The four holes are determined by measuring down from the top of the frame three inches, finding the center of the frame, and drilling the 4 holes parallel and equally distant from the middle. I place sticky Velcro on the Plexiglas and sew pieces of non-sticky Velcro to the back of the fiber art piece. Then I attach the fiber art piece to the Plexiglas. By framing your work in this way, the fiber art is still accessible.

Picture #3

Ideas for framing your small art quilts

As a fiber artist, I like touching my art. However, framing my art makes it easier to display and gives formality to the work.

Over the years I have tried different methods to frame and display my small art pieces. Lately, I have come up with a few additional new ideas.

A very simple way to display fiber art is to use a table stand and a piece of foam core to support the piece of art. Apply a little sticky double sided tape or Velcro to the back of the art attaching it to the foam core. The foam core will keep the piece propped up well. You can even buy foam core that is close in color to the art work.

Picture #1 The foam core supporting this quilt is cut exactly the same size as the quilt.

Picture #2 The foam core on this one also acts as a frame, showcasing the art quilt.

I made two quilted signs for my son’s wedding reception. I attached these both to green foam core and they were very easy to display then on the easels.

IQF in Houston October 31-November 6

I will be teaching again this year at the International Quilt Festival show in Houston, TX.

I will be teaching Free Motion Machine Quilting on October 31 from 9-12p.m. This class has sold out two years in a row. If you have tried before to get into this class and were unable to perhaps this is your year.

I will teach it again on Tuesday November 1 in the afternoon from 1-5. You have two different opportunities to get in the class.

I will also be teaching a small fused art quilt class on Monday October 31 in the afternoon, called Field Poppies. This class has a prefused kit to make it really fast and lots of fun to make. You don’t have to bring lots of tools to class.

I just thought I would let you know so that you can get ready for all the fun this fall in Houston.

The circle of life

I’m a new grandma!! I am so excited. I have never seen a more beautiful baby.

Here is our baby boy Lars holding his baby boy Micah.

Let it snow

On Sunny Sunday I traveled to Fort Wayne IN to teach two classes and do a lecture. The class was full on Monday, we did Laughing Leaves and everyone made such fantastic designs. I was surprised that even with weather warnings we had a full class for Free Motion Machine Quilting on Tuesday. You can't keep quilters away from what they love. But the bad weather canceled the Tuesday evening lecture and left me stranded here in Fort Wayne for awhile. I am sitting in the hotel room waiting now for the snow to stop  in Chicago and for them to dig out from the big  storm so I can drive home. My husband said that the snow was up to his waist!! He shoveled a path on the deck for George to get out this morning and then George JUMPED into the snow and swam to the tree to do his  business. However he couldn't get himself back to the deck. My husband had to wade out into the snow and rescue him!! It is not so bad here in Fort Wayne, but they have closed all the schools and are asking people to stay off the roads, so I am sitting here watching the weather channel. It is COLD and blowing here and COLD, blowing and still snowing in Chicagoland. Tomorrow the sun is suppose to come out and hopefully they will get my street plowed and my drive way shoveled so I can pull into the garage and STAY THERE.

On a brighter and happier note, thank you to Carol in Billings MT who won the top bid on my little quilt Petite Poppies. I know it is going to a loving home.

Thank goodness I brought along some work and my knitting. I hope there is a good movie on TV today. Wish me luck getting back home.