More to See

I finally got a chance to photograph the scarves I've made a couple of weeks ago, and sent them to my website store. They almost make me long for the cool days and swishy coats of fall. We've had a warm July, I believe. Looking forward to cool.

Something New to Me

I've never tried to paint with thickened dyes. It's fun, and this trial taught me that if I was to use this method of working, I'd better get my own set of images and style. Just knowing it works is worth the trial, and I'll see how to integrate this technique into the work I have. 

Art Imitates Nature

Today's forecast called for lighting and harsh weather. So, when I looked for the next tree hugger Yard in the Yard I picked this. It seemed to have the storm already there, waiting for Mother Nature to battle with it. I'll pick a sunny one for tomorrow.

A Little Color in Your Life

Someone who loves my fabric, and shows it by buying it, wanted to put the cotton printed stuff as chair covers for her dining room chairs. I used a lightweight cotton canvas for my dining room chairs, and am happy to make her some. New up on the print table. 

Ta Daaaaaa

Over a month back I showed you a piece my son-in-law commissioned for sound absorbing panels. I printed and painted on white unprimed linen, that was stretched over a frame and stuffed with Rock Wool. Here's the installation. I'd like it even if it didn't absorb.

Singing the Blues

This yard that I've printed will go up on my website shop. It's the kind of design that is what I center medallion, or square in a square. Might just whole cloth quilt it and call it a shower gift. Just a suggestion. www.patpauly.com/shop

Pieces Not Resistance

I'm getting ready to send out my The New Big Leaf pattern for my upcoming virtual class. Which means updating the pattern, the instructions, and more photos to explain how I do it. Just in case you have the pattern and not me in a virtual class. This piece says just about everything you need to know. Class is still open at www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses 

Three Out of the Steamer

Here's a bundle unrolled from it's steam bath. I'm trying to keep the whites pure and set that dark as well. These three now go off to rinses and then washes. Then more bundles to steam. Next week is print week. Yipee!

Getting Steamed

I think I've finally got the hang (no pun intended) of steaming these mostly white background pieces. It took some Amazon purchasing for a big pot, some major trial and big error, but I'm starting to get A's for results. Better than Es for effort. Onward!

Needing a Reboot

Since this pattern will be used virtually -- that is with me there but at a distance -- I need to redo it so it makes more sense. So, redo, revamp, reboot. Whatever you call it, tomorrow it's off to the printer. Then off to mail. Soooon.

The New Big Leaf Virtually

Well, it was just a matter of time before I got round to adding The New Big Leaf as a virtual class. So, now you can be part of the class and get this pattern to make a freezer-paper based template. This is made with my hand dyed fabric and is about 24" x 24". You know where -- www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses 

What Happens When I'm Not Looking

Jo was in my New Big Leaf class years ago. She didn't do much in the class time, but emerged with this beauty afterward. That's just how she rolls. Pretty stunning. I just put up the Virtual New Big Leaf class on website. Mind you, my pattern ain't this. But you can do this later on your own just like Jo. Maybe.

Take Two Virtually Good

In light of the comet swooshing across the sky, I offer this "Take Two" piece. I've just put up the Take Two Virtual Class on my website for September 15-16. It's a two day class where we design and composition, and end with working with just two fabrics. Think about it: www.patpauly.com/virtualclasses

Finding a Fun Home

Judy came by yesterday to find a mate for a pillow she bought in March. Reporting back she said the two were good partners. And now I've got to make more pillows. So much for resting in the hammock.

How Does Fabric Become Ethereal?

With a few cuts, and a few fabrics, this piece takes on a life. I know there no plan in place when it started, just some yardage and a hunch that it could amount to something. This is the end of a week of Graphic Design in Abstract Quilts. Thank you my class! Enjoyed you all.

Turn the Tables, er, Design Wall

I've been watching five women work on design walls this week, and one of them sent this portrait of me and my design wall. It's the end of the day, the lights are dimmed, and time to reflect. Always a good learning space. Always. 

Two for the Price Becomes One

These, I'm told, are about 42" high. I'm only able to see them virtually, but I'm definitely in the room as they are being built. The third day of Abstract Design class seems to be chugging along. And we are all learning, that's certain. So, two distinct sides, one big learning experience.

Homework Revealed

I sent my class a photo of my fabric yard to print as a photo and cut up that photo. I often advise buyers to do the same -- cut the photo. A few examples came of it and were all different. Same song, many voices. Thanks, class. You (who did the exercise) get A+.

It's Virtually Strange, But Fun

Abstract was the buzz word today for the week long design class. This exercise had to marry great shapes with great background. Mine (above) was pale compared to what the class did. No problem with that, I'm glad to see better outcomes!

Thank You Friends

This morning I bundled up fabric to go out tomorrow. I am always so thankful that people appreciate my work, are willing to use it, and encourage me to continue. These are friends indeed. Thank you.

Design Class Has Homework

But it's fun homework. Print this photo. Then we'll do something with it. It's a yard of my fabric, I'll add it to the web site's store for prints for sale. First I'll bungee chord it to my tree for Yard in the Yard. Meanwhile, print your homework!

Wild Friday Night

For printing, I mix pots of thickened dye and hope to use them over the five day session. I've also got a gallon of clear print paste. My ending prints take on a "what's left" vibe, with red usually the last to be used. Took me an evening to clean up table, screens. And it's not usually this wild, but it is Friday night.

End of the Day Table Scape

It was a day of printing, and this end of the day took its color palette from what was left on the color mix. It won't look quite so dark and contrasty when it is dry and ironed. And that's tomorrow.

Making More to Fill the Gaps

The first month I've had a "shop" on my website I am happy to say that half of the things have gone off to studios, workshops, or wardrobes. I've put up more new prints. Scarves are on the print table, that's what I've been doing today -- printing! Check them out -- www.patpauly.com/shop

More More Fabric

I've added more than a dozen yards of new prints to my web site shop. Cause I had to! Seems at least that and more have gone out in the mail. Which means I'm printing. Ah, the circle of (print) life!

Know When to Fold 'Em

Two of my recently printed fabrics hit the design wall today. I'll do the "pinch test" to see what to get out of them for design and graphics. They might serve to be the end in themselves, but I might add more. That's why my design wall is 15 feet wide.

Growing Legs

My pellon rolled fabric is ready to get steamed. I've given it some clothespin legs to raise it off the floor of the grate in the steamer. I think it will help.

Buck Moon for the Fourth of July

Talk about conflicting ideas -- a Buck Moon and Independence Day. Well, they might not be quite as mutually exclusive as that. Bucks are that solitary roamer, independent. So, a fitting full moon for tonight. Happy Independence Day, you independent thinkers!

Washing Out After a Steam Bath

I'm trying a new method of washing excess dye from the cloth by steaming. First I'll wrap in a sheet of Pellon interfacing. We'll see how it goes in the steam bath. 

Why Do I Like This

Often I'll  declare "I like this one", but there must be a why. Like a good critique. So, the turquoise color is strong, buffered by a dark blue. The range from light to dark, and the scale of the graphic is large enough -- not so small to go unnoticed. And it's wonderfully messy, with the look of the hand. Nice to me.

In the Know

Folks in my Virtual Print know how I got this print. On a background that had "dried" I screen printed on top. It's through the wash and ready to use. The others are various prints, waiting for attention on my design wall.