Full Moon on the Rise

As I worked on this example for the next Take Two class, I realized I had a study of a full moon rising. I frequently have no idea in advance of what imagery will be in a piece, but when something emerges, I'll take it.  Happy Full Moon Eve!

 

What Makes the Magic Happen

Pro Chemical and Dye make a paste that has all the good stuff I use to print. This thickener has the sodium alginate for gooeyness, metaphos for softening, and urea for increasing the solubility of dyes. I don't think of print paste this way, just as the perfect medium to use with dye.
 

End of the Day

Overthinking is not good. These were the last prints of yesterday's work, and I know I was trying to use up the thickened dye. But the yard on the right is one of my favorites of the batch. I made it quickly, letting the underlayer do most of the work. The  bow ties landed quickly on top. Done, apron off, out the lights.
 

More Screens, Good Point!

I finally got back to my print table and tried a Tyvek cut stencil (top) behind a silkscreen. I love the sharp points I can make with my rotary cutter, and can see lots of ways to use this method. Interesting, as well, are the thin thin lines from my cutting.

 

Six Scarves to Go

Here's the blue scarf line up. Hope these make it up this weekend. Meanwhile, chill out folks, as that's the best we can do. Nothing. Just relax, stay home, chat on the phone, eat leftovers. We've got months of this ahead. Happy Thanksgiving it was, even if I'm only visiting  in my thoughts.

 

Make Mine Blue

Advised to make some blue scarves, I did. They are going through the arduous task of photographing, and then they'll make their appearance on my website store. Truth be told, I love each one, and really don't want to part with them. But, they all can't be mine.

 

New Big Leaf Redo

A quilter outside of the US asked me to find a way to send the New Big Leaf pattern via pdf. Easy, maybe. Took me a day (and counting) to gather and figure. But it's about ready to go -- maybe tomorrow -- for downloading. Mailing a full size pattern still available if you want, but I love options.
 

Take Two Revisited

A student in my upcoming Take Two class purchased two of my printed yards. She started with the one on the left, and matched it with selection that, as I was ready to ship it, just didn't have the zing that I would have liked. A few emails and a bit of matchmaking later, this is the duo that is on its way. Interventions!
 

Pandemic Picnic, Stockade, Glass Floor

My  technical assistant gets to name the pieces of fabric in my shop. So, I eagerly await what impression they make. Here's Pandemic Picnic. If you want to see what 20 yards I've added, visit the shop www.patpauly.com/shop, and if you want a good laugh, read the names.
 

Sample Love

Started in one class, finished in another, I've learned that it's all right to leave printed yards incomplete. And that they can run several images at once. We make quilts with several motifs, just think Baltimore Album. This is just a different method -- printing graphics rather than applique.
 

Yes, It's that Dark

 No, I'm not talking current events, just the wash water from a load of printed fabrics. A bit concerning to see, but it does all wash out OK. Two colds, one hot, and I'm pretty much ready to hang out on my big tree for the world.

Another Little One for Another Little One

I made a couple of these prints and placed them side by side on the longarm to quilt. That gave me a chance to try some creative quilting.  This will go to a friend's newborn, and I hope that they remember it's functional -- and wear it out!
 

More Monoprinting

Time for silk scarves, as the ones on my web site store are going to new homes. Here's a monoprint directly from my print table's plastic covering. I'll scrape some light dye and paste over to pick up more of the dye from the table. Tomorrow is reveal time. 

 

Freezer Paper Lotus Pods

Seeing as it was snowing today, talking about freezer paper might be appropriate. This was made from my photo of lotus pods and a full sized drawing with templates of freezer paper. It's about 6 1/2' square. Just to help the class from Sunday (The New Big Lear) think big, bold, and wild. 

Not All Leaves Are For the Dogs

After yesterday's class I had a lecture, then there was show and tell of finished New Big Leafs. Cathie's is with Pennie for scale. The class was about 18 people, and we spent a day knocking out a big leaf, learning the ins and outs of freezer paper, and just having a good-dog day of sewing. 
 

The New Big Leaf

The Courthouse Quilters in New Jersey were my workshop today for the New Big Leaf. Such different leaves fell all day long. And I didn't have to rake! My thanks to the CQG for having me, and laughing at the jokes during my lecture. Virtual is fun!

 

Now for Something Completely Different

The first Big Leaf quilt was almost a dozen years ago, and I've revamped it so the leaf floats in space. Tomorrow a group from the east coast will try the New Big Leaf pattern in a full day workshop over Zoom. Live, of course. And yes, the pattern is available on my website store, in case you wondered.
 

Quick, Before It's Gone

On our final day of printing we were just catching our stride. Lots of experiments happened, and Judy  monoprinted a line in a new way. I had to try it next! An inspiring week seeing dozens of prints develop. Loads of ideas on what would come next year for classes. I'll try to post them before Thanksgiving. 

Sample This

As the virtual workshop week unfolds, more sample yards emerge. I'll grab a yard and demo screen printing, scraping color, printing over stencils, and printing using tyvek. I've taken a liking to these demo pieces as I always learn to loosen up, and ways to melt diverse elements together. 
 

The View From My Spot

The virtual "Go Big, Go Bold" printing class has just 8 students, and makes my screen appear neat and tidy with 9 little boxes. Sometimes there is a break in the action (read: me talking) for me to sneak in some printing myself. But I still have my eyes on those 8 boxes. 

Just How Wild Will We Get?

The fun of printing is printing with abandon. Trying out new things, seeing the road more curvy than straight. So, day two brought out the wild. This is the Virtual Go Big, Go Bold class. more to come!
 

Old Dog New Tricks

Thanks to Susan for reminding me about using Tyvek for a screen block. And to Gayle for suggesting the new cutting tool. Couldn't help myself tonight to try it out and see the results. Keen on this!
 

Off to Exhibit

 

Rochester Contemporary holds a member's exhibit each year, and so I dropped this "Blue Dice" off today. It makes it just under the 32" square guidelines, and will be up till January. If you're in Rochester you can see it from December 4 to January 9. And yes, this is a One-Yard Wonder. 

Small Sketch, Larger work

I've printed the photo of my yard, reworked the photo slightly finding relationships that are pleasing, and cut and shifted till the work resembled my sketch. Helps to have interesting fabric to start. 
 

Let's Start Here

One yard of printed fabric will be the challenge. It's about 40" square, and a submission for a show needs to be less than 32" square. I'll make this a one yard wonder. You can guess what I'm going to do.
 

How Does This Look?

 I got a request from someone who will be taking my December Take Two class. She decided to put two yard pieces together from my website store. After picking a half dozen, I pined them on the design wall to see what works. These were not chosen, but I wouldn't pass them up. Happy to help pick fabric!

Reunion Company

A few weeks past the Take Two class and it was time for a reunion. One work was just perfect for discussion on adding or subtracting elements, its message, and constructive feedback. I love these reunions because we circle back and see what sticks. Plenty, I guess.
 

To Thank a Friend

I wanted a way to thank friends who get me out of many big and little jams. As they are to be grandparents, I thought this would be one way to do that. They hope their new granddaughter will like this usable baby quilt; they already do.
 

Quilts for Small People

I've printed a couple of whole cloth pieces that will be made specifically for babies. It was easy to load on the longarm and sign. I'll finish tomorrow, bind, and then have something to work on whilst watching movies. I'll be wearing my pearls tomorrow regardless of what I'm doing.
 

Meaning of Color

Seems to be a plethora of fall leafy shots all around, I'm guilty of that too. FB and IG are full of changing landscapes. Last week I came across this barrier of posts clear and precisely YELLOW. A statement and repeated one at that. I'll remember that next time I print.