Saturday, December 16, 2006

Roving & ramble

This is a somewhat random post. I worked today, we had 18 patients. Now realize, Saturdays are supposed to be emergency surgery only. Well it's becoming a regular day for us.
After work I went to a Weaver& Spinner's house to buy wool rovings for needle felting. I got a big bag full of fun fiber for just $20.00! That's a bargain for me!
This little 5"x7" clock is something I made for a friend. I used some of the rust-dyed fabric I did this past summer. I tried quilting on it, but found that the rusted areas were impossible to quilt through! The rust in the fabric actually cut my thread when ever I tried to stitch through it. I tried several things including loosening my top tension, & changing my needle, but every time I hit a rusty spot it cut my thread. I know it was the rust, & not rotten thread, because I thread painted the medallion behind the hands on the clock with the same needle & thread, without touching the tension again, after I gave up on the quilting, & never broke the thread once with that. The fabric also split along the stitch line in the rusty areas, so I'll have to use this for things other than quilting it directly. The fiber on top of the clock is silk rovings, which I needled into the fabric with a felting needle. The whole thing is mounted on a pre-primed canvas.
Here is a look at the "Ugly Fabric" that I promised you earlier this week. It's the Aussie Challenge fabric. The quilters of Queensland, Australia, do a challenge every year, & they've invited the Alaskans to join in. My last entry won a viewers choice. I don't have high hopes for this one though. I keep seeing wild pink flamingos, wacky toucans, & green gaters with big eyes!

18 comments:

Ali Honey said...

Yep, that's going to be a challenge!

Anonymous said...

That clock is beautiful. And that fabric - wow! now that's a lot of color to work with. Makes me think of 70s, disco, go go boots and mini skirts!

Anonymous said...

I actually like the fabric - but I can't imagine what I would make with it. The clock is great and the pile of roving looks delicious!

Kay said...

Amazing fabric. I'm with Vicki though. Cut up it might be good.

Terri Stegmiller said...

The wool roving looks like fun. I love your clock, interesting to know about stitching through the rusted areas. Wow that "Ugly Fabric" sure looks challenging. I'll be curious to see what turns up from it.

Fruit Jar Nicky said...

I really like the "ugly fabric!"

Kim said...

I, too, think the fabric has lots of potential. Have fun!

Debra Dixon said...

Your "ugly fabric" is much cooler than the Hoffman Challenge fabric. I prefer yours any day!

Melodie said...

The challenge fabric reminds me of Mary Englebrite (in a blender?!) I'm sure you'll make a fabulous piece, probably back side up and over dyed!

Anonymous said...

I like it too! Makes me think of Picasso.

Maybe Matisse...

Rian said...

That makes the Hoffman Challenge fabric seem like a cinch!

Barbara C said...

Your clock and your ugly fabric are both beautiful.

dee said...

Wow-that takes me back to my days in retail. Tht's a 70s Pucci-type print. I've seen some fabric that looks GAK and when it's cut up in a quilt it's fab. Hopefully this is along those lines. Love that clock.

The Calico Cat said...

Looks like Broccoli likes the roving...

FYI E.P. Baily was not too happy with my friends version of her doll either... (That still cracks me up - apparently she (E.P.B.) is uber-Mormon....)

Micki said...

I like your clock. Interesting fact about the rusted fabric and what it does to the thread. Good luck with the challenge fabric.

Jo Raines said...

Wow--now I have vertigo! That is wild! I love the clock.

Carol said...

I love your fabric and the clock is just beautiful.

Happy Christmas

Carol

Miriam said...

this fabric is fabulous and i love your ideas. run with it!