Friday, July 9, 2010

Fiber Moments~~or~~Yes, This Will Be A Church Hanging!

I worked in the studio yesterday until a thunderstorm from Monsoon Land blew through--and I do mean THROUGH! The water was coming through the ceiling, so I know what I will be doing on Saturday....crawling the roof with latex caulk.
But I digress.
As usual.
Below you see on the left the inside of a cleaned snack chip bag, on the right, the same bag after heat was applied and in the center, a piece with the first coat of acrylic color. That is what has been such a stinker about drying! Since the base is completely non-absorbent, it is taking forever to get these to dry. (the roof leak probably is not helping either.....grrrrrr....)


The pieces below are all different cuts or bags, and almost all of them have four coats of different colors, so that when I go to make the creek section on the hanging, I have this wonderful variety of *water texture* to put in atop painted areas and other fabrics, and lots of light reflection. I have also ordered some oddly shaped and colored pearls, which will be sewn into the creek bed as glowing, wet pebbles. Then the leaves I have whined incessantly about will be all along the edge of the creek, and maybe if it feels right/looks right/works right, I might *float* a leaf or two. I don't know. That's just me thinking out loud. (hear the grrrrrrrinding???)







The next thing I tackled was getting some small burn samples of the two felts I have purchased. I am still debating which to place on top as they melt under the heat gun completely differently and even the melt pattern is different. The pic below is strictly felt--colors reversed so I can think which is best for a bark texture.


Then I added one layer of felt over a selection of fabrics, did some stitching, and applied the heat gun to burn away parts of the felt. This is pretty light weight, and there is some merit to it for highlighted areas of bark, but there was a lot of curl as the felt shrunk, sooooo......


I moved to sample two, with the brown and black felt stacked over the woven fabric, and a piece of black felt on the back. This was quite substantial---in fact, I was not sure I could free-motion it through the machine, but it did okay.
On the far right, you can see just the stitching, then as you move left on the image, there are areas where the heat was applied for shorter and longer amounts of time. This is one of those things I wish I could  get a really good shot of for the *feel*. It is extremely textural.....which I like. I spent some time online researching walnut tree bark and found sufficient images that I should be able to get a decent stitch pattern in my head for the tree bark sections.


Sorry about this last photo but black thread on black felt does not show up AT ALL...
This is the back of the above fiber package, with some of the felt burned out, which allows the whole to lay a bit flatter. There is still a lot of *feel* to it but not the wobbles like the first piece. The other benefit of using the felt layer on the back is it makes excellent shaded area for the tree bark.


Now I am just waiting on the canvas to arrive (it was on back order--of course!) , the pearls, the fabric paint and I should be ready to get this puppy really in gear!
Of course, I have to get the roof fixed first, because the wall I work on is the one that had water running down it.
I just love multi-tasking.....don't you???  >:-[
LOL!!!
Now go get creative and make something wonderful! Or just have a wonderful day!

Pax....

60 comments:

*Ulrike* said...

Ok, who ate the chips?!!!! That is so totally cool though, and I love the bark piece too, but the the chip bag, wow!
That's the bad thing about all of this heat and the damage it can do which we don't find out until it rains! Don't fall off the roof now!
Take care,
Ulrike

marianne said...

so good to see you back at it! and thanks for sharing the techniques- i can't wait to see how it all comes together!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh Ulrike! I've been ratted out!!! LOL!!!
Gary and I both did some serious chip damage....plus saving wrappers from Oreo Cakesters (Yummmmmmmmmm) and he had some of those little Girl Scout cookies that came in bags.
All the plastic acts differently---I had some that would not bubble at all!
I may not be roofing tomorrow---they're talking rain now.
Great....

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey MArianne---
Me Either!!! I want to get it all together NOW; but of course have to wait for *parts*....sigh....

XXOO!!
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

My goodness, Anne!
Wow!
This is awesome.
The intricacies are mind boggling.
No wonder your hands cry sometimes.
This is truly amazing.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Yeah Ces,

They were NOT too happy yesterday, but at least I did not burn the ends of my fignernails off like before.....(don't ask...)
I think, when this piece is altogether, it will be beautiful!
Hope your wrists are felling better!

XXOO!!
Anne

yoborobo said...

Anne - I have a mental picture of you stuffing chips in your mouth while handling a blow torch while water drips on your head. lol! You are AMAZING. Nuff said. xoxo Pam

PS I second not falling off the roof.

Janet Ghio said...

Who knew you could do this with the inside of a chip bag??? What a great excuse for eating chips!! These are wonderful. Is it acrylic paints--looks like lumiere paint, but I am guessing it is shiny because of the foil? Your bark looks great also! This is going to be a fabulous wall hanging!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Pam!!!
That's a good one!!! Actually, DH did a little more *stuffing* than me....and I use a Teflon sheet and a hot iron.
I know it's not as good a pic, but you know, I am the bubble burster! LOL!
Antho I do know how to use a torch... :)

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey JAnet,

I clean the chip bags, then after they are bubbled, I use a mix of Golden liquid mediums and their fluis acrylics. Put some on, then wipe down the top layer. Wait (and wait and wait!) for it to dry, do another coat of color, wipe bits of it off, repeat.
It's just the bag that makes the piece sginey---and I learned the hard way you really can iron them too long and have plastic mush....
<:[

XXOO!!
Anne

teri said...

Wonderful texture and colors .... who would have thought!!!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Teri,

I picked up the chip bag thing on I believe it was Purple Missus blog, but had not tried it so I don't know if she used a different paint.
The felt, well, I discovered it melts with an iron the hard way....
LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

A tired retired recluse @ Swallowcliffs.blogspot.com/ said...

Makes me want to give these two techniques a whirl!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You should---they are fun and there is a lot that can be done with them with a bit of patience...or like me...lack of patience!
If you need further info or have questions, just ask!

XXOO!!
Anne

Linda and Michelle said...

Chip bags??? OMG! Who would've guessed! I am doubly sure living in your household leads to very interesting experiments! I LOVE the texture to those leaves!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL Linda!!!!

Yes, it does, and one of them almost caught the kitchen on fire! Since that day, DH has installed fire extinguishers on all levels and parts of house and studio.... :D
Hey, an artist has to TRY things...right???

XXOO!!
Anne

Silke Powers said...

OMG, Anne!!! Anne!!! This is amazing! And finally a wonderful reason for eating lots of chips! As if there needs to be a reason...

I LOVE what you did with those bags and the way the colors look on them. It'll be perfect water! AND the bark - I can just feel the texture when I look at them. You are amazing and so creative and inspired!!

And you even fix your own roof!

Love, Silke

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Silke,

Chips, cookies, they have *artistic purpose*! LOL!!!
And yes, I know how to fix the roof, and the plumbing, and a little electrical. Dad din't show me much with that---he probably figured I would blow something up!

XXOO!!
Anne

Deborah said...

You didn't EAT the chips, did you??? OMGosh Anne!!! This is so FABULOUS! You are a genius! Oh that brain of yours...must be all the bleach. Really incredible. I am fascinated with all this texture. In other words, WOW! **blows kisses** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Deb,

SOMEONE must sacrifice for ART!!! Though the DH did a lot of *helping*...LOL!!!
It's a pretty cool thing to try--I'm pleased. I think when it's all done, it will give it that sunlight on water look!

XXOO!!
Anne

Georgina said...

Holy crap....I love it!! Melted chip bags and felt...only you, Anne, only you!! Hey, and who at all those chips???? LOL Listen woman, you haven't signed up for my giveaway yet...goeth now since the drawing is tomorrow.

Oh bother, have some Jehovah Witness' at my door...need to take the goat skull and black cape out again!!

Love ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh Georgina!!!
You are too much!!! I wanna see that get up--photos! Photos!
I am soooooo behind, I did not know and/or remember you were doing a giveaway.
Put a link at the bottom of this post for it, under the comments!

XXOO!!
Anne

Terra said...

This chip art is new to me, and is gorgeous as you are preparing it with the range of colors.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Terra, it is fun bringing up the colors by adding the different layers of paint! I never quite know how it will look---if it's really bad, I can wipe most of it off! :)

XXOO!!
Anne

Karen S said...

OK -- now I have a REAL reason to eat chips .. I can use them to perfect the art of multitasking. Hmmm...eating chips, sitting, and watching TV. Oh wait -- it's been done. Cheesits!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Karen,

Maybe if you sewed the Cheezits on for surface texture! They do have that little hole in the middle, don't they??? LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Karen S said...

I always wondered what that hole was for...!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

See? Now you know....you just need a bead!
hahahahaha!!!!! :D

XXOO!!
Anne

Karen S said...

I wonder if a cheerio would suffice...or maybe a fruit loop -- gotta love those colors!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You'd have to apply those like shisha mirrors! :D
Or a fancy buttonhole stitch....edible fiber art!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Juliette Crane said...

my goodness! your work is so beautiful and i just love hearing about your process and all of the layers! thank you so much for the inspiration!

have a wonderful weekend!
juliette

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Juliette,

I love layers because they seem to make things more real--either visually or by giving a 3-D effect.
Of course, sometimes they don't work, and then I have to rethink the process!
Have a good one!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

GlorV1 said...

Wow Scythe-Woman, that is awesome!! Where do you get all these great ideas from!! I wish I could think like that. An empty bag of chips and look what it's becoming. Totally awesome. The step by step process really lets us see just how much of yourself you are putting into it. No wonder you carry a scythe. Tee hee. Have a great weekend. Thanks for the nice comments on my blog. Appreciate it.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Gloria, I wish I could take credit for the plastic idea, but it came from Purple Missus blog a long time ago...I just took forever to try it. I have no idea if she still has it up somewhere? I have her in the blogroll at the bottom...I think.
I loved that Scythe-Woman video!!! I am honored!!! (I am crazy too....) But that's what makes it fun here! LOL!!!
HAve a good one!

XXOO!!
Anne

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Oh my gawd - not only is she trying to burn the studio down but she's planning to get up on the ROOF??? Is there no END to the ways this woman endangers her body??
Seriously - love your experiments and burnings!

studio lolo said...

Seriously, where DO you get all these art tips? Chip bags?? The results are stunning!

The bark looks really good too. This is one piece we're all waiting to see completed...probably not more than you though ;)

xoxo
Lolo

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Well M.A.

Ya think I should just call the Fire Dept tonight and warn them? Invite them over for a beer and tell them to be prepared??? :D
I have no fear.....unfortunately....

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Lolo, I sort of stumble across some of it on blogs of other fiber artists, some thing I just try and see what happens....I'm one of those people you don't want to leave with sharp tools or anthing that produces heat! LOL!!!
Some of it I go over in my head and think "That should work..."
I guess I have odd thinking patterns! But there are so many really cutting edge fiber artists that share tips---there's a wonderful supply out there!

XXOO!!
Anne

Jan said...

Can't wait to see all this finally put together. You have so many different facets to build before you can start putting it in place. Your creek will be fabulous and so unique, those colored bits of melted mylar will be perfect I'll bet.

I'm just doing some very tame tea dyeing here today but am having fun in the hot studio. Heat! I had almost forgotten what it was!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

JAN!!!

It's wine time!!!
heat...oy....I wish I could send you some, though it has cooled some here. I guess we get a repreive for a few days.
People really have no idea how long and how many different tidbits go into making something like this.
And the worst part is I see it all in my head, and cannot move fast enough to get it done!

XXOO!!
Anne

Annie Jeffries said...

Heat gun on a chip bag? Amazing idea. And using it on felt??? I feel like I've learned so much today. The possibilities of me and my heat gun are suddenly endless.

I can't wait to see the end result of the project.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Actually Annie, it is an embossing tool. I have a regular heat gun for taking paint off---I should have made that clearer! A regular heat gun would just melt it all!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Robbie said...

So I just opted for having a wonderful day instead of doing anything really productive. Have you tried using Tyvek? I free motion quilt on top of painted tyvek (you can also paint a picture) then I take the iron or heat gun and 'remove' areas. If you use your iron, you can just 'puddle' the piece instead of removing lots of areas...just something else for you to play with in your spare time..but then you may have already used this. I use my tyvek envelopes I get in the mail..aren't I green! Be safe on that roof or you might get to 'borrow' Mandy's collar afterall!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Robbie!

I have tried tyvek, and like it for other applications. In fact, since you mentioned it, I might run a bark sample with it too.
I am SURE Mandy would be DELIGHTED to share her collar....for quite a while!!! :D
I have to see what the weather is going to be tomorrow...that will decide if I am crawling out the window or not! LOL!!!
If you hear someone complaining about a full moon...well.... ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

sandy said...

Wow, wow....this is so unusual. Those first photos of those gorgeous .........ahhhh....can't wait to see how this all ends up. Beautiful!

and sounds like once you get the roof fixed you're good to go.

Crowing Moon said...

Oh you're a naughty girl for eating those chippies. I'm kicking your butt via satelite waves ;)
I never would have thought to use chip packets in such a way though. You'e one clever imaginative lady. Love all the diferent textures you have created there. I'm going to have to buy one of your creations one day SO many lovely things you make. Looking forward to getting my card...my first Anne created piece to start a collection;)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Sandy,

At the speed I am moving this morning and the way my joints feel, the thought of the roof just does me in!
Maybe it would be wise for me to wait till Hubs gets off work and is here.....*just in case* I have one on my moments! :D
I am really anxious to push further with the hanging but waiting on supplies. pffft!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I will have you know, if the truth was out about the chips, that I got very few of them and *someone* who shall remane unnamed ate MOST of them. hint!hint! He is a chip-eating-machine.....
I am hoping the card will not take forewver as I mailed them this past Tuesday......

XXOO!!
Anne

S said...

SO good to see you back in the studio for awhile...where you should always be with your talent! :)

We've had alot of thunderstorms here as well, and they are calling for more this weekend. I love the smell of rain, but after a few days of it....OK, enough already!! hahahaha

Happy Saturday!

Julia Christie said...

Holy crackitoli these are amazing! I simply cannot wait to see the finished piece!

Chip bags?!!!! I would never in a million think of something so cool!

Smiles

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

And that is why it is a hazard to walk thru my studio.....all the JUNK!!! LOL!!!
No, wait---ART SUPPLIES! :D

XXOO!!
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

Hey! I am chatting with you! HAHAHAHAHA! I am so connected - like lint on a sock! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Or lint in bellybutton!!!
LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Ces Adorio said...

Yeeehaw! Who is lint and who is bellybutton? HAHAHAHAHA! I loved picking link from the children's belly button when they were tiny. They thought they produced it. Hehehehehe!

I love Julia's "holy crackitoli" phrase.

Ces Adorio said...

I want to see the final church hanging. This must be a huge tapestry!

Ces Adorio said...

Good morning! I woke up early today and started painting. Then I thought to myself: "I wonder how Anne is doing with all the heat up there?"

Well I hope the weather is tamer and gentler.

Today I paint and do laundry and perhaps tidy up.

I wonder if I can politics, like I did before or just leave you some drivel here. I think I will do that, so here goes:

Politics!

Drivel!

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! Good morning! Dearest Anne I love you sweetie and guess what! Guess what is next to my easel?

Anne's delicate and intricate acorn art!

Thank you Anne.

have a wonderful day!

Tsup!
Tsup!
Tsup!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Ah Ces---you perfect nut!
Anne is sitting here in a stupor with coffee, trying to see if I can get awake quick enough to make it to church (45 min. drive) or if I will watch it on-line today; much more likely! Arthritis kicked up in the middle of the night, so I did not get my *beauty sleep*.
AT ALL.
Paint--girl--paint!
And yes, I too liked that Holy Crackitoli! Most funny!!!
That is funny about your kids....itn't it amazing what we believe as children? (and how the bubble has to burst?)

TSUP! Super-Painter!

XXOO!!
Anne....not awake AT ALL..

Susie Jefferson said...

Wow, Anne! These are simply stunning (now I've got my new glasses, I can actually see the detail in the photos!)

I'm amazed you could even contemplate working in a monsoon, never mind produce such lovely pieces. Can't wait to see the finished result!

di from di-did-it said...

Is there anything you don't know/do? I really like the look of the burnt felt, but even more, I'm drawn to the colored chip bags. I've gotta try both these techniques! Thank you for sharing and inspriring others.

hugs ♥
Di

Quilt Rat said...

Absolutely FAN-freaking-TASTIC!!!!! Chip bags? are you serious? I am definitely intrigued by this. I may have to start eating chips LOL

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