Tag: being more creative

Ready to toss? Don’t. Rethink How to Use.

Quilters are famous for reusing fabric in their quilts. Yet, for quilters there are several other ways to reuse and not toss materials. Let me share a few of the ways that I have taken this a bit farther. I am very passionate some might say obsessed about not throwing fabric or other materials away.

Desert Trees in the Wash landscape art quilt
DesertTrees in the Wash, 25″ x 24″ 64 cm x 61cm 2021 Just one example of how I use small bits in my art quilts.

Business Cards

I use bits of batting and fabric to make my business cards. They are like mini art quilts. Some people benefit from a visual example of what an art quilt is. The fabric cards are about 4″ x 4″ 10 cm 10cm.

Therefore,it would be a real challenge to use these small materials for anything else. Each fabric business card is unique. People are thrilled to choose a small piece of art to take with them. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/12/artful-fabric-business-cards/

fabric business cards
My fabric business cards

First, I write out my contact information using a fabric pen on a light colored solid piece of fabric. Next,I sew several small pieces of leftover fabric together. Finally, I make a small quilt sandwich with a small piece of batting inside. Then I stitch the three layers together. Trim and zigzag the edges.

a fabric business card- a work in progress
a fabric business card- a work in progress
a fabric business card -a work in progress with batting and backing
a fabric business card -a work in progress with batting and backing

Short Pieces of Decorative Threads

Pieces of decorative threads add texture and dimension to my art quilts. They could be birds or twigs in the wind. I prefer to create a more impressionistic view in my landscape art quilts. I leave it up to the viewer to decide whether the small piece is a bird or a leaf blowing in the wind. Reuse, don’t toss.

a bin of decorative threads
A textile friend gave me lots sof small pieces of the decorative threads she had left over from making scarves.
a closer look at some of the decorative threads
a closer look at some of the decorative threads
a plastic container of yarns and decorative threads I use,reuse don't toss
Here are some other yarns I use.
decorative threads and details I take apart to use their threads
Decorative threads and decor details I take apart to use their threads

Small Pieces of Fabric

Small pieces of fabric become abstract art quilts or fabric landscape collages. I have written several blogs on this topic. Here are links to two.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/the-making-of-an-abstract-quilt/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/

Sew Batting Together

Pieces of batting can be sewn together to be used like a larger piece. Make sure the weight of the batting is the same. Cut straight edges. Sew by zigzagging straight edges together. Make sure to create no gaps. Often there is a narrow long piece of batting let over when quilting a large quilt. These are my coveted pieces for this technique. Quilters,Reuse,Don’t Toss

two pieces of equal weighted batting can be sewn together,reuse don't toss
Two pieces of equal weighted batting can be sewn together.

Reusing items in Mixed Media

During the pandemic I turned my attention to mixed media or assemblage. I searched for small yet unusual items. These items would add interest to an art piece. Everything does not need to be a broken piece. Repurposing items also counts. My daughter brought back a small sewing kit from a trip to Europe. She never used it. I found a new use for them.

art in a box with blue tiles and buttons,9" x 6" reuse don't toss
Blue EuropeanThreads, 9″ x 6″ 23 cm x 15 cm

I am not sure if buttons would be considered unusual items. Yet, when I stacked them up with contrasting colors the effect was unusual.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/recent-attempts-at-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/08/sewing-room-minimalist-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/12/artful-fabric-business-cards/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/05/five-mistakes-new-quilters-make/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/01/frequently-asked-questions/

Reuse, don’t toss. Sometimes I have to give myself permission to throw something away. But with some thought, it is easy to consider another way to use something.

https://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/

Can One Find the Source of One’s Creativity?

Great Blue Heron at Dusk The first art quilt I entered in an art show. 2010

Sources of One’s Creativity

An online art quilt group asked, Who was your favorite art teacher in high school? It just so happened that when I read this post, I was in the midst of planning an important high school reunion. The question resonated with me; however, not as expected.  I had never taken art in high school.In college,my art courses totaled three quarters.

 What are the sources of My Creativity?

I have won several awards for my work. I have participated numerous times in our courty’s juried Open Studios Art Walk. My art has been published several times in Art Quilting Studio. Several pieces  were purchased by Kaiser Permanente. The art hangs  in their Scotts Valley and Watsonville, California facilities.

So what is the Source of my Creativity?

I am fair at  drawing stick figures and certain animals  due to my time as an elementary English as a Second Language Teacher. My painting skills are nill. I did have some art training when my school became an arts infused school. When real artists taught my students,  I practiced and learned along with them.

My True Passion

But sewing is my true passion. It was my first choice for an elective class for two years in high school. The rest of my life I  practiced and honed my sewing skills that contribute to the success of my current art. Today my interest  is in adding Color! Texture! Movement to each of my works of art.

Designing Outfits

Back in the day, I remember designing my school outfits with a variety texture in mind without realizing the lasting effects of those efforts. People have commented that I have a good sense of color. I also attribute this to my earlier efforts to dress fashionably. I wrongly assumed that this practice came easily to most.

This is the type of sweater popular when I was in high school.

The source of my so-called talent or skill is definitely traceable to my high school  years with Mrs. La Meter, the sewing teacher. She encouraged  smooth zippers  and  flat bound buttons.

I am as surprised as anyone about my success as I never started out to become an artist. Practice is key.

What is the source of your creativity?

Updated Ponderings of 2022

I continue to search and wonder at the sources of my passion for creating fabric art. I have minimal art training. On the other hand, I do have a life long passion for fabric and sewing clothing . Later moving on to traditional quilts and then art quilts.

I met another artist recently and spent the day with her. She shared her passion for drawing and painting. Whenever she has a free moment,she sketches what is around her. Whether she is waiting in line at the bank or a gas station, her sketch book is never far.

Sketching

Inspired by this new friend,while waiting on the phone for a bank representative, I tried to emulate her. I began to sketch the fresh pineapple on the kitchen table. I looked and sketched and looked and sketched. It didn’t turn out half bad. The problem was I wasn’t interested in continuing. Sketching didn’t hold my attention for a long period of time. I am sure if I kept at it I could become competent. There is the important part.

The Answer

It brought home the fact that the activity must engage the person enough that they will stick to it. It doesn’t matter if they are good or not. However, they must want to continue with it over a long period of time in order to master a variety of skills and become extremely proficient. It doesn’t matter what the skill or art form is. No one starts out a master. But they must be interested enough to continue doing it over and over. That is the source of creativity.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/02/how-to-name-an-art-work/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/09/becoming-more-creative/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/12/on-calling-yourself-an-artist/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/03/beginning-steps-to-creating/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/

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