Fabulous Fusible Flowers with Melinda Bula

The fun and fabulous Melinda Bula was with us again in 2011 as our last workshop for the year. It was a wonderful group and it was sad to see them leave.

The busy holiday season prevented me from posting photos of the class until now. I hope you had a marvelous holiday season and a Happy New Year, too!

Below is a shot of the table where Melinda's work is spread on the table and on the board is a piece that she was working on during that class as she showed the process and techniques that she uses.

The ladies in the class were very industrious during class time and had loads of fun and laughter at the dinner table. Who knows what when on in the studio after dinner. LOL!

Someone's pin cushion looked as colorful as the flowers!

Successful Machine Quilting with Sue Nickels

The incomparable Sue Nickels was here at Hudson River Valley Art Workshops to teach her machine quilting workshop. Sue is the co-author, with her sister Pat Holly, of Machine Quilting: A Primer of Techniques and Stitched Raw Edge Appliqué. This was the first time I had seen Sue's work up close and in person and all I can say is Wow.

A display of some of Sue's books and DVDs that she had available for sale in the class.

Sue made good use of technology, with a camera and digital projector, to allow her students to get a good look of her methods without having to all crowd around and look over her shoulders.

The students really enjoyed learning from Sue. Jeanine said, "Sue is very generous with her time and with her knowledge!"

Throughout the course of the 3-day workshop, Sue had a number of different practice exercises, including doing feathers and free-motion work.

This is Dalia, who came all the way from Israel, showing off the nifty idea that Sue showed the class for making it easier to grip the fabric while you are quilting - using the cut off fingers of dishwashing gloves.

More Stitched Paintings with Katie PM

There is color all around the inn because the trees are finally getting into the Fall spirit.

But there is even more color in the studio with Katie Pasquini Masopust and her students! This is what is happening today:

Stitched Paintings with Katie Pasquini Masopust

Katie PM is here this week teaching her marvelous stitched paintings process. The first day, the tables were covered with plastic and the painting started in earnest!

Here Katie is giving a demo of layered painting - paint dark lines (or whatever mark), let it dry, and then paint over it. While the second layer is still wet, you can wipe sections away to expose parts of the first layer.

This is all part of the process of creating the canvases that will then be cut apart and then reassembled into another composition.

Very exciting images are developing!

More Landscapes with Gloria Loughman

On the final day of the workshop with Gloria Loughman, as I walked around taking pictures of the landscapes that everyone was creating, I was thoroughly enjoying the amazing creativity!

This is Kathy Nurge with her landscape.

This is Jan Sheet's birch trees.

Carol Newhart hard at work stitching leaves in place.

A fabulous landscape by Priscilla Kibbee. She worked with it turned this way the entire class. I guess it was easier to look at that way while she was seated right next to it.

Contemplating the design possibilities.

Such vibrant colors!

Debbie Ross finished one landscape and started in on another!

Barb Caldwell said she loves green! So do I.

Can't remember who's piece this is, but I love the marching rows of flat head pins.

Painting a Landscape with Fabric

Everyone in Gloria Loughman's workshop are progressing fabulously with their landscapes.

This is a piece by Tina McHenry.

Carol Newhart is working on this piece with the brilliant Fall colors.

You'll have to turn your head to view the landscape by Priscilla Kibbee! Debbie Quarrington is actually piecing all of those diamonds of fabric for the background of her landscape. Wow.

Gloria brought paints and yummy Rainbow threads by Superior Threads. I noticed quite a few colors that I must add to my collection -- actually I'd like them all!

I just love this imaginative piece by Bonnie Pennybacker.

Nancy Trowbridge is using thread-sketching to create birch tree trunks for her landscape. They turned out beautiful.

Paints in use by the class.

Gloria constantly circulated through the classroom offering guidance where ever it was needed or requested.

All the tools a fiber artist needs - pencils and pens for drawing and planning, scissors, thread, several caffeinated beverages, and a chocolate chip cookie - fresh from the oven.

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day with Gloria Loughman

Gloria Loughman, the marvelous quilt artist from Australia, is here this week to teach "Painting a Landscape with Fabric."

The colors are already flying all over the studio -- literally if someone happens to sneezes or leaves the door open!

The first day was spent discussing designs and all of the possibilities of playing with color. Then the whole group dove into their projects with full enthusiasm. They started with painting on fabrics and then by mid-morning Tuesday, background "fabrics" were taking shape and landscape designs were on the walls.

Most people are using a tiling technique to create background fabrics. The tile shape possibilities are squares, diamonds, rectangles.

This class is also like a mini-reunion for about half the people in the class, as they were all here together last year in a workshop with Katie Pasquini Masopust.

They are working hard and enjoying the meals. Tonights dessert is Banana Bread Pudding with Hard Sauce.