Tag Archives: miniature landscape

Memory Lane Landscapes

More fun findings… While going through my studio file cabinet I discovered photos and pieces from my miniature landscape class and earlier. The photos were from long ago, before digital photos, I sure wish I had better photos some of these pieces. I’m so happy for digital now!

I can see now every little thing that I would do differently in these pieces.

I like how this piece has a little waterfall step down. You may be able to tell that I used the back side of the fabric in that area of the water. Now I would add little rocks on the drop edge and foamy, splashy water around them. The border inset was a small floral fabric with the perfect colors. I like how the border turned out.

Private collection. I can’t remember the title and wasn’t keeping good enough records at the time.

These are from my early class demonstrations showing how one simple line pattern could look very different just by the use of different fabrics. The students always proved me right and I loved seeing what they came up with.

Same pattern, different place and time of day.

I found magazines too. Those two works are the same pattern that I used in my very first miniature landscape, which was published in Miniature Quilts Magazine in 1997. Do you remember that magazine? I guess it went out of business years ago.

Had to laugh – “…all of the fabrics available…” Nothing like the fabrics made today AND now I like mixing paint for my landscapes and more!

When he wasn’t working in jets and helicopters (for 37 years), my late dad was a woodworker, an artist, and a frame maker. He always supported me in my art. I remember struggling with the shore/water line in the piece below. He watched as I tried several pieces. These days I would just paint the perfect fabric. When I finally found a fabric that worked for me, he was as excited as I was, so I gifted the quilt to him AND…

… no surprise, he framed it. I never recommend putting quilts under glass unless the glass is spaced away from the fabric. This may have had glare-free glass, I can’t remember (and can’t tell from this shot). I don’t remember him asking how it should be treated, he just framed away.

The last thing I’ll share from the file cabinet dig was a manila folder containing this cut out landscape laying on a piece of felt. The plan would have been for a very narrow seam allowances tucked under, and I would hand applique them. I’m sure I was using it to demonstrate shadow and light and line and distance. As much as I like it I would change things now… For one thing, the light wall in the center distance would have narrower and closer together lines, tilting lower on the right. That would help push the wall back farther and add better direction. I do love the contrast BUT the foreground land and water should be darker still. Paint would do it!

This was just drawn after looking a many photos.

I’m beginning to think that opening that file cabinet was like opening Pandora’s box!

Reminder: June 14 is the deadline to enter for a chance to win a piece of hand painted fabric. Thanks to those of you commented to enter.

Also, I’m working on a piece for my upcoming Photos in Fiber/mixed media Art blog post (TBD) and have some wonderful pieces, made by others, to share.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by.

Stitching Inn

One good thing about being pretty much in isolation is getting some things made that are not especially fun but necessary. I’ve been stitching more masks, fabric covers for KN95 masks, and a rice filled warmer for our cat’s “IV” type fluid bag.

Now the more creative side – I have been embroidering a bit on a new piece, if you follow me on Instagram you may have seen it. I started it by painting fabric to make an abstract background. I stitched a lot of white floss and then spent two hours tearing it out because it just wasn’t working. I do like the little bit of white left around the petal edge. I guess there may be an advantage to purchasing a kit with instructions and floss, but I obviously prefer a challenge.

I also started a hand applique mini-mini landscape (approximately 7″ x 8.5″) using a leftover piece of my painted sky fabric. It was actually only going to be 6″ tall but had I squared the piece up I would have cut off too much of the small boulders (which are about half a dime size)… So, enter grassy meadow. I like it much better but I’ll still be adding borders.

In keeping with hanging out at home and working on a variety of little projects here is a short video of my 30 days of stitching in November 2020. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for watching.

https://youtu.be/ujulnVE_a3M

The All White Landscape

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m making a series of lessons showing how I make different elements for a mini fabric landscapes. What I neglected to mention is that I would be starting with white fabric (Thank you, Snarky Quilter!). Here is the piece in progress, which means these pieces are not attached and there may be changes. I find looking at a photo of the piece, using a mirror or walking away for a while, can be helpful in figuring out what may need to be tweaked. I have some ideas for change already. There will be thread play and quilting over the entire piece, so if it appears to be lacking that may just be where I plan to stitch more colors and nature bits.

I used different techniques for each of these elements – Rocks (as mentioned in previous post), the most forward foreground, second foreground, water & sky, tiny hills/mountains, and tree trunks. I hope you will stay tuned and thanks for stopping by!

Snow and Art Quilts

The Mister and I recently took a road trip to visit family in Reno, Nevada. We have driven through heavy falling snow a couple times in the past; this was much more enjoyable. We were traveling after a storm, the hwy had been mostly plowed and was only a little icy. There was very little traffic and sky was gorgeous. These photos were taken using my cell phone, through the window while moving pretty fast, please excuse any blur.

The smooth white land, sprinkled with black cows, horses, and odd old structures was spectacular. I must have said “It’s beautiful” one hundred times! It’s a nice place to visit but I don’t think I could live there. If you do, you are most certainly hardier than I!

At the side of the road the plow left a cut wall that, to me, looked like a slab of marble… miles and miles of marble!

Even though snow isn’t usually a part of my life, snowy scenes have found their way into some of my art quilts (with much artistic liberty ;<))

Overwhelmed but in a Good Way…

I have been finishing up some deadline projects and that feels good. There is always a bit of stress that goes with that and I often swear I’m not going to get myself into that situation again. But then the mind starts going and the ideas start flowing and I’m at it again (my own worst enemy!) I love making art and I know that I’m lucky to be able to spend my days creating.
Here are a couple pieces I share in my new course – How to Make a Photo on Fiber Mixed Media Art Quilt, at Curious.com. Here is a discount link if you are interested in my lessons and over 20,000 more on Curious.com.

snow bunny — Snow Bunny photo of bunny photo by J. Krefting

Garden Path is the main piece in my new course. From developing the design, to the fiber elements, to quilting the heck out of the borders, it was a fun project. I love growing a photo past the edges using fabric and fibers!

I often make landscapes but I think using a wedding or baby photograph would be great subjects to softly surround with fiber. Or maybe not so softly…I can imagine heavy metal too!

Art in the Park

I’m happy to say two of my Photographs on Fiber pieces have been juried into Mission Trails Regional Park Art in the Park event. I may be even happier that two of my son’s photographs were juried in as well!

This Art in the Park event is always great fun, from fantastic hors d’oeuvres, wine, and music to the wonderful and varied works of art. And, of course, it is a beautiful space and Foundation well worth supporting.

I hope to see some of you there, but if you can’t make the event the artwork (that doesn’t sell) will be on display through November 6, 2015.

This is Sunset… it didn’t make the cut but that is okay because it is my Mister’s favorite and hangs above his desk.

Hand painted whole cloth, machine quilted. Photograph by Cameron Scott (my son) — Hand painted whole cloth, machine quilted. Photograph in the piece and of the piece by Cameron Scott (my son).

Paint or Dye

I was enjoying the posts over at The Snarky Quilter’s (SQ) blog where SQ and a friend share their steps and early results following Mickey Lawler’s techniques to create some painted fabric.

The Snarky Quilter's paint set-up — The Snarky Quilter’s paint set-up

They made some neat fabric pieces and a little discussion ensued regarding painted fabric. SQ commented that painters working in oil also paint on fabric. Some of us think of painting on fabric as a “newish” technique. I hadn’t really thought of it as she did. I have been painting on fabric for a long time and continue to explore. SQ’s comment got me thinking though… As fiber and quilt artists who paint on fabric, we have a special consideration: we want to create layers but we know that needles are going to penetrate the surface, and that needles through painted fabric leave holes!

beauty on the trails — Paint washes and then stitched. “Beauty on the Trail” by Ann

That is one of the biggest advantages of dyeing versus painting; dye changes the hand of the fabric very little, if at all, and usually less than paint. Color washes are probably the best way to achieve layers on fabric that will be stitched without causing a thick layer of paint (and big holes!). Another alternative – Stitch or quilt and then paint.

above lake cuyamaca detail — Here border was quilted and then painted over. “Beyond Lake Cuyamaca” by Ann

I dye a little and really admire artists who dye their own fabric but I will stick to using paint. I just love it. Some might say it’s a control thing! I’m okay with that!

Rope wrapped dyed by Ann — Rope wrapped dyed

Whole cloth painted — Painted Whole Cloth by Ann

Paint or dye – Do you have a preference?

Bonsai, Fiber, and Passion

Many years ago someone asked me “What do you do?” I answered “I make miniature landscapes.” In those days that was where my focus was. His response surprised me… He said “You do Bonsai?!” I said “Oh, no, I work in fabric.” and he replied with a disappointed “Oh” and that was the end of it for him.

could go either scape — “Could Go Either Way” a miniature landscape by Ann

Had he been interested I would have told him… (In a breathless run on sentence) “Why would I design beautiful tiny plant scapes and study the history that goes back to the 6^th century when I can create a little landscape today and recreate the exact landscape tomorrow, making it look totally different, using different fabrics, that only need to be trimmed once and they don’t require water and almost anyone can be taught to make one and it doesn’t take a life time to learn and, and, and… Uh-oh, my passion is showing!

mini landscapes fabric — Two landscapes, one pattern. Design by Ann. All commercial fabrics.

For the record – I love Bonsai and admire anyone who devotes their time and skill to designing and growing them. Thanks to Brian DeCarlo for allowing me to share his lovely Bonsai Islands video – Bonsai Art. What are you passionate about and do you show it?

b decarlo bonsai — One Brian M. DeCarlo’s Bonsai Landscapes

Father and Art

We have been celebrating my husband, father of my sons today, but I’m also missing my own dad. He spent his professional life inside helicopter and jet engines but when he had leisure time he could be found in his workshop designing and making wonderful things…

shs whale — Hand carved whale made by my dad.

My dad made this table for me, at my request, so that I would be able to show off quilt blocks made by his mother.

table by dad blocks by nevada — The blocks in this table were made by my dad’s mother; a quilter, who died before I was born.

I remember when I was making this landscape and having a hard time finding fabric for the water and sand (it was before I painted fabric), my dad was giving me his artistic opinion and when I finally got it he gave me an excited “Yes!” Later I gifted the landscape to my parents and he made a beautiful frame for it. If I ever find the photo of it framed (or remember who was given the piece after my mom’s death) I’ll post it.

cliff shore mini quilt — This is a poor photo – the piece actually is straight!

I was very fortunate to have an artistic father and to have parents who were supportive of my art.

Talk and Workshop

I spent an evening and a day with Valley of the Mist Quilters Guild last week. A wonderful group of people making a difference in the world. On Saturday they created beautiful pieces in my Miniature Landscapes workshop, held at Primitive Gatherings CA . If you get the opportunity to visit that shop you will be wowed! And if you are in the Temecula/Murrieta area look up Valley of the Mist Quilters, they are a great group and would love to have you join them.

lecture photos — Fabric Exploration talk and some of my quilts

laura ida instructor ann — Sharing the stash…

votmqg mini landscape wkshop1 — Busy, busy…

votmqg group scapes2 — Some of the group with their beautiful mini scapes

shirley cindy patty — We had a fun time together!

Photos taken by Pauline McCauley, Terri Barry, Shirley Brown and/or Ann.

Fiber Designs by Ann

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