ALL THAT JAZZ

I'm having so much fun working on "Jazz One" and "Jazz Two," the first in a series of small musical quilts.

This is how it looked after cutting and placing black strips for the "piano keys."

I started with some purple fabrics I liked and began sewing strips together, adding in the brown tones. The black and white areas reminded me of the keyboard of a piano, so I added the black keys...

So far I've quilted the purple areas but left the "keyboard" open...  I'm thinking of quilting the outline of the white keys ... and maybe adding a little sparkle in the area above the keys.... perhaps quilt some music notes...? hmmm  We will see in my next post! Stay tuned! (hah!)

This is how it looked when I first started putting strips up on the wall, before I started visualizing the piano keys. I showed this to my sister and she said "oh, jazz! It reminds me of jazz music!" That inspired me to explore further, and I'm glad I did! 

Feeling blue means feeling happy!

"Feeling Blue"

I love the color blue. It calms me and centers me. Instead of feeling blue as in feeling "down" -- I like to turn it around. When I feel those "blues" sneaking up on me I start getting out my favorite blue fabrics and diving in. I like to soak my eyes in all the hues of blue, from the deep purple-ish and violet blues to blue jean denim blues, teal blues, sky blues... I love them all...

"Feeling Blue" detail

"Feeling Blue" detail

"Feeling Blue" detail

"Feeling Blue" is my latest study in blue. I pieced some of my favorite blues together, centered around an abstract black and white strip (another favorite motif). Then I played with several quilting styles on this. You can see the variety in the detail shots. 

There is one panel with two angel fish in it -- see them swimming around?!

Angel Fish swimming on the quilt surface

Yo ho ho!

Yo ho ho! This little pouch sold before it even went on display! I guess the skull and crossbone image is more popular than I knew...

How itty bitty bits come together

"I don't know how you girls take bits of fabric not big enough to blow my nose on and make beautiful quilts..."  -- quote from my brother

Yeah, I have a funny brother, but his observation isn't that far off.  How do those tiny squares, triangles, and other little pieces of fabric go together to make something beautiful and functional? I took photos along the way to show a peek at the process. . . .

Bits and pieces near the beginning...

The finished product!

Kind of like a zigsaw puzzle

Sewing it together

Ironing seams

More ironing (I actually like ironing now!)

The sides of the pouch, ready to sew together (The brown pieces are for the lining)

Butterfly painted purses

Whoever gets one of these purses 

will be carrying their very own piece of art!

First, I "painted" these butterfly wings for a new quilt -- with marking pens and rubbing alcohol!!!

Then I cut up the bottom wing (which hadn't turned out the way I wanted) to create these original hand-painted purses!

How it began ...

A couple of months ago I tried my hand at painting on fabric - using - surprise - marking pens! Yes! You can use Sharpie permanent markers to create beautiful effects on fabric - in this case, plain white 100% cotton. And shading can be done with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water! Who would have thought? 

After "drawing" in the color with marking pens, I used a paintbrush dipped in the alcohol solution to dilute and "spread" the color on the edges.

After I created the butterfly wings I decided I didn't like the bottom wing and cut it up to use some of the painted fabric to use in my purses! (I will paint another bottom wing to finish the butterfly quilt...)

Whoever gets one of these purses will be carrying their very own piece of art!

More photos here.

All creatures great and small ...

More animal pouches on their way to Cambria for the art show this weekend! 

Stop by my sister's studio - Patricia Griffin Ceramics - at The Old Schoolhouse on Main Street to check it out! She will be featuring functional art by four unique artists in her studio space! Things will be jumpin!

It's all part of the Cambria Art and Wine Festival this weekend, Jan. 24-26 - where you can stroll through town, dropping in to boutiques and art galleries while enjoying a cup of coffee or delicious beverage of your choice!

Circles circles circles

This little blue velvet clutch is off to Cambria, where it will be on sale during the Arts and Wine Festival next weekend, Jan 24-26.

Description: Colorful circles are individually cut from colorful cotton fabrics and quilted on to blue velvet. The result is fun, fun, fun!

100% cotton circles on deep blue velvet

Bright orange lining

Detachable handle

Where to purchase: 

patriciagriffinceramics

patricia griffin studio

880 main st.

cambria, ca

(805) 924-1050

Woof Woof!! A different kind of doggie bag!

Handle is detachable

Not everyone gets to take home a doggie bag like this! I just can't resist putting our furry friends on these zippered pouches! 

I wanted to keep this one for myself, but I already have a stack of pouches and they keep growing! So this one is off to Cambria, where it will be on sale during the Arts and Wine Festival next weekend, Jan 24-26. 

Here you can see the front and the back, as well as the lining inside. They are priced at $38, higher than a manufactured pouch, but low for original, one-of-a-kind items made by hand.

Made with 100 % cotton, fully lined

Show your love for canine critters when you're out and about by carrying an original, quilted doggie bag! Woof woof!

Where to purchase: 

patricia griffin studio

patricia griffin studio

880 main st.

cambria, ca

(805) 924-1050

Zippity-doo-dah - New work off to Cambria!

It's been busy in my studio! I've been working on original quilted pouches (small purses) that will go on sale during the Cambria Art and Wine Festival January 24-26! More information here.

Turtle Pouch

I couldn't make a frog purse without a turtle one too!!

Here's the two outside pieces along with the lining fabric I picked out. I had a green zipper ready too!

Preparing the outside fabric and the lining to sew onto the zipper...

One side sewn onto the zipper...

Making the handle... (I used the grey fabric, but added a piece of the lining for color)

Outside panels right sides together and lining fabric right sides together  - ready to sew!!!

Now it is turned inside out for the grand reveal!!!

VIOLA!!!  Here is the finished pouch!!!

Froggie Pouch

"Rivet"

This little fellow is totally handmade. I drew him on green fabric with yellow for the eyes and tummy.

I cut out the funky circles from fabric I found for the lining and ironed it onto the black background. SHA-ZAM!!!

Here are the four panels for the outside fabric and the lining.

Here is the final project after adding the zipper, strap, and sewing it all together... It's magic!

Front view, open to show lining....

and back view ....