Projects in Process in my Studio

I haven't been in my studio as much as I would like these days. Have been busy with other day to day things. I have managed to get a little bit done.

I am planning to create some projects using images I have printed to Lesley Riley's TAP (Transfer Artist Paper). It is transfer paper that makes a very sharp, bright image on fabric. It can be used to transfer images onto other surfaces, also. Since I mostly work with fabric, I am using it to transfer images to fabric. I have printed up some images on the TAP supply I had in my art supply stash. I ended up with images printed in both directions, since I forgot to flip the image on my computer screen before printing! Something to remember when working with transfers. (very easy to forget!) I plan to make good use of all of the transferred images. Unfortunately the TAP product is no longer being made, so I will have to make the most of my little supply!

Images printed onto TAP (Transfer Artist Paper). 

The one on the upper left is of a Monarch butterfly

on our Cosmos plants. The bottom right photo is one 

of our ancestral homes in Ireland. I believe it is no 

longer there, but this image of it has always

sparked my imagination. A good starting 

place for a project!

Image of our ancestral home in Ireland. It is printed

on vintage linen, I believe from the 1950s, 

found at a sale. The linen was new, with sizing

still in it. After washing it is a bit wrinkled. It is off white

with a bit of texture. This image has always sparked

my imagination, a good starting place for a project!

Images transferred to Cotton Prepared for Dye fabric.

An iron, used in combination with my ironing board,
was used to transfer the images. A Teflon protection
sheet could also be used as extra protection for
your iron, though I didn't use the Teflon sheet this time. 

I like using the PFD fabric, but the TAP transfers can 

be applied to other surfaces, as well.

Bird wood cut image transferred to PFD fabric. 

This is from a wood cut I made in my teen

years (quite a while ago now!) I have been wanting

to create something with the image. I plan to use it to 

create a post card for the Quilting Arts Magazine

"Time Flies" Reader's challenge, which is in celebration 

of their 100th issue. It seems like an appropriate

image for the challenge.

I am happy I have gotten a little bit done, even though it is not as much as I would like! At least I have a start on some new projects.

Sometimes just finding a little bit of studio time leads to the eventual completion of projects. (Created in bits of time, rather than all at once!)

Wishing you good use and enjoyment of your time,

Many Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Happy New Year 2019! Thoughts on Resolutions and my finished mini challenge quilt!

Happy New Year 2019!

Like many others you may be busy making resolutions for the New Year. I am usually tempted to jump on the Resolution wagon and join challenges for the year. One thing I discovered last year is that the monthly challenges I joined were often not met because new opportunities presented themselves.

This year I've decided to follow my heart, leave my time more open and create more on my own. I do have an ongoing list of things I would like to achieve that I am always working towards. I'm hoping to get back to entering juried shows and showing my work. I plan to keep working on my projects, so I have some completed ones to share! Also, looking forward to exploring more in my studio, trying out new techniques to incorporate in my work and also improve on my already existing skills.

Here is a photo of my recently completed entry in the "Heat it Up" Quilting Arts Reader Challenge. My little quilt was not chosen this time, but I am very happy I took the time to make it. I explored some new techniques. I may have to set up a little gallery area in my studio for these little quilts.

I do plan to enter more Quilting Arts Magazine Challenges in the future, they are great for expanding your creativity.

Full view of my little 7 inch x 7 inch quilt. 

I used Angelina Fibers for the binding.

Detail view of quilt, using fused elements to embellish 

and enameled charms left over from an enameling class I took.

Another close up - Glass butterfly beads on the left.

Whether you chose to make Resolutions or not, I wish you Happy Creating in 2019!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Day 22 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Happy Belated Solstice!

I missed blogging yesterday, it was just a busy day, no time to even think about writing.

  Today I am sharing a progress photo of my 7 inch x 7 inch "Heat it Up" Quilting Arts Reader Challenge quilt.

The words were applied on fabric with a hot foil pen. Hopefully I will make good progress on this project, since the photo entry is due by Jan. 2!

Work in progress!

Take care,
Happy Quilting!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge

Many Projects in the works! - Day 17 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

My studio space has gotten very busy lately! Here is a view of my work table:

Very busy studio work table!

I usually worked on one project at a time, but lately I have been going in many different directions. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes when you stop and experiment with different techniques, the results work their way into new projects you are working on. This is something I am becoming more aware of in my studio.

For example: Earlier this year I decided to create some machine needle-felted fabric. I made some striped felt fabric using acrylic and polyester felt and wool roving. I then put the samples aside for awhile. When I began my next project, an entry into a Quilting Arts Reader Challenge, I found myself working the fabric into my design. No time was wasted experimenting in the studio, only more options for creating! The good news is that my little quilt was accepted into the challenge. I will write more about that once it is has been published in Quilting Arts.

Recently I found some nice linoleum cutting blades at an estate sale. They came in the original box, which I believe is from the 1950s or 1960s, perhaps. The find inspired me to get out my cutting tools, I have blades from the 1970s, and recently from the 2000s. I have been meaning to use them to cut out some designs for stamping/printing on fabric. I found a small sketchbook in my supply stash to draw designs on, based on the little linoleum blocks in my stash. I will share the results of the experimenting later! Here are some photos of my Speedball Linoleum Cutting blades collection:

My collection of linoleum cutting supplies, you can also use 

them to cut rubber stamps and eraser stamps. 

The Linozips  are from the 1950s or 60s, I believe 

(maybe even earlier, not sure!) The orange handle cutter

 has blade storage in the handle and is from the 1970s, 

the stamp cutting set is from the 2000s.

Speedball Linozips Linoleum Cutters Made in the U.S.A.

 

Little sketchbook with a cutting design in process.

Don't forget to play and experiment in your studio. The results may lead to creative results in your own work! There is no time wasted.

Happy Creating and Experimenting,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Good News: my Quilt has been Published and Day 2 Blog Writing Challenge!

Greetings,

It is Day 2 of the #31DayBlogChallenge2018, though I confess, I am writing this post ahead of time!

I have some good news to share:

My entry in another challenge, the Quilting Arts June 2018,  "I've Got a Notion" Reader Challenge was accepted and has been published! It is exciting to see my little quilt printed in the recent December 2018/January 2019 Quilting Arts Magazine.

Here are two photos of my quilts, the first one is a detail, and the second is the completed quilt:

Detail - My Notions: Imagination, Needle and Thread, by Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk Copyright 2018

Full view - My Notions: Imagination, Needle and Thread, by Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk Copyright 2018

It took me about 2 weeks to complete the little quilt. I used leftover bits from previous projects, charms, buttons and a little spool of vintage silk thread to embellish the quilt. My father gave me the little brass thimble with a tassel charm, which I included on this quilt.

The Reader Challenges in Quilting Arts Magazine are a great way to challenge yourself and keep yourself creating on a regular basis. In the past I have entered some of the challenges, but had not been chosen, which is always a bit disappointing. But now, when I think of it, taking part is actually a way to keep yourself growing creatively (DUH!). I may try to enter most of their challenges this following year. I also like that you do have the chance to have your art published and it is another way to share your creations with others.

You can find the December 2018/January 2019 issue of Quilting Arts here.

To see what other bloggers in the #31dayblogchallenge2018 are writing about visit here.

Stay Creative,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Embrace the Challenge

I've recently discovered something about my creative self. I love a good challenge! I had been thinking I should stick to creating my art based on my inspirations only, but I seem to be unable to resist entering art and quilting challenges. Instead, I've decided I will embrace the challenge!

What I like about entering challenges:

• A great way to show your work to a larger audience
• Build connections with other artists and organizations
• Possibles prizes and/or compensation!
• Get your creativity flowing
• Lead to new ideas and new creations after the challenge
• Work created for a challenge can often be entered into other shows or competitions

What I don't like about challenges:

• Time restrictions: I often don't have enough time to do everything to a project that I would like, due to challenge deadlines.
    (However, I am more productive now that I have my studio set up and supplies and work areas easily accessible. Also, if a project can't be completed to one's satisfaction, you can always make a second project based on the first one, and finish it in a different way, something I like to do.)
• Depending on the challenge, you may have to purchase specific fabrics and materials to complete the project.
   (Though, there are some challenges which don't require any additional purchase, and you can use the materials you may have in your fabric and supply stash.)

Here is a list of challenges I have recently decided to pursue, I like them because I can use my existing materials to create the artwork, and there is no entry fee for the contests. We are recently retired, so this is very appealing, and I have lots of supplies I need to get busy using!

5 Fat Quarter Fun Contest:

This is a challenge I found on Instagram. Quilts are to be made using 5 fat quarters and up to 2 background fabrics. This challenge starts August 25, 2017 and ends October 25, 2017. Quilts are to be made during this time frame. Visit the Instagram pages of  @jedicraftgirl and @gigis_thimble for additional details. This contest has prizes!

Quilting Arts Magazine Challenge,  Necessity is the Mother of Invention:

For this challenge you create a 9 inch x 9 inch quilt, all materials must be found and not purchased. The challenge entry is due by October 1, 2017, via email submission. I found this challenge in the August/September 2017 issue of Quilting Arts magazine, you can read more about the contest details there.

Scrap Challenge of a Lifetime (Scrap Quilt Challenge):

I have started looking through my scraps in anticipation of creating a quilt for this challenge from Judy Gauthier and C&T Publishing. For the challenge, you use scraps of fabric you already have to make a quilt based on quilt blocks and template cutting techniques from 2 books by Judy Gauthier. The books are Quilts for Scrap Lovers and Rainbow Quilts for Scrap Lovers. You can use blocks from one or both of the books. I have purchased the Kindle version of Quilts for Scrap Lovers from Amazon.com, and I am planning to design my quilt using the blocks featured in the book. Quilts will be chosen from the photos submitted (12-14 quilts), and they will be exhibited at the April 2018 International Quilt Festival in Chicago. The deadline for submission of the entry form for this contest is November 1, 2017, and the deadline to submit photos of the finished quilt is January 1, 2018. You can find out more about the challenge by visiting: http://www.ctpub.com/blog/scrap-challenge-of-a-lifetime/

What do you think of Creative Challenges?  Do you like, love or dislike them? Please leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Have fun creating and embracing the challenge!

Visit my gallery page on this blog to see some of my quilt designs, many were initially created in response to a challenge, then also exhibited at other shows.

Nesting, by Denise A Buchwalter-Losczyk, copyright 2006, This quilt was made for one of the first challenges I entered, the "Piece, Love and Quilt" contest for Benartex fabrics, in 2006. It was one of the semi-finalists in the contest.