FONTastic

How to pick the perfect font?  Wow, that's like saying how do you pick the perfect outfit - where are you going, what will you be doing, what are your personal preferences?   Do you want to stand out, blend in, have layers?



The perfect outfit for a morning spent hiking in the Grand Canyon is so different than for a evening at an artist's reception. 



Things to consider to make your font, font-astic...

Shapes
Angular, curved

Weight
Light, medium,bold

Readability- sometimes you want readability but other times the text is just a design element or a surprise that you don't want people to notice at first glance.

Which technique to use? With paint or ultra suede can use a finer font it can work. For traditional turned applique, you need mad skills for the fine lined fonts and for raw edge fused applique, tightly woven fabric, expecially if you are afraid of a little fray. Can also print text on to special inkjet sheets.  I like that with Extravorganza you have the option of layering that printed fabirc and still having your background show.  Kinda small but in the pink box there is small bit of Extravorganza

If you haven't tried the print your own fabric, give it a try - easy and no special software needed.  What ever you print on paper you can print of sheets of special prepared fabric with a paper backing you can buy, several different brands (google "inkjet fabric sheets").   Or I just heard of people using full size sheet labels to stablize fabric that then goes into the printer.



Do a little research on what feelings you get from fonts. Check out some brand logos. What fonts are they using and how do those shapes and colors make you feel?  What feeling do you want to evoke with your font?

Serious? Sad? Formal? Playful? Scared?

Gotta run, it's time for me to head to a fun class!

"Tag you're it" - Reveal Day 9

I think I finally made "it"...  everybody talks about "it" cause they want "it", well I've got "it" now!

If you think I will live "it" down or stop "it", you really don't know me...

• Imagined a quilt made of clothing labels*
• Saved clothing labels for "it"*,and  was given clothing labels* (receiving them in the mail, in person, via messenger; and yes, I will still accept more, this is not my last label quilt)
• Created light colored applique letters, fused base fabric cream colored Kona !!!
• Created dark colored background on base fabric using Steam a Seam sticky fusible!!!
• Zigzag stitched applique - later inked in applique stitch with black Sharpie marker!!!
• Free Motion Machine quilted the light areas with lime green, and dark ones with Navy Blue - this is why I had Navy Blue on my machine - so at this point I decided to edge many of the quilts from the early days of this challenge
• Free Motion ZigZagged edge!!!

  * - These steps were done prior to 12x12x12 challenge
!!! - First time I ever did this type of thing



and what is behind "it" you ask...

Money

"its" backed with cash - well, cash fabric

Lost Track of Time - Reveal day 4

One of the joys and dangers of the sewing studio is that you get sucked into the vortex.  From watching SciFi I know that once the fabric of space and time is torn, it's hard not to lose track of time.


I love the image of a clock - round, numbers, metal hands, movement, so many great symbols.

• Background handdyed and gold lines and dots painted on left upper corner*

• Stamped background with 3 different spools !!! using the leftover pain from the Day 3 stencil (in fact it was a "I have too much paint left over, what can I paint on?", and now I have extra spool prints that I added to my box of altered fabric)

• Clock hands are "MicroSuede" from Joann's, cut and appliqued on (if UltraSuede is ultra good, Microsuede is micro good, it's ok, really - it just doesn't handle raw edge, but it's a Micro price compared to the Ultra price.  I can buy a 8"x10" piece of UltraSuede or a Yard of 45wide Micro Suede for the same price, but since the amount I use is small, may be worth the investment.  Cause as they say, time is money!

• Cut out numbers from freezer paper and pressed onto background - tight quilting made each number an island of quilted puffiness!!!
• Free Motion Machine quilted background and inside numbers very tightly - I really enjoy quilting the heck out of a quilt - this time quilted in a horizontally elongated meander!!!
• Hand painted the numbers with gold fabric paint!!!
• Free Motion ZigZagged edge - kinda heavier stitching than on Day 1 Peace, Love and Joy.  This time did a back and forth 5 times motion, covering about 3-4inches at a time  - I like the navy blue stitching with the black ink

  * - These steps were done prior to 12x12x12 challenge
!!! - First time I ever did this type of thing

I must govern the clock, not be governed by it.
- Golda Meir

Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
- Samuel Smiles

Time may change me, But I can't trace time

- David Bowie

I lost some time once. It's always in the last place you look for it.
- Neil Gaiman

I picked some fresh herbs from the garden for dinner tonight. Now I have thyme on my hands.

- Misty Cole

Linear Thinking - Reveal Day 3

What besides Fear slows me down? Linear Thinking


We should know step 1 before we do step 2.  Well, I already had the background fabric stitched together for use in a Maria O'Haver quilt block - I think it was the Maryland Flag, I had abandoned that project and relgated it to my orphan block box (also known as the land of misfit blocks). As it turns out - I really don't enjoy following patterns, I like the flow of the birth of a new creation.  There is a real artisan skill to following quilt pattern and I admire those who do enjoy it.  But to me, that is work, while creating is play.  I've learned that following a pattern is "recreating" and that's a line I now realize that I'd rather stay on the " birthing a new creation side."

So I was at step 2 - background pieced without a clue what to do - so I thought of lines, and then poof I realized "linear thinking"... Love the irony that "Linear Thinking" was created with circular thinking.  Once I added the binding, I really started to appreciate this little quilt.

• Paper pieced background *
• Freezer paper stenciled words!!!
• Wavy lines Free Motion Machine quilted with YLI London Drizzle

• Hand stitched both lines on left and scattered seed stitch on right side!!!
• Bound with a fused strip of fabric - used a plastic ruler to line up the strip so that it was perfectly in line !!! (lining up with ruler gets the !!!)

  * - These steps were done prior to 12x12x12 challenge
!!! - First time I ever did this type of thing

 Linear Thinking

Definition:

a process of thought following known cycles or step-by-step progression where a response to a step must be elicited before another step is taken

Fear - Reveal Day 2

As I started this challenge, I thought what is it that keeps me from doing my art. Simple answer - Fear! Fear, fear, fear - I say your name you monster and you don't have power over me! I fear I don't have the time to do my art, that I won't be able to make my vision a reality, that I'm not really an artist... Okay enough squishy deep thoughts.

They say you need to "face" your fears, so I gave my little monster a face.  Monster represents both what causes the fear and the one who has the fear, hiding in his house.  Just look into his little monster eyes, do you see his fear that has left him speechless? well especially since he has no mouth!  I tried a few mouths - but with a mouth he looked either cute or scary and I wanted him to walk the line of fearful and frightful.

Orange fabric is from an adventure with Cheryl Lynch to Lonni Rossi's studio/shop outside Philadelphia.  What fun fabric I found in my bag of fabric by the pound!

• Background fabric hand dyed and gelatin plate monoprinted with large bubblewrap*!!!  The gelatin plate I made was in a round cake pan, so the large circles that you see are the edge of the gelatin plate.  I liked that it adds a design element.

• Monster is fused applique - stitched with Free Motion zigzag
• Word "FEAR" is cut from Ultrasuede in letters that had some shakiness to them and fused with Heat and Bond Ultra (no sewing thru that - that's a monster bond)
• Free Motion Machine quilted with my favorite thread - Rainbows by Superior Threads  - trilobial polyester - sounds scary!
• No edge yet - I said it wasn't part of the challenge and since I don't know how I want to finish it.  I have some thoughts on what to do, but til I'm sure enough, or just feel like doing it, I don't fear putting it out here without it's edge.  

  * - These steps were done prior to 12x12x12 challenge
!!! - First time I ever did this type of thing

I have to admit at first I felt a little foolish - this piece has a simplistic, childlike quality to it.  And I fear I'm not an artist, making childlike art seems to go against what I should want - but it was very liberating to play and know that this is not about making "ART" this is about playing with my creativity, enjoying the process and learning.  Of all my 12s, this little monster has a special place in the doorway of my heart!  I think that's why I want to give him a great edge.

Hope you face your fears and find that they aren't really all that scary!

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

The whole secret of existence is to have no fear. Never fear what will become of you, depend on no one. Only the moment you reject all help are you freed.
- Buddha

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.
- Mark Twain

He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.
- Dale Carnegie

 

Peace, Love and Joy - Reveal Day 1

This piece of fabric has been handdyed and inked for what seems like several years.  It's just sitting in my box of altered fabric waiting for an opportunity to knock.  I brought the altered fabric to a local art quilt group for show-n-tell. Joan Raciti really liked it, and has inquired a couple times what I have done with it.  Now have an answer!  It is quite a nice feeling to have someone share with me that they appreciate that which is 100% my creation.

In steps below, I added a * for steps of the creative process that were done prior to 12x12x12 challenge. And I'm kinda excited so I used !!! to show that it was the first time I ever did a certain technique or step.   Such a fun adventure, can't wait to share the rest with you!

• Hand dyed fabric *!!! (from my first ever dyeing at a guild retreat)
• Words masked with scrapbooking stickers*!!! (my total idea, now I see others have done the same - we're all creative),then inked in green with Tsukineko All Purpose Inks
• Blue scribbles added with Fabrico Markers
• White circles stamped with the lid from ink*!!! (the white ink is a must try)

• Hidden "in search of" - I want my quilts to have impact from a distance, draw people in, good design and hidden surprises... when I looked at the photos I found the "in search of", I had forgotten I hid those words in the dark blue line on the left - see where the middle row of hand stitches ends?

• Ultrasuede Flower Cogs (Flogs) I decided to outline cut them this time!!!  The overall design is very light and fluffy, the solid Flogs in that flat Ultrasuede would dominate, so why not... And I thought I fused them in place

• Hand stitching using 3 different variegated colors of floss

• Lucky for me the fused Flogs didn't fuse well, so I added the hand stitching in the Flogs, now they really play well with the other light and fluffy elements

• Free Motion Machine quilted - yep, til it screamed out "no mas!"
• Free Motion Zigzagged the edge

  * - These steps were done prior to 12x12x12 challenge
!!! - First time I ever did this type of thing

I can't wait to show you my Day 2 project! Feel free to ask me questions, about any of these steps and techniques.

In fact, feel free to ask any questions from A to Z!

Hand Writing Serendipity

Most basic way to get words on fabric is to take pen to fabric.
 
My basic advice  (clean it,  stabilize it, don't bleed on it and be loose)

- Use fabric that has been pre-washed - helps fabric adhere to stabilizer. That way you get the finish off the fabric and the ink will adhere to the fibers.

- stabilize - writing on fabric that is not stabilized is like writing on wet paper - it's just a bad idea!  So get stable! if you are going to be fusing the fabric - the fusible and the paper backing can be a great stabilizer - if not fusing then use freezer paper and iron the shiny side to the back of your fabric.  Peel it off after you are finished.

- use inks that don't bleed!  Sharpies are permanent but they leave a shadowy cast, unless you want that look.  Many folks use Pigma Pens, specifically the Micron brand.  I like the Tsukineko brand Fabrico Markers they are the same colors as the All Purpose Inks, so you can use them together.  You heat set and can layer the colors. You can see me and my friends using the Fabrico Markers in my iFun post from April 2011. 

- be loose - relax when you are writing and have fun with it!

There are many others out there using word in their art, including my friend Deborah Boschert.  She posted a blog entry and a hand writing on fabric video tutorial. http://deborahsjournal.blogspot.com/2012/03/hand-writing-on-fabric.html

A-way With Words (part 1, the very beginning, a very good place to start)

I have a fondness for words.  I was fortunate to be born into a bilingual family, I studied a 3rd language in school and several years ago learned the visual language of ASL.  And then there is the written word... So many words so little time!  I read quickly but I slowly embraced the digital word - now I love both my e-reader and the truly printed word.  I miss the tactile and olfactory sensory experience of a paper book but the portability is well worth the sacrifice.

So, why the words about words... A friend of a friend wants help with using words in an art project -so this is for her, but it's also for me, and it's for you too.  Like my e-reader (Kindle2, btw) this blog allows access that wouldn't be possible face to face right now, but it lacks the full sensory experience, so use your imagination, brew a cup of hot Earl Grey (TAZO is my favorite) and let's play with words...  

 

I looked back at my blog and found quite a few pieces with words or Chinese characters. Sometimes the words are in the background like in Cognition - other times they are more the focus like Go With The Flow.

Elie Wiesel's words give me hope that my words and images here can provide information, interest and inspiration.    "Words can sometimes, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds".

 

Isn't a gift of action, a deed - indeed?

 

Are you inspired by words?  Do you make art with a certain word in mind or a certain concept?  Does the concept emerge as you create?  Let's not focus on picking the right words, but on how to put those words in your art. 

Cognition Unveiled!!!

Tada!



Finally, my Power Suit Challenge quilt unveiled! 

the fine print below my quilt reads...

Cognition
Inspired by mental power = cognition...  My Nerd-self focused on power, movement, force, and then a “power series” in mathematics.  Athlete-self added Power = strength = denim.  Fashionista-self = dark suits.  Cogs with French knots feature felt made from machine needlefelting 4 layers of suiting.  Tied together with the silk “Power Tie” binding and at the bottom “denim”; Cause a great pair of jeans is my power suit.  Wishing you fun from A to Z!
Amy Morusiewicz Mitchellville, Maryland

I was limited to 75 words - that was a challenge.  I feel very connected to this piece - the background is PFD that was handdyed at Southern Comforter's winter retreat.  The cogs are a result of hours on the needlefelting machine creating felt from 4 layers of the wool suiting samples.  My goal was a piece that would have visual appeal from 30 feet away, drawing you in and giving you little surprises such as the french knots in the flower/cogs and the lightning bolt embroidery.

Here's a glimpse into how my brain works...

Power Nerd

I remembered power series in my mathematics methods for physicists class (my last math class after 4 calculus classes.)  The only book from college I still have - a great memento of another time in my life - and a lovely book in teal and silver!  So the background contains selected equations and terms that were part of my life studying Physics in college.  Machines and movement, thoughts and ideas abound.

Power Athlete

Hockey? Dark grey and black circles, larger ones are closer to me, smaller as they go away - hockey pucks? During hockey practice, many pucks fly my way as a goalie with the Washington Wolves women's hockey team. 

Power Style

Denim and black - that's the powersuit of my generation.  The blue cogs are made with the plastic cover of the wool suiting samples.  The kit contained a silk tie in a beigey grey (somehow my kit knew I could use a plain tie - others artists got stripes or print ties)

Movement, strength, depth, serious and humorous...    Cognition

Oh, I need to tell you about the opening reception for the Power Suit Challenge, and that's a story for another day...