Thursday, June 11, 2009

Art Quilting Studio

Earlier in the year I heard about a new publication that Stampington & Co. was releasing, called "Art Quilting Studio," and immediately I was intrigued! I love sewing. I love art. My favorite things to make these days are things that combine my love for these two things. So this publication seemed right up my alley! I submitted a piece that was my response to a quotation that Stampington published as a "prompt" for quilters to respond to:

"One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes. "

-The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery



My submission is called "I Saw You" and I was THRILLED to see it featured in the premier issue of Art Quilting Studio (June 2009...it's on newstands right now)! Here's the first page of the article and there's a "blurb" about me/my piece down at the bottom right of the page.... And here's the page with my piece on it! It's the piece on the bottom. :)

Here are some more pics of the piece that I took before I sent it in and a bit about how I created it...

I started with the idea that the piece would be in a frame (minus the glass) so I cut a piece of vintage linen to the appropriate size, just larger than the frame so that it could be held in by the little metal tabs on the back of the frame. I sewed quilt batting to the back to give it some "body" and then sewed new and vintage lace and vintage sheet music (yes, you can sew paper to fabric!) to the linen.
I printed out a vintage photo of a group of girl onto a fabulous product by The Vintage Workshop: Inkjet Linen Fabric Sheets. You can find this product HERE. I have used a lot of fabric sheets that you can print in your inkjet printer but this is my very favorite product, especially when working on "vintage-looking" projects. The linen adds to the "aged" appearance and gives it a marvelous texture. I can't use anything else now!!
I used a Ziggy photo marker to "color" the dress of the girl in the front row and then sewed the photo on linen fabric sheet to the piece.

A vintage 1920's love letter I bought on eBay a few years ago has gotten lots of mileage. I cut this snippet out that reads "I saw you" because it perfectly encapsulated my interpretation of the quote from The Little Prince. I wanted to show how, throught the eyes of love, even a "black and white" girl pops into color!
I added lots of vintage favorites...vintage millinery roses, a button I covered with a rose I embroidered on linen, a new heart-shaped "buckle," vintage lace, vintage tickets, a piece of vintage jewelry, very old buttons and delicious vintage tatting. Each piece represented the "dance-theme" of the photo and the feeling of a deep, nostalgic love.
My husband, James, distressed the frame for me, as well as some simple wood "appliques" I bought at the craft store. Putting the finished piece in the frame was one of those wonderful moments where I saw a picture in my head jump into real life. I live for those moments!


So that's it! I just had to share this exciting news. I'm already planning some new things to submit for the next issue!

17 comments:

Mama said...

Wow, to have such passion and talent...so awesome :o)

The Feathered Nest said...

It's just magical Cheryl!!!! I absolutely love it girl ~ and am honored to be in the issue with you!
xxoo, Dawn

Karin said...

Cheryl....it's absolutely stunning! I think it should have been on the cover....

Wendy said...

You're amazing girl :) Why didn't you do this kinda stuff when we were room mates.

Linda Lilly Cottage said...

Cheryl that is just wonderful!! You and I share the same love of fabric and vintage and everyday I look at the beautiful piece you sent me for that swap so so long ago.I adore it and I adore this piece too! Well done you...so very exciting!
Inspires me!
Kiss Noises Linda

Blondie ~ Vintage Primitives said...

Cheryl, Your work raises the bar.
Congrats ~ I am busting buttons for you.
Blondie

Lianne said...

Oh, Cheryl...
It's BEAUTIFUL!! I am breathless looking at all the detail you have put into this piece!
How exciting that you are in the premier issue...congratulations, my sweet friend!
I am looking forward to getting my very own copy! :o)
<><
Lianne

shabbyscraps said...

oh mu goodenss cheryl, this piece is amazing! I think one of your best pieces to date!! It deserved to be published!!!
xoxo,Tiffany

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Cheryl! "I saw you" I love it! ♥

Unknown said...

That is absolutely darling! Love the "Hens and chicks" edging along the bottom of the photo.

:)

scj said...

Wow, well done Cheryl! what exciting news! I just wish the Stampington publications were easily available over here in the UK but they are quite hard to find. Your work is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.

Sheila

gail said...

Hi, I just wanted to stop by and say hello and tell tell you how much I love your blog.Your art and your blog are very pretty. Congratulations on the Art Quilting Studio submission!
Have a pretty week... gail

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Congrats!!!! You sooo deserve it!!! Your piece is SOOO BEAUTIFUL!!! I love all the heirloom details. So proud of ya!! Happy Days!!! :) XOXO,Jenn

april o. said...

OMG! I just got this magazine and will have to look! Thank you for being so sweet. I was awarded a blog award and am passing it on to you as well. Have a wonderful weekend.

Just Between Us Girls said...

Hi Cheryl,
Just thought I would stop in to find out how you are doing. Your blog post is beautiful and the details are just amazing. I just don't know how you write like this. Your talent abounds.
Love and hugs,
Pat

Sherry Williams said...

Congratulations, sweetie! I love your entry. I hope I can still find a copy of the magazine at the bookstore. How are you doing these days?
Hugs,
Sherry

Sue said...

Horray for you!! Your piece is lovely, so glad they chose it for their magazine!
Blessings~LillySue