A TECHNIQUE DRIVEN Blog dedicated to mastery of surface design techniques. First we dye, overdye, paint, stitch, resist, tie, fold, silk screen, stamp, thermofax, batik, bejewel, stretch, shrink, sprinkle, Smooch, fuse, slice, dice, AND then we set it on fire using a variety of heat tools.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Background Check - Week 3 - SERENDIPITY

You all know when it happens....

You dig through a pile of fabric and see the exact piece you need

You iron out a piece of hand dyed fabric and see the inspiration for a new piece

You do a particular technique and it doesn't work out...but it goes a whole new direction

SERENDIPITY

The dictionary defines Serendipity like this:  

luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for

When it happens it can make your whole day!!

There are, of course, no step 1 and step 2 to this one...just a reminder to keep your eyes and creativity open to seeing these jewels when they breeze by.

Example:
I was entering a competition that required a book or reading theme. I love to read so I had several concepts in mind.  Then....one dyeing day....it happened.  I rinsed, dried and ironed a piece and it had a big white streak in it.  Oh bummer!! Then it hits. Serendipity. And thus "A Dark and Stormy Night" was born.

I used the big white streak in the background sky as a bright lightening ground strike! Additional lightening bolts were added with specialty yarn and stitching with metallic thread. But the whole idea came from a "messed up" dyed fabric!

The beginning

"A Dark and Stormy Night"

Another example

A friend used some freezer paper to mask a circle which she was going to paint. However, with moisture of the paint seeped under the freezer paper mask.  Again....oh bummer!  But from that, "Blue Moon" was born!  The circle looked just like a moon with a cloud beginning to pass over it. A little quilting and the sky and the sea came into being.

Thanks Wil!
"Blue Moon"
Wil Opio Oguta


And another week comes to an end. Have an amazing weekend! Keep open to serendipity in all areas of your life!

Kelly L Hendrickson



2 comments:

  1. Two really wonderful little art quilts. I especially love the house under the strikes. Such a great concept - Dye with surprise!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Ann. One of the things I love about dyeing my own fabric! You just never know what you will find when you iron it out!

    ReplyDelete

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