| Author | Content |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 03, 2007
07:31 AM Post #4152982
| There was a post on the Sewing and quilting forum inviting us over, so here I am. I'll post a few pics of my stuff. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 03, 2007
07:32 AM Post #4152984
| The first one is August's Bitter Gold. This is you can't mend November's Ragged Edges 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 03, 2007
07:33 AM Post #4152986
| And this is Margaret's Heart 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 03, 2007
07:34 AM Post #4152988
| One last one for now. Dragonflies III 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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terriculture
london England
United Kingdom
November 03, 2007
03:29 PM Post #4154218
| What beautiful work Kathleen! thanks for showing us.
pop into the cafe' sometime, 1st drink on the house! |
weedsgalore
Tampa, FL
November 03, 2007
04:34 PM Post #4154357
| Fabulous art work kathleen, glad you popped in, as i didn't even know there was a quilt and sewing forum!! I love them all, but personally very particular to blue and dragonflies..just lovely! sue |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 03, 2007
04:36 PM Post #4154361
| Kathleen, Thank you for starting this thread and sor showing your beautiful work. Tell us more about how you have made them.
Here is one tapestry I wove. It is the only weaving I have a photo of I guess I need to get my camera and do a few more. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 03, 2007
05:12 PM Post #4154469
| Thank you all for the kind words. I started out a quilter, but a trip to a real quilt festival convinced me that there's quilting and there's what I do. I still make some more traditional quilts, but lately most of what I do it like this stuff. I paint most of my own fabric for the wallhangings, these are all made using hand painted fabric. The first one has a photo printed on fabric, the third one is my take on the log cabin quilt block, the dragonflies are made with a stamp that I created. I do everything with my sewing machine. I used to do it all by hand, but RA has played havoc with what my hands will do, so I bought a nice little Bernina " sewing computer" and let it do the hard stuff.
ZP, I love your tapestry. I thought once about weaving, but a friend of my mother's who is a weaver told me to consider whether I'd completed my family because a loom ends up costing as much as another child. I had completed my family, but was a full time farmer, so decided that I'd pass.
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weedsgalore
Tampa, FL
November 03, 2007
05:25 PM Post #4154491
| Oh zen, you are sure a many talented person! The weaving is lovely...very folk-art? German or Czech? It reminds me of some of the vintage linens i have seen! sue |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 03, 2007
06:33 PM Post #4154665
| The weaving is one copied from an old Norwegian one. I made it while learning about tapestry in Norway. To tell the truth I would guess the Bernina cost more than my looms. I have three from Norway. If you add shipping then we are talking more for the looms.
OK I give up what is RA? Do you work with cotton? |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 04, 2007
06:26 AM Post #4155895
| lol, my Bernina is the next to cheapest that you can get - still cost more than my Dell, but it was worth it.
RA - rheumatoid arthritis.
Almost all my stuff is cotton. I'd love to paint some silk, but I'm allergic to it, so have stayed away. I have a redwood tree hanging that I made using 'burned' polyester strips - you run them through a candle fame quickly to transform the edges, tack them down and then put a piece of fine netting over the top and quilt through that. I don't have a picture of that yet.
Here's another - painted fabric, a photo and some piece work. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 04, 2007
09:20 AM Post #4156175
| Kathleen,
Your fabric art is gorgeous! I love the quilts and the colors are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your art with us. There are so many very talented folks here on Dave's.
I'm glad you found the Artisans forum. I bet there are a lot more folks like yourself out there that create beautiful things and don't know this forum even exists.
We're always delighted to see new artists in the forum. Please stop by the cafe and enjoy the scenery. We love to visit and the cafe is a fine place to get to know everyone.
Janet
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zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 04, 2007
10:23 AM Post #4156375
| Kathleen,
Oh please to get photos of the 'burned' polyester strips. I can't quite visualize that. The newest piece you posted is an excellent example of mixed media. Really quite beautiful.
I had a Bernina for a long time and it was so reliable. I bought it used in 1980 and used it until a year ago when it died. I don't sew much any more so I got a simple brother to replace it. It is not even close to the Bernina.
Pauline
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Calalily
South Padre Island, TX
(Zone 10a)
November 05, 2007
12:13 PM Post #4159987
| Kathleen, your quilts are beautiful! I especially like "November's Ragged Edges." |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 05, 2007
01:56 PM Post #4160339
| UT, I had the Artisan's Forum on my favorites list, but wasn't quite sure if my stuff belonged. I lurked a bit. Actually, I think of myself primarily as poet and essayist, but the fiber stuff has taken up quite a bit of my time over the last two years.
ZP, I'll get a pic soon. I haven't put a border on it yet, haven't decided if I'm going to put a border on yet. I know it looks like a redwood - a friend from CA was here this summer and saw it hanging on the design boarde and said, "Kathleen, what are you doing with a redwood on your wall?"
Hey Susie, thanks! Keeps me out of the nurseries! Mike moved and added on this year - but I don't think his stock was as adventurous as formerly, more bedding flowers and such. I did get a neat little sumac from him, though. Stan about had a kitten! How are you all? Have you sold any chrysanthemum seeds lately?
This message was edited Nov 5, 2007 12:57 PM |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 05, 2007
03:03 PM Post #4160543
| I am about to cry. It is snowing!!!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 05, 2007
03:38 PM Post #4160662
| Kathleen, you are most welcome there. What you do is indeed a wonderful talent.
I do hope that folks won't feel intimidate by the word artisans. That's not our intentions at all.
According to Wikipedia:
An artisan, also called a craftsman, is a skilled manual worker who uses tools and machinery in a particular craft.
To me, it's only a word for folks who are passionate about the crafts that they do. Everyone is welcome there. :-)
Sending warm thoughts your way Pauline. Many warm thoughts. How about a cuppa hot chocolate too? :-)
Janet
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pieohmy
Independence, LA
(Zone 8b)
November 05, 2007
03:42 PM Post #4160677
| I love these. They remind me of crazy quilts. Katleen, how big are they? |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 05, 2007
05:10 PM Post #4161041
| Maybe mulled wine. |
Calalily
South Padre Island, TX
(Zone 10a)
November 06, 2007
06:50 PM Post #4165186
| Kathleen, good thing Stan didn't have a kitten!
No mum seeds lately, but I did buy two little mum plants this fall. |
Zanymuse
Scotia, CA
(Zone 9b)
November 10, 2007
03:06 PM Post #4179323
| I had missed these posts with the wonderful fiber arts! I love them! |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 10, 2007
04:46 PM Post #4179556
| : )
I just got back from a class in needle felting - o boy, here we go! Every time I learn something new, it all changes. No one will ever be able to say, "O, that's a Kathleen Tenpas piece," they are always different. Have to go dig a piece of foam out of the attic. hehe, how to kill a $100 bill in one easy lesson! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 11, 2007
12:22 AM Post #4181019
| Hi Kathleen,
It's fun learning new things to do with what you already know. Each of your quilts is unique and very beautiful.
Please explain a bit more about this needle felting. I've never heard of it. I'm sure others are just as interested as I am in learning something new.
We have so many different types of art in the cafe. Your poems and essays would be appreciated there, as well your beautiful quilting. You really should post some of your extraordinary art. It would fit right in there. We want to recognize your work when we see it in the galleries! :-) I can't wait to see the burned piece also. It sounds so interesting. We love works in progress. Being able to see how things are done. :-)
Janet |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 11, 2007
11:42 AM Post #4181841
| I finally took some photos of some more of my weaving. So now I can post them.
This is an example of a Finish style "Transparent Weaving" Originally they were used as window coverings. Now they are used in a variety of ways. I have made room dividers this way. I went to Finland to learn this. The piece is 30" x 51". I made three of them for the windows of a previous house. This is the only one I have up now. It is linen. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 11, 2007
11:44 AM Post #4181847
| Another style I learned in Finland. This is made from a very fine wool. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Zanymuse
Scotia, CA
(Zone 9b)
November 11, 2007
01:17 PM Post #4182158
| Zen, those are great. The Transparent one is especially attractive to me. Where did you get the linen fibers? Can you purchase it like yarn or do you have to start from flax and make your own? |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 11, 2007
01:45 PM Post #4182223
| I purchased mine as yarn, in Norway. I just googled linen yarn and got over a million hits. |
Indigo_gal
Halifax
Canada
November 11, 2007
04:16 PM Post #4182673
| Hi Zenpotter
Your transparency is lovely. Is it an inlay on a very fine, open cloth? Do you have a closeup so i can see how it's done? I'm glad to see weaving on the artisans page. I wasn't sure exactly where it would go, but your piece definately belongs with the artisans. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 11, 2007
05:15 PM Post #4182859
| I woven the whole thing. The weft is the same as the warp and the figures are woven is as the background is woven. That way I am carrying each section of pattern thread along with me.
Example:
Open the shed throw the weft thread across and then weave each section of the pattern change the shed and so again. In this piece I would be carrying the brown for a branch, the green for a leaf, brown green, pink etc. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 11, 2007
05:33 PM Post #4182917
| WOW! Seeing the close up and following your explanation, I can only imagine how long it must take to do something like that. It's exquisite Pauline. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 11, 2007
06:20 PM Post #4183061
| Thank you, yes it is very time consuming. |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 12, 2007
08:05 AM Post #4184700
| zen, those are wonderful. I once thought about weaving, but I was still a full time dairy farmer and decided to just appreciate others' work.
The needle felting involves a barbed needle and roving. You lay out a pattern and work the roving into the fabric (wool felt is perfect, but it works on almost any fabric sturdy enough to withstand the multiple needle stabs) by stabbing the needle through the felting into into the fabric backed by a felting brush or nice, cheap piece of foam. Here's a pic of the piece I did Saturday. It's wrinkled because I put it on the scanner.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 12, 2007
08:11 AM Post #4184711
| Thanks so much for the explanation and the photo to go with it Kathleen. That looks pretty cool! Looks like you'll have a new medium for your art. :-) |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 12, 2007
08:16 AM Post #4184720
| lol, just what I need - new projects piling up in my head! |
melody
Benton, KY
(Zone 7a)
 November 12, 2007
09:36 AM Post #4184907
| Having seen Kathleen's work in person, pictures don't do it justice. .
I love the needle felting! guess I'll have to add that to my project list... Right after I do those silk scarves that they'll deliver from Dharma Trading tomorrow. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 12, 2007
10:02 AM Post #4184998
| Then that part is cheap. Kathleen, The needle felting is very pretty. I have seen mittens, purses and hats done with it. I can also imagine a wall hanging done in that matter. You can always go to thrift stores to buy wool sweaters or blankets to cut apart and felt. |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 12, 2007
11:38 AM Post #4185335
| In the spirit of mutual admiration. Melody's stuff is wonderful. I plan to send her a shirt at some point so she can work her magic on it.
Right now, I'm thinking that the felt pieces I bought several years ago for a quilting project that never happened might make nice needle felted bags for our horde of nieces for Christmas. Mel, this is something you've got to try - easy to do and immediate results - all good! |
Sharran
Calvert City, KY
(Zone 6b)
November 12, 2007
10:21 PM Post #4187326
| I hope you don't mind if I pop in and tell you how much I enjoy this thread and all your beautiful work.
Melody, when you have finished one of Kathleen's felted pieces, teach me too, please...our roles will have reversed!!! By the way, Melody's work is beautiful, just as Kathlen says.
Lovely work, ladies, thanks for sharing it all, and thanks for letting me stop by for a minute.
|
melody
Benton, KY
(Zone 7a)
November 12, 2007
11:07 PM Post #4187491
| Should i tell them Sharon? Or should you? Folks, she and I go back several decades. It will be interesting for sure to reverse roles.
(First I've got to dye the silk scarves that will be delivered tomorrow before we work on felting anything) |
Sharran
Calvert City, KY
(Zone 6b)
November 12, 2007
11:24 PM Post #4187554
| Go ahead, my dear. You are my shining star!!!!! |
melody
Benton, KY
(Zone 7a)
November 13, 2007
10:52 AM Post #4188608
| Sharon was my High School art teacher ya'll. She was only 16 at the time too! A very talented lady.
Glad you're enjoying yourself here. I thought you'd like us. |
Sharran
Calvert City, KY
(Zone 6b)
November 13, 2007
11:24 AM Post #4188698
| I love the 16 part, Mel...
It sure brightened up this dreary day. |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
November 13, 2007
11:30 AM Post #4188715
| Welcome to our Forum Sharran! I see you've been her for about a year. I'm sure you'll agree that Dave's has got to be one of the very best sites on the internet. You won't find a nicer bunch of folks anywhere on earth!
I must warn you, now that you're here in the Artisans Forum, once word gets out about your being a teacher, be prepared to have your brains picked. We just love to learn new things around here. These folks are really a bunch of enablers. You are a welcome addition. :-)
Oh, and any friend of Melody's is a friend of ours! We like to keep good company.
Janet
|
Sharran
Calvert City, KY
(Zone 6b)
November 13, 2007
12:13 PM Post #4188844
| Hi, Janet...thanks. I have followed your treasures throughout this year, so I am very familiar with your work.
Actually Melody gave me my first subscription to DG...one of the best presents I ever received. Pick my brain anytime. I taught art in high school for 37 years before finally retiring last year. Had a good time, and loved having students as talented as Melody. Now it is payback time, and she can teach me. Turnabout, you know.
I am enjoying this thread, thanks. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 13, 2007
01:18 PM Post #4189062
| Sharran, Welcome to the fiber arts forum. I was an art teacher as well. Only 21 years though. |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 24, 2007
08:46 AM Post #4224510
| I found this pic of the torn, burned polyester, the three dimensional tulip dance and a silk flower 'arrangement' 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 24, 2007
09:13 AM Post #4224556
| Kathleen, both of those are beautiful! The red one so vibrant and the natural colors just lovely. The description torn and burnt just doesn't seem appropriate. Are they hanging in your studio or a show? |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
November 24, 2007
09:31 AM Post #4224596
| Kathleen, Lovely work. I am particularly taken with the 3 D piece.
zen, I've been going back to your Finnish style transparent weave again and again. It must have been very interesting to go to Finland to learn the technique. Are there any places you know they are available for sale? I can imagine how beautiful they would look in a window with the sun streaming in from behind. |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 24, 2007
02:28 PM Post #4225401
| Thank you both.
zen, they are hanging on my design board in the picture. The tulips are presently in a gallery and the silk flower arrangement has sold - yeah!!!
here's a better pic of that. It's called "Poppies"
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Zanymuse
Scotia, CA
(Zone 9b)
November 24, 2007
02:33 PM Post #4225408
| "Poppies" is a beautiful art piece! Great to know that your silk arrangement sold. That has to be a rewarding experience both financially and emotionally as confirmation of your artistic skills. |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 24, 2007
05:35 PM Post #4225766
| Thanks, Zany. It was rather exciting having it sell. My big problem is with pricing and working with what I want, adding the gallery's cut and not asking more than the traffic would bear. I ended up pricing this one at $100, getting $70 after all was said and done. I'm told I undersold it, but I really don't know. I'm an unknown quantity, and I think until I'm better known, a little cheaper and sales is better than more expensive and no sales. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 24, 2007
05:35 PM Post #4225767
| Kathleen, I had noticed the corner of Poppies. It is lovely thank you for posting it.
sempervirens, I have never seen them for sale anywhere here. That one was woven when I lived in Germany. I sold many of them in Norway and Germany, but have assumed that the market here would not support anything that would cost that much. You have my curiosity going, I guess I should go into my records to see how much time went into the average one and see if I should find someone that would sell them. They would be different than other things available here. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 24, 2007
05:38 PM Post #4225778
| Kathleen you and I were writing at the same time. Someone got a good deal at $100. |
Sharran
Calvert City, KY
(Zone 6b)
November 24, 2007
05:53 PM Post #4225831
| agreeing with Zen...someone got a great deal at $100, Kathleen. What about the red one on the lower part of that photo...the burnt polyester one. I am not sure I understand.
|
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 24, 2007
06:20 PM Post #4225911
| I pulled out my records and figured out that I would need to make $1500 on the piece in the window. It is 30" x 52". Most galleries here take at least 40%, so at that rate they would have to charge $2500. Definitely high end pricing. I was guessing at the price of materials, I haven't a clue what the linen would cost now, I was guessing $100. |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 25, 2007
07:19 AM Post #4227095
| The burnt polyester is the one on the far left. The red is a three dimensional piece done with a smooth Bristol paper fused between two pieces of fabric and quilted, then cut and bent and sewn to a base fabric.
zen, that's amazing. And your record keeping is amazing. I'm afraid I am not very professional when it comes to keeping track of time and materials. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 25, 2007
09:30 AM Post #4227197
| Kathleen, that was done awhile ago. I am no longer good at record keeping. I did that when I could actually get paid a decent hourly wage for what I did. It would just depress me now to see how little I can make per hour.
Do you machine quilt the paper and fabric? |
Kathleen
Panama, NY
(Zone 5a)
November 25, 2007
03:09 PM Post #4228245
| I know what you mean. We have a dairy farm - my time has never been worth anything, and it's a concept that I'm stuck with.
Yes to the machine quilting. I started out as a hand piecer and quilter, but the arthritis has me and my sewing machine forming a lasting bond. I do almost no handwork now. Having discovered free motion quilting and feed dogs in a down position, to say nothing of needle down, I am a confirmed machine quilter. I'm still not so sure of the long arm machines - have no desire to own one, but I like my little machine very much.
I should add here that I used an old needle and threw it away after running the fabric/paper sandwich under it.
This message was edited Nov 25, 2007 2:10 PM |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
November 26, 2007
07:31 AM Post #4230353
| I have been seeing more and more art work with machine stitching in it, especially collage.
I guess I had better get the camera out and do some photos of more of my weaving. I haven't done any for a very long time, Very long. I am getting the bug again. Guess I will have to warp a loom and get to work after i get the current sculpture done, it is driving me crazy, I just can't get it right. |
