The Teesha Moore Deconstructed - Part 2ish...And Hunger Games!

I was working on putting together some more TM panels the other day and had to share this technique I love to use for the bags: freezer paper stenciling. I know it's not complicated or difficult to do but I really think it adds something to the panels that embroidery alone doesn't do.

Basically I go from the last step I left on (remember, cutting lots and lots of squares and rectangles of fabric to stitch together), stenciling, AND then at that point you're ready to stuff and stitch. It's a simple step to add in, and really fun to do.

Here's my elaborate set up....not really. Just a bunch of stencils ready to cut out, matched up with appropriate sized fabric so I'm ready to iron and paint!



Here's mid-painting - remember: cardboard or something for the paint to bleed onto - otherwise your ironing board is going to look like crap like mine =)



And the long awaited, sometime talked about, finally done TM Hunger Games themed bag!



I am really enjoying making themed bags lately - I think it really helps me focus on the designs I put on the panels and really helps to tie the whole thing together. You'll be seeing a number of "themed" projects here soon - I got a slew of them planned now. Though I'll still keep doing the random hodge podge TM stuff too.

Here's the back side of the bag.



And of course close ups of some of the panels - especially my favorites, and the ones that were hard to see from a distance in the photograph - especially the Rue patch - its much clearer in real life the music notes and her name.











I'd love to hear what you guys think!

Ho-ly crap

I may have ordered too much yarn........



For reference that is a normal-sized pin cushion, and nine giant skeins of yarn. There is a tenth on my couch right now in ball form. Excited to see what these will become? So am I.

Its list time again

Funny that a week ago I didn't feel a ton of pressure between projects, homework, and work....and that has quickly changed for some bizarre reason. When I've got a lot to accomplish the only way I can really sort out what needs to be done and in what order is to make a list - so I share my list with you =) As copied from my desktop sticky note

(first section: most important, get done ASAP)
-artist statement (for printmaking class)
-sketch next printmaking project (all in my head need to get down on paper)
-blog (hah even put it on here to remember to make a blog post!)
-finish LR hoop (an embroidered hoop project for the awesome LimeRiot that is minutes away from being finished but I just have to finish the last step! will be done today I swear)

(second section to list: things to do soon but doesn't need immediate attention)
-submit entry for womans art show (need to take pictures)
-taxes (attempted twice today and failed...I sort of miss when it was easy)
-printmaking powerpoint (ugh...later)
-2 gallery reviews (again...later)

(third section: things to get done in spare/free time)
-TM kit (in progress, a bit done here and there)
-LimeRiot artwork (not started though all the supplies stare at me daily on my work table - it will get done!)

Anyway, I like lists - they keep me focused.

And since I don't have anything really awesome or finished to show you I thought I'd share some sneak peeks of upcoming attractions! I have a Hunger Games themed bag stitched together, just need to do the lining and handle but that's on the back burner now until I tackle the majority of said list =/ Annnnndd a bunch of Dr who patches made waiting to be transformed into a bag when I can make a bunch more. Here are the highlights thus far...







Have a great week!

The Teesha Moore Deconstructed - Part 1

I love learning about how people work, what is most effective for them and of course to see pictures of it all, so I thought I'd try to sit down and document my own process for making my Teesha Moore creations.

I started a new batch of patches yesterday with the intention of making a Doctor Who themed bag (as an aside: I just finished watching the entire series starting at #9 and am sad it is over already - but there are too many wonderful quotables and inspirations for me NOT to do a bag). Anyway, I grabbed my camera and went into my bedroom which is where the majority of my supplies are kept and dug through my boxes of fabric. This is the part where stern seamstresses will slap my hand for storing my fabrics in boxes mostly unironed and unfolded, but hey it's my fabric and I'll do what I will with it! Besides, I do generally iron the scraps before doing anything else anyway.

And BTW sadly, my boxes are not bigger on the inside although I wish they were. I think I'll be needing a new box soon, the two I have are getting pretty overstuffed.



Also here's a quick snap of assorted scraps designated for this project. I pick an array of patterns and colors, no hard plan at all, though I was looking for a lot of blue as that is a signature color of Doctor Who.



Now the main event: my workspace....the couch.



I think one reason why I love making TM things and why I can do it so quickly is that I love me some tv or movie programing while I'm working away. I've got everything I need pulled up to the couch area - floss, fabric, stuffing, show (in this case it was HP7.1), and water. It may look a bit chaotic but it works for me. And once I'm done everything sits on my work table until I'm ready to pick it back up again.



I'm not really going to go into detail on how to make a TM bag because the tutorial videos are already out there (check out Teesha Moore on youtube if you haven't already), but if anyone has any questions about technique I can definitely go detail crazy there.

Next up! I'm hoping to do some freezer paper stenciling for some of my patches today, and a few printed out on special fabric that's meant to go through a printer (this is a new trick for me actually hopefully it pans out). And then more stitching....and more stitching...and lots of stitching. I'll keep the camera close for action shots though!

The Needle's back in my hand

I burnt myself out on any major embroidery projects a few months back - anything I tried to start I ended up quitting just because it was turning out crap and I just wasn't in the mood. But I think it's finally coming back - slowly. I keep getting ideas for new pieces I want to do (I'd start now if I didn't have homework I need to get finished). The only question is what to do first.

As I don't have much new to show right now I thought I'd share some of my past favorite hoops, with the promise of new ones to come in the future!