The family and their hats

My husband and I have always laughed at this photo of my family from the 60’s with our hats on. If you lived through that time you will remember that everyone wore hats especially to church. So I decided to use that photo in the table runner for my sister’s birthday gift. 

I used AI to enhance the photo because it was really faded. Then I used AI to add a Halloween background to it. I printed it on EQ printable fabric and added the pumpkins and Halloween backing. 

My sister likes both sides and has displayed her vintage Halloween things on both sides. I had no idea she would be thrilled about the backside of the quilt. Good thing I picked a good one. I guess the lesson is to think about the backing and not just the front of a quilt.

Thanks for reading.

Chris

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!"

If you watched the Sopranos you would recognize that line.  This surreal image has become like an itch that no matter how much I scratch the itch won’t go away. I tried a lot of different variations yesterday and they were just too cluttered. I keep coming back to my original idea of the woman/tree, raven, and moon. 

I kept asking myself what is not right about it that I keep looking elsewhere for an idea? I finally hit on the answer. There’s no connection between the woman/tree and the raven. She is not even looking at the raven. I missed that connection so I tried to make a physical connection between them with the tree branch as well as having her look at the raven instead of past him. 

Here’s the original and the new version. Finally I feel excited about the new version (at least for now). It will be a challenge, but with Jennifer Sampou ombré sky and chalk and charcoal fabrics those color and value variations can be tackled. At least I hope so. The moon, raven, and the face form a nice triangle.

Original 

New version

Here’s Jennifer Sampou storm sky ombré. The face would get the lightest part of the fabric. I would have to see it in person to know if it’s the right one. I have a few of her sky fabrics already. I don’t know if I have that one.

Or if I want less blue and more gray her slate ombré might work. Again I would have to see it.

I’m sure the new version will have plenty of tweaks when I start creating it. That’s just how it goes. I guess I’ll see if I’m up for the challenge. 

At this point I am done with this. This time I mean it. 

Thanks for reading. 

Chris

I’m so done thinking about this surreal image

I’m going to stop thinking about this for now. I’m sure you’re glad to hear that. I’ve thought about completely starting over with a new idea, but since the woman in the tree or the eye in the sky proposals were accepted I might have to stick with one of them.

Before I called it quits for now I decided to see if I had any images I could add to the right hand side. I had this one and added it. Below that image are several versions of it added to the eye in the sky proposal. A lot of the edits had to do with simplifying the trees along the walkway or changing colors in the sky.

Still plenty of editing to do if I make this one. My brain is done for now and I have other things to do.

Thanks for reading.

Chris

Insomnia

We’ve all had that. I woke up at 3 am and couldn’t fall back asleep. Of course I started thinking about my surreal image and what could elevate it. You all know I love making quilts with building and I keep wondering how I can incorporate buildings into this surreal image. 

The original image is all about nature. It certainly is surreal.

How can I add buildings? How about a deserted neon city at night? Create an image of a city and nature. Remove the cat. Keep the crow and make a realistic moon. 

I think I like this better. What do you think? 

There are neon fabrics so I could do that city. I think I would call it insomnia.

Thanks for reading.

Chris