Friday, August 9, 2013

A block of a different sort.

Remember in June when I was in Waupaca, WI?  I lectured at the awesome guild meeting, and the did some really fun antiquating?  (Here's my rug I bought there!) Well, I totally loved the town and area... The town even has a foundry!!! A creative person's delight!
Well, Wauapaca is having, Arts on the Square, downtown Waupaca, August 17th.. and they are having people carve sandstone tiles which they will then POUR AND CAST at the foundry, and add them to a town sculpture. Many fo the quilters in the area are participating, and it was mentioned, and of course, I was like, YES! I want to make one! Thanks Peggy for sending me one!

I started by drawing my idea on the sandstone. 

 Found some household objects that would be interesting to carve with.

 Set about, carving some sandy dust... ;-)

 Off to a good start! I haven't done anything like this since college... My ideas were swirling!
You have to remember that what you carve will be RAISED when the cast is actually done.  So, you have to keep thinking the opposite of the way your working...

 Done.  That was just the creative distraction I needed... 
Now I must go finish cleaning my small sewing studio here at my house...

You can see what I've been up too by my papery mess on my floor! This is why non-carpeted floors are divine in my studio... easy to sweep up and look all clean again!



12 comments:

  1. great tile. fyi: I worked in an iron foundry for a year after high school, earning money for university. It was a dirty, hot job, but I made enough money to get through school without debt. Please post a picture of your finished casting.

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    1. That's a fun college job! Beats cleaning hotel rooms like I had too! Will post when/if I get pictures back. :-) it was fun!

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  2. so glad to see that the finished block had much deeper groves than the first shots.....I guess those were the "sketch" shots.... I too, would like to see how the finished casting looks.... at any rate appreciate that you had a diversion of the creative sort.... and shared with us.

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    1. As you can see, process shots indeed, beginning to end. ;-) Never go gang busters right of the bat.. once it's carved , it's gone... start light, then gradually get to the depth you need.

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  3. Looks like fun, but anything with a blank slate leaves me dumbfounded. My creativity always needs a major jump start.

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  4. I think your "hand stitching" is the perfect touch! Can't wait to see the final cast.

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  5. Victoria- you seem to be in the know about so many quilty things - I wonder if you can direct me. I am piecing a quilt for a great group, FRIENDS HELPING FRIENDS, who put together a big benefit each year, raising funds for cancer victims who are suffering in financial ways as well as with the illness. My quilt, which should be together by next week, needs to be machine quilted, quickly!!!! Do you know anyone who does this kind of charity work? I live above you in Ulster County and would be willing to ship in the northeast.
    Thanks in advance-
    best,
    Jody

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    1. the best thing to do is cal you local quilt shops to find local long arm quilters... then ask them if they will take any quilts to quilt for charity. Many do... If any long armers out there read this, perhaps send me an email... Also, Jody, Your comment is a no reply, so I can't respond by email to your comment, I hope you come back here to read this.

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  6. I agree with Helen, I really like the effect of the "hand" stitching. And your rug! We have one just like it! It was handed down to us from my mother-in-law. It is SO wild and wonderful.

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  7. i totally agree about noncarpet flooring in sewing studios....and your block design is gorgeous, can't wait to see the finish

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  8. I love what you carved! Hope we get to see the end product.

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  9. Hi Victoria! We are FB friends but I only just now found your blog! Love what you do. You are so talented! I look forward to seeing more. :)

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