Print and Collage Class in March

Coming up on March 17 is our next session teaching Thermofax screen printing at Artistic Artifacts, called Print and Collage with Thermofax Screens.  This time, we're putting a new twist on the class by using the fabrics you print to create a small collage.  Typically, we teach you the basics of printing and then let you use the time to print as much fabric as you want.  But sometimes people aren't quite sure what to do with the fabric after they've printed it.  So we'll talk about some art and design principles and use your stash of prints to create a 12" square quilt, which could become a wall hanging, pillow, be mounted on canvas, or incorporated into a larger piece.  Lots of possibilities!

Below are some collage examples.  The first 2 are made with only thermofax printed fabrics (except 1 piece).  The third one combines thermofax printing with other printing techniques.  Check out the description and supply list and we hope to see you in Alexandria on March 17!

Latest Printing Class

Once again, we taught our Basic Screen Printing class at Artistic Artifacts on Saturday.  We had 6 great students who produced some amazing work, and stayed very busy printing as much fabric as they possibly could!

Here are a few of the pieces screened today.

It was a very productive day and these pieces certainly have potential to become parts of some amazing art quilts and mixed media pieces.

On Sunday, April 23 we will offer an open studio class.  If you've taken our class before, come spend the day printing with our screens and get assistance with any questions you might have.  Watch for details in the class listings.

Printing with Thermofax Screens

Time to sign up for our fall offering of Printing with Thermofax Screens at Artistic Artifacts!  Join us on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 AM to 3:30 PM for a fun day of printing with our extensive collection of original screens.  Many images are elements of nature based on photos we have taken.  Others are more graphic designs.  We will work with textile paints, discharge products and thickened dye.  Bring as much fabric as you like and build your stash of custom printed fabric!  You will also go home with a small screen of your choice, and learn to tape the edges for ease of use.  Go to the AA site for more information and registration.  Below are samples of Sue's work.

These are some snaps from our class in January.

Hope to see you there!

Thermofax Class at Artistic Arifacts

A great group of 8 creative ladies spent Saturday at Artistic Artifacts learning to print with thermofax screens.  We played with paint, discharge paste, thickened dye and foil and saw how they could be used with screens. Here they are in action.

And some of their work.

Catherine is over printing a black and white piece she brought with her.

Susan had some pieced with previously printed backgrounds (above) and experimented with mixing colors below.

I think we all had a fun day!  On February 13, we will be teaching how to Turn Your Photos into Thermofax Screens. Learn to manipulate your own photos in Photoshop Elements to create black and white images suitable for screens so you can create with your own unique imagery!

Upcoming Events

We cannot believe it is December already - this year has flown by!  I guess we say that every year, and it seems each year gets faster.  I guess that comes with the territory of getting older.  At any rate, we wanted  to update any local folks (and those close enough to make the drive) on 2 things on our agenda. 

As we have for the last several years, we will be participating in the annual Open House at Artistic Artifacts this coming Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10:00 to 5:00.  Artistic Artifacts is located in Alexandria, VA at 4750 Eisenhower Ave.  Visit the store, see product demos, and enjoy a make and take table. This year there will also be a pop up market with some of our Creative Minds selling some of their art work. Meet the artists and take home art for holiday gifts or a treat for yourself.
Bring your family and friends and get inspired!  PGFiber2Art will be there to demo thermofax printing and show you how to make yourself a little gift tag or bookmark to take home.  Hope to see you there!

In addition, we are on the calendar to teach our Thermofax Printing class at AA again on January 30.  So if you've been wanting to learn this technique but haven't been able to fit it in, now's the time to put it on your calendar!  We cover basic printing techniques, supplies needed, discuss types of paint and other products that can be used for printing, and give you plenty of time to practice on as much fabric as you want to bring.  Inspiration provided by our many project samples and our large collection of screens that we bring for you to work with.  Come join us for a fun-filled day and learn a new way to think about your fiber art!