Melanie (Melly) Testa

Oooh. New.

Working with Victoria a few weeks back really gave me some incite into play, release, and welcoming the new and different back into my work with cloth. Victoria probably didn’t need to do anything at all. But she sat me in front of her machine, using her tools, and asked me to just do. SheContinue reading “Oooh. New.”

Small Work: Swan

I have been having some fun and experimenting. I am not ‘finishing’ the piece when I paint with dye. I am bringing the piece to an interesting place and allowing for the call and response of possibility. I originally thought this might be a Sew-plies purse in the Inspired to Quilt style, but it says, ‘No’. SmallContinue reading “Small Work: Swan”

Loosen Up, Melly!

I have been questioning what do do about dye. Should I continue to us it? Do I have the space to use it? Can I use it in a different way? I love working with dye, I love the vibrancy, the hand, the way it lays on cloth as you apply it. But being diagnosedContinue reading “Loosen Up, Melly!”

Flashcard Friday-A Wash.

Creating a wash, or in the case of this flashcard in particular, a wash gradation in two colors, is both easy and fun. The challenge is to prepare your work surface with everything you need so that when it comes time to paint your wash, you can quickly grab whatever you need. I like toContinue reading “Flashcard Friday-A Wash.”

Noodles, eat, shop, play.

Yesterday I went to the Fashion District to poke around in trim shops. This was the first time I brought my video camera and I was shy to whip it out. M and J Trimming was all for it, I asked if they were OK with my filming, yes. No questions. In fact it wasContinue reading “Noodles, eat, shop, play.”

Soft Light

I am back from teaching at The Great American Scrapbook Convention and oh my goodness gracious. Those scrapbookers? They know how to play right into my obsession for neat, orderly and functioning workspaces. Scrapbookers seem to really like efficiency. And they have some toys, inks and supplies. They use punches, gadgets, embossers, and the inks!Continue reading “Soft Light”

Sew-plies Polka

I am off to teach at the GASC in Arlington Texas. I have my hand sewing and embroidery work all packed and ready to go. I, of course, am bringing all 3 Sew-plies purses. I am attached to them right now, I love them-they have become tiny backpacks with specific intention-to help me sew. IContinue reading “Sew-plies Polka”

Exponential Sew-plies

This weekend I became obsessed with making a Gather your Sew-plies purse for each day of the week. You can see, I am well on my way. I have been settling into a new form of textile art, which isn’t clearly defined yet but it seems to have something to do with cloth, dressing myself,Continue reading “Exponential Sew-plies”

Making!

Boy am I having fun over here. This purse is coming out really well. I want one for every occasion, I want to wear this or one like it everyday. My next creative path has opened up to me and this feels like a very formative and expansive time creatively. Last fall, I stood withContinue reading “Making!”

V2

Today my man and I celebrate his Birthday by going to a Mets game. I, of course, need a project. I have decided to reinterpret the Gather your Sew-plies purse. I am now perfecting and expanding this pattern! I would love it if you would make one and show me how you put it together.Continue reading “V2”