Franki Kohler

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Franki Kohler

Precious Metals: Osmium Part 2

I have made progress, just not as quickly as I had expected. I finished the beading on Precious Metals: Osmium. I am now auditioning fabrics for the binding. Finding a bluish-gray bead or fabric is a problem. I think the blend of beads creates that bluish-gray effect, but it is more difficult with fabric. Perhaps […]

Precious Metals: Osmium

Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element.  It has a blue-gray tint and is the densest stable element. Manufacturers use its alloys with platinum, iridium, and other platinum-group metals to make fountain pen nib tippings, electrical contacts, and in other applications that require extreme durability and hardness. Osmium is estimated to be about 0.6 parts […]

Toned-Down Sampler Part 11

As a preface to this posting I’d like to mention that the link for sending my posts out to subscribers has been disconnected for many months. I have just managed to get the link enabled again. That said, you have probably missed a few of my posts so you may want to check out older […]

Printed & Stitched

I am thrilled to share that my work Eucalyptus has been selected for the juried regional exhibition Printed & Stitched.     Eucalyptus uses three botanical prints of eucalyptus leaves on silk fabric pieced together with botanical-dyed cotton fabric. Each print is roughly 5” x 3”. Machine quilting and hand embroidery complete the design. The […]

Botanical Printing on Paper

I found my supply of botanical printed notecards dwindling quite low so I grabbed my pruners and took a walk to gather some foliage.  In no time at all I had quite a nice selection of leaves that look devine when printed on Fabriano paper. I am still using diluted soy milk, iron water and […]

Eucalyptus II done

I am pleased with how this piece has turned out. It took longer to complete than I anticipated, but that simply seems to be the new normal. During the process of threadpainting I planned to complete the quilting and then do all the hand work. However, after doing just a bit of the quilting I […]

Eucalyptus Print

I have begun working on an eco print that I particularly like. I used branches purchased at Trader Joe’s which had many dense clusters of flower buds. Click on images for a larger view.     Here’s a detail of those lovely clusters     The yellow-gold color is a result of the fabric-foliage wrap […]

Small Works Big Show

I have been invited to participate in an all-Portland artist exhibit.  All the works in this exhibit will be 12″ x 12″ or less including framing, hence the title Small Works Big Show. Five of my works will be on display and for sale. They include Broken Ginkgos V Sunflower Scrap III And three of […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 10

Here are a few more of the one-inch felted wool circles in the Toned Downed Sampler. I am closing in on the end of the fourth row now. This circle has a border of alternating Italian Knotted Border Stitch and Colonial Knots. At first glance, the Italian Knotted stitch looks like a Fly Stitch. A […]

Ginkgo Dust Up Accepted

It is always an honor to have my work accepted for exhibit. Ginkgo Dust Up has been selected for Art Quilts 2, a Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) exhibit which will open at the California Heritage Museum Monday, June 14, in Santa Monica. Of 198 quilts entered by 85 artists just 57 quilts were selected […]

Artichoke Done!

Finally. And I have to say that it is pretty wonderful to have my own art in my life again. Click on image for a larger view.     And here’s a detail.     When I began quilting the artichoke panel, I had in mind a simple straight-line design to complete the borders. When […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 9

I was away last week with friends for a needed change of scenery. As busy as I was kicking the sand and inspecting sand dollars, I did manage to stitch a few of the one-inch circles. For some reason not clear to me, the next circle makes me think of a layer cake with lots […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 8

Wha-hoo! Coming to the end of the third row. I did a bit of editing on this next circle. The pattern shows 19 Fly Stitch creating the inner circle. I knew right off the bat that I was not going to be able to stitch that many Fly Stitch and have them recognizable. I felt […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 7

Instead of the cat face design on Sue Spargo’s pattern, I chose a simple treatment using the Open Buttonhole Filler Stitch surrounded by Cast on Bullion Knot. The Buttonhole filler was very effectively used to create a basket for the second circle in the posting here. And I like it by itself filling the whole […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 6

I’ve been busy with a few other ‘extras’ this week so have just three of the circles to share with you this time. The first circle in the third row was a lot of fun, once I figured out sizing. The pattern illustrates 23 Tete de Boeuf stitches circling the outer edge with Bullion Knot […]

Artichoke

In February 2020, just before all of our lives changed dramatically, I purchased a new Janome 9450. I was initially enticed by the M7. Unfortunately, it is so large that it won’t fit in my Koala cabinet. Sigh. But the 9450 has plenty of bells and whistles! In fact, it’s a very challenging machine to […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 5

Oh my goodness! More cuteness abounds on this little circle of grey wool. Palestrina Knot surrounds the circle. Bullion Knot Stitch in alternating brown and yellow rows create the body of the bee; wings are created with Cast On Bullion Knot Stitch; Pistil Stitch provides antennae. Colonial Knots finish the circle. The wings are attached […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 4

Oh my! Give me some Very Berry wool, lime green pearl cotton couched down with matching berry pearl cotton, add some Double Cast On Stitch and, violà, a snail. Pretty darn cute. Click on images for a larger view.     Next up:  a basket brimming with flowers. I’ve had Spring on my mind now […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 3

There are just two stitches used on Circle #9:  The Cast On Bullion Knot and the Colonial Knot. The pattern calls for 8 rows of the Cast On Bullion Knot but I could only squeeze on 6 rows and even with fewer rows you cannot see a smidge of the wool circle beneath. I like […]

Toned Down Sampler Part 2

Progress is happening, one circle at a time. Another new stitch for me which I like quite a bit. The Cast On Bullion Knot lends some serious panache as it circles a tight cluster of Colonial Knots. I love the depth created by these two stitches as well. Click on images for a larger view. […]

Virtual Exhibit: Stitching California

We are all growing accustomed to seeking out entertainment and cultural experiences in the new virtual format. Museums, movie houses, music organizations and more, are doing their best to reach out and engage the public. Well, here’s another opportunity to view a stunning exhibit of art quilts: Stitching California: Fiber Artists Interpret the State’s People, […]

Hand Stitching Plus Toned Down Sampler Part 1

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been here sharing what I’m doing. I had begun to slow my pace of posting and then in September I tried to post but my website was in trouble.  I have been working since then with a website designer to revamp my site and move it to a […]

Felted Wool: Leaf Within a Leaf

Another leaf design and some felted wool have called me. Selecting the materials is always the first thing. I selected the perle cotton threads that I wanted to use first. I was tempted to go with a strong color background but ultimately chose the very soft green on the right, even though the difference between […]