Secrets of the travelN quilt blocks - INTERVIEW: Debbie Saenz


It has been a few days since I have shared a quilt block, I've been sinking into this project a bit more, hopeN to discover a new and unique way to revel the final quilt, while I continue to share with you the ones, that have arrived to the party. The quilt top will be sent on Friday September 18th ... via Federal Express to Marianne, where she will  bind and quilt it. Marianne will send the completed quilt back to me and then, I will somehow reveal the completed gift. Please know I am completely Thankful for your trusting me with your creations.

Yesterday, I chatted (e-mail) with Debbie Saenz about her quilt block and she agreed to an online Interview about it and here it is!

Sonya La: Where can we find you online?
Debbie Saenz: 
My Blog is called A Creative Life at: http:debbiesaenz.typepad.com. I have recently opened my Etsy shoppe at: http:debbiesaenz.etsy.com. 
Lately I’ve been working on setting up my Fan/Business page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Creative-Life-by-Debbie-Saenz/122516277797319?ref=ts
I would love it if you stopped by!

Sonya La: What part of the country do you live in?
Debbie Saenz:
I’ve lived in Lawrenville, Georgia for the past 4 years, but grew up in Miami, Florida. 

Sonya La: Please share with us your inspiration behind Blessings
Debbie Saenz:
The inspiration behind “Blessings” came as I was creating it, but there really is significance behind each layer as I was creating it. I started out with the background color. I wanted it to be happy, cheerful, like the dawn of a new day. So I painted it with oranges and yellows, the colors of a beautiful sunrise. Next, I created a border. I stamped blue flowers around the edges and added a scallop with a happy green. I then used a heart doily as a stencil and painted it with a bright red representing love. I added a tree representing a new life. I used blue for a boy. I created a “Blessings” banner, which is my prayer for blessings, over this new little life of love. I stitched it on with red embroidery floss and added 2 felt hearts holding up the banner. I added my prayer along the bottom – God bless you sweet baby. The heart with XO on the tree trunk is hugs and kisses for baby boy Roberts!

Sonya La: How long did it take you to complete this quilt block?
Debbie Saenz:
Oh it’s hard to say; I completed it over a span of several days. I kept coming back to it. 

Sonya La: Please address heat setting or is this a necessary step with the type of paint you used?
Debbie Saenz:
I used Folk Art acrylic paint mixed with a textile medium. I heat set it in the dryer for 30 minutes on the hottest setting.

Sonya La: Did you use art Canvas or just canvas fabric from the fabric store?
Debbie Saenz:
Actually, I used a piece of pre-washed muslin material. I figured it would be softer for a baby quilt than canvas fabric.

Sonya La: When you have several projects going on at a time, how do you find time for the volunteer projects (like this one)?
Debbie Saenz:
Well, working later in the evening and skipping out on evening TV/relaxing time with my hubby. Actually, when I’m into a project (like this one) I keep coming back to it using all the snippets of time I can grab. It’s like I get obsessed with it until I’m completely happy with it.

Sonya La: What business seeds did you plant in the past (that grew)during a winter season for you?
Debbie Saenz:
Humm, that’s a hard question to answer. The company I do work for, Plaid Enterprises, is constantly giving me work. I’m VERY grateful for that, but it doesn’t allow much time for getting my own business going. For instance, I’m currently working on 7 projects and they want to meet with me about more. I’m hoping for a “winter season” so I can plant some of my own business seeds. Meanwhile, I try to do as much as I can in-between projects I have going on with Plaid and raising a family. One thing is for sure, Plaid has been instrumental in helping me gain the confidence I need to begin creating the kind of art my heart really craves. My longing passion is to create inspirational mixed media art.



Comments

  1. Thank you so much Sonya! It was an honor :)
    Blessings xo
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful piece!!! Great work and thanks Sonya for all your work on this project! Can not wait to see it all together :-)

    ReplyDelete

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