Thursday Tip

I read about this tip recently and when I tried it out and discovered how well it really worked, I just had to pass it along to everyone.
I use a lot of fusible web for pattern design and my own creative work. I also have a very good Rowenta iron........sometime the two do not play well together. So run to your cleaning cupboard or local shop and buy a package of Magic Erasers:

Then watch this YouTube video from Sharon Schamber, where she shows just how to clean your iron with the eraser. I like to have a folded towel under the eraser to soak up any water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeY9nydiILM

Have fun enjoying your very clean iron!

One Word Wednesday

Cliffside



Thursday Tip

I wanted a star design for a quilting stencil and didnt want to make a plastic stencil. So using an idea from my friend Daphne  http://www.daphnegreig.blogspot.com/  I traced my design onto a piece of freezer paper and then ironed another three pieces underneath to fuse them together. I used my art knife to cut out the star design.

The freezer paper template is heavy enough with the extra layers to stand up to a lot of use and it was inexpensive and quick to make! Gotta love the "quick and cheap"!





Sketchbook Challenge

I'm always open for a challenge and ways to overfill my plate with commitments! But, hey, its almost the end of the year and time to make plans for 2011.
I found the challenge on the Quiltart list  http://quiltart.com/ and it sounded like a fun idea. I keep a sketchbook, actually a couple of books ongoing, but find it difficult to maintain a consistent schedule of getting work into them. So I thought it would be fun to take this on as a challenge to myself. so check out the link and consider doing this yourself! I'll post my work from time to time, how about you?
http://sketchbookchallenge.blogspot.com/

Caught in the Web-working with painted fusibles!

Last month I taught a class about using painted fusible web as a design element in small art pieces. My students began by painting different types of fusible web with thinned acrylic paints and laying them out to dry. When the web dries it will often crackle and buckle, creating interesting texture patterns in the web. Those patterns can be used for added texture.

 Painted fusible laid out to dry.

Small bits of the fusible torn and placed as a collage.

Combine the fusible with layers of sheer organza and thread to create a landscape.

Students use the fusible web in a variety of ways and always surprise me with ideas and designs that are exciting and new. When the fusible is used with coloured threads or fabric bits, the web can grab hold of them during the ironing stage. Then additional stitch on top will help to secure them in place.

For a tip sheet on how to make and use the painted fusible click here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44975973/Caught-in-the-Web

Design Notes Newsletter

Good morning,

The latest installment of my newsletter is available here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44653679

Have a good read.

Give and Take Applique Workshop

Here's a little bit more of my "catching up" with pictures from a recent design class that I taught in Newmarket, Ontario. In a one day class the students work through exercises in the morning using black and white paper, glue sticks and scissors....back to art class in school but more fun! In the afternoon the students are using their designs to create blocks in fabric. Its exciting to see the designs emerge when blocks are multiplied and rotated!

 These designs will have great diagonal pattern when completed.

Flowers work very well as a Give And Take design.

Bright colours make a huge impact in tthis table runner!

Off centre designs provide movement in these blocks.

Thanks ladies for a great class!

One Word Wednesday

Winter Colours