Wednesday, January 26, 2011

One Word Wednesday

Sunken

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

One Word Wednesday

Peeling

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Quilt Documentation

My friend, maria Elkins has created a "quilt document" for keeping track of the work that we create. Its a very comprehensive form and has the option to add pictures and fabric swatches. Written documentation is so important, not only if the quilt goes missing but also for future generations. When giving or selling the quilt, make two copies and send one with the quilt and keep one for your own reference.
Maria invites you to visit her page and pass the form along to whoever might be interested.
Visit:  http://lostquilt.com/ for the form.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Thursday Tip


I think its fun to find new products or methods to create our art. Its even more exciting when one of those products is from a local company. Lapel Stick was developed by a golfer to keep his collar points from curling but when you see what else this temporary adhesive can do, you will definitely want one for your quilt studio. It doesn't change the hand of the fabric and works perfectly for applique or sticking designs in place for positioning. I think it'll be an important part of my stitching repertoire!
Check them out at: http://www.lapelstick.com/home


Home

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

One Word Wednesday

Lunch Line

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Design Notes Newsletter

The latest issue of my Design Notes Newsletter is here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/46520921/Volume-4-Issue-1

Have fun reading!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Thursday Tip

I've spent a lot of time working on my machine in the last few months, piecing and quilting, quilting and piecing. That adds up to a machine that needs cleaning and maintenance too!
While strolling the web and visiting Cindy Needham's website I found her handy tips on making certain that your machine is threaded properly and checking some issues that might be giving you problems.
Check this out: http://www.cindyneedham.com/text/The%20Fabulous%20Four.pdf

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

One Word Wednesday

Dawn




Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Sketchbook Challenge

I spent some time this weekend on my sketchbook, I used one that I had already started a while back so didnt have that fresh "new book" feeling, but no matter.
I played with my Pigma Pen to create some leaf patterns, quite imaginary and silly. I used my watercolours to add some different colours.



















I also made some daisy patterns, first a free form and then placed them into 1" grids. I think these will make some great Thermofax screens.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Books on Sunday

On an internet list I belong to many participants have chosen one word to use for the coming year such as accept, gusto, create and move. All inspiring and personally important. I love new beginnings and the opportunity to start afresh, like opening a new sketchbook for the first time or spreading out new fabric to start cutting. There’s something exciting about it!

It’s also important to look back and consider the accomplishments of the previous year, art that was begun and finished, shows entered, techniques learned or mastered or whatever seemed challenging or insurmountable to us 12 months ago. I’m not a journal keeper so I tend to review my calendar/planner that I’ve used during the year to see what has happened in my life. I also keep each planner and find them a good reference as time goes by.
Each year I search for the perfect planner, one that has the right layout of daily/weekly pages, additional information and extra room for notes and sketches. I haven’t been able to use Outlook or other computer programmes, I need to look at paper. I’ve gone though Day Runners, Week at a Glance books and now, I have bought a Moleskine for 2011. I’ve had fun putting my important dates and schedules in. I’ll have to work in the planner a bit longer to decide if it’s the perfect one for me. My family thinks I’m a little obsessive!
The best gift I received this season was a book by Alyson B. Stanfield entitled “I’d rather be in the studio – An Artists Guide to Self Promotion”. Many of you may already own this book and subscribe to her blog at http://www.artbizblog.com/ a fantastic resource for anyone interested in promoting themselves as artists. If this interests you, then run as fast as you can and buy her book. I found that 15 minutes after beginning the book, I had already learned far more than I had expected. I’ll be using this book all through the coming year and I wonder what my year will look like in 12 months?