Come and Learn with Susan!

Do you like exploring different ways of putting design onto fabric? Maybe you've been inspired by The Printed Bee posts I've done? Or is fabric dyeing something that you just can't do at home?
Then come to one of my Studio Workshops that I've set up for 2015!

I've developed several surface design workshops open to small groups of students in my own studio, located in Victoria, BC.
There are a variety of topics and techniques that we will explore together and I would be happy to tailor a workshop to meet your needs. Workshop size is limited so you can be assured of comprehensive and dedicated instructional time!

Here's the schedule, registration will open on November 18th!

Colour Play

9:30-12pm - January 13 & 20, 2015  $75+GST

Colour Blocking

9:30-12pm - January 15, 2015 $60+GST

Print It, Print It

9:30-12 pm - February 3, 10, 17th, 2015 $90+GST

Screen Print with Success

9:30-12pm - February 5, 12, 19, 2015 $110+GST

Gelatin Plate Printing

9:30-12pm - February 26, 2015 $60+GST

Super Simple Shibori

9:30-12pm - March 3 & 10, 2015 $75+GST

Workshops  include all dye recipes and excellent written step by step instructions and there will be a focus on safe studio habits.

Fee includes all dyes and chemicals, plus most additional supplies. Your supply list will be sent when registration is complete.

I hope to see you in a workshop! You can get further descriptions here:  http://susanpm.com/studio-workshops/

Plus, if you sign up for three workshops, you get a 20% discount, great news! And if you sign up before November 25th, you'll be eligible for a FREE workshop of your choice!

Learn all about Soy Wax!

Curious about how Soy Wax works, all the possible ways to apply and use Soy Wax? Looking to expand the techniques you already know?
Then join me for an exciting two days of dyeing, printing, painting and more as we make beautiful cloth!

 

Set aside March 12-13th for a colourful blast of fun! Students design their own unique one-of-a-kind fabrics using simple tools, dyes and soy wax…no messy clean-up, just wash this wax away!

Students will be using colour and pattern in new ways with sponging, stamping, drizzling and dabbing. You're sure to have so much fun making dynamic and exciting fabrics for all to admire.

Simple techniques and perfect for the beginner designer!

 

The workshop will be held in Duncan, BC in a beautiful 1200 sq ft. studio, located in a country setting. Join me and many others while we create and inspire each other!

 

You can get further details here: http://www.studiogart.com/workshops/ or email me: susanpm@shaw.ca

Exciting New Workshops

I've spent a few days writing and designing some new workshops and updating my most popular ones. I'm so excited about the choices I can offer my students! You can check them out here:
Or here's a run down of the latest ones:

 

Design Explorations

 Using basic design principles in piecing, applied layers and stitch, students learn to create dynamic and exciting designs for their quilts and develop their own visual voice for future explorations. Students begin by using their chosen ideas and themes and with a variety of small format exercises each day, working towards developing and creating resolved pieces. Students will be encouraged to set personal goals and use a journal/sketchbook for visual record keeping.

 

Creative Sketchbook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A blank piece of paper can be daunting but a sketchbook of colour, design and texture is so rewarding! Release your inner artist with simple, easy exercises to get the creative juices flowing. You will play with paint, paper, glue stick, crayons, markers and more and get ideas and inspirations for quilt design, new projects and unique ways to see, document and inspire. 

 

Mrs Matisse Does Applique

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What if Henri’s wife had great fabric and fusible web to play with? Design a unique mosaic-style foundation with painted and dyed fabrics then cut out shapes for a still life or floral arrangement. Additional interest can be added with paintsticks, markers and coloured pencils. Explore the many design options possible with fused collage. Stitch and thread choices will be discussed.

Tasters Choice

It's not coffee....its a CD full to the brim with exciting instructions on Thermofax Printing, playing with Angelina, making your own Print Table, using Shiva Paintsticks, carving your own stamps, Gel Medium transfers and much more. Its presented as a PDF document, you can print off all the pages or just what you want to work on. There are over 25 pages of inspiration, tons of photos and clear, detailed instructions for success.
Best of all, is the price, its a great deal at only $5.00. I'm sure you will want to get more than one, after all, December is not too far away, is it? You can order them HERE

Mrs. Matisse Does Applique!

I've updated my workshop pages and have some great new ideas that I've love to share with you! I think they are all pretty exciting but I had so much fun designing this one, I thought I'd share it with you:

What if Henri's wife had great fabric and fusible web to play with?  Design a unique mosaic-style foundation with painted and dyed fabrics then cut out shapes for a still life or floral arrangement. Additional interest can be added with paintsticks, markers and coloured pencils. Explore the many design options possible with fused collage. Stitch and thread choices will be an important part of the day!

Check out other new ideas for your guild or group here: http://susanpm.com/category/workshops/ and here: http://susanpm.com/category/surface-design/

Create Beauty in my Soy Wax Workshop

This seems to be the week that many people are heading back to school. I used to love packing all my new school supplies and starting fresh with my pencils and notebooks. How about you?

I've scheduled an exciting  workshop on Vancouver Island where we can devote two entire days to creating beautiful fabrics with dyes and soy wax. I hope you will join me!

 We'll be covering topics such as:

• Layering Wax and Dye – plus Value Gradations
• Using Thickened Dyes – with Screen Printing
• Pattern Resist – Pole Wrapping and Clamp Resist
• Stitch Resist – a Surprising Technique! 
•  Using colour and pattern in new ways with sponging, stamping, drizzling and dabbing.

You will get a comprehensive supply list prior to the workshop, the supplies are all easy to find and I will bring all the necessary dyes, paints and chemicals.
The workshop is in a lovely 1200 sq. ft. studio space so there will be plenty of room for everyone. If you are coming from out of town, there is a Best Western nearby and we have ar5ranged a corporate rate for you.

Please join me on November 5-6, 2013 for this workshop! You can register and get more details here: http://www.studiogart.com/workshops/

Best Quilt Show in the West

Its a little over a month until the Pacific West Quilt Show in Tacoma, WA. I hope you are planning to be there! I'll probably be the one in the booth selling tickets, so you may see my smiling face! Would you like some reasons to visit the show?

1.  You can come early and take one of my classes on Thursday, August 22nd.

In the morning from 10-1pm, I'll be teaching Layering Colours: Combine paint, powders and foils with a variety of fusible webs and interfacings to create texture, layering and pattern. We'll try stamping, scrunching and ripping to make a small abstract sample suitable for further embellishments.

In the afternoon, join me for Thermofax Printing: Thermofax screen printing with textile paints is an easy way to print unique and exciting designs on fabric. Learn simple and effective methods of repeating pattern, colour mixing and possible applications on quilts, clothing and more.

 You can register for both those classes here: http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/tab2.aspx?EventID=1181666

2. There's a Charity Sew In on Friday night from 6-9pm., you can stitch up pillowcases for the One Million Pillowcase Challenge http://apwq.org/page.php?ID=58

3. On Saturday, August 22nd, there's the popular Pacific West Fashion Show from 4-6pm.

4. There are several Special Exhibits sprinkled throughout the show, including work from the LaConnor Textile Museum, the APWQ members Exhibit and much more. Don't miss out on these wonderful parts of the show!

5. The Saturday Sampler is a "don't miss" event! Lots of teachers, designers and authors showcasing tips, techniques and topics. I'll be there with my Soy Wax Resists!

6. Sunday is Military Family Day, low price on group tickets with military ID card.

So these are just a few reasons you don't want to miss the Pacific West Quilt Show, August 23-25th. Hope to see you there! Check out more details at: http://apwq.org/quiltshow-events.php

Soy Wax Workshop this Summer!

I hope that you will join me for five days of creative fun while we explore the many ways we can use soy wax resists to create pattern , colour and design on fabric.
Red Deer College, in central Alberta is offering an excellent summer arts programme and thye have asked me to teach two workshops.
Soy Wax Resists is being held July 29th- August 2nd and can be either a residential week or you can stay off campus. Click HERE  to the full information about the programmes and workshops that are offered.
In Soy Wax Resists we will be exploring pattern, texture, design and colour using soy wax as a resist method on a cotton, linen, silks and sheers. 

 We will experiment with painted wax resists, stitch resist, and screen printing with thickened dyes and paints using inexpensive tools such as brushes, masks and sponges. 

Time will be spent learning design principles and mark making and colour theory as well as discussions of how the fabrics can be used in clothing, home decor, mixed media and quilts. Soy wax
is a renewable resource, kind to the environment and easy to remove with washing! 
I hope you will be joining me in Red Deer!

New Workshop - Layering the Surface

Since I've had so many requests, Ive added another workshop to my website! I'm sure its going to be a lot of fun!

Exciting design often involves many layers of colour and imagery, building upon one another. In Layering the Surface students will create base layers of colour using simple dyes, learning colour mixing and theory, use of value and application techniques.More layers of colour and imagery are added with Shiva Paintsticks using freeform applications, stencils and textures. For a second day, students will develop further designs on their fabrics with a choice of applique, piecing and stitch.

Contact me for further information about this workshop and many others.

Shattered Angles Workshop

I spent the day with the Parksville Schoolhouse Quilt Guild and we worked on my Shattered Angles technique from my book: Accent on Angles. It was a wonderful day of play with colour and fabrics in a lovely workshop setting with lots of natural light and plenty of table space, hurrah!
Here are glimpses of the action:

Diane is playing with different ways to arrange her blocks.

Chris has her blocks laid out and ready to sew together.

Wilma is in the midst of cutting her strip units into blocks.

Fran is busy with her block arrangements.

Thanks to all the ladies for a super fun day and to Margaret for arranging and planning the weekend. Tomorrow is another great time as we work with photos on fabric.

I'm lucky to be staying at the Seameadows Farm Bed and Breakfast www.seameadowsfarm.com, a beautiful location with animals, gardens and an ocean view, what could be better!



Shattered Angles - Victoria Style!

Did you know how much I love to teach? Students around the world are the best part about teaching and I spent Saturday teaching in my own home town for friends in my guild....Victoria Quilters Guild!
I also taught my favourite class: Shattered Angles!!

Here are some pictures from the class, students had a blast playing with strips, sets and blocks and they came up with lovely combinations.

Bev chose vibrant reds and lime for her colours.

Karen is our Guild President and although she says hot pink is not her favourite colours....I wonder?

Lynn used a wonderful rainbow of colours from rich reds through to vibrant purples. You can see that all combinations work well!

Shelley is working with an autumn palette, not her usual combination.

Grace said she had a baby quilt in mind for her Shattered Angles quilt. ande her white insertions strips will work well here!

Loius chose black and white for her strip sets with bright pastels for the insertion strips, yummy!

Here's the gang with some of their completed blocks! Thank you so much ladies! Don't forget that you can order the book Accent on Angles from my shop http://www.fabricimagery.com/

AQS - Are You a Member?

I just renewed my membership and wondered if any of you are AQS fans like me? I think its vitally important to support the organizations that support our interests and give us such incredible learning opportunities.

You can visit their site at http://www.americanquilter.com/ , sign up for their news letter and become a fan on Facebook.

I'll be teaching at the AQS show in Grand Rapids, MI, August 26-28th. I've just sent in my final workshop edits and am looking forward to three exciting days. I hope you can join me.
I'll be teaching Heart of My Heart, plus three more workshops.

I hope I'll see you in Grand Rapids!

Shattered Angles in Florida

Last week I had the good fortune to visit the Lake County Quilt guild in Tavares Florida. They are an enthusiastic and supportive group of quilters (can't say ladies as they have men in the guild too!) who meet every week and have an annual quilt show, they are busy, busy, busy!
I lectured on the first morning "Show Us Your Fat Quarters - Canadian Style" and there were many Canadian snowbirds in the guild! In the afternoon I taught Heart of My Heart from my DVD and they had great success with Give & Take Applique.

Here's Lynn with some of her hearts. Lynn was also my hostess and arranged my accomodation at the local golf resort. This was they view from my bedroom! Pretty nice!

The next day 19 ladies and Stewart (one brave fellow!) had great fun and lots of success making their Shattered Angles blocks.

Thanks to everyone for making my visit so memorable!



Dragon Bones and Fish Fingers

I just returned from a fabulous five day teaching trip to Saskatoon Quilters Guild. The snow arrived my first night when the temperature dropped to -22 C, a nice brisk cold! Luckily, being Canadian, I had my warm woolies!
The first two day workshop was Dragon Bones and Fish Fingers, a playful technique that's featured in my book Accent on Angles. In this workshop students are using insertion strips to divide up their fabrics that can be cut into squares, rectangles or other shapes. There aren't many rule sin this workshop!
Here are some of my students work, I'm sure you'll agree that they are outstanding!

I'll be teaching this workshop at Quilt Canada in Halifax next May, hope to see you there!