Scarf Workshop for Landings Art Association

I had a great time down in Savannah visiting with my Mom and also teaching a scarf printing workshop with members of the Landings Art Association.

Students rolled and knotted scarves and painted them before unrolling
to reveal the designs. Here are some of the scarves drying...

After the scarves dried, we had lots of fun adding textures and printing with carved Speedy Carve and veggie blocks and craft foam blocks with adhesive foam stickers.

Students made sampler fabrics before printing their scarves.

This student used an ear of corn to create designs in paint and monoprinted her fabric!

 

Many students made brayer rubbings using hot glue on cardboard blocks (see my recent article in the February/March 2016 Quilting Arts Magazine, Create Quick-and-Easy Pattern Blocks Using Hot Glue pp. 76-79).

I had a lot of fun teaching this artistic group. Thanks, ladies!

Thanks Mr. Postman!

Well...this has been a great week for receiving goodies in the mail!

On Tuesday, I received my complimentary copy of the Quilting Arts TV Series 1700 DVD! I admit that I've been a bit nervous about viewing it...but tonight I plan to have a "viewing party" (just me and hubby).

Today, I received copies of the newest issue of Quilting Arts Magazine...with my article on hot glue blocks! One of last year's goals was to get an article into the magazine. Of course, I never dreamed that I'd be asked to tape TV segments!

One of my goals for 2016 is to stay open to the possibilities that the universe has in store!

Cleveland Rocks! QATV Taping in the Can!

Here I am with host of QATV, Susan Brubaker Knapp. Betty Ford was so sweet to whip up a beautiful quilt using my fabrics! You can see it to the left.

I just returned from a few days in Solon, Ohio (just outside of Cleveland) where I was taping my two t.v. segments for Quilting Arts TV. What a great experience! I do admit that I was nervous right up to a couple of minutes before the cameras started rolling but once they did I was in "teaching mode"! Though I don't remember everything I said now...I do remember that I managed to get all that I'd planned to say, said and all that I planned to show, demo-ed. In fact, Quilting Arts editor, Vivika DeNegre seemed so surprised with the change in my demeanor that she came out and said after the first segment... "You were so relaxed!" But really...the whole Quilting Arts and KS Productions teams really support you and make you feel like you are truly a star! Thanks to all of them.



The other wonderful part of doing this was the people I met...some of my online friends are now no longer virtual, but real friends (Lisa Chin and Susan Purney Mark). And I have a number of other new friends (especially my "roomie", Susan Edmonson) and contacts because of this adventure.

I also think I've gained a new perspective on "being professional". I plan to make some changes and to start moving along my path with new conviction.

I'm excited to see what happens!

Thanks to all of you who sent your well wishes...I really appreciate your support!

Stitching and Printed Fabric Bee Article

I've been working on two decorative wall hangings for an upcoming class at Artistic Artifacts called, Fabric Printing at Home: A Kitchen Sampler. Both of the fabrics for these hangings were made for the recycling chapter in my book. I like the folk art motifs and thought that they'd be fun as wall pieces.

I've been stitching the butterflies (or are they moths? Not sure yet!). I'm still on the fence about how I want to do them. I was using some French knots on the wing spots but now I'm not sure if they overwhelm the subtleties of the printing. On this one, I'm focusing on using tiny running stitches just to see if I like that better. It feels great to be stitching!

I also wanted to mention some exciting news! Lynn Krawczyk, one of the co-founders of The Printed Fabric Bee has written an article about the group in the December 2014/January 2015 Quilting Arts Magazine called, Finding Your Artistic Voice. It's a great article about working as part of a group that has a common interest (surface design), and how it's a great opportunity to be challenged and to grow. Hope you pick up a copy and read it!