Walks in the Woods

20% Sale–Last Week

2012-01-27T02:07:00.000-08:00

May you always continue to find both the inspiration and the time to create!

For the month of January I am offering 20% of all fabrics, patterns, and notions!! This is your LAST WEEK of the sale!

What better way to start the new year than buying some special fabric for that new project. Prices haven't been this low since 2007.

Spend a little of that holiday loot on something YOU really want. Luscious luminous hand dyed fabric, books, patterns and notions.

Getting you in Shape to work

Get your studio in shape to be creative this year.
Keep and buy the things you need and clear out the stuff that you don't.
I have been cleaning, organizing and DE cluttering my studio space. If you missed it last week I did a tour of my studio.
A big part of this is letting go and getting rid of as much as I possibly can. It feels good. I have had a few good purging sessions, and what a difference it makes. It feels so nice to have a fresh start for the new year. I am dreaming of what I want my creative space to look and feel like. Change is good, and it is time for some change.

Here are a few ideas to get you started-

- reflect
What it was you did over the past year. I try to journal (not my favorite thing) and look at my goals regularly
Make that list of goals & to dos but be specific about it.

- Define success
What worked for you last year?
What didn't work for you?

- Commit
List four projects that you want to get accomplished
Set a time map for doing these projects. Write them on a calendar or create Pinterest account to guide your vision for creativity for 2012. Work on this over a period of time, say10 days, letting it morph and then develop it into an action plan.

- Go for itDon't wait for inspiration to strike. JUST DO IT!

- Identify and personalize strategies
Schedule regular time in the studio.
Turn off the phone and computer for at least an hour a day so that you can concentrate on your art.

- Create good habits
I look at creating art as my job and I treat it that way.
I keep regular studio hours

- Release what isn’t serving you
This is a hard one, as change takes effort. But if you can identify what isn't working and make a clean break, then do it.

- Set boundaries

ART Quilts - Fusible Collage
This past year Laura Wasilowski and I filmed three new episodes with Nancy Zieman of Sewing With Nancy.

These episodes are now airing, but you can have them right in your own home by owning the DVD.
Along with the TV series is a great new book from Sewing with Nancy called Art Quilts - Fusible Collage which is co-authored by Laura Wasilowksi, Nancy Zieman, and myself. It contains several great projects as well as all of the different collage-style methods of fusing that Laura and I use.

Order the book today. It is a 3 ring binder with laminated pages that you can pull out.

The Best of Quilting Arts
Quilting Arts has come out with a fantastic new book, The Best of Quilting Arts. It celebrates the first 10 groundbreaking years of QUILTING ARTS magazine with a collection of its best articles, projects and techniques including:
• quilt art techniques from fabric collage and appliqué to resist dyeing, stamping, and foiling;
• machine-stitching and thread-painting tips and tutorials from award-winning art quilters;
• ideas and advice for the professional quilt artist;
• an array of binding and stitching techniques to make your art quilt stand out;
• methods for making realistic representational art quilts, including portraits of pets and people.
And, I'm on the cover as one of the cover girls with my quilt Dancing Trees. Such an honor!!

Work Schedule
I am working all over the world again this year. You can see if I am close to you by looking at my web site under schedule. If you are close to any of these places, please stop in and say hello. I always love seeing, meeting and sharing with my quilting companions. Or ask your guild to bring me there to teach or lecture, I love to travel.

My thanks
Thank you for being a loyal customer and friend. I hope you will share this blogpost with your quilting buddies and become a follower on my blog too. It is free and will give you daily tips, techniques, and information that you can use in your quilting adventures. Everyone who signs up for my blog or gets a friend to sign up for it will receive a free 1/4 yard of my gorgeous hand dyed fabric. Just send me your name and address.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 and add a little color and excitement to your daily grind, treat yourself to my 2012 Calendar.

Use it or Lose it

2012-01-26T01:56:00.000-08:00

I have three goals for myself as a quilter.

1. I want to someday make a Lone Star Quilt.

I will get there, just not right now. I have thought about the color choices a lot already.
I did do an eight pointed star in a few early quilt design.

This is a pieced quilt called “November, December, January and February. It is 82" x 82"
See that center eight point star and the chevrons that divide the squares, very Lone Star, don’t you think?

2. I want to use up all my fabric before I die. If I don’t use it someone else will. I don’t want all my fabric and quilting equipment to go to the Good Will or for my kids to have a big sale with all my sewing stuff. I want to use that fabric that I dyed or bought. I know I will find other fabric or dye another gorgeous combination that I will love just as much as the stuff that I am “Saving” for something special right now.
USE IT OR LOSE IT

3. I am not sharing my third goal with anyone, not even my DH.

Spring is just around the corner

2012-01-25T23:45:00.000-08:00

There was a TV commercial on the other night that used as it’s hook that spring was just around the corner, I looked at my husband and at the same time we both rolled our eyes.
Come on, spring is a good eight to ten weeks away.
But it got me thinking about spring. It is one of the reasons I made my Paper Keeper for Nancy Zieman using my Trillium pattern design.
I often hear in class where do you get your ideas? And I have shared with you over and over again where I get my ideas – from everywhere.
My pattern Trilliums is a perfect example of that.

Trilliums are some of the first wild flowers to bloom in the woods. I discovered that the Trilliums in my woods are the most common red kind, but there are all different colors of Trilliums. Years ago I saw huge Celadon light green ones when I visited Spring Green, WI. I would love to have those in my yard.
Trilliums was one of my first fused quilts. It measures 30” x 40” .

If you notice theseTrilliums are growing up out of a bed of dead old last year oak leaves, so when I designed my quilt I wanted to incorporate the oak leaves in the design. They have now become one of my favorite things to add to my quilts.

When I first made this quilt I didn’t want to use all “realistic colors”. I certainly used the green and deep pinks for the flowers and leaves, but then I needed something to set them off and let them show up on the background.
After “auditioning” many colors the blue seemed to be just right.

When I added in the first border I picked something that would make the background pop, my all time favorite neutral – lime green.

I have always loved the blue/green/aqua color combination. I think that stems from loving sky, grass and trees.

But when I went to add in the leaves in the outside border I choose to use the complimentary colors of green – pink, purple, and magenta for the oak leaves. I changed the scale of the leaves to give them more drama and because they needed to be big to even out the composition.

When I started making patterns I made a small version of Trilliums and called it Petite Trilliums. By the time I started designing patterns I was also producing my own hand dyed fabrics.

I used one yard of my hand dyed rainbow gradation to create the whole petite quilt top. The only colors I didn’t use where the yellows on the far right.

You can see that I used the middle section where the purple, magenta and fuchsia come together for the outside border. I used the area where the turquoise and blue merge to create the background behind the trilliums and I used the greens at the far left for the Trillium stems, leaves and beards. I used complimentary colors for the oak leaves and placed them against their compliment on the outside border.

This is one of my favorite patterns and quilts, I think because I get to see the Trilliums every year and they represent spring, but also because the colors are so clear and happy.

Step by Step

2012-01-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

Friday I showed you the Paper Tablet Keeper I made using Nancy Zieman’s Trace N Create templates.

Today I wanted to show you the steps to make it. It really was fun and easy and a nice change a pace from what I normally do.

The first step for me is always to find the fabric.

Look at all those gorgeous wicked fabrics. It was hard to pick just one.
One of my goals for 2012 to use as much of this fabric as possible.

The green really caught my eye. I thought it looked mottled and interesting woodland like the area the trilliums grow in.

I had already decided to use my pattern Petite Trilliums for the cover design.

After ironing and sewing two of the fabrics together to make the cover piece I also fused the back of the cover fabric.

The directions tell you to use a medium weight interfacing but I like the idea of the fusible web. I normally fuse my fabrics anyway. I used the template from the pattern to cut out a slightly larger than the template size background area to create the design. I knew I was going to machine quilt it and the quilting would shrink it a little so I made it bigger and trimmed it to size when the quilting was done.

To trace the design from the pattern I used the release paper that peals off of the fused fabric. I always use
WonderUnder #805 when I am fusing and a Sharpie extra fine black marker.

I used the Sharpie extra fine marker to trace the design. Once the design is traced I placed the marker side of the traced design against the fused side of my fabric and pressed with a hot dry iron. I will often cover it with another piece of release paper to protect the exposed fused areas on the rest of the fabric.

I always let the fabric cool down and remove all the release paper before I and cut out the design on the line that is transferred to the back of the fused fabric.

It helps if you use VERY sharp scissors so you get a clean crisp edge.

Once I had my design finished I added in a layer of Fairfield batting to the back, instead of the extra firm stabilizer that the directions call for.

One of the things I did as I was working with this pattern was to highlight the areas in the pattern that refer to the Paper Keeper part of the design.

The pattern has directions for several different applications and it just made it easier for me to keep track of what I was doing if I highlighted my parts.

Ok that’s it for now, I will finish up this project tomorrow.
See you then.

Paper Keeper Project

2012-01-23T00:22:00.000-08:00

Machine quilting the paper keeper cover

I hope you enjoyed the video. Please pass it on to your quilting buddies.
After I finished the machine quilting, I squared up the top to the exact size by placing the plastic template back on the front and trimming it to size.

I found it helpful to put a piece of doubled scotch tape in the corners and then place my ruler over the template and use my rotary cutter to trim up the sides.
Next I needed to add the snaps and create the tab. I had never used these magnetic snaps. I found them very easy to put in.

You mark where you want the snap to go and then cut two slits and fit it through. I added an extra piece of very stiff peltex to the underside to give it more strength.
Pay attention to what you are doing, because I cut on the wrong side of the tab the first time and had to add in another design element on the front over my mistake!! The second side of the snap goes on the inside of the tab.

Once you sew on the side tab and add in the inner fabrics with pocket you run a stay stitch around the whole outside to hold it all together so you can add your binding. This project called for a traditional binding but I made my a fused binding.

You can see a tutorial by pressing the tab that says FUSED BINDING at the top of my blog.

Once all the bindings are added you slip the plastic precut shapers inside this makes it a very sturdy tablet or paper keeper.

A pretty quick and fun project. I hope you all make yourselves one.
For more ideas and inspiration, I invite you to become a follower of my blog. Just click on the link to the right that says join this site.
Happy Sewing

Woodand Wonder

2012-01-19T12:25:00.001-08:00

I happen to run into Nancy and her assistant Deanna Springer at the Houston Quilt Market, and we had lunch. Poor Nancy and Deanna, I was getting sick and ended up with Streep Throat and they had to sit and share lunch with me, but don’t worry I didn’t kiss or hug them or anything like that.
Anyway, during lunch they were telling me about their new product and I of course had to get in on the action.
My version of Nancy’s Notion E-Tablet and Paper Keeper project.
I have said this many times before, I love Nancy Zieman, she is the nicest person in the quilt industry. Nancy is doing a blog tour of the Tablet Keeper makers. You can visit her site and sign up for prizes from Clover.

NancyZieman Trace n Create templates from Clover. This is for either an E-tablet and or Paper Tablet Keeper. I don’t own an iPad because I think it is redundant - I have an I-Phone, it can’t really do much more than my phone can the I-pad is just bigger.
I made my version of a Paper Tablet Keeper. I used my pattern Petite Trilliums for the jumping off point.

I have been making this really cool fabric lately. I want to use it in everything I make. I call it wicked fabric. I don’t sell this stuff because each piece is so individual. I really like it. and I am not ready to share it yet.
But I wanted to use it in this project. I thought it looked like the wooded areas where the Trilliums grow.
These are not the colors I used, but aren’t they great, I used greens and teals instead.
Initially I thought I would do earth tones like this little quilt.

Tiny Trilliums mounted on a peltex frame.
But as usual the whole opposite color combination theme really caught my eye when I was sorting through fabrics to use and so I went with deep teals and hot pink for the stems and flowers on the green background.

I just couldn’t resist using the deep purple and fuchsia for the oak leaf border.
An aside. My DH came down and wanted me to sign something while I was working on this. He placed the paper down and then looked at the project and said, I quote, “oh that’s really nice”. I nearly dropped over, he never comments, let alone says anything is NICE.

I love the inside too, I think it is so cool, it is also made using some of the wicked fabrics. I love the combinations that I choose, the blues and greens. They look like water don’t they?
I had a good time making this project and I will share with you the steps that I went through next week in a video.
Thank you for stopping by today to see my creation! For more ideas and inspiration, I invite you to become a follower of my blog. Just click on the link to the right that says join this site.
A big Thank You to Clover for providing the templates, shapers and hardware to construct this project! And don't forget to enter HERE for Nancy's drawing to win these great products from Clover:

Tomorrow’s big reveal

2012-01-19T04:19:00.000-08:00

I have been working on a project all week.

Here is a sneak look.

All will be revealed tomorrow.

Walk every Day

2012-01-18T02:11:00.000-08:00

I walk every day. Rain or shine, sleet snow it doesn’t matter, well I won’t walk when it is lightning out.

I have a little dog, George, and he needs to get out. I find so much pleasure and inspiration from my daily walks,and I miss them when I am on the road.
I know that I would not have that motivation to get out there everyday if it wasn’t for George.
This past summer I started walking around a man made thermal pond that was built to generate electricity for the new hospital that sits right beside the woods were we normally walk. And that definitely inspired me to make some new small art work.

My new series on Cat Tails and Prairie Grass were taken from these daily walks.

Walking everyday gives me topics to put into color and pattern. I love it.

How to be an ART Quilter in 7 easy steps

2012-01-17T02:00:00.000-08:00

Ha – got ya.

Step one – Find something that excites you. Working in a series is just repeating the same idea over and over again.

Do you like trees, dogs, cats, houses, sunsets, round things, square things, triangle things.
What ever it is start saving images of it.
Take pictures or sketch's of ideas that you have, or use Pinterest to keep track of the images you find that you like.
USE those empty notebooks, they are yours and NO BODY but you has to see what is in them. Then when they are full you can buy new ones

Step two – Start making thumbnail quilts. Little quilts that only take a day or half a day to make. Use fusible web. I like Wonder Under #805 and keep several bolts of it in my studio to work with. It is cheapest at Wal-Mart, if your Wal-Mart still has fabric or with a coupon. The stores always have coupons on the computer to print off.

Step three – Have lots of color choices to work with. If one color doesn’t work find another one. Get out that color wheel and play around.

Step four – Go out and see stuff, not just quilt shows, go to art exhibits, museums, public gardens. Take a walk, or a bike ride or a car drive. Turn off the TV and go to the library, go visit your favorite store and just wander around. I get great ideas just looking in the new book section of the library, or seeing design at Crate and Barrel or Ikea. PLAY!!!

Step five – It’s ok to steal ideas. Nothing comes from no where, BUT change the idea to make it your own.

Step six – Do the work, if you make it once and it doesn’t work out, rework it and make it again until you are happy.

Step seven - Believe in yourself - because if you don’t – No one else will.

We make our own destiny we don’t wait for it to fall in our laps.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

2012-01-16T01:16:00.000-08:00

It is not often that my studio is presentable.
Laura and I have started to film a series of “How to Videos” and I had to clean my studio space.
I might as well show it to you while it is clean because who knows when that will happen again.
Enjoy.

Frieda Anderson Studio space

A guide to color talk

2012-01-13T02:13:00.000-08:00

Talky talky talky – words always come out of my mouth mangled. I wonder if I have a disconnect in my brain. BUT images stay there a long time. I try to connect an image with a word when I really need or want to remember it.

Here are some of the words used for color.

Hue – That is just another name for color; red, yellow, green, orange etc.…

Tint – Color +WHITE while pink is a color all it’s own it is a tint of red a lighter version.

Tone – Color +Black, I add black to my hand dyes to create what I call blackened colors.

This is my Blackened Rainbow gradation.

Key color - Dominant color in a color scheme or mixture

Neutral – Grey a combination of black and white, or any color that is non descript.

I like to call Frieda Green a neutral and I find it often works that way for me.

Intensity or Chroma - the brightness or dullness of a color

Rainbow Gradation are all bright colors, there are 14 bright full strength colors in this gradation.

Value - the lightness or darkness of a color

The values in Winter Sky go from black to light grey.

You can keep these words in your brain and associate the pictures I have provided.

Have a great weekend.

And then there was color

2012-01-12T02:48:00.000-08:00

Finding different color combinations can be very easy.

On the back of your color wheel there are already defined sets that you can follow.

Mono-chromatic: Using any shade, tint or tone of one color. This is one we all do all the time and in fact is one of the things I do with my fabric gradations – Raspberry, Pine Green, Mulberry Blue and Ochre are all monochromatic gradations.

Analogous: Using any shades, tints or tones of colors that lie adjacent to each other on the wheel.

I already showed you my pattern quilt Duluth Trees that was made using analogous colors, but here is another quilt

Hidden World that is a pieced quilt with an analogous color theme of blue, green and blue/greens.

Split Complements – Choosing one color and using the color on each side of its complement on the color wheel. Red and Green are complimentary colors, if I choose green then the the colors on either side of red are red/violet and red-orange. See the triangle there in the middle of the wheel it is pointing to green and then on the other side of that triangle are the colors red-violet and red-orange.

The center part of the wheel rotates around so you can choose different colors to work with.

Triad – using three colors equally spaced from each other.
Tetrad – a contrast of four or more colors on the wheel. There are two sets of tetrads one rectangle and square.

I just love playing with color and having lots of color choices.

Go get that color wheel and start fooling around. You can have color too!

Fun and Games

2012-01-11T00:18:00.000-08:00

I found a really fun and I think useful new website. When I say new I mean new to me.

Go to Color Scheme Designer three and check it out. I had a ball just moving the little dots around inside the color wheel and looking at the color schemes change on the right side of the page. I will definitely go back again and again and use this site. I hope you do to.

This site lets you play with color just like you would with a color wheel only more so. The site illustrates well the principals I was talking about yesterday and in an interactive creatively fun way.

Good enough to eat–Color

2012-01-10T02:39:00.000-08:00

Color is like chocolate, you just have to have it.

It’s one of the reason I enjoy hand dying my own fabrics, to get rich yummy color.

I love working in COLOR, it always makes me happier, I don’t know about you but for me, living here in the mid-west where winter is long and cold and grey and dreary, it really helps to play and work with bright things.

When I am teaching I hear the students say they don’t know what colors to use. I think this is a common problem.

I have several basic and simple ways that I work with color. If you are any thing like me you like to know how other people work so I’ll share my process.

Color theory can be learned and practiced just like everything else. You just have to keep trying. Placing different colors next to each other and referring to the wheel. If you don’t have a color wheel it is well worth the little money it costs to get one, they are not very expensive.JoAnn’s, Dick Blick and all the craft places carry them.

The first way I often work with color is to use complimentary colors.

These are the colors that are opposite from each other on the color wheel.

You can see that Yellow is opposite Violet, and Blue is opposite of Orange, and Red is opposite of Green.

Just picking those colors you already have a successful color combination.

If we flip the color wheel over to the other side you can see the two triangle and two rectangle guides for relationship choices, as you turn the wheel the arrow points to a pure color in the outer row and then the split complementary color choices or the tetrad color choices. It makes it pretty easy to decide on what colors will work well together.

Complimentary color - In my award winning quilt “Dandelions” I used those opposites on the color wheel to help make this quilt POP.

Yellow and purple are the opposites on the color wheel. That was an easy choice. I know I was going to make the Dandelions bright yellow and placing them against the purple made a dramatic statement.

Analogues Colors - And then for the border I used analogues colors – using any shades, tints, or tones of colors that lie adjacent to each other on the wheel.

Also a no brainer because it didn’t distract from the center of the quilt, but carried out the color theme in still a bright and fun way.

My hand dyed fabric combo – Purple Pulp has pink, purple and magenta in it in different tints; color that is lightened. That makes it easy for you to use them together in a quilt.

Appy Appy Appy to annouce

2012-01-09T00:31:00.000-08:00

I really like Nancy Zieman. There is no body in this business who is nicer!

Frieda, Laura and Nancy this past month doing the pledge drive.

And I am so happy PBS has announced that Sewing With Nancy has been chosen for a PBS app for Apple products—iPad, iPhone, and iPod. Still in the trial stage, the app is available through the Wisconsin Public TV site.
Here are the directions to use the app.

Watch Sewing With Nancy on your iPad, iPod or iPhone!
I’m happy to announce that we’ve partnered with PBS to bring you Sewing With Nancy on the PBS app for iPads, iPods, and iPhones! The app is free, all you need is an internet connection to watch the latest episodes. The videos have been specially built for the iPad screen; we hope you think they look terrific.
The initial setup process is a little wonky – it requires you to “localize” the app to Wisconsin Public Television, where I film the show. We’re working with PBS to make this better, but for now here’s how to get my show on your device anywhere in the U.S.:

iPad users can download the app here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pbs-for-ipad/id398349296?mt=8

After you’ve installed the app, in the upper left corner click “select station.”
Select “Find by Zip” and enter 54481. (This may not be your zip code, but please enter this number.)
Select “Over the Air” and then click the Wisconsin Public Television logo.
In the left column menu, choose “Programs” and scroll down to Sewing With Nancy. You’re all set!

iPhone or iPod touch users can download the app here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pbs/id410053365?mt=8

After you’ve installed the app, in the bottom right corner click “More” and then the “Settings” tab at the top.
Click “Select New Station.” In the upper left corner you’ll see a link titled “Location.” Click that.
Click the “Find By Zip” link and enter 54481. (This may not be your zip code, but please enter this number.)
Scroll to the bottom to select “Over the Air” and then click WPT 38.
In the bottom menu, choose “Programs” and scroll down to Sewing With Nancy. You’re all set!

You always have the option to remove the WPT localization, or choose your local PBS station. Please give it a whirl and let me know what you think!

This is our latest project with Nancy, the book and DVD are on sale this month on my website for 20% off, just in case you don't WANT to down the app but would rather have us all to yourself!

Some things are just meant to be - 35 year anniversay

2012-01-08T02:31:00.000-08:00

Some times I think things are just meant to be.

Me at 4 years of age one Christmas morning. Gun belt, Barbie doll and suit case, oh yes gloves?

My husband Brett one Christmas at about 3, Cowboy outfit, rocking chair and teddy bear.
Some things are just meant to be.
35 years together today.

The emphasis is on Unity

2012-01-06T02:11:00.000-08:00

Emphasis - Force or intensity of expression.

I hate unfocused work. When you look at something you shouldn’t have to wonder,
“Where is the focus?”

The focus in Organic Leaves, one of the projects in my book Fun Fast Fusies, is in the leaves. This whole quilt measures 24”x24” and was constructed using ONE yard of my hand dyed rainbow fabric.

This was easy to do because I used contrasting colors to create the focus of the piece, orange on blue or pink on green, and all of the colors I needed to that were in one yard of the hand dyed rainbow fabric.

Of course this is a fused wall quilt, but you could also make it as a pieced quilt if you like to work that way and really my table runner which is pieced, Aspen Leaves, is just a variation on a theme.

Instead of all the colors in the rainbow I restricted my color palette to browns and oranges with an accent of blue/green (orange and blue are opposites on the color wheel).

The background fabric on this project is one of my gradated fabrics similar to Pumpkin Patch or Forest Floor. The kit for this pattern has the exact fabric you see, a gradation from navy to orange.

Something else that needs to be considered when working free style like I have in Organic Leaves and Aspen Leaves is -

Unity- Coordination of the parts into a complete composition.
This is a question you should always ask yourself when you are working on a new piece, is there Unity?

The unity of Laughing Leaves and Aspen Leaves also lies in the use of similar but varying leaf shapes. Repetition

But for Aspen Leaves there is also a unity of color, the color in the background and the leaves moves through a range of one color to another so that there is a “smoothness” in the movement or a unity.

Sometimes I think people just slap thinks down and think they can call it art.

NOT

Take your time, be proud of what you make and always, always sign your work.

Harmony–do you have any?

2012-01-05T02:51:00.000-08:00

Contrast, harmony

Oh those words frighten me. They seem so vague and non solid. I like words that describe things. But these words can help you with your design work.
Contrast -

Two opposing elements, opposite colors, contrast in value, contrast in direction or contrast in textures.
Try to use all of the above ideas when you are working on your quilting. I do.

In my Star Lilies pattern, green and pink are opposites on the color wheel, so the flowers literally vibrate with excitement.Same idea with Field Poppies, Red, a dark version of pink, and green are two of my favorite color combos for drama and attention grabbing appeal.

I LOVE to use opposing colors on the color wheel. And you should too, because they will make your work vibrant and interesting. This month all fabric, notions and patterns on my website are 20% off.

You can start the new year right with fabulous color or design. Don’t wait to try something new.

Harmony-

Is the visual effect of using similar and related elements.

Because I limited my color choices and used what are called “analogous” colors on the color wheel; blue, aqua and green, colors right next to each other, Duluth Trees has a harmonious feel to it. And because I added a “punch” of bright lime green this quilt pattern glows. It would be perfect in your cabin or friends cabin, or really any room of the house. It has a very elegant modern appeal.

You can buy similar gradation fabrics on my website.

I just dyed a new batch of Blue Sunset and Easter Egg, each would work to make your own version of this quilt in a slightly different but similar color combination.

Because my fabrics are gradated one color to another on the same piece of fabric, they give you so many more choices to work with. Or of course you could just buy the pattern and kit at a 20% discount this month.

Tomorrow Emphasis and Unity.

Where is your balance?

2012-01-04T02:15:00.000-08:00

The Principles of design can be thought of as how the elements of design are combined in a composition to successfully bring it all together.
Yesterday I wrote about basic marks - point, line, shape and direction that could help you with your designs.
Today let’s look at balance, gradation and repetition.
Balance is -
How the weight of each block or element is distributed in the the composition.

The balance in “Dark Sister Trees” comes from the trees and hills. The trees are centered in the block and take 2/3 of the space, while the hills are the bottom 1/3 of the space. The balance is also achieved by using dark and light colors.
Gradation-
Gradation of size and direction produce linear perspective. The placement of the hills and trees.
Gradation of color from warm to cool and value from dark to light produce aerial perspective. The warm hills on the bottom and the cool sky behind the trees give that perspective.
Gradation adds interests and movement to shapes and can direct or control eye movement.
The gradation in “Dark Sister Trees” is used in all those ways.
Repetition -
Variation can be interesting, repetition without variation can be static. Repetition can create Rhythm.
I created rhythm with the repetition of the trees and the hills but because they are not the exact same shapes they are not static but interesting and eye moving. You want the eye to move across the plain of the scene.
You want to create interesting quilts. Understanding design can help you because you will feel more confident in what you make.
Tomorrow we will discuss more ideas about design.

Design–Point, line, shape

2012-01-03T00:05:00.000-08:00

If you have never taken any kind of art class, it can seem over whelming to understand when people talk about the principles of design.

The principles of design can be thought of as how the elements of design are combined in a composition.

Let’s review some of the principles.

1. Point – the smallest bit of visual information.

In my quilt “Spring Rain”, it is easy to say the points are the red buds on the trees. They are the smallest bits of visual information on this quilt.

2. Line – A point in motion, marks made with a tool or a finger, on the edge created when two shapes meet.

In my quilt “Beyond the Hill” the line is easy to define.

There is line where the elements all meet between the colors of the hills and sky.
There is line in the grass in the foreground.

3. Shape – A shape is a self-contained area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a composition creates a negative shape. Shapes have mass and volume.

The shapes in this composition are the hills, the sky and the trees. Of course the grass are also a shapes since they have some mass.

4. Direction – All lines have direction – horizontal, vertical or oblique. (Having a slanting or sloping direction, course, or position; inclined.)

By changing direction of the grass in the foreground of “Beyond the Hill” I have created the illusion of movement in the design.

Heavy Metal

2012-01-02T01:49:00.000-08:00

I gave up using metallic threads YEARS ago. They were too much trouble.
But now I know how to deal with them.
My friend Ann Fahl has written a great little guide to help all us metal head wanna be’s Master the Metallics.
If you have ever tried to use Metallic thread in your machine quilting and been frustrated, then this guide is the ticket for you.
I believe you will be truthfully guided to success using Ann’s advice.
The table of contents list -
Using Metallic thread

programmed stitches
free-motion embroidery
free motion quilting

Twisted vs. flat
More tips
Check list
Resources
and much more.
Machine Quilting using Metallic thread, on my hand dyed fabrics would dazzle and delight all who gazed upon it.

The New Year begins

2012-01-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours have a very happy and productive new year.
I hope you make a small list of things that you would like to get accomplished this year.
I hope YOU make that list happen.

Lo and behold A Cover Girl

2011-12-30T01:18:00.000-08:00

Quilting Arts has come out with a fantastic new book - The Best of Quilting Arts - Celebrate the first 10 years of groundbreaking QUILTING ARTS magazine with a collection of the best articles, projects and techniques.
• quilt art techniques from fabric collage and appliqué to resist dyeing, stamping, and foiling;
• machine-stitching and thread-painting tips and tutorials from award-winning art quilters;
• ideas and advice for the professional quilt artist;
• an array of binding and stitching techniques to make your art quilt stand out;
• methods for making realistic representational art quilts, including portraits of pets and people.
And I'm on the cover as one of the cover girls with my quilt Dancing Trees! Such an honor. Of course this quilt is made with my hand dyed fabrics.
Quilting Arts is one of my favorite magazines.
I have been fortunate enough to have several articles appear in this publication over the years.
My article on machine quilting is the second article in the book.

You really need to get this one.

Sketchbook ideas

2011-12-29T05:37:00.001-08:00

Besides sketching in a sketchbook I also paste in a design book.
This is something we were encouraged to do in art school. And I like the process of doing it.
Here are a few examples of pages of images from magazines that I have in binders.
I now have about four binders FULL of images that some how caught my attention.
I buy clear plastic pages and just keep adding images that I like.
I go through these binders when I am stuck for ideas and am looking for inspiration.
Inspiration and ideas have to come from somewhere they don’t just POP into your head from nothing.

Take notes while you learn

Always be taking notes, whether you're reading, listening or watching. I keep notes when I am hand dying my fabric .
Center your notes around your goal.
Taking notes helps you engage with the material: you'll remember more of it.

Calendar 2012

2011-12-28T01:46:00.000-08:00

A new year.
A new calendar

January – Illinois Farm fields

February – The Drive Home

March – Sister Trees

April – Jack in the Pulpit

May – Iris

June – Cat Tails 1

July – Wisconsin Farm fields

August – Prairie Grass

September – Fall Sister Trees

October – Prairie Moments

November – Storms coming

December – JOY

Something to brighten your walls all year long.

Dream a little dream for me

2011-12-27T01:02:00.000-08:00

I am a dreamer.
In many ways I am a dreamer.
I day dream all day long when I am working in my studio. Do you?

I dream about the quilts I want to make and design them in my head over and over again.
I also have very vivid night dreams.
The other night I dreamed about a quilt. I haven’t done that in a long time.
I try to keep a notebook by my bed so I can make a quick sketch before I lose the images.
Do you keep a note book or sketchbook?
You should!!
No one has to see it but you.

Some times when I feel stuck or uninspired I can leaf through my notebook and ideas start to flow and before you know it I am off and running and working on a new project.

Go get a brand new sketch book for the new year. Write 2012 on it and start dreaming the new dreams.

Passing the tradition

2011-12-26T02:49:00.000-08:00

My husband’s grandmother was Norwegian.
When we were first married she and I made these traditional Norwegian cookies together.

I can still see this little 80 year old woman who lived alone in the same house she was born in, whipping cream by hand for the recipe for these cookies. Her little body moving a mile a minute. She was so happy and cherry.
I love traditions and hope that this one will continue.
SO I bought one of my new daughters a new “electric” KrumKake iron and hopefully we will continue the tradition.

Deck the Halls

2011-12-25T01:08:00.000-08:00

My sister in law sent me this. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
My husband is from Minnesota.
The first year we were married we lived in Mpls while he attended graduate school at the UofM.
It was the coldest winter I EVER experienced.
ENJOY

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The Gift of Generosity

2011-12-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

The True Meaning of Generosity

True generosity arises out of unconditional caring and compassion for another. Each of us is dependent upon others for our blessings. We flourish or perish together through interwoven acts of generosity arising from the benevolence and integrity of others, many of whom we shall never meet. This is the power of generosity. When we mindfully practice generosity, we come into contact with its joyful, healing power.

Practicing generosity is the intention to find release from attachment to gratifying our ego needs by giving freely of what we have that is of value.
What we have to give may be material in nature, or it may be our time, energy, or wisdom.
We practice generosity to eradicate the attachments that come from our feelings of scarcity and separateness.
The practice of generosity allows us to see the world from the point of view of what we have and what we have to give, instead of seeing it from the perspective of what we don’t have and desperately want.

For your reflection:
During this season of gift giving, reflect on how you might practice generosity throughout the year. There are many ways to cultivate an attitude of generosity in daily life. Here are just a few that I hope will be easy to remember:
Be generous with your attention when you’re listening to someone.
Be generous in celebrating another person’s happiness.
Be generous with your sympathy toward someone who has experienced loss.
Be generous with your compliments and praise of others.
Be generous with your unconditional respect of others.
Be generous with your willingness to be helpful.

Visit www.dharmawisdom.org
for additional articles, talks and meditations

I wish you and yours a happy and healthy Holiday Season.

Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing…

2011-12-23T02:38:00.000-08:00

I love the angels in my collection. Yes another collection, I guess I have a few.
Each is so special. I don’t tell people I collect angels because I don’t want people giving me any old angel.
My mom gives me some though.

This is our Christmas tree. That’s my Tree Skirt from the Quilting Arts Gift Issue!! Yummy isn't it. It is made with my Winter Reds, and Grass Green gradations.
This is the size tree I am going to have from now on. It is perfect, easy to get and FRESH. I refuse to have a fake tree.
I only put angels on my tree.

Felted angel made by my friend Randi, so sweet.

Scherenschnitte - Paper cut angels, made by my friend Kirsten.

Lois gave me this one last year, made from a tatted hankie.
This one is extra special because, you know that is my other real obsession, collecting tatted hankies.

Santa of the Year

2011-12-22T01:49:00.000-08:00

2011 Santa of the Year. Made by artist Jamie Young.

And his reindeer.

Santa Claus is REAL

2011-12-21T01:10:00.000-08:00

Nothing says Christmas like the perfect Santa.

I collect Santa’s.
I collect many things but Santa’s is one of the happiest collections.
It’s a fun collection and it promotes such happy memories when I begin to unpack them each year for their yearly trip into the real world.
Here are just a few of the Santa’s I have in my collection.
Do you have a collection? I'd love to hear what it is.

I stated collecting Santa Clauses a long time ago, probably when we first got married. I just love the imagery of a jolly fat man.

I like to treat myself to a new one each year.

I usually like ones that are kind of quirky.

It becomes a great treasure hunt to find one that appeals to my sense of humor or style or whatever it is I can’t explain. I really don’t like people to give me Santa’s, because I like to pick out my own.

The one on the far left is from my oldest son.
In the last month of my pregnancy of my eldest son, I had a dream that as I was leaving the hospital with him in my arms he turned into a monkey and leaped out of my grasp, scampering down steep steps that loomed ahead disappearing into a sewer drain. I know bizarre.
I tell him this story from time to time and we all laugh, we was born in the year of the Monkey according to the Chinese Calendar.
Last year he found that Santa with a monkey made out of wood. It was his Christmas present to me. No one else I think would really appreciate it.

I made this Santa in 1992. His robe is made of silk jacquard. It has a beautiful piece of tatted lace running down the center of it.
White Mink trims the cuffs and hat of his costume. My mom had a white mink coat and I had the trimmings from it.
His beard is made of 100’s of white buttons crocheted together. Many from my grandmothers button box.
I just love him.

This guy is a real hoot. He is made of paper Mache and riding on a cow. The artist also had one riding a pig and I would have loved to have that one, but the pig was just too pale in color and didn’t really look as fun.
Check out his face, he looks so excited.
Santa is REAL.

It’s a Happy Holiday

2011-12-20T04:53:00.000-08:00

Don’t you just love getting out all those ornaments. I mean it is a chore and it takes time, but putting on the Christmas music and unwrapping each one brings back such memories.

Like who was born that year, and what the kids gave you. I just love it.

These are just some of my decorations this year.

I have been collecting Oreforr Ornaments since 1985.

I do like them.

They always look so pretty in the window, they are really too heavy for the tree.

Just do it

2011-12-19T05:50:00.000-08:00

Just do it -

Carve out an hour today (ideally, that starts right now. Don’t tell me you can’t — you were going to spend the next hour reading blog posts and twitter anyway) and work on the Big Uncomfortable Important Thing.
If you don’t have an hour, spend 20 minutes. And put an hour in your schedule for tomorrow. And the day after that. And the day after that.
Use a timer. Work up to the full hour if you have to.

Because Big Uncomfortable Important Things are uncomfortable, you will immediately be tempted to go complain about something on Google+. Therefore, you need to turn off your distractions of choice.

Not all day, don’t panic. Just for an hour.

(Yes, your mobile, too. If you are not a brain surgeon, they can wait for you for an hour. Tell them you were in the toilet.)

Here is my original sketch for what I call “lemon tree”

This is the fused quilt I made from that sketch. And NOW I am working on a pieced version. It will be my big uncomfortable thing today.

Here is that quilt on the cover of the new
the best of Quilting Arts. You can get this book at Amazon or Quilting Arts.

I have a very nice article about machine quilting in the book.

That is Melody's quilt on the top there and she has a nice article about design.

Laura and Judy have articles in there too.

Treat yourself to a really good resource book for your stocking today.

I’m singing and dancing in the snow

2011-12-18T02:33:00.000-08:00

Just singing and dancing in the snow, da ta da da, da ta da ta da da …. Sarah will be singing and dancing in the house when she gets this package of goodies.

Random number # 316

sosarahsew has left a new comment on your post "The ZEN of winning":
One of my goals this year is to make a crazy quilt. I have been saving all kinds of things like Minky, corduroy, flannel-backed satin, scraps from Texture Magic projects, chenilles. I would love to add your collection to the mix. Thanks for the chance to win!

Sarah you will be able to complete your goal for next year. The treasures in this package are right up your alley. I want to able to post what you have done with all of this by the end of 2012, so get busy.

MERRY HOLIDAY SEASON to all of you!!

And thanks everyone for stopping by and leaving comments.

The ZEN of winning

2011-12-17T02:12:00.000-08:00

Take a deep breath and exhale -
I will win
I will win
I think I can
I DID!!
I hope you all win, but in reality I only have one big give away.
It is …TA TA TA DA

12 over dyed white on white fat quarters in a rainbow gradation
1/2 yard piece of silk organza in Christmas green
1/2 yard piece of silk/cotton blend in Christmas fuchsia/red
10 yards of 4mm silk ribbon in Christmas fuchsia/red
AND a gorgeous fat quarter of silk/rayon velvet in green – this stuff is to dye for!

You can make some fabulous stuff with all these goodies, and I expect to see results from some lucky winner, so leave me your comments and GOOD LUCK .

I have had a blast putting this all together and reading your comments. I hope you will all come back often and continue to leave me your thoughts.

I love hearing what you have to say and I have learned a thing or two in the past week. Remember if your not having fun, don't do it.
ooops yesterday's winner was random number #20 -
Jean said...

Once again, another beautiful array of color! I just love those shades of purple!

Is your stash in danger of being colorless?

2011-12-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

Well we will fix that TODAY.
Today we are giving away a 7 step gradation from yellow to magenta!!
There is no lack of color here.

These colors will pop out and grab you.
Look OUT!!

What does this color combination remind you of?

Yesterday’s winner of Lavender Love random number # 13 - AnnMarie.

I can only hope that this little bundle will be as loved by you as it has been by me.

Tomorrow is the big day Ladies and Gents. THE BIG give away.
Here is a little sneak peek at what you will be vying for tomorrow.

I hope you will leave a comment about sharing,
Pass me off to a friend and
Join my followers on the blog.
Then we can all have a very merry holiday!!

Lavender LOVE me now

2011-12-15T02:02:00.000-08:00

I love the smell of lavender in my garden, bath and drawers.

It is so French.

Can’t you just see yourself in the south of France, eating cheese and drinking wine.

I know I can. I’m ready to go who’s with me, raise your hand?

This four step fat quarter gradation packet – Lavender LOVE- is your ticket to paradise. I’ll even tuck in a little lavender sprig from the garden to make you feel ready for the trip. .

Tell me what you think of when you smell lavender

My quilt Iris in my my book Fabric To Dye For. Such a wonderful use of the color Lavender LOVE.

Yesterday’s winner of In search of Brown- is Cedar Ridge Studios. Woo Woo, send me your snail mail address so you can start using those fabrics in a fabulous design.

I would love it if you would click the followers button on the right and become a faithful follower.

In search of Brown

2011-12-13T23:25:00.000-08:00

Let’s start with the most important part of the day – who won yesterday!! Raspberry Splash will be going to Randomnumber #28 – sue viall said...
Omg I pressed the wright button,it was not a raspberry colored one that's why I couldn't find one !!! I love that color,my nails are purple. Let’s see how splashily you can make use of these raspberry colors!! email me your address frieda@friestyle.com and I will send this packet to you.

I have spent a lot of time in search of the perfect brown. And what I have discovered along the way is that 60%orange and 40%blue is the perfect brown. While I am not a brown kinda gal, I do love to use it especially in the winter.This combo is is a seven step fat quarter gradation from Orange to Violet with some really pretty browns in the middle. All you brown and blue people should love this.
Leave me a comment today about brown.

Why you like brown
How you have found it helpful in your sewing room

Pine Trees
Notice the Brown behind the Pine Trees!

Warning - Color Ahead

2011-12-13T01:29:00.000-08:00

This has been really fun. Yesterday’s winner of Limey Avocado Dippity Do Da is randomnumbr.com #9 – Wanda Hansen. Email me Wanda with your snail mail frieda@friestyle.com

Raspberry Splash is today’s special. You could serve this over ice cream it is so rich and delectable.
Some things you need to do today are -

Leave me a comment with your favorite raspberry item. I don’t care what it is, fruit, jacket, sweater, boots what ever you have that is raspberry colored that you really love.
Two sign up to follow me on the RSS feed. That is the button on the left that says followers.

Don’t worry you won’t get any emails it just posts to your blog reader and boosts my ratings.

Prairie Moments I

I have finally decided what the big Saturday give away will be. It is nice and I think you will be happy you have been playing along.

So be sure to keep coming by and leaving comments and don't forget to pass this blog along to more of your quilting friends.

Clarification

2011-12-12T05:45:00.001-08:00

Blog Hop giveaway here on Walks in the Woods. There has been some confusion about the comments that people have left so far concerning the fabric packet give a ways.

Each day until Saturday December 17th will be a different fabric packet give away.
In order to qualify for that day’s fabric packet drawing you need to leave a comment on that day.
All comments that do not win on a given day will be entered in the final drawing which will take place on Saturday December 17th for the grand prize.

Good Luck

Limey Avocado Dippity Do Da

2011-12-12T01:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterdays winner of Yummy Yellow is randomnumber.org pick #22 -
Linda said... yes yes yes to yellow...........i love your fabric, quilts and you!! - send me your address so I can send these on their way.

This is the fourth day in the Blog Hop Give Away. Limey Avocado Dippity Do Da is the pick today.

At the end of today this six fat quarter fabric packet that grades from lime to purple will be given away to one commenter picked by random numbers.com. All commenters will be added to the grand prize pick that will happen on Saturday. I still haven’t decide what to give as the grand price. Please help me decide.

I love to use green and purple in my work but tell us what you love about.
Tell me what I should be giving away as a grand prize.
Remember to pass this on to your quilty friends.

My quilt Beyond the Hill

A Black and White Tale

2011-12-11T12:33:00.001-08:00

There is a neat little gift item out there for quilt and cat lovers. A Black and White Tale is a book full of Ann Fahl’s quilts about her cat Oreo, in delightful color. There is still time to order it from www.annfahl.com or amazon.com. Thirty four quilts illustrate the light verse written by Jacquie Scuitto is perfect for yourself or sharing with a child. There is a special section in the back of the book giving the back stories of each quilt pictured in the book. It’s small in size but big in color and is sure to delight anyone that opens it!

You can read more about it at http://www.annfahl.com/ann2/blackAndWhiteTale.php

Orders received by Dec 16 should arrive for the holiday.

Yellow will brighten your day

2011-12-11T02:22:00.000-08:00

This is the third day in the Blog Hop Give Away.

Today’s give away is yummy yellow, this is a five step gradation ending with my favorite pucky green. Pucky green is what you get when you add black to yellow in the dye process, one of my all time favorite combos.
This packet will definitely brighten your day, especially if you live in the Midwest where it is grey 80% of the winter. In fact this packet could keep you from going insane this winter, just saying.
I will pick the winner at midnight tonight by doing to random numbers.com, so be sure and leave a comment about why YOU deserve this yellow packet and don’t forget to tell a friend about the blog giveaway.

Yesterday’s winner of Orange you glad you like fabric is – Karen - Orange is my favorite color, it is so happy. Two of the walls in my studio are orange, there is orange in almost every quilt I make. People who know me always identify my quilts because of the orange.

I am divinely giving away fabric packets and seven of you bloggers out there will feel blissful at least once in the next seven days.
For the next seven days someone will receive one of my hand dyed fabric packets. Each day will be a different color packet.
To be part of the fun will require a little effort on your part.
Be sure and visit my website while you are on line and do a little shopping for yourself!!

Orange you glad you like fabric

2011-12-10T02:46:00.000-08:00

Today’s winner of the seven step fat quarter packet gradation from fuchsia to lime green is – #9 comment - blissful Diane who is giving a lap quilt to her husband for Christmas. It's made of wonderful fabrics I fell in love with at the quilt expo in Madison. It's the first quilt that I've free motion quilted myself. I'm proud of it. Even better, I've managed to make it on days that he substitute teaches so it will be a total surprise! DIANE please email me your address so I can send you the goodies. frieda@friestyle.com
These are my favorite colors. I know you will enjoy using them to make something festive.
Orange is the kind of color that takes real courage to work with. Do you feel courageous? Tomorrow’s gradation special is all about orange. It is a five step gradation from brown to melon with ORANGE in the middle.

This little landscape was made with a five step gradation from blue to orange, it is featured in my book Fabric to Dye For. The trees are the color of fall.
To enter today’s drawing you need to do two things.

Tell us why you like orange
And Tell us what project you have used the color orange in.

At the end of the week I will give away a grand prize pulling the name from all the comments entered over the week. So be sure to enter often. Don’t forget to visit my website and treat yourself to something special.

You can view the rest of the Blog Hop participants here.

To receive is bliss to give is divine

2011-12-09T04:55:00.000-08:00

To receive is bliss to give is divine. Blog Hop Give Away.

I am divinely giving away fabric packets and seven of you bloggers out there will feel blissful at least once in the next seven days.
For the next seven days someone will receive one of my hand dyed fabric packets. Each day will be a different color packet.
To be part of the fun will require a little effort on your part.
To become eligible for the give away you MUST-

Leave me a comment about a favorite present that you gave to someone -
And you must email my blog address to a quilting friend. The more the merrier.

Number 1 will be easy for me to verify
Number 2 is on the honor system.
You can be trusted I know, you’re a quilter.
Happy Holidays and happy giving to all.
So here we go.
First give away is -

A seven step fat quarter packet gradation from fuchsia to lime green. These are my favorite colors. I know you will enjoy using them to make something festive.

At the end of the week I will give away a grand prize pulling the name from all the comments entered over the week. So be sure to enter often.
You can view the rest of the Blog Hop participants here.

I won I won

2011-12-08T02:14:00.000-08:00

The winner of Today’s Thankful Thursday is ….
Joyatee
Please send me your address - frieda@ friesstyle.com -and all these goodies will be an early Christmas present to you.
There is going to be a week long give away starting Saturday. So everyone has a change to win.
All orders over $20 on my webpage for the rest of December will receive along with the free scrap purse pattern a fat quarter of hand dyed fabric. Now isn’t it time to get yourself a little something for under the tree?

You need these

2011-12-07T05:50:00.000-08:00

Tomorrows thankful Thursday give away.

You need these items in your sewing studio.

Leave me your comments for a chance to win!!

You are not alone

2011-12-07T02:45:00.000-08:00

Where do you start? How do you decide what to make? Where does that inspiration come from?
Do you keep a journal or notebook with ideas?
Do you take pictures of the things that interest you?

Do you jot down notes and sketch's on paper napkins?

These are the places where ideas are born.

Nothing comes from nothing everything is sparked by something else.
Keep a camera with you all the time, either a small digital camera, or a phone or sometimes I am even aware enough to take along my big digital camera.
Keep a small note book in your purse and a larger one in your car or carry bag so that if something really catch's your eye you can make a quick note of it and sketch it along with color ideas.
Keep a journal of pictures and ideas. Cut out pictures from the newspaper or magazines and paste them into a notebook. I just use an Elmer's glue stick you don’t have to be too fussy. Then when nothing seems of interest get out your idea journals and start looking through them, before you know it something will have sparked your interest and you are off and running.
Print out and put those pictures in there too.

Don’t forget Thursday Giveaway. If you haven’t already left me a comment about your favorite ruler. Do so now, so you can have a chance for a free give away.

Fa la la la la la RED

2011-12-05T03:03:00.000-08:00

Quilting Arts - GIFTS

Tis the season to be jolly and Christmas Red is the color way to have. This is the color way – fuschia to red- that I used to make the tree skirt for Quilting Arts Gifts.

In the 2011/2012 holiday gifts issue of Quilting Arts, I have contributed two new holiday projects - a fun and easy Fire Screen along with a vibrant and easy Tree Skirt. I hope you will enjoy making these projects for your home which you can use year after year.

I love going into my studio and working with the colors of the season.

Plum Pudding - warm fuschia to plum
Christmas Red - fuschia to red

You can purchase these new colors individually, in yard pieces or, as my special for the months of Nov/Dec, buy them as a two pack - fat long quarter yards of each color - for just $10.00.

I also have five new patterns for you to play with. They are: Holiday Moments, a collection of small wall art for your holiday pleasure; Christmas Morning, a fun little project to decorate your holiday house; and Sister Trees, Star Lilies and Field Poppies, outdoorsy scenes to brighten your home for the rest of the year. You will enjoy making all 5 of these projects.

Nov/December Special

I love sharing ideas with my students on how they can use their left over fused scraps. I have made a small pattern for a scrap purse that I show at the end of each of my fusing classes. As a very special offer to my customers through Christmas, I am giving this pattern away with every order over $20. This little pattern would make a perfect gift to that special quilting friend, so take advantage of this special offer.

ART Quilts - Fusible Collage

This past January Laura Wasilowski and I filmed three new episodes with Nancy Zieman of Sewing With Nancy. These episodes began airing this fall. Look for them on your local cable channel. Along with the new TV series is a great wook book from Sewing with Nancy called Art Quilts - Fusible Collage co-authored by Laura Wasilowksi and myself with Nancy Zieman. It contains great projects for you using all of the different collage-style methods of fusing that Laura and I use. You can order the book or DVD here.

Laura and I were just up in Wisconsin this past Saturday filming a pledge drive with Nancy. It is always fun to work with Nancy and all the people that put her shows together. I think she should be featured on The Big Bang TV show. Those guys are always talking about sewing and you know they had to watched her on TV!

And the winner is!!

2011-12-02T04:51:00.000-08:00

Susan won this weeks Thankful Thursday giveaway. YEA

There will be another one in two weeks on December 8th. Keep commenting on your favorite rulers to be eligible for that one.

I am also participating in the Quilting Gallery Blog Hop -
http://quiltinggallery.com
That starts December 9th. I hope you will participate. I haven't decided what the give away will be yet.

Helpers

2011-12-02T04:45:00.000-08:00

Some of the things I do to help me be more successful and organized while I am sewing or quilting involve visually knowing where things are. Organizing is really not my thing, I just like to make stuff, but if I don’t stay organized I do go a little crazy trying to find stuff. I realized a long time ago that I am a piler not a filer. This helps me know what kind of organizing will work for me. If I file something away I can’t remember what I filed it under, but if it is in a pile somewhere I seem to know just which pile it is in and can go right to it and locate the thing I am looking for. I guess I am just a very visual person.
Same thing goes for my sewing supplies.
So while I am working on projects it helps me if I store the threads I am using like this.

I keep the thread that I am using along with the bobbin thread in this little basket that a student gave me. It fits on top of the drawers right next to my sewing machine and is in easy reach.
What helps you stay organized. I hope you will share your secrets with us.

Thankful Thursday

2011-12-01T04:35:00.001-08:00

Today’s give away.
What are the things you give thanks for everyday? I wake up and start thanking that I wake up, that I have a warm house – in the winter, that I have a healthy family, that I have food to eat, that I have a bathroom just steps away, that I am happy.

Today’s thankful Thursday give away are items that I received as freebees for being a teacher in Houston this year.

I picked out all the stuff I knew I would use in my own sewing room and now I am giving the rest to you guys. If you haven’t already left me a comment please do so. The give away will happen at 5 p.m. tonight. I will go to random numbers.com and let them pick a number from the number of comments that I receive. Good luck.

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Here is a picture of Thankful Thursday give away for December 8th. Leave a comment and share with us your favorite ruler.

Storing thread

2011-11-30T03:44:00.000-08:00

I just recently visited some one’s blog who was showing their studio space. It looked so gorgeous and white, and I noticed that they had all the pretty colored thread on one of those thread racks. I used to have four of those thread racks for storing and displaying my thread, but what I discovered was that my thread got “dusty”. Some threads you just don’t use that often and especially those threads were really dusty.
So when I moved to the basement of our home for my new studio.

I moved all my thread into plastic containers. I now have it sitting under my sewing table and to the left of where I sit. This affords me easy access to all my colors as well as keeps it out of the sun, and dust.
I have it organized by weight. I like to use different weight thread for different effects, so my thread is sorted into silk or thin thread, rayon or heavier weight thread, cotton bobbin thread, cotton heavier weight thread and variegated thread.

Here are three of the units that store my thread. The top one has one color of silk thread, the four drawers
have different colors of silk thread and the bottom larger drawer has cotton bobbin weight thread in large spools.

This little three drawer chest has small spools of bobbin weight thread and polyester weight thread.

There is another chest under the bobbin weight thread that has three larger drawers – the top picture- and each drawer has a different kind of thread, rayon, variegated cotton, and really heavy cotton hand dyed and other heavy thread.

I also have a small five drawer chest where I store my different size and types of needles. One drawer has universal needles for piecing, three draws have different types of machine quilting needles, one for microtex needles that I use when machine quilting with silk or monofilament threads, embroidery needles when I machine quilt with rayon thread and quilting needles for machine quilting with cotton thread. The bottom drawer has miscellaneous needles.

This keeps everything close by, clean and easy to find.

Organizing is not my forte but it really helps to know where stuff is.
Share with us how you store stuff.

Thanksgiving Day fabric

2011-11-29T09:30:00.000-08:00

Dyed on Thanksgiving Day.
I love these multi colored fabrics. Each one is ONE OF A KIND. I can't really post these on the website but if you would like this one click the button. $20.00.

Thankful Thursday give away

2011-11-29T06:12:00.001-08:00

I am thankful everyday that I am a quilt artist and teacher. Being a quilt artist, teacher and fabric dyer brings me so much pleasure and happiness AND lots of new friends all the time.

As a teacher at the big quilt shows we receive many new products and freebies from the sponsors who support the shows. I can’t possibly use all of them. I decided a long time ago to concentrate on the things that really grab my attention and not be distracted by all the great things to do out there. I would never get anything done.

SOOO this Thursday I will ship off this little packet of goodies to a reader who leaves me a comment. There is a free sample of Steam a Seam 2, two iron on RhineStuds, A sample of American spirit batting, a pillow corner template – oh I would love to make some new pillows – and a pair of cut and clip scissors.

I know you could use all of these so leave me a comment any time through the end of Thursday to receive this nice gift package.

Signature quilt and hand dyed fabric.

2011-11-28T02:14:00.000-08:00

My oldest son was married a year ago. I showed you in an earlier post the beginnings of quilting the quilt his mother in law and I made for the happy couple. We made this quilt with my hand dyed fabrics. I designed it on EQ7 and Linda pieced it. Now it is my responsibility to quilt it. I would like to give it to them for Christmas so the race is on to finish it.

After doing all of the stitch in the ditch on the inside of the quilt that I want to do, I have begun to add in the quilting on the borders of the quilt. I drew templates for the oval shapes I wanted in the first border in Illustrator and cut them out of paper.

I spray basted them with 505 spray to hold them in place while I traced around the outline with a clover marking pencil. I have since quilted that shape and echo quilted inside of it twice. I quilted this shape with silk thread so that it would sink into the fabric rather than stand out. I wanted the writing from the signatures that people signed on the front of the quilt to stand out instead.
On a different note, this Thursday on Thankful Thursday I will be giving away a package of products. When you are a teacher at some of the big shows many of the sponsors of the shows fill our bags with wonderful goodies. Many of these goodies I use, some of them I don’t and some of them I already own. So I thought I would pass on the bounty.
Leave me comments through out the week to be eligible to win the first of these drawings.

I dye a little every day just for you. This is one of my “Mystery Fabrics” no two are alike and I can only sell these in person but today I am offering you the chance to purchase this gorgeous fall medley. If you are interested in purchasing this multi colored brown, purple and lime green fabric it is $20. Email me and we’ll arrange something.

Black Friday SALE at Friestyle

2011-11-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

All day Friday November 25th, fabric and patterns are 20% off at http://www.friestyle.com. Please be sure and share this with your friends so they can get the discounts too!!

Thankful Thursday

2011-11-24T04:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I am thankful for my family and friends.

I am thankful to be a quilter.

I hope you find yourself thankful this Thursday too.

Using gradation fabrics

2011-11-23T01:30:00.000-08:00

I love dyeing the fabric. It is still one of my favorite parts of quilt making. I started dyeing fabrics because I could not find the colors and intensity of color that I wanted to use in my work. I find that now when I work with printed fabric I am distracted by the designs in the fabrics. I have always been attracted to colors and working with colors. But I know that some people find working with color a difficultly. Color theory can be learned and one of the great sources for learning color theory is in Joen Wolfrom’s new book - Adventures in Design

Author: Joen Wolfrom
Internationally reknowned design and color expert, Joen Wolfrom, teaches you everything you need to know about the essentials of good design.
One of my earliest quilts using my hand dyed fabric is featured in this book. A good source to have in your library.

Dandelions – Joen referenced this quilt because I used opposite colors on the color wheel as the color theme I worked with to create the quilt top.

I love the way my fabric gradations look. They give the effect of watercolor designs, blending from one color to the next with wonderful “drip marks” through out the fabric. The blending of one color to another allows me to use less fabric to create my designs. I often let the gradation do all the work for me. The “drip marks” also create texture and depth in my pieces.

This is just a sampling of the variation in the colors in different gradations of my hand dyed fabrics.
The first fabric on the left I used to create my pattern Dancing Trees. One end is used for the border and the other end for the background. I do that a lot with my work. Just look at Winter Forrest or Wild Blue Jacks.

In “Winter Forrest” I used gradation fabrics like Blue Sunset and Limey Avocado for the border fabrics and I used sections of Rainbow for the trees themselves utilizing the drip marks in the center of each branch of the tree.

The background and the border are made from one yard of a gradation that goes from blue to yellow/green. And the Jack is made from a gradation that goes from lime to grass green. It makes working so fun and easy.

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Baby Quilt

2011-11-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

My niece Gretchen is expecting her first child. Gretchen’s standard response to me whenever I ask her what she wants as a present – a quilt auntie. So of course I had to make her a quilt for the new little one. I’m calling him Charlie, no name yet that I am aware of.
Here is Charlie’s quilt. It is made from Tula Pink’s pattern Modern Alphabet. I worked with Tula this summer at the Sister’s quilt show. We spent a great morning waiting at the airport. We had breakfast together.
Here’s my version made with hand dyed fabrics. Gretchen said she wanted it in blues and browns.

This is a really easy pattern to make. I think I would just use one brown color instead of the three that I did use. However It was not much fun to quilt because each of the letters had to have straight line quilting in it to emphasis the letter shape.
If I do it again I will do the straight lines before I assemble the quilt and then stipple around the straight lines after the quilt is assembled.

I did add in some fun animals to the background quilting.
I know she will love it.

And the winner is.

2011-11-18T15:38:00.001-08:00

Cornwoman has won the $25 gift certificate to The Quilt show. You all sent in some great ideas, thank you for sharing. Please look forward to the Thursday after Thanksgiving for the give away.

Shimmering Foliage at Fermilab

2011-11-18T01:29:00.000-08:00

This article will appear in the Fermilab Today Science Newsletter. There is a reception this evening. If you live in the area please attend. There will be wine and cheese. I will be working and unable to attend, so you should go and drink my wine and eat my cheese

New exhibit flaunts a rising art form

My Quilt Shimmering Foliage 82” x 82”

A violent particle collision ignites a heated core, spurring brilliant streams of color in every direction and unveiling the mysterious Higgs boson, as imagined by the art piece titled “The Heart of the Matter.” The story was fused and embroidered by artist Susan Jackan into an art form rising in popularity: the quilt.

“Stitched Together – Art & Science: Art Quilts by Midwestern Artists,” now in the Fermilab art gallery, is showcasing 28 quilts referencing science and nature. Themes range from endangered sea turtles to string theory. One quilt even has a matrix barcode that can be deciphered by smart phones.

Artist Laura Wasilowski channels warm memories of a prairie near her childhood home in Minnesota for her piece titled “Chicory.”

“It’s about the origins of who we are,” she said, in reference to the general motif of fundamental sciences in the quilts.

Wasilowski is an artist and representative of the Studio Art Quilters Association (SAQA) (http://www.saqa.com/), which promotes the art quilt through education, exhibitions, publications and professional development. The show is done in partnership with the Professional Art Quilters Alliance (http://artquilters.org/), a regionally-based group promoting fiber art development.

Wasilowski creates her quilts most often through an improvisational approach, starting with hand-dyed fabrics. She would then work in the direction that the shapes and colors inspire her. For a quilt like “Chicory,” she would invest at least 40 hours of work.

“The quilt is a piece of art and not for the bed,” said Frieda Anderson, a representative also from SAQA. “People are expressing their ideas on fabric in many ways.”

Anderson’s comparatively enormous nature-inspired quilt, “Shimmering Foliage,” took about four months to create.

Georgia Schwender, curator of the Fermilab art gallery, felt the quilts would find the right audience at Fermilab.

“I didn’t want to just have quilts,” said Schwender. “I wanted to tie in the artwork with the state-of-the-art science we do here.”

Stitched Together (http://www.fnal.gov/pub/Art_Gallery/current_show/index.html ) is on display now through January 20, 2012. An artist reception will take place today between 5 and 7 p.m. after a tour of Fermilab.

Storing Fused Fabrics

2011-11-16T05:24:00.000-08:00

I am a fuser. I have LOTS of left over fused scraps. Let me share with you how I store these treasures.
I keep several plastic stacking drawers full of the left over fused pieces. Just because something has fusible web on it doesn’t mean you can’t use it for another project.

I try to keep the colors sorted by color, but most of the fabrics that I dye are multi colored so this gets a little hard to do sometimes. You can see yellows on the left and red/oranges on the right.

But sometimes the colors migrate. This is the blue green drawer, what is pink doing in there?

I inherited these drawers from Melody when she moved to TN, but they still work great AND they fit under my other work areas. These are under my big board ironing surface. Handy to get at while I work.
One of the things you can do with all those leftover scraps is to make a fused purse. With every order on my website - http://www.friestyle.com -this month I will include a free pattern to make this great little fused scrap purse. FUSE ON!!

Don’t forget to leave me a comment on your favorite sewing tip to be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate to the Quilt Show.

Enter to Win a Free $25 gift certificate to THE QUILT SHOW

2011-11-15T06:01:00.001-08:00

I am a proud member of The Quilt show. I enjoy the website and all the fun things that are offered there.

Please send me your favorite sewing tips and George and I will pick a winner to receive a $25 gift certificate to be applied to a membership or what ever you choose to purchase on the The Quilt Show. I know you will enjoy going there and seeing all the great things that are offered.

Two years ago I was featured on the show doing a fusing project, one of my patterns - Winter Dreaming, this is a tribute to my kitty who is now long gone but not forgotten. My kitty was always sitting at the back door looking out the window, and of course all cats think they are royal so I had to make her purple.

I had a fantastic time doing the Quilt Show with Ricky and Alex. I have to say that Alex and Ricky are truly nice people, they are just like you and me and wish to share as much information and fun as they can with the rest of us.
As part of my on-going thankful Thursday blogs I am offering a $25 gift certificate to the Quilt show to all you lovely readers. In order to be considered for this gift certificate please send me your favorite sewing tip or trick. I am always looking for new ideas to help me as a quilter and I am sure you are too. I am of the belief that the more you give the more you get. I tell my students this all the time. And one of the great things about the quilting industry is I feel the same response of giving from all the quilters that I meet while I am traveling and teaching.

Last Houston post

2011-11-14T05:06:00.001-08:00

Such a great design.

I love house quilts.

I love words in quilts, it isn’t always done well but I thought these two examples were great.

Houston part 4

2011-11-12T06:16:00.001-08:00

I love Linda Roy’s work. She had another quilt Wistful Willow that I really loved that won in 2008.

Quilts from Houston part 3

2011-11-11T06:25:00.001-08:00

Joanne came into the booth. It was very nice to meet her. She bought some fabric from us. Yea.

I loved the treatment of hair in this quilt.

I am always attracted to the traditional album quilts. This one had a particularly stunning border.

More quilts that I liked from Houston 2011 part2

2011-11-10T02:39:00.000-08:00

I meet Barbara when I taught at Sisters this year. Such beautiful work.

This reminds me of a Charlie Harper print.

Singing in the rain.

2011-11-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

I am home from Houston and so excited to be here. George and I went to the lake to walk in the RAIN! It was beautiful, refreshing and the colors in the landscape looked so crisp. We were in doggy heaven.

I thought I would share with those of you who were not able to make it this year some of the quilts that caught my eye. Remember, there is no rhythm or reason why I like something, I just do and I like to take pictures to look at over and over again.

This is the Artist Village that Kathy York organized. It was so wonderful to see it in person. So many of the houses were bigger than mine.

My house. It had trilliums growing around the base of the house and copper electroplated windows and doors with an oak leaf tile roof.

My friend Lois Podolny made this fabulous quilt. I loved the way she used the different fabrics and the decorative stitches from her sewing machine. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Fun People who stopped by the booth

2011-11-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about going to a quilt show is seeing all your quilt friends. All day long we greet and meet new and old friends. It makes it such a joy to be in this business.

Chatty and happy Susan Cleveland.

Always inspiring and very cheerful Jane LaFazio.

Mister song mister himself Ricky Tims.
It will be interesting to see who drops in today.

Micah the French bull dog

2011-11-01T06:12:00.001-07:00

I loved making Halloween costumes for my kids, and now that I have a grandkid I love it even more. Now I have more $$ and can do what ever I want, anyway for awhile I can.

Micah has a little white French bulldog named Wrigley, (Wrigley Field, you know the place the Cubs play baseball in Chicago). She is incredibly kind and tolerant of the fact that Micah chases her and takes all her toys. I mean she was the first real kid in the family and now has to take a second seat to the ever growing and ever curious Micah.

So for Halloween I decided that Micah should pay tribute to her loveliness, the problem with this idea as I came to find out is that a little white French bulldog looks an awful lot like a large white cow.

Next year Grammy will do better, maybe we will just go for the obvious – a darling little devil

I hope your Trick or Treat was a good one.

Quilt Festival begins tomorrow. If you are coming to Houston Laura and I are in booth #1015, stop by and say hello.

Chicago School of Fusing PatternWorks Houston 2011

2011-10-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

Living the life of a traveling sales man. Laura and I are having a fun time here in Houston at the international Quilt Market. Quilt Market is the wholeside of the quilting industry. We have our booth all set up and are seeing so many people. This is really all about networking in the community.

Wednesday International Quilt Festival begins and we will see even more people. It is all very exciting.

I hope you stop by if you here and if not maybe these pictures will inspire you to come to the show next year.

Setting up the booth on Friday.

All set up and ready for business. My side

Laura’s side.

Crazy Quilters

2011-10-28T03:23:00.000-07:00

I am dying silk/rayon velvet. This stuff is incredible. I think that every crazy quilter is going to want some of this. I will only have these delicious fabrics at the shows that I vend at, since each piece is individually dyed they are all one of a kind and just too hard to picture on the website.

So if you know some crazy quilters, and yes I know we are all crazy quilters, but you know the ones who like to make “Crazy Quilts”, please send them to our booth at Houston Quilt Festival -#1015. We will have lots of gorgeous silks, velvets and silk ribbon all hand dyed in scrumptious yummy colors. Absolutely to dye for.

George in a pile of cut soft white silk/rayon velvet. A dog never had it so good.

White textured jaguar silk waiting to be dyed.

Dyed Velvet.

Houston booth #1015

2011-10-26T02:58:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year, off to Houston for the quilt show and market. Laura and I will be doing Market first, selling to all the shops and seeing so many friends. If you have a shop in your area and would like to see them carry our patterns you could plant a little bee in their bonnets. We will be in booth 1015.

If you are coming to the quilt show in Houston we will be in the same booth as Market #1015 be sure to drop in and say hello. We are always looking for someone to talk to. See you there.

This little video is from Festival several years ago. I hope I don’t look to much older.

http://youtu.be/4tRCwJB2Zgs

Fermilab Art Quilts Exhibit–Artist Monday

2011-10-24T02:36:00.000-07:00

I am part of the SAQAIL/WI group that has put on an exhibit that will run at the famous Fermilab in Batavia IL. If you live in the area this is a wonderful opportunity to visit the facility and then see some great art pieces. That’s my piece in the lower bottom right – Shimmering Foliage. I hope you can make the artist reception on November 18 from 5-7. I have to work and will miss the chance to drink wine and eat cheese with all of you.

Pumpkin hat

2011-10-22T04:25:00.000-07:00

Being the good grandma that I am I had to make my gorgeously round headed baby grandson a pumpkin hat for the season. Here he is wearing it for a minute. That is his dog Wrigley, a cutie pututie french bulldog getting in the act on the back of the chair.

I got the directions off of Ravelry's website and the author said the following, "finish hat place on baby head, watch as baby yank's it off"
How true she was.

But this weekend the family went to Roba's Pumpkin patch and I guess it was cold enough to keep it on his little pumpkin head.

How cute are these guys!!!

Getting ready for Christmas

2011-10-21T03:54:00.000-07:00

I have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating, I love to decorate for the holidays, any holiday. So it was great fun to design and make these Christmas treats.
The tree skirt and fire-screen are featured in this year’s Quilting Arts Gift issue now on news stands. The patterns and directions are included in the magazine. This tree skirt is something that you will use and treasure for years. Even though it is fused I designed it to stand up to the wear and tear of many presents under the tree for future generations.

Holiday Christmas tree skirt, fire screen and Holiday Moments patterns.

If you are interested in the Holiday moments patterns please visit my website and order up one. You have plenty of time to make one or more before Christmas.
If you are going to be in Houston be sure and stop by the our booth #1015 and check these out in person.
Isn't George adorable.

Rejection

2011-10-19T02:36:00.000-07:00

We all experience rejection in one form or another in our lives. How we deal with rejection is the real issue.
Recently I have been rejected from several exhibits and while this hurts I remind myself of some of the following quotes from people who have dealt with this feeling of not being wanted or liked or really just appreciated. What is that feeling - disappointment, sadness, hurt, what it is I can’t define exactly.

Along with rejection are the comments one receives on their quilts when they are entered in shows. One of the first lessons I learned from my dear friend Melody Johnson was to NEVER read those comment cards that the judges write when you receive a quilt back from a show. You must always remember that judging is arbitrary and everyone brings their own feelings, aesthetics and values to the judging. If you liked the piece go forward from there.
1. I think that all great innovations are built on rejections.by Louis Ferdinand Celine French writer
2. I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going rather than a retreat. Actor Sylvester Stallone
3. I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection. Billy Joel musician.
4. I submit all my plays to the National Theatre for rejection. To assure myself I am seeing clearly. Howard Barker playwright
5. A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.
6. Don't let anyone, or any rejection, keep you from what you want.
Einstein, Elvis, Lincoln, Edison, J.K. Rowling all failed or were rejected many things before they succeeded.
I feel like I am in really good company when it comes to being rejected and I am proud to be a club member.
Just some of my work that has been rejected one place and gone on to win awards in other venues are…

Spring’s Greeting

Shimmering Foliage

Tall Trees

Woodland Secrets
To name just a few. Thanks for listening. Tell me how you deal with rejection. I think Ice Cream is good.

Yellow Dandelions

2011-10-16T14:31:00.001-07:00

I am once again offering one of my small art quilts on EBAY. You can view the listing here for Yellow Dandelions.

I hope you will think about treating yourself this month and find a new home for “Yellow Dandelions”, or this would make a great gift for that special someone for Christmas.

Illinois - Land of Lincoln

2011-10-14T05:15:00.000-07:00

Recently I had a day to myself. That doesn’t happen very often, usually I find work to do that creeps into my day, but this past Sunday I found myself in Springfield IL with out a care in the world. I decided to fill the day with culture and adventure.
The weather here in the Midwest has been absolutely gorgeous and driving to the Museum in downtown Springfield was a real delight with the windows on my car down and the sun shining and the leaves lazily drifting down around me. This all set the mood for the day.
When the new state of the art Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum was debuted I immediately wanted to go there and see the exhibits. I got my chance this past Sunday. In the Plaza you are greeted by a life size and realistic Lincoln Family. Perfect for taking your picture with the 16th president and his family.

I arrived early and had the place almost to myself for the first hour. There are two wonderfully imaginative and entertaining film presentations. The first film Ghosts of the Library, presented by AT&T has a live actor with superimposed film work behind him that tells us a bit about the achieves in the exhibits as well as explains what a presidential library is.
The second film is in The Union Theater, presented by Exelon - Lincoln's Eyes a full theatrical special effects spectacular giving a broad overview of Lincoln's life. "Lincoln's Eyes" focuses on the personal and political dramas and key issues of Lincoln's presidency, especially slavery. The story is told by an artist, who explains that while he was painting Lincoln’s portrait, struggled to understand all the things he saw in Lincoln's eyes: sorrow, resolve, hope, vision, forgiveness, and more. As he explains, he tells us a bit about Lincoln's life.
This production has interactive sound and motion so that during the parts about the war the theater actually shakes. Very exciting
The are life size exhibits of the early years, a log cabin inhabited by the Lincoln family when Abe was young.
Lincoln’s life as a young man.
An exhibit of his law office with Lincoln working and his sons playing.
His courtship of Mary and then the run for office.
The White House years.

I particularly enjoyed this exhibit which included dresses from the period.
There is also an interactive map in the area of the War years that shows you in 4 minutes the history of the war. Each second represents a week as it shows the shifting boundaries of the war with flashes that appear on the map in chronological order as each battle happens, as well as a tally at the bottom of the map of the dead. This was truly a moving exhibit with music playing in the background.
The final exhibit was a bit creepy but very interesting it showed the assassination, with a replica of the Ford Theater, the room where he died, the journey of the funeral train and a replica of the coffin lying in state at the state capital.
It is a fabulous place to visit.
After going there I wandered around downtown and then headed over to the Dana-Thomas house. This is an exquisite Frank Lloyd Wright house built in 1904. Unfortunately it is under renovation and I was unable to tour the inside. But I walked around it for a long time enjoying the stain glass windows and exterior of the home.

Finally I found a store called Steels that sells among other things Illini gear. I have two U of I graduates and a grand baby that need U of I shirts.
It was a thoroughly wonderful fall day.

Using Decorative Stitches in your work.

2011-10-12T05:31:00.000-07:00

I just received my newsletter from Daphne Greig and she had this very interesting tip about using decorative stitches. She said it was ok if I shared this. I hope you enjoy it.

I have used decorative stitches to quilt the fields in several of my new landscape quilts and I think her tips are right on. You can also see examples of it in my new book ART Quilts Fusible COLLAGE.

Appliqué Stitching Techniques - Decorative Stitching Options
Many of us have sewing machines with lots of built-in decorative stitches. Do you use them? They are often a selling feature when we buy our machines but we do not think of using them with our normal sewing and quilting. Many of the stitches are very effective as appliqué stitches.
Your machine has small drawings of each of the built-in decorative stitches, either on the machine itself, or on a separate plastic card. I think of these as an 'artist's rendition'. When the stitches are sewn they may appear a bit different from the diagrams. I recommend you sew every decorative stitch so you will know eactly what it looks like. Use a wide foot since the needle moves from side to side for most stitches.
Yes, this may seem to be a daunting task! My machine has over 180 built-in stitches! It takes time to try them all and to change the width and length of each one to see more variations. It can also be boring to do this all in one sitting.
So, why not spend a few minutes before each sewing session to stitch 2 or 3 of the stitches. Set up a strip of muslin, put some stabilizer underneath. The stabilizer will prevent puckering of the stitches. Write the stitch number and width and length beside each row of stitching. If you change the width and length be sure to write down those changes too. Keep using the same piece of muslin so all your stitches will be in one place. This is an excellent reference for future projects where decorative stitches can be used.

If you want to use one of your decorative stitches for appliqué you need to be familiar with the pattern of stitching, By this I mean, does the needle stitch one stitch forward and then one to the left and then one to the right? Or does it stitch forward, right and then left? You need to know exactly where the needle will stitch so you can anticipate pivot points for curves and corners. Before trying a decorative stitch on your project, set up a small sample and test the stitching. This gives you the opportunity to understand exactly how the stitch is made, and you can make adjustments in width, length and tension.
Another consideration is the colour and type of thread to use with these stitches. Select a contrasting colour so the stitching is visible. Variegated threads work well on some stitches but often not those that go backarwards and then forward. Thick threads can build up too much for some stitches. Test the stitch and the thread before working on your project.

Some decorative stitches that do not work well for appliqué can add a unique touch to your quilts. I used a variety of stitches on top of the fused applique shapes for my Chutes & Ladders quilt in my book,Give & Take Fabric Appliqué. I tested many stitches on fused fabric samples before I selected the stitches for my project.

Learn more about Give & Take Fabric Appliqué in my book: Order your autographed copy here.
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Daphne Greig is a designer, author, teacher and fibre artist. Her bi-monthly e-zine offers tips and inspiration for quilters and fibre artists. You can sign up for a FREE subscription at: http://www.daphnegreig.com

Fall table runner–Three Pumpkins

2011-10-10T02:56:00.000-07:00

I love to decorate for all the holidays and this project will take no time at all to transform your fall table into something special to last for years.
Turn my Three Pumpkins pattern into a table runner!

I have a fabric kit special to go along with this project.

The special kit includes an extra yard of hand dyed fabric for the Three Pumpkins design to sit on to make it into the table runner, with the added bonus of an additional 1/4 yard of fabric dyed to match the background behind the Three Pumpkins to make the fused binding. This would be an easy, fun and beautiful addition to your fall family holiday table.

Falling Leaves

2011-10-08T04:23:00.000-07:00

While walking in the woods today with George, I was standing and waiting for him to come down the path, as I stood there little leaves were falling around drifting down towards the earth through the filtering sunlight. It seemed like I was in a magical land removed from all worries and cares. I felt one with the earth and at peace. I love walking in the woods with George.

Storms coming

2011-10-07T01:16:00.000-07:00

This is what I did last week. I worked on two small quilts.I was suppose to be getting ready to teach. This was more fun.

I used my newest fabric gradations, Winter Sky a gradation from black to grey and Prairie Winter a gradation from rust to blue to make this 14" x 16" quilt called Storms coming $125. If you are interested in purchasing it or the following little quilt email me frieda@friestyle.comor go to the Small quilts page on my website.

Then I dipped into my fused scrap drawer and made this wonderful little quilt "CatTails IIII" this one measures 4" x 6" and is trimmed in silk. The sky is a scrap of my fabric gradation pink sunrise, and the cat tails are made from scraps of Limey Avocado.$75.

Both of these quilts where inspired by my daily walks with George. We have been walking around a small lake near the house with fantastic expansive views.

Bead it Like you Mean it

2011-10-05T02:32:00.000-07:00

My friend Lyric Kinard has just published a very enjoyable and educational new video called,
“Bead it like you Mean it”

I just finished watching the whole thing and was truly captivated. Lyric is light hearted and charming in this video just like she is in person and it made it very enjoyable to watch her teach us the basics about beading. She shows us how to make knots and how important it is to make lots of knots. But also how to not make any knots on the back of an all ready finished quilt!! This is a GREAT tip. I have beaded a little bit here and there, nothing serious mind you, but with Lyric’s video I was actually thinking about how and where I could add some beads to my next art piece.

Lyric gives very clear and easy to follow directions along with the video close ups for even the beginner beader. She tells us what the beads are called, what needles to use and what threads are best. She shows us some great ideas of how to use each exercise she illustrates. I am thinking about adding big chucky beads on something just to be able to make the cage she shows in the video. Love this idea. I also loved the stacked beads and will use this in my next flower quilt.

I think this is a must have video for your library. I will be giving away one free copy of this fabulous DVD. Send me your comments and I will pick a number on random numbers to select the winner. Good luck!!! and happy beading.

Flooded with Color

2011-10-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Join us in Cedarburg WI and learn how to make all this fabric for yourself. We WILL have fun and you will want to join us to make 24 fat quarters of color wheel colors and lots of other colors too. Email Johanna Fritz WisFritz4@yahoo.com to sign up. This is going to be a good time.

Sharon Taffet - Artist Monday

2011-10-03T02:29:00.000-07:00

When I was recently in the Philadelphia airport I found this display on the way to my gate. Sharon Taffet has made art from her shoes. Enjoy these fanciful footwear.

Wendy Butler Berns on line classes

2011-10-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

The first two Wendy Butler Berns online courses have now been launched on the Craftsy.com website..... the third course "Art Quilting 101" will be available in early November.
Here is a link to the promos for the first two courses and each have several segments one can watch online
http://www.craftsy.com/class/Art-Quilting-Pictorial-Techniques/38?d=34255
http://www.craftsy.com/class/Machine-Quilting-Free-Motion-More/37?d=34158
please pass on the information to everyone you know!!!!! thanks!
Wendy Butler Berns
Look for her workshops and gallery- http://www.wendybutlerberns.com
Vidcast of "Out on a Limb Exhibition" http://www.bonniemccaffery.com/vidcasts/057.html

Basic Fusing III

2011-09-30T01:25:00.000-07:00

Putting it all together.
Once I have all my design elements cut out and ready to assemble I will begin to fuse things in place.
Remember we put our background fabric that had fusible all over it on the back of the fabric back on a piece of release paper? Now since it is sitting on the paper I can fuse things to the front of it.
The first thing I do is to put three of the border strips on the edge. I use the pencil line that I first drew as my mark to line up the strips of fused fabric. I only want to add in the two sides and top because I will cover all the stems with the bottom strip when I am done arranging them.

Before I begin to put the design elements in place I can create nice curves on top of a piece of release paper right over my pattern. This way the curves have a memory to them so when I put them on the fabric and fuse them down it is very easy to do.

TIP- As I add in design elements I want to make sure I keep the bottom of my iron clean.
Before I fuse anything in place, I make sure that I like the arrangement and that I have room for everything. So I will place all of the green leaves down and fuse them before I fuse the rest of the vines on the sides.

I will then fuse everything EXCEPT the little details in the center of the big Star Lilies. I will machine quilt everything first and then add those in at the end so that I can very easily quilt around the shape of the Star Lily.
I like to stitch in the ditch right next to not on top of most of my designs like the stems and flowers. I like to do this in 30# rayon thread.
Once I have quilted all the design elements then I quilt the background. In the case of Star Lilies I stippled this with silk thread matching the background color.
After I have done all the back ground then I will do the border.

I did the border with the 30# rayon thread with a straight stitch just wiggling it as I stitched it.
Finally I squared up my quilt and added a sleeve to it and a fused binding.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on basic fusing. Please share it with a friend and think about having me come to your group to teach you even more fun fusing tips.
Remember if you aren’t having fun, don’t do it!!!