October/November Newsletter

FrieStyle Newsletter October/November 2013

Holidays are Around the Corner The heat of summer is finally giving way to the cool breezes of fall, which also means beginning to prepare for the many year end holidays. October is the perfect time to make yourself a fall decoration that will last through Thanksgiving and even Christmas. My Three Pumpkins or Pumpkins patterns are both easy to make as either wall quilts or table toppers for the upcoming season. With each order over the next two months, you will also receive a free quarter yard of my hand dyed fabric. Or maybe you need something to really bright your walls this Winter season - my pattern - Holiday Moments is easy, fast and fun. LEARN MORE In This Issue Holidays are around the corner Where can you take a class with Frieda Fabric gradations - Fall specials Craftsy Fabric to Dye For

Where can you take a class with me? Teaching Schedule It is always fun to take a class and learn a new technique. I will be teaching at many venues  around the country in 2014. Road to California in January is a great show and the first time I will be there. I hope you will sign up for one of my classes. I am going on a cruise through the Panama Canal in April. This is going to be really exciting. What better way to spend those days at sea then making art quilts. Quilting Adventures in May is a beautiful Texas retreat. Come make quilts with me. We will also be dyeing fabric. OOOOH Quilt Colorado in July is going to be fun and exciting. See you there. Fabric Gradations Variety is the spice of life Do you know that you can do so many different projects with my Rainbow gradated dyed fabric? My rainbow quilt is made with just two yards of my Rainbow dyed fabric. The fabric grades are from lemon yellow through red, fuchsia, grape, blue and into green and lime green. There are 14 different colors to work with. If you do applique, this fabric is ideal for you. Receive a free quarter yard of my hand dyed fabric and the pattern for my Rainbow Quilt as a FALL thank you for every order over $20. Craftsy Craftsy is a great site to visit if you want to take classes on a number of different topics, including quilting. You don't have to be a member to visit the Craftsy site, just go toCraftsy.com and browse through all the fun exciting classes they have to offer. You can sign up today for my Free Motion Quilting class on Craftsy. If you type in this code -crafty.com/homesweethome -  you will receive 50% off my class, Machine Quilting the Home Sweet Home quilt. This class is geared for the beginner, and it features the perfect size lap quilt to get you started on the way to becoming a better free motion machine quilter on a domestic home sewing machine. Fabric t Dye For My book Fabric to Dye For will soon be out of print. If you have been wanting a copy of this easy to follow guide to fabric dyeing now is the time to treat yourself. Very soon this C&T book will only be available only as an e-book.   Don't delay, order today and receive a free quarter yard of my hand dyed fabric and the pattern for my Rainbow Quilt as a FALL thank you for every order over $20. Forward this email STAY CONNECTED

All you need is Love, dotta doda do

I posted this last year, but very late, maybe you want to give it a try this year – you have a whole month until Valentine’s Day.

All you need is Love.

February is the month of Love. And Valentine’s is just ONE month away.

Do you think that is because there is nothing else going on in the month of February?
Why not make this Valentine wall hanging to brighten up your space.


You can down load a free PDF pattern here. Have fun.

If you want to make it just like mine I have a fabric kit for you - 3 quarter yards of hand dyed fabric for $15. Order Here.

3. Describe your relationship with your parents.

I have a GOOD relationship with my parents.

My mom is one of the reasons why I do what I do. Growing up we moved often. My dad kept getting promotions and that meant going to a new town.

One way my mom helped to intergrade us (me and my sister) into the community was to enroll us in classes of things that we wanted to do. For me it was art, for my sister it was athletics.

My mom likes to tell people she had  to “push” me to do art. And maybe that is true. I was a very shy child, probably because I had to make new friends EVERY year for at least 10 years.


But I am glad that she pushed me and I love to make art.
My dad passed away when I was 21 years old of a heart attack. He was 51 years old.

I miss him everyday and wish that he had been around to meet and know my sons.

As a kid I made all kinds of stuff, I taught myself to sew, paint, do crafts and I feel so lucky that for my profession I get to do the same thing.

I also had a lot of great teachers along the way that just shared what they know and liked to do.
I like to work with fabric and color. And I like to try new things.

One of the new things that I have been doing with my small art is to find a way to frame it.
I have been using Timtex or Peltex to mount small pieces of art to.


This little landscape was completed quilted and then finished with a satin stitch around the edge.

I cut a piece of Timtex 2” larger all the way around then the finished quilt. I wrapped fabric around the Timtex like a package and fused it in place.

I added a hanging loop on the back and then I sewed the small quilt to the frame.
I have also used pre stretched canvas in different ways.


These three quilts where completely finished and quilted. I did a pillow case (AQS magazine article March 2013 issue) finish for each quilt.

I then attached flaps to each side of the quilt and wrapped the fabric flaps to the back of a pre stretched canvas frame and stapled them to the frame. 

A hanging hook was added and they were ready to frame.
These are in one of my sons homes.

What have you done new lately?

Happy Quilting today.

The List

I like lists and recently I found this list on line and thought it was a great way to start a trip. things to ask each other while traveling, we will be going to visit one of our sons soon, so I am sharing it here with you in case you have a long trip in the near future.

Enjoy.

30 Things:

To spice things up a little I will be posting something random about myself each blog (or close to it for a month) according to the following list of questions I have conjured up. 

The idea is to record different parts of my personality for my posterity, and I guess you get to know me better by default.  I think this'll be super fun and I invite you to play along! I would LOVE to read what you have to say about yourself in regards to these questions, and get to know you better, too.  

This could potentially be very hilarious.
I'm also thinking this list would make a fun date night? 

THE LIST:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misunderstand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.
So here we go.
A few random facts about myself -

1. I like coffee ice cream A LOT
2. I don’t care for chocolate
3. I sleep a lot, I find I need at least 8 hours in a 24 hour cycle
4. I make up words all the time
5. I am innately messy but very clean
6. I love watching movies in bed
7. I don’t read the daily newspaper
8. I listen to NPR in the mornings
9. I love Science Friday and Car Talk
10. I collect tatted hankies
11. I like hand stitching
12. I LOVE COLOR
13. I like working out
14. I am a younger sister
15. I am way too sensitive and get my feelings hurt over stupid stuff
16. I collect pin cushions
17. I love my dog George very much (well you already knew that)
18. I went to fashion design school
19. I am a loner
20. Laura Wasilowski and I are “kind of” partners. We share booth space at quilts shows.

We have a new DVD with Quilting Arts. You can download it NOW or pre-order the physical copy here.

Tell me a few random things about you.

I hope you are ready for the big day tomorrow!
Happy HOLIDAY

TED

Do you know about this site?
  
TED.

Judy Coates Perez first tuned me into it. It is a fabulous place to visit.

Recently my sister-in-law sent me this link. I think it is so marvelous I want to share it with you too.

Eric Whitacre a Virtual Choir.

Quilts in public places

I love to see quilts displayed in public places.

I have a few of my works displayed in health centers. I like to think that is makes  people happy to view them.

Art made with fabric is often warm and inviting, as so many woman are.

When I was in NC recently, my two hostess took me to The First Citizens Bank in Hendersonville, NC. Hanging on the walls of this impressive building where quilts made by local quilt artists that had been commissioned by the Architect for this building . There were also several beautiful and striking antique quilts.

Each of the pieces of art was displayed behind Plexiglas and mounted on linen boards. The displays were stunning.

Here are just a few of the pieces.

“Golden Threads and Silver Needles made by Georgia Bonesteel, 1988


I saw Georgia at the quilt guild and we had a nice chat. I didn’t realize that she once lived in the Chicago land area, and worked at Marshall Fields, as did I.


“Stormy Sea” made by Barbara Swinea 1988. This is beautifully crafted and HAND quilted.



“Love Apple Variation” made by Linda Cantrell, 1988. This is a very different piece for Linda who makes fun and whimsical pieces that often tell a story. Notice Linda is talking, as she often is, as she is always telling a fun story.



Antique 1 1/2” squares





I believe this was made of wool. All of the quilts did not have their “name” tags with them as they had recently been rehung and moved.



This piece was behind the tellers at the bank. “Mirage” by Ellen Kochansky, 1988




Also by Ellen,”Form-Content”

What a great way to view quilts and what a wonderful setting for them. I hope the people of Hendersonville enjoy this great art.

Sally Mavor

• September Special on my website. With every order over $30 receive a free copy of my pattern Holiday Moments.

One of the other exhibits that we saw at the Art Institute in Chicago recently was this very whimsical and charming children’s book illustration instillation.

May 12 – October 28, 2012 Told and Retold: Picture Book Artists from Studio Goodwin Sturges at the Ryan Education Center at the Art Institute of Chicago. Two of Salley Mavor’s original fabric relief illustrations from Pocketful of Posies will be displayed, along with artwork in a variety of mediums from 7 other illustrators who are all represented by the children’s book agency, Studio Goodwin Sturges.

All of us were thoroughly enchanted with Sally Mavor’s work.
The pictures I took of her pieces are not very good. So go to her website and see her wonderful hand stitched wool illustrations.



Aren’t these just fabulous?

Jenny Bowker

I meet Jenny Bowker many years ago while teaching in New Zealand. She is a fabulous quilter and lecturer and she was responsible for bringing the Stitch Like An Egyptian Exhibit to the US.

I only saw her briefly at the quilt show but here are a few of her quilts that she brought along for the show.




I just love the colors in this piece.






I love writing in quilts, and I think this is a beautiful example of script on a quilt.