Happy NEW YEAR 2013

Your success and happiness lies in you.

Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.

Helen Keller



Be happy and buy some new fabric. 

All fabrics on my website for the month of January are $20.13!!!
Happy New Year to you.

Last week of November Special

I have a secret November special going on this month. With every order over $10 on my website you will receive a free fat quarter of batik fabric. Woo Woo!!

FrieStyle Fabrics and Notions Newsletter

I am ready for the Holidays. Are YOU? Do you need some quick gifts for that special person in your life? I have a few things that might help.

My Holiday Fabric Special through December will be 1/2 yard of Winter Red AND 1/2 yard of Grass Green for $20. These are the colors of Christmas, and they will make a wonderful bundle to give to your special quilting friend or to help jump start a project for your wall or table.



These are the colors I use in my pattern "Holiday Moments." It's not too late to make one of the three hangings in this pattern to put on your wall or front door for the holidays. Each of these patterns only takes a day or two to put together. I also used the Winter Red and Grass Green to make the Christmas tree skirt in last year's issue of "Quilting Arts" gift magazine. At this time of year you can never have too much RED and GREEN fabric. Don't forget to gift yourself too!!



This tree skirt is all fused and sewn in four sections to make it easy and quick to put together.

This is a link to the pattern http://www.quiltingdaily.com/media/p/30999.aspx

It is free with registration to Quilting Daily.

Patterns
A pattern makes the perfect gift for that special quilting friend. It is right in the budget for "exchange gift" giving. I have so many wonderful designs to pick from and all are very fun and easy to make. A beginner quilter or an experienced quilter can all follow the step by step directions.

Join my blog
This month's free pattern for joining my blog will be a PDF of Star Lilies. Email me that you have joined and I will send that pattern on to you. If you haven't already joined my blog, now is a good time to do so. I will be posting many new videos and free patterns this winter. Just click on the link at the top right of this page that says “join this site”.

E-Patterns
E-patterns are always available for sale on my website. This is a great way to buy the pattern and NOT pay for shipping. You purchase the patterns and then immediately download them yourself. You not only save on shipping BUT also receive the patterns the same day you buy them. Why not give it a try today? They are at the top of the pattern page.

Don't forget to stock up on these notions for winter sewing:

I just finished making some new quilting samples on 18" quilt sandwiches for easy reference when I want to know what batting to use with what thread color, etc... And I really was glad to have all the needles and thread that I needed right at my finger tips.

These also make great "exchange gift" gifts and fit in your budget nicely.

Rayon and matching cotton thread
Embroidery sewing machine needles
Wonderunder
Decorative blades
Kia Scissors – these are what I use everyday and l love them. They have extra large holes for your fat quilters fingers.

My Teaching Schedule for 2013

2013 will be here before we know it, and I am going to some really fun places this coming year.

I love seeing friends and meeting new people, so I hope that if you are near any of these venues, you will pop in and say hello. 

It is a nice opportunity meet and to see all of my quilts up close and personal. 

Have you DYED yet?

Rather than Easter Eggs, let's Dye Fabric.

This is a fun class to take. It is based on my book Fabric to Dye For.

So many people, I think would like to take a dyeing class but are afraid it will be messy.

Let me show you how messy it isn't. These clips from two of the dye classes I taught this year give you a glimpse into the real action, and you can see it isn’t messy at all. You do need to have access to water.

Maybe your guild wants to learn how to DYE?

DYEING with Frieda–Hand dye fabric class

Use it or Lose it

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.

Good enough to eat–Color

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.

The emphasis is on Unity

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?

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.

The ZEN of winning

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!

Lavender LOVE me now

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

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

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

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

Fa la la la la la RED

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!

Thanksgiving Day fabric

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.

Signature quilt and hand dyed fabric.

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.

Using gradation fabrics

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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