Photoshop with DJ

I am really excited, I have just paid for (read "committed") to an online photoshop class with DJ Pettitt. An American textile artist that I have followed and admired greatly for a long time. DJ is going to show us how to work in photoshop elements so that we can transform our photos into little works of art as she does. It starts soon so if you are interested go to her website and click on her workshop link to join up. I have already started going around with my little camera and taking photos of things I think look good.... Pan, a statue in mum's garden looked perfect and I can not wait to work with him.

I have been quilting, finishing off some Christmas presents for my class ladies, they have done some lovely quilts over the year and I am really more than happy to help out with those last minute panic "gotta get it quilted" moments.

The frame really comes into its own and I am getting much more confidence on free hand quilting - just love it.

This one was a large lap size quilt and I quilted it quiet heavily with gumnuts and gum leaves.

The owner Evol, was very happy with this and I will need to wait till after Christmas to find out if the lucky recipient liked my stitching.

A Little Bird told me....

I did this little guy some time ago but have only just got my camera sorted out and working again.

This is done using the embroidery machine to make the swallow, I then trim it around and layer it on some wool felt, paint and stitch on more detail, layer a bit more, then add vintage trim and cording, make some wire and pearl nest, a few dangles, a wire hanger - a frill of painted organza around the edge and viola a cute little wall hanging

I hope to have time to make more, it is very rewarding and doesn't take too much time or thought, just lots of fun and creativity

Ribbon roses for Baltimore

One of the things I love about Baltimore work is the ability to embelish like crazy. Hence the block shown, it is made up of 4 large ribbon roses, using french wired ribbon, about 2metres for each rose. The wired ribbon behaves well and allows the rose to be formed to look lovely and vintage, crush the rose after completion and you achieve an even older look.

The basket is made up of a rich brown fabric using a large bias maker to form it easily, I then slip stitch down some yummy thin obre ribbon as a highlight to the basket shape.

This is one of my favourite blocks, however I may not use it in the finaly quilt as it is not the most practical block for washing, using the quilt etc, but would work for a wall hanging. If doing this block maybe using a dior rose would work better for a quilt that will be used.

Bonzie designer

There are a few designers that I admire greatly and most of these I have been introduced to via "Belle Armoir" magazine. One of these is Bonzie an Irish design partnership, they do some of the most inspired designs I have ever seen, it is totally my idea of wonderful. They remake old clothes, restyle lace, ribbon, antique beads and baubles, jewelry and fabrics. I only have to click onto their blog to get goosebumps and feel totally inspired and ready to design for myself. And altho I don't do what they do and not anywhere near as well, I do love what I can achieve with a little playing with my growing collection of ephemera.

http://designsbybonzie.blogspot.com/

and some more..........

This is the heart block, I have completed half of the berries to show how much more interest the lovely red berry circles make, they are well worth the effort - I use the mylar template to create these, cut your fabric circle and place mylar plastic template circle inside, gather stitch around as normal, pull up so that the fabric is tightly gathered around template, spray with crisp spray starch front and back. Allow to air dry, finally press with iron, be carefull here as the mylar is heat resistant but will melt with too much heat. Allow to cool loosen tacking stitches and remove mylar, you may like to repress the circle again to settle down this lifted area. I do a whole lot at a time so they are done and ready for me to stitch down.

This is one of the lovely basket blocks, a tall basket with lots going on, I love them, I used a lovley chenille cord I purchased for the stem and couched it down with matching DMC - one strand.

I popped some blue in here as I had brought a gorgeous bundle of fabrics from Temora, Pieces for patching and wanted to use these with the browns. The berries this time are burgundy felt from Pioneer Patchwork in Narellan, little circles with red DMC french knots holding them down.

Today I have completed my 6 month class notes and will present the class on Monday. The girls will decide if we are going to do another class next year at Sewrite. This will be a finishing class and additional work with sashing and completing the top.

I will be presenting this class at Pioneer Patchwork at Narellan - (02) 4647 3555 in February 2010, just give Ingrid a call to reserve your spot.

Some photo's of the Baltimore Class

Beautiful birds baltimore block - This one was pieced using several methods, the bias circle was machine stitched down, then hand appliqued finished, the birds were done using a lightweight interfacing, bagged and turned through and then stitched down. The flowers, hearts etc were layered over paper templates, tacked, slip stitched down and paper removed from the back. It was finished with a lovely organza ribbon around the outer circle for softness - a really nice block to do and not too difficult.

Finally I am able to post some photo's of the Baltimore blocks, one of my girls took these photo's for her own colour reference and was kind enough to email them to me. Even tho they are not technically well photographed (it was using a phone) I am pleased to be able to show you something of the appliques already done.

This is the first block I had the class do, There are a few ways to approach this one, and after running the class I have decided to replace this block with something else in future.

We used lightweight interfacing, stitched and turned through, then it was to be appliqued down either by hand or by machine, the girls had some trouble turning this one through however so I have had to rethink this block. Even tho the results are nice it isn't my intention for the students to become frustrated by it.

Drawing

It's all Bron's fault, she told me about a lovely quilt she had seen and described it to me which got my mind rolling and thinking and wanting to create. SO naturally I did.

The fact that I had a sore foot meant that I needed to sit and rest it, so this weekend was spent drawing some lovely baskets of flowers so that we might later, be able to stitch them.

I had started off intending to do them rather niave and simple but no - they became quiet a production and very life like. I really think they are going to be hard work to stitch. So do I simplify or do I leave them as is.

Time will tell, getting time to do them will be another thing entirely.

I fell in love with a flying geese block and had to have a play with it in eq6. Pickle dish is another block for a quilt that I have always wanted to do, two colours only, nice.

Charlotte is stitching

Stress, its a real killer, we know that don't we. My darling girl is very stressed at the moment at work and dealing with peoples enquiries about their insurance claims for travel insurance.

I know personally that when I talk to a customer care person I try to remember that they are not personally responsible for my problem/dilemma and in fact are there to try and sort it all out for me if they are able to. My daughter is yelled at on a daily basis and called some shocking names, all because of a few hundred dollars worth of camera or whatever the person is claiming for. And yes, we all know how slow these things can be. But we really need to put them into perspective.

I was very busy with getting things done for class over the weekend (beside having a shocking weekend at the drags, but I am not going there). So as I stitched a small design for a friend and trying to get it started at least so that I could then do the machine sewing at a later date, Charlotte asked if she could do some, well Charlotte is one very neat stitcher and I was delighted to hand it over to her. She was still stitching when I went to bed last night and when I went to my sewing box this morning, here was a note on top with the work I had given her half finished and asking to let her finish it tonight. No problem to me, I love getting the help and Charlotte said she relaxed last night with the stitching like she hasn't been able to relax for ages.

It is a really bad time energy wise at the moment, there is some really odd energy going around and some strange things are happening - hope the moon changes soon or something, lol.

Baltimore on and on

It feels like I have been stitching baltimore's for years but in truth it has only been 4 months. They are so devine, and as I stitch I remember why I love applique soooo much.
It is relaxing, it's medatative and as I stitch I think about the next block and the colours for it. I have done the cornacopia with fruit and will do an eagle block next perhaps.

Having sorted it all out in EQ6 has been wonderful and allows for me to free up more time for sewing. I have some Christmas pressies to prepare too for class as we have decided on a secret santa for this year and will be going out for dinner like last year but at an Italian resturant this time. Should be great fun. I am doing one of Christine Books little cushions with a blue bird stitchery in the middle, I may even turn it into a small wall hanging for the person I have in mind.

I have been buying a little lace and odds and ends to as I explore the mixed media a little more, as I type I have the embroidery machine chugging along stitching a design that I will then take and manipulate, layer, cut and paint add things to and develop into a little wall hanging.

EQ6 and designing Baltimores

Spending time on EQ6 is so much fun, I have found wonderful pallettes of fabrics that reflect my stash rather nicely and decided to see if I could represent some of the blocks I have chosen for the class Baltimore.

The girls wanted sashing and swag borders so this is my interpretation

I have no doubt as I work more in EQ I will find much more to do with it and lots more ideas generated.

Don't ya love it

Hey,

Classes are going wonderfully well, I am having a blast with these baltimore blocks, they are soooo lovely.

And a large amount of french ribbon has come my way, well okay, I had to pay for it but it is so nice and will give my students some lovely ribbon to play with.

I have also been working on Christmas things for class - not something that I have to do every year but I do keep my eye out for interesting things. Christine Book is a wonderful resource for me in this as she does Christmas sooooo well.

Come to think of it, I have not done any stitchery for so long and I am getting a bit of an urge to do some soon. The Baltimore must take precedence tho and even when I go to Margaret Cormacks class on wednesdays I still have to be sewing on the baltimores.

I am embelishing lots more now and have been trying out some flower making both from fabric strips and ribbon. I have also been asked to do some ribbon roses for a flower girls dress, this is in a lovely deep pinky red, the fabric was especially dyed over seas just for this wedding.

Baltimore quilt classes

I am currently working on a Baltimore style quilt for class, it is coming along so beautifully and I am so pleased. The second class was a great success and full of enthusiastic students, what joy.

I am working on blocks 5 and 6 at present and have managed to book a new set of classes at Pioneer Patchwork in Narellan for next year, 2010. This will run for 6 months as a monthly class.

I have also got a row by row quilt to do for a class or workshop, I just need to buckle down and get all this done. It is all very exciting.

Mamre house weekend has come and gone for another year and altho the numbers were down on previous years it was all fun and laughter as usuall and a bit of retail therapy. I was on Marg Low's stand again with loads of new patterns and delightful buttons by Barb Smith.

Christine offered some lovely projects, the theme being bluebirds which are some of her all time favourite things. Remember the little bluebird baby jewellry that was so popular? It is a memory from my past as I am sure it is for many of us, and I am sure we all have a piece of a little bluebird treasure in our jewel box.

I am off to do some more sewing, with a quilt on the frame and lots of sewing to get my workshops happening I have had less time than ever for this blog, please come back often tho so you keep up with all the happenings going on.

keep stitching

(the above pic is borrowed from a webpage and is not what I am teaching)

A month fly's by

Where does the time go? I have been busy with other things and neglecting the blog, I have been sewing some, doing some quilting for friends and getting used to the frame.

I have had to borrow my mums singer sewing machine as the Pfaff is still not serviced. Mums machine is very nice to use so I am not complaining but she will want it back sooner or later so shall have to get the repair man to fix my Pfaff.

Classes will continue over the school break and I will return to Wednesday class. I have been doing extra shop hours at work while Anne is on leave. It makes for a busy life. But be creative is a way of life and I could not be with out all my bits and pieces. Rummaging through my stash for bits of fabric, lace and ribbons, buttons, bows and thread is a dream come true for me and a way to indulge me time with out guilt - because It's the creative process that I need to survive a day. To make my life fuller and to be a better person to live with.

I wonder how many others can relate to this.

Pinapple log cabins

How stunning are log cabin quilts? I love the old ones, the deep browns
blues and reds of the late 1800's. The complexity of the pinapple log
cabin never fails to amaze and delight me. There always seems that
sense of movement and joy about them, no matter the fabric or the
expertise or lack there of from the quilter.

I am experimenting with some strippy piecing and finding this a great
deal of fun. Using fabric from a basket of scraps, I can quickly place and
piece as I go, cut down the created fabric into the desired shapes and piece
these together to create a shape, a block that can be joined to form a larger
piece.

So quick and easy, unlike the pinappel quilt.

Okay I give up

I have just been browsing some blogs and I have to say, "I GIVE UP".....
No not really but I must learn how to do more with my blog.
It is not the inspiring read I had wanted it to be.
It has become a place were I collect other bloggers. LOL

Resolution....

try harder

Nitro Champs weekend

The weekend was the Nitro Champs at Eastern Creek

and also Charlottes 21st.

This is a photos of the Calibra with the shoot pulled
and slowing down at the end of the track.

She is a very pretty car and goes exceptionally well.
We all love her and I trust it to do the right thing when Tony is driving and to keep him safe. (If one can in fact trust an inanimate object). LOL

The photos is from Badger Photography you can see more on his website as he is an excellent photographer and has done several profile picture collages for us. This is the first pic we have of the shoot open, I think Charlotte will order a compilation of this lot from Badger photography as we all like these pics taken this weekend of the old girl in action.

Charlotte's 21st

The most important people in my life are my family. Charlotte turned 21 on May the 2nd which co-incided with the Nitro champs drag meeting in which her dad Tony wanted to race. So Charlotte decided that she would have her birhtday at the drags.

It went wonderfully well, we had a nice turn up of friends and relatives as well as those track friends who have known Charlotte for a while and watched her grow from a teenager into a lovely young lady.

She was indundated with lovely gifts. And Tony arranged for a photo menage on the big screen so about 28,000 people saw Char at different ages, but nothing too embarassing. LOL.

She spent a good part of the day crying as suprise after surprise were given. All in all just a brilliant and non fussy 21st shared with the people that cared about her.

Thankyou to everyone who made it such a fun day for her. Especially Kasi who is a star.

My favourite magazine

My favourite magazine is anything by Stampington. I await each issue from Borders impatiently but I do have a limit as unfortunately here in Australia they are expensive.

I love altered couture and Where women create. The Jewelry specials and many others, blogging, altered art, paper and ephemera, quilting arts, etc etc, it goes on and on.

They are a delight and a wonderful showcase of some of the most divine work and artists in their specific medium. This is a newbie Marie

http://www.stampington.com/html/marie_spring09.html

I love altered couture it is a wonderful magazine, full of wonderful art work to wear. I have always knitted but never liked run of the mill jumpers etc. Well the 80's were my prime years and the knitting was very avante garde so I knitted free form and loved it. Anything was okay and pieces were more art than wearable but no one cared. I would knit a dress in a couple of days and then wear it to a disco that weekend, okay so I was cute and had a great figure so I would have looked good in a rag but I still remember the thrill I got from wearing my own creation. I also made and wore my own bikini's both knitted and sewn. No pattern just creating as I went. I am amazed that they were good enough to wear but they were, so I should give myself credit. On hindsight I would have done things better but I didn't know better then.

This apron in the new issue of Belle Amoire sort of reminds me of what I would do when I was younger and never afraid of the outcome. Just go for it and see what happens. How cute is it??

These days I am far more reserved and over think things a bit much. I blame quilting on that because patchwork is very precise. I have been patchworking for so long that I have to think through my work so much more. I was a free spirit in my teens. I must learn to find that joy of creating again and just relearn to enjoy the process and sweat less about the outcome.

I hope you find joy and inspiration always and love what you do, love yourself and let your spirit soar.

Lots of lovely ephemeria and bits

I just love the French General https://www.frenchgeneral.com/

it has the most lovely bits and pieces for making those super special antique pieces of art.

Such as this divine old crown, how delicate and beautiful is this?

The website is so inspirational and even if I can not always get my hands on the items I am drooling over it is often enough impetus for me to get on with an idea, to go away and sketch and think and play with ideas that are directly developed from lovely bits and pieces off the website.

I long for the opportunity to shop in America, they seem to have a never ending supply of interesting things. We are so young in Australia that we don't have the history nor the items so abundantly and it is a constant struggle to find materials that inspire and that a worthy of art. I am not complaining because truth be told, it makes you work harder to find things to play with. The Internet has brought us all so much closer together

and availability of anything just a click and a credit card away. Which brings me to the issue of cost. How much is too much to spend on your passion, when in the end you may not sell an item? Do you have to sell an item to justify your craft/art. Does it also put too much pressure on an artist to make money. Do you work to pay for your craft or does your craft pay for itself??

I would love to know your answers on this so please leave me some feedback, and thanks for taking the time.

It's all about the age

How stunning are antique quilts? I have about 30 or so all in different stages of completion. Purchased from Ebay and shipped over from America. I have tops, blocks and full quilts. The oldest I have is a civil war blocks in a bachelor block, it is similar to a tulip block, I have repaired it and put about 10 or so blocks together and am quilting it.

I have two green and red applique quilts. With lots of lovely quilting. These are both pre 1900's.

I also have a variety of later quilts and quilt tops, 50's and 60's. One is a string pieced summer quilt, ie it doesnt have any wadding inside.

They are all totally inspirational, and some are used daily and some are away in a trunk awaiting repair or to delicate for everyday use. Caring for these quilts is a huge responsibility. Some could't handle a wash, they would literally fall apart. Others cope well and can be washed often.

I am only a custodian and will one day either sell some or pass them on or give them away. In the interim I get to enjoy them and share them with my friends.