The Secret Is Out!

You may have noticed a fancy new badge at the top of my blog designating me as a Creative Consultant.   Yep, that's right, I was chosen to work with 8 super talented beautiful ladies on a team spearheaded by Amanda Herring of the Quilted Fish.

Amanda is the designer of Sweet Divinity fabric line for Riley Blake.  She is a super awesome person.  I have been testing patterns for her for 2 years now and love her drive and enthusiasm.

This team is going to be doing some amazing projects and we are each going to post the tutorials on our blogs.   So do me a favour and jump on over here to meet the team and join their blogs so you don't miss any fantastic upcoming tutes!

Super Exciting News

I have some really exciting news to share with you all.  I have been sitting on it for a while and believe in the next day or two I will be able to share!  

Stand by=)

Sketchbook Challenge

One of these days, I better post some resolutions, but for now I am going to share some stuff.   I joined the sketchbook challenge.   It was mostly to make myself draw/doodle, put pencil to paper.   I do sketch when I am starting a new art quilt.  But I have been reading that I should be sketching more.   Plus there is monthly prizes. 

The theme for January was 'Highly Prized'.   So... family is my most prized possession.   My 5 year old drew a picture of our family and I used that and surrounded it with hearts.  

And since I haven't posted in a week, here is what else I have been fooling around with - felted balls.   I think they will be so fun to put into my art quilts.  

These little guys are so cute and highly addictive to make.   I used felt roving and yarn balls to make these.  Apparently you can make them with old felted sweaters, but I haven't found a tutorial on that yet.  

Finally, I am madly, and I repeat madly working to hit a February 1st deadline.   I am trying to finish a wearable art garment for entry into the National Juried Show.  

Zippety Do Dah

Zippety day, my oh my, what a beautiful day!

Having a little fun with zippers.

Happy New Year everyone!

Kaleidoscopes

I found this fantastic site that makes kaleidoscopes out of your pictures.  It is called the Kaleidoscope Kreator .

All you do is take the tour and it lets you sample your pictures in their 'Kreator'.  And if you love it, you can purchase the software.   I started with the first picture and fooled around till I came up with the 2nd picture.   Isn't that cool?   And they have samples of doing it with your kids and that is totally fun as well.  

I haven't purchased the software yet, maybe Santa will bring it.

Welcome new follower Vivian!

Dyed Coffee Filters

Have I mentioned for the billionth time that I love 3D work in my quilts?  

This art quilt is made from dyed coffee filters.   I was surprised at their durability.  They stitched up like fabric, leaving no noticeable holes.   There are folded ones at each end of the quilt.  I refolded and re-ironed them several times before I got a shape I liked, and they never tore once. 

The background is my hand dyed satin.  It gives such a lovely shine to the quilt.

Bobby Pins

They still make them - bobby pins.  I remember them being around when my Grandma did her hair.   I decided to try and use them in a little art quilt.   Here they are used to emphasize the grass in front.  I also used them to mimic a couple of birds flying overhead, and by attaching a few close together, the sun peaks out as well

I Won!

I never win... and I am fine with that, it is fun to enter blog give aways.  Until today when I won a gift certificate from this etsy store.   She has totally gorgeous beaded work.    The necklace I ordered is similar to this one, but has a streak of red in it.   Go and check her out, it is beautiful jewellry.

A Great Give Away

Check out the link and go win some fab fabric at Sew Unique Creations!

Wearable Art and Curved Piecing

I have been collecting these colours for two years.   And all the thread, embellishments, beads, and yarns that match.   Finally I started cutting and sewing the fabric.   I want to make a piece of wearable art.   But was unsure how to make new 'fabric' with all my matching fabric.   Then I happened to watch a video on curved piecing this morning and voila!   Ideas started pouring into my head.  

I have begun sewing the strips together.   I know that I have to quilt it before I actually sew all the pattern pieces together.  One, because it is easier and two because the quilting will shrink up my pieces.   I think that I may have to sew the front side and front piece together first and then quilt it though.    I have quite a few steps written in my sketch book and even more ideas for embellishing.

Just have to make sure I do the right step at the right time.  For now, curvy piecing here I come!

Welcome new followers Anita and Linda!