Sunday, February 26, 2012

Introducing the Painted Threads ebook!

I recently updated my Painted Threads portfolio book with two newer quilts and while I was at it I created an ebook version that can be viewed on an ipad. If you'd like to see a preview of the entire book you can see it here.


I don't have an ipad...yet, so I bought a copy to try out on my iphone.
After ordering, I received an email with a link that I opened on my phone from there it asked me where I wanted the book to go on my device and my copy loaded right into ibooks.

Overall I couldn't be happier, it looks just like the book. You can zoom in to see details and the pages turn with a swipe of the finger.


Best of all is the price of $6.99! it's much cheaper than getting a printed copy, not to mention there's no shipping fees, the joy of instant gratification and being able to take it anywhere! I can hardly wait to see it on an ipad.

Right now it's for sale on Blurb, after approval from itunes it will be available there too, but Blurb is better for me since itunes takes a hefty commission and us starving artists need to eat more than apple execs, lol.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Felted Eggs


Well over the weekend I took the plunge and created a Pinterest account since so many of my friends are on there and see what I've been missing.

While I was poking around I saw quite a few pretty dyed eggs and although this seems a little early, I thought it might be fun to make some felted eggs.

After all they aren't going to spoil between now and Easter :-)

It might be fun to also add some decorative stitching with embroidery floss and adding some cut out wool felt shapes.


If you'd like to make some too, you can follow this tutorial, just roll your yarn balls into oval egg shapes.

This is a great way to use up leftover wool yarn. Rolling golf ball size yarn balls as a base for the ball. Wind yarn into oblong shapes to get a berry shaped ball.


I usually use wool yarn for the center because I know it will felt better, but in a pinch I have used other yarns too. My favorite place to order roving is from Outback Fibers, the colors are gorgeous and the prices are very reasonable. 



Unwind a length of roving, while holding it in one hand, grasp the end portion with the other hand and gently pull off "tufts" roughly 5-6 inches in length. Spread the fibers into a thin flat layer with all the strands going in one direction. Pull off another tuft of roving and layer it on top of the first at a 90 degree angle. Repeat this process several more times, criss-crossing 4-6 thin layers.


When lifting the blanket of roving there should not be thin spots or holes. Changing the colors of yarn in the layers will create a heathered multicolored wool ball.


Wrap the roving blanket you have created around a yarn ball, making sure there is full coverage of fluffy roving with no bare or thin spots.


Close the roving covered yarn ball in your hand and bring it to the foot of a knee hi panty hose. (buy cheap ones at the dollar store, or use those ancient ones in the back of your hosiery drawer that you never wear anymore) Gently remove your hand from around the ball pulling the hose tightly around the roving ball then tie a small piece of yarn to secure the ball in place.




When all the balls have been wrapped in the hose, place them in the washing machine, set the water to lowest level and hottest setting. Add a small amount of detergent, about a tablespoon, the exact measurement is not crucial but soap is important in the felting process. I usually run it on a long cycle, the more agitation the better the felting. Good old fashion top loading washers have the most success with felting.
When you take the chain of balls out of the machine, you will see little fibers have come though the mesh of the hose. Snip the tied yarn between the balls, gently peel away the hose removing the ball and roll the ball in your hands to smooth the fibers.
Click here to watch a video tutorial to make felted pumpkins which start with a basic felted ball.

Friday, February 17, 2012

It's been a week for dyeing

This week I have been preparing samples for taping a Quilting Arts TV segment next month about creating dye color recipes.
Here's a little sneak peek




Tuesday, February 07, 2012

International Quilt Festival Houston classes!

It's so exciting, I just got my schedule in the mail for this falls classes at festival, holy cow am I going to be busy! For all you Tsukineko ink enthusiasts I am teaching two classes again this year! So you'll have twice the opportunity to get in. I even got booked for a luncheon lecture, thank goodness it's on my first day teaching, I should be fairly coherent at that point, lol.

My full schedule is:

Tuesday, Oct 30
Tsukineko All Purpose Inks (6 hours)

Luncheon Lecture noon-2pm
Inspiration: Where Does It Come From?

Wednesday, Oct 31
Painting Imagery for Art Quilts with Textile Paints (6 hours)

Thursday, Nov 1
Tsukineko All Purpose Inks (6 hours)

Friday, Nov 2
Ornamental Fiesta (6 hours)

Saturday, Nov 3
Heavy Metal Play Day (6 hours)

It's going to be an action packed week and surely a blast like festival is every year. If you've never been, maybe this year you should take the plunge and go to the biggest quilt show on the planet and meet lot's of kindred spirits who get just as excited about it as you do.

Monday, February 06, 2012

Conversation Hearts

As valentines Day is coming up I thought I would repost this simple little Valentine project from last year.


Wanting to share a little Valentine's Day love, I decided to sew up some conversation hearts for the special people in my life.


I stamped endearments on wool felt and cut a paper heart to use as a template for cutting them out.


Each heart was stuffed with a smaller heart of wool batting and stitched with floss or pearl cotton.


Share the Love!

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

The last day of the heARTfest blog hop

Get your heart on for this round of LOVE infused tutorials!
Check out Tracie Lynn HuskampValentines Message Pillows

Jane LaFazio's Sketchbook page to Valentine Card (& envelope too)
Traci Bunkers, Printed Heart Ice Cube Trays: Quick Printed Backgrounds, Part 1
Diana Trout's, Woven Heart Valentines Card
Judy Coates Perez, Sunday, Jan 29, Chocolate Peppermint Cream Heart Cakes
Lyric Kinard's,  Lovin' my Thermofax Screens
Kelli Nina Perkins, Heart shaped felted soap
Melanie Testa's, Vintage Inspired Valentine card

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