Adobe Illustrator Homework

This semester, I decided to take an Adobe Illustrator eCourse through a local college in Sacramento.  So glad I did, here are a couple of samples of my homework projects.

First project was to take a TV or video remote and recreate it to be as realistic as possible.  I did show it early in the semester, but I like what I created:

rasterized AI file for class

Next project was to take an interior image from a magazine and recreate it using certain color pathways and lighting.  Here is what I turned in:

class project by Carla Barrett

The most recent project is a package redesign- where we had to search for a grocery store product in need of a design overhaul.  Here is my label for this beef product:

Personally, I like the white/blue ribbon in the product logo I made.  The cow art is also mine; here is a close up of this white-faced hereford:

AI art by Carla Barrett

Taking a class like this is great!  It stretches your skills, challenges you to try something new, plus I love to design.

Of course, if it were up to me, I love the first cow I drew for this project  (see below), then decided it was too un-sophisicated for a product design.  Still, it would make a terrific Carla quilting design:

Copyright design by Carla Barrett

Can you say Moo?

 

More Carla Digitized Designs Available!

Thanks to Jessica Schick at Digitech Patterns for digitizing some more designs in my Kismet series of designs!  These are for any computerized quilters out there reading this.  Even better, for a short time, Jessica offers the following designs at half off:

CBPANTO05 KISMET BNC

Design by Carla Barrett available at Digitech Patterns.com

I am about 6 weeks into my semester college class in using Adobe Illustrator.  Finished my first big project, we had to illustrate from scratch a common item and make it look realistic- I picked my fancy TV remote.  Here is what  my finished illustration design looks like, well a rasterized version of my Adobe Illustrator file:

rasterized AI file for class

Can you tell I am having fun?  Off to play around some more with learning AI!

Feather Practice- Part 3

This is third in my feather quilting practice series.  I am sharing some of my favorite feathering practice worksheets, plus tips for better feathers for machine quilters.  These printable Feather Practice sheets are geared for any quilter- from those who sit down to quilt to longarm quilting professionals in business.

My theory is that anyone can learn to feather.  Feathers can be many shapes, too, though most people first think of rounded, more feminine feathers. However,  quilt feathers can also be pointy and more masculine, too.   Once again, this type of feather is perfect for beginners or those not yet comfortable with quilting feathers.

featherpracticebarrett3.pdf (right click to save as or download) *Note- for anyone having an issue downloading the PDF file, I have a helpful problem solving list in the comment section. -Carla

Fern Feather Practice by Carla Barrett

Directions:  Download and copy 5-10 times for practice.  Also practice on a blank piece of paper or whiteboard with dry erase markers.

Tomorrow, in the fourth part of this feather series, we will focus on Heirloom feathers.  As before, if you are enjoying this series, please leave me a comment.  Earlier posts in this series may be found  below:

Feather Practice, Part 1

Feather Practice, Part 2

Have fun and happy quilting!  Regards, Carla

New Cartoon

Have been in a drawing mood of late- and I decided that I had to draw up this cartoon to express the feeling behind why quilters quilt:

cartoon by Carla Barrett

Does anyone relate to this sentiment? 

Hugs from Carla

Registration Starts Tomorrow

Click HERE to read my recent newsletter about the next class being offered.

Due to popular demand, we are holding a Fall session of the Introduction to Photoshop Elements for Fiber Artists, Quilters and Sewing Enthusiasts by the Pixeladies.  Registration for this wonderful class starts tomorrow.

If you like my artwork, quilt drawings, cartoons, etc., Photoshop Elements (PSE) is the program I use to design and draw.  It is a very cost effective program for students, but will do so much!  This is why I asked the Pixeladies to teach this class once again.  Here are just a few examples of how I use PSE:

Here are some details about this class:

Introduction to Photoshop Elements (PSE)  for Fiber Artists and Sewing Enthusiasts by The Pixeladies
 
Course Dates: September 17- October 7, 2012 (3 week class)

Tuition Fee: $60  (students re-taking this class receive a 50% discount on their tuition.  Contact Carla at carla@quiltwhisper.com for a special rate invoice.

This class is open to all students wanting a introductory course in using PSE.

Course Description: Want to learn Adobe Photoshop Elements (PSE) so that you can use it for your art? This is the class for you! Learn the basic tools you need to work with PSE, including selection tools, and find out what layers are and why they are the secret to Photoshop. You’ll enjoy the learning process ’cause we work with “paper” dolls! This class is suitable for PSE beginners and any PSE users who want a refresher course.

Registration starts on September 4, 2012.  For more information, click on my menu link above.  If you click here, I have a helpful video which shows you how to register for this class.

Ho Ho HO Merry Christmas!

My Christmas card for 2011 is “rebus” style.  The above digital art gives a nod to Suzette from my old paper arts and rubber stamp days.

Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, or Happy Hanukkah, depending on your faith.   I do hope you will take the time to share one thing you are grateful for this holiday season.  I am off to wrap presents for my darling grandchildren, Jack, Kate and Ethan.  I am so blessed by them, they bring so much joy to Joe and I’s lives!  Peace and Love to you and your families!

Carla’s Free Blog Giveaway!

Having reached the first 1 Million visitors to Feathered Fibers earlier this year, I wanted to offer a free blog  giveaway.  Not only a giveaway, but a custom giveaway!  The winner will have their choice of one of the following, created just for them by me!

Prize Option 1: Peyote Bracelet- you pick the main color!  Here is an example:

or, Prize Option 2: Freeform scarf or bowl- again, you pick the main color!  See examples below:

        

or, Prize Option 3: Custom cartoon- created for you, matted and ready for a 8×10 frame!

or, Prize Option 4: Freeform Beaded Necklace- you choose the main color!  Below are examples of a freeform necklace and a freeform beaded pendant.

 

Entering this Free Giveaway is easy as 1-2-3 :

1. Post a comment under this blog post if you are entering (so I may keep track of  your entry) Share what prize you would want if you win?  If you want, you can copy any photos of the prizes if you would like to share them on your blog. Be sure to leave me your blog address, so I may verify that you followed my 1-2-3 rules.

2. Post a link back to my blog at either http://featheredfibers.wordpress.com or http://www.carlabarrett.com using my birdie art (below):

  (to copy, just right click and save as)

3. Last step- Post on your blog that Carla Barrett is having a free blog giveaway  and that Carla is holding another Quilt Whisperer Class on January 9, 2012, a creative class on quilting design for all levels of quilters.

That’s all you need to do to enter!  I get some exposure for my blog and class- and you may win a custom prize!  Contest ends on noon (PST) January 7, 2012, and the winner will be decided by a random number generator and immediately notified.  I will also announce the winner on my blog here, too.

Please note that the winning item selected will be made custom, so obviously, it will take me time to create. I do promise to be as timely as possible.

Good luck to you all!

Happy Holidays from Carla

Another Cartoon

A non-chicken cartoon- this cartoon was inspired when I drove by a tattoo place in a local town.  I started thinking about what if a young quilter (yes, they do exist!) got a quilting motif tattoo, then you were to fast forward to 40 years later.  LOL!

Any thoughts?  Cheers, Carla

Happy Halloween

Time of the year to share a Halloween cartoon.  This one was drawn a few years ago, maybe I will draw a new one this year.   Look Ma- no copyright watermark on this cartoon either.  Feel free to share it on your blog, just provide a link back to my blog in exchange:

I am happy to report that I finished my freeform beaded pendant yesterday, and now I am beading a strap to match.  I like how it is turning out.

Enjoy your day!  Carla

Embroidered Cartoon

Good Day!  I thought I would share an embroidered cartoon that Vicki Freeman completed.  Vicki has a website called Sassypacks.com and a blog of the same name.

What makes this embroidery special?  I will let you see for yourself:

Anyone notice my cartoon in the above picture? The name of this cartoon is “Slimy Machine Quilting Pickup Lines.”  LOL

Vicki wanted to do this embroidery and so she contacted me to obtain my permission.  I thought her project sounded fun, so I said yes.  Thanks, Vicki, for sending me a picture!  Fun project!  LOL

Hugs, Carla