Thrift Store Shopping

OK, I just can’t help myself, I just have to go hunting to find just the perfect old sweater to use in my challenge.  In case you missed it, here is the link to my challenge:

I will be looking for a variety of items, but my main goal is to find sweaters to felt, and sweaters to unravel.  I will report back and let you know how I did and whether my hunt was successful.

To change topics, I met with my local quilt store (LQS) yesterday and scheduled 5 classes I will be teaching in Feb-April, 2010.  3 are project classes and 2 are design theory classes.  If you live in Northern California, check out my classes at High Sierra Quilters.  They should be up on their website soon.  If you visit their site, notice the quilt on the main page.  That is a quilt I quilted about 5 years ago, and was auctioned off for $5,000.00.  It is now hanging in a private installation.

While I was there I purchased some lovely batik fabric to strip and make into a LARGE crochet bag for myself.  Most of my fabric crochet creations have been medium sized to small.  This one will be larger, so wish me luck on figuring out the pattern as I wing it.  Oh yes, I do have a free fabric crochet tutorial for you to see.

Now I’m off to create something, anything.

Gallery Slideshow

I didn’t realize that Flickr has a wonderful slideshow feature.  Now that I have used it, I really like how it displays my various quilts and other works.  The black background really sets off the pictures.  Here are the slideshow links to my various work:

Complete Gallery:

Quilting Gallery:

Jewelry Gallery:

———————————————————————————————

One of the classes I will be teaching at International Machine Quilting Showcase   (in Kansas City) next year is Freeform Beading and Quilting.  Here is the class project, which is a beginner beading class and open to all students:

Right now, I am working with ArtBeads.com to put together the kit needed for this project.   The kit will include a quilted bag, a beading mat, and all the beads required in order to complete this lovely bag.   I’m sure I may add other items, but that is my list for now.

I will also have some examples where I used freeform beading on my quilts and other quilty projects, too.  I hope to see some blog readers in class, so I may finally meet you in person!

Enjoy your day!  Carla

Jury Notice

A few weeks ago, I received a jury notice, something that is beginning to turn into an annual event.  Last year, I served on a jury trial, so I feel like I did my part, right?  Apparently not, according to my local Court system.

The trial last year involved a guy who liked to reveal himself in all his glory- in a successful attempt to be master of his domain.  I know this because of the photo evidence… gross.  We (the jurors) found him guilty.

So I received my summons and waited for today’s date.   I had one way out, that is if our jury pool is excused for some reason, perhaps the case was settled.  After 5:00 pm, you can go online and see.  So I did this and was happy to see I was excused!!  Yes!!!

Of course, they may send me another one next year.

There is one case I do NOT want to be picked for when it is tried in the future.  The Garrido case (the guy who kidnapped Jaycee Dugard and kept her for 18 years) jurisdiction is in my county, and so I will keep my fingers crossed that I do not receive another jury summons when it is tried, probably years from now.

——————————————————————————————–

Now that I don’t have to be at the Courthouse at the crack of dawn, I think it is time to clean and organize my studio.  It is so disorganized that I cannot find anything these days!    I have a tendency to just toss things when I am in creative mode- which makes the mess greater.  I also need to put up more storage ideas that I have for the studio.

———————————————————————————————

Last up, I have a request for all you quilters out there.  In your quilt business, or making quilts, what thematic quilts do you most often see?  Here is my list and I am hoping to see if your list is different:

Cultural quilts (Asian, Islamic, Egyptian, etc.), Western Theme, Astro/planets, floral/garden theme, Historic quilts (Civil war, Art Nouveaux, etc), patriotic quilts, Christmas quilts, Valentine, Thanksgiving and other Holidays,  Mountain Cabin/woods,  sea/ocean, kid quilts, star quilts, pets, airplane, birds, insects and animals,  food, drink, leaves.

Please post if you have a category that is different from the above.  Thank you for your help on this!

Hugs, Carla

Purse WIP

I was visiting my local quilt store looking for some fabric and I fell in love with the humor  in this fabric:

It has a retro feel, tongue – cheek humor.   Anyhow, this is the purse I made today, the body anyhow.  The closure part is here:

Of course, I had to work some selvages into it.   Anyhow, I will finish it later.  I need some handles, so I need to locate my black wooden ones.

That is all from here…. tomorrow I babysit Jack, so I am looking forward to seeing my grandson.  Hugs, Carla

Use the Muse 2 update

Remember I signed up for a challenge called “Use the Muse 2?”  I’ve been working like crazy since the deadline is next Saturday.   Basically, the challenge works like this:  You enter by purchasing the packet of beads- along with the “Muse” piece.  You then use the muse to plan and create your jewelry or accessories.

I cannot reveal my muse until later, but I can tell you what I am doing.  I have decided I need a new small bag – think jewelry accessory in a certain color to match the muse.  It is both decorative and functional.  I also decided to use my own free tutorials to create my item.

So I started with some cool fabric that looks like this:

I cut it into strips,

then crocheted the strips together to make a purse (Fabric Crochet Purse Tutorial).  Here is the base:

I next quilted some fabric freehand style :

Now I am finishing it off, then plan to add some freeform beading (Freeform Peyote Beading Tutorial)  to  the front, using the muse as my inspiration.

Right now, I have just begun the beading part of the project, but i will show you it as soon as I finish.    Hmmm… think I will make my deadline??

Hugs, Carla

Selvage and Quilted Canvas

Hello to anyone new to my blog today from Karen’s Selvage Blog site!   Karen is showcasing my selvage chicken I made a while ago:

Yesterday, I was working on a new Selvage project.  It is not done, I ran out of wrapped cording, so I need to wrap some more, then stitch it together.  Here is my Selvage work-in-progress:

Today, I am working on a beaded project- a dimensional peyote stitch.  Before I go, I wanted to show you an older project, now quilted.

I painted this huge canvas earlier this year.  This is quilted for texture, and will eventually be made into a purse.  The first image is a close-up with good lighting, the second is a larger image of the canvas.

Quilted Beaded Bag with Copper Turtle!

Remember that cute copper enameled Turtle pendent I showed off a few weeks ago?  I  designed a cell phone purse around the pendant that showcased both my quilting and  beadwork.  Here’s a close-up:

The  enameled copper Turtle is from my favorite online beading site, ArtBeads.com.    This bag was made to fit my iphone, here they are together:

The only step I need to finish is the strap.  I’m torn between making one out of fabric, or weaving one out of fiber and beads.

How did I make this functional-yet decorative bag?  It started with the teal focal point pendant.  I next chose beads to complement and match the pendant.  I used my own freeform beading tutorial to complete the beading.

Next I auditioned quilted fabric to see what would look best with the piece:

This green  quilted fabric was discarded- primarily because it matched the teal turtle pendant too closely and minimized the importance of the copper enamel piece.   The background behind this pendant needed to be  either a dark neutral or other color which would showcase the pendant.

So off to the quilt store to find the right shade.  I finally settled on the dark brown / black batik with a matching green batik fabric used both inside the bag and as binding on the edges.  This color combination allows the pendant to be showcased.

Next I quilted it on my longarm quilting machine, using teal thread, then cut out my bag pattern.  I bound the edges with the interior green batik and stitched it together.  Last step was sewing on the freeform beaded embellishment.

As mentioned, I will design the straps next.   It has to be comfortable to wear, so I will probably use fabric  to construct.

——————————————————————-

Last Product to Share:  I also received this delightful Poppy canvas on wood pendant from ArtBeads.com, too:

Poppy art on Canvas Pendant

I liked it because it reminded me of my poppy quilt.  The canvas art is, in fact, titled, “Poppies,” and is by artist Charlie Clingman.  It has a very nice silver bail, too, to attach to a necklace, or whatever I end up doing with it.

Hope you enjoyed seeing these new products.  I love playing and designing with newer items that come on the market and sharing them with you.

Regards, Carla

WIP

Happy Friday to you all!!  Thought I would let you know what I am up to.

Quilting: I’m almost finished with the blue/white feathered star quilt.  Still have about 4 more hours, and I’m finished!  I’ll update some sneak peek images I took earlier today.

Teaching: I’m teaching my Quilt Whisperer class tomorrow, so it is time to pull together all my handouts and supplies.  I understand I have several APQS machine quilters coming from all over California- Ramona, Vacaville and Vallejo!  Linda from Ramona (who posts comments as “Ramona Quilter”) is flying up today, so I invited her to visit the studio and have the opportunity to meet her beforehand.  Remind me to show you how nice and clean my studio is… can’t have visitors and have thread and fabric everywhere.  Actually, if I really want to keep it REAL, I will admit that my studio is usually a mess! LOL!

Beading and Fiber: Almost finished with the turtle pendant freeform piece.  I decided to use it- along with freeform beadwork- to embellish a quilted iphone purse since I need another one.  Keep watching, I should be finished in a day or so!

Anyone working on something special??  Big plans this weekend?  Hugs, Carla

Creative Adventure Week, Part 1

I’ve been promising a report and pictures from my visit with Lori, so here is part one.

After a 6-7 hour drive south to Manhattan Beach, CA, I arrived to Lori’s full of creative energy and excitement! After unloading the car, which was stuffed full of artistic supplies, fabric, metal art tools, sewing machine, etc, Lori and I headed over to nearby Torrance for a side trip to visit my father, who had been discharged from the local hospital.

Note: My father, Carl, is now back in Missouri and feeling better.

Day 1 was spent shopping to gather more supplies for the week.  We hit the bead store, JoAnn craft store, Radio Shack, etc. for supplies, then spent the rest of the day making jump rings in my new jump ring maker, then working on chain maille bracelets:

Day 2:  We met up with friend and talented artist Capril to hit a fabulous swap meet (Roadeum) to gather more supplies for the week.  This swap meet has lots of garment district cast offs, remnents and it is a treasure hunt for creative souls!

We came home, then painted huge pieces of canvas using the principle of layering.  Here is what my canvas looked like:

and here is Lori’s:

and what she did with a piece of it:

Lori later attached her handle.  What I loved about this project is that we have different styles, yet both turned out terrific!  We also finished our chain maille bracelet in the evening.

Day 3: We continued to add paint layers to the canvas, tumbled the chain maille bracelets with steel shot mix to make them smooth,  etched copper to make into charms,  and started our little purses to hold our iphones.  Here are mine, two colorways to match different outfits:

And this one is to wear with my brown toned clothing:

A quick note about my iphone above.  That one is my new iphone as I accidentally misplaced my last one.  This one has 3G technology and I love it even more!!  I made my iphone bags so I don’t lose it again!

Hmmm….  shall I make a tutorial when I can find the time?

To Be Continued….   This takes you through Day 3 of my visit.  I skipped over the laughter, the yummy food, and how warm and inviting that Lori and her family treated me.  They always make me feel like a family member when I visit.

Hugs, Carla

Quilt Batting

I have good news to report.  Joe and I were able to recover my missing batting order.  ( FYI for non-quilters, batting is the middle layer of the quilting process, the part that makes a quilt fluffy.)

The company I ordered it from sent it to the wrong address, which I recounted in a post yesterday.  After class got out,  Joe and I went over to see if the tenant was home and knew what happened to my order.  It went smoother than I thought it would, no pit bull to rip our throats out,  no sign of obvious meth activity.

The tenant did talk about opening the box and oops, he lost my invoice.  I have to doublecheck whether I am missing one package of black batt, he mumbled something about opening it and keeping him warm at night.  My large roll, which stands about 5 feet high and weighs 40 lbs., was a bit worse for wear with the plastic torn off at the top.  All in all, I am happy to recover as much as I did.  I will call the batting company and if my order is short, they will have to send me free replacement package.

Life is good.  I have my batting.

———————————————–

Next month, I am gearing up to teach some more classes at my local quilt store, High Sierra Quilters.  I will be teaching my “Quilt Whisperer” class, which is a class on how to “read” a quilt and what design to quilt.  It is open to all quilters, even for people who send their quilts out to be quilted.

I also will be teaching my fabric crochet purse class.  I have a free tutorial for this project in my Free Tutorial section, but it is fun to teach this class in person.  Here are 2  samples:

Another class will be on the technique I used on my Tropical Poppy quilt.  This will be a therapeutic quilt class, we will take a large print fabric and slash away, then re-attach.  Easy quilt project, but very rewarding!  This quilt won “Viewer’s Choice” in the Gold Bug Quilter’s Show about 2 months ago:

That’s all from frosty California!  Yes, it is cold here and we even received snow in the Foothills.   Hugs, Carla