Feather Practice- Part 10

In this Feather Practice Handout, Part 10, I wanted to share my whimsical design to use in sashings, small borders, and especially pieced borders.

featherpractice10 (right click to download)

Feather Practice Handout 10 by Carla Barrett

This design is wonderful used on girly quilts, flower quilts, and any double small border or sashing spaces on a quilt.  The mirror design looks great quilted up.  Here is where I used this design on this adorable quilt pieced by Doug Hodder.  This is the back of the quilt showing my design on the minkee fabric:

I will have to add another photo showing you the front of the quilt and how cute it looks.  Keep watching!   Hugs, Carla

Cartoon Suggestions Wanted

I thought it would be fun to have blog readers suggest a good caption for this preliminary quilting cartoon by commenting below.  Remember, I have a quirky sense of humor, so bring on the captions!!

cartoon by Carla Barrett

The winner will receive a digital cartoon via mail with their caption.  I will size it so that the cartoon may be printed out and framed.

I have this posted on Facebook, too, so feel free to post either place. Here’s your chance to be creative and humorous!   Carla

Happy 2013!!

Wow, hard to believe that this year has flown by!  I have been busy finishing up lots of new projects lately (well, in between the holidays, that is).

Now I am busy getting ready for my next speaking/workshop- which is at The Folsom Guild in Folsom, CA.  This is a wonderful guild filled with lots of talent!  I am honored that they asked me to do a trunk show and then teach a workshop on Quilting Design (a la quilt whispering).

For some fun, I am throwing in a quick lesson on coloring quilted designs in this workshop.  The workshop is already filled, but I am having fun getting ready for it.   I always bring along items to offer- some cartoon work aprons, signed and numbered cartoons, and other fun stuff.

3 New Year Goals: 

Goal 1) My main goal in 2013 is to become more physically fit and ready to take on my sailing expedition in June.  I am excited to participate in the French Polynesia to Cook Island leg on board John and Amanda Neal’s sailboat- the Mahina Tiare.  This experience will give me a good idea of what bluewater sailing is like, plus I will learn lots of hand’s-on sailing skills.  There is downtime hiking, snorkeling, swimming, interacting with locals, and oh yes, shopping for fabric!

DH, Joe, went on his sailing expedition trip in 2012- the Fiji to Vanuatu leg- and came home with lots of fun adventures and stories.  He had such a good time that I knew I wanted to apply for my own expedition.   This will give me a nice taste of what bluewater cruising is like in the South Pacific.  Also, will I get seasick on the offshore passage from The Societies to Rarotonga?

Goal 2) Another goal in 2013 relates to creativity- I have lots of new projects to be started and completed- from quilting, wholecloths, painted silk, to beaded and/or metal creations.  I plan to experiment with glass, enamel, and mixing fibers, beads and metal.

Goal 3) Last goal is learning how to digitize myself- using Adobe Illustrator, plus Art&Stitch and another program.  I signed up for a college class in using AI- but I am on the waiting list.  If I do not get in, I will learn by using Lynda.com, which is a wonderful software learning site.

Now you know my 2013 goals- I want to know what YOUR goal or goals are?

Hugs, Carla

Last Chance to Register for Fall eClass

Week 1 has just started in the Pixeladies’ Fall Introduction to Photoshop Elements eClass, and I will be closing registration on Friday, September 21, 2012. 

We have a wonderful group of  artists, quilters, and art quilters taking the current class, which runs for 3 weeks, along with an extra 6 months of course access to finish this self paced class at your leisure.  For more info, please click on “eClasses” in my menu bar above.

Expedition Update:  I have been accepted for the leg of the sailing expedition I wanted, which travels to both The Societies and the Cook Islands in the South Pacific in June, 2013.  This will be a 3 week trip.  Can’t wait to snorkel, see other cultures, and shop for fabric, too!

Works-In-Progress- I will be the guest lecturer/instructor at the January, 2013 Folsom Quilt Guild, so I am busy finishing a workshop project.  It is already quilted, and now I am painting it with pigment colors.  Tomorrow, I plan to quilt a second one to also color.  Keep watching for photos. 

I would love to know what YOU are working on.  Please share!  Carla

How to Register for Intro to PSE

The Pixeladies are teaching their Introduction to Photoshop Elements (PSE) eClass again- and registration starts on Tuesday, September 4, 2012.   I have been asked for a helpful video to explain how to register and where the classroom is located.

If you have a question still, after watching this video, then please contact me (see contact menu button above).

If you have already taken this class, but want to retake it for 50% off, please contact me on or after Sept 4, 2012, so I may send you a 50% off invoice.

Thank you!  Carla

Website Changes

Notice that I have been making some changes lately?   I have added an eClass section to this site, with all the class information contained there- from eClass Schedule, Courses, Teachers, FAQ and Classroom link.  Here is a visual of what you see when you click on “eClasses” menu button above, or the “eClass Home” button on the side:

Now I need to fine tune the info contained in each link.  It is a work in progress- LOL!

Curious blog readers who want to know the dates for the next two classes may look in the “Schedule” area for an early sneak peek.  Later on, I plan to add some video how-to register for class, etc.  I will be sending out my eClass newsletter within the next week with Fall eClass info.

On a more personal note, I am busy working on my next wholecloth, number two in my series.  Will show you some sneak peek photos later on, so stay tuned!

These days, I have been chasing after my dear grandson, Ethan, who is now a very fast 16 month old toddler who can open doors.  He seems especially fascinated with my quilting studio, so if I turn my back for a moment, he likes to sneak in there.  #2 on his list involves going into my post-ant-invasion-cleaned pantry and throwing all the cans into the recycling bin.  Funny boy!

 

 

Registration Started for Tablet Design Class!

I am pleased to say it has been a busy morning getting students registered for the April Tablet Design Class!  Registration started today, and I am very pleased with the student reception to my eClass.

Click HERE to register for this eClass at StepOnPins.com and/or learn more about this class.

I am off to edit a video, however, if you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment.  Thank you!  Carla

 

Freeform Beading Update

I thought I would share the progress of the freeform beading necklace project.  I am finished with the main section, and now I am working on a cellini peyote spiral necklace straps.  The above section could also be made into a bracelet, too.

I do like the colors in this project and will most likely make one for myself- probably a necklace and bracelet combo.  

Other projects I am working on: 

EClasses:  I am the administrator for StepOnPins.com, and registration is going strong for the next Class offered- Intro to Photoshop Elements.  This will be the preresiquite class for my Tablet Design Class in April, 2012.  Registration starts on March 15th at 9:00 am PST for the Tablet Class, so mark your calendars!

Video Editing:  There will be a strong video element in my new Tablet Design class, so I updated my version of Camtasia to 7.1, and teaching myself to use it.  I capture my computer monitor screen working in PSE, so students can “see” me work.  Gotta love technology!

Quilting: Have a memory quilt project loaded right now, this one is for my son, Joseph.  When I am done, I will share a picture.  Next quilting planned is a small wholecloth project.

What are YOU up to??  Hugs, Carla

Coming Soon- Results of Blog Contest!

The deadline is now past for entering my blog contest.  I will now write out eligible entries (meaning that the 1-2-3 directions were followed)  place them in a bowl, and pick a winning name!

Stay Tuned!…..

eClass Starts Tomorrow!

Been putting the final touches on my online  Quilt Whisper class on quilt designing.  Registration closes next Friday, during the first week of class, but there is still room for a few more students. I can tell that the students in this class are excited to get going!  Here is a visual from one Creative Exercise:

I keep expanding this class each time I teach it, so there is lots of helpful quilting material in this class.  PDF lessons combined with video, handouts, live webinar meetings, and Creative Exercises. Custom drawn quilt tops, too.

It is almost time to hold my Blog Contest  drawing soon for the custom one-of-a-kind item created just for the winner.  The winner will have followed my directions for the contest in order to win.

Tablet Design class is under development, too, I am planning to teach this class in late February.   Registration for this class will begin in mid Feb.

On a personal note,  my three grandchildren are growing fast!  Jack is almost 4 now, Kate is almost 2, and Ethan is 8 1/2 months old now.   They are a delight to be around!   Life is good in the Barrett home, but I do need to pack up my Christmas decorations today.  Who else has their decorations still up?  LOL!