This one is dedicated to all the people (like me) who can’t seem to stop playing Angry Birds on their smart phones and iPads:
If you do not “get this” cartoon, here is a You Tube video to understand why Angry Birds is so popular:
Bird Cartoon
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Category Archives: Fun Websites
Holiday Month
The holidays are right around the corner. Is money tight this year due to the economy? Here are some free tutorials I have that would make wonderful homemade gifts.
If you appreciate using this pattern, which gets hundreds of hits per day, please leave me a thank you note. Disclaimer: Use at your own risk and please note that I am not liable if you decide to use this free pattern and fail to read all the directions, follow them, and supervise your microwave.
Directions:
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For the reader in your life. This is a beginning metal project using easily attainable materials from the hardware and craft store.
This tutorial does not have any disclaimers- except maybe to not hammer your thumb, or pull a muscle in your elbow. LOL
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This is a fun project using a little known product, called mokuba freelace. If you cannot find it, then substitute 2 sheets of water soluble, your favorite brand.
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Last Tutorial I will feature is my Freeform Crochet Tutorial. This is a tutorial for beginning and advanced crocheters, but only if you purposely crochet in a haphazard manner and let your free spirit come out!
This project is for any friend or relative. Why not make one for yourself?
Have fun!! If you try any of these, please let me know. I offer them free because I love to share, spread good karma, etc.
If you are a quilter, be sure to check out my site, QuiltWhisper.com. Happy Holidays to all!! Hugs, Carla
Registration is Ongoing!
I am happy to say that registration for my Fall Quilt Whisperer Online class is filling fast! I am excited to see so many sit down quilters sign up, too, who finish their quilts using a domestic sewing machine (DSM). I designed my class to help all machine quilters- from those who use their home sewing machine to longarm users who quilt for clients. I have even had a hand quilting student in a previous class, too.
To register for my Fall Online Quilting Class, called Quilt Whisperer 101, simply click on this sentence. (Note: Registration is now closed! Thanks you, Carla)
If you need more information about the 3 week class, you may click the tab above that reads, “next class.” That will give you information about this class on quilt design. I developed it after discovering that many quilters struggle with the idea of what to quilt on a quilt.
The class will be held on my new site:
Click the picture to visit the site.
Thanks for your support with my new endeavor. Hugs, Carla
10 Things To Do When You’re Bored
What to do when you have some free time and/or you are bored? Check out the following 10 sites:
1. Obamiconme – Make fun posters of yourself or others:
2. Falling Sand– fun site to play with sand. There is more to this site than you initially think.
3. Be Funky– photo editing special effects. Here is how it works. You upload a photo. For this example I uploaded a picture of Oscar:
And here are some altered photos:
4. Tweeting Too Hard– Where self-important tweets get the recognition they deserve. Here is a sample tweet by a young woman/princess:
“OMG i was saying how i couldn’t afford the gas to fly daddy’s jet to the riviera this summer, and this barista totally rolled her eyes at me!”
5. Free Rice.com– play a vocabulary game and for every correct answer, you earn rice for the poor.
6. Winterbells– cute bunny game. Reminds me of Doodle jump with bunnies and bells.
7. Throw Paper– I actually have this game as an app. Here it is free.
8. You Tube– Watching videos on You Tube is a big Time Waster. Here is one reason why:
9. The T.W.I.N.K.I.E Project– Take some bored college kids, a box of twinkies, and viola! Time to experiment.
And, finally- a classic favorite:
10. Redneck Neighbor- Read this classic humorous site written about a redneck neighbor. Funny!
Have fun! Carla
Moo
I thought I would share with you the new Moo cards I ordered that arrived yesterday. What is so cool about the Moo Cards is that on one side is your business card and the back side shows off pictures of your work:
I also ordered Moo’s mini cards, too. Here is what these look like:
I am impressed with Moo’s quality and service. Plus, the price was affordable, too.
Enjoy your day! Regards, Carla
Feathered Fibers on the Web
I thought I would share some sites which posted something about my blog, my work, or had something nice to say.
First up is Dorothy Miller’s blog, where she has a post titled, “Taxes, yuck! Carla Barrett, YEAH!!!” I am so glad I ranked higher than taxes, whew! that is a relief! Anyway, Dorothy drove many hours to attend one of my classes in Northern CA, and she talks about her experience prior to class.
Dorothy’s next post after taking my class is titled, “Carla Barrett”s Quilt Whisperer Class.” She talks about her experience both in and after class. I invited her home with me to show her some tricks in person. I warned her my studio was a mess, but she didn’t mind and even took a picture of what my studio looks like after I finish a big product. LOL
Next Feathered Fibers mention is on Barbara Chainey’s blog. Barbara blogs about the post I recently wrote about her stencils and work. While you are there, be sure to check out the stunning corded and quilted quilt she shares… inspiring!
Vicki Welsh mentions my recently finished guild quilt on her blog, Field Trips in Fiber. Vicki compiles all the interesting items she comes across on her internet blog feeders into a weekly column called “Field Tripping the Web.” As an FYI, Vicki also makes and sells some wonderful soap, which I use all the time.
Cold Feet Quilter, Deb H., mentions one of my many tricks for working with wonky quilts on her blog. Deb, I hope you found it useful! In case you were wondering, Deb lives in Alaska and also does fiber art.
Judy, from the Apron Strings blog, took up one of my challenges and converted thrift store sweaters into useful, decorative items! Here, she made her husband felted wool slippers and a camera case. In this post, she made a cute Tea Cozy. Kudos, too, for Judy’s wonderful tutorial on how to make felted wool mittens. Terrific job, Judy!!
Talented Machine Quilting Teacher, Kim S., mentions on her blog both my Quilt Whisperer Class and my Quilt Whisperer Yahoo Group. Thanks, Kim!! By the way, if you want to talk about quilting design and life, you are invited to join my Yahoo Group. The link is above.
Craft Detective shares my free Copper Bookmark Tutorial and even shows a great picture that looks based on my Tutorial. Great job!:
Timber Hill Thread’s Angie has lots of visuals on her post where she mentions dusting off her bamboo tablet and practicing what she learned in my Quilt Whisperer Class. She even shows off a QW example I did for her in class.
Emma from Sampaquita Quilts in Australia says that I inspired her gorgeous feathery design. Thanks, Emma, you did a fabulous job. Be sure you look at her quilts while you are visiting her site. Good stuff!!
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Thanks for all the links!! Hopefully, this helps to share the love back at some recent sites linking to me!! If anyone blogs about me, my work, or my blog, please drop me a message so I can return the favor.
Regards, Carla
Feathered Fibers on the Web
Many of my readers know I have a free tutorial page with lots of good stuff there. I always love it when people use my tutorials and then link back to me. Or see my work and want to post about it. Here are some lovely examples of links that talk about my blog or my work:
April, from the Modern Mama blog, used my Fabric Storage Tutorial and I must say, I love how it looks on her bookcase. (Just click the link to check out her picture). Here is my picture from my studio:
Tipnut site loves my Copper Bookmark Tutorial since they have featured it a couple of times. Here is what it looks like:
Karen Griska, Selvage Quilting author, has featured some of my selvage projects on her fabulous Selvage blog. In fact, if you look on her right side table and scroll way down, you will see she has grouped all of them under both my name (Carla Barrett) and this site (Feathered Fibers). Thanks, Karen! Of course, I do have a mini Selvage Tutorial, too.
The talented Vicki Welsh has a fabulous blog feature called “Field Tripping The Web,” where she compiles all the highlights from other blogs, and websites that week. Vicki also has an etsy site, where she sells a variety of wonderful items including her stunning dyed fabrics. I have several bars of her soap, and I highly recommend them. They are especially nice if you sensitive skin, as well. Anyway, in the current edition, she shares a link to my last batik quilt that I quilted for my friend, Molly seen here:
front side
back side
Last link I will share with you was for a jewelry design that I made inspired by a book on the Something Sublime blog by the talented Deryn Mentock. This was a copper pendant and I was taking a metal arts class at the time. This piece was made for the Mary Hetts Jewelry Challenge on Deryn’s blog:
I hope you have enjoyed clicking on the links to some truly wonderful sites. Regards, Carla
Thank you!
I just finished teaching my second Quilt Whisperer Online class at Machine Quilter’s Resource a few days ago. This was a fun class and I enjoy teaching in an online format.
A huge “THANK YOU” to everyone who posted about Rex’s passing on the blog and on my facebook page. Both Joe and I found comfort in your words, so thank you. This is an issue that many can relate to as most of us have had pets we love dearly. A hug back to everyone who mentioned losing their pets, too. Thank you!
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Happy Groundhog Day yesterday! I always celebrate groundhog day because that is when my DD was born. When she was about 8 or 9, I even threw a groundhog birthday party. It was a very creative event as those were the days of 14% home interest loans. So a happy birthday shout out of Amy- and I hoped you enjoyed your cake and presents.
Hugs, Carla
Swarovski Crystals and Beads
I have a wonderful new project that I designed underway, and I wanted to experiment with some beautiful Swarovski Crystals and pendants, etc. that arrived from ArtBeads.com, my favorite online bead store.
First off, here is the lovely Crystallized Swarovski products:
I especially love the faceted Teardrop pendants, they are begging to be a focal point in a beaded project. The donut shaped “cosmic” pendants I can see in a freeform beaded project, too.
Here is a quick FYI for when you purchase the Swarovski product. You will want to protect the foil or metal appearance backing by simply painting them with a clear coat nail polish:
and step 2:
Keep watching for my finished project. It is underway and I’m loving how it is turning out.
What I like about Artbeads.com is that wide variety of products they carry and how they have organized their online site. Lots of inspiration there when you have a project to do.
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Off to create!! Carla
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.
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Last Product to Share: I also received this delightful Poppy canvas on wood pendant from ArtBeads.com, too:
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
Carla Barrett 
