Using your Heirloom Smocking Template to Draw Quilts or Blocks!

Hey everyone!  I’m back with another use for your Heirloom Smocking Template!

StoreImage_SmTmp_LandingI don’t know about you but I can NEVER find my pad of graph paper when I want it.  I have a great idea for a quilt design and layout and need to get it out on paper QUICK.  So I realized I could use my Heirloom Smocking Template to make a quick grid, and it was perfect!
IMG_4514You can draw a grid in under 30 seconds, and voila! you have the perfect grid to draw your quilt out!
Give it a try!  Also check out these other two uses for the Template HERE and HERE!

Also, check out my videos on the Template HERE!!!

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New (Old) Work – The DVD Sampler!

UltimateSampler

I made this quilt to go along with my DVD.  I even thought it might be the cover of the DVD. What it is, though, is a sampler of every technique on the DVD.  There’s a few not on the quilt that you can make too!

Check out the chapter list below to see what piece is made in each DVD chapter!

UltimateSampler with Text

 

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Using your Heirloom Smocking Template with Paint!

When Pokey Bolton mentioned during my DVD blog hop that she wanted to use the smocking techniques with Shibori methods, I could NOT wait to try it out on some smocked samples I had laying around.
I used the Heirloom Smocking Template to draw my grid, and the instructions for several different smocking techniques (some are on the DVD and also available for download from my shop), and then got out my paints. These are quick to smock up, which I do in front of the TV!
IMG_4509In these examples, I used some sparkly acrylic fabric paints to lightly brush over the surface of the fabric. You do not need a lot of paint, and you just lightly brush it over the tops of the raised areas your smocking creates.
IMG_4507Then I let it dry and unpicked the stitches from the back with my scissors.  I ended up with a surface designed fabric that I can’t wait to use in a project!
IMG_4541

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Blog Hop Stop #10 – The Buck Stops Here (with a GIVEAWAY)!

Welcome to the last stop on the blog hop tour for my DVD “Heirloom Sewing Techniques for Today’s Quilter“!  I’m so incredibly grateful to the fine folks on the blog tour so far.  They are all friends of mine that I have come to appreciate over the years. So here’s one last shout out to them, so go on and visit them.  It’s ok, I’ll wait.

June 9 – Susan Brubaker Knapp – http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
June 10 – Maddie Kertay – http://www.badassquilterssociety.com/
June 11 – Faith Jones – http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/
June 12 – Lynn Krawczyk – http://smudgedtextilesstudio.com/blog/
June 13 – Julie Creus – http://www.latodera.com/blog
June 16 – Catherine Redford – http://catherineredford.com/
June 17 – Megan Dougherty – http://thebitchystitcher.com/
June 18 – Pokey Bolton – http://pokeysponderings.com/
June 19 – Jamie Fingal – http://www.jamiefingaldesigns.com/

Ok, now that you have seen how awesome my friends are, I’m happy you’re back for the giveaway.  The thing about making a DVD is that you work real hard making the samples, get all gussied up and do the taping, and then…. well you wait. And when it comes out, you have no idea if people like it.  So, if you have already gotten the DVD (or instant digital download), and you want to let others know what you thought, pop on over to the Interweave shop and leave a review! I really hope you love the DVD as much as I do, and I am happy to hear your thoughts.

And I also want to thank you all, my readers and friends, who have encouraged me to share my art with the world.

14QM15StoreImage_SmTmp_LandingSo, onto the giveaway!  I’m giving away a copy of the DVD!  WAHOO!  And Also one of my Heirloom Smocking Templates too!!  Now you will be all set to do many of the techniques on the video.

Here’s how to win it:

1.  Please only enter one time.  Multiple entries will be disqualified. (Comments are moderated, so you won’t see your entry online right away)
2. International entries are welcome!
3. You must leave me a way to contact you, so please leave your valid email address when leaving a comment.
4. The drawing will be open until Friday June 27th at 5:00 PM CST.
5. The winner will be chosen randomly the evening of June 27th.  Check back to see if you are the winner!  GOOD LUCK

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED, the winner will be posted shortly!

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Announcing the Blog Hop for my DVD!

I admit that I don’t like to watch myself on TV. I’ve acted in productions throughout high school and college, and have lots of public speaking experience through my day job in the comic book industry. But when I’m recorded, I just can’t bring myself to watch it. I am my own worst critic. I see everything that’s wrong with my own work, and a recording of me speaking is no different.
We had a little fun when I sat down to watch my DVD. I thought it would be neat to record myself, watching myself. Then my dear husband edited it down to just the “good parts”. If you want a little laugh, take a look here:

I’m happy to announce my blog hop for my DVD starts TODAY! WAHOO!

First up is Susan Brubaker Knapp. I’m a huge fan of her work. Her painted surface quilts and gorgeous stitching are a real treat. I think what I like best about Susan is that she’s one of those folks who shares her knowledge with others. When I met her finally on the set of Quilting Arts this past March, she was just the person I expected her to be: kind, helpful, interesting, and extremely talented! Please check out her blog over at http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/ and take look at her artwork. While you are there, comment on her blog post to win some cool prizes!

Each day of the hop, I’ll post here, but here’s the list so you can follow along. Check them all out, they are all super fabulous folks who I’m proud to call my friends!

June 9 – Susan Brubaker Knapp – http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/
June 10 – Maddie Kertay – http://www.badassquilterssociety.com/
June 11 – Faith Jones – http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/
June 12 – Lynn Krawczyk – http://smudgedtextilesstudio.com/blog/
June 13 – Julie Creus – http://www.latodera.com/blog
June 16 – Catherine Redford – http://catherineredford.com/
June 17 – Megan Dougherty – http://thebitchystitcher.com/
June 18 – Pokey Bolton – http://pokeysponderings.com/
June 19 – Jamie Fingal – http://www.jamiefingaldesigns.com/
June 20 – Cheryl Sleboda – https://muppin.com/blog/

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