Using your Heirloom Smocking Template to Draw Quilts or Blocks!
Hey everyone! I’m back with another use for your Heirloom Smocking Template!
I 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!
You 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!!!
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!
In 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.
Then 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!
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/
My DVD is here!
Well, this special day has arrived… the one where my DVDs showed up and I got to hold one in my hot little hands.
I wasn’t really expecting them, so I wasn’t dressed for the occasion! ha ha Anyway, I had been sent proofs of the cover and back covers already, so I knew what it would look like mostly. But it was pretty cool to finally get them and crack one open to see what the insides looked like.
I have to say I like how pretty the cover looks and seeing my name screened onto the DVD itself was a special thrill.
If you are interested in getting one directly from me, these are now available in my shop. I can include a signed card for you to insert inside your DVD cover.
It’s been an exciting ride to have something so “real” with your name on it. It was a lot of hard work, practice, and fretting. Having a product with my name on it was a big “bucket list” goal of mine for my quilt business, and it’s finally here.
So much is going on lately, and I have big news and fun stuff planned for the next two weeks. Stay tuned, everyone!
Giveaway Day Fun Spectacular 2014!
Ha ha. Ok, maybe I’m ahead of myself, but I’m super stoked for this year’s Giveaway Day. Why? Because I have LOTS to celebrate over! 
I am the newest author of a DVD on Heirloom Sewing from F+W Media, called Heirloom Sewing Techniques for Today’s Quilter. It contains dozens of fabric manipulations for your next project. It’s full of fabulous techniques! I hope you will check it out when it’s released at the end of May! WOOT!
For Giveaway Day, I’m giving away one of my brand new acrylic Heirloom Smocking Templates, so that you can put smocking into your next sewing or quilt project. It has complete directions on how to use it for smocking, and it even comes with a pattern inside! You can use this for any project, not just quilting, so think about smocking the pocket on your next shirt, or the front of your next bag… the possibilities are endless!
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 May 16th at 5:00 PM CST.
5. The winner will be chosen randomly the evening of May 16th. Check back to see if you are the winner!
Good luck, and be sure to check out the rest of my blog, my shop, and look for my DVD at the end of the month!
