The table of contents of this book includes an introduction and then the names of bead artists. It is amazing. “The interviews…, along with brief biographies and photos that showcase each artist’s work, are the results of this effort.” The book includes a wide variety of beading styles “from Nancy Dale’s elaborate fringe to Heather Collin’s cubic right angle weave creations and Susan Blessinger’s multimedia masterpieces. The author states that this book was, in part, made possible by the wonder of the Internet, which gave her the means to admire beadwork from around the world.
The shapes and colors are enough to inspire ideas for quilts and other crafts for a few years. The artists are from many different countries and backgrounds. Miriam Shimon shows a piece that would make a fantastic applique’, Aurora (pg.11). The necklace has some curves that look like mustaches in beautiful greens and reds tempered by burgundy and gold. Miriams designs are elegant and large.
Beki Haley includes natural elements such as a dragonfly (pg.30 on Enchanted) and a shell that looks like an ammonite (pg.31, Ancient Seas) as well as charms and beads that further the nature idea. The work is calming and has interesting textures.
I liked Sian Nolan’s rich, vibrant colors and thought her piece, Siany Bird (pg.43) was really innovative. It is a flamingo beaded scarf-like piece with feathers. I would look fabulous with a black dress that had a mock turtle collar. Her work includes a needlework case, which is different.
Each section includes photos of the artists’ work, also some biographical information and answers to a series of questions. Many of the artists make jewelry, but also beaded bags, the “scarf” mentioned above and cuffs.
This book is about texture and shape as well as lushness. If you need some inspiration along those lines, this book is one to look at.
A few days ago I wrote about the Ocean Waves quilt shop, which was actually the second shop I visited on our trip to the North Coast last weekend. The first shop, which I really like was Scottie Dog Quilts. For the first time since I have been going there, one of the owners was there and we chatted for awhile while she cut my fabric. I heard her answer the phone “Redwood Sewing Center” and thought “huh?”, so I asked. She said they have a different, affiliated business called Scottie Dog Quilts, but officially the shop was called Redwood Sewing Center. Hhmm. Who knew?
Cafe Apron Sample
One thing I bought was a kit with a pattern for a ‘cafe’ apron. It was one of those postcard patterns. They only had them in kit form (no patterns alone) and the kits were more my colors (pink, yellow, etc). I have plenty of fabric to make a few of these cafe aprons, but had to buy the kit in order to get the pattern. Frankly, what appealed to me was the Eiffel Tower fabric, but they were out and they didn’t have dark kits. I bought some yardage of the neutrals/blacks from the Little Black Dress collection to make one as a gift. I may have some Eiffel Tower fabric leftover from my sister’s quilt, but I don’t think so. I think I used the leftovers for the back. Now I have the fabric for two and hope to make them soon, so the fabric doesn’t get lost or used for something else. I have another short apron I wear in my workroom (it was a gift), so I don’t need one, but, depending on how difficult they are, I think these would make nice gifts and, perhaps, a giveaway or officer gift at BAMQG. We’ll see.
Little Black Dress & Lozenge Quilt
It is a small shop, but they have a lot of fabric. I didn’t think I was in the mood to buy fabric, but I did buy a few pieces. They have a small batik wall and I picked out a few pieces just to freshen up my batik options.
I always like the quilt samples they have in this shop as well. I have been, for a long time, toying with the idea of lozenge quilt and the one in the photo is an interesting variation. It is not actually made from a lozenge shaped patch, but from squares, HSTs and rectangles. I am not that fond of the colors of the sample, but that is no problem.
The fabrics I discussed for the apron are shown above the quilt.
Fabric at Scottie Dog
they had a small, segregated selection of modern fabrics, one Heather Bailey I saw this time was also there last year (used it for the Petrillo Bag). It made me wonder if Free Spirit is reprinting that particular print of if the shop does not sell many modern fabrics?
They also had Mary Ellen’s Best Press in the regular size and a lot of different fragrances as well as a lot of charm packs.
You can also see more of their samples. I don’t remember if those were just decorations or if they were class samples. There was actually a class gong on when I was there. I went into the classroom to look at the quilts hanging there. I listened to the discussion and could only get that I think that was some kind of finishing class – bring your half finished project and someone would help you finish it. There were a couple of ladies doing applique’ so it could have been an applique’ class as well.
Notions Wall – Scottie Dog
There was a nice selection of notions. I bought another pack of True Grips. A few of my rulers still need them, especially the specialty templates.
I definitely think that the notions wall is a telling sign of the type of shop. Some shops just seem to have a bunch fo Dritz notions and that is it. Other shops seem to have a varied selection of useful notions. Scottie Dog/Redwood Sewing Center is a shop that has a variety. It was a small-medium selection, but I think they picked what they thought would be useful rather than ordering a ‘notions kit’, if such a thing exists.
I think I have mentioned before that they sell machines – Pfaffs (perhaps that is why they are officially called Redwood Sewing Center??). I looked at the Pfaffs they had available – about 6 machines – just out of curiosity. I couldn’t tell anything from what I saw and I didn’t ask for a demo.
Towards 30s and Dots Wall
Straight ahead and to the left as you walk in is the 1930s fabrics and dots wall. If you turn left from the notions wall, you will also see it. I didn’t see anything that jumped out at me for TFQ, but there were a few dots that tempted me.
The cabinets on the left of the picture are covered with Bali Pops, Tonga Treats, etc. I rummaged through them and was very tempted, but I have a few slated for projects that I have not used yet, so I restrained myself.
Right to the right of the dots and 1930s fabrics was a large display of Bonnie & Camille fabrics. They had charm packs of Scrumptious, but yardage from a variety of their different lines, even Ruby.
You can really see how this shop is just crammed with fabric and everything. I found that to be the case with Ocean Waves, too. I didn’t really get a sense of the vibrancy of the quilting community, but it must be strong to support two quilt shops which are almost within walking distance of each other in the same town.
More notions, patterns & batiks
Taking this picture, the Little Black Dress and lozenge quilt display were on my left.
I liked the Bonnie & Camille quilt and was very tempted by that ruffled bag hanging above the notions. I have a number of bag patterns yet to make, so I refrained from buying that one.
The photo to the right gives more examples of the sample quilts and there is a wide variety.
This book has much more accessible looking and simpler looking projects (16 projects and 52 lessons) than her previous book. They also are more kid friendly rather than works of art.
The book starts with an introduction and I was glad to see the author bring up creating your own designs in the first paragraph. She also envisions big things for your future. She wants you to create patterns for soft toys.
The patterns are arranged by difficulty with the easiest coming first, preceded by the ubiquitous section on Tools and Materials (pg.11). there are a few different items required than many of the regular quilt books. An awl, a craft knife and a sliding gauge are listed, none of which are included in my basic sewing kit. The items that should be included in a basic sewing kit are listed separately. They include all the normal things, except for hemostats, which I would consider to be a specialty item. I can see where they would be required for projects that need stuffing. Everything required is pictured and well explained.
Abigail Patner Glassenberg has written an extensive section on Designing Stuffed Animals (pg.18- ). Considerations such as visual research and sketching, using tools, considering grainline, and drawing and editing a pattern.
The section called Making Stuffed Animals (pg.24- ) also includes different sections on skills and techniques for being successful in this endeavor. One caught my attention, Checking and Reinforcing Seams (pg. 25), because it occurred to me that I should do this on some of my quilts or bags. Glassenberg doesn’t leave anything to chance in this book and this section goes over every detail, including leaving an opening, clipping curves, turning and many others.
Finally the projects start on page 35, which tells me how important the techniques and skills are to the author. “The simplest softie pattern you can make is an outline toy (pg.35),” which is what the first and easiest project is – a fish. Though she includes a pattern for the fish, she tells you what an outline pattern is and assumes you will work on your own. The pattern goes on for some pages, covering every detail from start to finish.
There is something for everyone in this book, of course, in difficulty, but also in design. There are lions, camels, hippos, monsters and other animals. Each project includes a lesson, which would help with techniques in the author’s first book. The Crab project has a lesson in tab joints and turning and stuffing a long skinny part while the Kangaroo project has lessons in “putting in a pocket” and “cutting a hole to attach limbs”. Having the lessons will help the reader design their own projects later.
Many of the fabrics were fine, but the one thing I didn’t like about this book were many of the fabrics. I thought they were old and looked like they had been snipped from clothes in the closet of an elderly and solitary couple. The monsters would have been a lot cuter and more appealing in batiks. I didn’t like the 70s looking prints and found some of the fabrics to be musty looking. Still, fabrics are a personal choice and have no impact on all the good of this book.
There is an index, which I like 😉 as well as full sized templates in the back.
This is a book anyone who wants to learn a lot should look at.
After years of this project being a UFO and a WIP, the end is in sight. Colleen is back in the saddle and she did this quilt as soon as she returned. She has had it for a year. I didn’t believe her, but when I looked back in the blog, I had to agree that she was correct.
Five more quilts will follow quickly over the next couple of months with one coming, perhaps, next week. I am not quite sure what to think! I had better get to binding; that is for sure.
I received two more jewelry books to review last week. Again, Lark was so great about supporting the Boxing Day Sew-in that I just can’t say no to reviewing this book.
This book has a very appealing necklace on the cover. I like the charm bracelet look of it. This book has an introduction that explains the reason behind the book, and that is followed by a section on essential tools and materials. This includes a part on setting up her workspace. I haven’t seen a section like this before and I think it is a good idea, especially for an art like metal working. Both are well illustrated. The illustrations are both of tools and of the final result of the details of the book. I particularly like the layout chosen in this section. Every paragraph or so has a heading and describing each type of tool.
Chapter 2 discusses creating soldered glass pieces. It is includes cutting and scoring glass, followed by breaking the glass and tidying the edges. My first job was in a stained and leaded glass shop and the section reminds me of learning how to make leaded glass windows as the author discusses the various parts of the process of working with glass.
This book includes sections on basics. In the glass section there is a ‘basics’ page called “techniques for working with wire.”
Finally, Chapter 3 is all projects.I was expecting the regular projects, but was pleasantly surprised by the wide variety and I have to admit being tempted by some of the lovely shapes. There wasn’t just jewelry, but also a Letter Pendant (pg.39), which is jewelry, but could be a bookmark with a charm on it. There is also a Holiday Ornament (pg.41). The next section is called New Life for Found Objects, which starts off with a broach (pg.45). I like the project called Snazzy Storage Labels (pg.47). I also like the Beautiful Bobby Pins (pg.85), which use store bought bobby pins. I also like the Scrapbook Frames (pg.119), which I think is a very different and interesting project. It includes some variations, which I thought was an excellent idea for a book with a lot of projects. The Decorative Tin Box (pg.121) would also be a good gift or stocking stuffer.
There are a wide variety of designs, shapes and different jewelry and projects in the book. I like the wide variety of projects.
Check it out! Thanks to Lark for sending me this book to review!
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.
We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
I got all of these stars finished over the weekend. I spent several hours in the car on the way to and from Fortuna/Ferndale.
As an aside, if you haven’t visited Ferndale, it has a lovely Victorian main street (I posted some photos a few years ago) with lots of nice shops. Fortuna is more modern, but there are some great shops and a wonderful Mexican restaurant called La Costa where they make their own tortillas.
Both directions are about a 5 hour drive and DH drove on this trip. It rained and I am not a very good passenger. Having my focus on something else is a good thing.
One thing I did differently was I sewed a couple of the stars together to start a line of them. I want to start putting the piece together. I also have to put some of the stars together, so I can start to take the papers out. I may need to buy another pack of papers.
I don’t have the background nailed down, though I am still thinking of dots on white. I am pretty sure I will use dots on white since they worked so well on Scrapitude. I loved the look. I just need to cut some pieces.
I admit to being one of the instigators of a thank you gift for Charlotte, the Scrapitude Queen. I thought that a small token of our appreciation for the hard work she did on Scrapitude would be well deserved and a lovely surprise as well.
Like the BAMQG gifts, I suggested we all send small gifts to Sandy and Sandy could make a bag and put all the gifts inside. I left it until the last minute and made a needle case over the first February weekend while DH watched the big Sportsball game, as Pam calls it. I wasn’t procrastinating, I was just out of town. And, of course, Scrapitude embroiled some of my attention during that weekend.
My idea was to use scraps, but I have to say that after working on Scrapitude, I wanted some symmetry of fabric and some calm. I love my Scrapitude quilt so far, but it has a lot going on.
I had a love piece of Martha Negley vegetable fabric that was large enough for the outside. It is a little dark, but the eggplant was so wonderful.
Charlotte’s Needle Case – inside
Inside is completely different. I had a strip of some mermaid fabric, but only fish and mermaid tails were left. I fussy cut a bit and made it look like my lovely mermaid was swimming off the piece. At least that was my intention.
Again, I sewed the inside and outside right sides together and then turned them and top stitched. I stitched the ribbon closure to the outside before sewing the main pieces together. I hope she likes it.
I visited Ocean Waves Quilt Shop again over the weekend on a break from the Native Sons Events. I have visited this shop twice before.
First of all, I forgot to take photos of the inside this year. It looks much the same as last year, so go look at those photos. 😉
This shop has a great selection of FQs, also a good selection of notions and books. I bought a Sewline glue pen to use for the Serendipity Quilt.
In their book section, they had at least three books by Eleanor Burns. I thought about buying the one with the cooking theme, Quilts from El’s Kitchen. I ended up not buying it, because a lot of the blocks were blocks for which I already had patterns. The attraction was the layout and colors she used for her quilts.
I also really liked a quilt, made with Robyn Pandolph’s Notting Hill line from Eleanor Burns book, Quilts Through the Seasons. It was a combination of Four Patches and Flying Geese. The colors were nice and soft. This is a line that I love when I see it all together. If I bought pieces and parts, I would never know what to do with and it wouldn’t play nicely with any of the other fabrics I own. I did buy 2 FQs of the greys, because I couldn’t resist. They are beigy greys, though and wouldn’t look good with the other greys I am working with.
I bought a nice selection of batiks that went together really well once I saw them stacked on the counter. I also replenished my supply of turquoise-as-background fabric. It was a fun outing, but I kind of missed having a friend with me.
Ocean Waves Quilt Shop
305 V Street
Eureka, CA 995501
(707) 444-0252
https://www.facebook.com/OceanWaveQuilts/info
I am a little behind on posting the reviews of the BFSI responses, but I am still committed to posting the reviews. Question 1 was about readers UFOs. It was interesting to see what people have on their UFO list.
The question was “The question for this giveaway is:
Tell me about your top 5 UFOs. What do they look like, what is stopping you from finishing? Do you still like the colors?
If you don’t have 5 UFOs, tell me about the UFOs you have or your current project. ”
I am trying to use the term ‘UFO’ for projects that are really old. I am trying to think of WIPs as pieces that are in process, being actively worked on. I usually work on a few things at a time, but am trying to work on one main project. The leaders and enders technique is a great way to get a lot of progress on multiple projects. I put some projects on the wall and look at them, etc. I didn’t ask all of those details, but I still liked all of the answers.
cw wrote “Hmm top five, I do like the colors -all the colors since none are very old (more than two or three years).
The list include 2013 ornaments, which are scrappy cubes and time will tell how many I complete.
Gold and green doll quilt put aside for Xmas sewing.
Blue and yellow windmill quillow pillow put aside for Xmas sewing. blue and yellow quillow, which may be finished if I draw someone suitable and the blue/green and white infinity block set in a field and furrow pattern which I was stuck on but have figured out how to progress but it put aside for Xmas sewing.”
Leslie wrote:
Grandmother’s Flower Garden – no hurry, I’ve been working on it off and on for at least 16 years. Someday it will be done.
Giant one block appliqué that was begun in a class. No hurry. I might finish it someday.
KC Star appliqué flower quilt – no hurry. I love it. Someday it will be done.
Pile of blocks I won in a guild raffle. May never be finished. Everyone agrees that they are the ugliest blocks ever. I keep thinking I will find washing fabric that will make them all play nicely.
Block of the month pieced cat blocks. No hurry. Someday I will make the rest of the blocks. When I am in the mood.
All except #5 are at least 15 years old. #5 is only about 10 or 12 years old. I still believe in all of them.
Leslie didn’t say whether or not she likes these UFOs, but since she wants to finish them, I assume that she does.
Glenna in TX said “I have 2 REAL UFOs – they have been on my shelf for years. I think I don’t finish them because new (shiny) stuff catches my eye and I’m off on another project, maybe ones with deadlines like now. I also have WIPs – those are the ones I must finish because they are for someone else.”
I know about shiny, too. I am trying to curb my shiny distraction and keep my current projects shiny by working on them so they don’t lose their shininess.
Kati R shared a few UFOs, too. If I had an Easy Street project on my list, I would still be considering it a WIP.
Twin size Pink and brown monkey quilt, which I started 4 years ago for a then 10 year old. She picked out the fabrics, but I’m not sure if she’s still like the quilt since her favorite color is blue. On top of that She recently made a comment that quilts are Granny-ish. I don’t want to waste my energy on a quilt which she would not even appreciate. I’m thinking about giving it to my friend’s daughter after it’s finished.
I have some handmade ribbon roses which I wanted to put in a 3-D quilt, but never got to it. I’d need to buy bias bars for the stems to make them.
Christmas QAYG quilt in which the quilting is almost done, just have to assemble. I keep watching videos how to do it.
Queen size hand-pieced Grandmother’s flower garden. It’s not EPP because I used my own hand-made plastics. I need to check the top closely to make sure there are no marker marks left on it from the sharpie I used to mark the templates. I had to change several pieces because of that. It needs basting, I needed a few years to figure out if I wanted to cut the edge straight, or finish it with a different method. Now I found a way to make it, so it might be in the near future, I just never know!
Chain of Stars mystery quilt top, 48×48, I might put borders on that one, haven’t decided, just finished it a few days ago.
Also, a queen and a king. I can’t believe it.
SandyH also listed 5 of her UFOs.
Vicky’s Peacock–top is finished, just need to quilt it. Still awaiting inspiration on quilt design.
2008 Guild BOM–blocks done, need to put together into a top. Will likely send out for quilting. I just keep getting distracted…
Tapestry–just need a stick to hang it. Really, it’s silly that it’s still sitting on my self. And now said sticks are frozen into the ground.
Jelly Roll Sampler–about half the blocks are done. This has been my “take on retreat” project for years, but I really just need to get ‘er done. I should put myself on a schedule for doing a block a month or something.
Hexies. Shhh. Don’t tell Pam or Jaye. Oops, I mean…
Now I know what happened to Sandy’s Hexie. 😉
Janet writes “Currently my top five UFO quilts that still need attention are:
Paper-pieced Log Cab 5 UFOin – Out of 100 blocks I still have 70 blocks to complete. The blocks need to have fabric strips 9 – 12 added.
Craftsy 2012 BOM – Need to layer and quilt it.
Strip Twist II – Need to piece the back before layering and quilting.
String Block – Need to buy the sashing, binding and backing fabric.
Day Dream Quilt – Need to get binding and backing fabric.”
I see a theme in a few of these UFO lists, and one that I share, quilting, and binding. I suppose those are the most difficult parts. Perhaps we should commit to getting better at quilting? Or perhaps we should just keep piecing and having a good time. 😉
Jen listed her top 5 UFOs. Now I wish I had asked for people’s entire list of UFOs. That might be a little scary, though, if people have as many UFOs as I do. She wrote “Top 5, Huh? OK….
Head hung in shame on this one….I have 3 unfinished blocks to design for a bee that ended this summer.
The quilt I was working on earlier today during #BFSI – it is now 1/3 quilted! and I hope to continue more tomorrow.
A pink sampler quilt that I created for the Beginner Quilt Along last year. I have it basted and SID’d, but it needs additional quilting. Honestly, I am sick of looking at the thing and can barely bring myself to think of it. It is destined to be donated to my guild…..if I ever finish it.
Blue and Brown “Land of Lincoln” quilt. It has been in the flimsy stage for over a year, needs borders, then finishing. I actually like this quilt, and it will be perfect for our room at the cabin. I’ve just been busy with other stuff.
Swoon quilt – all the pink and grey blocks are made. I just need to sash, border, etc.
What is keeping me from finishing them – quilters ADHD.” I think it is the shiny factor. Quilter’s ADHD sounds so depressing.
What I have found with the 26 Projects list is that the ‘shiny’ factor is critical for me. There is so much fabulous fabric out there, and fun activities like mystery quilts that I need to keep moving forward on current projects. I think my UFO list got filled up because I stopped working on pieces and they became less shiny.
The last BFSI review was about question #3. Read it. I would love to read your comments.
I expect the next clue to be iminent, so I checked, after piecing the blocks together, that I had all the piecing done for all the Scrapitude parts.
Ooops!
Scrapitude Triangles
I forgot to finish some of the triangles. There were two kinds of triangles detailed in Scrapitude Clue #4 Part 2. I had finished all of the smaller version units. I think they must be blocks for the corners. I suspect that the blocks will be placed on point.
I had not, however, sewn all the larger triangle units. I got busy on that and sewed them wrong, so I ripped and resewed. It turns out that I had not changed the ink in my printer, so there was no blue or yellow and I couldn’t see the proper colors. Now they are all finished, nice and pretty.
Scrapitude Setting Triangles?
After I finished those larger triangles, I played around with settings. If the quilt is put together like I suspect it is, there will be a lot of bias edges. I am really hoping that I am wrong.
Scrapitude Setting?
I have to be because there are some background squares leftover. I am sure Charlotte has some clever setting in mind for us.
I started out, after Grama died, cutting black and grey 2.5″ squares. I have one scrap drawer for black, grey and brown and, as you may recall, my scrap bin was overflowing. Earlier this week, I picked up the project again and found that I had 9 squares. I think I mentioned that I had lost a few of the squares. I found them in a pile.
I really wanted the background to mostly be the speckle grey I used for the T-Shirt quilt. I am not sure that is going to work as I don’t think I have enough to make many more blocks.
Due to the colors, my idea was to make it larger to appeal to a teen in need, but unless I have yardage left, I’ll have to find another grey. I do have some various greys from the edge of the T-Shirt quilt; I am just not quite sure that is the way I want to go.
Black & Grey Donation Blocks
I used this project as a leaders and enders project while working on the Scrapitude blocks. I thought I made an additional 6 blocks, but when I counted them up, I was disappointed to find only an additional 4. I am glad I have as many as I have, but it is still not enough to make into a teen quilt. I will need to rethink my design idea by looking through my greys and see what I think I can do.
I saw this design on a hotel bedspread. Immediately an image sprang to mind of the branches and leaves in a variety of colors. I really like the curves of the branches and the shape of the leaves.
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and/or your blog.
We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
Tap Plastics
tap dance
tapping of a heel
tapping of a cane
beer tap
water tap
Mechanical and electrical
Tap (valve), a device for controlling the release of a liquid or gas
I didn’t expect to spend the better part of last Saturday finishing up Scrapitude blocks, but it seemed like the right thing to do when I realized the next clue would be coming out soon. I don’t want to get too far behind and have more travel coming up. It was also pretty easy to work on.
I started by testing out the 9000 by putting one block together on Friday. I had an idea that I would need to take the machine to a new dealer and Friday was my day to do it.
I ended up spending quite a while sewing and the 9K machine acted fine. I went to the quilt store anyway (also the machine dealer I plan to go to for service and repairs next time) and talked to them about the machine. I just didn’t bring the machine in. They are skeptical that they can fix it, if it continues with the same problem. The dealer I went back and forth with 100 times (or what seemed like 100 times) has more experience. While talking to them, I told them that they might have a different perspective since they are quiltmakers. For the moment the machine is at home and working fine.
Saturday I started in again on Scrapitude blocks and just worked on them until they were finished. I have gotten a lot of nice compliments on them, which are much appreciated.
Marcia DeCoster Presents Beaded Jewelry by 30 International Artists by Marcia DeCoster
