Learning

I really needed to take a good workshop to find a new source of inspiration. Sometimes you get tired of your same studio, the same fabrics, the same projects. You need to kick start something new.

Gunnel Hag's work using photo transfers

I spent Saturday at Gunnel Hag's studio in Toronto and experimented with photo transfers.

I am really happy with the samples I made during the workshop. I printed on several types of fabric; cotton, silk, linen and commercially printed cottons.

One of methods taught was new to me (using Bubble Jet Set) and the other two methods which I had experience with I was able to tweak using Gunnel's tips.

I also enjoyed talking to the other student who took the class. She had several degrees in art-related subjects and I found her inspirational. BONUS: she was of italian heritage!

Most of the photos I transferred were photos of textures. Below are a few examples of the 8.5" x 11" photo transfers.

photo of the wall in the courtyard of Giulietta's
house in Verona, Italy. 

photo of a rusty panel, Verona streets.
This was transferred onto silk. It is really lovely
and almost transparent.

This photo taken at one of Paris' cemeteries
was transferred onto a grey fabric with
a small square design.
I like it.

The building in downtown Toronto
was transferred onto a piece of
commercially printed cotton
with words and math formulas

I am not sure yet how I will add stitch to them or how I will integrate them in larger works. That part needs to have some 'steeping' time.

Last Few Classes before the Holidays

My Fall teaching calendar is coming to a close.

fabric scraps to use during the free motion class

Last weekend I taught a free motion technique class.

Student at work making her collage

I just felt so good after the class. The students were successful and all enjoyed their day. I did a good job!

This student decided to make her collage, cover it with a piece of fabric
then sew over all of it.
 She cut away sections of the top fabric to reveal
some of the brighter fabrics underneath.

 I love sharing my ideas. I know the students will be applying the techniques they learned when creating their own quilts, art projects, crafts and even felt work!

Using the darning foot to create curved designs.

I have two more classes left to teach before the holidays. There are still places for the paper piecing class. 

I bought a small envelope like these (above) many years ago made by
Toronto artist, Carolyn Flood.
I altered her design slightly and use them in my Free Motion class
so the students can practice the techniques they learn
 in the first half of the class.

My last CQ (Club Quilt on Thursday mornings) is this week also open if you want to come and sew whatever you are working on for a few hours.

I am preparing my Winter teaching schedule so check here  later.

Bookbinding

I am really enjoying the bookbinding workshop I registered for.

I am use to working with needles and thread.

I am learning with ease all the different types of construction, some ancient.

I did notice I am not a very good folder!

Quilt Using Your Scraps

The objective of my latest class was to reduce the students' stash but it is hard to resist shopping for fabric ....

The class went well and the 6 students enjoyed themselves.

Explaining the quilt that hangs in the background
at the right.
(photo credit, J. Freeman)

I think I did a good job explaining the project and showing different options. I suggested better ways to cut fabric and helped decide block placement for maximum effect.

Fill in what you are missing with a  fabric that
is similar in value.
There are three strips of blue that are slightly darker in value
than the rest in the row but it still works.

I am thrilled with the new space I have found at Artscape Youngplace. The Flex Studio is large and quiet and has great natural light and a tiny kitchen.

students working
(photo credit, L Mayers)

 I will be teaching there again in October and November. The two classes I am definitely putting on the calendar are Quilt-as-you-Go technique and a Free Motion class. Both have been super popular in the past and are both " life changing" techniques one can use in many different applications. I will probably do another scrap quilt project. I may do a gift class and teach something like a pillow case,

a pin cushion, a fabric bucket for storing stuff,

things that are easy and quick to put together and make great gifts.

If you've ever taken a class anywhere and have forgotten how to go about finishing your quilt you'll love this. I am offering a class where students can bring in those projects so we can work through problems and refresh your memory on how to finish it. Wouldn't it be great to get those out of the cupboard?

If anyone reading this wants to propose another class I am interested in hearing your idea.

All Fall classes will be advertised on this blog under Teaching Schedule when I set the dates later this summer.

I will be at Artscpae Youngplace in mid- June but this time as a student myself. I am taking a paper making workshop at Paper Studio. I am really looking forward to learning this craft in hopes that I can integrate some of the more sculptural sheets in my artwork. I have been stitching paper and combining it with fabric for 7 years. I know there are still places available in the workshop so contact the studio directly if you are interested.

Spring Cleaning

It's that time of year again...spring cleaning. The class is later this year because the spring season just arrived this week!

Make this fun and easy zig zag quilt top using scraps!!

I am offering my annual Spring Cleaning quilt class where students use their scrap fabric and clear out their fabric bins.

I am renting a new space this year - Artscape Young Place, http://artscapeyoungplace.ca/flex-studios/

The studio is gorgeous and conducive to great creating. Lots of natural light and cork boards to pin up your work in progress.

Save the date.. Sunday, JUNE 1 @10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please join me for a fun day of sewing and more sewing and chatting with friends. A light lunch is included.

For more info click here. Sign up soon.

zig zags found on a walk in Montreal

Past students say:

I had a very good day at the workshop on Sunday. As always your teaching was excellent and I learned a lot. You make everyone feel comfortable and encourage everyone to develop in their own way. () Thank you again for what you put into your classes. MDF

Your class was (as always) incredible.  You are truly an inspirational

teacher and I love the fact that you outline the design and we are then

encouraged to put our own stamp on things.() The day was so relaxing despite my hurrying to get something done and making mistakes that I then had to fix. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. Haven't finished a block on this one yet and I can't wait for your next class! Tempted to (ahem) call in sick tomorrow to work on the quilt! MM

I love your insights about colour and arrangement especially because your aesthetic appeals to me so much. I'd never have stuck with quilting at all if I'd have taken classes with a very traditionally minded quilter. You support people's efforts but also get us to think more creatively and critically about what we're doing and the choices we're making. And you give such helpful tips as well as explaining clearly the reasons for doing things in a particular way--it makes so much sense to follow directions when you understand why a method works. MDF

Happy Spring (finally).

Quilting Curves

Quilter Jeannie Jenkins has a picture of her quilt, Triumph of the Hexagons, printed on a phone case cover. Great idea!! (she did it on-line). That quilt was exhibited in France in 2012 as part of Tradition in Transition.

I took a class from her this weekend.

Mine is the pink one at the end.
All the student samples look great.

It has been a while since I have taken a quilt class so I did a spur-of-the-moment-sign-up for a Curved Piecing class at Sew Sisters.

We used a cool ruler!

I had a fun day, a ME day. I met some new people and connected with someone I had met a few years ago.

Jeannie showed us some other options
 using that same ruler.
I am not a gadget person but I did enjoy this ruler
and see other applications for it.
I will be having some fun with that!
The example above shows 8 blocks.

It is a good idea to change a coloured image of a scrap quilt to a black and white one to test your fabric values.

I have decided that the lightest medium (a pale lilac)
is too light for me. I won't pick it out
 (don't' believe in that..Marg)
but I won't use it again in any other block.

Using solids means your quilting has to be top notch, in my opinion! I can see with the Modern Quilt trend that people will have to brush up on their quilting skills. Either that or the long-arm quilters will be making a fortune.

Hawaiian Technique in Veneto

I participated in the Veneto Quilting Day. The day's theme was Hawaiian technique.

My sample for the course we took.

Silvia Cuccarolo gave a wonderful power point presentation on the topic. She fell in love with the technique while on her honeymoon in Hawaii.

Two of Silvia Cuccarolo's fine works.

The image below shows what she is working on at the moment. Just like in traditional Hawaiian quilts hers has much symbolism including her choice of fabrics. The grey is the colour of the ocean at night and the cream-coloured fabric is the colour of the moon reflected in the waters.

Silvia Cuccarolo's work in progress.

The orange turtle symbolizes her son. His choice of colour represents his choices in life...even though she did not agree with his colour choice she accepted it.

The turtles represent four women; her mom, grandmother and sister and herself.

The borders are lovely and also represent something...I forgot! (see the comment from the artist below. Thanks Silvia!)

Her dad and her husband are represented in the quilting of the Hawaiian masks.

Two hundred quilters were in attendance.

Listening carefully to the raffle numbers. The sponsors and the
 associations donated prizes- fabric, quilting supplies and even quilts!

The location was perfect.

View of the Villa grounds.

Quilters arrive at 10 a.m.
at the Villa Filippo Farsetti,
XVII-XVIII century

The halls of the Villa were decorated with quilted works.

The merchants' corner was out in the courtyard.

I met so many past students of mine. It was great fun! I talked and laughed all day.

Macarons

Back in March, I took a Macarons class at the Cook'n With Class school in Paris' 18th district. The school was recommended by David Lebovitz.

Ceiling in the class room at Cook'n With Class

We were 6 students and 4 were Canadian!

Macarons, piped and waiting

Even though I had made the french delicacies twice before, (see past post here) I learned so much from the professional pastry chef!

Caramel Beurre Salé filling

Italian Meringues, bird's peak ready

a gold dusting

I will definitely be making more when I get home.

Chef, Briony Laberthonnière, holds up a macaron
with blackberry jam filling...Look at those 'feet'!

Me learning to pipe properly

Always creating!

I am heading back to Paris from Vienna and will be taking a few more classes at this school.