Publishing News!

I've been about to burst (or "bust" if you live down South) with this news!

I have an article in the newest Quilting Arts "In Stitches" eMag!


The eMag is available for download today, so run (don't walk) over to this shop and get yours.
Though I am proud as a peacock about my article, you should see the other ones!
(so sorry about all of the exclamation points...can't help it!)


What a lineup of authors this time -
Janet Lasher, Kathyanne White, Susie Monday, Norma Schlager, Jane Davila, interviews (and lots of eye candy from) Eileen Lauterborn & Carol Anne Grotrian.
There is also a couple of gallery articles, reviews of cutting & slicing tools (and how to care for them) as well a "how to" on making computer (or tablet) wallpaper out of your own artwork.
Jane Davila (the editor) does a fantastic job with content and the photography is just awesome.
And the price is right (4.99!).



I wrote an article about one of my favorite stitching pastimes - reverse applique with a Natalie Chanin twist. If you've read my blog for long you know that I adore Natalie and the work that she is doing for (and with) cottage industries and sustainable living.
Then there are her books...
Oh.
My.
The first one was the beginning of my girl crush on Natalie and she just continues to rock the world with practicing what she preaches.

Anyway - the article is about making really cute covers for sketchbooks (or regular books). I took Natalie's instructions and tweaked them to suit my purpose.


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Summer Samples

I've been working on a Fall class sample for a class that I am going to teach in Charleston SC at "Fashion Fabrics".
It's a traditional reverse applique technique with a modern twist.
I have always been so inspired by Natalie Chanin's books and love the projects in them.
But I love making my own stuff up!
So I spend a lot of time creating my own stencil designs (that I turn in to thermofax screens when I'm happy with them).
That means a lot of "stitch-outs".
Many, many samples...
I decided to make them all the same size so that I can create a throw out of them later.
Or a book of samples.
But the throw sounds like more fun, doesn't it?

Here's the latest stitch out.
It took me a few tries to get the drawing just right for its purpose as a stencil.
You never realize how far apart the lines should be for a design to work as a stencil until you try the stitching technique on it.

Did I mention that I have lots of (failed) samples?

I like this one and will probably use it in the future.

Last week I went to a place called "KRB Fabrics" in Lyman SC (no website).
It's a huge warehouse type fabric/notions store (home dec, etc).
I was looking for mid - heavy weight cotton jersey fabric (since it is so difficult to find).
Jackpot!
The place had TONS of it...not to mentions tons of everything else.
I found a wonderful roll of mid-weight canvas that I love.
All at very, very good prices.

If you're close to me (or far away) and want to go, shoot me an email and we'll get together one day.
It's a great place to find treasures...did I mention the antique/junk store next door?

Avoiding Deadlines- Technique 872

I have SO MANY deadlines right now...

Do they include reverse applique fingerless gloves?
Nope.

With beading?
Nope.

Aren't you ( Carol) supposed to be packing for a two week trip to teach at Artistic Artifacts and vend at Art and Soul?
Yep.


Reverse Applique Fingerless Gloves with Beading??
Really??
Yep.

(insert silly little grin)

New Book Shipping!

Those of you that read my blog regularly know that I adore Natalie Chanin's clothing design (Alabama Chanin).
Well, not only her clothing design but her philosophy of life.
Her ideas on sustainability, her love of vintage items (esp. in decorating) and her willingness to share the knowledge of these things.
She has two beautiful, beautiful books and another one on its way to my home right now!

Check it out here!

I've made one of the skirts (I used my own cotton & supplies and made it MUCH cheaper) (here is a similar one that sells for over $4000.00!). The skirt I made doesn't have beads...but still...

If you love this style of clothing or home dec items, you will LOVE her books!
The work is time consuming, can be rather tedious but well worth the effort. I always get so many compliments when I wear the skirt.
And it is SO comfortable!
If you're like me, when you're watching the telly at night, riding in a car or waiting at an appointment, you have to have something to do (with your hands) to keep busy.
This type of project is perfect for that.
I can't wait to get the book...I MUST finish up with two deadlines today so that I can stop and drool over it as soon as it gets here.

Cotton love

OK - I beg forgiveness for not posting more.
Between the holidays, wheezing, doctor appointments, running to the drug store, close family birthdays and (of course) art projects - I've been pretty darn busy.
Just like everyone else...
I have posted before about a little book love that I have...
did you know that she is coming out with a totally NEW BOOK!?
(check it out)
(pre-order it)
(I did)
I have made a sketchbook cover and an awesome skirt
from the book patterns.
Being the independent type artist that I am,
I had to branch out and begin to make my own stencils
and patterns.
The above photo is a scan of a hand drawn stencil that I made.
I am making another sketchbook cover for me - the orange one that I made just isn't my favorite color.
But blue IS! I'll add some beads so my buddy Mary Stori will still love me (waving - Hey Mary!).
I am also working on a fingerless glove pattern too.
Won't that be So cool?!

I've been a bit under the weather here lately but hope that
a visit to the specialist next month will prove fruitful.
This weekend my husband had a conference in Atlanta (Georgia) for college umpires.
Being a good wife, I went with him - and met a friend from NC there (waving -Hey Crystal!)
and her daughter (waving - Hey Brittany!) for a few hours of fun, laughing and shopping in Atlanta and Marietta. We had a blast!
So - isn't this odd - I am from SC.
Crystal is from NC.
We met in GA to visit...
Odd but fun. And convenient.
So - I'm home now. Glad to be here.
And almost finished with 20 Art Banners for a winter themed swap
that I signed up for a while back.
I'll try to remember to post some photo's tomorrow...
I hope that you all are enjoying your New Year.