On Workshops
I have one more workshop to teach of my three-part series on basic fabric art techniques. The last one will be held at G Street Fabrics in Rockville, Maryland on 27 October and is on Organic Free Motion Quilting. The class will quilt a prepared quilt sampler sandwich, and hopefully they will all leave with the same sense that one of my students said about the last class that “this has been a really good class and I feel so much more comfortable with my machine.”
Sew I have all the kits almost prepared, though I still have to put together six more sandwiches that are already cut, marked, and prepared, which should take me only about another hour.
So I have been asked by G Street to return for another round of these same classes next spring, and to add at least one more on ruler work. I agreed to do that.
Drawing used to digitize the applique project.
On Books
While I was there, my friend and dealer talked me into finishing my 10 Skill-Building Projects for Bernina design V7 software book. I had nearly finished it when Bernina came out with v8 and put it aside at that time, but I had shown it to her recently. She said there are lots of people out there who are still using v7. I decided she is right and maybe I won’t make much money with it, but someone may find it useful. It does seem too bad to not publish it after all that work. She said then maybe I could maybe buy v8 at a sale price and do another one for that software. I’m considering that and think I probably will do that.
But I did open the file for the v7 book to see how much I have to do, and I think I can finish the manuscript in a matter of a few weeks. I only have one more chapter and I have to make one more stitch-out for photographs in addition to whatever I do for the last project.
Sew that made me look at the other book that covers the same fabric arts techniques presented in my three workshops only much more extensively, and that is not too far away from completion either. And in fact, I even think I have nearly all the samples made that only needs photographing for the book.
I have a third book in the works also on surface design and embellishment…but it’s a ways away from completion.
I’ve been working on these three books off and on for years and it’s high time I get them finished and published.
On Near Magic
I know how frustrating computer software and computerized machines can be sometimes. I also know that if they work, or if I actually figure out how they work, they can enormously enhane my ability to accomplish things, or accomplish them faster or better. The more I learn the more I realize it’s nearly magical. I also know that most of the problems I have with them is because I don’t really know how to use them right or don’t know all the cool things they will do that I can use.
I have been taking a class in Corel Painter this past couple of months and I have learned an enormous amount. This will be a major help in my design work and it’s lots and lots of fun too.
For some unknown reason I am sometimes compelled to share what I have learned, which is why I am developing workshops, writing books, and sharing this blog. I am going to add to those the making of videos. My oldest son has outfitted me with all the equipment I need to do some simple videos and podcasts. I have been practicing video making so those will happen sometime soon.
It may seem that I am getting in over my head, and am going to be overwhelmed, but while that may be, a lot of the work for quilts, books, workshops, and videos has multiple uses. If I make samples and develop methods for a book, I can use the same thing in a workshop and video. I can use my quilts or parts of them as some of the illustrations. So it’s kind of like working on everything at once. Magic, see? Hahahaha
And I haven’t forgotten my show quilts. Just today I worked on a pattern for one of my planned show quilts. I won’t share this one until it is mostly done, but just think “trains”.
Sew happy everyone. Share what you have learned with someone. Happy new quilting season!
