Monthly Archives: February 2009

Collage Art on Canvas Books

February 12th, 2009 in Inspiration
By Lisa Fulmer

"Be My Friend" by Lorraine Rigby ~ Liverpool, England

I just had to share this fabulous collage that my new friend Lorraine has made on a page of her Ready-to-Go!® Blank Canvas Book. It features postage stamps, fabric scraps, buttons, transparency, paper, ribbon and brown fruit bag netting. She says on her blog…”this piece is dedicated to all my friends that I have met via blogs and art challenges who have sent me things through the post.” Thanks for sharing, Lorraine!

It’s almost time for the weekend to start, and that means time for arts and crafts! Let us know what you’re doing with your canvas book!

Mini Heart Quilt

February 12th, 2009 in Free Projects, Quiltmaking, Staff Pick
By Casey Dukes

One of my favorite things about my job at C&T is that when quilts come in to be photographed, a lot of them go through my hands. We do our best to translate the amazing craftsmanship of our author’s artwork through photography, but let me tell you, there’s nothing like seeing the details up close.

Terrie Sandelin‘s miniature quilts are a good example. They’re teeny tiny! Seeing all those precise little points makes you think that it must have been a headache to piece…but no. Once she perfected her mini-making method, Terrie became (I quote), “a lean, mean, mini making machine.” You can learn all about it in her book, Miniatures in Minutes, that was released last month.

Terrie has been posting a free pattern a month on her website, and this month she’s offering the most adorable Valentine’s Quilt, using her 13-Square Foundation from her book. The nice thing about Terrie’s quilts is that they only take a few hours to make, partly because they’re little, and partly because she uses a great piecing technique (adapted from Anita Grossman Solomon‘s Fold and Sew Method). So, if you’re looking to make a last-minute Valentine’s project *cough* this may be your answer!

13_sq_hearts_21

Weekly Giveaway: Wearable Arf

February 12th, 2009 in Contests
By Danielle Dews

This week we’ll be giving away a copy of new release Wearable Arf to one lucky blog reader. Leave a comment below that describes how your dog, cat, or other pet (or any other animal if you don’t have pets) has inspired, influenced, or otherwise affected your crafting. On Tuesday morning 2/17, we’ll pick one commenter at random and announce the winner later that day.

Authors and mother-daughter team Rachele Fisher and Virgie Fisher show you how to create canine couture – and you can adjust the fabulous frocks to accomodate your own pooch’s personality. Your dog is a fella? No worries – the book includes 16 embellished costumes for both male and female dogs. You’ll learn how to measure and size your pet and how to transform 1 basic vest pattern into into an entire wardrobe of waggy wear – from Hawaiian, Mexican, and formal themes to astro-mutts and urban grrruffiti styles.

*Note: Comments will be closed on Tuesday, February 17, at 9am PST.

Pet Pampering

February 12th, 2009 in Inspiration
By Megan Scott

As silly as it may seem, I am guilty of dressing up my dog, as well as posing him for pictures, making those pictures my computer and cellphone wallpaper and many more obsessive acts that show I am head over heels for my four legged friend. Thankfully, I am not alone. Many of you are right there with me and now we can combine our love of crafts and pets. C&T has a couple of great products ideas for dog lovers. Here they are: Ready-to-Go!® Blank Board Bone, Fleece Dog, Best in Show and Kitty Capers by Carol Armstrong, and Wearable Arf by Vergie and Rachele Fisher.

Decorated bone books Fleece dogs

Best in show projects wearable arf costumes

Can’t wait to see what you make in honor of Fido. Make sure to send us a picture.

Flip-Flop Paper Piecing Quilt Wins!

February 11th, 2009 in News & Events
By Megan Scott

Congratulations to C&T author Mary Kay Mouton for taking home the 1st place prize for Best Miniature Quilt at the 2009 Road to California Quilt Show. Mouton is the author of the February release Flip-Flop Paper Piecing. She won 1st place for a quilt with the same name.

The quilt really does show off the range of Flip-Flop Paper Piecing. The center Mariner’s Compass was done on 1 single foundation. Even better, the 5 rings surrounding the compass are constructed all together on 1 piece of paper. I LOVE this technique. Next up is the Paducah show. – Mary Kay Mouton

Designed and made by Mary Kay Mouton. Started in 2007 and finished in 2008.

What’s in My Cube

February 11th, 2009 in Behind the Scenes
By Casey Dukes

Teresa wrote a couple weeks ago about the interesting things she has in her cubicle, and I thought I’d share what’s in mine. (Because, honestly, what’s more fun than a little healthy voyeurism!)

*Now keep in mind that I took these photos after I tidied up my cube. I normally have a stack of color proofs, prototypes, and other miscellany.

Home, Sweet, Home

I covered these little notebooks with pretty fabric patterns printed on paper.

This Pez looks like my husband.

Colorful pins and little wooden figurine from Japan

Thread Bowls Project

February 10th, 2009 in Free Projects, Surface Design & Mixed Media
By Lynn Koolish

Thread Bowl

A few years ago, Wendy Hill wrote a book called Fast, Fun & Easy ® Incredible Thread-a-Bowls. They’re made using some of the same techniques as the fiber scarves we made in December). I had already been making fiber scarves, but I loved Wendy’s technique for making thread bowls and vases.

I recently made a thread bowl using Wendy’s technique, but embellished the bowl with Perle cotton thread from Valdani Thread. Here’s how I made my bowl. Continue Reading…

Fabulous Fabric Art Giveaway Winner

February 9th, 2009 in Contests
By Casey Dukes

Congratulations to Dale Ann Potter, winner of our first book giveaway.

I use alot of unusual things as I LOVE going to the thrift stores and find all kinds of goodies to use on my art pieces. Sometimes its a kitchen gadget that can be used to make marks on my fabric using stamping methods or soy wax batiking method, or a FABULOUS silk tie that is cut apart & used. Everything is fair game!!!
- Dale Ann Potter

Thanks to all who participated. We’ll be having another giveaway on Thursday, so make sure to pop back in for a chance to win a free book!

Design Challenge #2 – Hearts

February 9th, 2009 in Contests
By Lisa Fulmer

"Always in my Heart" by Renee Savage - Ready-to-Go!® Heart Blank Board Book

Come play – all quilters, artists, and crafters are welcome!

You can win $100 worth of fabulous C&T Publishing books and products if your entry is drawn!

Here is your challenge – the entry deadline is February 27th, 2009:

Create a heart-shaped scrapbook layout, ATC, journal page, love letter, greeting card, collage, painting, quilt, fabric art, digital art or mixed media piece. Anything goes, as long as it’s heart-shaped!

Click here if you would like to download a heart template to cut fabric for sewing, or to cut paper to fit the pages of our Heart Blank Board Book….the perfect album for your heartsy art! This template is slightly smaller than the board book page, so you can have more fun distressing, stamping or painting the edges of your book.

Visit our Flickr galleries for loads of inspiring photos of designed blank board products! And while you’re there, join the Ready-to-Go! Blank Board group and upload your pics.

Check out Appliqué 12 Easy Ways by Elly Sienkiewicz or A Touch of Felt by Lynn Farris for more heart-themed projects.

There are 2 ways to enter:
   1) Place a link* to your entry in the comments of this post
   *to the blog or site where a picture of your entry has been uploaded
   2) Email a picture of your entry in .jpg format to ctinfo@ctpub.com

Be sure to check back on this post often to see new entry links and enjoy everyone’s work!

Click here for more details on blog challenges. Good Luck – we can’t wait to see what you create! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

"Four Hearts Pillow" from A touch of Felt by Lynne Farris

CHA and Canvas Books!

February 6th, 2009 in Behind the Scenes, News & Events
By Rebekah Meier

At the recent CHA show in California, I had the best time hosting a Make-and-Take using techniques from my new book Fabric Art Collage 40+ Mixed Media Techniques which will be released in May. The Make-and-Takes were well received, and everyone had lots of fun creating! Thank you to everyone that stopped by and gave me their best wishes. The Canvas Books are so versatile. My favorite way to design them is to create layers, using the many different techniques and mediums from my book, as shown here.

Canvas Art Books

C&T Publishing is a group of quilters and crafters dedicated to publishing products tailored to our audience. This blog is where we break away from book schedules and marketing campaigns to focus on what drives us to be creative and how this creativity manifests itself in our every day lives.