Monthly Archives: August 2010

Staff Pick: Jane Dávila’s Surface Design Essentials

August 31st, 2010 in Staff Pick
By Megan Scott

There was a point in my life when I never thought I would be comfortable with the words “surface design.” For some reason the term carried a scary, intimidating and unachievable connotation to me. Turns out, I was being pretty silly. Surface design is totally achievable, easy, forgiving, but most of all FUN! What turned my opinion around? Jane Dávila’s Surface Design Essentials.

In preparing for the launch of the Liquitex® Surface Design Center, we had several staff training sessions where we practiced techniques from Jane’s book. There are 15 techniques in the book, and I can honestly say I can do them all, but of course I have my favorites.

One of the techniques is called sunprinting. It is so easy and I was so thrilled with the results. I don’t want to give too much away, but lets just say it involves laying your project in the sun and watching it transform with unique designs. I also loved working with the Derwent Inktense pencils, which are water-soluble and as vibrant as ink. Its like painting with pencils.

What I love most about Jane Dávila’s Surface Design Essentials is the license it gives you to play, experiment, get dirty, and not worry about messing up or being perfect. Its not every day we get to approach a project without expectations and pressure to achieve perfect results. Surface design lets you do that and it feels GREAT!

Visit ExploreSurfaceDesign.com to see all the products we have to accompany you on surface design adventure, and click here to find a shop near you that carries the Liquitex® Surface Design Center.

Lutradur Calling Card Case

August 30th, 2010 in Free Projects, Surface Design & Mixed Media
By Tristan Gallagher

This stylish calling card case created by Creative Troupe member Diane Knoblauch makes a thoughtful and one-of-a-kind gift. Diane layered Lutradur^® over silk for a delicate and artistic look, but because of Lutradur’s strong fabric-like quality, it is sure to hold up as it slides in and out of pockets.

Lutradur Calling Card Case

designed by Diane Knoblauch

Materials

Lutradur^®Mixed Media Sheets
silk fabric
Acrylic paint, such as Liquitex^®
Spray gold mist
Heat tool (optional)

Instructions:

Cut Lutradur and silk fabric to desired shape and size.
Paint Lutradur with acrylic paint.
Overspray with gold mist, allow to dry.
Sew or quilt the Lutradur to the silk using desired stitch style.
Using heat tool, carefully heat/melt textual holes into the Lutradur.
Sew button hole.
Fold over and sew around all edges using a satin stitch.
Sew button on.

The perfect companion gift to this Lutradur card case is Calling Cards – Connect with Style. But by simply altering the dimensions and color it could be tailored to other needs, such as a business card holder, or gift card holder. Read on for project instructions.

Everyday Inspiration

August 28th, 2010 in Inspiration
By Diane Pedersen

A creative life is filled with challenges and rewards, puzzles and curiosities. This ongoing series of poems attempts to express the “Aha”s and “What if”s, the deep ponderings and casual observations of an inquiring mind trying to make sense of reality. May it serve, for you, as a bit of “Everyday Inspiration” along your own creative path.

We do—

What we

Make time

For.

Are you

Making time

For the most important

Things

In your

Life?

Feeling crafty, feeling better

August 27th, 2010 in Behind the Scenes
By Amy Marson, Publisher

I was feeling down because I had been sick and had not felt good enough to be creative in a few months. I was looking through a bag of papers and other stuff from Quilt Market in May and I came across this wonderful Our Lady of Guadalupe fabric that I had bought. At first I could not figure out what to do with it, I wanted to make something for my Mom, but was stumped. I even considered making a doll and I really don’t like dolls.

Then it hit me! Face one panel either way and call it a table runner. So I took the fabric that I got and combined it with some solid strips from Robert Kaufman and made a delightful runner. I even stitched on a four milagros for good luck. It was super easy and I got it done in an afternoon.

It is such fun when inspiration hits and you take off running. And the best part was that after making it I felt even better. I got to get creating again, and that put a big smile on my face.

August Creative Troupe Round Up

August 26th, 2010 in Inspiration
By Alyice Edrich

After checking out our Creative Troupe’s blogs this month, I can’t help but think about getting a jumpstart on Christmas! Here are just some of the really fun projects I found to help you jumpstart your own creative muse.

Stefanie Girard is a whiz with a crochet needle and sewing machine, don’t you think? This little kitty is named Jane Doe and she loves to be in the kitchen.

In her post, Stefanie shares the online tutorial for creating the crocheted cat, and the book that inspired the apron. Get a headstart on your Christmas shopping by creating this pet for the cat lover in your life.

Metal embossing anyone? Marie Johansen shares her struggles with creating an embossed metal accent along with her recommendations for three books that are sure to help you create something just as lovely.

Did Disney’s latest rendition of Alice In Wonderland spark a new interest (or rekindle an old one) in the beloved fairytale? Then you are going to fall in love with Melinda Cornish’s latest creation! She created an absolutely stunning apron with vibrant colors and whimsical fun—and it’s all based on the story of Alice in Wonderland.

Lorraine, of Love Of Collage, shares how you can create a cute gift by de-stashing your studio. This gorgeous wooden frame is created completely out of the stash she had on hand. And the image in the center? That’s her work, too! It’s a photo of her felted landscape.

Gabriella Delworth creates a Multi-colored Crystal Bib Necklace “on the cheap”! Not only is this necklace stunning and perfect for a night out on the town, but it is truly simple and quick to make! I can just see myself whipping up a dozen or so of these beauties for my long-distant friends and relatives this holiday season. What about you?

These are just a few of the amazing projects our Creative Troupe members have been creating.

Have you joined the Creative Troupe yet? It’s free. It’s fun. And it only takes a moment to sign up!

Click here for all the details about Creative Troupe membership. Then check out the Creative Troupe’s blog links here for a little more artsy inspiration.

Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 & Innovative Fabric Imagery for Quilts Giveaway

August 24th, 2010 in Contests
By Lynn Koolish

When I first started working on our books focusing on inkjet printing on fabric, I found out about this really great software called Kaleidoscope Kreator*. Over the years they have come out with new and improved versions. It’s great for printing on fabric or paper, and there are template packs, and project CDs as well. I started using it to make clocks.

I’m really impressed with their latest release, and have been having a great time with it. They have very generously donated 2 copies of the software for us to give away along with Innovative Fabric Imagery for Quilts by Cyndy Lyle Rymer and me, Lynn Koolish. Here are some of the images I’ve created with it.

To be in the running for the Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 & Innovative Fabric Imagery for Quilts giveaway, leave a comment here or on Facebook telling us what you’d make or do with the software of you win it. Comments will be closed at 9am PST on Monday, September 6th, 2010 and two lucky winners will be announced later that day.

Extra comment entries are available to you if you want to maximize your chances at being the giveaway winner! If you take one or more of the actions listed below, enter an extra comment for each, and in that comment tell us what you did and link to the proof where that’s possible.

Place one of our blog badges on your personal blog (make sure it includes the html code that links it to our blog)
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Tweet a link to the giveaway & mention our twitter username @ctpublishing

* Kaleidoscope Kreator 3 only runs on PC computers. Sorry, Mac folks.

Winner of The Quilt Show Summer Giveaway

August 23rd, 2010 in Contests
By Tristan Gallagher

We are thrilled to announce the 5 lucky winners of The Quilt Show Summer Giveaway! Please say congratulations to Wendy, Joanne Lendaro, Sandra Sonka, and Judy Chain and Diane Hansen from our Facebook community.

Thanks to everyone who left comments! Be on the lookout for the next giveaway to be posted tomorrow.

Fabric Painting with Antoinette

August 23rd, 2010 in Behind the Scenes
By Amy Marson, Publisher

Another craft date with my sister, Antoinette. This time we painted fabric using C&T’s line of Liquitex® paints and inks. We did silk color washing, sun printing and then were not sure what to do next.

My sister brought over a linen table cloth that had been contact stained by being stored wet. It was about 6′ x 10′, yellow, with a red border. Antoinette had bought it at a rummage sale in the hopes of giving it a new life. We decided to paint it with big strokes of color. When we were done we hung it up to dry on my son’s soccer rebounder.

As we were walking away I realized it matched this dress Antoinette had given me. It was the brightest, most colorful, ugliest dress ever, and i had sworn I would never, EVER wear it. But now the brush strokes on the tablecloth looked just like the dress. So I ran inside, stripped, and threw on the dress so we could get a picture of the dress and the table cloth together.

Antoinette is delighted with the table cloth. And I am thinking of making her an apron out of the really colorful dress so that she can have a hostess set and be very matchy-matchy.

Everyday Inspiration

August 21st, 2010 in Inspiration
By Diane Pedersen

We all have

Different ways

Of expressing

Our creativity—

And my arena

Of precision

Is different

From yours.

Where I am

Random may be

In loving the

Torn edge

Or the dust

On furniture—

Yours might be

In a wrinkle

Or a brushstroke—

Who knows

What is better?

Why should we judge—?

They are both

Good!

Wistful Afternoon Shawl TAP Project

August 20th, 2010 in Free Projects, Surface Design & Mixed Media
By Tristan Gallagher

This shawl carries a dreamy, romantic sentiment, making it the perfect accessory for an afternoon wedding or a cool night on the town. Creative Troupe member Lynn Corona used TAP™ Transfer Artist Paper to embellish her shawl with sweet vintage-inspired imagery, and employed her creativity to add the choicest flair in all the right places. The final result is ultra-feminine and very pretty.

Wistful Afternoon Shawl

Designed by Lynn Corona

Materials:

TAP™ Transfer Artist Paper
Image (this image was color washed and texturized with brushstrokes in Photoshop)
Shawl or large scarf (light color recommended) that is made of heat tolerant fabric
3/4″ sheer organza ribbon in gold metallic
pearls and/or sequins
Fabric glue (designer used Aleenes’s Fabric Fusion Glue)
Soft fabric paint in pearl rose and olive green (designer used Duncan’s)
Small cosmetic sponges
Fine tip scissors

Instructions:

Wash shawl or scarf to remove sizing, dry and iron flat.
Inkjet print image on the TAP™ Transfer Artist Paper per manufacturer’s instructions.
Trim away edges, and any extra white background up to the edge of the image. Cut away any straight edges to soften the image.
Locate the center of the shawl and the area where you desire to place the design and iron the design in place (see manufacturer’s instructions).
Using the cosmetic sponges, dip into paint and apply, highlighting the edges of the picture and shawl. Allow to set.
Accent the picture with sequins and pearls as desired using fabric glue. Allow to set.
Cut approximately 10 qty 10″ strips of the 3/4″ organza ribbon. Make each strip into a small bow.
Using fabric glue, evenly space half of the fabric bows along the two bottom edges of the shawl.
Using fabric glue, add sequins or other embellishments between each bow.

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.