Book Review: Fabric Die Cutting Tips by Ebony Love

UPDATE AT BOTTOM OF POST 

Ebony Love, Love Bug Studios,  is a new author and she is glowing here at Quilt Market in Houston.  She seems to have endless energy and enthusiasm.

"Fabric Die Cutting Tips" contains many tips and some great information for those folks who either are going to purchase a Die Cutting Machine or already own one.

I have purchased and owned  the Big Shot, Big Shot Pro, Vagabond*, AccuQuilt GO and the GO Baby I have first hand knowledge about all of these machines and I've reviewed them on this very blog.  While reading through "Fabric Die Cutting Tips" I found some excellent tips that I think many people will appreciate.

• Have you wanted to cut continuous borders using a fabric cutting die? 
• Every wonder why your was gathering or bunching on top of your die while you were putting it through your machine?
• Wanted to fussy cut an applique die and wasn't sure the best way to do that?
• Wanted to learn how to make a quick reference for yourself when using your dies?  Which die works best for which block, measurements, angles of laying your fabric etc?

Ebony has provided answers to all of those questions and more in her new book, "Fabric Die Cutting Tips".

If you would like to win an autographed copy of " "Fabric Die Cutting Tips" please leave a comment on this post and share with all of us why you think this book would be helpful to you.  I will use the random number generator to choose the winner on November 31st.

More from Houston soon :)

Smiles,
Kelly

*My Vagabond is the only machine that I accepted as a gift from Sizzix.  I was so excited about its release I could not wait for them to be in stock at the distributors to order one.  That is the truth and quite happily my excuse too....because I'd gladly pay for it 10 times over and I'm not about to part with mine, that's how much I love it.

For all of you in the path of that storm....all I can say is I'll be thinking about you and I sure hope you all have a Beam N Read Hands Free Light and one for each member of your family!   I have mine here with me, I'm not taking any chances!

In Houston for Quilt Market

I'm sorry I did not get to publishing last evening.  There were issues with our flight and we changed planes and arrived here later than expected. 

I got a great candid photo of Rob Krieger, the owner of Checker Distributor, yesterday at Detroit Metro Airport.

I'm not sure if he dropped a stitch or was lost in the pearl one knit two sequence...but he looked a little frustrated with his needlework.

In the end it looks like he got it figured out!!  

(these photos may not have been as "candid" as I may have suggested)

Our decent into Houston was beautiful.

 

I'm telling you, we got the grand welcoming at our hotel room.  Will you just look at this....and it is in purple and green too....the IHAN ® colors :)

 

I'm not sure if the Hilton decorates everyone's room in the colors of their company....but they sure took great care of me :)  Or was that dear friend, Karin?  Hmmmmm...she did arrive a few hours before we did....but she told me she didn't do it so I'm still thinking the Hilton provides some incredible services :)

And the bathroom too!!!  What a fun and wonderful surprise.

Oh yeah...and a custom pillow case too....I'm living the life of luxury for sure :)

Today was School House and I took over 400 photos.  The camera I brought began acting up a little so Mr. McSteamy has express shipped the "good" camera and the photos tomorrow will be much better.

Unfortunately I'm too tired to post about School House today....I know, I know....booo hisss....I'm sorry...really.  I need to hit the hay and I'll get back tomorrow evening a bit earlier and I'll post the "goods."

Tired Smiles,

Kelly

Off to Quilt Market in Houston Tomorrow

While I'm packing feverishly ....not only orders but my suitcase....what do you think those Flamingos are doing?

Some were playing in the leaves while others.....

appeared to be having fun and games....for Halloween perhaps?

Must be...preparing for Halloween.

Dressed in costumes?  Yes...apparently....they are ready to go :)

A witch and a pumpkin....what next?

Oh...yes...then there was a Skeleton Flamingo!  While I'm out of town who is going to be keeping their eyes on those Flamingos for me?  Guess I'll have to ask around.

I'm so excited...and not because I'm leaving for Houston tomorrow....look what I made yesterday:

and I did it all by myself :)  Very little instruction and no thread chart....my first ME applique.  The design is an Anita Goodesign bonus for those who sign up for their Clubs before the end of November.    I was so tickled I could hardly believe how nice it turned out....even without any help with fabric or thread colors. 

I know all the Anita Goodesigns are not loaded to the website yet...what's a woman to do?  Stay home from Market?  Nope...not this one anyway.  I'll keep working on it....but sometimes ya just have to go with the flow.

I still check my e-mail and I'm available by phone....so I'm not really going all that far :)

Smiles,

Kelly

Vikki Pignatelli Workshop- Follow Up Post

Follow up post from the Vikki Pignatelli Lecture and Trunkshow.

I'm back to finish my post about Vikki Pignatelli's visit to the BSQG on the 13th and 14th of October.  The morning of the 14th many of us from the BSQG joined Vikki for a workshop. 

(I blocked the faces since I didn't get each person's permission for the photo....your vision is fine :)

The morning was a lecture/ demo  format to explain some of her techniques and methods.

The class was offered a choice of 4 patterns to choose from.  The project was small enough to finish the front  in class and we were able to use what we were taught in the morning lecture.  Vikki came around to help or coach anyone who requested her assistance.

 In the afternoon, we learned about a variety of options for borders and finishing techniques. 

This was is my project.  I had a great time and was captivated by everything Vikki showed us.  I loved the freedom I felt and the variety of options she offered.

I changed some of the fabrics once I got home and began trying out some embellishments.  I'm going to do some trapunto and add some more embellishments....the ones above are just laid on to preview them....I like things to incubate before deciding how to finish my projects.

Jean O. also attended the class and she has finished her piece.  I love Jean's work and I'm always inspired by what ever she brings to show us.

 

Jean's quilting is absolutely beautiful isn't it?  Look how it adds interest and depth to her piece.

We learned about fabric manipulation in Vikki's class and Jean chose to manipulate the yellow fabric.  She said once she got home all she could see was a "corn stalk."  After adding some beautiful thread painting, that yellow fabric now looks like a lovely three dimensional flower.  Way to go Jean!!!

If you guild is looking for an amazing teacher and excellent workshop....look no further than Vikki Pignatelli.

So many of the gals who attended continue to comment on what an excellent lecture and workshop Vikki provided.  It was said that she is one of those teachers who doesn't hold back her knowledge...she is open and shares it all.  

All of Vikki's books and DVD are available from Vikki on her website, just click here if you too were intrigued and enjoyed seeing Vikki's work.

Smiles,

Kelly

Have You Seen These?

Have you seen the handbags made from Benertex Fabric Panels?  The line used is"Sonora Collection" and the handbags were designed by Ellen Highsmith Silver (She's my Floorquilts friend!).

I thought the purses were neat and wanted to share them with the rest of you.

 Click Here for All  Photo Credits

 Hard to believe this lovely bag was made from a panel isn't it?

 If you want to see the kits, you can purchase them over at Keepsake Quilting. 

 I really like the last one and wish I had already made one to take to Quilt Market with me next week in Houston.  No time....what's new?

Before IHAN® I didn't know any of the wonderful artists and designers that I now know.  I loved Ellen's book "Floorquilts" and I am always happy to see her latest projects.   Going to Quilt Market allows me to see these things up close and personal and catch up on who is doing what.  Stay tuned for Quilt Market News later in the week.

Smiles,
Kelly

Winner of the Seam-Fix Un-sewing Tool

Last Wednesday, I posted about the Seam Fix Un-sewing Tool.  I found it very helpful and offered to give one away and announce it this past Monday.  Guess what?  I never did that.  Oops....sorry about that.  Between launching the IHAN ® Creative Group and Vikki Pignatelli's lecture and workshop, I've been very per-occupied.

I apologize for the delay and the winner is comment number 2:  

Congratulations goes to The Slow Quilter!!!

Please e-mail me with your full name and address and the color Seam Fix you would like to receive.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment and stops by regularly to visit too. 

Smiles,
Kelly 

Vikki Pignatelli Lecture and Trunk Show at the BSQG

PHOTO HEAVY POST

Vikki Pignatelli came to the  Black Swamp Quilt Guild this past Friday and I'm telling you it was fabulous.  The lecture and the trunk-show provided a  very inspiring. evening.  

“Nurturing Your Creative Spirit: Personal Traits That Inspire Great Quilts” was the title of Vikki's lecture and it was based on her new book "Nurture Your Creative Spirit-Wisdom and Insight Learned Through the Art of Quilting."

Vikki has self-published her amazing book and if you would like a copy or to read more about it  you can CLICK HERE.


After Vikki's lecture, she shared her first quilt with us.

She  begrudgingly agreeing to attend a beginners quilt class in 1991 with her sister.  Vikki didn't have a background in sewing and wasn't given all the "rules of the quilt police."    Since that class, she has taken a  first place award in Art Large for Portrait of my Soul at the International Quilt Festival at Houston and Best Color and Design for Passages of the Spirit in the 2002 NQA annual show. 

Get comfy....here come the photos :)

 

 "Promise of Spring"

"As an artist, you should not limit yourself with self-imposed boundaries" ...Vikki Pignatelli

 "Engulfed"

"Passages of the Spirit"

This one took my breath away.  Vikki said that other than the spirits, the rest was all put together improvisationally.  After I took her workshop, I could understand better how that all came together.  Before I had learned about her techniques for quilting curves, I would have found it almost impossible to think I could approximate anything of such interest improvisationally.    

I wish all of you could have been sitting with us that evening and listening to Vikki talk about how she was inspired to make "Passages of the Spirit".

 

 "Against All Odds"

Many of us marveled over this quilt.  From a distance is is amazing and captivating.  It's beauty goes deeper and deeper the closer you get to the quilt.  I can't even remember how many layers of sheer polyester Vikki said she layered to create the colors of the sky. 

 Look closely at the same piece, "Against All Odds".  Vikki has felted a variety of textiles including silk, silk roving, wool, cheese cloth, sheer polyester, cotton.....(don't quote me because I'm going from memory here) to create the texture and depth in the details of her tree.

 The richness just gives me tingles.

Just look at the colors added to the trunk of the tree.  Now, scroll back up and just look at "Against All Odds" pictured above.  You would not have guessed it had such delicious elements would you?   Mind blowing.....at least for me :)

I think that is all I will share today.  I'll share more of her work and about the workshop.  Between Waldo and I we bought all 3 books and Vikki's DVD.  We didn't want to miss a thing!

Smiles of Appreciation,

Kelly

The BIG DEBATE

I'm not looking for anyone to take sides here....I'm just reporting what I see from my small  town perspective.
 
Based on what I saw earlier today ....it sure looks like Flamingo Romney has his neck stretched out quite far....not quite at the podium.  His Secret Service Flamingos don't really look the part....I wonder how much training they've actually had?  Do the people who are running for office get the same quality Secret Service Staff as the sitting President?  Hm...first time I ever wondered that.

Then I see the Obama/Biden folks.  They look cool, calm and relaxed.  Their Secret Service Staff are wearing  their dark sun glasses....they look "professional" for sure!

Notice how the experience of being the president allows Flamingo Obama to stand relaxed at the podium and speaking directly into the microphone? 

Here's a close up for you.  I would have to say.......from this perspective..... the Flamingo Obama looks very prepared and confident.......

and the sitting President certainly must get the best and most well prepared Secret Service Staff.  Only rookies would leave their Government Issue "Tough Guy" sunglasses in their car.

Please keep in mind, this is only what I saw this afternoon.....things change....I'm not responsible for the Presidential Flamingo Debate....I just tell it as I see it here in Perrysburg, OH.

Smiles,
Kelly