Tessanne Chin of the Voice Fame at Asilomar?

If you follow the Voice on television than you'll remember Tessanne Chin from last season.  She was the winner and I'm telling you that girl can sing!!! When I saw one of my class mates pieces for Patt Blairs class I immediately said...I know who that is.  Wait until you see Chris's piece....

Ink on Fabric by Chris Bernasconi

Didn't she really capture Tessanne?  Chris is going to add some crystals to Tessanne's hair and finish the quilting.  I know if Tessanne ever sees this, she will be tickled someone was so touched by her performance on the Voice that they made an art quilt with her on it

 

I'm going to finish this post with more photos from my trip.  They are not art quilt photos....they are of the beautiful scenery.  Clearly I had seen enough snow in Ohio to last until next year....at least, so I'm enjoying these beautiful pix of California and I hope you do too. 

Make sure you don't miss the giveaway I have going on for the Grip & Stitch Free Motion Quilting Disks....click HERE for all the details.

Without further ado....here is some beautiful scenery ....

I don't think I'll tire of looking at the beautiful ocean and mountains of California!

Sunshiney Smiles,
Kelly

The Reveal-My Patt Blair Class Project Including Grip & Stitch™ for Free Motion Quilting Giveaway

I could not help but hold my piece for this post because I also wanted to share with you a new tool I've learned about that I really like... the Grip & Stitch™ Quilting Disks for Free Motion Quilting.  I knew Free Motion Quilting would come into play while taking my class at Alisomar so it was the first opportunity I had to give them a test drive.  The ole two birds with one stone trick :)  On with the post.....

You may recall this post, when I shared my project inspiration....

Blue Mountain by Cornia St. Martin (a private collection piece that is copy written)

I immediately fell in love with Corina's art and wrote to ask her permission to use her piece for my class.  Much to my delight she granted me permission and included words of encouragement as I embarked on my first art project.  Keep in mind I had great trepidation and came close to backing out of the class because I can only draw stick figures and have no other art training since kindergarten. 

With the assistance of a great teacher, Patt Blair, this is what my piece looks like......

For my very first time, I think it looks pretty good.  Thankfully Patt was there to keep encouraging me...Thank You Patt!  The dribbles next to my piece were stains on the mat board my piece was pinned to...not on my design.  (I didn't scribble....just needed to clarify...giggles.)

While on the subject of artists, all of their work, including what you see here on my blog is copy written and you can not copy it...that includes using your snipping tool...without Corina or Patt's permission.  It is so very important to get permission before use.

 I was contacted by Ellen Holder from Clever Craft Tools and she asked if I would be willing to review the Grip & Stitch™ Free Motion Quilting Disks.  I agreed and asked if she would also include a  set to be given away on my blog....I'm so tickled she said yes.  Those of you who follow my blog will have extra opportunities to win a set of the Grip &Stitch™ Free Motion Quilting Disks so keep reading :)

I was practicing on a scrap, shown above, that I used for ink blotting before I went to quilting on my elephant.  I used the Grip & Stitch™  was surprised that using the disks were so much easier on my hands and wrists.  Typically I grip the fabric with my hands and they will cramp and my wrists get a bit sore.  I know many people use their hands flat, but I'm not comfortable unless I can hold on to the fabric.  The disks do the "holding" so my hands don't have to.

As you can see here,  I'm holding the disks and keeping the fabric taunt so there are no ripples.  Since I'm not hanging on to the fabric my hands are much more relaxed and my wrists are straight, not bent.  Sometimes it takes encouragement to try something new and teach this gal a new trick!

I don't know about you but I can get a bit tense when "trying" to do a good job when Free Motion quilting.  My shoulders can get tight too.  With the Grip & Stitch Disks I was not pulling or pushing the fabric through because the Disks were holding the fabric for me and I could glide the fabric instead of pushing and pulling.  It was an overall very positive experience and I would highly recommend you give them a try if you have not already tired them.

I hope you take the time to look at this you tube video showing how the Grip & Stitch Disks are used.  I didn't have a video camera with me so I could show you myself.  You'll get the idea.



One very lucky IHAN® blog reader will have the opportunity to win a set of the Grip & Stitch™ Disks compliments of   Ellen at Clever Craft Tools.   All of the details are below in the Rafflecopter widget.  Best of luck to everyone!!!

,
Kelly

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Patt Blair's Students at Alisomar (Empty Spools Seminars)

All the while we are using our inks to create, this is the landscape at Asilomar....a slice of heaven for sure.

Patt Blair, our instructor,  said if you can trace and see, you can create something beautiful and I had to take that leap of faith because I didn't share those thoughts before this class.  I thought you had to be an artist with the ability to draw to create art....guess I was wrong!!!  Using Patt's E-Z Drawing Method we were all able to trace and ink our way to our own art quilts....

In many cases, textures were added using rubbing plates.  This gentleman's shirt is an example of a rubbing plate used behind the fabric to create the design. 

These are some samples from the students work in Patt's class.  None of them are mine, I'm saving that for the next post....yes I'm very naughty!!!

Grins and Smiles,
Kelly

Patt Blair at Alisomar

I believe I mentioned previously that my class here at Alisomar is with Patt Blair, textile artist, quilter and teacher.....and really fun and joyful person!

Patt is an artist who has many years experience painting beautiful pieces of art.  She also  has a gentle way of inviting those with no experience (NONE) to enjoy becoming familiar with textile painting in a safe and encouraging environment.

While enjoying these photographs, keep in mind these are Patt's original designs and therefore carry a copyright!  You may not copy any of them without her permission.

Now that I have you captivated with Patt's wonderful artistic tallent...I bet you want to know how she creates these beauties right?

Tsukineko Ink!!!  Yes, all of these were created with ink and not paint.  Amazing ay?

Several students have chosen Patt's lion pattern to do while many others have brought their own photos or art to re-create during this "oh so fun" class.   I've been amazed so many times watching what can be done with  Tsukineko Ink.

 That eye was not drawn on the fabric....it was put there with ink.  I looked a little funny while my mouth draped open as I watched Patt create this eye.  The real "wow" factor is then watching my classmates do the same thing...can you believe it?  Patt's knowledge, teaching style and fun gentle spirit provides a bridge for others to join her in the pleasure of creating beautiful works of art.

Sorry I have to stop this post here...I've had no coffee and I'm hungry this morning.  I'll post about my work and I've also gotten the permission of other students to post some of theirs as well.  If you are requiring a bib so as not to drool on your clean clothing....you've been forewarned...go grab your bibs!  Giggles :)

Joyful Smiles,

Kelly

PS...Happy St. Patrick's Day and a special shout out to my lovely girlfriend, Micki (Irish Muses) who lives in Ireland!  Big St. Patrick's Day to you Micki!

The Trip to Alisomar

Southern California is so beautiful.  I narrowly escaped the snow storm and arrived in San Diego Wednesday afternoon.   Thursday morning my girlfriend and I started our trip north to Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove California.  The photos I'm posting are of the scenery along the way. 

Mountains!!!  Something the area of Ohio I live in doesn't have.

 

We stayed the night in Morro Bay last night in a lovely hotel directly across the street from the Cotton Ball Quilt Shop but we arrived after it had closed and left before it opened.

Wildlife...up close and personal....

 

....otters playing in the water....so fun to watch.

 friendly squirrels....a gaggle of them....(is there a word for a group of squirrel Gene?)

 Elephant seals deliver their pups on these beaches....between Morro Bay and Pacific Grove.

A real treat for the eyes of a winter toasted Ohioan for sure.

Amazing views all along Route 1 going up the coast.

A rare site on the beach....that winter toasted Ohioan...yep...I went for a brisk walk on the beach after unpacking here at Asilomar.  All I can say is I'm so incredibally happy to be here and I'm tail wagging excited about my class tomorrow :)

Thanks for sharing the road with me today!

Big Warm Smiles,

Kelly

International Quilter Weekend

Did you know you only have one week before International Quilter Weekend Begins?  Do you have any big plans? 

Graphic from Stamping Julie...CLICK HERE to visit and download this page for yourself

I made BIG PLANS several months ago and I'm so excited my toes are even tickled!  I'm headed to an Empty Spools Seminar at the Asilomar Conference Center in California....yep, leaving the snow behind for awhile!  

I'm going with a dear friend and I'll be celebrating my 50th birthday while I'm there.  This trip has been in the works for months and it is intended to nourish my creative soul.  I have never taken a 5 day quilting class and I'm really venturing into scary territory....I'm taking an art quilting class with Patt Blair, Textile Artist and Quilter.  I'm going to learn how to take a photo and turn it into an amazing art quilt.  I love art quilts and have several of Susan Brubaker Knapp's pieces. 

This is Vanity, a Susan Brubaker Knapp work of art that I own and absolutely love.  You've probably seen it on the cover of Quilting Arts Magazine a few years back.  I have dreamed of taking a class with Susan but my schedule and her's has not worked out as of yet so I'm tickled pink to be taking an art class with Patt Blair.  

Fear?  Oh yes...tons of it...and it got so bad I actually e-mailed Patt a few times.  She is so sweet and has answered every question with wonderful detail.  I'm not an artist...and when I say that....I really mean it.  I draw primitive stick figures and houses....never had a class in art in my entire ...almost 50 years!   This is a huge step for me and I have not chosen my photo yet.  A few weeks ago I surfed the internet for all sorts of images that might inspire me and I found this one:

Blue Mountain by Corina St. Martin

Isn't it absolutely amazing?  I fell in love instantly.  Naturally I can't take her photo and make an art quilt without her written permission...guess what????  I have her permission!!!  She was so kind in granting me permission to use it as an inspiration and I'm really considering using it too....except I'm still scared.  Do you think I can do it?  Make an art quilt that looks something like a real elephant? 

Do you know about the Empty Spools Seminars ?   Just in case this is the first time you are hearing about their seminars I'll give you a quick bit of information.  They have five 5 day seminars and there are 11 teachers and you get to take a 5 day class with one of them.  Click on the link above and check it out for yourself.

So...what do you think?  Do you have any recommendations for me?  Have you taken a class with Patt Blair before and what did you think?  I hear she is a great teacher so that helps me relax somewhat.  I'll be honest with you...my fear is having a piece of cloth that looks like I poured ink or pain on it without any form or reason.  Perhaps I should take a piece and do that when I get there so my fear is cleansed and I can get on with it...

Smiles,

Kelly

BTW....Have you been voting for ASF Lightware Solutions each day?  CLICK HERE to vote until March 16th.