knitting Paradise

I belong to a wonderful knitting and crochet group called

Knitting Paradise.

http://www.knittingparadise.com

I hope you will drop by and check us out. Shirley

Monday, February 9, 2009

Increasing or decreasing size of picture - Press.n seal




If you are doing the landscape 4 season challenge. It would definitely be worth your while to go to the December posts and on Dec. l7 there is a series of instructions as to how to change the size of your picture. It is not difficult and I would recommend it -

Once you have your pattern at least l2" x 14" on your paper - you are ready to transfer it to fabric.

Then go to the October posts and visit the posts with the eagles in it. Oct. 12.

You can now transfer your picture to your fabric -- -

These two steps will save you lots of time as they both work well in conjunction with each other and you will be ready to start your landscape. Both steps will take less than half a day.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

4 Season Challenge


For those of you who are interested in the challenge discussed below. If you are interested in joining in with us - please click on the sidebar where it says to join the yahoo group Learningfa - and go to the photos -- There is an album (4 seasons challenge) and the black and white photos are numbered - the information as to the challenge is in the files - once you have picked out your challenge photo - please email me with your number and I will email the photo to you. Shirley

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Beautiful story

Please visit the T&C HOMESTEAD blog on my side bar. Char's post today is so beautifully written, I want you all to read it. She expresses herself so very well - Good job Char! Shirley

CHALLENGE #2 - 4 Seasons










Here are the black and white photos that I will offer to any of the students who decide to do
our second challenge -- They may choose one of the photos and will be expected to do at least two wall hangings, or preferably one for each season - The work must be a real contrast- It would be wonderful to have a series of four to go together. The minimum size will be 12" x 14"

They will have to choose entirely different palettes for each season - this is the fun of it.
I have nine pictures for them to choose from -and here they are: I think it will give lots of different scenes to choose from.The student may choose one photo for each season, or, if preferred one photo for all the seasons. The cabin is ours, and if I were doing the challenge I would leave out the chairs and would do the same with the other photos. Reducing the amount of detail on most of them. ---- Please if you read this blog, would you mind putting a comment in with your thoughts about this challenge. I would love some input.

Shirley




I have mentioned previously our Learningfa landscap challenge. Here are 3 completed challenges - aren't they wonderful? You will note that each person took a photo, changed it to black and white - put the original away out of site, and then did a landscape of the black and white picture, using colors of their choice. I think it is interesting to see how each of them interpreted their photo. Sher's (the mountains), realized that there was just too much in the photo so she reduced the length of the mountains - this is something that should be looked at when you are doing a landscape from a photo. You don't need to take every little bush and subject that is in the photo. You want to give the IMPRESSION
Of the picture. All three of the girls, Judy, Joyce and Sher have done an excellent job . I really like their fabric choices, and the fact that they used the values shown in the photos very well. EXCELLENT JOB, LADIES!

I am going to set up another challenge but this time we will do the 4 seasons - Each person can choose AT LEAST two of the four seasons and hopefully they will do all four seasons.
I have chosen some of my photos and changed them to black and white - and the students can choose which photo they want to work with from the ones I post. If this appeals to any of my blog followers, please join learningfa (click on icon on the sidebar) and join the group - then sign up in the data base. These challenges will be included in our draws for one of my wall hangings.

I am going to post the black and white pictures they can choose from, in my next post. Iknow there are a few challenges in the works and I will post them when I receive the pictures.


Friday, February 6, 2009

AURORA BOREALIS (NORTHERN LIGHTS)








I have received, over the past year or two, some wonderful pictures of the 'Northern Lights'
. They are so beautiful. I have seen them a few times , but they are usually brighter further north. We lived in Edmonton and sometimes you could see them on a wintery day. These pictures were taken in either Yellowknife, or Whitehorse (interesting names) and they show them so well. Here are some of them.
I believe this was a festival. Some of these have been floating around the internet so you might have seen them.

I am in a small postcard swap in my learning group, and I think I will use them as a theme.

Isn't nature a wonderful thing?

Memories


When I was growing up in Calgary, there was a store called Woolworths, which was the beginning of the stores like walmart, or target. It had a great
little restaurant with a long counter and lots of
stools. I just received a menu from Woolworths from a friend of mine, which was printed in the 40's and 50's. We always went there when we were downtown and it was a place where we met our friends. It sure shows how life has changed since that time. Their food was soooo good.

I wonder if any of you remember the 40's and 50's
and if you are Canadian whether you remember
Woolworths? Such a different time, but happy memories.
I am seriously thinking about doing posts about my life as it has been an interesting one. Will have to think about it. My friends have always said I should write a book, but never got around to it - grin.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Thread painting workshop






My friend Margaret from Saskatchewan is taking my thread painting class and has finished the first portion of the class.

I want to share pictures of her work. I have seen some of her
other work and she is very talented. I am so pleased that
the work coming out of that class is so well done.

Once this portion of the class is completed, we will be doing a tutorial on trees, and buildings, and then we will do a thread painted landscape
using the different techniques we have learned. This is an ongoing class, and once we finish the series, I will start another on the group. (learningfa) - It is very satisfying that so many people are interested in trying landscapes - a few years ago there was very little interest but now lots of people are wanting to make the leap from traditional quilting to art quilting - and it is wonderful that they are interested. New experiences add so much to our lives. I just hope I can make the transition easier for those who are interested.

I will have an ongoing thread painting class underway all the time. As soon as one group is finished we will start another.

We also have two rough edged, threadpainted landscapes in the sign up (data base) on our group site (see side bar to join) the first will be a simple landscape - we will then carry on with a more involved landscape - using what we have learned in all the art classes.
I am so pleased with the success of our group - we have 415 members with more joining every day.

Shirley

Monday, February 2, 2009

here I am again


- a couple of years ago I made a wall hanging for a friend, who wanted to give it to her daughter in law. My friend recently sent me a picture of the wall hanging which had been framed - it is the first, I believe, of all my landscapes that has been framed, and I was very happy to receive the picture. She said that at first it doesn't look like fabric, more like a painting. I thought I would share it with you.

2009 Landscape challenge

I have mentioned previously about the Landscape Challenge we are holding - some great results have been received. I was particularly interested in the Challenge that Chris
is showing in her blog - I just love it - I would suggest you check it out. It is going to be wonderful when she gets it finished. She is a very talented quilter. Shirley

Beginning landscape class


I am ready to put the border on this
beginning landscape scene. The class is scheduled for the Learningfa group - I am going to border it with dark green and a pretty
fabric in paler green. There are lots of signups for this class and I hope the students enjoy it.

Once we have finished this one I plan on teaching a more advanced class (something like 'Horse country" which is more involved.

I am finding on my group that there is a lot of interest in learning landscapes so that is quite satisfying to me. I am also going to teach another summer landscape on the advanced thread painting class where we will do a lot more different thread painting, including the buildings. So far in the thread painting class, we have learned how to thread paint a rosebud, hummingbird, chickadee and robin, and now we are branching into trees and buildings- once these are under control we will make the landscape.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

February 1st!


We are slowly getting through winter, day by day! I decided, as it is February to change my background and title picture to represent Valentines - a nice change from the darker, and
Christmas theme. The wall hanging shown is my
first 3 fabric wall hanging and I thread painted the humming bird.

-----------------------------------------------------
Now that I have the top finished (Flower garden), I am binding 3 wall hangings that need finishing.
The picture of the 'floral bouquet' which is a class project I taught to 3 groups, including Learningfa
last year, has been waiting to be quilted. I don't know why I have put it off but today is the day I quilt it. I also will be doing the binding on my forest scene which I finished recently. I hope to sew it this after noon as my gd is coming over so that her Dad can watch the big game with his friends. He is such a good father, and as he doesn't get too much time to himself, we are going to have her here while the game is on. My DH
would rather have her with us than sit and watch the game. We are both pulling for the
Arizona Cardinals as we used to spend all our winters in Arizona.

It is not a bad day here in Calgary - it is above zero C so that is nice. I am thinking of
the ice storm in Kentucky - I hope that everyone is safe. What a weird winter we have all had this year.

Well, that is it for today -- have fun watching the game and take care if you are in an area where the ice storm hit. Shirley

Saturday, January 31, 2009

I just found a list of interesting tips

so decided to print them here- it will be a fairly long post, but I found it interesting -I found it in my Mother's things and am not sure where she got the list. It is old fashioned, but the tips DO work.

TIPS
Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and
you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.
============================================
For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: Get warm water and put Dawn
dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.
============================================
To remove old wax from a glass candle holder - Put it in the freezer for a few
hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will
fall out.
============================================
Crayon marks on walls? This works wonderfully! Use a damp rag, dipped in
baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease, that is!).
============================================
Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) Put
rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
=============================================
Whenever you purchase a box of S.O.S pads, immediately take a pair
of scissors and cut each pad into half.
It is more economical. A box of S.O.S pads will last indefinitely! In fact,
the
scissors get "sharpened'' that way!
=============================================
Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on
a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time!
=============================================
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for
inside windows. Then you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar
will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a
sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.
=============================================
Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light
scent in each room when the light is turned on.
=============================================
Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell
freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and
linen.
=============================================
Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours
prior
to burning.
=============================================
To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add
the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and
leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
=============================================
To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of
dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan. Bring to a boil on stove
top.
=============================================
Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in
tomato based sauces. No stains.
=============================================
Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep
for weeks.
=============================================
When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the
corn's natural sweetness.
=============================================
Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead.
The throbbing will go away.
=============================================
Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use
in
casseroles and sauces.........
Left over wine? What's that? :)
=============================================
To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you
will experience instant relief.
=============================================
Ants, ants, ants everywhere Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line.
So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to
march. See for yourself.
=============================================
Use air-freshener to clean mirrors It does a good job and better still,
leaves
a lovely smell to the shine
=============================================
When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting
to tweezers or a needle Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then
pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.
=============================================

Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer........
Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes,
brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.
================ =============================
Clean a vase.
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water
and
drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.
=============================================
Polish jewelry.
Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry
for two minutes.
=============================================
Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak
for an
hour (or longer, if necessary).
=============================================
Unclog a drain.
Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down
the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes and
then run the hot water.
=============================================
Burn your fingers?
Pour soy sauce over it and the burning sensation will immediately stop
(and you have a good chance of not blistering, too.) I don't know why, but it
just works.

FLOWER GARDEN FINISHED!

I finished quilting my flower garden wall hanging. Just need to bind it and make a case for it. I was happy to find this particular fabric to put on as a border as it works very well.

This will be put away and possibly used as one of the draw prizes for learningfa. ---------------- I spent the morning sorting out email addresses for the postcard swap, as well as the
'make a little book' class. It goes on the 6th .
We have some great classes coming up this year - and I know the word is spreading as we have 415 members!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will be teaching a beginning landscape in the near future and an advanced landscape later on - lots of interest in both of these. Some of our girls have really taken to
landscapes and that pleases me a lot.

We will also be doing a THREAD PAINTED landscape , in our ongoing thread painting work shop - the students have already done a rose bud, hummingbird,chickadee and robin.
Last night I sent them out the tutorial on trees and buildings so once they have practiced a bit we will do the the landscape. We are all having so much fun.
-------------------
I also plan to repeat the 'bouquet of flowers' which was a class I taught last year. As you can see we have lots planned -- Oh, and we just started a mystery quilt, and we will be doing "beginning quilting' very soon. Not enough time to do all the things we wish.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A lot of our members set up new blogs in the blogger 101 class which was held a few days ago. Chris opened a chat room and taught the class there. We will use the same method for some of our future classes, although will carry on send the classes in emails, as they are so easy to follow, and copy.

Well, I want to put the binding on the Flower garden so had better get at it. Shirley

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Flower garden - foreground quilted



Here are pictures of the foreground with all the quilting finished. The picture doesn't show the grass too well in the foreground
but I followed the line of the flowers. I will now do the sky.

Notice how much better it looks in comparison to the unquilted picture.
(at the top).
I will now start quilting the sky and the border.

Flower garden - quilting















I just started quilting my Flower garden, starting with the fields. When you have a large area to quilt in a landscape - it is a good idea to change the directions of your quilting rows to give the effect of different fields and hills. There is a picture of the overall landscape as well as a close up of the quilting in the fields. I will post more pictures in the next post, as I continue quilting this wall hanging. ---------------------------

As I have mentioned before- I think it is extremely important how you quilt a landscape, as you can add contour to the land, -different ways of
giving 'life' to the sky etc. I thought it would be a good idea to show you how I choose what to do when I quilt one of my wall hangings. I

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Challenge quilt

Helen Murphy, one of our Learningfa members from Alberta, just sent me a picture of her
Challenge quilt - isn't it lovely?

I taught a class to Helen here in Calgary a year or two ago and she had done a few landscapes with the learningfa group since then. She has a very very good eye for color and perspective.

Good job, Helen!. Shirley

Flower garden continued


is ready for quilting. I chose a dark green border and I hope it sets off the scene nicely. I will quilt it today and will post when I have it finished. I added some fields in the distance, and some thread painting. The foreground is fussy cut, and the important thing to watch for, is that you have a pleasant view of the flower bed, with different heights and colors.

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We are having lots of fun on the learningfa group as I just opened a new chatroom for
members - we will use it for discussions about the classes, have short tutorials, and just visit. Our group is thriving which is very satisfying for me.

We have a beginning quilting class still open for signups, so if you know of anyone who wants to start quilting, let them know and they might want to join the group and sign up.

We also have a "little fabric book" class coming up shortly.

We are going to have a postcard swap which will be set up shortly. We will swap with 3 other people so it isn't too much of a hassle to make the cards for the swap. I will post some pictures when the card photos are posted.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Thought for today

"Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be
entertained". John Powell

Crazy Patch









is something I learned a couple of years ago, and I love doing it. I don't seem to have much time, but it is a great way to lose yourself in creativity. I thought you might be interested in looking at some of the work I did in 2007 -2008.

Did a series of "fantasy" quilts, shown here are" Brown fantasy and Green Fantasy" The consist of 6
crazy patch blocks sewn together to make a wall hanging. I do quite a bit of thread painting on my blocks as well as fabric painting. If you look closely you can see a peacock with a beaded crown, as well as a thread painted chickadee and little house. I often use
crazy patch for my postcards. There doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to do all the things I love to do. But my supplies are here if I feel the need to do one of these
creations. I haven't branched out into small projects - scissor holders, little bags etc. although I did do a needle holder for a friend.

I hope you like the work I have shown here. I learned to do crazy patch from Julie C. in the learningfa group- I hope to have the class again sometime in 2009. Shirley

Monday, January 26, 2009

Blog visits

I have spent the last couple of hours visiting different blogs and enjoyed every minute.
The blogs are varied, interesting and I feel as if I have gotten to know some new people.

Chris's class (Blogger 101) showed a lot of new things to put our blogs. I managed to
put the first portion of posts from my favorite blogs. on my side bar, and I also put a list of the labels I have used for different posts. So much you can do. It certainly takes up
a lot of time, but so much fun! Shirley

Thought for today
" I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy
than be a success at something I hate" - George Burns

correction-The Magic Factory

Stephen is a 'creative partner' with Dmitri in the Magic Factory - Sorry Stephen - glad you let me know I had given the wrong information. Good luck with your endeavors, you are very talented. Shirley