First, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who left comments and sent emails to me regarding my upcoming Crazy Quilt classes. Feedback and input helps me to make learning my style of crazy quilting fun and exciting for everyone including me!
Several of you have sent me messages saying that you love the idea of learning color & composition without actually knowing that you're learning that. And that is my main objective with these class projects. It's through the repetition of working the projects using my specifics that your mind will learn how to do it and eventually, you'll never have to think about it again. You'll just feel it and do it.
My second objective is to share my techniques. I've been stitching since I was 7 or 8 years old. Just for the record, I'm almost 51 now so I've learned a lot in my lifetime so far as stitching, sewing and crafting goes. My mom has always said that I was extremely resourceful and innovative. I never played by the rules and I guess that's what attracts me to crazy quilting. There are no rules! And there are no mistakes.
So far, everyone who has written to me loves the idea of these classes but several of you have told me that you don't care for the mystery aspect of it. Ladies, please give me your feedback on this! We don't have to do these classes as mysteries. I can share right off the bat, what the project will be. Also, for anyone who doesn't care to do the finished projects, but wants to join in for the sake of learning, you're welcome to do 6 or 8 inch blocks. Just follow the same guidelines that I include with each project and you'll acquire the skills that I'm teaching.
Finally, there are no deadlines and no pressure! These projects are supposed to be fun and I don't want anyone to feel that they have to have their project done by a certain time. I will post new projects as I do them and you can order them and stitch them in your own time frame. I do plan to keep the first project rather simple just so everyone can get the hang of my teaching style but after that, you never know what I may come up with. And I have a list a mile long!
I have decided to present these class projects through Magcloud. There, you can order either a digital (PDF) version which you can print immediately on your computer or you can order a magazine version. I think this will be the easiest way for me to get the projects to you and easiest way for you to order the projects. Be sure to follow me at Magcloud too!
So that's my news for today everyone! Let me know if you want me to drop the "mystery" part of this. I discussed it with my mom too and she feels that the mystery part of it might be too overwhelming for novice crazy quilters.
Cross Stitch Patterns inspired by nature, animals, holidays and scripture by Pamela Kellogg
Friday, October 12, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Crazy Quilt Mystery Project Classes
I've mentioned it a few times in recent posts but I thought for today, I would go into a bit of detail regarding my Crazy Quilt Mystery Project Classes which will be starting in January of 2013.
Over the past few years, I've had many stitchers email me asking what can they do to get their crazy quilt blocks to look like mine. I always tell them that they don't want their blocks to look like mine. They want their blocks to look like their blocks.
I've been thinking about this on and off over the past few months, trying to determine what it is about my CQ work that stitchers are attracted to. I think I've come up with a few answers.
Color & Composition - I think the biggest concern that stitchers have with Crazy Quilting and any collage work for that matter, is learning how to compose a block and learning how to use color. Color can make or break a piece.
Certainly, antique crazy quilts had nothing to do with those aspects. They were about using scraps and showing off needlework skills. But modern crazy quilting has more of a focus on design elements and embellishments. The crazy quilting we do now tells a story. And stitchers who are relatively new to CQ work are at a loss as to "what to put where".
Techniques - Let's face it, there are more options available to us now than ever before! There is no limits to what can be added to a crazy quilt block. Any type of needlework and embroidery skill can be used. There are so many different stitches that can be done. How does one choose?
Embellishments - And then there's the embellishments! What to add, what not to add, what works, what doesn't work. When is enough, enough. How do you know when you're done. These are the questions I've been asked repeatedly over the past few years.
Finish It - And then there's "what to do with it when it's done". Certainly no one wants to put a beautiful stitched piece in a drawer.
First and foremost, my upcoming mystery projects will be classes. My #1 focus will be to teach color and composition. What might surprise you though is that you won't know that you're learning color & composition. Color and composition is not something you do, it's something you know and feel but you will learn it by doing it based on the specifics that I will give for each mystery project.
Also through doing these projects, you will learn how to do a huge variety of techniques, how to and what to embellish with and how to finish your projects. Yes, some sewing techniques will be included as well. Each project will be finished into a useable or decorative item. Nothing will be sitting in a drawer! And you'll learn how to tell a visual story!
Ongoing Classes - My Crazy Quilt Mystery Project Classes will be an ongoing series of projects and through doing these projects, stitchers will learn basically, how to make their crazy quilt blocks look like mine but, with their own special touches. Crazy Quilting is an art form and in time, stitchers will develop their own style that will make their pieces unique to them. But you have to do it to develop your style.
What's The Mystery? - Now that I've told you what you'll be learning through these classes, you're probably wondering what the mystery is. Each project will be a specific finished item with a theme. Each project will have several requirements, for example, a certain stitch may have to be used, or a certain handmade embellishment may be required and most of the projects will require certain colors. That's the mystery. You won't know what you'll be doing until you do it. And the more mystery classes you take on, the more you'll learn.
Patterns - All necessary patterns for each project will be included. All finishing directions will be included and I will show a finished example at some point along the way to help you but please keep in mind, you don't want to copy what I do. You want to do it your way, but with my guidance.
Class Fee - I'm thinking of a fee of around $10.00 per mystery class. I want to keep this affordable for everyone.
So does that sound like fun? My list of projects is already a mile long so there is a lot to learn. You choose which projects you want to take and which you don't. Each project will have a "theme" and "learning focus" so you'll know in advance if you're interested. You just won't know what exactly you'll be making. Oh, and in some cases, we may be doing some blocks that can later be put together into a wall quilt!
Flickr - When we get a little closer, I'll set up a Flickr group for everyone to share photos and chat about the projects.
I think this will be a really fun way to learn and a great way for stitchers to get together and discuss the art crazy quilting. And you don't have to be an experienced crazy quilter to do these projects. Just some knowledge of piecing a block (I use the sew & flip method) and basic embroidery skills are all you need for these classes. But advanced stitchers will enjoy them too! And at some point, we will get into some other piecing techniques as well.
Let me know what ya'll think and if you have any questions.
I'm still working out the technical aspects of presenting the projects. I'm leaning towards Magcloud publications because I think that may be the easiest option for everyone. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know.
Over the past few years, I've had many stitchers email me asking what can they do to get their crazy quilt blocks to look like mine. I always tell them that they don't want their blocks to look like mine. They want their blocks to look like their blocks.
I've been thinking about this on and off over the past few months, trying to determine what it is about my CQ work that stitchers are attracted to. I think I've come up with a few answers.
Color & Composition - I think the biggest concern that stitchers have with Crazy Quilting and any collage work for that matter, is learning how to compose a block and learning how to use color. Color can make or break a piece.
Certainly, antique crazy quilts had nothing to do with those aspects. They were about using scraps and showing off needlework skills. But modern crazy quilting has more of a focus on design elements and embellishments. The crazy quilting we do now tells a story. And stitchers who are relatively new to CQ work are at a loss as to "what to put where".
Techniques - Let's face it, there are more options available to us now than ever before! There is no limits to what can be added to a crazy quilt block. Any type of needlework and embroidery skill can be used. There are so many different stitches that can be done. How does one choose?
Embellishments - And then there's the embellishments! What to add, what not to add, what works, what doesn't work. When is enough, enough. How do you know when you're done. These are the questions I've been asked repeatedly over the past few years.
Finish It - And then there's "what to do with it when it's done". Certainly no one wants to put a beautiful stitched piece in a drawer.
Also through doing these projects, you will learn how to do a huge variety of techniques, how to and what to embellish with and how to finish your projects. Yes, some sewing techniques will be included as well. Each project will be finished into a useable or decorative item. Nothing will be sitting in a drawer! And you'll learn how to tell a visual story!
Ongoing Classes - My Crazy Quilt Mystery Project Classes will be an ongoing series of projects and through doing these projects, stitchers will learn basically, how to make their crazy quilt blocks look like mine but, with their own special touches. Crazy Quilting is an art form and in time, stitchers will develop their own style that will make their pieces unique to them. But you have to do it to develop your style.
What's The Mystery? - Now that I've told you what you'll be learning through these classes, you're probably wondering what the mystery is. Each project will be a specific finished item with a theme. Each project will have several requirements, for example, a certain stitch may have to be used, or a certain handmade embellishment may be required and most of the projects will require certain colors. That's the mystery. You won't know what you'll be doing until you do it. And the more mystery classes you take on, the more you'll learn.
Patterns - All necessary patterns for each project will be included. All finishing directions will be included and I will show a finished example at some point along the way to help you but please keep in mind, you don't want to copy what I do. You want to do it your way, but with my guidance.
Class Fee - I'm thinking of a fee of around $10.00 per mystery class. I want to keep this affordable for everyone.
So does that sound like fun? My list of projects is already a mile long so there is a lot to learn. You choose which projects you want to take and which you don't. Each project will have a "theme" and "learning focus" so you'll know in advance if you're interested. You just won't know what exactly you'll be making. Oh, and in some cases, we may be doing some blocks that can later be put together into a wall quilt!
Flickr - When we get a little closer, I'll set up a Flickr group for everyone to share photos and chat about the projects.
I think this will be a really fun way to learn and a great way for stitchers to get together and discuss the art crazy quilting. And you don't have to be an experienced crazy quilter to do these projects. Just some knowledge of piecing a block (I use the sew & flip method) and basic embroidery skills are all you need for these classes. But advanced stitchers will enjoy them too! And at some point, we will get into some other piecing techniques as well.
Let me know what ya'll think and if you have any questions.
I'm still working out the technical aspects of presenting the projects. I'm leaning towards Magcloud publications because I think that may be the easiest option for everyone. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know.
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Elegant Cellphone Pouch
I stitched this up early this morning:
I started another cellphone pouch too. I'll probably finish it up early tomorrow morning!
And now not for the faint of heart, this little guy just snuck up on me a few minutes ago:
It's just a harmless little grass snake but I don't care for them. Only because they just come out of nowhere. I had my cellphone in my pocket so I snapped a picture. He startled the daylights out of me when I took the trash out!
And now not for the faint of heart, this little guy just snuck up on me a few minutes ago:
Monday, October 08, 2012
Crazy Quilt Ornament Santa
I finished up on this crazy quilt Santa ornament early this morning:
I can't wait to sew these last 3 stitched pieces up! Next I'll be doing a few gifts so stop back to see those.
Also, I have Crazy Quilt Mystery Project Classes coming in January!!!
Also, I have Crazy Quilt Mystery Project Classes coming in January!!!
Sunday, October 07, 2012
More Examples From Volume 3
Been stitching like crazy these past few days. I finished up my first little snowman ornament:
And then yesterday, I stitched up this one:
Here's a photo of this last block before all the embellishments:
You can see how I used some of the new borders from Volume 3 of Elegant Crazy Quilt Seam Treatments.
And here are some closeups:
And then early this morning, long before dawn, I started on this Santa Claus ornament:
And here are closeups of the stitching:
So now that Volume 3 is done, I have several new projects in the works. You might get a little hint if you look at some of the photos in this post long enough! And, coming soon.......Crazy Quilt Mystery Projects! More information to come!
Finally for today, we're offering 25% off in our Etsy shop. Use Coupon Code: PreChristmas10 and you'll get 25% off your entire order!
And here are some closeups:
So now that Volume 3 is done, I have several new projects in the works. You might get a little hint if you look at some of the photos in this post long enough! And, coming soon.......Crazy Quilt Mystery Projects! More information to come!
Finally for today, we're offering 25% off in our Etsy shop. Use Coupon Code: PreChristmas10 and you'll get 25% off your entire order!
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