More On Our Color and Composition Lessons

Just wanted to update everyone a bit on our Color and Composition Lessons.  I've put a ton of thought into this and I think the idea of making a 25 block quilt will be a lot of fun and a great way to learn how to work with these concepts that seem to elude many stitchers.

If I may reiterate, you will learn how to work with color and composition through the repetition of doing it and working with my guidelines.  You will also learn some cool techniques as you go along!  And of course, there will be lots of helpful hints and time savers.

I was asked if there will be a supply list.  Yes, I am working on a general supply list and I will post that in the next day or so.  These items will be necessary things for the overall project.  Then, there will be a supply list per block.  Specific things that will be needed for that project.

 I do encourage you all to work from your stash rather than buying a ton of new stuff.  Although I would never discourage anyone from buying new stash either!  I'm a firm believer in stash addiction addition!  LOL!!!

Honestly, if your budget is limited, you might have to get creative....and that's what this is all about!  These lessons will spark your imagination and encourage your creativity. 

There is a tab at the top of my blog called Crazy Quilt Color & Composition Lessons.  News and information regarding this project will be posted there so for those of you who are working the lessons, you can find the information as needed.

Again, you can do as many or as few as you choose to but the more lessons you do, the better you'll get at working color and composition.  If you do all 25 lessons, you'll have enough blocks at the end of the project to make a beautiful crazy quilt!  I myself will be putting my 25 blocks together into a wall quilt as well.

Please start spreading the word about this.  The more stitchers we have, the more fun this will be and the more inspiration we'll all have.

Let's Make A Crazy Quilt

Our "Color & Composition" Lessons have changed just a bit.  Yeah, I know....you're all thinking not again right?  What can I say?  I change my mind every 5 minutes!

Honestly though, several of my readers have emailed me asking if we could just do blocks and focus on  learning Color and Composition along with some new techniques rather than spend time finishing projects.

That of course inspired the change.  I like that idea so I've made a list.  Here's the updated project:

*There will be 25 lessons in total. 
*Each lesson will be $10.00 US
*Each lesson will consist of making 1 - 6 inch block
*Each block will have a theme and color scheme
*Each block will have a "have to use" item.  Example:  a certain stitch or border or type of embroidery
*I will include a stitched example for your inspiration but there will still be some mystery to the project since   I will only be releasing 1 lesson at a time.
*You can take as many of the lessons or as few of the lessons as you want to
*There is no time frame to this project.  I don't want anyone to stress over it.  All in your own time.
*This project will take approx 12 - 18 months to complete.
*I will set up a Flickr group for everyone to share they're photos and discuss the lessons.
*I will include links to your blogs, Flickr albums or websites here on my blog so that others can visit and see your projects.
*If you do all 25 lessons, you will have 25 blocks at the end of the project.  That means, that you will have enough blocks to make a 28 inch crazy quilt.  (And so will I!)
*You will learn how to work with color and composition by the repetition of working with my guidelines and specifications.
*By the end of the 25 lessons, you will develop your own style of crazy quilting and your eye will automatically know what to do where.  You won't have to wonder anymore.  These lessons will help you to learn how to balance a block, how to put things together and how to use color.  But the most fun thing about this project is that you won't even know that you're learning it.  Your mind will just pick it up from doing it.
*All lessons will be available to purchase at Magcloud which is a site for self publication and it's owned by Hewlett Packard.  I believe they accept both PayPal and Credit Cards.
*The project starts the beginning of January 2013.

So that's my update for today everyone!  Start gathering your supplies and prepare to make a crazy quilt!

I'm going to make up a little banner too so that anyone who would like to share the project on their blog can do so.  I'll have that ready soon.

Crazy Quilt Christmas Ornaments

I have a couple of finishes to share with you today:

I just listed these in my Etsy shop.

I'll have more information tomorrow about my "Color & Composition" Lessons.

Update On Crazy Quilt Project Classes

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. 

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.