Spotlight on Fiber Artist Twentypoundtabby!

Tiny Doll Demo
Originally uploaded by twentypoundtabby

This tiny, almost 3 and 1/2 inch doll is just one of the marvelous creative endeavors being produced by the talented Denver, Colorado artist, Twentypoundtabby.

This very diverse lady is also a photographer and was kind enough to answer a few questions for me to share with you here.

1.In the range of over 50/under 50, where would you place yourself?

I'm exactly at 50.

2.How long have you been a member of the Quilts and Heirloom team and what made you decide to join this group? Are you in any other groups?

I believe I joined it right at the beginning which was the summer of 2008. I belong to EGADS - Etsy Guild of Doll Artisans, FAE - Fantasty Artists of Etsy, EtsyFAST and the Mile High Club (Denver Etsians). Right from the start this group was friendly and social so I wanted to join.

3.What do you consider your fiber art passion?

That's going to be hard to pin down. I sew, quilt, dye, embroider, felt, lucet chord, and do a little bit of weaving. Sewing Art Dolls is my biggest passion. I don't knit, which some people find strange because I have so much fiber.

4. Where or when did you learn this art?

I learned to sew from my mother at a very early age. My first sewing machine looked like -->this.

5. Do you have any encouraging suggestions or tips for someone new to your skill?

I've met folks who say they can't sew. To those I say anyone can sew if they take the time to take classes and practice. Very few people are going to be great at it right away - anything worth doing well takes study, practice and time.

6. Do you enjoy any other creative endeavors? And if so, could you tell us a little about them?

I paint, draw, sculpt, do calligraphy (SCA scrolls), bead, garden, and play a variety of instruments. I used to dance.

7. What is your shop and do you have other shops at Etsy?

I'm at twentypoundtabby.etsy.com and tabbytoo.etsy.com


8. As you look in your shop(s), what would be your favorite item in the bunch? The one you almost hate to part with?

Probably my dragon. I really like dragons.


9. Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone just starting out on etsy?

Not really. I could use more advice myself.

To see more of her work, in addition to her etsy shops, you can also find Twentypoundtabby on Myspace, Flickr and blogspot:
MySpace:
www.myspace.com/twentypoundtabby
Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/twentypoundtabby/
Blog:
twentypoundtabby.blogspot.com/

Spotlight on Fiber Artist Julie Harrison!

kindnessback 001
Originally uploaded by jus_creations

Julie Harrison is the talented owner of Ju's Creations and her etsy shop, Rokstudy. Her motto of, "Visual Arts through the eye of a needle" gives you a clue to her favorite passion of embroidery. I was fortunate to be able to ask Julie some questions to let us step a little way into her world.

1. In the range of over 50/under 50, where would you place yourself?

I am over 40 under 50.

2. How long have you been a member of the Quilts and Heirloom team and what made you decide to join this group?

I have been a member of the Quilts and Heirlooms team since July '08. I found them in the Teams section of the forum and I joined because I wanted to continue learning how to quilt, the only other pattern I have ever done is the double wedding ring; and I wanted to be in team treasuries.

3. What do you consider your fiber art passion?

Embroidery.

4. Where or when did you learn this art?

Back when I was five I lived on a remote mission station in Africa and my Mom showed me how to do a few small things; when I was eight I started a Christmas table runner using my grandma's steel embroidery hoop, and I joined an after school girls club where they taught Bible and embroidery and continued my project; after that I was hooked and determined to finish the project. When I was fourteen and a half we moved to the US and at sixteen my best friend from Africa came for Christmas and New Years and she taught me satin stitch. Sylvia, my Mom and I finished the runner that year and I decided I had really honed embroidery as my skill. Since that time all of my friends have received a wedding gift, baby gift,all occasion gift.

5. Do you have any encouraging suggestions for someone new to your skill?

Use the giant beginner patterns so you don't get discouraged and quit. Small areas are challenging for beginners. Find some elderly lady to show you how, she has probably embroidered all her life and knows a lot. Find your own style, create your own stitch. My stitch is the anchor stitch. A stitch I use to secure corners.

6. Do you enjoy any other creative endeavors? And if so, could you tell us a little about them?

I am a published poet. "Kindness" has been published. I love to write, I hope to publish some books someday. I love candlewicking,I finally found another pattern to do, it is on my project "To Do" list. I play violin. Someday I want to try oil painting. [ed. The picture included with this entry shows her lovely poem.]

7. I know about your shop Rokstudy on Etsy. Do you have other shops or venues for your art?

I own Rokstudy as a domain name. Rokstudy.com is my website. I am looking at Artfire, I cannot afford the monthly fee. I am on Myspace, Facebook, and WeloveEtsy. Up until November of last year my inventory was in a consignment shop in Oak Glen, CA. I'm looking for a new brick and Mortar venue.

8. As you look in your shop, what would be your favorite item in the bunch? The one you almost hate to part with?

Cozy Kittens really shows a lot of my skill and it is my favorite vintage pattern. If it sold I don't know if I would make it again this is the second time I have used the pattern. I made a table cloth for my dolls when I was young.

9. Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone just starting out on etsy?

Take a digital photography class. Marketing is marketing even if it is on the internet so success comes with time. Join a team. Create your own brand. Appreciate and utilize Etsy's uniqueness to get your unique products out there don't try to make Etsy into ebay.

Thanks for sharing, Julie!

Quilting for the Embroidery Enthusiast

Crazy Quilt 1
Originally uploaded by Pixie Dust

Recently, I picked up the DVD, "Judith Baker Montano Teaches You Crazy Quilting". This lovely dvd has hooked me into a new hobby. If you love to embroider and are drawn to quilting, crazy quilts can bring you the best of all worlds.

Your favorite fabric scraps, both solid and patterned, silks and satins, velvets and linens, plus scraps of your favorites trims and notions can be assembled with your own embroidery into a phenomenal piece of art.

After watching the dvd I immediately started gathering fabrics, trims and a bit of heavy muslin to try my hand at this art form. It is not quite finished yet, lacking the embroidery stitches but I can't wait to post a picture of it for you to see. In order for you to see just how beautiful a crazy quilt can be, I found this photo on Flicker to show you.

If you are interested in hearing more about crazy quilting, it's history and the look, try the following links:

Crazy Quilt History: A Victorian Craze
Vigo County Historical Society On-Line Exhibit (quilts 3 and 4)
The History of Crazy Quilts, Part I
Crazy Quilt Central

Now, back to my own crazy quilt project....

Improvising Quilters

Youtube has some fantastic tutorials for crafty people. I was browsing through some videos today and came across two fantastic videos for creating your own custom sewing table. The author of these videos is a quilter and the table she created for her quilting is cheap to make and innovative.

Since I am currently working on a table not meant for sewing and have very little room to work with, I fell in love with this idea. A weekend project is in order! Here's the two videos and I hope you find them helpful.





See you on Monday! Have a great weekend!

Spotlight on Fiber Artist Stormeejean!

Late Autumn in Tennessee Duster
Originally uploaded by Stormeejean

I love this garment, created by another Quilt and Heirloom member, Stormeejean. Her etsy shop promises, "My only gimmick is quality". If you stop by her shop, you'll see what she means. I decided to interview her and share with you a little about this talented artist.

1.In the range of over 50/under 50, where would you place yourself?
Over 50 and close to 60 and lovin it.

2.How long have you been a member of the Quilts and Heirloom team and what made you decide to join this group? Are you in any other groups?
I don't remember, I know that I joined then quit then decided to rejoin because I really enjoyed the fellowship here.

3.What do you consider your fiber art passion?
I love working with fabric. I love the textures and colors and the way they all come together. Jackets are my favorite, I like the challenge of taking something that is worn all the time and making it different, one of a kind. But lately I have started quilting and I find that I really love that too. Only I think that I am more of an art quilter. I love to see the way patterns come together, no matter what colors or techniques you use.

4. Where or when did you learn this art?
I learned to sew from my mother and my grandmother, my grandmother gave it to me as an art and my mother gave it to me more as a skill. My mother was strict about how it was put together, she always checked my work from the inside out.

5. Do you have any encouraging suggestions or tips for someone new to your skill?
If you want to learn to sew, try to follow through on every project even if you mess up. I have learned that these are not mess ups but another way to be creative. Sometimes you have to put it away and come back to it later but always try to finish the project.

6. Do you enjoy any other creative endeavors? And if so, could you tell us a little about them?
Yes I have started crocheting, it gives me time to think about things like what am I going to make next, or meditate on something I read. Also it is so relaxing. I like crocheting with thread.
I also make casual men's clothes. I named the shop after my husband and his car.

7. What is your shop and do you have other shops at Etsy?
http://stormeejean.etsy.com/
http://bobbyjoes40designs.etsy.com/
http://relaxedhands.etsy.com/
Here is my blog;
http://stormeesewgoods.blogspot.com/

8. As you look in your shop(s), what would be your favorite item in the bunch? The one you almost hate to part with?
I love the Crazy About You" patchwork jacket. I love the way it feels on, it is made of colors that are neutral and looks good on you if you wear jeans or dress up.


9. Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone just starting out on etsy?
Just enjoy, and don't take it personal if you don't sell stuff right away. Some people sell and sell alot other things take a little longer to sell. Just don't get discouraged keep listing and don't give up.Join a couple of groups, get into the forums,and create some treasuries and also comment and click on some treasuries. You know what you made and you know that you loved making it, you know that you did your best, you know that you put your heart and soul into it,you know how long it took you to make it, you know what products you used to make it and how much they cost there is always people that understand all that and they are your target market. I could go on and on but I won't.

Be sure and stop by Stormeejean's shops. She is multi-talented and that quality she speaks of definitely shows in her work.

Spotlight on Fiber Artist Elleellee

Jeweltones Hexagon Afghan 012
Originally uploaded by Elleellee

The beautiful afghan you see here was created by Elleellee, a member of the Quilt Heirloom team at Etsy. Her shop, Elleellee, Handcrafted by the Creek, is filled with warm afghans and slippers, crocheted in gorgeous colors, items in clay, calligraphy, and braided rugs. I recently interviewed her and would like to share a little with you about this wonderful fiber artist.

In the range of over 50/under 50, where would you place yourself?

"If it's age, I'm over 50."

How long have you been a member of the Quilts and Heirloom team and what made you decide to join this group?

"QuiltSALAD invited me to join the Quilts and Heirlooms Team in early November, 2008. I joined to get more exposure for my crafts within Etsy."


What do you consider your fiber art passion?

"Crochet is my passion."


Where or when did you learn this art?

"I wanted to learn to crochet, so when I was 18, I bought a little pamphlet for 29 cents, and taught myself. Today it's the only thing I do right-handed."

Do you have any encouraging suggestions for someone new to your skill?

"Like every other thing you want to learn: don't give up trying. No one is an expert at the start of anything, so rip out, and start over. Again."


Do you enjoy any other creative endeavors? And if so, could you tell us a little about them?

"I taught myself calligraphy with the instructions that came with the pens. I love doing it, but since I'm left-handed, I have to use special setups so that my hand doesn't smear the wet ink.

I love working with clay, and invented my own clay, which I've used for many years.

I've played around with almost everything: woodworking, leathercraft, soaps, candles, paper mache, weaving, painting, and more, but I always come back to crochet, clay, and calligraphy. I hardly ever use patterns; I prefer to invent my own."


As you look in your shop, what would be your favorite item in the bunch? The one you almost hate to part with?


"My favorite thing in my shop is always my newest item -- you know, the one that everyone is going to want one of." [ed. comment: at the time of this writing those would be her wonderful rose colored slippers and her woven ribbon flowers.]


Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone just starting out on etsy?

"For someone just starting on Etsy, I would say to read everything Etsy has to offer, then ask questions. Be honest. Be nice."

Quilts on the Wall

A Southwest quilt
Originally uploaded by starryhomecrafts

I selected this photo today because Starryhomecrafts discusses framing small quilts and provided a link to a wonderful article by Margery O. Hedges on how to frame a quilt. ( Read more...

The method in the above article is very easy to follow and would actually work with a variety of needlearts including hooked or embroidered pieces.

So, if you have a piece of needlework stashed in a drawer because you don't know what to do with it, try framing it? Heirlooms need to be seen or they become simply dust collectors.

Going Green with Quilting

wool applique
Originally uploaded by jacistuff

Ladies who quilt have a long history of recycling fabrics. Clothes were expensive and when they started wearing out, they didn't go into the trash. Rag rugs and quilts picked up where clothes left off. Repurposing is not a new method.

That tradition is seeing a current resurgence as more and more individuals turn to recycling instead of filling land fills. The Free-Cycle group often aids in this process and provides a free source in the way of clothes, sheets and blankets. These “finds” are morphed into their bare fabrics, added to our own recycled clothes, either too small, too large or just not loved anymore.

The picture here is an example of one such recycled project. Bright, cheery and warm, Jaci’s appliquéd quilt is made from wool suits, cut up and felted in the washer and dryer. I hope her lovely project will inspire someone else to try their hand at some scrap quilting. Grab your old jeans, suits and other clothes and go green with them! Sew a quilt!

Stepping out to new horizons...

Confetti Sudoku
Originally uploaded by starryhomecrafts

Hello, fellow needlecrafters and fiber artists! This Confetti Sudoku is just one of the many pictures you can find on Quilt and Heirlooms new Flicker page! This is a great way to see not only the items from our shops but also little projects we've been working on. Most of us, always have some little portable project in the works. We have to keep our hands busy. That's how we roll. LOL.

Please, stop by: http://flickr.com/groups/quiltheirloom/.

Did you ever want to learn a new craft? In our Flicker discussion forum we will be discussing many topics that may help beginners to quilt, embroidery, crochet, needlefelt and so on.

So stop by, say hello, and feel free to put questions toward some very talented individuals.

Featured Artist, StarryHomeCrafts

My items above are for sale. Click on the photos for more photos, or to go to the page to buy.

These are a couple of things I made for team theme projects. The wall "pocket" is made from recycled jeans and filled with yo yo flower girls. The theme was "jeans".

The sand castle came about as a result of a beach theme. This was a first fabric sculpture for me and I'm quite proud of it.

I love being a member of a team that so challenges and motivates me!

Fun Summer Applique Projects For You To Do and Enjoy !!!

I finished The "My Summer Garden" quilt on Feb. 3, 2009, and here it is.

Feel free to make the comparison if you'd like to. I created it as closely as possible to the sample that I created in my quilting software.

My Summer Garden

This quilt is available for sale. Click on it to be taken to my Etsy shop where it is for sale, and to see more photos.

Click on each quilt for a much larger view.

Be sure to comment if you'd like to.

My Summer House

My Wacky Summer

I have here some wonderful ideas for stuffed applique. Of course, if your preference is unstuffed, these designs will work well, also. It took several hours, but I enjoyed creating these wonderful quilts in various summer colors. Your prettiest scrap fabrics will complete these cuties. You can use any color scheme that you desire. I am hoping that all of our team members will find that they can't resist the challenge to create at least one of these. Me, I plan to create all three.

You may use any fabric, and flowers of your choice, and make the completed quilt any size that you desire. But the desired FLOWER COLORS are pink, yellow and lavendar, with a SWAG BORDER. (My Summer Garden, above, is the best example) I added the other two designs for fun and adventure. Remember to click on each quilt for a larger view.

These are meant to be fun projects. Anyone reading our blog may participate, and email us a photo of your completed project to be published on our blog. Thanks, Edna - Team President
The deadline to have the first quilt finished is Jan. 31, 2009. Enjoy.

100 Small Quilts ( or How I Started the New Year)

I have spent the last few days here at the Starry Home Crafts Studio

cutting scraps of fabric. I have been saving these scraps in big tins and jars for years. I finally took the time to cut them into 5 inch right down to 1 inch squares and strips. At some point during the third day of this, my husband came along and said "aren't you getting sick of this yet?". I thought for a moment and realized that, no, I could go on and on cutting up these tiny little pieces, because with each new color and size, I can see just the little quilt that this will go into. Those 3 inch squares will be baby quilts and appliqued flowers some day. And those 2 inch squares can be sewn together to make triangle squares for tiny pinwheels and stars. Add those to some 1 and 1/2 inch squares and you have thousands of design options. I really have no idea yet what the 1 inch squares will be. Stay tuned for That project. Oh, and the leftover scraps, too small to cut up, what about those? Well of course I saved them. I even saved them by color. Someday, they will be part of a fabric landscape. And when I just couldn't stand to seperate the colors anymore, or a fabric had too many colors to fit into one jar, I stuck all of that together in a tin. They'll be the stuffing for a primitive Patchwork Girl of OZ I intend to make some day. All in all, my New Year is starting out with inspiration galore. I wish all of you a wonderful, inspirational, and prosperous year.