Patterns from Nature

Looking for the perfect leaf shape for your next project?  Why not turn to nature?  Take a look outside to find your next pattern.  Once you have found the perfect leaf you can take a picture of it with your digital camera. 

Next print a copy of your photo on plain white paper.  If the perimeter of the leaf is hard to discern, use a black marker to emphasize the outline.  Also at this time you can use the marker to emphasize veins or areas of color that you want to include in your pattern.  Cut the leaf shape out, now you have a pattern to use. 

I like to trace the reverse of the pattern on light weight fusible web, and then fuse it to the wrong side of the fabric that I want my leaf to be. Next I cut out the shape on the pattern line and fuse it to my quilt.  Once you stabilize the piece, (I like a medium weight tear-away stabilizer), then you can thread paint the veins and do any shading you desire.

You can even use these patterns for your quilting patterns!

Don't forget to try different types of threads, like the variegated thread on the yellow leaves,  or the metallic thread on the bottom leaf.
Of course if you don't have a camera, you can get similar results using the low tech method of doing a leaf rubbing using paper and crayons!  Hoping to inspire you to a fall project, Linda B.

Finding Inspiration in Fall

My husband took me on an afternoon drive yesterday.  I thought I would share with you some of the photos that I took. 

Hoping these views will inspire you as they did me,  thinking of warm colors, Linda B.

Stash Busting Project

On Saturday, October 27th, I will be teaching how to make a ruffled pillowcase with your serger.  It is a great project to help reduce your stash if storage is an issue.  In addition to using a ruffling or gathering foot for your serger, I will demonstrate how to use decorative non-needle threads to finish off the ruffle for a one of a kind project.

You will be able to find me there Saturday, October 27th, at Zede's Sewing Studio.  Class sign-up info can be found at www.sewhere.com .
Sewing along, Linda

Mixing Things Up

As most quilters, I began to develop my skills creating traditional quilts.  However, within a few years I began to paint on my quilts.  This is officially my first mixed media quilt.

It was created to participate in a fall challenge for the Beatrice, NE Quilter's Guild Show.  The sunbonnet block was a red work pattern from a quilting magazine.  I wish that I could remember which one it was! Instead of doing the hand embroidery, I used textile paints to create the block.  The rest of the quilt is machine pieced, hand appliqued, and hand quilted.

 If someone knows where I found the sunbonnet pattern, let me know and I will be sure to give them credit.  I guess that is a big lesson in documenting all information on the back of your quilts!

Peeking into the Past,  Linda B

 

In the Beginning

I have always been attracted to creating things.  I loved my home economics and art classes. I have always been surrounded by those who love to create.  My mother loves to hand embroider items, crochet afghans, and now she is into quilting. I will never forget when my grandmother let me use her treadle sewing machine, it fostered a love with sewing machines that has never died!

They influenced me to pursue a career in home economics education (now referred to as family and consumer sciences).  This only fueled my passion to create things.  After the birth of my first child, I began to create quilts, and I have never stopped! 

The purpose of this blog is to inspire others to explore their creative side, and to encourage me to continue to grow in my artistic pursuits.

Let's both have some fun together!

Linda B.