Something About Nothing

My friend, Lynn Krawczyk  of Smudged Design Studio, wrote an awesome book this year. I really admire Lynn's ability to let her art brain fly. She gets a fabulous idea and she just goes for it! I spend too much time telling myself why the idea won't work, but Lynn thinks up fabulous stuff and then writes a book about it. I want to be more like Lynn. The Hand-Stitched Surface is all about creating great mixed media art with hand stitching. I've been doing a lot more hand stitching lately thanks to her book, and I have a tip for you: As I've quilted straight lines on my Thunderstruck quilt and the lines aren't always straight. They are straight-ish. I suppose that is part of the charm of this style of quilting, however as I am finishing the quilt I discovered an easier way to make straighter, better spaced lines and I want to share this simple idea: Fold the fabric over, and finger press (or iron) a line.  You now have a straighter line to follow...

I've received some exciting mail over the past few weeks. First up 100 meters of 419 PFD from Test Fabrics. Only 75 meters of it is mine, but still fun to think of all the dyeing I can do with this. And. . . if you give a dyer some fabric, she needs more dyes ! And why not a few totes to dye and print as well. I dyed a few bags to show the Weaver's Guild what I will be teaching them at their June meeting.  I'll post photos of these finished products once I get them back. I finally order Spoonflower's handbook. I am still devouring the words.   Lots of good information to help me create better digital fabrics. And last, but certainly not least, I finally got my copy of Lynn Krawczyk' s new book!!!! I pre-ordered it back in November! I hate waiting!  But it was worth the wait.  So pretty, and lots of good information and projects.   I'll be doing a more thorough review in a few weeks.