Quilting and Patchwork

November 23rd, 2008

Writing a Thankful Poem - A Fun Family Thanksgiving Activity

Thankful Poem

Why not write a Thankful Poem for Thanksgiving?  This can be an activity you’re involved in with your children, holiday guests or simply yourself. 

For details on one way to do this, check out my post, Mary Emma’s Writing Tip - A Thankful Poem, at One Book Two Book.

Another way to write the poem is to spell the word THANKSGIVING down the page.  Then write something for each letter, such as Traveling to Grandma’s, Having a festive family meal, etc.  Then decorate the page with  a Thanksgiving motif. 

What about making a collage of either type of poem and decorating with fabric, paper, and embellishments?

Thankful Poems might be a Thanksgiving Day activity or something you do over the weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 13 comments

November 21st, 2008

Quilting Word of the Week - Fabric Books

Quilting Word

Fabric Books - A popular form of art quilting that takes on many variations.  You make a book from fabric and embellishments.  Sometimes the book has a theme, such as the nature one my daughter and her Fiber Divas group created, with each contributing a page.  Other times it may consist of a particular type of material, a color, or a sampler type work.  Then they put the books together using various methods.

(Amazon image)

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

November 20th, 2008

Christmas Gifts & More from the Arts Bloggers

Arts Bloggers Offerings

Here are some more offerings from the Arts Bloggers.  Some of these will make great Christmas Gifts.
Fabric Beads - Fun to Make and Use
Quilters and fabric artists enjoy making fabric beads for their various creations.

Featured Prize: Let’s Knit!
Learn more about this book for beginning knitters, and enter to win by Nov. 23

How to weave a prayer or healing shawl on a narrow loom
Noreen’s been weaving prayer and healing shawls on the Cricket rigid heddle loom, using a nifty technique that she has developed - a mitered loop.

Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi has a whole new set of mixed media artists for you to have lunch with this week!

March of the Penguins Cheese Ball
Here’s a crafty hors d’oeuvre for your next party. There will be smiles all around when your guests glimpse these cute little penguins marching around the cheese ball igloo.

What to do with those wonderful yo-yos?
So you’ve gotten hooked on making yo-yos - but what can you really make with all those little circles?
 

ENJOY!

(Amazon image)

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

November 18th, 2008

Cardmaking Resources for Holiday Cards, Invitations & More

Cardmaking

If you and your family enjoy making holiday cards, I have some resources at Party Pizzazz to check out.  Here you’ll find ideas for your cards, invitations and thank you notes.

I discussed cardmaking from fabric, paper and mixed media in a previous post, something the whole family can enjoy in addition to the quilters.  Why not carry it over into holiday and Christmas card ideas?

(Amazon image)

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment

November 17th, 2008

Self-Publishing a Quilt Book - The Magic of Patchwork (Part 1)

Quilt Book - Part 1

When I blogged at Home Biz Notes, a reader asked me to expand upon my involvement with self-publishing.  One of my projects that might interest quilters is my book, The Magic of Patchwork.

I actually wrote the book upon receiving a “go-ahead” from the editor at a traditional publishing house.  It was slanted for youngsters and beginning quilters.  However, when I finished the manuscript, photos and illustrations and submitted the package (within the time frame the editor indicated), I discovered that editor had left that publisher.  The editor taking her place was not interested in this project. 

So….I let the project set for awhile. I now was involved with other self-publishing so decided to publish this book.  This was practical for me since I taught quilting workshops, gave talks, and was in contact with quilters in this niche market.

Various Options

I had various choices:

• Take my manuscript to a professional printer
• Find a program for our computer
• Continue searching for a traditional publisher

My husband and I decided to format, print, and compile the book on our computer.  My husband had published my book concerning my mom’s journey through Alzheimer’s, When We Become the Parent to Our Parents.

(In Part 2, I’ll discuss the publishing project further.)

(CozeeWorld/Amazon image)

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment

November 16th, 2008

Cardmaking Giveaway for Quilters & More

Giveaway

Cardmaking, whether from fabric, mixed media or solely paper, gains attention as we approach the holidays.  These may be greeting cards, thank you notes, invitations, and place cards for parties.

For those who enjoy giveaways as well as making cards, stop by Linette’s She Knows Parties Close to My Heart Giveaway for Making Handmade Holiday Cards and Invitations.  (Linette’s giveaway runs through Nov. 21)

Do you have any special techniques for cardmaking that combine fabric and other media?  I enjoy making and receiving handmade cards. 

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 2 comments

November 15th, 2008

Free Directions for a Quilted Bag

Quilted Bag

At Quilting Arts, you can find the free directions for a Quilted Bag designed by mother and daughter team, Linda and Laura Kemshall.  This is a unique trianglar tote bag with delightful embellishments and quilting to give it extra appeal.

Quilted and patchwork bags are all the rage these days.  This one may be just what you want for that special Christmas gift.

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

November 14th, 2008

Quilting Word(s) of the Week - Artist Trading Cards

Artist Trading Cards

Artist Trading Cards - These are the size of business cards, made of fabric, paper or mixed media on a backing.  They may be of a particular theme, may be characteristic of the artist’s work (one lady created pictures of her handmade dolls on them), may be hit and miss. Stamping techniques are great for these.  They can be simple or very intricate.

Quilters and artists collect them, exchange them, and give them out for promotional purposes.  Also, they’re fun to make.

(Amazon image)

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

November 13th, 2008

Holiday & Harvest Themes for the Arts Bloggers!

Arts Bloggers Visit Again! Holiday and Harvest Themes dominate the offerings of the Arts Bloggers this week. You’ll find many craft ideas to intrigue you.
Christmas crafting with Tangled Thread
Get a head start on your Christmas ornament crafting with these fun patterns.

Fall Doily Bread Basket
When you say Thanksgiving grace, let this lovely bread bowl grace your table. After the meal, you may want to make the empty bowl a gift to someone at the table that day.

Harvest Themes for Quilters
Now that November and harvest time is here, Mary Emma discusses harvest theme ideas at Quilting and Patchwork.

Introducing the Newspaper Bench
Oscar Lhermitte found a beautiful and functional use for newspapers.

Layers Upon Layers
Cyndi has declared that November is “Take a (New) Artist to Lunch Month”! Come and meet extraordinary artists that you probably haven’t run into before throughout this whole month! 

Love This Journal
A cool new website dedicated to art journal keepers 

Unidentified Flying Hedgehog!
Did you know that sometimes, hedgehogs fly? One of Noreen’s hedgehog tatting shuttles took flight recently and hasn’t been seen since.

ENJOY!

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments

November 12th, 2008

Thanksgiving Books for Family Fun & Recipes

Thanksgiving Ideas

As Thanksgiving approaches, your family is thinking of celebrations and special recipes.  You also may be looking for books for the children to enjoy. I invite you to check out my list of books with fun, facts, activities and recipes at One Book Two Book. 

Fun & Fact Books for Thanksgiving & Harvest Season

Favorite Thanksgiving Books

Do you have any to suggest?  Favorite books, activities and recipes?  I’d enjoy having you share them with us.

(Amazon image)

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By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment