Machias handwork expert designs artful objects - Bangor Daily News

Check out the article in Bangor Daily News

featuring Barbara

who blogs at:

Mainely Stitching
AND
the rock farmer's wife

Link to article here:
Stitchery Soothes the Soul
Machias handwork expert designs artful objects - Bangor Daily News

Congrats!!!!

Vintage Ornament #14

Vintage Ornament
by Carol L. Steffensen
c. 2009 Chickadee Hollow Designs

This is one of my purchases
from the Int Quilt Fest, Chicago

I had seen similar designs
last year - and kicked myself
for not picking one up!

The pre-printed & pre-colored design
is on a paper backing.

You peel off the paper & position the
ornament on a piece of batting

Stitch/embellish to your
heart's delight!!!

Once complete - press with warm iron & finish

They suggest adding a backing fabric,
cut out the design,
use a buttonhole stitch on the outside edge

This photo is from their web site:

There are a lot of holiday designs to choose from
and the Spring ones are charming!!!

Mixed Media Needlecase

International Quilt Festival/Chicago
 April 16-18, 2010 Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL Karol and I arrived & were greeted by a friendly lady giving away wrist bands for FREE entry into the Festival Woot!!! Among the quilts, lectures, shopping, shopping, shopping ... were workshops scheduled each day. Called Make it University!™ Chicago 2010 We tried our hand at One-of-a Kind Needlecase taught by Kristen Rodriguez Fiber on a Whim post from her blog My kit theme was PLAYNeedlecase Front Inside our kits were a cloth for texture, bits of scrapbook papers, bits of paper to embellish (ie ticket, map, music, dictionary page), button, and fiber (+needle) We received instructions for placing our paper pieces on the needlebook cover having the paper pieces stick on the fabric using a product called Misty Fuse we embellished with perle cotton Final touches: sewing on the button, a tie, and the pages inside Whole Needlecase (outside) Marjorie took a different class, Kelli Perkins - cartoon fabric paper collage pins see her post: Quilt Show; Oh we had fun!

International Quilt Festival - Chicago

What a blast!
Tho, not as many quilts on display
as last year's show - I'm just sayin ...

Here are photos of some of my 'loot':
IQF program, ruler, and 2010 pin
Jeana Kimball's Redwork needles

I was delighted to browse the
Bohin
(France) Booth
I picked out some
needles and a pair of
embroidery scissors
close-up

I felt sorry for the guy
working in the booth
as he was stranded in the USA
b/c of the volcano problem

Marjorie, blogging over at Moonsilk Stitches
has a great photo of the Bohin Booth on her post:
Quilt Show

More posts to come ....

Art in the Park

From their Web Site:

Elmhurst Art Museum's 14th Annual Art in the Park:

A Juried Show of Fine Art, Craft and Design,
presented by Suburban Bank and Trust,
will take place
Saturday, May 1
and Sunday, May 2, 2010,
from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
on the grounds of Elmhurst Art Museum,
150 Cottage Hill Avenue,
(Elmhurst, Illinois)
North of Wilder Park.

There will be 110 outstanding artists exhibiting at this exciting weekend-long event with live entertainment and an assortment of food for sale by select vendors. Be sure to bring the entire family to enjoy the artists, music, food and other fun activities!

This week-end ....

International Quilt Festival
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, IL

Preview Night: Thurs, April 15, 2010
April 16-18, 2010

Daily Admission: $10.00

More information on web site:
http://www.quilts.com
713.781.6864

Porter County Fair (7/22-8/1)

Look what came in the mail?
Did you get your booklet, too?

What are YOU going to enter?

Pre-registration requested by 7/16

Registration via Mail - Deadline: 7/15
e-mail Registration Deadline: 7/17
Entry Deadline: 7/18

Need a booklet?
Registration Form?

Contact the Superintendent:
mpralph@comcast.net

Premiums are as follows:
1st Place ... $5.00 + Ribbon
2nd Place ... $4.00 + Ribbon
3rd Place ... $3.00 + Ribbon
4th Place ... $2.00 + Ribbon
5th Place ... $1.00 + Ribbon

Entries will be received on
Sunday, 7/18
12noon to 6pm
at the Exhibit Building

Entries will be released on
8/1 from 8-10pm
--or--
Monday 8/2 9-11am
at the Exhibit Building

more information in the Home Economics booklet

Crafty Meme

Stitch Bitch had a Crafty Meme posted on her blog. Thought I'd participate & share a little about me:

Q. What are your hobbies?
A. Reading, Textile Crafts, Visiting art exhibits/museums

Q. What crafts do you do?
A. Needlework, Tatting, Punchneedle, Some CQ, beading & sewing

Q. What sounds do you craft along to?
A. It depends. I-pod music playlist or audiobook (headphones if household is sleeping)-- or -- tv when boyz & DH around

Q. First Project You Ever Made:
A. I remember being in Junior High creating an original macrame sampler in Art Class. Around the same time, made beaded chokers(fashion trend!) seed beads on elastic thread + I had a bead loom for beaded chokers. Also remember stamped quilt blocks from the dime store - surface embroidery (in a metal hoop!)

Q. Favorite Project:
A. Usually whatever I'm doing. Once I'm 'finished', my favourite F word, I move on to the next favourite thing.

Q. Favorite Items to Make:
A. Small things. ie sewing accessories (needlebook, pincushion, fob). Tho with needlework, I love stitching alphabets --- yeah, I know ... I know ...

What's your favorite:

Q. Color: I used to favor yellows & khaki greens, but recently liking blue

Q. Movie: Diva (foreign film) or Dr. Zhivago

Q. TV Show: Perry Mason

Q. Band: Just depends on what I'm doing ... I like alternative rock & current songs/music, classical, femal vocalists like Shakira, Pink, Madonna

Q. Book: too hard to choose

Q. Food: Fresh Fruit (in general)

Q. Favorite Craft: whatever I'm in the mood to do

And you?
What are your favorites?