Digital Presentation

 

I've been learning how to create digital scrapbook pages this weekend. Here's an example of a layout  I created using Paint Shop Pro 7 with lots of help from my tutor Kay. It's been hard work but fun learning how to work with layers to create backgrounds, frames and embellishments. I have learned so much my head is spinning! For my Skipton college course I have to ceate a montage so this is perfect for that.

Landscape Book Cover

 

This week I'm working on my landscape design sketchbook for my college course (details on my other blog) and decided to make a cover for the book which is A4 in size. I've got Ineke Berlyn's book  'Landscape in Contemporary Quilts' in which she suggest making quick landscape pictures by piecing strips so I used that idea to make the front. I didn't have a pattern so had to figure out a method myself. I added a pocket in the front flap for a CD containing my photos and computer design work.

 

I'm really pleased with the way this turned out - especially as it fits the sketchbook!!

I also have to acknowledge  inspiration  from a couple of shops on  Etsy:  Ruby Mountain Dye Works makes journal covers from their gorgeous hand dyed fabrics and Daily Threads make a beautifully stitched version with an ingenious pocket for pencils.

An Exciting Invitation!

Bishops Court quilt, Unknown, 1690-1700. Museum no. T.201-1984
- one of the quilts in the V&A's 'Quilts: 1700-2010' exhibition

I'm so excited! I've had an email from a very nice lady called Sarah inviting me to the V&A for a preview of the 'Quilts: 1700 to 2010' exhibition with a chance to meet the curator. It came completely out of the blue. It seems Sarah has been searching blogland for people to invite so I feel really lucky. It's worked out well because I have one day of leave left to take before Easter and trip down to London on the train will be a great day out!

Click here for more info on the exhibition and also visit the curator's blog.

Applecore

Yet another busy week has flown by with frustratingly little time to sew! I'm finding full-time work hard going and my resolution to make better use of my evenings has not been going well - I'm just too tired. Still I have made a little progress with my apple core quilt as you can see. It's one more week til the schools break up for half term and I've booked time off to catch up on college work and relax a little - I can't wait!

Threads

 

Last week Barnyarns came from Ripon to visit my quilt group and Jonathan MacPherson gave a very interesting and amusing talk about machine threads. It was the first time he'd given a talk to a group so he did extremely well! As a bonus he gave us all a printed guide to accompany his talk and a discount voucher for our next order.

Of course he brought a selection of threads and his recommended titanium coated topstitch needles so I just had to buy some - it would be so rude not to!! I chose some KingTut by Superior Threads. I have bought a few reels of this before and absolutely love it because the colour changes are wonderful and it runs sooo smoothly through the machine.

Barnyarns have a monthly educational newsletter and lo and behold a few days later it dropped into my inbox and guess what? Jonathan had written about his visit to our group. Not only that but the newsletter included another discount voucher for 10% off KingTut. Well...... I'm sure you can guess what's coming next.....................I had to order some more KingTut to take advantage! I can't wait for the postman to call.

You can visit Barnyarns website here and if you sign up for the newsletter you get a free pack of needles.