|
the CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist! Blog
|  |
Monday, March 18 2013
Celebrating National Craft month continues, as part of the Smoothfoam Design Team, we have a crafty new project for every day this month on the Smoothfoam blog!
Several months ago I moved into a beautiful heritage home along the river in picturesque Fredericton, NB. After months of renovation we are now open as Quartermain House B&B! In the spacious attic I was able to add another bedroom for visiting family and a fun studio. The view of the river from both rooms is beautiful!
While taping Quilting Arts this summer, I mentioned about my new place and Pokey Bolton the sweet host of the show passed it on to the sister publication Studios.
The current issue is on the newstand now and here is my studio! Being a Scorpio, our color is violet and I am really embracing it these days! A paintable wallpaper hides all of the wall imperfections, my darling fiancee applied it all and built a storage work counter along one entire side. I love the peacefulness of it, my sewing machine table and work counter look out over the river. A comfy leather chair to relax in and a supply of my favorite movies by the fireplace, it makes for a cozy inspiring space! The chandelier, the mirror my two favorite pieces. The chair covers were dyed with Rit Dye, love how they came out!
The space is divided into zones, with a comfy chair and books, a large table to spread out projects on, a sewing and ironing area along with a higher work counter to finish small projects on. Trims, fabric and buttons are in one area of the storage counter by the sewing area and paper related items together at the lower end.
Having a place to create in, to be surrounded by color, bins of trims and fabrics is wonderful. Being creative needs space, solitude where ideas and imagination can flow. I feel very grateful to have such a beautiful studio to do that in. Where do you create? 
Saturday, March 09 2013
The Designer Craft Connection Challenge is on with the cutest buttons from Buttons Galore and More. I got to work with the Spring Fling Collection designed by the talented Vicki Schreiner. I had some of her fabrics and Bazooples buttons so I added those to this little cottage scene. An easy peasy no sew project!
Materials:
1 dozen assorted Spring Fling & Bazooples Buttons from Buttons Galore
6" hoop
7" x 14" piece of cotton fabric
Fabric, lace, trim scraps
6" square fusible web
½ yard each of two ribbons
Fabri-Tac by Beacon
5", 8" Westcott Brand® Titanium Steel Scissors
(Ruler, pins, measuring tape, pencil, invisible marker, iron, ironing board, pliers)
1. Fold fabric rectangle in half. Open up hoop and place fabric between hoop pieces. Tighten.
2. Draw pattern pieces on fusible web. Main House 3" by 3 ½". Roof Triangle 3" by 4". Window 1 ¼" square. Door 1 ¼" by 2" rectangle, round top of door.
3. Fuse pieces to hoop fabric with hoop screw off centered. Begin with main house, add roof, door and window. Tighten hoop again if needed. Trim excess fabric from hoop.
4. Embellish cottage. Tie ribbons through hoop screw. Snap off button backs to lay flat and glue to hoop.
This is such a fun project, one of those cute fabric ideas that does not require any sewing. Some stitches could be added for embellishment. Enjoy, create a whole neighborhood.
For this Designer Challenge Buttons Galore is offering a great giveaway collection of buttons and ribbon in a stylish container from Viewtainer! To win one of the Viewtainers filled with ribbons and buttons - Leave a comment on the Buttons Galore Blog Post. http://wp.me/p2hPby-1Du. The comment should contain your favorite project from the hop, and the container you would like to win. Comments need to be made by March 17th, 2013 at 11:59 eastern standard time. Hop to all the great designer button projects with the DC Button in the right Sidebar! Happy Hopping and Crafting!
Thursday, March 07 2013
Lots of crafty goodies everywhere! Don't forget there is till time to enter....Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! AND to celebrate (inter)National Craft Month we have a super giveaway, a collection of products from FabScraps, https://www.facebook.com/pages/FabScraps/112579348780638?ref=ts&fref=ts. Julie McGuffee shared these products as a Trade Show find on TV, http://youtu.be/-OZjx6Yhmg0.
To enter to win, check out our DCC blogs in the hop, (button is in sidebar) then comment on the blog that features your favorite crafting technique and then tell what it was on Julie McGuffee's blog, Life in the Craft Lane.
This month from the 9th to 17th several DCC members are taking part in a Buttons Galore manufacturer challenge with a great giveaway as well!
I love Buttons Galore's buttons, one of my favorite designer friends Vicki Schreiner has an adorable line of buttons with them from her Bazooples collection. Here is a snealk peak at what I used in my design to be posted on Saturday, the 9th!
....and the Smoothform Design Team.... I am pleased to be part of their team along with several very talented professional designer friends! We have a super creative blog with a new project for every day of the month!
So here is to National Craft Month, to crafting, sewing, painting, embossing, doodling, to creativity! Have fun!
Monday, March 04 2013
It is the first Monday of the month and time for the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! AND to celebrate (inter)National Craft Month we have a super giveaway, a collection of products from FabScraps, https://www.facebook.com/pages/FabScraps/112579348780638?ref=ts&fref=ts. Julie McGuffee shared these products as a Trade Show find on TV, http://youtu.be/-OZjx6Yhmg0.
To enter to win, check out our DCC blogs in the hop, (button is in sidebar) then comment on the blog that features your favorite crafting technique and then tell what it was on Julie McGuffee's blog, Life in the Craft Lane.
This month's challenge was to post about our favorite crafting technique. Well it isn't difficult to guess what mine is and technically it isn't crafting but sewing. it IS sewing! I love to sew, machine sewing and hand embroidery both. I love to create pretty, whimsical things.
I remember at 5 years old spending time in the summer on the front porch sewing next to my Mom with my tiny sewing machine. Since her birthday is in a couple days and she has been gone four years now it is lovely to remember those summer afternoons!
So here is a little roundup of all things sewn! Designs I have created and love!
Pin Cushions with my favorite hand stitch, the blanket stitch.
With cuddly characters I get to both machine and hand sew!
oh and I sew love to make aprons! Have a few pretty ones I am creating to wear at Quartermain House B&B.
.....and wait there is even more, beginning March 7th, we are also hopping in Buttons Galore DCC Blog Hop! Love their buttons!
....and the Smoothform Design Team was just announced. I am pleased to be part of their team along with several very talented professional designer friends! We have a super creative blog with a new project for every day of the month!
So here is to National Craft Month, to crafting, sewing, painting, embossing, doodling, to creativity! Have fun!
Monday, February 18 2013
I find my self technically challenged often these days, I also find it exciting! I love my new iPad but am still figuring out how to do things. I always thought I would be a PC gal but I love my iPad. Slips in my purse perfectly too!
My blog I have been neglecting, having trouble posting from my iPad so have to work that out especially with March being National Craft Month! Lots of creativity happening, I am part of a new design team, more about that to come! More crafty challenges too!
my new place has been taking a lot of my time. Final inspection tomorrow and few other details to put in place and my new venture Quartermain House is ready to open! A cozy B&B with three beautiful guest rooms on the river in a heritage home! I love decorating and entertaining, I love my creative work and it all comes together nicely in this new venture.
I wanted To travel a little less and do more at home so it is happening, a couple trips a year will be perfect and now I am teaching and exhibiting here more plus the home of my dreams literally. The other wonderful news is I am now engaged to the most darling man who has been a huge help around here. Life is good, very good indeed!
Here is to a wonderful year ahead!
Monday, February 04 2013
It is the first Monday of the month and we are hopping with the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop. It is all about Valentine's, love is in the air! To catch all the love just hop along with the button in the sidebar!
This Valentine cutie I designed for Rit Dye , featured on their blog and is in the current issue of Crafts 'n Things. Wool felt dyes beautifully, I demonstrated the techniques for an upcoming segment of PBS Quilting Arts with host Pokey Bolton.
This owl is made from a piece of ombre dyed felt with each segment of the felt strip held in the dye bath for a shorter period of time. I cut the pattern pieces for the owl so the heart wing halves were from the lighter end of the felt strip for contrast.
Enjoy the Valentine hop and make something special for the sweeties in your life!
Debra
Tuesday, January 29 2013
I had a great time demoing for ACTIVA at the CHA (Craft and Hobby) tradeshow in Anaheim. Their Hearty Clay is an air dry clay with a solft silky texture. Once dried it is very lightweight and durable.
The talented designer and host of Hands on Kids Candie Cooper features the owls on her blog today. Full downloadable instructions can be found on Candie's blog!
Wednesday, January 02 2013
Happy New Year Everyone! May 2013 be a year filled with joy, meaning, gratitude & dreams come true!
The holidays were wonderful here at Quartermain House, I saw Christmas through the eyes of two exchange students who had their first Canadian Christmas, for one his first Christmas ever, what a treat! Family and friends gathered, six little ones built gingerbread houses. The house was filled with wonder, laughter and love! A snow covered story book setting.
Monday, December 24 2012
T'was the night before the night before, the house is filled with guests. A very special time of year, I love the carols, the lights, being warm and cozy by the fire. Sharing with friends and family, it is all about the feelings.
A brand new life opened up before me this past year, I am forever grateful. It has been so busy with all of the renovations but it is wonderful to see it coming together. A new home, a new venture, a special new love, how amazing life is! May your holidays be special filled with love and joy!
Monday, December 10 2012
This time of year the music, the carols are so beautiful! For the library tree I wanted to include some antique music ornaments. Using Taupe Rit Dye I immersed sheets of Christmas music bought on sale at a local music store into a shallow dye bath. Removing them quickly, I popped the sheets in the microwave for a few seconds.
Each sheet was cut in half and rolled into a cylinder, glued. The edges were spread with glue and sprinkled with tinsel glitter for a continued antique feel. A ribbon hanger, a piece of music ribbon was tied around and a jingle bell added.
The results a pretty ornament, quick and easy to make. I am adding them to my gift packages tied from the bows.
Happy Holiday trimming!
|
