I was inspired by some lace I found in my stash and a bag of broken pearl necklaces I picked up at the flea market this past weekend. The pearls are a range of gorgeous vintage hues. Not being a jewelry designer Katiedid components were great as I could glue broken pieces of pearl necklace into the doughnut components. The slipper is a version of the fun shoe I made at a Make and Take at Summer CHA at the Tombow booth with designer friend Marie Browning.

Eileen asked us to think outside the box with using the die in other ways, to show how versatile the die is. I used it to create a flower, layers of paper, lace and felt. I also used the pieces to make the double layer hat, collar and dress for my wee Mousekin. The scalloped pieces were perfect for the outfit.

Making the slipper, tan cardstock covered with lace.

Today the Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop, check out all the fabuous designs by talented designers using Eileen Hull's new die collection! I join the hop Thursday.

I have decided to try a new technique at least once a week. I have loved Sue Pelletier's beautiful collage work incorporating dresses and plaster. I purchased a plaster of paris children's handprint kit. The tray was perfect for mixing the plaster in making it thinner than the instructions called for. I mixed it into a gravy thickness (is Thanksgiving here in Canada so gravy has been simmering here!) to dip in my little dress.

First I prepared and collaged the canvas leaving it to dry. I sewed up a little dress front with some muslin and lace. It did not need to have closures or back with being applied to the canvas. I sewed a tiny apron to add along with lace sleeves and collar.

I mixed up half of the plaster and dipped in the dress applying it to the flat canvas arranging the folds. I then dipped and added the sleeves, collar and apron.

Then I just had fun mixing up shades of thinned acrylics and painting the dress. I added more plaster to the canvas adding buttons and measuring tape sections with a heart that says simply "she sews" because that is what I do. Preserving a sewing project this way felt special. It is still drying and I will seal it to hang on my studio wall. Try plastering a doll outfit or baby dress, add some photos or momentos, even the handprint. Make a memory! Keep creating Debra!

Happy Monday! A very full creative week ahead! This Tuesday and Thursday the Fresh Vintage Blog Hop is on with another group of talented designers. I am taking part in Thursday's Hop with a new flower die designed by Eileen Hull for Sizzix. These hops are so inspiring and have really stretched my creative design skills.

This Thursday the 13th I begin my Holiday Crafting Classes locally, the details are here. The classes run four weeks with each week filled with different techniques and finished project. The first class is a vintage trunk centerpiece with antiquing, embossing, inking, flower making and paper sewing techniques. There are still spaces available, email debra@debraquartermain.com.

Creativity is beneficial to our health and well being, it is both relaxing and rewarding plus in my classes get a jump on Christmas decorating and gift giving! It is an experience shared with others all involved in the creative process. There is something remarkable that happens as you take raw materials and transform them, it is about the whole process, the journey ending with a piece that is both beautiful and meaningful. Each person finds their voice, their style and in the applied techniques, fun exploration find their own unique creativiity! Anything is possible. Remember to always follow the Joy of Creativity, Debra!

It is our Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend. We have been blessed this week to have had most of our family and close friends come together for a very special event, the official opening of the Quartermain Earth Science Center.

Photo courtesy of the Daily Gleaner, full story here http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/front/article/1445860

My brother is a wonderful, generous man who has given back to the University and his home which means so much to him. As I listened to him speak from his heart, I could not have been more proud and filled with love. To my brother, my friend thank you for what you have given and to the difference you make and continue to in this world, with love. Deb

On the weekend there was a local craft show filled with great food, art and crafts. Near me were a couple of young artists who made a statement with their art, their display and their style! Kent Jensen "a commision based designer with a flair for helping you to stand out from the crowd." His surface embellishment and contemporary playful design make his ties, scarves, cards and fashion pieces both unique and appealing! I loved his outfit with his tie pinned with a kilt pin. I see a new trend! Kent teaches at the NB Craft College of Craft and Design.

Across from Kent was a lovely young woman Amanda Gollinger of Simply Chic Jewelry. Her display was striking with shades of teal and chocolate brown. Her cute gift boxes in teal and brown reminded me of classic Tiffany boxes. Her mannequins all dressed beautifully accented the jewelry perfectly. Kent and Amanda are both passionate about what they do, their attitude when interacting with customers at the show was so engaging and inspiiring. It is all about doing what you love, creating what resonates with your heart and spirit!

The colors of fall are a rich crimson array of shades and hues, swirling leaves and crisp lively days. The color of October is also pink, Breast Cancer Awareness month. This month's Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop is sponsored by  Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools. We were challenged to use Westcott Brand pink tools in creating a design incorporating
Duck Brand® Duct Tape and VELCRO® Brand Hook and Loop Fasteners . Westcott titanium steel non-stick scissors are ideal when working with adhesive products.

Several of the designers involved in the hop have donated their projects to be auctioned off with Charity Wings for the Breasr Cancer Awarenss Foundation, http://www.charitywingsnews.blogspot.com/2011/10/westcott-brand-and-friends-auction-for.html Westcott Brand has a fabulous giveaway for DCC blog hoppers, A Deluxe wonderful designs for a great cause. Please check it out.                    

Assortment of Westcott Cutting Tools (assortment may vary, US Residents only). All you have to do to be eligible to enter is comment on the DCC Blog Hop Post prior to November 1st. You can also visit Westcott Brand on Facebook. 

Now for the design! There is a Wild Gal in every woman and inspired by the Duck Brand hot pink zebra print I created a ruffled belt and pin. I was travelling while creating this design and it was a very portable project to work on. Westcott Brand Scissors, a roll of Pink Duck Brand Tape and a Roll of Zebra Print, Velcro Brand Closures.

How to:
Outer Flower- With adhesives sides of duck tape rolls facing and aligned begin rolling together. Measure and cut 3'. Begin snipping along strip to 1/4". Roll. Use a 1" circle of tape to adhere bottom of flower.
Inner Flower- Repeat as for outer flower rolling tape together for an 18" length. Fold in half lengthwise. Begin snipping through layers at fold to 1/4".

Finish snipping length and then roll for center of flower. Insert in center of outer flower adhering with Velcro Brand dots. Affix a pin back to end of outer flower. 

Belt instructions to follow tomorrow, now get hopping with our DCC button in the right sidebar and see all of the amazing projects created using Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools

September is National of should I say InterNational Sewing Month. I could not imagine my life without sewing or actually remember any time I was not sewing. Some of my earliest memories are of sewing next to my mother in the summer on our front porch. I had a tiny machine and I made doll clothes from the scraps she had. My mom like so many mothers at the time sewed most of all of our clothes. I remember the summer sewing because my mom also worked outside the home as a teacher so the summer was when she had freer time to sew.

I am taking part in a couple craft shows this fall, the first one this weekend Saturday and Sunday at the Capital Exhibit Center in Fredericton. I have had such fun just designing fabric items for the show. I have been working with soft wools and plaids making posie pillows and small pillow animals. I went back in my patterns to a Scottie Dog which appeared in my first book "Nursery Decor". Popped out a pig and of course added a black cat!

Come by if you are in the area, for the virtual world Monday October 3rd the DCC hops again with out October Pink Challenge sponsored by Westcott Brand scissors. We have been sent some fabulous Duck Brand tapes to work with (hot pink zebra print!) and Velcro Brand closures. Westcott non stick scissors make working with these products so easy! A new round of amazing designs from the Fresh Vintage Sizzix Blog Hop today. My talented designer friend Eileen Hull keeps coming out with beautiful die collections for Sizzix. Happy Creating Everyone! Debra

Today begins the reveal of the new line of Sizzix Fresh Vintage Dies by talented designer friend Eileen Hull. Sixty wonderful designers are involved in the hop for the next six weeks, every Tuesday and Thursday a group of about ten designers will be showcasing their designs. I join in on the fun in mid October.

This is one seriously, amazing creative and innovative international group of professional designers. Be inspired and hop along! Next Monday the DCC blog hop is live with the Westcott Brand Challenge!

Coming up this weekend is a local fall craft show at the Capital Exhibit Center, Fredericton, NB. I will be there promoting my local workshops, my work and some fun fall things.

Happy International Sewing Month! Keep creating & following the JOY! Debra

It was a beautiful day on Sunday, sunshine and warm. Summer lingers here and there while the trees turn glorious shades of auburn hues. I took part of the day to wander downtown, I appreciate the pretty town I live in more each day I adventure.

Fredericton has a long rich heritage and many of the buildings downtown have been lovingly cared for and/or restored. Around the corner from my place there are several homes over the past few months that have been rejuvenated. Watching the progress has been both interesting and enjoyable.

Today I met Amy who lives in one of these lovely homes, she was filling the window boxes with luscious bunches of autumn leaves and plump pumpkins. If ever a house was a perfect fall home, this is it with the bright orange door, striking black trim and window boxes. I love my town!

Yesterday I saw on Facebook a post of an event at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre which is just a few blocks a way. It sounded fun, a crash course in Silk Screening to create t-shirts to support their upcoming Emerging Musician series on Thursday evenings.

The Centre is an amazing place, "opens the door of creative expression to all." There are artists in residence, music and dance programs all held in a building with a rich vibrant history. Walking along the tree lined streets up to the Centre I was reminded again of the beauty and history of Fredericton. The Centre dates back to 1884. It was originally built as a school with six classrooms.

photos courtesy of Charlotte Street Arts Centre

Chalkboards were discovered from a Grade 1 classroom with a class list and are now on display at the Centre. Watching the little ones coming from Irish dance and reading the list of little ones from the past, we create and live history.

The silk screening crash class was taught by a talented young artist Angela Black. She explained the process of taking the drawing having it copied on the photo film, essentially like a photo negative. Placing this with the screen to transfer. Inking the screen and pulling the ink over the design to transfer it to a t-shirt. It was something I really knew very little about and now I understand the process. Plus I have a very cool shirt and supported a worthwhile program! The Centre run by two very passionate women who are bringing art t the community through the programs at the Centre and there many outreach programs.