Conversations in Cloth

May Program : Color Block Portraits

2011-05-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

Oliver by Michele M. Read more about it here.

The program this month was Maria Elkins' Color Block Portraits as shown in her DVD, Making Faces.

Maria Elkins offers written instructions for Beginning Portraits on the Quilting Arts website.

Michele did a few of these portraits last summer, and CinCers wanted to know how to do it.

Self-Portrait in Blue by Michele M. Read more about it here.

I hope some of you give this technique a try.

May Show-and-Share

2011-05-28T11:34:00.001-07:00

Here are some of the finished tissue paper-dyed silk scarves that we made back in March. Yummy colors!

Sandy took a class at the local tech school to learn how to dye these scarves.
Sandy also shared that the Annual Bead and Button Show will be in Milwaukee June 10-12.

Betty beaded these boxes as demonstrated by Karen back in January. Don't you just love how we learn from each other? Betty has also been very busy Zantangling :

Pat is back from her winter sojourn. She's been busy! She made this cat pin cushion (above) and a Spirit Doll (below) :

Here's a close-up of Pat's Spirit Doll. She explained that the turquoise-colored beads are made from something very unusual. Take a guess and then scroll down to see the answer ...
She also incorporated other natural things from the desert like dried cactus, devil's claw, and pomegranate husks.

JoAnne completed this reversible vest. She also brought this gorgeous coffee table book :

Pat did a small challenge quilt where she had to use this fabric, shown here as the quilt backing.
This is what she did on the front of this fun piece :

Michele has also been busy experimenting with Citra Solv to dissolve the ink in old National Geopgraphic magazines. Feast your eyes on some of the results :

From National Geographic and Citrasolv backgrounds

If you want to try it yourself, Diana Trout has a how-to video.

Michele also mentioned The Sketchbook Challenge as a source of inspiration and techniques to try. Each month, they offer a new theme. It's not too late to join!

Fire Fall Journal Quilt by Michele. Read more about it here.

Red-Wing Black Bird Journal Quilt by Michele. Read more about it here.

Answer to the Blue Bead Mystery : Pat's Turquoise-colored beads are made from diced, dried, and painted potato. Can you believe it?

Dyeing Silk Scarves with Spectra Art Tissue : Demo by Joanne

2011-04-02T09:05:00.000-07:00

At the March Meeting, Joanne taught us how to dye silk scarves like these with Spectra Art Tissue and a spray bottle with water. This method is safe enough to use with kids.

Joanne provided a Kit (Kit Fee $5) containing 1 silk scarf, an assortment of tissue paper (SpectraArt Tissue Paper).

Other things to bring :
Spray bottle with H2O
paper plate
gallon-size zip-lock bag (to take it home)
rubber gloves
plastic drop cloth / garbage bags to protect the tables

To begin, you just tear the tissue paper into pieces the size you want to use.
Then just lay the tissue paper on the scarf. Spray it with water, so that the color migrates from the tissue to the silk. Keep layering the silk with tissue paper and spray it with water.

It doesn't take long ...

In this picture, you can see the "spent" tissue paper next to the newly dyed silk scarf. All the color has migrated to the silk--which is exactly what we wanted to happen.

Let the silk scarf dry and then heat set the colors. Joanne used a warm dryer for 10 minutes. You could probably also use a warm iron, too.

Bring your scarves back next month so we can see how they turned out!

March 2011 Show and Share

2011-04-02T08:22:00.001-07:00

Betty beaded the hems of this silk scarf she dyed at Lynda's Christmas Break mess-making day last December.

Another one of Betty's scarves dyed at Lynda's Christmas Break play date in December.

Betty brought the basket she made after Lois' demo last October. Nice job!

Betty's beaded box.

Joanne's quilted table runner (?). A work in progress ...

Another one of Karen's beaded boxes. This is the one she keeps in her purse for pills. The beads seem stable with that type of wear and tear.

Lois's Ugly Block Challenge that she and a friend are doing together. She fractured the purple and green star block you can still make out in the corner (where Karen is pointing in the picture).

Karen's latest brooch, beaded and felted. Somehow Mop'n Glow was used on the felt, but I missed the details ...

Karen has also been Zentangling in her sketchbook. Check it out on her blog, Hanging by a Thread Studio.

Michele took a class called Beyond Meandering with Chris Lynn Kirsh at the Fox Valley Technical College's Sewing and Quilting Expo. This is a quilt sandwich to practice the designs.

January 2011 Newsletter

2011-02-09T19:01:00.000-08:00

January 27, 2011

Members Present: Lynda, Karen, Michele, & Brenda

Karen gave a demonstration on the beaded tins and beaded beads. Photos of the demonstration can be found on our blogspot.

Lynda showed us a beautiful wool weaving that she had made and asked for some suggestions on how to display it.

Michele showed some of her newest snow-dyed fabric. There were beautiful colors in a wide array of hues. She also brought in some of the things that she had purchased or received as gifts including:

Confetti Naturescapes by Noriko Endo

Inspired to Quilt by Melanie Testa

Zentanlge Basics by Suzanne McNeill (If you don’t know what Zentangle is, Google it. It is the ultimate form of Doodling!)

Totally Tangled by Sandy Stern Bartholomew

She also brought in some luscious Neocolor Water soluble Pencils and Kimberly watercolor Pencils. Lots of eye candy.

Karen asked about Photoshop Elements and whether anyone had experience working on it. Lynda really didn’t care for it. Michelle suggested that Gimp or Paint.net were excellent substitutes.

Dues are due!

2011 dues are due at the March meeting. It’s $5 for e-mail newsletters and $10 for snail mail newsletters.

2010 Future programs

February 24 – Michelle will bring the Maria Elkins DVD and her samples so we can learn the monochromatic portrait technique that she showed us back in September.

March 25 – Joanne will demonstrate a new technique that she learned for dying silk scarves.

January Show & Share

2011-01-29T12:09:00.001-08:00

Lynda's latest weaving. This is still a work-in-progress. She is contemplating how to hang it so that people can appreciate it from all sides.

Hanging by a Thread Studio
Karen has started posting to her Mixed Media blog.
Visit her, and leave comments! You'll also find a link at the right side of the CinC Blog.

Both Karen and Michele are participating in The Sketchbook Challenge. You can too! The January these is : Highly Prized.
See some of Karen's January entries here.
See some of Michele's entries here, here, and here.
There's also a Flickr Group devoted to the work participants post in The Sketchbook Challenge. In the first month, there are over 1,200 pictures!

Michele brought some new snow dyes to share:

Detail snow dye Kilt Green.

A piece thrown into the catch basin. Dyes used : black, wine, havanna brown, black cherry.

Detail of snow dye with Havanna Brown and black cherry on mercerized cotton.

Snow Dye with New Black and Wine on Mercerized on mercerized cotton.

Books of Note (Any of these would be great topics for future CinC Meetings!):

Confetti Naturescapes by Noriko Endo

Inspired to Quilt by Melanie Testa

Totally Tangled : Zentangle and Beyond by Sandy Steen Bartholomew

Zentangle Basics by Suzanne McNeil

January Demo : Karen's Exquisitely Beaded Boxes

2011-01-29T10:53:00.000-08:00

Karen gave us a great demonstration of how to make these beaded boxes. This set of 3 was made by her friend Lindi.

This is the box of samples that Karen brought for show.

You'll find the supply list in the previous post.

The instructions for this project come from this book : Getting Started with Seed Beads by Dustin Wedekind. This is the "Curiously Beaded Tin" on page 37.

Karen's advice :
Pre-strung beads make the work go faster.
Or you can use a bead-stringer tool.
There is no substitute for the Terrifically Tacky Tape. Other 2-sided tapes do not work as well. Save the orange backing to keep the TTT from picking up anything other than your beads. You can save the orange stuff on release paper so that you can get it off and use it where you need it.
Big-eye needles are great for using pre-strung beads.
Work on a tray to keep the beads contained.
Use a wooden skewer to move and place the beads.
Do not force the beads. Too many beads will bulge--they have no place else to go.

6-pound test "Fireline" fishing line is available at Fleet Farm for much less than you'd pay in the beading stores.

Here are some photos of the process :

First, string a stop bead.

I was really surprised how quickly the stringing went with the pre-strung beads. Karen used a big-eye needle and easily shuttled the pre-strung beads from their "native" string onto her Fire Wire.

This is an example of a pre-beaded piece (Peyote stitch?) that she planned to use as a focal point in this box. Here it is stuck in place by the TTT. See--they really are Altoids tins underneath!

Here, you can see more of the beads strung along the edge. You have to be careful to avoid the hinge areas, otherwise, the boxes won't open and close properly. She used dragon tears as focal points above. She will run the seed beads in strings around the dragon tears ...

Here's an example of the encircled dragon tears -- kind of like a Zen Garden!

Karen has also been beading big wooden beads, as shown above. These are called "Belted Bricky Balls." The Confetti bead in the lower right corner of the picture was inspired by a method in a book called The Art of Beaded Beads by Jean Campbell.

An Altoids box takes a full 8 hours to cover. Once it's covered, you can brush the top of the beaded box with ModgePodge or a clear glaze to secure everything. You can also cut felt or ultra-suede for the bottoms of the tins.

Once you get started, you won't want to stop! Karen says this is addicting!

One of Karen's beaded jar lids. The same general method works on jar lids. TTT is the key!

More beaded lids. Gorgeous!

Yes, that's a set of salt and pepper shakers!

Snippets : January 2011 Newsletter

2011-01-29T10:37:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that this Thursday is our meeting at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library. We will be discussing

whether or not we want to do a group challenge and if so what it will be
Should we plan a show for 2011
Regular Sharing (bring everything you’ve been working on since October
What else?

Thursday evening is also my night to demonstrate the tin beaded boxes and beaded beads. Below is a list of things that you will need for the box so that you can bring them a long if you want and I’ll get you started that night.

First you need a tin covered with Terrifically Tacky Tape. That is a name brand tape and nothing else is sticky enough. It is available only at Hobby Lobby and Michaels’s. I will briefly go over covering the tin, but if you want to get started beading Thursday night, bring your tin covered. Make sure you leave the protective (pink) tape on the tin so that it doesn’t stick to everything.

You will also need:

An exacto knife
Beading Needle (Easy Eye beading needles make this project a snap)
Seed Beads (strung if you have them)
Beading Thread
Focal Point Beads, Shank Buttons (you’ll need to cut off the shank), or charms
Bamboo skewer or stiletto

Karen

December Newsletter

2011-01-04T06:16:00.000-08:00

SNIPPETS from Conversation in Cloth

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of the Month at the Menasha Public Library at 6:30 PM
December 16, 2010

Members Present: Betty, Lynda, Joanne, Sandy, Karen, Michele, & Lois

White Elephant Holiday Party
We gathered at El Azteca in Appleton and had quite a lot of fun. As always the White Elephants are a hit. Everybody got one and I think a few will be back next year. We didn’t discuss much business, but we did discuss a donation to the Menasha Public Library and whether or not we will be able to continue meeting there in 2011. As of January we will still be at the library.

Dues are due!
2011 dues are due at the March meeting. It’s $5 for e-mail newsletters and $10 for snail mail newsletters.

2011 Challenge Project
If you recall we discussed three alternatives for a group challenge.
 Color Chip Design
 Continuous Line
 Fractured Photo
No matter which we choose, when put together, each finished piece will demonstrate our differences and our unity as a group. Examples of the formats can be viewed on the CiC Yahoo group website under photos. Check for the names listed above. This will be part of January’s agenda.

Treasurer’s Report
As of December 31, 2010 the cash balance is as follows:
Beginning Balance $164.78
Expenditures: $ 0.00
Total $589.78
Revenue:
2011 Dues rec’d to date $ 35.00
Balance $224.78

2010 Future programs
January 27 – Karen will demonstrate how to get started on the beaded tins (if the weather allows a trip from Green Bay to Menasha).
February 24 – Michelle will bring the Maria Elkins DVD and her samples so we can learn the monochromatic portrait technique that she showed us back in September.
March 25 – Joanne will demonstrate a new technique that she learned for dying silk scarves.

Threadpainting (free-motion embroidery) Workshops with Karla Spinks

2010-11-14T08:40:00.001-08:00

The members of CinC, with a few guests. We were at Julie's Sewing Center in Appleton, WI.

Back Row : ?? , Karla Spinks (Teacher), Lois, JoAnne, Pat
Middle Row : Brenda, Betty, Lynda
Front Row : Michele, Theresa
In October, CinC sponsored a 2-day workshop on Threadpainting with Karla Spinks.

This is a thread-painted portrait of Scott Joplin made by Karla Spinks. His face is entirely made with free-motion embroidery, no computer required. His face is entirely covered with thread.

This is Karla Spinks, our instructor for the weekend workshops. She is showing the woodpecker she is working on. Karla has worked with textile artist, Hollis Chatelain.

Karla's woodpecker with inspiration photos and the background fabric she intends to use for the finished piece.

A detail shot of Karla's woodpecker.

The workshop began with Karla having us thread-paint already painted on fabric. In this sense, it's like coloring or painting with your sewing machine needle. In this step, we were warming up, getting used to free-motion embroidery, adding texture and mixing colors. None of us were absolute beginners to free-motion stitching, so we quickly moved on to the next step.

This is Michele's blue bird, cut out of the hoop and ready to appliqued to a background. This was not done with a computer, or an embroidery module on a fancy sewing machine. If you can lower your feed dogs and set your machine for free-motion, you can do this, too!
I used a photograph as a reference, and penciled in the basic outlines of the bird. Then I just filled in the colors. There are four layers that we're stitching on. From the ground up : stabilizer, buckram (as in book binding), sheer fabric, then the thread layer. The 3 layers are stabilized in the embroidery hoop, which makes it easy to move around under the needle.

More picture of thread painting. Lois brought in this gorgeous quilt based on McKenna Ryan Rhythm of the Sea pattern :

October 2010 Show and Share

2010-11-14T08:36:00.001-08:00

Karen finished a beaded face.

Karen's bracelet is sitting atop a piece of Michele's rust- and overdyed fabric inspired by Turquoise.

Lynda's latest woven piece.

A sample of one of Sandy's tie bags, which she demonstrated how to make.

Sandy's Tie Purse

2010-10-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

At the October Meeting, Sandy will demonstrate how to make a purse from a man's tie. If you want to sew along, bring the following :

Supplies:
1 wide necktie about 54 inches long. Small over-all design or solid tie works best. Stripes or large patterns cannot be matched easily. Directional patterns are also difficult to match, such as galloping horses, sailboats or golf bags.

1/4 yard of lining fabric
1/4 yard of muslin for interlining
1 1/4 yard of braid for strap
12 inches of 3/8" wide elastic

I will bring a template and you will need to cut 2 muslin pieces and 2 lining pieces. So bring a fabric scissors, rotary cutter, small cutting board.

Sewing machine and matching thread if you want to sew.

It takes a couple of hours to make one. I will demonstrate it and bring written directions. If you don't want to bring your sewing machine, I will show the steps/stages necessary.

September 2010 Newsletter

2010-10-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

SNIPPETS from Conversation in Cloth

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of the Month at the Menasha Public Library at 6:30 PM

September 30, 2010
Members Present: Sandy, Brenda, Betty, Karen, Michele, & Lois

Christmas Party Final Plans (Note Date change!!)
The annual White Elephant Holiday Party will be held at El Aztecca on December 16 at 6 PM. We changed the date so that those members who are also part of Sew Savvy can attend as well. Lois will make the arrangements so that we can have a table in a corner by ourselves. Please RSVP by November 30 to Lois at lwolfe@bayland.net.

El Azteca
201 W Northland Ave # D
Appleton, WI 54911-2600
(920) 996-0983

Karla Spinks Workshop
The Karla Spinks Workshop will be at Julie’s Sewing Center on October 16 and 17 from 9:30 Am to 4 PM. If you missed the registration and still want to attend, contact Lois Wolfe to see if there is still space available.

Call for Challenges!
Karen suggested that it was time for the group to get involved in another challenge. Lois and Karen discussed a challenge that they saw on display at the Madison Quilt Expo in which a piece of red cording was used as a continuous element throughout the entries. It was felt that we’d like to do something like this as we are all different yet ties together by our interests. We talked about using clothesline instead of red cording. Other ideas are very welcome. We’ll make a final decision on the challenge and deadlines ion October.

Should We Do a Show?????
Karen mentioned that it had been a long time since we had displayed our work as a group. The last time was at the Menasha Public Library quite a few years ago. We could approach the library again about doing something similar in their lobby cases or we could also ask the American National Bank if we could be a part of their arts series. WE discussed putting our challenge results into the show. Someone from the group needs to step forward to organize the show if we decide to go ahead. Again, we’ll discuss this in October and make a final decision.

Amazing Creations brought by our Artist Members
Check out http://conversations-in-cloth.blogspot.com/ for photos of everybody’s work.
Betty – brought a chenille purse and a fleece jacket that she had made. She intends to add beads which will really make it sparkle.
SANDY – wore a jacket that she made from a beach towel and matching fleece. Very colorful and innovative. It also looked warm. She brought photos of the bra that she submitted to the Casting for Recovery auction and directed us to a website of a woman who makes wonderful button necklaces. http://www.jillweisz.com/
MICHELLE – displayed some amazing fabric portraits of her son Oliver, herself and a musician (sorry Michele I forget the name). She used the Art Quilting Series Project 406-2 at www.quiltingartstv.com to make a stylized portrait out of shades of one color of fabric. Way Cool! She also brought along a new book by Susan Carlson called “Serendipity Quilts” that show case Susan’s unique style.
LOIS/KAREN displayed the zipper pins that they had been experimenting with from directions Lois found on the internet.
KAREN brought in the finished product from the dyed paper towel project that we did. Using mod podge, Karen applied the decorated paper towel to prepared canvasses. The 6 x 6 inch piece is one that will be brought back to the ART GARAGE in Green Bay for their “Art from the Heart” fundraiser. Anyone can participate by picking up a canvas at the Art Garage and adding a design to the face of the canvas. For more information go to http://www.theartgarage.org/ . Karen also brought in a necklace featuring a copper slag piece that she picked up this summer and a doll named “Roxanne” that she made at a class at Keep Me in Stitches Quilt Shop and her beaded face pin that she finished.

Treasurer’s Report
Lois intends to provide a regular Treasurer’s Report for you in the future. As of September 30, 2010 the cash balance is as follows:
Beginning Balance $173.28
Expenditures: Postage stamps for Newsletters $ 8.50
Total $164.78
Revenue -0-
Grand Total $164.78

October 28 – Sandy will demonstrate how to make clutch purse or bag from a man’s tie. If you want to try making one that evening, bring a tie with an all-over design, sewing machine with thread to match, cording for the handle/strap, and a matching button.

Michele brought up the idea of using Facebook or Twitter as a means of staying in touch rather than the current blog system as very few people were using the blog. We can discuss this again in the future, but for right now, everyone wanted to stay with what we have.

2010 Future programs
December 16 – Annual White Elephant Holiday Party
January 27 – Karen will demonstrate how to get started on the beaded boxes (if the weather allows a trip from Green Bay to Menasha).
February 24 – Michelle will bring the Maria Elkins DVD and her samples so we can learn the portrait technique.
March - ???????

Coiled Baskets from Cotton Clothesline : Demo by Lois

2010-10-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

At the September meeting, Lois gave an excellent demostration on how to make coiled baskets from cotton clothesline wrapped with fabric strips.

This picture is looking down into a tote bag Lois made with a jelly roll set. Yummy!

Another basket on display. This one was made from a single fabric. The patterns made by wrapping the strips of fabric is mesmerizing!

More of the baskets on display.

Begin by cutting your fabric into 1/2-inch strips.
Alternatively, if you have jelly roll strips, cut them in half. These strips will be a little wider.

Cut the cord end at an angle, goob it with the glue stick.
Start wrapping the fabric strips around the cotton clothesline cord. Be aware of right and wrong sides to your fabric and what side you want to be showing. It's ok to overlap the wrappings, as you don't want any white clothesline to be showing.
Use a glue stick to secure it the fabric. Wrap as tightly as you can, and use the glue stick as needed to secure it. Keep whirling and twirling until you have a goodly amount to begin the coil.

Lois recommend using your sewing machine's presser foot to hold the end while you continue to wrap the cord. Secure it with a pin when you need to let go.

Start the coil. This may be the toughest part of the whole project.

When you have a few layers coiled, stitch an X across the bottom to secure it. This is a very important step. Don't skip it.

Continue coiling the wrapped cord, hold them tightly together and zig-zag the new round to the last round. Go SLOW.

To curve the bottom of the bowl, work from the inside and tip it slightly, as shown in the picture. It gets easier as you go along.

Wrap the cord, coil it, then stitch. Repeat until you're done.
This is Brenda getting a good start on her basket.

Other options for adding color :
Dye the clothesline (instead of wrapping it).

Resources :

Sue Breier's Books
It's a Wrap It's a Wrap II

September 2010 Show and Share

2010-10-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Sandy's Tie Bag. She will show us how to make one of these at our October Meeting.

Sandy's jacket made from a beach towel with polar fleece lining and sleeves.

Sandy also made a bra that is on display in Bernina's Bling Your Bra Contest. Scroll down to see Sandy's elegant handbag made from a bra. She made another one with Angel fish for Casting for Recovery. Karen and Lois also made bras but they are not on display yet.

Betty's slash bag, with instructions from Coloricious.
It has a chenille-like surface.

The back side of Betty's bag.

Zipper Flower Brooch by Karen and Lois.
Lois got the instructions from Martha Stewart.

Here's another one.

Michele did 3 "beginning fabric portraits." Maria Elkins offers instructions for Beginning Portraits on the Quilting Arts website.

Rock star, Eddie Vedder. Yes, I'm a fan from way back in his grunge days with Pearl Jam. That's a microphone in his hand.

An update to the Oliver Quilt. He's older now. ;-)

Karen finished the beaded face. Wow!

Karen made 2 Modge Podge collages to benefit a good cause (Breast Cancer?) through The Art Garage in Green Bay.

Karen's 2nd Modge Podge Collage.

This is Roxanne, a doll Karen made in a class at Keep Me in Stitches, Appleton, WI.

Karen also made this copper necklace.

Snippets - August 2010 Newsletter

2010-09-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

No minutes are available as I wasn’t at the meeting.

September 30 Program – Lois will demonstrate how to make clothesline baskets. If you want to get started working on your own project, bring:

" Sewing Machine

" Jeans Needles

" 100% Cotton clothesline (usually found in hardware stores)

" Fabric of your choice or scraps cut in half inch strips.

" Glue stick

" Coordinating thread

2010 Future programs:

October 28 – Sandy will show us how to make clutch bags from a man’s tie.

December 9 – Annual Christmas Party – we need to make final plans

January 27 – Karen will demonstrate how to get started on the beaded boxes (if the weather allows a trip from Green Bay to Menasha).

February???

Remember: a new CinC program chair is needed. It’s easy. Just work with CinC members to set up demonstration, schedule a field trip or invite a guest speaker. Without one, we won’t have the neat demonstrations that we have had in the past!

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of the Month at the Menasha Public Library at 6:30 PM

Posted by Michele on behalf of Karen.

August Show and Share

2010-08-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Shout out to Theresa who recently moved to OH. We are thinking about you! Are your ears tingling?

Lynda's latest woven and felted piece from the front.

Back of Lynda's piece.

Cloth woven by Lynda.

Joann's purse.

Joanne is also working on a 20-in Art Doll Mermaid. She says she has been "a process." No pictures as she didn't bring the mermaid along tonight. We look forward to seeing her progress in future ...

Felted Geodes with Lynda

2010-08-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Felted Geodes from Lynda's private collection.

At this month's meeting, Lynda showed us how to make a felted geode that can be used as a pin cushion. Present : Lynda, Joann, Michele, and Brenda.

The moment of truth! After rubbing and rolling our geodes for over an hour, we were all excited to see the treasure inside. Here are our geodes cut open at the end of the night. We actually had to go out to our cars in the parking lot to cut them open with a knife on a cutting board. We didn't want to be arrested for bringing a knife into the public library! The Library was closing so we hastily lined these up on a heat register in the lobby at closing time to get this photo.

Here's a close-up of Michele's felted geode .... Wonder what's inside?

Inside of Michele's felted geode. Pretty neat!

July 2010 Newsletter

2010-08-16T17:03:00.000-07:00

SNIPPETS from Conversation in Cloth

July 27, 2010

Members Present: Jo Anne, Sandy, Brenda, Betty, Karen, Jo,
Karen came late so the minutes are incomplete!

Announcements:
Sandy Ansfield introduced her guest, Karen Sutter.

Amazing Creations brought by our Artist Members (see photos below)
Jo Anne showed a bag of dyed wool scraps that she found at a rummage sale.
Karen S. showed a fabric handbag that she had made.
Karen M. showed a series of beaded tins that she has been working on, a felt ball bracelet, and a pin made of of beaded silk tie fabric.
Sandy showed her beads made out of bobbins. The technique was featured in the June Bead and Button Magazine.

Program highlights – Part II – Beaded Face Pin demonstrated by Betty.
Betty demonstrated her method of creating a pin using the face beads we made at the June meeting. You first attach the pin back and face to your backing. Then work a bezel stitch around the face bead. Fill in the forehead with beads to form a cap. The hair is fringe fill in. Many were started and few were finished. We will be finishing up at a future meeting.

August 27 Program – Lynda will demonstrate felting techniques and will provide the supplies. We will be meeting at the library. Bring an old towel, heavy duty scissors, a nylon sock and an ice cream bucket for water.

2010 Future programs:
September 30 – Lois will demonstrate how to make clothesline baskets.
October 28 – Sandy will show up how to make clutch bags from a man’s tie.
December 9 – Annual Christmas Party
January 27 – Karen will demonstrate how to get started on the beaded boxes (if the weather allows a trip from Green Bay to Menasha).
February???

Remember: a new CinC program chair is needed. It’s easy. Just work with CinC members to set up demonstration, schedule a field trip or invite a guest speaker. Without one, we won’t have the neat demonstrations that we have had in the past!

Beaded Faces with Betty

2010-07-31T09:45:00.001-07:00

Betty's beaded face. This is what Betty demonstrated for us this month .... Thanks for being project leader this month, Betty. We appreciate your time and talents! And (once again) Thanks to Jo for taking these pictures while I was out. ;-)

CinC Members beading their own clay faces :

July Show and Share

2010-07-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to Jo H. for taking pictures and excellent notes this month while I was taking down the EAA Quilt Show. Here are the 2 quilts I had hanging in the EAA Quilt Gathering Show in Oshkosh (Jo made the trek down to Oshkosh and took pictures there as well!)

Michele's Millifiore 4-patch stacked posey. I love this technique! This one actually one 1st Place for Lap Quilts in this show. What a surprise!

Michele's Twin Connection Strip Therapy Quilt made with batiks.

Karen had her wool needle case and has a few kits left. Jo requested one and someone else also wanted one.

Karen was also a beading maniac this past month. She used metal tins such as Altoid boxes and beaded them using something called Terrifically Tacky Tape. I think the tape held the beads before she sewed them. She found the directions in a beading book, but forgot which book.

Karen also had a floral pin, [apologies for the blurred picture].

Pat had a purse she made, but said she had shown it before.

Sandy made some clay pieces with a aquatic life, some pieces with inlaid clay and also did two bobbins. The directions for the bobbins is in the June issue of Beads & Buttons.

Karen Sutter showed a purse she made and has been using this summer.

JoAnn had some wool felt she bought at a garage sale.

Brenda had a free form clay face she is making. It is still a work in progress.

June Newsletter

2010-07-13T14:39:00.001-07:00

SNIPPETS from Conversation in Cloth

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of the Month at the Menasha Public Library ay 6:30 PM

June 24, 2010
Members Present: Lois, Michele, Jo Anne, Pat, Sandy, Brenda, Betty & Karen

Announcements:  Be sure to wear your nametag each month. New members and guests will have an easier time getting to know us.
 Sandy let us know that there was a tie factory outside of Chippewa Falls that sells silk remnents by the bag at a very low price. It is called “XMI”.
 There is also a ‘button lady’ that lives in Oshkosh across from Ardy’s & Ed’s on south Main St. Her name is Kathy Hoppe and she uses the O’Gosh tag line. Her web site is http://www.ohgosh-buttons.com/.
 “Everything Sewing” on Oneida St. in Green Bay is going out of business. Many things are discounted and will continue to be discounted further as the sale goes on.

Amazing Articles of Art brought by our Artistic Artists Members
Michelle had two really nice projects: Gramma Pickles which was an exercise in thread painting and samples of her latest rust dying efforts. Tips from Michelle include:
• Use half water/half vinegar solution;
• Wrap your fabric around something rusty and use plastic wrap to keep it moist. Leave it on for about two days depending on how hot it is;
• Open a tea bag and sprinkle it on the rusted fabric. It makes attractivbe nblack marks
• Wash fabric with synthrapol and hot water to stop the rusting process
Betty brought her ATCs to share and passed around her family Christmas decoration for the year which is a set of cute moccasins.
Sandy showed some of the quilt blocks that she had been working on with her silk tie scraps. The colors were vibrant and show great promise for a beautiful crazy quilt.
Karen showed a beaded bracelet that she had made for a friend.

Program highlights – Part 1 - Polymer Clay Faces demonstrated by Karen.
Karen brought two set of polymer clay molds which she passed around for everyone to use with the clay that they brought. She also demonstrated how to color the faces after they are baked at 230 degrees for 30 minutes.

I am also inserting a picture of how the faces look when they are painted with most of the paint rubbed off. The first one uses midnight brown shoe polish which leaves a nice sheen on the face. The other two are done with Luniere copper and gold paint. You can also use water to remove some or all of the paint if you don’t like the results. I didn’t have any brown paint at home, but I think that would really put a lot of depth into the cracks of the face piece.

July 29 – Part 2 – Beaded decoration for the clay faces by Betty. Betty shows us how to make hair out of beads (as for brooches) with the polymer clay faces we made in June. You can also bring a face bead if you already have one.

Class Supply List:
• A piece of ultra suede or thin leather slightly larger than your face bead
• #11 seed beads for hair in the color(s) of your choice
• Beading needle and thread
• Pin back (Betty has some extras)
• Scissors

Please Note: I won’t be able to attend the July meeting and neither will Lois. Lois will be in Niagara Falls and I will be out on the water somewhere. You will need to color your face beads on your own using the techniques that I demonstrated at the last meeting or ones that you think will give you the desired effect.

2010 Future programs:
August 27 – Lynda will demonstrate felting techniques
September 30 – Lois will demonstrate how to make clothesline baskets.
October 28 – Sandy will show up how to make clutch bags from a man’s tie.
December 9 – Annual Christmas Party

Remember: a new CinC program chair is needed. It’s easy. Just work with CinC members to set up demonstration, schedule a field trip or invite a guest speaker. Without one, we won’t have the neat demonstrations that we have had in the past!

June Show and Share

2010-06-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Sandy went to a silk tie factory near Chippewas Falls (You have to know someone who can take you there) where you can buy scraps by the pound for just a few dollars. She got a shopping bag full and turned the diamond scraps into crazy quilt squares.

Yummy!

Betty's handmade Christmas Ornaments, commemorating the birth of a new grand child.

Betty's Artist Trading Cards

Karen's beaded charm bracelet.

Michele's thread sketch of Gramma Pickles. Read more about it here.

Michele brought this sample from another batch of rust dyeing. This one was soaked in vinegar and water, then crumpled into a rusty cookie tin, and sprinkled with dry black tea (as from a tea bag). It was left to sit in the sun for 2 days.

This one was shibori-wrapped around a rusty pole.

Sample of the Fimo/Sculpy Clay faces we made at the June Meeting. These were made by Jo. Thanks to Karen for leading the session. Bake your clay and bring the faces back next month when Betty will show us how to bead hair for them, similar to this pin she brought months ago :

May 2010 newsletter

2010-06-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

SNIPPETS from Conversation in Cloth

Meetings are held on the last Thursday of the Month at the Menasha Public Library ay 6:30 PM

MAY 27, 2010
Members Present: Lois, Lynda, Michele, Theresa,
Jo Anne, Pat, Sandy, Brenda, Julie, Betty & Karen

Guests: Betty introduced her friend Georgina Holden.

Announcements:  Be sure to wear your nametag each month. New members and guests will have an easier time getting to know us.
 Newsletters will be posted on the blog starting next month.
 Bring your ATCs if you have them to share in June
 Michelle passed out a final membership list. As it is now on the CiC blogspot, we will no longer be printing these.
 The group voted to suspend Julie’s dues as she does all of the work getting the facility and equipment lined up.

Results of the Road Kill Challenge
7 members brought their Road Kill challenge pieces to show. They were all very versatile and innovative. The artists and titles are:
Michelle – Rich
Brenda – Whimsy
Lois – Which Road Will you Take?
Lynda – Found Yarn died with pomegranate, onion skins and oak leaves
Betty – Plastic Bag Sandwich Purse
Pat – Self Portrait
Karen Self Portrait
Photos and more detailed explanations can be found on the CiC blogspot. If you do not have access to this site, please check with Michelle.

Show & Share (with pictures) is posted on the CinC blog at http://conversations-in-cloth.blogspot.com/. Items included Pat’s Cochina Man; Theresa’s Star in Stars Quilt; Michelle’s Mayfly; Sandy’s clutch purse made from a man’s tie; Karen’s clothesline basket; Lynda’s conventionally dies wool balls, Georgina’s afghan and Betty’s beaded art piece. Brenda shared a copy of a new magazine called Quilt Life published by Ricky Timms and Alex Anderson.

Upcoming Programs:
Theresa reported on the work that she has been doing to coordinate bringing Karla Spinks to the group for a thread painting workshop. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 16 at a place to be determined. We are also working on finalizing the cost for the workshop which we think it will be very reasonable.

Karen also announced that Phyllis Cullen will be coming to a Women Who Run With Scissors workshop on November 13 & 14 at Goodwill in Green Bay. There are several openings and the cost will be $135. The topic is expected to revolve around the styles of the old masters, quilts from photos and what makes a good photo for a quilt. You can visit Phyllis’s website at www.phylliscullenartstudio.blogspot.com to see her work.

Next Month – June 24: Polymer Clay Faces demonstrated by Karen. Bring the following:
 1 block of FILO or two blocks of Sculpy clay. This will make 6 to 10 faces depending on the size you make.
 Cutting board or cardboard to cut on.
 Craft knife (e.g. Xacto) or pocket knife
 shoe box lid or other box to carry your beads home in.
We will be using the face beads for a pin demonstration in July by Betty.

2010 Future programs:
July 29 - Betty shows us how to make hair out of beads (as for brooches) with the polymer clay faces we made in June. You can also bring a face bead if you already have one.
August 27 – Lynda will demonstrate felting techniques
September 30 – Lois will demonstrate clothesline baskets
October 28 – Sandy will show up how to make clutch bags from a man’s tie.
December 9 – Annual Christmas Party

Remember: a new CinC program chair is needed. It’s easy. Just work with CinC members to set up demonstration, schedule a field trip or invite a guest speaker. Without one, we won’t have the neat demonstrations that we have had in the past!

May Show & Share

2010-05-29T07:56:00.000-07:00

Karen made a clothesline basket at a class run by Lois.
We'll probably be making these baskets at a fall CinC meeting. Lois says buy your all-cotton clothesline NOW. It's a seasonal item that won't be available in fall or winter.

Inside Karen's Rainbow clothesline basket.

Karen's felted clutch bag, made at a May workshop run by Lynda (our resident Felter and Fiber Artist).

Betty beaded an amazing Ocean "to use up some old beads." She used 1500 yards of Fireline in this piece. See if you can find the squid - brain coral - and seaweed.

Detail of Betty's Ocean.

Betty's Paisley bag.

Michele's thread sketched Lakefly postcard. It is May, after all!

Sandy's Neck Tie Bags made from Fox Valley sewing instructor (coach) Donna Teagan's pattern.

Georgina (guest) is knitting an afghan.

Lynda's varigated dyed wool yarn (which she does with a canning jar set-up).

Theresa's Family made a Star-within-a-Star Quilt.

Pat made a set of Artist Trading Cards.

Pat's Indian Dancer Quilt.

Brenda discovered a new magazine that is worth a look. Click on the picture to learn more ...

Reveal of Walk-a-Mile Challenge

2010-05-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

May was the big reveal of Karen's Walk-a-Mile Challenge.

The basics for this challenge : Walk one mile down the road of your choice and pick up anything that you can find that has possibilities. Work it into a wall hanging use anything you find, muslin, one focus fabric (it must be something you already own, there is no shopping involved in this challenge) and all of the paint, ink and anything else you want.

Karen presented her self-portrait that used a rust-dyed fabric for a background, potato chip bag for body and flowers. Curly hair is cut from a foam tube. Stars are cut from a mylar bag food bag.

Michele made a riverbed postcard from a zapped Ghiradhelli chocolate chip bag, net, a scrap from a billboard, lace and beads. Read more about the making of it.

Brenda's "Whimsy" includes an old pizza box transformed into a moth, beer bottles, Skoal tins and more ...

Detail of Brenda's Whimsy.

"Which Path Would You Take" by Lois incorporates product wrappers turned into billboards along a road; cars made from a lighter and Caramex tube; a music CD for Sweetest Day turned round-about. She mounted it all on an old canvas.

Lynda dyed wool yarn with compost - pomegranite and onion skins with Madder Root (and some synthetic red) with oak leaves. (In the corner, you can see part of the vest she is knitting from her Newfie's dog's wool.)

Betty used a technique seen on Quilting Arts using recycled plastic shopping bags, green net bags, sequins, a broken bike reflector (among other things) fused with a heat tool to make the composed fabric for this clutch.

Detail shot of another sample of Betty's composed plastic bag fabric.

Pat made a self-portrait from items she found along a road in Arizona. Her self-portrait incorporates seed pods, a shoelace, broken glass, broken concrete, and a bent bottle cap for lips.

Karen provided a book prize for participants (won by Brenda in a drawing):

Making Fabric Beads : Demo by Lois W.

2010-05-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

Detail of an embellished fabric bead in Lois' Persephone wall hanging (mixed media).

The full Persephone by Lois W.

From a bag of fabric scraps like this, you can make fabric beads. Some of these scraps are already backed with fusible. If not, Lois recommends the THICK version of Heat 'n Bond.

In this picture, it's a little hard to tell that Lois is rolling a triangle of fabric onto a wooden dowel or knitting needle over a hot iron. The iron is hot-side up (so be careful not to burn yourself) so it can engage the fusible.

That's how you end up with tubes like these, which can be cut down to the desired size and embellished.

This is some wire that Lois scavenged from a dead electrical appliance (a bread maker?). She is using the copper wire to embellish her fabric beads in the following pictures :

You can string other beads onto the wire and wrap them onto the fabric bead. You could also wrap with yarns.

You can also work with Kunin Felt and a heat gun to make fabric beads.

Wrap the painted, embellished felt around a wooden dowel (metal knitting needles can get too hot). YOu may need to pin it so it stays in place while you are zapping it :

A zapped Kunin Felt Bead.

This is an example of how the Kunin felt distresses and gets "moth-eaten" with the application of heat.

Some examples of composed fabric made with felt, organza, beads, metallic and acrylic paints and other bits of leftovers and scraps. Lois said these were entirely held together by just zapping it with the heat gun :

Although these look like beautiful pieces in-and-of-themselves, they could all be cut up and used to make fabric beads as described above.

This one may be on a base of painted Tyvek.

For more information, check out the following books (Don't forget to try your local public library.) :

Fabric Art Workshop by Susan Stein

Raising the Surface with Machine Embroidery by Maggie Gray

If you make any fabric beads using these (or other) techniques, please bring them to a future mtg of CinC. Thanks for the demo, Lois.

April Show & Share : Spotlight on Jo's Hand Dyes

2010-05-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Jo Holden brought a stack of her hand-dyed fabric for Show & Share this month.
I won't try to explain the techniques, because I'll probably get something wrong ... She uses some traditional shibori techniques, along with parfait, shaving cream marbles, and snow-dyeing. Enjoy this Feast for Your Eyes :

That's Jo peaking out from behind this pole-wrapped shibori piece.

Jo--anytime you want to offer a workshop, we'll be there!

April Show & Share

2010-05-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Lynda has been busy felting furniture covers for her house. This is a "not-yet-felted" panel (1 of 4). For this, she started with a wool quilt batting as the base layer over muslin, with embellishments on top.

Here's a detail showing the locks and threads that she is incorporating into the whole.

Here's another detail. (The colors have been enhanced. The actual is much more muted and calm.)

Katy did more work (couching) on her Dragon quilt. This is heavily thread-painted after a class with Ellen Eddy. She also died the base fabric in an exclusive class with Rikky Timms (She's got connections!)

Michele finished this small Cathedral Windows piece. Handwork away from home.

Sandy brought this small book she made for her grand-daughter, complete with a pocket in the back cover.

Jo Anne has been busy making aprons and more in preparation for a craft sale in Michigan.

Lois is modeling one of Jo Anne's aprons.

Detail of one of Jo Anne's table runners, and a Kleenex cozy.

Another one of Jo Anne's new aprons.

2 quick table runners by Jo Anne.

Lois made this bag from pre-quilted fabric. She calls it her Bow-Tuck (or Bo-tox) Purse,

March Show & Share & Lutradur Samples

2010-05-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

Karen brought tote bags that she's been making to give to her staff at work :

Brenda brought some Lutradur samples.
She also brought some spray-on colors (with sparkles) she found at a scrap-booking supply shop (but I can't find my notes, and this post is a month overdue). She also did some stamping and is that Angelina? Lutradur is a very versatile fibre/fabric.

Michele also brought some Lutradur samples treated with regular acrylic paints and salt. The salt on the wet paint is what makes the coral-like patterning.

March Newsletter

2010-04-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

March “Madness” – March 25, 2010

Michelle, Lois, Karen, Betty, Brenda, Joanne, & Theresa were present.

New member Brenda Ehlers was welcomed to the group. Karen apologized for not getting out a newsletter for the last two months. She had not been in attendance.

2010 dues are due. They are $5 for those who want to receive the newsletter by e-mail and $10 if you want the newsletter mailed via the post office. Karen will contact those that have not paid to see if they want to continue their membership. Dues can be brought to the next meeting or mailed to Lois Wolfe at 581 Oak Ct. Little Suamico, WI 54141

The Road Kill challenge is due at the May 27th meeting. There is till time to walk your mile and pick up your stuff. Remember. One fashion fabric, muslin, the stuff you find and all the paint, beads, thread you want.

Theresa went over the program agenda for the next few months. Darting Needles will have Joanie Zaier Poole at the May program and meeting and Harriet Hargrave at the June program and meeting. Both teach different forms of machine quilting. There is a discount if you are a Darting Needles member.

Conversations programs:
April Karen & Lois will demonstrate fabric beads
May Road Kill Challenge
June Karen will demonstrate how to make clay faces
July Betty will demonstrate her beaded face pins using June’s faces
August Open
September Lois will demonstrate coiled baskets
October Open
November/December - Christmas party at a location to be determined
Suggested programs include:
Dollmaking with Joanne, Michelle and Pat
Felted Handbags with Lynda
Dying (probably in the summer)
Weaving and spinning
Thread painting (possibly with Karla Sparks)
Needle felting with Lynda
Saturday - Milwaukee field trip to Bixby’s, Artist’s Cellar, Patched Works
If anyone is interested in demonstrating or taking the lead to organize one of these workshops, please let Theresa know.

Phototransfers – We discussed photo transfers and the many different ways they can be done. Karen mentioned one she saw on Quilting Arts TV where orange based cleaner (like Goo Gone) was used to transfer a photo from acetate to muslin. Lois will try it and report back.

Stained Glass supplies If you are interested in or know someone who is interested in stained glass supplies, contact Betty. She has some that she is willing to sell.

Show and Share Lutrador experiments were shared. Brenda stamped and melted some with different effects. Michelle dyed the Lutrador but could not find a satisfactory way to seal it. The dye would not absorb into the fiber. Ranger Inks were suggested as a possible way to color the Lutrador along with acrylic paints. Ranger Inks are available at Michael’s. Also suggested was Adirondack Inks by Tim Holz.

Joanne suggested that we check out a website called fiber-in-form.com. There is section on the website called out of the cupboard that has free mini classes and one of them is on using Lutrador.

NEXT MEETING April 29th – Wear your name tag!!!

February 2010 Show & Share

2010-02-28T07:53:00.001-08:00

Sandy bought a needle-felting machine and took a class by Isabella Hoffman to make this winter wall-hanging.

Theresa found this book which she dug out for her mother. It's the manual for mending.

Someone gave Theresa the knitted cloth, and she turned it into this little purse.

To see what Michele has been up to, visit here, and here.
Fabric Post Cards Creative Cues : Morning Odd Heel South

This is a Lutradur sample from the Simply Salt online class lead by Fibre-in-Form.
See more.

People had books to show this month. Among them :

Fabric Embellishing : Basics and Beyond
Lots of ideas for ways to spend future evenings at CinC!

Fabulous Fabric Art with Lutradur by Leslie Riley - Oh the possibilities!

Theresa gave each of us present a square of Lutradur. We're supposed to play with it, color it distress it, stitch--whatever ... and bring it back to show everyone else next month.

Jan 2010 Show & Share

2010-02-07T09:34:00.001-08:00

This is a quilt Lois W. made on behalf of all of us at CinC for Katy as she navigates some tricky health issues. It's all about friendship and support. "We're with you, Katy." We had to wait until Katy actually got the quilt before I could post it here. Gill added a tape on the back embroidered with all of our names.

Gill's Star Challenge piece that she made for the Dicken's of a Quilt Show in Ripon, December 2009. The challenge was to use the binding fabric in the challenge piece. Nice job, Gill!

Gill recently acquired a die-cut (Accu-Cut?) machine. At her last quilt retreat, she offered to die-cut fabrics so members could make this apple-core table runner.

Here's another example of how the pieces can be put together.

Lynda brought the hand-made North Carolina dogwood boat shuttles (for weaving) she made with her father.

Michele has been doing some more hand-dying ...

See more at Sweet Leaf Notebook.

And some rust-dipped tyvek by Michele. See more here and here.

December 2009 Newsletter

2009-12-19T14:55:00.000-08:00

Christmas Gathering
The Christmas Gathering was a blast. Thanks to Joanne Klug for ‘volunteering’ her beautiful home. As Katy said in an earlier e-mail, the best white elephant was the box of stuff that Theresa put together. It had everything you can imagine…..more than you can imagine. Lois will have enough stuff to do things with for a long time. Joanne, we accidently drove off without it, but Lois wants you to save it all for her. Katy received a Quilting Arts DVD and watching a few episodes of that will be the January program. Karen will also demonstrate how to mold faces out of clay.

What are you interested in?
We need your program ideas and folks to volunteer to demonstrate various techniques. If you are doing something interesting, please share your knowledge with us. The next meeting is January (brrrrrrrr) 28th at the Menasha Public Library.

Dues are due!
The Dues for 2010 are due. Its $10 for those of you who want your newsletter mailed and $5 if you still want to get it via e-mail. Please fill out the form in the newsletter so we will have your correct contact information.

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)
What are they? 2 ½ X 3 ½ inch mini works made of whatever you like, to be exchanged with friends and other interested artists. More information can be found on the internet. Karen shared the following link for ATCs several months ago.
http://www.cedarseed.com/air/atc.html

Bring your ATCs to the next meeting. Joanne brought her ATCs to the Christmas Gathering and showcased her mixed media technique of decoupaging fancy paper napkins to fabric, finishing and stitching on them. ATCs are fun to make and exchange.

Road Kill Challenge The basics for this challenge are: Walk one mile down the road of your choice and pick up anything that you can find that has possibilities. Work it into a wall hanging use anything you find, muslin, one focus fabric (it must be something you already own, there is no shopping involved in this challenge) and all of the paint, ink and anything else you want. Challenges are due at the April Meeting so that everyone has time to complete their challenge and bring it in. THERE WILL BE PRIZES!

Conversation in Cloth meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Menasha Public Library unless otherwise stated. Visitors are welcome.

Talking Threads on web video

2009-11-14T05:45:00.000-08:00

Talking Threads is posting their 30 minutes programs on the web for all to view. They meet with a textile artist and demo a technique (or 2 or 3). They take the time to go into depth. It's been a really worthwhile and interesting show so far. Enjoy!

View more here.

November 2009 CinC Newsletter

2009-11-14T05:34:00.000-08:00

Recap of the October Meeting

* Road Kill Challenge – Karen introduced the Road Kill Challenge. She talked about Found Object Art, which Katy quickly dubbed FART (Found Art from Recycled Things).

Karen showed a pin that she had made in an art class long ago out of a piece of copper wire and a bark chip. She also showed some rust dyed fabric that she had made from found objects and muslin. The basics for this challenge are: Walk one mile down the road of your choice and pick up anything that you can find that has possibilities. Work it into a wall hanging use anything you find, muslin, one focus fabric (it must be something you already own, there is no shopping involved in this challenge) and all of the paint, ink and anything else you want. Challenges are due at the April Meeting so that everyone has time to complete their challenge and bring it in. THERE WILL BE PRIZES!

Sample "found items" with possibilites [pop cans, mylar food bags, plastic thingies ...].

* Group Volunteers - In order to divide up the work, volunteers stepped forward to take on the chores of the group. Lois Wolfe will be the Treasurer; Karen Matze is the secretary/newsletter person; Theresa Busse will coordinate the programs for the upcoming meetings.

* Dues are due for 2009. They will remain at $5 for e-mail newsletters and $10 for newsletters by mail.

*Christmas Party – There will be no November meeting. Instead, the annual Christmas Party will be a potluck at Joanne K’s house, on December 10 at 6 PM. Bring a dish to pass. Please call Joanne to RSVP or e-mail her.

Don’t forget your white elephants. You may not buy anything; it has to be something you already have at your house. Think creatively!

* Warping Party – Lynda announced her warping party for November 7.

* Theresa B – Theresa is moving to Ohio in the future to be with her family. Until then she is coordinating the group’s programs. We will miss Theresa mightily when she leaves us, and we all wish her well. We will also need another program coordinator in the future so if you are interested, raise your hand at the next meeting. All you need to do is make sure that we have an event, demonstration, speaker or activity for 11 meetings this year.

* Show and Share – Betty brought a beautiful framed piece of free form beadwork that she had done in turquoise and copper. She also showed some of the pins that she is working on that feature doll heads. Theresa brought two books that she thought the group would enjoy: Haute Handbags, Autumn 2009 published by Somerset Studios and Cool Coutre: Construction Secrets for Runway Style, by Kenneth King. Lynda had a weaving that she had done with paint stick dyed warp and weft for the first 6 inches with a dyes wool for the balance. The first six inches were $30 an inch, the last was $30 per yard. See pictures in the post below ...

* Fabulous Fractures – Lois demonstrated this technique using multiple repetitions of one fabric. The technique is from a book called Fabulous Fractures written by Brenda Esslinger. This strip piecing technique gives a three dimensional look to your finished piece. Lois will be teaching a class in this technique in January at her studio. Call her if you are interested in signing up.

* ATCs - Bring your ATCs to the December meeting. Michele brought two that she had received as a result of her BlogSpot. Karen, Lynda, Lois and Michele traded at the September meeting and will bring theirs as well to trade with everyone else. Info on ATCs can be found at http://www.cedarseed.com/air/atc.html.

Upcoming Meetings

Conversation in Cloth meetings are held on the Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Menasha Public Library unless otherwise stated. Visitors are welcome.

December 10 – Christmas Party at Joanne K's, on December 10 at 6 PM. Bring a dish to pass. Please call Joanne to RSVP.

January 28 – We need a volunteer, please contact Theresa.

February 25 - We need a volunteer, please contact Theresa

October 2009 Show-and-Share

2009-11-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

Katy made great progress on this thread-painting piece, started in a class with Ellen Anne Eddy a few years ago.

Here's a close-up of Katy's dragon :

Betty's beautiful Turquoise and Copper beadwork

More of Betty's beadwork and the book she's using for inspiration.
Those 2 blue brooches sitting on the book are Betty's.

Michele finished the Spools Quilt Top, borders and all. Now how to quilt it?

Lynda's weaving experiment. She used PaintStiks to color this weaving.

Lois made this stump-work (?) wall-hanging.

Another of Katy's pieces : Piping Hot Macaroni made with silks from the garment district in NYC.

September 2009 Show and Share

2009-09-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

Detail of Zebra by Lois. Every bit of this piece is covered in thread! It's incredible! She's getting this ready to send to Paducah, or other big international shows.

Full view of Zebra by Lois.

A Refracted wall quilt by Lois. It looks shimmery and 3-D, doesn't it?
Lois showed several of these refracted quilts as she will be teaching a class and needed class samples.

Refracted Flowers by Lois.

Refracted Fish by Lois. It looks like you ware seeing them through rippling water ....

Back of Refracted Fish by Lois. This is the base fabric she started with.

Refracted Quilt by Lois

Refracted Penguins by Lois.

Michele's Millifiore quilt-top. This is the 4-patch stacked posey pattern.

Detail of Michele's Millifiore quilt top

Because Michele showed her 4-patch stacked posey quilt top, Karen brought out her Christmas tablecloth WIP. Hmmmh--- kind of looks like artist trading cards in this format. Or tree garland.

Karen's covered buttons made in a class she took earlier this summer. One of them even has beads on it!

Karen's new baby : a 4-harness loom for which she paid less than $150! She's an incredible bargain-hunter and re-purposer! Last year, Karen took a weaving class at the Textile Museum in Minneapolis where she got to work on larger class floor loom. Since then, she's been looking for a loom of her own.

Karen's cat, Howard also wanted to be part of the festivities.

ATCs : September Meeting at Karen's House

2009-09-26T09:03:00.001-07:00

The 4 of us had a lovely pot-luck dinner out on Karen's patio by candle-light. This picture is here because it resembles some of the refracted quilts Lois has been doing.

The program for September was Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). People were supposed to bring 14 Artist Trading Cards to trade with other CinC Members. Here are some of the ATCs laid out for trading. We could use any technique as long as the finished product was 3-1/2 in x 2-1/2 inches.

Here's a sampling of the ATCs traded that night :

Felted ATCs by Lynda

ATCs by Lois

ATCs by Michele

ATCs by Karen

Only 4 of us were able to gather this month at Karen's house, which means we all have a lot of ATCs left to trade.

2009-09-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
Can I get a count of how many will be coming to Thursday's meeting? I am making sloppy Joes and want to know how much to cook. If you respond through the Yahoo group, you don't need to respond again. Call or you can send an e-mail. I am not putting directions on the website as this is an open site, however Michele sent out a member list not too long ago. I will either give them to you when you call or e-mail them to you.

See you Thursday!
Karen

August 2009 Show and Share

2009-08-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sandy transformed another bra into this piece called Hooters!
She does these for a Breast Cancer Recovery group called Casting for Recovery. This group teaches women to fly fish.

Joann has been working on this beautiful piece to commemorate her in-laws 50th wedding anniversary. She has been mastering machine embroidery through the Creative Expressions Embroidery book. The butterflies are 3-D!

Lynda's experiment with the polypropelene (sp?) she shared with all of us. If you color the poly with oil sticks (Paint Stiks), and layer it on another piece of fabric, and melt it with a heat gun outside (it smells so make sure you have good ventilation), the poly melts, leaving the textured bits of color. This piece has also been embellished with stitch.

Lynda's Felt experiment. She has a piece of batting in between the felt. Since this seemed to work, she is going to try for a colorful winter coat. Can't wait to see that when it's done!

Work-in-Progress by Lynda. It's a woven piece, originally meant to hang, but the buttons make it too weighty. She was looking for suggestions on what other direction to take this piece. Suggestions included a scrim or organza stabilizer on the back or having it lay down (as seen here) to accentuate the puckers. It's like sand and shells ... We'll see what she eventually does with it. ;-)

Lynda also brought in this piece she did as a student. It's about Time, and the past being part of the present. It includes fossils, and shell embroidery, and a spider web.

Michele did a batch of paper clay medallions. See and read more about them here.
These are intended to be closures and embellishments for more journals.

Michele has also (finally!) found success with rust dyeing. See and read more about it here and here and here.

Art Quilters not to Miss

2009-08-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Lynda says look at these :

Hollis Chatelaine

Carol Shinn

August Meeting

2009-08-23T06:20:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,
Our meeting on Thursday, August 27 will be at the Menasha Library with a 6:30 starting time. Karen will have a houseful of company on that day so we will converge at her house on another date.

Michele will show us how to use Yahoo and access our blogspot. Because she can teach these skills quickly, I would like to suggest the following topic: Playing with Paintstiks

I will bring along my collection of Paintstiks, rubbing plates, masking tape, a roll of paper towels, newspaper to protect the tables, a few stencils, and cardstock sheets.

You can bring your Paintstiks, stencils, a thrift shop tee shirt (to decorate), and/or plain, light colored fabric.

Bring your playful mode. We will not make art quilts ready for submission in competitive events.

Sandy

May Show and Share

2009-06-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Sandy A. for diligently taking notes and pictures, while Michele was absent in May.

1. Sandy's bra purse with matching hat

2. Sandy's messenger bag and small bag with metal ruler closure

3. Sandy's checkered garden hat with a size 48 DD bra for the top of the crown

4. lining of the garden hat with misspelled word in the title (bra decorated fabric)

5. partial photo of Lynda's woven piece

6. beaded bracelet made by Karen

7. beaded earrings made by Karen

8. Julie's make over tote bag with new fabric pocket

9. Lois' technique for creating new fabric covered with netting

10. Lois' tote bag using newly created fabric; window in the side of the bag

11. Lois' recycled corduroy bag with prairie points on the exterior

12. Julie's red bra purse

13. close up of window in Lois' tote bag

May 2009 Newsletter

2009-05-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Minor schedule change (see below for details) – May will be “Bag Lady Night” and we’ll have our Paintstik experience in June. It will be ultra cool.
--Katy
Recap of April Meeting (April 30, 2009)
It was a small group, but we had fun swapping our accumulated “stuff” and working on projects. Lois brought in some scary ugly fabric, and showed us how she does “ugly fabric rescue”: get it wet and crunch it up. Let it dry and then fuse it down, in “crunched” form. It turns into a beautiful textured surface.

Show and tell was fun as usual: Lois’s quilt caught my eye because her “Tiny Bubbles” piece featured two of my favorite colors – orange and purple! It’s gorgeous. Karen finished her lighthouse quilt, and we love the sparkle she incorporated in it. Michele’s pictorial quilt skills just grow and grow – we loved her piece from a Wendy Butler Berns class featuring glue baste appliqué.

May Meeting (May 28, 2009)
Because of some staffing changes at Richeson’s, we’ve had to delay our Paintstik night. So, May will be Bag Lady Night. Bring any fiber art bags/purses/totes that you’ve made for show and tell and Q&A. We’ll make it a work night focused on bags. If you don’t have any projects already cooking or ideas you’ve been meaning to try, why not try one of the Quilting Arts patterns that came out recently?

Announcements and Reminders
The Shiva Paintstik night will be held at Richeson’s on June 25 in lieu of our regular meeting. We’ll join up with the Sew Savvy group, and one of the Richesons will take us through some demonstrations and exercises. They’ll have “stuff” available to buy at the end, too, if you would like. This is a huge opportunity to learn from the source, right here in our hometown. (We’ll have to reschedule felted pincushions, which was originally slated for June.)

Upcoming Events
May 28, 2009: May meeting, 6:30, Bag Lady Night
June 25, 2009: June meeting, 6:30, Shiva night at Richeson’s
July 30, 2009: July meeting, 6:30, Demo night
August 27, 2009: August meeting, 6:30, Artist Trading Cards or Inchies

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

April 09 Show and Share

2009-05-17T09:25:00.001-07:00

Only 4 of us at the April Meeting. Here's what we brought to show :

Lois Wolfe's art quilt. At the meeting, she was adding beadwork, so we'll be interested to see the finished piece!

Another piece by Lois Wolf. This work was the result of a class with Sue Benner (?)

Karen's piece from the Sue Benner class.

This is the result of the online Faces-in-Fabric class Michele has been taking with Terri Stegmiller at Two Creative Studios. It combines applique with fabric painting.

Lois shared a method for saving ugly fabric : Scrunch it up, spritz it with water, and steam the heck out of it to add texture. There may also be some fusible interfacing on the back to help it keep it's new shape.

Karen brought these surgical scissors that are wonderful for "un-sewing."

April 2009 newsletter

2009-04-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

Clean out those sewing rooms! It’s time for our swap meet!
--Katy

Recap of February Meeting (February 26, 2009)
The joke was on us with a wild snowstorm! February’s meeting was canceled.

Recap of March Meeting (March 26, 2009)
We had an absurd amount of pent-up show and tell. Karen finished her bracelet. Michele shared a moving journal quilt, plus a bunch of new dyed fabric. Lynda had a huge, amazing, and gorgeous felted piece. Sandy had a bodacious Bra Bag (44D, in case you wondered!) Gill had a new notebook cover, but we were really enthralled by her gourd bowl, from a class with Terrylou Adler. She also had a class at the Milwaukee Sewing Center that combined machine needle felting with Copic pens for shading. Julie shared information about the Richeson gallery – she’s working on scheduling a Paintstik night for us.

We enjoyed trying our hands at Korean Pogaji with Gill. If you used the technique on a new project, bring it in!

April Meeting (April 30, 2009)
April’s meeting is a work night; Betty plans to be on hand to help finish your bracelets. Plus, it’s TRASH TO TREASURE night. Clean your sewing room and bring your extra “stuff!” We’ll have a swap meet. Set your own prices or arrange your own barters.

Announcements and Reminders
The exhibit at the Oshkosh Public Museum, “Not your Grandmother’s Quilt,” is still running (last day is May 10, Mother’s Day). Visit www.oshkoshmuseum.org if you'd like more information.

Upcoming Events
April 30, 2009: April meeting, 6:30, Work night and swap meet
May 28, 2009: May meeting, 6:30, Tentative Shiva night at Richeson’s
June 25, 2009: June meeting, 6:30, Felted pincushions
July 30, 2009: July meeting, 6:30, Demo night
August 27, 2009: August meeting, 6:30, Artist Trading Cards or Inchies

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

March Show and Share

2009-03-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

Karen took a floor loom weaving class in Minneapolis. This is her first effort at weaving : a Chevron Pattern.

Karen finished her Ndebele beaded bracelet.

Katy's Rain Wall hanging.

Katy's Star Table Topper.

Katy's Tryptic 1

Katy's Tryptic 2

Katy's Tryptic 3

Michele shared a personal Journal Quilt called What Have You Lost.
Read more about it here.

5-part gradation dyes from Michele. Bark and Antique Rose.

Parfait Dye (Color-by-Accident) method by Michele

Lynda's amazing Felted piece. [Looks like Northern Lights to me!]

Sandy's 44D Bra Purse (components courtesy of Goodwill)

Gill's Gourd and egg

Gill's notebook cover.

Gill's needle felting

Gill's Needle Felting (small case)

Betty's beaded pin.

Meet the CinC Artist at Oshkosh Public Museum

2009-03-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hey--That's Katy's quilt on the banner and postcards! She's one of us!

On March 21, the Oshkosh Public Museum held a Meet the Artist Event.
5 CinC quilters have pieces in the show running through May 10, 2009.
3 of us were able to attend the event.

Katy with one of her pieces.

Sandy with her Fly Fishing Trout

Detail of Sandy's Trout

Michele with Oliver (aka The Bubble Boy)

Lois also has a few pieces in the OPM Show.

The show runs through May 10 in Oshkosh, WI. It's a worthwhile exhibit. Over 30 artists showing over 100 pieces that will amaze you ... It's a show that is expanding people's ideas about what's possible with quilting!

February Newsletter

2009-02-22T19:37:00.000-08:00

Our room situation in February was resolved – a room opened up at the Library. We’re good to go for Thursday!
--Katy
Recap of January Meeting (January 29, 2009)
Thanks, Michele, for handling the notes. Show and tell was rich as always. Theresa shared a new book: Creating with Fabric by Jill Haglund. It contained lots of collage ideas, story quilts, and dolls. Julie coined a new term for a fabric stash : Fabricologist Resource Center. Karen shared a wool felt fabric collage project, and the collages she did with the dyed paper towels from a few months ago. Pat shared a simple purse with a covered button closure. Michele shared her latest Fiber-in-Form samples on adding color. Katy (via proxy!) shared the Christmas stocking she made for her family with Lois' challenge fabric samples. Connie used her samples to make everyone little pin cushions stuffed with Kaytee walnut shells. Everyone who made project out of Lois' challenge fabric samples was entered into a drawing, and Connie won a set of Chickadee wall-hangings.

Betty led the group in learning to do Ndebele beadwork. Everyone seemed to get a good start on this project.

February Meeting (February 26, 2009)
Gill will be leading us in learning the technique of Korean Pajagi. Please bring:

Sewing machine
Sewing machine needles for sheer to heavyweight fabrics
Fabrics…you can bring your own, or Gill will supply fabrics for samples at a very nominal cost. Pajagi is traditionally done in solid color silks or linen which is also called ramie or hemp. Because this technique uses a single layer of fabric and is not layered like a quilt, crisper/stiffer fabrics help define the seams and support the structure. Gill typically use silk organza, silk dupioni and various weights of linen. Sheer polyester drapery fabrics and decorator cottons that have not be washed are also suitable.
Threads…you can choose cotton or polyester in colors to match or contrast with your fabrics (creams, white, black)
Scissors for cutting fabric. If you have an appliqué scissors with a duck bill, bring those too.
Rotary cutter, mat and rulers.
Ironing boards/mats, irons (we will just need a couple to share).
Optional: beads, beading needles and thread.

We need to plan the rest of our year – there are no programs scheduled beyond February! Bring all your ideas!

Announcements and Reminders
The Sewing Expo is happening at Fox Valley Tech in Oshkosh March 13-14, 2009. Wendy Bulter Berns will be offering a Photo Album Quilt Workshop, sponsored by Lakeside Quilt Guild in Oshkosh. Workshop date is March 18, 2009; 10 am - 4 pm; cost is $40.
Michele sent all current members with email an invitation to join our new Conversations-in-Cloth Yahoo email Group. Be sure to acknowledge the invitation and do what it takes to Join Now. We want all members to be part of the continuing conversation. See Michele with questions.

The exhibit at the Oshkosh Public Museum, “Not your Grandmother’s Quilt,” opened Saturday, and word is it’s fantastic! Be sure to check it out; it runs through Mother’s Day. Visit www.oshkoshmuseum.org if you'd like more information.

Upcoming Events
February 26, 2009: February meeting, 6:30, Korean Pojagi with Gill

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

January Show and Share

2009-02-03T17:20:00.000-08:00

Karen's beadwork and charms :

Julie's beadwork necklace made for Katy's wedding :

Pat's nifty purse :

Karen's Collage #1, made from the dyed paper towels we made a few months ago :

Karen's wool felt piece :

Karen's Collage #2 with medallion :

Karen's Collage #3

Michele shared some class samples from the online Fibre-in-Form class :

See more here.

A few months ago, Lois issued a challenge to use a set of tapestry/upholstery samples into a project of our choice.

Katy made Christmas stockings for her new family :

Connie made pin cushions to give to all CinC members present that night. They are stuffed with KayTee walnut shells.

Connie was also the winner of the prize Lois made available to all Challenge participants :

January 2009 Newsletter

2009-01-13T19:35:00.000-08:00

I’m bummed to miss this month’s meeting, because Betty’s beading project is SO COOL! If you need a kit, be sure to call her in advance; see below for details. I have to travel for work, so group, please delegate a note taker and someone to collect dues if there are any more renewals.
--Katy

Recap of October Meeting (October 30, 2008)
On the Saturday before our meeting, Lynda hosted a dyeing day, and word is that she’s pretty good at spinning dog hair, too! Pat (I think…oops) showed off the bendable sewing light she won at the FVTC sewing retreat; check out http://www.bendablebrightlight.com/ to get your own. Sandy learned an interesting dimensional technique at the Cedarburg quilt show – you can curl fabric by backing with a fusible like Pellon and ironing around a pencil. Theresa enjoyed Rosemary Eichorn’s class through DNQG. Ann showed her fabrics from Mickey Lawler’s DNQG class (we loved them) and told us about some sewing classes she took at a recent event. The group’s favorite was “Boob Fitting” (!) but Ann also enjoyed some classes on making buttons and beading on fabric.

When we finally settled down from all the show and tell, we enjoyed the Laura Murray DVD, which focused on Paintstik techniques with a bonus segment on foiling.

Please welcome our newest member, Connie.

Recap of December Party (December 4, 2008)
The nice sedate old folks dining at the Out-O-Town club never knew what hit them! We had a great time, and the non-procrastinators among us who had their challenge pieces ready to go proved very inspiring. We agreed to postpone the end of the challenge until January to encourage more participation. Congrats to Lynda, who won the popular vote for most bizarre and amusing White Elephant gift. Ask her how you, too, can be an “electronics whiz.”

January Meeting (January 29. 2009)
Don’t forget your challenge pieces (recall that Lois issued a challenge to “make something” using her upholstery sample books. Lois will draw a name for a prize!

Betty is teaching Ndebele Herringbone weave. If you would like a kit ($10), you must contact her in advance so she can prepare it. The deadline is January 22. If you want to use your own supplies instead, bring:
· Size 11 seed beads
· Accent seed beads, triangles, hexes, etc. in various colors from size 15 to 6.
· Beading needle and thread the color of the main bead you choose. For thread, choose Nymo, Rice's Silamide size A or B, or Betty’s choice is Fireline 6#. It's a fishing line and you can get it at a fishing store
· Bee's wax or Thread Heaven
· Decorative button for a closure

Announcements and Reminders
I have included a membership list listing everyone who has already renewed for 2009. If you’re not on the list, you can renew in January. ($5 for email newsletter; $10 if you want it mailed. You are welcome to write your $5 check straight to the library, or I can handle it in aggregate.)
Uh oh! The library has no rooms available for our February meeting date. We need to find a new “one-night-only” locale. Please, someone take charge or we’ll miss out on Gill’s Korean Pojagi! Another option is to take a field trip or a bye in February and move Gill out to April or later (I believe she’s off on another jaunt to the tropics in March!)

Also, in March, we will have the “big room” instead of our usual room. We have not chosen a topic yet for March.

Sandy is helping collect items for an exhibit at the Oshkosh Public Museum, “Not your Grandmother’s Quilt.” This is an opportunity to get our art “out there!” The curator, Deb Daubert, is looking for items created by Wisconsin quilters, including items with visual impact, items that are nontraditional patterns: wall hangings, handbags, clothing, threadpainting, photos incorporated into a piece, possibly tee shirts incorporated into a quilt/wall hanging, etc. Each item submitted must be accompanied by a photo, background information on the item , and a suggested value for insurance purposes. Deb would like to begin collecting and photographing items for publicity posters as soon as possible since the exhibit is scheduled to open on Feb. 21. You can contact Deb at http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org if you'd like more information.

Upcoming Events
January 29, 2009: January meeting, 6:30, beading with Betty
February 26, 2009: February meeting, 6:30, Korean Pojagi with Gill

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Not Your Grandmother's Quilt : Oshkosh Public Museum Exhibit

2009-01-12T19:07:00.000-08:00

The Oshkosh Public Museum is planning to have an exhibit of non-traditional quilts, "This is Not Your Grandmother's Quilt", from February 21 until May 10th.

The curator, Deb Daubert, is looking for items created by Wisconsin quilters, items with visual impact, items that are nontraditional patterns: wall hangings, handbags, clothing, threadpainting, photos incorporated into a piece, possibly tee shirts incorporated into a quilt/wall hanging, etc. That will give you an idea of what will be displayed.

Each item submitted must be accompanied by a photo, a suggested value, the name of the person submitting the item and background information on the item. Items will be insured by the museum, that's why the photo and the cost estimate is needed.

Deb would like to begin collecting and photographing items, for publicity posters, as soon as possible since the exhibit is scheduled to open on Feb. 21.
You can contact Deb at www.oshkoshmuseum.org.if you'd like more information.

My role is to contact people who might be interested in having their creations on display. The period involved will be Feb. 9 through May 18.

Please let me know if you are interested in submitting one or more of your nontraditional items or if you can suggest someone else for me to contact.

[Posted on behalf of ...]
Sandy A.

Lois' Challenge 2008

2008-12-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, Lois handed out sample packs of coordinating decorator fabrics with the challenge to make something/anything out of it. The deadline for this challenge will be extended through the January 2009 Mtg. Read on for inspiration ...

A few people brought their creations to the December 4 get-together :

Lois and the bag that started the challenge.

Lois' spiral wall hanging (not a placemat, as someone wrongly interpretted it).

Sandy's fabric bowl. (Also notice her fantastic jacket!)

Karen's Portfolio.

Karen's Portfolio, inside.

White Elephant Gift Exchange at 2008 Christmas Party

2008-12-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

On December 4, we had our annual Christmas Party at a restaraunt in the Fox Valley. This party is always one where we go home with stitches in our sides, and faces hrting from laughing so much!

Here's what the rest of you missed for our White Elephant Gift Exchange :

Katy (the most photogenic of us all!) with the video-tape box of nuts given by Sandy. This made a great rattle when we were shaking packages, deciding which one we want to open.

This, however, is the prize-winning White Elephant for the evening. This electronic room alarm kit given by Lynda, chosen by Karen. It was wrapped in a lovely gold lame fabric.

We missed the old exercise equipment from last year, however. Theresa, we hope you still have it for next year!

Fiber in Form Online Classes

2008-12-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

Lynda Monk (aka Purple Missus) and Carol McFee (Textile Tales) create the most wonderful textured surfaces. And now they are offering an online class through Fibre-in-Form on how they do what they do ... Michele was in the first session of the first offering, and is slowly working through the lessons. See Michele's class samples here, here, and here :

Ink and Bleach sample

I just learned that they will be offering this class again in January 2009, publishing a book in April (Hurray!), and more classes are in the works. I can't wait!

October Newsletter

2008-10-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

Renew memberships starting this month. I have a new idea…let’s make membership $5 for an email-only newsletter, $10 if you need the newsletter mailed. ($5 per member is donated to the library.) See you Thursday!
--Katy

Recap of September Meeting (September 25, 2008)
I heard through the grapevine that everyone had a great time with Lois and her Adirondack color wash. Please bring your samples as I’m anxious to see them! Check out this link for some project ideas using the sprays: www.rangerink.com/projects.htm

October Meeting (October 30, 2008)
It’s Laura Murray Movie Night. Theresa will bring her DVDs.

Announcements and Reminders
December 4th will be our offsite Christmas party at 6:30 at the Out-O-Town Club in Kaukauna. The address is N2161 Town Club Rd, Kaukauna, and the phone number is (920) 766-0414. Julie will make a group reservation for us, so RSVP to her at the October meeting or by phone.

Directions:
· Take exit 150 for County Hwy J toward Kaukauna
· Take County Rd J south for 0.1 mi
· Turn left at County Rd OO (frontage road)
· Travel 1.3 mi, then take a slight right at Town Club Rd

We’ll have our famous White Elephant gift exchange. Remember, the focus is more on giving a laugh than getting a gift! Ideally, you’ll find something in the garage or basement, but if you must shop, $5 is the limit. New this year: I’ll bring a prize for the GIVER of the White Elephant deemed “most ridiculous” by popular vote.

Upcoming Events
October 30, 2008: October meeting, 6:30, Laura Murray movie night
December 4, 2008: 6:30, White Elephant & dinner at the Out-O-Town Club.
January 29, 2009: January meeting, 6:30, beading with Betty
February 26, 2009: February meeting, 6:30, Korean Pojagi with Gill

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

September Meeting

2008-09-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

This Work in Progress is Karen's from a recent class. Stay tuned. She continues to add beads and other finishing touches.

Another WIP from Karen.

Samples of the dyed Paper Towels we made this month. Thanks to Lois for leading the session, and providing the kits!

Since we used Viva paper towels (courtesy of Katy at the paper mill), they seem as strong as fabric and can be used in a variety of art quilt applications.

Show and Share from August Mtg

2008-09-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Sandy for taking pictures this month. Michele forgot her camera in Oshkosh!

Lois showed this piece which won a price in the recent Unlimited Possibilities Have a Heart Competition. Congratulations, Lois!

Detail of Lois' Have a Heart quilt.

One of Michele's recent Aurora Post Cards

Watermellon Post Card by Michele.

Tie Dye by Lois

Tie Dye by Teresa

Tie Dye by Teresa

Fabric Painting by Teresa - Night Sky

Painted Landscape by Teresa

A few Treasures from Karen's Sewing Room :

Fish Collage by Karen

On Karen's Design Wall :

Karen also showed us examples of how she recycles everything.
Even an AOL box in re-purposed for Bead Soup :

September 2008 Newsletter

2008-09-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

Turns out I have another trip this month—have fun playing with color & see you in October!
--Katy

Recap of August Meeting (August 28, 2008)
(Thanks Michele for taking notes!) For the August Meeting, we had a potluck at Karen's house near Green Bay (Field Trip!). It was also Karen's Birthday! Everyone brought food, so we had a nice assortment to choose from. Teresa also asked people in the class to give her their used (colored) paper towels / sop cloths. She has a head start on next month's projects ... and she's willing to share!

Sandy, Michele, and Teresa shared the fat quarters they created at the 3-day Mickey Lawler Fabric Painting Class sponsored by Darting Needles. Michele thinks this method of surface design has some positives over dyeing fabric--especially the vividness of the colors. Lois shared some GORGEOUS dyed pieces. Julie shared a sample of a new fabric, comparable to Tyvec, made by ironing a recyclable plastic bag between 2 sheets of parchment.

We met at Karen's house because we all wanted to see her "Creative Space." It was very tidy and organized (not just because we were visiting). Karen doesn't throw away anything. She consciously re-purposes food containers to hold her odds and ends. Clear is best because you can see through it.

Other tips from Karen:

Check rummage sales (especially the free bins) for watercolor and art paper.
Everything can be recycled and re-purposed. She showed us two AOL boxes she is currently using for Bead Soup.
Karen glued a sheet magnet into the bottom of a tin to hold pins and needles.

Announcements and Reminders
A decision has been made on the schedule for the rest of the year! Betty graciously agreed to bead with us in January. This means December 4th will be our offsite Christmas party. Gulliver’s has closed, so think about where we might like to meet this year. And get those white elephants ready!

September Meeting (Thursday September 25, 2008)
For the September meeting, we will be coloring paper towels with Lois. The kit fee is $2 and covers use of Lois’s spray pigments. If you missed her samples a couple months ago, the effect is similar to tie-dye with mirror imaging. You end up with fantastic colors you can use for mixed media projects. Paper towels are supplied, but please bring:

Saran Wrap / Plastic (or in a pinch, about 6 plastic grocery bags)
Turkey basting pan or other box to catch the overspray
If you have one, a small spray bottle full of water; otherwise you can share

Upcoming Events
September 25, 2008: September meeting, 6:30. Paper towel dyeing with Lois.
October 30, 2008: October meeting, 6:30, Laura Murray movie night
December 4, 2008: White Elephant
January 29, 2009: January meeting, 6:30, beading with Betty
February 26, 2009: February meeting, 6:30, Korean Pojagi with Gill

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

August 2008 Newsletter

2008-08-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

Do you have a favorite shape? I’m enamored of circles. I’ve been spending inordinate amounts of time on my bike, making those circles go round and round, dreaming of a quilt I’d like to create to tell the story of this year called “Full Circle.”
--Katy

Recap of July Meeting (July 31, 2008)
Show and tell is taking longer and longer! How wonderful. Michele brought her “trash-heap rescue” loom, plus she showed us an online magazine she’s now subscribing to called Fibre and Stitch (www.fibreandstitch.com; it’s $30/year). Journal making definitely agrees with Marilyn, since she brought three new ones to show off. Karen was inspired last month too, and brought her foiled journal. Lois had a southwest themed journal, plus some newly dyed fabric. We were all jealous of her batik stamps (called caps or tjaps). Gill showed us a variety of bookbinding methods she learned in a Sievers class a few summers ago. Her most recent Sievers adventure is learning Korean Pojagi, which includes a technique similar to French seaming with sheer fabrics. We’ve talked her into teaching us early next year (January or February). Finally, new member Lynda impressed us with her show and tell—her three dimensional felted piece and her loosely woven beaded triptych were both joyfully tactile.

We finally got around to our program of playing with paper clay. We learned that too much detail doesn’t work well with this medium, but that it will cut easily with scissors once dry. Remember that the most interesting results come after the paper clay is dried and painted. We’re looking forward to seeing these unique embellishments show up in everyone’s work in the coming months.

Announcements and Reminders
We will replace the November meeting (the last Thursday turns out to be Thanksgiving this year!) with a meeting on December 4th, which is the first Thursday of December. We might do beading with Betty, or we might relocate to a restaurant for our Christmas party. Stay tuned while we work out the details, but DO mark your calendar for December 4th. You won’t want to miss the “famous” white elephant!

August Meeting (Thursday August 28, 2008)
Remember there is no regular meeting in August—instead we’re meeting at Karen’s house for a potluck (and studio/junk drawer tour!) Bring whatever you like to share! Carpool options:

Neenah/Menasha crew, meet at the library at 5:30. Call Marilyn to coordinate.
Appleton group, meet at Theresa’s house at 5:30. Call Theresa.
Sandy and Michele plan to meet at the Oshkosh Perkins at 5:30.

Upcoming Events
August 28, 2008: August meeting, potluck picnic at Karen’s
September 25, 2008: September meeting, 6:30. Paper towel dyeing with Lois.
October 30, 2008: October meeting, 6:30, Laura Murray movie night
December 4, 2008: White Elephant and TBD.

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Paper Clay

2008-08-02T05:07:00.001-07:00

Here's a sampling of the paper clay impressions we made this month. Everyone brought interesting things to use for texture : rubber stamps, rubbing plates, "chops." Ha;f the fun is to see what everyone else brought to share ...

The paper clay dries in about 24 hours. It's completely non-toxic, intended for use by children. It takes color, paints, marker easily. And you can sew through it with just a regular needle.

By Marylin

Samples by Linda.

Next month, maybe we'll have pictures of the painted pieces.

July Show and Share

2008-08-02T05:04:00.001-07:00

Lois has been doing some hand-dyeing. This was one of her favorite pieces.

Sandy completes her leaves!

More Journals

2008-08-02T04:48:00.000-07:00

Many members brought back their completed journals, the project started last month :

Faux Leather Journal by Lois.

By Karen

By Marylin (I love this one becasue she got it to look like a granite countertop!-MM)

Also by Marylin

Also by Marylin

By Sandy

Sandy chose this McKenna Ryan fabric as a perfect compliment for her Faux Leather Journal (above).

Also by Sandy.

Sandy took the online class offered by Sue Bleiwiess on journal-making, so she brought a few other hand-made journals.

By Sandy

Pat added lots of other treasures to her Journal.

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you all enjoyed this project so much!
Thanks again to Sue B. for allowing us to use the lesson for our topic last month.

Textile Arts Tutorials

2008-07-26T05:52:00.001-07:00

Hi All--
Just wanted to let you know about a wonderful list of textile tutorials that were recently collected and posted to

Textile Arts Resource Guide - Tutorials 2

There are tutorials for hand-dying, book-binding, beading, surface design ... almost any direction we'd want to go. Lots of ideas and guidance for new experiments. Enjoy!

June/July 2008 Newsletter

2008-07-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

Conversations in Cloth June/July 2008

Fear not ladies, Ironman is a mere seven weeks away as I write this, and then I will have time for hobbies other than training! I can’t wait to take creative time again…and YOU won’t have to wait so long for newsletters!
--Katy

Recap of May Meeting (May 29, 2008)
Play night was lightly attended, but show and tell was rich as always. Michele brought a bouquet of books and we chose which one to make in June. She’s also been working on postcards featuring food…she made some astounding effects using UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder) over crumpled paper. Michele gets her heavy stabilizer, called Stiffy, from www.longcreekmills.com/stiffy.html (a mill in North Carolina) and it is MUCH cheaper than Timtex.

Theresa brought her samples from Laura Murray’s class with Darting Needles. The painted Wonder-Under was a hit with the group. Laura’s website is www.lauramurraydesigns.com and she sells all kinds of fiber-art stuff. Theresa purchased Laura’s DVD during her class, so look for it at a movie night in October!

Recap of June Meeting (June 26, 2008)
Karen brought a new member for show and tell: Lois! Lois brought some of her piece from a recent Art Garage show. One piece featured bleach resist (like the book Casting Shadows by Colleen Wise), including a border made using disposable snow fencing! Lois also learned a fun, low-stress way to play with color at a recent show: pigment dyed paper towels! Just like the ads say, VIVA® feels just like cloth! Lois agreed to show us the technique in September. (Betty’s daughter is getting married, so her “beading bonanza” will move to November.)
Theresa and Sandy recently learned “fabric dyeing in baggies” at the home of local quilter Jo. Both had a fantastic time, even though Sandy followed the directions and Theresa…didn’t!

In between all the show and tell, Michele led us through making faux leather journal covers. Be SURE to bring your journal back in July for show and tell! Michele took an online class with Sue Bleiweiss, who graciously granted permission for us to use her instructions. Check out Sue’s website: www.suebleiweiss.com.

July Meeting (Thursday July 31, 2008)
Karen is leading us in making paper clay embellishments. Bring a dollar for your supplies, a variety of textured items to make impressions, and a shoebox top to carry home your new treasures. Ideas for impressions include netting, buttons, rubber stamps, kitchen tools, even rubbing plates meant for Paintstiks.

We need to discuss the November meeting…traditionally we meet on the last Thursday of each month, but in November this is Thanksgiving. Will we meet on the third Thursday? And what about our traditional year-end party?

Upcoming Events
July 31, 2008: July meeting, 6:30. Paper Clay with Karen
August 28, 2008: August meeting, potluck picnic at Karen’s
September 25, 2008: September meeting, 6:30. Dyed paper towels with Lois
October 30, 2008: October meeting, 6:30, Laura Murray movie night
November meeting date TBD: Betty’s Beading Bonanza

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Free Projects from Fibre & Stitch

2008-06-29T06:01:00.001-07:00

Hi All-

This is the list of Free Projects from Fibre & Stitch published by Sue Bleiweiss, the originator of the Faux Leather Journal project we did in June.

Free Projects from Fibre & Stitch
http://www.fibreandstitch.com/freebies.htm

Enjoy!

Faux Leather Journal Surfaces - June Project

2008-06-28T04:30:00.000-07:00

At the June Meeting, Michele lead everyone in making a faux leather journal with Sue Bleiweiss' instructions (used with permission). The remarkable thing is that we started with ordinary brown paper shopping bags!

If you are interested in learning these techniques (and many more), consider taking some of Sue B.'s online classes. You'll meet people from all over the world, and you won't have to schlep a car-ful of stuff across town. Sue is one of the most encouraging and positive people you'll ever meet, too!

Here are some of the surfaces people made that night (Sorry, I don't remember who did what) :

A few people wanted to take the surface home to add stitching and other embellishments. Can't wait to see what they bring back next month!

Most people got as far as sewing in at least a few signatures. We didn't get to the closures in our 2 hour session (That's why you see so many fingers holding the journals shut.)

Marilyn's Journal

Sandy's Journal

Lois' Journal

Katy's Journal

Inside Katy's Journal

Karen's Journal

What else have Members been Working On?

2008-06-28T04:21:00.001-07:00

Theresa recently attended a workshop lead by Sharon Rotz to learn how to do this low-stress log cabin with scraps. No ripping at this workshop. If you make a mistake, you just cut it off with a rotary cutter!

At the June Meeting, we had a guest named Lois share some things she's been working on :

The dark fabrics for this piece were discharged with bleach. For the border, Lois used construction fencing as a resist before spraying a bleach solution onto black Kona Cotton. Great idea! and I love the effect. This is still a work in progress.

This piece (also by Lois) is based on a pattern by Laura Wasilowski and her School of Fusing in Chicago.

This piece is a batik with "stuff" laid on, covered with netting and free-motion stitched to hold it all together. Another one by Lois.

We hope she'll be back to share more of her creations and tips.

Member Showcase : The Dyers

2008-06-28T03:52:00.000-07:00

Sandy and Theresa attended a Dyer's Workshop at Jo Holden's house a few weeks ago. Here are some of what they created that night :

Sandy said this one was wrapped around a pole ...

This was was folded and bound to create the interesting resist pattern (by Sandy).

Another one from Sandy.

Theresa was also very happy with what she was able to create that night, too. Her technique was more stuff and dump style.

Faux Leather Journals for June Meeting - Supply List and Kits

2008-06-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a taste of what we'll be making at our June Meeting lead by Michele :

I will be making up some kits for the Faux Leather Journals we'll be making at CinC this month. I got Sue Bleiweiss's permission to use this lesson for our group, so we're covered for copyright. ;-) She just wants to see pictures of what people make with her instructions--so I'll be taking pictures as usual, too.

If anyone wants to sign up for Sue Bleiweiss' online classes, I highly recommend them!

The $5 kits will contain :
Instructions (Sue B's Lesson)
1 piece Stiffy (stiff interfacing) 9x18 in
Paper lunch bag, piece of paper shopping bag
2 x Stitch Witchery (9x18 in)
Paper for Signatures
String to sew in Signatures
Velcro / snaps for closures

I will also bring for people to use :
Cutting mat with rotary cutter
Spray bottle
Iron
Ironing pad
Parchment Paper
Acrylic Paint (brown)
Bristle paint brushes
Dishes for paint
Awl to punch holes in signatures (paper)
Tapestry Needles
Samples
Some Stamp Pads (Coffee Bean and Copper)
Paper Scissors
Rulers

Things People can bring on their own :
Fabric for the inner lining (at least 9x18 inches)
Other colors of Acrylic Paint with coordinating stamp pads colors
Closures - buttons or junk jewelery
Nice paper (24# Stationary is wonderful, but pricey. I'll have regular printer paper in the kits)
More Tapestry Needles (These are the big-honkin' needles to sew in the signatures)
Scissors for cutting paper
Rulers and cutting tools

See you all soon! --Michele

Teresa's Samples from the Laura Murray Class in May

2008-05-30T18:29:00.001-07:00

Teresa brought samples from the Darting Needles Quilt Guild class with Laura Murray offered earlier in May :

These are samples of hand-painted fabrics. They are sprinkled with salt to enhance the designs and coloring.

Oooh! Ahhh! Love the watercolor effects!

This one used pained fusible over stamped fabrics. Neat effect, huh?

Sample of stencils on black fabric.

Sandy's Tropical Leaves

2008-05-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

At our May meeting, Sandy was working on this tropical leaf that will soon be appliqued to a table runner. I hope she brings it back so we can see the finished project!

April-May 2008 Newsletter

2008-05-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Recap of March Meeting (March 27, 2008)
Thanks to Theresa for taking the March notes…

We were a small group last month but we had a wonderful evening. Thanks to Karen for repeating the technique of Cord Wrapping. We (all 4 of us) had a productive time. Karen started and finished a "mug rug", Pat and I worked at learning the cording technique, and Marie got into some funky cording! (She had had some experience!) We shared show & tell. Karen had some real fun projects to show and some extremely neat experimental techniques to share with us.

Pat had some very pretty quilt blocks with great appliqué. She had made a very creative bookcover.

Recap of April Meeting (April 24, 2008)
Show and tell was inspiring and mind-blowing! Betty brought tons of beading—she showed us the little bauble we’ll most likely work on when she teaches in September. Katy and Julie brought the beaded jewelry that Julie made for Katy’s wedding. New member Sandy brought a jacket she’d made on a sweatshirt base—you’d truly never recognize it. The sleeves had striking double needle work and showed Rami Kim’s influence with a decorative cuff. Coincidentally, Betty was also wearing a sweatshirt jacket that she showed us.

Karen has been sticking to her “technique a week” discipline, and she had tons to show for it. Her journal cover was a big hit—that was Lumiere paint on the distressed Tyvek. She also had a mixed media dragonfly piece—it incorporated last year’s sheer inset appliqué with a Beryl Taylor technique for a mixed paper background including tea bags on a muslin base. As if that wasn’t enough, she had the latest in her Fish series, including wrapped pipe cleaners from March. She also had two books to share: Beading on Fabric by Larkin Jean Van Horn is a great book for embellishers who aren’t necessarily beaders. How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb incorporates some of the “right brain” elements we discussed in our program for the evening.

The evening’s program on right brain drawing was presented by guest Marilyn. The exercises were based on the 1979 book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. An updated version was published in 1999—but you can get the oldie for a penny (plus shipping!) on Amazon. We had some laughs, and some surprises at our hidden abilities as we worked through the exercises: vases/faces, upside down drawing, blind contour, and negative spaces.
Announcements and Reminders

Sad news! Fabric Fusion in Brown Deer is closing; the last day will be May 17. The address is 8669 N. Deerwood Drive in Brown Deer. Exit US 41 at Brown Deer Road and go “a long way.”
Edgewood Arts in Waupaca is recommended by members as a great place to haunt for “weird, wacky, and cool stuff.” It’s more of an embellishment shop; they don’t carry fabric.

New Member!
Sandy (See paper copy for address, phone, and email)

May Meeting (Thursday May 29, 2008)
We reshuffled our schedule a bit—our Play Night is now scheduled for May. If you’re feeling motivated to clean out your sewing room, we can have a bit of a swap meet as well. Paper Clay with Karen is rescheduled to July.

Upcoming Events
May 29, 2008: May meeting, 6:30. Play night & swap meet.
June 26, 2008: June meeting, 6:30. Journal making with Michele
July 31, 2008: July meeting, 6:30. Paper Clay with Karen
August 28, 2008: August meeting, potluck picnic at Karen’s
September 25, 2008: September meeting, 6:30. Betty’s beading bonanza

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Newsletter March 2008

2008-03-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Michele for allowing herself to be “voluntold” to take the notes in March. About the time you’re all enjoying paper coiling I’ll be flying back from an exciting trip to the toilet paper factory! Whoopee! And moving day is right afterwards.
Katy

Recap of February Meeting (February 28, 2008)
Can show and tell get any better? Karen leaned to bobbin stitch at a class with Ellen Anne Eddy, and her self portrait is outstanding. She also showed us some medallions she made with a paper clay called “Model Magic” from Crayola. Allow it to dry for 24 hours, and then it can be painted (Karen used Lumiere.) Shopko and Joann’s carry Model Magic.

We thought Michele’s first journals were amazing until we saw the latest batch. She used crumpled and flattened tissue fused to muslin to create a leather look. She used decoupage and PVA librarian’s glue to seal the tissue.

Members shared several new book resources last month. “Creative Embellishments” by Sherrill Kahn provides great ideas and lots of eye candy, and “The New Creative Artist” by Nita Leland is a guide to creative development. We also got a peek at “Mixed Media Explorations” by Beryl Taylor, which can be found at Joann’s.

We eventually settled down to “business” watching Theresa’s DVD on how to make a duct-tape fitting model. It’s very thorough and shows every step. Theresa is willing to lend the DVD if you are interested in making your own dressform.

Announcements and Reminders
Women Who Run with Scissors, including our own Karen, are holding a show at the Peninsula Art School and Gallery in Fish Creek from March 21 through April 26. More information is available at www.peninsulaartschool.com.

New address!
Katy is moving! As of March 28, her new address is
(see paper copy)

March Meeting (Thursday March 27, 2008)
Due to Katy’s travel schedule and moving date, drawing on the right side of the brain is rescheduled to April. In March, Karen will lead us in a reprise of the paper rush technique. Come ready to make a unique art pin or brooch. Karen will provide the paper core, and you should bring

Perle cotton, sock yarn, or similar-weight fiber
A tapestry needle
Beads and embellishments as desired

Upcoming Events
March 27, 2008: March meeting, 6:30. Paper rush art pins with Karen
April 24, 2008: April meeting, 6:30. Drawing on the right side of the brain.
May 29, 2008: May meeting, 6:30. Paper Clay with Karen
June 26, 2008: June meeting, 6:30. Journal making with Michele
July 31, 2008: July meeting, 6:30. Play night.
August 28, 2008: August meeting, potluck picnic at Karen’s
September 25, 2008: September meeting, 6:30. Betty’s beading bonanza

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Model Magic Air dry clay

2008-03-02T12:45:00.001-08:00

Michele asked if the model magic can be sewn through when it air drys. The answer is yes! I used a heavy duty needle, metallic thread and a wide zig zag. I just went pretty slow. I also used a stabilizer under the fabric that Isewed the medallion to.

Rooted in Fantasy

2008-03-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

The piece reveals the manner in which I am torn between the stable, everyday life that I currently lead, firmly rooted to the ground and depicted by the tree. My flight of fantasy, imagination, and the yearning to be free is evidenced by the dragonflies which are said to be fast, beautiful, and mercurial. I plan to be able to slip my roots some day, travel, and create. The orb/moon in the arms of the tree shows my face, the features of which are hard to define (as in the real ‘man in the moon’), but I am in there and dying to get out. I tend to regularly wear dangly earrings as does this tree girl. The piece is 12 X 29 and I've also included two details. This is one of two pieces that I have entered into the Peninsula Art Show in Fish Creek, March 21 to April 23.

February 2008 Newsletter

2008-02-24T21:39:00.000-08:00

Ohmigosh! We’re meeting this Thursday! What a month it’s been. Bring your show and tell and news and stories and we’re sure to have lots of conversation before we watch “Duct Tape Mummies!”
Katy

Recap of January Meeting (January 31, 2008)
Show and tell was fabulous, as always! Joann made a skirt from her hand dyes from two summers ago. The fabric was beautiful and the results are stunning. We had two new members join us (see the insert for this year’s membership list). We voted to officially change our name to Conversations in Cloth, both because that’s what Michele named the blog by accident, and because it’s a really cool acronym. Now we just have to decide whether to pronounce CinC as “sink” or “kink”!

Finally, we foiled! Using BoNash powder with the foil was a favorite technique for the group. We also determined that you could foil onto ribbon, and we loved the results. The best online source for foil and adhesive is probably www.lauramurraydesigns.com, and supplies are also available from www.bellanonnaquilt.com.

Announcements and Reminders
Don’t miss “A Stitch Over Time: Fiber Art” at the Appleton Art Center. The exhibit runs through March 22.

February Meeting (Thursday February 28, 2008)
We’re watching Theresa’s DVD “Clone Yourself: A Dressform Double,” fondly known and “Duct Tape Mummies.” Bring show and tell, bring a snack, and learn how to make fiber art that actually FITS.

Upcoming Events
February 28, 2008: February meeting, 6:30. “Clone Yourself A Dressform Double”
March 27, 2008: March meeting, 6:30. Drawing on the right side of the brain.

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Foiling on Fabric

2008-02-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

At Conversations in Cloth this past week, we got the chance to practice Foiling on Fabric.

Katy showed us how to use 007 Bonding Powder to create a starry sky.

Katy also explained how to use stamps (foam, rubber, etc.) to place adhesive glue to fabric. The glue must be completely dry before trying to foil it. Several ladies stamped and foiled satin ribbons for nice effects.

Misty Fuse or other fusible webbing can also be used to apply foil. Each product seems to offer a different effect. In this photo, the Misty Fuse is "lacey" while the Steam-a-Seam is a more solid foil transfer.

[Sorry I don't have more photos of the groups work this month. I got into a deep conversation with Marie, and when I looked up, everyone had packed up their things. So I don't have many pictures to post. THis is just a taste of what we were up to last week.]

More tutorials on Foiling at Fibre in-Form.

Also of note : Laura Murray will be the invited speaker / teacher for Darting Needles Quilt Guild in Appleton, WI, May 18 and 19th, 2008. Should be a good weekend!

Sewing Expo 2008

2008-01-26T06:47:00.001-08:00

Fox Valley Technical College announced their program for the 2008 Sewing Expo.
March 14-15, 2008 in Oshkosh, WI.

2 days of wonderful workshops and demonstrations for a very reasonable price!

Michele is already registered to attend. Hope to see you there, too!

Quilting Arts on PBS

2008-01-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

If you haven't caught it yet, PBS has a 13 part series produced by Quilting Arts Magazine on every Saturday at 9:30 AM. They have been doing some really fun things. Also I belivee they have a website with directions posted. If I got it rights its www.quiltingartstv.com. See you all in a couple of weeks.
Karen

Notebook Cover

2007-12-29T06:36:00.000-08:00

Gill K. gave everyone a little kit to make a notebook cover at our CinC Christmas Party a few weeks ago. This one flips up. Thanks, Gill!

Duct Tape Dress Form Preview

2007-11-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

Since we'll be doing duct-tape dress forms early next year, I thought you might appreciate this preview from Wild Onion Studio.

Here's another one from Threads Magazine.

Enjoy!

AN ADVENTURE IN MAKING STAMPS

2007-11-13T17:14:00.000-08:00

These are notes from our October Stamp-Making evening...

Your kit contains…

2 DICK BLICK soap erasers
1 3 x 4 piece Soft Kut printing plate from Dick Blick
1 3 x 4 piece EZ Cut printing plate from Dick Blick
1 4 x 6 piece Richeson’s Easy-to-Cut linoleum
2 sheets Darice self-adhesive fun foam
Foam core board to support the foam

TIPS

The first three items can be carved with an X-Acto knife. Linoleum, being thinner, requires linoleum cutting tools. Self-adhesive foam is fun and “instant gratification”—cut shapes with scissors and stick them to the foam core board. We learned that EZ Cut is fragile, and designs shouldn't be too complex. Soft Kut is delightfully easy to work with.
Eraser Carving: Make the first cut up and down. Make the second cut at an angle to the first cut, touching the bottom of the first cut but not passing through, as if the first cut is a wall. Passing through the “wall” too much will weaken the stamp.
E6000 adhesive can be used to mount stamps to Plexiglas or wood. But we learned that EZ Cut doens't glue well with this stuff.
Really quick stamps: Glue string or found objects to a substrate (even cardboard works for short-life stamps). Let it dry and you’re ready to print.
Apply paint or thickened dye to your stamps with a brayer, spread the dye onto a smooth surface and tap the stamp to it, or use a foam brush as a stamp pad (pat the surface of the stamp with the brush).
You can cut simple shapes from compressed sponge and stamp with that. It will expand when it gets wet.
An iron will often transfer photocopied images to a rubber block.

November 2007 Newsletter

2007-11-13T17:08:00.000-08:00

There are a few schedule changes—in particular we are NOT meeting at the Menasha library in November or December. Please read carefully and save this newsletter. Have a happy, creative holiday season!
Katy

Recap of October Meeting (October 25, 2007)
We carved stamps! It was fun, sometimes messy, and we learned a lot. Check the blog for process and material notes.

Announcements and Reminders
It’s time for our December party meeting on Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit from 41). We’ll also have a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—it’s time to RSVP! Call Julie by December 10th. Out of courtesy, please call her with a yes or a no, so she knows she’s heard from everyone. Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” at the party!

There was a request at the October meeting to move the party back to Katy’s house—it really was a ton of fun in 2005. Unfortunately, I’m scheduled for a business trip that week, and if I make it back for the party, it will be just by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin. So Gulliver’s it is!
It’s time for dues. Please bring your $10 to the holiday party. I’ll deputize someone to collect dues if I’m stuck in Oklahoma. Otherwise, please mail it to me or bring it in January. Our dues support mailing the newsletter and provides a small donation to the library in appreciation of the meeting space.

November Meeting (Thursday November 29, 2007)
CHANGE! We are NOT meeting at the Menasha library this month. Instead, we’ll take a “field trip” to the Oshkosh Public Library (106 Washington Avenue), where Jennifer Chiaverini will give a book talk at 7:00 pm in the Lower Level Meeting Room. Jennifer is a national quilt fiction author known for the Elm Creek Quilts series. She was recently featured in Quilters Newsletter. Tickets are required, but you can get them for free from the First Floor Information Desk at the library. Please contact Michele if this poses a problem for you; since she works at the library she may be able to help out. The Lakeside Quilters will also host a quilt show at the library all day on Thursday. See the library website for more information: www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org.

Upcoming meetings
With the November schedule change, we’ve rearranged our plans. We’ll do foiling in January, and watch the make-your-own dressform video in February. In March, Katy’s mom, Marilyn, will visit the group and lead us in some right brain drawing activities to teach us to access the “automatic artist” in each of us. We’re still interested in an “art stuff” swap meet, but the date is in flux right now.

January Meeting (Thursday January 31, 2008)
If you have foiling supplies, please bring your own foil and adhesive. If not, you can share Katy’s stuff—please bring a dollar. Other supplies:

Fabric. You can foil just about any smooth fabric that can stand the heat of an iron. Once foiled, the fabric is delicate, so it should be the last step in your embellishment repertoire.
Stamps! Bring chunky foam stamps, and especially bring some of the stamps you made last month.
A foam paint brush and a Styrofoam plate, yogurt lid, etc. to hold the liquid adhesive
An old toothbrush to gently clean your stamps
Bo-Nash powder—if you have it, bring it. Otherwise, we’ll share.
Fusible web. Bring any type you have; they all give different results. Heat-n-Bond usually does NOT work, but we can still experiment.
We will need a couple of irons and SMOOTH ironing surfaces.

Upcoming Events
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 7:00.
December, 13, 2007 (Thursday): Holiday party at Gulliver’s in Neenah.
January 31, 2008: January meeting, 6:30. Foiling
February 28, 2008: February meeting, 6:30. “Clone Yourself A Dressform Double”
March 27, 2008: March Meeting, 6:30. Drawing on the right side of the brain.

Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Katy's Pieces

2007-10-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

Katy completed her sheer window inset demo piece (above). A few months ago, she showed us how to do this technique.

This table runner is versatile in that the corners of the stars are held together with hooks and eyes. They can be re-assembled in other configurations (such as a triangle of stars).

Catch The Secret World of Haute Couture in November on WPT

2007-10-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Secret World of Haute Couture (the program Julie described to our rapt audience a few weeks/months ago) will be re-aired on Wisconsin Public Television early next month :

November 6, 2007 at 9 pm
and
November 7, 2007 at 12 pm

Set your VCRs, or TiVo, Ladies!

Read more ...

October Newsletter

2007-10-07T20:05:00.000-07:00

Recap of September Meeting (September 27, 2007)
We had tons of fun seeing everyone’s sewing space. Yes, we all DO have that much fabric and mess! It made us all feel so much better! A few highlights…design walls of all sorts, a home-made lightbox, and canning shelves from Fleet Farm. Julie’s pattern organization system included a three-ring binder containing all her pattern envelopes. The “guts” stay at home in a labeled 9×12 manila envelope, and she can take the binder fabric shopping.
Michele’s Northern Lights fabric postcard series was stunning. She’s using them to explore ideas and techniques for a future larger piece—what a great idea! Julie caught a fascinating PBS special “The Secret World of Haute Couture.” It’s not scheduled to re-run in the next two weeks, but keep an eye out.

Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” by our December party meeting, which will be Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit). We’ll also plan on a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—mark your calendars now to save the date and be sure to RSVP come November when the reminder comes out.

October Meeting (Thursday October 25, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
We’ll be making our own stamps. Because there’s so much to do and try, we’ll start early (at 6:00) for those who can make it. Remember we are in the Gegan room in October (the long conference table, next to the Activity Room we usually have). We’ll explore 5 different materials for stamp-making. Katy will provide kits for $5. Please bring:

Ideas for patterns and shapes for your stamps.
Pencils and pens to draw your pattern before you carve it. Optional: Bring a photocopy of a design you like in a 3” × 4” size. It must be a phototcopy, not an inkjet printout. We’ll try a simple iron-on transfer technique to transfer your pattern to the carving block.
Scissors for cutting foam sheets to make “instant gratification” stamps.
An X-acto knife (Basic ones are at Hobby Lobby for $1.99)
A simple straight blade X-acto knife will work for three of the four carving surfaces.
If you have U or V shaped blades for your X-acto knife or linoleum cutting tools, bring them. No need to purchase these specialty tools if you don’t have them. We’ll share and take turns to carve the fourth surface.
If you have “Grip ‘n Grip” (or plumber’s gasket) non-skid surface, bring it. It will make carving easier.

Upcoming Events
October 25, 2007: October meeting, 6:00. Making stamps—early start for those who can make it
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 6:30. Foiling
December, 13, 2007 (Thursday): Holiday party at Gulliver’s in Neenah.
January 31, 2008: January meeting, 6:30. “Duct tape mummies” (we’ll watch the “Clone Yourself A Dressform Double” DVD, which Theresa owns)
February 28, 2008: February meeting, 6:30. Art stuff swap meet

Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

New Shibori Book

2007-10-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

The new book I brought to show and tell in September is called Shibori for Textile Artists by Janice Gunner. The book contains many beautiful color pictures and the directions seem clear. I haven't yet played with the techniques but will let everyone know when I do.

Here's a link to the book at Amazon.com.

Katy

Katy's Purse

2007-09-30T14:11:00.001-07:00

Katy's couched purse is from the pattern “Sassy Sack” by Time to Shine.

September 2007 Newsletter

2007-09-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Recap of August Meeting (August 30, 2007)
Julie, personal shopper extraordinaire, delivered the Richeson stuff. She also brought an ooh-and-ah show and tell: a beaded purse from her mom’s snorkeling trip friend. Michelle is still working on her Quilt University dye class, and showed us a variety of ways to have fun with food. A favorite was her mashed potato resist, which was produced by letting a big plop of mashed potatoes dry on fabric and spraying dye over the top. Gill showed us her most recent “stash pot pie” quilt, a beautiful riot of batiks. Marilyn made a simple bracelet at Camp Onaway, and her niece made some postcards. Pat had a cute puppy block to show. Theresa attended Nancy Eha’s beading class through DNQG. She forgot her project, but brought the book for show and tell.

In our main program for the evening, Gill taught us how to make chenille pot holders (it was an easy, “instant gratification” way to learn the technique). Wash those babies up and bring them for show and tell in September!

Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. The goal is to show “substantial progress” by our December party meeting, which will be Thursday December 13th at 6:30 p.m. in Gulliver’s restaurant in Neenah (just off the Breezewood exit). We’ll also plan on a white elephant gift exchange. Julie will reserve a table for us—mark your calendars now to save the date and be sure to RSVP come November when the reminder comes out.

Per Theresa, The Sewing Basket in Plymouth (www.sewingbasket.biz) is hosting a fashion show in December and will be soliciting entries. Wouldn’t it be neat to enter as a club? (As of now, I was unable to find any information on their web site pertaining to the show, but perhaps it will be posted as the time draws closer.) This shop also has monthly “Creative Art” classes on Tuesday afternoons. They also host an art quilting “sit and sew.” Check the site for more info.

September Meeting (Thursday September 27, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
Sewing studios, led by…EVERYONE! Please take photos of your sewing space, whether it be a room of your own or a corner carved out of the dining room. Be sure to include anything that’s not working you’d like advice on and especially any unique features or tips you have to offer.
You may bring your photos in any of the following ways:

Email digital pics to Katy. (DEADLINE Tuesday September 25th! I spend Wednesday evenings with Jon and the boys and will NOT be online.)
Bring your photos on a USB memory stick (Katy will bring her computer and Julie will obtain the library’s projector.)
Bring your photos on a CD or DVD.
Bring slides. (I know, no one has slides any more, but we will be viewing a slide presentation borrowed from DNQG courtesy of Theresa, so we’ll have a projector.)
Bring hard copies and we’ll all gather around you.
Failing that, bring a gift of gab and we’ll bring vivid imaginations!

Upcoming Events
September 27, 2007: September meeting, 6:30. Sewing room organization roundtable
October 25, 2007: October meeting, 6:30. Making stamps
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 6:30. Foiling
December, 13, 2007 (Thursday): Holiday party at Gulliver’s in Neenah.

Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

August 2007 Newsletter

2007-09-11T18:16:00.000-07:00

Recap of July Meeting (July 25, 2007)
Exciting news! Both Karen and Michele have had pieces accepted into the Wisconsin Quilt Expo (Karen’s fish and Michele’s “Oliver”). The show is September 13-15 in Madison.
As for show and tell, Gill brought a Betty Boop quilt she’d made with fabric she found at Yds. Is there anything that can’t be find hiding in some corner there?! She was working on an intriguing form of Japanese braiding called “Kumihimo.” (Go ahead, Google it!) Karen finished her postcard from the May meeting…it’s now her name tag! Michele showed us some hand dyed skin tones she’d been working on…except they came out green! Check out the directions on www.fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com and see if you have any better luck. She also had some gorgeous pieces made by spraying dye, a technique she learned through Quilt University.
The rest of the meeting was spent couching our hearts out. Katy demo’d a few machine techniques, and Karen showed how easy it is to couch by hand, even those “troublesome” yarns.

Announcements and Reminders
Don’t forget “A Finishing Odyssey,” our challenge for 2007. Gill joined the festivities, bringing her unfinished tree skirt and wool folk art barn raising to show. Remember, the plan is to show “substantial progress” on the UFO by the December party. In July we forgot to settle on a December party date, so bring your calendars to the August meeting.

August Meeting (Thursday August 30, 2007) at the Menasha Public Library
Chenille, led by Gill. Gill will supply kits for $4. All you need to bring is your sewing machine, needles, thread, a few pins and a walking foot.

Upcoming Events
August 30, 2007: August meeting, 6:30. Chenilling. Gill will lead.
September 27, 2007: September meeting, 6:30. Sewing room organization roundtable
October 25, 2007: October meeting, 6:30. Making stamps
November 29, 2007: November meeting, 6:30. Foiling
December: Date TBD. Holiday party.

Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Pat's Scotty Dog

2007-08-31T18:02:00.002-07:00

Gill's Scrappy Stash-Buster Quilt Top

2007-08-31T18:00:00.000-07:00