Texture Magic Totes Class In Wickenburg, Arizona

I've been having the most delightful time teaching the Texture Magic Totes class and doing Texture Magic Trunk shows.

My latest teaching experience was at M's Quilting Inspriations in Wickenburg, Arizona.
M's is owned by Marilyn Williams, and she has a wonderful quilt store that is buzzing with energy and people. I did a post about her store HERE.

The class was well attended and the students went right to work.

This is the first any of the ladies had worked with Texture Magic.

Experiencing the fun part!
Once the Texture Magic has been stitched to the back of a piece of fabric, you apply steam and watch it shrink up to 30% in every direction.

When the Texture Magic lies flat, you know the shrinking is complete, and it will not shrink any more.

One student used a meandering stitch to apply the Texture Magic to her fabric.

Others used decorative threads from Superior Threads for the stitching. Razzle Dazzle by Ricky Tims was used most often by this class.
The gold stands out so nicely against a dark background.

Some added pockets to their tote.

We were able to finish our totes in a 3 hour class.

Don't we love taking home a FINISHED project?

One student had stitched decorative threads to her fabric before she came to class.

Look how beautiful!

It's so fun to see how every one's fabric choices makes each bag unique and personal.

Kathy Janes

Razzle Dazzle is a heavier decorative thread that can be used in bobbin work. It works so well with Texture Magic because the stitching is often worked from the back.

Kathy sent me a picture of her completed bag. Notice the specialty beads she used on the ends of her ribbon ties.

I love hearing about the excitement people feel when they work with Texture Magic.

Carol, from Phoenix sent me this e-mail:
Hi Nedra, just wanted to send you a picture of my finished tote bag that I started at 35th Ave. Sew and Vac in Phoenix on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. I made the handles longer so my granddaughter could possibly wear it over her shoulder if she wanted to. Thanks for the class. I enjoyed it. It was fun. I have four more bags to make now. Probably more down the line!! Carol Frese

Candy Land

Do remember the board game Candy Land?

I brought this as a present for my grandson Isaak. It's a perfect game for a 4 year old as they are learning colors and counting. The game is quick moving and simple enough to keep a pre-schooler's attention.

Such a trip down Memory Lane, as I used to play this with my children. Could this game be considered a "vintage" item now?

Isaak loved playing with his mom and Aunt Aubrey.

The goal is to be the first one to reach Kandy King.

What child doesn't love candy?

Isaak won just about every game, and we played our best!

The only thing more fun than Candy Land is playing with mommy, brother Noah, and baby sister Kayla.

And being tickled by dad!

Texture Magic Totes Class in Phoenix

Yesterday I presented a Texture Magic Trunk Show, and taught a Texture Magic Totes class at 35th Ave Sew and Vac in Phoenix, Arizona.

Texture Magic Totes is one of the first TM friendly patterns designed by Annie Unrein.
I like teaching this tote as a class because it can be easily sewn in 3 hours, allowing students to go home with a finished project.

One of the fun parts for me is seeing the variety of fabrics used by the students and how each bag turns out so well.

I showed them some of the wonderful threads that can be used by Superior Threads. This student used Razzle Dazzle with Texture Magic.

I love to stand back and let them steam and shrink their own fabrics, and then hear the excitement in their voices as they see the "magic" begin.

A class member brought a bag she had made previously. She had added a pocket on the outside of the bag, embellished with embroidery.

Susan Albrecht is the Texture Magic Rep for Arizona. She worked on a bag along with the other class members.

Even though this was the first time most of the class members had worked with Texture Magic, they still felt comfortable putting their own personalities in their projects. (yea ladies!)

Some added pockets, or batting to the textured parts.

Some enlarged the pattern to make a bigger tote.

When batting is sandwiched in between the Texture Magic and the fabric, it gives it a waffle look.

One student brought a Textured Totes and Accessories she had made. She created her own style with a self designed flap.

The stitching of the Texture Magic was done with a decorative stitch on her machine.

More Razzle Dazzle for the bottom. This would be a good tote to carry our threads.

I thought this was a great fabric combination: cherries on the top and a basket fabric for the Texture Magic on the bottom.

All the students did a wonderful job and were so creative! I am so proud of them for their enthusiasm and willingness to try a new product.

You Know You Are A Quilter When...

My friend Annie Unrein belongs to a wonderful friendship group with 6 very talented women. They challenged each other to design a block with the Theme "You Know You Are A Quilter When...."

Each participant was asked to paper piece a self portrait along with the theme.

Annie took her sets of blocks and placed them in this award winning quilt.
She won Best of Theme with The Utah Quilt Guild 2009.
Congratulations Annie!

Annie's group gets together every Monday to sew at Ginny's house. They leave their machines up full time.

These adage's are so true!

Annie left this as a comment, but I also want to add the information:
The patterns for each of the quilters came from Ruth B. McDowell's book, When Quilters Gather, so if anyone wants to make their own quilt, they should look for that book. I think it is out of print, but you might find it in a guild library or used online site.
I had fun coming up with the sayings and the layout. I designed the layout using Custom Set in EQ6. That program is perfect for figuring out how to put a quilt together with odd-sized blocks.
I photographed the blocks and imported them into EQ6 so that I could position them where I wanted them. I then figured out what size to make the quote blocks and the backgrounds.
If you're interested in learning more about EQ6 or Ruth McDowell's paper piecing technique, I love to teach both of those classes! Email me for more info at annieu@infowest.com.

One block was 3-D.

I like this quilter; she is working with a Kaffe!

and finally, your idea of heaven is making a quilt with your friends.

Be sure and go over and visit Annie's web site to see all of her wonderful patterns and ideas.

So Many Hats and Only One Head

So many hats and only one head.

"Whenever you wear your hat, your day will be special." (Margo Nickel)

Leave everyone wondering which is the more interesting piece of work...you or your hat.

With the right hat, nothing else matters. (LaPaloma Hats)

I think tomorrow is a say-something-hat day. (Vida Boheme)

This week I am in Phoenix, kissing on these silly faces. Grandma heaven.

Our grand daughter was in the hospital with a respiratory infection, but she is home now and in good health.

After two ambulance rides, and two hospitals, it was a little scary.

Such an angel!