More Prizes in the One World Quilt Along

Last week I was thrilled to announce that we would be awarding prizes for those members who have registered in the One World Quilt Along. This week I'm pleased to let you know that we have added another prize to these!

Curious.com is providing us with a one year's subscription to be awarded to one lucky Quilter. Curious.com is the website for lifelong learners and I teach several online classes there: Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué, Hand Embroidery Essentials and The Joy of Vintage Sewing Machines. I'm not the only teacher on Curious.com: there are hundreds of teachers and thousands of lessons viewable on their website. There are many quilting and sewing courses, but you don't have to limit yourself to just those! You'll be able to watch lessons on baking, photography, exercise and computer applications. There are even courses on calculus, if you're so inclined (which I definitely am not, but don't let me influence you!). 

Awesome Blossom project in The Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué

How do you enter to be eligible for this one year subscription to Curious.com? This prize is for the early birds! Sign up for the One World Quilt Along as a Quilter before 11:59 pm EST on September 14, 2016 and you'll be eligible for this prize. Keith and I will do a random draw and one Quilter will win a year's subscription to Curious.com. You'll definitely find my courses on fusible web appliqué and hand embroidery helpful in making your version of the One World quilt.

Register now as a Quilter for the One World Quilt Along to be eligible or sit back and keep your fingers crossed if you are have already signed up as a Quilter.

Good luck!

Creatively,

Learn Hand Embroidery with Me

Can you believe that we're already at the end of November? Christmas is creeping up quickly and I've been working on some gift ideas for this year (okay, I'm actually just thinking about them, but I've almost decided on what I'm going to make).

I like to create quilted or embroidered items as gifts, either technique works for me as long as it is something I can make quickly - because I'm always down to the wire with my gifts. Hey, it's the way I am and has become a bit of a tradition and who wants to break a tradition?! Okay, my hubby would definitely like me to break this tradition, but that's another story :)

You can create lovely gifts with just a few hand embroidery stitches that you'll learn in Hand Embroidery Essentials on Curious.com.

Thinking about embroidered items made me realize that I haven't told you about my latest on-line course at Curious.com. When you enrol in Hand Embroidery Essentials you'll learn everything you need to know about hand embroidery: tools, fabric, stitches. I've even included my Flourishing Heart pattern in this course and you can work along with me to create your own Flourishing Heart pincushion. It makes the perfect gift either as a pincushion or as an ornament. Create several, add some potpourri to them and they make lovely sachets or basket stuffers.

To learn more about what's included in the course, watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

Enrol in Hand Embroidery Essentials and create at least one gift in lots of time for Christmas. Unless you'd like to start a new tradition like mine...

Creatively,

7 Reasons to Enrol in an On-line Course

On-line courses are one of my favourite ways to learn and they are certainly a popular way to learn for other creatives as well. It got me thinking about reasons to take an on-line course and I've come up with 7 of them. Here they are:

1. You can learn in your pj's - without make-up. Okay, maybe I'm the only one with full make-up on when I leave the house, but I doubt if anyone shows up for a quilting or stitching class in their pj's! With an on-line class, you don't have to get dressed up - or dressed at all - to learn.

2. You can access your on-line course anytime night or day. Can't sleep at night? Put on your earbuds and learn. You can learn on your schedule, whenever it is convenient for you - day or night.

3. You have one on one access with the teacher. As an on-line instructor I receive emails from my students with their specific questions. I can answer their questions and spend as much time as needed to ensure that their questions have been fully answered. No more waiting in line to talk to the teacher - and you don't need to bring her an apple :)

4. You don't have to pack up your supplies and sewing machine to attend an on-line class. Just gather the required supplies and stitch in the comfort of your own home at your own sewing table.

5. You can save on class supplies. I have enrolled in "live" courses where I've bought all the supplies on the materials list only to find that I really didn't need all of them. With an on-line course, you can watch the course first and then determine the supplies you will need to purchase before starting your project.

6. You have continuous access to the course. You can watch the course as many times as you like. Halfway through the course and then have to stop and attend to other matters? No problem, just pick up the course again and start watching when you have time. Not sure about a technique? "Rewind" to watch that section of the video again. I often start and stop videos as I stitch along with the instructor. 

7. You can enrol in an on-line course no matter where in the world you live. If you're in England or Spain, you can still join me in any of my on-line courses. Of course if you'd like me to come to you to teach the course, I could be persuaded to do that, especially if you live in a warm, tropical climate:)

These are my top 7 reasons to enrol in an on-line course. How do you feel about learning on your computer? Let me know your thoughts on the subject in the comments below.

(Don't forget to enrol in any of my on-line courses at Curious.com - thanks!)

Creatively,

Quilter on Fire Podcast with Brandy Maslowski

I recently attended Quilt Canada 2015 in Lethbridge, AB and was thrilled to finally meet Brandy Maslowski, the Quilter on Fire. I did a podcast interview with Brandy a few months ago, but had never met her in person. At Quilt Canada I had that opportunity! We had a chance to chat about quilting, technology and business. Brandy was a vendor at Quilt Canada and I purchased her Inksations pattern and the supplies to create the tablerunner.

Yup, I bought the whole kit - Inksations pattern, silk screen, squeegee and fabric paint!

I've been wanting to try printing on fabric for some time and was pleased that I could purchase everything I needed to get started in one kit. Brandy also has a video with instructions on how to use the Inksations kit, so this makes it even easier! You can view the video below or on Brandy's Youtube channel.

During our discussions, I mentioned to Brandy that I had recently released a new course on Curious about vintage sewing machines and she was excited to discuss this with me, so… you can listen to Quilter on Fire podcast #78 to learn more about The Joy of Vintage Sewing Machines. 

One lucky podcast listener will win their choice of three (3) PDF patterns from Chatterbox Quilts.

Everyone who listens to the podcast will receive a 20% off subscription code for Curious.com  where you can enjoy all of the courses and lessons offered on Curious. The Joy of Vintage Sewing Machines is the perfect course for someone who has always admired these classic sewing machines, but doesn't know how to evaluate and buy one for themselves. I'll walk you through the selection and evaluation process, and then teach you how to rejuvenate and repair your machine 4 you'll be sewing in no time. You'll also get a peek at some of the vintage sewing machines that I have in my collection. Two patterns are included in this class, so you can get started creating with your vintage sewing machine right away.

To take advantage of the 20% discount, just click here and start learning and creating.

I hope you enjoy the podcast and will subscribe to Brandy's channel so you can listen to all of her upcoming podcasts.

Creatively,