The winner is: Marjolijn … marjolijnquilts.blogspot.com.
Thank you everyone for leaving a comment! Remember that you have other chances to win.
October 3: Diane Perin Hock http://goingtopieces.blogspot.com/
October 5: Sarah Ann Smith http://www.sarahannsmith.com/weblog
You can also purchase a DVD Sarah here or a downloadable video from Interweave here. I highly recommend it!
Sarah Ann Smith’s new DVD
Always of interest to me is learning about the thought process behind a creative work — the steps between concept to creation. Short of being able to talk directly to an artist, DVDs have become very popular over the recent years because they can often fill in this gap.Thus, when Sarah Ann Smith asked me about being a participant in her blog hop and give-away for her new DVD, I said yes. Not only am I honored that she asked, but I looked forward to the chance to peak over her shoulders to see how she approaches her unique works of fabric and stitch art.
My relationship with Sarah goes back about a decade, and I’ve watched her growth over the year with much admiration not only for the stunning and award-winning artwork she creates, but for her open and hold-nothing-back approach to sharing her knowledge with others. Her book, Threadwork Unraveled, is an excellent reference on selecting and using the right thread for your piecing, quilting and applique needs (among other things). Her new DVD, produced by Interweave, I am very happy to say is among the best I’ve viewed!
Sarah starts with some encouraging words — namely, “learn and be proud of every project that you do.” Her DVD focuses on every step she uses from selecting a photograph right through to creating a finished work.
Sarah discusses how to select a photograph for use in an art quilt …
how to select fabrics …
how to enhance fabrics with pencils or paint, including why you need to exaggerate contrast …
how to fuse and build your quilt top imagery …
how to select thread …
how to quilt/thread paint …
It’s clear that Sarah does a lot of teaching, and she packs a lot of good information in the 77 minute video. She speaks clearly, gives thorough instruction, and enthusiastically explains what she uses in her work and why (she wrote a blog post about some of her favorite products, which you can read here). After I watched her demonstration of why she uses the iron she does, and I immediately made a mental note to purchase one; the way she uses a skewer had me grabbing a couple from the kitchen and putting them my workroom (a better tool than the tooth pick I was using).
In the beginning of the DVD, Sarah states that if you’re not learning, you’re not trying hard enough. Sarah reminds you to keep trying, to do the best you can, and to know that with work and time people will eventually be commenting that your work is amazing. I have no doubt this video will put you on that road to amazing!
Here’s a preview of her DVD:
Leave me a comment, and I’ll randomly select a winner on the evening of October 3rd. Please make sure you leave your correct email so that I can contact you. If you are in the United States, you can choose between a DVD or a download (I like downloads, as you get immediate gratification). If you live outside of the United States, you will get information on how to obtain a download. Good luck! If you are not selected by me, you still have other chances to win. The blog hop continues:
October 3: Diane Perin Hock http://goingtopieces.blogspot.com/
October 5: Sarah Ann Smith http://www.sarahannsmith.com/weblog
Even if you are not selected for a free copy during the blog hop, you will be a winner by purchasing the DVD directly from Sarah here or a downloadable video from Interweave here. I highly recommend it!
Susan Armstrong! Susan, I contacted you in email to send me your address. Enjoy the DVD. For others, be sure to head to Lyric‘s website where she has the DVD on sale.
New from Lyric Kinard
While I like beaded embellishment, it’s been a long time since I’ve added beads to any artwork I’ve made. I keep meaning to incorporate some again, but I put it off. The thought of adding beads one at a time to get the type of clumps I’m attracted to seems too time consuming, and the sprinkling of beads between netting that I experimented with didn’t give me the look I was after. I wondered if there was a better way, but I didn’t make the time to further experiment. When I received an invite to review Lyric Kinard’s new DVD on called, “Bead Like you Mean It, the Basics,” I jumped at the chance. The DVD is approximately 90 minutes and is published by Lyric Art Publishing. In other words, it’s self-published. Even with helpful programs such as iMovie, you never know what kind of quality you’ll get when something is “self-published,” and often it’s under par. Not so with this DVD. The video was shot by Bonnie Lyn McCaffrey. Many in the art quilt world know Bonnie for her exceptional work interviewing and videoing a variety of artists at the IQA show in Houston, the Festival of Quilts show in Birmingham, UK, and other places. Her many years of experience shine through in this DVD which is as good in quality, if not better, than many DVDs that I’ve viewed, including those from large publishing houses. The sound is clear, the photography sharp and well lit, the editing spot-on, and the close-ups excellent.
The scene selection menu for easy navigation.
The DVD starts with Lyric discussing materials. She explains the different types of beads and how the number indicates the size of the bead. She discussed needles, threads, and supports. Along the way, she provides all types of tips such as looking for beads from Japan or the Czech Republic to get the best quality and avoiding beads from other places, such as China, so that you don’t risk bead color fading or bleeding. Another tidbit I learned is that a needle is directional. That is something I’ve never heard before. She says the eye is stamped into the end of the needle. “If the needle difficult to thread, to turn the eye and try again.” If that doesn’t work, you can work with a larger bead and a larger needle. “Find the smallest needle you can thread and then size your beads accordingly – use what it comfortable to you.” In other words, keep it easy and fun.
Examples of different methods of holding down a flat object, or cabochon, with beads.
The DVD continues with how-tos, starting with how to add a single seed bead to your work. That single bit of knowledge forms the foundation for everything forward such as making a straight line of beads, a curved line, an angled line, and so on. She continues with stitching bugle beads, chunky beads, stacking beads, and more. She also includes a section on adding beads to a finished quilt. She explains how to do so without knots on the back. I’ve added beads to finished quilts, and I’ve always made a small knot and popped it into the batting. I like her method better and will use it in the future.
Examples of beading to hold a flat object.
Lyric also explained two things that I’m particularly drawn to — beading to add a flat object, or “cabochon” (such as a stone or shell) and beading in clumps for texture. Good, good stuff.
Lyric is so approachable and speaks so clearly that it’s immediately apparent why she was selected the 2011 Teacher of the Year by the International Association of Professional Quilters. She has quite a knack for casually yet thoroughly explaining the subject in a friendly, non-intimating manner.
I’ve seen beading that looks tacky, and I’ve seen beading that looks beautiful. The examples of her artwork showcase how sophisticated and beautiful beading can look. In some instances the beads were accents; in others, they were integral to the success of the design. The combination of her instruction and examples of her artwork provides the tools and inspiration to avoid the tacky and venture into the beautiful.
If you have any interest at all in learning the basics of beading, this DVD is a perfect way to get started. Right now it is selling for $19.95 through October 12th. Afterwards, it will sell for $24.95. Even at that price, it’s a bargain. You can learn more about the DVD at Lyric’s website.
This Friday night, I will have a drawing for this DVD. Please leave a comment telling me why you need this DVD. I’ll pick a random name and will post the winner. :)
