Texture Magic is a shrinkable fabric. It feels soft and silky like lining fabric. Stitch it to the back of any fabric then apply steam to the Texture Magic side. Just hover your iron over the fabric and watch the magic as the steam proportionately reduces the fabric by 30% . It almost looks alive!  Add even more interest by sandwiching batting  between the layers to create “instant quilting”.  

A Trapunto effect can be created by stitching on the right side of a home-dec/batting/Texture Magic sandwich. Just free-motion “fussy-stitch” around flower petals for larger puffs and mini stipple stitch in background areas for recessed puffs. Then steam the back and “Pouff” you have a fabulous piece of quilting ready for making cushions, throw pillows or tote bags.

Playing with Texture Magic  is entirely too much fun! The product package contains a peice of fabric that measures 18×47 inches- enough to use for collars, cuffs, pocket flaps and sew much more. Visit my notions page to get instructios and see photos. You’re going to be amazed!

I had just finished an amazing one day trip to Yosemite National Park (an incredible photo op!) followed by a fun workshop at the Sierra Mountain Quilter’s Guild just outside the park. This was immediately followed by a full day of classes at the Quilter’s Studio in San Carlos, CA. Now, my son doesn’t live too far from there so I stopped in for an overnight before flying home the next day. We’re coming to the “Not So” fabulous part. When I opened the trunk of the rental car in the morning, my jaw dropped as I saw that my suitcases containing all of my quilts and displays and retail items had been stolen.  Years of work had disappeared.  It has not been found.

I had a workshop scheduled at the end of that week and didn’t know what I was going to do. So I called Marsha Cowan owner of the Bernina Sewing and Design Center (Las Cruces, NM). After explaining my situation, Marsha paused, then said “We’d love you to come. You can still teach. They didn’t steal that”. Now, I might be paraphrasing a bit but that comment was the beginning of the “Fabulous” part. Her confidence in me gave me just what I needed to pick myself up by the proverbial bootstraps. We had a ball. Great workshop with a great group of gals, employees as well as students. I can’t wait to go back.

Since then I have managed to get together some projects. Create some large photos of my work for dispays and done some exciting consumer shows like the Fiber Arts Fiesta in Albuquerque. My daughter came to help me run my booth there. That was “Fabulous”since we hadn’t had a chance to visit for a while.  The “Not So” part was that she had lyringitis so the only way we could communicate was by notes. We still had fun.

Recently, my fourteen year old granddaughter joined me to work in my booth at the Martha Pullen Market. We made it a driving trip for “Us” time. Fourteen hours each way. I think I must have heard the David Archuletta CD at least eight times and I can pretty much tell you anything you’d like to know about the Jonas Brothers or Miley Cyrus. The show was HOT. My classes were full and I ran out of stuff. All said, it was a “Fabulous” experience – even the part where, after our long journey to get there (arriving at 11pm), the hotel manager said he didn’t have a room for us. It was a learning experience for my Michelle as she watched her grandmother “deal” with the “nice” manager.

Two months yields lots of stories but now I must answer the door. The exterminator is here. Seems like I have an abundance of flying ants invading my sewing room. That’s one of those “Not So” fabulous things.

Thanks to the wonderful partnership of women who produce the frenzy that is the Quilt and Stitch Expo of Pueblo. This group of Colorado gals,consisting of shop owners and guild members, host a fabulous, fun and professional sewers’ expo. Attendees experienced two full days of classes, door prizes and a Merchant Mall filled with vendors from across the country, some came from as far away as So.Carolina, Arizona and Arkansas. Although the cold wind (really cold!) blew outside, all were warm inside sharing new ideas, learning new techniques and seeing new products. Make it a point to attend this show next year if you are in the vicinity. For more info go to www.quiltandstitchexpo.com

If you are not a nearby resident, and would like to attend the expo consider this a destination for a family weekend get-away. While you visit the expo, hubby and the kids can visit one of Colorado’s premier scenic spots, the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park just a short 50 mile drive west. Check out this website www.royalgorgebridge.com 

Now for my very favorite new item. It is Bohin’s Water Eraser Brush. It is the size of a pen. There is a removable vial on the back half of the tool with a fine point brush at the tip. Fill the vial with water as needed and simply stroke fine lines as you remove water soluable markings from your transfers. This is so super for quilters who need to only remove quilt lines below stitching or embellishers who need to remove dots below beads etc. I have always disliked the need to spray water to remove markings and then, when the project dried, I was left with a delicate blue edged “cloud” on my fabric. Now I just dab or stroke my transfer lines way. Very cool plus! Oh, there is a bonus with this tool! I use it to paint dye or discharge with bleach. Now I need to get a little team of these brushes.

Welcome to my Blog. Isn’t that the strangest word? Do we even know what it means? Seems to me that one day it was just there – a noun, a verb, a social activity, something that you should be part of just because you exist. “What do you mean, you don’t blog”!  Now there’s an embarrasing question, I guess. Or, it seems like it should be. It feels kind of like I missed brushing after lunch and I have been caught with poppy seeds stuck in my teeth. “What do you mean, you didn’t brush”!  Actually, I currently  believe more people blog than  brush. So, welcome to my first blog.

It’s a beautiful day here in Denver, CO. Sunny, mid 70’s. I get a kick out of how most people think it is always so cold here. For the most part it is usually quite pleasant here in the winter. I can’t say the same for the mountains which is where the snow is. From Denver you can look up into the mountains to see the snow which is just fine with me.

Anyway, I am planning to escape from my livingroom where I view this lovely day and descend to my sewing studio on the lower level (classy word for basement). There I will join my lovely BERNINA 730E and together we will begin designing one of many ribbon embellished projects needed for display in my vendor booth.

That brings to mind - take a look at my calendar. See if there’s a chance I might be coming your way. My next show will be in Pueblo CO – Quilt and Stitch Expo of Pueblo – April 3 & 4. Stop by my booth and say “Howdy”.

Oh, one more thing, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to my special sewing buddy Jill McCloy.