Workshops and Lectures
- Rocks & Pebbles & Stones, Oh, My!
- Introduction to Transfer Artist Paper – TAP
- Make your Quilts Sing with Digital Imagery – Editing Photos in PowerPoint
- PowerPoint Demo – Merging Shapes and so much more …
- Acrylic Skins – Workshop and Demo
- Monoprinting in Layers
- Sophisticated Monoprinting with Masks and Stencils
- Paintstiks on Fabric
- Introduction to Fabric Painting
- From Sketch to Stitch with Inktense Pencils
- From Sketch to Stitch – vibrant colour and stunning backgrounds
- Simple Landscapes with Stitch and Paint
- Text on Textiles – a Free-Motion Quilting Workshop
- Free-Motion Machine Quilting
- Feather Quilting
- “Moments” Workshop
- Curves Workshop
- In a N.Y. State of Mind
- New York Beauties Blocks Made Easy
- Birds on a Wire
- Fabric Painting – Part II
- The Fibre Artist in Me – Trunk Show
- What is Creativity? – Lecture
- Creativity in Times of Covid – Lecture
- What is Colour? – Lecture
Rocks & Pebbles & Stones, Oh, My!
Live / online
3-hour workshop
I was born in a small seaside resort and ever since I was a small child, I’ve loved rocks, pebbles and stones. Still at my age, I cannot resist going by a rock without looking at it and wondering if I can find an excuse to keep it. So it was natural to me to find a way to incorporate these rocks and small pebbles in a quilt.
Join me in this fun and relaxing class to make rocks, pebbles and stones and learn two different methods to incorporate them into your art pieces.
An optional kit comes with everything you need for class.
Introduction to Transfer Artist Paper – TAP
Live / Online
2-hour workshop
I
I’d like to share with you a technique I use often in my work: image transfer. I have tried different techniques to transfer images onto fabric, but Transfer Artist Paper or TAP is by far the most successful. TAP is the brainchild of Artist Lesley Riley and is produced by C&T Publishing; I am delighted to be able to teach this very popular workshop as C&T released the New Formulation after a few years of the paper being unavailable.
In this 2-hour live virtual class, we’ll explore several ways to use TAP to achieve different results.
An optional kit is available with images already printed on TAP for your use.
Make your Quilts Sing with Digital Imagery – Editing Photos in PowerPoint
Live Online
2-hour workshop
When I started using images in my work, I was looking for a way to edit the photos simply, without the use of photo editing programs that would take time to learn how to use. I wanted to be able to use imagery and layer to make a collage where the images would nestle nicely together and the text would wrap around the edges.
In this demo, I’ll walk you through using Powerpoint – a slide show presentation program developed by Microsoft (available for PC and MAC) – as a simple way of editing photos and preparing them for printing onto fabric, paper, or transfer paper.
PowerPoint Demo – Merging Shapes and so much more …
Live Online
3-hour demo workshop
In continuing to look for ways to work and incorporate images into my work, I started exploring merging shapes into images to create interesting images using photos and combining them in different ways.
In this demo, I’ll walk you through using Powerpoint – a slide show presentation program developed by Microsoft (available for PC and MAC) – as a way of creating interesting images, collages of images, text etc. that you can add to your work.
There is a 65-page workbook to go with the workshop with step-by-step colour photos.
Acrylic Skins – Workshop and Demo
Live / online
2-hour workshop
In this workshop you’ll learn to create acrylic skins to use in your work. These acrylic skins require few supplies and are fun and addictive to make and will add an element of surprise and interest to your artwork: quilts, sketchbooks, painting, collages, etc.
I will show you different ways to create the acrylic skins. Part of this workshop will be a demo on different products you can use to prepare the skins, how to finish them and how to apply them to your work.
Monoprinting in Layers
Live / online
3, 4 or 6-hour workshop (the 6-hour workshop shall be divided into 2 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on two different days for online workshops)
Monoprints combine the spontaneity of printed paints and fabric, creating a surface that is unlike any other. It is the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques. No two prints are alike.
Students will learn to use water-based paint on Gelli Plates or other surfaces, utilizing various techniques: masking, multiple drop printing, colour mixing, etc. Students will play around with textures and random materials to create several pieces that can serve as underpaintings for future work or stand alone as a body of work.
The first part of the class will be spent making rubbing plates to use in the monoprinting process.
Beware! It is fun … and very addictive.
The fee for this workshop includes a 25-page booklet with instructions.
Kit fee (optional) that includes supplies to make the rubbing plates.
Sophisticated Monoprinting with Masks and Stencils
Live / online
3-hour workshop
Monoprints combine the spontaneity of printed paints and fabric, creating a surface that is unlike any other. It is the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques.
Discover a world of possibilities with this monoprinting technique that gives you the ability to print any shape you’d like.
A monoprint is a one-of-a-kind print so each design will be unique. The irregular nature of the shapes comes from using stencils and masks together in the same print.
Paintstiks on Fabric
Live / online
3-hour or 6-hour workshop (the 6-hour workshop shall be divided into 2 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on two different days for online workshops)
Come to class to spend a fun and relaxing time making rubbing plates and using them on fabric with Paintstiks. Explore some ways in which you can use Paintstiks to embellish fabric and create personal prints.
Paintstiks are easy to use as they are creamy and thick. Different techniques to use the Paintstiks will be shown.
Beware: it’s addictive!
Kit fee (optional) that includes supplies to make the rubbing plates.
Introduction to Fabric Painting
Live / online
6-hour workshop (the 6-hour workshop shall be divided into 2 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on two different days for online workshops)
This workshop will focus on the basics of painting on fabric, shading, highlighting, and blending.
The workshop fee includes the PDF pattern and painting map plus colour photo of the project for reference.
From Sketch to Stitch with Inktense Pencils
Live / online
3-hour workshop
In this class, you will use a sketched design to free-motion quilt it on the fabric as if you were sketching on a sketch pad. Free-motion techniques will be demonstrated. Once the design is fully quilted, it will be coloured using Inktense pencils. Different techniques will be demonstrated.
From Sketch to Stitch – vibrant colour and stunning backgrounds
Live / online
6-hour workshop
In this class, you will use a sketched design (provided) to free-motion quilt it on the fabric as if you were sketching on a sketch pad. Students will learn how to create stunning backgrounds.
Free-motion techniques will be demonstrated. Once the design is fully quilted, it will be coloured using Inktense pencils. Different techniques will be demonstrated.
Simple Landscapes with Stitch and Paint
Live / online
6-hour workshop (the 6-hour workshop shall be divided into 2 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on two different days for online workshops)
Sewing machine required.
In this workshop, students will work on a wall hanging – approximately 10″ x 20″. They will learn how to cut and sew simple curves to prepare the background, without marking or pinning. Once the background has been finished and the basic landscape sewn, the design is drawn on the fabric. The piece will then be quilted in preparation for painting. A quilting demo will be offered with different background fillers.
Painting techniques – including shading and highlighting – will be demonstrated.
The fee for the workshop includes a PDF with written instructions and optional designs to paint on the landscape.
Text on Textiles – a Free-Motion Quilting Workshop
Live / online
6-hour workshop (the 6-hour workshop shall be divided into 2 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on two different days for online workshops)
Do you like letters, font, typography? Would you like to add your favourite quotes, lyrics or words to your work? Then this process-oriented class is for you.
In a relaxed atmosphere, and with the use of free-motion quilting, you will learn to add text to your quilt, including how to space the lines, what effect different spacing has, how to mark the quilt and finally quilt the text.
This workshop has an optional kit fee with images printed on TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) to add to the work to learn how to quilt around shapes.
Sewing machine required.
Free-Motion Machine Quilting
Live / online
6-hour workshop (the 6-hour workshop shall be divided into 2 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on two different days for online workshops)
Students will focus on simple free-motion motifs and straight lines.
The 12-hour workshop (12-hour workshop to be divided into 4 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on 4 different days) will cover the basics as above, and will add some more advanced background filler designs and simple feathers.
Sewing machine required.
Feather Quilting
Live / online
3-hour workshop
Have you ever seen those quilts covered in gorgeous feathers and thought “I wish I could do that”? Well, now you can learn how. With a few tips, a few tricks, and I’m not going to lie – a lot of practice, you can master these beautiful designs.
From traditional to modern, they are one of the most difficult motifs to master. In this calss, you will learn the tips and tricks to start your journey into quilting beautiful feathers.
Sewing machine required.
Some free-motion quilting experience recommended
“Moments” Workshop
Live / online
2-day or 3-day Workshop
Please note this is a design class – Students will work on their own original designs.
The workshop is based on the techniques used to make my art piece “Moments” which appeared in Quilting Arts Magazine February/March 2008
Day 1:
Each student will work on its own piece to be finished at 17” x 24” approximately. The focus of the first day will be to design the piece based on a favorite object of inspiration (a photo, a leaf, shell, feather, piece of wood, cup, etc.). Once the design has been finalized, the piecing technique will be demonstrated.
Day 2:
Continue working on piecing the top. Quilting techniques will be discussed, as well as thread painting and embellishment: Paintstiks, Angelina fibers, tulle, stencils, fabric paint, stamps, splattering, beading, etc.
Day 3:
A continuation of Day 2, it allows time for the piece to be completed (depending on design and complexity).
Sewing machine required.
Curves Workshop
6-hour workshop (the 6-hour workshop shall be divided into 2 – 3 hour sessions on the same day with a break in-between or on two different days for online workshops)
During this workshop, students will learn the basic technique to construct this piece and learn how to sew curves without sewing any curves.
This workshop can be combined with the Moments Workshop. The 2-day and 3-day workshop will include instruction on designing an original piece, preparing a master, and construction.
Sewing machine required.
The fee for this workshop includes the pattern and instructions. This workshop has a kit fee (optional) that includes all fabrics and fusible interfacing to piece the top, plus batting, backing and binding.
In a N.Y. State of Mind
Live / online
1-day or 2-day workshop
The New York Beauties Block is one of the oldest blocks, and many versions under many names can be found. The name came about in the early 1900’s and many like to think that the spikes allude to the crown on the Statue of Liberty. It is a very popular block. In this class, you will learn a new technique to make these blocks, plus foundation paper piecing, curved seams, how to break into borders and use of colour to make this a stunning quilt.
This workshop has a kit fee that includes the printed foundation papers, pattern and written instructions .
New York Beauties Blocks Made Easy
Live / online
1 or 2-day workshop
New York Beauties blocks are beautiful and seem very intricate and difficult to piece, when in truth they are quite simple once you learn a few tips and tricks. In this class, you will learn a technique to ensure that these blocks are all the same size and perfectly square. The class will cover paper piecing and impartial seems. Students will work on a 20″ cushion top.
In the one-day workshop, students will have time to make a few of the blocks. There will be a demo on assembling the pillow top.
The 2-day workshop will cover finishing the pillow top, free-motion machine quilting basics, and assembling the pillow.
The workshop fee includes a PDF booklet with colour photographs and step-by-step written instructions. There’s an optional kit with all fabrics for the pillow top and a kit with the foundation paper piecing arcs printed on Fun-dation. Each sold separately.
Birds on a Wire
Not available at this time
Live / online
2-day workshop. For online, this workshop will be separated into 3 different 3-hour sessions. The first two sessions can be done on the same day with a break in-between, or on separate days. The third 3-hour session will be scheduled a few days after the first two sessions to give students the time needed to finish piecing, quilting and appliqueing the top.
In this class you’ll work on a wall hanging using foundation piecing and a stitch and flip method to end up with a background that resembles a landscape. The fabrics used will all be white, white on white, and light colored, in cotton and cotton-poly, different textures, different patterns. This is an interesting class as the final results are somewhat unpredictable. Once the top has been pieced, it will be fully quilted using white cotton thread. The shapes will be appliquéd using the free-motion foot. Basic free-motion machine quilting designs will be covered.
On the second day, the quilted top will be placed in a dye bath. A demo will be shown on how to prepare the dye bath, products used in the dyeing process, etc. Different samples will be shown.
This workshop has a kit fee (optional) that includes the silk velvet for the appliqued birds plus some different white on white fabrics to add to your collection.
Fabric Painting – Part II
Not yet available online
1-day or 2-day workshop
The one day workshop will cover background painting, shading, highlighting, blending, watercolor techniques, etc.
The two-day workshop will cover the contents of the 1-day workshop plus the piece will be quilted, embroidery stitches will be covered to add texture to the piece, and the basics of pillow making will be covered. Sewing machine required for the second day of the 2-day workshop.
This workshop has a kit fee (optional).
The Fibre Artist in Me – Trunk Show
1 hour lecture
This talk covers the story of how I started quilting and the progress from traditional quilting to art quilting and surface design.
While showing different examples of my work, I talk about the importance – to me – of having a passion, and feeding that passion with constant experimentation and play in the hopes of influencing participants to add some of the techniques I talk about to their own repertoire. I describe the techniques used to make a specific piece and some of the things that went wrong and how I fixed them. Funny stories about the art pieces are shared throughout the talk.
What is Creativity? – Lecture
1 hour lecture
Creativity seems to be an elusive concept to some. We hear all the time “I’m not at all creative”, “I’m not talented”.
In this PowerPoint presentation, I share my views – together with some experts – of what creativity is and isn’t, tips to add to your own day to day routine and views on how to nurture your creativity every day. Because we are all creative, in everything we do every day.
Creativity in Times of Covid – Lecture
45 mins – 1 hour
Covid-19 has changed our lives. We have been enveloped in a tsunami of news about the virus. We’ve had to self-isolate, social distance, wash our hands, etc. All that, on top of everything else that’s going on in the world, has taken a toll on our creativity and motivation.
In this PowerPoint presentation, I share my views – together with some experts – on how to stay creative and motivated in times of stress. And how important it is to our well-being and mental health.
I share ideas that will help you stay connected with your own creativity and find the motivation to move forward,
What is Colour? – Lecture
1-hour lecture
A bit on the history of colour and the colour wheel. Talk about colour, basic colour schemes with examples. The psychology of colour and interesting facts about each colour.
