WASHABLE PAPER CLOTH

MULTI-DAY CLASS

                                                                       IN PERSON

Let’s recycle paper and create art. This is an environmentally friendly class. First, we will learn how to make *washable* paper-cloth with recycled newspapers. This is my original technique to obtain a seamless integration of paper on cloth that you can iron, paint and sew by hand or by machine. We will also learn how to create our own fabric paint. It will be formulated for the exact color we want. This paint formula can then be used for matching future color projects . We will work with our own resist, do repeats and add colored backgrounds. Then we will learn how to prepare magazine clippings to easily applique by hand on to cloth. The last day we will design a small collage with the paper-cloths we made and sew accented details by hand.

For intermediate students with some knowledge in surface design.

IMPROV HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE

2 THREE-HOUR CLASSES OR 1 SIX HOUR CLASS

$ 700 (group or guild price)

VIA ZOOM OR IN PERSON

Let’s play with half square triangle units. With just a few materials you can easily add a POP of color to your quilt blocks. This is an ideal way to use up leftover fabric from other projects and create an entire new quilt. The design possibilities are endless. It’s a perfect technique for working in small spaces.  

We will paint a detail on a white piece of cloth and combine it with a colorful fabric to create our block. Basic instructions will be given and each student can create their own design. Lots of fun!

This workshop is for all levels. Please contact Margarita via email (margascrafts@gmail.com) for details

GOSSIP BLOCKS

 6 HOUR CLASS

$ 700 (group or guild price)

VIA ZOOM OR IN PERSON

Recycle magazine clippings. This is an environmentally friendly class. We will be experimenting with a layering technique of paper and cloth to create a unique mixed media quilt block. Learn how to prepare the paper for applique. Design, cut and paste them onto cloth to form your gossip block. Apply accent stitches by hand. This is an ideal workshop for individuals who wants to explore something playful and different.

New Year New Journey

Thank you for all your support during the last year, your encouragement and interest in my *artful journey* is very important to me and for that I am grateful. I enjoyed meeting like-minded artists:)

I am looking forward to get together virtually or in person as I am preparing 3 new workshops.

I will write about them in my next posts. Hint: One is called *Improv Half Square Triangle* (photo above) and here are some details:

There is so much to learn and discover and I hope we could do it together! 

I wish you peace, fullness and creativity in this new year 2022.

Happy Creating.

FREE Project *Christmas Tree Place Cards*

*Christmas Tree Place Cards with HeatnBond interfacing*

As a new designer for the company Therm-o-Web I wanted to create a festive Christmas decoration to decorate my table for the Holidays.The main material is the foundation stabilizer, which normally it's use for embroidery. 

If you have been reading my blog you must know by now how much I like to incorporate different materials in my art. When they sent me a package of the Interfacing I knew this will be perfect for the project I had in mind. It is a non woven material that you can paint, cut and is sturdy enough to keep, in this case, the tree up.

Here are more pictures:

You can read all the steps with photos here for FREE. I hope you will do a bunch and spread the love  this Holiday season.

I am linked at: Off the Wall Friday Go and visit wonderful projects from other artists.

NEW Article in the Magazine *Quilting Arts*

My newest article is out! 

In there I showed you how to *mimic* bleached effects on a painted cloth. It's an unusual way to achieve depth in color without the use of harsh chemicals.

I am on page 66.

Here are some samples of the processed cloth.

The cloth end up so soft that it's very easy to sew by hand. I used Aurifil Wool thread

This is the cover, beautiful art by Betty Busby. You can find more information HERE

I hope you try this new technique. It's lots of fun :)

*Washable Paper-Cloth*

I am working very hard preparing a *new* workshop for next year. I will teach my original technique *Washable Paper-Cloth* (INC) made from recycled newspapers. This is a class that I must teach in person and will be a multi-day class. Although I have been using this technique for many years, it was always on a white background and since I love color I figure it out how to add a colored background creating my own paint. I am very excited! I don't have a venue yet but I am working on it. If you have any suggestions please let me know.

The sample above is a small collage using these fabrics.The bottom part is paper applique. I also found a new and easier way to do it. :)

And here are some details:

These photos are just for inspiration. I will explain details in a future post here in my blog.

*Improv* Half-Square Triangle

I have been playing with the well known half square triangle unit. This is one of the top quilt blocks in quilting.

Oh, how much fun it was to modify and stretch the possibilities.

My goal was:

1- Start with a 7 1/2 inch square and form a half square unit and don't add any extra pieces of fabric.

2- Play with the placement of the blocks and be open to the design ideas that develop during this process, doesn't matter if I failed after a few attempts.

4- Settle with the most unusual design (for me) and finish!

This has been a fascinating process. I failed so many times trying to figure out how the improv composition works with only one block - half-square triangle- I learn a lot and I am pleased with the results. I like it so much that I already started another quilt, which I will share in a future post.

This is a close up before it has been quilted.

These are another close ups after it has been quilting. I have decided to quilt it in straight lines. A combination of machine stitching and hand embroidery lines makes this piece sing, don't you think? 

The size is 32" by 33". The binding is not sewn yet but I couldn't resist to share it :)

My quilting group organized a small quilt show in an art gallery to benefit the Women's Exchange in my hometown.

On the photograph you can see only part of the gallery- mine is in the bottom-Everyone did a wonderful job, was a delight to see all the works of art in one room with different styles.

My quilt *Circle flowers* went to a happy home and all the proceeds were donated to the Women's Exchange Organization.

I will be teaching two workshops online in January:

*The Book of secrets*

*Mixed media Graffiti*

I hope you can join me. You can read more about it HERE

You can  Get the details on how to register for these workshops here

I am linked to:  Brag about your Beauties   http://www.myquiltinfatuation.com/     Off the Wall