*Gossip Blocks* the Workshop

NEW  workshop, it's called: Gossip Blocks :) 

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.

It is a 6 hour workshop.

I hope you can join me and share your time with me doing art!

Craft Napa Workshops

I love to teach virtually or in person. Last week I gave two workshops through CraftNapa virtually to a very talented group of artists. We shared good laughs. Some couldn't be present, luckily it was recorded so they watched the recording and worked at their own pace. 

The projects for both classes were made with mixed media materials. It's amazing how each student put their own twist and created something different. It was fun!

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 :)