Carli The Quilter

I laboured over spoiled images going into the garbage can until I realized that sometimes, its just a great idea for a professional to do the printing instead. So begin by researching and speaking with your local professionals who do machine embroidery as well as photo printing on YOUR fabric.  This is really key, quilters to get a great long lasting image transferred to fabric. Ask them to show you some samples of images transferred.  Ask about the level of qualified staff they may have on hand, this is not something for the newest member of their team to do.  Speak about resolution that is best for them to transfer. In this Denim Wedding quilt, I began with having the photographs selected to actually go onto the quilt. Decide how many images are necessary? Choose photo's that are crisp and clear, not any blurring or overexposure is recommended.  And sometimes you can tweek the photos emailed to you for the project.  Sett...

In Canada, we are thankful to one of the daring and innovative quilter/publisher gals in the country. Heather McArthur who started up this full size glossy paged magazine. I've had my Denim Potholder pattern published! (Top left of cover shot) Its so cool to actually see your work in a magazine. This is actually the second pattern to be published. The first was my "Snow Town Folk" pattern of quirky snowmen ice fishing in Canada. I just love denim pot holders and will follow this story with another great idea for denim that I've not seen out there but its coming soon. Denim potholders are just the beginning! Here's the giveaway! Quilter's Connection magazine has donated one summer edition of Quilter's Connection magazine to this giveaway. And Good Earth Quilting is donating 4 fat quarters in Organic 100% cotton from the "The Lorax" collection.  These are really fun to make into children's quilts. ...

I've finally been figuring out how to find my photos and I'm having to transfer photos I want from my old Mac via a Data Traveller. I know its not ideal, but what the heck, its something I can do. I found these old photos and thought you'd like to see some of the work on reused denim that I've created. The photo above is the top edge of a pair of baby jeans, this cute little necklace fits over your head with the zipper down. This is what the cuffs look like opened up. I encourage you to rethink what you do with jeans, yes, I've seen examples of denim quilt and I've made some too, but lets rethink how else we can reuse denim. See you soon, let me know what you think? Carli

I began my Mother's Day with a phone call with my oldest son who called at 7:45 am and I was still sleeping. How nice before I was even awake! Then shortly a few hours later, my youngest called and it is REALLY nice when they call their ol'mama! After breakfast of an egg omelet, thanks to my sweetie!  I began to play with solids from MAP and thought maybe there was some discussion going on between the rail fence blocks and the solids Pam had sent me.   I love solids. You can do so many things with them if you allow yourself to be committed. I decided here with this grouping of colours. Then I cut blocks to fit the measurement of each block created with the rail fence blocks. My squares of solid purple were 6.5 in. squares cut in  half and placed on either side. This is where I cut off the little wee tail that forms on the second triangle added to the new block. I've beens spring cleaning and painting our home and getting into...

How does one find the time to do everything in life? The "girls" don't seem have a problem with this. They are just as happy to dust in organic soil and carry on with their life! I'm thinking they are right! About 2 months ago, our neighbors took a 4 week vacation to Australia. I was asked if I could watch over their house and take care of their two cats, Hecate and Seven. I'm sorry I don't have a photo of these two cats because they are slightly photo shy and run everywhere. But I can share with you, my lovely Cloe, who was a stray and now resides with us! I have a special interest in Australia! I've always wanted to travel there, maybe even live there for a while, but alas, Australia has escaped me. I read several blogs that originate from the sandy shores or hot baked dry parts of Australia and thought this was perhaps the best time to say 'Hello from Canada" The first one is www.littleecofootprints.com where mo...

I made the suggestion of an "Upcycle Quilt Category" to the board of directors of Canadian Quilters Assn in 2005. It was rejected. Thank goodness to all of those quilters and crafters out there that have embraced reusing and made lovely new things from reuse items. Society today needs more events to celebrate how we can individually deliver a smaller footprint on the world.  We have many of these types of ways going on, such as with the " Bicycle to Work " Being green never was easier! Being green today for quilters has never been easier either. Thousands of mature quilters are hanging up their massive stash and moving to less taxing activities. Not to say that some handwork or hand quilting might still be going on with our elders who remember what it was like before we had fabric stores in every town and city. http://www.csnf.com/designerstyle.html Would you like to enter a competition for "Upcycled?" Tell me you will enter so...

Why not celebrate ways to reuse, refuse and reignite our world passion for conserving cloth! Here's you opportunity to speak green, demonstrate green and make a new pair of jeans from old ones. " Upcycle Your Jeans 2012 Challenge "   1. Follow my blog and tell me you've done so in your comment to join us in the challenge! 2. Take a pair of worn out jeans and decorate them in whatever way you want so long as you can still wear the jeans as jeans! We're not making a quilt or other projects, must be a completely wearable pair of jeans when you are finished. (This photograph displays a changed pair of jeans to a jean skirt. Please don't do this, for this challenge keep the jeans intact) 3. Photograph the jeans before and after, send these photos and brief history of your project to my email address, carlithequilter@gmail.com so I can further blog along as our new jeans get done! 4. Write up your Upcy...