2013

2013 has been a year filled with friends, family and new inspirations to create. My hope is that 2014 will be fill with the same and more.  May you have the best New Year and keep creating.

Happy Sewing,
Denise

Updating your Art & Stitch software

 A few emails have been coming in about how to update the Art & Stitch software.  So your tip this week is about how to update.  You can view your software information under the help menu and about. Below is a screen capture of what your pop up window should look like.




Here is a link to the trial download page on the Art & Stitch site. 
http://www.artnstitch.com/trial.htm
Build number of Art and Stitch version 2 is 2572.
Existing owners of Art and Stitch: use the trial to update your base version of Art and Stitch: just install this trial over the currently installed activated version and it will automatically find your activation.

Have fun with your Art & Stitch Software,
Denise

True Type Fonts

In my sewing and quilting world it seems like I am always using a computer.  Its a good thing that I like my computer.  We have a very special relationship and understanding.  Because of this I'm always trying new things.  True Type Fonts are one of my favorite things to try with my computer and sewing world.

So now that you are wondering how can a true type font be used in our sewing studios, let me show you a few ideas of how to use truetype fonts.

Fabric cut using truetype fonts

Embroidery or quilting designs can be easily digitized with truetype fonts.

Quilt labels take on a new look with a font that tells a story.
Applique text with so many choices you won't have an easy job of selecting which one to use
During a class that I was teaching the students were making a "Welcome to our Home" wallhanging and we created this using truetype fonts.  The 1st font on the list is a very elegant font that works perfect for you to cut with the Cameo by Silhouette.

Vinyl cut letters from a truetype font

Special saying in my sewing studio with vinyl letters

Inspirational words on my ironing station

ILS Script http://www.freepremiumfonts.com/top/top50.aspx

Calligraphy http://www.1001freefonts.com/ - I really like the calligraphy fonts
Elegant http://www.downloadfreefonts.com/ - The Chopin Script is very beautiful
Just plain fun http://www.fonts2u.com/category.html?id=37 - The art font is one that I can not live without.
Hibiscus flowers http://www.pickafont.com/fonts/Hawaiian%20Quilt3.html Quilt 1, 2 & 3
Snowflakes http://www.dafont.com/theme.php?cat=804 Be sure to download the snowflake font
Butterfly Truetype Font: http://www.typadelic.com/butterflies.html

Artist Script http://fontzone.net/font-theme/script/?pg=2
Cartoon Animals http://www.fontriver.com/font/lm_animal_toons/ 
Ice and Snow http://www.fontpalace.com/font-category/Ice-Snow+Fonts Flowers http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/fonts/family/Kalocsai-Flowers/

Happy cut, sew and quilting, 
Denise

Happy Thanksgiving!

Its fun to be creative on Thanksgiving too!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, 

Denise

Sewing machine needles keep our work beautiful!

Piecing and quilting techniques have special needles for quality sewing

Today is the busiest travel day of the year and guess who is traveling?  Your right me.  So while I am at the airport waiting on my flight I thought this would be a good chance for me to let you know about sewing machine needles.

Household sewing needles are different today then when I first started sewing over 40 years ago.  Fabrics have change and because of this needles had to change too.  It was simpler when I began sewing and so were the fabrics.  Now we have micro fibers, fabrics with carbon fibers, blends of rayon and flax plus many more new innovative fibers.  Needles have been changing to help make the sewing process easier.


Home Sewing Machine Needles:
Schmetz since 1851-most of us only know about the Schmetz.  I going to show you a few more needle companies with educational information.
Click to view the Schmetz needle site http://www.schmetzneedles.com/
Click for educational information from Schmetz http://www.schmetzneedles.com/all-about-needles/
Follow Rhonda on the blog: http://www.schmetzneedles.com/blog/

Klasse Needles German engineered domestic machine needles.
Click to see more about Klasse Needles http://www.klasse.com/en/about.php
Educational information about Klasses and threads http://www.klasse.com/en/download.php

Organ Needls
Product information for Organ Needles http://www.organ-needles.com/english/product/download.php
Troubleshooting your sewing and needle issues http://www.organ-needles.com/english/trouble/


Longarm and Industrial Needles:
http://www.schmetzneedles.com/industrial-needles/
http://www.organ-needles.com/english/

Serger or Overlock machine needles are often specialty needles not the same needles that you will use in your sewing machine.  Check with your owners manual or dealer to see which needles your machine uses.  I have a Baby Lock Evolution serger and we use the ELX705 needles.
http://www.schmetzneedles.com/search/overlock
Baby Lock Serger Needles http://www.schmetzneedles.com/search/elx705

Always check with your owners manual or sewing machine dealer to see what needles your machines use. 



Happy Sewing,
Denise

Lacasa Star Block

As promised here is the video for the Lacasa star block for the Twice as Nice Quilt.
Let me know if you have any questions.

http://youtu.be/YD7NoIhXjaU

Happy Piecing,

Denise

Lacsas Dontation Quilt from Casual Quilters

It's time to put our blocks together.  I have recorded a short video about getting started.  The second video will be instructions for the star blocks.  Thank you for your help with making this quilt.

http://youtu.be/ndyFgG7frvs

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I am stitching my block with the gold metallic as the wrong side of the fabric.
Happy Piecing,
Denise

All new blog with Denise

Just a short note to let everyone know that I am working on a new blog with exciting information weekly.  Watch for projects, tips with trick, videos, and sew much more.

I'm getting up early to start recording the 1st video for the blog.  Each year our local quilt guild Casual Quilters makes an opportunity quilt for the Lacasa.  Lacasa is a safe haven for abused mothers and children.  I have decided to be the lead on this quilt.  The first video will be about how to put the block together.  During the piecing process there will also be tips about best practices for piecing.

Some of the tips will be for novice quilters and sewers others will be somewhat more advanced.  Enough variety for everyone to learn from. 

http://www.lacasacenter.org/ for more information about Lacasa please check out their website.

Happy Sewing and Quilting,
Denise