kro designs

Do you think I need to replace the seal under my front door?

This summer I e-mailed Quilting Arts Magazine with an idea for an article. I got an e-mail back asking for more information and more pictures. Boy was I excited! They ended up not accepting it but as they say in the Oscars, "I was just proud to be nominated". I think it is a fairly easy process, just a little finagling with your machine and it works just great. Supplies: pre - stretched canvas 8x8 or 8x10, fabric or acrylic paint, brushes, decorative fabric, muslin or light in color scrap fabric, batting, scissors, thread, sewing machine Place your decorative fabric on top of your batting which is on top of your scrap or light colored fabric. Sew around the areas you want to use as your decorative features. Cut out the pieces you sewed around Paint/decorate the plain canvas to desired colors and theme Glue stick fabric pieces to the canvas, this is just a temporary hold before we stitch them down. Keep in mind you will not be able to sew about and 1/2 inch from the e...

Look at the great designs done by my 3rd and 4 th grade class doing marker print covers! Here is a quick tutorial! 1.Lightly glue stick or white glue colored paper onto front of journal. Flip journal over to dry. 2. Draw design on Plexiglas with markers 3. Spray lightly with alcohol. 3 full squirts should do it (no more than 5 squirts) you should see immediate results with the marker bleeding 4. Place light colored paper on top of marker to make print. 5. Go back in for detail with marker. 6. Iron paper lightly to make it flat if you sprayed with too much alcohol and it starts to curl up. 7. Lightly glue stick print on top of journal. Inspired by a project in Sherrill Kahn's Magic with Markers book.

What a beautiful setting to sit and sew by today. The past two years I've been able to participate in the lectures and workshops of my mothers quilt guild. Last year my mother did the program, next year I was chosen to teach Art Quilting. This year Pat Speth , author of the Nickel Quilts series of books, was here to teach us some techniques. I have to be honest, I haven't pieced a traditional quilt in years ! Since I started Art Quilting, I haven't felt the need to go back to that. Even after this workshop, I'm not thrilled with the precise methods required for traditional piecing. Too many rules, I think! Everything is based off of a 5" block. She has an unbelievable treasure trove of quilt blocks made from the variations of cutting and sewing these units together. A very easy concept but it does take time to cut and sew everything. She has a great teaching style which I hope to incorporate into my teaching gigs. Above, I am almost finished wit...

On the way up the Gondola this morning, I was a little jealous of the people who were sipping Mimosas in that gorgeous hot hair balloon this morning. On the other hand I could be stuck at home in the dungeon (a.k.a. my studio). No. 1 and I on the lift this morning! No . 2 says "you can call me Mr. Ski Man now". At 6 years old, he went down his first black diamond today as a proud mama watched on (white knuckled and grimacing- and it wasn't him). What they call "cords" here... the lines from the groomer vehicle wheels. "Let's race".... Nana and I nixed that real quick. I'm taking a workshop from Pat Speth on Saturday. She's the Nickel quilt lady, making traditional quilt blocks using a combination of whole and cut up 5" squares. It's not my first choice in quilting but I'm bound to learn something. More on that tomorrow!

The to-do list over, only quiet time for reflections and family time now! My parents are back from their travels so we decided to visit them in Colorado. Instead of wintering in Florida, my parents who love to ski, bought a condo here about 10 years ago. Our first day out was very 'wintry'. Snow, wind gusts and 8 more inches of new powder made for a tough day for our little ones. After 10 years of renting skis, I finally have my very own! I love it here , so peaceful and quiet. I can't wait for tomorrow, should be sunshine and blue skys . Unfortunately you'll have to withstand some more gratuitous pictures of my vacation next time too. Don't worry, I'm still crafting when I get home from the slopes but taking a great mental break from coming up with new creative projects. Ahhh vacation!

I whipped up this messenger bag for the kids school fundraiser last night. I have just a huge stack designer sample fabrics that I am using for these bags. Since I only have one 18" square of each design, I have to be creative with color selections. I can never pass up a blank canvas on the front flap and had to add some surface design. The bag is lined with a pocket under the front flap and one on the inside near the bottom. Each pocket is the width of the bag. The one inside had been divided into 3 separate pockets Every time I make one I add more pockets. Next time I want to do pockets on the sides for cell phone/keys. and one on the back of the bag.

When I woke up this morning my hubby was asking for a lot of help. "Grab me the eggs, will ya?" "Can you get a bowl for the eggs so I can scramble them?" "I need a cup of coffee while your up" "Defrost this!" "Did Geoff send you that e-mail yet?" "Toilet is plugged!" "Is your cell phone dying again!?" " Don't you have to finish that 'thing' for the 'thing'?" Who knows how many more I will find today. Infinitely better than those diamond earrings that I wasn't expecting anyway! I Love You too, Honey Bunny!

My "crafty non- crafter " sister sent me a picture of her kids valentine presents for class. As for me I bought Nerds and Fun-dips for the kids and had them write their names on it....Show off! (he he )

Everyone did a smashing job on their quilts. Some even did two in our class time! Our art work will be on display at the Eden Prairie City Center for the month of March. Open house date is still up in the air but I'll let you know when it is. Thanks again for all your support!

I feel like I'm spinning my wheels here. I jump from one project to the next without completing any of them so I must prioritize.... This weeks major to do list: Finalize COMPAS /WAITS application for teaching art quilting residencies in schools Make crayon bags, bracelets and rings for the Textile Center Shop Jury application Make messenger bag for the kids school fundraiser ---------------------------------------------------------- Application says "summarize your experience (artistically, teaching and other) and describing why you wish to work with children through this program." My response , last part of very long paragraph 3: Since beginning teaching professionally I have learned from each one of my experiences. Many situations relied on quick thinking and prior experience to come up with a favorable outcome. Not every situation has afforded me the luxury of a perfect outcome but I believe those experiences have made me a better teacher. See why I have to work on ...

We must have had a good time celebrating. Yesterday, No. 1 napped for a total of 6 hrs. This morning fevers for both kids... We have an inch of milk, No. 2 will run out of required meds this morning, dentist appts. for 3 of 4 family members canceled.....sigh... but I get to spend extra time with my dearest ones before heading to Girls night tonight...perfect timing!