FREE Charley Harper PDF Quilt Pattern

The only thing that would have made Jude’s Charley Harper quilt lovelier, is if I was able to have backed it in Birch’s new Charley Harper fabric.

If you would like to read more about the stories behind these two quilts, you can follow these links: Jude’s Charley Harper Quilt, and Monet’s Charley Harper Quilt.

Enjoy the free pattern, and please feel free to link up if you make one of your own.  I’d love to see your interpretation.

Don’t throw those quilt scraps out, but find creative ways to use them.

I am knee deep in piecing curves these days, as I am currently sewing custom quilts for three different clients, all made with bright colored curves. Each quilt design has its own unique feel though, and so while the piecing seems very repetitive and mundane, the overall outcome of each individual quilt will surely be unique.

I can’t wait to have them pieced, quilted, and bound.

I am very drawn to broken geometric quilt patterns these days. This was the idea behind this custom quilt design titled, Broken Trapezoids.

I love the illusion of holes and an irregular border that the cream color fabric provides. Also, for the quilting, I picked a design with curves, to contrast the diamonds.

All in all, I feel this design was a success.

And if you’re interested, take a peak at how this improvisational piece came to be:

If you are still looking for a gift for someone on your Christmas list, or even just for yourself, check out the Utah Locals Holiday Boutique at Alpine Art, located at 430 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Both Josh and I have artwork in the show. The opening reception is this Friday during the Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll, so make a night of it and check out all the great art exhibits around town.

While you are there, make sure and take a peak at my line of Italian leather clutches, wallets, ipad cases, and computer cases. They make a great holiday gift. The show runs through early January.

Hope to see you there!

There once was a young girl, who grew up in a family of contractors, builders, engineers, and farmers. Along with that, creative woman surrounded her. She wore extravagant handmade dresses and slept under blankets made by loving hands—creativity was all around her. Naturally, though, she fought the idea that she might be anything like her mother, who was a contractor, designer, and masterful seamstress. Acknowledging her strength in math and her keen problem solving abilities, she decided to pursue a career in mathematics education.

While in college, without knowing better, she rejected anything creative and instead embraced a pursuit of the logical. It wasn’t until later in her program when she was “accidentally” exposed to art, that she realized her true passion. For the first time, she understood what it meant to completely get lost in the process of one’s “work”. Her art professors encouraged her to pursue a career in art, but because she was so close to graduation, she could not will herself to start a new path when her original goal was so near.

As a math teacher, this now young lady was always trying to convince her students about the practical applications of math. Some of them were a hard crew to convince, but in this process of trying to convince them, she started to convince herself. She found herself daydreaming about a different career—a job where her passion for art, and her innate ability in math would come together. Along with that, she began to embrace much about her mother that she had once rejected.  In herself, she saw her creativity, her love for design, and her attention to detail. This series of events is what sparked in her the realization that she was meant for architecture and design.

Along the way, she married a boy who was an artist. Side-by-side, they were constantly creating. Before long she was pregnant. When it came to something as precious as her baby’s blanket, a store-bought one would not do. She took it upon herself to design her daughter’s quilt.

Inspired by what she had made, she found herself sketching other designs. She was unable to ignore her impulse to create. Soon her obsession developed into a small design business, allowing her to work in a more creative field and stay home with her young children.

Many women might see the birth of their children as the possible death of their career, but not this young lady. She has found that motherhood has given her a new beginning. This young lady’s story is mine, and more than ever, I now realize how much I need creativity to be integral in my daily “work.” Motherhood and my recent undertaking as a designer and business owner, have given me the courage I need to take this step and go back to school.

My per-requisites are almost done, my portfolio is finished, and I have submitted my application.  Now, well, now I wait…

I hope you and your family are enjoying this beautiful fall as much as we are!  Cherish it, because soon it will be gone.

I am super excited that Craft Lake City is finally here.  Tomorrow, you can find Josh and I down at the Gallivan from noon until 10 pm, selling our handmade items.  In preparation for this event, I recently did a radio piece with the lovely Alana Burman from KUER.  You can click on the link below to listen.

BH_Craft Lake City

Also, I’ve been working with leather for the past few months and I’ll be showcasing these items for the first time tomorrow.  Bright and geometric clutches, ipad cases, wallets, and computer cases, will be for sale along side all my other sewn goods.  Here is a sneak peak…

We hope to see you tomorrow!

- Angela & Joshua Flicker

A few months back, I wrote about “Crafts for Kids with Scrap Fabric”.  These paper dolls are a great extension or variation to that project.

And before I get to the tutorial part of this post, I wanted to make an announcement.  At Craft Lake City this Saturday, I will be hosting a craft booth where kids can make these paper doll chains.  Come on by!

DIY Paper Doll Chain

Things You’ll Need:

• Construction paper or card-stock (old file folders also work great)

• Pen or pencil

• Scissors and glue

• Doll Template

• Craft supplies such as scrap fabric, markers, crayons, yarn, etc.

Instructions:

1. Fold paper into an accordion with equal parts. (Note: 9×12 construction paper gets folded in half, 12×18 construction paper gets folded in thirds, old file folders get folded in fourths, etc)

2. Take the accordion folded paper, and using the doll template, draw a doll shape on to the top panel of the paper. Make sure to touch side to side with arms/hands and additional points if desired, such as the skirt and/or feet.

3. Cut along the drawn outline, making sure not to cut into the linking arms/hands.

4. Open the chain of paper dolls and color or decorate the dolls with scrap fabric, yarn, crayons, markers, etc.

5. Consider drawing non-traditional forms, such as animals or aliens, for additional creativity.

Happy crafting!