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Showing posts from December, 2018

Change is good. But hard.

The only thing constant in life is change   ~ attributed in various forms to Greek thinker Heraclitus of Ephesus I have fought against it for a few years now, but at last it is (past) time for me to make a change.  I have had a website since 1997 and have been blogging tutorials, artist profiles, book reviews, and art business tips since 2005, as well as writing magazine articles and e-books, making projects for my friends' books and for suppliers, and enjoying almost every minute of it. But now, I am ready to shift my focus to doing my own work, just because I want to do it and not because I think it will make a good blog post.  That doesn't mean that I will not be posting anymore, but it will probably be much less frequently, and may or may not include any instructions. I am leaving you a huge archive full of projects, tips, and inspiration.  Beginners, I have always had a special place in my heart for you.  My goal has been to cater primarily to you, that you would

Gifts for my grands!

In a couple of weeks, I'm going to be blessed to be able to be with my grand-girls for Christmas!  Since they don't read blogs, I feel safe in showing you some things I've made for them  :-) Here are instructional links to the stitches that I used.  I didn't make any of these things exactly as in the tutorials, but rather I used the ideas and recombined them to suit myself.  Fingerless gloves (except I did the tops with V stitch and crocodile scales...and smaller!) V stitch - used for both gloves and hat Crocodile stitch Hat pattern - I made mine smaller, added crocodile stitches, and left the top open for a long ponytail! Copyright 2018 Cyndi Lavin. All rights reserved. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact.

Book review: Visual Guide to Art Quilting

I can't wait to have a few moments peace to read through this book!  Yes, you heard that right...this is not so much a review as a preview.  It's the only book on my pile right now, but with all the busyness of the season, I just haven't been able to get to it. So here's what's in store for anyone who wants to take the chance on The Visual Guide to Art Quilting , compiled by Lindsay Conner! Chapter 1 covers design theory and inspiration.  Where do you get your ideas?  How do you work with a theme?  Design ideas like grids, slice and rearrange, realism, and abstraction.  Color.  Working in a series. Chapter 2 is about materials and supplies, including how to create a design wall. Chapter 3 covers working with fabric, including organizing your fabric stash, different ways to applique, and improvisational patchwork. Chapter 4 includes many surface design techniques, like dyeing, adding texture, freehand painting, stamping and printing. Chapter 5 covers a

Gift books for the holidays!

Learn to Stitch Beaded Jewelry: 50+ projects you'll love to make by Marla Salezze Fabulous Chain Mail Jewelry: Creating with components by Marilyn Gardiner Hand Stamped Jewelry: How To Make Your Own Hand Stamped Jewelry For Beginners by Shanice Questro Metal Jewelry Workshop: Essential Tools, Easy-to-Learn Techniques, and 12 Projects for the Beginning Jewelry Artist (Fox Chapel Publishing) Step-by-Step Photos for Designs using 12 Simple Hand Tools by Helen Driggs Enameling: For Beginners! Techniques & Tips To Create Amazing Metalwork Enameled Jewelry Projects by Maureen Alaska Beginner's Guide to Kumihimo by Donna McKean-Smith Epoxy clay jewelry projects: A beginner's guide to using epoxy clay by Katherine Swift Wire-Wrapped Jewelry Techniques: Tools and Inspiration for Creating Your Own Fashionable Jewelry (Fox Chapel Publishing) 30 Expert Wire-Wrapping Techniques Step-by-Step, plus 8 Stylish Projects by Lora S. Irish Paper Bead Jewelry: Step