Bloom Where You're Planted!

Thought I'd share one of my thread painted quilts with you...We LOVE this quilt as it's just so happy and bright!  It hangs by our front door...

                                         This is Bloom Where You're Planted!
                                         Won 1st and 2nd place ribbons! (in 2 different shows)
                                         Has hung in several special exhibits!

When I first fused all the leaves to the background, it was very flat, dull, and boring!  The leaves looked like one big BLOB!  Thread painting changed the look completely!!!  I love how it almost jumps off the fabric!!!

Thread painting is SO much FUN!!!  I LOVE teaching thread painting and watching faces light up!  It's extremely addicting, though...be careful!!!  Thread painting can also help you learn more control with your regular free motion quilting.  Try it!  (But you've been warned...just sayin!)

                                          Details of the leaves...

Thread painting is painting with thread.  I'm not a trained artist, can't draw or paint either!  You just look at your subject from a distance and decide on ONE area at a time.  Work on that ONE area, then go to another area.  Keep adding dimension until you get the look you want!

                                         Details of the very center of the flower.

Thread painting is one of those techniques you can get instant gratification from.  Watching your subject grow and come alive is so much FUN!!!

In my THREAD PAINTING classes you work on a flower.  (I give you 3 actually)  We go over techniques, shading, how to make your dark defining threads not be over powering, and so much more!!!  The great thing is every ones is so different!  I LOVE IT!!!

Be creative out of the box!!!

Nina

Galveston, Texas!

I was in Galveston, Texas recently.  I don't know what I expected, but it's BEAUTIFUL!!!!
I went to retreat with the quilt guild and had so much fun!!!  I LOVE retreats!!!  This was a four day retreat, on a wooded 55 acre lot nestled in a neighborhood...We would never have found it without the GPS!!!  I did a trunk show and demoed some free motion quilting techniques.  I stayed a few extra days with my friend Pat Bolton-Legg...and she showed me ALL around Galveston!  Thank you Pat!!!

Pat told me she thinks this is the most photographed house in the US...I can
see why!

We sat here and enjoyed listening to the water, cool breeze blowing, so relaxing!!!  I didn't want to leave!!!  Don't you just LOVE those rocks, and the water!!!

And the sunset was breathtaking on our way back to Pat's house!!!  Perfect ending to an amazing week in Galveston, Texas!!!  I hope to return soon!!!

Thank you Pat for all your hospitality!!!  You are a gracious hostess!!!

Be Creative!
Nina Clotfelter

Hi!

I'm a quilter and instructor.  I LOVE traveling to teach and meet quilters everywhere!  Quilters are the most wonderful, generous, kind people God has blessed us with!  I LOVE being part of the quilting world!!!


I recently was in Birmingham, Alabama teaching a few workshops at the Birmingham Quilters Guild...

One workshop was THREAD PAINTING...
In this workshop I give each student a fat quarter with 3 flowers on it and they thread paint one, usually, in class. ( Some students get to a second flower.)
One of the ladies in this workshop has sent me a picture of her completed fat quarter...she added a few more flowers to it, leaves and stems, and has turned it into a BEAUTIFUL pillow!!!

                                                      GREAT JOB BECKY!!!
                                                          I'M SO PROUD!

I have to say a big THANK YOU to everyone in Birmingham Quilters Guild!!!  You are an amazing group of ladies!!!  And SUPER talented, too!!!  You made me feel welcome as if I knew each of you...THANK YOU for that!!!

I have to say the biggest THANK YOU to my hostess Vasha!!!  You are simply the best!!!  Your home cooked meals were scrumptious, and you are a wonderful new found friend!  THANK YOU!!! (And your sewing room was spotless...not nice!!! LOL!)

Be creative!
Nina