Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

QNNtv and 50% off Membership Offer

I have plenty of quilting videos to watch thanks to all my Craftsy classes, YouTube, and my favourite Love of Quilting on Wednesday afternoons.  However, when I saw the 1/2 off membership offer for QNNtv in my latest issue of Love of Quilting magazine, I couldn't resist.

The yearly membership is regularly priced at $24, not bad at all for all the material available and only $2 bucks a month.  But $12 dollars a year?  My goodness, you sure can't get much for only a $1 a month these days!  I thought I would give it a try and see how I liked it.  The biggest draw for me was access to prior episodes of Love of Quilting.  I only found that show on PBS recently so I'm way behind.  I really do love that show and it's the highlight of my t.v. week.  Once you are a member you have access currently starting at the 1800 series and back.  I like that there is a description under each episode title so I can hop around and check out the subjects that interest me most, first.  There are even episodes of 'Sew Many Quilts' from Fons & Porter - which must have been filmed in the 80s or early 90s!  It is so funny to see how young Marianne and Liz are and absolutely hysterical to see how high waisted their pleated mom jeans are (not to mention the hair styles!!).

The other reason I really wanted to have member access was for Quilt It - the longarm quilting show.  This is such a specific type of show and there is such limited detailed instruction on-line so I knew this would be a good value for me.  I've only watched a couple episodes so far.  Same old problem - just finding the time to catch up on all this great information!!!

Quilt Outloud and Quilting Celebrations are also members-only shows.  However, if you don't want to spend the buck, the rest of the shows are free to view.  Quilty, Quilt Monkey, McCall's Quilting and several other shows are completely accessible by anyone.  I probably would have followed McCall's Quilting ages ago had I know it was there for the taking!  There is so much free content that you can probably find a video for any technique you need to know!

If you like quilting shows you will love QNNtv.  Check it out for free and if you want the 50% off membership there is no coupon needed.  Just go to QNNtv.com/Save50 and get it all for a dollar a month.  I know I will ALWAYS have something to watch now!

Black Friday Sale at Craftsy!

I wanted to let you know about the Black Friday SALE at Craftsy.  All their online classes are on sale for $19.99 or less!

If you've been thinking about a class (maybe one I've raved about!!!!), this is a great time to get the ones you've been considering!

I think Craftsy classes also make a great gift so you could do some holiday shopping for the crafter in your life or give them the link so they can do some for YOU!!!  (That's what I do! lol!)  Craftsy Gift Cards are the perfect gift!

Craftsy Yarn and Fabric is on sale too! Up to 80% off from 11/27-12/2!  I have purchased fabric and kits from Craftsy several times and the quality is lovely.  (Check out my video this coming Monday to see what I just had delivered - a little gift and surprise I gave myself!!!!)

Anyway, you all know how much I love Craftsy so I wanted to make sure you didn't miss the excellent sale!  I have quite a few new classes I've already signed up for (including the 2 FREE ones, A New Look at Longarm Quilting with Mandy Leins and Machine Embroidered Classics.  It's like they know what I want to learn!

Just use the safe links above to get to the sale and don't forget it ends December 2nd!  Have fun!  (I think I'm going to get myself a little birthday present!! ;)

Finishing School: Edges & Bindings

I know I say it about all Craftsy classes, but I was sooooo excited to sign up for Finishing Schools: Edges & Bindings with Mimi Dietrich.  This class was kind of the missing link for me.  I have been looking for extra detail and instruction when it comes to finishing a quilt.  I'm ready to move on from the standard binding techniques and explore some new options.  In fact, one of the first rulers I added to my collection when I started quilting over two years ago was a scalloped edge ruler...but I never got up the courage to try it!  I was super pumped when I saw that instructor Mimi Dietrich was going to cover scalloped edges! 

Not only is there a lesson on round edges and scallops, but Prairie Points (something else I've always wanted to try!!!), adding trim to binding, and...ruffles!!!!  Did Craftsy know that the number one item already on my Christmas wish list for hubby was the ruffler foot for my Horizon???  I see ruffled quilts in my future!

While mitered corners and finishing the binding are refresher lessons for me I still struggle with getting my corners perfectly crisp.  Seeing close up detail of these final steps gave me some extra points for getting them done neatly...next time!  (I just finished up the 2013 Block of the Month quilt!)

I'm very excited to try some of these finishing techniques after the holidays (wink! wink!) and I'm glad I have someone to show me how to do them!  I will definitely share the results in the new year.  If you'd like to add this Edges & Bindings Craftsy class to your Homeroom, just use the safe link to go right there and check it out.  I know that I have graduated and am now ready for finishing school!

What is Craftsy and Why Do I Love It So Much?

If you've visited my blog on a few occasions you more than likely have hit upon one of my posts about Craftsy.  I've been a student since almost the very beginning and as I've said before, it changed my life!

So what is Craftsy?  If you don't already know, it's a wonderful crafting community offering on-line classes.  The company is made of real people who totally believe in providing the best on-line craft education with world-class instructors.  I've never felt so dedicated to a organization and I am a firm supporter of their goal to bring together millions of crafters in an amazing virtual classroom.

I have taken so many fantastic courses and have learned so much more than I ever thought possible in my small town - in the ultimate classroom possible, my home!  There is no schedule I have to follow, no deadlines I have to meet, and I don't have to drive in the snow!  I still have personal contact with the teacher (and some are really famous - I'd never have the access I do if I had to go to them!) and I can interact with other students by commenting, sharing projects, and joining in 'conversations' for each class.  (And I have met some really nice people this way!  {cough, Jose!})

My personal interests range from quilting to cooking and there are so many interesting classes to choose from.  I can't resist the quilting courses because each one offers something different I want to learn!  The cooking classes are so fun because we get to EAT my homework but I also love all the sewing and embroidery classes because that is where I lack skill and really depend on the excellent tutorials to help.  I know if I get stuck I can ask for help or re-watch the segment a zillion times (can't do that in a lecture hall!)

So I think you get the idea: I love to learn and Craftsy is the perfect fit with my life right now.  I have been thirsty for all this crafting knowledge and now it's right at my keyboard.  There's no pressure - I own the classes forever - and I don't have to account to anyone but myself.  I'm having a blast and I feel so excited and motivated when I sign up for a new class!

I started with the FREE Block of the Month class from last year and fell in love.  There are now so many other Free Craftsy Classes to choose from.  They are a great way to test the water and see how you like it.  No commitment and you still own the class forever!  If you want try out a free class, use the safe link above or to the right of this post and give Craftsy a try.  I am so passionate about this company and this format for learning that I want to tell everyone - if you aren't taking a FREE class yet, do it!!!  It just might change your life too!

BIG CRAFTSY September SALE!!!

Craftsy Saleabration: Up to 75% Off All Courses, Fabric and Yarn! 

Craftsy is launching its AWESOME September sale!  All classes and supplies are on sale up to 75% off.  The sale runs all week until Saturday, September 21st so make sure to use the link above to get all the classes and supplies you want AT A HUGE DISCOUNT!

You already know how much I love Craftsy and you can bet I'm going to take advantage of the sale and find some more stuff I want!  The kits are amazing and I've been eyeing some of the extra fabric too - sooo pretty!!!!  I'll share in a later post what I scoop up!  Have fun!

 

Great FREE Quilting How-to Resource

Last week I shared the Fast Fat-Quarter Quilts book I bought and on Wednesday I'll show you the quilting so far on the first quilt I made using one of the patterns.  In the directions for that quilt there was a website listed for free downloadable information on finishing the quilt, from Martingale.

There are some really good, basic instructions on several quilting techniques - from piecing borders to making a hanging sleeve.  I'm always willing to read and review methods for binding, applique, and piecing and there are some valuable lessons in these free e-booklets.  There are certainly some print-worthy pages (like joining the binding strips, which I always forget!) and I like the down-to-earth style of author Robin Strobel.

You can check out, save, or print any of the 10 free lessons from the Martingale website HERE, as well as find free patterns, shop, or get info about other crafting.  Definitely worth a look and I've already bookmarked the site for future reference!

Craftsy Photography Classes

Most of my childhood memories are of people and situations that have been preserved in photographs.  If not for those moments in time being captured on film I doubt I would recall as much as I do from those early years.  The majority of photos are ones I took myself with my Kodak instamatic and as blurry and primitive as they are, I am so thankful that something within me wanted to take pictures of what I saw around me.

As I've written before, I have always scrapbooked in some way or another - combining my photos with hand-scribed descriptions and anecdotes.  As a scrapbooker and memory keeper, photography has always been such an important part of the process.  The cameras I've used over the years have become more sophisticated and my eye for composition has improved...but I'm always excited to get a professional's insight and expertise to learn and improve my amateur techniques.

Craftsy has launched SIX photography classes which allow the student to learn from - and interact with - world class instructors.  With subjects ranging from product photography to portraits to landscapes, Craftsy allows photography enthusiasts like myself to elevate their picture taking abilities, expand their knowledge of advanced techniques, and open their eyes to new ways of seeing the world from behind a lens.  Not only will my photos improve for my blog, but my beloved scrapbooks will definitely benefit from more beautiful travel photos and captivating portraits.

You can use these links to go check out each class and see what you'll learn, get a class overview, read reviews, see what materials are needed and the lessons you'll have available to watch any time.  If you're interested in photography - and improving your photos - I'm sure you'll love these highly interactive courses. 

Shoot It: Product Photography Class 

Kirk Tuck: Studio Portrait Lighting

Landscape Photography: Great Sand Dunes 

Shooting Intimate Landscapes 

Portraits With an On-Camera Speedlight 

Off-Camera Flash Photography with Neil van Niekerk

 

Quilty Videos

Yesterday I shared my first issue of Quilty magazine and how much I enjoyed it.  A wonderful supplement to the magazine is the Quilty website that has a great on-line video show offering very useful instruction for quilting knowledge, skills, and techniques.

I am really enjoying watching the short lessons and learning lots of tips and techniques for achieving better results at my sewing machine.  There are also fun and easy projects to try, like making an i-pad case or napkins.  There are also basic quilt-knowledge content episodes like how to contrast quilt blocks or how to choose a quilt design.

Of course, all the videos are free to watch and I certainly can appreciate that!  Definitely check out Mary Fons' Quilty website and blog if you are interested in learning more about quilting.

Leah Day's Free Motion Fillers Vol. 1

Well, now that the Craftsy 2012 BOM Quilt is done, quilted using the designs from Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting a Sampler Craftsy class, I asked myself 'why not learn even MORE designs from Leah?'

I'm a big fan and think of Leah as an early source of inspiration and a personal tutor when I first started quilting.  Not only did her free motion quilting videos help me to grasp the concept of the art but also resulted in me wanting a Horizon 7700.  I also purchased my sewing table, quilt gloves, Supreme slider, thread, and cheater needles from Day Style Designs on-line shop.  I was, therefore, very excited to find out Leah had filmed a second class for Craftsy.

In her new class, Free Motion Fillers Vol. 1, Leah once again starts with the basics of free motion quilting and repeats some of the exercises taught in her sampler course.  While this is a bit of a duplication, it makes this class a stand-alone unit so that the former one is not a pre-requisite.  It's a great option for a novice student who did not complete the first Block of the Month sampler (which is specifically covered in the earlier class).

This time around Leah demonstrates all the new designs on a quilt which can be pieced as homework (the pattern is provided).  50 designs are stitched from five different stitch families: independent, stacking, pivoting, echoing, and branching.  There may be some fillers you've seen before but I'm sure there are many you have not!

I wanted to make sure I got this class in my library and I've already skimmed through each lesson, but I probably won't get around to actually DOING the quilt until I finish up a couple of UFOs on my list.  I'm still working on my Lady Liberty Embroidered quilt (drop by on Saturday to see my progress) and then I really need to get on my quilt frame to practice my Free Motion Quilting with Feathers!  I cannot wait to try Angela's variations on the quilted feather.  After that, I'm sure I'll be excited to get back on my Horizon and quilt out 50 new designs.  I won't rush myself so it will take me a while to finish it but I look at it as excellent practice to not only learn new designs but also improve my overall free motion technique on an on-going basis.

I love that once you buy a Craftsy class it never expires.  I don't have to panic and can get to each new class and project as I have the time.  However, I do like to sign up for the ones I want as soon as they are available because I just HAVE to see what's inside!  I have no will power to wait for that!

Janome Accessory Tutorial Videos

Today I have more than 50 videos for you!  Well...Janome does!  If you own a Janome machine or want to know how many different sewing machine feet and attachments work, here are dozens of excellent tutorials to peruse.

The videos cover everything from specialty feet to optional attachments, like the circular attachment or ruffler, with a clear demonstration on how to use them and what results you'll achieve.  If you like to sew I'm sure you may find something of interest in these short yet informative videos...I know they have given me tons of information on accessories I want or have but need to know how to use!

Click HERE to check them out.