Getting closer to releasing a new pattern



Today I've been working on the finishing touches to my next Paper Quilt Creations greeting card pattern - the Empress Jacket GC208. Please let me know if you would like to create it as an A4 picture size instead. I will be happy to create it in the larger size for you. I’m now up in the studio creating the pattern in many different papers and following the pattern process just to make sure that it is all set to go.

I had forgotten just how long it takes me to write out the instructions clearly - AND, how very difficult it is to pick up my own spelling mistakes or missed words. I had also forgotten just how dreadful I am at it. Why is that? I certainly didn't get the proof reading gen. Thank goodness for spell check. But even that doesn’t get me out of a few nasty mistakes.

I have also been designing the pattern and instructions in a new format so that I can send the pattern to you as a PDF file. (“About jolly well time too” you may say - after I mentioned I was going to do it quite some time ago now). I hope that it will make it so much easier for everyone and cut down on the ever increasing postage costs.

I am going to try very hard to give you the option to create every design in either 1 inch or ¾ inch squares. The new die cut plates are working incredibly well and make creating a Paper Quilt easier than ever before. Because they are flat and light weight they are inexpensive to post as well. Please email me if you would like a quote for postage to anywhere. But, if you do not have the die cut plates, it is very easy to cut out 1 inch squares with a craft knife and ruler, slide ruler or guillotine.

This new design isn’t too far away from taking a place on a shelf in the online shop. I’ll keep you posted.

Happy Valentine's Day

Sparkle Heart is a very popular pattern using ¾ " squares.  But let’s think outside the just square technique to create this pattern using a different technique called random scrap. It’s easy and fun and is a great way to use up squares left over from other Paper Quilting projects.

And – it makes a lovely Valentine’s Day card.

You will need your Sparkle Heart pattern piece and a Sparkle Heart working template (created from your Master template). The squares can be 1" or ¾ - or just free hand cut squares or even scraps. Apply glue stick to the surface of the working template and randomly attach your squares and scraps until the outline of the heart is no longer visible. Trace around the heart pattern piece using the guidelines for placement. Now randomly sew (using any colour thread you wish), using a straight stitch all over the squares. Try not to go outside the traced line so that the stitch lines will not be cut into when you cut out the heart shape. Cut out the heart on the traced line and attach the heart it to the layering paper. Zigzag stitch around the heart shape. Embellish if you wish.

For this design I have used 1 inch squares in a random variety of different papers including Anna Griffin, Basic Grey, Rossi, Kartos, swiss dot card stock, Graphic 45 and Japanese. The layering paper is Canson Mi-teintes  in brown. The thread is gold Mettler  2108.

10 years old

10 years old.

Well it has just dawned on me this afternoon that I began my experiments with Paper Quilting 10 years ago. Almost exactly in fact. And what an incredible 10 years it has been.

When I think of those 10 years it is with gratitude and not a small amount of amazement.

There have been countless experiments.  Thousands of paper designs used from all over the world. Meters and meters of double sided tape and tubes and tubes of glue stick. Quite a few thousand crystals applied.   Many patterns designed and created.  Many classes, workshops and demo’s held.  Many 1000’s of kilometres on the road and in the air. But most importantly many people to thank for making this an incredible ten years. I couldn't have done it without the encouragement and support of a great many people.

I’ve been a bit quiet on the Paper Quilting front over the last (well quite a few actually) months. But on Friday last week I all of a sudden realised that I couldn’t just let it all fade away. Maybe the break was all that I needed. So I’m off and jogging (slowly at first) again. Let's see what this year will bring.

Watch this space.


Empress Jacket
A pattern for this design will be available soon.
Created using Rossi papers, solid colour card stock, Swarovski Crystals, metal charm
and 3/4 inch square die cut tool.

Something fun to try

1 inch squares

I thought I would share with you something just a little bit different. I'm not sure what to call this design. Brickwall? (doesn't sound too inspiring). Steps? Carpet?
I'd love some suggestions.
Do you have a stash of 3/4 and 1 inch squares left over from other Paper Quilting projects. Here's a fun way of using them to create cards suitable for any occasion.Randomly delve into your colour boxes of squares and you are sure to create a very special card for a friend or family.

These instructions are for creating a standard size rectangle or square greeting card. For other sizes - adjust accordingly.


The Rectangle Card  4 x 6 inches or 5.5 x 10.5 cm
Use one half of a blank 3/4 inch blank template grid * Mark on an area 6 squares across and 7 down. 42 squares.

The Square Card  5.5 inches or 14cm square
Use one half of a blank 1 inch blank template grid. * Mark on area 6 square across and 5 down. 30 squares.





Both Cards    Apply glue stick to your template and attach your squares. * Use the zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to sew ONLY the vertical lines. * Use straight scissors to cut strips of squares along the horizontal lines where you didn't sew. * Use the remaining section of your blank working template to arrange the strips so that they appear to be like steps - or a brick wall. * Use glue stick to attach the strips. * Use a ruler and pencil to draw on 2 vertical lines where you will eventually cut out the design. Rectangle = 3.75 inches across. Square = 5 inches across. *  Use the zigzag stitch to sew the strips in place. You will be sewing through 3 layers of paper here. * Use scissors to cut out the rectangle or square. * Attach to a slightly larger piece of layering paper which will fit onto the card. * Use a zigzag stitch to sew around the shape. * Attach the panel to a blank greeting card used double sided tape. * Embellish as desired.

If you try this design, please send me a jpeg photo of your creation so I can share it with other Paper Quilters.

Workshop Day - A Coat of Many Styles

So much incredible creative energy was buzzing around the room at the “Coat of Many Styles” workshop yesterday. Four lovely ladies were up for the Sunday challenge and Sunday sleepiness was left behind.

 

As usual, I managed to cover almost every usable surface with paper quilts, papers of every colour and by every designer, sewing machines and embellishments before we even started – but we still had room to create - thank goodness!!

We started the morning with a run through of idea possibilities. Would our coats be inspired by China, Korea, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, the 1930's, wedding coats from the 1960's or high fashion such as Dolce and Gabana. Choices!!

Then it was straight into choosing what techniques to use. Applique, Strip, Just Squares, Crazy or Scrap.

Now paper choices. Paper choice is always the most time consuming part of any project. The paper stacks remove some of the colour co-ordination concerns, but most people (being creative souls), want to add other paper collections or colours into the mix. Some of the colour choices become crystal clear as the project progresses and colours, which you may not have remotely considered, all of a sudden become your best friend. It’s all part of the fun and these choices make everyone’s work truly unique and a reflection of their individual personalities.

These creations are true craft art. By lunch time we were well underway to finishing the first coat and were thinking about embellishments and layering papers. I think you will agree that the work is truly inspirational.

Kay used a combination of papers from DCWV, Graphic 45, Stamping up and a Chiyogami from Japan. Metal feather charm (unknown source). Just Squares technique.

Cheryl used Basic Grey, DCWV and vintage wrapping paper. Charms from Scrapmatts. Crazy technique.

Karen C used DCWV and Stamping Up. Swarovski crystals. Strips and Applique technique.

Karen M used a beautiful hand made silk paper, Vintage gift wrap, Italian marbled paper, Alison Ellis, Chiyogami, Rossi from Italy, Anna Griffin and Christina Re. Strips and Applique technique.

After lunch it was time to start thinking about new ideas for the second coat which everyone started – and almost finished. I’m really looking forward to seeing pictures of the completed second coats which I will share with you.

To help our creative spirits, The Irish Club put on a delicious morning tea and lunch. Thanks Anne, who owns A White Dragon Papercraft store for organizing and co-ordinating the day. And thank you to Ron for helping me unload and re-load all my gear from the car. Where would we be without you both? Lost for sure.

If you would like me to run a "Coat of Many Styles" workshop at your craft group or store - please contact me.

A Coat of Many Styles

"Drama at the Opera" Coat created using DCWV, Stamping Up and Anna Griffin.

"The Florist's Coat" This version in Tilda "Corner Shop" paper stack collection.

 

"Peacock Garden Coat" This version created using Graphic 45 Couture.

 

This coming Sunday  2nd March, I am running a workshop in conjunction with A White Dragon Papercraft called “A Coat of Many Styles” at the Irish Club of Canberra. Coats and jackets are a fantastic way to show case paper quilting techniques and they are just so versatile.

In this workshop we will look at taking one simple shape – the coat. We will then be using our favourite Paper Quilting techniques (such as Just Squares, Strips, Crazy, Scrap or Applique), to turn this simple shape into something simply extraordinary.

The coat will become an oriental tunic or a beautiful coat inspired by fantasy or high fashion. Mix and match the design parts such as boarder hem lines, cuffs and decorative shapes within the coat. This Paper Quilt can be as simple or as complex as you like, so it is possible to create more than one during the workshop.  The pattern is one which can be adapted and used again and again to create pictures your friends and family will love.

The finished Paper Quilt will fit into a scrap book page frame 30 x 30cm square  or 20 x 25cm rectangle frame.

 

I look forward to seeing all the fabulous and unique coat creations made on the day and look forward to bringing you all the pictures from the day next week.

 

Please email if you would like to attend.

 

Bye for now

Michaela 

Up, Up and Away at A White Dragon Papercraft

Today I ran a workshop called Up, Up and Away – the theme was balloons, both large and small – but all very beautiful. It was about using basic Paper Quilting techniques, mixing them together and adding trims and embellishments to create one of a kind Paper Quilts. Thank you to the nine delightfully talented ladies who took part in the great day at A White Dragon Papercraft Store in Phillip. Hope you had a fun time and enjoy creating some more balloons for yourselves and as gifts for others.

Here are some photos of the fantastic work created today. One pattern - so many magical possibilities.

By Karen C

By Tracey

By Patricia

By Milly

By Milly

By Liz

By Heather

By Heather

By Crystal



By Karen M

By Crystal



by Karen M

By Kay

 

Custom Made for You

I am very pleased to be creating custom made Paper Quilts again. These quilts are often ordered for special occassions and make a truely beautiful, thoughtful, unique and special gift.

 "The Day You Were Born " has long been a popular choice for customers who are looking for a Christening or celebration birth gift. This quilt can be created in any combination of colours you wish, includes lots of information and can include beautiful embellishments such as shell buttons, wooden shapes, metal charms (such as Susan Clarke heirloom charms - http://www.susanclarkeoriginals.com ), your own heirloom embellishments and buttons along with genuine Swaroski crystals.

This quilt is available unframed for custom framing by you or framed in a white box frame.

This Paper Quilt measures approx 30cm/12inches square.

 

Contact michaela@paperquiltcreations.com for details.

See my Custom Made for You page on this blog for more titles.

Paperific Expo

How lucky were Bill and I to be visiting Melbourne for the third time this year! Paperific Expo is one of my favourite events and it was very exciting to be taking part for I think the 4th year. Boy does time go quickly and how things have changed.

Here is my stand back in 2010 when I was Wren's Nest Studio. I had 4 patterns to sell and quite a small display of finished Paper Quilts. I am very fortunate to still meet women who have followed my journey since these early days - and long before.

We had a wonderful space this year where I could create a gallery of Paper Quilts and a table for Make and Takes. I can’t remember being quite so busy – ever! During the three days of the show we had over 150 crafters creating 150 beautiful gift tags.  Young, older and wiser, girls and boys, men and women – they all took part.  Here are some pictures of our space at the show including some hanging decorative Paper Quilts and Paper Quilts displayed in embroidery hoops. These are great fun to create and I look forward to making some more soon.

Paperific Expo Stand

Paper Quilts displayed in Embroidery Hoops.  



Paper Quilts set free to hang as decorations

 

The 9th Australasian Quilt Convention

The Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne was an incredible experience. The location, the atmosphere, the beautiful quilts on display, the fabric and quilt patterns – everything! And boy was it busy. Visitors who love quilts from all over Australia and beyond descended upon Melbourne for the 9^th annual AQC Show. Many visitors came to the show each one of the 4 days to look at displays and stores, to take classes and attend seminars. It was lovely to see some ladies visit us every day of the show.

Bill and I set up our Make and Take space within the McCall’s Creates stand where we showed the McCall’s Collection of patterns and a display of how our patterns could be used with paper or fabric – or both. Throughout the show we offered visitors the chance to create a simple but beautiful gift tag using the 1 inch punch, paper, luggage tag, ribbon – and of course some bling. It is one of my great joys to see people use a sewing machine for the first time and see the sewing spark ignite. I always hope it is the start of a life-long love of creating with one of the greatest of all inventions – the magical sewing machine.

Here are a few pictures from the show.

Yes - it was pretty busy at the show

Having fun

One of my favourite stands L'uccello http://luccello.blogspot.com.au/ Must visit next time in Melbourne!

Our lovely stand neighbours Mai Misaki http://maimisaki.com/ (beautiful Japanese quilting) and Prudence Mapstone http://www.knotjustknitting.com/ Enough to make me take up knitting or crochet. Gorgeous!!
 

Make and Takes are always popular

The magnificence of The Royal Exhibition Building

Having a talk about using the patterns with fabric instead of paper.

 

Next post I will show some pictures of the absolutely beautiful quilts on display.

Experimenting with Washi craft tape.

Washi tape is created in so many beautiful colours and designs and seems to be one of “the” craft products at the moment. I have been wondering how I can use it in Paper Quilting. I was a bit concerned about the self- adhesive backing on the Washi tape because double-sided craft tape plays absolute havoc with the needle on your sewing machine. Well, I’ve now used Washi tape on a couple of quilt pattern designs – and so far so good. The adhesive on the back of the Washi tape is not as sticky and doesn’t seem to be attaching itself to the sewing machine needle. I’ll keep experimenting – but in the meantime – why not have a go at adapting your Paper Quilt Patterns with strips of Washi tape. Use the pattern piece to trace around onto a plain piece of 180-200gsm paper first as any line or words will show through the Washi tape as it is very transparent. Sew the tape together as you would with other projects. There is no need to retrace the image design onto the Washi tape as the first tracing line will show through. With all the beautiful designs out there – you will be sure to get a great result. And it’s really quick too.

The Autumn Papercrafts Festival - Penrith, Sydney

I am just back from the wonderful Paper Crafts Festival at Penrith. What a week-end! It was great to catch up with the other store owners and customers (many who have followed my journey since the Sydney Stitches and Craft Show back in 2007). So many happy people enjoying the latest crafting products. I don’t have too many pictures – as we were SOOO busy which was fabulous. We set up a Make and Take table again and we were so happy that everyone, (women, men and children) 

We had a great space at the show. Here is Bill setting up the booth.

of any age, realised just how very easy and how much fun Paper Quilting is. We’ll be doing it all again next week at The Australasian Quilt Convention in Melbourne.

Make and Take table on the first day of the show.

It was lovely to see a family creating gift tags together.

Sunday was VERY busy

Canberra Arboretum

The National Arboretum has not been long open and I have been longing to visit it. So yesterday, after going to the movies, Bill and I headed up to take a look in the late afternoon light. It is a magical place with old and newly created forests full of bird song. The views into Canberra and out across to the Brindabella Mountain Range are incredible and you really feel as though you are sitting on a cloud looking out at the scene stretching out. Canberra is often called the place of the big skies and any visit to the National Aboretum will enforce this idea. I can't wait to go back again and again to see how the forests grow and expand.
http://www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/

The local Cockatoo flock enjoying Autumn seeds

Where we live in Australia we are lucky to enjoy large flocks of cockatoos which are large birds with even larger voices (not the prettiest many would say - infact they would be quite at home in a horror film!). Here is a small group enjoying some Autumn seed pods in our backyard and making a huge mess while they're at it.