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Monday, May 06 2013

 

The first Monday of the month, the DCC Designer's Crafts Connection Blog Hop! Our theme this month is Wishes! "Make a wish", "three wishes", wish upon a star", classic, timeless, the power of the wish. If I had a magic wand

and were to "Make a wish" in this week leading up to Mothers Day it would be wishing my Mom could be here. She would love my "new" heritage home, seeing her chairs in the parlor and her artwork in the library, her cane resting in the umbrella stand by the front door. She would meet my darling man and get to dress up like she loved too for our upcoming wedding.

The last picture I have of my Mom is with her grand daughters three weeks before she passed away. She would love to see these young accomplished women, happy and productive in their lives, Amanda now a nurse and engaged to a wonderful young man, Kate happy on the Island doing what she loves. I know she watches over us but to have her here once more is still a wish for Mothers Day.

 

My design for the blog hop is one of whimsical house, a cottage, a design just featured Saturday for the release of designer friend Ann Butler's new stamp line with Unity. It is an ideal gift for Mothers Day, create a cottage or house for your Mom, personalize it with a house number, other details that recreate her home. I celebrate my new home and the memory of my Mom.  To make this cute cottage, instructions are here!

To see more delightful designs, just hop along with the DCC button in the side bar!

To "wishes coming true!"

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 12:42 am   |  Permalink   |  4 Comments  |  Email
Saturday, March 09 2013

 

The Designer Craft Connection Challenge is on with the cutest buttons from Buttons Galore and More. I got to work with the Spring Fling Collection designed by the talented Vicki Schreiner. I had some of her fabrics and Bazooples buttons so I added those to this little cottage scene. An easy peasy no sew project!

Materials:
1 dozen assorted Spring Fling & Bazooples Buttons from Buttons Galore
6" hoop
7" x 14" piece of cotton fabric
Fabric, lace, trim scraps
6" square fusible web
½ yard each of two ribbons
Fabri-Tac by Beacon
5", 8" Westcott Brand® Titanium Steel Scissors
(Ruler,
pins, measuring tape, pencil, invisible marker, iron, ironing board, pliers)

1.     Fold fabric rectangle in half. Open up hoop and place fabric between hoop pieces. Tighten.

2.     Draw pattern pieces on fusible web. Main House 3" by 3 ½". Roof Triangle 3" by 4". Window 1 ¼" square. Door 1 ¼" by 2" rectangle, round top of door.

3.     Fuse pieces to hoop fabric with hoop screw off centered. Begin with main house, add roof, door and window. Tighten hoop again if needed. Trim excess fabric from hoop.

4.     Embellish cottage. Tie ribbons through hoop screw. Snap off button backs to lay flat and glue to hoop.

This is such a fun project, one of those cute fabric ideas that does not require any sewing. Some stitches could be added for embellishment. Enjoy, create a whole neighborhood.

For this Designer Challenge Buttons Galore is offering a great giveaway collection of buttons and ribbon in a stylish container from Viewtainer! To win one of the Viewtainers filled with ribbons and buttons - Leave a comment on the Buttons Galore Blog Post. http://wp.me/p2hPby-1Du. The comment should contain your favorite project from the hop, and the container you would like to win. Comments need to be made by March 17th, 2013 at 11:59 eastern standard time. Hop to all the great designer button projects with the DC Button in the right Sidebar! Happy Hopping and Crafting!


Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 07:00 am   |  Permalink   |  17 Comments  |  Email
Thursday, March 07 2013

Lots of crafty goodies everywhere! Don't forget there is till time to enter....Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! AND to celebrate (inter)National Craft Month we have a super giveaway, a collection of products from FabScraps, https://www.facebook.com/pages/FabScraps/112579348780638?ref=ts&fref=ts. Julie McGuffee shared these products as a Trade Show find on TV, http://youtu.be/-OZjx6Yhmg0.

To enter to win, check out our DCC blogs in the hop, (button is in sidebar) then comment on the blog that features your favorite crafting technique and then tell what it was on Julie McGuffee's blog, Life in the Craft Lane.
 
This month from the 9th to 17th several DCC members are taking part in a Buttons Galore manufacturer challenge with a great giveaway as well!
 
 I love Buttons Galore's buttons, one of my favorite designer friends Vicki Schreiner has an adorable line of buttons with them from her Bazooples collection. Here is a snealk peak at what I used in my design to be posted on Saturday, the 9th!
 

....and the Smoothform Design Team.... I am pleased to be part of their team along with several very talented professional designer friends! We have a super creative blog with a new project for every day of the month!

So here is to National Craft Month, to crafting, sewing, painting, embossing, doodling, to creativity! Have fun!

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 10:32 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Monday, March 04 2013

It is the first Monday of the month and time for the Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop! AND to celebrate (inter)National Craft Month we have a super giveaway, a collection of products from FabScraps,  https://www.facebook.com/pages/FabScraps/112579348780638?ref=ts&fref=ts. Julie McGuffee shared these products as a Trade Show find on TV, http://youtu.be/-OZjx6Yhmg0.

To enter to win, check out our DCC blogs in the hop, (button is in sidebar) then comment on the blog that features your favorite crafting technique and then tell what it was on Julie McGuffee's blog, Life in the Craft Lane.
 
This month's challenge was to post about our favorite crafting technique. Well it isn't difficult to guess what mine is and technically it isn't crafting but sewing. it IS sewing! I love to sew, machine sewing and hand embroidery both. I love to create pretty, whimsical things.
 
I remember at 5 years old spending time in the summer on the front porch sewing next to my Mom with my tiny sewing machine. Since her birthday is in a couple days and she has been gone four years now it is lovely to remember those summer afternoons!
 
So here is a little roundup of all things sewn! Designs I have created and love!
 

Pin Cushions with my favorite hand stitch, the blanket stitch.
 
 
With cuddly characters I get to both machine and hand sew!
 

 

oh and I sew love to make aprons! Have a few pretty ones I am creating to wear at Quartermain House B&B.

.....and wait there is even more, beginning March 7th, we are also hopping in Buttons Galore DCC Blog Hop! Love their buttons!

....and the Smoothform Design Team was just announced. I am pleased to be part of their team along with several very talented professional designer friends! We have a super creative blog with a new project for every day of the month!

So here is to National Craft Month, to crafting, sewing, painting, embossing, doodling, to creativity! Have fun!

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 10:17 pm   |  Permalink   |  10 Comments  |  Email
Tuesday, January 29 2013

I had a great time demoing for ACTIVA at the CHA (Craft and Hobby) tradeshow in Anaheim. Their Hearty Clay is an air dry clay with a solft silky texture. Once dried it is very lightweight and durable.

The talented designer and host of Hands on Kids Candie Cooper features the owls on her blog today. Full downloadable instructions can be found on Candie's blog!

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 04:36 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Monday, November 05 2012

 

 

The first Monday of every month the Designer Crafts Connection hops with thirty of the Craft industry's top designers. We are all professional designers, members of the CHA designer section. (Craft & Hobby Association)

This month's theme is thank you gifts. November marks the beginning of the holiday season, invitations to holiday parties, gatherings, gift exchanges. My favorite thank you gifts to give are handmade ornaments. I design and create new ones each year. One of my favorite designs is this whimsical elf  popping out of a stocking. I create them in different color combinations to match the gift recepient's holiday decor.

The elf's head is a needle felted 1 1/2" Styrofoam brand foam ball and the stocking is made National Nonwoven's wool felt. The scroll design on the stocking die cut with the Sizzix Big Shot. It cuts felt beautifully. Bead and button embellishments complete the ornament.

Be inspired with the projects offered by the other members of this talented designer group, just hop along with the DCC button in the side bar!

 

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 01:34 am   |  Permalink   |  10 Comments  |  Email
Tuesday, September 04 2012

 

I have been neglecting my blog since I moved, upsizing and embarking on new ventures in a historic home has been a delgihtful hectic adventure so far. I love the place more each day.

However now the fall begins and new resolve to get back into my virtual routine. Last week I travelled to Cleveland to film a segment of Quilting Arts with host Pokey Bolton. It was a wonderful experience and everyone was so nice. Pokey is amazing shooting segment after segment with different guests with only a quick run through. Her knowledge of techniques and products was very impressive!

I admit to being more nervous with this taping as I had to handle everything not with "kid gloves" but rubber ones! I had practiced but it was slightly clumsy still and slightly messy.

The segment will air sometime in winter 2013.With being away again on the weekend I missed the Designer Craft Connection Blog Hop, the theme was crafting with vintage items. With sewing close to my heart and a love of pin cushions Michelle Frae Cummings vintage pin cushion with trim was a favorite. She shares a tutorial, quick and easy to make! http://faeriedustdreams-michelle.blogspot.ca/2012/09/designer-crafts-challenge-creating-with.html

With pins being so highly valued and precious, places to keep them were equally important. Many a creative seamstress sewed up a pin book or the iconic tomato pin cushion to keep the needle safe, sharp and rust free. I like dress forms almost as much as pin cushions so I created a dress form  pin cushion!

How do you llike to keep your pins and needles safe or off the floor!

 

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 12:39 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Tuesday, August 28 2012

 

This week is full of creativity! Can't spill it all yet but lots happening! I can share about this Friday I am the featured guest blogger with the talented Lisa Rojas." Give The Queen A Call!"
Designer, Artist, Teacher. Blog- http://www.stampinqueencreations.blogspot.com CHA Designer Council Member and CHA Designer Discussion List Moderator.

Lisa is one of the sweetest people and amazing designer. Her designs are delightful and she turns manufacturer's products into unique projects.

I am very honored to be one of her guest bloggers! Thanks Lisa!

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 10:09 pm   |  Permalink   |  1 Comment  |  Email
Monday, March 26 2012

Easter is only a couple weeks away and even though my girls are grown now, we still have our traditional easter egg hunt. I enjoy always each year too finding a stray egg that was missed. One year as I hid the eggs our little dog followed behind me eating several candy eggs before I caught her! OOps I meant when the Easter Bunny was hiding the eggs!

This year I am counting the days till Easter weekend, I haven't seen my youngest since Christmas so can hardly wait until she is home and the three of us are together. My daughters are such a joy! My oldest daughter has just bought her first home, so exciting and she is moving in June.

This year if you are looking for inspiration to craft some eggs to fill a basket or two Crafts 'n Coffee is having an Eggstravaganza and giveaway so hop on over! I have experience with hopping seems my bunny designs have multiplied over the years! I will be sharing some of my favorites. Full instructions for the Jester Bunny at http://www.creativehomeartsclub.com/projects/articletype/articleview/articleid/670/spring-jester-bunny

Designer friend Eileen Hull who designs dies for Sizzix is hosting a linky Spring Party and giveaway. Eileen's dies are wonderfully versatile allowing you to create layered textured accents and elements from a variety of materials. Check out the inspired creativity!

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 01:00 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Friday, January 06 2012

It is finally a Fowl Friday with Fran & Freda! We are so happy to say Happy New Year to all our peeps! We survived the holidays, always a sad time for us as we mourn the loss of many of our feathered cousins, the Toms and finally leftovers, the soups are gone!

Hey though we are excited about a totally different kind of soup Scrapbook Soup, the very cool scrapbooking show hosted by the talented Julie McGuffee who heads up our Designer Crafts Connection Blog Hop is now live online! We are especially excited as we don't get the show here and now tomorrow we can watch!!! Popcorn is ready and Freda has pics, album and glues ready to go. She has posted so many profile pics on Hatch.com she now has enough for a complete scrapbook! Can't wait to see the results, um sure think I am busy for the rest of the weekend!

Monday the DCC Blog Hop is all about scrapboks & journalling, a perfect way to be inspired for the new year! Hop along with us!

Catch Julie and her show tomorrow! Follow the Fowl always! Fran & Freda

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 09:22 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
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Debra Quartermain Design

 Magical Mimi to Grandlittles, I love to create, decorate & celebrate. Sharing  joy and inspiration from our 200 year old home, Quartermain House B&B on the east coast of Canada.

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