Skip to main content
#
Debra Quartermain Design
Latest Posts
Categories

 the CEO! Creative Eternal Optimist! Blog 
Sunday, April 29 2012

This weekend I taught a kid's workshop. I have such a great group of creative and very entertaining kids. Each month I introduce them to different techniques through a project and let them loose! This month was a doll pillow using fabric markers and stencil paint technique which gave a watercolor look to the pillows. We used two types of fabric markers, Jacquard's TeeJuice Fabric Markers and ILovetoCreate Fabric Markers. The kids liked both and found for outlining the TeeJuice fine marker was easy.

I had the opportunity last week to tour the Jacquard Company in California, as soon as you enter the front door the lobby chairs are boldly painted in striking designs. Painted fabric artwork hangs everywhere along with artwork accessory pieces by the talented Melony Bradley. Annette who gave me the tour was so welcoming and showed me throughout the factory where product is shipped all over the world.

Back to the kids and their experience with the products. Natalie liked the bright ILovetoCreate pack of markers and used every color on her fish pillow. She drew a fish on one side and a teddy bear on the other. Emily created a bright cat stress pillow, Molly made a Vintage doll as she loves the era of the 1800's.

They first began by drawing their idea on paper. With this as a guide they drew with pencil on the fabric going over the details with the fabric marker. The stencil paint technique for the larger areas allowed the fabric marker to show through.

We used prewashed unbleached cotton. I sewed a simple oval shape which they stuffed once their design was painted and heat set.

Once stuffed the pillow could be embellished further.

While they craft I am entertained with stories of school happenings with two of the girls in a school play much was talk about the drama festival next week. Crafting with kids is such a pleasure!

 

Posted by: Debra Quartermain AT 07:49 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Monday, October 24 2011
It was a whirlwind weekend filled with creativity. Creativity is defined as
the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination: (Dictionary.com)
 
 From the Roller Derby Fashion Parade at my daughter's game, my other daughter's delightful and delicious cupcakes and the kids crafty camp afternoon creativity was overflowing. Fishnets to tutus and every combination of animal print possible the Roller Derby gals and many fans were rocking some wild style! I "tricked out" a Capitol City Roller's T with glitter, gems and a new off the shoulder neckline and a "Derby Mom" logo on the back.
 
My kitchen hosted a full day of yummy and fragrant aromas as "The Enchanted Cupcake by Kate" baked up delicious speciality cupcakes, Chocolate Bliss, Vanilla Dream and Lemon Locks. The delicate frosting looked like roses as Kate piped a mix of two colors together.
 
 
Sunday afternoon was more t shirt and costume fun with my kid's crafty camp. They are delightful and there was paint and glitter everywhere. I showed them how to stamp, stencil and screen print with fabric paints. The screen printing was their favorite. Using a piece of sheer curtain fabric under plastic or adhesive stencils securely taped down worked really well. A line of paint was added across top of stencil and pulled across stencil with a credit card. This was their favorite technique. Their enthusiasm and confidence in their design approach is wonderful. I am always re-inspired after a day with the kids.
 
Now a new week begins and more crafty goodness is coming up. Fresh Vintage Blog Hop with more new dies by Eileen Hull for Sizzix on Tuesday and Thursday. Thursday I have another creative class, sewing up some whimsical holiday ornaments. I have the best students, class is always fun and full of wonderful designs. The more my students create the more ideas flow for something else. Last week they created some pretty holiday cards, the tree themed ones very festive with a whimsical touch!
 
 
 What I have learned is creativity is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes. Slumps, blocks happen but just diving in with something simple like a few markers and a journal, just playing for awhile will be very beneficial to mind, body and spirit. How do you handle a creative slump, just leave a comment with some of your ideas for kick starting creativity. Debra, Inspiring the JOY of Creativity!
Posted by: Debra Quartermain, CEO! AT 12:40 am   |  Permalink   |  1 Comment  |  Email
Sunday, May 29 2011

The Garrison Studio opened on Saturday in the downtown historic district of Fredericton. Seven studio shops opened sponsored by the city's tourism department. There are artists in residence on site and local artisans showcase their work. The first day saw lots of people out despite the very cool, damp weather.

The shops were originally storage for ammunition and so are solid brick and mortar with one tiny window and the large wood doors are wide open to the open walkway. Unheated it was quite chilly until our portable heater arrived! That took some of the chill off. The shops are open for four months opening early this season for the Congress 2011 of Humanities and Social Sciences  "Coasts and Continents: Exploring People and Places"  taking place this week in our city. People from all over the world are attending.

With seven or eight artisans in each shop it means we work only one day a week which is ideal to not impact a regular work schedule. I enjoy meeting the many viistors to our pretty little city and to have fun creating! Aprons are one of my favorite items to design and sew. I made a half apron from the remaining birdie fabric.

 

I will post pictures of the shop once we are totally finished with the decorative touches. I have been making bright felt flower garlands to wrap around the exposed pipes. So far I have gone through fifty feet of garden wire! Follow the Joy, Create! Debra, CEO!

Posted by: Debra Quartermain, CEO! AT 10:54 pm   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Monday, May 23 2011

Spring Cleaning my wardrobe I have come across several pieces I really like but for a variety of reasons they don't work anymore. So time to restyle them into something else! My fabric stash also needs to be "down-sized". Since I am in the mood to design aprons these days, the wardrobe and fabric finds will be perfect to sew up into flirty fun aprons .

I came across a polka dot dress which I was wearing the hot summer day my daughter's car stalled in the middle of the busiest intersection at the height of supper hour traffic! Two nice guys pushed the car onto the sidewalk and we ended up riding in the tow truck to the repair service. A gust of wind caught the skirt as I got out of the truck and just as the guys came out of the shop! One remarked "wow, a Marilyn Monroe moment". I haven't worn the dress since! I am thinking an apron is a much safer future for the dress!

I used the "too" full skirt from the dress to make the main apron adding a bodice and ties. The skirt just called for a heart shaped pocket. Fabric roses were added to the pocket and bodice to give it an even more feminine feel. I love how it turned out and this skirt can catch any wind it wants! I will be sharing more aprons plus a tutorial of the apron I am creating from a full eyelet skirt. What was I thinking when I bought that! Follow the JoY! Debra, CEO!

 

 

Posted by: Debra Quartermain, CEO! AT 11:38 am   |  Permalink   |  0 Comments  |  Email
Facebook
LinkedIn
Add to favorites
Twitter
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.

" "
Facebook
LinkedIn
Add to favorites
Twitter
    Sign Guest Book  View Guest Book 

    Debra Quartermain Design
    Fredericton, NB
    Canada
    Web Design Debra Quartermain
    Illustration Deborah Peyton
    Content copyright Debra Quartermain
    Email: debraq53@gmail.com

    Design Your Own Website, Today!
    iBuilt Design Software
    Give it a try for Free