Small projects, don't you just love them!?

I just love small projects, whether its painting, sketching or sewing projects. They allow me to fit them into tight spaces. I don't always have the time to just devote hours upon hours to designing and creating large pieces so when I have the time to work on something smaller its is so satisfying  since I can see results so much more quickly. I am working on designing some new patterns for quilt market in October and they are mostly smaller projects. Great in-between projects and gifts for Christmas. I am busy designing projects for my Mug Rug Club too! Its so much fun being able to get some of my ideas out of my head and made up! I am going to be releasing my Monster Placemats and I am finishing up the pattern now. I also will be working on some new placemats for my "Wild Things" safari fabric line. I will have those kitted up for the San Diego Quilt show since I will have a booth there!

This is my Monster Truck Placemats. They are 16" rounds with my monster heads inside. This is a great additional project for your little monster quilt, use as placemats or hang them in their rooms as Monster fiber art. Easily transformed into round pillows also. This new pattern should be available on my website within a week for download! 

My newest Mug Rug for July. These adorable Owls are all excited to talk about design and how to make your existing appliqué patterns even better. In my Mug Rug Club we are learning something every month, techniques, finishes we will even be doing some artsy stuff. The patterns will be email to your inbox each month and you will enjoy making these small projects as gifts all throughout the year. We not only make Mug Rugs but we make other fun things with our pattern. Join the fun today on my website, www.desireesdesigns.com

Happy Fourth of July!!

I am so thankful to have a weekend at home and where I can actually relax by the pool. We are having no parties, or barbecues. Instead we are just having a quiet time and its wonderful. Jenn and I spent the afternoon in the pool and I had earlier prepared a wonderful, easy dinner and some sun tea. So with the heat outside turned all the way up I decided to share a great summer recipe with you, its no cook, no meat and super good for you.

I bought a spiral cutter on Amazon, its super crazy and fun. It will turn your boring cucumbers and squash into edible yummy noodle looking curls. So thats how I begin, I spiral cut my noodles and squash as my base then I added thinly cut onions, fresh corn, bell pepper, and olives then to that I add black beans and red kidney beans. You can add what ever fresh veggies you have in the garden or in the fridge. Its a great, easy summer salad.

 If you aren't vegan you can even add some feta cheese if you like. Mix everything together in a large bowl and then I add some flavored balsamic vinegar and a little sesame flavored olive oil, you can top with fresh tomatoes too but I don't add them to the big bowl as they tend to go bad quicker than everything else. A healthy, no heat, meatless meal, you can add some fruit, fresh bread and make it a whole meal!

Crazy fun techniques for your next art quilt!!! Join Me!

I love to teach! I love to meet new quilters and make new friends. I don't often have the chance to teach with my crazy schedule and so when I do I love to make the most of it!!! I just so happen to have two local venues this year, I hope you can make one of them!

No ART experience needed for any of my classes! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 951-640-5005

I am teaching this year at the San Diego Quilt Show and at the Fallbrook Quilt Quild. 

 

The Fallbrook Quilt Guild has graciously opened up the still life class to nonmembers so if your close you can check with Ann Turley! 760-645-3267. I will be teaching my Stone-Age Art Quilts Still Life.

Workshop is July 12, 2014 

Hurry, IT'S JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY!

 

 Come and learn how to turn fabric into faux stone tiles with a variety of techniques. Email Ann Turley for more information at Ann@annturley.info 

I will also have a booth in San Diego with all of my patterns.  I hope you will get a chance to come by my booth or take a class or two!!

Sept 3-6, 2014

Stone Age Art Quilts- Landscapes 

This beautiful quilt is done with acrylic inks and made to look like old tiles. No art experience is necessary, I will have all the templates and give you lots of guidance so you will feel confident to move along on your design!  

Check out the info here! 

I will also be teaching 

ART APPLIQUE!!

This is done with colored pencils, and inktense pencils. I provide a prequilted block for you to fill in using my techniques. I will be teaching you how to blend, apply and even do some faux marble finishes. I will be choosing the block that the class does and I will be providing most all of the supplies. The finished blocks are washable and permanent.

 

Here is a sample of an Art Quilt I have shown that uses this method.