Inspiration Sources

Where do you get your inspiration for design?


I enjoy a little silk ribbon embroidery and was leafing through a design book one day. As I was browsing, I didn't pick up a needle and ribbon. I picked up a strip of paper and discovered how easily the pattern translated to quilling! I was getting bored with my same old designs which had been done, redone and reworked for far too long. These two books are my goto when nothing clicks.

ISBN # 0-88195-890-5 and 0-88195-880-8






Another source but a bit more expensive is antique broaches and hair pieces. They, too, can put a new spin on design.

Chocolate Party

I will be featured artist at The Broadway Gallery in Longview WA the month of February. To kick off the month, I will be hosting a Chocolate Party Thursday the 7th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. There will be valentines and chocolate boxes for sale. The event is free and there will be live music, chocolates galore and Capstone Wineries will be hosting a wine tasting too. Come join the fun http://www.the-broadway-gallery.com/

Fabric's new life as paper

I have always loved quilting and still attend several retreats throughout the year. I have change my media to paper but have managed to bring fabric back to life.

Staples and Office Max have color copy sales and I take great advantage of them. My "fat quarter" collection of fabrics are a great way to turn fabric into paper. I take my farics down and make two-sided color copies. Then I cut the paper into strips and make quilled quilt blocks.

I use the patterns from Melinda Johnston's "Quilt Block" kit. Enlarge the patterns by 200%. You can get the kit from any of the favorite shopping links.

New Classes and Retreat

Happy New Year Everyone!

Check out new classes at Paper Moon. Just click the link and go to classes. Yes, there is even a new quilling group forming there too!

I am preparing for a paper arts retreat February 22nd and 23rd. $40 includes dinner catered by Applebee's. Limited space so sign up soon Scrap Happy 360-423-9625 Longview WA, call for details and sign up for e-mails.

Wine Bottle Label

To inspire you: My husband and I have been visiting local wineries and enjoy sharing our finds with family and friend.

This is the time of year when dinner parties fill our entertainment schedule. I am always looking for the perfect hostess gift.

My first "go to" is a bottle of wine....but how mundane and rather impersonal. Sure the bags and boxes you can get are pretty but what a statement you will make with this quilled label!

Use sticky dots and you can use the label several times over.

Make your thank you card at the same time you do your label so you can match the colors and design. Now you will never forget to get that thank you in the mail.

Watercolor Papers From Paplin

Most recent find: Paplin has come out with a wonderful line of quilling strips called Graduated Shades of Color. The color on each strip goes from light to dark to light again. Unlike the English papers in this type, Paplin has used colors with a rich dusty look rather than the true color palette. They have added sheet paper to match. One last quilling strip collection is the two tone strips. And get this, they match the graduated papers too! Painting with paper has never been easier. For an even lacier challenge try them in 1/16" widths. I used them in the header picture.

Welcome to my blog!

I hope you will find inspiring photos and helpful information here. I will be selecting a theme project each month and adding events and classes as the information becomes available. Enjoy your first look around.