"Ideas & Inspirations" from Jamie Kalvestran

Kingyo Collection by Red Rooster Fabrics

2009-07-15T09:11:00.005-05:00

I am loving this new collection from Red Rooster Fabrics. To view the entire collection please visit the Red Rooster Web Site.

The Textile Blog: Ynge Gamlin, Astrid Sampe and Abstract Expressionism

2009-07-13T16:21:00.002-05:00

The Textile Blog: Ynge Gamlin, Astrid Sampe and Abstract Expressionism

I love this textile piece. Read more about it on The Textile Blog by John Hopper by clicking the link above.

Weekly Special and Give Away

2009-07-13T08:38:00.010-05:00

I will be giving away this pack of my four top selling patterns to one lucky winner this week. These patterns include #1 The Big Easy Tote Bag, #2 Yin-Yang handbag, #3 Easy Zip Wallet, #4 Checkbook Cover. To qualify please leave a comment on any or all of this weeks posts dated Monday July 13 - Sunday July 19th. Then check back on Monday July 20th to see if you won!

Or take advantage of the . . .

Happy Sewing!

Metal Artist Studio - Inspiration is everywhere!

2009-07-11T08:39:00.006-05:00

Inspiration for your textile art may be found in unexpected places. Meet Sue Seeger. Sue is a metal sculptor, friend and neighbor. She lives just up the river from me.

Sue and her husband salvaged this garage and created an awesome studio. The garage was going to be torn down and instead they dismantled it and hauled it up from a Minneapolis backyard and resurrected it in their woods.

And this is where Sue works her magic!

These letters were created to spell "Sue Seeger's Art", but Sue's husband Dan is a creative, playful guy and has his way with her letters once in a while.

What does this have to do with fiber arts and quilting?

First of all, I think it's important to expose yourself to art of all kinds. Second, creativity is contagious. So hang out with creative people of all sorts and you will find yourself bubbling with ideas.

Sue has a way with rust and paint . . .

Hmmm . . . rust and paint works with fabric!

Do you remember this? Rust Dyed Fabric made into a Fat-Quarter Scrap-bag™?

Do you see any other influences (other than rust) that I may have been picked up while hanging out with Sue? Perhaps the color palette? Perhaps the choice of the leaf batik?

VISIT SUE's BLOG - and watch for her OPEN HOUSE IN AUGUST '09

Travel along with me as I shop hop across the USA!

2009-07-07T10:42:00.002-05:00

I would like to invite you to travel with me as I shop hop Quilt Shops all across the USA. You can follow my adventure at: Quiltshops.blogspot.com

See you on the road . . .

Congratulations!! Blog Hop Winners Announced

2009-07-06T17:41:00.007-05:00

Blog Hop Winners - If you are one of the ten winners, your post is listed below. Please email me your mailing address and I will send you your trio of patterns from Scrap-bags™!

Winners click her to SEND your mailing address TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS

1- Sequana has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

Ah, I made it to Followers today. *S* Looks like #165, or close to that. Probably too much traffic yesterday. Funny enough, your discharged fabrics look just as pretty today.

2- Noela has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

I have been blown away with your tutorial. The fabrics are lovely and the quilting just sets the design off perfectly. I will have to try your technique out. I have become a follower. Thanks so much.

3-Divamom3849 has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

Thanks for the great tutorial. Looks like so much fun. I'm also a new follower. Looking forward to hearing more.

4-Pat has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

WOW...what a fun thing to do. (I'm glad you showed this at a time of year when I can get outside and try it!!!) Oh...yes...I did sign on as a follower of your blog just now, too. This blog hop has helped me find designers and blogs that I'd not have found otherwise, so that is a prize, too!

5-reilly.t has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

Wow! I really think this will be fun to try! Yet another fun artsy project to do with my daughter while she's home from college! Between this and the painstiks from the other day, it may inspire her to start sewing yet!! :) I signed up a follower too. Thanks for the great detailed instructions!

6-Happy Cottage Quilter has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":
Okay, I signed up as a follower. I am #100!!!! Woo-hoo!

7-crossroadsquilts (http://crossroadsquilts.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

I have really enjoyed this post! Thank you! I have some fabrics I would like to do this with and you have shown me that I actually can do it with what I have on hand! Thank you!

I have also signed up to follow you, and am also a FB friend....

Bari

8-KristyZ has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

OK, I am now a follower. You know this goes against everything my mom taught me, I was always a LEADER, but for you I will follow.

Love this post, I never thought about bleaching fabric. The results are cool and allows you to be somewhat of a creator of your own fabric design. I will have to try this one day soon.

Thanks for the tutorial and the chance to win some patterns...AWESOME!

9-QUILTILNLG IS BLISSFUL, DI has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

Oh my--what pretty work--you really do a beautiful job==thanks for showing and telling us about this--I am on your Following list--I am the teddy bear one--and you should be able to find me easy enough through my title---have a great, great day and keep on designing--oh and you have heard from me "EVERY DAY" for the shop hop!!! so see ya tomorrow, hugs, just, Di

10-Kathy has left a new comment on your post "Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - ...":

Jamie, How cool is discharging? Way cool! I really like the texture and color of the little bag you made with your hand quilted discharged fabric.

I signed up as a follower; and can't wait to see what else you have in store for us!

Grand Prize Winners have been posted on Gudrun's World Blog.

Minnesota Quilt Designers Day Off

2009-07-05T19:20:00.007-05:00

Minnesota Quilt Designers took the day off and did what???? Well, we got together at Rosebud's Workshop in White Bear Lake, MN. After a round of introductions and reunions, we went to lunch! Of Course!

We are fortunate to have many designers in Minnesota so, "Who attended", you might ask? Or "Who could get away?" might be another way of putting it. This time it was, Celine Perkins - Perkins Drygoods, Gudrun Erla - GE Designs. Roseann Kermes - Rosebud's Cottage, Debbie Bowles - Maple Island Quilts, Genii Lehmann - Lehmann Quilting, (me) Jamie Kalvestran - Scrap-bags, Kari Carr -New Leaf Stitches , Linda Hohag - Brandywine Designs, Marilyn Foreman - Quilt Moments, Susan Nelson - Prairie Sky Quilting, Terry Atkinson - Atkinson Designs, Lynette Jensen - Thimbleberries.

I hope I didn't forget anyone ???

Some came early . . . and stayed late!

Some stayed for lunch . . .

Some told stories . . .

Some listened . . .

We ALL ate!!!

And then we made stuff.

Rosann had the plan . . .

It was paper stuff, not fabric stuff.
Here's mine below.

The results . . .
A good time was had by all!!!

Day 10 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Mary from Quilted Treasures

2009-07-03T08:16:00.003-05:00

Mary Wilberg is designer #10, the final designer on the hop. She has a fantastic tutorial on using grommets. Visit her blog Pieces of Work and remember to comment to win!

Day 9 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - It's my turn! Welcome! A Discharge Fabric Dyeing Tutorial.

2009-07-02T00:30:00.010-05:00

Greetings and welcome to my blog! If you are blog hopping and new to my blog let me introduce myself. My name is Jamie Kalvestran and I have been a quilter for about 30 years. I come from a long line of quilters, my mother is and my great grandmother was a quilter. I am a product designer who worked in Sporting Goods and Toy Design for many years. During that time I was also quilting away. Today I combine my love for design and quilting by designing patterns for you under the Scrap-bags™ label. My patterns are for handbags, purses, totes and quilts.

To qualify for the grand prizes of this blog hop all you need to do is comment on all 10 blogs during the blog hop. If you comment on all 10 blogs, you will be entered in a drawing for the following gift bags, filled with fabulous quilting goodies from all of us:GE Designs, Anka's Treasures, Perkins Dry Goods, Rosebud's Cottage, This 'N' That, New Leaf Stitches, Atkinson Designs, Cedar Canyon Textiles, Scrap-Bags™ and Quilted Treasures.

1st Prize A gift bag worth $200
2nd Prize A gift bag worth $60
3rd Prize A gift bag worth $40

To qualify for my own Blog Hop drawing you must do two things. #1 sign up as a follower on the left column of this blog and #2 leave a comment on this post. Then you will be in the running for a drawing that includes a trio of patterns. The trio pack includes (1-the Fat Quarter Scrap-bag Pattern, 2-the Easy Zip Wallet Pattern, and 3-the Checkbook Cover pattern)

There will be TEN winners total each receiving a trio pack of patterns! So join me as a follower AND leave me a comment to be in the running! When you comment make sure and let me know that you've signed up as a follower and make sure I can contact you by email. (I think you may need to sign up with google to accomplish that ? I am not sure.)

My tutorial is about discharge dyeing.

Discharge dyeing of fabrics is easy and fun.
If you like projects that have unpredictable beautiful results you will LOVE this.

Here is what you will need:

• Pre-washed 100% quilting cotton fabrics
• Three tubs or buckets
• Bleach
• Vinegar or a bleach stop product.
• Water
• Rubber gloves
• Spray or squirt bottles, eyedroppers, paint brushes etc.
• Super good ventilation or better yet a place to work outdoors (the mixture of bleach and vinegar gives off a toxic vapor that is not good for you to breath. So don't skimp on the ventilation!!!)
• OLD clothes that you will get bleach on no matter how hard you try not to!!!
• Any or all of the following - stencils, leaves, cheesecloth, rocks and twigs, torn cardboard or anything else you can think of . . .

Fill the first tub with plain water.
Fill the second tub with water and vinegar (approximately 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) /or a bleach stop product.
Fill the third tub with plain water.
Fill a spray or squirt bottle with the bleach and water mixture. (approximately 1 part bleach to 2 parts water), or put it in a cup or dish if you are going to brush it on. I used a squirt bottle for the fabrics shown below.

Lay out the fabric you want to dye and place items on top of the fabric then spray, squirt or sprinkle the bleach water combination on top of the fabric and items. The items will block the bleach creating a resist. Wait a few minutes until the fabric starts to fade from the bleach. The longer you wait the more it will fade. Also the stronger the beach mixture the faster it will fade.

You can layer the process too, below I used a
fern for the first bleaching and then this weed
for the second go round.

Above I used leaves and below I added another
layer of cheesecloth on top of the leaves.

Ferns and Rocks

When you are happy with the amount of discharge remove the items and rinse the fabric in the first bucket of water. Then place the fabric in the vinegar and water (or bleach stop) tub to stop the bleaching process. You can let it sit in the vinegar for a while and then place it in the last water tub for a final rinse before washing and drying in your washing machine. Here is a pile of fabrics ready for the washing machine.

Below are some of my examples from one day of disdyeing from last week:

Here you can see the 'before' fabrics on top of the 'after' fabrics:

Below is a green solid with most of the green discharged out. This is the one that had the rocks on it in one of the above photos. Below in the next photo you will see it transform even further with some hand quilting . . .

There are many things you can do with disdyed fabrics. Here are some examples of what I like to do. I love to sit in front of the TV or listen to the radio and hand quilt. Now, I am not a typical hand quilter. I don't follow any rules. My stitches are not THAT even. Medium to small. I didn't use a hoop on these samples either. I know you are thinking "what a rebel!" To top it off, I pulled the thread TOO tight creating a wonderful texture. This will eventually become a purse or part of a larger bag.

Below, I folded three fabrics 'according style' and
held them with rocks and then sprayed the bleach mixture across the top.

Here is the first unfolding of that technique, kind of boring I thought.

So I re-folded it and redid it until I started liking what I had . . .

Here is the original fabric on top of the disdyed fabric.

Then I hand quilted, using dark thread on the light areas and light thread on the darker areas.

And then I made this sweet little bag, using the Fat-Quarter Scrap-bag™ pattern.

So play, experiment and have fun! Heaven only knows what you'll create!!!

I hope you are enjoying the blog hop!

Remember . . .

Follow . . .

Comment . . .

and Win!

and/or

Simply, Comment on all ten blogs and
you could win one of the grand prizes!

P.S. Feel free to follow me on my giant shop hop across the USA on Quiltshops.blogspot.com

Day 8 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Shelley of Cedar Canyon Textiles

2009-07-01T09:07:00.010-05:00

Meet Shelley, today's featured designer in the Minnesota Quilt Designers Blog Hop from Cedar Canyon Textiles. Visit the Cedar Canyon Blog and comment to win!

As of this posting her post is not up yet, but it should be there shortly, today is her day! She has a Paintstik tutorial for you!

Day 7 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Terry Atkinson

2009-06-30T06:38:00.004-05:00

Today's featured Quilt Designer is Terry Atkinson! Not only is Terry from Minnesota but Terry and I both live in the same town of Elk River. Please visit her blog 'Notes from Terry Ann', and check out her "Sock Sack" tutorial.

Day 6 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Kari from New Leaf Stitches

2009-06-29T15:55:00.003-05:00

Today meet Kari from New Leaf Stitches. Kari describes herself as a recycled Home-Ec teacher. Please visit her blog and comment to win prizes, she has a great tutorial to share with you!

Day 5 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Sherri Falls

2009-06-26T09:57:00.004-05:00

Little Bits of This & That from Sherri Falls today featured designer. Please visit her blog and try something new!

Day 4 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Roseann from Rosebud's Cottage

2009-06-25T08:12:00.002-05:00

Roseann owner of Rosebud's Cottage is the featured Quilt designer today! Please visit her blog and fall in love with wool! Don't forget to comment and win!

Day 3 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Celine Perkins

2009-06-24T07:35:00.005-05:00

This is Celine Perkins from Perkins Drygoods. Celine has tricks and tips for you, today she is the featured designer today in the Minnesota Blog Hop. Please visit her here and don't forget to comment and win!

MN Quilt Designers Blog Hop Day 2 - Free Quilt Pattern from Heather Mulder Peterson

2009-06-23T07:47:00.004-05:00

Day two of the Minnesota Quilt Designers Blog Hop. Visit Heather Mulder Peterson's Trends and Traditions Blog for this free download!

Day 1 of the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop - Free Anyday Placemats

2009-06-23T07:43:00.004-05:00

Don't miss this free pattern from Gudrun's World on the Minnesota Quilt Designers Blog Hop!

Get Ready to Blog Hop and Win Great Prizes!

2009-06-18T16:58:00.003-05:00

Message from G.E.Designs

On Monday GE Designs will launch the Minnesota Quilt Designer Blog Hop. She will start off the hop with a free "Quilt As You Go" placemat pattern that is simple enough to whip up before the 4th of July weekend. Be sure to tell all of your friends because they certainly don't want to miss this event. Not only are you getting personal advice from 10 great professionals, free patterns and demos, but you can be eligible for a fantastic grand prize. If you comment on all 10 blogs, you will be entered in a drawing for the following gift bags, filled with fabulous quilting goodies from all of us:

GE Designs, Anka's Treasures, Perkins Dry Goods, Rosebud's Cottage, This 'N' That, New Leaf Stitches, Atkinson Designs, Cedar Canyon Textiles, Scrap-Bags™ and Quilted Treasures.

1st Prize A gift bag worth $200

2nd Prize A gift bag worth $60

3rd Prize A gift bag worth $40

Many of us will also be having individual prize drawings so there is a lot of chances to win. See you on Monday!!

Quilt Designer Blog Hop

2009-06-15T17:58:00.004-05:00

Hi everybody! I've been invited to participate in a group of 10 blogging quilt designers, all from Minnesota. Starting next week you can visit a new blogger, every weekday. Each designer will have a free demo or pattern, show you a new technique and tell you a little bit about themselves. They will also have a little giveaway for you if you check in to visit and say hi in the comments.

But that is not all!!! If you are really dedicated and visit each and every blog and post your comment, you will be entered in a drawing to win a phenomenal grand prize!!!

Stay tuned for more info on Friday and then the blog hop will start on Monday.

Please please please....tell your friends....blog about it....Tweet about it....anything to spread the word.

Here is the lineup of fabulous designers....can you believe we are all in Minnesota!!

June 22. Gudrun from GE Designs
www.gudrun.typepad.com

June 23. Heather from Anka's Treasures
ankastreasures.wordpress.com/

June 24.Celine from Perkins Dry Goods
www.perkinsdrygoods.com/blog

June 25. Roseann from Rosebuds Cottage
rosebudscottage.typepad.com

June 26. Sherri from This 'N' That
thisandthatpatterns.typepad.com/

June 29. Kari from New Leaf Stitches
www.newleafstitches.com/blog/

June 30. Terry from Atkinson Designs
www.terryatkinson.typepad.com

July 1. Shelly from Cedar Canyon Textiles
www.cedarcanyontextiles.com/blog/

July 2. Jamie from Scrap-bags
scrap-bags.blogspot.com/

July 3. Mary from Quilted Treasures
piecesofwork.typepad.com

See you on Friday...

Cute Boy makes a Book Bag - literally!

2009-06-10T08:46:00.001-05:00

Big Easy Tote Kits available at the Minnesota Quilt Show

2009-06-08T15:28:00.003-05:00

Kits for these two "Big Easy Totes" from Scrap-bag™ Patterns will be available in Aunt Annies Quilts & Silks Booth at the MN Quilters Show. I hope you will stop by and say "Hi" to Lucy if you are attending the Quilt Show. Tell her Jamie send you! ; ) This Thursday through Saturday!

Minnesota Quilters - Quilt Show, Duluth MN - Visit their website for Info.

Minnesota Quilters, Inc.

31st Annual Show and Conference:
Great Lake, Great Quilts

June 11 - 13, 2009

Minnesota Quilters, Inc.
3000 University Ave. SE. Suite 120
Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612) 436-0449

MN Quilters Email

If you miss the show you can always contact Lucy at Aunt Annie's here:
Email: Aunt Annie's Quilts and Silks

Lucy Senstad, Owner
Phone: 320-356-1061
Address:109 Avon Ave South
PO Box 359
Avon, MN 56310 USA

Tri-State Textile Show

2009-06-06T09:17:00.006-05:00

Here's a few photos from the textile show. Enjoy!

Brandywine Design

beancounter Quilts

Quilt Poetry

Scrap-bags

More Scrap-bags!

Quilt Moments

Shop owners making decisions.

Strange things hanging around my studio . . .

2009-05-29T09:25:00.007-05:00

Strange things hanging around my studio?

Well, I guess you could say that . . .

"What is that thing hanging from the light fixture?", you ask.

It's "Tulsi" a fairy doll that I designed for Manhattan Toy years ago.
She was from the "Beneath the leaf" series.

Here's a couple of old Manhattan Toy catalog shots.
There was (left to right) Ushi, Nishi, Lici, Nilli, & Tulsi.

One of my many previous lives in this life. (smile)
Other previous incarnations include, Bank VP, Dog Grooming business owner, Riding Instructor, Factory worker, Massage therapist, Shiatsu practitioner, Student of Chinese Medicine, Toy Designer, Sporting Goods Designer, hmmm, What will I do next?
I'd like an answer to that question too. But for now Scrap-bags™ pattern designer fits the bill.

Lucy's Gorgeous Discharged Fabrics - Minnesota Quilters Quilt Show

2009-05-29T08:56:00.007-05:00

-

Yesterday I visited one of my very favorite local quilt shops. Aunt Annies in Avon MN. Lucy the owner was preparing to exhibit at the Minnesota Quilters - Quilt Show, Duluth MN.

One of the features of Lucys booth will be her discharge-dyed fabrics. Each one is gorgeous and one of a kind! I just couldn't leave her shop without these two!!! I hope you will stop by her booth and say Hi if you are attending the Quilt Show.

Minnesota Quilters - Quilt Show, Duluth MN - Visit their website for Info.

Minnesota Quilters, Inc.

31st Annual Show and Conference:
Great Lake, Great Quilts

June 11 - 13, 2009

Minnesota Quilters, Inc.
3000 University Ave. SE. Suite 120
Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612) 436-0449

MN Quilters Email

Introducing "the Big Easy Tote" with all its bells and whistles!

2009-04-26T14:30:00.009-05:00

Click any photo for larger view.

Pattern front Cover

Pattern back cover

Version #1 shows the Basic Tote
with 2 exterior pockets and multiple interior pockets.

Version #2 shows 1 1/2" strips horizontally,
aka Moda's Honey Buns™

Version #3 shows 2 1/2" strips vertically,
aka Moda's Jelly Rolls™

Version #4 shows 5" Charms

Version #5 shows hand pieced hexagons and the
fusible applique' horse head.

Version #5 shows smaller hand pieced hexagons and the
fusible applique' horse head.

Makes a darn good grocery getter!

This bag has lots of options with many variations to explore. I hope you will give it a try and let this Scrap-bags™ pattern be the canvas for your creativity~

This pattern will be ready to ship by next Saturday.
So place your order today and be one of the first to have this new pattern!
Orders accepted on my website… Scrap-bags.com