Have You tried…

• Titanium needles?  If not, you might want to give them a try.  They are more expensive than a standard needle, but they last 5 to 8 times longer.  Do the math and you will find in the long run they should save you up to 80% on needle cost.  Superior Threads is now carrying their own titanium needles but if you want to look for titanium needles locally, ask for Organ needles in most quilt and machine stores.  They can also be found in my store.  They come in most standard sizes so give them a try.
  
  
• Repositionable tape and glue sticks?  The repositionable tape is made by Scotch (look for a blue label) and the repositionable glue stick is made by 3M.  Both can be found at most office supply stores.  The repositionable tape can be removed from just about anything from tissue paper to water soluble stabilizer to photos to paper and can be removed without damaging the surface it was stuck to.  It can be removed and “restuck" over and over again.  It is especially useful when taping a drawing to a light box.  It can be used over and over and leaves no residue on the light box.  So give it a try.
  
  The repositionable glue stick works great as well although it does leave a slight residue behind.  However, for temporary projects it works great.
  
  
• Tsukineko inks?  These little giants are just way too much fun to play with and are very user friendly.  Available in small jars in a ton of colors they come with two types of Fantastix brushes – one with a pointed tip and one with a rounded top.
  
  Basically all you do is dip the brush in the ink, rub off most of the ink and ink away. Heat set for permanency.   I like to use a diagonal shader paint brush as well as it allows me to get into the corners of confined areas.  Price wise they are very affordable.
  
  Tsukineko also makes ink pads but they aren’t permanent so only use them on projects that won’t be washed.  Google them on the Internet and a zillion sites come up.  For more information go directly to www.tsukineko.com.
  
  
• Photoshop Elements version 7?  For those of you looking for a graphics program which won’t scare the daylights out of you, try Photoshop Elements.  This software works great for touching up or enhancing all your photographs and scanned documents.  Photoshop Elements is cost effective and can normally be found for around $100 at Costco. 
  
  There is a little learning curve but it is way more user friendly than earlier versions.  Photos and scanned documents can be adjusted, twisted, filtered, colorized, matted, cropped, enlarged and reduced….. the ideas are just endless.
  
  Some things you might not have thought of when using a graphic program:
  
  
  1. Need to repair a family or heirloom quilt?  Scan in a matching section of the quilt, adjust the color in Photoshop Elements and print out on fabric made for your ink jet printer.  If you have scanned and adjusted the scanned fabric carefully, the print of the fabric should be a perfect match to the damaged area.  Appliqué or hand stitch the “patch” and no one should be the wiser that the quilt was repaired.
  
  2. Need a small amount of fabric to finish your quilt?   Before you cut up your last remaining remnant of fabric, scan it, adjust the fabric in PE to match the original and print it out.  Great idea when there is no possibility of buying any more fabric.
  
  3. Need a quick quilt for a local charity or special project?  Make an 8 ½” x 8 ½” block, scan it bring it up into Photoshop Elements, adjust the color and print out as many blocks as you need to make your quilt.   This is a fast and easy way to make a child or grandchild’s quilt as well.
  
  So if you are looking for a graphics program try researching Photoshop Elements online and see what you think.

 Sharing Is Good!

Some of you have indicated that you have some fun facts that you would like to share with everyone.  So if you have a quilting, sewing or embroidery product or a tip you just can’t live without, then email me at Nancy@NancyPrince.com.

For products and ideas I use in future newsletters I will send you one of my Stitch Outs as a thank you. The Stitch Outis just that – it removes unwanted stitches from seams, thread or embroidery work or appliqué.  It is small enough to take anywhere.  So send your tips and ideas along – I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

How many times have we said that!  You know you saved the file a couple of months ago, but now you can't find it.  This happens most of the time because you can't remember the exact file name or the folder you put it in.

However, Microsoft Windows has a tool to help us (sorry Mac users I don't know the equivalent tool in your operating software) . Click here for the How-To     

Every so often, I come across examples of just how talented and creative people are.  The following link is one of those moments.  Enjoy!  Amazing artist!

I Leave You with This...

I just returned from teaching and lecturing at several terrific guilds west of Philadelphia.  After I gave  a lecture at one of the guilds, my hostess asked another member of the guild if she could take the speaker back to the hotel.  The guild member looked a little perplexed and said that she would be happy to but what would she do with "it" when she got "it" to the hotel.  Seems that my hostess was referring to me as the speaker and the member thought she was being asked to take a piece of equipment to the hotel.  Now I have been referred to a few things in my life, but never as a piece of equipment.  Anyway it was just way too funny so plan on hearing this story at upcoming lectures.  It was just too good!!

Keeping you in stitches, 

I would love to hear from you

Forward this message to a friend

Subscribe to Nancy's Newsletter