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A Few of Judy’s Favorite Things...
As Judy is packing up in preparation for her trip to Houston (visit Artistic Artifacts in Booth 861 at the International Quilt Festival, October 31-November 3 at the George R. Brown Convention Center!) she has been musing about some of her favorite materials:
Havel’s Cutting Tools
“These are sharp scissors!” says Judy of Havel’s, high-quality tools engineered from Japanese stainless steel double ground edges that cut fabric precisely all the way to the tip. “I have replaced all my scissors with Havel’s: first the Curved Embroidery, then the 8” Dressmaker Shears, and last their Teflon Coated scissors. The latter have turned out to be my favorite! I use them with paper and fabric, sticky stuff or not. We all know that it is better to apply fusible to the fabric before we cut the shape out. Using the Teflon scissors will allows for sliding around a motif where it might otherwise stick. Try them, you will notice the difference!” Shop all Havel’s Cutting Tools »
Mistyfuse Fusible
“Mistyfuse has been my go-to fusible for some time now. It is a lightweight fusible that not only works wonders with thin fabrics but is strong enough for cottons, and heavier fabrics. I use it all the time. And the perfect accessory to Mistyfuse is a Goddess sheet,” says Judy of the slick, Teflon® coated sheer fiberglass craft sheet, available in three sizes: Small (16½" x 10¾"), Large (17¾" x 24") and Fat (21" x 27")]. “I leave my Goddess Sheet and my supply of Mistyfuse next to my ironing station so both are always at hand.” Shop all fusibles, stabilizers and related accessories »
Black and White Fabrics
 “Black and White fabrics are color neutral — but just add black and white patterned fabric into your mix of colored fabrics for any fiber project and you will see a immediate pop in the colors!” notes Judy. “I love the results I get when I overdye this fabric (often including these hand-dyed treasures in my Fiber Collage Kits), and I justify its ever-increasing presence in my stash for that reason.” Recently Judy has been exploring some additional ways to color black and white fabric: letting her nieces and nephew loose with Copic markers and the dynamic Ink Thicket by Frond Designs — see her latest blog posting for more.
Still More New Tim Holtz Fabric!
 Artistic Artifacts is delighted to offer additional new patterns of Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements 100% cotton fabric. And if you can’t decide on one pattern, his new design packs might fit the bill: we now stock three different collections, each available in 6" and 12" sizes, that offer 8 different patterns per set. These pre-cut squares are perfect for a wide variety of projects! Plus for jelly roll fans, we have his design roll, which contains one strip of every pattern and colorway — 24 different 2½" wide, 44" long strips.
If you see a pattern you like, we recommend placing your order quickly — even our suppliers are having trouble keeping it in stock! View additional Tim Holtz products »
Ribbon on Sale
 We have further discounted our fun and distinctive felt floral ribbon on sale in our shop: just 50¢ per yard and available in several colors! Brighten up your sewing projects, fiber or mixed media art — and of course even traditional gift wrapping. As part of our upcycled clothing/simple sewing classes, we have some sweater craft classes upcoming and think the felt texture of this floral ribbon would make a wonderful trim for such projects — adhere with Mistyfuse: the light weight of Judy’s favorite fusible will melt into your project, allowing this openwork design to shine!
Fiber & Mixed Media Classes at Artistic Artifacts
Learn new techniques, experiment with new mediums and go home with a wonderful new piece of art by registering for our wide variety of classes.
- Saturday, November 2: Tin Critters and Creatures with Laura Hummel — Create your own one of a kind art sculpture using new or vintage food tins, drawer pulls, knobs, rusty items, wire and so much more!
- Also on Saturday, November 2: Turn Your Photos into Thermofax Screens with PG Fiber2Art — Use Photoshop Elements (software and laptop required) to turn your own photos into images that can be used to make thermofax screens.
- Saturday, November 9: Studio Tech Basics: 6 Edge Finishes with Cyndi Souder — In this technique class you’ll create a sampler of binding methods to finish art and traditional quilts.
- Tuesday, November 12: Upcycled Textile Shirt with Leslie Brier — Using simple sewing skills, suitable even for beginners, you will piece together your own one of a kind altered art to wear.
- Saturday, November 16: Crazy Quilted Pins & Pendants with Diane Herbort — Start with simple hand piecing and then concentrate on the fun of learning traditional embroidery, beading and embellishment skills with a contemporary twist.
- Also on Saturday, November 16: Gelli Printing with Susan Gantz — Learn to print on a Gelli Arts™ Gel Printing Plate, a process that offers you spontaneity and creates wonderful painterly effects on both fabric and paper.
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