Lyric Kinard's new Thermofax 101 DVD + a Giveaway

Have you ever printed with a Thermofax screen? Have you wondered what all the hype among fiber artists is for these printing goodies? My friend Lyric Kinard comes to your rescue with her new one-hour DVD called Thermofax 101. I've had the pleasure of working with Lyric in the past and I can tell you that she is an excellent and patient teacher. She explains things in a very approachable way and this DVD is the next best thing to having her at your elbow while you learn how easy it is to screen print on fabric with a Thermofax screen.

Lyric walks you through the fundamentals of designing imagery for your own screen, getting one created (she lists sources - it's so affordable!), the supplies you'll need, and how to print on fabric. You'll be amazed at how much fun it is and how quickly you can print unique, original fabric, in just the colors and patterns that you want.

This is a bee that I printed with a Thermofax screen! So fun!!

To celebrate the release of her new DVD, Lyric is giving away copies at each stop on the blog hop (the complete list is below - enter at each stop for the most chances to win). 

Leave a comment here before midnight on Monday, May 11 and tell me what is your favorite imagery to print - mine is insects (quelle surprise!) And remember to add your email address so I can contact you if you win - Lyric is shipping prizes to international readers too, so c'mon Aussie friends! Enter here and at each stop on the blog hop, there are 17 chances to win!

This blog tour is chock-a-block full of so many fabulous fiber artists and I just noticed that my friend Judy Gula is one of them. Judy and I will both be teaching in a few weeks at the Quilters Unlimited show, the biggest and best show in the DC area. You can see a complete list of the classes that I'm teaching on the QU website. 

Here are all the fun stops on the Thermofax 101 Blog Hop:

April 24 Cheryl Rezendez  

April 25  Leslie Tucker Jenison   

April 28  Sue Bleiweiss  

April 30  Judy Gula  

May 1  Susan Price & Elizabeth Gibson  

May 2  Judy Coates Perez  

May 4  Linda Stokes  

May 5  Jane Davila  (You're here now!)

May 6 Melanie Testa 

May 7  Liz Kettle  

May 8  Carol Sloan  

May 9  Kathy York  

May 11  Susan Brubaker Knapp  

May 12  Desiree Habicht  

May 13  Jamie Fingal 

May 14  Deborah Boschert  

May 15  Sarah Ann Smith  

Fun with Carrots + a Giveaway!

A few weeks back I reviewed a new book by Julie Booth, Fabric Printing at Home. Today I am back with a fun project from the book and a chance for you to win a copy of Fabric Printing at Home.

On page 53 I found an intriguing idea called Carrots Three Ways. I grabbed a carrot from the fridge, gathered some supplies, and got to work on one of the techniques.

For this project you need a firm carrot (preferably one that's got a section with an even diameter), a knife, and corn cob holders or bamboo skewers. Then you'll need some paint and a dauber or foam brush, and a surface to print on (fabric or paper).

Cut a section of the carrot that's as even in diameter as possible. This will result in a more even print. Eat the ends of the carrot or feed them to your bunny or guinea pig (optional).

Using the knife, cut designs into the carrot. The designs can be complicated or simple, regular or irregular. Have fun experimenting with this part! The cuts don't need to be very deep but leave a little bit of room between cuts for stability. Julie recommends peeling the carrot first for a smoother surface but I forgot that step in my excitement.

Insert the corn cob holders or pieces of bamboo skewers in the ends of the carrot to act as handles.

Dab on some paint and roll the carrot onto fabric or paper. It helps to have a cushy surface to print on, and it helps to print the first inking onto a scrap to test the amount of paint you've applied and to "prime" the surface of the carrot.

Fun with veggies! This has definite possibilities and I can't wait to try a whole bag of carrots with different designs cut into each one. Before I get started though I think I need to find the vegetable peeler and the corn cob holders…

There are SO many cool ideas just like this in Fabric Printing at Home! If you would like to win your own copy, please leave a comment below by the end of the day on Friday, February 13. Make sure to include your email address so I can contact you for your mailing address.

The blog tour continues tomorrow on Carol Eaton's blog, and the full schedule is below. There are 14 (fourteen!) chances to win a copy of Julie's lovely book, one at each blog stop on the tour. Julie has wonderful tutorials and additional giveaways on her blog each day of the tour, so don't forget to head over there every day.

February 2: Lisa Chin

February 3: Lynn Krawczyk

February 4: Jane Davila

February 5: Carol R. Eaton

February 6: Judy Gula

February 7: Susan Purney Mark

February 8: Teri Lucas

February 9: Jennifer Coyne Qudeen

February 10: Deborah Boschert

February 11: Lynda Heines

February 12: Cheryl Sleboda

February 13: Terri Stegmiller

February 14: Jackie Lams

Review - Fabric Printing at Home

I want to tell you about a cool new book that I've just read - Fabric Printing at Home by Julie Booth. As you know, I love printmaking, almost any kind of printmaking, but especially printmaking with found objects and produce. This book has tons of creative ideas for both - and it goes way beyond the potato prints we all remember from elementary school! Julie describes in detail how to take every day objects that most of us already have in our kitchens and pantries and use them to create gorgeous, sophisticated printed fabrics. She gives in-depth instructions and suggestions, and provides lots of inspirational photos.

There are lots of things I've never thought of before, like creating texture plates with baker's clay (she includes a recipe), printing a nifty background design with corn on the cob (put the cob in the same holders you use to eat it, daub on some paint, and roll the paint-covered cob across your fabric, ta da!), creating "marbled" designs with cabbage, and making printing plates with wax paper and flat objects like string, leaves, and paper clips. Broccoli may not be your favorite vegetable now, but it just might be after you see how you can print with it.

Fabric with a corn cob printed background

You can bet that I'll be scouring the produce aisle on my next trip to my local super market for fruits and veggies to print. It'll be a toss up on whether this book ends up in my studio or my kitchen. I'm much more likely to be printing in the kitchen than cooking and this book is the perfect recipe book to get my creative juices simmering.