Andrea Zuill’s Blog

   I was reading the magazine Quilt Mania and I came across a new embroidery product called Transfer Eze.  With Transfer Eze you can put a sheet into your computer (like a normal sheet of paper) and print your embroidery pattern.  Once this is done you peel that backing material off then stick the film, with the image, onto your fabric. When you finish stitching your design you use cold water to get rid of the film, leaving just your stitching and fabric. 

   Here is my step by step on using Transfer Eze and the results.

  Using my regular, cheap HP printer I printed my design onto the Transfer Eze.

  I peeled off the backing paper and stuck the image on 100 % cotton muslin fabric.  The Transfer Eze was easy to apply. As you can see I didn’t iron my fabric and the film adhered very nicely.

  Printing on the Transfer Eze was very easy and left a nice, dark and clear pattern.  Transfer Eze feels like a paper fabric.

  No problem putting the fabric and the Trans. Eze into my hoop.  The Trans. Eze feels like having your fabric applied to a stabilizer.

  Very little trouble with stitching.  There is some extra resistance  but probably not much different than using a stabilizer.  I have major carpel tunnel and stitching with Trans. Eze didn’t bother me a bit.

  You can see the texture of the Trans. Eze in this photo.   I tend to manhandle my work so I was glad to find that I had no lifting or releasing of the Trans. Eze while stitching.

  Completed stitched design with Trans. Eze still attached to fabric.

After stitching, peel and cut away extra Trans. Eze. 

  Lastly, after clipping the extra Trans. Eze off I soaked my fabric in cold water.  The directions states that it takes 5 to 10 minutes to remove the film, but it dissolved much faster on my project.

The only problem I had with Transfer Eze is that Trans. Eze film was like having a very thin spacer between the stitching and fabric. When I removed the film my stitches weren’t as tight as I would like to be.  I believe I could improve the tension of my stitches with practice.   Maybe this tension problem happens with stabilizers too?  I just don’t know. 

Remember, if you try Transfer Eze practice on a sample first.  The results I had may not be the same for everyone and every fabric.

The only place I could find Transfer Eze was at Original Creations Quilt Shop.  Here is their info.:

Original Creations Quilt Shop, 16863 Highline Blvd., Cut and Shoot, TX, 77306

phone: 956-491-5650

Email;   jerry@originalcreationsquiltshop.com

Website: http://www.originalcreationsquiltshop.com/home.htm  ,  Their website is a little hard to use.  If you click on Transfer Eze it doesn’t take you anywhere. 

I think I want to write a book.  A craft book to be more specific.  But, here’s the thing, I don’t know what kind of craft book. 

Here is what I think I am good at:

Designing. I think that I am pretty ok with designing embroidery and quilt patterns.

Choosing colors.  It took a long time, but I got a handle on it.

Finding a simple, none fussy way to create quilt and fabric art.  This includes how to design, compose and choose colors.

What I am not good at:

Sewing projects like purses, pillow cases and potholders.

Creating projects in general.

Ugh, I need help.  Let me know what you would want from me. 

  So you have seen my blog on Thunder Mountain in Imlay, NV.  Now I present you with another type of personal expression in architecture.  When traveling not too far from Thunder Mountain I spotted another unusual group of buildings.   We were traveling thru ranchlands in Yerington, NV. (more…)

     I’m having a coffee house show at Blue Mug in Escondido, CA.  I haven’t done one of these in quite awhile.

  The fun part is to sit in the cafe and watch people look and comment on your art without knowing that the artist is sitting right there.  A bit of a voyeur, I am. 

  At  art openings only the people that like your art will talk to you.  You get a  one-sided  view of how people feel about your art.  It’s interesting to hear why they DON’T like your work. You can overhear how they feel about the color, subject matter, and composition of your work.  It’s interesting hearing their views no matter how much a complete idiot they are.

Being an anonymous observer also makes it easier to follow people out to their cars.

 Oh yah!  No one had to remind me.   I remembered the monthly pattern.

Here is a fun little owl pattern.  I hope you have fun with it!

Click on image to get the full size pattern.

  I have had a lot on my mind lately.  I have another art show coming up at Galleri Urbane in Marfa, TX.   I need to ship out several pieces this week and then finish up several more paintings.  When I paint I get into a weird frame of mind.  It’s like I go through the world with blinders.  A sort of tunnel vision that allows only thoughts regarding my paintings.  My house is a mess, I eat poorly and let’s face it I get pretty bitchy. 

At night I really want to rest my mind.  I find peace and calm in designing prints.  You may have notice that many of my recent blogs feature new prints.  As emotionally wrenching my paintings are for me, creating prints is playful and fun.  I need both in my life.  They help create a fragile balance in my life. 

So, as you can see, I have designed yet another chickadee print.  You never can go wrong with birds.  This print is not for sale yet. 

Can there be too many images of little girls with antlers?   Discuss……

Just kidding.  I wanted to try to create a image totally designed on the computer.  I was trying for a Golden Book illustration look.  I call her Mother Nature’s Youngest Daughter in hopes that I might create a series of Mother Nature’s daughters.  I haven’t decided if the series will actually happen.  The style is very different from my other work.

  I have wanted to do a hummingbird print for quite a while.  Anyone who has had dealings with hummers knows what the crown is all about.   A couple years ago I went to Grey Feather Lodge in New Mexico.  Grey Feather is a bird watcher’s haven.  They have a large porch from which they hang a ton of hummingbird feeders.  There must have been a hundred or more Hummers.  It was somewhat terrifying.  It was like being swarmed by a hundred really large, angry bees.  Luckily, they don’t sting, but there were a few times that I thought that I might leave the lodge with new piercings.  If you are ever in this situation don’t get between a hummer and his feeder.   You have been warned.

For best view click on the images.

Limited Edition Print: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23262598

The first 5 month class in quilting is over.  I getting ready to start the next session on  March 7th.  I thought I would share with you how some of the the students are doing.  I forgot my camera on the the last day of class.   Luckly one of the students, Lee, was able to use her phone’s camera to get these images.  Not all the students are represented here. Some people where missing in action since there are a lot a bugs going around. 

Starting March 7th and then every first Saturday of the month I will have Art Quilt classes (10-1:00) and Hand Embroidery Classes (1:30 to 3:30) on the same day.  I am using my students work as bait to lure you in. Let me know if it is working. 

I would love to take totally credit on how wonderful these quilts are turning out, but Lori, Lee, Allison and Renate’ would kill me.  I mean it,  they are a rough crowd. 

  This whimsical cat quilt is by Lori.  First Art quilt ever!

  The ever dark and disturbed Renate’ is into haunted vegetables.  This is the beginning of a poltergeist radish quilt.  Feel the Evil.

  Lee’s cheery little bird looks like the song, Walking on Sunshine, is playing in it’s head.  I wish I had a detailed image.  The embroidery is amazing!

If you are interested in me taking credit for your art quilts or taking classes please contact Quilters Paradise, 760 738-9677 or check out their website:  http://www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/(7http://www.quiltersparadiseesc.com/60) 738-967760) 738-96770) 738-9677

  I have the sample completed for the quilt we will be making in the class I am teaching at The Crafter’s Studio in Santa Cruz, CA.

  You probably recognize that it is based on my Black Rabbit Quilt.  It is a very petite quilt, since we will only have 2 days to complete it.  Completely Hand Sewn!

  It is fun working at this size.  I think I might do more petite quilts. 

  The beautiful background fabric was purchased at Hart’s Fabrics in Santa Cruz, CA.  I love this store and bought a huge amount of material from them the last time I was there.  Here is their website: http://hartsfabric.com/

For more information about my class at The Crafter’s Studio in Santa Cruz, CA you can find them at http://www.thecraftersstudio.com/. Navigate to the Textiles :: Embroidery page

Here is a direct link: Click here to link to the my quilt class info

If you can’t find the listing for my class on the website please call them at 831 421-9605. 

The class is on October 25 and 26, 2008,  1:00 to 6:00.  You will need both days to complete the quilt.  You will  learn how I make my quilts and complete the Black Bird Quilt.