Digital Divas Seminar:

Take Better Photos, Then Organize Those Digital Images

* Half Day Seminar

In a series of step-by-step digital presentations, you'll learn tips for shooting better photos and consider the differences between phones and point-and-shoot cameras. Can't find your favorite photos among all the ones you've taken? I will share my simple system for organizing images on your computer. This seminar includes a preview of which features you are most likely to really use in Photoshop Elements.

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Embellished Cross-Body Bag

* All Day Class

* Hand Stitching

* Kit Provided

This charming bag holds your phone, keys and mad money. Start with hand dyed cotton and a vintage postcard transfer from Diane's personal collection, then hand embellish with stitchery, beads and trims to your heart's content. Kit comes in several colors and includes all materials plus easy sew-together instructions.

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Words of Wisdom: a Little Book of Design Inspiration

* All Day Class with option of two days

* Kit and most supplies provided

Spend a "mixed media play day" creating an artist-quote-filled book of papers and fabrics collaged onto tag pages. Pre-printed directions fit on the reverse of each page! Explore some key design principles while you experiment with rubber stamping, embossing, wrapping, rubbings, unusual attachments, pockets & doors, fusing papers and fabrics to each other, and working with trapped bits. Work with watercolor sticks and crayons, rubber stamp inks, embossing powders and fibers.

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Crazy Techniques

* One, Two or Three-Day Class

* Sewing Machine Required

Start a small quilt, a vest or an evening bag while exploring the ins and outs of crazy quilting. This versatile technique lends itself to a wide range of fabrics, plain or fancy. Left unembellished, the asymmetrical patchwork can be fun to quilt. It also is an interesting background for appliqué. If you enjoy enriching the surface, machine and hand embroidery, beading and just about any other type of embellishment are all possibilities. Best of all, there are no points to match!

Diane's method focuses on the creation of irregular "units" which are joined to create crazy-pieced fabric large enough for whatever you wish to make. Unlike most methods, which result in heavy, stiff patchwork, there will be no muslin stabilizer, so the crazy-piecing drapes beautifully for garments.

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Trash Bag Quilting

* Sewing Machine Required

One of Diane's signature techniques. Bring your fabric scraps and any odds and ends of lace, trims, yarns, buttons, and sequins. Diane will show you how to create wonderful textured and quilted fabric while you learn the basics of free motion quilting. The trims are included in the finished fabric without sewing them on individually! You will also discover some interesting ways to use the pattern stitches built into your sewing machine. This is a wonderful class for those who did not do well in traditional machine quilting classes.

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Crazy Quilted Pins & Pendants

* Hand Sewing

* Kit of finishing supplies provided

Start with simple hand piecing (just one or two short seams) and then concentrate on the fun of embroidery, beading and embellishment. Your options include traditional crazy quilt embroidery, silk ribbon embroidery, dimensional beading, button clusters, and beaded dangles. You will learn all the techniques for neatly and beautifully finishing your pin or pendant. Make one for yourself or create a lovely gift.

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Introduction to
Paper & Fabric Collage

* No Sewing Machine Required

Try out this easy and fascinating technique -- or find some new directions for your collage-making. Create a series of small collages while you have fun playing with scraps of paper, fabric, and found objects. We'll explore design concepts such as line, shape, pattern, and rhythm. Your collages can become note cards, gift items, or inspiration for your next quilt.

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Fun Fabric Postcards and ATCs

* Zigzag Sewing Machine Required

* Kit Provided

Yes, you really can send them through the mail! Transform fabric scraps, fusible web and thread into landscapes, holiday and birthday postcards. Learn the tricks for mastering some basic edge finishes and experiment with adding bits of paper to the mix. Then with the leftovers, we'll make some Artist Trading Cards, highly-addictive little collages that are perfect for experimenting with new techniques or design themes.

If you prefer, we can do this class without the ATC module and focus exclusively on the fabric postcards.

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Holiday Memories Tag Book

* All Day Class

* Optional hand sewing

* Some supplies provided

Holidays and special occasions will be the inspiration for an easy, artful tag book with your family memories and traditions recorded on the back of each page. Transform shipping tags into beautiful collaged pages using paints, papers and scraps of fabric. Experiment with rubber stamps, embossing powder, metallic dresdens and watercolor crayons. The individual tags also make unique decorations.

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Gardening With Ribbons

* Hand Sewing

* Kit Provided

Based on the book "Gardening with Ribbons" (QRI Publications) which Diane co-wrote with her friend Bonnie Benson.

Create gorgeous dimensional flowers and leaves from shaded wire edged ribbons. You will learn about the types and styles of wire edged ribbons while completing a beautiful pin. Students will leave the class with a whole range of extra flowers and leaves. There will be lots of ideas for garments, quilts, and other projects.

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Power Point Presentations

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I Love a Challenge

Challenges are a quilt guild tradition that also works for mixed media groups and individuals. Let's take a new look at this wonderful bonding exercise that can spur new friendships and encourage participants to try something new. Diane shares lots of ideas for themes and approaches, as well as tips for keeping everyone excited, on track and meeting deadlines.

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Lace-Smuggling Dogs & Embroidery Fads:

The Secret Life of Your Embellishments

Take a tour through history and discover fascinating stories about embellishments such as lace and buttons. Why did certain colors rise and fall in popularity and how did it affect the changing styles of embroidery? Learn who made or used these items and where they lived. You'll see examples of both antique and contemporary quilts and fashions that highlight embellishments.

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...And Somehow I Ended Up a Fiber Artist

Starting out with a B.S. in Fashion Design, Diane continues to explore many paths, creating quilts, wearables and collage art. This overview of her work illustrates how, like most artists, certain techniques and design themes keep reappearing.

All of her Fairfield and Bernina Fashion Show outfits are included in the presentation.

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The Romance of the Crazy Quilt

How did the fad for these heavily embroidered confections start? Why do today's quilters find the technique so fascinating? And why are they called "Crazy" quilts? Diane answers these questions and more as she guides you on a historical tour from Victorian days to the present through a series of beautiful slides.

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