Althea's Creative Adventure

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-03-26T22:12:00.001-07:00

Tropical Winds - Again

2008-03-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a second Tropical Winds pillow with the colors more appropriate to the theme. The design was inspired by satellite images of a Hurricaine in Florida with the colors representing the regeneration after the devastation caused by the storm.

Certification - First Phase

2008-03-08T20:57:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report that I have successfully completed the first phase of the certification process!! Stay tuned for more...

Desert Turquoise

2008-02-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

My third and final pillow required for certification is now complete! Christopher's inspiration for this pillow was a necklace with a center brooch of Turquoise with running Rhinestones being worn by a friend. The pillow's texture looks like stone after the punching and scribble stitching with both rayon and metallic threads. It is the first pillow that I have made that the outside fringe is custom made. I used several types of yarn, including ribbon yarn and metallic serger thread (Candlelight).

The certification process is almost over... I'll soon know!

Tropical Winds

2008-02-02T23:37:00.000-08:00

This pillow was not one that was required for the Master Group. It is one that was developed when Christopher was watching satellite images of a Hurricaine in Florida where he lives. This is my version of it.

Exciting News!

2008-02-02T23:24:00.000-08:00

In addition to working toward graduation to become certified teachers of Christopher Nejman's pillow techniques, there will be a punching contest with great prizes!!

All who graduate will be able to enter the contest which will be judged by some of the most well known sewing world folks! We don't know the project and we'll only have a short time to complete it....exciting but a bit stressful to even think about.

I'll think I'll just focus on graduating for now....

RA - Egyptian Sun God

2008-02-02T22:38:00.001-08:00

This was the second pillow assigned from Christopher's book. It is quite large, but fun to do. The punching made the satin look like suede.

Harem of Color 2

2008-02-02T22:38:00.000-08:00

What a difference it makes when you follow the guidelines! Applying what I learned from the first one, I am much happier with this one.

I would love to have feedback on my blog, so please leave a comment or email me at altheak7@gmail.com.

Harem of Color 1

2008-02-01T00:05:00.000-08:00

The Harem of Color pillow was the first one assigned to the group. There was a theme, and the techniques used are the ones that we needed to master since they would be used throughout the course.

So, on to the fabric store to find many colors and types of fancy fabrics to get started. Satins, Dupioni Silk, Polyester silkies, lining fabrics! Only small amounts were needed, so I had fun checking out the remnant bins and found lots of treasures.

The pillow above is the result. I thought it looked pretty good and I was hooked! However, it didn't measure up to the standard. The front fireworks fringe is not in the center, the black loops that you see are too large. It was a good learning experience... so onward and upward. It's rather humbling not to be perfect!!

I'll be posting the follow up HOC pillow next. Stay tuned!

The Book and DVD - Road Maps

2008-01-31T23:41:00.000-08:00

Christopher Nejman's book, Pillows - Designer Sewing Techniques and the DVD of him on the Sewing with Nancy TV show became my road maps as I got started on this adventure. They soon became the texts for the online class, along with the DVD being a visual for the techniques.

The book contains the written guidelines that compliment the personal mentoring given so willingly by Christopher himself.

The Beginning

2008-01-30T20:37:00.000-08:00

A little over a year ago, I became aware of a new type of machine - the needle felting machine. I began to do a bit of research and discovered that needle felting had been around for a long time, but was primarily done by hand and with wool and wool roving. I continued my search, joining a couple of Yahoo groups for Machine Needle felting. It seemed that only the wool roving was being recommended. Then there were a couple of messages about a "Christopher Nejman" that was not using roving, but fancy fabrics to make pillows! The reference was to QNNTV.com where he could be seen via video. It took a while before I was actually able to view the video, but when I did, I knew that I had to learn more about him and his techniques.

When I was able to find his website and view the pillows, there was no doubt in my mind that I needed to learn to do this!!

In March, 2007, I purchased a Babylock Embellisher. Then in April, I found the Christopher Nejman Yahoo Group! I joined the group and ordered the book "Pillows" from Christopher's website and the DVD from Nancy's Notions. I made a pillow using the techniques found in the book and enjoyed the process. See photo above. What fun!!

The group soon became a classroom with Christopher teaching his techniques. Free online Training!! We had lessons, helpful critiques and encouragement as we were learning this new process and creating beautiful pillows. What an opportunity!

The adventure continues and I am enjoying every moment of it!

Welcome to my Blog!

2008-01-30T20:01:00.000-08:00

I am becoming a FCA (Fiber Construction Artist) and it is truly an adventure. Adventure is defined as an exciting undertaking that may involve risk. That certainly describes this creative adventure that I am involved in at this time in my life.