That’s right.  I’m going to be hosting small “gourmet” workshops in my own home studio.

I’m really excited about the idea. I love to teach….but traveling and teaching can be very exhausting, and I often thought how nice it would be to have  small, focused classes for those who were interested in that kind of instruction. All of a sudden not too long ago it dawned on me…..why not host them myself in my own studio!

All the pieces just seem to fall into place….I have a lovely studio with room for a few people to work, I love hosting people in my home, one of my passions is teaching, and I have a relaxing, rural setting for students to enjoy as welll. Perfect! It seems like a natural.

My goal is to offer a  unique workshop experience to those who are interested in focusing on specific aspects of their work….depending on the class topic. Classes will be for three or four students, and it’s not just for advanced quilters or quilt artists. They are for those of any level who are taking their work seriously enough to want to spend two or three days doing just that in a supportive atmosphere with lots of personal instruction and time to work and progress. As a teacher, I’m excited to see the progress my students can make with this almost tutorial type of class setting.

Another thing that I love about the idea is the flexibility. I have set aside dates and topics for workshops…..but if you and several friends want a different topic in those dates, I’m fine with that. Or…if there’s something that you’re interested in fousing on that’s not one of the classes I’m offering, I’m happy to chat about that. If it’s something I think I can help you with…..it’s definitely possible.

The classes will focus on building technique and skills, not in completing an actual project. I’m beginning with three workshop topics……

Design First I……a basic design class for those who haven’t had one….and a great review for those who have. I believe strongly that design has to come first, and I’ve had a number of requests to offer a design class. I’ve found that many contemporary or art quilters today have evolved to this from a traditional quilting background and haven’t actually taken formal classes in design as they would have with an art background. That’s what this class is about….filling that gap. Or starting to anyway! Two-day workshop plus a night before get together and three meals….$225.

Putting on the Glitz….will be all about using decorating and metallic threads with your own machine and perfecting those stitching skills. Believe it or not….there are steps to go through with your machine and tools that make it possible for everyone to sew with those drive-you-crazy-’cause-they-break-every-few-seconds glitzy threads. And then there’s the beads…..we’ll learn not how to put them on…but where and when to add beads to create the maxium effect. Two-day workshop plus night before get together and three meals…$225.

Creating with Collage…. my personal technique of choice…using a layering technique to build a composition with pieces cut with a scissors. It’s fun, fabulous, and freeing….a great way to loosen up no matter what your personal style. I love teaching it and am looking forward to having small classes to dive right into it. Three day classes plus night before get together and five meals….$325

Now you’ve got the basics down…..there is more information to come and I’m happy to send dates, details as to cost, supplies,  class itineraries, accomodations and travel info etc. etc. You know, all the essential details. If you’d like to receive the brochure and added information…..just email me at

pamelamostek@gotsky.com

and I’ll send it all to you pronto. I’m schedulig only one or two classes each month (occassionally none because of my already busy schedule) so if you’re interested….don’t hesitate to inquire. Like I said….everything’s flexible…and I love the idea of that!

Here’s a look  at the area outside my studio door….a great place for a stroll when you want a little break from working.

 Drop me a line if I can answer any questions…..I hope to hear from you….I’d love to have you along.

Meet Green with Envy, one of my two entries accepted into this summer’s Quiltfest, sponsored by the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters.

It’s a great show, and I’m pleased to have my work as part of the exhibit. If you live in the Northwest, and haven’t yet visited the show…….you’d better make this your year!  Check out the info below…which is from their website. They said it perfectly…so why should I try to reword it!

Since August of 1994, every two years Seattle is host to the Pacific Northwest Quiltfest, a biennial juried and judged international competition among quiltmakers of Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Northwest Territories, Oregon, Washington and Yukon. The quilt show takes thousands of man hours, hundreds of volunteers and showcases over 300 of the finest quilts in the Pacific Northwest region.

There are many talented and well-known quilt artists from this wonderful part of the country, and many of them will be in the show. There will be outstanding quilts of all types….from the very traditional to cutting edge art quilts. That’s the kind of show that I enjoy…..a little of everything.

My other entry is Five Apples ….quite a bit different than the abstract quilt above, huh. I like working both ways but probably enjoy the abstract the most.

The show is August 8-10, and I’ll be attending with three of my friends….kind of a girlfriend trip. All of us are involved in the professional quilting world….so just to go to a show for FUN is a great treat. No booth, no teaching, no meetings….just a fun weekend with lots of quilts to see and fabulous vendors to buy from. It doesn’t get better than that.

For more information about the show….checkout their website at www.apnq.org

Hey, maybe I’ll see you at the show! I’ll watch for you!

Once in awhile a project comes along that’s just sooooo much fun. I just completed one of those.

Bernina of America invited twelve designers  to “bling” or embellish one of their sewing machines (which they provided, of course!) We were to embellish and decorate these machines…as long as at least a portion of the glitz was sewing-related.

The completed machines are to be auctioned off at Bernina University (their annual  training and sales meeting for dealers throughout the country) The proceeds of the auction will go to the American Heart Association.

What an opportunity! Actually being INVITED to redecorate a sewing machine with glitz and bling…..and to have the results go to a great cause. Naturally I was thrilled to be included.

Here’s what we started with…..a Bernina activa model. It looks pretty pitifully plain in its original state  compared to what it looked like after I worked it over!

And so I began…. I wanted my Blinged Bernina to resemble my own quilt style if possible. Lots of big flowers and a collage technique was my focus. I used my new fabric line French Flowers as the fabric.

 Remember the old Mod Podge days of maybe the ’70′s. I haven’t used the stuff since way back then….but it was the first thing I thought of for doing a collage effect on the machine.

I throughly enjoyed playing in all this messy stuff. It was a lovely summer day….hot but not too hot…and I took it all outside on my patio to work. It doesn’t get much better than this!

I was lucky enough to have the “assistance” of my very creative seven-year old granddaughter Josie….who was very appreciative of my efforts! She has a very good eye……and I always love having her help.

In the end, I think it does resemble one of my quilts…..I cut out many of the flowers leaves and details for the collaged look.

The focus of this creation is the flower on the front which I cut from the fabric and layered with Timtex between fabric layers. I used metalic threads to freemotion stitch and embellish….then added beads and a few crystals. Voila!  A fantasy flower ready to be glued to the front!

When everything was covered with a floral fantasy, on came the layers of the Magic Mod Podge to give that kind of shiny effect.

And, of course, it wouldn’t really be Bling without a few, or more, crystals here and there. Here’s the finished portrait….

Thanks, Bernina….for a great time and the opportunity to be part of a great benefit .