A new round of projects is on my design table...fabrics in luscious  colors and combinations all beaconing in rich, fall colors. around me. Alot of my collection is in bundles like this one……just waiting  to become something beautiful. I am enjoying using some of my small printed and worked pieces.The format of this completed bag on the dressform  is like framing a favorite canvas and getting to wear it around. I enjoy picturing the whole view and asking myself: how does this become part of the neckline of my clothing? -and: is the   scale a good fit for my fall wardrobe? A bag project is no different than a good meal. They are both about design combinations, contrasts , accents etc. -So when I  open the  bundles, new details get folded into the mix, like closures, cords  collage details etc. the collection on the left started with a stenciled painted piece that I accented with fabric pens(Pain&Tee Juice Pens by Jacquard Fabric  Products). I find that I work with a collection  of  basic shapes and often refer to my Pacific Purse  Pattern #201. It is still warm here in Ashland, Oregon…..and I am enjoying this new pocket/ bag over my linen shirts as I look forward to wearing more of my  fall wardrobe.

Fall Retreats are coming up!  -Join me in Chicago- Some of you will be joining me this month in  Taos for a week of Design Outside the Lines with Marcy Tilton. I will be in the Chicago area (at the Pheasant Run Resort) for a creative sewing and surface design retreat: Oct 5-9th. The focus will be  design play and creativity.  Learn my techniques for  inspiring your sewing projects as we fold in surface design and embellishment .  Join me and  lets infuse your winter projects with inspiration, style and new directions to  discover. For more information and to register: http://www.sewingexpo.com/Sewing Retreat.aspx ENJOY THE FALL. Warm Regards, Diane

July 9th- The Art of Re•Cycled Couture- Time to update your summer wardrobe? • Limited time & budget to make it           happen? • Love to piece & play with fabrics? • Want to wear FUN stuff?! From new buttons to a bit of sewing and cutting you’ll learn how to keep the great design details plus the short cuts to turning the clothing you don’t wear into your new favorites! Whether you are a novice or a seasoned sewer, this session is sure to inspire and your summer wardrobe: Bring that garment you can’t bare to give away , some sewing supplies  and join us for this informative & inspiring class. 1-4 pm  Lecture/trunk show & hands-on = $45.00 1-2:30 pm (Lecture/trunk show only: = $25.00) Linen Jacket: After July 14- Textile Lab-          Meets: 1-4pm @ $12. Per hr/1 hr min. Back by popular demand… Bring whatever projects, materials and ideas you have, use our machines and get Diane’s creative and technical help. The labs are help sessions for projects you are working on-not formal classes. Meets in the Art Center classroom.

Pens & Paint on canvas

July 17th- Fabric Printing with Stencils-       1-4pm = $40.00 (plus materials fee*) New to fabric printing and ready to get started You’ll learn to use fabric paints, stencils and fabric pens to create patterns on ready to wear or fabrics for collage. Stenciling is a great technique for combining with other fiber/ fabric techniques. You will make a collection of samples and learn to express your own design style with this quick and easy printing method. Diane will share lots of samples of printed fabrics and finished pieces in class. NO Experience needed- you’ll have a great time! *Materials Fee=$15. includes fabric paints & pens, stencils to use, some fabric pieces to print, plates, paper towels and sponges for printing. Bring ideas & something to print: garment etc. Aug 11- Textile Lab-            Meets: 3-6pm @ $12. Per hr/1 hr min. Back by popular demand… Bring whatever projects, materials and ideas you have, use our machines and get Diane’s creative and technical help. The labs are help sessions for projects you are working on-not formal classes. Meets in the Art Center classroom. Aug. 13th- The Arty Summer Apron-                                        Meets: 1-4pm= $45.00 For cooking or as a fashion statement, the apron is a great canvas where you can let your creative ideas go wild. Bring trims, notions, vintage linens and lace…or maybe those old levis and unfinished rolled up paintings in the garage- all perfect starters for your unique apron design. You may want to work up an apron around a theme like Asian images or an homage your pet. Old zippers, buttons and embroidery thread can be used as decorative elements too. Fun and easy to make. You’ll get 3 apron patterns to trace off in class. For inspiration, Diane will share her collection of Arty aprons. Open to newbies and veteran sewers too. -All classes will meet in the Ashland Art Center classroom or Studio #7- BIO. DIANE ERICSON, a seasoned designer, will share tips, ideas and design techniques to assist you. Summer is a great time to move those stagnant sewing projects along. As a long-time contributor to the sewing industry through workshops and magazine articles, her focus is always on how to build your skills as a sewer/designer while you learn to express a more creative, personal look. See her work in Studio #7 in the Ashland Art Center Questions or to register for any of the *sessions: diane@dianeericson.com or 541-227-8680 *For an optimum experience, group size will be limited so reserve early.

Greetings Creative friends! Sewing Retreat in Chicago-Oct.5-8th Lots of new things are in the works…one of them will be a workshop/retreat in the Chicago area early in October. It will be a small group with lots of hands-on and personal attention for each participant. The focus will be tuning  your design eye and expanding your creativity with surface design & fabric techniques. The Original Quilt & Sewing Expo team is dynamite and I am looking forward to working them again. If you are interested in more information and registration, here is the link: http://www.sewingexpo.com/SewingRetreat.aspx Design Outside the Lines in Taos-Sept. 25-29 This is a favorite location  for The Design Outside the Lines Retreat. Marcy Tilton and I are celebrating our 12th year of teaching together. As the Aspen and Poplar  trees turn bright yellow against that turquoise sky with white puffy clouds…I am  feeling what has always inspired so many artists  and writers to call this area home. We will  come together in  the adobe studio at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House for lots of creative play, inspiration,  new  and re-newed friendships. For more information and registration: http://www.dianeericson.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ReVisions&Product_Code=class-DOL-Taos&Category_Code=Retreats For more retreat information & photos (…and great fabric) : see Marcy’s site: www.marcytilton.com On my Design Table this month: Folding more drawing & printing into my bag designs My stenciling techniques are changing. I am combining more paper mask shapes with my stencil designs as I print-then drawing into the images with Tee Juice Pens from Jacquard (www.teejuice.com) for line and big poka dots! very easy and fun in even more great colors now. I combine my printed fabrics with more fabric collage, stitching buttons and other embellishment. Here is one of my studio walls with a display of finished bags CORRECTION: My last blog, called At Home in the Nest ( see my homepage to view it) featured a note about my sister, Kris, who is a fabulous craftswoman and creates whimsical birdhouses. The link was incorrect. Here is the correct link to see her collection of work: www.birdshackjunction.com enjoy, Diane