Blogging and Some Cleanup

Inspiration! New Ideas, and Spring Cleaning in the Fall...

I have been inspired. This inspiration is driven by my need to find organization. My current inspiration has been about how I would like this site to move forward.

This site has a lot of information about quilling and tools and techniques that can be found within my Quilling Blog. The reason for trying to organize this information is that I have found that it is not easy to find unless you know where it is. Since many people who visit are new to the site, they may not know where to look. So, I have undertaken a huge effort (at least on my part since I am not a webmaster) to reorganize this website and make finding the information much easier.

I am adding some links on the Left Sidebar for the following items:

• Quilling Information - - This is all about this site. I am organizing my information so that you will be able to easily find things like instructions for making the Quilling Shapes and links to the Free Patterns.
• Artist Spotlights - This is a monthly series where I select an artist in various genres and share them and their work with you. As I add new articles, I will post a link here so that you can easily find your favorite artist!
• Blogs I Read - The web is a fun place, find about some of the neat blogs I like to read.
• Subscribe Here - If you would like to be notified of changes to this blog you can get updates every time I add new content. You can get email updates by entering your email address (don't forget to reply to the email FeedBurner will send you so that you can complete the transaction) or you can receive an RSS feed by clicking on the orange RSS button. If you have a Google Home Page you can click on the Add to Google button.
• Recent Posts - A list of the last 10 posts that I have made
• Archives - A link for each month that I have added information to this site. Please click on the month to see everything for that month.
  

I sincerely hope that making these changes will help make finding the information you are looking for easier to find. You will see several posts today as I create additional posts that will help with this organization process.

Please comment on this post or send me an email if you have any suggestions or ideas.

Thank you,
Antonella :-)

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, free pattern, naqg

Copyright Antonella DeFalco

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Free Quilling Patterns

I have been adding Free Quilling Patterns to this site so that everyone can see how easy quilling is. These patterns are free for personal use. You can use them in any non-commercial way. You may not represent these patterns as your own nor sell them commercially. If you would like to use these patterns or sell them, please contact me and we can discuss your specific details.

Please click to learn the basics of quilling and to learn to make the quilled shapes.

Beginner Patterns (these patterns use only the basic coil and spiral shapes):

• 7 Petal Daisy - This is your basic Daisy pattern, quick and easy. A classic quilled design.
  

4 Daisy Patterns - In this post, I provide photo and instructions for 4 basic daisy patterns.

Daisy Pattern - yet another daisy pattern. This one is shown on a card to demonstrate how you can combine quilling with card making.

Turkey Pattern - this uses simple techniques, but was something new for me. A bit of an abstract attempt.

Christmas Poinsettia - Here is a simple Quilled Christmas Poinsettia project. This is a classic that is perfect to add a string and make an ornament to hang on your tree!

These patterns use a variety of techniques and shapes and are fun to try:

• Hot Air Balloon - Shows you how to use the fill-in technique to create a Hot Air Balloon
• Wedding Cake - Uses fringed flower and alternate side looping techniques to create some really beautiful flowers that adorn a wedding cake. Suitable for a Wedding Card or as an embellishment on your scrapbook page.
• Butterfly - This is an intermediate pattern that uses only the basic shapes.
• Flowers of Love - This pattern uses S-scrolls to make a heart and accents this with white coil hearts. Lots of love for all of your Valentine's and Anniversary needs. This pattern was published in the Accord Quilling Calendar!
  
• Lovey Dovey Birdhouse - This is a birdhouse pattern - very bright and springy.
• Palm Tree and Sunshine - This is a very simple Palm Tree design. Perfect for that summer scrapbook page or a touch of humor for Christmas with Santa hanging out at the beach.
• New Home Magnet - This is a great idea for a house warming gift.
• Butterfly and Dogwoods - This is a perfect combination, a Spreuer Butterfly perched on a beautiful picture of a Pink Dogwood. This includes instructions and a link to the actual photograph so you can make the entire project on your own!
• Easter Cross - This is a Spreuer Cross using the Patriarchal Cross design. It is augmented with delicate roses. Perfect design for Baptism, Weddings, Communions, Confirmations, Sympathy, or any religious gift or event.
• Wedding Dress - A beautiful pattern of a Wedding Dress that is suitable for a scrapbook page, bridal shower, or wedding card. This pattern was published in the Accord Quilling Calendar!
• Flower Girl Dress - This is a quick and easy pattern and can be used for a Flower Girl, Communion, Baptism, you name it. Just change the color and you can have any type of little girl event! This pattern was published in the Accord Quilling Calendar!
• Red, White, and Blue Ladybug - Quick little ladybug for you to try. Remember, part of the fun is to play with the colors and make quilling truly your own. Here is the lady bug on a Sunburst flower too.
  
• Pink Flamingo - this sweetie is made with roses and she is ready to fly away.
• Happy Song Birds - this is a happy couple on a crackle painted background. The birds are perched on a branch enjoying the beautiful day.
• Trellis with Yellow Flowers - Have you ever wanted to make a trellis and have flowers growing on the trellis, here is a simple pattern for you to try.
• Flower Power Girl - This is a happy pattern inspired by my friend Toni, she literally leaps off the page.
  

3D Quilling Patterns:

• Spinning Top - This is made completely out of paper, including the spinning stick! Great idea for the kids.
• Patriotic Spinning Top - Who knew a toothpick could be so useful. For tons of fun, try out this spinning top.

Some Special Card Patterns:

• Bridal Shower or Wedding Card - Showers, Quilling and Love! A quilled bridal shower or wedding card.
  
• Love, Live, Laugh Card - This is a card that I made over several days. The following is the pattern and then Part I and Part II of the post. This is a special post and card that explains why I use the tagline "Love Unconditionally, Laugh Uncontrollably, and Live Unexpectedly Free!"
• How to Say "I Love You" - Some ideas for Valentine's Day.
• Gerbera Daisies - Some ideas for using those bright and cheery daisies on your cards.
  

More Patterns and Techniques:
Click here for my special December Days of Quilling series. I have several winter patterns that are fun and easy to make.

Click here for Spreuer Free Patterns.

Want to make ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)? Click here for a tutorial.

Please send me a comment on this post or email me with any specific patterns you would like to see. There is a really good chance that I have the pattern or can make one for you.

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, free pattern, naqg

Copyright for Personal Use Antonella DeFalco

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Quilling Instructions - Shapes

Want to learn more about quilling? This is the place to be.

Please find the following list of instructions for how to make the Quilled Shapes. I am continually adding information and instructions, so please check back for updates. With each set of instructions, you will find a detailed description of how you make the shapes as well as a picture that you can download to show you what each shape looks like:

• Getting Started - if you want to learn about the basic supplies and how to get started, please look here.
  
• Information about quilling paper - basic information about quilling paper, widths, and strip lengths.
  
• Coil Shapes - I sometimes call these Circle shapes because they all start out as a circle. These are the basic shapes that most quilling projects, beginner to advanced, use. The shapes described are; Tight Coil/Tight Roll/Peg, Loose Coil, Teardrop, Marquis, and Heart.
  
• Grape Roll - this is a variation of the tight roll/tight coil/peg shape. The center is pushed out.
  
• Scroll and Spiral Shapes - These are more decorative, but are also used in most quilling projects. The shapes described are; Open Coil, S-Scroll, C-Scroll, Heart scroll, and Spiral.
  
• More Scroll Shapes - Getting fancy with the basic shapes and combining them to make; Heart-T-Scroll, Double Scroll, and Kissing S-Scrolls.
  
• Fringed Flowers are decorative flowers that add a real punch to your quilled designs. I have posted several instructions - Detailed Fringed Flower instructions, Basic Fringed Flower instructions, Information about Fringed Flowers and More pictures of Fringed Flowers
  
• Spreuer Instructions - have you ever wondered how to do "spreuer" or "folded" designs? These instructions will get you started.
  
• Fill in Technique - Explains how you can use a picture to create any design.
  
• Free Patterns - Follow the links here to see what you can do with all these shapes you have just learned about.
  

Please comment on this post or send me an email with suggestions of what additional topics you would like me to add.

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, free pattern, naqg

Copyright Antonella DeFalco

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Quilling Basics - Getting Started

Quilling, or Paper Filigree, is an ancient art form that some say dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Today we use a variety of papers in varying lengths and widths to create our quilled masterpieces. Quilling involves taking strips of paper and twirling, rolling, shaping, and gluing them together. The name Quilling is derived from the name of the tool that the 16th century nuns used to create their shapes.

Information about Quilling can be found here:

• History of Quilling - Some information about this beautiful art form

Quilling as an art from or craft has a very low cost startup. The basic tools are generally things that you have around the house or they do not cost a lot of money to purchase. Most people can get started for less than $25. Information about what you need to get started can be found here:

• Supply List Part I - First part of my article about the basic supplies that you need to get started quilling.
• Supply List Part II - the conclusion of my article about basic supplies.
• Information about quilling paper - basic information about quilling paper, widths, and strip lengths
• Basic Shape Tutorials - Follow the links here to see how to make the basic quilling shapes that will allow you to quill many designs
• Free Patterns - Follow the links here to see the free patterns that are offered on this site
  

I hope that you enjoy this site, please either comment on this post or send me an email with information about what you would like to see on this site.

Technorati Tags: quilling, paper filigree, filigrana, free quilling pattern, free pattern, naqg

Copyright Antonella DeFalco

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NAQG - North American Quilling Guild

I am a proud member of the North American Quilling Guild (NAQG).

What, you may ask is the NAQG? This is a group of dedicated people whose stated mission is to "to promote the lovely art of quilling and ensure that it is passed on to future generations"

I thought that this was a wonderful thought. This aligns closely with my desire to bring quilling to as many people as possible, and most importantly to make it accessible and help to make people feel like they can do this thing called Quilling.

For me, these are the things that make membership something that I truly enjoy... One of my favorite things about being involved with the NAQG is their quarterly newsletters. I love seeing quilling, and their newsletter is chock full of pictures and articles... They also have an Archive of their previous newsletters, so if you are a new member you can still see what they posted in the past. Their website also has free patterns in the members area... it is fun to look at other patterns and be inspired.

A disclaimer, I am sharing information about the NAQG because I have enjoyed being a part of this community and I love their Newsletters. Sometime I hope to be able to attend one of their annual meetings. There is a small annual membership fee, you will need to check their site for current fees. They really try to keep the fees low, I paid $25 for my current membership. I understand that even this amount may be too much for some of you. That is fine... I just wanted to share them with you.

As I have said before, all the quillers that I have met are very kind, caring individuals who willingly share what they have with everyone who is interested. The NAQG is one resource out there for you to use. It is by no means the only resource, most importantly, there are many free resources and groups out there so I encourage you to seek them out. Periodically, I will post about some of the groups and sites I have found along the way... please let me know of any you are aware of. :-)

Copyright Antonella DeFalco

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Quilling and Scrapbooking

GrandmaJuly_c
Originally uploaded by AntonellaD.

Many of you have asked about adding quilling to scrapbook pages. This is an example of a scrapbook page that I did for "grandma" - it features a beautiful poem I found on the internet (sorry don't know the author) and quilled elements added to page.

I combined items that Grandma loves like the flowers and butterflies with elements that my son loves like the frog and fishies. So, yes, most of you don't have flying fish, but we do in our imaginations (smile).

You can find more of my pictures on my personal Flickr account.

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Remembering 9/11

Today is a sad day, it is the 5th Anniversary of the bombing of the World Trade Center. I could not let the day pass without posting some of my remembrances of that day.

Like so many people, I was at work when I first found out. In this day of the cell phone, it was my husband who first called to let me know what had happened. He called me while I was in a meeting, and since he never calls my cell unless it is important, I took the call. I could not comprehend the fact that a plane had flown into one of the World Trade Center buildings. The initial reports speculated about what happened. Of course, at that time we did not know that so many more attrocities were to happen that day.

There are so many other stories like ours. Stories where people were late getting into work that day. Some act of providence that prevented this from claiming even more lives. My husband was supposed to be in the city that day, and had his meeting not been canceled he too would have been in one of the buildings that came down that day.

There were so many sad stories from that and so many families whose lives were changed forever. I was fortunate to have my family in tact, and for that I am grateful.

May God Bless all those families who lost loved ones that day. Those brave souls on the United flight who gave the ultimate sacrifice to save others. And to all those souls lost to terrorism around the world.

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