On The Trail Creations
  • Home
  • Shop Online
    • Art For Sale
    • Collage Art Quilt Kits
    • Store - Wall Hangings/Table Runners Kit & Patterns >
      • Sandhill Sunset Wall Hanging
      • Moonshadows Wall Hanging
      • Moonlight Moose Table Runner
      • Serenity Wall Hanging
      • Summer Dragonfly Wall Hanging
      • Summer Dragonfly Table Runner
      • Moonlight Moose Wall Hanging
      • Autumn Leaves Wall Hanging
      • Autumn Leaves Table Runner
      • Night Owl Wall Hanging Quilt
    • Store - Quilted Greeting Card Kits/Patterns >
      • Acrylic Card Template
      • Trish Stuart Collection
      • Out On a Limb Card Kit
      • Wonder Lake Card Kit
      • Moonshadows Card
      • Raven Moon Card
      • Chickadee With Berries Card
      • Whale Tale Card
      • Moose and Willows Card Kit
      • Raven Card Kit
      • Wild Iris Card
      • Northwoods Nisse Card
      • Boreal Botanicals Card
      • Winter Trees Card
      • For the Birds Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower I Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower II Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower III Card Pattern
      • Wonky Heart Card Pattern
      • Whimsical Heart Card Pattern
      • Black-Capped Chickadee Card
      • Three Leaves Card Pattern
      • Let it Snow Card Pattern
      • Happy Birthday Card Pattern
      • Tundra Swan Card Pattern
      • Milepost Card Pattern
    • Store - Coffee Kuspuks/Quilt Panels >
      • Season of Hope Velvet Panel
      • Screen Prints
      • Coffee Kuspuk
      • Moonlight Moose Potholder Kit
      • Chickadee Menu Planner
      • Spring Flowers Coaster Pattern
      • Teresa Ascone Panels
      • Scrappy Baby Bib
    • Molly Molecule Book
  • Online Classes
    • Simple Secrets for Art Quilting
    • Framed Collage Quilt Class
  • Beret's Blog
  • 40 Ways
  • About Us
  • Tutorials
    • Grace quilt tutorial
    • Sewing Machine Needle Organizer Pincushion
    • Organza silk screen tutorial
    • Polymer Clay button tutorial
    • Birch Tree card tutorial
    • Coffee Shop greeting card
    • Free Motion Stitching Tutorials >
      • Free Motion Tutorial
      • 10 minute project tutorial
      • Valentine Coasters
      • Grape hyacinth postcard
      • Advanced free motion projects >
        • Sparkly 3D dragonfly wings
        • Inktense Frog quilt
        • Dream Big flower panel
    • Journal Cover - Book Tutorials >
      • Quilted Book Cover Tutorial
      • 1000 Gifts Journal Cover Tutorial
      • Quiet Book Tutorial
    • Tutorials for Our Kits >
      • Moonshadows Video Tutorials
      • Summer Dragonfly Video Tutorials
      • Serenity Video Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials - Screenprinting, Inktense, Quilted Card Binding
    • Pocket Prayer Quilt
  • Art Quilt Gallery
  • Quilted Cards Gallery
  • Quilt Shops
  • Contact Us
  • Sked Verks
    • Sked Verks Gallery
    • Sked Verks Online Store
  • Return Policy - FAQs

Birch leaves

9/26/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
On my morning walk, I had a sudden urge to try to preserve some birch leaves before they are completely gone. My daughter and I gathered some up, then pressed some in our microwave flower press (instant gratification!) and I photographed a few, with Cherrywood fabrics for a background.
Since I'm not all that good at drawing, it helps to have photos to look at. But there are some things that are only around here for 4 months or so, I'm running out of time to get pictures for this year! At least the ravens, moose, and chickadees stick around!

0 Comments

Three trees

9/24/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
I'm busy cranking out cards for bazaar season, and so far they are going out the door as fast as I make them, it could get interesting. I guess that's a good thing though! This batch was fun, Cherrywood fabrics and silk screened trees. I'm pretty sure I've never made something with ONLY solid fabrics, I have trouble using them at all....and technically, some of the bindings are not solids... :-)

1 Comment

first snow?

9/18/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
Our first snow is a little early, even for here, but it makes good inspiration for a new chickadee design :-) His tail got cut off by the binding, so I stitched it back on through the binding :-)

2 Comments

Are you stretching yourself?

9/18/2013

3 Comments

 
Picture
Last year someone challenged me to think about what I want the most from my quilting. Am I trying to be known for it? Am I trying to make money? Am I trying to meet personal goals? As I thought about that, I realized  that making money is part of it, since that contributes to my family economy, although I feel I have other ways to contribute that are even more valuable, so I want to make sure I don’t overlook those things to sew. I also want to learn and grow, and to stretch myself and try to meet personal goals. But I think what really excites me the most is seeing other people grow and stretch themselves. I love teaching just about as much as I love creating things myself. And any art form is a really safe way to stretch our comfort zone which can apply to other areas of life as well. 
 
So, where are you in the process? Are you a strict pattern follower? A quilt shop owner told me recently that not only do most people want patterns, they want the exact fabric used in the pattern photo. If that’s you that would be a good place to start, just do a pattern in a completely different color scheme, so you have to choose your own. The next level would be to alter the pattern somehow to make it your own. On my patterns, I usually put  a few suggestions for customizing them, I want people to stretch themselves and  add their own touch. I’ve never been much of a pattern follower, but I still find myself getting in ruts, it’s a constant growing process. My next goal is to get better about having the right amount of contrast, it’s a constant battle for me:-) For example, the green behind the leaves on this card is a little too dark, the leaves don't show up quite as well as they should.


I’d love to hear other ideas for going a step beyond where you currently are in your creativity!


3 Comments

they found the salad bar....

9/15/2013

2 Comments

 
Picture
We usually don't have too much trouble with moose in the garden in the summer, they usually come in the fall, but this year it's a bit early, I wasn't quite done with it! At least I like to take pictures almost as much as I like to eat kale, so they're lucky....I put on the zoom lens and got some fun ones.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
2 Comments

and the winner is....

9/13/2013

0 Comments

 
Congratulations to April Gentry for winning my Facebook "like" contest! And thanks to everyone who participated, I really appreciate the help getting my stuff out there!
0 Comments

A lesson in contrast...

9/13/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Getting the right amount of contrast in my projects has always been one of my biggest challenges. I must have a deathly fear of getting too much, so I usually don't have enough. What looks fine up close all blends together with any distance. I've learned a few things, but I still have trouble, as you can see with this poor little chickadee :-) Chickadees are actually a good thing for me to do, the black and white provides automatic contrast as long as I use a medium-ish background. The problem with this one is that my quilt block in the background doesn't have enough contrast. When the fabrics were in big pieces and up close, they looked to me like they would work, but as soon as I got done I could see that they didn't, the quilt block disappears. See yesterday's post to see how I changed it to work a little better. (On that one the wing was much too light, so I had to outline it...)
A great tool for seeing contrast is the red or green plastic bars that you look through. Another trick is to look at it from a distance, through a little peephole from the hardware store, or on your camera so it gets really small. One of my problems is that I'm always in too big of a hurry to finish something so I forget or don't take time to do those things, but they really help! Maybe one of these days I'll learn... :-) 

0 Comments

More moose...

9/12/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
I finally got to dig into my new pile of Cherrywood Fabrics, they are really fun! For a polymer clay button tutorial, click here.

One more day to "like" my Facebook page (button on the sidebar to the right) and be entered in a drawing for a finished quilted card!

0 Comments

One pattern, three ways

9/11/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
This week I had the idea for two new ways to display my quilted cards. The first picture is mounted on card stock, as usual. The second picture is mounted on a 9 x 12 canvas that I painted, then added footprints with a Sharpie. The third one is mounted on a piece of fabric that has been quilted. Both are really simple ways to turn a card into a wall hanging.
I don't have a pattern ready for this particular design yet, but this idea would work with most of my card patterns. To see them click here.

Also, my Facebook "like" contest is still going on, until Friday, Sept, 13 at noon Alaska time.
If you "like" my page (by clicking the button on the sidebar to the right, not the button at the bottom of this post...) and let me know in a comment or on my Facebook page since I don't always get notifications... you will be entered in a drawing for a finished quilted card. If you have already "liked" my page, you can still enter by finding a friend to like it, I will enter both of you in the drawing.

1 Comment

Something fun coming...

9/9/2013

0 Comments

 
I'm working on something fun today, but pictures will have to wait until tomorrow :-) My "Facebook like" contest is still going until Friday....like my page by clicking on the button in the sidebar (or click https://www.facebook.com/pages/On-The-Trail-Creations/193362840773724?ref=hl)   and get entered in a drawing for a raven or moose quilted card, see a couple of posts back for pictures!!
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Beret Nelson's On The Trail Creations Blog Page

    Picture

    Beret Nelson

    I am a homeschooling mom of three fun kids, who are now old enough that I have a little time to pursue my passion for sewing! After several years of making quilted cards and art quilts, I'm now designing kits and patterns.  Some of my designs have been in Keepsake Quilting and Art Quilting Studios magazine! I  teach classes online, and am starting to do more traveling and teaching. I also have many tutorials, including some on YouTube. I am blessed to live in Alaska where I am surrounded by the inspiration provided by the beauty of God's creation!
    To see all of my patterns, click here.
    To follow my blog, sign up below to receive e-mails, and/or "like" my facebook page, button below!

    Free card pattern and also an e-book, and a quilt planning checklist!
    Picture
    * indicates required
    Picture

    "Like" my facebook page!

    I am also an independent distributor for Plexus supplements, since I credit them with enabling me to be healthy enough to do all these fun things! They target blood sugar and gut health, which are at the root of so many modern health issues. E-mail me for more info, or check out my website! I am as passionate about getting people healthy as I am about getting people creating :-)

    beret@onthetrailcreations.com
    or

    https://plexusworldwide.com/beretnelson
      

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    March 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Instagram

    RSS Feed

Picture
  • Home
  • Shop Online
    • Art For Sale
    • Collage Art Quilt Kits
    • Store - Wall Hangings/Table Runners Kit & Patterns >
      • Sandhill Sunset Wall Hanging
      • Moonshadows Wall Hanging
      • Moonlight Moose Table Runner
      • Serenity Wall Hanging
      • Summer Dragonfly Wall Hanging
      • Summer Dragonfly Table Runner
      • Moonlight Moose Wall Hanging
      • Autumn Leaves Wall Hanging
      • Autumn Leaves Table Runner
      • Night Owl Wall Hanging Quilt
    • Store - Quilted Greeting Card Kits/Patterns >
      • Acrylic Card Template
      • Trish Stuart Collection
      • Out On a Limb Card Kit
      • Wonder Lake Card Kit
      • Moonshadows Card
      • Raven Moon Card
      • Chickadee With Berries Card
      • Whale Tale Card
      • Moose and Willows Card Kit
      • Raven Card Kit
      • Wild Iris Card
      • Northwoods Nisse Card
      • Boreal Botanicals Card
      • Winter Trees Card
      • For the Birds Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower I Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower II Card Pattern
      • Wild Flower III Card Pattern
      • Wonky Heart Card Pattern
      • Whimsical Heart Card Pattern
      • Black-Capped Chickadee Card
      • Three Leaves Card Pattern
      • Let it Snow Card Pattern
      • Happy Birthday Card Pattern
      • Tundra Swan Card Pattern
      • Milepost Card Pattern
    • Store - Coffee Kuspuks/Quilt Panels >
      • Season of Hope Velvet Panel
      • Screen Prints
      • Coffee Kuspuk
      • Moonlight Moose Potholder Kit
      • Chickadee Menu Planner
      • Spring Flowers Coaster Pattern
      • Teresa Ascone Panels
      • Scrappy Baby Bib
    • Molly Molecule Book
  • Online Classes
    • Simple Secrets for Art Quilting
    • Framed Collage Quilt Class
  • Beret's Blog
  • 40 Ways
  • About Us
  • Tutorials
    • Grace quilt tutorial
    • Sewing Machine Needle Organizer Pincushion
    • Organza silk screen tutorial
    • Polymer Clay button tutorial
    • Birch Tree card tutorial
    • Coffee Shop greeting card
    • Free Motion Stitching Tutorials >
      • Free Motion Tutorial
      • 10 minute project tutorial
      • Valentine Coasters
      • Grape hyacinth postcard
      • Advanced free motion projects >
        • Sparkly 3D dragonfly wings
        • Inktense Frog quilt
        • Dream Big flower panel
    • Journal Cover - Book Tutorials >
      • Quilted Book Cover Tutorial
      • 1000 Gifts Journal Cover Tutorial
      • Quiet Book Tutorial
    • Tutorials for Our Kits >
      • Moonshadows Video Tutorials
      • Summer Dragonfly Video Tutorials
      • Serenity Video Tutorials
    • Video Tutorials - Screenprinting, Inktense, Quilted Card Binding
    • Pocket Prayer Quilt
  • Art Quilt Gallery
  • Quilted Cards Gallery
  • Quilt Shops
  • Contact Us
  • Sked Verks
    • Sked Verks Gallery
    • Sked Verks Online Store
  • Return Policy - FAQs