My Signature Sampler Week #5

My Signature Sampler Week #5

I've had a good and productive week, how about you? I actually finished sewing ALL the blocks for my sampler! I even got so far as to photograph all the blocks, but not so far as to get them all set in the setting triangles--next week, hopefully. That's a good feeling to have my work stockpiled for me and know I'm that much ahead--that's the beauty of this sew along, you can work at whatever pace fits your time and schedule. 

The good news is that because I've been able to sew ahead I came up with a brilliant idea for an optional border treatment I can't wait to share with you next week. You're going to love it--I sure do!

Since this event is built off past sew alongs I've co-hosted with Maureen Cracknell with the addition of other published block resources you can and are encouraged to work at a pace that feels right for you. Each week when I make a Friday post, I'll provide links to the various blocks I put into my sampler along with any variations to the original block instructions. 

Block instructions from the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS), Community Sampler (CS), AGF Quilt Block Collection (AGF), and the blocks from the Quilter's Planner 2018 magazine (QP) will be used in this sampler. If you have your favorite blocks and would rather sew different blocks than me, please feel free to make this sampler your own. 

If you're just joining in on the fun, take a look at my first post for this sew along and pick up the quilt layout and color book page to start planning your sampler!

Remember, you can always refer back to the Sewcial Bee Sampler and Community Sampler blog post tutorials the accompanied each past sew along block by using the search bar at the top of this blog. There you will get additional information on how to piece each block or technique. 

If you need extra help with your patchwork or would like to learn how to control the direction of your prints in half-square triangle units and other piecing techniques, visit my Tutorials page for lots of great tutorials all in one place. Don't forget our blocks will be set on-point so if you have a fussy cut center, cut it on-point for best results.

Note: I don't recommend cutting any other pieces of the blocks other than a center square on-point because it will create bias edges along the outside of the block and increase chances of distortion. Keep any bias edges in the center of the block.

For week #5 of the My Signature Sampler, I've chosen to sew the Broken Dishes block from the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along I co-hosted with Maureen Cracknell last year. 

I've used prints from my Signature fabric collection from Art Gallery Fabrics and AGF Pure Elements solids for my blocks. This fabric collection and sampler quilt has me feeling like I'm in my garden when I'm sewing and I'm loving each new block more than the last.

For stock lists of online shops that carry my Signature and other AGF collections, visit my Fabrics page or the Where to Buy page on the Art Gallery Fabrics site.

For a tutorial and link to this block, follow along on the original blog post HERE. If you're wanting to sew with half-square triangle (HST) units that can be trimmed down to the desired size, then check out the SBS Extras post with HST cutting charts and tips for rounding up for larger pieces. 

To help me to remember to remind you that these blocks will be set on-point AND to get ahead on things I've decided to start adding my setting triangles to my finished blocks. I'm using a combination of my Perennial print from Printemps Fusions and Untamed Beauty Daybreak from Signature as the background setting of my quilt. 

The setting triangles are made by cutting a 9-1/2'' square on the diagonal to make two setting triangles. Be mindful of print direction, if applicable. See Community Sampler Week #13 for block setting instructions. 

Coneflower Study by Sharon Holland

The real reason I didn't get all the blocks set into the setting triangles was because I took time away from sewing to paint! I've been waiting all year to get back to painting and my schedule is finally freeing up (because I've not taken on new projects out side of my own to-do list) and want to devote my undivided attention to artwork.

Clover Study by Sharon Holland

Who knows, maybe we can all be sewing with fabrics from these botanical studies sometime next year! 

GIVEAWAY

Every Friday when I reveal a new block to My Signature Sampler, I'll also be posting the weekly giveaway. This sew along is being sponsored by the most amazing companies and have generously donated incredible prizes to share with you. 

OUR SPONSORS

Art Gallery Fabrics | Hobbs Batting | The Quilter's Planner | Quilters Candy Box | Bloc_Loc | Dritz |  Omnigrid | Fat Quarter Shop

THIS WEEK'S GIVEAWAY SPONSOR IS: Bloc_Loc

Bloc_Loc was created by husband and wife team, Paul and Janna. Paul, an Australian, was an aircraft maintenance engineer and Janna, and American, is a quilt designer and author of Courtship Quilts; Inspired by the Victorian Language of Flowers, published by Martingale & Co 2005. Now based in Loveland, Colorado, Bloc_Loc manufacturers, distributes, and sells their own patent pending products which are new and innovative. Their rulers are made of the highest quality materials by the old-fashioned standard of making products and are built tough enough to last from one generation to the next!

 Shop Rulers * Follow on Facebook * Follow on Instagram 

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY VISITING BLOC_LOC RULERS

For this week's My Signature Sampler Giveaway, Bloc_Loc is offering the winner a set of two rulers that coordinate with the sizes of units used in most of our blocks. This week's prize will be a set of Half-Square Triangle rulers consisting of the useful 2-1/2" and a 4-1/4" square sizes. Be sure to visit Bloc_Loc for wonderful video tutorials on how to use all their products. 

Giveaway Now Closed. Congratulations to Denise!

Note: This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment--you can't win if I can't get a hold of you!

1. Simply leave a comment here under this post for your first comment entry.

2. Follow Bloc_Loc on any of their social media platforms (see links above). Just let me know that you did by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment-second entry). 

3. My followers get a third entry! If you follow me via subscribing to my posts, on Pinterest, and/or Instagram, just let me know by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (Separate comment-third entry).

4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Spread the word about the My Signature Sampler sew along on YOUR instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or on Pinterest by pinning any of my pretty images in this post. (Separate comment-fourth entry) 

That’s FOUR possible entries! Enter now through Monday, July 23rd! The winner will be picked at random around 4pm Eastern. I will post the name of the winner on this post once they've been notified and responded to my email.

*Don't forget to enter into this same giveaway on Instagram by posting images of your sampler inspiration, sampler fabric pull, or blocks. Use the official #mysignaturesampler hashtag every time you post your My Signature Sampler makes (to a public account) and you're automatically entered into the weekly IG drawings as well! See my Instagram giveaway posts @sharonhollanddesigns for full details. 

Happy sewing!

Sharon

Flat Lay Photography Tips

There's been a lot of interesting in how I take my S H Nature Study flat lay photos. So I thought I'd throw together a tutorial about how I set up my space, take the photos, and touch on some editing programs that will help you get similar results.

What's a flat lay photo? A flat lay is a photograph shot from above, parallel to the surface (table). A bird's eye view.

S H Nature Study flat lay photos

When I first started my photo-a-week-for-a-year series, I gave myself the parameter that I would use only natural origin objects like flowers, wood, rocks, and other found or man-made items with an organic base. Well, that was a totally unrealistic goal when you live in the mid-west and winters make it hard to find flowers and the like. So, I took off my constraints and started playing with sewing notions and ordinary everyday objects that would photograph well and tell a little story. Even though the name S H Nature Study no longer seems a good fit for my photos, I have used that hashtag with all 41 out of 52 pictures so far. You can see the whole series thus far on Instagram if you use the hashtag #shnaturestudy. There you will see the progression/evolution of style and subject matter in my year-long challenge. 

PROPS 

Sourcing props can be fun and as simple as looking around your home and yard. You can assemble a flat lay of totally random objects but it's better to have a focus (pardon the pun). Suggestions for flat lays: Subject, color, texture, materials, size, shape, product, or a combination. 

Try to keep the items a similar height. If you have one or two items considerably higher (taller) than the other items in the flat lay, the camera will want to focus on the object closest to the lense, making the other (lower) items out of focus. Vica versa if you focus on the lower objects then the taller one(s) will be out of focus.

LIGHTING

The most important thing about photography is lighting! Always use natural lighting when photographing. Do not use a flash or add light with incandescent or fluorescent light sources. I set up my shots by a north facing window that has no overhanging eaves, awnings, or light blocking trees on the outside. North light is ideal because it has the truest white light. East facing windows are second best. South and west windows will produce warmer light and generally have too strong of sunlight streaming in, making the shot harder to take and producing stronger shadowing. Where you live on the globe and the time of year can also affect the quality of your light source. However, you may only have a west facing window or not ideal conditions due to one factor or another--not to worry. We can get around these obstacles with some simple tricks (more on this, read on).

SETUP

Think about what format you want your image to be. Knowing where the photo will be used will determine what format to use. Since I am posting my images to Instagram I went with the standard square photo format for all my flat lays in this series. The shape of your format will help you understand how to arrange your flat lay items and save time as well. 

You've probably seen many flat lay photos online with pristine white backgrounds. To achieve this look I use an inexpensive white foam core board as the base and lay out my props on top of the board. Thinking beyond white, the skies the limit. Your subject and props may indicate a mood or feeling and help you come up with creative backgrounds. Some suggestions for backgrounds: Fabric, wood cutting board, table tops, chalkboard, black or colored foam core, wicker, leather, etc. Being thoughtful and creative about what you select for the background can add that extra layer to your image.

Set up a small table by your light source. Arrange your props on your background surface in the desired photo format configuration. I don't fuss too much with my props for my shots. I like an organic as-you-find-it feel to the arrangement and just start laying them down in the space. This saves me a lot of time not to fuss much with perfect alignment and angles, I just let my years of designing call the shots and do it intuitively. Don't over think it. 

I shoot with a DSLR camera mounted to a boom tripod. I can view my shot on the camera's back screen and stand on a step ladder.

You may not have this sort of equipment but can achieve the same result with the camera on your phone. A tripod is nice for reducing camera shake so if it's an available choice for you go to the extra work setting it up. If not, your phone camera may have some onboard tools you can use. See if you have a lock focus feature (newer iphone models have this) by first, tapping the screen with your finger where you want the camera to focus. Second hold down where you want the focus until the Lock icon appears. If you do not change the camera's position after it is locked, you can take more time to steady yourself when taking the photo. If you reposition, you will need to reset the focus each time.

Photo curtesty of Mac Worlds

Another way to reduce camera shake if holding the camera is to take a deep breath and hold it until you've clicked the shot.

SHOOTING

Your space is set up and you're ready to shoot, yay! Always photograph in the highest resolution possible so you capture the best quality from the start. I like to use the manual settings on my DSLR but that is not a requirement for great shots. The defaults on your camera or phone are impressive as is. But, if you can (or want) to play around with settings on your DSLR here's what I set my camera at: ISO 100-200 is preferred for clear (non-grainy) film and allowing the most light into the camera. I can also adjust the exposure as well. Generally I shoot anywhere from +1.0-+2.0 steps up from the default exposure depending upon the lighting and what I am shooting. I like to bracket my initial shots to get a feel for what's too much or too little in the exposure department. 

Above is an example of bracketing. Bracketing is adjusting the camera's exposure by steps. Photographing a very dark subject may require higher exposure steps then photography a very light subject. Too much exposure on a light subject can cause the white areas of the image to be blown out, loosing too much pixel information. Editing will not improve a blown out photo so it is always best to err on the side of underexposure to make sure all the pixel information is available. Brightness issue can be resolved later in editing. 

Many phone cameras can adjust for exposure. An iphone can compensate for a dark exposure by tapping on the screen and using the sun slider icon to adjust exposure up or down.

Courtesy of www.imore.com

Take a few shot, trying to crop the image in the frame close to the desired size as possible. Bracket to the exposure. Take about 3-5 initial shots. I upload my initial shots to my computer so I can see a large view. From here I can see if something isn't working in my prop arrangement, camera setting, or any angle issues. 

SHADOWS

Depending upon the mood of your image and the effect you're looking for will dictate if you want any shadows are your flat lay. 

I have seen several stunning flat lay photos where the shadows play an important role in the message or mood of the photo. The extremely talented Robin Zachary, a prop and fashion stylist from New York, effortlessly uses shadows as part of her photography to create subtle moods and intimacy to her photos. 

Photo courtesy of Robin Zachary

Or, maybe you want a slick, shadowless, clean flat lay what places all the attention on the object(s) or product(s). Small Talk Social has a fun tutorial on how to style flat lay photos for instagram and some great styling tips with examples of clean, white flat lay images.

How to Style a Flat Lay by Small Talk Social

I tend to do a little of both these worlds of shadows vs. no shadows. To cut down or avoid shadows use foam core boards (see image in SETUP) to block light and shadows from all sides of your subject. Note, you may need to readjust the exposure when adding boards. If the light reflected from a white board directly across from the window is too strong, use a black or gray board instead. The boards will defuse the light but also bounce light onto the area. Play around to see what works best for you. 

If you are photographing reflective or shiny objects you may need to defuse the light even more. I use an inexpensive reflector that opens into a large diameter circle. It comes with a removable cover that can switch out to black, silver, gold or opaque white. With the cover removed, it has a diffuser capability. 

You can totally DIY a diffuser with stretching sheer material in a large embroidery hoop, taping white tissue paper to a empty frame or canvas stretcher frame, taping tissue paper to a window, or holding up a sheet. 

Sometimes holding a black foam core board over the shoot will also block glare on reflective surfaces. Again, experiment with what works in your space with your lighting. Each time I shoot there is a new set of challenges and unique conditions. 

Above are examples of filtering the light source. Note: The top left corner of my white boards should have been either butted up to stop that light from leaking through or taped to block light. the last image is subtle but an overhead use of the diffuser softened the shadows and produced the final shot for this flat lay.

EDITING

Up until now you've done everything in your power to produce the best photo ever! But, alas, it's not enough. Rarely will you ever escape the need to photo edit. This includes cropping, adjusting the brightness, contrast, touch up, etc. 

When working on my computer I use Photoshop to make my images sing. This is not something for everyone, I know. If you are using a phone to take images you are in luck because there are several extremely amazing photo editing apps available for free! The three I use the and listed in order of preference are: Snapseed, PS Express, and ColorStory. They can do just about anything you'll need if more robust editing is not an option for you. 

I took this photo with my iphone and embraced the shadows as part of the mood of the image. Depending upon what I am shooting for and how much time I have to spend on a shot I move between DSLR and phone camera. The best way to learn is to practice taking lots of shots, read blogs, and tap into the immense amount of online resources that are available on the subject of flat lay photography. 

October Review

October was such a busy month! In the previous blog post, I shared images of my Fall 2015 Quilt Market booth showcasing my newest fabric Coastline for Art Gallery Fabrics.  The fall show is always held in Houston, TX during October. Visit the AGF Blog to see more images and videos from the show.

Photos courtesy of Art Gallery Fabrics

Last month two quilting and sewing publications hit the newsstands with Sketchbook fabric projects. I love seeing the projects in print and finally being able to share them with you.

2015-1016 International Quilt Festival Quilt Scene magazine

It's an honor to be included in the Quilt Scene magazine. This issue is a feast for the eyes with amazing art quilts, luscious fabrics, and designs. My project is definitely the easiest one in the magazine but is a great project if you're looking for a quick gift idea for your favorite artist. 

Use a store-bought dish towel and turn it into a work apron. Use your favorite scrap prints to customize the look. I love how Quilt Scene photographed this for the magazine. 

Winter 2015 Stitch magazine

This beautiful issue of Stitch magazine is their final issue. After seven years the magazine will no longer be printed. I had always wanted to have a project in this magazine. One of my most favorite quilts was made for my Sketchbook fabrics Spring 2015 Quilt Market booth. Kilim Quilt was inspired by kilim rugs and was so much fun to create. 

Last up for the October Review it's time to revisit October's Sharon Holland Nature Study photos. I have given myself a personal challenge to photograph a flat lay image each week for a year. The parameters I set for myself is the contents of the photo must be of natural origins. So far, I have also included a color mood for the photo as a way to further categorize and connect the objects.

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 12

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 13

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 14

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 15

Sharon Holland Nature Study no. 16

Sharon Holland Nature Study Photos

I have been meaning to make a post about my flat lay photo collages for some time now but other posts just kept taking precedence. I am calling these grouped objects photos by the hashtag #SHnaturestudy on my Instagram account and have also started a Pinterest board S H nature study.

The reason I started taking these photos came from my need to reconnect with the world around me and give myself a personal design challenge of creating a new photo each week--for a year. I am always too absorbed in my work and I forget to take time to enjoy the world around me. Life didn't used to be that way for me so this is my wake up call to regain a little of what I used to enjoy so much--nature and beautiful things, brush up on photography skills and just do something completely different.

So, here are the parameters I set for myself when setting up these shots. I want to use objects that are natural in origin. Obviously plants and flowers are a good choice but will be hard to come by during winter in the midwest. So, I am allowing myself to add other objects to the grouping to help fill it out and support the weeks' color mood. As you will see, I am also creating a color story each week as well. I have no idea if this is all sustainable but want to complete my year challenge and push myself creatively. 

Here are the first 11 photos out of 52 weeks to get you up to speed. I will plan to recap at the end of each month with a post of the newest photos so you can follow along during the year. 

S H nature study no. 1

S H nature study no. 2

S H nature study no. 3

S H nature study no. 4

S H nature study no. 5

S H nature study no. 6

S H nature study no. 7

S H nature study no. 8

S H nature study no. 9

S H nature study no. 10

S H nature study no. 11

I hoped you enjoyed the images. I sure am having fun taking them each week. Remember to take time to marvel at the little things and connect with the world around you. We all need to "stop and smell the roses" now and then.