Balzer Designs

ScanNCut Technique Tutorials

This month I've got two very useful ScanNCut technique tutorials for you!

First up, I often get asked about the "Direct Connection" method.  As you know, the ScanNCut is a stand-alone machine. It requires no computer or internet to operate.  However, you can use it with either a computer or the internet, if you wish.  If you have a PC, you can directly connect your ScanNCut to your PC and skip the internet entirely.  It's easy to do.  All you need is a USB AB cable (i.e. a printer cable). 

Watch the video for the how-to:

This method will only work with a PC.  It does not work with a Mac. 

Your ScanNCut is a precision machine. I love the magic of Direct Cut because, among other things, it allows me to quickly and easily cut around my stamped images using the machine's built-in-scanner.

If, for some reason, you notice that your ScanNCut is not behaving in the expected precision manner, you can re-calibrate your machine.  Don't be nervous about doing it, it's easy and simply requires a sheet of white paper and a little bit of time.  Watch the video for the how-to:

One quick tip: If you don't have any white paper on hand, try flipping a piece of patterned paper over.  Many patterned papers are white on the back!

I hope you will give these techniques a try!

Thanks for stopping by!

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P.S. I am a paid spokesperson for the Brother ScanNCut.  It is a machine that I love and use.  All projects and opinions are my own.

Product Registration: https://www.brother-usa.com/registermybrother/
Brother Customer Support: https://www.brother-usa.com/support/

Tree Quilt: Listening To Yourself

A few days ago, I posted these blocks on instagram and facebook:

And here is the caption I wrote:

"Yesterday, I stitched together a bunch of tree blocks in varying sizes. Today, I’m trying to figure out how they should go together to form a quilt? I know I need sashing. But how fancy or how simple? And what color? I’m going to sit here and stare at them until they tell me!"

I got a lot of advice from people on how they would put the quilt together.  A small sampling of that advice:

• "Narrow sashing in the orange or magenta would be stunning."
• "You don't need sashing. Sashing can be a detractor imo. Play with them without and see what you like."
• "No sashing. Maybe add a non-tree block somewhere."
• "I’d make each into a little art quilt and arrange them on a wall in a grouping."
• "Love the tree blocks. I would go with a simple sash since several of the backgrounds in the blocks have busy patterns. It does not have to be a plain sash. Just not too busy."
• "A simple sashing to show off the blocks. I would make the green and brown the featured block and made 3 more blocks to go to the right of those already done. But I like things orderly. They are good blocks and pretty. Hope to see the completed quilt."
• "Some sort of mini dainty Asian motif in a yellow pink silver ect plum flowers poke a dots stars etcc. ....no black orange or green...i think a solid would take away from the movement."
• "Pull out your leaves stencil - fallen leaves surround the trees in golden yellow."
• "No sashing!"
• "No, you do NOT need sashing!
  Try it without first. 
  You need more blocks tho.
  Good start!"
• "What about making a big border of white and they are all surrounded by white."

I found all the suggestions interesting to read even though I vehemently disagreed with about 85% of the opinions offered.  However, I felt the experience was a good reminder to me of two important art principles:

1. The art you make should always be based on your feelings, intuitions, inspirations, and personal perspective. It’s what makes it “you” and not like what other people make. It doesn’t mean that other people’s opinions aren’t interesting or worthy, but they’re not you.
2. Everyone makes art differently. And that is so wonderful! I think we could all start with the same supplies, same theme, and end up with hundreds of wildly different compositions and isn’t that exciting!!

Finally, I think it's really good and healthy to see other artists' work and have opinions about how you would remake a painting the different choices you would make in putting together a quilt, because that means you are aware of your personal style — what you aesthetically prefer.  The flip side of that is that I think it can be creatively draining and artistically damaging to take other people's opinions into your studio with you.  Let's face it, I don't need critics and doubting voices beyond the ones that already exist in my head!

Here's the current state of my quilt:

I don't think it's quite done yet.  It needs a strip of flying geese on the right side to pull it all together -- now, you may agree or disagree on that point (which is great), but I'm clear that, for me, that's the solution to finishing up this composition!

Here’s to our differences, they make for a world full of unique art!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Monthly Livestream Coming Soon!

Every month I host a livestream for YouTube channel members.  I do an hour of art demos and answering viewer's questions.  The thing that's so interesting to me about it, is the kinds of questions that I get.  Each month it's different.  This last month, there were a lot of questions about using various products on your gelatin plate -- like ink pads (which do work, btw):

I really enjoy the livestreams because they're a chance for me to chat with other like-minded artists and to get a sense of what kinds of things people are making.  If you're feeling like you need a little bit of extra inspiration or have some burning art questions that you'd like answered, I hope you'll give the channel membership a try!  It's just $4.99/month.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Adventures in Shibori

I've fallen down a shibori rabbit hole.  In case you don't know, shibori is the ancient Japanese art of indigo dyeing.  Patterns are created by artfully placed folds, stitches, clamps, etc.  I have not ventured into real indigo dyeing quite yet.  I'm keeping it simple with dyes I already have on hand and practicing my various folds and pleats and wrapping techniques.  For this experimental phase, I'm using very small pieces of PFD (prepared for dyeing) muslin.  By working small, I find that I am able to test out numerous variables with a limited commitment of time.  Here's a peek at the samples I've made so far:

I'm excited to keep going down this path and see what else emerges!

If you're curious about shibori, here are a few resources:

• Shibori How-To Book
• Shibori Dye Kit
• Wood Pieces for Shibori
• World Shibori Network

The thing I really like about shibori is that it is both incredibly simple and incredibly complicated at the same time.  You can do it -- like me -- in an afternoon with household supplies.  Or you can spend years mastering folding and stitching techniques and end up with amazing art cloth!  It's the kind of art form that you can spend a lifetime trying to master, but also enjoy dabbling in!

Thanks for stopping by!

Do You Think This Works?

I stumbled upon a very interesting looking product yesterday.  It's called "The Magic Mirror" and it allows you to trace images.  This 40-second video explains what it does:

Artists have always traced images -- tracing paper, carbon paper, transparencies, light boxes, and even projectors. This just seems like another -- and cleverly simple -- version.  But I still have lots of questions:

• Does it work?
• Does it have to be an image on a phone or tablet?
• What is that "mirror" made of?
• Was it inspired by Vermeer?
• Why can't I find anything about it when I search the internet?

What do you think?  Like it?  Hate it?  Would you use it?

Thanks for stopping by!