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Announcements
about Soft Expressions Website Additions and Changes:Stolen
Quilts: Recently Pat Lemmons lost 3 quilts she had entered in a quilt show
at Heritage Center in Abilene, Kansas. See Quilts below. For additional
information, I have listed them under Stolen
Quilts Page. If you have a quilt that has been stolen and would like it
listed let me know. Here
are Pictures of Pat's 3 quilts    
- "Special to my heart" Link categories: Philanthropy Link
and Stolen Quilts
I have a very special place in my heart for humanitarian
efforts and things that impact our lives greatly, for this reason I have added
2 categories to my Link Page: Philanthropy and Stolen Quilts. I have even dedicated
a page to Stolen quilts! If you have a Philanthropy Project that you would
like added to my links let me know. And if you are unfortunate enough to be a
victim of a Stolen Quilt let me know. (As a teacher I have had 3 stolen
from stores and know how it feels to know they are gone and that I want them BACK).
If you have a web page, I will link to it or if you do not, send me a small Jpeg
and I will add to my Stolen Quilt Page.
- New Format for Links Page. Over the last 2 months
I have added links almost daily. I have come to appreciate how much sharing is
going on through the web and I am amazed by how many knowledgeable people are
sharing their expertise. Each time that I come upon one of these articles, I include
it in my Links. Plus, I am very logical in my thinking. I find pages of
unorganized links difficult to plow through, especially if they are extensive
(mine is extensive). So, I have reorganized my links into several smaller pages
with easy to use categories and subcategories. I also have color coded the links
added by month and will rotate this out every third month or so. This will help
those of you who are checking back now and again to see what's new. Remember
to Bookmark the Link Index for frequent return
visits.
- Virtual
"Computer" Quilt Gallery has added several new "computer"
quilts by Sue McClure, Bonnie McCaffery, Connie Grandinetti and Sharla Hicks,
plus some other website listing of Virtual Quilt Galleries. Remember,
I am always looking for more quilts to add. For instructions on how to participate,
go to the bottom of the Gallery page.
- The
World Wide Computer Quilting Page has new listing for conferences plus
more shops and teachers, check them out! Remember anyone who is actively participating
in spreading the wonderful world of Computer Quilting is eligible to add a listing.
Just e-mail me.
HINTS
AND TIPSTransfer Paper's DID YOU KNOW QUESTIONS?
NOTE: We carry Inkjet Transfer Paper, and
blank jigsaw puzzle, coasters and mouse pads for your transfer needs at
discount pricing? 
- Did you know that you need to be aware how your printer
sets it ink? For an optimal transfer, your transfer paper "should"
match your Printer method of adding ink. Lasers use heat to set Carbon and a few
inkjet printer especially "older or high end inkjets" use heat or dryers
to set the ink, most inkjets use not drying method, and then there is Dye-Sublimation
(the latest consumer priced Alps Printer now on the market use this method).
- Did
you know there are multiple types of "Heat Transfer Papers": Hot
Peel / Cold Peel Plastisol Transfers (Note that PEEL is the operative word
"because" both types of transfer paper use heat to transfer the image
to the fabric), Color Copier Transfers, Sublimation Transfers with confusion about
the differences between Dye Sublimation transfers and just plain Sublimation transfers.
- Did you know that you can determine if your transfered image
can be Satin or Glossy finish by how long you leave the image to cool before
lifting off the transfer paper?
- Did you know that some transfer
papers require Pre-washing of fabric before the transfer and some DO NOT?
- Did you know that I found out about these nuances by
reading through how-to articles. If you want to know more, you probably want
to review some of the same articles.
- For General Information on the
different types of Transfer Processes and the Ink options go to Geo-Knights Overview
of Heat Transfer (includes web sources)! Or are you trying to decide on
Printer and are confused by the different types of inks each uses? This article
will give you an understanding of what type of printer you may want to look into
by clarifying the differences between ink types used.
- Other Websites
with Transfer Paper
- Micro
Format, Imagination Gallery Color Transfer Paper and much more!
- Computer Crafts
Specialty Paper Products for Computer Printouts
- NOTE:
We carry blank Jigsaw puzzle, coasters and mouse pads for your transfer needs.
PROBLEMS WITH INKJET SMEARING ON TRANSFER PAPER
(Especially with Epson Printers when using Cannon transfer paper)Gloria
Hansen co-author of the book, Quilter's
Computer Companion, writes: I have an Epson 800. Epson has a new driver
(you can download it through their web page -- www.epson.com)
that purports to help with transfer smearing problems. I found that regardless
of the new driver, Epson's ink smears on Canon transfer paper (I've had great
results with Canon paper on other printers), although you can lessen the smearing
by using either the transparency setting or the photo quality glossy setting.
Also, don't print over 720 dpi. Interestingly, I've tried a couple different
"no-name" brands of image transfer paper that I purchased at computer
fairs. They each worked great -- as in absolutely NO smearing and very sharp images.
So, if you've only tried Canon, try another brand. Good luck! - Gloria
Hansen
- Highstown, NJ.
- e-mail: Gloria Hansen <gloriahansen@earthlink.net>
- Website for: Quilter's
Computer Companion book
-
USING
AVERY LABEL TO BACK FABRIC to GO THROUGH LASER PRINTERDebra Hosler
of Rocklin, California writes: Have you tried using a full-page paper-backed
Avery laser label as backing for your fabric when feeding through printers? Works
great, and since they come already sized at 8.5"x 11" you only have
to trim your fabric to the edges of the label after you apply it--no measuring
with a ruler on your freezer paper to cut the right size first! They are a little
more expensive than freezer paper--you have to buy a box of 100, but as I recall
it came out to around .25-.35 apiece, which to me is worth the convenience in
the time they save alone, and one box will last me for years (you could find a
buddy to share them--or maybe you need that many a year!). The product ID is Avery
5165. If I need a smaller label than the full page, I use my desktop publishing
program to design two or more on a single page and print them out for cutting
apart later .... Another option would be to cut the label into halves or thirds
before applying it....Whatever sheet thickness setting you use with the freezer
paper method to prevent smearing should work for the label method, as they both
add about the same thickness to the fabric; but the label may be less stiff than
the freezer paper, which I find to be more of an advantage........Good luck!
- Debra Hosler
- Rocklin, CA
- e-mail: "Debra Hosler"
<dhosler@2xtreme.net>
-
Freezer
Paper, the Computer and a little bit moreGIF VS JPEG for pictures to Send via e-mail or add to your WebsiteHINT,
Gifs are magic in e-mail: Did you know that if the person receiving your e-mail
is using an e-mail package that supports html (all the newer versions of any worth
do), that when attaching a picture as a Gif, the picture will show up at
the end of the e-mail in all its colorful glory? This is a great way to send your
computer designed quilts to show off or even that very special Birthday greeting
for that extra special touch! Hint by Sharla Hicks, Editor The following
article is helpful in determining when and what to use or send!Scanning:I have
been on a mission the last month or so to get my equipment up to speed to accommodate
my slide collection so that I can incorporate my photography images into my art
quilts to be used in conjunction with my Linoleum Block Printing experiments.
The first thing that I did was go browsing for information about scanners and
the following were helpful! MORE
Clipart: - At
About.com site for Quilting: Susan Drudring has done it again! She has
ferreted out some great resources for ClipArt and added in some Web Tool hints
also!
- Fontasia
can't find the font you want for that special quilt label? Try here!
Final
Note -
Remember when your computer is on
the blink or your program is giving you fits, try to smile and remember
this clever quote by Sherry Cote of Central California who recently EXCLAIMED
after a day of struggles with a quilt program: -
"Maybe
the program was suffering from -
PMS
(pouty microchip syndrome)." -
Until Next Time: Sharla Hicks
Computer Quilting BYTES Editor -
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