Welcome to Cinderella's Blog
Perhaps a better name would be Journal or News. I chose B.L.O.G.—who knew that “word” would become traditional? The good news is “Quilting” will always be universally recognized no matter what language we translate. We’ll still be searching for creative ways to express quilt art and new locations to shop for essentials. We desire inspirational instructors, exciting fabrics and especially quality THREADS—the glue! Our support network of quilters through satellite groups, guilds, and communities is vibrant (especially here, on Vancouver Island, BC). Join me as I share how-to articles on Threads and techniques, quilting events, profiles on fabric artists, natural things of beauty and general interest to curious and resourceful stitchers! ...Cindy Scraba (Cinderella)
Click each month for past articles of interest...
Article Archive
Focus on Quilters--Val Ursulak (#7 in Profile Series)
Posted by cindy on Sunday, January 1st, 2012
It is my sincere pleasure to profile Val Ursulak, Chapter Leader for the Nanaimo, B.C. Chapter of the Appliqué Society (TAS). If you have an interest (and even if you don't) in the art of hand appliqué you should meet one of Canada's most accomplished masters. There are a variety of traditional and related techniques that we refer to as "appliqué" and anyone who knows Val assumes she's done them all! Our Dimensional Divas group feels lucky and privileged to learn from such a passionate and gifted teacher when we meet monthly. It seems her musician/hubby has even written a jingle about her rather frequent "habit" of appliquéing. It's okay to have a healthy addiction. Here's a preview of some of Val's masterpieces and the reasons why she's so passionate about appliqué...cinderella
- How would you define your style of quilting?
I like to try everything (and I have) but my all time favourite is needle turn applique with embroidery and ribbon embellishment.
- What is your favorite workshop(s) to teach?
Playing With Paintstiks is one of my favourite fun day workshops. All my other workshops are based around various types of applique, including basic skills, layered work, dimensional techniques, Baltimore style, reverse applique and Molas. I have found my niche in teaching applique every month to our Nanaimo “Dimensional Divas” Chapter of the Applique Society. I love the camaraderie of this group and delight in seeing the ladies building up their repertoire of techniques.
- What are some of your favorite quilts or projects you’ve created?
The following works and images are courtesy of Val Ursulak©
Feathered Friends & Flowers World Quilt Competition
Dream Dance
Heart Parade
Bountiful Harvest
Embracing Horses
Little Girls on the Beach
Spring Basket
St. Paul de Vence
My Jim
- Do you have a favorite sewing machine(s)?
My favourite “sewing machine” is/are my two hands as I am smitten with handwork. I quilt all my own pieces on my Pfaff 7550, which I bought in 1996. (I keep my cars for a long time too!) It never lets me down.
- How many machines do you have?
One
- Which instructors or workshops have most inspired you?
Elly Sienkiewicz (the poetess of applique), Jane Townswick, Gabrielle Swain, Karen Kay Buckley and my two newest favourites, Sandra Leichner and Janice Vaine.
- What other things inspire you to teach and quilt?
Teaching elementary school children was my career and I’ve never lost the “teaching bug”. Teaching on a regular basis inspires me to constantly learn new techniques and I treasure that gentle “kick in the butt”!
- Who is on your ‘instructor/quilter wish list’ to meet and why?
I’ve been following Sandra Leichner’s very inspiring blog for some time now and this spring I will take a 5-day class from her. Sandra is such a whiz at adding embroidery embellishment to her masterful applique so I’m excited about this class. I will also take a three-day class from Janice Vaine this summer. Janice uses silk, wired, and bias ribbon plus all types of surface embroidery to her applique blocks. I know I will come home with lots of inspiration and new techniques.
- What would you like other quilters or stitchers to know about you?
I want them to know that I appreciate every bit of help and inspiration I have received from the quilting community and that I feel both inspired and compelled to share what I have learned.
- What determines your Thread choices in your projects? (any Superior favorites?)
For applique I choose a size 60 cotton thread or a 100 weight silk thread to match my fabric. Superior has a marvellous array of silk threads for this purpose. For thread painting, I love the lustre of the Superior tri-lobal threads. For quilting, I usually choose rayon threads to enhance the applique. I love the convenience of the pre-wound cotton bobbins from Superior.
On Vancouver Island, we refer to Val as the Goddess of Appliqué. She's also been on the executives of various guilds and continues to be an active volunteer on committees. She has received numerous awards for her quilting. Some of you will recognize "Heart Parade" (black quilt above credit: Aie Rossman pattern), which was previously featured on the cover of CQA Nat'l publication after winning Best of Show at the 2007 Nanaimo Quilt Guild Material Magic Quilt Show.
Thank you so much Val, for sharing your gifts of passion and teaching with the quilting community and your friends!
Cinderella
Cindy Scraba (CindysThreadworks.Com)
Contact: Val Ursulak jursulak@shaw.ca for her Workshop Opportunities
To review other Profiles in this Quilter/FibreArtist Series click LINKS OR Click below...
Visit the website for TAS The Appliqué Society and learn how-to start up your own Chapter.
- Please share YOUR comments under "Comments" below for Val.
Categories:
Focus on Quilters,
Focus on FibreArtists
Comments
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I feel so blessed to be a part of the Sewciabelles satellite group, and over the years I have been fortunate in sharing a sewing table with Val. Although our quilting interests differ, I have been awed by her patience and love of hand appliqué, and her willingness to encourage others and share her expertise. She pays attention to detail and settles for nothing but the best in her quilts, as you can see from her samples of favourites. It is a pleasure knowing this very special quilt artist!by Kathy Bush on 16 January 2012 at 6:37 a.m.
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Amazing eye candy and great article..Well doneby Donna on 15 January 2012 at 5:39 p.m.
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Those are such amazing quilts!!by BArb on 05 January 2012 at 7:51 p.m.
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This was a lovely profile on Val. She is a fabulous teacher and such an amazing applique 'Goddess'. You look gorgeous in your photo, Val!by Cathy Welte on 02 January 2012 at 9:33 p.m.
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Great article about a great lady! She is an inspiration to a lot of quilters (and others!).by Laura Morrissey on 02 January 2012 at 12:45 p.m.
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I'm blessed to have learned the art of Applique from Val Ursulak. Several years ago Val offered a class to the Nanaimo Quilters Guild before each monthly meeting to introduce members to Applique. This was so successful Val gave two classes, one before and after the meeting. The Dimensional Diva Chapter was formed following these classes as many of us were "bitten" by Val's enthusiasm for applique. Val's generosity in sharing her skills and talents in this discipline is unlimited and I am so grateful to this lovely lady.by Avril Valentine on 01 January 2012 at 8:10 p.m.
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Wonderful article about a very special Lady with so many talents!by Coreen Zerr on 01 January 2012 at 5:44 p.m.
