Comments for Dena Crain: Artist/Teacher in Kenya http://www.denacrain.com/blog Patchwork Quilting in Africa Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:09:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Fabric Shopping in Nairobi, Kenya by tonnyhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/quilt-patterns/fabric-shopping-in-nairobi/#comment-45771 tonny Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:09:47 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=657#comment-45771 Hi Sola if you have not yet bought the fabric I would like to help you get one as I would be traveling to Kampala soon so if you want to the you can contact me so we can see how I can be of help Hi Sola if you have not yet bought the fabric I would like to help you get one as I would be traveling to Kampala soon so if you want to the you can contact me so we can see how I can be of help

]]> Comment on Symmetry Sets by Carrie Thompsonhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/symmetry-sets/#comment-45687 Carrie Thompson Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:04:54 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=6419#comment-45687 It's a visiting quilt - we'll all share it. :D It’s a visiting quilt – we’ll all share it. :D

]]> Comment on Symmetry Sets by Dena Crainhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/symmetry-sets/#comment-44966 Dena Crain Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:57:44 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=6419#comment-44966 That sounds like a fantastic project, Carrie. Good luck with it. Who gets to keep the quilt in the end? ;-) That sounds like a fantastic project, Carrie. Good luck with it. Who gets to keep the quilt in the end? ;-)

]]> Comment on Symmetry Sets by Carrie Thompsonhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/symmetry-sets/#comment-44912 Carrie Thompson Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:54:24 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=6419#comment-44912 I really like the designer pinwheels. I have just learned to do this type of cutting and resewing to create fabulous designs. It really adds unique interest with not nearly so much work as it looks like. Some friends and I have created a friendship quilt. We each created a square, unique to our own style, and we can tell exactly who made each one by their personality. We are now combining them into a quilt, and on the back is a pocket, holding a journal. We will pass the quilt from person to person, once a month, and whomever has the quilt will record any significant event that happens to them while in possession of the quilt. It should be filled with dear memories for decades to come. I really like the designer pinwheels. I have just learned to do this type of cutting and resewing to create fabulous designs. It really adds unique interest with not nearly so much work as it looks like. Some friends and I have created a friendship quilt. We each created a square, unique to our own style, and we can tell exactly who made each one by their personality. We are now combining them into a quilt, and on the back is a pocket, holding a journal. We will pass the quilt from person to person, once a month, and whomever has the quilt will record any significant event that happens to them while in possession of the quilt. It should be filled with dear memories for decades to come.

]]> Comment on Fabric Shopping in Nairobi, Kenya by Dena Crainhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/quilt-patterns/fabric-shopping-in-nairobi/#comment-44882 Dena Crain Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:57:08 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=657#comment-44882 Great! Glad to be of help! Let us know how you make out, won't you? Your comments can help others. We'll "pass it forward," ok?! ;-) Great! Glad to be of help! Let us know how you make out, won’t you? Your comments can help others. We’ll “pass it forward,” ok?! ;-)

]]> Comment on Fabric Shopping in Nairobi, Kenya by Bettyhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/quilt-patterns/fabric-shopping-in-nairobi/#comment-44839 Betty Mon, 06 Feb 2012 07:03:04 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=657#comment-44839 Dena, Many thanks, so useful and quick response. Very well appreciated, I will go to ViTendi and Nishit also try Tile & Carpet. Have a blessed week, Betty Dena,
Many thanks, so useful and quick response. Very well appreciated, I will go to ViTendi and Nishit also try Tile & Carpet.
Have a blessed week,
Betty

]]> Comment on Fabric Shopping in Nairobi, Kenya by Dena Crainhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/quilt-patterns/fabric-shopping-in-nairobi/#comment-44837 Dena Crain Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:36:51 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=657#comment-44837 Betty, why not also take a look at ViTendi in Westlands? They specialize in window treatments, and right next door is Nishit, my favorite place to go for home decorating fabrics (either there or Tile and Carpet Center, depending on the quality and price I want--Nishit is generally more expensive but better quality than TACC).I do not try to keep tabs on anyone who sews. I do my own sewing, after several failed attempts at trusting local "fundi's." ViTendi and Nishit have their own people, well supervised I'm sure. Even the shops on Biashara Street have people they use regularly. Just ask the shopkeeper; they will be happy to help you. Betty, why not also take a look at ViTendi in Westlands? They specialize in window treatments, and right next door is Nishit, my favorite place to go for home decorating fabrics (either there or Tile and Carpet Center, depending on the quality and price I want–Nishit is generally more expensive but better quality than TACC).

I do not try to keep tabs on anyone who sews. I do my own sewing, after several failed attempts at trusting local “fundi’s.” ViTendi and Nishit have their own people, well supervised I’m sure. Even the shops on Biashara Street have people they use regularly. Just ask the shopkeeper; they will be happy to help you.

]]> Comment on Fabric Shopping in Nairobi, Kenya by Bettyhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/quilt-patterns/fabric-shopping-in-nairobi/#comment-44792 Betty Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:28:32 +0000 http://www.denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=657#comment-44792 Hi Dena, Thanks for a very useful site. I am looking material for curtains. Looking for good quality linen and heavy cotton (to keep out light). Since the our house is more windown/French doors than wall, I am thinking it will be best to buy the fabrics and take it to a good tailor. I selected some from your list above (Atul's, Combined Supplier Ltd. etc...) I am on the right path? Can you suggest a good tailor who can make the curtain once I find the fabrics?Many thanks, B Hi Dena,
Thanks for a very useful site. I am looking material for curtains. Looking for good quality linen and heavy cotton (to keep out light). Since the our house is more windown/French doors than wall, I am thinking it will be best to buy the fabrics and take it to a good tailor. I selected some from your list above (Atul’s, Combined Supplier Ltd. etc…) I am on the right path? Can you suggest a good tailor who can make the curtain once I find the fabrics?

Many thanks,
B

]]> Comment on Designer Pinwheels by Dena Crainhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/quilt-classes/designer-pinwheels/#comment-44765 Dena Crain Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:04:19 +0000 http://denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=486#comment-44765 I sympathize. Being 200 miles north of Nairobi, Kenya, means I have download issues of my own! It seems like we never catch up to the standards of other countries, either in speed or pricing.Classes at Quilt University run simply. You register online and pay with a credit card. Before the class opens, you receive the classroom password by email. You click on the link, enter your password and you're in.Each class has several lessons, each new lesson appearing a week later than the previous one. You can see the lesson material online or save it onto your computer and even print it out if you like. You don't have to download anything other than the Web site page itself.You begin doing the work and take digital photos or make scans along the way for sharing and getting virtually immediate assistance. Our classes may have videos attached but we are aware that many of our students are on slow internet connections so we never rely completely on the videos to do the instruction for us. None of my classes have videos and it's not likely they will; I'm shy and don't want to make them.Running concurrently with each class is a message board called the Discussion Forum. Introduce yourself to your classmates and get to know them better by posting quick messages there. Tell us about your learning experience, ask for help or chat with others who you might find live near you. It's friendly and social but productive. My own Discussion Forums are where the REAL teaching takes place, so it's worthwhile to pay attention to what's going on there.Additionally, each classroom has a gallery of teacher and student work for you to enjoy, and you can have your own temporary personal gallery for posting photos of the work you are doing. Send photos in for posting (low resolution, small size files are best if you have connection issues; just set your camera for the lowest quality level before you shoot), and they will appear within a matter of hours. We, your teacher and all the other students, can go there and see what you've been up to, but the ENTIRE classroom is password protected, so we are the only ones who can get in.The classroom is open from the day before the first lesson appears until three weeks after the last one shows up. This gives everyone plenty of time to finish up, even if they've been interrupted by "life getting in the way." Teachers are required to check their Discussion Forums at least once a day throughout the entire duration of the class, so the maximum time you would go without getting a response would be less than 24 hours, or about comparable to any student getting help on any university campus.The price of our classes is USD $9 per lesson, so a 3-lesson class costs $27 and a 4-lesson one costs $36; very reasonable, as I'm sure you would agree.There's a free sample class available; it has to do with designing borders. Why not go now to <a href="http://www.quiltuniversity.com" title="Quilt University, online quilt classes" target="_blank">Quilt University</a> and download the sample class? If you have no download issues with that, you should have no problem with any of our classes.Hope this helps; thanks for asking. I LOVE talking about Quilt University, and I will be on the lookout for you in <a href="http://www.denacrain.com/blog/2012/02/designer-pinwheels-registration-closing-soon-2/" title="Designer Pinwheels at Quilt University, Registration Closing Soon" target="_blank">Designer Pinwheels</a>!! ;-) I sympathize. Being 200 miles north of Nairobi, Kenya, means I have download issues of my own! It seems like we never catch up to the standards of other countries, either in speed or pricing.

Classes at Quilt University run simply. You register online and pay with a credit card. Before the class opens, you receive the classroom password by email. You click on the link, enter your password and you’re in.

Each class has several lessons, each new lesson appearing a week later than the previous one. You can see the lesson material online or save it onto your computer and even print it out if you like. You don’t have to download anything other than the Web site page itself.

You begin doing the work and take digital photos or make scans along the way for sharing and getting virtually immediate assistance. Our classes may have videos attached but we are aware that many of our students are on slow internet connections so we never rely completely on the videos to do the instruction for us. None of my classes have videos and it’s not likely they will; I’m shy and don’t want to make them.

Running concurrently with each class is a message board called the Discussion Forum. Introduce yourself to your classmates and get to know them better by posting quick messages there. Tell us about your learning experience, ask for help or chat with others who you might find live near you. It’s friendly and social but productive. My own Discussion Forums are where the REAL teaching takes place, so it’s worthwhile to pay attention to what’s going on there.

Additionally, each classroom has a gallery of teacher and student work for you to enjoy, and you can have your own temporary personal gallery for posting photos of the work you are doing. Send photos in for posting (low resolution, small size files are best if you have connection issues; just set your camera for the lowest quality level before you shoot), and they will appear within a matter of hours. We, your teacher and all the other students, can go there and see what you’ve been up to, but the ENTIRE classroom is password protected, so we are the only ones who can get in.

The classroom is open from the day before the first lesson appears until three weeks after the last one shows up. This gives everyone plenty of time to finish up, even if they’ve been interrupted by “life getting in the way.” Teachers are required to check their Discussion Forums at least once a day throughout the entire duration of the class, so the maximum time you would go without getting a response would be less than 24 hours, or about comparable to any student getting help on any university campus.

The price of our classes is USD $9 per lesson, so a 3-lesson class costs $27 and a 4-lesson one costs $36; very reasonable, as I’m sure you would agree.

There’s a free sample class available; it has to do with designing borders. Why not go now to Quilt University and download the sample class? If you have no download issues with that, you should have no problem with any of our classes.

Hope this helps; thanks for asking. I LOVE talking about Quilt University, and I will be on the lookout for you in Designer Pinwheels!! ;-)

]]> Comment on Designer Pinwheels by BA Johnsonhttp://www.denacrain.com/blog/quilt-classes/designer-pinwheels/#comment-44736 BA Johnson Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:05:53 +0000 http://denacrain.com/blog/?page_id=486#comment-44736 I am interested in taking this course, but have recently enrolled in a class from Craftsy & am having all sorts of problems with the downloads, I have even downloaded a special program to more rapidly download videos, etc. & I am still having difficulty. We live 30 miles off the grid & a 10 minute snipit might take hours to download, then there is no replay tab & I've lost all that time. How are your classes done? What are the fee's, I have been unable to find any fee structure. Thank you for your help here. BAJohnson I am interested in taking this course, but have recently enrolled in a class from
Craftsy & am having all sorts of problems with the downloads, I have even downloaded a special program to more rapidly download videos, etc. & I am still having difficulty. We live 30 miles off the grid & a 10 minute snipit might take hours to download, then there is no replay tab & I’ve lost all that time.
How are your classes done? What are the fee’s, I have been unable to find any fee structure. Thank you for your help here. BAJohnson

]]>