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Hi Reader,

The Artsy Tip for this month is practise for success. I know it sounds boring and could easily be put straight into the file marked, 'Duh'. After all, it's second only to practise makes perfect, and nobody wants to hear that when all we want is a home run.

Maybe it stems from those daily practise sessions at the piano when you were a kid or, in my case, the ear-straining screeches from a clarinet, but practice gets a bad rap. Of course, that was then and this is now and we know there are far better reasons to practise than seeking perfection, right?

For starters, practise allows us to work out problems with our technique or make important decisions when we are faced with bewildering choices, like which threads and what designs we will use to quilt our fabric collage masterpiece.

Heck, it even works in the kitchen and it's used by chefs to train their tastebuds. Try this story on for size:

Last week, I pulled a ziploc of frozen tomato sauce from the freezer to make a pasta dinner. As I peered into the freezer, I felt a twinge of sadness for a brief moment. This was the last bag of sauce from 2022. Just like that, it's gone! You see, I had grown the garlic, the basil and the tomatoes in my postage stamp sized garden. We had a warm and dry summer in 2022 and it made for the sweetest, most flavourful tomatoes ever.

I don't have an italian grandmother's recipe or anything like that but as I made the sauce in September, I was thinking about the advice from Samin Nosrat in her book, Salt Fat Acid Heat. It goes something like this:

Seasoning a tomato sauce had been a roll of the dice for me for many years, but her words encouraged me to rely on my tastebuds to see if I could enhance the natural flavours in those delicious fresh tomatoes and garlic. I have been practising this since I first read it and I now savour every last drop of my fresh tomato sauce. May next year's tomato harvest be as bountiful.

Maybe this example is destined for the 'Duh' file too, but Samin's advice to work on a small sample to train your tastebuds by sampling is spot on. It resonated with me because I apply that same concept to just about anything and everything I attempt in my sewing room. Call it learning by doing, warming up or testing or whatever you like, it works.

Samples to the Rescue

If you are a quilter you probably take a few stitches on a scrap of fabric to ensure that the thread tension is optimal before you begin sewing. This one is essential and we all do it... don't we?

But there are many other examples where samples can rescue you from a dicey situation, especially when you are working on a fabric collage portrait. For example:

• to choose which threads you will use to quilt your pet portrait, don't just make a little pile of thread and try to decide how it will look. Make a small sample from the offcuts and stitch a few inches with each thread and then use that as your reference.
• to figure out the best quilting design, doodle a few ideas on paper. Then, choose two or three designs, sketch them on a clear acetate sheet and lay it over the collage to see what looks best.
• combine both of these and try stitching out those designs on the offcut sample. It's a chance to work out the jitters and calm those anxieties and doubts before you work on your portrait.

We each have our own way of dealing with the see-saw of good intentions and set-backs as we work on any project so the next time you're feeling doubtful or trying to make a decision, try adding some practise and there's a very good chance you will reap the rewards.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

It's the time of year when year-end reviews start popping up to remind us of the events of the year. Okay, maybe we should take a miss on watching "2022 in review"🫣. Instead, how about a wrap-up of my favourite Artsy Tips?

Since you are registered in Pet Portraits Quilting and Finishing, Reader, I have curated these three newsletters just for you. Check them out and to see if there's something that resonates with you.

Quilting and Finishing

​Quilting a pet portrait If you get the jitters just thinking about quilting your masterpiece, make a simple plan.

​Free motion quilting A little scribbling goes a long way when it comes to quilting a pet portrait.

​Amp it up with markers, inks and pens When your collage needs a small boost, here's how to amp it up.

If you have already completed the course, I would love to hear how you found it. You can send me an email any time or leave a review if you feel inclined.

Seasons greetings and happy holidays to you and your loved ones. And don't forget to give the four-leggeds in your life a special hug.