Here is the first bit. I was kinda nervous for a few seconds but then by some miracle…I wasn’t! So this clip captures those first few nervous seconds and I seem to blink a lot  and…ummm…I say, “umm” a few times. I do so like that little non-thinking word of exhale. Umm let’s us regroup. Umm is the tiny stop-gap we put in our sentences to buy some time for the brain to catch up with the mouth. But after all the blinking and umms in the first minute subside, then for the next hour I teach a lot of really fun material that I have learned over my life as an artist to help you make cool things in a direct and fun way–like drawing essentials including blind contour and gesture drawing, composition and fast, fun collage techniques. I truly believe that if you can draw you can do anything. Undoubtedly, the simple drawing techniques I offer will help you see the world better and more clearly and therefor your creations will be that much better. Even if you aren’t an artist and don’t really want to be one, drawing helps all of your creative products from sewing to quilting to graphic design.

Confidence comes from knowing that you are absolutely good enough right now in this moment and trusting that whatever you make (even if it isn’t fit for the Louvre or MoMa) is an expression of your heart and soul here and now. In fact, the more we make mistakes, the more we can learn from them and get better and better. We all want to make great things and with practice, we certainly will–but we also can have a total blast on the journey and enjoy the ride knowing that there is no such thing as perfect…and that right now you can express the magic in your heart the best way you know how and with whatever skills you have.

Go get get your copy today! The download is available right now and the DVD will be in stock on August 8, 2014. Click here to buy. Here’s the Quilting Daily newsletter:

Enable your inner artist with Carrie Bloomston’s expert guidance

Retail:$44.98 Your Price: $24.99 PRE-ORDER NOW Quilting Arts Workshop: Art Techniques for Quilt Design with Carrie Bloomston DVD – 68 minutes Confidently create contemporary quilt designs! Join Carrie Bloomston for this workshop video that will teach you how to capture the essence of an idea in cloth by using warm up techniques, drawing exercises, and basic design principles. Then, put these techniques to the test as you learn how to craft a freeform nest pattern, create collages from fabric, and design a whimsical quilt based on children’s artwork. Pre-order Art Techniques for Quilt Design today to: • Put composition to work and create quilting designs out of cloth that have movement and balance. • Learn to speak the language of your materials — be in the moment and trust your intuition. • Uncover Carrie’s expert tips to bring out the most from your contemporary quilts. • Have fun and let your materials inspire unique and personalized projects. • And much, much more! Pre-order your copy of Art Techniques for Quilt Designand receive the download FREE to enjoy instantly!