ScanNCut

A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

One of the quilt guilds that I belong to is called the Quilters Connection.  For the guild show this year they are gathering 100 Ruby Red blocks.  The basic idea is to create a small quilt or quilt block — made up of red and white fabrics only — which will be attached to a canvas.  Each of these blocks will be sold at the show to benefit the guild.  I decided to spend an afternoon putting mine together.

I started by creating an owl file by importing a free clip art design (just do a web search for "free owl clip art" to find your own owl!) into ScanNCut Canvas.  I edited the file and pulled apart the various pieces of the owl so that I had a series of shapes to cut.  (You can view a video of a similar process HERE.)

from the Balzer Designs Blog: A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

As you can see, my pieces didn't all fit on the mat, so I ended up cutting the pieces in several passes.  This was a fine choice because I needed to use a bunch of different fabrics to make my owl.

I first cut some commercial fabrics: 

from the Balzer Designs Blog: A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

The ScanNCut did a great job cutting out all those little pieces for the owl.  However, after looking at it, I decided that I had cheated.  There were blacks and golds and nothing was really white except for the background.  The problem was, I just didn't have enough red fabrics….what to do?

I could have gone shopping, but you know how it is when you're in the middle of a project.  Who wants to put on pants and leave the house?!

So, I painted some plain white fabric with red and white paints and cut out my owl parts once again:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

Much better!

I even painted some white-on-white fabric pieces and pieced four patterns together to create my background:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

Notice that pattern #2 is actually one of my Art Foamies!  And there's another Art Foamie making up most of the owl's body.

Then, I did a bit of raw edge applique and added some borders of commercial fabric, according to the guild instructions.

from the Balzer Designs Blog: A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

You can see the stitching a bit more easily in this photo:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

I think it turned out super cute!  The painted fabric makes this project totally "me."  And the ScanNCut made the whole thing quick and easy.  If you're looking for tips on cutting fabric with your ScanNCut, check out this video tutorial:

In essentials:

from the Balzer Designs Blog: A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

I have some nerves about my quilt selling during the guild show.  I mean with 100 blocks, what if no one wants mine?  I guess we shall have to see what happens at the show in June!

Also, I will be on HSN tomorrow (Tuesday, March 14) during the 5am and 5pm hours.  I've got an awesome ScanNCut bundle that you're going to want!  I'll update on Twitter and instagram if anything changes.  :)  I hope you'll tune in, either on your TV or streaming online!

Thanks for stopping by!

Please Note: I am a paid spokesperson for the Brother ScanNCut.  It is a machine I love and use.  All projects and opinions are my own.

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter, printmaker, and collage artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Her artwork investigates the interplay of identity and perception, inviting viewers to take a longer look. Julie works in layers, both physically and metaphorically, exploring what is visible and what is concealed. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops and her online classroom at MyArtPractice.com. Julie's achievements include high-profile clients, multiple publications - including her book, “Carve Stamp Play” - and exhibits in New York City and throughout Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Brown University.

42 thoughts on “A Mini Owl Quilt Made with my ScanNCut

  • This cutie is definitely you. some buyer will be lucky to snatch this up.

    Reply
  • This cutie is definitely you. some buyer will be lucky to snatch this up.

    Reply
  • This cutie is definitely you. some buyer will be lucky to snatch this up.

    Reply
  • This cutie is definitely you. some buyer will be lucky to snatch this up.

    Reply
  • This cutie is definitely you. some buyer will be lucky to snatch this up.

    Reply
  • This cutie is definitely you. some buyer will be lucky to snatch this up.

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love your owl. I think your owl mini quilt will be the quilt that is made from the depths of creation. It is done all from your imagination. From things that you personally created yourself. Your art foamies. Your idea of painting the fabric. The whole mini quilt is you from start to finish.
    The thing I love about the scan n cut is that you really are creating your own from start to finish. Albeit you can use the point designs boarder designs etc or just draw or find out on the web other designed items one can use.
    I know I have mentioned this before I made a stuff bear from the boarder designs from start to finish. Just taking one of the bears and separating it from the rest. I also used the circle from the basic designs and I traced out the foot of the bear and scanned that in and used that as the pad for the feet.
    I then reduced the circle down for the eyes and nose and took the bow from the another point designs.
    I used the applique stitch on my sewing machine to sew on the tummy and the pads. I use the button foot to sew on the eyes nose and bow tie. It came out pretty good.
    I post my pictures up on HSN community in the Home and Craft section. I showed the community how I did it from start to finish. I have been showing things using my brother scan n cut for several years now.
    With that said I did take a time out from the community. The community is a place that the customers go to talk about the products they have purchased from HSN. Good or bad.
    I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I am glad you are going to be on. I was disappointed that you were not there last week. I did not realize that they were doing several days of craft shows. I only new about the 8th of march. As of now the community is being overhauled and we cannot get on till the 15th of this month. Wednesday.
    If you have time tomorrow could you please mention that the brother scanncut can now emboss. I had a request to show what it looked like so I did a quick one pass of one of the designs to show the community person that requested it. She is very interested in the embossing kit.
    Well you have a great day,
    I hope you left yesterday as today we are preparing for 10-18 inches of snow tonight into Wednesday. So get on that plane already.
    Happy Monday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love your owl. I think your owl mini quilt will be the quilt that is made from the depths of creation. It is done all from your imagination. From things that you personally created yourself. Your art foamies. Your idea of painting the fabric. The whole mini quilt is you from start to finish.
    The thing I love about the scan n cut is that you really are creating your own from start to finish. Albeit you can use the point designs boarder designs etc or just draw or find out on the web other designed items one can use.
    I know I have mentioned this before I made a stuff bear from the boarder designs from start to finish. Just taking one of the bears and separating it from the rest. I also used the circle from the basic designs and I traced out the foot of the bear and scanned that in and used that as the pad for the feet.
    I then reduced the circle down for the eyes and nose and took the bow from the another point designs.
    I used the applique stitch on my sewing machine to sew on the tummy and the pads. I use the button foot to sew on the eyes nose and bow tie. It came out pretty good.
    I post my pictures up on HSN community in the Home and Craft section. I showed the community how I did it from start to finish. I have been showing things using my brother scan n cut for several years now.
    With that said I did take a time out from the community. The community is a place that the customers go to talk about the products they have purchased from HSN. Good or bad.
    I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I am glad you are going to be on. I was disappointed that you were not there last week. I did not realize that they were doing several days of craft shows. I only new about the 8th of march. As of now the community is being overhauled and we cannot get on till the 15th of this month. Wednesday.
    If you have time tomorrow could you please mention that the brother scanncut can now emboss. I had a request to show what it looked like so I did a quick one pass of one of the designs to show the community person that requested it. She is very interested in the embossing kit.
    Well you have a great day,
    I hope you left yesterday as today we are preparing for 10-18 inches of snow tonight into Wednesday. So get on that plane already.
    Happy Monday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love your owl. I think your owl mini quilt will be the quilt that is made from the depths of creation. It is done all from your imagination. From things that you personally created yourself. Your art foamies. Your idea of painting the fabric. The whole mini quilt is you from start to finish.
    The thing I love about the scan n cut is that you really are creating your own from start to finish. Albeit you can use the point designs boarder designs etc or just draw or find out on the web other designed items one can use.
    I know I have mentioned this before I made a stuff bear from the boarder designs from start to finish. Just taking one of the bears and separating it from the rest. I also used the circle from the basic designs and I traced out the foot of the bear and scanned that in and used that as the pad for the feet.
    I then reduced the circle down for the eyes and nose and took the bow from the another point designs.
    I used the applique stitch on my sewing machine to sew on the tummy and the pads. I use the button foot to sew on the eyes nose and bow tie. It came out pretty good.
    I post my pictures up on HSN community in the Home and Craft section. I showed the community how I did it from start to finish. I have been showing things using my brother scan n cut for several years now.
    With that said I did take a time out from the community. The community is a place that the customers go to talk about the products they have purchased from HSN. Good or bad.
    I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I am glad you are going to be on. I was disappointed that you were not there last week. I did not realize that they were doing several days of craft shows. I only new about the 8th of march. As of now the community is being overhauled and we cannot get on till the 15th of this month. Wednesday.
    If you have time tomorrow could you please mention that the brother scanncut can now emboss. I had a request to show what it looked like so I did a quick one pass of one of the designs to show the community person that requested it. She is very interested in the embossing kit.
    Well you have a great day,
    I hope you left yesterday as today we are preparing for 10-18 inches of snow tonight into Wednesday. So get on that plane already.
    Happy Monday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love your owl. I think your owl mini quilt will be the quilt that is made from the depths of creation. It is done all from your imagination. From things that you personally created yourself. Your art foamies. Your idea of painting the fabric. The whole mini quilt is you from start to finish.
    The thing I love about the scan n cut is that you really are creating your own from start to finish. Albeit you can use the point designs boarder designs etc or just draw or find out on the web other designed items one can use.
    I know I have mentioned this before I made a stuff bear from the boarder designs from start to finish. Just taking one of the bears and separating it from the rest. I also used the circle from the basic designs and I traced out the foot of the bear and scanned that in and used that as the pad for the feet.
    I then reduced the circle down for the eyes and nose and took the bow from the another point designs.
    I used the applique stitch on my sewing machine to sew on the tummy and the pads. I use the button foot to sew on the eyes nose and bow tie. It came out pretty good.
    I post my pictures up on HSN community in the Home and Craft section. I showed the community how I did it from start to finish. I have been showing things using my brother scan n cut for several years now.
    With that said I did take a time out from the community. The community is a place that the customers go to talk about the products they have purchased from HSN. Good or bad.
    I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I am glad you are going to be on. I was disappointed that you were not there last week. I did not realize that they were doing several days of craft shows. I only new about the 8th of march. As of now the community is being overhauled and we cannot get on till the 15th of this month. Wednesday.
    If you have time tomorrow could you please mention that the brother scanncut can now emboss. I had a request to show what it looked like so I did a quick one pass of one of the designs to show the community person that requested it. She is very interested in the embossing kit.
    Well you have a great day,
    I hope you left yesterday as today we are preparing for 10-18 inches of snow tonight into Wednesday. So get on that plane already.
    Happy Monday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love your owl. I think your owl mini quilt will be the quilt that is made from the depths of creation. It is done all from your imagination. From things that you personally created yourself. Your art foamies. Your idea of painting the fabric. The whole mini quilt is you from start to finish.
    The thing I love about the scan n cut is that you really are creating your own from start to finish. Albeit you can use the point designs boarder designs etc or just draw or find out on the web other designed items one can use.
    I know I have mentioned this before I made a stuff bear from the boarder designs from start to finish. Just taking one of the bears and separating it from the rest. I also used the circle from the basic designs and I traced out the foot of the bear and scanned that in and used that as the pad for the feet.
    I then reduced the circle down for the eyes and nose and took the bow from the another point designs.
    I used the applique stitch on my sewing machine to sew on the tummy and the pads. I use the button foot to sew on the eyes nose and bow tie. It came out pretty good.
    I post my pictures up on HSN community in the Home and Craft section. I showed the community how I did it from start to finish. I have been showing things using my brother scan n cut for several years now.
    With that said I did take a time out from the community. The community is a place that the customers go to talk about the products they have purchased from HSN. Good or bad.
    I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I am glad you are going to be on. I was disappointed that you were not there last week. I did not realize that they were doing several days of craft shows. I only new about the 8th of march. As of now the community is being overhauled and we cannot get on till the 15th of this month. Wednesday.
    If you have time tomorrow could you please mention that the brother scanncut can now emboss. I had a request to show what it looked like so I did a quick one pass of one of the designs to show the community person that requested it. She is very interested in the embossing kit.
    Well you have a great day,
    I hope you left yesterday as today we are preparing for 10-18 inches of snow tonight into Wednesday. So get on that plane already.
    Happy Monday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love your owl. I think your owl mini quilt will be the quilt that is made from the depths of creation. It is done all from your imagination. From things that you personally created yourself. Your art foamies. Your idea of painting the fabric. The whole mini quilt is you from start to finish.
    The thing I love about the scan n cut is that you really are creating your own from start to finish. Albeit you can use the point designs boarder designs etc or just draw or find out on the web other designed items one can use.
    I know I have mentioned this before I made a stuff bear from the boarder designs from start to finish. Just taking one of the bears and separating it from the rest. I also used the circle from the basic designs and I traced out the foot of the bear and scanned that in and used that as the pad for the feet.
    I then reduced the circle down for the eyes and nose and took the bow from the another point designs.
    I used the applique stitch on my sewing machine to sew on the tummy and the pads. I use the button foot to sew on the eyes nose and bow tie. It came out pretty good.
    I post my pictures up on HSN community in the Home and Craft section. I showed the community how I did it from start to finish. I have been showing things using my brother scan n cut for several years now.
    With that said I did take a time out from the community. The community is a place that the customers go to talk about the products they have purchased from HSN. Good or bad.
    I will look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I am glad you are going to be on. I was disappointed that you were not there last week. I did not realize that they were doing several days of craft shows. I only new about the 8th of march. As of now the community is being overhauled and we cannot get on till the 15th of this month. Wednesday.
    If you have time tomorrow could you please mention that the brother scanncut can now emboss. I had a request to show what it looked like so I did a quick one pass of one of the designs to show the community person that requested it. She is very interested in the embossing kit.
    Well you have a great day,
    I hope you left yesterday as today we are preparing for 10-18 inches of snow tonight into Wednesday. So get on that plane already.
    Happy Monday,
    Fawna

    Reply
  • WOW…you make magic from the Scan and Cut! Such a cutie owl!!

    Reply
  • WOW…you make magic from the Scan and Cut! Such a cutie owl!!

    Reply
  • WOW…you make magic from the Scan and Cut! Such a cutie owl!!

    Reply
  • WOW…you make magic from the Scan and Cut! Such a cutie owl!!

    Reply
  • WOW…you make magic from the Scan and Cut! Such a cutie owl!!

    Reply
  • WOW…you make magic from the Scan and Cut! Such a cutie owl!!

    Reply
  • Julie, you are absolutely one of the most creative people I know and your presentations always provide just the perfect amount of information. This video was especially helpful because we saw your settings for cotton quilting fabric. I usually don’t use the fabric support sheet but will definitely give it a go now. One thing I would like to know is how to take the support sheet off when it’s done with. When I first used it, it was destroyed rather quickly and did not feel the investment was worth it. How often do you replace these and is there a way to preserve its life or is this just one of the many consumables we must get used to. On a positive note, I love my Scan n Cut and will use it for anything and everything creative. Truly the best product on the market especially when paired with my new Dream Machine 2.
    Thank you for all your helpful tips.

    Reply
  • Julie, you are absolutely one of the most creative people I know and your presentations always provide just the perfect amount of information. This video was especially helpful because we saw your settings for cotton quilting fabric. I usually don’t use the fabric support sheet but will definitely give it a go now. One thing I would like to know is how to take the support sheet off when it’s done with. When I first used it, it was destroyed rather quickly and did not feel the investment was worth it. How often do you replace these and is there a way to preserve its life or is this just one of the many consumables we must get used to. On a positive note, I love my Scan n Cut and will use it for anything and everything creative. Truly the best product on the market especially when paired with my new Dream Machine 2.
    Thank you for all your helpful tips.

    Reply
  • Julie, you are absolutely one of the most creative people I know and your presentations always provide just the perfect amount of information. This video was especially helpful because we saw your settings for cotton quilting fabric. I usually don’t use the fabric support sheet but will definitely give it a go now. One thing I would like to know is how to take the support sheet off when it’s done with. When I first used it, it was destroyed rather quickly and did not feel the investment was worth it. How often do you replace these and is there a way to preserve its life or is this just one of the many consumables we must get used to. On a positive note, I love my Scan n Cut and will use it for anything and everything creative. Truly the best product on the market especially when paired with my new Dream Machine 2.
    Thank you for all your helpful tips.

    Reply
  • Julie, you are absolutely one of the most creative people I know and your presentations always provide just the perfect amount of information. This video was especially helpful because we saw your settings for cotton quilting fabric. I usually don’t use the fabric support sheet but will definitely give it a go now. One thing I would like to know is how to take the support sheet off when it’s done with. When I first used it, it was destroyed rather quickly and did not feel the investment was worth it. How often do you replace these and is there a way to preserve its life or is this just one of the many consumables we must get used to. On a positive note, I love my Scan n Cut and will use it for anything and everything creative. Truly the best product on the market especially when paired with my new Dream Machine 2.
    Thank you for all your helpful tips.

    Reply
  • Julie, you are absolutely one of the most creative people I know and your presentations always provide just the perfect amount of information. This video was especially helpful because we saw your settings for cotton quilting fabric. I usually don’t use the fabric support sheet but will definitely give it a go now. One thing I would like to know is how to take the support sheet off when it’s done with. When I first used it, it was destroyed rather quickly and did not feel the investment was worth it. How often do you replace these and is there a way to preserve its life or is this just one of the many consumables we must get used to. On a positive note, I love my Scan n Cut and will use it for anything and everything creative. Truly the best product on the market especially when paired with my new Dream Machine 2.
    Thank you for all your helpful tips.

    Reply
  • Julie, you are absolutely one of the most creative people I know and your presentations always provide just the perfect amount of information. This video was especially helpful because we saw your settings for cotton quilting fabric. I usually don’t use the fabric support sheet but will definitely give it a go now. One thing I would like to know is how to take the support sheet off when it’s done with. When I first used it, it was destroyed rather quickly and did not feel the investment was worth it. How often do you replace these and is there a way to preserve its life or is this just one of the many consumables we must get used to. On a positive note, I love my Scan n Cut and will use it for anything and everything creative. Truly the best product on the market especially when paired with my new Dream Machine 2.
    Thank you for all your helpful tips.

    Reply
  • I would certainly be happy to buy your little owl. It’s terrific! I like both your renditions but especially the one you painted and stamped.

    Reply
  • I would certainly be happy to buy your little owl. It’s terrific! I like both your renditions but especially the one you painted and stamped.

    Reply
  • I would certainly be happy to buy your little owl. It’s terrific! I like both your renditions but especially the one you painted and stamped.

    Reply
  • I would certainly be happy to buy your little owl. It’s terrific! I like both your renditions but especially the one you painted and stamped.

    Reply
  • I would certainly be happy to buy your little owl. It’s terrific! I like both your renditions but especially the one you painted and stamped.

    Reply
  • I would certainly be happy to buy your little owl. It’s terrific! I like both your renditions but especially the one you painted and stamped.

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love the shows on HSN. You looked simply marvelous. You did an awesome job and again did so much with the scan n cut in so little time. Great bundle with the cm350.
    I too am loving that cd with the 50 designs. I have most of the basics and I really love the lacy ones on that cd..
    I thought I heard news coming down the pike that brother was going to be releasing something called a Collection Design kit on cd??. I wonder if this is the first of the collections. If so I am in.
    Have fun stay cool and you did a fabulous presentation. Hoping for a sell out.
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love the shows on HSN. You looked simply marvelous. You did an awesome job and again did so much with the scan n cut in so little time. Great bundle with the cm350.
    I too am loving that cd with the 50 designs. I have most of the basics and I really love the lacy ones on that cd..
    I thought I heard news coming down the pike that brother was going to be releasing something called a Collection Design kit on cd??. I wonder if this is the first of the collections. If so I am in.
    Have fun stay cool and you did a fabulous presentation. Hoping for a sell out.
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love the shows on HSN. You looked simply marvelous. You did an awesome job and again did so much with the scan n cut in so little time. Great bundle with the cm350.
    I too am loving that cd with the 50 designs. I have most of the basics and I really love the lacy ones on that cd..
    I thought I heard news coming down the pike that brother was going to be releasing something called a Collection Design kit on cd??. I wonder if this is the first of the collections. If so I am in.
    Have fun stay cool and you did a fabulous presentation. Hoping for a sell out.
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love the shows on HSN. You looked simply marvelous. You did an awesome job and again did so much with the scan n cut in so little time. Great bundle with the cm350.
    I too am loving that cd with the 50 designs. I have most of the basics and I really love the lacy ones on that cd..
    I thought I heard news coming down the pike that brother was going to be releasing something called a Collection Design kit on cd??. I wonder if this is the first of the collections. If so I am in.
    Have fun stay cool and you did a fabulous presentation. Hoping for a sell out.
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love the shows on HSN. You looked simply marvelous. You did an awesome job and again did so much with the scan n cut in so little time. Great bundle with the cm350.
    I too am loving that cd with the 50 designs. I have most of the basics and I really love the lacy ones on that cd..
    I thought I heard news coming down the pike that brother was going to be releasing something called a Collection Design kit on cd??. I wonder if this is the first of the collections. If so I am in.
    Have fun stay cool and you did a fabulous presentation. Hoping for a sell out.
    Fawna

    Reply
  • Hi Julie,
    Love the shows on HSN. You looked simply marvelous. You did an awesome job and again did so much with the scan n cut in so little time. Great bundle with the cm350.
    I too am loving that cd with the 50 designs. I have most of the basics and I really love the lacy ones on that cd..
    I thought I heard news coming down the pike that brother was going to be releasing something called a Collection Design kit on cd??. I wonder if this is the first of the collections. If so I am in.
    Have fun stay cool and you did a fabulous presentation. Hoping for a sell out.
    Fawna

    Reply

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