Creativity Meets Craftsmanship at Embroidery Extravaganza

Mark Your Calendars for August 8, 2024!

I am thrilled to share a bit about Embroidery Extravaganza with you.  It will be a day where creativity and craftsmanship come together. 

This event can be attended by embroidery enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned pro, the ten expert-led workshops are designed to ignite your imagination and elevate your embroidery skills.

Click Here to Learn More about the speakers

What to Expect

At Embroidery Extravaganza, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Participate in workshops led by experts in the field.
• Discover new techniques and creative ideas to take your embroidery to the next level.
• Exclusive Student Benefits
• Gain access to all event presentation recordings with no expiration date! This invaluable resource is available exclusively to students who purchase their tickets before the event date. 
• Giveaways during the live event
• Receive a digital swag bag filled with goodies

Get Ready for a Day of Creativity

To make the most of your experience at Embroidery Extravaganza, here are a few tips:

• Come Prepared: Bring your embroidery supplies, including needles, threads, hoops, and any other materials you like to use.
• Stay Open-Minded: Be ready to try new techniques and experiment with different styles.
• Take Notes: Keep a journal handy to jot down ideas and techniques you learn during the workshops.

Limited Space - Act Fast!

Spaces are limited, so don't wait to secure your spot at this incredible event. Plus, you can save $20 off your ticket now by using the code ee24reality at checkout. Sign up now at creativespark.ctpub.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there and stitching together a beautiful day of creativity and craftsmanship!

Capturing Beauty - Online Class

 

LEARN MORE

In this class, you will look to your favorite artists, fashion illustrators, vintage fashion designers, along with your own work to fuel your imaginations.

You will be creating color studies, abstract explorations, figurative work, and a portrait.  This class is all about creating from what you LOVE and allowing yourself to play! It's about capturing the beauty you see and incorporating it into your ART! 

Who is this class for?

Renee believes that by taking the time to collect your ideas, gather inspiration, and dream of the work you want to create is an essential part of the creative process. If you want to overcome creative hurdles, stay on the path to developing your voice as an artist, and learn new techniques.

By devoting yourself to your ideas and your art, you will unlock your potential and create genuinely authentic work.

Check out Studio Works FREE for 30 days

Click Here for more information

Online Art Resource Hub - Free Resources

Check out the Online Free Courses and Resources

Veil of Wax - Mixed Media and Encaustic Portraits

I am delighted to bring you this class where we explore the beautiful combination of luminous encaustic wax and portraits!  For years, Ivy has adored this marriage of mediums and now she wants to share some of her favorite techniques.

Whether you are looking to combine photography, collage or your mixed media paintings with wax - this is the class for you - as Ivy will guide you through all these processes.

Encaustic wax creates a glowing layer of mystery and mood to your portraits and allows for much experimentation and exploration of other mediums too! You will create truly expressive and unique portraits that will have you hooked on this gorgeous blend. 

A Veil of Wax

Check out Studio Works FREE for 30 days

Click Here for more information

Giveaways, Courses and more..

One Badass Art Journal 2022

I am going to be teaching on a few more courses next year and I am excited to share them with you.  The first one is One Badass Art Journal 2022, we are running a giveaway and you can enter HERE  Leave your details and your name goes into the pot for a chance to win a seat.

Enter HERE  for a chance to win a spot on the course

Here is what you will be getting on the course....

• get 17 badass art journal lessons (includes a book making lesson)

• learn BADASS mixed media techniques

• be infused with confidence, creativity and inspiration

• learn great tips and tricks you can use again and again

• play with a variety of tools, adding to your skills

• experience beautiful color combinations and blending techniques

• make BADASS, mixed media, art journal pages

Here’s what you can expect:

• Step-by-Step Mixed Media Tutorials

• Video Tutorials

• Downloadable PDFs

• Wonderful for beginners or anyone who wants to RELEASE their inner BADASS.

Creative JumpStart - Creating Connections 2022

The second course that I am teaching on is called Creative Jumpstart, registration opens on 29th and I will be able to share with you additional information.  You can find out about all the teachers HERE

Creative JumpStart was created by Nathalie Kalbach for hobbyists and artists alike to learn from the best of the best, and take action to build a creative habit. 

The workshop is delivered over four weeks via 38 pre-recorded lessons and interactive sessions (think live webinars and a private forum just for CJS students & instructors to connect).  You get the chance to ask questions, get hands-on help, and join the creative community. 

I will share more about the course and a sneak peek of my class in the coming week.

Patreon

Why not join me on Patreon   It can be a busy time with all these courses and if you are not able to join me on these courses, you can always check out over 60 Patron only posts that include tutorials, how to videos, behind the scenes and more for as little as $3 per month. 

I am on Patreon - Come and Join me

I took the plunge and started a Patreon Page a while back, as I move forward in my bid to create free content for those interested in the use of creativity and the effect on our health and well-being.

My passion is creating and sharing how the Arts and Creativity can impact our health and well-being and in the process help you spend more time using creativity to unlock your creative talents.

What is Patreon?

Patreon is a place where you can support artists who create content you love, so they can make more content. It's kind of like a membership with different tiers, the cool thing is that you get rewards for each month you support, whether that is just once or on an ongoing basis. 

I have been an artist for over 15 years, a mother, a carer and a creative soul.  I looked after my mother for over 17 years and have seen first hand the changes that take place in a loved one living with dementia and the impact on the family.  I was not longer able to care for my mother and a few years ago and had to put her in a nursing home which was devastating.

Art Heals

I used art and creativity as a tool to help me through the 17 years and saw first hand the positive impact that it had for me as well as my mother and I went on to share my art and creativity with men and women who attended a day care center specializing in dementia care.

I believe everyone should have access to the arts across the board. Creating and sharing what I am doing, encouraging participation and hopefully being inspiring means so much to me, especially when you can create important resources for free. The importance of the arts to our lives really came to the forefront of what I was doing when my mum started showing signs of Alzheimer’s which is now in the severe stages and while the effects were devastating, Art and Creativity and improving both of our nutrition helped us navigate the uncharted territory, and there has and continues to be so many treasured moments. 

The Arts gave us the space to express ourselves in ways that words could not. I have been creating and developing resources for everyone and anyone who just wants to be able to create and find themselves in the midst of their situation too, I also started a free Arts and Health network sharing and curating information about Arts and Health events globally. If I can make a positive impact on just one person that would be a blessing.

Subscribe to a Tier on Patreon

My goal is to help you find ways to incorporate art and creativity into your life and to find those pockets of time.  My art and workshops are designed to inspire you to dream, to remind you of all that you already know, and to help you discover the best parts of yourself.

Check out the Tiers below

$3 Tier - Creative Gifts

$10 Tier - Creatively Treasured

$15 - You are Talented

I want to do more and I’d LOVE for you to be part of the adventure with me.

Through your subscription to my Patreon page, I will have the resources to create more art and more content (including ongoing workshop series, digital downloads, tutorials, vlogs, books!). And you will have access to as little or as much as you want. You decide when you select your subscription tier!

I want to create community; a space where we can all share and spread our creative wings together. I want to share the ins an the outs of this imperfect, messy and beautiful journey and I want inspire you on your own journey.  The ability to create isn't reserved for the special. It is for ALL of us.

Your soul knows there is more,  Your mind has forgotten. My work aims to remind you while you increase your creativity and unlock your hidden talents, Join me.”

Come and check out the Patreon page - HERE

Mixed Media Play Date (MMPD) - GIVEAWAY

I hope that you are having a blessed day where ever in the world you are and you have been checking out some of artists that are on the Mixed Media Play Date 2019.  

Listen to the Podcast

By now many of you will know that I am a Guest Artist and will be playing along and sharing a fantastic lesson!  

I am so excited about being able to teach alongside a group of AMAZING artist instructors!  

More Information

The Mixed Media Play Date is a new mixed media collaboration intended to bring you endless inspiration, amazing fun, freedom in creativity and community that are supportive and encouraging and it is hosted by Tiare Smith, you’ll be immersed in gratitude, happiness, and fun from day one. 

And if you think you don’t have enough time to create - there is help, if you don’t know where to begin - there is help, if your inner critic keeps talking and you need someone to lift you up - there is help, and if you need inspiration or you simply want to find your own inner voice then the Mixed Media Play Date is for you! Designed to teach, be a guide, inspiration and a friendly place for you to be yourself and thrive!

AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE!

I am exciting to be a part of this amazing initiative. and there will be so many wonderful things you will be able to enjoy along with us:

You will have Bucket Loads of FUN on top of:

Monthly Challenges and prizes!

New lessons each month!

Weekly new tutorial videos!

Creative prompts!

Writing prompts!

Online pajama parties!

Dance breaks!

Giveaways!

Access to tons of creative content…videos, workshops and MORE!!

For my lesson we will be creating some delicious backgrounds and I will be showing you how you can have fun with them when creating your images, it is time to Dance to the Beat of your Own Drum!!

If you would like to see examples some of my work you can check out my YouTube Channel

Registration/Membership opens on December 1, 2018.  For the early bird discount CLICK HERE  

Do you want to WIN A FREE Year Long Spot on this Online Course with Us?

I have 1 spot to GIVEAWAY!

To enter (each action gives you an additional chance to be entered in the Giveaway):

• Sign up to my Mailing list
• Follow and Like my Facebook Page
• Subscribe to my YouTube
• Follow on Instagram
• Share this blog post and leave a comment use #amandatrought so I can find it

Contest closes Monday 26th November at Midnight (AST) 

Winner Announced on 27th November

GOOD LUCK!!

Each day up to December 1st, Tiare will be introducing you to a different Artist Instructor,  who will be making daily giveaways, so you will have extra opportunities to win a spot by visiting each artist!!

It is going to be an amazing 2019, check out some of the other artists below to learn more about them.

List of Artist/Instructors - Nicci Battilana, Katrina Koltes,

Shay Livenspargar, Maria Persson, Robin Mead, Denise Braun,

Jackie Barragan, Ayala Art, JamieLynn Dougherty, Cindy Gilstrap,

Keri Sallee, Nikol Wikman, Tiff Goff Smith,

Marielle Stolp, and our Host Tiare Smith.

Remember Registration/Membership opens on December 1, 2018.  For the early bird discount CLICK HERE  

Podcasting Week - 2018 & Creative Live Free on Air Classes

It is Podcasting Week 2018. 

I had always wanted to get into Podcasting over the years but never followed it through. I got into radio and did a 3 year stint on local community radio. It was great, and I found doing the research for the show interesting and knowing the power of radio in taking the message out to potentially the world! 

I have always recording my thoughts on my phone using the voice recorder or video and found I had a lot of content that I could use. I jumped in feet first this year and signed up onto a platform called Anchor. It is very easy to use and you get a good quality sound just from using your phone. It also shares your recording on a selection of 9 other podcasting platforms.

If you have been considering making your own podcasts I encourage you to take the step. I started out making one recording a week, and now I am better familiar with editing and uploading I have started releasing two episodes a week. You can obviously do as little or as much as you like.

The advances of technology now means that you can create your own radio talk show, you decide the hours, and collaboration, location. Think about the topics that you can talk about, or who you want to talk with. It is a great opportunity to share your voice with the world.

Weekly Podcasts - This weeks - Letting go of negative words

Most of all don't hide your ideas away, take the leap, be bold, make that step, and you will have amazing memories to look back on.

There are some courses that you can do to give you a good start and you can take a look at some of the courses offered by Creative Live. You can start learning for free with the selection of live and on air classes. You will learn creative skills from top experts, and with over 1,500 curated classes in Photography & Video, Money & Life, Craft & Maker, Art & Design, and Music & Audio, and more!  There is something for everyone.

Creative Live is has a selection of on-air broadcasts for free or you can purchase a class and own the content for life.

Additionally, you can get your daily creative fix on the iOS app with 1 free lesson of your choice, each and every day. I have included some upcoming classes below for you to check out.

Check Out CreativeLive's Free On-Air Classes

Free On-Air Classes - Week of 9/23

Class Name: Automate and Outsource Your Work

Text Link: Automate and Outsource Your Work Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/23/2018

End Date: 09/24/2018

RSVP Date: 09/23/2018

Class Name: Podcasting for Crafters and Makers

Text Link: Podcasting for Crafters and Makers Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/24/2018

End Date: 09/25/2018

RSVP Date: 09/24/2018

Class Name: Grow Your Business with YouTube

Text Link: Grow Your Business with YouTube Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/25/2018

End Date: 09/26/2018

RSVP Date: 09/25/2018

Class Name: Foundations in Metalsmithing: Bracelets

Text Link: Foundations in Metalsmithing: Bracelets Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/27/2018

End Date: 09/28/2018

RSVP Date: 09/27/2018

Class Name: Getting Started with Pen, Ink & Markers

Text Link: Getting Started with Pen, Ink & Markers Class at CreativeLive

Start Date: 09/28/2018

End Date: 09/29/2018

RSVP Date: 09/28/2018

Try and check out some of the courses, I will definitely be checking them out and will share at some point on the blog.

Check out my podcast, and let me know if you would like to be join me on one of the episodes.

Why not do something new, you never know where it will lead, or add to the work that you are currently doing. Let me know how you get on, or which ones you might try.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Spinning and weaving - Sea Island Cotton Pursuits

 I have been growing Cotton in my garden and currently have 4 plants, 3 of which has been producing quite a bit of what is known as Sea Island Cotton.

Cotton growing in the garden showing the Bolls

 Excitedly I took a trip to a store in London, Seven Sisters that sold Yarn and other tools that would help me process the cotton. 

I never thought that I would get into weaving and spinning but couldn't let the cotton just go to waste.  Sea Island Cotton is grown in Barbados, Jamaica and Antigua and has a reputation of being a superior cotton.

Sea Island Cotton of Barbados, waiting to be picked

 As a Mixed Media Artist I am always looking for interesting ways to incorporate different materials in my work.  With the textiles that I have been working with this is a great way to incorporate the cotton into my work.

Check out the Video

The Handweavers Studio and Gallery is a lovely store to browse and they also have many courses to suit whether beginner or experienced which you can check out HERE.

I spent a good while in the store getting familiar with the different fibers that I can get to practice with, the books they had on display carried a wealth of information.  There are so many different terms for the different stages, as a newbie I have a lot to learn.

I didn't realize that there was so many different types of cotton and yarn in general

The staff were very helpful and I managed to spend 2 hours soaking up all the different yarns and equipment they had to offer.

The Handweavers Studio and Gallery has many courses to suit whether beginner or experienced which you can check out.

If you are interested in taking any classes check out Craftsy and their FREE Trial they have some amazing courses!

Craftsy have some  Weaving and Spinning courses in their free trial http://bit.ly/CrafAT18 at the moment!

Creative Bug also have a good selection of  classes and have a One Month Free Access!

Creativebug

I also found some books and resources on Amazon that will help me with my spinning and weaving skills, you might find them useful too!  

Click on the image to check them out in amazon

Hand Spinning

Yarnitecture

Hand Weaving Basi

Spinning Hand Dyed Fibre

Drop Spindle Kit

I will also be sharing on my Creative Gardener Channel how my cotton is growing in the coming months.  You can see 31 of the different plants that I am growing in my garden at the moment.

Who knows you might join me on this journey and feel drawn to spinning and weaving as well.  Stay blessed and be a blessing.

BADASS Art Journal Course - My Session on the Course

I am really pleased to share with you my lesson on the BADASS Art Journal course, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I wanted to show how you could use a surface that you may have not thought of using to create a piece that can be an encouragement while you do it.

I worked on a large playing card and wanted to create cards that you could use and write something that when you look at it on a later date you can be inspired and reminded of what you wanted to achieve.

I also wanted to use words that you could see that would provide instant encouragement.  You also have the different layers and textures that go to show us the many different areas of our lives that we work on.

It was also great to see what the students came up with, each beautiful in their own way and so unique.  

Here is a small selection of the students work, I will be sharing more at a later date.

 It is always great to see how students develop, grow and step out of their comfort zone to find that place where they will allow their creativity to fly.

I have another course that I will be teaching on called Hacking the Color Wheel.  It is split into two sessions and I will be teaching on the 2nd session.  You can purchase the sessions individually or buy a bundle, which is more economical, and you get to see all 14 teachers on the rest of the course.

Such a great line up of teachers!  

Click Here to find out more details