Embroidery Extravaganza - Stitch your way to new skills and threads of inspiration

 

Thursday, August 8th, 2024

1-5:30 pm Pacific Time

Creativity meets Craftsmanship 

Embroidery Extravaganza, is a virtual event featuring ten expert-led immersive workshops to spark your imagination and improve your embroidery skills. 

This event offers something for everyone, whether a novice or seasoned pro.  You will be able to connect with fellow enthusiasts, gain new skills, and leave with fresh ideas for your next project.

Embroidery Extravaganza kicks off with a keynote presentation on stumpwork and the art of wireslips, which add stunning depth and texture to your projects. Following the keynote, choose from nine engaging 45-minute workshops, each focused on a unique technique or style including:

• Explore the magic of hand stitching, 
• Learn to make creative design and color choices, 
• Finish your projects like an expert, 
• Make the most of your notions and tools. 
• Several Sashiko presentations will teach you how to incorporate stitches into your quilts and upcycled projects. 
• Learn how to add embroidery to your photographs 

What you receive:

• Experience 7+ hours of instruction condensed into 4.5 hours with the magic of technology!
• You can watch the sessions live or catch the recordings
• Enjoy lifetime access to the event recordings
• Enter for a chance to win amazing giveaways during the live event.
• Receive a digital swag bag filled with goodies

Sign up and receive $20 Off using the code ee24reality at the checkout

Come and join us and take your embroidery and slow stitching to another level - be sure to make the most of your discount to the event and use the code ee24reality
at the checkout.

You can sign up for the event HERE

Making Zen FREE Online Retreat - 27th May - 31st May

 

Making Zen online retreat is in full swing with Day 2 in progress, you have 24 hours to watch the videos before they go. So naturally you would want to make the most of it.

If you want to have more time to watch the video then getting the VIP pass is a great idea. You might have thought that the Making Zen Online Retreat from @zenstitching couldn’t get any better - after all, it’s hard to top five days packed with 20 inspiring workshops! But I’m here to tell you it can, with… 

💙 Early access to all of the content

💙 Special bonuses like freebies and discounts from the presenting artists

💙 Access to the workshops for life

Check out the VIP Pass

For $97 USD, you get to re-watch those presentations to your heart’s content for years to come, and having done this retreat before it really helps to be able to watch the videos in your own time.

The extra bonuses provided by the artists are awesome, too - you couldn’t purchase some of them alone for the same price you’re getting with the VIP Pass! Totally worth it.

Join Us Today

If you can’t wait to get started, you can LEARN MORE HERE to get your pass and start Making Zen right away!

Fabric Stitched Projects - Material Mondays

 

Welcome to Material Mondays! I'm Amanda, if this is your first time here, and I'm thrilled to have you join me today. Whether you're new here or a regular viewer, thank you for stopping by. In today's session, we'll explore fabric art panels and delve into the creative process behind their creation. I'll share some of the fabric pieces I've been working on lately and guide you on how to incorporate similar ideas into your own projects. So, let's dive right in!

If you've been following my recent videos, you might have noticed that I've been focusing on various projects like stitching leaves and other ways to embellish them.

I have now moved back to working on some of the stitched projects that have been calling me. I've incorporated stitched words onto the fabric pieces. Initially, I sewed the words onto a large piece of fabric, and when I'm ready for a new word, I simply cut it out and attach it to the project. The contrast created by these stitched words adds a beautiful touch to the overall composition.  I can always go back and add details with different color threads and I can either use a sewing machine or hand stitch.

With some of the other fabric pieces that are currently in progress, each of them consists of separate fabric panels, each undergoing different techniques. Some are dyed, while others are stenciled, painted, or written on. They are now waiting to be attached to larger fabric backing. One piece that stands out is the one called "Vision." I love the combination of colors and the circular motion created by the stitching, evoking a sense of movement. Consider adding seed beads to create dimension and texture in certain areas. The possibilities are endless when it comes to infusing your fabric art with different materials and techniques.

I always have a few projects going at the same time, and I have found that this allows me to continuously engage in the creative process and stay inspired.

If you're interested in seeing some of these pieces check out the video. 

I want to emphasize the importance of gathering fabric pieces and engaging in stitching as a meditative activity. Spending just 20 minutes on a project can be incredibly therapeutic, If you're feeling inspired, consider creating a fabric word sheet like the one I've shown you. These fabric words can be stitched onto your panels, adding a personalized touch to your artwork. It's all about finding joy in the process and allowing your creativity to flourish.

Remember, don't be afraid to change your mind about a piece or experiment with different elements. Artistic expression is all about exploration and embracing the development of your ideas. 

Check out The Free Summit - The Art of The Intuitive Mind

Sign up for this FREE Event HERE

100 Day Project - What will you do?

So I decided to join in with the 100 Day Project which started on the 31st January. For my project I decided to learn Embroidery stitches.  With some of the fabric pieces that I have been creating I wanted to add some new stitches, so this was an ideal time to support my daily creative practice and learn some new techniques.

I have had this book of embroidery stitches but never committed to learn any of them so it just stayed in my bag that I keep my machine threads.

I have had embroidery hoops for as long and they too just sat around as I never found the time to try them out.  These are my first embroidery stitches and you can follow me on Instagram to see which ones I complete.

I am looking forward to learning all 100 stitches and the emphasis is on learning new stitches.  I know they are not perfect but the whole thing about the 100 day project for me is the following:

• Committing to the 100 days
• Learning a new skill that I can apply in my creative work;
• Remember that I am still learning the stitches and I can't compare myself to someone who has been doing it for years;
• Showing up for myself;
• Reminding myself that it doesn't have to be perfect for me to share what I am doing;
• Congratulating myself for every day that I do show up
• Have fun!!.

So if you are up for doing a 100 day project come and join us #100dayproject

Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do, remember there is no pressure, just continue to show up for yourself, don't compare yourself and have fun!  Check out the last 100 Day project that I did a couple of years ago where I use pastels for the first time and I have created a few videos of the process - 100 Days of Pastels HERE

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Book Review - Sew U

Come and check out the book review Sew U 

Watch the Video

I have also found additional supplies on Amazon that you can check out to help you on your way - some additional books and sewing supplies.  Let me know if you have any favorite sewing books that you have come across.

Thank you for Joining Me

Material Mondays - Embrace Me - Mixed Media Wall Hanging

I have been hooked on creating these wall hangings for quite a while, and haven't lost my zeal for creating them.  I have a few more ideas that I want to try out and because of the time it takes to complete need to make room for them.

I started this one about a month ago, laying down the initial colours and adding the machine stitching.

It is called 'Embrace Me' measuring approximately 4"x8" and the majority of my work that I create is about relationships. 

The relationships that we have with others and the one that we have with ourselves, how we encourage and support our selves, being gentle with our hearts.

The thing that takes time is the embellishing but it is such a therapeutic activity that you can get lost in.  It is also an activity that you can do while sitting with the family and not feel as if you have shut yourself away in the studio, again these wall hangings remind me about the relationships that I have with others.

   

Thanks for stopping by Material Mondays where I share a project that involves either working with fabric in some way or crochet.  If you want to learn how to crochet or work with fabric and a number of other courses, then check out Craftsy.  For all new subscribers they have a selection of free online classes, and are always running a special offer on some of their fee paid classes

Check out some of their courses!

Material Mondays - Fabric Art, Mixing the Media

I have come to the conclusion that I really enjoy using different mediums in my work, and this has come over the years of experimenting, trying different things.  Creating using fabric, and decorating using the sewing machine and then embellishing is not only a fulfilling activity, bring joy, and excitement at using the different materials, it is also a relaxing activity with the different types of activity that you have to do.

Each activity in itself has its own rhythm, when I am adding the paint to the fabric there is some freedom and abandonment as you let the pain, colours, textures, stamps and stencils meet together on the fabric, and from that I allow the images to form.

I have been using the sewing machine as a drawing tool as well, defining the images.  There is a rhythm in the sound of the machine as you allow it to play with the fabric, joining the stitches and bring order to the piece.

Once this is done, I enjoy looking for the right embellishments, and jewelry that will complete the piece, and not only raid my own supplies, but go to the charity shop and see what jewelry that I can pick up that can be added.  This part of the process gets you to slow down, each bead threaded by hand, and combining the beads to attach to the piece takes time.

This art panel combines some of my favorite colours, mainly the light blue, and picks up some of the pinks and yellows within.  The clear beads also have a hint of blue and green in them and this brings balance to the whole piece.

I really enjoyed creating this fabric art panel and finishing it off with a willow stick and faux leather string. I will be putting this up for sale soon in my Etsy store and on my website. 

Every Monday I share a project that involves either working with Fabric, Jewelry, Crochet, Knitting and much more!  If you want to learn how to crochet or work with fabric, jewelry and a number of other courses, then check out Craftsy. 

Craftsy

 

 For all new subscribers they have a selection of free online classes, and are always running a special offer on some of their fee paid classes.

Material Mondays - Fabric Postcards

I have been playing around with some scrap fabric that was in my stash, and it is quite surprising what you get when you put different pieces together.  I had intended on making some fabric postcards, and got quite carried away with making them.  I didn't know how much I would enjoy using my sewing machine alongside painting fabric, but it has been quite a therapeutic activity, and some of the pieces can be as detailed or as simple as you like.

I started out painting plain pieces of white cotton (it was a pillow case that I was going to tie dye).  I used inks, paint, pen, glitter pens and applying them to the fabric with brushes, and stencils, and along with some batting quilted the panel.

I then added beads, sequins to the fabric

and added stitching using my sewing machine.

I found among my supplies some old strips of ribbon and used them to decorate the top and bottom of the panels

And voila!  It has given me the bug to make some more and I will create a few with some images on them

These were very easy to make and as well as being used as postcards they could also be used as part of a wall hanging, or they might form the cover of a journal.

The choices are endless as to what you could do with them, you could even use them as part of a mini art quilt.  I am still in the process of learning how to make a quilt, so it looks like I will be making a few more.

If you don't have a sewing machine you can do this by hand and use fabric glue for some of the areas.

I hope you are inspired to try and share your results and links when you do.  Blessings!

Material Mondays - Altering Beenie Hat

Altering a Beanie Hat with flowers

My mum has a hat that she loves wearing, primarily because it keeps her head warm, there isn't anything spectacular in the way that the hat looks, but I guess it is one of those things that we all have that we wear for comfort - much to my sons dismay I too have something that he says I shouldn't be wearing for one reason or another, but having lived so many more years than he I think I will park his fashion point of view for another post.

The hat before

Here is the hat, nothing to write home about, but she liked it.  I decided to give it a make over..  so a while back armed with my crochet needles and wool I decided to make some embellishments for the hat, without changing its comfort factor for mum.

With a crochet needle and wool you can do wonders!

I ended up making a couple of flowers and a strip that would go round the hat for decoration.

Flowers and crocheted strip

  I sewed the flowers and the strip to the hat once they were complete.  Here is the finished hat, modeled by mum....

 You can pretty much attach flowers to most things and they will give some added oomph when needed.

 It gives her the comfort that she wants, yet gives it an updated look

I will have a look at some of her other hats and see what updates can be made.  If you want to update an something you don't have to add crochet, you can embroider, or add some beading - find some jewelry that you no longer wear and attach it to an item of clothing for that extra sparkle.

If you are considering learning how to crochet, or any other creative activity check out Craftsy online courses, at the moment they are doing a special offer on some of their classes, and they are offering some free mini courses.Click here.

Material Mondays - Sewing, Weaving, Crochet

Thought I would share one of the projects I have worked on from Soul Food.  My current one is from the session led by Jeanette House.  Whilst it is not fabric it uses sewing and crochet.

Night

Sunrise - first stage weaving

I took two separate pieces of water colour paper and applied different mediums and then cut holes in one and used the other to weave in-between the sections.

After it was weaved I added some shapes which turned out to be two ladies, and then the rest flowed, with the stitching I wanted to show the horizon line and then added some other elements.

I made some mini crocheted flowers and then got carried away with the details for the hair and the rest followed.

I really enjoyed working with the different elements and then adding the sewing and making the mini flowers, and at some point I hope to work on some larger pieces.  

What I am trying to take from each is an element of the technique that I can use to inform my own work, and also just to be able to play -

If you get a chance why don't you check out the course, do share what you are getting up to, have you used paper and materials in this way, what have you come up with.  Blessings for now!