Making Zen Online Retreat - VIP Access is now Open!!

Making Zen is a five-day online retreat that’s full of inspiration and creativity - there are almost forty workshops delivered by different artists over the course of the week! There are six pre-recorded presentations that will become available each weekday from 28 September - 2 October, and it’s totally free to attend those presentations for 24 hours after they are released.

There are so many of the projects that I am excited to make, here is one of them by artist Lisa Goddard and her abstract landscapes.  

That is the great thing about the VIP early release, you get to access the sessions 2 weeks before the official start.  I use this time to decide which project I want to try first, see what materials that I already have and get an understanding of the project.  You also get:

​🖤Lifetime access to all of the workshops happening during retreat week 

🖤Access to extra-special gifts from the presenting artists

🖤Additional workshops from the archives of past retreats to explore

🖤A beautiful resource book with all of the retreat worksheets

🖤Immediate access to the entire retreat

​For my VIP offering, I’m contributing my course 'Mixed Media Tag Embellishments' A Fantastic way to make embellishments from some of the supplies that you already have, and ways you can decorate them to look unique'

 

At regular price, the VIP Pass is great value, with over $4000 in value for just $147 USD. But if you get your Pass before the retreat officially begins on 28 September, you can get the early bird discount - at just $97 USD!

I hope you join us even if it is only for the 5 days.  If you have any questions about my lesson, do not hesitate to ask.

Sign up for the RETREAT and 

learn more about the VIP ACCESS Pass HERE

Making Zen is Coming Soon!! Register Now

 

Are you Ready to Stitch and Create?

I am so excited to announce that I will be teaching a workshop at this year’s Making Zen retreat, hosted by Zen Stitching!

If you aren’t familiar with Making Zen, it’s a fun and educational five-day online retreat for creative makers. There will be around 30 artists delivering pre-recorded workshops throughout the week that are designed to help you improve your techniques and learn new skills. The best part - besides the community connections and all those useful skills - is that it’s totally free to watch each presentation for 24 hours when it airs during the week of September 28th - October 2nd  2026!

Register HERE for FREE

There are some really talented folks lined up for this retreat, and I can’t wait to take in some of the presentations myself! I’m particularly looking forward to Lauren Webers Landscape Broach, and Lisa Goddards abstract Landscape. My own workshop will be Mixed Media Art Trinket Tags and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Mixed Media Trinket Tags

The Trinket Tags can be used in so many cool art journal or creative projects. and can be embellished as simply or as detailed as you require.

This retreat is going to be a lot of fun, and a great way to improve your craft or learn a new one. If you want to join in, You can Register Here for your FREE Seat

Making Zen - Get Your FREE Ticket 27th - 31st November 2025

 

 

What to Do with All Those Scraps? Join Me at Making Zen Online Retreat!

Do you have piles of scrap fabric, loose beads, and leftover threads that you just can’t bring yourself to throw away? You’re not alone! The good news is, I’ll be showing you a fun way to recycle them into something truly magical, a gorgeous stitched creature on canvas - An owl to be exact.

And here’s the best part: this project will be part of the Making Zen Online Retreat, happening 27th–31st October 2025.

LEARN MORE

If you’ve never joined before, Making Zen is a textile/arts focused retreat that brings together nearly 30 talented artists, each offering a unique workshop over five creative filled days. The workshops are free to watch for 24 hours, and is plenty of time to dive in, experiment, and connect with other creatives around the world.

If you don't have your ticket yet, don't worry, it is completely free to sign up on the Making Zen website!  My session will be live for 24 hours, and you’ll also have access to a whole lineup workshops. If you’d like extended access, there’s a VIP Pass available too.

While we’re on the topic, here are just a few reasons why textile activities are so beneficial: 

• Boosts mindfulness – Focusing on textures and stitches calms the mind and reduces stress.
• Enhances creativity – Textiles let you play with colors, patterns, and layers in new and exciting ways.
• Improves fine motor skills – Repetitive actions like stitching and weaving strengthen hand-eye coordination.

So gather up those scraps, save the date, and come stitch with me! I can’t wait to share this beautiful process with you at the retreat.

Sign up for you spot for FREE HERE

Material Musings - August Projects

 Welcome to this week's Material Musings

Here are some of the projects that I will be working on over the coming weeks.  I am going to do a larger Kawandi and I will show you my progress in the next episode.  I also have a few creative projects and lessons that I am creating and will share in a few weeks.

I have also stitched more of the encouraging words to go on completed projects, they always come in handy and it is great to be stitching things that will encourage and motivate.

Come and join us next time in Material Musings and bring what you are working on.  I would love to see!

Before you go

Check out the FREE papers for this month in Patreon

Abandoned Fabric Projects? - Material Musings

 Abandoned Fabric Projects? - Material Musings

Do you have any abandoned creative projects that need to be given a new lease of life?  Join us on Material Musings today!

Here are some of the projects 

Sometimes all it takes is for you to go through them, see what supplies you are using now, and you may get that spark to revisit and maybe even finish the project.  It works with any type of creative project!

Slow Stitching and Crochet Threads

 

I have been trying out some new crochet yarn that I came across and I enjoy using it in my slow stitched projects.  In the video I talk more about some of the threads I have been using.

They come in a wide range of colors and this is just a small sample I purchased to use in some of my slow stitched projects.  Obviously, there are quite a few brands as well.  These are the ones that I have tried out so far.  

I also use a range of embroidery threads as well in my projects.

You can check out the Supplies Here I created an amazon list for the ones I have brought which you can check out.

This is my project so far.  I have been sharing the progress on my YT Channel during April and you can see the progress videos and a couple of projects on creating your own wax resist projects. 

Making Zen Online Retreat - Check out the VIP Bonuses!!

Have you signed up Yet?

Just a reminder: the Making Zen Online Retreat, hosted by Kate at Zen Stitching, is returning 26th - 30th May 2025 - and it’s going to be a lot of fun

New to Making Zen?

If you haven’t joined us before, Making Zen is a free, five-day online retreat celebrating slow stitching, mindful making, and creative exploration. Over the course of the retreat, 32 amazing artists will each share a video workshop—free to watch for 24 hours—to spark your creativity and deepen your practice.

We will be diving into themes like:

 Coloring with fabric scraps
 Intuitive art-making
 Zero-waste stitching
 Botanically dyed pouches, stitched landscapes…… and so much more.

You’ll come away with mini projects to stitch, fresh techniques to try, and a deep sense of inspiration and calm. 

Get the VIP PASS and additional Bonus!

If you know that you already want to get the VIP Pass you will be offered a variety of bonuses from each teacher and you get the following:

$3,300.00+ worth of exclusive gifts, guides, extended workshops and resources to help you reignite your creativity!

  

This price is only available for a limited time! Normally $147.00—get it now for $97!

❤️ Early access to all 32 workshops (starting this week!) ❤️ Lifetime access so you can revisit and perfect your skills anytime ❤️ Gifts from our artists to inspire fresh ideas and projects ❤️ Daily live creativity sessions with Kate on Zoom ❤️ Transcripts + the Making Zen eBook to keep your focus sharp and your learning seamless There is an extra Bonus course from me Embellished & Stitched below if you use my link to purchase the VIP Pass (it will be no extra cost to you) !

I will be adding my Course Embellished & Stitched to the Bonus gift bag for all those who purchase the VIP Ticket using my link - you can check out the course (Value - $47) HERE

In the course Embellished & Stitched, I share different ways in which you can transform your stitched words into embellished designs with a variety of techniques and over an hour and a half of video content organized in short segments so you can jump in and out of an activity.  Once your purchase has been confirmed you will get access to the course! 

Looking forward to having you on the creative adventure!!

Before You Go

Have checked out the papers available on my Patreon.  From Free, $3, $10 and $15.  Join us on Patreon for FREE

Here are the papers that are available across the tiers that you can use in your art journals and creative projects.

Free Papers for May 2025

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 3

 

Welcome to Week 3 of the 100 Days of Leaf Arts.

Week 3: Building a Daily Creative Habit

Consistency is key to creative growth. Showing up every day - even for 10 minutes -keeps your ideas flowing and strengthens your skills. With each day over the challenge, I attempt to refine my techniques, try new stitches, and explore layering with fabric or other materials.

Weaving and Burning Dried leaf

One of the biggest challenges in any long-term project is overcoming the inner critic. Some days, it might feel like nothing is working or you don't know what to try. Other days, everything clicks into place. The key is to keep going, no matter what. I set a simple daily goal: create one small design, even if it’s just a single stitch or a minimal burned mark.

Creative Tip: Set up a simple workspace so you can create without distractions. Having materials ready makes the process smoother. Create a daily ritual around your project, light a candle, play calming music, or sip tea while working.

Encouragement: Keep going, even if your pieces don’t turn out exactly as planned. Creativity is a journey, not a destination. Your skills will improve with practice, and each piece adds to your growing body of work.

Want step-by-step guidance? My Leaf Arts course walks you through different mixed media techniques.

Want to learn more?

Join me in my Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art course for guided lessons on leaf art techniques! 

Come and join us on the course and learn to create your own beautifully designed leaves!

Fabric Embellishments - Material Musings

 

Check out the video HERE

Welcome to Material Musings where we look at some of the fabric embellishments that you can get to use in your work.

I source mine from a variety of sources, around the home, thrift stores, or swaps that you can do with other creatives - especially those who stitch, they will always have some unusual and interesting trims that you may be able to use in your work.

In this video I share some of the ones that I have and how I use them.  Join me on this Material musings slow stitched journey.

Check out the previous video and you will be able to see some of the fabric in a project.

Material Musings - Slow Stitched Projects

Before You Go

Come and join us for FREE on Patreon and see behind the scene and dive into a creative oasis!  Learn more HERE!

I am Starting a 100-Day Project - This is Week 1

I am beginning another 100 Day Project - This year I will be sharing 100 Days of Leaf Art!

Starting a 100-day project is both exhilarating and a little daunting. But imagine the joy of seeing your creativity unfold daily, step by step, through a project that connects you with nature and mixed media techniques. I just love it.  You can check out some of the other 100 day projects that I did on the blog!

I have been creating art on leaves for a while now and have found some of the styles and techniques that I prefer. 

In this journey, I’ll be continuing to work with dried leaves, using a wood-burning tool, stitching patterns, adding fabric clusters, and layering mixed media elements to explore the beauty of leaf art and you will also see some of my favorite ones that I created previously as well as new ones.

Are you ready to make the commitment?

There is something special about committing to a long-term creative challenge. It pushes you to develop discipline, embrace new ideas, and uncover inspiration in unexpected places. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the beginning, but by focusing on one small creative step each day, progress naturally builds.

The 100 Day Project started officially on 22nd February.  I am sharing my completed leaves at the end of each week on a Friday, over the 100 days so today you get to see the first set of 7 leaves.  

Creative Tip: Experiment with different types of leaves or styles to see which ones work best for your style.

Encouragement: The hardest part is starting! Show up with an open heart and allow your creativity to flow. Give yourself grace to experiment without expectations. and don't feel pressured to post every day, decide on a posting schedule to suit you.

Want to go deeper? Join me in my Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art course for guided lessons on leaf art techniques!  Yes, I have created a course to share my love for working on leaves, and I hope to work with more natural fibers over time.  Come and join us on the course and learn to create your own beautifully designed leaves!

Making a Kawandi - Material Musings

 

I managed to get my first Kawandi completed.  I decided to use all the fabric that I had been hand dyeing or creating batik and wax resist pieces with.

It was lovely to reconnect with all the fabric that I had been working on over time.  It was slightly challenging with the more heavier cotton fabrics as they were so thick, and the needle kept finding ways to maneuver into my finger. 😂

You can check out the video above for Material Musings to get a closer look at the Kawandi so far.

What is a Kawandi?

A Kawandi is a type of hand-stitched quilt traditionally made by the Siddi women, who are descendants of African enslaved women taken to India. Kawandi are distinctive because of their vibrant, designs and the way they are constructed. They are made from layers of Saris, fabric scraps, often brightly colored, and sewn together with running stitches. 

Key Features of Kawandi's

• Kawandi are typically sewn from the outer edges toward the center, unlike many traditional quilts made from blocks or panels.  The stitching is done in a spiral pattern, with all layers securely held together.

• They are made using recycled fabrics, including old saris or other discarded textiles.
• The use of fabric scraps gives the quilts a rich texture and unique, look.

• The quilts are often colorful and feature bold patterns, with an emphasis on spontaneity and personal expression.

• Small decorative touches, like folded fabric triangles called phulas (flowers), are added to the corners.

Kawandi's are made for practical purposes, such as providing warmth, but they also reflect the Siddi community's history and artistry.  

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