STITCHED instructor: Kelli Nina Perkins

I am excited to showcase another STITCHED instructor, 

mixed media artist and author Kelli Nina Perkins.

Her book, Stitch Alchemy is a world of creative ideas.....

and her work is colorful and inspiring.

How did you become an artist? When did you know?

Like anything people become passionate about, it was an evolution. The more creativity I practiced, the better I got at it and the more I loved it. If you like to make things with your hands, I think that makes you an artist. 

How do you go about creating your art pieces?

Everything begins with an excitement to try some particular style or technique or process. I'm constantly exposing myself to art and ideas and it fuels the fire until I have to make something. Once I know what kind of process I want to use, I search for a theme. Recurring themes are extremely useful. We all have them and should embrace them because they say something about us. From that point on, I'm all about trial and error. It's not pretty at all. I think that many people give up on a piece too early. Most of my art goes through that embarrassing adolescent stage, but I keep working with it until I'm happy. 

What inspires you to create the work that you do?

Inspiration is an interesting word. It feels more like a compulsion to create. There are oodles of ideas floating around in my head and they're all competing for a voice. Most of them emerge from "what if" scenarios. I am unceasingly experimental. Curiosity is a great advantage for an artist. There are so many different combinations which can come together to form art--that's what makes each person's art unique. I want to try them all!

Aside from "sewing", what other kinds of needle art do you enjoy working on?

Stitch Imagery is my process for machine thread sketching directly onto watercolor paper. It adds a whole level of visual interest that two-dimensional paper just doesn't have. I'll sew on anything that's not nailed down. Go stitch! I also enjoy embellishing of any kind, which might include delicious embroidery, sequins, beading, glitter and generally affixing anything which can be affixed to fabric! 

favorite quote?

"I've gone through life believing in the strength and competence of others; never in my own. Now, dazzled, I discover that my capacities are real. It's like finding a fortune in the lining of an old coat." Joan Mills 

Name 3 songs in you ipod or playlist...

I don't listen to much music. My playlist always includes several audiobook downloads; usually a non-fiction book and a mystery. Right now I'm immersed in Scandinavian thrillers and I'm also listening to "The Power of Habit" by Charles DuHigg. 

What are you working on right now?

I'm creating a class for Art Camp For Women, which involves a self-discovery worksheet that we'll use to create a self-portrait quilt and some other projects like a "letter to myself" spool book. We'll be playing with fun fabric toys like foil, pastels, and decolourant, and we'll be journaling directly on fabric with bleach pens. I'm enamored with Shrinky Dinks right now, and we'll create some stunning message charms with a flourish of embossing enamel. Food, wine, and art--I can't wait!

Any upcoming projects?

I'm making art for my house, which is nice! We are redecorating and I've been creating pieces for each area as we finish it. I'm able to play with personal themes which don't appear in my public art (atomic bombs anyone?). Making personal art is the most satisfying and it's fantastic to have a reason to create (and a family who lets you have free reign).

blog:
http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/

My 40th Birthday and a Giveaway

Today is my 40th birthday and although I am busy working today,
 I intend to celebrate at least once a month for the entire year.

To start, I have a BIG SURPRISE for all my blog readers.
I am reducing the registration of STITCHED from 89.00 to 40.00 dollars.
Yes, that is right, like me.......STITCHED is now only $40.

A total of 20 video workshops for only 40.00 dollars.

My workshop is called Beaded Fabric Jewelry,

but there are also 19 other workshops that make up STITCHED.

Workshops by Kelli Nina Perkins, Mollie Johanson, Lynn Krawczyk, Jennifer Ofenstein, Deborah Boschert, Jackie Bowcutt, Joanna Martinez,  Vanessa 'Crafty Gemini' Wilson, Wendi Gratz, Annie Hutchings, Paula Joerling, Nikki Wheeler, Cindy Caraway, Penney Klaproth, Tracie Lampe, Tammy Gilley, Ann Tucker, Dale Ann Potter, Jill Verbick O'Leary, and Jen Swift.

read more about it HERE.

GIVEAWAY

Lastly, starting today May 23 until June 23....  I will be giving away
12 spools of Sulky threads to 2 new STITCHED students. (6 spools each)
The winner will be selected on June 24th and announced in the STITCHED site.

register and read more about STITCHED

STITCHED instructor: Jackie Bowcutt

Jackie Bowcutt's work is intricate and delicate both at the same time.

Her STITCHED workshop titled: 

Make Your Mark with Stitch: "Let's Play Noughts and Crosses"

Has everyone painting and stitching, as she introduces us to
monoprinting on fabric and interpreting the marks with stitch.
It is a great workshop and Jackie's method is completely freeform and fun.
In her workshop, her motto seems to be..."Just get on with it".
So that's exactly what I am going to do,
I am excited to introduce you to some of her work.

How did you become an artist? When did you know?

When my children were small I went to a cross stitch card class. 

I had not done any stitching since Junior School. The tutor invited a few of us to her home to continue the class and then as I worked part time I was able to follow a City and Guilds Creative Studies course. 

I got the bug and for the next few years really enjoyed the challenge of those studies, especially having two sons and a husband obsessed by sport. I think it kept me sane, especially as my job became more demanding. It gave me something of my own to focus on. When I left full time work I was able to study for a Diploma in Art and Design. 

This boosted my confidence and helped me to appreciate my own creativity.

How do you go about creating your art pieces?

I think the process for me is a mixture of inspiration and study through drawing and photography.

What inspires you to create the work that you do?

I particularly love the thrill of getting out fabrics and threads, and looking through the possible colour palate. I also enjoy trying new techniques and developing them in my own way.

Aside from "sewing", what other kinds of needle art do you enjoy working on?

My work has become more ‘art’ based, even though I have done most of the traditional techniques such as metal thread and black work. I enjoy wet felting and have made and exhibited a number of artists’ books in recent years. I now draw more and am part of the Sketchbook Challenge Group. I think drawing does feed into any stitching you may later do.

Favourite Quote: 

One of my first tutors said ‘You can’t be creative with only one piece of thread’; 

I always remember this, what a lovely excuse for buying more.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on the theme of ‘Change, Transform, Disintegrate’ based on a rabbits skull which I found. I am using felt and my new Embellisher to develop the theme and having great fun with it.

Any upcoming projects?

One of my sketchbooks and a stitched piece will appear in Sue Bleiweiss’ book ‘Sketchbook Challenge’ which is published in June 2012.

visit her blog STITCHWORKS

read more about her STITCHED workshop HERE

New STITCHED instructor: Jennifer Swift

I am excited to let you know that artist and author Jennifer Swift will be joining STITCHED.

As seen in her book, Creative Bloom, 

Her artistic process is a fusion of fabric, wire and mixed media

Jennifer's workshop will start on June 1st and will join the 

currently 22 workshops presently in STITCHED.

The workshop is called A Happy Day Mobile, 

description:

Stretch your creative bent with stitched wire art! This is an all new craft that combines fabric with wire to create structured fabric sculptures. These can be incorporated into collages, jewelry, wall art, books, and more. In this course instructor Jen Swift will guide you through the creation of several different fabric shapes, including hearts, clouds, flowers, and more. She’ll show you the tips and tricks for sculpting five different shapes with anodized steel wire, and then walk you through the creative process of layering and stitching to these wire shapes. See how to create a quilted look, and add decorative stitching. Learn to incorporate vintage book text, patterned papers, and fabric scraps to create layered compositions, and then discover how to combine it all into a mobile that’s bright, fun, and sure to make any place you choose to hang it, well, happier. Each shape can also be used as a stand-alone ornament or embellishment that can be incorporated into your current mixed media work. So go get the pliers, grab a spool and some fabric scraps, and let’s craft some stitched wire art!

----
She is hosting a giveaway, visit her blog for more about Jennifer
and her new STITCHED workshop.

STITCHED instructor: Mollie Johanson

I am excited to share with you my interview with embroidery designer and 

STITCHED instructor Mollie Johanson.

You will enjoy her artistic process and her creative way with needle and thread.

You can see more of her designs in her Etsy shop and 

her creative play is beautifully illustrated in her lovely blog at:

wildolive.blogspot.com

How did you become an artist? When did you know?

On some level, I think I've always been an artist in one way or another. My parents are both really creative, and they've always encouraged me to be creative too. But really, it was only in the last few years (after doing various kinds of art and craft for a long time) that I've been able to call myself an artist. 

And when I finally did, it felt big.

How do you go about creating your art pieces?

Doodling and sketching is always at hand, so most pieces start that way. And then I see where they take me. Because I work with embroidery, felt, paint and even the computer, each medium requires a different process. But ultimately, I keep adding elements until it feels "just right". 

(And then sometimes I'm still not sure that I took it far enough!)

What inspires you to create the work that you do?

There are a lot of things, really. A lot of my work is based around cute little objects with faces, but most of them have to do with memories and sentiment...things that are important to me. Also, music is a big source of inspirations. I love using a bit of song lyric to accompany my work.

Aside from "sewing", what other kinds of needle art do you enjoy working on?

Hand embroidery is my biggest area that I work in, and after years of working with it, I feel I've only skimmed the surface. There's just so many kinds of embroidery, and I love it all! I also do a bit of knitting and crochet, but only a little bit!

favorite quote?

"All is well. Christ is risen." - Lenny Smith

Name 3 songs in your ipod or playlist?

Impossible Soul - Sufjan Stevens

Eyeoneye - Andrew Bird

Atlanta - Catch Bees

What are you working on right now?

In addition to regular projects for my blog, I'm working a bunch of secret stuff for things to be published in the next year. Things are getting exciting around here!

Any upcoming projects?

One of the less-secret things I'm working on is for my next online class, which will be happening in the summer! You're the first to hear that The Embroidery Project will focus on taking your stitching to new proportions...more details will be on my blog as the time comes closer.
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Mollie's STITCHED workshop is called
In The Clutch Fold-Over Purse.
Check out her bloopers HERE

Free Pattern: Colorful Pinwheel Flower

This is the pattern I designed for Jennifer Ofenstein's pattern- a- day, Paper Piecing Blog Hop.

The theme was Garden Party, so I designed a 10 inch block called Colorful Pinwheel Flower.

This is my first paper piecing design and I have to say that I completely love the process.

I need to practice a lot more...specially when working with Photoshop.

download my free pattern

Colorful Pinwheel Flower 

and check out the other free patterns on sewhooked.com

Child's Play Workshop and Giveaway

The online video workshop called 

21 SECRETS started on April 1st.

It is made up of 21 amazing mixed media and art journaling workshops
and there, I am teaching a class called  Child's Play Workshop part 2.

To celebrate the start of 21 SECRETS, I am giving away this mixed media art journal 

and a set of Inktense pencils to a lucky student.

This giveaway is now closed.

21 workshops for 59.00 dollars.

Register and read more about 21 SECRETS,

HERE.

With over 700 students already on board, you will not want to miss this 

online video learning experience.