Link to Free Tutorials

Alma Stoller is the guest curator this week on CRESCENDOH(click on this link to have a look).

She has chosen  a number of tutorials from a variety of artists. If you haven't heard of the site it has lots of interesting bits and pieces and a regular selection of free tutorials.The header itself is really clever.

I am pleased to have one of my mini tutorials on decorated papers featured.

I have been  lucky to have a preview of some of the Stitched videos, and I can tell you that its probably worth joining just to find out how to make

Karen Ruane's Funky Puffs.

Click here to visit Alma Stoller.

Liebster

Earlier this month I was pleased to have been given this blog award by Deborah of Art Threads. It is always nice to know that someone out there is reading the blog and enjoying it




The Criteria: The Liebster is meant to showcase bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers. This is all done in the spirit of pay-it-forward.
The Rules: You must mention and link to the person who awarded you the Liebster, and mention 5 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers who you think are worthy of the Liebster!

'Liebster' means "favourite" or "dearest" in German. This award originated in Germany.
I thought I would try and give you a variety of blogs. I do hope they have less than 200 followers, which is sometimes difficult to work out.

Small Caps is an interesting German letterpress blog.

Rough Around the Edges is Robin Olsen's blog in Oregon.

Emma is a true blogger, always out there commenting and full of enthusiasm.

Alisa Golden's blog is about handmade books; like me you may have some of her books. She is very generous with tips and techniques.

Noela Mills' work on Wabisabiart, is always worth a look to see her work,enjoy her travels and follow her links.

 Don't forget that you can have six months of video fun with Stitched Workshops:

Click here to visit Alma Stoller.

Sketchbook Challenge

Sketchbook Challenge, a photo by stitchworks-jackie on Flickr.

Trying for a weathered decayed surface look. Acrylic rolled off the block, tissue and a scrap of fabric on cotton rag paper.
I plan to stitch into this.

A nice surprise.

It was a surprise to be asked by Alma Stoller to be part of her Stitched workshops which starts in  January 2012 .She had been reading the blog and suggested that a focus for the workshop should be mark making with stitch, and as this is the way I usually embroider I was pleased to take up her suggestion.

I decided on a project using monoprint and stitch, to make a panel suitable as a bag front, a cushion/pillow front or as a picture added to a canvas panel.
Access to the video workshops is over six months, so I am looking forward to dipping in and out of the varied textile art sessions. I find this by far the best way to learn and have taken a few classes this year, as well as obsessively watching Encaustic DVDs and demonstrations.

 I’m sure there will be more encaustic experiments in 2012 and I really must do some more felting.

 So much to look ahead to, and no doubt I will get even more and varied inspiration from the Stitched workshops.

Click here to view more details of all twenty workshops.


I wish you all the best for the Christmas season and lots of creative inspiration for 2012.

Don't bin it.

Recently we had a bit of a sort out of our clutter box, you know the place where you put all those odds and ends and then completely forget not only where they are but when you see them what they were for in the first place.

Always be aware of the potential of these oddments for printing. These are some experiments on a sketchbook page first coloured with watercolour paints, but this could just as easily be done on a piece of fabric, perhaps coloured with a ‘thin’ fabric paint and printed with acrylics or fabric paint.

The sort of flower shape is a plastic insert from a jar of peppers; I suppose to stop the liquid inside spilling. This worked best with a stencil brush, although a piece of sponge is usually adequate.I have no idea what these other bits are.

In a paint programme you can use photos of these ‘prints’ to make digital brushes and then have hours of fun playing around with patterns and varied colour combinations.

 If you are not sure how to do this, I’m sure many of you know much more about it that I do, but for the rest do a search on the internet and you will find instructions.You could then take it further by treating your fabric with Ink Aid, or using ready prepared fabric and printing out your ‘designs’.

Endless cheap fun.
For more about Stitched video workshops click below or from the sidebar.
Alma has just announched the first giveaway, a Janome Sewing Machine.

Click here to visit Alma Stoller.

The Sketchbook Challenge

The Sketchbook Challenge: Images in a pile of plastic...: Sue B here... Sketchbook Challenge participant Jackie Bowcutt recently came across a pile of plastic waste that turned out to be inspir...

Sue was kind enough to highlight some of my pieces for December's challenge.

'Stitched' Workshops

I am delighted to have been asked to be part of Alma Stoller's new venture for 2012, 'STITCHED'.
 She has set up a site for fabric art videos which is crammed with information and just the thing to start the New Year with a creative rush.


STITCHED is a collection of 20 online video workshops by fabric artists with varied interests and talents. Alma's aim is to provide  workshops offering  high-value and high-content information to get you sewing, designing and creating.


Alma also has  the support of some well-known companies which will be providing  giveaway items and products for several lucky STITCHED members.

In addition, Alma is providing a full video workshop about Fabric Jewellry;you have probably seen her unique fabric beads.There will be 5 additional mini video workshops.

Each of the 20 main workshops has a printable pdf file which includes patterns and related instructions.
The workshops will be available for six months and through out that time there will  be online support from each of the experienced tutors.


Click here to view more details