squam sling

I taught a brand new class last week- the Squam Sling based on a pattern in my book. When I wrote up the description months ago, I knew that it would be an ambitious undertaking for a one day workshop. But I love a challenge almost as much as I love printing and sewing!

 I had the honor of guiding a couple dozen lovely women through their own personal hurdles as they created the most unique (and gorgeous!) bags ever.

First they learned to carve rubber stamps and then printed their very own fabric. This process is always deeply satisfying for me, but I hadn't anticipated the joy I would experience guiding and witnessing others as they discovered how thrilling it is to make your own material.

 

And then we sewed. And sewed. And sewed. The bags that were birthed were stunning. Each was totally different and such a complete representation of the woman that created it.

 My Thursday class made their bags all in single day, and it was a race to the finish line- but almost everyone completed one. I managed a portrait of them, but not of their bags- I so hope that they'll send me photos. Please!

The second class was broken up into two days... and the fresh energy that they brought after a good night of sleep definitely added to our productivity- Thus the many photos taken...

What a great time we had!!

setting the scene

Talk to anyone that's taken one of my workshops, and you'll probably hear a little something about the scene I like to set. Creating an inspiring environment to work in is always key for me- so I like to do this for others. Fresh flowers from my garden, words that remind us why we're here, good music, maybe some chocolate when our energy starts to fade... each little detail feels important.

The classrooms at Squam Art Workshops are all gorgeous rustic cabins that complete the picture. Last week I was so blessed to return to Longhouse- my all time favorite space to teach in. It's perched on the farthest end of the camp with panoramic views of the lake from its many windows and wrap around porches. 

I kept the huge stone hearth blazing... 

And over the course of several days, dozens of wonderful women printed, stitched and stretched out of their comfort zones in this magical setting. 

It was exhilarating! I think for all of us. I can't wait to show you what they accomplished, made, created, and inspired ME with! 

Let's meet back here tomorrow...

upcycled pouch::creativebug

I am so excited to announce my latest online workshop with creativebug!

This upcycled pouch has to be one of my favorite projects ever, and I'm positive you're going to feel the same way about it. They're reinvented out of Tyvek mailers and inspire total customization. Look at the three samples above... each one is totally unique, no? Make them in any size, shape, or color... and print to suit your mood and style. The options are truly limitless... you'll find you can't stop stitching them!

 Last summer I taught this workshop at Teahouse Art Studio and loved showing even the novice sewists how to install a zipper by hand. Everyone was thrilled at what they could create without even a sewing machine! Now I can teach YOU... even if you're half way across the world! That makes me incredibly happy! I love how creativebug makes it possible for us to "hang out together in your home"... just add paint and a zipper or two!

You can now sign up for one workshop at a time (a la carte)... the upcycled pouch is only $9.95! This is a sweet deal- and I can't wait for you to start zipping up a bunch of pouches for all of your little necessities... and couple for your friends too! Want to watch the video intro (where I tell you all about it)?  Click here.

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spring dreams

Even though very little snow has touched the ground, it still feels pretty wintry out there. That's why this video was such a lovely reminder of what is to come next June... I think it says it all!  I'll be returning to Squam Art Workshops with a brand new workshop that combines my two loves: textile printing and sewing- and I can't wait! Perhaps I'll be spending that very special weekend with some of you. Registration opened yesterday and I hear it's filling super fast, so don't hesitate if it's something that calls to you. Have a wonderful weekend. We're planning on a LOVELY one around here!

 
Squam Art Workshops from Squam on Vimeo.

by the chimney with care...

 Yup- it's me again. wink. wink. More videos for you! Your reception to my trailer was so monumental for my spirit! Blowing you all a kiss right now! For every comment so far, I've responded here.

It was fascinating to read what it was like for you to hear my voice. I've felt all along that we were having a conversation... but perhaps we just crossed the threshold to an even deeper connection. This is always my wish in every relationship I forge. So, of course, I want that for us as well. Here's to CONNECTING wherever we may be.

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So, let's talk stockings! I've made several of these coffee sack beauties every year for my etsy shop. They sell quickly, and I never have time to make more. Therefore, it seemed like the perfect project to teach you how to make with Creativebug this December. It's a great way to learn how to work with burlap and performs one of my favorite magic tricks... transforming an old sack into something "earthy and sophisticated". The template is provided and was based on the same stockings my mother made when I was girl. My daughter now has mine! I like a stocking that can hold a decent amount and doesn't hijack your hand every time you reach in. This one holds a pound of coffee perfectly.Why not use it as a gift bag for your favorite coffee lover? Add a bag of beans and a sturdy mug (or mason jar and cuppow!)... and you're sure to make someone very happy! You can visit the intro to the Burlap Christmas Stocking workshop right here.

winter workshop at ithacamade!

WINTER WORKSHOP 

where: ithacamade, state st. next door to Mimi's Attic 

when: Sunday, December 2

time: 1-3pm

The wool trivet and coasters from Reinvention are the perfect handmade gift for the holidays. They're simple, satisfying and can be made in multiples for teachers, grandparents, and friends. I'll be giving a demo on just how fast they whip up on a sewing machine and share some great variations for hand-sewers and children. There will be plenty of rescued wool and supplies for you to get started on your own. At my side will be friend and fellow maker, Jan Norman from Silk Oak and Ithacamade (and multiple other amazing projects!).

If you're in the neighborhood (downtown Ithaca, NY) on Sunday afternoon, I do hope you'll come by for some holiday crafting! I'd love to see you and children are always very welcome!

Jan will have a stack of my books on hand and is generously offering $5 off the regular price just for this gathering. And of course, I'll be excited to sign any copies that are put in my hands!

See you Sunday!

holiday burlap bunting!

I hope your weekend was filled with love. I spent a couple of unhurried  days in the New Hampshire woods with some of the most important people in my life: my grandparents and aunt & uncle.  It was the perfect respite in between all that has been... and what is now before me in this new year. I'm stepping back into my own shoes to be who I am meant to be. That has meant working super hard behind the scenes to nurture some creative projects and a few dreams for maya*made... and finally a couple are ready (or almost ready) to be revealed.

 Let's begin with today's totally exciting announcement, shall we?

My first video workshop with Creativebug just launched, and it's a gift... that means it's FREE, folks! I can't tell you how awesome it feels to offer you my Burlap Bunting as a present! It's such nice way to thank you for your friendship and support... and to get you all making one of my favorite ways to express your favorite word or display a holiday message.

In this workshop I demonstrate exactly how I print and stitch burlap "flags" and take you through a bit of coffee sack deconstruction 101. There's also a great bonus... my brand new variation with numbered pockets. They make such a great little count-down/advent calendar ready to be filled with treats or love notes. Every year I'm inspired by the count-down calendar season, and it's so fun to have a fresh one to share, once again. 

So, grab a cup of tea and head over to my kitchen (seriously!) for the introduction right here. Then come visit the amazing San Francisco Creativebug studio, where the brilliant Courtney Cerruti designed a set just for my workshops! You can do so and view the entire class, from start to finish, by joining Creativebug on this page. Choose the free option or buy a subscription and have access to a huge array of phenomenal classes with a cast of superstar instructors (still pinching myself that I'm one of them!!). You're sure to have all the inspiration and how-to's needed for *handmaking* your way through the holidays... and beyond! 

 I can't say enough about how much I love EVERYONE at Creativebug. Love! I know I sound a bit over the top and even slipping into "infomercially" with my "join now"gushing, but seriously these folks are IT! They're revolutionizing the creative world and giving everyone all over the planet access to such beautiful and well-crafted videos. I'm delighted to be a part of something so GOOD! The integrity, effort and thought that they put into everything they do is tangible. You can also feel how much they honor the spirit and soul of every instructor, by celebrating them with exceptional trailers that tell such intimate stories about these lovely makers.  I'm a bit nervous/excited/butterflies to see mine someday.

So let's get cutting, sewing, and printing... 'cuz it's that time of the year!

soulful sewing

I'm so happy that I had the opportunity to teach once again at Squam Art Workshops (thank you Elizabeth!). Each time I return, I learn something new about myself, as a teacher and as an individual. 

Perfection and strict rules are not my style, but I definitely appreciate and aspire to good craftsmanship... and I hope that the women I teach take some part of that with them when they leave my workshops. You see, I trust in everyone's inherent ability to work with their hands.... and I am convinced that  when they approach their creativity with deep intuition, their unique beauty will have no choice but to shine through. Guiding people through this process is an honor that I take quite seriously and am often humbled by the extraordinary moments I witness... and am woven into.

• pulling strands from the frayed edges of a father's loved flannel shirt
• stuffing lavender into organza ribbons from cherished mother's linen clothing 
• selecting tiny ruffles and mini pockets from little dresses bought in china when a new baby girl made one woman a mother
• incorporating the lace and doilies of generations before us into something for today
• rediscovering 20 year old fabric crayon drawings from children, now fully grown
• gathering and assembling scraps sent from friends all over the country to honor a sewer's birthday
• stitching on a grandmother's original singer that traveled through the woods to make it to the classroom

The list goes on... but you get the idea. On top of and next to these meaningful layers were hand stitches, pencil pleats, raw edged ruffles, stamps freshly printed... 

These scarves had it going on!

botanical printing 2012

Although I've taught this class each time at Squam it's always different. What remains the same (and is my constant joy) is the support and encouragement that grows out of this simple printing process. The paritcipants always gather to celebrate eachother as individual prints are revealed. It transforms a solitary creative process into something witnessed and applauded. This might sound intimidating to a quiet person, but it's done with such gentle enthusiasm- and it seems to feed everyone's spirit in just the way they need it most.
 My favorite moments in this class were those times when someone's first claim "but I can't draw" was pushed aside with an astonished "I can't believe I did that!". It happened again and again. What an honor to be a part of someone's switch in perception of their true gifts. It's quiet, meditative work and I wish I had even more photos of each woman in their "zone", but this gives you a sense...

Another fun memory was throwing an impromptu mini birthday party for the lovely Adel.  

I must tell you that we bonded instantly when she came into class with her fist ambition to print a luna moth! Can you find it amidst their first sample swatches? Thank you to each of these inspiring and beautiful women, I'm so grateful to have had an opportunity to share this new medium with them. You can click on the bottom photo to take you to flickr to check out the photo in a larger size and get a sense of their gorgeous work. I'll be teaching Botanical Printing again in the fall. It will be the first time in a new environment... by the sea!