TA DA! Do you want one?

I received my bundle of books yesterday.  Pure Eye Candy I tell ya!!
I've put a few signed copies into my etsy shop...

But I am giving ONE copy away.
Do you want to win one?  Leave a comment and I will pick a winner on Monday morning.
Have a great weekend!
xo
Chrissie

I'll leave you with some images of the delicious projects...

Sharing Stitches

I got a special preview of my new book in the mail...what an exhilarating feeling to actually hold it and look at it in real life!

The styling is phenomenal!   

The editors and designers did an AWESOME job putting everything together.  It is such a beautiful book, and I can't wait for it to be released.

 Here's just a tiny sneek peek.   One of Lori's projects:

 You can see one of Liz's here and a tiny glimpse of Catherines:

 And one of Jenn's:

I wish I could show you all of them.  You'll just have to wait until the book comes out. ;)

It's available for pre-order here.

Happy Wednesday!

xo,

Chrissie

Featured Artist: Danita

This week's Featured Artist from Sharing Stitches is Danita.

Danita is a self-taught mixed-media artist who makes Original Paintings, Collages, Mixed Media Creations, as well as Original Art Dolls, Soft Sculpture Plush Dolls, ACEO Cards, Giclee Prints and Fiber Art. 
I have been a fan of Danita for years. She has FANTASTIC rendentions of one of favorite all time artists, Frida Kahlo.  It seems like there is no medium that Danita cannot conquer.  Her style is so unique and I love going over to her Etsy shop to see what brilliant things she has created every week.
She has also been published in almost 15 magazines to date. Whew!  She is one super talented lady!

Below is an interview with her:

What inspires you?
 Beauty and the absence of it. I live in a city with many problems and I use art as a way to scape from all of that. Some days there are so many bad news that I just want to create something beautiful for a change and when I'm creating I forget about everything.

Tell us about your art. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?
 I think I illustrate my thoughts in mixed media. I love working with paper and acrylics and gouaches adding touches of pencil and pastels. It's difficult to chose just one medium to work with because it all depends on the mood I want to give to the final piece. I also m
ake dolls, jewelry and fiber art. All of them I enjoy very much so picking just one would be very difficult.

 How do you define "artistic success"?
For me artistic success is when I create something from my heart and people responds to that in a positive way.

 Did you enjoy art as a child?
 Yes! I've always enjoyed drawing and painting and I remember that I used to make miniature figures with modeling clay and followed a TV show that taught how to make stuff.
When did you learn how to sew?
I'm still learning!

 Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most?
At night, when I have nothing else to do or anybody calling for my attention. Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you. I usually check my mail and facebook in the morning after dropping my daughter at school. I have to pick her up early so I only have about 3 hours to work and I usually spend them listing, answering questions, taking pics or anything that can be interrupted with no trouble. In the afternoon I usually do my mom chores and after I put my daughter to bed then my creative work really starts. I usually work from 8 pm to 12 or 1 am. I choose what I'll be doing and prepare my materials, put some music and start working. I usually work nonstop until my husband starts nagging that it's too late and then I wake up from my creative slumber and go to bed. Next day, repeat and rinse.

Blog: http://danitaart.blogspot.com/
 
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/danitashop
 
 flickr:  www.flickr.com/ photos/danitaart
 
 facebook: danita art
 
Thanks Danita!  You rock!

Featured Artist: Lori Vliegen

Lori is the Featured Artist this week from Sharing Stitches.

I have to say that Lori is a dream to work with.  Not only is she extremely talented, but her work is meticulous.  Every little stitch is perfectly placed.  Her lines are clean.  She has beautiful writing, and great color choice.  If I owned a licensing company, I would have Lori's stuff strewn all over Hallmark!

Oh, and did I mention how sweet she is?

Here is her artist's interview:

1. Tell us about your art, Lori. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

To satisfy the textile side of my work, I’m currently having fun with fabrics, threads, buttons, beads, ribbon, hand-carved stamps, recycled dryer sheets, and anything else I can get my hands on. For my paper side, I love using watercolor pencils and micron pens to create playful, whimsical doodles in my journals.

2. What inspires you?

Just about everything.....especially if chocolate is involved.

3. How do you define "artistic success"?

When someone tells me that something I’ve created has spoken to them, it’s the greatest compliment I could receive!

4. Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I loved arts and crafts when I was a kid! My mother taught me some simple sewing stitches, and I began making clothes for my troll dolls and barbies.....and my first “fabrics” were kleenex! Then I discovered embroidery, crewel and counted cross-stitch, and I’ve been stitching ever since!

5. Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.

I love to take advantage of the natural light that streams through my windows in the morning. My favorite days are when life allows me to just sit and be creative during this small pocket of sunshine time!

Thanks Lori!  You are so talented!

blog:

http://www.elviestudio.blogspot.com/

etsy:
http://www.elviestudio.etsy.com/

flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elviestudio/

Featured Artist:Heather from Audrey Eclectic

Aren't these bookmarks lovely? I love the artwork combined with the tattered lace and velvet strips.

They are made from today Featured Artist, Heather from Audrey Eclectic. Heather's work is so romantic. Her layered collages are my favorite! I was so pleased to have Heather's work featured in Sharing Stitches. Her style is so uniquely different. Learn more about her here in todays interview.

Hi Heather! Will you tell us a little bit about your art?

What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

I call my art 'mixed media folk art.' I love to do portraits with an old-timey vibe, but use modern techniques to create them. I usually work on canvas or wood and use various papers for my collage. Then I paint the portraits with acrylics.

Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I've loved to draw since I was very little. I was ruining furniture with my drawings by the time I was 3 ;) sewing took much longer. I've only really learned to sew in the past few years, although I did take some home ec. classes in junior high (but promptly forgot everything they taught me!) With the help of my friend Holly Hall of Sweetheartville.com, I've learned to not fear my sewing machine

What inspires you?

History....old photos...stories....nature.....my home, in the middle of the prairie :) my family, faith, and being blessed with love.
Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.
I feel like I am much more focused and clearer in the mornings. Love the morning light too. I try my best to paint at night after my little one has gone to bed, but I find its best not to paint tired. That's when I make mistakes.

Please go check out her website. Her portfolio is full of so many beautiful pieces!

Links:
http://www.audreyeclectic.com/
blog: http://reverieart.blogspot.com/
shop: http://audreyeclectic.bigcartel.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/audreyeclectic/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Audrey-Eclectic/136160023297?ref=ts

Sharing Stitches: Featured Artist: Kristen Feighery

Kristen Feighery is the Featured Artist this week from Sharing Stitches.
I love Krissy's use of bold colors and her work speaks volume of contrast. When I first saw her work I was thrilled at her interpretations of biblical stories.
She is not a sewer by trade, but rather uses material and fabrics as a way to incorporate mixed media elements into her paintings. Her work is fun and whimsical and at the same time very meaningful.



What inspires you Krissy?

I'm inspired by the happiness and sadness of people around me. By beauty, antiques, and children. And ultimately by God and the amazing things I see Him do every day.



Tell us about your art. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

My style of art is called Modern Folk Art. It's generally raw and primitive and happily organic! I love to work in mixed media and get my hands as dirty as possible!



How do you define "artistic success?"

Being able to create something every day, whether it be a $500.00 painting or a plastic bead bracelet with my daughter. If it triggers feelings and makes a memory, there is artistic success!



Is there a part of the day you enjoy creating most? Tell us how a typical creative day might go for you.

Being the mother of two young children, my usual time to create is at night after storytime. But, my favorite, most celebrated creative time is in the morning. There is nothing better than getting the girls off to school, making a very large cup of coffee, assessing which supplies I need and going at it. I never quite know what I'll do or how it will turn out. But as long as I have Brandi Carlisle on the ipod, coffee in hand, and a million art supplies laid out in front of me, I'm one happy artist!





Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

Loved it! I received new art supplies every holiday and used them up in no time. My mother used to make our clothes when we were kids and I thought they were the greatest. I think I learned to at least sew buttons when I was 8.

You can see more of her artwork here:
www.krissysart.blogspot.com
www.sanctuaryofdavidson.com

Sharing Stitches: Featured Artist: Sara Mincy

Hi everyone.
I am so excited that the release of my new book, Sharing Stitches, is coming soon. However, it is not really "my" book, because it is a compilation of many talented artists and sewers that made this book possible. Every week I'd like to introduce you to one of the participants who created at least one or two projects for the book.

This week I'd like to introduce you to Sara Mincy. At the time that the book came into conception, I had just fallen in love with Sara and her blog. She immediately struck me as someone I wanted to work with. Sara is a very talented artist, but at the time we started the book, she really wasn't that into sewing. Because the book has projects geared for first-time sewers as well as advanced sewers, Sara's style was a perfect match for the book!


Sara, tell us about your art. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

I love to paint on canvas using acrylic paint. I call it modern folk art. I do a lot of quotes and verses.


What inspires you?

Going shopping! I love a great store display- I can go to Old Navy or Target or Pier 1 and get ideas for a painting just by seeing prints and patterns and colors. I also get a lot of inspiration from magazines. Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion is a huge inspiration to me and I have almost every issue that was put out...so sad that she does not publish the magazine anymore!

How do you define "artistic success"?

When you get to do what you love and other people love it too! I know it is not necessary for other people to love your work to be qualified as an artist- but it is such an encouragement to me when people what to hang my art in their homes!

Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I always enjoyed art- coloring, drawing, painting, sewing, etc. My mom taught me to sew when I was young- can't remember when we started. I made a quilt for a doll once. And I made 2 dresses for myself in high school.

Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.

I usually create in the afternoons when the kids are having a nap or quiet time. I can't create in the midst of chaos- so the kids have to be occupied! Evenings are good too. I love the quiet and solitude of going into my art room and putting on some music and painting or sewing or decoupaging.

Her blog: sara-mincy.blogspot.com
Her etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarasart

Sara has such a fun style, not only with her art, but with her home decor, clothing, and everything she does! Thanks Sara!

Sharing Stitches

I got the news yesterday that Sharing Stitches is available for pre-order on Amazon.
Isn't the cover beautiful?
I'm so excited I could squeal!!!

Photoshoot

Good morning! This was the view from my hotel room this morning when I woke up. Pretty...
Unlike my hometown, Cincinnati is in the middle of Autumn. The leaves are changing and it's so beautiful!

Do you want to see a little bit behind the scenes? Here is a picture of my station. You can see the star of the show, my sewing machine, on the table. This is where the magic happens. (tee hee) F + W has a really big photo studio, with tons of cool props.

This is one of the many walls of supplies. If you need something, there is a 99% chance that they have it.

My editor is super sweet and cute, and I am lucky enough to work with the same photographer as I did in my other two books. She's awesome! My favorite part of the day is our hour long lunch breaks at the most delicious restaraunts. My husband thinks I keep writing books so I can be taken out to lunch every day. ;)

The contributors to this book are so talented, and I am so proud of this book! I cannot wait to see the publication on stands.

Okay, we are in crunch mode now, so I'm off to work. Is it Thursday already????