photo by muddlepud
Sigh. Loveliness.
May 30, 2009
May 27, 2009
May 26, 2009
Wild Olive interview
I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing wildolive over the past couple of days. Her work is cute, free spirited and happy. You can check out more of her work on Flickr. I hope you enjoy her work and this interview as much as I did. She is such a sweet person!
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Mollie Johanson, I am 29, and I love to create. I have the pleasure of living with my artistic, creative, and sometimes a little crazy (in a good way!) family. Being part of this family has certainly contributed to who I am as an artist (when I feel bold enough to call myself that!). When I'm not crafting, I do freelance graphic design, and I love that it gives me the flexibility to work on my own projects during slower times. There is always a list of things that I want to be working on: new illustrations (to become embroidery patterns), painting, stitching, you name it. I love to create.
2. How did you get started stitching?
My first experience stitching was probably when I was very young, stitching little lines on my grandma's kitchen towels. She showed me how to do a running stitch with a single strand of thread, then let me go to it! Every once in a while I still come across towels with those threads in place. More recently, embroidery just seemed like a good fit for me. It is a fun and relaxing way to create my illustrations.
3. What inspires you?
So many of the things that I make are based on everyday objects, so I find inspiration in the mundane. Taking a cooked turkey, for example, and adding a face, makes it so much fun! Ultimately though, I see God as the source of all creativity, so He is my true inspiration...both in art and life.
4. What advice do you have for other needleworkers out there?
Learn to enjoy the process, even more than the product. Sure there will always be bits of frustration (don't get me started on my messed up french knots!), but when you take pleasure in the making, not just what you make, you'll be happier.
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
My name is Mollie Johanson, I am 29, and I love to create. I have the pleasure of living with my artistic, creative, and sometimes a little crazy (in a good way!) family. Being part of this family has certainly contributed to who I am as an artist (when I feel bold enough to call myself that!). When I'm not crafting, I do freelance graphic design, and I love that it gives me the flexibility to work on my own projects during slower times. There is always a list of things that I want to be working on: new illustrations (to become embroidery patterns), painting, stitching, you name it. I love to create.
2. How did you get started stitching?
My first experience stitching was probably when I was very young, stitching little lines on my grandma's kitchen towels. She showed me how to do a running stitch with a single strand of thread, then let me go to it! Every once in a while I still come across towels with those threads in place. More recently, embroidery just seemed like a good fit for me. It is a fun and relaxing way to create my illustrations.
3. What inspires you?
So many of the things that I make are based on everyday objects, so I find inspiration in the mundane. Taking a cooked turkey, for example, and adding a face, makes it so much fun! Ultimately though, I see God as the source of all creativity, so He is my true inspiration...both in art and life.
4. What advice do you have for other needleworkers out there?
Learn to enjoy the process, even more than the product. Sure there will always be bits of frustration (don't get me started on my messed up french knots!), but when you take pleasure in the making, not just what you make, you'll be happier.
May 23, 2009
May 22, 2009
More Scissor Love
I'm all hot 'n bothered from the floss and scissor porn on here. It forced me to bring out the scissors that turn me on the most. I found these in Chinatown a couple of years ago in one of those little dollar-store like shops with woks, tools, kitchen supplies...you know the kind of store I'm talking about. I'm a-hoping we can find a source for them and offer these beauties for sale at Sublime Stitching so you can love on them, too. (eta: Maybe "scissor porn" doesn't sound quite as nice as "floss porn". Ouch!)
Cross-stitched Fight Club memorabilia
stitched by Ma Magasin
I'm sorry but I am wigging out on all things Ed Norton these days, and this Fight Club badge just makes my day. Awesomeness!
May 21, 2009
Must. bake. cake.
stitched by Sewsew-a-Gogo
Pretty much any phrase works for an embroidered knuckle tattoo, no? I envy the child that gets to wear this! :)
Please visit the awesome Etsy shop that inspired this embroidery: Living Thread.
Or, if you just love looking at knuckle tats, here's a couple more for you:
stitched by City the NZ Cupcake Queen
stitched by early bird special
May 20, 2009
May 19, 2009
little bird
stitched by BridgetFarmer
Sweetness from artist and printmaker, Bridget Farmer. Her bird etchings are gorgeous, too.
May 18, 2009
Embroidery sketch book
Ok, pretty much every fiber of my being is excited at this embroidery sketchbook by elsiemarley. Isn't it a gorgeous, perfect idea for practice and jotting down your surroundings? Amazing! Read more on her blog.
May 16, 2009
May 14, 2009
Embroidered Leather Wallets
(Cross-post from Dinosaurs and Robots): Sarah Duede embroiders on re-claimed leather and makes the most charming wallets. I love the mix of tough and soft. I can't imagine how rough this must be on the fingers! The results are stellar and striking.Link
Related: Jenny Hart's Embroidered Hair on Leather
May 13, 2009
I can't think of a title
- I am laughing too much!!
Seriously, I am just going to let this one speak for itself.
May 12, 2009
Greta brooches
stitched by mary's granddaughter
I'm really loving these sweet and serious circus bears by Cindy. Like to see more? Visit her Etsy store.
May 9, 2009
Floss porn: Spools!
photo by LOVE STITCHING RED
Do you like your embroidery thread skinny, pretty and a wee bit metallic? And on a spool? Well, we're equal opportunity here.
May 8, 2009
May 7, 2009
Flood of freebies!
free pattern from Polka Dot Bunny
free pattern from Wild Olive
free pattern from Pimp Stitch
The pool is full of love this week! These would all be something sweet and simple to stitch up for ma or grandma. If you stitch these, be sure to add your picture to the pool!
May 5, 2009
Beautiful Mess
Cross post from Embroidery as Art: Shannon Genova (aka Giggly Mama) sent me an image of her Sublime Stitching pattern-turned-tattoo. But then, I took a sneaky peek at her flickr set and saw that she's been embroidering up a storm. I loved what I saw. Especially this "beautiful mess" (shown here) of therapeutic embroidery: free-form, no pattern at all- just soothing stitching.Link
May 4, 2009
May 1, 2009
Weapons of choice
photo by CutOut&Collect
Love this assortment of scissors by crafter Cheyne! Quick poll? How many pairs of scissors do you own? I'm up to 8.
Also, feel free to snap a pic of your scissor collection and add it to the pool! :)