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Embroidery Extravaganza

VIRTUAL LIVE EVENT: Thursday, May 11th, 2023 at 9 am (Pacific Time)

RECORDING: Available May 14th with no expiration

Embroidery Extravaganza!

The Embroidery Extravaganza is an event where artists come together in a live, virtual event where you choose your own stitchin’ fun adventure. In each session, you get to choose from 3 40-minute workshop options to learn about crewel and free-form embroidery, basic embroidery stitches, getting started with the art of modoko (kogin motifs), machine embroidery tips for success, and so much more! After the event, you get lifetime access to recordings of all workshops — that’s over 8 hours of #howto content!

Embrace all things embroidery with 11 embroidery artists and instructors! Embroidery Extravaganza is a live virtual event with skill-building and lecture-styled workshops to put needle and thread to cloth with confidence and creativity.

I am the keynote speaker, and I have a beginning class on Silk Ribbon Embroidery. If you click on this link, you will save $20.00!

Guided by embroidery experts, you’ll learn how to:
● Use luxurious silk ribbons and basic stitches to create one-of-a-kind pieces- ME!
● Discover your personal stitching style and unleash your inner innovative spirit
● Stitch stunning samplers and motifs using the basics of crewel embroidery and free-form embroidery
● Hack your sewing machine to play with machine embroidery
● Choose the best fabrics and colors to make your dream embroidery projects come true
● Learn the art of modoko (kogin motifs) to create beautiful patterns


Let’s talk extras…

  • Get 8 hours of instruction in 4 hours with the magic of technology!
  • You’ll get lifetime access to the event after it wraps for your viewing pleasure
  • During the live event, you’ll be entered to win a HUGE giveaway
  • Get a virtual swag bag when you attend live
    For more information and to save $20 on the event follow my link.

Happy Stitching to you All, and hope to see you at the Embroidery Extravaganza live event! ~Christen

Upcycle it With Embellishments

I am happy to say that I am now a teacher for C&T Publishing online learning platform, Creative Spark! I have a new lecture, Upcycle it with Embellishments.

Upcycle Pre-Loved Clothing and Accessories

With trends like “thrift flipping,” where people find unique ways to repurpose secondhand goods, learning to add embroidery and embellishments to fabric is a key skill in transforming dull or out-of-style finds into unique wardrobe staples. In this online course, I will show you how to give your current wardrobe or thrift store finds a unique look with hand or machine-stitched trims, embroidery, and vintage treasures. I hope to inspire all of you makers to reimagine your preloved and current stash.

Download the handout and follow along with the video and demos. I show you how to take an old tie to create a rose corsage; create new embellishments with unused jewelry parts; add lace, yo-yos, buttons, and pins; and cut a doily to make a lace appliqué. In each demo, you’ll learn essential embroidery and ribbonwork tips and techniques, such as knowing what dyes and glues to use and when to use them.

What you will learn

  • Add embroidery stitches to enhance a design or repair damage.
  • Sew on a collection of buttons or use vintage jewelry to add interest or a theme.
  • Turn an unused item like a tie or lace table runner into something wearable.
  • Hand or machine stitch lace or ribbons to the bottom edge of a vest or jacket to extend the length or to add interest.
  • Hand stitch ribbonwork flowers, doilies, and lace to add a feminine touch, hide a hole or a stain, or add design interest.
  • Your Course includes access to videos, downloads, the Creative Spark private community, and discussion with your instructor. Your course content does not expire.

Bonus

+ This course includes a 9-page handout to refer to throughout the course. The handout includes instructions for a few projects as well.

Sign up for Upcycle it with Embellishments!

Happy Stitching and Thrifting to you! ~Christen

3 Hours of Flowers: class/tutorial

3 Hours of Flowers: 1 lesson/ $25.00

This a great sampling of corsages, ones that will look great on any jacket form jean to velvet! These also make a great gift, for that special someone, and the bonus is that they are fast to make. The flowers include: Rose ‘N Bud Brooch, Rosette with Leaf, and the Lacey Flower.

Skill Level Beginning: hand-sewing and some ribbonwork skills a must

Class Information

This class can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule. The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list and handout/s will be sent out.

A high-speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it, and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching! ~Christen

Friday’s Favorites: Decorating with Lace and Jewels

I love to decorate for the holidays. I have quite a collection of lace, buttons, and old jewelry bits, and try to find ways to incorporate them into my holiday decorations.

The first tree here, is actually a metal jewelry holder, with a bowl to catch your loose bits of stuff. I have used it to display my collection of vintage mercury glass ornaments and garlands. I placed vintage tinsel garlands in the bottom of the bowl, then nestled a collection of vintage swan shaped clip-on tree ornaments around the base of the tree. I gathered together a collection of vintage dress pins and single earrings, and added these throughout the branches.

The Lace Cone Trees, are resting in a silver leaf tray, with a garland of bells wrapped around the base. There are two vases flanking this group, filled with vintage mercury glass ornaments and vintage glass beads. See my Tips and Tea on Tuesdays post December 6, 2022, for directions on how to make a cone tree.

The Lace Christmas Tree hanging at the top of the picture is comprised of bits and pieces of lace that had been a salesman’s sampler. I added additional pieces of lace, and some vintage buttons. This project is a free handout that I am offering to my readers as a gift, from me to you.

Happy Stitching to you! ~Christen

Lace Christmas Tree: Free Handout

This felt project is fun, fast and easy to make for yourself or someone you love! Use up your tiny bits of precious lace, appliqués, and trims to create a hand-sewn collaged tree. The lace tree can be embroidered and embellished with stitches, buttons and more. It can be used as a pillow, or you could add a piece of ribbon to the top, for wall hanging.

You can download the free PDF handout here.

Happy Stitching ~Christen

Friday’s Favorites: Thanksgiving Decorations

Fridays Favorites is all about the Thanksgiving Decorations. I decorate for fall at the end of September and leave the decorations up until the end of November. Here in California, we really do not see the colors of turning leaves, and experience only the occasional crisp cold weather mornings. That said, I still appreciate the change of the season.

Here is a collection of my pumpkins, and other fall ephemera.

I love these wine cork pumpkins, what better way to use up all of those wine corks! I also love these wooden spools, so cool! The aluminum tins on top hold wax candle pumpkins.

Here are a few more vignettes, the first showing a collection of bird nests and paper wasp hives, along with Indian corn and mini pumpkins. The second shows Oliver and Aubriana, two art dolls that I have made. The third, a host of pumpkins, flowers and other fall ephemera.

And more owls, candles, gourds, and a turkey or two!

These images and poem encompass this time of year for me:

Dirt roads lined with
brown dusted bushes
and autumn colored trees
Leaves falling with even prettier colors
than last year.
Crackle air smells
of snow and cooked
turkeys and pumpkin pie.
Family days spent with
distant relatives, loved ones
and Thanksgiving.

Christen, 10-15-79

All Friday’s Favorites posts.

Well I hope that this inspires you to be creative with your decorations, and that you are enjoying this time of year.

Happy Stitching! ~ Christen

Ribbon and Ribbonwork Flowers, Leaves, and Trims

I love to work with ribbon, ribbon, and more ribbon.

These are examples from my first book, Ribbonwork Gardens by C&T Publishing. There are 122 realistic flowers, leaves and garden extras included in the book, with experience levels from easy to advanced.

There are over 14 basic techniques, some traditional and some that I have created especially for this book. There is a complete compendium with ribbon styles, selection and care, and troubleshooting tips with several gallery pages and examples sprinkled throughout the book for inspiration.

These are examples from my second ribbonwork book, Ribbonwork Flowers, by C&T Publishing. There are 132 flowers, leaves, and garden extras – each with complete instructions and colorful how-to photos.

I have created these components using new twists on vintage ribbonwork construction, as well as creating new techniques of my own. The book includes flowers, petals, leaves, flower centers, fruit, and stem designs. There are several gallery pages and examples sprinkled throughout the book for inspiration.

ribbonwork trims, ribbons, details, gingerbread trims

This is an example of my class, Gingerbread Details and Decorative Trims. Many of these edgings and trims use vintage techniques turning ordinary ribbon into detailed extraordinary couture trims. The simple techniques that are used to create these decorations range from folded, braided, wrapped and sewn.

Happy Stitching! ~Christen

Handmade Holiday Bazaar, at Creative Spark

Handmade Holiday Bazaar

The Cheer is Here. Create gifts, decor and more with holiday flair! Join a virtual extravaganza of crafting workshops with our expert, artisan instructors. You’ll learn how to make festive, unique handmade gifts and home decor. Watch live or recorded.

The four-hour virtual course is broken down into 10 total hours of instruction with 12 patterns. You will make beautifully curated gifts for everyone on your gift list this holiday season.

  • + Embroidered Ornaments
  • + Festive Birds on a Branch Lumbar Pillow
  • + Hand-Stitched Holiday Card
  • + Glasses Case
  • + Sugar n’ Spice Doll Apron
  • + Paper Piece a Santa Pillow
  • + Festive Art Quilts with Hand Embroidery
  • + Clay Flower Earrings
  • + O’ Christmas Tree Table Runner
  • + Hand-Dyed Gifts for the Holidays
  • + Enchanting Angel Tree Topper
  • + Winter Wonderland Candle

Happy Stitching! ~Christen

Perky Pincushion: class/tutorial

Perky Pincushion: 1 lesson/$10

perky pincushionThis petite pincushion is the perfect size for your travel sewing kit. The base of the pincushion, flowers and leaves are made from grosgrain ribbon. A scissor fob can be made using the same flower and leaf that adorns the pincushion.

Skill Level Beginning: hand-sewing knowledge needed

Class Information

This class can be purchased at any time, there is no set schedule. The class can be ordered by contacting Christen: thestoreonthecorner@gmail.com. She will send you an invoice through PayPal.

Once the class is paid for, the supply list and handout/s will be sent out.

A high-speed internet connection is recommended, and you must have basic computer and internet skills. You will need to be able know how to download and save a document to your computer’s hard drive, open it, and print out a copy.

You can contact Christen with any questions pertaining to the class/class information throughout the length of the class.

Class fees will not be refunded.

Happy Stitching! ~Christen