Fall Classes for 2011

Well it is that time of year again! New samples have been made, old favorites have returned, and the schedule has been set! Here is what I will be offering at Joggles.com this fall.

*NEW* Beadoodlery 2 lessons/$25.00 beginning September 20, 2011.

This is an excellent beginning class to learn about beads, free-form stitched bead embroidery, with a step-by-step illustration of the design process. In Beadoodlery you will stitch beads onto to a fabric base to create a “doodled” bead pattern. I will provide 4 different heart shapes, though you can chose any design you like for the base.

*Returning Favorite* Jardin de Grandmere 2 lessons/$22.00 beginning September 23, 2011

Elegant and pretty is the best description for this bracelet. The flower medallion is created with a circular peyote stitch. These circular peyote medallions reminded me of the “Grandmother’s Garden” quilt block. When looking at fabric yo-yos stitched in floral seed sacks or vintage cottons, I imagined a garden of beaded flowers. The dimension is created by using three different sizes of seed beads. The stitch can be used to create a single or double row of flowers, with a beautiful button closure to finish off your bracelet.

*Returning Favorite* Creative Thread Embroidery 3 lessons/$35.00 beginning October 4, 2011

Explore the possibilities and broaden your creative stitched repertoire to add to your CQ and other embroidery projects. We will work the embroidery stitches using a variety of threads such as pearl cotton; buttonhole twist; rayon and cotton floss on a fabric base that you can use later as needle case.
Some stitches will blend thread to create new colors and textures. The dimensional embroidery stitches that will be covered are bullion knot, cast on buttonhole, drizzle, woven, whipped and tatted. Traditional stitches such as the buttonhole, chain stitch, feather stitch, feather stitch leaf, French knot, lazy daisy, pistol stitch and straight stitch will be also covered.

* NEW* A Crazy Lady’s Guide to Embellishing 4 lessons/$45.00 beginning October 6, 2011

Do you have a crazy pieced block or quilt top perhaps from A Crazy Lady’s Guide to Piecing that is just waiting to be encrusted with embroidery, ribbonwork, and embellishment? In this class I will cover many techniques that you can use to create a unique and beautiful heirloom piece that will be passed down from family member to member. Please note that there will be no instructions to make or finish the block or quilt.

*Returning Favorite* Scrumptious Hearts 3 lessons/$38.00 beginning October 7, 2011

Bits and pieces of cherished lace are melded with silk fabric to form a beautiful heart shaped base for your floral design. Chose from a few different heart shapes and ribbon worked floral vignettes, or create your own. The melded silk and lace base and the RTD silk ribbons for the ribbon work flowers and the silk ribbon embroidery are dyed with the Colorhue dyes. This is an excellent way to use up small amounts of this and that to form an heirloom brooch to be treasured.

*NEW* Kelp Scarf 2 lessons/$20.00 beginning October 25, 2011

In class you will make stitched “mesh” from strips and scraps of fabric, decorative yarns, ribbons and metallic or rayon threads. The result will be a lightweight, colorful scarf that can be worn all year round.

*NEW* Beadazzled Stitches 4 lessons/$45.00 beginning November 4, 2011

Do you love embroidery? Have you ever embroidered with beads? This is the perfect class for you to learn how to combine these two techniques. I will give you directions to make a simple strip-pieced base made from batik fabrics or if you have a CQ base already made you can work on that in class. This class takes you on a journey that explores beads, embroidery and other embellishments.

*NEW* Silk Ribbon Brooches 2 lessons/$20.00 beginning November 8, 2011

This class is a great introduction to silk embroidery ribbons, buttonhole twist, decorative threads and a few basic embroidery stitches. Make this lovely little brooch from one of the three different shapes and garden designs to give as a gift or to keep for your self. The embroidery stitches that will be covered are the woven rose, feather stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy, and French knot.

*NEW* Fabuloucious Felt Florals 2 classes/$25.00 beginning November 22, 2011

These fast and easy flowers are just fun, fun, fun! Create a brooch, hair ornament, or decorate an object with these colorful, creative floral beauties. Several different flowers, leaves and embellishments will be made using a variety of shapes with the addition of machine and hand embroidery.

Hope to see you in class! Enjoy all that you do, every single day! Christen

Fall Classes

This fall I will be teaching six classes for Joggles they are as follows:

There are three corsage classes where I invite you to take a colorful journey into the realm of dyeing your own RTD (ready to dye) silk ribbons. I will teach you how to prepare your ribbons then dye them to create one of a kind, creative and colorful ribbons. These ribbons will then be turned into magical works of floral art for your own “corsages to dye for”!
Corsages to Dye For I: Here we have the the Rose and Bud; Butterflies Delight; and the Harlequin flower. I will show you options on how to use each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers.
Corsages to Dye For II: Here we have the Chou Rose, the Country Rose, and the Lady Ashley Rose. I will show you design options for each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers.
*New* Corsages to Dye For III: Here we have the Violet, the Sweethearts Flower and the Sunflower and Rosette. I will show you design options for each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers.
*New* Autumn’s Harvest: I absolutely love all of the rich autumn colors: chestnut, golden umber, warm maple, cinnamon and pumpkin. I have put together a few things that will help make your autumn decorations for your home more memorable. These are all soft sculpture items that are made from fabric or felt.
Ocean Rivers: This class will teach you a little bit about the freedom of expression the “free form peyote stitch” can bring to your technical repertoire. This is entirely beaded with seed beads and buttons.
*New* Scrumptious Hearts: Bits and pieces of cherished lace are melded with silk fabric to form a beautiful heart shaped base for your floral designed brooch. Chose from a few different heart shapes and ribbon worked floral vignettes, or create your own.

Joggles offers a wonderful way to learn, with teachers and students from all over the world. I have met and become with friends across the country and have met women from France, Belgium, Australia and Canada. The on-line classes are held once a week and repeat once a week for as long as the class runs. Students receive a link to down load their handout on the first day of the lesson then have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with other students in an on-line forum.

I hope that you find something here that you will find interesting! Happy Stitching!

Christen

New Spring Session Classes for Joggles

I have been busy working on my classes for the Spring Session at Joggles, here is the line-up:

Corsages to Dye for II: May 25, 2010/three lessons

Do you find yourself wishing “if only I had a ribbon that was this color or that”, or “why didn’t it come in my favorite colors”? If your answer is YES, then let me invite you to take a colorful journey into the realm of dyeing your own RTD (ready to dye) ribbons. I will teach you how to prepare your ribbons then dye them to create one of a kind, creative and colorful ribbons. These ribbons will then be turned into magical works of floral art for your own “corsages to dye for”!

Scrumptious Scraps: June 11, 2010/5 lessons

Scrumptious bit and pieces of vintage laces are melded and stitched together to form a unique and beautiful base for your creative stitched designs. Once the lace scraps are turned into a base, I will show you how to dye the base and a variety of ribbons that can be later used in the embroidery and ribbon worked vignettes.

Flora Dora and Daisy Chain RAW Bracelets: Two for One! June 22, 2010/3 lessons

Do you have a wonderful stash of buttons and beads that are just waiting for the right project to come along? Well consider these beaded and buttoned up bracelets, which are made using two different Right Angle Weave techniques. The first bracelet simple and elegant the other feminine and charming; both take only a short amount of time to make.

Beadazzled Somemore Purse: July 6, 2010/4 lessons

This class delves deeply into the wonderful world of bead embellishment, exploring a wide variety of stitches and embroidery techniques. The sample that you will be stitching on can become a purse (using the pattern provided), a pillow or wall hanging, or whatever you choose. The techniques that will be covered are free-form peyote on fabric, free form bead embroidery, multi bead embroidery, attaching trinkets, buttons and charms with beads, and so much more. Your project will start with a beautiful batik fabric, a variety of seed beads in several sizes and colors combined with a collection of buttons, glass charms and larger beads. This class is a must for anyone who loves beads!

BEBE: Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment: July 23, 2010/4 lessons

This is a great introductory class to traditional embroidery stitches with the added flare and dazzle that only seed beads can add. These stitches can be incorporated in any fiber design that you choose, whether it be an already stitched crazy quilted block, a strip pieced pillow top, or an appliquéd art quilt block. A variety of stitches are used in each separate embroidered design, a Base Stitch, a Design Stitch, and an Embellished Stitch. Additional embellishments will also be covered such as adding in buttons, sequins, large beads and charms.

The classes at Joggles are brought to you in a file/document format. The classes can run between three-five lessons, with a week between lessons. Joggles provides an online Forum format where teachers and students can communicate, ask questions, or show off their examples from class. I am a very dedicated teacher, and I want each student to be able to complete the project/s covered in the classes. I prepare each lesson’s document with photographed step-by-step pictures and detailed written instructions.

For a more detailed description of each lesson please visit my page at Joggles.

I hope to see you there! Enjoy- Christen

New Winter Session Classes

I will be teaching three classes this coming Winter Session for Joggles.com.

Jardin de Grandmere is the first class and will begin February 23, 2010. The price is $22.00 for two lessons.

Elegant and pretty is the best description for this bracelet. The flower medallion is created with a circular peyote stitch. These circular peyote medallions reminded me of the “Grandmother’s Garden” quilt block. When looking at fabric yo-yos stitched in floral seed sacks or vintage cottons, I imagined a garden of beaded flowers. The dimension is created by using three different sizes of seed beads. The stitch can be used to create a single or double row of flowers, with a beautiful button closure to finish off your bracelet.

Lesson 1: In the first class you will learn the basic circular peyote stitch that each flower medallion is made with. I will give you several examples of color combinations, and then will leave you to play.

Lesson 2: In this class I will show you how to add a second row of flower medallions to your bracelet (if you so desire), and how to attach your button and loop closure in order to finish your bracelet.

Ocean Rivers is the second class and it will begin March 12. The price is $45.00 for four lessons.

This class will teach you a little bit about the freedom of expression the “free form peyote stitch” can bring to your technical repertoire. The launching point of your bracelet and your creative explosion will start with a simple grosgrain ribbon, a small collection of buttons, a variety of seed beads in several sizes and colors combined with a few small treasures. Bring your imagination and creative spirit….

Lesson 1: You will cut and prep the ribbon base; we will talk about setting up your beads; learn about focal placement and the stitching the buttons in place; then create your first tidal currents.

Lesson 2: We will explore the basic peyote stitch; changing from between bead sizes within the current; making connections and creating more tidal currents; and adding in new thread.

Lesson 3: We will cover creating waves along the outer reaches of the bracelet; stitching in the tidal pool treasures such as larger beads, sequins and chips with single bead stoppers, cascades and picots.

Lesson 4: Finishing touches: stitching the button and closure loop; stitching the beaded shell edging; and barnacle extras.

Corsages to Dye For: Series 1 is the last class and will begin March 30. The price is $35.00 for three lessons.

Have you ever wished that you could dye your own ribbon, in the colors that you like the best? Using simple techniques, I will teach you how to create truly intriguing and colorful patterns with your dyes and ribbon. These ribbons will then be turned into magnificent works of art that you create by stitching petals and leaves for your own “corsages to dye for”!

Lesson 1: In the first class you will learn how to mix the dyes using a basic color wheel; learn a series of techniques to prepare the ribbon for dyeing; then actually dyeing the ribbons that you will use in the next lessons.

Lesson 2: The second class will focus on making the flowers: the rose and bud; the bachelor button; and the passion-flower. I will show you options on how to use each flower, from a single flower to a group of flowers; how many you make of each flower is up to you.

Lesson 3: The third lesson will focus on making the leaves from the ribbons that you dyed, then stitching all of the components together for each corsage. Additional commercially made ribbons can also be used, and can add another dimension to your corsages such as the velvet ribbon I used in the Bachelor Button Corsage.

The classes handouts are emailed to you the day of the class, with a week to review and complete that week’s lesson. The following lesson/s will arrive a week later with another handout and further instructions. There is an on-line forum for the student and teacher connect or contact in case there are any questions.

Enjoy and keep it creative! Christen

CuddleNots: a new class for Joggles

This class is a new class that I am teaching for Joggles.com. It is re-scheduled to begin on November 4, 2009 (original date September 23, 2009).

CuddleNots are not your ordinary type of “cuddly” doll, but they do have some “attitude”!

Your doll will start with common bits and pieces from around the house, add in ice-cream scoop arms and legs… and well it just goes up hill from there!

Most CuddleNots finish roughly around 5″ wide by 14″ tall.

Come join me on this creative adventure thinking outside of the box to create a fun and playful doll.

Hat Boxes: a new class with Joggles

This is a new class that I am teaching for Joggles, it is re-scheduled to begin October 30th, 2009 (original date October 2, 2009).

This petite hatbox starts with a paper mache box. Chose your favorite art paper with a colorful design, pick ribbons, lace and trims in the colors that you want to highlight. Add in a little acrylic and metallic paints for good measure. A variety of hand made ribbon flowers and leaves will be added just like the icing on the cake!

Come join me!

Ocean Rivers Bracelet 2- free form peyote

Ocean Rivers Sample 2:This is a sample of the class that I just finished teaching for Joggles.com.
The first sample was created in blues and purples. The stitching technique is one that I developed using free-form peyote on fabric.
The class was a success, and all of the students created marvelous examples of this creative embellishment technique.
I will be teaching two classes for the fall session, one will focus on ribbon work, one will be an art doll, so keep checking back for updates!
Happy stitching, enjoy!

Ocean Rivers Bracelet- free form peyote

This is a new project that I just created for Joggles.com. The base of the bracelet is a grosgrain ribbon, embellished with shell buttons and covered in beads stitched with the peyote stitch. This class will mark the first time that I have taught an on-line class, hope to see you there! Click here for class details.

Happy Stitching!