Crazy Lady’s Guide to Piecing 3 Lessons/$38.00 starting January 20, 2012

The class will cover three different basic CQ (Crazy Quilt) piecing techniques that I use to stitch a base for a garment, quilt, pillow or wall hanging. Each base is assembled machine stitched directly onto a square of muslin as you piece and stitch. I will share with you my experience and my solutions to all of the above questions and more. I will give you ideas on how to choose your fabric, color scheme and how to stitch your base depending on the size of the scraps, strips, and bits of fabric that you have. I will also give you several ideas that I have used to get myself out of those boxed in messes!

Ocean Rivers Bracelet 4 Lesson/$45.00 starting January 26, 2012

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…

Magic Web 2 Lessons/$28.99 starting February 7, 2012

This is a great technique project; I call it Metallic Threads 101, but it doesn’t stop there. In class you will make a “magic web” from bits of precious scraps, decorative yarns and metallic threads, sandwiched together with Solvy and machine stitching, lots of machine stitching. The unique fabric that you create will be used as a base for a heart shaped brooch that will be embellished with buttons and beads.

Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment 4 Lessons/$45.00 starting February 17, 2012

This is a great introductory class to traditional embroidery stitches with the added flare and dazzle that only seed beads can add. Directions include a simple strip pieced base that you make in the first class, but you can embroider on an already made crazy quilted block from another class.  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.

Beadoodlery with Christen Brown 2 Lessons/$25.00 starting February 21, 2012

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.

Beadazzled Somemore Purse 4 Lessons/$45.00 starting February 23, 2012

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!

Silk Ribbon Brooches 2 Lessons/$20.00 March 13, 2012
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.

Embellished Silk Treasures 3 Lessons/$30.00 starting March 16, 2012.

In this class you will take a two silk painter’s hankies and turn them into a work of art! The hankies will be split, sandwiched, then machine stitched into a framed silk canvas base. This silken canvas will be embellished with a Painter’s Potpourri Pack full of threads, cocoons, a silk carrier rod and assorted threads. But the embellishments do not stop there! You will make your own beads and button shapes; and cut the pelmet Vilene into strips. These components will then be embroidered to the silk canvas with silk buttonhole twist. Directions will also be given to make silk ribbon pods and additional fabric beads. A few simple embroidered and beaded stitches will add that final touch, turning this unusual group of materials into a one of a kind Embellished Silk Treasure.

Tandletons 2Lessons/$29.00 staring March 22, 2012

Tandletons=Tatted/needle lace/buttons.
These little threaded works of art are just so much fun to make. I start with a base made from 1″ silk bias ribbon, stuffed with Polyfil. Your Tandeltons will finish at about 1″. All of the stitches are created with a milliner’s needle, cotton and silk threads, silk embroidery ribbon or beads. The techniques that will be covered in class are Traditional Embroidery, Tatted stitches, Needle lace, Beaded Stitches, and Silk Ribbon Embroidery stitches.

Treated and Textured Reticule 3 Lessons/$35.00 staring April 6, 2012

This class is full of cool techniques; it will be hard to decide which one is your favorite! First you will stitch your fabric, shrinking it and manipulating it into a textural base. Next you will create a mesh of specialty threads and covered tendrils or branches. Embellishments and embroidery will include hand applied rayon cord, needlelace, shisha mirrors, and beading. Directions will be given to make a four-sided purse; however you could use your own pattern to make a pillow or wall hanging the choice is yours.

Color Me Happy 2 Lessons/$30.00 starting April 17, 2012

This is a technique class debunks myths, decodes terms and will open your world to the possibilities of COLOR, creating your own colors and dye baths to be exact. The goal of the class will be to create a journal of the dyed silk swatches that you create in each lesson. We will discuss working with color and how to choose colors. The class will only use Colorhue dyes; no other dye will be covered.

Hope that you find something that sparks your interest! Enjoy, Christen

There are 122 realistic flowers, leaves and garden extras included in the book, with experience levels from easy to advanced. The flowers are showcased in six different garden settings, offering you an array of small, medium and large flowers, each paired with a leaf to create a perfect combination.

I have included photographed step-by-step instructions (which I took), for each of the 122 examples. I have included a comprehensive cutting chart and have listed the types of ribbon that are suitable for each flower/leaf combination and included little extras such as French knots or beads.

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. The book is a soft cover, and will easily fit on your workspace while you learn and create.

I dedicated this book to my students, and I hope that you become one.

Happy Stitching,

Christen

This is a sample Creative Thread Embroidery with Christen Brown     $35.00

We worked on the base, and then stitched in the larger flowers which are whipped stitch rose, bullion knot rose, buttonhole rose and buttonhole wheel. I used a variety of threads including pearl cotton, stranded silk floss, rayon floss and variegated cotton floss.

A Crazy Lady’s Guide to Embellishing with Christen Brown     $45.00

This is an example of the CQ block that I worked on for the class. The first day we worked on laying out the ribbon, trims, laces and appliques, then stitching them down with a variety of embroidery stitches. I really like the little spider web, and the leaf trim (purchased at Joggles) is great!

Scrumptious Hearts with Christen Brown     $38.00

First we worked on creating our lace base from precious bits of ribbon, trim and lace.

Then we dyed our ribbons and silk ribbon for embroidery.

Busy, busy! But what great fun we are having, hope to see you in a class!

Enjoy, Christen

]]> http://1creativeone.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/classes-in-progress/feed/ 0 christen raised stitch embroidery crazy quilt block lace base dyed ribbon http://1creativeone.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/beadoodlery-day-1/ http://1creativeone.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/beadoodlery-day-1/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:27:33 +0000 Christen http://1creativeone.wordpress.com/?p=3385 ]]> Here is a look at the Beadoodlery Class that I started teaching today for Joggles.

This is an example of today’s lesson. The class will make a heart shaped base, then begin the beadwork.

Her is another example of the progress that was made from the first day’s lesson. Here I machine quilted the fabric, which added a bit more body to the base.

Hope to see you in class!

Enjoy, Christen

*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

This is a class that I just finished teaching for Joggles.com. Here are some of the samples that the students learned to make.

Shown here is the nasturtium (orange), jasmine (yellow), geranium (pink), Indian paint brush (red), various leaves and plumage.

This small wreath is made with the violet (purple), lupine (periwinkle) and a small beaded flower (light blue), with pressed glass leaves.

This is an antique porcelain vase that belonged to my husbands grandmother. I filled it with geraniums (pink), tulips (peach), lilies (lavender), bluebells (light blue), fern, various leaves and pressed glass leaves.

In class I discussed choosing colors, and working with color schemes. This is an example of a monochromatic color scheme. I chose purples because, how could you go wrong?

Here a an example of a choosing two colors, and working with light, medium and dark fabrics within those tow colors.

This is an example of 12 colors, using a print as your anchor fabric.

This lesson focused on using a triangle as the center, and working out form there. I gave the students many examples on how to get yourself out of those OH-OH moments, plus what to do with left-overs by making Prairie Points and Yo-Yo’s.

If you are interested in taking a class, please check out Joggles. Happy Stitching,

Christen

This is the example of the base of the bracelet from the first day.

This is an example of a second bracelet after the second day of beading.

This is a really fun and unique way of bead-embroidery, using this traditional stitch to embellish and encrust a ribbon bracelet.

If you are interested in taking a class, please check out Joggles. Happy Stitching,

Christen

This is a sample that I made in class, using the same design as the first heart. I added more mirrors, and fewer buttons so there was more room for beading around the mirrors, and adding in smaller sections of beads.

This is another sample from the class. Here the design is similar to the first brooch, with one mirror and several buttons. I added a cord around the edge, then added in the dangles. I like the soft coloring of this brooch, and the copper dangles.

Enjoy, Christen

Lesson 1: making a “magic web” from bits of precious scraps, decorative yarns and metallic threads. The techniques include working with metallic threads (always a challenge), scraps of fabric, ribbon and yarn, and Solvy a water soluble stabilizer.

The students could choose from 3 different techniques to make their heart shape base:

1.     Solvy Lace: scraps of fabric and yarn turned into a lace.

2.     Solvy Fabric: scraps of fabric melded together.

3.     Solvy Lace with Fabric Back: scraps of fabric melded together on top of a background fabric.

I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with! I will post my finished results next week.

Enjoy, Christen