Orts: Threads of Creativity
Orts is newsletter collecting small snippets of creativity: embroiderers, textile artists, illustrators, DIY projects, and how we can make time for our creative endeavors. Published every Friday.
Ranking the 5 ways I've stored thread
Sharing threads of creativity š§µ Written by Sara Barnes I have a lot of embroidery thread and a small house, so storage is at a premium. But thereās a problemāIām also extremely picky about the ways I organize my thread. I want it to look good! I want it to vibe with my decor! Sometimes, this is easier said than done. But after many years of stitching, I think Iāve found a solution that works for me. I want to know how you store your threadāreply to this email and let me know. Ranking the ways...
Shirt-Curtains and a life-changing project
Sharing threads of creativity š§µ Written by Sara Barnes The past couple of weeks have been a blur. We adopted a kitten, Otis, two Thursdays ago. He's about four months old and very cute and funny. He fell in the toilet yesterday. Unfortunately, my two senior kitties think this is no laughing matter. They want nothing to do with him. Through all this, I realized that while I've had young cats (I adopted my other kitties when they were each about a year old), a kitten is different. He has so...
Lace electrical cords and giant doodle grids
Sharing threads of creativity š§µ Written by Sara Barnes It's been a while. Since the last time I wrote, I've launched several DIY embroidery kits in my online shop, Bear&Bean! They have everything you need to stitch a stick-on wild animal patch: red panda, axolotl, sloth, and sea lion. š Scroll down for an unexpected mailbox, a stained glass embroidery kit, a "doodle grid," and much more. A lace electrical cord and doodle grid āØ 5 creatively inspiring things 1ļøā£ Maggie Hensel-Brown creates...
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Mind-boggling bobbin juggling (say that 5x fast)
Sharing threads of creativity š§µ Written by Sara Barnes Thank you for being an Orts paid subscriber! I really appreciate it. You might've seen that I launched DIY embroidery kits where you can stitch a wild animal patch. When complete, you can stick the patch onto your favorite jacket or tote bag. Here's a discount code for them, just for paid Orts folks! Use the code ORTSCLUB to save 15% on your purchase (DIY kits only). Liz Payne Mind-boggling bobbin juggling āØ 5 creatively inspiring things...
Crop art, egg vessels, and stitching on stones šŖØ šŖ”
Happy Friday! I had a lot of fun putting this week's newsletter together. Scroll down because egg vessels and stitching over stone await. And ICYMI, this glittery throne was the most-clicked link in the last Orts 5/5. If you're in the Seattle area, come get crafty with me! I'm teaching an embroidery workshop at Make Apothecary in Bothell on September 21 from 1 PM to 3 PM. You can learn to stitch an axolotl patch using three basic embroidery stitches. Alice Fox Crop art, egg vessels, and...
This cross-stitch book is an enchanting way to start spooky season š»
Fall is my favorite season. The chill in the air makes it a perfect time to craft! If you're looking for a project (or 25) as summer transitions into fall, I have a book for you. I was sent a copy of Lindsay Swearingenās new book, Magickal Cross-Stitch: 25 Witchy Projects to Enchant Your Home. As the title suggests, itās the perfect book for spooky season, with a collection of designs that bring the occult to life. Hereās a peek into the book. I come to Magickal Cross-Stitch not as a...
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When a shirt becomes a window
Thank you for being a paid subscriber to Orts! OK Soup Studio When a shirt becomes a window āØ 5 creatively inspiring things 1ļøā£ I love illustrative quilting, or images made using piecework and freehand methods to create unconventional quilt tops. Check out a few of my favorites: this set of four portraits by Sarah Gagnon, aka Pelican Quilts; a fox running under the night sky by Lindsey Faith; and an abstract vest by Miesje Chafer. 2ļøā£ Youāre likely familiar with adjusting your top, but OK...
Ethereal quilts and glittery thrones āØ
Hi! Itās been a few weeks since Iāve been in your inbox. Within a month, two events I have been planning for a long timeāThe Illustration Conference and Camp Craftawayāhappened. (Two years and a year of planning, respectively!) I had a lot of ācompeting prioritiesā as I like to say, and all my energy went to making sure those things went off without a hitch. Iām happy to say that they are done and went so well! It also means I can focus more on my projectsāincluding Orts. So, letās get to it...
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An embroidery pattern for you!
*Taps mic* Is this thing on? Ok, good, because I have an Orts Lab project for you. Did you think I forgot? I don't blame you if you did, but I didnāt! Iām sorry for getting this to you much later than I intended. I hate to make excuses, and I dropped the ball on this. Thank you for your patience! Back to the Orts Lab at hand. If you already love embroidery or want to try it, I created Supplies Stitch, an Orts-exclusive design that you can stitch on clothing or in a hoop. I added it to my...
Craft your own cat tarot š šŖ”
Hello again! Iāve been gone for the last couple of weeks, some of which was spent in Minneapolis producing ICON12 The Illustration Conference. I was the Board President for this conference, and after two years of work, it all came together! It was a deeply satisfyingāand fun experienceābut I am glad to be back and focused on Orts and my embroidery. So, without further ado, let's get to 5/5: five creatively inspiring things and five ways to DIY. Craft your own cat tarot āØ 5 creatively...
Orts is newsletter collecting small snippets of creativity: embroiderers, textile artists, illustrators, DIY projects, and how we can make time for our creative endeavors. Published every Friday.