Welcome

* * * Canadian Craft Federation / Citizens of Craft.ca Podcast Series! : ) I'm in Episode #4... but you should listen to them all. : ) LISTEN

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Party Party Party!

I feel like I have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for.  I just realized that my blog is about to turn 4 yrs old!  That's pretty cool.  To show gratitude to my readers and my sponsors, I am going to fill a birthday box full of things and then give it away!  In the box will be a little something from each sponsor listed below.  This gives me an opportunity to properly thank the sponsors linked down the side of my blog.  My sponsors are AWESOME. 

Lucky shot!  : )

In no particular order, here they are.  
***ALL names are linked to their websites***

MEINKE TOY

The catch phrase for this online store is, 'uncommon supplies for the fibre and mixed media artist'.  That pretty much sums it up.  You can get dyed scrim, fibre paints, art yarn, art batting, and even fish leather just to name a few.   I will include a few strange and wonderful items that I have from Meinke Toy in the box.  Finding this shop was like landing a gold mine.  They are based out of Florida.

NELLS EMBROIDERY

Aside from the prettiest teenie faerie shoes I've ever seen, Nell sells beautiful fibre embellishment packs through her Etsy shop.  She is woman to go to if you need anything custom made.  I got the perfect embellishments for the winter corset (that I never finishes so I cannot show anything off!) from her.  Nell is based out of Vancouver, and I will include some of her sparkly and beaded yarns in the box.

WONDERFIL THREAD

I got hooked on Wonderfil Threads many yearas ago at a quilt show.  I bought packs and packs of rayon.  At the time, I didn't know what rayon was.  There began my free machine embroidery art.  I have loads and loads of cottons now that I purchased through Creative House in Saskatoon.  Wonderfil headquarters are in Calgary, Canada.  The threads are strong, long staple Egyptian cotton.  The spools are BIG so you really get your money's worth.  I really enjoy the variegated threads and the 12 weights.  They have 100 wt, hologram, sparkly, metallic... I will include a few spools in the prize box.

LAPEL STICK

Lapel stick is an acid free fabric glue.  I use it when making postcards in place of fusibles and hot irons.  It applies smooth - not sticky and gunky like school glue.  It's used fo many sewing emergencies (taming the lapel or holding a hem in place), but I like it for applique and teeny work so that I don't have to stick my fingers under an iron.  I will include a Lapel Stick glue in the prize box too for the winner to try.

RIBBONSMYTH

This is where I get the bulk of my silk ribbon - any width, any colour including variegated and hand dyes.  GEE that stuff is hard to find online!  I cannot find them locally.  I finally found these on Etsy as well.  Her shop has a very big variety.  Shipping is cheap as the ribbons weigh nothing, but getting the supplies can be slow from the US.  I will put a nice range of her ribbons in the box for you to have as well.

SULKY AMERICA / H A KIDD

I ADORE Sulky stabilizers.  Aside from thread, they have the best range and quality of any stabilizer I have tried!  You name it:  sew in, tear away, soluble, thick, thin... they have it.  My favorite stabilizer EVER is Sulky Sticky Plus.  This is what I use exclusively behind my threapaintings.  It comes on a roll with a peel away paper grid which is nice for perfect cutting right every time.  It has an acid free temporary adhesive so you can stick it to the back.  When you are done, you can tear the excess off.  No kidding.  Even my fragile rayon stitching will hold.  The stabilizer just comes apart.  Fantastic.  I will include a few sheets of this in the box.

CREATIVE HOUSE

Thank you also to Creative House in Saskatoon for hosting all my local classes over the past couple of year.  You've been so generous.  Speaking of Creative House - they are still in business and selling the full line of Wonderfil.  They nearly emptied their shelves with the sales earlier in the year and have since re-stocked.  (Yay!)  I will include a bit of their fabric in the box and also a pack of needles.

CINDY MOLESKI PHOTOGRAPHY / CUSTOM FRAMING

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Cindy Moleski Photography's Framing in Saskatoon for taking such good care of my embroideries and making them gorgeous with custom mats and frames.  Your support has taken my work up a notch in ways I could not have.  *** I don't have anything to include in the box here, but want to ensure they are given recognition.

FRIENDS AND MENTORS

I do also have some incredible silk and cotton embroidery supplies gifted to me by very generous local women.  I will top up the box with goodies from them as well.  (J. & M. - big thank you's for all your support!)  Maybe I will include some magazines and fabric too?  SURE!  Why not?

A NEEDLE PULLING THREAD MAGAZINE

I also have to thank ANPT.  They have been great at offering subscriptions to my readers for various draws since I started blogging.  One of my embroidered quilts was on their cover way back when, and soon after they did an artist's profile on me (which was one of the most exciting things in my life!).  lol  I love that magazine.  It covers all sorts of fibre crafts from Canadian designers and has stunning photography to boot.  I will include one of my own back issues in this birthday box.



HOW TO ENTER

Enter only once please by leaving a comment below.  In the comment, tell me what your favorite, most hard-to-find item is for your craft.  If I chose your name and i happen to have some of that item in my studio, I will include it in the box.  OOOOOH!  This sound fun.  This box is going to be awesome!!!  And yes - I will pay for shipping.

I will randomly chose a winner Friday night and announce it Saturday morning here on the blog.  In the mean time, I will be hiding away in my studio getting art made for the next show.  If you don't see me for the whole week, you know where I went!  : )

78 comments:

arlee said...

Embroidery threads that are anything but boring are very hard to find in Calgary--have coveted unique ones for a couple of years now, and sadly they have to be ordered (usually) from the US.......
And luck on locking yourself away with no distractions :)

Hazel said...

Good poly thread 40 wt. for FM ,the only color I have is white which I had to order from BC .

L. Anne McClelland said...

I love your work!! I have been painting for the last decade but I used to do fabric arts and have been inspired, by your work, to find time for it again. Thankfully I saved a box of interesting fabrics through my many moves, and embroidery threads. I love the way you incorporate yarns in the work. I appreciate the links to suppliers because I live in a remote area. Just a handful of interesting yarn samples would be a great kick start to gathering some for myself.

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Congratulations on 4 wonderful years of blogging! Silk ribbon for embroidery is very hard to find here. Thanks for the giveaway.

marsha said...

Thanks Monika!
I have a hard time finding the Roxanne needle threader(for very fine needles)

Anonymous said...

This is indeed a generous way to celebrate your blog anniversary. I find silk ribbon hard to find and have to order from USA. Love seeing your work and your photos.
Vivien Levermore

Grovenore said...

Congralations on 4 yrs of blogging. I love seeing your fibre art landscapes. I took a JBM class last fall in doing landscapes, but it's not my thing & I haven't finished it, although it's on my list to do someday! I love CQ and wish I had time to do it all day, every day! There are a couple of items I use in CQ that I cannot find here: size 15 seed beads and silk ribbon. I order the silk ribbon online but seed beads (even size 15) are very heavy, so anytime I'm in the US I look for a bead shop & stock up & my friends do the same for me. Grovenore

Unknown said...

I live in a small town where the mall that we once had collapsed two years ago, so no one in Eliot lake has access to any fibre art items...So anything to add to my collection is good....

Jenny Williams said...

I am a free motion embroiderer using mostly a machine right now, but would love to incorporate more hand thread work in my art. Finding appropriate and beautiful threads are very difficult to find in my area of the southeast U.S. I would love to receive some of your lovelies to play with and get on my way!

Brenda said...

I can't find Aurifil thread in Winnipeg, so I have to mail order it or buy it when I'm on the road. I like it for piecing or machine quilting. happy blogiversary!

Terri said...

Congratulations on the 4 year mark! Love your blog!
I guess time is the hardest thing to find... I really have no trouble finding anything else. Just love your style and art, and wanted to tell you so.
Hugs

Lise said...

I love your work and I really need quality embroidery needles that are strong and flexible

Bev said...

I do machine embroidery so I am always on the lookout for new and useful threads for my sewing machines.
Bev L.

Karen said...

What a great list of suppliers! I love yarn with all sorts of embellishments in it: beads, sequins, filament. I am always on the look out for something different!

shielarae@shaw.a said...

Congratulations on your BBD, blog birthday and your latest creations which are so inspiring.
Hard to find items here are silk threads and good beads.

Anonymous said...

Silk embroidery ribbon! Also neat embellishments that add interesting texture to fiber art would be great! Thank you for being so generous. - Katie D.

Noreen said...

Love! Love!! Love!!! Your "Prairie Perspective" and artistic depictions of it. As a beginner, I'm always looking for stitch patterns, photos, and supplies I have on hand that can help me create my much-simpler visions ... like a clump of grass or bullrushes by a Tyvekl rock my pelican stands on. It will take lots more stash-building , organization, and experience before I can more quickly plan for these myself ... as I can with quilting. ....`Gotta remember to check Copperfiled's for that big Embroidery Reference Book you spoke of, too. You're a wealth of talent, encouragement, and ideas! THANKS!

Paula DiMattei said...

I just love your work. I am an environmental chemist by day and a quilter by night. I so look forward to your posts to see what fabulous things you are working on. The thing i have the hardest time finding is enough time to do all the things i would love to try out. I don't think that you would have that in your studio; but if you happen to have a time machine hanging around, i could really use it. Happy blog BDay

Jill said...

Hmmm, hard to find items...I dabble in a bit of everything and am currently working on using up my stash, so I can't think of anything in particular!

Congrats on 4 awesome years!

Diane said...

I love reading your blog and seeing examples of your work.
I have difficulty finding reasonably priced thimbles that are small enough for my finger.

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary! So glad to have found your blog--informative and your work always makes me take a few deep breaths and smile. I've been looking for a good adhesive for multimedia work that stays flat. Will look for the lapel glue, give it a try. Thanks!

Gill said...

Congratulations!
Thanks for a fabulous giveaway!
I've never heard of lapel glue but I'd love to try it!

Kitchener Quilter said...

What a great giveaway. Would love to see something personal from you in the box!

Hooked on a Feeling said...

Happy Blog-iversary! It's very generous of you to put together such an awesome box of goodies. Many of the items you're including are near impossible to find or I've never seen, so they'd all be thrilling to try. I find silk ribbon challenging to find at times as well. Many thanks.

elle said...

Good for you, Monika. Supplies are difficult because if you drive all the way to the city and then it is out of stock... :( I would like to try some Valdani threads.

Mertie said...

Congratulations! Your beautiful art is awe inspiring and I'm thankful to be on your email list so I don't miss a single piece! I live in PEI and Michaels, Fabricville and WalMart are the extent of our art suppliers which means I get silk ribbon, silks, perle cottons, shiny rayon threads, and just about everything from family in Ontario, or ordering online. I enjoy your blog so much, if only for your wonderfully joyful approach to life. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for your gererosity I would hope there was silk ribbon supplies and needles on the boix out here in the boonies there is no close place to buy supplies thankyou
tgif@toughcountry.net

Suztats said...

Fabulous giveaway! I love variegated threads. It doesn't matter if they're cotton, silk, or rayon--I love them all and just can't get my fill. Like you, I have to order them online, but it's like Christmas when they do arrive.
Congrats on your upcoming 4th Blogaversary!!! Yahoo!

Jo Ferguson said...

Happy Blogiversary. For four years you've been coming up with fresh content and constant inspiration. I live in a rural area and most of my supplies are bought online. It's hard to find beautiful and unique fibres. I'll have to give Meinke, a try. Thanks for the giveaway.

B J Elder said...

CONGRATULATIONS Monika! It was a great day when I discovered your blog and the wonderful art you create. You are such an inspiration to me. Almost all of my supplies I get by mail. As for the most difficult to find? It would have to be good stabilizer or silk ribbon. Thank you for not only sharing your art pieces with us, but also sharing your knowledge. It is greatly appreciated.

Marie Cron said...

Congratulations on the upcoming anniversary. I Love reading your blogs and going back to read the ones posted before I know of them. Finding silk ribbon for embroidery in person is almost impossible. Mail order is ok, but the colours shown on the web sites is not always the same as seeing in person. Thanks for your generous offer of a draw.

Marie Cron said...

Congratulations on the upcoming anniversary. I Love reading your blogs and going back to read the ones posted before I know of them. Finding silk ribbon for embroidery in person is almost impossible. Mail order is ok, but the colours shown on the web sites is not always the same as seeing in person. Thanks for your generous offer of a draw.

Jeito Mineiro de Ser said...

Parabéns pelo aniversario do blog! Eu li todos seus posts!
Inspirada no seu trabalho tenho me aventuro com o bordado livre com a maquina de costura e bordado livre a mão. Temos poucas opções de fios e agulhas de boa qualidade. Os itens que tenho são amigos que trazem de viagens.
Um abraço especial!

Congratulations on the Birthday of the blog! I read all your posts!
Inspired by their work have I ventured with free embroidery with the sewing machine and embroidery free hand. We have few options yarn and needles of good quality. The items I have are friends who bring travel.
A special hug!
Egléa

barbara woods said...

The fabric that I need at a good price

carolyndawn said...

Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary. Beautiful threads and needles are materials that are difficult to find where I live. And silk ribbons. I have to buy online most of the time, and this sometimes tends to stifle the "I want to do it NOW". I also wish you did online classes as I live in Australia. Thank you for your wonderful blog and the opportunity to leave a comment.

Patti said...

Congratulations on your blogging birthday! I'm pretty much just a quilter, so supplies are quite readily available! Thanks for this amazing giveaway.

Michele T said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary! Your creative pieces are spectacular! I always look forward to your posts on Bloglovin' or FB. I really can't think of anything that is hard to get.. I simply make do with what I have!

Ruby's Girl said...

Happy Anniversary Monika. I have a hard time finding prefelt fabric here in my home town so if you have any pieces kicking around I would love some scraps of that. Judy in Penticton

Sue T said...

CONGRATULATIONS on your 4th anniversary! I look forward to the next four years and many more after that. Hardest to find everything, but especially lovely hand died silk ribbon for embroidery.

Georgette said...

Congratulations ! I am always on the lookout for red/burgundy fibres and online shopping is the only way to get them ! Georgette

Pat said...

I have problems finding silk laps to use in my felting. I really enjoy your blog and I love looking at the picture I purchased from you.

Vini said...

I love your work...you are insanely talented! I enjoy reading your blog posts....they are awe-inspiring. Because you mention specific products and suppliers, I am now drooling over my own delicious bundles of Nell's stunning yarns, ribbons and threads! Best of all, they coordinate perfectly with several skeins of felting wool I bought just because it was so beautiful. As a result I am learning how to needle felt! For my art quilts and wall hangings I am forever in search of 100% linen. That would be my number one item to find!

Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau said...

Congratulations, Monika! I enjoy following your blog and seeing what wonderful things you are up to!

In Love With Threads said...

Congratulations on your anniversary!! I have always found silk ribbons to be difficult to find here in the Lower Mainland of BC. I also love strange and exotic threads - also difficult to find.

Thanks for the giveaway,
Heather M.
In Love With Threads

Betsy Libbey said...

Congratulations. I find your work very inspiring. Hardest for me to find are really nice embroidery threads.

Bonnie58 said...

Happy Anniversary, Monika. I would love to win anything out of your studio, and you know if I win, I'll just commission you to make something out of it for me, so make sure you put in the box something that you want to try next...lol...Thanks so much for sharing your life with us all and wishing you many , many more years to come

Kit Lang said...

Happy blog birthday! I am always trying to find lutradur! I can only find it online.

Laura lok said...

Congrats!!! My newest hobby is making socks so I guess the hardest thing is good sock yarn

brenda said...

Congratulations on 4 years. I love reading your blog and only wish I was as talented as you. I wish you could help me find time and motivation.....

Leanne said...

Happy Blog Birthday. My hardest to find thing is free time, thank you for the giveaway.

Pamela said...

You sure know how to throw a party! Thanks for your generosity and happy fourth birthday! I can't tell you how much I enjoy your awesome work. Thanks for all the inspiration. I make art quilts and the things that I think are hardest to find are small unusual beads.

grannydo4me said...

Happy 4th anniversary! I love your blog, it brings back wonderful memories of Saskatoon and the surrounding area. I live really close to the US border so most of my shopping is on line from the US but one thing that is hard to find is varigated Aurifil thread. My supplier that I just found stopped selling Aurifil!

Joyce D. said...

Happy Anniversary. I would be thrilled to receive such a prize as I am always interested in using different fibres, ribbons, etc. since I like to do surface embroidery - mostly from my own photos. These are hard to locate in our area.

Heather J said...

Happy Anniversary! I sometimes find it difficult to find silk ribbons in the widths I am looking for.

HollyM said...

Happy Blogaversary! I'm also living in a small town where I have to travel for most fabric and thread. The shops I have access to don't have much in a selection of threads or fibres. They are the most difficult to find.

The Soph said...

Time and a place to spread out without having to clean up after!

Thank you for your generosity in sharing your work and your inspiration with us. I love how you see what's all around us and really see it.
Happy 4th!

Rachel Murphree said...

Congratulations on four years! I've just discovered your blog and I love seeing your work! I have too much stash and not enough time right now!!

Anonymous said...

Lately I have been focusing on knitting-current project is a sweater. I always have a hard time finding the perfect buttons.

Anonymous said...

the craft item which is most hard to find is silk ribbon for ribbon embroidery.. :D

thank you for a chance to win.. my contact is:
tingting_a (at) yahoo dot com

JQ said...

Congratulations on four years of bloggy goodness! :)

Thanks very much for the opportunity to win this wonderful box of goodies. I am with the silk ribbon folks. I have been ogling them on Etsy for awhile but haven't been able to place any orders just yet.

Good luck everyone!

JennyPennyPoppy said...

Congratulations Monika on 4 years of blogging! I thoroughly enjoy your posts and photos and especially your creativity. I enjoy working with lutradur, evolon and variegated threads and find them the hardest to come by easily. Thank you for the give away.

Patti said...

Four years already?! Time flies when you're having fun! One of the fabrics I love but can't always find are dupioni silks. Love the hand and texture of them. And thank you for sharing your artistic journey with the blog world. You are inspiring and always make me smile.

Carli The Quilter said...

Congrats Monika! You've worked hard and with so much talent, I don't know how you could lose!

My hardest, most used item for me is Perlecotton?

lol, Carli

Anonymous said...

Congratualations! Lovely work and great success! I envy your ambition!!!!!! I am looking for fabric that looks like misty fuse, the lightness and random pattern to use in embroidered landscapes as mist. Sylvia

monika@mysweetprairie.ca said...

Dryer sheets! ;)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your fourth. The thing I find hardest to find for my crafting is time - or am I being a little abstract here. Without the web I would find it hard to find a lot of the things I need for crafting. There are very few crafting shops in the North East of England.
Susan Samuel
shw_samuel@sky.com

Unknown said...

Congratulations on 4 years of blogging. That is dedication. I wish I had hit on your blog sooner.
And congratulations for being juried into shows!
I never seem to have the right spools of green field or grass threads for machine stitching. But today my biggest, not have item: an empty Pfaff bobbin.

CJ Raggs said...

Congratulations on 4 yrs of Blogging! I love your work. I would really like to have an embroidery stand to work on. I have health issues and this would make stitching so much easier. Thank you for this great package you are offering!

Linda said...

Four years WOW! I think that I have read every post and enjoyed every minute of it. I am envious of your energy and your focused dedication to your family, yourself and your new puppy. We can't get quality embroidery hoops and John James Gold n Glide needles are not to be had.
Cheers to your continued success.

Dahn said...

I LOVE your sponsors. I have ordered from them just because you recommended them. And I love this give away. Gimme gimme gimme. lol (threads please)...

kathy said...

silk embroidery floss is impossible to find in my small Maine town. And I've enjoyed ALL 4 YEARS of your blog...I've learned a lot from you over the years and I thank you for the continued inspiration!!!

Bencody Farm said...

Congratulations! I find both your work and you blog inspiring and a voice for the possible. I cannot think of anything in particular that I have trouble finding, though I do really enjoy any type of unique fiber. Thank you for the opportunity to win the fantastic birthday box. Barbara

makndlife said...

I love your work and congratulations on 4 years. I am having trouble finding waxed nylon thread in my area. Thank you for your generosity!

Candy said...

Love your work. Hardest things to find: time, inspiration, time.
But other than that just interesting little tidbits of unique fibers and fabrics. Love your work, did I mention that?

Laura said...

Congrats!! What can I use more of??...hummm..I know...TIME!!

There is so much available for us in the fiber art/quilting world. Every day I find something I want to try. It's sooo exciting!

What else could I use..more threads and yarns and fibers and tips and techniques..the list goes on and on and on.



Watercolour and Textile Artist, Eileen Gidman said...

I have had trouble finding a natural coloured linen good for dyeing.

Maria said...

Congratulations on your blog birthday! I'm always looking for embroidery supplies, ribbon and yarns. We don't have a good supply locally so I do order on-line.

Anonymous said...

Happy happy happy blog birthday thanks for the inspiration. dstef@shaw.ca silk ribbon and time

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

* * * Here are some of the most viewed blog posts this month * * *