In The Spotlight!
At Create Whimsy, we share the stories of makers. Learn about their creative journeys, inspirations and more! Browse all of our Spotlight Stories.
Spotlight: Amanda Nadig, Textile Artist
As an art teacher, Amanda Nadig inspires her young students to create in ways that are important to them. As a textile artist, Amanda is most at home in the…
Spotlight: Lisa Goddard, Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media artist Lisa Goddard is attracted to endless possibilities - the juxtaposition of color, texture, technique and materials that come together to tell a story. Lisa's vignettes evolve from…
Spotlight: Elizabeth Chappell, Quilt Designer
Quilt designer Elizabeth Chappell didn't set out to be a quilter, but when quilting found her, she was all in! She wanted to make quilts, but she wanted more. So…
Spotlight: Laura Fox-Wallis, Silk Artist
Silk artist Laura Fox-Wallis' work is all about flow: the flow of color, the flow of texture and the flow of creative elements. Laura translates her knowledge of the properties…
Spotlight: Teresita Leal, Textile Artist
Trained as a scientist, textile artist Teresita Leal began to nurture her creative side when she became a parent. There wasn't a big art quilting community in Argentina at the…
Spotlight: Arounna Khounnoraj, Textile Artist
Coming from a hands-on family, textile artist Arounna Khounnoraj learned both the intrinsic and extrinsic values of making. As she branched out from her art education focused on sculpture to…
Spotlight: Deborah O’Hare, Contemporary Textile Artist
Once she found fabric painting as a means of artistic expression, contemporary textile artist Deborah O'Hare never looked back. Combining this surface design technique with her love of patchwork and…
Spotlight: Judy Martin, Quilt Designer
Judy Martin's name is synonymous with quilts, and with good reason. Judy is the designer of more quilts than most of us can only dream of. With an eye toward…
Spotlight: Jessica Grady, Contemporary Artist
Working with unexpected materials and processes is what keeps contemporary embroidery artist Jessica Grady endlessly curious. What about this? What if that? Working largely with discarded and after-market materials, she…Trending Now
How to Make a Sashiko Stitched Needle Book
Collect all of your needles in a beautiful handmade Sashiko stitched needle book. This is a perfect project for someone looking for a beginner Sashiko project, or a quick project…
Best Pattern for Making a Baby Bandana Bib
Bandana bibs for babies are popular, and some fit better than others. I took two favorites to design this baby bandana bib pattern, that combines the popular bandana style with…
The Art of Mending: Boro Stitching and Visible Mending
There is a resurgence in popularity in the art of mending. Before the age of disposable fashion, our grandmother's bought good clothes and mended them.
How to Sashiko Stitch: A Step-by-Step Guide
Sometimes I want to get a project done really fast, but lately I have picked up a hand stitching project when I want to unwind. The slow, meditative process of…
6 Ways to Transfer your Embroidery Design to Fabric
There are a variety of techniques to transfer an embroidery or needlepoint design to fabric. Select the one that will work the best for the complexity of your design and…
Charming Mug Rug and Wine Coaster
Quick and easy, make a mug rug from a charm pack for your cup of coffee or tea, as well as a wine coaster where everyone can keep track of…
How to Make a Jelly Roll Rug
I had seen and admired the beautiful and colorful pictures and wanted to try to make a jelly roll rug for myself! A jelly roll rug is just that -…
What Is Kumihimo?
Kumihimo is a popular craft for jewelry makers and fiber artists. The ancient braid is easy to learn with modern tools that make the projects very portable.
How to Make Fabric Baskets and Bowls
I've made and given many washable baskets and bowls as gifts. Choose fabric to match the recipient's home. Just wrap, coil and zigzag stitch to the right size.Latest Stories on Create Whimsy
Snowball Quilt Block
The snowball quilt block is super easy - you can make them any size! You start with a square of any size, and add small squares of any size to… Spotlight: Amanda Nadig, Textile Artist
As an art teacher, Amanda Nadig inspires her young students to create in ways that are important to them. As a textile artist, Amanda is most at home in the… Spotlight: Lisa Goddard, Mixed Media Artist
Mixed media artist Lisa Goddard is attracted to endless possibilities - the juxtaposition of color, texture, technique and materials that come together to tell a story. Lisa's vignettes evolve from…
Polymer Clay Project Ideas
Working with polymer clay can be fun and rewarding. It comes in a variety of colors and is used in projects from sculpture to jewelry and accessories. Here are some…
How to Make a Mason Jar Pin Cushion
One of my favorite notions is a Mason Jar Pin Cushion. The pin cushion holds my pins and needles and the jar holds some of my threads, buttons that need… Spotlight: Elizabeth Chappell, Quilt Designer
Quilt designer Elizabeth Chappell didn't set out to be a quilter, but when quilting found her, she was all in! She wanted to make quilts, but she wanted more. So…
Wonky Star Quilt Pattern
The Wonky Star Quilt Pattern is a fun quilt block to make when you just want to have some fun cutting up your fabric and putting it back together again,…
How to Make a Fabric Wine Bag
Make a custom fabric wine bag to take that bottle of wine to your next event! This is a super easy project and seriously takes 10 minutes or less. Your… Spotlight: Laura Fox-Wallis, Silk Artist
Silk artist Laura Fox-Wallis' work is all about flow: the flow of color, the flow of texture and the flow of creative elements. Laura translates her knowledge of the properties…
Lessons from Mom: Find Creativity In Every Day
So many of us can thank our mothers for introducing us to activities that seem second nature to us now. Whether it's sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet or embroidery, our moms…
How to Make a Wire Wrapped Loop
When you know how to make a wire wrapped loop, it opens many jewelry design doors for you. Perfect wire wrapped loops enhance both the beauty and strength of handmade… Spotlight: Teresita Leal, Textile Artist
Trained as a scientist, textile artist Teresita Leal began to nurture her creative side when she became a parent. There wasn't a big art quilting community in Argentina at the…
Spotlight: Arielle Toelke, Artist and Designer
Growing up in a creative household with artist parents and a maker for a sister, there was little doubt that artist and designer Arielle Toelke would follow a creative path.…
How to Make a Simple Wire Loop for Jewelry
Simple wire loops are basic components of handmade jewelry, so knowing how to make them is a skill you will call on often. Wire loops create headpins, make places to…
How to Sew Tote Bags
Tote bags are super easy to make with just a yard of fabric and some purchased web trim for the handles! This size is perfect for groceries - flat bottom…
How to Make a Simple Drawstring Bag
Make your own drawstring bags to store items, use as a wrapping for a special gift or as a reusable bag while shopping. This is a perfect project for beginner… Spotlight: Arounna Khounnoraj, Textile Artist
Coming from a hands-on family, textile artist Arounna Khounnoraj learned both the intrinsic and extrinsic values of making. As she branched out from her art education focused on sculpture to… Spotlight: Deborah O’Hare, Contemporary Textile Artist
Once she found fabric painting as a means of artistic expression, contemporary textile artist Deborah O'Hare never looked back. Combining this surface design technique with her love of patchwork and…
Zipper Pouch Tutorial
Zipper pouches are a quick and easy project, perfect for beginners. Organize your stuff - whether it is in your purse, bag or backpack, your sewing, quilting and embroidery projects…