Create Whimsy

Create Whimsy

Inspring makers and sharing their stories

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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.

Out of My Comfort zone by Anne Bowers

Spotlight: Anne Bowers, Basket Artist

Anne Bowers went to a one-day basket making class and was hooked! Her signature is ribbed baskets. She adapts the basic structures to create modern baskets with the use of…
Leap of Faith quilt by Kestrel Michaud

Spotlight: Kestrel Michaud, Fine Artist and Art Quilter

Kestrel Michaud grew up in a creative home, encouraged to follow her passion. In high school, she discovered fabric as a medium and then studied fine arts in college. It…
Family Feud quilt by Linda Steele

Spotlight: Linda Steele, Textile Artist

Linda Steele started quilting as an adult when a friend encouraged her to take a patchwork class. Over time, she started designing her own improvised quilts, finding inspiration in fabrics,…
Wired weaving by Ellen Ramsey

Spotlight: Ellen Ramsey, Contemporary Tapestry Artist

Ellen Ramsey finds inspiration for her work in technology. She studied art history and worked in museums before becoming a contemporary tapestry artist. Photo credit: Jean Kercheval, Kercheval Photography How…
Inversion by Barbara Oliver Hartman

Spotlight: Barbara Oliver Hartman, Fiber Artist

Barbara Oliver Hartman began designing her original quilt designs when she realized she couldn't follow the directions in a pattern. She creates intricate art quilts with very small bits and…
Strange Attractor #26 - Uprising by Niraja Lorenz

Spotlight: Niraja Lorenz, Visual Artist

Niraja Lorenz has always loved creating. She began piecing bits of fabric together in 1994. A workshop with Nancy Crow in 2007 exposed her to new ways of working. She…
Massai Women painting by Kuhn Hong

Spotlight: Kuhn Hong, Artist

Kuhn Hong started sketching on the backs of scrap paper his mother brought home after teaching school. He continued his love of art throughout high school, and then attended medical…
Fracas by Kit Vincent

Spotlight: Kit Vincent, Textile Artist

Kit Vincent came to quilting for a very practical reason - she wanted a large piece of textile art for her dining room wall. She now creates original art exploring…
A grouping of quilts from Simple Double-Dipped Quilts

Spotlight: Kim Diehl, Fabric Designer and Quilter

Kim Diehl found a sampler quilt pattern she loved, bought the supplies and made her first quilt. She's never looked back. Kim is a self-taught quilter who has developed her…
Waterfall Scarf by Karen Gelbard

Spotlight: Karen Gelbard, Fiber Artist

Karen Gelbard is a seasoned textile designer who uses the power of the loom to craft fabrics rich in texture and color. Her work is inspired by the rhythm of…
Meandering Mississippi art quilt by Deb Berkebile

Spotlight: Deb Berkebile, Art Quilter

Deb Berkebile designs detailed art quilts inspired by satellite imagery creating ‘false-color’ artistic depictions of remote-sensed images. She has worked with textiles her entire life, she now uses surface design…
Sushi for Two bead art by Linda Rettich

Spotlight: Linda Rettich, Fiber and Bead Artist

Linda Rettich found her artistic calling in beading, a medium she initially didn't expect to embrace. She creates intricate pieces with small seed beads, allowing her to feature rich details…
Modern quilt made by Robin Oneil

Spotlight: Robin O’Neil, Quilter and Designer

Robin O'Neil began quilting with traditional techniques and now works organically to create each quilt. She works big and in a series, creating as she goes on her design wall.…
Nonsense Town art quilt by Cathy Perlmutter

Spotlight: Cathy Perlmutter, Quilt Designer

Cathy Perlmutter is a passionate quilter and designer who stumbled upon a local quilt show that completely changed her life. Since then, she has explored a diverse range of themes…
Febullage: Ding-a-ling by Soosen Dunholte

Spotlight: Soosen Dunholter, Mixed Media and Paper Collage

Soosen Dunholter has had a lifelong passion for creating art. Her work is organic, instinctive and always evolving. She has a signature style that feeds the soul, inviting viewers to…

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Drunkards Path green and turquoise finished

Drunkards Path Quilt Pattern

The Drunkards Path quilt pattern is a traditional quilt pattern that can create movement across the quilt top using quarter circle blocks. It's a classic design that features curved quilt…
Pine Cone Quilt finished

Pine Cone Quilts

Betty Ford Smith keeps the legacy of Pine Cone quilts alive. After interviewing her for Create Whimsy I became fascinated with Pine Cone Quilts, also referred to as a Pine…
Sashiko Stitching Complete

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…
Finished draped ruana

How to Make A Ruana

A ruana is a heritage garment that is similar to ponchos worn in South American countries. It's easy to make and comfortable - no pattern needed!
EPP Moravian Star Tree-6

How to Make an EPP Moravian Star Ornament

EPP Moravian Star Ornaments made with diamonds are an adaptation of an 1830's geometry lesson. The first known star, made in a German boys' school had 110 points! This version…
Small bag holding embroidery project

Easy Bags to Sew

A bag has simple seams, can be made from just one or two fabrics, and is achievable in a relatively short period of time - if you select the right…

Latest Stories on Create Whimsy

Journal spread by Sarah Gardner

Spotlight: Sarah Gardner, Mixed Media Artist

Sarah Gardner has been a maker for her entire life. She now embraces play in her practice creating bright and colorful mixed-media art. With no set schedule, she makes time…
Flapper hat

Spotlight: Adrienne Preiss, Recycled Apparel Designer

Adrienne Preiss grew up in a home filled with creativity. She saw a hat she liked and her mother made it for her from an old sweater. That was the…
Out of My Comfort zone by Anne Bowers

Spotlight: Anne Bowers, Basket Artist

Anne Bowers went to a one-day basket making class and was hooked! Her signature is ribbed baskets. She adapts the basic structures to create modern baskets with the use of…
Family Feud quilt by Linda Steele

Spotlight: Linda Steele, Textile Artist

Linda Steele started quilting as an adult when a friend encouraged her to take a patchwork class. Over time, she started designing her own improvised quilts, finding inspiration in fabrics,…
Leap of Faith quilt by Kestrel Michaud

Spotlight: Kestrel Michaud, Fine Artist and Art Quilter

Kestrel Michaud grew up in a creative home, encouraged to follow her passion. In high school, she discovered fabric as a medium and then studied fine arts in college. It…
Wired weaving by Ellen Ramsey

Spotlight: Ellen Ramsey, Contemporary Tapestry Artist

Ellen Ramsey finds inspiration for her work in technology. She studied art history and worked in museums before becoming a contemporary tapestry artist. Photo credit: Jean Kercheval, Kercheval Photography How…
Inversion by Barbara Oliver Hartman

Spotlight: Barbara Oliver Hartman, Fiber Artist

Barbara Oliver Hartman began designing her original quilt designs when she realized she couldn't follow the directions in a pattern. She creates intricate art quilts with very small bits and…
Massai Women painting by Kuhn Hong

Spotlight: Kuhn Hong, Artist

Kuhn Hong started sketching on the backs of scrap paper his mother brought home after teaching school. He continued his love of art throughout high school, and then attended medical…
Strange Attractor #26 - Uprising by Niraja Lorenz

Spotlight: Niraja Lorenz, Visual Artist

Niraja Lorenz has always loved creating. She began piecing bits of fabric together in 1994. A workshop with Nancy Crow in 2007 exposed her to new ways of working. She…
Fracas by Kit Vincent

Spotlight: Kit Vincent, Textile Artist

Kit Vincent came to quilting for a very practical reason - she wanted a large piece of textile art for her dining room wall. She now creates original art exploring…
A flat lay image of ten pom poms

How to Make Pom Poms with Yarn – 8 Different Ways

No matter how you spell pom poms (pom-poms, or pompoms), they are all adorable fluffy balls of yarn that are used for embellishing clothing, accessories, and home dec projects. In…
A grouping of quilts from Simple Double-Dipped Quilts

Spotlight: Kim Diehl, Fabric Designer and Quilter

Kim Diehl found a sampler quilt pattern she loved, bought the supplies and made her first quilt. She's never looked back. Kim is a self-taught quilter who has developed her…
Waterfall Scarf by Karen Gelbard

Spotlight: Karen Gelbard, Fiber Artist

Karen Gelbard is a seasoned textile designer who uses the power of the loom to craft fabrics rich in texture and color. Her work is inspired by the rhythm of…
Meandering Mississippi art quilt by Deb Berkebile

Spotlight: Deb Berkebile, Art Quilter

Deb Berkebile designs detailed art quilts inspired by satellite imagery creating ‘false-color’ artistic depictions of remote-sensed images. She has worked with textiles her entire life, she now uses surface design…
Finished modern crazy quilt block embellished with machine embroidery

How to Crazy Quilt: Guide and Tutorial for Beginners

Crazy quilts have asymmetrical designs, vibrant colors, and intricate stitching patterns. Originating in the late 19th century as a rebellion against the rigid rules of traditional quilting, this unique art…
1st place in local guild show 2023 by Pam Morris

Spotlight: Pam Morris, Textile Artist

Pam Morris embarked on her quilting journey when she was gifted a red, white, and blue rail fence quilt kit by her mother-in-law. Since then, she's continuously evolved her quilting…
Sushi for Two bead art by Linda Rettich

Spotlight: Linda Rettich, Fiber and Bead Artist

Linda Rettich found her artistic calling in beading, a medium she initially didn't expect to embrace. She creates intricate pieces with small seed beads, allowing her to feature rich details…
Gift box ornament finished outside 1

How to Make Gift Box Ornaments

Why not have gifts on and under your tree this year with these adorable gift box ornaments? Learn how to make gift box ornaments with our step-by-step instructions. All you…
Lined stocking made with interfacing pattern finished 1

How to Make a Homemade Lined Christmas Stocking

Learn how to make a homemade lined Christmas stocking with our step-by-step tutorial for this holiday season! In this article, I'll show you how to make one by drafting your…
Easy stocking finished 3

Easy Christmas Stocking Pattern Sewing Tutorial

Looking for an easy Christmas stocking pattern? You can make this in less than an hour! Starting with fleece makes this a sewing project that is perfect for beginners. This…

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