Create Whimsy

Inspring makers and sharing their stories

Spotlight

Category: <span>Spotlight</span>

Join us for conversations that shine a spotlight on artists and makers who inspire us to live creatively every day. Their insights and experiences offer new ways to think and new ways to work.

Browse through our Spotlight interviews to learn about our featured artists: what inspires them, the work they make and how they create it. Linger on these pages, then visit their websites for inspiration!

Fiber Artists

Linda Fjeldsted Blust has loved creating with fabric since her grandmother taught her to sew. But like many creative people, especially women making art with textiles, Linda was urged to...

Without formal art training - but with an innate need to create, Deborah Weir started her fiber art career when she saw textiles displayed as fine art in the 1970s....

Art Quilters

Fiber artist Geraldine Warner had never quilted, but knew she wanted to somehow paint with fabric. Working mostly with silk, she immerses herself in every part of the creative process,...

Modern Quilters

Like many creatives, Audrey Esarey dabbled in many artful activities while growing up. But it wasn't until she went to a quilting class with a woman who would later become...

Jacquie Gering begins each quilt with an idea, but lets inspiration lead throughout her process, sometimes taking the work on unexpected, but welcome, turns. Known for her use of clean,...

Can art and science get along? Of course they can! With a Ph.D. in marine science, Sylvia Schaefer approaches quilting from a scientist's point of view, always asking, "What if?"...

Embroidery Artists

Taking her cues from nature, Sarah Godfrey renders the world around her using needle and thread. As an embroidery artist, Sarah stitches on sheer fabrics, adding a level of challenge...

Crazy Quilters

Jenny Clouston is happiest and most content when she is stitching by hand: crazy quilting, flower embroidery or English Paper Piecing. In embracing the process, she feeds her creativity and...

Valerie Bothell found crazy quilting over 20 years ago and has never looked back. Intrigued by the infinite combinations of fabrics, colors and stitches, every new project is a fresh...

Give Kathy Seaman Shaw a plain seam, and she will transform it with fancy stitches and beads. Kathy is a prolific crazy quilter, constantly designing new embroidery combinations and sharing...

Machine Quilters

Jacquie Gering begins each quilt with an idea, but lets inspiration lead throughout her process, sometimes taking the work on unexpected, but welcome, turns. Known for her use of clean,...

Fused Applique Artists

Sue Bleiweiss started quilting after an injury put a stop to her weaving passion. But with traditional quilting, there is this "following directions" thing, and that just didn't work for...

Frieda Andersen is a self proclaimed "Investigator of Ideas".  With a formal education in Art History, she has always been interested in making things - using her hands and mind...

Hand Applique Artists

Meet award-winning appliqué quilt artist Kathy McNeil! She began her creative journey as a young child, then later discovered the possibilities of making pictures from fabric. Her most challenging piece...

Nancy Lee Chong, Appliqué Artist and Instructor from Snohomish, WA, found her singular passion for stitching and teaching the art of needleturn appliqué, and has never looked back! The only...

With a love for stitching happy things, fiber art by Catherine Redford is sure to keep you smiling. She does a bit of everything: embroidery, appliqué, crazy quilting, modern quilting,...

More Spotlight

Seed Coat fiber art by Paula Gron

Spotlight: Paula Gron, Fiber Artist

Always an artist, Paula Gron has evolved from creating sculptural baskets to designing and constructing 3D fiber art. Inspired by nature, she explores life-giving seeds and pods. Her experience in…
Nosegay quilt by Lamb Farm Designs

Spotlight: Jennie Jo Lamb, Quilt Designer

Inspired by nature and everyday life, Jennie Jo Lamb designs fool-proof quilt designs perfect for confident beginners. She writes her patterns with what she calls "square-up room" so if your…
American Folk Hero's Series: Sitting Bull art quilt by Leotie Richards

Spotlight: Leotie Richards, Textile Artist

Leotie Richards designed textiles as an art director for retail sales. With retirement, she transferred those skills to art quilting, taking a variety of workshops to learn new techniques. Now…
Solar Flare quilt by Amber Elliot

Spotlight: Amber Elliot, Modern Quilt Designer

Amber Elliot leverages her background and knowledge as a software engineer to design modern quilt patterns and manage her digital membership and subscription box service. Inspired by nature Amber's designs…
Lady riding horse illustration by Kristen Balouch

Spotlight: Kristen Balouch, Designer & Author

Inspired by folk art, poetry, and kindness, Kristen Balouch grew from illustrating children's books, to writing her own children's books. She now designs fabrics with the creations, patterns and characters from…
Kudonta 8 by Jessica Lynn Foster

Spotlight: Jessica Lynn Foster, Abstract Artist

Jessica Lynn Foster is a visual artist and educator who teaches in various settings, including public school, workshops, and online classes. Inspired by nature, her abstract and botanical works reflect…
Turquoise and green quilt

Spotlight: Marie Bostwick, Quilter and Author

Marie Bostwick believes everyone is born with an innate gift of creativity and she lives it daily between writing best selling novels and creating carefully crafted colorful quilts. Having lived…