Focus on Fiber, Fabric and Fun! Follow Me...

Last week I shared all the classes for Portland 2015 Art & Soul. So this week I thought I'd focus on all the new fiber and fabric workshops we have to offer at that event! For years our mixed media classes offered a variety of avenues for expression... but lately we've gotten a lot of requests for sewing and weaving and quilting... oh, my! So we've incorporated tons of classes that involve all types of cloth, thread, ribbon, stitch, and so much more. Not only that, but we're going to have a dedicated sewing room equipped with machines, so you may not even have to bring yours!

Here's just a sample of what's in store for Portland 2015...

Lorri Scott's Affirmation Scarf workshop uses a technique she's nicknamed "wayward threads" that elicits the absolutely gorgeous result you see above. Mixing it up with additional mixed media techniques makes this class a must!

Want to try your hand at felting? Maybe you've read about it in many of the fiber magazines or seen an intriguing blog post about this technique online, and you've always wanted to try it. Then check out LeBrie Rich's class where you'll learn to create wet felted round beads and cane beads (reminds me of sushi!)

Want to challenge yourself in the art of felting? Then check out LeBrie's Felted Slippers workshop. Adorbs!

Jamie Fingal wants to help you Fly Your Own Flag in this fun fabric class. You'll get to create 3 prayer flags using quilt patching techniques and freeform stitching until your heart's content!

What do they say? A stitch in time, saves 9. Well in Leslie Jennison's workshop, a few stitches will bring you Sheer Bliss! In it, you'll release your inner ya-ya. You'll be working with a variety of sheers to create a surface worth stitching, which can then be used for a wide variety of projects. Wheeee!

Maybe you'll let Jill Berry and Lorri Scott take you down The Garden Path to create this meandering mixed media WHEREable scarf! Not only will you get to utilize items from nature to colorize and dye your fabrics, but you'll use journaling, mapmaking and embroidery techniques to embellish your adornment. Sounds like heaven!

And speaking of nature, how about turning seagrass into fabric you can weave with? Students will learn the ancient craft of twining in this unique workshop by Donna Crispin to make a Seagrass Basket! Now that's mixed media with Mother Nature.

Perhaps you'll take a walk on the wild side with Jamie Fingal and Leslie Jenison in their Twist and Shout - Painting & Quilting workshop. On day one, you'll create a collaborative free form painting on fabric with your fellow students. On day two, you'll get a section of the finished cloth to incorporate into a quilted design piece! And get this... all you need to bring are a pair of scissors and an apron! It can't get any easier than that.

Portland Art & Soul 2015

March 2-8, 2015

Sheraton Airport Hotel

So I hope you enjoyed our little sneaky peek of these inspiring classes we'll have to offer in Spring of 2015. Don't forget, we have an early sign-up special going on now... so don't miss out on registering for your favorite Portland workshops today!

Portland Classes Are Online... and Open For Registration!

Oh my gosh — we have the most incredible line-up of classes for next year in Portland!  I am excited and thrilled to be able to offer such a stellar group of instructors to our amazing attendees.
So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and prepare to be overjoyed as you scroll through the website.

Register NOW and Save $$$
Some of these classes are going to sell out early --just like in the old days. So don't wait too long to make a choice.  And to make things even more appealing, we are offering a 10% discount off of the class fees until June 15.  Yup!  Rolling Back again to give you the best opportunity to lock in your favorite class.  Remember, you do not have to pay in full at this time --- only 1/3 of your total is due at registration.  Our handy dandy payment plan makes selecting your classes a breeze.  Type in the code: PDX15 at check out.

Its All About Fabric, Fibers & Mixed Media
All types of fibers are finding their way into mixed media arts and we are happy to incorporate some new instructors and classes into our mainstream A&S line-up.  We will have one classroom dedicated to sewing and equipped with machines so it will not be necessary for you to worry about traveling with a machine.

Sculpture Too!
We are pleased to announce a new instructor,  Lew Aytes with his class: "From Clay to Sculpture in 2 Days". Lew has received specialized training in mold making, wood and stone sculpture and sculpting the human figure. He is a figurative artist who creates art in bronze and other mediums, and expands installations to include multiple mediums in collaboration with other artists. His pieces are in private and public collections around the world.

Art & Soul Portland will take place March 2-8, 2015 and we will be at The Sheraton Airport Hotel. Our lodging rate is the best EVER at $109 per night.  The rate includes breakfast and evening drink voucher.

So come check out our Portland event at www.ArtAndSoulRetreat.com. You can browse by workshops, instructors, or project photos. Can't wait to see which amazing classes you'll choose!