The Creative Connection

Happy Friday!  Did you enter our giveaway on Wednesday for a Matthew Mead Bundle?  If you tweet or use facebook, we’d love for you to share our blog.

If you knit, you MUST come to THE CREATIVE CONNECTION! Kristin Nicholas is teaching for us on our VOGUEknitting Day.  Yes, we have a whole set of classes dedicated to just the fiber arts!  A dream come true.

Kristin is an author, a knitwear designer and decorative artist.  You can also see her on PBS.  Her designs are full of life and color!  In one class she’ll be teaching on our TCC HANDMADE track is  Embroidered Embellishments for Knits, she will teach you how to add colorful embellishments to your handknits.

She claims you don’t need any special powers to learn and you’ll leave class knowing many new stitches to start your own embroidered embellishments.   In The Edge Of Color class, it’s all about edges and all the amazing things you can make with a little imagination and the right techniques.  Sounds intriguing doesn’t it?

Kristin has a great site that also includes her blog.  But I’m warning you, once you see everything she does, you’ll HAVE to sign up for her classes.

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I bet you didn’t think we’d have you playing with toys for one of our TCC HANDMADE classes. 

Many times while reading bedtime stories to my son, I would think to myself that I too could write a children’s story book.  My imagination would go into overdrive and I was soon making up stories to tell my son.  I should have written them down.  Had I known and received advice from author and illustrator Marilyn Scott Waters, who knows……maybe I’d be an author today. In Marilyn’s class, Children’s Books 101-Becoming a Published Author she will teach you how to tread water in today’s book publishing world.  Learn from a pro.  There are way more options than I ever imagined.

What you may not know about Marilyn, is her popular website The ToyMaker. I could spend hours on this site.  She has one page dedicated to just Paper Toys you make yourself with her free patterns.  I can tell my son will love this site.  Marilyn will share a few of her techniques on how to make toys from paper in Paper Fun with the Toymaker.  Guaranteed to be fun.

The class list for TCC is unbelievable!  I hope you’re coming!

If you tweet and you tweet about us, we’d love for you to use the hashtag #TCCE11

Chris Bylsma

I am stunned by the talented people who can knit, let alone knit something they can actually wear.  I am sure once you learn to knit and you practice your skill, I’d imagine you start dreaming up your own creations.  If that sounds like you, then the class we’re offering through VOGUEknitting by Chris Bylsma is perfect.  Design In A Day Chris will teach this class in 2 parts.  Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to designing next winters sweater.  Chris is known for her Crayon Box Jacket and many other unique patterns.  You can view more of her patterns on her website.

Diane Cu & Todd Porter

Just ask any successful food blogger and they’ll tell you that knowing how to take a good photo is key. It doesn’t matter how good your recipe is if the photo doesn’t do it justice. At THE CREATIVE CONNECTION, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from photography pros, Diane Cu and Todd Porter on how to bring life to your edible creations.  Diane and Todd were the official photographers for Cristina Ferrare’s cook book.  Cristina is one of our Keynote speakers.

Todd and Diane’s class Edible Images: Food Photography and Styling that Make People Want to Eat Your Photographs is a part of our MARYJANESFARM Day.

You’ll learn basic lighting and editing techniques and how to make “ugly food look good”.  Not that you’re making ugly food, but sometimes the best tasting foods aren’t the most photogenic.

Todd and Diane will also be teaching Photography to Boost Your Creative Voice (Basic Digital)

These classes sound fascinating.  You can read more about Diane and Todd on their website.

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Brenda Schweder

Cage Contender-Whimsically Edgy Pendant

Wrangled Bangles

Don’t throw out that junk!  Save all those spare pieces of jewelry, metal pieces, game pieces, bobbles, etc.  Bring it to one Brenda’s classes and transform what you think is junk into a wonderful unique piece of art you can wear.Brenda definitely thinks outside the box.  She’s written several books and has been published in many magazines.

Her classes will put your creative dreaming into overdrive and have you thinking about recycling in a whole different way.

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Did you enter our giveaway?

Register soon.  Tickets going quickly. Are you tweeting?  Use hashtag #TCCE11 when tweeting about THE CREATIVE CONNECTION so we can find you!

Written by Kim Demmon ~ Today’s Creative Blog

DREW EMBORSKY

While flying home from a conference in April, I saw a young boy and his sister crocheting. This boy couldn’t have been more than 10 yrs old.  Of course this made me think of Drew Emborsky who will be teaching for us on our VOGUEknitting Day.  

Yes, a male who crochets. And he’s amazing at it. I quickly struck up a conversation with the boys mother telling her about Drew and how wonderful it was to see her son fully engaged in his craft. She also told me that her children crochet baby hats for premature babies. They had donated over 500 in the last year.  I love stories like that.  Once home, I shared this story with Drew on his facebook page.  He seemed delighted, as I expected. I’ve never met Drew in person and will in September, but I can tell he’s a such a happy soul.

I’m excited to sit in on a class even though I don’t crochet………yet.

Drew will be teaching Crochet Slippers with Super-Cute Embellishments.

You can find out more about Drew on his website.

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MELODY ROSS

I call Melody the Golden Girl.  Anything she touches seems to turn to gold.  Not by just pure luck, but the girl is a talented artist.  I first came to know who Melody was by her fantastic line of scrapbooking paper through her Chatterbox Scrapbooking business she had a few years ago. Knowing she has left the scrapbooking industry, I have some of my favorite Chatterbox paper hidden away for special projects.  Now days, Melody is focusing on her art and her Brave Girls Club.  Brave Girls is a worldwide organization that combines art with life skills to help women create the lives they want to live.  Melody will be teaching a class on the Brave Girls Soulbook as well as I Have an Idea Vintage Canvas.

In addition to teaching a couple of our TCC HANDMADE Classes, Melody will also be sitting in on the VIP Breakfast Panel – Women Entrepreneurs as a panelist sharing on how to create an event.

I was lucky enough to spend time with Melody a few weeks ago while she was in my small little town doing a photo shoot with a friend of mine. It truly is a small world. Such a treat to visit with such a creative force.

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JANET HURST

If you’ve ever thought of making cheese or have already tried making cheese, then you’ve probably heard of Janet Hurst.  Janet has a new cheese making book and claims that making cheese in our own kitchens will take little specialized equipment.  She is passionate about teaching and preserving the art of making cheese in our country. During our MARYJANESFARM Day, she’ll be teaching DIY Cheesemaking where she’ll demonstrate how to make mozzarella cheese from one of her recipes. She will then guide the class participants through making their own batch of homemade cheese.  Is your mouth watering yet?

We’d love to see you in September. If you’re all registered, please grab a button for your site or blog. 

Written by Kim Demmon ~ Today’s Creative Blog

Annie Modesitt / VOGUEknitting

Annie is part of our VOGUEknitting Day.  She’s been knitting professionally for many years.  I was happy to read that she doesn’t believe in any “wrong” ways to knit, but many “right” ways to knit.  I like that.  She’s teaching 2 classes for us.  Combination Knitting– Annie will be blending the best of both worlds. She’ll blend the Eastern way of knitting and the Western way of knitting.  I guess we really can all get along. She claims by blending, it’s faster and much less stressful on the wrists.  She also claims that it’s easy for beginners to pick up and great for seasoned knitters who are interested in learning a different way.   Her second class is Intermediate Knitting.  How do you know if you’re intermediate?  She measures it by having passion.  If you’re passionate about knitting, then you’re intermediate.  She’ll introduce you to a potpourri of knitting tips, tricks and hints. She also says you’ll have fun!  We like fun!  Annie’s also from the St. Paul area and plans to ride her bike to THE CREATIVE CONNECTION.  You can read Annie’s blog for more.

Kim Stoegbauer – The TomKat Studio /MARYJANESFARM Day

I have had the pleasure of meeting Kim a couple of times.  Let me tell you, she is as sweet as she looks.  And the girl can throw together a party in no time.  I attended two of her cupcake parties and was stunned by her arrangements.  During Kim’s class, Creating Fabulous Parties, she will teach you to use simple techniques to give your parties a not so simple look.  Kim has been featured on Martha Stewart’s Dreamers and Doers, as well as many magazine publications.  Jo spent some time with Kim recently for a photo shoot that we think you’ll really enjoy in our Autumn 2011 Where Women Create publication.  Kim will be signing magazines during our Author Party. You can read more about Kim on her blog.

Wendy Addison & Kaari Meng – TCC HANDMADE

You are one lucky person if you’ve decided to take these classes. You get both of these unbelievably talented ladies to teach you how to make either Bibelot Charme Workshop or the Boite de Bijoux Workshop.

Both of these classes will have you fingering vintage notions, ribbons, glitter and more as they guide you through the process of making beautiful art.

Both Wendy and Kaari are well known names in the creative world.  Wendy’s designs can be seen in Tinsel Trading Company in NYC; Midwest of Cannon Falls; West Elm; and gift stores everywhere.  She also has her new wedding collection in Anthropology.  It’s not everyday you have the opportunity to take a class from someone with so much notoriety.  That’s what you’ll find at TCC.  You’ll find yourself either sitting next to or taking classes from people you’re used to seeing in the magazines.

Kaari also designs for Anthropology.  She has started teaching out of her shop, French General in Los Angeles.  She loves all things vintage and loves teaching people to create with vintage materials. With many books and magazine publications under her belt, we’re also confident you’ll enjoy the classes she is c0-teaching with Wendy.

Written by Kim Demmon ~ Today’s Creative Blog

We have amazing teachers for all our classes.  Have you looked at all the choices we have?  You’ll be stunned by the variety and talent we have to offer to spark your creativity.  I’ll be highlighting different teachers to help you decide what classes you want to take.  You are coming right?  You really don’t want to miss this event.

Traci Bautista – TCC HANDMADE

Traci teaches us to use our imagery to be creative. She is bringing her passion to THE CREATIVE CONNECTION and will be teaching 4 different classes. Discovering Y.O.U.- Marketing your Creative Business, Making a living as an Artist, ArtJOURNALING Daily, and DREAM BIG Business Art Journal.

Traci Bautista is a well known mixed media artist who found her passion after having many many other fascinating jobs. From professional cheerleader to fashion designer, this girl is everything but boring. I think Traci will have you coloring outside the lines and on your way to new creative horizons.  You can learn more about Traci on her website or her blog.

Krystina Castella- MARYJANESFARM Day

Being an Industrial Designer by trade, it’s no surprise that Krystina considers baking sweets an art.  Blending the perfect flavors with the right textured frosting is something she thinks about.  I’m glad somebody puts some thought into it, because all I can think of when I see her amazing cupcakes is taking a bite! Krystina is known around her neighborhood for the friend who brings the cupcakes.  Her Tiki themed were especially popular.

Krystina will be teaching Crazy About Sweets, one of our  MARYJANESFARM Day classes. Whether you’re an accomplished baker, or perhaps just wanting to sharpen your skills, this class should satisfy your sweet tooth.  You can learn more about Krystina on her website.

Astor Tsang- VOGUEknitting Day

Astor must have the patience of a Saint as she believes everyone can learn to knit. She’s bringing her unique teaching skills and will be teaching Beginning Knitting on our VOGUEknitting Day.

I may have to sit in on this class. She has been teaching beginners forever and says she believes knitting is possible for all. She also says it’s not rocket science.  I beg to differ.  I must admit I’m having flash backs to when I joined 4h to learn how to knit.  I remember the green yarn and wondered what my project would look like when I was finished. Let’s just say I got about 2 inches of a pot holder done and I don’t remember my teacher being very patient.  I’m thinking I may have better luck with Astor, I think I could do it. You can learn more about Astor on her website.

Have you joined our TCC Facebook page?

Written by Kim Demmon ~ Today’s Creative Blog

This year we have a variety of  classes to choose from.  There is definitely something for everyone.  I’m like a kid in a candy store looking through the line up of choices.

VOGUEknitting Day

If you like to knit, then you’ll love that we’ve partnered with VOGUEknitting. You’ll love it even more to learn that we’re offering a full agenda of fiber art classes during our VOGUEknitting Day.

One of our VOGUEknitting classes will be taught by Shannon Okey.

Shannon will help you navigate the confusing world of establishing an online presence, submitting to magazines and presenting yourself as a professional. You may already own a few of her books.

We have no doubt you’ll come away from this class with a better insight of the fiber art industry and how you can make your mark. You can read more about Shannon on her blog, Knitgrrl.com

MaryJanesFarm Day

Last year I was fascinated by MaryJane.  She spoke at one of our keynote events last year and I found her story so inspiring and full of passion.  I was happy to see we have incorporated a little more of MaryJane into our choice of classes by offering MaryJanesFarm Day.  A day dedicated to good food and how to keep it healthy.  This year MaryJane will teach us how to be a “bona-fide farm chick or a down-home city chick dreaming of the farm you never had”.

There are many classes under the MaryJaneFarm Day umbrella, but MaryJane herself will be teaching one herself.

Bread the MaryJane Way

Who doesn’t like homemade bread?  And if MaryJane is making it, you know it’s going to be good and healthy.

You can learn more about MaryJanesFarm on her site or join in on her chat room.

TCC Handmade Classes

It’s not everyday you get to learn from the amazing folks we have lined up for THE CREATIVE CONNECTION Handmade Classes.

Our TCC Handmade Classes will have you creating beautiful things with your own two hands with the assistance of our teachers like Princess Lasertron.

Princess Lasertron, known for her unique bridal bouquets will be teaching Alice’s Marvelous Monogrammed Prize Ribbon and Signature Button and Felt Flower Headband.

Sharing her creative spirit, she’ll show us how to create beautiful accessories while playing with vintage buttons, felt, ribbon and fabric.    If you’re not already a Princess Lasertron fan, you will be.

Visit her website to learn more about Princess Lasertron

I hope you’ll take a bit of time to explore the many classes we’re offering this year from VOGUEknitting, MaryJanesFarm Day and TCC Handmade. Deciding what to take will be challenging.  So many great topics.

By Kim Demmon ~ Today’s Creative Blog