Digital Resources to Compliment Your Artistic Endeavors

Julie Yonge © 2011

There are tons of class options in just about any art venue you can imagine: stitching, mixed media, computer applications, painting, etc. I have listed some of my favorite sites at the end of the article. Some classes run for a defined amount of time, some are opened ended, some are downloadable, and some are just viewable for a specified time period. Be sure to read the details of the classes offered carefully to make sure you are getting exactly what you expect.

Once you register for a class, you will receive a confirmation email from the supplier with instructions on where and how to login, along with a password. Often they will send you some information ahead of time on materials and supplies they will be using in the class. When the class is scheduled to begin, you login and begin watching your instructional videos. That’s the fun part! What’s great is that you can watch these at your leisure and even in your pajamas if you want. You can watch them over and over as needed, take notes, etc. The instructors usually set up a way to contact them online to answer questions. Students can share information and photos of their work, as well as your own work in progress. This is a great way to attend workshops without the expense of travel.

Besides classes, you also have tons of options in downloadable instructional art magazines and books (often called e-books), and digital materials to use in art projects, such as ephemera and photos. It is a real advantage to have a digital library, not only because it is easy to access, but saves space! Instead of shelves of books and magazines – save that space for fabric and embellishments!

http://e-crafting.com/ by Stampington & Company provides downloadable magazines, books, and digital vintage ephemera and photos.

http://www.quiltingdaily.com/ By Interweave. Go to >shop>digital products for “how to” videos and digital books. This site also has a wonderful offering of all kinds of art supplies for every venue.

http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com

http://www.creativeworkshops.ning.com
For a variety of class offerings of all kinds and great supplies as well, including digital photos.

http://www.joggles.com
Joggles has lots of fun classes, and an amazing catalogue of supplies including fabrics, fibers and embellishments.

http://www.needlenthread.com/videos 
Has a list of free videos to watch on various hand embroidery stitches used in crazy quilting.

http://www.quiltuniversity.com 
Quilt University has a wide variety of class options. At the present time I found these two that might be of interest to the crazy quilter.

http://www.quiltuniversity.com/classlist.htm#CrazyQuilt  and http://www.quiltuniversity.com/classlist.htm#SilkRibbon

http://www.pintangle.com/workshops-and-classes-offered 
This is Sharon Boggon’s site, which offers lot of wonderful educational material and classes on hand embroidery, crazy quilting, etc.

http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.net/AppliqueHandPiecing.htm 
Although not in video form, this site has a very diverse listing of written and pictorial tutorials in all things related to hand stitching.

http://www.dicraft.co.za/blog/box-full-of-lessons
This is an offering by Di van Niekerk. She has lots of wonderful video lessons available. Be sure to peruse her website and visit her blog for the most amazing inspiration in silk ribbon embroidery.

http://www.lunagirl.com
This is a wonderful site to find vintage image cds and digital collage sheets for use in any kind of art project.

http://www.kimklassencafe.com 
Kim Klassen offers wonderful online classes for learning Photoshop. Having a few Photoshop tricks up your sleeve opens a world of options for making and editing your own images for use in your art pieces.

Here is an example of a before and after of a vintage photo I call “the little gardener” which will be added to a vintage crazy quilt project and probably some fun fabric mixed media projects as well. 

You are welcome to use either photo in your art work – it is copyright free.

These are just a very few of the wonderful sites that offer great classes and/or supplies for expanding your artistic repertoire, whether it be through learning new techniques or finding that special item to use. Jump in and have some fun!

Bonus site!
http://www.niftythriftydrygoods.com
This site does not offer digital items or classes, but is a great site for that one-of-a-kind embellishment. They are always at the Houston International Quilt Show and have a wonderful selection of ribbons, trims, buttons, charms, etc. in most every color imaginable.
 

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