I was sad to read this morning that Craft will stop publishing their print magazine after their current issue. They are vowing to continue to have a strong online presence, which I’m sure will be successful, but there was something fitting about a print publication for the new generation of people who like to make things with their hands.

I’m happy that I was able to have a pattern published in the magazine last year, and I hope I’ll get to work with them again in a different way in the future. Long live Craft!

Last week I finally finished the cross-stitch that I started over Thanksgiving!

It was very exciting to complete it, but the photo isn’t so exciting because it just looks like a wrinkled version of the photo that the pattern came with. But I still like it and it was surprisingly very fun to make.

Almost immediately after finishing the little children and flowers, I got out some graph paper and colored pencils that I bought a couple weeks ago and started sketching out gridded versions of my Stackable Cats.

I very rarely sit down and work on drawing something, and after a few hours, I realized that the process was extremely relaxing and enjoyable. Then, because I’ve just started taking a class in Illustrator, I fiddled around with grids in Illustrator and started making a real-live chart. I like the way it looks on screen, but I’ll have to get supplies and actually stitch it up to see if I like it as cross-stitch. That’ll probably take a long time, but I’m eager to get started.

If I like how it turns out, I’m totally going to make a bunch of designs with my characters!

By the way, since I’m getting into this new medium right at the very time that we’re opening an embroidery show at gallery hanahou, I have no illusions about the skill level I’m at with needle and thread. But that’s OK, I’ll just be happy if I can make simple cute things that make me smile.

Next Friday (2/6) at gallery hanahou we’re holding an opening for our new love-themed embroidery show from 6-8 pm. It’s going to be amazing, so if you’re in the New York area, I hope you’ll join us!

We’re also holding a Valentine embroidery workshop with Kayte Terry and Kristen Rask of Schmancy on Saturday the 7th at 1 pm. Space is limited, so email info@galleryhanahou.com to sign up.

gallery hanahou presents
Forget Me-Not: embroidered love from the new craft movement
February 6 – 27
Opening reception: Friday, February 6th, 6-8 pm (RSVP info@galleryhanahou.com)

gallery hanahou / 611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC

For generations, women have expressed love of family through the painstaking art of embroidery. This February, gallery hanahou presents a new generation of embroidery artists using needle and thread to depict love in broader terms, whether idealized and simple or brutal and complicated. Curated by Kristen Rask, this group exhibit of affordable artwork will win your affection in more ways than one. A meaningful alternative to waxy chocolates.

In conjunction with Forget Me-Not, gallery hanahou will host an artist-led Valentine embroidery workshop on Saturday, February 7th, at 1 pm. Space is limited, so please contact info@galleryhanahou.com asap for details!

Artists

Aimee Ray, Apol Lejano-Massebieau, Diem Chau, Emily Eibel, Emily Katz, Heidi Kenney, Jenny Harada, Jessica Marquez, Joetta Maue, Kate Durkin, Katherine Shaughnessy, Kayte Terry, Kris Garland, Kristen Rask, Mary Yaeger, Molly Dilworth, Nicole Licht, Orly Cogan, Pamela Davis, sam*skiart, Sarah Horton, Shanna Fiorucci, Shannon Rankin, Vanessa Lauria, Vivienne Strauss

All of the artwork in Forget Me-Not will also be available for viewing and purchase online via the gallery website beginning February 11.

gallery hanahou
611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC
[7th Floor of the Cable Building, NW corner of Broadway + Houston]
Mon-Fri noon-6 pm, Sat by appt only
646-486-6586
info@galleryhanahou.com

And here is a small sample of the artwork in the show!

From Diem Chau,:

From Vivienne Strauss:

From Orly Cogan

From Sarah Horton: