Today, we bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, A Gathering of Stitches. In Samantha's words:
"A Gathering of Stitches is a maker space for fiber and textile craftspeople located in Portland, Maine. We offer studios, both short term and long term, to artists, businesspeople and craftspeople with access to a wide array of specialized tools. Instruction in sewing, knitting, quilting, embroidery, crochet, quilting, dyeing and screen printing is available at all levels. Equipment such as sergers, knitting machines, sewing machines, and full dyeing and screen-printing facilities are available to rent by the hour.
Our blog is called Stitches and can be found on our home page."
SouleMama: What's your favorite part of your job? the most challenging?
Samantha: I love it when the studio artists are in the space working, creating, interacting, and a workshop or two is taking place. Most of my life I have pursued my crafts by myself. To experience so many others all working together under the same roof is electrifying. You can feel the energy in the air. The buzz is amazing. It makes me truly happy to see this space being used as it is intended. When the machines are whirring and the steam irons are puffing and the chatter of making floats through the air, I am in heaven. The biggest challenge at this point, as we are just 4 months old, is getting folks across the threshold. When they get here they fall in love, but getting them in the door is still tricky. This model of a collaborative, collective space for fiber crafts is still a new one. As more people catch on to the potential I'm sure our workshops will fill up.
SouleMama: What does 'being creative' mean to you?
Samantha: Being creative is the same as breathing for me. I cannot imagine a day without some form of creative activity in it. Everyday I spend some time knitting or sewing, some days it is a short period of time, others it is longer. But I have my hands on fiber and textiles every day. I also think there is creativity in other daily occupations. To me, cooking is a very creative act. It is the practice of an ancient craft (like knitting and sewing) that you engage in at least twice, sometimes three times a day. I feel sorry for people who think they don't have time for cooking. What pleasures they are missing. Being creative is my fuel, it is the engine that propels me through each day.
For today's giveaway, A Gathering of Stitches is generously offering the following gift to ONE winner:
~ A spot in An Introduction to Modern Quilting (saturdays Jan. 1, 11 & 18), a three week workshop!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8:30 am EST on Monday, and announce the winner, chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed! The winner is...
Oh my goodness, what a wonderful giveaway......sounds like a wonderful class, fingers crossed!
Posted by: margot
Thank you, A Gathering of Stitches!