With May fast approaching it's already time to sign up to the annual free Still Point Sketching Challenge #draweverydayinmay!
The theme this year is "New Dawn, New Day, New Life!".
It starts this Saturday, 1st May and runs through til the 31st May. It's a friendly online community event that has been running annually since 2018. It's grown from 40 sign ups to over 400 in just 3 years. It's perfect for people who:
- love drawing but don't do enough of it
- need some encouragement to get back on the page
- want to improve their drawing skills through daily practice
- want to develop a nourishing daily drawing practice
- always feel better for drawing but never seem to find the time
- have wanted to explore the art of drawing and need a starting point
If any of this sounds like you - simply sign up below and receive your free welcome pack which will help you:
- get the most out of the challenge
- decide on your drawing time, space, tools, subject and surface
- learn top tips on how best to stay on the page throughout May
Click on the image below or the link above to sign up to the #draweverydayinmay21 annual Still Point Sketching Challenge!
THE ANNUAL FREE
STILL POINT SKETCHING CHALLENGE
IS HERE!
WHAT PEOPLE SAY:
“The drawing challenge and the guidance from Marigold gave me something to look forward to everyday. It allowed me to improve my drawing skills and to see it as a craft that you have to work on. The community aspect of the challenge is so inspiring and I tried so many things thanks to that. Highly recommend!” Floriane-Marielle Job
“The drawing challenge helped me get back into drawing and I got inspired by other people's work to use different media and styles. It's a friendly and supportive community that gives me the confidence to try new things and share work. Thank you Marigold for organising it and keeping us going!” Emmy Pham
“It was so much fun to rediscover the joy of drawing. Being part of the online group was inspiring. Everybody was so supportive and it was wonderful to see the work of others. It gave me many more ideas to explore and I learned a lot from it.” Marion Ooijevaar
“I have had such fun joining in the August drawing challenge. Settling into mindfully creating has been a meditation in itself.
I joined because I knew it would be a way of connecting with others ; making virtual friends, as it were, plus learning from others.” Soo Allan
“I would recommend for anybody! I have become confident and more relaxed drawing and painting and have finally become the artist I always wanted to be - making sketches everyday from beautiful intriguing things I see and then using them in my paintings and designs.” Julia Bevan
“I restarted drawing, after many years without, through the May challenge. August was just the right timing to give me a boost. The encouragement and friendly advice from the group is invaluable.” Pauline Laing
IN OTHER NEWS...
This has finally happened! Age 42 I am 6 months pregnant and the baby is due in August! I realised that this particular creative process has not been too dissimilar to all the other creative projects I've undertaken!
Click on the image below to read more about the creative parallels in my recent post on Instagram!
BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!
You're the first to know about the online course I've just finished making - The Still Point Stitching Challenge - learn 30 embroidery stitches! It's perfect for people who want to learn embroidery at their own pace in their own home.
Each lesson includes:
- short video demonstration of each embroidery stitch
- PDF print out with illustrated stitch instructions and example of the outcome of each stitch
- suggestions for what the stitch is best used for
Click on the image below to be the first to sign up!
And I'm offering £10 off the Modern Sampler Kit which contains all you'll need to complete the challenge. Plus there's a lovely online community of stitchers where you can share your embroidery efforts! Join the Still Point Stitchers community on Facebook.
SPECIAL OFFER DISCOUNTED MODERN SAMPLER KIT
I'm offering £10 off the last few 4th Edition Modern Sampler Kits - perfect for working your way through the 30 embroidery stitches in the Still Point Sketching Challenge online course. Contains all you need to create your own stylish modern sampler! Click on the image below to grab the last few remaining kits:
THIS MONTH'S MAKING!
And here's what I've been making this month:
A Roll Up Pencil Case to make sketching in the big outdoors that bit easier. I used avocado dyed fabric and am super pleased with the second prototype. Pattern coming soon! I have availability to make a small batch, to discuss individual commissions contact me with your enquiries.
And continuing with the Naturally Dyed Homeware Product Line, I've added the Avocado Place Mat! Again pattern coming soon or contact me to discuss small batch commissions.
NEW SIX WEEK LINO PRINTING ONLINE COURSE!
The international design firm WATG, have commissioned me to run a 6-week Lino Printing Evening Class for their employees as part of their community and staff wellbeing initiative. I've enjoyed making up the kits and sending them off to the participants. Watch this space for more details on upcoming online Lino courses, workshops and kits!
FREE MONTHLY RECIPE!
I've been loving the Borscht this month, mainly for it's stunning colour combination but also for it's tangy sweetness.
Here's the recipe I used:
1 red onion, peeled and finely sliced into half moons
1 carrot, diced
1 stick of celery, chopped
2 beetroots, chopped
1 clove of garlic, finely sliced
1 tin plum tomatoes
Half a small, red cabbage, finely shredded
2 tablespoons tomato puree
1 litre of organic beef stock
1 teaspoon of sugar
Sour cream and fresh dill to serve
Sweat the onion in oil in a medium, deep saucepan for five mins.
Add the celery, carrots, beetroot and garlic and sauté for five mins.
Using scissors, snip the tomatoes while still in the tin then add them to the saucepan with the tomato puree, sugar and beef stock.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins.
Add the red cabbage, lower the heat and simmer with the lid on for 30 mins.
Blend the soup or leave it as it is.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprig of fresh dill.
That's all for this month! I hope you're enjoying some sunny, Spring freedom if you're reading this in the UK! See you next month for more making news, recipes and subscriber offers!