Hello, Craftonians!
Did you catch the latest episode of Joleen’s Happy Time Craftcast? If not, buckle up, because you’re in for a treat—Melissa Galbraith from M Creative J stopped by, and let me tell you, it was a delightful, crafty whirlwind!
The Episode Kicks Off with a Dash of Farm Life and a Whole Lot of Crafting Vibes
Joleen, ever the fabulous host, starts off by sharing a little bit about life at Big Raven Farm—retreat season is in full swing! Picture it: yoga, Minnesota breezes, and Joleen whipping up meals for retreat-goers. It’s no wonder she’s been a bit quiet on social media!
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But don’t worry, because she managed to steal away from the farm frenzy to sit down with none other than fiber artist extraordinaire, Melissa Galbraith. Melissa, the creative genius behind M Creative J, popped in with her signature mix of whimsy and skill, and things took off from there. You could practically hear the embroidery needles clicking as they discussed Melissa’s journey from Washington State to becoming a small business owner with kits, patterns, and…wait for it…embroidered shoes! |
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Yes, Embroidered Shoes Are a Thing—And They’re Incredible!
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Melissa’s latest book, DIY Embroidered Shoes, comes out soon, and Joleen was just as excited as the rest of us about this unique take on needlecraft. Melissa even showed off some of her show-stopping creations. One pair had a mountain scene that looked straight out of a fairy tale—Joleen described it perfectly: “They’re so beautiful, they could be wearing little jackets!” It was also heartwarming to hear how Melissa’s journey with embroidery started at a young age, thanks to her mother. Both she and Joleen bonded over their shared love of crafting passed down through generations—seriously, who else’s mom taught them that the back of your embroidery should be as neat as the front? |
But Melissa has embraced a more relaxed, modern approach, where the process is about creativity, not perfection. Her kits, designed for all skill levels, help you stitch up whimsical nature scenes, dense stitching, and even three-dimensional elements that literally pop off the fabric!
Let’s Talk About That Cozy Vibe
As fall is settling in, Melissa’s cozy crafting energy was in full swing. She and Joleen laughed about the joys of “cozy season,” and Melissa confessed that she’s a big fan of snuggling up with her pups while working on a project (same, Melissa, same).
Next on Your Crafting List?
This episode was packed with inspiration! Whether you’re thinking about trying embroidery for the first time or ready to level up to stitching on shoes (seriously, how cool is that?), Melissa has something for everyone. Joleen was particularly excited about Melissa’s cyanotype embroidery kit, which combines botanical designs with a beautiful indigo dye process. Joleen loved it so much that she couldn’t stop talking about it—even referencing a recent retreat where they did cyanotype prints!
The episode wrapped up with the usual giggles and thoughtful reflection. Joleen shared that the thing that brings her the most happiness is watching her four grown children enjoy each other’s company, while Melissa said she loves the simple joy of curling up with her dogs and a cozy project. (We’re over here, nodding in agreement with the “cozy is life” sentiment.)
Ready to Get Crafty?
If you’re feeling inspired, head over to Melissa’s website, MCreativeJ.com, to grab one of her whimsical kits or preorder her book, DIY Embroidered Shoes. You can also find her kits in over 250 stores (yes, you read that right!) across the country, so if you’re more of a shop-local person, she’s got you covered there, too.
And for those who missed this cozy, creative convo, no worries—you can catch the replay below and get all the crafting inspiration your heart desires!
Until next time, keep those needles moving, your creative juices flowing, and as always—stay cozy, friends!
Show notes:
📌In this episode:
[0:00 - 3:00] Introduction to Jolene and Melissa Galbraith
[3:00 - 10:00] Melissa's Journey and Embroidery Philosophy
[10:00 - 16:00] Melissa's Designs and Where to Find Them
[16:00 - 23:00] Introduction to Melissa's New Book" DIY Embroidered Shoes"
[23:00 - 32:00] Melissa's Favorite Project and Free Resources
[32:00 - 42:00] Favorite Words, Sandwiches, and Sounds
[42:00 - 50:00] Being an Artist and Community Support
[50:00 - 58:00] Animals, Sounds, and Other Professions
[58:00 - 1:01:00] Happiness and Final Thoughts
📌Key Takeaways:
- Melissa emphasizes the importance of getting comfortable with stitches and materials rather than focusing on perfection in embroidery.
- Melissa's products are carried in over 250 retail locations across the country, showcasing the success of her small business.
- Melissa's new book "DIY Embroidered Shoes" provides step-by-step guidance and patterns for embroidering on a variety of shoe styles.
- Melissa and Jolene discuss the value of community and mutual support among artists, creating a small-town feel in the creative world.
- Both Melissa and Jolene share their unique perspectives on favorite words, sounds, and sandwich preferences, providing a glimpse into their personal lives.
📌About the Melissa:
Melissa Galbraith is the fiber artist behind MCreativeJ. She was born and raised in the desert of Washington state where her mother instilled a love of making things by hand at an early age. Melissa shares her love of nature through whimsical and modern hand embroidery kits, patterns, workshops, and her books, How to Embroider Texture and Pattern and DIY Embroidered Shoes.
📌Stay connected with Melissa:
→ Website
→ Youtube
→ Instagram
→ Facebook
→ Pinterest
🌟 Links & Resources:
→ Melissa's new book: "DIY Embroidered Shoes" (available October 27th)
→ Melissa's cyanotype embroidery kits
→Joleen’s Big Raven Farm Retreats
🌟 Next Episode:
Tune in next week when Jolene welcomes Tamara Kelly, the founder of Moogly, to the Happy Time Craftcast.
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