Mystical Stitches

"What a gift for the world to have Christi Johnson’s work in printed form. In this book we have the honor of joining Johnson’s journey through embroidery, but we are also invited to go so much deeper than just stitching. Johnson leads us through beloved symbols and incredible imagery—like moon phases, zodiac signs, mythical beasts, and medicinal plants—and also offers suggestions for ways to live, connect, and heal. Christi makes magic with words and images—her intentions, inspirations, and intuition shine so brightly through every page of this stunning book.” — Katrina Rodabaugh, artist and author of Make Thrift Mend *and *Mending Matters  

“This book is so generous in the way it perfectly balances supportive, clear instructional content and technical information with permission, guidance, and encouragement to experience creativity and process free from perfectionism or external constraints and expectations. The links between magic and creativity and spirituality are so deep and beautifully expressed.” — Sarah K. Benning, author of Embroidered Life 

"Completely fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful! Like Johnson’s embroidery itself, Mystical Stitches channels the power of sacred imagery to seamlessly weave magical symbols into a multidimensional creative outpouring." — Erica Feldmann of Hauswitch 

"Christi Johnson’s Mystical Stitches encourages spiritual forms of artistic expression. Part arts and crafts book, part meditative spiritual guide, it reveals the power of symbols, showing how to create them through fiber arts... Throughout, the book invites deep self-expression that embodies, through tangible visual symbols, the power of the spiritual imagination." — *Foreword Reviews

"The whole volume centers embroidery within spiritual practice, and if you're already drawn to the mystical, you'll likely reach for the floss soon after exploring these alluring pages." — *BookPage

Vorwort
This gorgeous embroidery book features nearly 200 original designs for symbols inspired by a colourful folk art aesthetic and infused with metaphysical meaning. How-to instructions allow readers to combine and stitch each symbol to create unique embroidered objects of personal significance.

Autorentext
Christi Johnson is an embroidery and textile artist and the author of Mystical Stitches. Johnson studied Fashion Design at Otis College of Art and Design and honed her craft in the Los Angeles fashion industry for nearly a decade, designing limited-edition embroideries for boutique brands. Now residing in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, Johnson teaches workshops in natural dyeing and embroidery and develops kits and booklets for aspiring artists and DIY enthusiasts. Johnson's garments, booklets, kits, and embroidered artwork are sold in maker studios and boutiques nationwide. Find Christi Johnson online at mixedcolor.net, and tune in to her podcast, Stitch Wish, for more inspiration. 

Klappentext
Make your embroidery glow with mystical meaning, guided by Christi Johnson’s rich treasury of 200 magical symbols. Combine numbers, planets, animals, forces of nature, and more to create a personal talisman to express your deepest wishes and intentions through colorful stitchery. Use a lightning bolt to call on swift action and illuminate messages. A raindrop symbolizes release, support, and nourishment. The pomegranate is a sign of immortality and ultimate potential.

Step-by-step instructions and patterns make it easy to re-create each symbol and develop original designs to adorn your clothing, enhance an altar, or make a wall hanging. Whether you’re a new or experienced stitcher, you’ll be inspired to expand your practice of creative and mindful embroidery.

Zusammenfassung
Explore personal transformation through the stitching of dreams and intentions. Anything but ordinary, Mystical Stitches combines the beloved and accessible craft of embroidery with a spiritual element, introducing a rich treasury of 200 magical symbols you can use to set an intention and create personal icons to wear or embellish items in the home. Christi Johnson offers unique patterns inspired by botanicals, animals, numbers, the cosmos, earth elements, zodiac signs, and mythical beasts, for novice or well-practiced crafters to combine into talismans with personal meaning. Johnson’s folk art style is vibrant and unintimidating and provides a framework for bringing spiritual elements into physical form.

Inhalt
The Discovery of Creative Liberation
1 Intention
     The Magic in the Creative Act
     The Power of Symbols
     What Is a Talisman?
     The Science of Slowness
     Transformative Qualities of the Creative Process
     Tools for Accessing Creativity
2 Materials
     Fabric
     Needles
     Thread
     Setting Up Your Hoop
     Marking Tools
     Transfer Paper
     Tracing Methods
     Getting Started with Thread
3 Stitch Methods
     Anatomy of a Stitch Illustration
     Traditional vs. Quick Methods of Stitching
     Tips as You Begin
     Foundational Stitches
4 Treasury of Symbols
     Geometric Forms
     Platonic Solids
     Numbers
     Planetary Magic
     Moon Phases
     The Zodiac
     Animalia
     Mythical Beasts
     Botanica
     Forces of Nature
     Human Forms
     Our Tools
5 Creating Your Talisman
     Color Harmony
     The Color Globe
     Choosing Colors
     Mystical Color
     Tips and Tricks
     Exploring Composition
     Transcendent Talisman
     Enliven Your Closet
6 The Art of Ritual
     Setting Your Intention
     Building an Altar
     Preparing for Ritual
     Charging Your Talisman
     Closing Your Space
     Developing Your Creative Ritual
     Ritual in a Bag
     Be Kind to Your Body
7 Stitch Key
Resources for Final Exploration
Acknowledgments