For my first post of 2021 I decided to step away from the riveting news of the past week and focus instead on a happier subject, a virtual visit with another artist in the ongoing series of posts I’ve released over the past several months on what they’ve been creating during the pandemic.
Mary Engelbreit’s art is recognizable to many fans around the world, but unless you follow her on Instagram you may not know that, these days, when she isn’t working on a new calendar or children’s book, she’s been crafting in her home studio.
Since the “lock down” began in the St. Louis area in March, Mary’s been participating in staff meetings with her CWE-based creative team via Zoom. So it hasn’t been a problem to be at home, instead “I like to be in my home studio, ” Engelbreit reported, “and I also like to stay busy, so when I’m not working on an ME project, I get out my crafting supplies and start making stuff, listening to podcasts and books while I create.” A recent favorite among the books was The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, and she’s now listening to C.S. Lewis’ trilogy, Out of the Silent Planet. “I read it as a kid,” she explained. “So far it’s holding up.”
Engelbreit’s inimitable style can be seen in Home, above, and the adorable Sailor and Scottie piece below.
Engelbreit said she doesn’t sketch her designs first, she just cuts the shapes out of felt and then embellishes them with perle cotton, buttons, trim, and in the case of the felted Halloween pieces below, a smudge of paint.
“When I was finally cleaning up my studio after the lock down,” Engelbreit said, “I found jewelry-making stuff I had never used, so I decided to re-purpose it for embroidery, above.
The photos above are examples of other projects the artist has completed over the last 9 months.
Engelbreit found a collection of unpainted animals on Etsy and created Lola’s House of Animals for her granddaughter.
She painted a basket of fruit and flowers on a side table.
Here she used Mary Engelbreit fabric to frame a felted floral arrangement she created, which has since been made into a pattern that’s available on the ME website.
The piece above was Engelbreit’s interpretation of a kit released by artist and dear friend Charlotte Lyons following the cancellation due to the pandemic of an in-person workshop that was to be held in ME’s CWE studio. Lyons, a former St. Louisan who lived on Pershing Place, has come back to town many times to host workshops with Mary.
One of the bright spots in Mary Engelbreit’s life over the past 18 months has been her granddaughter Lola, for whom she made the doll quilt above. She used a stash of cotton & linen napkins for the quilt blocks, which she quilted with a Kantha stitch, and then appliqued.
“When I’m sewing and have no deadlines.” Engelbreit said, “it’s just a fun, relaxing thing to do. And it takes my mind off all the craziness of 2020 (and I might add, the start of 2021 as well).”
Thank you so much Mary for sharing your inspiring work. Check out the website for information on Mary Engelbreit products.
Wow what a treat to wake up to this Monday morning. Mary is an inspiration to all and we can certainly use a little of that as we begin the week. Mary thank you for all the people you have made happy over the years and the many smiles you have put on so many of our faces. I cherish each and every one of your pieces of work you have created for the many projects and events I have been involved in over the years. Keep on sewing and creating and making folks happy 😎 and thank you. Arthur
Thanks, Mary. Thanks, Nicki. Thanks, Arthur. To Mary: I too loved The Dutch House.
Thank you so much, Arthur! Such nice words from someone who has done so much for the neighborhood!
That is so lovely! Thanks, Nicki! Making, stitching, painting and sharing has helped our creative community stay connected and sane over these many months. Wonderful post!!
Thanks for the happier subject-such a delight-We all needed that.
Very creative and charming! A bright note in a time of many stressors. Thank to Nicky, too, for creating a program that lets us all see these wonderful works of art.
Thank you Nicki and Mary for sharing Mary’s delightful artistic output! I’m awed by Mary’s font of inspiration!
Thanks to Niki for sharing Mary’s happy crafts with us. It put a big smile on my face this morning to see such bright positive images with my first cup of tea. I have long been a fan of Mary’s cards and to see her venturing into a different medium was a real treat. Enjoy the rare glimpse of sun we will have today, walk in the park, breathe in the fresh air and know that all will be well.
I was lucky enough to purchase (very cheaply) several of Mary’s original work long before she became famous, and still enjoy looking at them on my walls, and love following her growth and fame as an artist. What a lucky granddaughter!!
Nicki, thank you for such a nice article! If there is a silver lining to the endless pandemic, it’s the extra time it’s given us for creative pursuits, time with family, reading, and other things we usually don’t have time for.
Your blog is always an interesting and fun read!
I enjoyed the handcrafted artwork that Mary has created during this time of pandemic. What a wonderfully talented artist!
Thank you for sharing these enchanting creations with us.
Oh my! Oh my! Such an inspiration. That doll quilt is amazing. Thank you for this wonderful article and thanks Mary for always sharing your talents with us. So appreciate you.