September 18, 2025 • 18 mins
Welcome to Season 2 of Creative Crossroads! In this episode, hosts Ellyn Zinsmeister and Catherine Dutton introduce exciting new changes, including the option to watch on YouTube. They provide a sneak peek into the season's diverse lineup, featuring quilters, visual artists, a Michelin-star chef, and a fiber artist. Ellyn and Catherine also share updates on their personal and creative lives, from quilt entries to participating in Fodder School, and more! Join them as they explore the expansive world of creativity and engage in enriching conversations.
00:00 Welcome to Creative Crossroads Season Two
00:51 Exciting New Guests and Topics
03:05 Meet Your Hosts: Catherine and Ellyn
06:35 Creative Projects and Personal Updates
08:08 Upcoming Events and Opportunities
13:19 Join Our Creative Community
Thanks for joining us at Creative Crossroads! Keep creating and we'll see you again soon!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Ellyn (00:00):
Hey everybody, welcome back to Creative Crossroads.
We are so happy to be back withyou.
I'm Ellyn.
Catherine (00:08):
And I'm Catherine,
Ellyn (00:10):
And something new this season two is that you can watch
us on YouTube.
So if you're listening as apodcast, you'll still get the
whole story.
But if you want to, you couldjump over to YouTube and tune us
in there and follow us and likeus and all those things to do,
you know what to do.
(00:31):
Um, so we thought it would befun.
I guess that's what all the coolkids are doing, Catherine.
Catherine (00:37):
I mean, I've heard that we are the cool kids, if we
are doing it, of course the coolkids are doing it
Ellyn (00:43):
so here we are.
Are excited about season two.
We, it's
Catherine (00:48):
So excited.
Ellyn (00:50):
yeah.
So tell us a little bit aboutseason two, Catherine.
Catherine (00:55):
I am really excited.
You last season we reallyfocused on talking to quilters
and visual artists, and thisseason gonna have some quilters,
some artists too.
But we're gonna go beyond fabricAs, as mediums.
And so gonna talk to a chef, um,Michelin star chef.
We're talk to an amazing fiberartist who does weaving.
(01:20):
Um, we have, we have some otherquilters on the list, but I that
we are going to have some reallyfun interviews this time around.
Again, within the realm oftalking about creativity
creative process.
But think one of neat that we'relearning is that that
creativity, it's not limited tojust visual things that we make,
(01:42):
and we're seeing in interviewsthat we're doing.
Ellyn (01:46):
I think it's gonna be really fun and to see how, how
our processes overlap.
Catherine (01:51):
Mm-hmm.
Ellyn (01:52):
different mediums or how they're We're gonna.
We're gonna find that We'reexplore some more.
and thrown in between theinterviews.
We're gonna do some, some dayslike today where Catherine and I
just talk to each other andexplore some things personally.
Catherine (02:09):
Yeah, and maybe you might even see us make art every
now and then.
Ellyn (02:13):
wouldn't that be something.
Catherine (02:14):
that'd be kind of crazy.
Ellyn (02:16):
Hey, we're looking, we're looking at different
opportunities, different waysthat we can get together and
make art together.
so, mm-hmm.
Take you along on our journeybecause why,
Catherine (02:28):
why not?
Ellyn (02:29):
why not?
And some of you might be newhere and might be going, who are
these women?
And we typically call ourselvescreativity ambassadors.
And what the heck are theytalking about?
Um,
Catherine (02:42):
It's a fun term we made up.
Ellyn (02:44):
I know it is.
Right.
And I think, what, maybe we cantake a whole nother day to just
explore that term
Catherine (02:50):
Yeah.
Ellyn (02:51):
by that.
Um, but for today, I think weprobably ought to introduce
ourselves again, just briefly sothat if people are new, or maybe
we didn't go into this enoughlast season, to let you know a
little bit more about who thetwo of us are.
So Catherine, why don't youstart.
Catherine (03:08):
Well, uh, I'm Catherine Dutton and in my
creative life I love for a verylong time I was a quilter and
I'm, I'm learning to adjust to anew identity as quilting is
unfortunate.
Not something I can keep doingas much as I used to, but I love
to create and I think like I'vebeen creative my whole life,
(03:29):
whether it's in writing or inmaking art or in just.
How I teach.
Because in my full-time worldI'm a professor and I teach
human development and familystudies and yeah, I think
that's, that's good enough aboutme.
How about you, Ellyn?
Tell us
Ellyn (03:48):
think it's fun how your, how your professional life
crosses over into your personallife and your creative life too.
Because whenever we get togetherand start exploring something,
it turns into a researchproject,
Catherine (03:59):
Oh, always.
Yes.
My whole life is a researchproject.
Ellyn (04:02):
I totally blame you, but you've taught me to think that
way.
I'm starting to think that waytoo.
So it's really fun.
Um, yeah.
I'm Ellyn Zinsmeister.
I have also been a creative.
My whole life.
I mean, I can't remember notcreating, um which I both mostly
got from my mom.
I think she's a very creativeperson too.
(04:24):
And I'm a quilter, a modernquilter.
I love making modern quilts.
This is, uh, one of my quiltsbehind me, one of my recent
mates that's Matilda Madleymaking, and she is the result of
an improv quilting challengethat I did.
And, uh.
That's the kind of stuff I do.
Uh, mostly solid fabrics andimprov quilting.
(04:46):
Uh.
Which is really fun for me.
I'm very active in the modernQuilt Guild, and I'm also a
weaver.
Um, I do some basic weaving on arigid head of loom and an ankle
loom, and I have a lot of funwith that.
But I, I love exploring all thethings too.
Like, like Catherine, like the,the paper arts and junk
(05:07):
journaling and just all kindsof, all kinds of things.
If it's new and exciting, I willtry it.
Catherine (05:14):
Oh yeah, I wanna experiment with all the
Ellyn (05:17):
I know me too.
Catherine (05:18):
my niece was over in my craft room.
A couple of weeks ago and shewas like, aunt Cece,'cause
that's what they call me, auntCece.
Um, I think you have enough inhere to start an art store.
And I was like, I mean.
It's a good start
Ellyn (05:33):
and you're, you're great with your nieces and nephews
involving them in creativeactivities.
I am lucky to be, I'm a wife andmom to three adult kids.
And have a great, fabulousdaughter-in-law who brought a
bonus granddaughter into ourfamily.
And recently I got to callmyself grandma because our first
(05:55):
grand baby was born.
So I've been spending a lot oftime with them and, and dabbling
in teaching new creative arts tomy bonus granddaughter who is
almost 11.
So it's, it's fun to get thenext generation involved.
Catherine (06:12):
It's fun to see that you in this new phase of your
life where you get to be agrandma and do and just, and I
think it's fun that you get tojump in with like an 11-year-old
granddaughter because like shecan do all the fun things with
you and go to a quilt store withyou.
And she's
Ellyn (06:28):
she wants
Catherine (06:29):
in fabric, right?
Like
Ellyn (06:30):
and she wants to.
Yeah.
Which is great.
Yeah, that's been really fun.
Um, so that's a lot of what I'vebeen up to.
I mean,'cause we kind of took abreak.
We intended to come back withnew episodes sooner, but life as
it does, uh, had other plans forus.
So we had to Kind of set thingsaside a little bit.
Um.
(06:51):
But that's a lot of what I'vebeen up to is family stuff, but
I've also
Catherine (06:55):
Yeah.
Ellyn (06:55):
creating, like Matilda, I made her and I mean I've, I've
been doing a lot of creating inthe meantime too.
What have you been up to,Catherine?
Catherine (07:03):
I have been doing all sorts of fun things like in the
crafty side.
I'm cleaning out my craft roomright now and kind of resetting
it for my new phase of beingcreative with more.
Mixed media arts and less fiberarts.
And then on the work side ofthings, it's been kind of fun
(07:23):
because I got to give a TEDxtalk this past spring and
there's some fun things that aregonna happen with that this
fall.
Um, yeah, that's, I think thoseare the big things that are
going on in my life and I'mdating, which is really fun
Ellyn (07:38):
It's awesome
Catherine (07:40):
I know it's very fun.
For those of you who dunno me,this is the first time in my
life that I really dated.
So it's very fun.
Um, so that, honestly, that TAhas taken up the vast majority
of my time.
And, um.
Yeah, and we're signed up.
You and I are both doing fodderschool.
We're looking forward to that.
you, You've never done, you've,we've done the challenges
before, but you've never doneactual fodder school
Ellyn (08:02):
So maybe you can explain a little more about exactly what
Fodder School is and we'll giveyou guys a link.
So if you wanna sign up and playalong with us, that'd be great.
Catherine (08:12):
Yeah, so it's a, it's a year long.
So the Fodder challenge, let'sstart with that.
The Fodder challenge is a monthlong challenge, um, hosted by,
her name is Willa Wanders, orthat's her social media name.
Um, and every, every few daysthere's a new class, um, by a
different teacher.
and then the fodder challenge.
(08:34):
Folds into fodder school, whichis a year long creative school.
And so every month there's adifferent teacher and for the
first two weeks of the month youare learning like a new
technique.
And then the last two weeks ofthe month you, there's a
project, um, something to, tomake with that new technique.
And for those of you for whomfodder is a new word.
(08:55):
'cause it was for me when Iheard of it, fodder is just
really like anything that youcan use in mixed media design.
And so it might be.
Paper that you've painted on, itmight be.
It's a lot of paper that youpaint on, honestly.
Um, but it could be liketrinkets and things like we did
shrinky Dinks one, was it lastyear we did shrinky Dinks.
(09:15):
That was so much fun.
Like I have played with allsorts of new, I think if you
want an opportunity to play withnew techniques and different
supplies, like it's a reallyfun.
Experience.
So, and there's a really vibrantcommunity online who
participates.
And even if you're not an onlineparticipator,'cause I'm not, um.
(09:38):
There's just so much prettyinspiration to see.
And I think one of the thingsthat they've started doing in
recent years,'cause I, I thinkI've done all of the years of
fodder school at this point.
Um, but one of the things theydo, they've done, started doing
recently is like, they'll havelike bonus lessons where one
teacher will be inspired byanother teacher's lesson and
then they'll do a spinoff of it.
(09:58):
Okay.
Of like, we're dying papersusing this technique.
And they'll be like, Ooh.
But also you could use avocadosto dye.
And so that's what I'm gonna dolater today.
If I, if I get my work done, I'mgonna try using avocado dye, So
I finally collected enoughavocado pits to do it.
So,
Ellyn (10:17):
Well, that sounds
Catherine (10:18):
yeah, I know it's supposed to make it purple.
Ellyn (10:21):
Okay.
I
Catherine (10:21):
You would not expect that from avocado,
Ellyn (10:23):
I can't wait to see what you come up with.
I, Yeah.
I've, I've done the challengesthe last few years, but I've
never been in a position to signup for the year long class.
So this will be a first for meand we're gonna do a lot of it
together and that'll be a lot offun.
So.
Catherine (10:39):
I'm really looking forward to
Ellyn (10:40):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm very excited about that.
Um, and that's a great thingthat we're looking forward to.
I, I'm also working on.
Preparing my quilt entries forQuilt Con.
Um, Some of you may not be awareof the Modern Quilt Guild
International.
They have a big convention everyyear called Quilt Con, and I
(11:03):
always enter a bunch of quiltsand sometimes when I'm lucky.
I get one into the show andthat's really fun.
Um, in the past three of myquilts have shown and they've
all been group quilts, and I amentering more group quilts this
year, but I'm also entering twoor three individual quilts and
I'm really hopeful that maybe,maybe one of those will get to
(11:26):
show as well.
That would be really fun for me.
So.
Catherine (11:29):
That'd be really cool.
Ellyn (11:31):
of whether I have a quilt in the show or not, I love
going, um.
that's part of my community.
I am part of a improv bee that'svery active.
If you, uh, were here last year,you might have, uh, might
remember our interview withCharles Cameron.
He's one of the members of my Beum, and we may interview some
(11:52):
more of them this year, andthat's just, they inspire me.
They really push me, and, andthey're.
Really fun people.
Really fun people.
So we always have dinnertogether, hang out together, you
know, and usually, well, everyyear since we formed, we've had
at least one quilt in the showfrom one
Catherine (12:12):
That's amazing.
I think that's really cool.
Ellyn (12:14):
Often two or three.
Catherine (12:16):
Mm-hmm.
Ellyn (12:17):
So it's a, it's a great group of creatives.
Catherine (12:21):
Absolutely.
Ellyn (12:22):
So I'm looking forward to more of that.
I don't know.
What else do we have coming up?
Catherine and I are reallynoodling about having our own
little getaway retreat, just thetwo of us, um, to make, art.
Catherine (12:35):
yeah, we're looking at Airbnbs or something where we
can sit down and just have aweekend of nothing but art
making.
Ellyn (12:44):
Yeah.
No family.
no tv, no.
Well, maybe
Catherine (12:48):
I mean, maybe tv, but.
We're not caring for anybodyelse.
Yeah.
Ellyn (12:54):
And we'll, we'll bring you with us so you can see what
Catherine (12:57):
Absolutely.
yeah,
Ellyn (12:59):
Catherine and I are part of another group that goes on
retreats several times a year,so maybe
Catherine (13:04):
mm-hmm.
Ellyn (13:05):
maybe we'll share some of that with, as we do
Catherine (13:08):
Oh, that would be fun.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Our sworn to so great group,
Ellyn (13:13):
They're a lot of fun.
Catherine (13:14):
they're very fun.
Ellyn (13:15):
lot of fun.
So that's kind of what's comingup.
Um, was there anything else youwanted to share today,
Katherine?
Catherine (13:24):
Is there anything else I should be sharing that I
forgot to share?
Ellyn (13:27):
Well, that's totally up to you.
Catherine (13:29):
Okay.
Ellyn (13:32):
I think when, when everybody,
Catherine (13:34):
major.
Ellyn (13:35):
When everybody sees your TEDx talk, we'll have a lot to
talk about.
Catherine (13:40):
Probably gonna be some questions there that come
out of that.
So yeah,
Ellyn (13:44):
That'll
Catherine (13:44):
don't know that the, can I share the title of it with
them?
Is that
Ellyn (13:47):
Oh, please do.
Catherine (13:48):
Okay, so, so the reason Ellyn is alluding to that
is because the title of the talkis the Sex Professor Who'd Never
Had Sex.
Oh.
Um, so we'll just leave it atthat and let you guys wait till
it comes out
Ellyn (14:00):
for now.
We'll leave it at that.
Yeah.
I've got a sneak preview, not ofthe TEDx talk or TED Talk.
I haven't seen that, but, uh,our small group had a, a preview
of the TED talk.
She, she practiced on us beforeshe refined.
it.
Catherine (14:18):
Yes, I did.
Ellyn (14:19):
Or we refined it.
So I'm looking forward to seeingthe official version.
Catherine (14:24):
Honestly, so am I, because at this point.
I don't really remember what Isaid anymore, so I mean, I know
the general gist, but I'll beinterested to see it as well, so
Ellyn (14:36):
it'll be great.
So if there, are, if there aretopics you want us to cover,
Catherine (14:40):
Mm-hmm.
Ellyn (14:41):
of us, uh, you could leave comments, um, on either
the podcast or.
The YouTube channel.
uh, if I don't know if you havethoughts about people that you
think it would be interestingfor us to talk to, let us know.
Catherine (14:58):
Yeah, we would absolutely love if you, if you
know somebody or if you aresomebody who would be interested
in talking about your creativeprocess, talking about your, how
you, how you approach things ifyou, I think it's really fun to
hear just the many differentways that people approach.
(15:19):
Just the world in general.
But creativity is part of that.
And there's so manysimilarities, but also we each
have our own unique perspectiveand our own way of doing things.
And we learn so much fromhearing how other people think
through processes and how they,um, how they approach a blank
piece of paper.
And whatever that piece of paperbecomes, whether it's a song or
(15:43):
a poem or a.
piece of visual art, like,
Ellyn (15:47):
a meal.
Catherine (15:47):
really fun.
Or a meal.
Ellyn (15:50):
And on
Catherine (15:50):
yeah, Because it might be a recipe.
Is that what, because I don'twanna eat paper.
Ellyn (15:55):
No, not, not, we're not gonna eat on the air.
No.
That would be yucky.
Catherine (16:01):
Yeah, let's not do that.
Okay.
Ellyn (16:03):
But I do want to eat like we always want to eat when we
get
Catherine (16:07):
Oh, I mean.
I mean, that's just like, likejust implied.
Whenever we make plans, therewill be a meal involved.
It's just what time of daydictates the No, it doesn't even
dictate the type of meal.
'cause we often go out forbreakfast for lunch, don't we?
Ellyn (16:22):
Yeah, And, and the people at our breakfast spot know us
and put us in our circle boothand yeah.
Catherine (16:29):
It's the Ellyn and Catherine spot.
Yep.
Ellyn (16:31):
Something you should know about us.
There you go.
You're welcome.
You are welcome.
So we look forward to chattingwith you more.
It's fun to have you see ourfaces.
Catherine (16:42):
Yeah, we're really excited about this new, like
having you be, we hope that ithaving us on YouTube that you'll
feel like you can get to know usbetter and be more more of our
community.
Part of our community.
Yeah,
Ellyn (16:58):
tuned.
We'll be starting some greatinterviews very soon, and uh,
we'll see you there.
Catherine (17:06):
Thanks you guys.
Bye
Ellyn (17:07):
bye.
Hey everybody, welcome back to Creative Crossroads.
We are so happy to be back withyou.
I'm Ellyn.
Catherine (00:08):
And I'm Catherine,
Ellyn (00:10):
And something new this season two is that you can watch
us on YouTube.
So if you're listening as apodcast, you'll still get the
whole story.
But if you want to, you couldjump over to YouTube and tune us
in there and follow us and likeus and all those things to do,
you know what to do.
(00:31):
Um, so we thought it would befun.
I guess that's what all the coolkids are doing, Catherine.
Catherine (00:37):
I mean, I've heard that we are the cool kids, if we
are doing it, of course the coolkids are doing it
Ellyn (00:43):
so here we are.
Are excited about season two.
We, it's
Catherine (00:48):
So excited.
Ellyn (00:50):
yeah.
So tell us a little bit aboutseason two, Catherine.
Catherine (00:55):
I am really excited.
You last season we reallyfocused on talking to quilters
and visual artists, and thisseason gonna have some quilters,
some artists too.
But we're gonna go beyond fabricAs, as mediums.
And so gonna talk to a chef, um,Michelin star chef.
We're talk to an amazing fiberartist who does weaving.
(01:20):
Um, we have, we have some otherquilters on the list, but I that
we are going to have some reallyfun interviews this time around.
Again, within the realm oftalking about creativity
creative process.
But think one of neat that we'relearning is that that
creativity, it's not limited tojust visual things that we make,
(01:42):
and we're seeing in interviewsthat we're doing.
Ellyn (01:46):
I think it's gonna be really fun and to see how, how
our processes overlap.
Catherine (01:51):
Mm-hmm.
Ellyn (01:52):
different mediums or how they're We're gonna.
We're gonna find that We'reexplore some more.
and thrown in between theinterviews.
We're gonna do some, some dayslike today where Catherine and I
just talk to each other andexplore some things personally.
Catherine (02:09):
Yeah, and maybe you might even see us make art every
now and then.
Ellyn (02:13):
wouldn't that be something.
Catherine (02:14):
that'd be kind of crazy.
Ellyn (02:16):
Hey, we're looking, we're looking at different
opportunities, different waysthat we can get together and
make art together.
so, mm-hmm.
Take you along on our journeybecause why,
Catherine (02:28):
why not?
Ellyn (02:29):
why not?
And some of you might be newhere and might be going, who are
these women?
And we typically call ourselvescreativity ambassadors.
And what the heck are theytalking about?
Um,
Catherine (02:42):
It's a fun term we made up.
Ellyn (02:44):
I know it is.
Right.
And I think, what, maybe we cantake a whole nother day to just
explore that term
Catherine (02:50):
Yeah.
Ellyn (02:51):
by that.
Um, but for today, I think weprobably ought to introduce
ourselves again, just briefly sothat if people are new, or maybe
we didn't go into this enoughlast season, to let you know a
little bit more about who thetwo of us are.
So Catherine, why don't youstart.
Catherine (03:08):
Well, uh, I'm Catherine Dutton and in my
creative life I love for a verylong time I was a quilter and
I'm, I'm learning to adjust to anew identity as quilting is
unfortunate.
Not something I can keep doingas much as I used to, but I love
to create and I think like I'vebeen creative my whole life,
(03:29):
whether it's in writing or inmaking art or in just.
How I teach.
Because in my full-time worldI'm a professor and I teach
human development and familystudies and yeah, I think
that's, that's good enough aboutme.
How about you, Ellyn?
Tell us
Ellyn (03:48):
think it's fun how your, how your professional life
crosses over into your personallife and your creative life too.
Because whenever we get togetherand start exploring something,
it turns into a researchproject,
Catherine (03:59):
Oh, always.
Yes.
My whole life is a researchproject.
Ellyn (04:02):
I totally blame you, but you've taught me to think that
way.
I'm starting to think that waytoo.
So it's really fun.
Um, yeah.
I'm Ellyn Zinsmeister.
I have also been a creative.
My whole life.
I mean, I can't remember notcreating, um which I both mostly
got from my mom.
I think she's a very creativeperson too.
(04:24):
And I'm a quilter, a modernquilter.
I love making modern quilts.
This is, uh, one of my quiltsbehind me, one of my recent
mates that's Matilda Madleymaking, and she is the result of
an improv quilting challengethat I did.
And, uh.
That's the kind of stuff I do.
Uh, mostly solid fabrics andimprov quilting.
(04:46):
Uh.
Which is really fun for me.
I'm very active in the modernQuilt Guild, and I'm also a
weaver.
Um, I do some basic weaving on arigid head of loom and an ankle
loom, and I have a lot of funwith that.
But I, I love exploring all thethings too.
Like, like Catherine, like the,the paper arts and junk
(05:07):
journaling and just all kindsof, all kinds of things.
If it's new and exciting, I willtry it.
Catherine (05:14):
Oh yeah, I wanna experiment with all the
Ellyn (05:17):
I know me too.
Catherine (05:18):
my niece was over in my craft room.
A couple of weeks ago and shewas like, aunt Cece,'cause
that's what they call me, auntCece.
Um, I think you have enough inhere to start an art store.
And I was like, I mean.
It's a good start
Ellyn (05:33):
and you're, you're great with your nieces and nephews
involving them in creativeactivities.
I am lucky to be, I'm a wife andmom to three adult kids.
And have a great, fabulousdaughter-in-law who brought a
bonus granddaughter into ourfamily.
And recently I got to callmyself grandma because our first
(05:55):
grand baby was born.
So I've been spending a lot oftime with them and, and dabbling
in teaching new creative arts tomy bonus granddaughter who is
almost 11.
So it's, it's fun to get thenext generation involved.
Catherine (06:12):
It's fun to see that you in this new phase of your
life where you get to be agrandma and do and just, and I
think it's fun that you get tojump in with like an 11-year-old
granddaughter because like shecan do all the fun things with
you and go to a quilt store withyou.
And she's
Ellyn (06:28):
she wants
Catherine (06:29):
in fabric, right?
Like
Ellyn (06:30):
and she wants to.
Yeah.
Which is great.
Yeah, that's been really fun.
Um, so that's a lot of what I'vebeen up to.
I mean,'cause we kind of took abreak.
We intended to come back withnew episodes sooner, but life as
it does, uh, had other plans forus.
So we had to Kind of set thingsaside a little bit.
Um.
(06:51):
But that's a lot of what I'vebeen up to is family stuff, but
I've also
Catherine (06:55):
Yeah.
Ellyn (06:55):
creating, like Matilda, I made her and I mean I've, I've
been doing a lot of creating inthe meantime too.
What have you been up to,Catherine?
Catherine (07:03):
I have been doing all sorts of fun things like in the
crafty side.
I'm cleaning out my craft roomright now and kind of resetting
it for my new phase of beingcreative with more.
Mixed media arts and less fiberarts.
And then on the work side ofthings, it's been kind of fun
(07:23):
because I got to give a TEDxtalk this past spring and
there's some fun things that aregonna happen with that this
fall.
Um, yeah, that's, I think thoseare the big things that are
going on in my life and I'mdating, which is really fun
Ellyn (07:38):
It's awesome
Catherine (07:40):
I know it's very fun.
For those of you who dunno me,this is the first time in my
life that I really dated.
So it's very fun.
Um, so that, honestly, that TAhas taken up the vast majority
of my time.
And, um.
Yeah, and we're signed up.
You and I are both doing fodderschool.
We're looking forward to that.
you, You've never done, you've,we've done the challenges
before, but you've never doneactual fodder school
Ellyn (08:02):
So maybe you can explain a little more about exactly what
Fodder School is and we'll giveyou guys a link.
So if you wanna sign up and playalong with us, that'd be great.
Catherine (08:12):
Yeah, so it's a, it's a year long.
So the Fodder challenge, let'sstart with that.
The Fodder challenge is a monthlong challenge, um, hosted by,
her name is Willa Wanders, orthat's her social media name.
Um, and every, every few daysthere's a new class, um, by a
different teacher.
and then the fodder challenge.
(08:34):
Folds into fodder school, whichis a year long creative school.
And so every month there's adifferent teacher and for the
first two weeks of the month youare learning like a new
technique.
And then the last two weeks ofthe month you, there's a
project, um, something to, tomake with that new technique.
And for those of you for whomfodder is a new word.
(08:55):
'cause it was for me when Iheard of it, fodder is just
really like anything that youcan use in mixed media design.
And so it might be.
Paper that you've painted on, itmight be.
It's a lot of paper that youpaint on, honestly.
Um, but it could be liketrinkets and things like we did
shrinky Dinks one, was it lastyear we did shrinky Dinks.
(09:15):
That was so much fun.
Like I have played with allsorts of new, I think if you
want an opportunity to play withnew techniques and different
supplies, like it's a reallyfun.
Experience.
So, and there's a really vibrantcommunity online who
participates.
And even if you're not an onlineparticipator,'cause I'm not, um.
(09:38):
There's just so much prettyinspiration to see.
And I think one of the thingsthat they've started doing in
recent years,'cause I, I thinkI've done all of the years of
fodder school at this point.
Um, but one of the things theydo, they've done, started doing
recently is like, they'll havelike bonus lessons where one
teacher will be inspired byanother teacher's lesson and
then they'll do a spinoff of it.
(09:58):
Okay.
Of like, we're dying papersusing this technique.
And they'll be like, Ooh.
But also you could use avocadosto dye.
And so that's what I'm gonna dolater today.
If I, if I get my work done, I'mgonna try using avocado dye, So
I finally collected enoughavocado pits to do it.
So,
Ellyn (10:17):
Well, that sounds
Catherine (10:18):
yeah, I know it's supposed to make it purple.
Ellyn (10:21):
Okay.
I
Catherine (10:21):
You would not expect that from avocado,
Ellyn (10:23):
I can't wait to see what you come up with.
I, Yeah.
I've, I've done the challengesthe last few years, but I've
never been in a position to signup for the year long class.
So this will be a first for meand we're gonna do a lot of it
together and that'll be a lot offun.
So.
Catherine (10:39):
I'm really looking forward to
Ellyn (10:40):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm very excited about that.
Um, and that's a great thingthat we're looking forward to.
I, I'm also working on.
Preparing my quilt entries forQuilt Con.
Um, Some of you may not be awareof the Modern Quilt Guild
International.
They have a big convention everyyear called Quilt Con, and I
(11:03):
always enter a bunch of quiltsand sometimes when I'm lucky.
I get one into the show andthat's really fun.
Um, in the past three of myquilts have shown and they've
all been group quilts, and I amentering more group quilts this
year, but I'm also entering twoor three individual quilts and
I'm really hopeful that maybe,maybe one of those will get to
(11:26):
show as well.
That would be really fun for me.
So.
Catherine (11:29):
That'd be really cool.
Ellyn (11:31):
of whether I have a quilt in the show or not, I love
going, um.
that's part of my community.
I am part of a improv bee that'svery active.
If you, uh, were here last year,you might have, uh, might
remember our interview withCharles Cameron.
He's one of the members of my Beum, and we may interview some
(11:52):
more of them this year, andthat's just, they inspire me.
They really push me, and, andthey're.
Really fun people.
Really fun people.
So we always have dinnertogether, hang out together, you
know, and usually, well, everyyear since we formed, we've had
at least one quilt in the showfrom one
Catherine (12:12):
That's amazing.
I think that's really cool.
Ellyn (12:14):
Often two or three.
Catherine (12:16):
Mm-hmm.
Ellyn (12:17):
So it's a, it's a great group of creatives.
Catherine (12:21):
Absolutely.
Ellyn (12:22):
So I'm looking forward to more of that.
I don't know.
What else do we have coming up?
Catherine and I are reallynoodling about having our own
little getaway retreat, just thetwo of us, um, to make, art.
Catherine (12:35):
yeah, we're looking at Airbnbs or something where we
can sit down and just have aweekend of nothing but art
making.
Ellyn (12:44):
Yeah.
No family.
no tv, no.
Well, maybe
Catherine (12:48):
I mean, maybe tv, but.
We're not caring for anybodyelse.
Yeah.
Ellyn (12:54):
And we'll, we'll bring you with us so you can see what
Catherine (12:57):
Absolutely.
yeah,
Ellyn (12:59):
Catherine and I are part of another group that goes on
retreats several times a year,so maybe
Catherine (13:04):
mm-hmm.
Ellyn (13:05):
maybe we'll share some of that with, as we do
Catherine (13:08):
Oh, that would be fun.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Our sworn to so great group,
Ellyn (13:13):
They're a lot of fun.
Catherine (13:14):
they're very fun.
Ellyn (13:15):
lot of fun.
So that's kind of what's comingup.
Um, was there anything else youwanted to share today,
Katherine?
Catherine (13:24):
Is there anything else I should be sharing that I
forgot to share?
Ellyn (13:27):
Well, that's totally up to you.
Catherine (13:29):
Okay.
Ellyn (13:32):
I think when, when everybody,
Catherine (13:34):
major.
Ellyn (13:35):
When everybody sees your TEDx talk, we'll have a lot to
talk about.
Catherine (13:40):
Probably gonna be some questions there that come
out of that.
So yeah,
Ellyn (13:44):
That'll
Catherine (13:44):
don't know that the, can I share the title of it with
them?
Is that
Ellyn (13:47):
Oh, please do.
Catherine (13:48):
Okay, so, so the reason Ellyn is alluding to that
is because the title of the talkis the Sex Professor Who'd Never
Had Sex.
Oh.
Um, so we'll just leave it atthat and let you guys wait till
it comes out
Ellyn (14:00):
for now.
We'll leave it at that.
Yeah.
I've got a sneak preview, not ofthe TEDx talk or TED Talk.
I haven't seen that, but, uh,our small group had a, a preview
of the TED talk.
She, she practiced on us beforeshe refined.
it.
Catherine (14:18):
Yes, I did.
Ellyn (14:19):
Or we refined it.
So I'm looking forward to seeingthe official version.
Catherine (14:24):
Honestly, so am I, because at this point.
I don't really remember what Isaid anymore, so I mean, I know
the general gist, but I'll beinterested to see it as well, so
Ellyn (14:36):
it'll be great.
So if there, are, if there aretopics you want us to cover,
Catherine (14:40):
Mm-hmm.
Ellyn (14:41):
of us, uh, you could leave comments, um, on either
the podcast or.
The YouTube channel.
uh, if I don't know if you havethoughts about people that you
think it would be interestingfor us to talk to, let us know.
Catherine (14:58):
Yeah, we would absolutely love if you, if you
know somebody or if you aresomebody who would be interested
in talking about your creativeprocess, talking about your, how
you, how you approach things ifyou, I think it's really fun to
hear just the many differentways that people approach.
(15:19):
Just the world in general.
But creativity is part of that.
And there's so manysimilarities, but also we each
have our own unique perspectiveand our own way of doing things.
And we learn so much fromhearing how other people think
through processes and how they,um, how they approach a blank
piece of paper.
And whatever that piece of paperbecomes, whether it's a song or
(15:43):
a poem or a.
piece of visual art, like,
Ellyn (15:47):
a meal.
Catherine (15:47):
really fun.
Or a meal.
Ellyn (15:50):
And on
Catherine (15:50):
yeah, Because it might be a recipe.
Is that what, because I don'twanna eat paper.
Ellyn (15:55):
No, not, not, we're not gonna eat on the air.
No.
That would be yucky.
Catherine (16:01):
Yeah, let's not do that.
Okay.
Ellyn (16:03):
But I do want to eat like we always want to eat when we
get
Catherine (16:07):
Oh, I mean.
I mean, that's just like, likejust implied.
Whenever we make plans, therewill be a meal involved.
It's just what time of daydictates the No, it doesn't even
dictate the type of meal.
'cause we often go out forbreakfast for lunch, don't we?
Ellyn (16:22):
Yeah, And, and the people at our breakfast spot know us
and put us in our circle boothand yeah.
Catherine (16:29):
It's the Ellyn and Catherine spot.
Yep.
Ellyn (16:31):
Something you should know about us.
There you go.
You're welcome.
You are welcome.
So we look forward to chattingwith you more.
It's fun to have you see ourfaces.
Catherine (16:42):
Yeah, we're really excited about this new, like
having you be, we hope that ithaving us on YouTube that you'll
feel like you can get to know usbetter and be more more of our
community.
Part of our community.
Yeah,
Ellyn (16:58):
tuned.
We'll be starting some greatinterviews very soon, and uh,
we'll see you there.
Catherine (17:06):
Thanks you guys.
Bye
Ellyn (17:07):
bye.
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