Spotlight ~ Maria Diaz Designs

by Caroline

Take a look at this website – Maria Diaz Designs…

This year Maria is celebrating 20 years as a needlecraft designer…and I asked her a few questions about herself and her craft…

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Can you tell us a bit about yourself……* * * * I have two young children and this year as well as turning 40 and getting married, I celebrate my twentieth year as a needlecraft designer.

What inspires you in your creations?* * * * I get inspiration from everywhere having been a cross stitch designer for so long I practically see the world in squares, so anything can spark an idea.

What are your favourite craft techniques?* * * * Well I enjoy all forms of needlecraft but I love cross stitch.

Barcelona

What is on your craft desk at the moment?* * * * Well as a professional designer and mother of small boys, I don’t often have the time to craft for pleasure, so with the spring in the air I am working on Christmas ideas.

Where do you craft? Can you show us your craft area?* * * * We recently built a huge garage at the end of our garden so I now have a fantastic office/workroom to accommodate all my stuff.

my clean office

the real story!

Tell us about your typical working day…* * * * Once I have drop the boys at nursery and school respectively I make a cuppa, check my email and head of up the garden to work. Having done a fine art degree I begin pretty much all my projects with a sketch. Which I then scan into my pc and with my threads chosen I do most of my colour work on the computer.

Cranes

What are you working on at the moment?* * * * I have just launched my website so am sorting out my back catalogue.

What has been the most unusual request to make into a cross stitch pattern?* * * * A printing press sampler for the cover of a print trade magazine.

Any handy crafty hints or tips you would pass on to anyone else?* * * * Take your time and take a break every half hour. It will save your eye sight and help you spot any mistakes.

Do you have a favourite project you would like to show us a picture of and why is it your favourite?* * * * I tend to be passionate about my most recent project but I love doing figurative subjects.

Lincoln – my son

What makes you smile?* * * * My boys

What annoys you!?* * * * My boys

If you could take three things with you on a desert island, what would they be?* * * * Pencil, Lots of paper and a photo of my boys

Anything else you would like to add….* * * * I love my life and feel very fortunate to be able to earn a living doing something I enjoy…

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Thanks Maria, its a great insight into your work and the cross stitch design are stunning!  There is a permanent link to Maria’s website in the left hand column under Links…

Caroline x