Camps and Classes

Creative Adventures in Fiber, Color & Community

Welcome to a world of stitches, stories, and self-expression—where creativity knows no age limit! Whether I’m guiding preschoolers through their first finger-painting experience, helping middle schoolers screen print their own fabric, or leading seniors in a relaxing morning of embroidery or collage, my workshops and camps are designed to spark joy and build confidence through hands-on making. I teach a variety of creative arts—from fiber and mixed media to printmaking, color theory, and more—offering programs that are engaging, accessible, and always full of heart. Whether it’s a week-long summer camp, a single-session wellness event, or an intergenerational community art class, each experience is rooted in thoughtful design, artistic exploration, and the belief that creativity is for everyone. With a needle in hand, a brush, or maybe just a glue stick—there’s always something inspiring to discover together!

Summer Camps

Bend the Rules Sewing

July 14-18, 2025
Sewing and Mending Arts, Perry County Council of the Arts Summer Camp Program

The one-week summer camp focused on using various sewing techniques with cotton and jersey materials to create an assortment of handmade projects. During the camp, I led a group of middle school-aged students in the creation of their sewn projects using a combination of machine and hand sewing, embroidery, and construction techniques. Campers developed skills in working with the various fabrics, 3D design, pattern reading, and various machine, embroidery and hand-stitching techniques to complete several projects, including visible mending, tote bags, wrap dresses and pillow cases.

Plush Pals

August 5-9, 2024
Felt and Fleece Fiber Arts, Perry County Council of the Arts Summer Camp Program

The one-week summer camp focused on using various fiber arts techniques with felt and fleece materials to create an assortment of handmade projects. During the camp, I led a group of middle school-aged students in the creation of their fiber arts projects using machine and hand sewing, embroidery, and weaving techniques. Campers developed skills in working with the fabrics, 3D design, and various machine, embroidery and hand-stitching techniques to complete several projects, including pennants, ornaments, stuffed animals and pillows.

FUNdamentals of Art

July 15-19, 2024
Mixed Media Arts, Perry County Council of the Arts Summer Camp Program

The one-week summer camp focused on using various arts techniques to create an assortment of projects exploring the seven fundamentals of the arts. During the camp, I led a group of elementary school-aged students in the creation of their projects exploring color, value, shape, line, space, texture and form elements. Campers learned about several artists each day to inspire the projects. Together, they developed skills in painting, stamping, color blocking, and balancing elements to complete various canvases, mobiles and sculptures.

Print, Pattern, Sew

June 19–23, 2023
Mixed Media Fiber Arts, Perry County Council of the Arts Summer Camp Program

The one-week summer camp focused on using various fiber arts techniques to create an assortment of handmade projects. During the camp, I led a group of middle school-aged students in the creation of their fiber arts projects using screen printing, cyanotype dyeing, mixed media printing, hand sewing, embroidery, and weaving techniques. Campers developed skills in warp and weft weaving, various embroidery and 3D sewing projects, and basic hand-stitching techniques to complete a canvas snap pouch.

Nature-Inspired Mini Art Quilt Workshop

June 7 & 14, 2023
Mixed Media Mini Quilts; PCCA Arts in Education Program and Perry County Homeschoolers, Stonehouse Inn and Farm, Hempfield Behavioral Health

The two-part summer session workshops with the Perry County Homeschoolers Group focused on the use of mixed media quilting and fiber arts techniques to create an original miniature wall quilt for a group display. I led a group of students ranging in age from 6 to 16 (as well as adults) in the creation of their mini quilts using various inking, embroidery, appliqué and hand sewing techniques to create their design. Students acquired skills in color as expression, composition arrangement, history and use of quilting and appliqué, and basic hand and embroidery stitching techniques.

Superpower Art Quilt

July 12-15, 2021
Mixed Media Art Canvas; Capital Area Intermediate Unit Summer Camp Program

The one-week summer camp residency with the CAIU focused on the use of color and weaving techniques to create an original fiber self-portrait. I led a group of elementary-aged students in the creation of their self-portrait panels using color blocking, background design, and weaving techniques to create their design. During this camp, students developed skills in the rule of thirds design principle, color as expression, warp and weft weaving, and basic hand stitching techniques.

Classes and Workshops

Seniors Seasonal Art and Craft Sampler

Summer and Autumn 2025– 4 sessions, Strengthening Connections Grant – Partnership for Better Health, Central Perry Senior Center

The workshop series focused on creating various crafts inspired by the seasons with fiber art, pressed flowers, and various mixed media techniques as the focus. I demonstrated how to create various seasonal projects inspired by participants’ requests, as well as provided assistance and instruction on how to apply each technique to the day’s craft. All materials, including high-quality felt, embroidery floss, needles, glue, canvas and floral embellishments, were provided to complete the projects. I provided patterns, instructions, demonstrations, troubleshooting, and encouragement throughout each session. Participants enjoyed a time for experimenting, socializing, and creating, as they completed a fun, seasonally themed project during their 2-hour session.

Prayer Flags

June 12 & 19, 2025 – Strengthening Connections Grant – Partnership for Better Health, Central Perry Senior Center

The class focused on creating a series of individually created prayer flags with hand sewing, ink, stencils, buttons, and various mixed media. I demonstrated how to use the flag blank area to create an inspirational focal image or message, as well as described how to apply various stencils, sewing, and mixed media. All materials, including high-quality dye inks, polymer stamps, embroidery floss, needles, and floral embellishments, were provided to complete the project. I provided stitch and stamp instruction, demonstration, troubleshooting, and encouragement throughout each session. Participants who had rarely/never done sewing or fabric stamping, as well as those with limited hand mobility, were able to enjoy and complete an inspiring project during their 2 hour session.

WITF Da Vinci Wings of Flight Workshop

October 18, 2024 – WITF Public Media Special Event, McAllisterville Senior Center

The WITF Da Vinci Wings of Flight Workshop explored several techniques commonly used in textile craft to create an individually curated wing mobile design with hand-embroidered and appliqué details inspired by Da Vinci’s Flying Machine sketches. During this special 2-hour and 30-minute adult workshop, I provided pattern instruction, demonstration, troubleshooting, and encouragement. Participants experimented with design and color while selecting and cutting their own fabrics for their wings using the provided pattern and project outline. Participants explored hand and embroidery stitching to add both design and structural interest to their work. Finally, Students used boning to provide structure to their wing mobile, as well as finished their mobile with hanging cords for use and display at the WITF Da Vinci documentary premiere event.

Cyanotype Stitching

May 3, 2024 – Wellness Day Event, West Perry School District and May 4, 2024– Women In the Wild, Little Buffalo State Park/PA DCNR

This mini class focused on creating a small cyanotype background with hand-embroidered details to add personality and flair. I demonstrated how to create the cyanotype background and described how to add various layers of embroidery and beading to complete the work. All cyanotype materials, including a selection of vegetation and acetate images, embroidery floss, needles, and beads were provided to complete the project. During this mini class, I provided stitch and dye instruction, demonstration, troubleshooting, and encouragement. Students who had rarely/never sewn or cyanotype dye exposure were able to enjoy and complete a cute project during their 60- to 90-minute session.

Ink on Canvas Mini Envelope Pouch

March 18, 2022 – 2 sessions, Wellness Day Event, Juniata School District

The class focused on creating a small canvas pouch with hand sewing, ink details and snap closure. I demonstrated how to fold the shape of the envelope pouch, as well as described how to stamp and stitch the pouch closed. All stamping materials, including high-quality dye inks, polymer stamps, embroidery floss, needles, and snaps, were provided to complete the project. I provided stitch and stamp instruction, demonstration, troubleshooting, and encouragement throughout each session. Students who had rarely/never done sewing or fabric stamping were able to enjoy and complete a cute project during their 50-minute session.

Read more about the project in this blog post: Hand Sewn Pouches for Wellness Day – laruedefleurs.com.

Mini Modern Embroidery Sampler

February 14, 2020– 3 sessions, Wellness Day Event, Juniata School District

The class focused on creating a small embroidery project using four basic stitches with a stamped image provided as a jumping-off point. Stitch explanation and diagram handouts, all needles, embroidery thread, scissors, fabrics and rings provided to create the project. During this class, I provided stitch instruction, demonstration, troubleshooting and encouragement throughout each session. Students who had rarely/never done embroidery were able to enjoy and complete a cute project during their 60-minute session.

Perry County Council of the Arts’ Drop-In Art

Community Events or 1st Saturday of the month, 1 – 4 p.m., at the PCCA Landis House Art Room, 67 N. 4th St., Newport, PA

Drop-In Art classes focus on fun, family-friendly projects for kids ranging in age from pre-K to elementary level. Provided by Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA) through grant funding, Drop-In Art is a free program providing early access to the arts for young families in Perry County, Pa. Each month the class focuses on two to three project stations with various techniques and tools. Kids are encouraged to explore their creativity using provided materials, working at a self-guided pace to complete their project. I develop the activities, and, along with a rotating team of volunteers, provides instructions and aids young artists in completing their creations throughout the three-hour session.

Digital Courses

Patchwork Minky Blanket Mini Class

Join me in this multi-part series as I walk you through the process of creating a patchwork minky blanket. We will discuss all of the necessary supplies, where to find them, how to shop and collect fabrics for the project and of course, all of the details in constructing this great basic. If you are new to sew and quilting and want to learn a wonderful way to play with fabric and create a great result, join me in the making!

Watch and learn for free on YouTube: Patchwork Minky Blanket Mini Class Playlist

Virtual Drop-In Art

Monthly from 2020-2022, PCCA’s and La Rue de Fleurs’ YouTube Channel

Videos in the Drop-In Art series for Perry County Council of the Arts focus on family and kid-friendly crafts using recycled household items and basic crafts supplies to inspire creativity.

For more information on the PCCA Drop-In Art Program, including session activities and times, please visit the Perry County Council of the Arts website: http://www.perrycountyarts.org/drop-in-art/