The Narrows Art Retreat (new work!)
Patreon Pattern Launch - June 1
Rebrand: malfunxion
Upcoming workshops
Upcoming group shows
The Narrows Art Retreat
I just got home this weekend after spending an amazing 3.5 weeks in Nelson at the Narrows Art Retreat. I had time to relax, explore, and experiment in ways that I haven’t been able to in a very long time. I took inspiration from bark sheddings of a Ponderosa Pine that captured my attention within the first couple days.
I started off with drawings/paint studies of the bark and soon knew I wanted to transfer this imagery into cross-stitch. I completed one large piece (approx. 12x16 inches) over the course of my stay. For the first time ever I designed this piece by drawing directly onto the Aida cloth and choosing thread colours as I went along. The process felt a lot more like painting and involved lots of trial and error.
Another first was choosing to use different thread counts in this project (I usually stitch with three strands), as well as a combination of full stitches (x’s) and half stitches (slashes). This resulted in lots of fun visual effects that photos just don’t do justice (come see it in person next Saturday during studio hours)!
Overall, I’m so happy with this new direction and can’t wait to further develop this body of work for future exhibitions.
Patreon Pattern Launch - June 1
My next pattern from the Instruction Table series has now launched on Patreon!
✂️”INSTRUCTION TABLE SERIES” CROSS-STITCH PATTERN RELEASE SCHEDULE ✂️
FEBRUARY 1st
APRIL 1st
JUNE 1st
AUGUST 1st
OCTOBER 1st
DECEMBER 1st
💚 PATREON TIERS BREAKDOWN 💚
PATCH PALS ($2/MONTH)✨️
✂️ PATCH PALS CROSS-STITCH PATTERN - PDF DOWNLOAD
Bi-monthly original cross-stitch patch pattern designs (1-1.5 inches)
✂️ ACCESS TO HOW TO CROSS-STITCH VIDEOS
✂️ EXCLUSIVE BEHIND THE SCENES CONTENT
CROSS-STITCH CREW ($6.50/MONTH)✨️
✂️ INCLUDES ALL BENEFITS FROM PATCH PALS TIER
✂️ "INSTRUCTION TABLE SERIES" CROSS-STITCH PATTERN - PDF DOWNLOAD
Bi-monthly original cross-stitch pattern designs
MAIL CLUB STITCH CREW ($12.50/MONTH)✨️
✂️ ALL BENEFITS FROM PATCH PALS & CROSS-STITCH CREW TIERS
✂️ BI-MONTHLY PATCH PALS SUPPLIES VIA MAIL
For every patch pattern release, you’ll be mailed the following supplies:
💚 A printed pattern copy
💚 Aida cloth
💚 Embroidery thread
💚 1x Needle (only included for the first month you're a member of this tier)
💚 1x Sticker
✂️ Sign up by June 30th to receive July 1st pattern & supplies in the mail
✂️ LIVE STITCH ALONG
A couple weeks after supplies are mailed out, join me for a live stitch along of the Patch Pals pattern. Don’t worry if you miss it, all live sessions will be recorded and turned into tutorial videos to view whenever you’d like!
✂️ DESIGN PROCESS “INSTRUCTION TABLE SERIES”
Exclusive behind the scenes videos to share my design process for this series.
✂️ SATURDAY STITCH LIVE
Join live on Saturdays while I work on my current project (1-2 times per month for approx. 1 hour)
Rebrand: malfunxion
This brand launch has been in concept phase for years, but it’s finally become a reality. Introducing my new brand malfunxion!
About
Hand-stitched creations with a modern twist; malfunxion (by Mallory Donen) embraces imperfection through the craft of cross-stitch. Taking inspiration from glitches or computer failures, malfunxion offers a range of handmade pixel art creations including DIY cross-stitch kits & patterns, patches, pins, greeting cards, original art & more. Designed for lovers of craft, fibre art & dopamine decor!
What’s new?
I’ve have a new IG page @mal.funxion just for this brand. This page will focus mainly on product posts flagging where items are available to shop (online/retail/pop-ups). This will also be where I share my Patreon updates (pattern launches etc.) and post about upcoming workshops. Please follow my new IG to stay in the loop for these types of updates!
@mallorydonen will continue to operate as usual, but will be a little more streamlined so that posts are focused on my professional art practice (in progress and completed artworks).
No major changes, I just needed a distinction between my work as a professional artist and a commercial brand. I’m sure there will still be some overlap, especially in the beginning, it’ll be a transition! But generally speaking you can think of malfunxion as a commercial extension of my art practice. This brand will include merch products I’m already creating and selling in my studio, on my website, and at retail or pop-up markets.
Join me on this new journey & expect to see malfunxion branding at pop-ups near you later this year!
*Logo design by @fluoropress
Upcoming workshops
Upcoming group shows
Exhibition Title: A Glitched Utopia: Rethinking the Digital Ruin
Curator: Josie Xu
Venue: UBC AHVA Gallery, 6398 University Blvd Room 1001, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4
Exhibition Dates: June 12 - July 10, 2026
Opening Reception: June 11, 4-7pm
Abstractions is a members’ exhibition featuring abstract works by 24 local artists. Through 2D and 3D practices, artists explore form, mark-making, and layering, highlighting the diversity of North Van Arts’ membership.
Artists: Arnt Arntzen, Valerie Arntzen, Thompson Brennan, Diane Cote, Mallory Donen, Dorothy Doherty, Eric Goldstein, Makito Inomata, Valerie Ish, Craig Kelpin, Marlene Lowden, Marlene Lowden, Roger Mahler, Ashish Mehta, Tatjana Mirkov-Popovicki, Julie Pappajohn, Stanislav Riha, Natalie Robinson, Jocelyn Fisk Schleger, Majid Sheikh-Akbari, Shawn Stibbards, Erik Vaartnou, Joanne White, Terry Wikene, Priscilla Yu