Material Musings - Feeling Out of Sorts

 

Welcome to Material Musings

There are some months where we get out of our normal rhythm, especially when you have a lot going on or your usual creative routine shifts when unexpected things happen.

I like having a routine, it helps keep me focused, and one of the things that I didn't really feel like doing was slow stitching or tackling some of the many projects' calling out to me - I knew that something was up. 

When you are feeling out of sorts the best thing to do is small tasks and not big, complicated tasks that won't get your full attention. Sorting through my fabric always bring calm and I recently received some offcuts from a seamstress neighbor and while they are manmade fabrics that I don't want to end up in the landfill, as I sat with them lots of ideas came flowing for possible projects.

That is the way it is sometimes. So, if you have been feeling 'Off' a little, perhaps it time to think about some of those smaller ideas that you are working on or just sit a while with your supplies. Check out the video to see some of the ideas I came up with.

Creative Archive - Mixed Media Digital Art Papers - April

This month sees the launch of my Realityarts Creative Archive, a monthly collectable set of digital art papers. Each month a new set of papers are released across 4 tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

This month's Sampler Edition for April 2026 available for FREE until 30th April.

Heritage & Time - April Papers

The papers in the Sampler Edition are Free to access for the month of April and gives you the opportunity to use sample and use the papers in your art journals or creative projects. To access the papers you need to join my FREE Tier on Patreon. 

I also share projects that you can do with the papers in your art journals and creative projects each month.

As a FREE member you get access to the monthly digital papers, and see early release posts and member exclusive posts, see some of the behind-the-scenes videos, hints and tips and more, this is a great way to spend some time on yourself and do something creative. You can join us HERE

Here are the other papers across the tiers for this month, these are available for purchase, or you can join the Tier and receive the monthly resources that come with that tier and also access over 900 videos, digital art and posts:

Island & Nature - April Papers

Women & Memory - April Papers

Pattern & Structure - April Papers

Come and join us and enjoy using them in your creative projects. 

Stay Blessed and be a blessing.

Eco Creative Summit - A simple way to reset your Creative Practice

 

WHEN YOUR CRAFT SPACE FEELS OVERWHELMING

If the idea of crafting sustainably feels more overwhelming than inspiring, remind yourself that:

• You don't need to overhaul your entire creative practice.
• You don't need expensive specialist equipment.
• You don't need a weekend marathon crafting session.

Most crafting advice assumes unlimited time, budget, and supplies, and real life rarely works that way - what can you do in 15 minutes?.

I'm excited to share the Eco-Creative Summit, a free online event designed for those who want to create sustainably without the overwhelm and buying a whole load of supplies.

This isn't about perfection, it is about building simple, eco-friendly creative habits that actually stick and find out some great ways to reuse, recycle and repair.

Inside, you'll learn: 

• Botanical printing & natural dyeing techniques  
• Wet felting and upcycling methods
• Zero-waste creative habits you can start today
• How to repurpose everyday materials beautifully
• Real-life sustainable crafting for all skill levels

Here are the Summit Guides

The Eco Creative Summit is on Tuesday 21st April and Wednesday 22 April 2026

You can reserve your FREE spot HERE

P.S. Busy during summit week?  The VIP All-Access Pass gives you lifetime access to every workshop plus exclusive eco-creative bonus resources, so you can learn and create at your own pace. 👉 LEARN MORE HERE

Sketchbook Revival Challenge - April 11th - 21st FREE to Join!

 

Welcome to the Sketchbook Revival Challenge!
April 11–21, 2026

11 Days. 30+ Hands-On Sessions. One Revitalizing Creative Experience.

I have been invited to be one of the Teachers on Sketchbook Revival Challenge, and I am really excited to share my lesson with you over the coming weeks.

This is the 9th year of Sketchbook Revival.  For eleven inspiring days, you’ll be guided by an incredible group of 30+ practicing fellow artists, sharing some of their favorite ways to explore their creativity in a sketchbook.

What makes this challenge different

This isn’t about keeping up, It is about showing up, with encouraging guides and a welcoming community, to help you focus and follow through, and creative permission to make this experience work for you.

Whether you join every day or even for a few, the challenge will meet you where you are so it’s easy and exciting to sit down, get started, and keep going.

What you’ll explore

There will be a mix of styles, materials and subjects you’ll have full permission to experiment, practice and play with, both materials, techniques, subjects and styles. So bring what you have and let it work for you.

When you join using my link and purchase the VIP Pass, I will also be giving you the Sketchbook Revival Bonus Bundle, the link for the resources will be sent to your email address: 

This is a fantastic resource that you can use before, during and after the challenge has finished.

What to expect during the challenge

• Participate for FREE in the Sketchbook Revival and access all the content and step into the challenge without spending any money!

• Meet & learn from inspiring artists: Create alongside 30+ practicing artists excited to share their favorite sketchbook ideas and tips with you.

• Private Facebook Group: Post your sketchbook pages, get inspired by what others are creating, and tap into the collective creative energy of our welcoming community

• Free gifts from the artists: Grab generous freebies from the artists for even more creative practice inspiration to take with you

• Optional VIP upgrade: Purchase ongoing access to all of the content + a bundle of creative bonuses, if you’d like to return to the Challenge anytime you’d like, and get my Bonus Bundle as well.

Reserve Your Spot HERE

Before You Go - Looking for a Fresh Start?

Check out the Eco-Creative Summit, turn what you have in your 'collections' into Treasure.  The Summit is on - Tuesday 21st April - 22nd April 2026

You don't need to overhaul your entire creative practice, just a fresh start. The Eco-Creative Summit is a free online event designed to help you craft sustainably, upcycle with confidence, and build eco-friendly creative habits with practical, real-life techniques.

Get Your FREE Ticket Today