Art Journal Flip Through

 

Welcome to today's art journal we are doing a flip through of the pages.

You can access the papers by checking out the digital art papers that I have on my Patreon.  August Sampler papers are available for FREE until the end of August

Check out your papers HERE

Hand Dyed Fabric Experiments - Material Musings

 

Welcome to today's Material Musings.

I have been spending time experimenting with hand-dyed fabrics using materials from the garden and kitchen. Some pieces have been colored with turmeric, tea and annatto seeds, while others have been wrapped with bougainvillea, flamboyant leaves and sliced aloe vera.

One of the things I enjoy most about dyeing fabric is the element of surprise when you unroll the fabric and the randomness of the colors.  I have also been experimenting with solar dyeing by placing fabric, plant materials and water into glass jars and leaving them in the warmth of the sun. The fabrics were first soaked in an alum bath, which acts as a mordant and may help the color remain on the fabric.

You won't get a dramatic result from every experiment - it is just the beginning of the process and other things will be created from the fabric if it doesn't look how you imagine. Uneven pieces can be cut into strips, stitched into textile collages, added to a Kawandi inspired project which I have started.  The fabric can also be, stamped, painted, used for wax resist, handmade fabric beads and more.

Aloe Dyed Fabric

Sometimes the unexpected pieces become the most interesting ones.

Here are a few ideas to try out

Tea dyed fabric

Save used tea bags and soak a small piece of cotton fabric in strong tea. Fold, roll or tie the fabric before placing it into the dye to create lines and variations in color.

Experiment with color

Try turmeric for warm yellow tones or annatto seeds for shades of yellow and soft orange. Begin with small pieces of recycled cotton, old sheets or curtain lining.

Make marks with plants

Place sliced aloe vera, leaves or flower petals onto damp fabric. Fold or roll the fabric and allow it to dry before opening it. Notice the shapes, stains and marks left behind.

Transform an imperfect piece

Cut hand dyed fabric into smaller sections. Add stitching, stamping, beads or paint, or combine it with other scraps to create textile clusters or, journal cover.  Here the fabric pieces have had stamps, and other marks using paint

The most important part is to give yourself permission and time to experiment.  Learn to enjoy the process and remember- there are no mistakes, only new possibilities.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Before You Go

Have you checked out the Free Digital Art Papers on the Sampler Edition, that will be available for you to download until the end of the month to use in your art journals or creative projects.

Realityarts Creative Archive - August 2026

This month's release for the Realityarts Creative Archive, brings a fresh set of collectable digital art papers, available in four tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

The August 2026 Sampler Edition, titled Heritage & Time is free to download until 31st August and offers you a chance to try the papers in your art journals and/or creative projects.

  

Heritage & Time - August Papers 2026

Join the FREE Tier on Patreon to access the papers, along with project ideas, behind the scenes video and early release posts, along with other 'member only' content.  Free members can enjoy the monthly papers while spending creative time. You can join us HERE

Additional papers for this month are available for purchase or by joining the respective tier, and also gives you access to over 1000 videos, digital art and exclusive posts:

 

Studio Edition - Women and Memory, August 2026

 

Collectors Edition - Island & Nature - August 2026

 

Atelier Edition - Patterns & Structure - August 2026

On my Patreon platform you get to watch Patron Exclusive posts, see behind the scenes content and get early access to the videos that I create and post on my YouTube Channel.  Each month I use the papers in different projects to give you additional inspiration when using them for yourself.  If you are ready to move your creative journey to the next step then come and join us.

As a Patreon Member you will also get a discount off any of the courses I create on my Course Platform - check out the 'Collections tab' to get your appropriate discount.  Our course that are regularly being developed are for those who want to add to their learning and start to develop their own creative voice and style.

I hope you join us and use the digital art papers in your creative projects and art journals and I look forward to seeing how you get on.

Which of the papers this month are speaking to you, which one is your favorite?

Back to Creativity Summit - Reserve Your FREE Spot

 

Back to Creativity Summit - 18th - 20th August

HobbyScool is hosting the Back-to-Creativity Summit, a free, 3-day virtual event running August 18–20, 2026, built for makers who want to put down the to-do list and pick their craft back up.

No expensive supplies to buy first. No “you have to already be good at this” requirement. Just three days of expert-led workshops you can follow along with from your own creative space.

Grab Your Free Spot on the Retreat HERE 

VIP All Access Pass

Don't worry about falling behind as there is a VIP option you can access which will give you Lifetime access to all the classes so you can take your time, repeat them as often as you need to and make it work for you! 

Before You Go

The Sampler Edition Digital Art Papers are still available for FREE to download until the end of July on my FREE tier on Patreon, you can use them in your art journals or creative projects.