Word for the Week - Psalm 86:17

Give me a sign of your goodness that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.  Psalm 86:17

I posted this image and scripture before, but felt someone needed a reminder, even me..... Our Lord is with us even when we sleep and slumber.

We are all going through changes of some sort and very often the changes can be difficult, we want to return to the ways that we knew.  Press on, keep going for just around the corner you will see the benefits of making the changes, of being uncomfortable for a season, and you will realize that all the difficulties are actually lessons along the way to be embraced.

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands. 

Words and images for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be. 

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Doodle play - a bit of time out - Insight

Doodle, a way of taking time out, filling in time, just allowing your thoughts to flow or not as you wish, as you draw each line, without a specific plan or purpose, then you take a step back and look at the journey you have taken through your mind.

I think the doodling reveals something about us, our thoughts maybe a way of working through things, who knows.  I enjoy it.

Insight - Doodling

When you get a chance, get out a piece of paper and pen and just allow your creativity to flow and play with shapes, lines, without any restrictions or preconceived ideas - enjoy!

Gratitidute's and Celebrations - Week 79 - Travel

Arriving in Barbados

It has been over a week since we got back from Barbados, still in the throws of making plans for a potential move there, my ideal is to be able to spend 6 months in both locations getting away from the cold of the UK.  While I work towards the potential of that I spent time trying to get fitter, walking and when we could get to the beach spend some time in the sea, the sunshine like a healing tonic, helping my body to get the much needed vitamin D.

Spending time on the Beach

While I was away all the work that I said I was going to do on my blog and other areas was put on hold and I decided that having too many things to try and do just didn't work, taking a step back and re-evaluating was what was needed, and I did. 

Early morning walking

Working in my art journal

Art Journal Page - the Journey into paradise

It is hard to believe that time has flown so quickly and nearly 7 months have passed since we did the program about what it would be like to live in Barbados, and we have been working on putting things in place that would facilitate a move.

Last day in Barbados - off to a concert!

Right now I am grateful for being able to travel to see new places and experience different communities and environments.  I celebrate the changes that are to come and embrace the new adventures that await.

Gratitude's and celebrations

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Tutorial Tuesday - Clay Birds with character

Yet another bird came to town, this time in the form of 'Hortense'.  I think that she is a duck, well my Grandson stated quite clearly that he thought it was a duck - who am I to disagree!  

Doing something different with the clay

She is not the final bird I will be making but I thought it would be a good idea to get on the road to finishing the many projects that I have laying around and that are bursting to be completed.

I think that I have finally convinced myself that I like working with clay and sculpting and my sculpture pinterest board is building up some amazing pieces of work by very talented artists who are also an inspiration.

I would really encourage you to give it a try, there are loads of courses, tutorials and videos that will show you the ropes, all you have to do is get some clay and start to play and don't worry what your first piece looks like, as you progress you will be surprised at the results.  Working with clay also has some therapeutic benefits that are worth exploring.

This bird was fun to make especially adding the accessories

Selection of the birds I have made so far

I will have some more art dolls to share and some larger pieces at the end of the week, and I am super excited by these pieces and can't wait to show you them along with some other paintings that I have been doing.  Until then stay blessed and be a blessing!

Material Mondays - Music Shakers

For the past couple of years my mum – who has dementia has been finding textures quite fascinating especially the kitchen table which has a tiled effect – being smooth and cold to the touch.  I realised that texture is important to her and I am in the process of putting a few things together that will not only be stimulating but provide some therapeutic benefit for her as well, so while she is not able to communicate how it feels she can express it in other ways with a smile of remembering what she used a particular material for or just go with the experience.

I have found that music is also something that she really enjoys, and made these shakers, because music therapy is something that can have a great impact on those who are dealing with dementia.  These shakers are made from a variety of materials and I will see which one/s she prefers holding.

 

Shakers filled with pulses and covered with a variety of materials

I made them because sound and music can have such a positive effect on our health.   While I have been caring for mum for over 15 years I am still learning about dementia, how it has affected her and how it continues to affect her as her health declines.  Loneliness and isolation is something that many elderly go through, even those who are carers can find the role goes hand in hand with isolation.  I have found that until you have experienced dementia, or know someone who has you really don’t have any idea of the impact it has on lives and the once simple things that you took for granted can no longer been seen in the same light.

Duct tape shaker

I know that it has changed me in so many ways, and talking about the experience helps others to understand from another perspective.  I have shared much in this blog and you can find a link HERE and sharing is a good thing, even those hard to express parts knowing that you are not along in the walk can make such a difference.

Washi tape shaker

I made these shakers very easily with paper towel rolls and toilet roll tube.  You can fill them with a variety of materials, pulses, dried pasta, lentils, or a mixture.  

Fabric tape shaker

It is good to experiment cause they make different sounds depending on the size, you can cover them with whatever material you desire, and I have used duct tape, washi tape, fabric tape and chamois leather.  

Chamois leather shaker - painted using stencils

My favorite is the leather because of the scent as well, and I am looking forward to seeing which one becomes mums favorite and will let you know how she gets on with them.

Do share what you create and how you use it, remember as you are a blessing you will be blessed.

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 78 - Growth

Gratitude’s and Celebration – Growth

We all want to grow and much of the time the experiences we go through can be instrumental in that growth.  Our experiences are not always positive and we can often search ourselves to find out why it may have happened to us, or what we could have done differently and more importantly I think we need to think about what we learn about ourselves through those experiences.

Growth

I see everything we go through as potential room for growth depending on our perspective.  Each experience has something that we can learn about ourselves or the world around us, and eventually we will be able to share what we've learnt for someone who is going through or experienced the same thing.

I have learnt many things thorough my experience with my mother who has dementia, I learnt about strength and faith - my mothers and my own that has developed and carried me through.  I learnt value of changing relationships, and with time adapt to the changes that come and make room. So many situations over the years that had a different impact on my life but enabled me to view it from a different perspective and share my story with others.  

I celebrate and am grateful for continued growth in my life, that has impacted and helped inform the person I am today.

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Growth

Where have you felt that the most growth has occurred in your life?

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Material Mondays - Clay Adventures - sneak peak

For those of you who have been visiting regularly you will know that I have started to do quite a bit of work clay and sculpting and it is another creative activity which I intend to incorporate with what I do as a mixed media artist.  Whilst working with the clay, I am still incorporating different mediums together to get the final piece complete, and some that I have made before have included fabric, beads, and jewelry.  You can see some of the things that I have created so far HERE

I thought I would give you a few sneak peaks of what is to come on the clay front, and I have been beavering away with ideas and really enjoying the process.

Work in progress clay duck ready to be complete

I have expanded from creating the smaller dolls to bigger pieces and at some point I would love to create life size pieces, but currently don't have the space so I praying into that, a lovely big studio space is now what is needed to do bigger art pieces.

Work in progress - figure

These figure sculptures are around 12 - 15 inches tall, and what I find myself doing is starting quite a few at the same time, so when one piece is drying I can move on to the next.

Clay artwork waiting to be completed and go on a new journey:)

I have quite a few that are waiting to be complete, and I am so excited I can't wait to finish them.   I am still playing around so I haven't yet found the one style that I want to work with.  I am finding myself thinking a lot about what I want the sculptures to say, their clothes the way they hang, and the story that they can tell as they reach completion.

Larger art work to be completed.

Over the next few weeks I will completing the pieces, in between travelling and working on other ideas - I have made a sculpture sketch book to put new ideas in and reign myself in a bit.  I will be sharing the completed pieces here on the blog, do come back and take a look.  Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Saturday's In the News - New product - Powertex

I went to a Hobby and Craft show at Excel a while back. There was lots to see and many stands with their show specials as well as demonstrations, fashion show and more. They are usually put on a couple of times a year around November and March, and great if you are thinking of trying out a new craft or hobby, or brush up on a new technique.  There is always much to learn and most exhibitors have mini demonstrations going on throughout the day.

I came across a Powertex stand, not having heard of the product before, but seeing the effects, had to find out more about it.  The husband and wife team who demonstrated using the product were really friendly and shared many hints and tips, their display was amazing.

"Powertex fabric and textile hardener is an environmentally friendly water-based liquid sculpting medium. Powertex can replace polyester for fabric hardening and textile hardening. Powertex can harden absorbent materials. Powertex is used for making sculptures, paintings, decorative objects and jewelry. Once dry your artwork can be decorated with oil paints, acrylics, latex or Powercolor mixed with Easy Varnish."

Here are some of the things that they had on display, using fabric and many things that you would probably find around your home you can create some beautiful designs

This was a cardboard box that was decorated with the hardened fabric

You can create bigger indoor and outdoor sculptures 

It can be used for both decorating sculptures and in mixed media projects

It is a bit messy and you will need gloves, though it is non toxic and will wash off your hands with soap and water, your clothes will not fair too well, so you need to cover up.

I brought one of their kits and have been blown away by the versatility of the powertex and other products that you can buy.  It has taken some of the things I have created to another level, I have used it in the mixed media paintings that I create, and I have just loved working with clay and have already used it in creating clothes for some of the art dolls. 

Here are some of the other things that I have been making...

Powertex used to create clothes

Mini Placs

Tea Box decorated with fabric

Mini Dogs

I have created a separate page on the blog with some of my other sculptures and creations.  I really recommend that you give Powertex and other products a try.  You can visit the site HERE

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 77 - Health

Every so often I get an urge to turn my health around, usually prompted by some ache or pain and it pushes me to take action.  This time round was no different, but it was also coupled by the desire for all round change.  I found a Groupon voucher recently that enables me to take 10 swims at a reduced price and that is what I've been doing, I have tried to go daily, having to be at the pool between 6.30 am and 9 am really has challenged me to make the effort to get to the pool.

I am always surprised at how much I take my health for granted and going swimming 3-4 times a week has really made me value the health I have.  There is always some weight to loose and a eating habit to either break or cultivate. It has meant that I am eating healthier as well.  I make a smoothie full of fruit, seeds and vegetables and this keeps me going until around 2pm.  I want to start adding more raw foods to my diet.

There are some illnesses which we are susceptible and also impact on family so where possible it is vital that you take steps to avoid mistreating your body and look after yourself.

I celebrate and I am grateful for another opportunity to do something about my health now, that will affect my health tomorrow.

Take a moment to think how you can impact your health in a positive way and see what steps you can take today.

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Quote Wednesday - Paulo Coelho

"There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there." 

Paulo Coelho

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a painting or photograph that I have created. Quotes can be so inspiring and uplifting it is a good idea to meditate on the words and make a point of saying something encouraging about your life! 

Do something great and share your favorite quote in the comments below. Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image. Blessings

Birds of a Feather... Clay Birds

Birds of a feather

While trying to practice my clay techniques, I have been inspired to create some birds which were quite fun to make.  You can see my dolls by clicking on the link in the pages section.  Heather Santos did a lesson on Soul Food to show how she makes her clay birds and many other things.

Here are a couple of examples of the birds that I have made, I have one waiting to be finished.

The great thing about birds is that they can be quirky and it doesn’t have to look like a real bird, but I think that you can see that it is one of our feathered friends – however your creativity wants to be expressed.

What I am really glad to be able to do is combine many mediums that I enjoy using in their own right and use them on one project.  

The birds were really fun to make, and I have a few others to come, you should give it a go.  it might be something that you really take to.