Material Musings - Slow Stitching and Bargello

 

In today's video I share my most recent Material Musings video, where I look to continue working on the 'Choices' Slow stitched project.  If you want to see what the project looked like before you can check out the previous video below:

It is nice to have a smaller project to work on in-between larger projects as it enables you to take a breather, but still keep your hand in.  I also worked on a new project known as Bargello.  I had all the supplies, but had used them for other things.  I check out Kiala Givehands monthly meetups and saw a presentation by Bonnie Natko and was able to create with it.

This is how the projects eventually turned out which was quite pleasing.  I just have a few other things to do with the stitched project and also decide how I want to use the completed Bargello - who knows maybe try some others.

Before You Go....

Creative Gardener Today

Here is what I share in the garden today.  You can check out the video below.

There has been a lot of other growth in the garden, and I will do a garden tour towards the end of the month.

Gratitude Junk Journal - Early Bird 20% Off

We have an early bird rate (until 31st October) on our Gratitude Junk Journal, which I am teaching in.  If you would like to get 20% off then enter the code AMORE24 at the checkout.

Learn More About Gratitude Journal HERE

Art Resource Hub

Every month in the Art Resource Hub I share a FREE digital Download, for your creative projects, here is the one for October:

Mixed Media Art Leaves - Fodder Challenge

I am excited to share that Monday 7th October is my day for sharing my lesson on Fodder Challenge. I am working with dried leaves, and I share how you can alter them and create mini pieces of art.

You will see how I paint, stitch, stamp and use a range of different supplies on the leaves.

Here are some of my painted leaves.  I will be sharing on Instagram over the next few days the work that the students create, so be prepared to be inspired.  Join us HERE or check out the #fodderchallenge 

Here are leaves that have been painting and circles cut in them as decoration.

If you are not part of the Fodder challenge, why not do some experimenting on some leaves and see how you get on. I do love slow stitching on the leaves and depending on the kind of leaf you select you will find that some are thicker than others, so they are sturdier and handle better, see what you can find, there is a wide selection to choose from.

You can also check out my new course that is available at the Early Bird price, all about Leaf Arts and what you can do on them. We go into detail about working with them and I share additional techniques for working with them. 

Check out the Leaf Arts Course HERE

Before You Go

Get your FREE Art Papers in the Arts Resource Hub for October

Welcome October - Material Musings - Small Projects - A busy month!!

 

Well October is here, and it has brought with it a lot of creative projects that I hope you will be able to take part in some.  You can dip in and out as you choose with the main focus of doing something creative each and every day.  Check out the most recent Material Musings, we will be sharing a new one in the next few days, an update of the stitched project.

Fodder Challenge

Today also kicked off the start of the Fodder Challenge - With a lesson given by Tracey Wozniak, you can get all the information about joining Fodder School HERE

I had great fun creating the watercolor mushrooms and made quite a few varieties of mushrooms, will need to add them to my creative projects.  The techniques learnt were also fun.

I will be sharing as many projects that I can do for the month and I am also excited to share the project that I created which you will be able to catch next week.

Creative Gardener

As it is Tuesday my Creative Gardening post normally comes out and I recently did an update on my Aloe plants, that seem to be growing at an alarming rate.  You can check out the video below.

There has been a lot of other growth in the garden, and I will do a garden tour towards the end of the month.

Gratitude Junk Journal - Early Bird

We have an early bird rate on our Gratitude Junk Journal, which I am teaching in.  If you would like to get 20% off then enter the code AMORE24  at the checkout.

Learn More About Gratitude Journal HERE

Art Resource Hub

Every month in the Art Resource Hub I share a FREE digital Download, for your creative projects, here is the one for October:

Blog Challenge

Finally, I am part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, and so will be sharing with you about all the wonderful creative adventures I find myself on for the month of October (just what have I let myself in for I ask myself) We are going to be pushed to another creative level, I think.

Fodder Challenge Starting Soon!!

Fodder Challenge is Coming

I’m excited to share that for my session in the upcoming Fodder Challenge, I’ll be diving into a project all about creating and embellishing leaves! Using supplies you probably already have in your creative space, 

I’ll show you how to decorate these leaves in fun, unique ways. I’ve had such a great time working with them, and adding stitches and embroidery has made them even more enjoyable. I can’t wait to share these techniques with you!

The Fodder Challenge kicks off on October 1st, and I’ll be participating along with other amazing teachers. I’m looking forward to trying out their projects too and sharing what I create using their lessons. It’s always so rewarding to learn new techniques from fellow artists!

And, as if that wasn’t enough, Fodder School 4 is also just around the corner! In my lesson for the school, I’ll be showing you how to make beautiful fabric fodder. 

We’ll be painting, stamping, stenciling, and experimenting with fabric to create clusters and mini wall hangings. It’s going to be so much fun, and I can’t wait to explore these creative techniques with you.

Ready to join in the fun?
Check out the Fodder Challenge HERE and Fodder School 4 HERE.

Let’s get creative together!

Join Me for the Gratitude Junk Journal 2024

 

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be one of the instructors for Gratitude Junk Journal 2024, hosted by Tiare Smith! You can sign up right here: Gratitude Junk Journal 2024.

Together with 12 other talented artists, we’re bringing 30 days of joy, creativity, and gratitude straight to you. This is a fantastic opportunity to kickstart your gratitude practice while nurturing your creativity. Through daily prompts, art, and reflection, we’ll embrace gratitude, opening our hearts to more love, joy, and creative expression.

I’m offering a FREE spot in Gratitude Junk Journal 2024! The giveaway ends on September 30, 2024, at 12pm NOON, so make sure to enter before time runs out.

How to Enter:

• Simply sign up to my course platform for the FREE Art Resource Hub. If you’re already a member, you’ll be automatically entered.
• For extra entries, you can increase your chances right here: Sign Up for the Giveaway.

What can you expect from this workshop?

In this 30-day workshop, you’ll:

• Learn how to create a beautiful, altered book to capture your thoughts and art.
• Discover techniques for making art journal pages you’ll love.
• Practice daily gratitude through fun, creative challenges.
• Find joy in your everyday life—reducing stress and enhancing positivity.
• Use “junk” from your stash or around your home to create amazing art.
• Explore techniques for creating vibrant backgrounds.
• Gain skills that will empower you to make inspiring art again and again.

Each day you’ll engage with thought-provoking questions, actions, or creative exercises designed to help you reflect on your own gratitude journey. By the end, you’ll walk away with a heart full of joy and a beautiful journal to remind you of your creative journey.

Ready to join us?
Click here to sign up today!

Let’s create, reflect, and grow together. Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Material Musings - Fabric Books

Join me for Material Musings this week.  Here are an additional 3 fabric art journals that I have been playing with. It is always nice to revisit previous journals. I did some painting in a couple and plan to do some stitching and maybe add beading.

Here are the three fabric art journals that I work on, made from recycled materials.

You will also see a page in progress and ways that you can add stenciling to a page.  I will be spending a bit more time on the pages and adding some additional embellishments.

Material Musings - Handbag Fabric Art Journal and More

 

Did you catch last weeks Material musings where I show how you can recycle material to create art journals.  Check it out above.

I have really enjoyed working in these Fabric art journals.  They incorporate both fabric and watercolor paper or card inside that serves as the signatures.  

I think one of my favorite journals is the handbag one, made out of one of my favorite handbags, I gave it new life after it could no longer serve as a handbag.  A great way to recycle.

I have also used a lot of texture on the art journal covers with textured paint or used unlikely materials such as chamois leather.

If you would like to see how the handbag journal was created, you can check out my Mixed Media Art Journal Bundle course HERE

Welcome to September and the Free Digital Art Papers

Welcome to September, and we have available in our Arts Resource Hub a set of creative papers that you can use for your craft projects and art journals.

If you are wondering what you can create with them, they can be art background pages, I create a mini art journal with mine.

In the video I share what I did with August papers.

All papers are available, so you can mix and match.  Come and join us on the Arts Resource Hub and get hold of your papers for September.

For further Information Check out the Art Resource Hub HERE

You will find all the papers from previous months available for use as well.

Material Musings - Fabric Art Journals

Come and check out the latest Material Musings where I share a variety of fabric art journals that I work with.

Some have been made with paper signatures, and others have been made of entirely of fabric.

You can check out the video below

One of the fabric journals is used to house my sample embroidery stitches, I can practice the stitch first and make a note about which one it is.  There is currently 50 embroidery stitches enclosed.  I would like to perfect these first and then go on to others.

Taking Inspiration from Nature - Creative Garden

Do you ever feel that you are creatively blocked? Then you should look no further than your own garden, green space or local park! 

We can find a wealth of inspiration when we take a walk in our gardens or green space, and there are so many ways in which we can look to nature and produce beautiful creative projects. 

Here are 5 tips for using the natural world to unlock your creativity:

1. Allow it to guide your art - Look at the kind of things that you might find to add that inspiration to an art project. It could be the twist of a branch that inspires a brushstroke, or the texture of bark or rocks recreated with modeling paste or gesso. Step outside your comfort zone and see where the natural world takes you.

2. Choose Your colors from natures palette. Nature offers a vast and vibrant range of colors. Observe the color combinations of a flowers petals, the contrast of a cloudy sky, or the variation of greens and browns that you find in a garden.

Choose colors that evoke the emotions and feelings you want to convey in your art, and let them be your guide. This plant is called the paddle plant and I love the color combination. I would never have thought to use it in my art.

To Read More - Join me as a FREE member on Patreon HERE

Fodder School 4 - Exciting News!!

 Exciting News - I will be teaching in Fodder School 4!!

What is Fodder School?

Fodder school is a year long online mixed media event. Each month a new teacher provides a project creating collage fodder and using it.

In my Fodder School class, I will be sharing ways you can have fun playing with the supplies you have and show you how to create some unique fabric fodder that expresses your creativity.

I will share ideas and tips for writing, doodling, stamping, stenciling on your fabrics to create amazing, patterned fabric sheets which you can further cut, layer, and stitch together to create even more dynamic fabric fodder clusters.

In Use Fodder I will then show you how to combine the fabric fodder, and clusters you have created with decorative stitching and beading to create small wall hangings.

Fodder Challenge

The year kicks off on 1st October with a month of short projects from each teacher called Fodder School Challenge. I will be sharing with you some exciting ways to embellish dried leaves. Fodder Challenge gives you a taste of each teacher and their work. 

You can sign up for just the Fodder Challenge or take in both and experience a full year of amazing lessons.

You can visit  willawanders.com to find out more and take advantage of the early bird price!  

Podcast News

Wendy recently interviewed me, you can hear it on her podcast “Show up or Shut up”  

We had such a rich conversation about creative practices using art as a therapeutic tool and so much more!  You can find the link to the episode HERE, or listen on your favorite podcast app.

I am so looking forward to sharing my lessons and having you join us!!

Material Musings - Fabric Art Cards

 

Check out the Video

Welcome to Material Musings, In todays episode we look at ways that you can use your fabric scraps and create a series of fabric cards.  

By stitching your scraps of a base fabric, adding decoration and stitched words you can make use of the scraps and turn them into something useful.  You could also make things like placemats, coasters, covers for art journal and more.

With the addition of stitched words you can further add to your pieces.  You can also add a small woven piece to add to your fabric cards.  All of the additional fabric has either been painted, stamped, stenciled or wax resisted. 

Try and experiment and see what combinations you can come up with.

Before You Go check out - Bag Envy

Discover the best materials, tools, and tips to elevate your bag-making game with ten seasoned experts at Bag Envy on October 4th at 11 AM PST! By securing your spot, you’ll gain lifetime access to the event recordings, allowing you to watch and rewatch content at your own pace. Plus, you’ll get a digital swag bag full of goodies. Don’t miss out on the chance to score additional giveaways by joining the event live. Sign up today through Creative Spark and save $20 off at checkout with the code bag24reality.  Find out more about Bag Envy HERE

Embroidery Extravaganza - Starts Tomorrow!

Embroidery Extravaganza starts tomorrow Thursday 8th August and it will be a day where creativity and craftsmanship come together, so gather your supplies! 

This event can be attended by embroidery enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned pro, the ten expert-led workshops are designed to ignite your imagination and elevate your embroidery skills.

Click Here to Learn More about the speakers

What to Expect

At Embroidery Extravaganza, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Participate in workshops led by experts in the field.
• Discover new techniques and creative ideas to take your embroidery to the next level.
• Exclusive Student Benefits
• Gain access to all event presentation recordings with no expiration date! This invaluable resource is available exclusively to students who purchase their tickets before the event date. 
• Giveaways during the live event
• Receive a digital swag bag filled with goodies

Get Ready for a Day of Creativity

To make the most of your experience at Embroidery Extravaganza, here are a few tips:

• Come Prepared: Bring your embroidery supplies, including needles, threads, hoops, and any other materials you like to use.
• Stay Open-Minded: Be ready to try new techniques and experiment with different styles.
• Take Notes: Keep a journal handy to jot down ideas and techniques you learn during the workshops.

Limited Space - Act Fast!

Spaces are limited, so don't wait to secure your spot at this incredible event. Plus, you can save $20 off your ticket now by using the code ee24reality at checkout. Sign up now at creativespark.ctpub.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there and stitching together a beautiful day of creativity and craftsmanship!