Why Do you Create? Reflections - Arts and Wellness Cafe

 

Have you ever paused to ask yourself, “Why do I create?”  Not what you create or how, but why?  We explore this in the Arts and Wellness Café - take some time to ponder for yourself.

For me, creating has always been a path to healing, expression, and connection. Over the years, art has helped me process emotion, reconnect with nature, and feel grounded.

Staying Inspired

To keep inspiration flowing, I’ve developed small but meaningful habits:  

• I keep a grab-and-go kit nearby - just a mini journal, a water brush, and a few colors - so I can create anywhere. 
• I make playlists that match different moods, some calm, some energizing - to move my creative state. 
• And I step outside regularly. Even just five minutes with the trees, the wind, or birdsong resets everything. 

These simple strategies help me return to creativity even when it feels like I am in the valley.

The Heart 

What keeps me going is not pressure to sell or perform, but the deeper things such as joy and personal growth.  I believe in continuous learning, experimenting freely, and asking the question 'what if'. Every time I teach a new technique or post a behind-the-scenes peek at my process, I hope it encourages someone else to show up for their own creativity. 

Coming Back to Purpose

When I stay connected to why I create, everything else feels clearer. I feel grounded. Inspired. Capable of growing - not just in skill, but in presence and connection.  So - think about why you create, why you do what you do and boldly step out giving yourself the permission to enjoy the adventure!  

Check out the video, leave a comment, share and have fun, but most of all stay blessed and be a blessing!

Fish Ephemera - Paper Crafts

 

This is a great activity to do if you want to create some paper ephemera for your art journal and creative projects.  I share with you a quick overview of the session.  You can see the full video and extra bonus on my Free Patreon Tier Here

Here is a brief look at the bonus section, you can replace the fish or the circles for any shape.

Come and join us for FREE and check out the full video

Abandoned Fabric Projects? - Material Musings

 Abandoned Fabric Projects? - Material Musings

Do you have any abandoned creative projects that need to be given a new lease of life?  Join us on Material Musings today!

Here are some of the projects 

Sometimes all it takes is for you to go through them, see what supplies you are using now, and you may get that spark to revisit and maybe even finish the project.  It works with any type of creative project!

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 14 - Completing the Project!

Week 14: Completing the 100-Day Project & What’s Next?

Made it to the end!!

Reaching the end of this journey has reinforced my belief in daily creativity, persistence, and the magic of working with nature.  As I pushed through, I did some branch weaving and made some jewelry from the leaves.

But this isn’t the end—just a stepping stone. Now, I’m thinking of ways to take what I’ve learned and apply it to future projects.

Creative Tip: Start planning your next creative endeavor! Could you turn this into a larger series? A collection of framed works? A book? Reflect on how this your project has shaped your artistic direction.

Weaving with the branches

Encouragement: The end is just the beginning. Keep creating, keep exploring, and keep sharing your uniquely creative gifts with the world.

Making Jewelry from the leaves

Branch Weaving

Want to learn more?

Join me in my Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art course for guided lessons on leaf art techniques! 

Come and join us on the course and learn to create your own beautifully designed leaves!

Digital Art Papers June - Patrons

 

Here are the selection of papers for June's Digital Download on Patreon for the $3 Tier.   If you join us on the $3 Tier you will have access to all the previously posted content which spans 3 years and includes digital and video resources for your creative project.

We have a Free Tier and a set of papers for you to access for the month and a series of exclusive posts and videos on the tier so that you can wet your feet and see how you like it.   

Free Tier Papers 

The aim for the papers are to encourage you to do something creative with what you have and provide you with beautiful imagery that you can play around with.

 

It is very important to find ways in which you can motivate and encourage yourself, especially in those times where you are feeling off or if you want a low energy project or even only have a short time.

The digital downloads are available on Patreon for you to enjoy, why not come and check it out and have a play with the papers.

Find out more HERE

Who are you Creating For - Arts and Wellness Cafe

 

Come and join us in the Arts and Wellness Cafe, where I share insights about the power and purpose of creativity, and knowing who we are creating for - without our own needs getting lost in the mix.  

Creativity is not only just a creative pastime but also a vital tool for personal expression, healing, and inspiration. 

We have to remember that creativity is not a solitary act, but a shared journey that can uplift, inspire and create connection. 

I would love to have your perspective, join us in the discussion.

International Soul Art Day 2025

 

Laura Hollick was our Host and I was one of the guest artists for International Soul Art Day and if you missed the event you can still see the recording for the session with us connecting and creating live as a group and with an international audience around the world also joining in.

Here is the painting that I completed on the day, I used the sea grape leaves to get texture on the paper and then collaged the paper onto the surface.  The ladies emerged and held space.  It was interesting creating live with the other artists.

Embrace - Mixed Media Art - Amanda Trought

You can catch the Interviews and find out more about the artists HERE

Check out the Website as well HERE

Slow Stitching and Crochet Threads

 

I have been trying out some new crochet yarn that I came across and I enjoy using it in my slow stitched projects.  In the video I talk more about some of the threads I have been using.

They come in a wide range of colors and this is just a small sample I purchased to use in some of my slow stitched projects.  Obviously, there are quite a few brands as well.  These are the ones that I have tried out so far.  

I also use a range of embroidery threads as well in my projects.

You can check out the Supplies Here I created an amazon list for the ones I have brought which you can check out.

This is my project so far.  I have been sharing the progress on my YT Channel during April and you can see the progress videos and a couple of projects on creating your own wax resist projects. 

Making Zen has Started!!

Have you signed up Yet?

Just a reminder: the Making Zen Online Retreat, hosted by Kate at Zen Stitching, has started until 30th May 2025 - and it’s going to be a lot of fun 

New to Making Zen?

If you haven’t joined us before, Making Zen is a free, five-day online retreat celebrating slow stitching, mindful making, and creative exploration. Over the course of the retreat, 32 amazing artists will each share a video workshop—free to watch for 24 hours—to spark your creativity and deepen your practice.

We will be diving into themes like:

 Coloring with fabric scraps
 Intuitive art-making
 Zero-waste stitching
 Botanically dyed pouches, stitched landscapes…… and so much more.

You’ll come away with mini projects to stitch, fresh techniques to try, and a deep sense of inspiration and calm. 

Get the VIP PASS and additional Bonus!

If you know that you already want to get the VIP Pass you will be offered a variety of bonuses from each teacher and you get the following:

$3,300.00+ worth of exclusive gifts, guides, extended workshops and resources to help you reignite your creativity!

  

This price is only available for a limited time! Normally $147.00—get it now for $97!

❤️ Early access to all 32 workshops (starting this week!) ❤️ Lifetime access so you can revisit and perfect your skills anytime ❤️ Gifts from our artists to inspire fresh ideas and projects ❤️ Daily live creativity sessions with Kate on Zoom ❤️ Transcripts + the Making Zen eBook to keep your focus sharp and your learning seamless There is an extra Bonus course from me Embellished & Stitched below if you use my link to purchase the VIP Pass (it will be no extra cost to you) !

I will be adding my Course Embellished & Stitched to the Bonus gift bag for all those who purchase the VIP Ticket using my link - you can check out the course (Value - $47) HERE

In the course Embellished & Stitched, I share different ways in which you can transform your stitched words into embellished designs with a variety of techniques and over an hour and a half of video content organized in short segments so you can jump in and out of an activity.  Once your purchase has been confirmed you will get access to the course! 

Looking forward to having you on the creative adventure!!

Before You Go

Have checked out the papers available on my Patreon.  From Free, $3, $10 and $15.  Join us on Patreon for FREE

Here are the papers that are available across the tiers that you can use in your art journals and creative projects.

Free Papers for May 2025

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 13

Week 13: Observing the Finish Line

With only a couple of weeks left, I focus on refining techniques, looking at additional designs to see which designs speak to me the most and reviewing my creative experience.   This week I have worked on leaves that are just starting to turn brown, they still have a greenish tinge to them.

Rather than rushing to the finish line, I take time to appreciate each step. The process has been just as valuable as the final result.

Creative Tip: Document your journey by photographing your leaves, writing about your experience, or sharing insights on social media. Reflect on what you’ve learned.

Encouragement: Every piece is a milestone. Whether you made 100 leaves or 10, you’ve achieved something remarkable.

Keep the momentum going: Join my Leaf Arts course to continue exploring mixed media techniques.

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 13

Want to learn more?

Join me in my Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art course for guided lessons on leaf art techniques! 

Come and join us on the course and learn to create your own beautifully designed leaves!

Mixed Media Art Encouraging Tags - Digital Art Downloads

 

 

Here are the papers for Aprils Digital Download on Patreon.  for the $3 Tier.  Below you will find examples of the projects that I created.  If you join us on the $3 Tier you will have access to all the previously posted content which spans 3 years and includes digital and video resources for your creative project.

We have a Free Trial on the tier so that you can wet your feet and see how you like it.  The aim for the papers are to encourage you to do something creative with what you have and provide you with beautiful imagery that you can play around with.

It is very important to find ways in which you can motivate and encourage yourself, especially in those times where you are feeling off or if you want a low energy project or even only have a short time.

The digital downloads are available on Patreon for you to enjoy, why not come and check it out and have a play with the papers.

Find out more HERE