Reframing The Time - Arts and Wellness Cafe

 

How are we making the most of the time that we have at our disposal.

Walk with me and take a seat in the Arts and Wellness Cafe, where we will look at some of the creative activities that we could be letting fall to the wayside. Some of those things are promises that you made to yourself how long ago? 

Come and join us!

Wax Resist - Material Musings - Project 2

 

Join us for the next part in the Wax Resist Series on my Channel, sharing how I work on one of my projects and the techniques used to create a wax resist/batik piece.

You can catch the first episode below

You can catch us live in the chat, stitch along with me and have fun creating.  I will also be sharing the main project that I am working on.

Looking forward to seeing you in the studio. 🤩

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 7

Week 7: Finding Your Personal Style

By now, patterns are emerging in my work. Certain marks, stitches, or color combinations feel natural—this is the process of discovering my artistic voice.

As I continue, I lean into what excites me most. Some leaves become more intricate, while others stay minimalist. Recognizing my preferences and tendencies allows me to refine my approach and create more intentional designs.

Creative Tip: Look back at your previous pieces and note recurring elements. Are you drawn to certain shapes, colors, or techniques? Use those as a foundation for new designs.

Encouragement: Your personal style is unique - trust what comes naturally to you and let it evolve organically.

Want more guidance? My Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art course helps you refine your creative voice.

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!

FREE Digital Art Papers for Art Journals and Creative Projects - April

 

Welcome to the FREE Digital Art Papers for April.  Every month on my FREE Patreon Tier I release a new set of papers for you to use in your Art Journals and creative projects.

I just released the first project from the April Papers which you can check out on the Free Tier of Patreon - HERE

Here is what I created with the March Papers

Here are some of the other things created with the papers, mixed media tags, art dolls and additional imagery that can be used in other creative projects.

I inserted these art dolls in between dyed tea bags and slow stitched on them creating additional designs and looks.

Why don't you join us on the FREE Patreon Tier and get your monthly digital art papers so that you can use them in your art journals and creative projects, and get those creative juices flowing.

LEARN MORE HERE

Tulip Art Journal Page - #secondsaturdayart

 

Welcome to the Tulip inspired art journal page, which is part of the Second Saturday Art collaboration - every second Saturday of the month.  I hope you enjoy and join in the activity.

You can access my FREE digital art papers on my free Patreon tier - HERE

Here are some of the supplies that I used, but check your own stash first to see what you have or can substitute.

• Distress Stains - Variety of colors - https://amzn.to/4iQPcjY
• Permanent Black Ink - Speedball - https://amzn.to/42190ev
• White Gelly roll pen - https://amzn.to/42190ev
• Watercolors - https://amzn.to/3G8QnwA
• Water-soluble Graphite - https://amzn.to/4i4NGJR
• Gesso - https://amzn.to/3FTa8bF  

Before you go:

Join us on the Arts Resource Hub - Check out some free resources

Wax Resist Projects - Join us for Material Musings

 

Working on a wax resist project, come and join us now in the live chat, where I will be answering any questions you may have on the project.

Come and join us!

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 6

 

Week 6: The Beauty of Layering and Depth

Layering different elements brings richness to leaf art. By adding a variety of resources, stitches, and fabric, enables you create depth and complexity in each piece.

Working in layers is a key element of my process. Sometimes I collage multiple leaves together, blending together textures and colors.

Creative Tip: Mix techniques—try stitching over burned or painted designs or layering multiple leaves together. Don’t be afraid to add new elements if a piece feels unfinished - such as fabric.

Encouragement: Creating in layers - keep adding, experimenting, and discovering. Every piece has the potential to evolve into something even more beautiful. 

Explore techniques in my course: Leaf Arts - Transforming Nature into Art.

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!

Mastering Mixed Media Expo - Fantastic News!!

I’m so excited to share something wonderful with you! I’ll be teaching at the Mastering Mixed Media Expo 2025 — a free online event filled with inspiration, community, and over 35+ mixed media artists sharing their favorite techniques and ideas.

This two-week celebration of creativity runs from May 1st–14th, 2025, and I’d love for you to join me.  

[Sign up here for free!]

You’ll get:  

• Access to 35+ art workshops from talented mixed media artists;
• The freedom to watch the sessions at your own pace
• A warm, welcoming Facebook group to connect with creatives from around the world
• Free gifts from many of the teachers (yes, including me!)
• A chance to win a VIP pass (hello lifetime access + bonus goodies!)

I’ll be sharing a project I think you’re going to love — playful, textured, and filled with heart.

And if you love to revisit lessons again and again, there’s a VIP option that gives you lifetime access to all the workshops, plus:

✨ Downloadable sessions to keep forever
✨ A bonus virtual gift bag loaded with extras (collage sheets, classes, PDFs &         more!)
✨ A discounted price of just £59 (normally £99) — available for a limited time

[Grab the VIP Pass here]

Whether you're new to mixed media or looking to spark fresh ideas in your practice, this event is made for you.

Click here to join for Free

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 5

 

Welcome to Week 5 of 100 Days of Leaf Arts

Overcoming Midway Challenges

By now, challenges creep in—lack of time, self-doubt, posting late or fatigue. This is the moment to push forward and to give yourself some grace. I remind myself why I started and focus on the joy of creating. 

This phase of the project requires a mental shift. I acknowledge my struggles, but I don’t let them stop me. Instead, I embrace what is happening in the moment, be it imperfections, lack of drive or needing to self-nurture and get back on track.  

I allow my art to reflect my persistence. I am doing the challenge for myself and each and every step I take will revitalize and renew my strength and you learn something new about your resilience along the way.

Creative Tip: On busy days, create something simple. Keep the habit alive, even if it's a five-minute session.  If you are posting and you need to post the next day, then don't stress about it, the process is for you, others will understand.

Encouragement: Progress over perfection. Keep going! Your dedication will pay off, and by the end of the 100 days, you'll be amazed at how much you've grown.

---

Need extra motivation? The Leaf Arts course keeps creativity flowing.

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!

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 4

 

Week 4: Adding mark-making to Leaves

Incorporating mark-making onto the leaves adds texture and contrast. 

I experiment with different materials, such as using the wood burning tool, attaching stitched and decorated leaves together or simply adding embroidery techniques and creating leaf clusters with slow stitching.

Adding textiles also brings an exciting dimension to leaf art. The softness of fabric  with the organic fragility of leaves creates a beautiful contrast.

Creative Tip: Don't be afraid to try new techniques and experiment to get your desired look.

Encouragement: Small creative risks lead to big breakthroughs—try a new technique and see where it takes you.  You could practice on say fabric to begin with and then move onto the leaves. If something doesn’t work, repurpose it into another piece.

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!

Arts and Wellness Cafe - Garden Edition

 

Welcome to this episode of the Arts and Wellness Cafe, where we look at how being in a green plant-filled environment can help with your health and wellbeing.

It is my second favorite space next to my art studio and I love spending time tending to the plants an seeing new things come to life.

It is not an easy activity but it is very rewarding and the benfits are multiple - from harvesting the food, seeing plants spring to life or the addition of birds building their nests, feeling so comfortable in the space that they dwell awhile.

We also talk about being stewards for all the places that we find ourselves in and the legacy we will leave behind for the next generation.  

It would be great to know what you want your legacy to be that will inspire and motivate others. 

Come and join us and leave a comment.

Before you go:

Check out the Diamond Painting video - is it something that you have tried before?

100 Days of Leaf Art - Week 3

 

Welcome to Week 3 of the 100 Days of Leaf Arts.

Week 3: Building a Daily Creative Habit

Consistency is key to creative growth. Showing up every day - even for 10 minutes -keeps your ideas flowing and strengthens your skills. With each day over the challenge, I attempt to refine my techniques, try new stitches, and explore layering with fabric or other materials.

Weaving and Burning Dried leaf

One of the biggest challenges in any long-term project is overcoming the inner critic. Some days, it might feel like nothing is working or you don't know what to try. Other days, everything clicks into place. The key is to keep going, no matter what. I set a simple daily goal: create one small design, even if it’s just a single stitch or a minimal burned mark.

Creative Tip: Set up a simple workspace so you can create without distractions. Having materials ready makes the process smoother. Create a daily ritual around your project, light a candle, play calming music, or sip tea while working.

Encouragement: Keep going, even if your pieces don’t turn out exactly as planned. Creativity is a journey, not a destination. Your skills will improve with practice, and each piece adds to your growing body of work.

Want step-by-step guidance? My Leaf Arts course walks you through different mixed media techniques.

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!