Today I share the book Collage Unleashed - paint, bind, stitch, & play by Tracy Bautista. The thing that drew me first when I came across Tracy Bautista was her videos making paper and creating art journals.
There are six chapters and a variety of different tool techniques for you to do in each of the chapters. She talks about playing every day and the other thing I like about her books is that the amount of color that she uses and it does encourage you to play with your supplies. I found the different fonts used in the book a bit distracting, but it was great to have so many projects to choose from. Check out the video for more information.
You can find the book on Amazon https://amzn.to/3VlFZVl
I am so glad that you could join me for in the studio. I am reviewing the book Treasured Notions, which is a lovely book especially for those of us who like to collect a range of materials and elements for our creative work. You can access the book on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3Enp4vE
I had a look through some of the things that I have collected and use in my fabric work and you can see a selection of the beads that I have in my collection. The beads which come in all shapes and sizes, you can make your own out of recycled material as well which can be great fun.
I have been using beads for years. These particular ones I brought around 20 years ago, which I think makes them Vintage! I used to wear my hair in plaits and would add the beads at the end - using the colors Red, Yellow and Green. I was rocking it back then:)
The beads are glass so quite a few of them over the years broke. I now use them in my mixed media stitched projects.
As well as purchasing the beads individually or in a set, you can sometimes find some great beads at the local charity store. At one point my local charity store was making bundles of unsold jewelry and beads, it was like a treasure hunt and you always came away with some amazing pieces, I had some great finds that are being prepped for many different projects.
One way to be creative if you don't have time to get on with a project is to maybe spend time sorting your supplies. You would be amazed at what 5 minutes create play can do when you try and fit it into your schedule.
Check out the Video Below that I shared as part of my Essential supplies series to get a better look.
I shared this book in my Arts and Wellness Café, and you can check out the video above, if you are into Yarn you will love it, with many projects for you to try and different ways in which to combine yarn. You can check it out on Amazon - HERE
I will be trying some of the projects and letting you see them in my Material Mondays episodes where I work with fabric projects.
My session went live today on the Art and Spirituality Summit and you will be able to see if for the next 3 days. It is Free to join the summit and there are 28 teachers that are sharing their insights as well.
I will be resuming my twice monthly book reviews of the books that I have brought over the years and have had a chance to work through them and see how I liked their lessons. I think it is important for us to be continually learning and expanding the mind, especially creatively, there are so many tools, supplies and techniques that you can learn that might add something to your own creative practice.
The back reads - what if you could unlatch the doors to your heart and allow yourself to explore hopes and dreams that you haven't visited for a very long time?
Creative awakenings is the key to opening those doors showing you how to use art making to set your intentions creativity coach sherry gainer will guide you through the mile posts of this exciting journey. Creative Awakenings envisioning a life of your dreams through art which is such a lovely way to look at things.
It has got several chapters and in between each chapter a mile mile markers. In the first chapter she talks about how it all came about and connecting with other artists and how she how she contacted with them and building your dream journal. She's also got examples of supplies that you can use and setting yourself up for the journey so the envision process is a specific process that she walks you through step by step.
Check out the video on Amazon for more details HERE
I am sharing the book 'Art Saves', I shared it as part of the Arts and Wellness Café, just in case you haven't been able to watch it yet. I am also sharing it a part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge, this is my Day 6.
Art Saves is edited by Jenny Doh, who herself is an artist and used to be the editor for Somerset house a mixed media magazine, or range of magazines for creative souls.
There are a range of mixed media artists who contributed to the book and who share their experience of art on their health and wellbeing. We hear about their experiences, and the way that art and creativity help them to find their voice, peace and understanding as they reflect on these experiences.
I love creating and art and creativity is something I do on a daily basis and it helped me express myself in a variety of ways especially when I was a carer for my mother who is living with dementia. I was also able to encourage my mother to take part in creative activities and it had a beneficial effect on her health and wellbeing.
I also shared the book on my Podcast and you can check it out HERE You gain additional insight.
If you want to see some of the blog posts I shared about my roll as a carer and reflections, you can check them out on my blog HERE and HERE.
So I am taking part in April's Ultimate Blog Challenge where we blog every day for the next 30 Days - today marks the first day!!. It coincides with my current 100 Day Project which I am half way through, so you will be seeing some of these posts included as well, and much of the other things that I have going on.
I thought for my challenge this time round on the blog I would share all the projects that I am involved with, from art collaborations, course creation, publishing a poetry book and more and you get in blog form to be in on some of the wonderful creativity, I will share some of the videos and reflect on some of the work that I am doing.
It is a great way to stretch yourself, and do some of the things that you have always wanted to do. I like the challenge as it gets me to stretch myself a bit and really step out of my comfort zone. One of my challenges this month is to type up my poetry and publish a book, I will keep you posted to how this is going along the way.
I have been enjoying doing the Homemade Foam Stamps, as an artist you never have too many supplies (ok as a collector then) so creating my own stamps was a great way to get some new designs without breaking the bank (all I needed was a sheet of sleeping bag foam). You will see some of the designs, will be showing the past 50 at the weekend - that halfway mark. I just need somewhere to store them now, might have to make something - I love creating and upcycling.
Next up you can see last weeks selection of stamps and the mixed media art piece that was created with them.
Home Made Foam Stamps Week 6 - The 100 Day Project,
Here is the art page for this current week. I will resume to share the pages on Saturday, but wanted you to get caught up with all the deliciousness that has been going on. It has been a pleasure creating the pages, and I have loved how the stamps have turned out. I have some ideas for future projects once I have completed the 100 Days.
Explore, Imagine, Dream
You can catch the Handmade foams stamps daily on my Instagram - HERE
As well as creating I have been reviewing some of the books that I have on my shelf and sharing them, you can see the latest one The Drawing Lab, which has tons of great ideas in it, and was a good investment as you can continually dip in and out of it.
In this video I review the book 'Drawing Lab' by Carla Sonheim
Thank you so much for hanging out with me today and checking out some of the videos that I have shared. You can also check out some of the courses that I am teaching on, and the current discount available for the month of April.
Blessings.
Courses to Check out
Courses - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.
Have you ever thought of ways that you can use your creativity to enhance your health and well-being? I take a look in the book Art Journals and Creative Healing and how a selection of artists have used their creativity to assist them when they have gone through difficult even traumatic times. They use their creativity to express areas of their life and show the beneficial impact of creativity.
How do you use your creativity? I have always thought it to be an intrinsic part of my life, and try to do some creativity activity on a daily basis. The creative act is not reserved only for my art activities, but I also in how I may order things or develop features in the garden. Being grateful for even the smallest amount of time to pour into creative activities, and then making a list of all the things you can do, even if it is only sorting out your supplies
We have to value what we have and be mindful of exactly what we are doing that we gain benefit from.
You can also join me in the Arts and Wellness Café each month, where we look at ways to bring more creativity into our lives, sharing art journaling, reviews, art work and nurturing chats.
What is it you do to heal, sooth and nurture yourself in your creative practice?
Here is the latest book review, you can check out the video below and click on the image above to take you to the amazon page to find out more information
Creative Bloomby Jennifer Swift, projects and inspiration with fabric and wire prepare your own garden of self-expression with creative fabric and wire projects and techniques that you can use again in your personal artwork.
There are some lovely creative projects in the book for you to try out.
It is split into eight chapters and the author uses references to growing in her own garden and the thing I like about this book is that throughout the book she refers to our creative growth, referring to things like sowing the garden preparing the soil and she talks about the work that she did in in her own garden and how she first started.
There's 21 projects that you can make and throughout there are inspiring quotes that you can refer to it gives you all the tools and materials and the kind of techniques that you'll be learning and there are also additional tips that you can refer to in the book.
It has got quite detailed descriptions so and you can adapt the supplies if you don't have the exact ones to suit
At the back we have a series of templates that you can use and you can make your own and think about some other words or shapes that you would like to create. It is published by Northlight Books.
I shared on my YouTube Channel the current Arts and Wellness Café Episode and the word for is 'Kindred' and what that word means in your creative walk.
Are there techniques, supplies that you feel particularly connected to? And does it have a bearing on the type of work that you may produce? I believe that the art that we create, the supplies that we use and our passion all has an energy that goes into the finished piece and is received by the buyer or one the art piece has been gifted to. Check out the video below.
I also share with you an art journal page creation and book review.
I love creating patterns and I find it a great way to reflect and quite yourself.
Art Journals and Creative Healing is a lovely book and in the Arts and Wellness Cafe I share a short version for you if you want to check out the longer version on Amazon you can see it HERE
There are many takeaways when we start to think about our relation to our creativity and the art that we are producing. We are able to express ourselves with our art, speak truths, hidden moments, love, joy, fear - so many of our emotions can be demonstrated through the arts.
If you want additional exclusive content - art journal videos, tutorials, behind the scenes talk ad more that I share for my patrons, you can join me HERE
Join me as we look through Altered Book Collage, with lots of great hints and tips when altering a book. You can also use some of the examples in your art journal and creative work. See the video below
If you would like to check out more information you can check out the book on Amazon HERE or place this link into your browser - https://youtu.be/Y7L0d9hHUPw
I have also found additional supplies on Amazon that you can check out to help you on your way - some additional books and sewing supplies. Let me know if you have any favorite sewing books that you have come across.
Welcome to Inspirational Shorts Review - Each week I review an art supply, tool or book and today I will be looking at Creative Paint Workshop. You can check out the book on Amazon and join me in the video below to see inside the book.
You can check out the book below on Amazon, click on the book for further information
It is written by Sheri Gaynor and it features inspiration from 12 different artists. It has so many ideas, mixed media techniques and more within the pages of the book I think it is fantastic. I have been working through the chapters, and will at some point share some more of my take away's from the book, for now check out the Podcast where I go through the book.
I have listed it on my amazon book list and you can see other books in my growing ideas list of Art Books and Supplies.
Welcome to the blog, hope it finds you in amazing health. I had been away and will be sharing more about my trip over the coming week. In today's post I will be sharing a book review. The book in question is Art Saves Edited by Jenny Doh and if you click on the title it will take you Amazon. It is a collection of stories and prompts by some inspiring artist and I hope you will be encouraged by it
You can listen to the podcast recording below.
If you are interested in other Arts and Wellness Wednesday posts I have listed them below.
Matt Tommy has written a book that all artists who are
seeking to dive further into their spirituality and creativity should read. I read this book over a weekend having seen a
sample on my Kindle and knew that I would have to buy it.
It is not a weekend read, mind you, it’s a book that you
have to dive into again and again. You
will come up with insights, revelation and ‘ah ha’ moments as you go on your
journey. It said things that I have been
thinking about my journey over the past few months. Read More Here
John 10:10 “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” Are you living a life that is full? Does life present itself as an opportunity for joy and success? This is one of the many questions that are asked in Terry Smiths’s book.
You are challenged as a reader to look beyond the life you are currently leading and question whether you could be getting more out of your life, and live to your full potential while also impacting on the wider community that you live in. He shares with us that there is much more available to us, that God wants us to live, but we have to take action rather than be passive and basically move out of our own way so that we can live our best lives. Read More Here
What are you reading, why not share
Let me know what you are reading at the moment, and why you would recommend it. If you are a writer and want to be interviewed check out my Writers Share page on my Wordpress blog, you will have an opportunity to share what inspires and motivates you and let others know about your work!
There are two events happening on Saturday 7th December that will inspire, encourage and bless you. EEC Christmas Fair If you are in London on then come along to the EEC Christmas Fair and Carol Concert. I will be there displaying some of my work, there will be other craft stalls, international food and more, starts from 1pm to 6pm. For every item purchased on my stall on the day I will be giving 30% to charity for the Philippines disaster appeal organised by Oxfam, so come down and show your support.
Concert
There will also be a concert the same evening starting at 7pm at Tokyngton Community Center, St Micheal Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 6SA. There will be a wide range of talented musicians sharing their skills. My husband Alan will also be show casing one of the songs from his Ekidz album about internet safety for children. For more information on the concert at Tokygnton, email iiichronicles@yahoo.co.uk or call 07986893511
Book Review
DIY Gift Guide - Quirk Books
This book is one that I downloaded on my Kindle, I am always looking for mini projects to try my hand at and this seemed like a useful start. The book was free on Kindle, so I didn't hesitate in ordering. It has a selection of DIY ideas curated by Homemade Quirk, which is a place where people share their stories, ideas and they are not only craft based but have ideas of food gifts and treats. The book is split into 6 sections - for the bookworm, for the lovebirds, for the kids, for the animal lover, for the foodie, for the geek, and aims to appeal to different needs has a total of 18 projects, 9 of which are food based. The instructions are fairly straight forward to follow. My favorite 3 projects were making the Tiny books, pink champagne cake which I intend try substituting the wheat and dairy, and the mini candi charms using polymer clay. My least favorite was the cat portraits made with real cat hair (never knew you could do anything with cat hair, although for those with pets this would be a great recycling project. It is a nice book for kids to try their hand at trying to make some of the project, it could have had a few additional ideas or variations on the projects that were listed. All in all as a free publication you can't go far wrong and it is definitely worth a look at least!
Katherines Corner
Today is also Thursdays Favorite Things on Katherines Corner Take a stroll over there and visit some of the inspiring and encouraging blogs, If you have a blog you can leave a link to your post and show some support by visiting others who have listed theirs.
It would be great to see you at one of the events if you are in the location or even in the UK on Saturday 7th December, share what you are up to, and if you have a pet will you be giving the cat portraits ago? Finally, have a great day and blessings to you and yours!
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
Affiliate Links
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