Welcome to Material Mondays, my weekly fabric and mixed media art materials session where we tak a look at some fabric projects, techniques and have fun playing with fabric. This week I show you what is in my travel kit.
I have a felted piece of material that houses my needles and pins and a selection of embroidery thread in different colors depending on the project that I am working on and some standard ones.
I also travel with an embroidery hoop and a piece of heavy cotton that I have written several encouraging words on. When I travelled this time, I hadn't wanted to take a lot of supplies and found the words on the fabric ideal, as I could not only stitch, but I was continuing to reflect on the encouraging words as I was stitching.
I also have a series of fabrics of different stages, some have been wax resisted and dyed or painted, it is great having these small pieces to collage together and add stitching when the mood takes me.
Check out the accompanying video to see the travel it up close and you can check out the previous Material Monday Episodes HERE
I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out previous posts below
It had been a while since I travelled, like most people Covid had us locked down and to be frank the staying at home appealed to the hermit tendencies within me.
Getting a House Sitter
I had decided to get a house sitter, (someone who looks after your pet and home while you are away), deciding that I wanted Cole to stay at home and not leave the house empty. Travelling and arriving at my sisters seemed very surreal by the time I got there, as it was my birthday and two days later would be mums funeral.
I had spent the previous week getting my place ready for a house sitter, and he arrived 2 days before I was due to leave so I showed him round Barbados and helped him settle in and get comfortable with Cole, who got on with him from the word go, only to have him walk out on the day of my departure saying that Cole had barred his teeth at him, and he couldn't continue.
He had also listed a range of other things that previous hosts had provided that I wasn't, such as use of a car, air-conditioned room, and sleeping in the master bedroom! I couldn't believe he was walking out as he knew before he came what was to be included and Cole had been treating him like a member of the family from the time he arrived and was very comfortable with him.
Cole loves his belly rubbed
Cole's favorite toy
I was an emotional mess, to be told that he was leaving on the day of my departure, a few hours before my flight took off, leaving me to scramble around to find a kennel. I went into automatic mode knowing I had to keep it together. I managed to change my flight for the following day and found the last boarding space at the RSPCA. I used Seans Pet Transportation and was very impressed at his calmness and he was able to get Cole in a transport cage backwards! Cole was confused, suddenly he was being put on a lorry by a stranger wondering where the stranger he had just let in his home a shared his toys with went.
In the waiting room
It was traumatic at the RSPCA as well, after I got him checked in to lead him back with all the barking dogs scrambling at their cages on either side of the walkway, it felt like a prison.
Cole's home at the kennels
He walked into his cage in a daze, the cold hard metal floors, the noise, no comforts from home and the only food for 30 days would be a daily dose of hard kibble. I was so upset leaving him and eventually made my way home. This wasn't supposed to happen, Cole should have been frolicking in the garden eating the food I spent 4 days preparing in advance, having his treats and daily banana, and sleeping in his padded warm bed with the sounds of the singing frogs and the crickets melodiously in the background.
Cole and art appreciation
It is funny, I didn't realize how much I liked dogs until my son brought him home as a month-old puppy. He has been a constant companion hanging out in my studio or when I am in the garden, and he also is great at reminding me when I have spent too much time in front of the computer screen.
Skin and bones
While he was at the kennels it seemed like he didn't eat, you could see his ribs and his spine, he came back half the size he left. He smelt awful and had some sores on parts of his feet and elbows and it was like he had been in a war, and since he has come home, I have just been spending time trying to get him back to health.
Cole On the mend
I am not sure I would be able to trust another stranger to housesit for me again, it was one of the worst experiences that I had been through. Despite being an older traveler and having references a list reviews, they were just words, and he wasn't in the right frame of mind to look after Cole or have the experience claimed.
For now, Cole is on the mend, he is enjoying being back home and settling into his routines, yet I wonder sometimes when he looks at me if he remembers his experience.
Have you had an experience from a house sitter or put your pet into boarding while you were away?
Welcome to the blog, it has been a while and I have been taking time out to come to grips with losing my mother. I shared in my previous post, and I spent time with my sister, and we went down memory lane. There is now only the two of just who are now the older generation...
I send love and tender hugs to all those who have lost loved ones, there is nothing that can quite prepare you for loosing someone. We have to make sure we treasure all the memories and the time we spend with each other.
When mum first went into the first residential care home, I had put a book of her life together and filled it with photographs and some of her likes and dislikes, I spent time this week looking through it and it brought much comfort. I am glad I shared my experience as she navigated dementia, some of the laugh out loud moments that had been tinged with fear - her walking in with two policemen laughing and joking after going missing for over 4 hours we were worried sick, she came back with tales of her adventure, and I am sure several hairs on my head went white that day.
Mum loved adventure
In my A-Z of caring I spoke of some of the feelings that I experience, including a feeling of loss, and things not being fair, on the flip side it brought out mums' sense of humor and a love of dancing, art and so much more.
She would called herself the 'Dancing Queen' and teach whoever was interested how to do the Shimmy. She had two favorite songs - Dancing Queen by Abba, and One Love by Bob Marley - we had them both playing for her at the funeral - we gave her a good send off.
I now think of next steps for my life - we forget fast time flies. What things have I been holding myself back from doing that I need to get on with? What dreams have I been sitting on? What has yet to be fulfilled?
So, what is stopping you? What have you promised yourself but keep on putting it off, saying to yourself tomorrow? Tomorrow might not come and there are people out there waiting to be inspired and motivated by you!
What are you hiding from? Whose opinions do you care about so badly that you are holding back? I have resolved for myself that over the next few months I will go all out, reaching for those dreams and creating a ton of new ones - we are not promised tomorrow, and we don't know what it may bring - see James 4:13-15.
That said, why not challenge yourself, start today, decided what you want to do and follow through - I am participating in the 'Ultimate Blog Challenge' and I will be posting every day in the month of October and sharing some of the work that I do. Start living your best life, where your dreams however small can come true - live the life you can be proud of - I know that you can do it!
The 30 Day Ultimate Blog Challenge has come to an end with this being the last post. It has been great being part of the challenge, I did it alongside the current 100 Days of Foam Stamps challenge that you can see the daily or weekly stamps.
What I Learned From the Blog Challenge
Pace - I think that I learn to pace myself better, half way through the challenge I became stuck, I had wanted to plan my posts ahead of time but things got in the way and there were quite a few days where I had decided that I didn't want to do it any more.
Self Care - After taking a week off I decided that I would just show up and share what I was doing at the time and if any other gems of inspiration came forth that would also be shared. - I have linked to other interesting posts for the days that I missed.
Meeting other Bloggers - I was glad I decided to go for it again and came out the other end having connected with some other interesting and inspiring bloggers, there was so much to learn from others and I will be spending time going over some of the posts that I didn't get a chance to read over the 30 days.
Celebrate Each Step - The other thing I learnt was to celebrate each and every step, writing blog posts can become overwhelming and when you celebrate the steps that you have taken you encourage yourself even more.
I Missed blogging - I also realized how much I missed blogging, I had let my posts generally slip, posting sporadically, and after the challenge I will be posting on a more regular basis about some of the creative projects I am really looking forward to it!
In conclusion - Overall, taking part in the challenge and sharing all my posts reminded me that I love creating, and sharing what I have been doing, teaching techniques and connecting with others. I hope you have enjoyed visiting my blog and I hope you come back and see what other things I will be sharing over the course of the week.
Do come and join me on some of my other channels
Let me know what has inspired you on your visit to the blog and if you have been tempted to do a challenge of your own.
I love using recycled materials and had gone to my charity store and picked up a phone case. It was slightly too big for my phone so I thought I would make use of it and create a mini art journal.
I talk about the journal in the video below, and I have included some close up images of the pages as well.
On the front of the art journal I used some of my favorite handmade paper infused with gold, looks lovely doesn't it, one of my favorite colors which I use a lot when painting too.
One of the motivations for the journal was to use the elements that I had been holding on to for what we call 'best' or 'one day' but that day never comes. It is important to use your supplies rather than holding onto them for that one special day. Allow yourself to be included in the special day and use it on yourself.
The journal is made up of handmade paper and I have included making use of space where I can add additional elements If I were travelling with the journal - a water brush and some water colors always travel well and have minimum cleanup.
I added sentiments that are reminders 'You are beautiful - Shine your Light' reminds us that we all have something to offer and that we need to not only shine our light for ourselves, but for others who you are impacting and helping them to be brave or step out and shine their own light.
How many times have you been self conscious about what you are doing, not because you can't do it, but you are listening to the negative talk of others. Sometimes it is that throw away statement that can do the most damage - but you have to 'Dance like no one is watching' again, your being who you want to be will encourage others to keep going.
Each page has either an encouraging word or scripture, and also space for adding doodles or mark making.
Every page is a constant reminder to dream big, follow your heart and do the things that bring you closer to your goals.
Some of the sentiments I use especially when working on a challenge and I am working on two at the same time, the 100 Days of Handmade Foam and the Ultimate Blog challenge. There are some days that I have not felt like posting, and sometimes you don't, and you find a way of dealing with it and then getting back on course. I take the necessary breaks that I need, all the time reminding myself of my overall goal.
Explore, Imagine, Dream is the title of this page. I recommitted myself to share as part of the blog challenge, to not only encourage myself but others as well - I am sharing what I love, creativity and the process.
This pages sentiments - You are unique, a miracle, don't ever compare yourself with anyone else. Take a look back, you have come a long way, this is not your destination.
I hope you find the things that motivate and encourage you and that you take one step in front of the other to reach the goals you desire.
Blessings!
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100 Days of Handmade Foam Stamps
If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE
APRIL 2022 issue of the BARBADOS VISUAL ARTS MAGAZINE
Free Online magazine
Every month Artist and Publisher Corrie Scott produces a online publication of all the art and creative events taking place in Barbados. It is packed with information about current Visual Art events happening around Barbados and by Barbadian artists further around the globe. It normally comes out on the 1st of the month.
I have always found it a valuable resource to have and keeps you abreast of what is going on in the island. Check it out HERE
Click on the link or the image to take you to the listings, so you can see all the amazing events that have been organized this month, with some of the events happening online.
Experimenting Styles
I have continued to experiment in the studio in my art journal with the Neurographic Art, allowing myself to continue to be inspired. Every image I create whether it is a portrait or an abstract scene, seems to call out for the essence of Neurographica. I am continuing to be guided to see how it impacts on my style or adds to the stories being told.
Foam Stamps Art
This week I also shared my painting for the week from the foam stamps that I had created last week, I love this stage of their development where, you can see the video of the page creation below.
If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE
You can check out the supplies used to create the paintings and foam stamps HERE
This Week was Week 8 of my Handmade Foam Stamps and each week I end it with a painting of all the stamps for that week.
Going through the stamps means that I get to organize what I have an make new ones. I have been enjoying the process especially as I now have a heat tool which makes creating the designs even easier and you get some great details on the foam.
You can check out this week video below
Artsy Second Sunday
Every second Sunday of the month I take part in a video hop with a group of other artists on YouTube and we work by a monthly theme. This week was 'Ladybugs and Rainbows' I went for Ladybug and played with my supplies on the page.
It was funny as part way though I forgot exactly how a ladybug looks, so the video is just an interpretation of one.
They actually look quite different and I have been privy to some unusual ones in the garden. There are over 6000 species world wide and I think that we have about 4 different varieties in the garden, helping to keep down pests such as aphids that can attack some plants.
Here 3 of the 4 that we have the forth one is brown with pink spots or the other way round, I couldn't find the photo that I took of that one.
Anyway, you can check out the video of the Ladybug that I painting for this blog hop below. I will have to paint it again to do it justice in the style that I would normally paint in.
I hope you enjoy and would love you to join us on the challenges, you will be inspired by the work of the artists who share.
If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE
You can check out the supplies used to create the paintings and foam stamps HERE
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
Affiliate Links
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