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

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

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

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

International Soul Art Day - Make a date with your Inner Artist

I have some exciting news to share - I have been asked to be one of the guests on the International Soul Art Day Livestream.  

Soul Art Day is a whole day set aside to honor your creativity, your inner wisdom, and your curious imagination.

So, why should you tap into your creativity right now, especially when life is busy or overwhelming?

1. Creativity is medicine for the soul.

When you create, you access a part of yourself that doesn't need words. It’s where healing happens. Where stuck energy shifts. Where you remember who you really are underneath all the noise.

2. Creativity gives you clarity.

Sometimes you don’t know what you're feeling until your hands start moving, whether it's through stitching, painting, collaging, or even doodling in the margins. Creativity clears the fog and helps you listen inward.

Soul Art Day is the perfect excuse to press pause and come back to that nurturing creative space inside you. No pressure, no perfection - just you, your materials, and a world of others making art around the globe on the very same day.

Laura Hollick, the heart behind this event, gently guides us through a simple creative process. You don’t need any special skills—just the desire to explore.

You can join for five minutes, a few hours, or stay all day. I’ll be creating live with Laura and other artists on the Livestream—come watch, create with us, or simply soak in the inspiration.

Make a date with your inner artist. You’ll be so glad you did..... Your welcome!! 

Before you go! 

Mastering Mixed Media Expo - EXTENSION - Closes 18th May 2025

Fantastic news if you have been joining us for the Mastering Mixed Media Expo we have had an EXTENSION!! It will be finishing on the 18th May.

You have a few more days to go through the sessions that you missed or rushed through or if you haven't started you have a second chance, 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;

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

After the 18th all the classes will go. Why not go for the 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

or

GET the VIP PASS

Happy Creating!!

Mastering Mixed Media Art Expo - Grab your VIP PASS!

 

My Lesson is now live!!!  You can see how to create an image using the background as your inspiration.  You don't have to do a face if faces are not your thing, the whole point of the lesson is to see what you can observe in the background papers and bring that out with your art supplies, you may see a series of furry friends!

Mastering Mixed Media Expo 2025 — is a free online event filled with inspiration, community, and over 35+ mixed media artists sharing their favorite techniques and ideas.  We have a couple of days to go as the fun finishes on the 14th May.

Sign up here for free!

Get the VIP Pass

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

So come and join us, don't feel overwhelmed at all the creative goodness and get yourself a VIP Pass!

➡️➡️ 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 the Creative Adventure! ⬅️⬅️

Digital Art Papers - May

My papers for May are now ready to down load in my FREE Patreon Tier.  You can use them in your creative projects.  

You can also see the other papers available on different Tiers.  There are over 700 posts on Patreon - videos, digital posts, exclusive, early release, resources, discounts and more.

Join us on the $25 per month tier and get access to all of the 700+ resources available on all the tiers.  You can also wet your fee with the $3 Tier and get 7 Day FREE access.  

Check out Patreon HERE

Digital Art Papers for May - Creative Art Projects

Welcome to the FREE Digital Art Papers for May.  

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 which you can check out on the Free Tier of Patreon - HERE

Here is what I created with the April Papers

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

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.  

Lately, I've been reflecting on time - how it stretches and compresses depending on what we’re doing. One moment it feels like hours have passed, and it’s only been five minutes. Other times, you look up and wonder where the day went. This fluid nature of time is something I explore in the latest Arts and Wellness Café episode. 

We talk about: 

• Growing medicinal plants
• Creating art papers for the month of April and fun ways to use them.
• How batching tasks helps manage time better.
• Reframing creative expectations - especially when projects need time to breathe. 
• Why creative hobbies are essential for our emotional well-being.

I also give you a sneak peek at my latest slow stitch and wax resist project, and talk about an exciting upcoming event - The Mastering Mixed Media Expo starting May 1st! 

If you’ve ever felt distracted, uninspired, or unsure how to start your creative wellness journey, this episode is for you. Grab a tea (or water!) and come join me in the studio.

🎥 Watch the full episode now: Check it out HERE

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