Material Musings: Small Scraps, Lovely Possibilities - Fabric and Felt Fiesta

 

What could you create with those little pieces of fabric you’ve been saving?

In this week’s Material Musings, I’m bringing together fabric scraps, rediscovering my felt supplies and giving some much-loved clothing a little more attention. There’s so much to explore with materials we already have!

 

I’ve been making small fabric clusters, layering leftover pieces onto hand-dyed fabric and adding stitches. These little clusters can become embellishments for journals, bags or larger textile projects, whatever I decide. They’re also lovely to keep nearby for those moments when you want to create but aren’t quite sure where to begin.

A little creative detour led me back to felt, and I remembered how much I enjoy working with it. Adding stitches and French knots gave additional texture to the surface. Sometimes seeing a familiar material in a different way is enough to get us excited again.

I also shared a comfortable top that I’ve been patching as holes appear. I love the thought that, over time, it might become covered in fabric and stitching—a piece that changes with me. Even an upcycling experiment that didn’t turn out as planned offered something useful: sections of crochet that I can use in my trinket tags.

Before You Go

Something for you to try: Make one small fabric cluster

Choose three scraps and layer them onto a small piece of soft backing fabric. Attach them with a few simple running stitches, then add a button or a little contrasting thread if you wish.

Keep it small enough to enjoy without feeling you have another big project to finish. You can decide what to do with it later!

Join me over on Patreon for more creative reflections and three activities to help you explore your scraps, stitching and forgotten supplies. 

Are You Joining us? The Art of Handmade has started!!

  

Are you ready to join us at the HobbyScool Art of Handmade Summit which started on Tuesday  If you haven't registered yet, this is your last chance to grab your free spot.

There is no preparation needed. No special supplies to gather in advance. Just register, show up and start making.  Here is a reminder of the speakers taking part - today is the last day.

Whether you tried botanical printing for the first time, finally sat down with polymer clay, or experimented with a technique you'd been curious about, I hope you walk away with at least one new skill, and something you actually made with your own hands, so give yourself some space and join us.  Today the topics are clay, wood and diy.

I played around with some Eco dyeing with avocado seeds yesterday and got some nice results that I will eventually be doing some wax resist on the fabric and using it in my mixed media projects.

 

The Art of Handmade VIP All Access Pass is also available, especially if you want to revisit any of the sessions, go over the instructions and experiment with different supplies.  The VIP Pass gives you lifetime access to all 31 workshops and 24 premium bonus resources, a fantastic selection of resources

Register for the Summit HERE FREE right now!

Before You Go

Check out the mixed media digital art papers that I release on my Patreon tiers, this gives you a closer look.  

I have created art process videos to show you a few ways to use the papers in your art journals and creative projects.  You can highlight the images or blend them into the background and create your own image.

Each month I offer my Sampler Edition of digital art papers for FREE for that month, but you are equally welcome to join us on Patreon to access the additional Patreon only content.

Whatever you do stay creative, and find some time each day just for you, Stay blessed and be a blessing!!

Making Zen Online Retreat - VIP Access is now Open!!

Making Zen is a five-day online retreat that’s full of inspiration and creativity - there are almost forty workshops delivered by different artists over the course of the week! There are six pre-recorded presentations that will become available each weekday from 28 September - 2 October, and it’s totally free to attend those presentations for 24 hours after they are released.

There are so many of the projects that I am excited to make, here is one of them by artist Lisa Goddard and her abstract landscapes.  

That is the great thing about the VIP early release, you get to access the sessions 2 weeks before the official start.  I use this time to decide which project I want to try first, see what materials that I already have and get an understanding of the project.  You also get:

​🖤Lifetime access to all of the workshops happening during retreat week 

🖤Access to extra-special gifts from the presenting artists

🖤Additional workshops from the archives of past retreats to explore

🖤A beautiful resource book with all of the retreat worksheets

🖤Immediate access to the entire retreat

​For my VIP offering, I’m contributing my course 'Mixed Media Tag Embellishments' A Fantastic way to make embellishments from some of the supplies that you already have, and ways you can decorate them to look unique'

 

At regular price, the VIP Pass is great value, with over $4000 in value for just $147 USD. But if you get your Pass before the retreat officially begins on 28 September, you can get the early bird discount - at just $97 USD!

I hope you join us even if it is only for the 5 days.  If you have any questions about my lesson, do not hesitate to ask.

Sign up for the RETREAT and 

learn more about the VIP ACCESS Pass HERE

The Art of Handmade starts Next Week - Have you grabbed your spot yet?

 

In one week the HobbyScool Art of Handmade Summit gets started

If you've been meaning to register, now is the time, it's free, it's online, and it starts Tuesday, 15th September.   Whilst I won't be teaching on this Summit, I am preparing my supplies for the lessons to come and there are many that I am looking forward to.

Here's a quick look at what's coming each day and how I am preparing:

Day 1 - Tuesday 15th September 

There are eleven workshops in paper crafts, botanical printing, mini albums, art journaling, interactive cards, and hand-drawn florals you can start and finish in a sitting.

I have several handmade art journals that I will be selecting for the lessons.  I love creating hand drawn florals and have started to practice with fine liner pens and watercolors.  This floral image is an example of an alternative way to create florals using scrap papers that had been painted and stamped, then a flower shape created and additional mark making added. 

Day 2 - Wednesday 16th September 

The workshops are around sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and macrame - workshops for those who love working with thread, yarn, and fabric.

This is another area that I am looking forward to, I love creating fabric art journals, or wall hangings and then adding my own embellishments, and bead, it is a lot of fun.  Here is an example of one of my Fabric art journals with all its embellishments.

Day 3 - Thursday, September 17

On the final day the workshops will include polymer clay, mixed media, knitting, quilting, fabric painting, home decor, and hands-on projects that don't fit in a box with something for everyone.

Texture is my thing as well, so I will be experimenting and playing in my journal and stepping out of my comfort zone with some of the projects.  I have several packets of polymer clay that I have held on to - time to use them and create something fabulous!

Each day's sessions are free for 24 hours and there is no pressure to watch everything live, you can also access the VIP Pass.  I hope to see you at this summit

Register free for the Art of Handmade Here

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Before You Go

The Making Zen Summit follows swiftly and will start on the 28th September - 2nd October.  You will have 5 fun packed and inspiring days to check out 30+ lessons, and as I have shared previously, I will be teaching on this summit - and I am so excited to share my lesson with you.

Be sure to access your FREE pass to Making Zen.  I would love to see what you make in my lesson, and will be sharing on my IG Stories if you tag me @realityarts

Sign up for your FREE pass for Making Zen HERE

Check out the schedule for both summits and let me know what your top 3 mediums to work in?

Art Journal Flip Through

 

Welcome to today's art journal we are doing a flip through of the pages.

You can access the papers by checking out the digital art papers that I have on my Patreon.  August Sampler papers are available for FREE until the end of August

Check out your papers HERE

Realityarts Creative Archive - July Papers

This month's release for the Realityarts Creative Archive, brings a fresh set of collectable digital art papers, available in four tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

The July 2026 Sampler Edition, titled Heritage & Time is free to download until 31st July and offers you a chance to try the papers in your art journals and/or creative projects.

 

Heritage & Time - July Papers 2026

Join the FREE Tier on Patreon to access the papers, along with project ideas, behind the scenes video and early release posts, along with other 'member only' content.  Free members can enjoy the monthly papers while spending creative time. You can join us HERE

Additional papers for this month are available for purchase or by joining the respective tier, and also gives you access to over 1000 videos, digital art and exclusive posts.

 

Studio Edition - Women and Memory, July 2026

 

Collectors Edition - Island & Nature - July 2026

 

Atelier Edition - Patterns & Structure - July 2026

On my Patreon platform you get to watch Patron Exclusive posts, see behind the scenes content and get early access to the videos that I create and post on my YouTube Channel.  Each month I use the papers in different projects to give you additional inspiration when using them for yourself.  If you are ready to move your creative journey to the next step then come and join us.

As a Patreon Member you will also get a discount off any of the courses I create on my Course Platform - check out the 'Collections tab' to get your appropriate discount.  Our course that are regularly being developed are for those who want to add to their learning and start to develop their own creative voice and style.

I hope you join us and use the digital art papers in your creative projects and art journals and I look forward to seeing how you get on.

Which of the papers this month are speaking to you?

5 Easy to Make Art Journals - Use what you have

 5 Easy to make Art Journals

In today's video we look at a selection of 5 mixed media and recycled art journals, and I show you how I have worked in them and some of the supplies that I have used.  With the number of items that we have in our supplies or just around the house, you will probably find most of the things you already have without going out to buy anything else.  If you don't have that particular item, then substitute it for something else (that is where the fun really begins!

Materials - remember to substitute if you don't have:

• Cardboard
• Tetra-pak (milk cartons)
• Old greetings cards or packaging
• Fabric Scraps
• background papers
• Paper ephemera that you have made or source images from an old magazine
• Brown paper/wrapping paper
• Glue
• Embroidery thread to stitch the books or use yarn

What You will learn

I hope to take out the hesitation for creating an art journal, waiting for the right supplies, the right weather or whatever the excuse may be and get you putting something together by the end of the video just for you.  You don't have to put it all together in one sitting, savor it and come back to it.

Reflection Prompt 

What supplies or recycling materials have you been sitting on that you can use in a creative project today?

More Art Journal Designs 

In my art journal playlist I have a large amount of art journals that I have made and share.  Some of the videos show you how to make your own journal from start to finish, some show me working on a page using my supplies and some are flip throughs to give you some inspiration.  

You can check out my art journal playlist on my YouTube Channel HERE  

Digital Downloads 

I mention when making some of the small art journals the digital papers that I have used.  Each month on my I create a set of digital download papers across different tiers that can be used in the art journals or creative projects.  I also create a set each month that are FREE until the end of the month for you to download and start creating.  Each month you will be given a different digital downloads to use in your creative projects.  You can get yours HERE

FREE COURSE RESOURCES

I also have a number of free classes on my Course Platform - Realityarts.  There you will find my Art Tags Course which shows you how to alter and create your own art tags, there are 6 in the design to download and resource videos.   Recycled mark making - do you want ideas for making your own stamps and stencils, then this mini course takes you through a range of the everyday materials that you can use in your art projects.  Check out the Course platform HERE

Material Musings - Beads and Wearable Art

Welcome to today's Material Musings, where check out several different projects - including fabric jewelry, beads and art journal bags.

Here is an example of the crochet necklace and the beaded wrist cuff - I think more accessories might be to come.

Realityarts Creative Archive - June 2026

This month's release for the Realityarts Creative Archive, brings a fresh set of collectable digital art papers, available in four tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

The June 2026 Sampler Edition, titled Heritage & Time is free to download until 30th June and offers you a chance to try the papers in your art journals and/or creative projects.

  

Heritage & Time - June Papers 2026

Join the FREE Tier on Patreon to access the papers, along with project ideas, behind the scenes video and early release posts, along with other 'member only' content.  Free members can enjoy the monthly papers while spending creative time. You can join us HERE

Additional papers for this month are available for purchase or by joining the respective tier, and also gives you access to over 1000 videos, digital art and exclusive posts:

 

Studio Edition - Women and Memory, June 2026

 

Collectors Edition - Island & Nature - June 2026

 

Atelier Edition - Patterns & Structure - June 2026

Art of Expression kicks off TODAY!! Come and join us for FREE

 

Have you got your ticket yet. The Art of Expression Summit starts today Tuesday 19th May to Thursday 21st May 2026

This is a FREE online event that brings together 30 expert presenters sharing expressive creative strategies for:

• Creating meaningful art from whatever materials you already have
• Building a consistent, joyful creative routine
• Expressing yourself through painting, lettering, journaling, and more
• Simplifying your creative practice so it actually sticks
• Keeping your creative momentum long-term 

as well as:

• Focused sessions covering expressive arts, creative journaling, mixed media, color therapy, art for healing, visual storytelling, and more.
• Each session is short, practical, and designed to give you new skills and ideas you can put to work immediately.
• All sessions are pre-recorded and released daily during the summit.
• Each day's content is free for 24 hours.
• 
  

Get your FREE Ticket HERE

If you would like Lifetime access, then you can go for the VIP Pass.  What's inside the VIP pass:

 

Every workshop from all the three days of the Art of Expression Summit, available on demand 48 hours after the event ends. No expiry date.

Watch at your own pace, on your own schedule, as many times as you like.

I have my selection art journals ready to go!

The Art of Expression VIP All-Access Pass —
Valued at $1,991+

Get lifetime access to 30 expert-led workshops and 22 premium resources

Get My Pass + 22 Premium Resources

Instant access. No expiration. Yours for life.

Material Musings - Leather Projects - Wearable Art

Creating Wearable Leather Art

Come and join us in this week's Material Musings where we look at mark making on leather to create some gorgeous wearable art.

I share with you how you can make multiple uses from your tools to get different effects.

If you have leather scraps, don't throw them away!!  These pieces can also be used in miniature projects and there is no stopping you once you have identified some projects to use them for.

I have also used them in stitched projects and as miniature journals for my growing miniature interior collection.

Before You Go!

Last Day to get your VIP Pass for Mastering Mixed Media Art Expo 2026

Learn More HERE and save on the price of the VIP Ticket

Starts Tomorrow - Art of Expression (FREE)

Learn More HERE - GET YOUR FREE TICKET

Realityarts Creative Archive - May 2026

This month sees the papers for my Realityarts Creative Archive, a monthly collectable set of digital art papers. Each month a new set of papers are released across 4 tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

This month's Sampler Edition for May 2026 available for FREE until 31st May

 

Realityarts Creative Archive - Sampler Edition, Heritage & Time - May  Papers

The papers in the Sampler Edition are Free to access for the month of May and gives you the opportunity to use sample and use the papers in your art journals or creative projects. To access the papers you need to join my FREE Tier on Patreon. 

I also share projects that you can do with the papers in your art journals and creative projects each month.

As a FREE member you get access to the monthly digital papers, and see early release posts and member exclusive posts, see some of the behind-the-scenes videos, hints and tips and more, this is a great way to spend some time on yourself and do something creative. You can join us HERE

Here are the other papers across the tiers for this month, these are available for purchase, or you can join the Tier and receive the monthly resources that come with that tier and also access over 900 videos, digital art and posts:

Realityarts Creative Archive, Atelier Edition, Pattern & Structure

Realityarts Collectors Edition, Island & Nature - May 2026

Realityarts Creative Archive - Studio Edition, Women & Memory - May 2026

Creative Archive - Mixed Media Digital Art Papers - April

This month sees the launch of my Realityarts Creative Archive, a monthly collectable set of digital art papers. Each month a new set of papers are released across 4 tiers - Sampler, Studio, Collector, and Atelier.

This month's Sampler Edition for April 2026 available for FREE until 30th April.

Heritage & Time - April Papers

The papers in the Sampler Edition are Free to access for the month of April and gives you the opportunity to use sample and use the papers in your art journals or creative projects. To access the papers you need to join my FREE Tier on Patreon. 

I also share projects that you can do with the papers in your art journals and creative projects each month.

As a FREE member you get access to the monthly digital papers, and see early release posts and member exclusive posts, see some of the behind-the-scenes videos, hints and tips and more, this is a great way to spend some time on yourself and do something creative. You can join us HERE

Here are the other papers across the tiers for this month, these are available for purchase, or you can join the Tier and receive the monthly resources that come with that tier and also access over 900 videos, digital art and posts:

Island & Nature - April Papers

Women & Memory - April Papers

Pattern & Structure - April Papers

Come and join us and enjoy using them in your creative projects. 

Stay Blessed and be a blessing.

Sculptural Loom Art - Material Musings

 

Come and join us on Material Musings where we look at a selection of Sculptural Looms and woven projects.

We also look at some alternative ways to create the structures with recycled materials, different yarn and ways that I have been able to embellish with jewelry and beading.

We will also look at a variety of projects, and DIY looms for beginners to get started.  Do let me know how you get on this week.

Before You to check out the free resources on:

Using your Fabric to Uplift - Material Musings

 

In Material Musings I look at some of the ways that I use my fabrics and projects both finished and unfinished to lift my spirits or encourage myself.  We know that art heals and encourages and enables you to express yourself when you do not have the words.  I find that even if you are not able to do a creative project then even sitting with your supplies can help.

What are the things that you do when you need to give yourself a lift?

Free Digital Art Papers - Patreon FREE Tier

This month’s free digital papers on my Patreon are inspired by maps, layers, and quiet storytelling. You’re welcome to use them however you like, in an art journal, as collage elements, or simply to just enjoy working with them in your creative activities.

There’s no right or wrong way to use them and you don't need to have completed a project, you can just enjoy seeing how you like working with them, and spend some time playing.

• As an idea for a starting point, you might like to try:choosing one image and use it as a background
• cut out a circle and use it as a focal point on the page
• layer a small section into a journal page in a collage

CHECK OUT THE FREE TIER HERE

If you enjoy working with these papers, my other Patreon Tiers have Digital Art papers available this month as well. You can check out the 7 Day FREE trial and explore the $3 tier for monthly creative invitations, or the check out the $10 tier for guided mixed-media activities.

$3 Tier Paper Kit

What about those Fabric Scraps? Material Musings

 

Welcome to Material Musings, in this episode we are talking about the scraps we often amass in our fabric or paper stash.

I also touch on the broader issues of fast fashion and waste management and the impact on developing countries that deal with the fabric waste of so called 'developed countries' and what impact can we make on a local level.

I share a lot of the projects that used a lot of these scraps and I am looking at many of the ways in which I can make the most of the supplies I currently have. There are time stamps in the description of the video for reference.

Before You Go

Creative Vision Retreat Summit

Art Journals for your Visions and Goals

My lesson airs today for 24 hours

Sign Up HERE