Here are some of the projects that I will be working on over the coming weeks. I am going to do a larger Kawandi and I will show you my progress in the next episode. I also have a few creative projects and lessons that I am creating and will share in a few weeks.
I have also stitched more of the encouraging words to go on completed projects, they always come in handy and it is great to be stitching things that will encourage and motivate.
Come and join us next time in Material Musings and bring what you are working on. I would love to see!
Before you go
Check out the FREE papers for this month in Patreon
A blank page can be intimidating whether in a
journal or a canvas and can often put a stop to your creative flow. There are
many ways in which you can set up your surface to avoid feeling fearful and
jump straight into enjoying your creative process.
I prepare my pages beforehand and the way I do
that is by using up excess paint that I am using in a project on these journal
pages. Over time you build up these
layers without even thinking about it as you are only using up excess
paint. There is no judgement of these
pages as they are just the foundation.
When you are then ready to work on the surface you already have a
stepping stone to work from gorgeous layers of paint or collage, inviting you
to play.
Check out the video of my process for creating backgrounds. If you put 'backgrounds in the search, it will also pull up some of the other videos I have created.
What can you try?
Next time you are working on a piece do not
discard your excess paint, but find another canvas or papers, or art journal
that you can apply the excess to the surface.
If you want to create a background from scratch
you can also start by gathering your favorite materials: paints, old papers,
tissue, glue, stamps, and stencils. Consider using unusual tools—cardboard, a
sponge, or the edge of a credit card. There are no rules here, just layers.
Creating Backgrounds
Begin with paint washes or collage pieces. Let
the layers dry between steps so you can keep building. Add text, stamps, or
rub-on transfers. Try using a braye in the paint, scratching into wet layers, or applying
gesso to tone things down and then reintroducing bold marks.
There’s something meditative about creating
backgrounds. You’re not trying to “finish” a piece—you’re setting a mood. This
frees you up to experiment.
Keep a stack of these pages ready. They’ll
become the foundations for journaling, focal images, affirmations, or quotes.
Think of them as planted seeds—creative soil waiting to bloom.
Sometimes, backgrounds become the main event.
If you love how a page looks, leave it, you could also photocopy the page for
further use.
Let go of needing each page to become
something right away. Let the joy of creating be enough.
Takeaway Nuggets:
Backgrounds create momentum and break
creative blocks.
Every layer you add is a whisper of your
voice.
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Check out some of the free and paid resources below to enhance your creative journey
Course Platform - there are a variety of FREE courses and resources for you to use in your creative practice.
FREE Tier - Patreon - I have a Free Tier on Patreon that has a selection of early release posts and monthly Digital Download Papers for you to use in your creative projects - Learn More Here
YouTube - Weekly Videos to encourage your creative practice, Slow stitching, art journaling and Artists chats - Learn More Here
Check out Filling the Creative Well which helps you establish your creative practice. In the course Filling the Creative Well, your journal is also a place to answer questions, encourage and motivate you, some days you need a reminder and so filling it with encouraging words so that you can come back to it, especially in those days where you are in a valley is really important. .
Here are the selection of papers for July'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
$10 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.
$15 Tier Papers
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.
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
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