Material Musings - Fabric Projects

 

In Material Musings this week we look at a range of fabric projects that I have been working on and getting to the completion stage.

I love working on these pieces, they are very therapeutic and I love the textures that are created.

Join me on the FREE online class - Making Zen where you will see me create a slow stitched piece.  It starts on the 18th of November.

I will show you how to create this piece, slow stitching words and dealing with any issues in a creative way that can happen when you have different tension between the fabric and threads.

If you sign up for the VIP giving you lifelong access to the videos and the Bonus videos you will be able to have access to my course - Embellished and Stitched, where we look at additional ways to work with words and lettering in our stitched projects.

Join us for Free by signing up to the online Retreat and if you decide to join us with a VIP pass you can get the early bird rate. 

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

Material Musings - Slow Stitching and Bargello

 

In today's video I share my most recent Material Musings video, where I look to continue working on the 'Choices' Slow stitched project.  If you want to see what the project looked like before you can check out the previous video below:

It is nice to have a smaller project to work on in-between larger projects as it enables you to take a breather, but still keep your hand in.  I also worked on a new project known as Bargello.  I had all the supplies, but had used them for other things.  I check out Kiala Givehands monthly meetups and saw a presentation by Bonnie Natko and was able to create with it.

This is how the projects eventually turned out which was quite pleasing.  I just have a few other things to do with the stitched project and also decide how I want to use the completed Bargello - who knows maybe try some others.

Before You Go....

Creative Gardener Today

Here is what I share in the garden today.  You can check out the video below.

There has been a lot of other growth in the garden, and I will do a garden tour towards the end of the month.

Gratitude Junk Journal - Early Bird 20% Off

We have an early bird rate (until 31st October) on our Gratitude Junk Journal, which I am teaching in.  If you would like to get 20% off then enter the code AMORE24 at the checkout.

Learn More About Gratitude Journal HERE

Art Resource Hub

Every month in the Art Resource Hub I share a FREE digital Download, for your creative projects, here is the one for October:

Material Musings - Fabric Books

Join me for Material Musings this week.  Here are an additional 3 fabric art journals that I have been playing with. It is always nice to revisit previous journals. I did some painting in a couple and plan to do some stitching and maybe add beading.

Here are the three fabric art journals that I work on, made from recycled materials.

You will also see a page in progress and ways that you can add stenciling to a page.  I will be spending a bit more time on the pages and adding some additional embellishments.

Material Musings - Handbag Fabric Art Journal and More

 

Did you catch last weeks Material musings where I show how you can recycle material to create art journals.  Check it out above.

I have really enjoyed working in these Fabric art journals.  They incorporate both fabric and watercolor paper or card inside that serves as the signatures.  

I think one of my favorite journals is the handbag one, made out of one of my favorite handbags, I gave it new life after it could no longer serve as a handbag.  A great way to recycle.

I have also used a lot of texture on the art journal covers with textured paint or used unlikely materials such as chamois leather.

If you would like to see how the handbag journal was created, you can check out my Mixed Media Art Journal Bundle course HERE

Material Musings - Fabric Art Journals

Come and check out the latest Material Musings where I share a variety of fabric art journals that I work with.

Some have been made with paper signatures, and others have been made of entirely of fabric.

You can check out the video below

One of the fabric journals is used to house my sample embroidery stitches, I can practice the stitch first and make a note about which one it is.  There is currently 50 embroidery stitches enclosed.  I would like to perfect these first and then go on to others.

Fodder School 4 - Exciting News!!

 Exciting News - I will be teaching in Fodder School 4!!

What is Fodder School?

Fodder school is a year long online mixed media event. Each month a new teacher provides a project creating collage fodder and using it.

In my Fodder School class, I will be sharing ways you can have fun playing with the supplies you have and show you how to create some unique fabric fodder that expresses your creativity.

I will share ideas and tips for writing, doodling, stamping, stenciling on your fabrics to create amazing, patterned fabric sheets which you can further cut, layer, and stitch together to create even more dynamic fabric fodder clusters.

In Use Fodder I will then show you how to combine the fabric fodder, and clusters you have created with decorative stitching and beading to create small wall hangings.

Fodder Challenge

The year kicks off on 1st October with a month of short projects from each teacher called Fodder School Challenge. I will be sharing with you some exciting ways to embellish dried leaves. Fodder Challenge gives you a taste of each teacher and their work. 

You can sign up for just the Fodder Challenge or take in both and experience a full year of amazing lessons.

You can visit  willawanders.com to find out more and take advantage of the early bird price!  

Podcast News

Wendy recently interviewed me, you can hear it on her podcast “Show up or Shut up”  

We had such a rich conversation about creative practices using art as a therapeutic tool and so much more!  You can find the link to the episode HERE, or listen on your favorite podcast app.

I am so looking forward to sharing my lessons and having you join us!!

Material Musings - Fabric Art Cards

 

Check out the Video

Welcome to Material Musings, In todays episode we look at ways that you can use your fabric scraps and create a series of fabric cards.  

By stitching your scraps of a base fabric, adding decoration and stitched words you can make use of the scraps and turn them into something useful.  You could also make things like placemats, coasters, covers for art journal and more.

With the addition of stitched words you can further add to your pieces.  You can also add a small woven piece to add to your fabric cards.  All of the additional fabric has either been painted, stamped, stenciled or wax resisted. 

Try and experiment and see what combinations you can come up with.

Before You Go check out - Bag Envy

Discover the best materials, tools, and tips to elevate your bag-making game with ten seasoned experts at Bag Envy on October 4th at 11 AM PST! By securing your spot, you’ll gain lifetime access to the event recordings, allowing you to watch and rewatch content at your own pace. Plus, you’ll get a digital swag bag full of goodies. Don’t miss out on the chance to score additional giveaways by joining the event live. Sign up today through Creative Spark and save $20 off at checkout with the code bag24reality.  Find out more about Bag Envy HERE

Embroidery Extravaganza - Starts Tomorrow!

Embroidery Extravaganza starts tomorrow Thursday 8th August and it will be a day where creativity and craftsmanship come together, so gather your supplies! 

This event can be attended by embroidery enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned pro, the ten expert-led workshops are designed to ignite your imagination and elevate your embroidery skills.

Click Here to Learn More about the speakers

What to Expect

At Embroidery Extravaganza, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Participate in workshops led by experts in the field.
• Discover new techniques and creative ideas to take your embroidery to the next level.
• Exclusive Student Benefits
• Gain access to all event presentation recordings with no expiration date! This invaluable resource is available exclusively to students who purchase their tickets before the event date. 
• Giveaways during the live event
• Receive a digital swag bag filled with goodies

Get Ready for a Day of Creativity

To make the most of your experience at Embroidery Extravaganza, here are a few tips:

• Come Prepared: Bring your embroidery supplies, including needles, threads, hoops, and any other materials you like to use.
• Stay Open-Minded: Be ready to try new techniques and experiment with different styles.
• Take Notes: Keep a journal handy to jot down ideas and techniques you learn during the workshops.

Limited Space - Act Fast!

Spaces are limited, so don't wait to secure your spot at this incredible event. Plus, you can save $20 off your ticket now by using the code ee24reality at checkout. Sign up now at creativespark.ctpub.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there and stitching together a beautiful day of creativity and craftsmanship!

Fabric and Foam Stamps

Come and join me in Material Musings today.  I have been playing around in my fabric art journals and experimenting with my foam stamps. I had created a set of foam stamps from the last 100-day project, and really liked how some of them came out.

Here is a selection of them.  I have been working on using them on fabric and incorporating slow stitching which I will be doing in this current fabric art journal that you will see in the video. 

I really like some of the foam stamps I created and will be sharing more of them. The foam stamps digital images are going to be available as digital stamps that you can incorporate in digital art work on my Etsy Store Here.

Take a look at the video and you will also catch some information about other things that are happening in the studio and some of the FREE courses that are available on my course platform. You can check it out HERE

These bold foam stamp designs are some of my favorite and look really effective on an art journal page and can be used to decorate your art journals and create prints on fabric.

I will keep you updated with the progress.

Check us out on Patreon HERE

Material Musings - Mixed Media Art Dolls

 

In todays episode I share the work I did with some art dolls.  They were part of a lesson on the Making Zen art Retreat and were fun to create.

The Lesson was taught by Mirjam Glieben, you can check her out on Instragram HERE   They were a lot of fun to create and I would love to experiment with them. These pieces had been slow stitched and I added embellishments such as broken jewelry and other additions.

I also completed one of my projects that had been wax resisted and dyed with conventional dye, then I added slow stitching to it.  The final stage is adding beading to it, which you can see me add some seed and bugle beads to the project.  Both the slow stitching and beading are such a relaxing activity, check out the Info graph below which shares the benefits of slow stitching.

Check out the post HERE for more information

Before You Go

Embroidery Extravaganza - save $20 Use the code ee24reality

Benefits of Slow Stitching Projects, Words and Figures - Material Musings

 

The Benefits of Slow Stitching Projects

Welcome to Material Musings! Check out the new video where I some of my latest slow stitching projects. These projects bring me a lot of joy, and I'd love to show you what I've been working on. Plus, I have a little technique to share on creating words with stitches that we'll get into at the end of the video.

Slow stitching is an art form that emphasizes mindfulness and creativity over speed and perfection. As I’ve worked on these projects, I’ve discovered many benefits of slow stitching.  Check out the three key benefits of slow stitching projects on my Patreon Page for FREE HERE and also find out how you can add contrast to your slow stitch words

READ MORE HERE

Slow stitching is not just about creating beautiful art; it’s about the journey and the joy found in each stitch. Whether you are adding fine details to a large piece or working on small, slow stitching offers a world of creative and mental benefits. I hope you’ve been inspired to start or continue your own slow stitching projects. I would love to see how you get on, so feel free to share your creations. Until next time, happy stitching!

CHECK OUT THE 3 KEY BENEFITS HERE

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Before You Go - Join us for Embroidery Extravaganza - 8 August 2024

Creativity meets craftsmanship at Embroidery Extravaganza on August 8, 2024!

Join us for ten expert-led workshops to ignite your imagination and elevate your embroidery skills. Whether you're a novice or a pro, there's something for everyone. Connect, learn, and get inspired!  Students get access to all event presentation recordings with no expiration date BUT only if you get your ticket before the event date. Don’t wait! Space is limited.

Learn More 

To get $20 Off using my code: ee24reality  Sign up HERE

Making Zen FREE Online Retreat - 27th May - 31st May

 

Making Zen online retreat is in full swing with Day 2 in progress, you have 24 hours to watch the videos before they go. So naturally you would want to make the most of it.

If you want to have more time to watch the video then getting the VIP pass is a great idea. You might have thought that the Making Zen Online Retreat from @zenstitching couldn’t get any better - after all, it’s hard to top five days packed with 20 inspiring workshops! But I’m here to tell you it can, with… 

💙 Early access to all of the content

💙 Special bonuses like freebies and discounts from the presenting artists

💙 Access to the workshops for life

Check out the VIP Pass

For $97 USD, you get to re-watch those presentations to your heart’s content for years to come, and having done this retreat before it really helps to be able to watch the videos in your own time.

The extra bonuses provided by the artists are awesome, too - you couldn’t purchase some of them alone for the same price you’re getting with the VIP Pass! Totally worth it.

Join Us Today

If you can’t wait to get started, you can LEARN MORE HERE to get your pass and start Making Zen right away!

Fabric Art and Slow Stitching Projects - Material Musings

 

Welcome to Material Musings, where we embark on a journey through the exciting world of fabric art! From exploring various fabric products to delving into inspiring books for creative sparks, there's so much to discover together.

I am currently immersed in several fabric art projects, and we will be choosing a few to work on over the next couple of weeks. I will be adding some additional stitching and also going though my bead selection.

Check out the video above and I have included time stamps in the video description to make for easier viewing.

Check us out on the FREE membership on Patreon for some tips for you to consider while on the stitching journey: - Check it out Here

Embrace Imperfection

Don't be afraid to let go of perfectionism: ....Learn more Here

Experiment with Texture

Explore texture in your fabric art by: Learn more Here

Before You Go

Here are some of the other projects and resources mentioned for you to take a look at

Dragonfly stitched project - https://youtu.be/8Zody9EG9Z4

Red Bead Stitched Project - Part 1 https://youtu.be/aiqsmpk8D8s Part 2: https://youtu.be/PsHo0cntWIE Fabric Kits/course to purchase: https://realityarts.thinkific.com/courses/fragments

The Ultimate Flower Book - https://amzn.to/49FS2To

Creative Applique to Make and Wear - Hardcover - https://amzn.to/3JqmVR3

Stitch inspiration: Bianca Springer @thanksimadethem on IG or https://biancaspringer.com/ I am teaching - Check out my FREE Courses HERE - https://realityarts.thinkific.com/ Thank you for joining me in my art studio. We all have 5 minutes that we can give to creative play, why not see how you can fit creativity into your every day Subscribe Here http://youtube.com/amandatrought For More inspiration please visit my Patreon page HERE. https://www.patreon.com/realityarts

Check out Bianca Springers Book 'Represent - Embroidery' on Amazon HERE

Check out her Blog too HERE- 

Material Musings - Finishing those Fabric projects

 

Welcome to Material Musings today, I am sharing one of my fabric projects with you.  I have a range of projects that are in a stage of nearing completion and I often work on small batches at a time to get a group of them complete, and move them on to their next stage.

The projects are made up of a variety of different materials, including some that have been wax resist dyed, painted and there is some slow stitching that brings it all together.

It is a lovely relaxing time to do some slow stitching while getting some of these pieces complete, and they are now ready to go on to the next stage of their journey and I will think about what additional embellishments would look good.

Have fun with your stitched projects.

Before you go

Join us in the Art Resource Hub for the new digital download papers that are available to you for FREE to use in your creative projects.

Material Musings - Tips for your scrap fabrics

 

Welcome to Material Musings, in this video I share some ways that I use fabric scraps and create mini projects.  I show you some of the panels and wall hangings in progress, waiting for either some stitching, beading or to be added to another project.

I also share how I create these fun badges, they will either be placed on another project or can be used as a tag or in an art journal spread. I will be adding some more stitching to the pieces and maybe some beading to each of them.

How are you using your fabric scraps, or your supplies that you have neglected?

If you decide to create them, remember to share on IG and tag me @realityarts

Check in your own supplies to see what you have.  Here are some of the additional supplies that I used:

• Brads - https://amzn.to/3VsNA7c
• Hot Glue Gun - https://amzn.to/3vtsb32
• Embroidery Thead - https://amzn.to/3VsATJr
• Ribbon - https://amzn.to/3PvE3Zh
• Fabric panels (available in different colors) - https://amzn.to/495SutS and check out - https://amzn.to/3Tq9ghM

Have fun!

Before you go

Join us for FREE on Patreon or try out one of the Tiers on the 7 day free trial:

Material Musings - Stay Inspired with Slow Stitching and Fabric Art

 

Welcome to this weeks Material Musings, I'll be sharing some of my projects that feature stitched faces, These pieces reminder us of the possibilities that slow stitching and fabric art offer.

As you check out the video, also take a look at 4 ways that you can paint and stitch on fabric and tell your story:

1. Embrace the Storytelling Aspect

Each face stitched onto fabric tells a unique story, capturing moments, emotions, and memories. Slow stitching and creativity allows you to express those things that words might not be able to express. Using needle and thread enables you to weave tales of love, loss, joy, and resilience. As you bring your stories to life through fabric art. let the storytelling aspect of slow stitching fuel your creativity and expression.

2. Experiment with Texture and Depth

Explore possibilities of texture and depth with wax resist hand-dyed fabric, you can get some amazing effects. This technique adds a layer interest to your fabric art. Play with different colors, patterns, and resist techniques to achieve unique effects. Experimenting with texture and depth opens up a world of creative possibilities that will keep you inspired and engaged.

3. Add Beading

The addition of beads not only adds visual interest but also infuses your creations with additional pops of color. Experiment with bead placement, size, and color to enhance the beauty of your stitched pieces and bring them to life.

4. Therapeutic effects

There is also the therapeutic effects of slow stitching and creating on fabric to consider. The repetitive motion of stitches brings about a calmness that you can dip into whenever the mood takes you.


As you step into your own fabric art journey, remember to embrace the storytelling aspect and experiment with texture and depth. Let your creativity flow freely as you explore the endless possibilities of slow stitching and fabric art and watch as your imagination takes flight. So, grab your needles, threads, and fabrics, and let's dive into a world of creativity, inspiration, and endless possibilities together.

You can check out my Fabric Fragments kit which includes a selection of fabric both hand painted, dyed and pre printed. It has also included one of my painted and stitched pieces and videos on working with your fabric. Patrons get a discount on all courses and digital products on my course platform. 

I would love to see what you create, let me know what you are working on.
Blessings!

Before You Go...

Join Patreon for FREE