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:

Artsy Meetup Marathon - 2 Days to Go!

 

Only 2 Days to go - the Artsy Meetup Marathon

December 31, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Artsy Meetup Marathon

We only have a few days left before we see in the New Year.  When I think about what I want to spend time doing next year, creativity is at the top of the list!  and so I will be joining Kiala Givehand in the 3rd Annual New Year’s Eve Artsy Marathon.
​
We are going to bring in the New Year being creative with amazing people surrounded by our art supplies. 

Here are the artists that will be taking part

We would love you to join us?

This year's Artsy Meetup Marathon is:

• 24 Hours of Creative Lessons from a variety of guest teachers (names below).  You don't need to be there all 24 hours, the recordings will be available a few days after the event.
• The Scedule will be live on the website
• an opportunity to learn, play, and explore with other creative souls.
• a list of techniques, tips, and tutorials for your visual journaling and documented days. 
• There will be several GIVEAWAYS throughout the night
• a powerfully creative way to bring in 2024 with intention.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Teachers

Kiala Givehand - mixed media bookbinder, storyteller, printmaker, & wisdom keeper -- @kialagives

Tiffany Goff-Smith - mixed media artist -- @SouthernGals_Designs

Kristen Radden - creative divination junkie -- @otm_academy

Rachel Torda - artist, writer, seeker, & watercolor mermaid -- @thedreaminglotus

Meghann Early - intuitive art journaler & junk journler -- @meghandthemoon

Amanda Trought - mixed media artist & blogger -- @realityarts

Shemi Dixon - mixed media artist & youtuber -- @shemidixon

Leaca Young - artist & reiki practicioner -- @leacayoungart

Tina Riley - art & heART journaler -- @tinarileyimaginariums

Kristi Nazzaro - mixed media artist -- @soul_positive

Suzanne Earley - mixed media artist, quilter, and founder of strawberry moon magazine -- @suzanne_earley

Liz Constable - book artist, teacher, & author -- @bookartstudios

Dee Dee Catron - mixed media artist & mark maker -- @deedeecatron

Aly Million - mixed media artist and journaler -- @alycadabra

Brooke Henry - maker, teacher, art journaler -- @bbhenry_art

​Susanne Randers - paper lover, eco dyer, and bookbinder -- @mitkrearum

Vanessa Oliver-Lloyd - art witch & collage fanatic -- @dansmoncrane

Misty Granade - abstract mixed media artist -- @misty.granade

Cindy Gilstrap - mixed media & journaling artist -- @junqueart

Kristin Peterson - mixed media & collage artist -- @alteredstatesstudio

Joyce Van Der Lely - artist & empowerment guide -- @joycevanderlely

​

We are going to have so much fun at the Artsy Meetup Marathon, and you will have so many hints and creative tips to see you into the New Year.  JOIN THE PARTY!

****************************************

Before You Go

Check out Filling the Creative Well Mixed Media Course - LEARN MORE

Join us for the Artsy Meetup Marathon - See in 2024 with Us

Introducing the Artsy Meetup Marathon

December 31, 2023 - January 1, 2024

Artsy Meetup Marathon

When I think about what I want to spend time doing next year, creativity is at the top of the list. And that’s why I said YES to Kiala Givehand when she invited me to teach in the 3rd Annual New Year’s Eve Artsy Marathon.
​
We are going to bring in the New Year being creative with amazing people surrounded by our art supplies. 

We would love you to join us?

This year's Artsy Meetup Marathon is:

• 24 Hours of Creative Lessons from a variety of guest teachers (names below).  You don't need to be there all 24 hours, the recordings will be available a few days after the event.
• The Scedule will be live on the website
• an opportunity to learn, play, and explore with other creative souls.
• a list of techniques, tips, and tutorials for your visual journaling and documented days. 
• There will be several GIVEAWAYS throughout the night
• a powerfully creative way to bring in 2024 with intention.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Teachers

Kiala Givehand - mixed media bookbinder, storyteller, printmaker, & wisdom keeper -- @kialagives

Tiffany Goff-Smith - mixed media artist -- @SouthernGals_Designs

Kristen Radden - creative divination junkie -- @otm_academy

Rachel Torda - artist, writer, seeker, & watercolor mermaid -- @thedreaminglotus

Meghann Early - intuitive art journaler & junk journler -- @meghandthemoon

Amanda Trought - mixed media artist & blogger -- @realityarts

Shemi Dixon - mixed media artist & youtuber -- @shemidixon

Leaca Young - artist & reiki practicioner -- @leacayoungart

Tina Riley - art & heART journaler -- @tinarileyimaginariums

Kristi Nazzaro - mixed media artist -- @soul_positive

Suzanne Earley - mixed media artist, quilter, and founder of strawberry moon magazine -- @suzanne_earley

Liz Constable - book artist, teacher, & author -- @bookartstudios

Dee Dee Catron - mixed media artist & mark maker -- @deedeecatron

Aly Million - mixed media artist and journaler -- @alycadabra

Brooke Henry - maker, teacher, art journaler -- @bbhenry_art

​Susanne Randers - paper lover, eco dyer, and bookbinder -- @mitkrearum

Vanessa Oliver-Lloyd - art witch & collage fanatic -- @dansmoncrane

Misty Granade - abstract mixed media artist -- @misty.granade

Cindy Gilstrap - mixed media & journaling artist -- @junqueart

Kristin Peterson - mixed media & collage artist -- @alteredstatesstudio

Joyce Van Der Lely - artist & empowerment guide -- @joycevanderlely

​

We are going to have so much fun at the Artsy Meetup Marathon, and you will have so many hints and creative tips to see you into the New Year.  JOIN THE PARTY!

****************************************

Before You Go

Check out Filling the Creative Well Mixed Media Course - LEARN MORE

What are you doing to bring in the NEW YEAR

 Join us for the Artsy Meetup Marathon

What are you doing this weekend? Join us in some artsy fun, it is a great way to see the New Year in with creatives doing what they love best and that is using their art supplies!

I am so happy to be teaching at the Artsy Meet Up Marathon organized by Kiala Givehand @kialagives for 22 Hours of creative connection all over the globe. 

There are also 25 amazing artists who will be sharing their creative gifts.


What are we going to do? – Bring in the New Year with your art supplies and an amazing community of creatives to play along with.

What you will get?

• 22 Hours of Creative Lessons

• Opportunity to explore with other creatives

• Learn creative techniques, tips, tutorials and more!

• Bring 2022 in with a creative bang!

We would love you to join us - Check out the details HERE

 

How To Art Journal Interview with Kiala Givehand

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to Kiala Givehand about my work and creative practice as part of her How 2 Art Journal YouTube channel.  It was great fun and I thought I would leave the video link for you to take a look.

Been busy with other things this month, a few exhibitions to prepare for.  This week has also found me making some videos for the #1min1take video challenge with Holly Gillen.

It has been great to let go of the pressure of having to edit the video, and talking for one minute goes so quickly, so learning to be concise is becoming a great lesson.

Check out my YouTube channel to see some of the videos I have made, I hope that you will be encouraged.  Here are a few of the ones done so far

Hope you are having a blessed week so far, Friday tomorrow, need to find time to focus on the things that mean so much but can often get neglected.  That said will share some of the other things I have been doing in the studio.

Hang tight till then, stay blessed and be a blessing.

Win a spot on The Journey Within 2016 - GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY - GIVEAWAY - GIVEAWAY

I have 2 spots to giveaway on the course

1st place: One full year registration

2nd place: single quarter registration (Jan-Mar 16)

You will be aware by now that I am teaching in a course called The Journey Within A Year of Handmade Art Journals, and we are in the middle of a blog hop challenge.

You can check out HERE the challenge I set for Kiala on my blog hop day, and also see the blog hop schedule.

The course officially starts on 1st January 2016 and will last for the whole year but you also get a December mini course so you can test the waters, see how you can pace yourself.

Each month, Kiala will teach you how to make your own handmade art journal, give you prompts, tips, and techniques for filling the pages, and there are 17 other guest artists to share their art journaling process.

I will be teaching 4 lessons created just for this course for the year and I am looking forward to sharing with you!

Why not Join us for this amazing adventure and have your most creative year yet.

For a chance to WIN a place in the course, complete some of the tasks below - each one gives you two chances, or Sign Up anyway and if you win a spot you can bless a friend!

The Journey Within E-course 2016: a Year of Handmade Art Journals

The Journey Within - Art Challenge - Using your non dominant Hand

Art Challenge - Use your non-dominant hand

As part of The Journey Within Blog Hop for this month we are issuing Kiala with a variety of challenges that she will be doing in her Art Journal.  My challenge for her is to use her non-dominant hand to create a page, and see what she comes up with.  You can check out HERE what Kiala did for the challenge.  Also check out the other artists pages below to see what challenges they asked her to complete, and try some out yourself!

Not to run from a challenge I have taken part as well, here is my page, and you can see the video of the process as well.

Art Journal Page - The Journey Within - Non Dominant hand

Here is the Blog Hop list - make sure you check out each artist on the blog hop.

December 1 — Mimi Bondi — MimiBondi.com
December 2 — Cindy Gilstrap — Junque Art Studios 
December 4 — Tiare Smith — TiareSmith.com
December 7 — Julie Baker — Creatively Onward
 December 8 — Amanda Trought — Reality Arts  - This is me 
December 9 — Andrea Gomoll — Cre8tive Cre8tions
December 10 — Nicole Piar — GhostKitten.com
December 11 — Lisa DeYoung — Mountain Mermaid Studios
December 15 — Kelly Johnson — Wings, Worms, and Wonder
December 17 — Sadelle Wiltshire — Tangle Vermont
December 18 — Barb Owen — HowToGetCreative.com
December 21 — Hali Karla — HaliKarla.com
December 22 — Yuko Miki — Honeyberry Studios
December 28 — Virginia Simpson-Magruder — Kentucky Girl Designs
December 30 — iHanna — iHanna.nu

Blog Hop - The Journey Within - A Year of handmade art journals

I am doing a happy dance at the moment as I share with you that I will be a teacher in The Journey Within: A Year of Handmade Art Journals with book maker, Kiala Givehand and 17 other artists. The class begins January 1st and continues the entire year, and is incredible value for money!

Each month, Kiala will teach you how to make your own handmade art journal, give you prompts, tips and techniques for filling the pages, and bring in guest artists to share their ideas.

To kick off this great course, Kiala has created a December book and asked each guest artist to give her a challenge to complete this month. All these challenges are set up to create an opportunity to “Blog Hop.” play along as you “hop” from blog to blog. see below for the blog hop schedule.

My challenge will appear on December 8th. so do check back to see what I’ve suggested

If you decide to play along, let me know by checking me out on Instagram (@realityarts) and tag me. Use the hashtag #journeywithin2016 so we can all see your lovely work. 

Here's the blog hop schedule. Make sure you visit each person so you can see what they have in store for you. It is going to be an exciting year during The Journey Within: A Year of Handmade Art Journals.

December 1 -- Mimi Bondi -- MimiBondi.com

December 2 -- Cindy Gilstrap -- Junque Art Studios 

December 4 -- Tiare Smith -- TiareSmith.com 

December 7 -- Julie Baker -- Creatively Onward 

December 8 -- Amanda Trought -- Reality Arts 

December 9 -- Andrea Gomoll -- Cre8tive Cre8tions

December 10 -- Nicole Piar -- GhostKitten.com

December 11 -- Lisa DeYoung -- Mountain Mermaid Studios 

December 15 -- Kelly Johnson -- Wings, Worms, and Wonder 

December 17 -- Sadelle Wiltshire -- Tangle Vermont 

December 18 -- Barb Owen -- HowToGetCreative.com

December 21 -- Hali Karla -- HaliKarla.com

December 22 -- Yuko Miki -- Honeyberry Studios 

December 28 -- Virginia Simpson-Magruder -- Kentucky Girl Designs 

December 30 -- iHanna -- iHanna.nu 

​Looking forward to seeing you in the blog hop journey!