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.

Embroidery Extravaganza - Stitch your way to new skills and threads of inspiration

 

Thursday, August 8th, 2024

1-5:30 pm Pacific Time

Creativity meets Craftsmanship 

Embroidery Extravaganza, is a virtual event featuring ten expert-led immersive workshops to spark your imagination and improve your embroidery skills. 

This event offers something for everyone, whether a novice or seasoned pro.  You will be able to connect with fellow enthusiasts, gain new skills, and leave with fresh ideas for your next project.

Embroidery Extravaganza kicks off with a keynote presentation on stumpwork and the art of wireslips, which add stunning depth and texture to your projects. Following the keynote, choose from nine engaging 45-minute workshops, each focused on a unique technique or style including:

• Explore the magic of hand stitching, 
• Learn to make creative design and color choices, 
• Finish your projects like an expert, 
• Make the most of your notions and tools. 
• Several Sashiko presentations will teach you how to incorporate stitches into your quilts and upcycled projects. 
• Learn how to add embroidery to your photographs 

What you receive:

• Experience 7+ hours of instruction condensed into 4.5 hours with the magic of technology!
• You can watch the sessions live or catch the recordings
• Enjoy lifetime access to the event recordings
• Enter for a chance to win amazing giveaways during the live event.
• Receive a digital swag bag filled with goodies

Sign up and receive $20 Off using the code ee24reality at the checkout

Come and join us and take your embroidery and slow stitching to another level - be sure to make the most of your discount to the event and use the code ee24reality
at the checkout.

You can sign up for the event HERE

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!

Material Musings - Fabric Projects

 

Join us in the studio and come and see what new projects we are working on in Material Musings, some new projects using faces and figures and completing some of the smaller stitched projects.

Here are some ways in which you can make the most of your stitched projects:

• Display Creatively: Showcase your finished projects in unique and creative ways. Frame them, hang them on a decorative embroidery hoop, or hang them on wooden dowels or branches for a natural effect.

• Personalize Gifts: You can use your stitched projects to create personalized gifts for your loved ones. Whether it's a custom-designed piece of embroidery or a hand-stitched card, adding a personal touch makes the gift extra special.

• Experiment with Techniques: Don't be afraid to try new stitching techniques and explore different styles. Mix and match colors, stitches, and patterns to create one-of-a-kind projects that reflect your creativity.

For More Ideas Click Here

Here are some of the pieces that I am working on

These piece use some of the digital art dolls that I have on my Etsy Store, you can check them out Here

Material Musings - Fabric Reflections

 

Welcome to Material Musings, how have you been?  We look through several projects in this video and it is great to be able to reflect on some of the work that I have done.

Are there things that you wanted to change that having put them in place you have managed to get sorted?

Join us in the creative slow stitching fun!

Before You Go

Check out my website, you can click HERE or scan below!

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 - 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

The Art of Slow Stitching and Weaving: A Creative Journey

Welcome to another inspiring week of Material Mondays!

Today, we're diving into a world of creativity that has been an important part of my life for many years. I've always enjoyed simple crocheting, but I've also been a collector of various yarns. I'm thrilled to share this journey with you, one that combines the art of slow stitching and weaving to create unique, visually captivating pieces. Weaving and stitching offer a different kind of creative fulfillment when combined with my ever-growing yarn collection.

My crochet journey has allowed me to collect an assortment of crochet needles, some of which are passed down from my mother, who created delicate doilies that covered our coffee table and the backs and arms of chairs.  While I don't have the passion to create delicate doilies, I'll be showing you how I've integrated my yarn collection into my weaving and slow stitching projects, leading to increased artistic expression.

Weaving: A Creative Revelation

I started growing my own cotton and delved into the art of weaving and spinning. This marked the beginning of a journey, incorporating not only different types of yarn but also other materials like fabric, wood, and beads. I'll take you through some of the projects that I have created on this adventure.

The Woven Masterpieces

1. Combining Yarn and Fabric:

One of my favorite creations is a fusion of yarn and fabric, where I intertwined yarn from my collection with painted fabric, which gives you a lot of fantastic colors and textures.

2. Incorporating Natural Elements:

In some projects, I've integrated Moringa and other wood from my garden.  To decorate the wood I use a wood burning tool, and other mark making tools 

You can get some lovely designs working with the Moringa Wood

3. Unique Stitched Pieces:

I've also dabbled in the art of Boro shashiko, a traditional Japanese stitching technique. It's led to the creation of beautifully stitched pieces that add a unique character to my collection. It's a way to infuse new life into old fabric scraps and turn them into something quite beautiful.

The Joy of Slow Stitching

Incorporating slow stitching and weaving into my creative process has brought a whole new dimension to my mixed media work. It's not just about the final product but also the journey, the process, and the therapeutic aspects of creating something with your own hands. Here are three benefits of embracing slow stitching and weaving projects:

1. Mindful Relaxation:

These activities encourage mindfulness and relaxation. The rhythmic, repetitive nature of slow stitching and weaving allows you to unwind and find solace in the simple act of creation.

2. Versatile Expressiveness:

Slow stitching and weaving provide a versatile canvas for self-expression. You can experiment with different materials, textures, and techniques, allowing your creativity to run free.

3. Sustainable Crafting:

These projects often make use of existing materials, like old fabric scraps and yarn, transforming them into something beautiful. It's a sustainable and eco-friendly way to embrace your creative side.

So, whether you're an experienced crafter or someone looking to embark on a creative journey, I encourage you to explore your own creative journey, seeing where there is overlap or where materials have dual uses.  Experiment with your supplies, blend different materials, and let your imagination run wild. Craft your own unique, artful path and savor the joy of slow stitching and weaving and what ever else you want to couple with them.

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Before You Go.....

"Meditation Meets Art" - Wax Resist Cloth on Material Mondays, Week 1

 

Come and join me in Material Mondays this week, I start a new project working on a fabric that I have created a series of patterns on using a wax resist technique.  

The fabric was then dyed, and I am excited to work on this textile meditation cloth. I am going to be using a straight stitch and spending time quietly contemplating and reflecting.

If you missed last week's Material Mondays the previous piece came to an end, there was quite a bit of detail, but I think the end result was worth it! In the video below I also share a course that I took called Zen Stitching. It was filled with some useful information, and I came away with techniques that I could transfer in my own work.

The Finished Project

Close up detail

Check out the Video

Before you go

Come and join us on Wednesday 18th October at 10am EST

We are connecting through creativity, and invite you to an International Art Meetup this Wednesday on Zoom! 

I was kindly asked by my friend Wendy Solganik (@willa.wanders) to join forces with the following other artists for this special time.  

Tania Ahmed (@taniaahmed)

Caylee Gray (@cayleygrey @getmessyartjournal)

April Mathis (@alittlecreative.me)

Amanda Trought (@realityarts)  (me)

Christine Ebner (@stepandshoulders), 

Nicole Warrington (@coastalnicole) , and

Beatriz Helton (@beatrizhelton). 

The Vision:

In a world filled with diverse experiences, we believe in the power of art to unite us. Join us for a few hours of collective creativity, transcending borders, cultures, and backgrounds. 

What to Expect:

Art in Unison: Grab your favorite art supplies and immerse yourself in the connection of creating alongside fellow artists from around the globe.

Sign up to my mailing list for further information - You can connect HERE

or put the following in your browser - https://bit.ly/MailGif

Stitch and Play - Part 3, Material Mondays

 

Welcome to Material Mondays, this week I am completing the project and will share with you how I had the borders and additional beading to the project.

These projects are great fun, and I usually have an audio book or music playing in the background while I work.  I also think it is important to be able to step back and come back refreshed to a project.

There are some lovely areas of stitching that are my favorite.  I haven't yet chosen the next project to work on.  I will be sharing a sneak peek on my Patreon

Did you miss the previous episodes, you can see how the project went through the creative process.

Part 2

Part 1

Before you go

Slow Stitching: Completing Textile and Fabric Artwork

Welcome to Material Mondays! Today, we are delving into the world of slow stitching and completing textile and fabric artwork. You can check out the accompanying video below, I'm excited to share with you the process of working with different materials and adding intricate stitches to create textile art pieces.

Last week, we looked at an incomplete piece that I've been working on, in this video and I'm happy to say that it's now complete! I added additional stitching along the figure's body and clothes, defining the edges and creating shadows with darker threads. The completed piece measures nine inches by nine and is titled "Rest A While."

I'm considering framing it, but it will also be available for purchase unframed on my Etsy shop or website.

Here is last weeks video if you missed it

New Textile Art

Working on small stitches, is something I find incredibly enjoyable. It allows me to add intricate details and textures to my artwork, giving it a unique look and also enables me to experiment with various stitches, threads, and materials.

I enjoy working on multiple projects and I find that when I come back to these unfinished pieces, that I am able to look from a new perspective. Stepping away from a piece can be a refreshing way to gain new insights and inspiration.

Slow stitching and completing textile and fabric artwork is a journey and It's about finding joy in small details, experimenting with materials, and letting inspiration guide your hand. I hope this glimpse into my artistic process has inspired you to pick up your needle and thread and embark on your own creative adventure.

Join me next time on Material Mondays as I continue working on this piece and explore more stitching techniques. Until then, stay inspired and keep crafting!

Join me on Patreon!

Check out exclusive content on Patreon - sign up for the 7 day FREE trial and get access to over 300 'Patron Only' content.  

Challenge yourself - Stitched projects and their positive Impact on Your Creative Journey

Welcome to Material Mondays, where we get to explore the world of mixed media art and the joys of slow stitching, painting fabric, and mixed media projects. In this blog post, you will get to see the next stage of this mixed media art piece and consider ways in which we can look at the benefits of engaging in challenging creative stitched projects and pushing our creative boundaries.

Finding Relaxation in the Challenge

I have a variety of challenging creative stitched projects and they offer a unique opportunity to find relaxation and mindfulness especially at those times where you may have a limited time.  Slow stitching allows us to make marks and doodle with thread, immersing ourselves in the motion and finding peace in the process.

Unleashing Creativity through Exploration

The challenge of a stitched project pushes us to explore new techniques and materials. I love practicing on smaller pieces as this takes the stress out of doing something new, or playing about with materials. I am now confident with adding beading to pieces because I spent time practicing on smaller pieces and looked at different combinations.  Equally with painting on some of my fabric pieces, I just look at it as another canvas and go with the flow of the piece.

The Thrill of Accomplishment

I find that when I have completed a challenging stitched project, it brings a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. I am hoping to have this piece completed by next week, and then select another piece that is waiting. It is important that we take the time to step back and admire our creation, and experience that sense of pride, seeing the growth that went into overcoming the challenges along the way.

Are you working on a Stitched Project?

Join me on this creative journey exploring the possibilities of slow stitching and painting fabrics and pushing our creative boundaries and start completing projects that you have laying around waiting for your attention.

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