Tuesday 23 April 2024
Material Musings - Fabric Reflections
Monday 1 April 2024
Material Musings - Finishing those Fabric projects
Thursday 22 February 2024
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.
Blessings!
Saturday 2 December 2023
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.
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
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.
Monday 16 October 2023
"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.
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.
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 @
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
Thursday 24 August 2023
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.
Did you miss the previous episodes, you can see how the project went through the creative process.
Before you go
Monday 7 August 2023
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."
New Textile Art
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 on Patreon!
Wednesday 12 July 2023
Challenge yourself - Stitched projects and their positive Impact on Your Creative Journey
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.
Wednesday 5 July 2023
Material Mondays - Discover the Positive Impact of Regular Stitched Activities
Embrace the Joy of Material Mondays
Welcome to Material Mondays, a delightful journey into the world of mixed media art and slow stitching! In this blog post, we'll explore the incredible benefits of engaging in regular stitched activities. Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner looking to explore new creative outlets, the positive impact of these projects on your well-being cannot be overstated.
In the video I share with you a project that I am working on which combines painted fabric and slow stitching. I built up the images on the fabric using stencils, and fabric paint and then found the images on the surface.
Nurturing Mindfulness and Relaxation
Fostering Creativity and Self-Expression
Cultivating Patience and Resilience
Connecting with Tradition and History
Promoting Self-Care and Well-Being
As you join us in Material Mondays each week why not bring your supplies and embark on your own stitched adventures, don’t feel rushed to finish a piece of work, depending on the detail that you include determines the length of time it can take.
Thursday 22 June 2023
Material Mondays - Dragonfly Slow Stitching and Beading Project
I share with you how I would continue to work on this project by adding beading to the surface. I love incorporating beads into my stitched projects and I have managed to gather quite a collection over the years. Beading enhances your project and enables you to tell your story, there is also a therapeutic experience that goes hand in hand with slow stitching and quite a satisfying feeling on completion of the project.
Check out the video below to see how I go through the process of selecting the right beads for the project.
Here are some additional ways that incorporating beading to your project will impact in a positive way to your overall health and wellbeing.
Bead Selection
Choosing beads for your slow stitching projects can be a sensory journey in itself, carefully examining their colors, textures, and shapes, allows you to indulge in the pleasure of selection - deciding what looks best for your project. Each bead holds the potential to enhance your project and become a tiny work of art in its own right. As you take your time to select the right beads, you tap into your intuition and creative vision, creating a connection between your stitched design and the chosen embellishments.Visual Delight:
Whatever type of beads you choose, each bead carries its unique color and sparkle. You spend time looking over your selection of beads and additional uses for projects come to mind.Incorporating beading into your slow stitching projects comes a transformational experience, intertwining creativity, mindfulness, and personal expression. The therapeutic effects of selecting the right beads, mindfully adding them to your stitches, and seeing the project completed is so satisfying.
Monday 3 October 2022
Material Mondays - Creating a Travel Sewing Kit
Welcome to Material Mondays, my weekly fabric and mixed media art materials session where we tak a look at some fabric projects, techniques and have fun playing with fabric. This week I show you what is in my travel kit.
I have a felted piece of material that houses my needles and pins and a selection of embroidery thread in different colors depending on the project that I am working on and some standard ones.
I also travel with an embroidery hoop and a piece of heavy cotton that I have written several encouraging words on. When I travelled this time, I hadn't wanted to take a lot of supplies and found the words on the fabric ideal, as I could not only stitch, but I was continuing to reflect on the encouraging words as I was stitching.
I also have a series of fabrics of different stages, some have been wax resisted and dyed or painted, it is great having these small pieces to collage together and add stitching when the mood takes me.
Check out the accompanying video to see the travel it up close and you can check out the previous Material Monday Episodes HERE
I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out previous posts below
Day 1 - What are you Doing with your life?
Day 2 - Coles Adventure and the Case of the Rogue House Sitter