It has been a while since I did a post for Material Mondays and I have been busy trying to complete the stitching and also source embellishments and beads, which have been great fun, in between doing other creative projects.
Here is the one I have finished and I have called it Expression - measuring 8.5 x 8.5 inches. I really enjoyed completing this one with the beads and other embellishments. I had found some really pretty jewelry pieces that I was able to add to the painting.
The pink and white beads are slightly iridescent and have a shimmer to them when the light hits them. All the colours complement each other and the piece is finished off with a bamboo rod with a silver chain so that it can be hung.
Let me know what you think. Have you experimented with fabrics, and embellishments, what is your favorite? If you would like to purchase this I will be putting it for sale on my Etsy store
Welcome to Material Mondays, it is great to have you come and visit and see what I have been up to in the studio. I have found over the past year as I am sure that I have said in previous posts, that I have really enjoyed working with fabric. From painting, sewing, embellishing and seeing not only what you can come up with creatively but where you can take the fabric that you are working on using different mediums and tools to enhance your project.
These fabric pieces have been real projects for me as they take time to complete due to the more intricate work that goes into adding the beads to the pieces.
But the joy is not only in adding the beads but selecting, and sorting. I have been making many trips to my charity store to see what jewelry and embellishments they have, and have come across some unusual and very pretty finds.
This latest piece is called The Conversation.
Do let me know what you think, leave a comment and share what you have been working on, does it inspire you to give this a go? Or even add an element to your creative projects.
Well the paper packs are finally ready to send out, and are finding their way to some special homes. I was glad I have been able to offer them as a gift for signing up to My Color is Beautiful Art Course. As part of my lesson we will be working on a canvas, and some of the things in the pack will come in handy.
You will also be able to make other things with the materials in the Kit and each week on a Tuesday I will be showing you just how far the resources will stretch and what you can make.
Included in the pack a selection of:
Paper ephemera
Patterned and hand painted papers
Handmade paper
Die cuts
Ribbons
Findings
Handmade Stencils
Beads and embellishments and much more!
CLICK HERE to sign up for the course and receive your
FREE PAPER AND EMBELLISHMENT KIT
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR THE COURSE DON'T WORRY!
I created another kit, with many of the items above but a whole lot more that you can purchase for $9.99 or £6.41 aprox which will include postage and packaging!
The packs are waiting to find creative homes - it could be yours, and there is so much you can do with them! Check out the tutorials I will be doing on Tuesday!
Click on the buy now button to purchase
Other things to report this week is the EEC Christmas Fair, I had a stall there and it was great to see so many people come out and support. It was a lovely family event that they put on each year, and lot of preparation and hard work is done by Angie Ng and her team.
I have been working on some mini wall hangings which you will get to see closer over the weekend and they make great gifts.
and we have picked out a winner who should get their book next week.
Best thing above all is that we still have our mum here with us and she sees another birthday. We take a moment to remember our loved ones who are not with us and the gift of life that we have alongside the opportunity we have to make a difference each and every day. Everyone came round to mums along with the grandchildren who helped her celebrate, catch up and eat cake!
I have been hooked on creating these wall hangings for quite a while, and haven't lost my zeal for creating them. I have a few more ideas that I want to try out and because of the time it takes to complete need to make room for them.
I started this one about a month ago, laying down the initial colours and adding the machine stitching.
It is called 'Embrace Me' measuring approximately 4"x8" and the majority of my work that I create is about relationships.
The relationships that we have with others and the one that we have with ourselves, how we encourage and support our selves, being gentle with our hearts.
The thing that takes time is the embellishing but it is such a therapeutic activity that you can get lost in. It is also an activity that you can do while sitting with the family and not feel as if you have shut yourself away in the studio, again these wall hangings remind me about the relationships that I have with others.
Thanks for stopping by Material Mondays where I share a project that involves either working with fabric in some way or crochet. If you want to learn how to crochet or work with fabric and a number of other courses, then check out Craftsy. For all new subscribers they have a selection of free online classes, and are always running a special offer on some of their fee paid classes
About a couple of months ago I started some fabric art projects, that used some quilting techniques, while including beading and other mixed media materials. I have been quite pleased with them and shared them HERE.
I have been progressing with the fabric projects and produced one above and shared it in its early stages on my instagram account.
I liked using the paints on the fabric and using colours some of which were my favorite. I quite liked the piece as it was but wanted to add additional paints, and then incorporate beads and stitching within.
The paint and gave the figure a bit more form and as I continued a story began to unfold.
wall hanging as it progresses
The piece measures 22.5 cm by 23 cms and was the type of project that you couldn't complete in one sitting. I loved adding the beading, and the hand and machine stitching. In the background I used a variety of stencils and doodling with pens and metallic paint. It is a great way to add additional colour and sparkle!
Here is the finished piece, I attached a willow stick to the back of the fabric and added a cord to allow it to hang
Adding the beads to the fabric was very therapeutic, having to take the time for each individual bead allowed me to think about the creative process and unwind. I also visited the charity shop and got some jewelry and found some really lovely pieces that I will be using in future projects.
Every hand stitch and machine stitch was part of the creative process. I used the machine as if using a pen, and allowed doodles to form on the fabric.
I allowed myself to experiment, there was no right or wrong just allowing freedom in expression...
I realize how much I enjoy making these wall hangings and will be making more and make some available for purchase. I find that these mini wall hangings allow me to get involved in all the disciplines that I enjoy without it being a massive project, it also allows for stories to come forth - not only in words but in materials, patterns and color.
Get out your fabric and other supplies and see what you can come up with! I would love to have your comments, blessings!
What do you do with all your paper and card scraps? Why not create some mini wall hangings?
Mini wall hangings
I have wanted to make these mini wall hangings for such a
long time but kept putting it off and finally got round to it.
What delights do you have in your scrap boxes
They are a great way for recycling cardboard,
scraps and odds and ends in your supplies that are too nice to throw away but
are too small to be used on their own.
Simple additions make mini pieces of art!
I have 3 containers labelled as ‘scrap’ that had come from
the off cuts when I was creating other projects and I am determined before the end this year
to use them up and make room for other things.
On each of the sections you can also create them and apply a selection of images of
your favourite things, encouraging words, even some art work.
You can change up the shape of the
arrangement of the wall hangings....
create a variety of sizes
......depending on where your imagination takes you and the space you have to hang them, choosing to make a feature of them or use them as creative reminders.
They could make lovely presents and you can create some that the recipient can put their
own photos.
Creative reminders
Some other ideas that I
might try is trying some transfer images, or making them thicker and larger in
size. Because they are made from
cardboard they are also lighter in weight than if you were to make them from
clay. I really like them and look forward to seeing what you create and how many ways you can come up with the layout.
I hope you have a blessed weekend, and allow your creativity to push back the boundaries in order to allow yourself to really soar!
Come back on Tuesday to see how I made the Wall Hangings in Tutorial Tuesday. Do share creative ways in which you have used recycled materials and leave a comment below.
Realityarts - Creativity Book Shop - Some really great titles for you to dive in
Creative Resources
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