Recycled Projects - Teabag Treasure Boxes

What do you do with the boxes from the teabags you recycle?

You would have got a glimpse last week of one of the boxes that had been altered below when I showed you the teabag treasures post 

There are some great ways that you can decorate the boxes and here are a few suggestions...

I wanted to create a home for the teabag treasures and what better place than the boxes they came from in the first place. Each box came to life with its own feel, not quite having an idea of how I wanted them to look,

I decided to spend time playing.  The one below is covered in quinoa which gives it a lovely texture and it has flowers hanging from the lid of the box.

This box had initially been covered with a gold textured paper, and covered in gesso to give it an old feel, then covered in some goldfinger paste.  The box also has some home made washi tape around the middle.

 This box was covered in sequins and decorated paper

All in all the boxes came out quite pretty and is a really easy project

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 Teabag boxes in Tutorial Tuesday. Do share creative ways in which you have used recycled materials and leave a comment below.

Gratitudes and Celebrations Week 20 - Attention

Gratitude's and Celebration - Attention

What has grabbed your attention this week about your journey?  I still believe I am on the journey, willing to experence and make the most of the opportunities that come along the way.

Will we ever arrive and know all there is to know about everything - I think not, that is what makes life so exciting.  There is still time to learn new things, venture to new shores and watch another sunset.

I celebrate being able to see my son get to an age I remember as if it were yesterday, it seemed as if I had all the time in the world to live my life.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be creative and for the resources I have at my disposal.

As this week draws to a close can you think of the beautiful things in your life. Do leave a comment and have a blessed weekend!

If you want to see how I made the journal (click here)

Space - Memories of Home



Space - Memories of Home



Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

Space

Growing up we were never limited with the amount of space we were able to have access to. While we lived in a 3 bedroom apartment with a small balcony, we had access to a very local park with lots of greenery, and an even bigger space in Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill fields. Our parents encouraged us to ride our bikes, scooters and even on foot to explore, engage and have fun in our environment.

As I have grown older, I have relished having space around me. My garden that I tend provides another living space that we can all enjoy whatever the weather. As my son has grown and his sister now with a home and family of her own, I was able to claim my own creative space, which I feel has enabled me to grow as an artist.

 

Space - Mixed media house

 

I would love to hear what creative ways you have made your space yours and I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!

 

Space to Dream....

Tutorial Tuesdays - Teabag Treasures

Teabag Treasures

On Saturday I showed you my teabag treasures HERE.  Today I will be showing you how to make one of these decorated teabags to make your own treasures.  They are pretty straight forward.

Select whatever type of teabags you may have.  There may be some that got forgotten in the back of your cupboards that you can use.

Here are some of the tools that I used for this project.

Take the teabags and make a slit on one side and then cut along the top of the bag. Pour out the contents of the teabag.

Select from a range of things that you might have already or that you want to make, and encouraging word, an image that can go inside the bag.

When you are satisfied with the contents that you have cover the bag in pva glue and coat the back as well.  Allow to dry.  The glue helps the teabag to stiffen and has a leathery type feel.

For the frame of the bag I used quinoa and put a beading of glue then sprinkled the quinoa on to cover all of the glue.

Allow to dry and then add any additional embellishments 

You can either leave the edges as they are or you could put a coat of paint of your choice, alternatively you can rub 'goldfinger metallic finish' to give it a vintage look.

Teabag Treasures

Once complete give it a final coat of pva glue on the front and the back which will act as a sealant.  You could go on to use these bags in your journals, on cards as a gift.

I am looking forward to sharing next weeks recycled project.

Material Mondays - Crochet Neck Warmers

Crochet Neck Warmers

With winter coming up I think about comfort and being warm.  I don't mind the cold weather but I dislike being cold, so you will always see me with hat, scarf, gloves and very thick socks!

I found with scarves lately that depending on what coat you were wearing they would inevitably fall or slide off and you would spend quite a bit of time flinging it over your shoulder........make way for the neck warmer:)

Selection of neck warmers

 These are made with quite thick wool and I have made a few in quite bright colours to pick up my mood on a wet and dreary day 

warming my neck in the studio! - you can forget you have it on!

This is the first one I made, with its winter colours.  Under your coat it definitely provides a seal of warmth that will not be penetrated by the harshest of cold winds.

Neck warmer with woolen button

Here you can see that the neck warmer can be worn in different ways

I made two of the neck warmers with buttons made from wool which meant that if you made them for young children there wouldn't be any problem with swallowing buttons

The wool is also quite soft and you almost can forget you have it on, and you can make different ones to coordinate with your outfits!

If you are considering learning how to crochet, or any other creative activity check out Craftsy online courses, at the moment they are doing a special offer on some of their classes, and they are offering some free mini courses. Click here.

Have a blessed day, see you tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday.

Recycled Projects - Tea Bag Treasures

I am really excited about these as they came out better than expected.  I called them Teabag treasures.

Having a clear out of my cupboards I found box of teabags that were passed their prime.  I had thought of using the leaves for dying paper in my journal and as I emptied each bag I thought that they would make mini canvases that you could put special messages on.

 Hidden messages, or treasures that could be encouraging and uplifting.

 It reminded me of those people who would find hidden messages in the leaves of the loose tea at the bottom of the cup

 On each bag I placed an encouraging message, a reminder that there is more that the current life we live...

 We only have to be brave enough and get out of our comfort zone and see the special qualities that we possess!

Teabag treasures, what are you doing with the treasures that lay hidden inside of you?

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 Teabag treasures in Tutorial Tuesday. Do share creative ways in which you have used recycled materials and leave a comment below.

Gratitude's and Celebration - You are Beautiful! - Week 18

Gratitude's and Celebration - Beautiful

You are Beautiful!

Today is a very special day for me.  

My son Sekani turns 18 years old!  

The time has indeed gone quickly and he has grown up so fast.  He has been a joy, obviously mixed with the ups and downs of teenage life!

 My wish has been that he is confident, uses his gifts and talents and steps out boldly into life with enthusiasm and excitement.

He is indeed a beautiful young man.

 Today I am grateful for his life and we celebrate all that he is and all that he is yet to become.

As this week draws to a close can you think of the beautiful things in your life. Do leave a comment and have a blessed weekend!

If you want to see how I made the journal (click here)

Home - Memories of Home

Home - Memories of Home

Welcome to Memories of Home, if you would like to find out more information about the series, Click here

Being in a supportive environment is important to our growth as individuals, not everyone has had that opportunity and as adults we try and create an environment that will nurture and bless our children and indeed ourselves.

Home

Where do you feel at home?  For me it is not in the objects that we surround ourselves with, the ornaments, that rug or the china.  But it is an atmosphere, those familiar aromas, and scents that fill the air.  I remember my mothers perfume, or the bread that she baked, the ginger beer she had forming on the kitchen window ledge.  The feeling of home were all underpinned by a memory of something that we had been doing, sitting around the kitchen table comforted in the warm that our parents unknowingly created in the space that served as our home.

Memories of Home

In my own home I try and pull many things together, finding that balance that allows us all to flourish in the right conditions, giving us all a voice and a place to feel nurtured. 

In that place called home we can reconnect with who we truly are, explore and face new adventures.  Our prayers and thoughts go out to all those in the Philippines who have been affected by the The Typhoon.  If you want to give a donation click on the link here that will take you to the Oxfam site.

I would love to hear what creative ways you have made the space you call home, and I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories. Blessings and peace to you!