Material Mondays - Crochet Necklace

I still enjoy spending time with the crochet needles and coming up with necklace designs.  You can be creative in a different way by not only crocheting the necklaces but also decorating them with beads and other embellishments you might have around.

I find it is really relaxing activity that can be done while your sitting with the family, you can still be involved with the conversation and not isolated in the studio.

We all have those times when our creativity needs a kick start especially when you might be feeling a bit stuck and wanting some inspiration.  I find that it helps to do something totally different as a way of encouraging the creative juices to flow.

 With the necklaces, I have kept the design fairly simple and used some seed beads to decorate alongside some silver buttons

Here it is the full necklace and the crochet hook that I used, you make it whatever size required, and use the wool that you prefer.

The necklace is good to go!

The necklace can be made the focal piece of an outfit either for a casual affair or a more formal engagement.

If you are considering learning how to take part in 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.

Stepping out of the Boat - Creating in Faith

Time to step out of the boat

Anything that is worth having you not only have to work hardfor it, but you also have to step out of your comfort zone'.  I know that the times where I have made a bigger effort the results are more rewarding because you can appreciate the hard work that went into it. As you look back you really see your achievements and the steps you took to get where you were to where you wanted to be.  

We can sometimes get complacent, too comfortable or even lazy when it comes to making those changes, but with perseverance you will see the results of your hard work.

You need to get out of the boat and walk!

It is easy to decide to do nothing and not make changes, cause change happens whether you decide to act or not. You can do nothing and not make any decisions and decide to leave things the way that they have always been, but do you think the way it has always been done is working for you?  Take some time to think about it for a moment.  Think about what your purpose in this world, if that is too scary, think about what your purpose is for the next week and how different you want it to be, what do you want to achieve this week that you never thought possible last week, what will it look like?, who will it effect, how will it really change your life?  If you want things to be different you have to move cause change is caused by motion, whether it is on a grand scale or if it is a little bit at a time, one day, one thought, one action at a time.

Stepping out of the boat, out of our comfort zone  requires us to have faith - which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen....  The bible also tells us that 'I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength' Philippians 4:13.  What things have you been sitting on that you really want to try, you've been giving yourself that excuse time and time again and keep telling yourself 'soon' or 'I'll do it the next time', next month or next year, and time passes and before you know it next year has come and another 3 went along with it.  I want to encourage you for 2014 where ever you are on your journey not to be fearful of what is to come, not to be afraid of what you can see, or what other people are saying.  Take a step out of the boat that you are in and have faith that with each step you can make that difference, that change.

Get a different perspective

I started this series of creating in faith posts last year July after been asked by my fellow artist and friend Mika Diaz on Motley Soul to contribute to one of the groups on her site, and now a year and then some has passed you can see my first post HERE. It has been a real journey, and I have come out after a year having grown.  I have gained new insight, which I am looking forward to be able to see just how far I have come.  I have created a series of creative bookmark holders, and pieces of art, capturing prayers, thoughts, desires and dreams, of which I know some have been answered, often as a result of changing perspective.  I will be sharing my reflections next week and share what I will be doing next as a project on my blog. Have a blessed week, leave a comment, let me know what steps you will be taking for change this week.

The Lord is my shepherd;  I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul... Psalm 23:1-3

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me..Psalm 23:4

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

Gratitudes and Celebration Journal - Week 23 - Move Forward!

Do not allow the past to hold you back.....

In my bid to make changes to the way I do many things it calls for stepping out of your comfort zone.  You know how it is, you get comfortable with certain things and when you try and shift out you go back to the old ways.  But we have to grow, and we need to keep growing and every year you should be able to look back on something new that you have tried, or learnt.

Some of you will have seen changes on my blog and posting and I will be sharing more things that I have been doing, quietly working away, making that way and in times of doubt dusting myself off, picking myself up and going at it again.

Gratitude's and Celebration - moving forward

The page reads 'Do not allow the past to keep you back, move forward' and today I am grateful that I can keep moving forward and make the most of each and every opportunity that has come my way and is still on the way.  I am also grateful to be able to try so many different things, Sekani showed me how to get instagram on my windows phone and I have been messing around with it, so many photos to share.

Completed page - Keep moving forward!

Today think of those things that you have allowed yourself to be held back by, what are you going to do about it? One small change over a period of time can make the difference. I would love to hear from you and share what you will be tackling next.

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)

Perfume - 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.

Memories of Home - Perfume

Perfume

When we were younger mums favourite perfume was one by Yardley called ‘Lilly of the Valley’.  It seemed timeless, and was a lovely perfume.  It became one that mum became known for and she always had a good supply requesting it for birthdays and Christmas presents.  It was what we called a ‘mum’ scent and you would be able to smell it as she walked past or in one of those much needed TLC moments where she would give you a hug and tell you not to worry that everything would be fine and you were comforted and it all seemed alright.  Yardley back then was seen as quality, with their products being packaged and only available in certain places, it is now thought of as a perfume for the 'older lady' according to the news papers, but if your not one for fitting in with social pressure you’ll buy it if you like it!  

I grew to love perfume and the sweeter scents from a young age, when I can afford it I like to treat myself with floral tones and favour geranium, ylang ylang and jasmine.  I also find that a few of the selected men’s eau de colognes have some gorgeous scents and from time to time I have brought myself one that takes my attention, there is one that I have been eyeing up for a while called Hermes that I really like – but that will have to go on my wish list. 

A couple of years ago I found some Lilly of the Valley bulbs, and brought them not having much expectation with their growth and put them in on one side of the path as you come to my front door.  Well they grew, and what was amazing was how delicate they smelt, their scent got stronger in the evening and so you would come home and be greeted by a subtle blend of jasmine and Lilly of the valley along with the rosemary and the lemon verbena plants.  What is also lovely about these plants is that they are perennials so every year they not only grow back they spread as well.

Perfume and aromas have a way of transporting you back to a memory and Lilly of the Valley is like for me, it takes me back to my childhood and a time where you didn’t have a care in the world, and the adventure of life lay ahead and whether in a bottle or in the garden will always bring on a warm feeling of comfort and safety.

What part of your home or your childhood holds those special memories, please leave a comment 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!

Tutorial Tuesday - Mini Frames

Tuesdays' Mini Frames

I made a selection of mini frames at the end of November alongside some that I made into necklaces and I thought I would show you just how easy it is to create your own, from recycled materials that you probably have laying around your home.  Here is another look at the selection that I made, but you can check out the post HERE

You can create any size that you want, but I guess the small ones have a cuteness to them!

To make your own you start with the following tools.

You need cardboard from any packaging you might have laying around, 

selection of interesting images from magazines, 

handmade embellishments in a variety of sizes, 

glue, paint, 

jewelry findings - if you are going to turn it into an item of jewelry

Cardboard being recycled for a creative project

 Cut the cardboard to the required size, and select the image or embellishments that you want.  Mine measure 2 inches x 1 inch and the one with the circle embellishment measures approx 1.5 inch x 3/4 inch

Use whatever paper you have available

 I covered both sides of the cardboard with paper first,

 a couple of layers should do, then let them dry

You can use gesso or paint of choice

 Once dry, coat them with gesso, again a couple of coats and leave to dry

The stamp is for the back of the project to add interest

 I stamp the back of mine as I am going to make them into jewelry, using the stamps I made in a previous post HERE

 Once the ink has dried, give them a coat of pva glue and this will seal it.

 Attach you image to the front.  The embellishment was made using clay, painted black and highlighted with goldfinger paste.  The bear image was taken from a catalog.

Applying the glue

 Applying glue around the embellishment and the image I coated them with quinoa (which had passed its' sell-by date) and allowed them to dry

 As the embellishment was raised I applied a second coat of glue and then another coat of quinoa

 Once they had dried I coated them with paint in pewter which gives it a metallic look

Inexpensive jewelry - one of a kind

Completed necklaces with highlights of goldfinger paste.  I attached a finding and faux leather thong! 

I hope you have a go and let me see your results.  You can try using a range of materials that will give different textures and look to your project, and also try different shapes. Do have fun and share your results.  Until next week!

Material Mondays - Painted Recycled Fabric

Painted Recycled Fabric

I have been having fun painting fabric for use in a variety of creative projects.  I found out by error that acrylic paints don't come out when I was painting while wearing an item of clothes that should have been covered up, but wasn't.  After washing the paint didn't come out, and so acrylics alongside fabric paints became part of the tools used to create designs.

I have also been using a lot of recycled materials that would normally be unusable for making another item of clothing prior to painting because they are too tatty, but once painted the materials take on a different texture and then can be incorporated into your design as you wish.

The first three fabrics were taken from a school uniform trousers made from a polyester and cotton mix and to prepare the fabric I used gesso as a base and then applied the paint, pens and stamps.

On some of the fabric like the one below which is a school shirt which I used as a mop up while painting other projects came out with quite nice patterns and will make a great lining for another project.

old school shirt

Here is a shirt decorated with paints and stamps and used to line the inside of my bag journal.  You can check how I made the bag journal HERE

using school shirt to line the inside of Recycled bag journal

Here is the inside of the journal once completed with more painted fabric used as pockets

recycled bag journal and inside pages

When you use fabric that has already got an unusal pattern within it it can create some great effects

Baby wipes - I used them quite a bit in the studio, as a means for clearing up, but when they get soaked with paint, they begin to take on new life and I can hear the sewing machine calling for some experimentation.

baby wipes can be used in creative projects

I also found some scraps of leather that I have begin to experiment and play it has a great texture and I am looking forward to using it in a project.

Old leather can be given a new lease of life by painting

Back to the school uniform trousers, because the material was quite thick I didn't need to coat it in gesso first. I wanted to experiment with different mediums and so used derwent artbars and applied glitter on certain places on the piece below, 

fabric portraits using artbars

This piece used gesso as a base then I used artbars again along with pearlised glue, and fabric paint. The colours do come up slightly brighter.  I used a sewing machine to highlight some of the features and the flower.

I have not yet decided what I will be using this piece for, will have to give it some thought.  Have you tried experimenting with fabric?  It would be great to hear about some of your work, so do leave a comment and link to your post.

Using stitching to add to the effect of the fabric portraits

If you are considering learning how to take part in 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.

Space - Creating in Faith

When I look at the valley, mountain, forests and see I know there is a God.  I don't have any of these environments near my how, we have a small local park and an open space that you can take a stroll round, and almost pretend if your close your eyes real tight that you are in a tropical type location. 

Kew Gardens - view from the treetop walk!

If you jump in your car you can come across much more open space and with a small fee you can share the experience and some is wild and others carefully tended.  As kids we were use to having access to open space, much over the years have been turned into luxury apartments!

Away on holiday, making the most of the outdoors!

One of the things we really appreciate when we go away on holiday is how much space people have, not only in the homes but outside space as well.  We make more of the space and venture out daily exploring our surroundings.  Is this purely because we are away and the cares of our daily lives have been dis-guarded as we locked up house and got in the taxi to the airport?

My sister-in-laws' back garden

Personal space

Does anyone else find that as they get older they desire to have some space from themselves - just to get time to think? I catch myself sometimes - as I tell my son to stop making so much noise wondering when my ears became so sensitive to this beating his hands on the table an unknown rhythm and expression of his creativity. Seemingly sounding like my mother did I understand and really 'get' now in my adult years what they were talking about.

Tired what can be construed as clutter I seek solace in a minimalist environment with the sound of the waves lashing in the background the fresh breeze dancing across my face.

What does the idea of space hold in your mind, how can you create more of it in your environment?

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,    which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.  Psalm 1:3

Christmas Fair and Concert Today!

EEC Christmas Fair and Carols

Today is the day of my stall, there will be lots of lovely displays and people sharing their work.  There is an International Food Hall where you will be able to sample a lot of the delights, if you are in London, near to Victoria or Westminster then why not take a detour and come down and start your Christmas celebrations in style!

As usual at this event which I attend yearly there will be a feast of colours from the neighbouring stalls, and there will be so many lovely arts and crafts on sale.

On my stall I will have some of my art pieces and a selection of my Capturing Moments mini journals and have designed some mini kits that contain 2 mini journals, paper pack, ephemera tags, beads, glue etc for you to get creative with,

Captured moments kit to encourage your creativity

I thought is is a great way to dip your feet into getting creative and everything comes in the kit.  They also come in a lovely clear box that helps you keep everything together, and make lovely gifts.

Captured moments mini kits

If you don't want the kit I have some small mini journals that come with tags as seen below.

Captured Moments mini journals with tags

I will have some available on my website over the next week so if you want to order one of the kits you can. If you can't wait and want them before the Christmas rush then email me at amanda(at)realityarts(dot)co(dot)uk and I will sort something out:)  The Kits are £10 plus £3.50 pp, the mini journal with tags are £3.00 plus £2.50 pp.

Captured Moments Journal Kit

I will be giving 30% of all sales to Oxfams disaster relief appeal and I hope to make as much as possible to donate to the appeal.  I thank everyone in advance who will make a purchase for either themselves or a loved one for their special occasion.  Your purchase will go to support a family whose whole world has been turned upside down and whilst we are far away we can do as much as possible to show our support.

Also for those who are looking to continue the evening how about coming to a concert with a range of local artist.  III Chronicles Studio will be hosting their 7th Anniversary concert.  There will be an array of performers will be contributing to the night. I'll be there, so stop by and say hello.  I hope you have a blessed weekend and do share what you will be getting up to!

III Chronicles Studio in Wembley