Material Mondays - Crochet and Fabric

Welcome to Material Mondays - Crochet and Fabric Monday Makes a selection of posts where I share what I’ve done with fabric and crochet, things that I have been experimenting on, trying to perfect and hopefully things that will inspire you to give it a go for yourself.  The only way to get better at something is to keep practicing.  I don’t profess to be an expert, but I am willing to give it a go, and extend my creative abilities and even see how some techniques can be altered and used in my mixed media work.  

To check out what I have made click on the link:

Crochet Necklace

Painted Recycled Fabric

Recycled Bag Journal

Chunky Button Fabric Journal

Crochet Neck Warmers

Crochet Baby Hat

Amigurumi Owl....

Fabric Journal

Crochet Wrist Cuffs

All things fabric

I've been experimenting quite a bit with using textiles and making fabric journals, with my first exposure to fabric journals being with Teesha Moore with her fabric journals and Mika Diaz with painted pages. They both have different styles and are very inspiring.  I have also been stepping up with the crocheting, graduated from the circles and squares and actually making functional items.  It is a very relaxing activity, among some of the things that I have started include jewellery, and scarf’s and a hats!  I will share what I have done when I finish the pieces.

Crochet was never something I was keen on.  Growing up I was used to seeing my mother crocheting and making table decorations, all intricate and delicate looking, (I’m sorry that I didn't keep any of them).  I’m not sure what became of them, perhaps they gave way to more modern table adornment.  I stumbled across a site called Craftsey and they introduced me to the side of crocheting that I never explored.  But more and more crochet and fabric are now becoming integrated within some of my work.  I’m not sure if I will make a crochet blanket but I do love the many things you can do with crochet.   Fabric it is also so versatile and you can do so much with it, especially if you have recycled, painting it and giving it a new lease of life.  I was inspired by some of the quilts that I saw whilst on holiday earlier this year and also many of the textile artists and quilters that I have met online Carol - Jehjireh Spirit.  I recently got a kindle copy of the story of Estella Weaver Nukes who made Franklin Roosevelt's Postage Stamp Quilt written by Kyra E Hicks and I have been inspired to write a short story about quilts that were passed to the women of the family and the magnificent colours and patterns and story that the pieces of materials and designs tell - this is a work in progress.

Reusable Crochet Journal Cover

My first showing for the ‘Monday Makes is a journal cover for one of the Capturing Moments mini journals. 

I have made a reusable crochet cover for a along with pockets to store items in for crafting.

Using simple straight forward pattern the inserts are the same for the ‘capturing moments mini journal and has a bead to button it that has been decorated using Bead enhancing glue.  I am looking forward to working in it!

Some of the items will be for sale and I will list it on my website.  If you like something, what you get will be made with love.  If you are interested in learning how to crochet or quilting etc there are lots of links on you tube, you can also check out Craftsy who run online classes and at the moment have a selection of free online classes for you enjoy.

Tutorial Tuesday

Each week on Tutorial Tuesday I will be showing you how to make the recycled projects that I have made over the weeks. Here is a list of all the current tutorials, click on the link to take you to the post.

Current Tutorials

DIY Washi Tapes


Mini Frames



Textured Chunky Journal A6


Teabag Treasures


Teabag boxes

Handmade Stamps

Directories Book Journal

Toilet Roll Journal

Capturing Moments Mini Journal

Strength - Creating in Faith

Creating in Faith - Strength

Physical strength is something that we all possess to varying degrees and we can build upon it through training and exercise.  Inner strength is something far different built up from the trials we have been through and calls on reserves from a place that at times can be tested to the limit, and we can find ourselves wondering if we can make it through, whatever the situation, ready to throw in the towel one minute to the next being able to see some rays of sunshine and hope.

I have had my inner strength tested to varying degrees over the past 15 years and seen the strength of others tested in different ways.  Having looked after my mother and shared her journey on my blog, there have been moments where I wasn't sure if I could cope, or if I wanted to carry on.  In April early this year she suffered from a mini stroke and then another one in July while we were away on holiday.  As she ventures on the road to some form of recovery I am thankful that she is still here.  

We have shared our joy, laughter and pain as we venture into still unknown dementia territory, as her main carer I try and find things that will make her life more comfortable and look at ways to make her environment safe.  At the moment she has trouble walking, and her vision is very poor, so we have to look at alternative accommodation and preempt things that may arise and try and make her remaining years as comfortable as possible. 

In March 2011, Barbara my fellow artist and best friend of over 30 years passed away suddenly, no warning, no sickness, nothing leaving behind a husband and 5 children.  Our worlds were turned upside down.  I admired the strength that her husband showed, whilst in his pain he was there for everyone else, always asking how you were, giving you encouragement or seeing if there was anything he could do for you.  He pulled the family together, he had to, he was tested in the fire, there were some very dark times and it seemed inconceivable that he would ever see a glimmer of light, but on 4^th October this year 2 ½ years after Barbara’s death he met someone that showed him how to laugh again and they celebrated their wedding along with family and friends.

On 2^nd June this year, my brother passed after fighting multiple myeloma for 4 years, I am still trying to be strong calling on the experiences that I have been through, it doesn't feel like he is gone sometimes, I sometimes shaking my head in disbelief that this could have happened.  I look at the strength that Frances his wife has to call on to be there for their 3 children, to carry on doing the routines that used to be shared.  I wonder how I would have coped, with every corner a reminder of the loss. 

I was at the hospital right before he went to be with the Lord, not ever imagining that it could ever happen, hoping that it was a nightmare or to be able to flick the switch and change the channel.  Robert had said to me in 1992 when my father passed away that we had to be strong for my mother and we were.  Through my tears on the 2^nd June I knew that I had to find the strength, I was not alone in my grief and as we shared our memories and experiences our pain was and will be eased.

God says that he will never leave or forsake us, and that we can do all things through Him who gives us strength and I must say that despite the past few years my strength has truly come from God.  There is nothing that we can do on our own; we know others who have suffered things that we don’t even want to contemplate.  I talk to my son talk about Robert and the times we shared as children and growing up.  I also tell him about all those who risked their lives, fought and died so that he could be free and in his soon to be 18^th years allowed to vote and to be able to enjoy a life where his views and thoughts can make a difference – the generation of tomorrow.

Whatever you are going through remember that you are not on your own.  There are others who are praying for you, reaching out to you, lifting you up, and hearing your story, hearing your voice.  You will see that you are not on the journey alone, for in our strength we will begin to breathe again one day at a time.

Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you... 2 Corinthians 13:11

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away... Matthew 24:35

Recycled projects - Capturing Moments Chunky Mini Journal

Welcome to a new feature that will be on my blog.  In my bid to become more organised and up my game a bit I thought I would start having a few regular features to show you what I have been getting up to in my studio and to share some of the processes.  On top of the mixed media art, paintings, working in my art journal and working on resources for carers I have been doing quite a few projects. I will be using Saturdays to share the things that I have been creating in my studio, the majority of which using recycled materials to create a piece of art. You will be surprised at the types of things we have around us that can be totally transformed.  On the Tuesday of the following week I will be showing you how the pieces were made, and do a mini tutorial called Tutorial Tuesdays. On Mondays (Material Monday's) I will be showing you things that I have made from fabric or crochet.

The first project has been these mini journals that I call Capturing Moments.  They are fairly easy to make and measure approximately 3x4 inches.  Making them and putting in all the detail has been quite therapeutic, and there is much to be said for the art processes and creating a sense of well-being.  They are great to just grab put in your bag or pocket and be able to be creative wherever you are - capturing the moment at hand!.

On Thursday I shared two of my mini journals 

that were shown in a magazine called Craftseller.  I had used some of the free paper selection that came with the magazine.  It was my first time to submit to a magazine and in the process also won a voucher which allowed me to purchase some craft supplies from stickytiger! Yay!

Capturing Moments mini journal

The Capturing Moments mini journals are just that - to be able to capture ideas, thoughts, quotes, images or whatever you like. 

Recycled materials form the basis of the journals

I have been using them for a variety of things especially when I am on the go - as a means for sketching out some ideas, looking a colour so that I can then do a larger image on my chosen surface.  

Multiple uses and fit in your pocket!

I also have one that I place photos, quotes, scriptures, and encouraging words that I want to be reminded of.  

Selection of the Capturing Moments mini journals

I made them with a set of 10 tags for use alongside for that extra special message and have added decoration along the edges using beads, paper beads and whatever else I could find in my stash.  Let me know what you think of these mini journals, have you found some interesting materials to create with, do share.

If you come back on Tuesday I will be showing you how I made the journals, and I will also be having a giveaway and you can win one of the Capturing Moments Mini Journals.  Have a blessed weekend.