Quote Wednesday - Jim Rohn

Character isn't something you were born with and can't change, like your fingerprint.  It's something you weren't born with and must take responsibility for forming

Jim Rohn

 It is important that we surround ourselves with encouraging and motivating words and that we strive each day to be the best that we can.  You have an opportunity today to be more than you were yesterday.  It might just be a small change and you need to own it, taking responsibility for every moment!

Each Quote Wednesday I share a quote with a photograph that I have taken.  Join me next week for the next inspiring quote and image.

Material Mondays - Quilted Art Wall Hangings

 Fabric Art

Beginning layers of paint are applied

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!

Word for the Week - Psalm 34:8

Taste and see that the LORD is good; 

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 

Psalm 34:8

He is good, all the time and all the time he is good. Take a moment to ponder on your life, the breath that you take, how everything is formed, working together without your interference or collaboration.

Word and image for the week, to bless, encourage and inspire you to be all that you have been called to be.  

As you meditate on the scripture and enjoy the image ask and think about the many gifts you have been given, the many challenges you face, and the fruit that will come from the work of your hands.  

What will you do with what you have been given today?

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Gratitude and Celebrations - Week 56 - Trust, and more!

Sometimes you need to let go of your expectations and go with the flow, trust and embrace the change.....

I have been away on holiday for 2 weeks, which took me out of my normal environment into one that was sun filled with sand, sea and beautiful environment.  The preparation to go seem to come really quickly and then we were waving goodbye to the UK and saying hello to BARBADOS!

There was so many things that I had wanted to complete when I was away, and somethings that I managed to complete and put into place before I left, but with anything as always there will be something that gets left.  For me it was my blogging schedule, I didn't get to do the posts I had wanted to include during my time away and our internet connection and my internal clock was in a different zone which meant that by the time I was able to get myself into gear it was time to come back and here I am with the lesson of being in the moment and sitting where you are and enjoying the experience. 

I think that we all can relate to those things that seem to drive us from one point to the next, that we feel we should be doing which is all well and good, but we can also miss out on the very things that we should be focusing on.  I decided to go with the flow, enjoy the time at the beach, with family, making new friends, travelling around the island, knowing that when I came back I could more appreciate all that I had left behind.  We can so easily miss all the important moments with worrying about what should have been done, and when we let go of expectations the magic can really happen.

I am so grateful for the time spent away, for the new friends that I have made, for the surprise upgrade on our return journey which gave us extra leg room and 'real cutlery' on the plane!  I am even grateful for the jet lag, and the tiredness which beacons me to sleep even though I can think of a million and one things to do. I celebrate the changes that are yet to come and trust that as I embrace the change new opportunities and doors that will present themselves.

As you ponder on your week and look forward to your weekend, think about what you need to let go of and those things you should start to trust and embrace.

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal