Sing your Song - What untold stories are waiting to be told?

Singing your song

‘it’s time to sing, let it out, lift your voice as you tell your story and the hear the song - let it be told.  Listen to the sound of your voice’...Realityarts

This painting started off as a journal page, but then it took me in a different direction.  I had been thinking about all those untold stories that we have within us and how art and creativity can say so much, without words, using texture, colour and imagery.

We all have a story to tell and often so many of the stories go untold.  If we are fortunate we will have the chance to look back over old photos, or in a gathering someone remembers something and you get to reminisce of those times.  Our stores don’t always tell of happy joyful times, but of sadness, trial and hardship, but they are our stories.  

When I look at my mum I know that she has within her untold stories of her journey, her fears, her love, her life before she became a mother, and then later as she started a family and saw them grow.  It is hard to capture her thoughts on her life now as she is unable to use the words she wants, she still tries to communicate how she is feeling, disjointed unrelated words flow out of her mouth, and you see her listening head leaned to one side.   I sometimes wonder if it’s like talking to someone in a language they don’t understand and the frustration that can come as communication is difficult and the other person doesn't know what you are saying...

But despite this she still has songs of joy, there are still so many stories to be told and what we have to do is take time to listen, piece them together and share them.  As I tell my own stories I want them to be passed down the generations, to be remembered. I have to remind myself to listen to listen to what my heart is really saying, to not get lost in the stuff, the circumstances and doubt, but to hear the songs of promise, grace, understanding, peace, love, trust and truth.

Let your voice be heard, tell your story, sing your song and understand your journey.... Blessings

Sing your song - tell your story

Material Mondays - Fabric Art, Mixing the Media

I have come to the conclusion that I really enjoy using different mediums in my work, and this has come over the years of experimenting, trying different things.  Creating using fabric, and decorating using the sewing machine and then embellishing is not only a fulfilling activity, bring joy, and excitement at using the different materials, it is also a relaxing activity with the different types of activity that you have to do.

Each activity in itself has its own rhythm, when I am adding the paint to the fabric there is some freedom and abandonment as you let the pain, colours, textures, stamps and stencils meet together on the fabric, and from that I allow the images to form.

I have been using the sewing machine as a drawing tool as well, defining the images.  There is a rhythm in the sound of the machine as you allow it to play with the fabric, joining the stitches and bring order to the piece.

Once this is done, I enjoy looking for the right embellishments, and jewelry that will complete the piece, and not only raid my own supplies, but go to the charity shop and see what jewelry that I can pick up that can be added.  This part of the process gets you to slow down, each bead threaded by hand, and combining the beads to attach to the piece takes time.

This art panel combines some of my favorite colours, mainly the light blue, and picks up some of the pinks and yellows within.  The clear beads also have a hint of blue and green in them and this brings balance to the whole piece.

I really enjoyed creating this fabric art panel and finishing it off with a willow stick and faux leather string. I will be putting this up for sale soon in my Etsy store and on my website. 

Every Monday I share a project that involves either working with Fabric, Jewelry, Crochet, Knitting and much more!  If you want to learn how to crochet or work with fabric, jewelry and a number of other courses, then check out Craftsy. 

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.

Word for the Week - John 15:13

Greater Love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends...John 15:13

What is the biggest sacrifice that you have made, people make decisions concerning others every day and some do it out of selfish motivations.  Sometimes you have to make certain sacrifices to achieve your dreams and while you can't always see the end result, you have to have faith in the process...

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. 

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

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

Stay blessed and be a blessing

Gratitude's and Celebration - Week 58 - Seeds

You can count the amount of seeds in an apple, but you can't count the amount of apples in a seed...Anonymous 

I love getting out into the garden and working with the soil, clipping back plants, perhaps moving a plant to a new location.  I find spending time outdoors a really relaxing activity.  Even when I didn't have access to a garden I had a lot of houseplants and would regularly nurture them with a song or two - there are studies that show that plants respond to touch and sound.....

The thing I enjoy most with gardening is finding a new plant the seeds of which find a good location depending on where the bird has managed to drop it as it has flown past.  These little surprises brings with it a new variety of plant.  But the key is where the seed falls which will determine it's success.

We also have to be mindful about where we plant our seeds - the words we speak to others, the gifts and talents that we have within us.  We have to not only be encouraging but make the most of each and every opportunity, building up the lives of others rather than tearing down. Are we sowing on good ground, nurturing and watering to ensure growth?

I am grateful and celebrate the gifts that I have been given to share, and I am thankful for the growing confidence to step out each and every day so that I can be an encouraging light for someone else.  

What type of seeds do you have within you and what type of soil are you sowing in?

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