Material Mondays - Discover the Positive Impact of Regular Stitched Activities

Embrace the Joy of Material Mondays

Welcome to Material Mondays, a delightful journey into the world of mixed media art and slow stitching! In this blog post, we'll explore the incredible benefits of engaging in regular stitched activities. Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner looking to explore new creative outlets, the positive impact of these projects on your well-being cannot be overstated.

In the video I share with you a project that I am working on which combines painted fabric and slow stitching. I built up the images on the fabric using stencils, and fabric paint and then found the images on the surface.

There are so many great ways in which slow stitching can impact on your health and wellbeing, here are a few ways for you to consider. 

Nurturing Mindfulness and Relaxation

One of the most great aspects of stitched activities is their ability to induce a state of mindfulness and relaxation. Working the needle through the fabric,  creates a meditative experience.

Fostering Creativity and Self-Expression

Stitched projects are a perfect avenue for nurturing your creativity and exploring your artistic voice. With the projects you can infuse your personality, emotions, and unique perspective and create something truly one-of-a-kind.

Cultivating Patience and Resilience

Stitched activities can teach us the valuable lessons of patience and resilience. As you embark on a project, you'll encounter challenges along the way - threading a needle, tangled threads, intricate designs, or the need to redo a section. Through perseverance and determination, you learn to embrace these obstacles as opportunities for growth. The slow, nature of stitching encourages you to savor the journey, appreciate the process, and celebrate the small victories achieved with each completed stitch.

Connecting with Tradition and History

Embarking on stitched projects allows you to tap into a rich tradition that spans centuries. Stitching has been practiced across cultures and generations, creating a deep sense of connection with those who came before us. My mother use to create these intricately crocheted table decorations and many other things. I was always amazed at the designs that she came up with just two simple supplies – the crochet needle and the thread.

Promoting Self-Care and Well-Being 

Regular engagement in creative activities can significantly contribute to your overall well-being. The act of setting a dedicated time for creative pursuits is an act of self-care, allowing you to prioritize your own happiness and fulfillment. Through stitching, you can alleviate stress, and boost your mood. Additionally, the sense of accomplishment and pride that accompanies completing a stitched project gives you a much-needed sense of satisfaction.

As you join us in Material Mondays each week why not bring your supplies and embark on your own stitched adventures, don’t feel rushed to finish a piece of work, depending on the detail that you include determines the length of time it can take.

Remember the positive impact these activities can have on your well-being. From fostering mindfulness and creativity to cultivating patience and resilience, stitched projects offer a variety of benefits that extend far beyond the final masterpiece. So, grab your materials, and ignite your imagination!

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Transforming Tetra Pak Cartons into Art Journals: Embracing Recycling and Creativity

In today's art journal video, I am thrilled to share with you a unique and eco-friendly approach to creating art journals using recycled materials, specifically Tetra Pak cartons. These cartons, commonly used for packaging beverages, pose a recycling challenge in many areas. However, instead of letting them go to waste, we can repurpose them into beautiful and functional art journals that provide endless creative fun.

The Need for Recycling and Repurposing

Recycling has become increasingly important in our efforts to protect the environment and preserve valuable resources. By recycling and repurposing, we can reduce waste, conserve energy, and reduce the harmful effects of pollution. Tetra Pak cartons, due to their complex composition, often present a challenge for local recycling centers, and this led me to explore alternative ways to reuse these cartons and turn them into something meaningful.

Creating Art Journals

Art journals are a great way to express our creativity, capture our thoughts, and document our experiences. They serve as a personal sanctuary for self-expression and reflection. By repurposing Tetra Pak cartons into art journals, we not only divert them from landfills but also breathe new life into these everyday objects.

The Creative Process:

In future videos, I will be sharing the step-by-step process of creating these art journals with my patrons. From preparing the cartons to binding the pages, each stage offers opportunities for customization and personalization. You can choose to leave the carton's original design intact or transform it with paints, collages, or other mixed-media techniques. I have also reused the cartons as temporary plant pots in the garden and there are a range of other creative projects that you can use them for.

I would love to know how you use yours, and whether you have tried using them for a creative project, by transforming Tetra Pak cartons into art journals it provides a unique way to express your creativity while making a positive impact on the environment.

Join us on Patreon if you would like to see how I put the art journal together, and remember you can sign up for a 7 day FREE trial and view over 90 Patron only posts.

Playing with Faces - The Benefits of Spending Time in Your Art Journal

 

Spending Time in Your Art Journal

Welcome to today's art journal.  Today, we're going to explore a mixed media art journal that I created and consider some of the numerous benefits it brings to your creative journey. If you've never tried art journaling before or you're looking for some inspiration to reignite your passion, you're in for a treat!  Check out the video to see how I sometimes play in my journal and fill up some of the pages, prepping them for future use.

Art journaling is a unique form of self-expression that combines elements of visual art, writing, and creativity. It's a personal space where you can freely explore your thoughts, emotions, and ideas while experimenting with various art techniques and materials. Whether you're an experienced artist or a beginner, there are countless reasons why spending time in your art journal can be incredibly rewarding, let's take a closer look at some of these benefits.

Stress Relief and Relaxation:

Engaging in art journaling can be a soothing and calming activity. It offers a chance to disconnect from the hectic pace of daily life and immerse yourself in a creative sanctuary. As you focus on colors, textures, and the act of creating, you can experience a sense of mindfulness and find relief from stress and anxiety.

Creative Exploration and Experimentation: 

Your art journal is a playground for artistic exploration. It's a space where you can let go of expectations, rules, and judgments. You can try new art techniques, experiment with different mediums, be inspired and push the boundaries of your creativity. The freedom to make mistakes and learn from them allows for immense growth and discovery as an artist.

Creative Confidence and Courage:

Art journaling nurtures your creative confidence and encourages you to take risks. As you experiment, play, and explore, you develop a sense of trust in your own artistic abilities. This newfound confidence often spills over into other areas of your life, empowering you to embrace creativity and take on challenges with courage.

It's a personal journey that can bring joy, healing, and growth. So, grab your favorite art supplies, find a quiet corner, and let your creativity soar! 

Your art journal is waiting to be filled with your unique voice and vision. I hope that you take the time to work in your art journal/s finding that space and time to share your stories.

These are just a few of the many benefits of spending time in your art journal - you can catch the full list on my Patreon on Tuesday, why not sign up for the 7 day FREE Trial.

Material Mondays - Dragonfly Slow Stitching and Beading Project

I have a stitched project from my last Material Mondays to complete and in the video that I share I show you how I would continue to work on this project.

I share with you how I would continue to work on this project by adding beading to the surface. I love incorporating beads into my stitched projects and I have managed to gather quite a collection over the years. Beading enhances your project and enables you to tell your story, there is also a therapeutic experience that goes hand in hand with slow stitching and quite a satisfying feeling on completion of the project.

Check out the video below to see how I go through the process of selecting the right beads for the project.

Here are some additional ways that incorporating beading to your project will impact in a positive way to your overall health and wellbeing.

Bead Selection

Choosing beads for your slow stitching projects can be a sensory journey in itself, carefully examining their colors, textures, and shapes, allows you to indulge in the pleasure of selection - deciding what looks best for your project. Each bead holds the potential to enhance your project and become a tiny work of art in its own right. As you take your time to select the right beads, you tap into your intuition and creative vision, creating a connection between your stitched design and the chosen embellishments.

A Meditative Process:

Incorporating beads into your slow stitching projects invites you to enter a state of mindfulness. As you thread each bead onto your needle and place it within the fabric, you focus and the repetitive motion of beading becomes a form of meditation.

Visual Delight:

Whatever type of beads you choose, each bead carries its unique color and sparkle. You spend time looking over your selection of beads and additional uses for projects come to mind. 

Completing a Project

Completing a slow stitching project already brings immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. When beads are incorporated, this feeling is magnified. The process of threading and securing each bead adds an extra layer of dedication and attention to detail. It serves as a testament to your creativity, patience, and the story that is told through your work.

Personal Style and Storytelling: 

Beaded embellishments offer a unique opportunity to infuse your slow stitching projects with personal style and narrative. With each bead, you have the power to tell a story, evoke emotions, or be reminded of a memory. The selection and placement of beads enable you to create a deeply meaningful connection between your stitched art and your own personal journey.

Incorporating beading into your slow stitching projects comes a transformational experience, intertwining creativity, mindfulness, and personal expression. The therapeutic effects of selecting the right beads, mindfully adding them to your stitches, and seeing the project completed is so satisfying.

So, embrace the magic of beading in your slow stitching journey, and witness how each tiny bead adds a touch of sparkle and soul to your stitched masterpieces.

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