Realityarts - Inspiration, Art and Creativity

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Savour - Memories of Home

Memories of Home

Welcome to the second day of the Memories of Home Series.

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.

After an especially long day that feeling you get for just wanting to be at home, to put on your favourite lounging or relaxing clothes, have a cup of Spiced tea and close the door to the days activities.

When I am away from home looking after my mother I am constantly on the go, thinking about her needs, trying to guess what she could be thinking, how she is feeling what she needs at any given moment - my constant chatter as I provide her entertainment, until I hand over to the support I have put in place.

I look forward to switching off, placing my mind on automatic as I get into the car, drive home through my favourite route, the one that has the trees lined streets and beautiful houses and just be. I come back to myself and my thoughts, changing my pace and looking forward to coming home as the unwinding process continues.

I like the moments of stillness, the breeze as it glides through my car windows, the soft tones of music playing in the background and and out of my consciousness and I then I pull up outside of my house. That exhalation of air as you make yourself comfortable in your favourite seat. The familiar sounds, sights and aroma of the nights meal for that moment all is well. When you have been away from home what is the one thing you savour

I would love to hear what you have put in place in your own home environment that allows you to savour what you have, please share in the comments below.

I hope you continue to join me on my journey over the weeks, as I share my mixed media houses and some art journaling and look back to the memories of home. I look forward to hearing about some some of your own memories.

Tutorial Tuesdays - How to make a Capturing Moment Mini Journal? and Competition

Tutorial Tuesday - Capturing Moments Mini Journal

In today's Tutorial Tuesday I thought that would share with you how to make these simple journals - Capturing Moments. I called them this because they capture moments of whatever you want to use them for. I was inspired to make some more after two that I made from recycled materials were shown in a magazine called Craftseller.

Here's how you put them together:

Measure out card to suit the size you want

Recycled card measures 3x7inches

Choose paper that you want to use as the cover both sides and use either pva glue or double sided tape

Using a bone folder you are going to create a spine allow 3 inches on either side and one inch for the spine, this is where the signatures will be sitting

The signatures measure 3 x 6 inches in length and you will need 11 of them

Fold in half an see how they fit in the book

Get your wool or string of choice and rap round the outside cover, tie it in a knot

begin to wrap the wool round each of the signatures and round the back

Once you've wrapped it round each signature you cut off a length of the wool

Use large needle and thread the remaining wool back and forward through the spine

If you want you can thread beads on it at this point

Once you have secured the wool all the way down tie off and before you cut it off you can decide to add a beads at this point.

I added a paper bead to my one.

Then you can add what ever decoration to the front of the mini journal and begin to have fun in it.

Competition

Win a Capturing Moments Mini Journal and tags selection -

enter below for a chance to win. Leave a blog comment and choose some of the additional ways to increase your chances - good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday 14 October 2013

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

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