November Review

November has been a month of big changes for us. Our youngest son (and his dog) has moved out to be with his girlfriend, and they are expecting a baby in April so more changes ahead. We are excited to be empty-nesters after 24 years. We know it will take some adjustment, but my husband has already moved from the room we shared into the vacated bedroom and turned it into a music room. This means I now have a lot more space to organise things in my studio so hopefully that will lead to more creativity. Progress so far : 

As I post this we are heading into December and while it will be busy, it's almost summer school holidays for me and I am looking forward to the break from work and fresh ideas for new projects. 

Only a few weeks to go to finish my year-long challenge of #52cards2024 : to create a card that reflects the past week (ending Sunday). I must include stitch, the colour turquoise and a word. These are my November cards : 

You will realise why the last is more pink themed when you read what I'm planning for December. I post these individually with a bit more info about the theme each week on my Instagram and Facebook Artist's page.

I started November by teaching arty junk journals to a group of students at school for "Be Brave" - a 2 hour session to try something different out of their comfort zone. They created a journal with recycled materials and I talked to them about using art to support positive self-talk and as a way to destress by spending time creating something for themselves. Thrilled with how they were engaged and what they took home with them. 

I love a December Daily or Daily-ish journal. 

Last year's evolved into a Summer Journal that lasted from December to March. It became what it needed to become. This year there are once again some free online offerings to take some self-care time and focus on yourself amongst the busy of December. 

Care December 2024 with Kasia Avery -the theme this year is Pink. 

Care December is 15 days of mindful, intuitive mixed-media art journaling. 

Then there's Art Journal Advent 2024 - an instagram offering with Michelle and Tamara.

Read more about it on Michelle's website. There's a prompt a day, and this year some other artists sharing their interpretation of the prompt. 

Also check out journal construction ideas on Youtube with MegJournals - she's one of the organisers of the Junk Journal January and July projects I've participated in previously. She's been doing a challenge called No Sew November which has great journal making ideas to create the base for a December Daily or Junk Journal January (fingers crossed she does it again in 2025). 

And not free, but a small price of US$18 is December Pause with LIz Lamoreux. Explore the creative practice of writing lists to anchor you in the midst of daily life. 

I wondered if I might make myself a new journal, but as I was thinking about the pink theme for Care December, I realised that I have 24 spreads left in my JIYA journal 

- last seen in March this year, I started it at the beginning of 2023 so it would be fabulous to finish it before the end of 2024. Not sure how it will evolve, but as I said above - It will become what it needs to become. If you haven't seen this journal, these are a couple of empty spreads

and a couple that already have something as a starter

And I've made pink gatherings - although obviously I'll need some other colours for contrast.

I have got quite excited writing this and can't wait to share more in December. Make sure to follow my FB Artist page or my Instagram for {hopefully} regular page posting. 

Another class which is available for Free for one month access from when you sign up is Wendy Solganik's Phone Photography and Editing Webinar 

It sounds good but I am waiting to access it until mid-December in the hope that I can make good use of it through those days that stretch between Christmas and New Year.

Now it's Summer and some of my stresses have lifted, you can expect to see me posting more regularly on my Instagram and my Facebook Artist's page too. Wishing you some pockets of creativity and peace in December. Take care of yourself ♥ 

September and October Review

As shared in my mid-September post, I delayed my monthly review for September and combined it with October since I had a trip away at the beginning of our school holidays. We were so lucky to have a wonderful holiday in Rarotonga - highly recommended.

Unfortunately, since we've been home, stress has stolen my mojo and I am feeling frustrated with myself but unable to feel inspired enough to create very much. I am so thankful to have my weekly project that I am managing to keep up with. #52cards2024 : to create a card that reflects the past week (ending Sunday). I must include stitch, the colour turquoise and a word. 

These were my September cards :

Week 39 = 3/4 way through the year so here's everything that far. 

And now to October : starting with Raro inspiration of course 💙

I post details about the inspiration for these on my Facebook Artist's page and Instagram.

I also had to make a few cards for birthdays in October. I decided to go back to the backgrounds that I had created in August 

and ended up these 5

I had the opportunity to teach a lovely group last month with a day-long mixed-media class. I taught my Star Book class as well as Tag projects, including how to make master sheets and Zines. These were my samples and inspiration for them

This was the master sheet I demonstrated and the week's card that came out of it. 

And these were their star books. It was a really fun and successful day.

Looking ahead to what's next, I haven't signed up for Fodder School 4 so I have more options for what to do when my creativity revives...and it always does 💜

Some free online inspiration coming up with another Zen textile-arts-focused retreat

The classes aren't available for long, but I am looking forward to watching Brooke Henry create this removable hand stitched notebook cover.

And of course there'll be December Daily-ish book projects coming up - will share those as I find out what's happening this year. 

When I am really stressed, I love to watch good movies and read good books. These were my favourite 3 books last month.

I hope I have more to share next time. 

FREE online art inspirations

Hi everyone - half way through September already. I just wanted to let you know that I have 2 weeks of school term left and then 2 weeks of holidays with a trip away for me so I will be combining September and October reviews at the end of October. In the meantime, there is always a flurry at this time of year of free events promoting year-long workshops.

A warning that these free events can be overwhelming with a heap of wonderful artists presenting offerings over a very short time. Just take a breath and pick a couple of artists that inspire you to learn from them. It is a good way to try out some options in case you are looking for a year-long experience but they will cost of course.

No free options for these ones but to put in the mix if you are considering something for next year : Wanderlust 2025 (begins January 2025) and Fodder School 4 (begins October 1 2024). I have participated in both in previous years - leave a comment if you want further thoughts or use my labels or search box to explore. Please note there is still a Fodder School Challenge event but it is no longer free, and it runs for a limited time. It is included with the Fodder School 4 purchase so don't sign up for both! 

Tam of Willowing is no longer doing Life Book. Instead she is doing A Year of Light and the free taster event is 16-24 September - sign up HERE.

Introducing GPS Kickoff! A free workshop for beginner gel plate users. Also a taster and starts 16 September. All the info HERE. Find out more about the main event at Drew Steinbrecher's Instagram. 

There's also Sketchbook Revival 2024 - sign up for the free event HERE. This workshop runs from September 23rd - October 7th, and remains available free until 19th October. You can also pay to join the main event.

And just because it's been recently uploaded, I wanted to share this cool technique on Youtube combining paper and stitch from Francisca Nunes - Paper netting. 

Hope something there to spark inspiration for you.