Downloadable Tutorial – Exploring Fabric Paper

Fabric Paper is a fun and creative mixed media technique that allows you to make a fusion of fabric and paper that has a unique combination of surface texture, design and color which can be sewn. It can be used for backgrounds, cut up and used as appliqué pieces or structured into three dimensional art.

Click here to see all the different ways I use fabric paper

The downloadable tutorials are free for members of The Creative Explorer’s Club, and if you’re not a member yet you can find membership details here, otherwise you can find pricing and additional details for the tutorial here in the store.

Bargain Books

I’m cleaning out my quilting and craft book library so grab a bargain while they last!

All books are in perfect or near perfect condition, and best of all you can save on shipping costs by selecting the “Media Mail” option at checkout (US customers only).

You can find all the listings here in the store.

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: New in the Store: Downloadable Tutorials and Bargain Books

Exploring some photoshopping
The February tutorial being presented in The Creative Explorer’s Club is all about using photoshop elements so I thought I’d get a little practice in ahead of time. This image was manipulated in photoshop elements to enhance the figure of the statue and replace the background. I then printed it onto some paper and glued it to a canvas background. I think I did a pretty good job of blending the edges even though most of the background got covered up anyway.

Exploring some sewing
This year I’m allowing myself the freedom of exploring sewing that is less structured and more free form. I’m also beginning to enjoy working with raw edges which is not something I usually work with.

Exploring some mixed media
I’m madly trying to get some new textured surface work done in anticipation of my upcoming workshop. I’m really enjoying working with mixed media applications for creating textured surfaces on fabric, and some of these techniques will also be included in an upcoming tutorial for my Creative Explorers.

Blue Angel is my new notebook cover.

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: Exploring mixed media

My weekly outings often involve a visit to the craft store for a few creative supplies because, honestly, in what world is that not fun?

But this week also included breakfast at Panera Bread. I recently began a practice of mindful eating which means I don’t count calories or points or portion sizes; instead I stay mindful about my food choices and what my body needs to stay healthy. I must admit that this isn’t as easy as it sounds and I fall off the mindful eating wagon every now and then, but it is getting easier with time.

On the plus side, it means I can eat things like this delicious Cobblestone for breakfast – without a side order of guilt.

I don’t know why they give you a fork; it’s impossible to eat with anything but fingers.

Mmmm, delicious.

I like Panera Bread and not just for the creative energy they use to make their delicious breads and sandwiches and pastries, or their social philosophy. I also love the little creative surprises I often find there.

Like this banner which was hanging right in front of me as I ate my Cobblestone.

If you can’t quite read the main question, it says – How our guests say they make today better. Which of course started me thinking – “How could I make today better?”.

This is probably not a question that immediately comes to my mind each morning when we wake up; I know it’s not something I generally ask myself. But what if it was? How would that make a difference to your day? Would it change the way you approached your day? Looking for something positive to add to your day instead of just taking from it as a way to get through it? And at the end of the day, how would it feel to know that you did one small simple thing that made your day, or someone else’s day, better? I think that’s pretty powerful stuff.

I’m thinking that this question would make a big difference to my day so I’ve decided it’s important enough to include in my morning ritual. The morning ritual is a topic that we’re discussing this week in The Creative Explorer’s Club and it’s all about beginning your day in a positive way with a strong focus and guided energy. It’s used as a way to avoid the many distractions that can get in our way during the course of the day that stop us from achieving our creative dreams and our goals.

The question “How could I make today better?” is a perfect way to end that ritual. And traveling through the day looking for ways to make things better also serves to keep us in the present moment which is where our creative energy is most powerful.

So … what are you doing to make today better?

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: Make today better

Art Trader Magazine is a free publication for those interested in trading art. Even if you aren’t into trading art or cards, you’re sure to find the articles informative and entertaining – I always do!

It’s always a nice surprise when the latest issue is published – you never know what you’ll find in there, so run right over and grab it – it’s free!

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: Art Trader Magazine

To balance that out though, I think it’s also important to learn to say “yes” and to be open to new ideas, possiblities and opportunities. But also using a little wisdom or intuition to make sure it’s a “yes” that will bring something positive into to your life.

This year my Creative Explorers and I are working with words, images and symbols with our Vision Card Project. We have one vision card to cover the “big vision” for our entire year. You can see mine here. And then we have monthly Vision Cards to support us with our vision for each month. For January I chose the word “Yes”.

For this vision card I used some paper collage techniques which is something I don’t often work with, but it was a lot of fun putting this card together.

And I added some supportive quotations onto the back from some of my favorite philosophers. (Yes, Dr Seuss is one of them!)

I keep them pinned to my corkboard behind my computer so I can see them every day and be constantly reminded of my visions or goals for the year.

I’ve enjoyed using the “yes” word this month and can’t wait to see what emerges from the experience of using it right throughout this month.

What are you saying *yes* to this year?

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: Saying yes