My February Bead Journal

The beaded edge of this is a bit wonky.  I believe once I can fix it a bit when I stitch this down but I have to decide on a substrate onto which to do that.  For now I am calling this done.  I enjoyed the process as usual but particularly because I took a mixed media approach.  I am keen to do more mixed media beading and embroidering. 

I am linking to
http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Mandalas

It is easy for me to get carried away creating mandalas.  I get lost in the process and have so much fun using different media/supplies.  This one I had adhered to one of my altered books.  After doing so I realized it wasn't quite up to snuff.  So, I am taking it further. I have added some 'gem' stones and think that works well.  I still feel like more could be done and will see what speaks to me next.

I am linking to
http://mybijoulifeonline.com

Work in Progress Wednesday

Sorry for the not great photo.  I am handicapped with technology this week.  It is so inconvenient to not have my computer working.  It does make me think of new ways to do things and that isn't bad but also not fun.  Anyway, I have resurrected this piece and have been doing more stitching on it.  I also removed some bits that weren't working.  I am happier with it now but also know that there is a lot more stitching I want to do on it.  No deadlines though and that feels good.

I am linking to
https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/
https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Progress

I am making progress on this piece.  I am calling it My Boho Garden.  There probably isn't much more embellishment needed.  At least I don't see any obvious places to add stitch right now.  I am planning to do a button border around the edge.  It might end up weighing five pounds!

I am linking to
http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

Mandalas

I was asked for a tutorial on mandalas.  I honestly have no clue what the proper way to do a mandala is but I can explain the way I do them.  I purchased some mandala stencils last year and I am so glad that I did.  I use them regularly.  I believe I found them on Amazon.  I start with a white coffee filter and add colour.  I have numerous ways of doing that.  I use markers, watercolours, food colouring and anything else that grabs my attention.  I often do them in batches so that I have one dry and ready to go when I am.  I then choose a stencil and fill in the lines.  Again, there are many choices for this; coloured pencils, gel pens, markers etc.  Now that the basic design is started I let my imagination go wild to finish it.  I keep my marks fairly simple by using dots, dashes, Xs, C shapes etc.  I like to use a variety of markers, gel pens, pencil crayons, shimmer paints etc.  When I want to take a mandala even further I will stitch into it or glue on sequins etc.  The possibilities are limitless and it is very relaxing.

I am linking to
http://mybijoulifeonline.com

Work in Progress Wednesday

My February bead journal has been fun so far.  The base is a painted coffee filter adhered to fusible interfacing.  Coffee filters are quite durable and the interfacing makes them even more so.  I am not exactly sure what comes next for this piece.  I need to go digging through my bead stash to figure that out.

I am linking to
https://needleandthreadnetwork.blogspot.com/
https://www.quiltfabrication.com/

Take a Stitch Tuesday

Sharon B shows the Raised Close Herringbone Stitch this week.  Love it!  It is such a pretty stitch.  I have never done this stitch and really hope that I remember to use it from now on!  It makes such a nice leaf and since I have so many floral projects that I am doing it will be very useful.