Princess Bubbles Creates

 My progress has been slow and thoughtful on this mandala.  I suppose that is the case for many of my mandalas maybe all of them.  Mandalas are not to be rushed.  Waiting for the right idea to come is a pleasure for me.  No need to hurry.  Our society jams productivity down our throats.  There is an insurance business in our city that make you account for every minute of your time.  How soul crushing is that!  I count myself very blessed that I have the time to think and ponder as I create my art.  

 I so enjoy creating kaleidoscope images.  Using Kaleidoscope Kreator is so easy.  I also like using photos of my stitched work to create the kaleidoscope.  It is a lovely way to pass the time creatively.  I can make a lot of them in one sitting.  They make a great start for a mandala.   “In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still.” ―  Pico Iyer

 This mandala is rather different for me.  I used somewhat large beads and buttons.  A kirigami paper piece was sandwiched between Angelina fibres as the start of this one.  It was an experiment that worked out but maybe I should have trimmed off the hairy bits from the outer edge.  It was super easy to stitch through and I may have to try another one.  I believe I will call this one finished.  Unbelievably, I have seven others started right now.  I don't generally have that many on the go so best to get some finished before starting any more.  The ideas just keep coming.  Will I work on a mandala series for the rest of my life?  I think it would be rather easy to do so.  Will I get bored with mandalas?  I am a bit concerned about that but at this point that doesn't seem likely. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

 I have been pondering how to embellish this painted doily mandala. While doing some tidying this week I came across a jar of white buttons.  It was overflowing and I thought I need to use some in an effort to get that under control.  White buttons aren't overly interesting to me so I considered painting them with nail polish.  I still may do that but I think white buttons work on this piece.  I added a bit of interest to them by stitching a square through the holes.  Now to ponder the next step. I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

 The ideas just keep coming.  I have started working on this old CD with the plan of it becoming a centre point for another mandala.  I have added paint and faux gems.  It still needs a bit more but not much.  Once I have it to my liking I will attach it to a fabric base.  I think I will use a stack of sequins but maybe there is a more imaginative way to do it.  I will ponder that.  A button would also work but it would need to be a very interesting one.  hmm, I know the right idea will come.  

 I have spent many years experimenting and exploring.  It has been great fun for me.  Learning new things is very appealing to me.  I played around with needle felting some cotton scraps and some yarns onto synthetic felt.  It works quite well.  I came across this little experiment while looking for something else and thought that I could cut circles out of this.  I think the circles would make a great start to a mandala.  Now I can't wait to get started on yet another mandala or two!

 I figured out a way to stitch the word possibility for my April textile journal page.  Stitching words onto a mixed media/textile base is definitely a challenge.  I used a pearl bead string and stitched down each letter individually.  That was also a challenge.  There was no way I could make each letter line up neatly.  Maybe others could do it but not me.  I made each letter intentionally wonky and that makes it more interesting to me.  These journal pages are just for fun.  At the end of the year, I should have a textile journal filled with words that inspire me. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/