Princess Bubbles Creates

 I have added a tiny bit of stitching to this piece.  I am wondering if that bead in the middle is too large.  I love the colour of it so I will leave it for now.  Once more beading and stitching have been added it may not seem like such a bull's eye.  I managed to capture some of the gleam of the transfer foil in this image.  Oh, transfer foil, how I love you!  Such an easy way to add shimmer and shine.   It is supposed to be a warm and sunny day today.  Perfect for sitting outside to stitch which I have been longing to do.  I might be able to snatch a few minutes before the grandchildren get here.  Hubby is going to make his famous hamburgers for supper.  Yum!  It will be a lovely day whether I get to stitch or not. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

 I cut a circle from an experimental needle felted piece.  I have stitched it to a hand-dyed piece of fabric.  It is rather satisfying to use these pieces created over the years.  I love when things come together.  What is the next step for this mandala?  I am leaning towards just embroidery stitches, no beads for this one.  However, I always let the piece speak to me and tell me what it needs.  It may cry out for beads at some point.  Who knows!  I enjoy the intuitive process in my artmaking.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

 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.