Princess Bubbles Creates

 This Dresden plate block was inherited and I decided to treat it as a crazy quilt.  I stitched it years ago but was never quite happy with it.  I made the design decision to use only plain cotton threads in keeping with the vintage fabrics.  No sparkle, hmm what was I thinking?  But more than that there were a few seams that were just not right.  I really hate to pick out stitching but I decided to bite the bullet.  This piece works as a mandala and can be included in my show but I have to be happy with it.  Out came the ugly stitches.  In came some metallic thread.  So much better.  Now to address the doily in the centre.  I like it but there is too much white for me.  I will consider how to rectify that. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

 I am still quite excited about having a solo show of mandalas.  I was offered a lot more space than I was expecting.  I am trying to not let that stress me.  Even though I have created plenty of mandalas not all of them are ready to be on display.  Some require backings or hanging devices etc.  So there is still a fair amount of work to be done.  Thankfully, the show isn't until December.   As I have been going through my pieces and organizing I have come across a two duds.  The above piece is a combination of them.  It isn't quite finished but it is so much better.  The background was a challenge piece that I did not like at all.  It was completely finished and hung in a guild challenge display.  I didn't have the heart to get rid of it.  I didn't know what I would do with it but redemption is a recurring theme in my work although not outwardly obvious.  So I kept it.  I also came across a mandala exp...

I like so many forms of art making including collage.  I am enjoying participating in the Index Card a Day challenge.  ICAD for short. Root was the prompt for this one.  I do a tiny bit of journaling on the back of each card.  Quick and easy.   I like my dog Banksy.  He is a bit of a goofball but almost always greets me with a happy wag of his tail. Those sweet greetings really make my day.  I like his kisses and hugs.  He definitely knows how to hug. I like making art accessible to everyone and love doing art workshops with seniors.  I am ever so happy to have been booked to do some workshops at a local senior's residence this summer.  It has been far too long since I have been able to do that.  Here's hoping for more bookings! Thanks to Leanna at  https://lapaylor.blogspot.com/   for letting me join in the fun.

 Well, there is nothing like having a solo show to get yourself into work mode!  So often I finish the fun part of a mandala and call it finished.  In fact, it still needs a hanging sleeve or a backing or... I have four crazy quilt mandalas that were done years ago.  I have puzzled over how to finish them.  I could think of a couple of ways but was not keen on those ideas.  I wanted all four to be finished in the same way but two of them were kind of misfits and causing me trouble.  I am very pleased to say that I have figured out a way to make all four of them work in hoops.  So this one gets to go in the finished pile.  Yay!  I had to order more 12 inch hoops to be able to finish the others.  

 Last week my sister described me as a content and independent introvert.  She couldn't be more right.  Though I have thinking about connection and collaboration a lot this last while.  There is a great deal of value in connection and collaboration.  I am trying to be more open to it.  Due to a connection I made last week I learned of a monthly journal challenge.  This is something I have been wanting for a while.  I have participate in some in the past and really enjoy them.   The prompt this month is Fish.  I had so much fun creating this journal spread.  It is in my lined journal but the acrylic paint obliterated the lines.  I added some paper and fabric collages elements and a large fish charm.  I looked up the symbolism of fish and made some notes. Thank you to  https://art-journal-journey.blogspot.com/  for the prompt and link up.

 Progress was made on a mandala this week.  Progress always feels good!  Yes, even slow progress.  The iridescent white thread that I added is not easy to see.  The metallic purple thread is definitely more obvious.  What is next?  Possibly beads.  I am also feeling the need to add some green whether it be beads or thread I am not sure. I had some good news this week.  I have been booked to have a solo show of my mandalas at a local gallery.  I had been in conversation with them earlier this year but then heard nothing and assumed they weren't interested.  Well, it turns out they are interested and they are offering me way more space than I was expecting! The extra space will allow me the opportunity to do an installation with my paper mandalas.  I have hundreds of them.  I have an idea or two for an installation with them but definitely will be doing more pondering. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

 A new month means a new word for the month.  I decided upon the word sacred.  I guess I should have looked up the dictionary meaning before choosing it.  The dictionary's meaning centres around religion and doctrine.  Neither of which I am a fan of.  Don't get me wrong, I am a deeply spiritual woman but I have some issues with dogma etc.  We won't go down that rabbit hole.  Sacred means something else to me and I will continue to work with this word.   Back to the art.  I printed out the word to use as a pattern.  It tucked said pattern into a page protector. I applied acrylic medium to form the letters and then sprinkled cut up sparkly thread onto it.  Once dry, I was able to remove the letters from the page protector.  The letters then needed a haircut.  I am pleased with the letters.  This challenge has been a stretch and I am enjoying that. I love the background fabric that I created but I am thinking t...