Princess Bubbles Creates

 I set this piece to the side for a while but got it out this week.  I enjoyed sitting outside a few hours on and off adding stitches to the 'seams'.  I feel like it is getting better and better.  I love the brightly coloured threads on the black background.  I look forward to adding more stitches while soaking up some sunshine. I bought a bubble machine and the story I told myself was that it is for the grandchildren.  To be perfectly honest I turn it on just for myself when I am outside stitching.  Bubbles are so magically beautiful and why shouldn't I enjoy them?  Actually, my elderly neighbour told me the other day how much she enjoys them as well.  They are the perfect addition to my relaxed stitching time! I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

  ‘When We Were Young' is the prompt at  Art Journal Journey  this month.  I used a photo of myself when I was a small child.  I have used this photo a few times in my journals as I really like it.  It is a bit hard to see in this photo but there is quite the mischievous glint in my eye.  The quote I used says 'Some girls are just born with flowers in their soul.'  So I had to collage some flowers onto this page.  I had so much fun with this one!

 It occurred to me that I have created hundreds of paper mandalas and rarely post about them.  This one was created with die-cut paper elements.  I like the idea of creating a mandala with collage.  This one is a rather simple one but still a pleasure to create.  Dots of paint were added for more interest.  I am keen to go down the path of collage and mixed media for my mandalas.  It kind of opens up a whole new world for my mandalas.  

 I have added a bit more stitching to this mandala and now it needs more beads.  I will enjoy stitching some beads on it this afternoon.  It is supposed to be hot and humid today but I will still take my stitching outside.  Stitching outside is a simple pleasure.  I can always pop inside to my lovely air conditioning to get cooled off.  It actually seems wrong to me to miss a day of being outside stitching.  Obviously, in the summer and not the winter.   My unfinished mandala pile is dwindling and I find myself thinking of new things to try.  I haven't allowed myself to start any new mandalas since I learned I will be having a solo show of them at the end of the year.  I feel the pressure lessening with the finish of each mandala.  There are only six left in the pile and most of them need very little to be finished.  That will give me a total of 65 mandalas for the show.  I don't need to create any more but the ideas ...

 It is finished.  Some french knots were added to complete this mandala.  It feels good to have the challenge finished with a week to spare.  I am not one for leaving things to the last minute.  Early is better for me. I stitched 200 Swarovski crystals to this piece and that felt royal and extravagant to me!  I am Royal is the title for this mandala.   I am linking to http://ninamariesayre.blogspot.com/

 I like summer and  Lee Anna  has suggested we discuss sunscreen/sun protection this week.  I don't have any brand that I am loyal to.  I basically pick up whatever the best deal is at Costco.  Sorry, I am not adding much to the conversation. Another thing I like about summer is being invited to a friend's place with a pool.  I don't actually like to swim but I do love to float!  The five-year-old inside this grandmother had to have this unicorn floaty.  Well, not this exact one but one very similar.  I will put it to good use.  I am heading over to visit and float shortly.  Plus we have rented a cottage for later this month and I will use it then.   I am so grateful that my family all wants to spend a week together at a cottage.  There will be ten of us in total. We all enjoy each other's company so I am expecting a good week.

 I made a bit of progress on this mandala.  I added some butterfly beads.  Again, this is rather a bold mandala thus far.  I will consider how to add some smaller details.  I am okay with waiting for the next step to reveal itself to me.  Rushing a mandala is not a good idea.  I have a number of them placed close to my desk so that I can just stare at them.  The next step is always revealed eventually. While talking with a friend yesterday she was encouraging me to considering selling my mandalas.  Right now I am mostly thinking about having them ready for my solo show in December.  I have to admit that I have never been keen to sell my stitched work or give it as gifts.  I put a lot of time and energy into my work.  Am I being selfish?  Or just practical?  I would have to charge a fair amount of money to make it feel worth my while.  I am not sure that someone would pay that much.  Maybe that is more a lack...