Princess Bubbles Creates

 I just looked back through my blog and I have been doing a Mandala Monday for over two years!  Not every mandala is a masterpiece.  Sometimes I wonder if I should post the ones that aren't so great.  However, I think it is good.  It might encourage someone.   This mandala is a collage using elements from other mandalas I have created.  I love it!

 I enjoyed stitching my September slice.  I got out my book by Carole Samples Treasury of Crazy Quilt Stithes.  It has wonderful combinations of stitches.  I have had this book for years and never properly used it.  It uses basic stitches in interesting combinations. So, I didn't really learn any new stitches but I did enjoy combining stitches in new ways.  I might find that more helpful in the long wrong.   The weather has still been cooperative for stitching outside.  The week ahead looks good too.  I might get a jump start on my October slice.  It is sad to think about putting away the deck furniture but it can wait at least a week. I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

 I love good quotes.  I am actually working on a book of quotes paired with my photography.  I have run into a snag and have tried to fix it numerous times.  Still stuck.  I must get back at it and get it finished. The quotes above are from the artist Miro.  They are not in the book that I have almost finished.  Maybe I should start a book of quotes from artists.  That would be interesting, at least to me. I am grateful that the weather has still been lovely and warm.  I know autumn starts in a couple of days so cooler days will be coming.  I am not excited about that.  However, I know I will enjoy wearing snuggly clothes and seeing the beautiful fall leaves.   Last weekend we went apple picking.  It is an annual tradition with my niece and her children and my youngest son's family.  Such a nice time.  This year we added some extra fun.  We opened our sun roof and let the kids stand up through it as we ...

  I had two short car trips last week so I made a lot of progress on my pretty little scroll.  I do love some progress!  I love hand stitching and I love that it is slow.  But sometimes I don't love that it is slow.  Sometimes I want something that progresses faster.  That is when I turn to my mixed media play.    I love playing in a journal as it is satisfying and a little faster. I don't often post my art journal pages as they aren't anything special.  They are just fun for me, a place to let myself play with abandon.

 Playing in my watercolour journal is tricky but fun.  I am not a watercolourist but I love playing with watercolours.  I love letting them do their own thing and yet not so much when I am doing a mandala.  I find myself wanting to control the watercolours when doing a mandala.  That in turn robs me of the joy of creating.  What to do?   This mandala allowed me to play with watercolours.  When they dried I used pens to create more controlled marks.  Ah, yes.  Mixed media is my favourite way to play.

 My stitch sampler for August only has six stitches in it.  I will have to look for smaller stitches for September.  It is good to be in the home stretch on this project.  Finding the right stitches has been a challenge.  A good one though.  I am grateful to  Karrin  for all the great stitch instructions she provides.  It is very helpful indeed! I am linking to https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/

  LeeAnna  is on the mend and wants to know What calming exercises have you successfully used in the past to maintain a level mood? First and foremost I have made it a habit to regard my emotions as a source of information but I do not allow them to dictate my mood.  I spend most of my days in a level mood.  I examine the information being provided by my emotions and I do what I can to process it all.  Of course, there are times when my emotions get the better of me but I like to think it is rare. I find meditation is also helpful.  Simply concentrating on one breath at a time is easy and helpful.  And of course, I  make art.  Art always helps!  No mindblowing advice here but it works for me! I like thrift store shopping.  Last week I found a paper marbling kit, brand new.  I got it out yesterday for an art play day with my DIL and niece.  We had so much fun together.  I tried it on fabric and it worked well.  Ca...