Abundance

The prompt on Joggles Art Journal Adventures this week was: Abundance. I used a quotation by Epicurus that reads: "Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance". I started the pages in a 5.5 x 8.25" journal by brayering on the paint, and then splashed on some fluorescent pink for good measure.

Stencilling was added using L568 Crazy Quilts Bold & Beautiful stencil designed by Andrew Borloz for Stencilgirl Products. 

 I also added rubber stamping with stamps (the circle as well as the face) from the EEA01 stampset designed by Everything Art for PaperArtsy. I added collage with the image from an advert who looked suitably joyful as per the quotation. The words themselves were done on a Dymo writer. I did some outlining with black and white markers as well as watersoluble oil pastels.

The old Greeks knew a thing or two about life and this is a quotation that speaks to me particularly at the moment. The things you enjoy in life change over time and if you don't pay attention enough you keep going with what you used to enjoy instead of what gives you joy in the present moment. I love making these spreads in my art journals and it's the one thing I am keeping up with at the moment. So I'm taking heed and instead of doing what I think I should be doing I'm engaging in activities that give me an abundance of fun.

The last of the dahlias

For FlowerFriday on Blipfoto

Minimini 33

It's high time for another minimini quilt and this one is number 33. If you're an avid follower of this blog it might look familiar to you because it has exactly the same pattern as no. 31; only the colours I used are different.

I was aiming to make 100 of these but I am rethinking this as it has proved to be impossible to find more plain fabrics in exactly the same colours as I have been using. Also having 100 of them on a background will result in an enormous quilt and I am steering clear of these more and more. For a start they are too large to hang in the house and shipping them incurs considerable expense. So I'm carrying on but will probably call a halt at 7 x 7 i.e. 49 of them or perhaps 8 x 8 i.e. 64.

Like all the previous minis this one is machine quilted, raw edge appliquéd with hand stitching, hand beaded with size 11 seed beads. The finishing touch was the modern pink button.

Progress on the whole (as far as textile work is concerned, my painting is much more productive!) has slowed down to a trickle as other jobs (working on our house) have to take priority. I am learning to be okay with that. Some time ago I advised a friend to take a sabbatical and over the intervening time it has dawned on me that I should take notice of the words coming out of my mouth (or as in this case the words I type on my keyboard). A sabbatical is sounding more and more like a good idea.

At the moment I'm trying to make a master plan for the future i.e. next year. Not sure what will change but I know some things will have to, as I want to spend more time offline, walking the dog, taking photographs and reading without the relentless pressure of having to produce new textile work non-stop.

Colours of Autumn

Early Morning Sunlight

Art Alchemy

Trying out new paint by brayering it on. The paint in question is Impasto Paint by Art Alchemy 

Flora in the green