Threads That Bind

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I have used various kinds of fibers to bind loose pages together from time to time, without a lot of thought other than whether it looked nice.  However, I recently wondered why the preferred fiber is a waxed linen thread.  Why linen, and why wax it?  Well, I searched online and thought I’d share what I learned!  Unbleached linen is both strong and has a long life.  The waxing is done to keep it from tangling and being able to grip it firmly to make any knots.  It wasn’t rocket science, but it was interesting.

Whether you like to creating photobooks, scrapbooks, or journals of all types, at some time you may want to pull some pages together to make something unique, or simple put together some loose pages. I recently ran across a great online resource for making all kinds of booklets, Making Mini Scrapbooks, Instructions and Inspirations.

I’m working on something now that will soon need to be bound together, and I’ll show the end result upon completion.  Until then, here is the front cover:

Magical Marker Mystery Tour

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Where does the time slip away to?  It is already time for another FUN, informative class with the fantastic Joanne Sharpe!  You have to love the internet with its wide array of classes and virtual places to meet and hang out with new friends with similar interests!  Joanne’s class, Magical Marker Mystery Tour, started today and will run for 4 weeks if you play along in “real time” with the rest of the group.

Her lessons will come out three days for each of the weeks, with 5 lessons each week.  She uses video and shares pdf files.  This class promises to continue on the information she has shared in previous classes, yet don’t feel that you must have already taken other classes.  One of the great things about Joanne’s classes is her ability to give you information so that you can just jump in and run with the class you have chosen.  This class is going to cover several kinds/brands of markers.  She will show the differences in how each can be used and what they may work best for in your art projects.

Joanne says her classes are like buying a book; you buy it and it is yours to keep going back to over and over again.  Not all online classes offer that availability, which really provides great value when you consider the fact that you can keep going over the lessons time after time if you want to.

Besides the training videos she does, Joanne has started creating a Facebook page for each class group.  It has been so inspiring to meet artists from all over the world and see their work as they upload pictures of their take on the lessons!  If you ever wanted to learn more about different kinds of markers, jump in and join us!

Paper Piecing and Paint

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If you are familiar with quilting or needlework, you may recognize this little sunbonnet girl.  Sunbonnet girls were very popular in quilting and to embroider on dishtowels.  This is based on an old pattern, and was such a fun project for me!  It’s sentimental in a number of ways.  My grandmother did a lot of quilting, and my mom loves hanging clothes outside.

I actually created this piece for my mom.  Her clothes lines hang next to my old playhouse, and there are clematis vines that grow on the side. Paper piecing as well as painting, and a few rub-ons are included in this piece.  I was afraid the clematis flowers may be a bit too much, but that is actually the way they look!

Paper piecing is such a great way to use up scraps of your patterned paper!

If you run across some vintage patterns, you may want to think about using them in this way!

 

 

Combining and Sharing Scripture and Art

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One of the art groups that I participate in is working on a project that some of you may want to participate in, so I wanted to invite you!  I should have done this sooner, but it is not too late.  Many of you may be able to scan journal pages, or do quick sketches with watercolors, or use some stencils and sprays for backgrounds…..  My point is that you don’t have to spend a ton of time that may be very meaningful to someone else.  You could even use patterned paper for background, print  and cut strips of scripture — whatever you can manage.  If you want to be part of this project, please start creating and send your art to arrive by June 12th so that Melissa can take it with her.  Please keep reading or more details.

As a community of artists, we have special skills, abilities and talents and together, we can use our skills to help a friend touch the lives of those who are not as fortunate as each one of us.  I want to tell you about Melissa and what she is doing.

Melissa will be traveling to Uganda, June 2012 to work with Reach One Touch One Ministries (http://www.reachone-touchone.org/). They work with Grandmothers and Grandfathers, many of whom are raising orphaned grandchildren due to the HIV-AIDS epidemic. She will be visiting several remote villages and ministering to the seniors who benefit from sponsorship in ROTOM.

If you would like to create a piece of art (no bigger than 5″ x 7″, please) that includes a positive and uplifting scripture verse, Melissa will hand these out as she goes from village to village.

This is an amazing way to share personally with the seniors, many of whom are lonely and neglected, the Word of God and the fact that other Christians care about them.

The beauty of ART transcends any language!

If you want to be part of this project, please start creating and send your art to arrive by June 12th so that Melissa can take it with her.

So what can you create?

  • 3×5 cards – gather your favorite verses, add them to 3×5 cards, embellish them, laminate them (if you have a laminator) punch holes in the and attach them together with a book ring.
  • Small canvas – create using verses and positive quotes and embellishments.
  • Bookmarks – Use large manila tags to create book marks with verses and/or quotes, add hand stitching and embellish with thread, yard and colorful strings & beads.

We can serve and make a difference for those around us as well as those around our globe.

It is time to create!  If you want to help, please contact me at: kristiesloan.us(at)gmail(dot)com and I will get you the mailing address.

If each of us just make a few simple pieces in the next few days, she can have a nice quantity to take with her.  What do you say, are you in?