Back to being crafty again

Back to my crafty life. I haven't been doing much art lately. Chris had a stroke in May 2014, we had a summer of recovery, then back to school and the kids were sick a LOT, then this month while out of town for work, Chris slipped on the ice, and broke his arm/sprained his wrist, and I'm just here trying to keep my sanity being the caretaker of the household, kids, pets, etc. Yes, it's the life I wanted, being a stay-at-home mom. But NOTHING like what I expected. I guess I didn't think I'd have a sick husband (at such a young age). Along with my hypothyroidism, I've had extreme stress mixed with depression, all those "fun feelings" that just send me into survival mode. Every winter I go into a bit of "survival mode". Well now we have unexpected medical bills (aka financial stress). First world problems..... our DirecTV got shut off. Can't even watch my DVR'ed shows. (gasp... no Real Housewives!!! LOL) So we upped the internet speeds and we're just watching HuluPlus on the Xbox now (found 2 new fave shows) and I'm watching YouTube videos on my laptop. Found some really creative ladies that are doing Art Journals, and decided that's going to be my new form of therapy. Art has always been a great form of therapy for me.

I started off by painting some envelopes to send out some happy mail.

Here's my favorite one.  And the rest can be seen on my Flickr page HERE.

Found "Homemade Recycled junk art journals" on YouTube... YES!  I can do this!
Junk art journals are books you bind together made out of junk mail. Painting, stenciling, stamping, and doing collages on junk mail... now that's my kind of art!

Found some fun groups on Facebook. JUNK & ART JOURNALS is a group that is chatty and friendly, and gives lots of ideas. The owner also shares pics she finds on Pinterest of clip art/printables, which I just LOVE.

Also watched more videos on Art Journaling, enjoyed watching Claudia chat and do some of her altered book art journaling, joined the Krazy Island Family, learned a bunch from Jennibellie, found Shannon Green and followed (ok stalked) her on facebook, and then I was invited to her group on Facebook, called Journaling by 5s... a different kind of art journal challenge, which gave me all kinds of inspiration to just get moving and get some pages started.

Here is a great video directed towards people who are just starting to get into art journaling.





Learn more about "Journaling by 5s"




Last night I did "glueing". Yes, I think that's a real word. Gluing? Maybe that's how you spell it. Gluing pages together. Just random pieces of paper to make a thicker piece to start painting on.

Today my muse was telling me to put some paint down on some paper. I did some practice sheets on some loose leaf notebook paper. Here is a picture of me "getting my art on" today. Does your coffee table look like this too?



My fave time of the day is night... when the kids and hubby are in bed, pets aren't barking and being wild, and I just sit and do my craft stuff and watch my shows. And sometimes sneak a snack that I don't have to share with any brats... I mean my lovely kids.... heh. Is it 10pm yet?








RELATED LINKS:


My swapping/mail-related blog:
http://swappermania.blogspot.com/

You Tube - MAIL CALL MONDAYS
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVH9whjoyLQUiLuVsqM80cC_DxY9i3RCL

Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/btvrdik

Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/createdbybarbi/sets/

Stationery and Labels by Barbi
http://tinyurl.com/computerlabelsbybarbi

Hand Stitched Cards

How to Add Hand Stitching to Cards

I've been looking over some tutorials on how to decorate homemade Christmas cards (for next year... this year I'm making my own photo cards.)  I've seen some really beautiful hand-stitched ideas, and thought I'd share a quick how-to article.

Hand stitching is a great way to add texture and design to a handmade card. Hand stitching is a good alternative to machine stitching. A few simple stitches can make all the difference to a handmade card and add a lovely hand crafted finishing touch. This is the ideal way to dress up a simple rubber stamped image on a card. Stitches can be used to add a frame to the edges of a handmade card, to add text or a design or simply as a decorative element. Hand stitching can be purely decorative or can be used, as seen in this photograph, to attach elements to the card. In this case, stitching was used to hold a hand stamped image onto the card.

Types of Hand Stitching on Cards

There are many ways to add stitching to cards. Precise and formal designs can be achieved by using a template or following a pre-drawn design. Rubber stamps could also be used as a template for stitching. More informal designs, such as the one above, can be created by simply making stitches of differing lengths to form an interesting pattern. Many different types of hand stitches can be used, however more simple stitches are both easier to make and are less likely to tear the paper. Paper does not have the same give as fabric and therefore a certain amount of care needs to be given to ensure that the paper does not tear. Good stitches to use are running stitch, back stitch and chain stitch. Stitches used in cross stitch designs are also ideal for using on cards.

Types of Threads and Floss for Stitching on Cards

Sewing thread, embroidery floss or even yarn can be used to stitch on cards. The type of thread or yarn chosen will alter the finished effect of the project. For instance, metallic threads used on a dark background can give a dramatic finish to a card. It is important not to use a thread that is too thick for the weight of the card.

How to Add Hand Stitching to Cards

The best way to add hand stitching to cards is to pierce the holes first using a paper piercing tool. If you don't have a paper piercing tool then you can use an embroidery needle or make a paper piercing tool.  The stitches can then be formed with ease by stitching into these holes. As hand stitching can be relatively time consuming, it is best to add any other elements to the card first if appropriate. For instance it would be best to add a rubber stamped image first and the stitching second so if the image was stamped incorrectly then no time would be wasted on having to redo the stitching.

More Information

For more ideas take a look at some of these hand stitched greeting card projects.



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Beginnings

Oh I'm so excited, my blog user name was available!  I will be using this blog to show some of my personal creations and sharing some of my favorite digital graphics.  From time to time there may be affiliate links. I will have to work on this site during schooltime (youngest is starting preschool) and at night when the kids go to bed, so there may be days I do lots of updates, and then might go a week or two with nothing.  Depends on if the kids are sick, how creative I'm feeling, etc.  You know, sometimes real life gets in the way of crafting :)   HAPPY CRAFTING!