cut, paste & easy foam stamps

Like so many of us, I enjoy magazines. I enjoy the first read, then re-read and then eventually giving them away, keeping them or ripping them up and re-purposing the content into a collage, notebook covers etc. I used a handful of these collected pages into a couple of cards I made earlier this week. As well as the re-purposed pages, I also incorporated stamped patterns. 

The stamps were made using "Foamstastic" a self-adhesive craft foam that is easily cut with scissors. It can also be cut with an e-xacto knife for more delicate work. The craft foam is very easy to work with. Once the shapes are cut, peel the paper off at the back and stick shapes onto a piece of cardboard (I used scraps of matting board). Once you have your stamp assembled, use an ink pad to apply colour to your stamp and stamp away. Remember to re-apply ink between each stamping.

Related Posts:
A carry bag using off-cuts and fabric inspired by nature
5 Simple Ways to Enjoy Simple Pleasures
Food for thought

Join the journey and never miss a post, subscribe to the newsletter.

crisp early morning & a day of creative play

What a treat to have a weekday off:) I had yesterday off and immersed myself into the studio for a day of creative play. While it was a crisp start to the day that early morning sunshine across the parkland we neighbor onto was calling and stirring ones creative energy. So camera in hand off I went and commenced the day with a stroll through the parkland. Breakfast, coffee, hang the washing out and into the studio I went, emerging only in the afternoon when husband arrived home from work. A full studio day of creative pottering, tidying, collage, made a couple of cards and stamps and started the mood board for my next project.

a tea that soothes the throat

When under the weather with flu, it is so lovely to be able to wander into the backyard to gather the ingredients needed to make a tea that soothes a sore throat. 

In a saucepan place chopped lemon grass, a piece of ginger and enough water to make a couple cups of tea. Bring to the boil, turn the heat off and allow to steep for three to five minutes.

Place a wedge of lime and the leaf of perennial coriander into your favourite cup. Pour (strain if you like) the steeped liquid into the cup. Add a teaspoon of honey, give a little stir, and now it's time to sip, enjoy & soothe.

We also picked fruit from our citrus trees and juiced them along with some carrot & apple. So while this week we may feel under the weather with flu, it is also kinda nice to be enjoying the rewards from our efforts over the last couple of years of incorporating more self-sufficiency and simple living into our humble home.

Related Posts:
Caramelised Onions & Onion Skin Dying

5 Simple Ways to  enjoy everyday pleasures

A little bit of jam & cordial - Rosella Jam & Cordial


Subscribe to 'The Mel's Artistic Journey' newsletter

snippets of daily detail

a picture is a poem without words

-Horace-

Leaf of marjoram, citronella lantern, paper flowers, a lady beetle, a white picket fence and
lettuce that's gone to seed - these are a few of my daily things.
Exploring & enjoying snippets of daily detail one frame at a time.
  -inspiration everywhere, everyday-

yards of inspiration

The background image for this months calendar is an image from a new fabric collection "Yards of Inspiration" released last weekend.

Husband and I do enjoy our day trips and in particular the Scenic Rim. When I was accepted into Open Studios as an Artist-n-Residence, I was thrilled and looked forward to working with the many images I've captured across several trips to the area. 

The image used for the calendar background and the middle four fabrics is inspired by captured moments during visits to Aliquilts Studio at Tarome. I then integrated these with images captured within our own humble yard and home; an artistic response, an integration of two communities, two artists and our creative havens. 

The bottom fabric is inspired by images captured during a day trip to Mount French near Boonah and the grass trees that grow there. 

As each piece evolved, I enjoyed remembering our visits to this beautiful part of South-East Queensland and my mind flowed with additional ideas. It seemed natural to name the collection "Yards of Inspiration". The Yards of Inspiration collection is available through Spoonflower.

Related Post:
A creative day in the country 
A perfect day for...
Texture, the element of art that stimulates sight and touch
A couple of cushions