Mixed Media Project

Now I'm well aware that you guys, my family and friends, are probably looking at the time stamp on this one and going, "Ruthie you dear goober...what on EARTH are you doing up and writing a blog at this time of the morning?" Well, at least some variation of that. The answer is two fold. 1. I've been sleeping weird do to meds anyway. 2. I spent about an hour and a half lying in bed developing this idea in my head and I simply had to get up and draw it out, and then write it out! There will be no rest until I do :P I actually got up and drew it out and then laid in bed for another half an hour or so developing it more in my head!

So what are you looking at? This is going to be a mixed-media piece that's based in cross-stitch. I'll go through and explain what I'm thinking for each of the elements. I did try to label each of the elements so you can decipher my drawings, but you'll need more than that to really know what I'm thinking!

~ First: This will be done on cross-stitch fabric. I don't know what count yet...I'll figure that out as I evaluate the project more. I thought about doing embroidery, but I just don't have the talent/experience for that and I DO have the experience to do this in cross stitch!

~ "To Live is to Create." I love this quote! This is where it all started. I was originally going to do a book mark with the words and then maybe a butterfly (and I still might) but then I started thinking about how it was more appropriate to include crafty type things with this quote. I thought of a couple of elements and next thing I knew it was starting to get too big to be a book mark. That's when my brain jumped to this multi-media piece. (I should mention here that I've always been fascinated with multi-media). For the main quote it will be cross stitch. I'm thinking the words "To," "is," and "to," will be done in a base color like black, and then "Live" and "Create" will be in a rich, vibrant color.

~ Butterfly - Since this was part of my original idea, and I love butterfly's, I wanted to include it! Besides, I've always thought that the butterfly is one of God's most creative and beautiful creations :) I also like how it helps to space the words out.

~ Journal - I'll make this out of construction paper or scrap booking paper. I'll make 3 rectangles (different colors?) and glue them together at the center seam using a toothpick to apply the glue. I'm toying with the idea of using a gel pen to write inspirational words on the inside pages like, "Live, Love, Laugh, Dream, Dance, Dare." Then I'll stitch along the back seam to attach it to the fabric and to create a finished journal look. This is to represent both paper crafts and writing.

~ Flowers - These are to represent all sorts of growing things and the art involved in nourishing them. Don't know what type of flowers I'll use, but something basic :P These will be done in cross stitch.

~ Quilt - I'm going to hand quilt a couple pieces of fabric (no actually batting) together in a 2"x1" square. I'll have a single color for the fabric and then use some fancy thread to quilt it. Tack it down on the corners to the fabric maybe? This is to represent all of the sewing crafts :)

~ Vase - Can't forget the clay and ceramic artists! I'm hoping to have one of my etsy friends to make a half vase with little holes along the edges so I can tack it down. I have a friend here in town who's a clay artist so she's first on my list :)

~ Easel - I'll do the easel in cross stitch and then I'm planning on getting some fabric paint and using toothpicks to make a small impressionist painting out of two or three colors. Yay for all the artists who draw and paint! NOT my specialty - hence - the impressionism :P

~ Bracelet - This IS my specialty :) I'll do bead embroidering to make a band of sorts. I'm thinking I'll put either a very small dichroic cab or a lampwork bead in the center to represent the glass artists. The majority of the bracelet will be completely sewn onto the fabric, but I'm thinking the toggle and the loop that would go around it will be "popping off" of the fabric to add to the 3d effects being created in this piece.

~ Baby Photo and Frame - Having children and raising them is a form of creation as far as I'm concerned! I'm hoping that my brother will let me use a picture of his twin boys. I'll probably get some small pieces of balsa wood to make a small frame, glue the picture to the frame, and then tack the frame down.

~ Guitar - I've always wanted to play guitar so I figured it's the best instrument to use to represent the musical arts! This one will be another cross stitch piece.

~ I'm going to put a plain backing on it and frame it with the same hoop that I make it on. That will add to the crafty/kitschy look. I'm thinking add the backing, tack it down to the back of the hoop using first glue and then some staples to secure it. It's probably going to take two sets of hands to glue it right....and maybe some clothes pins to hold it while it's drying... The outer piece of the hoops I'm going to wrap in ribbon (probably purple) then I'll use the fastener for the hoop to create a ribbon hanger for it and cover it up with a bow or something like that.

I plan on using blues, purples, and greens in jewel tones for the projects (my favorites!) I'll probably put it up for sale, but I'm making it more for me and I'll hang it in my crafty area until it sells, or never sells. At the very least, it'll be a great show piece!

I have a lot of projects that really need to come first, and my bad wrist is acting up, so I don't expect to complete this for at least 6 months. It should take me that long to find the time to do the actual design and assemble all the pieces and do all the cross stitch.

My plan is to see if I can find paper online that is the actual size of cross stitch squares to help me to do the design work. Or maybe they'll carry it in the craft store. There have to be some good tools to do stuff like this. I can use graph paper or my bead program to create a lot of things, but it will be much simpler to create the elements to size since this is as complicated as it is. Then I can create a representation of each element, put some sticky tape on the back, and move the elements around until I'm happy with it. If anyone knows where to find the right type of paper for that, let me know!

Also - if anyone can think of any really important creative things that I should be representing - please give me your ideas!

ACK! I just realized I missed the fiber arts! Like crochet or knitting. Hmmm....I'll make a note that I need to figure out how I want to include those... 

Feeling Lucky This Week :)

I definitely needed a "pick me up" after moving last week. I was extra tired and sore, and of course we're still in the process of unpacking, so that doesn't help any! It means I always have this feeling that there is something I "should" be doing instead of relaxing and crafting :P Not to mention there's always the "so where DID that end up?" Fortunately we have the majority of it done by now and there are only a few boxes and the pictures left! Woohoo!

Anyway, I received lots of goodies this week! So that definitely helped balance out the exhaustion and stress from the move :) First thing I received was some really cute charms from Athena Workman. I won these in a blog contest and my picture here does NOT do them justice. I was just snapping quick shots last night so I could blog...and apparently these ended up really washed out :( And yes, I'm too lazy this morning to go take new one's :P It's only 7am here after all folks! Anyway, I'm really looking forward to using these in my jewelry design. They will sit on my table in full view until I come up with the perfect design to use them in :D

I also won a blog contest from my friend Meri - my featured artist from yesterday! Isn't this earring cute??? I love it! Can't wait to wear it :) I told her my fav colors and told her to play...and play she did...and I love it! Good thing I own a lot of purple clothes huh?

Last, but certainly not least, I woke up yesterday morning to find this chain mail ball sitting on top of my closed lap top! My hubby had seen a book on chain mail while we were at the craft store, asked me if I had an links, and then asked if he could play with them! I didn't really expect much to come out of it, but he's a night owl so how was I to know? Apparently he found this design on-line and he spent a good long time making it! I was so thrilled! I attached it to the little lanyard and it's not going everywhere with me on my purse. And the fun part? He wants me to order more rings for him to play with! Who knows what he'll come up with next?

And time for a little shameless self-promotion *wink* Here's some of the items I've been promoting this last week - tell me your favorite for an extra entry in my Top Commentators Contest!

Oh yes, and for those who've been following my "bead embroidery adventure," the piece is finished, I just need to get proper photos. I'll blog about it before the day is over. Have no fear! Besides...this post is long enough :P

Friday's Feature - Creative Critters

Hi everyone! Since my radio show has been cancelled - but I love getting to know artisans - I'm going to start up my Friday's Featured Interviews again! Today I'd like to introduce you to Michelle of Creative Critters. Just click on any of the pictures in this blog feature to be taken to their listings :)

1. What type of art work do you do?

I sculpt in polymer clay- everything from fantasy sculptures, to animals, to miniature houses, to pen sets, and whatever else I can think of. I also make hand sewn cloth dolls which are great for kids or doll collectors. I make mixed media jewelry with polymer clay and a variety of beads. And I make plush World of Warcraft characters (also hand sewn). Oh, and I make knit stuffed toys for kids as well. I think that's everything.

2. How did you get started doing art work?

I've always been very creative. I learned the basics of sculpture in art class in high school. My grandmother taught me the basics of sewing when I was young. My best friend taught me how to knit a few years ago. Mostly I've advanced my knowledge and techniques through books. I have a whole bookshelf full of art and craft related books. I'm constantly trying to improve my skills as well as learn new ones.

3. Do you do any other crafts?

Let's see, I knit, crochet, sew, sculpt, make jewelry, stuffed animals, dolls, candles (just for friends and family). That's all I can think of at the moment, but I'm always up for trying something new.

4. Do you have any crafts on your list to learn right now?

I'm developing a real fascination with glass beads (seeing all the glass artists on Artfire is very inspirational). I'd also like to try my hand at metal clay. You just never know what will catch my attention next.

5. What's your favorite piece in your shop right now?

That's a hard one. I really love what I do, and I form a very real attachment to my pieces. I think maybe my Plush World of Warcraft Tauren Hunter and his Pet Lion are my favorite right now. I put a LOT of work into them, and I really love the way my lion turned out. I never outgrew stuffed animals!

6. Where do you sell your work?

I sell my work at http://creativecritters.artfire.com/. I've also sold quite a few pieces through word of mouth to family and friends.

7. What got your started selling your work?

I started running out of room in my house for all my creations! Even with giving my work away as gifts, I was still making more than I really had room for. I started selling my work through a consignment shop in NY at my friend's urging. All of my friends and family said my work was good enough to sell, and once I began actually making sales I believed them.

8. Do you blog?

I have a blog at http://www.creativecrittersblog.blogspot.com/

9. Are you on any social networks you'd like to share?

I'm on Facebook, MySpace, JoAnn.com, ByHand.me, and Flickr.

I had a ton of fun going through Michelle's shop to set up this blog piece - in fact it was really hard to narrow down my choices! So I have to leave you with one more piece that I absolutely love. :) Remember to click on any of the pictures to be taken to the listing!