Firstly: I’m delighted to report that the biodegradable nitrile gloves have completely solved the problem. I’d expected to lose some dexterity with gloves on, but if you get the correct size they fit really well and you hardly notice them.
So hurrah for that.
If you’ve ever ordered any tangible items from my Big Cartel shop, you’ll probably have received one of my hand-painted thank you tags.
Stocks of these are running a bit low, as you can see. Instead of cutting into new sheets of watercolour paper I thought I’d use up a collection of cartridge paper/card offcuts that weren’t suitable for taking paint but were fine for collage.
Using the painted paper offcuts from last week’s sketchbook collage fest, plus a few more colourful tiny scraps, I’ve used almost every last bit of everything. It’s very satisfying to create something out of what we might call nothing – though everything is something – and hardly anything going in the bin or recycling.
Collage on this scale is very easy, and a simple process. Mini-landscapes at their most basic are just horizontal strips of colour, and they can look very effective with some straightforward mark-making or stamping. I used a corner rounder punch to shape the tops.
I haven’t counted them but there’s possibly a couple of hundred here, enough to keep us all in thank you tags for a while yet.
And finally, while I had all the collage supplies out on the table: I’m taking part again in the annual Postcard Art Exhibit, held this year in the Netherlands in June and raising money for people affected by Alzheimer’s. There’s still plenty of time if you want to contribute a 5″ x 7″ artwork to be sold for this year’s charity. Go to https://www.postcardartexhibit.com before mid-March to register.
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Gorgeous and poignant ❤️
thanks Kathy ❤️
The image on that card and found poetry is so touching.
thanks so much
The colorful tags are delightful and the card gives a sensitive pause for thought.
thanks so much Stephanie, the tags were a lot of fun to make
What a very satisfying few hours you must have had, making all those tags!
immensely enjoyable 🙂
When you were there…… thought provoking
Love your thank you tags, they are all fun and would be wonderful to find in a little purchase. Lovely thought. :))
thanks so much Mary, the tags were a lot of fun to make and very satisfying to use up all those tiny scraps
Hi Karen! This is not about zero waste collage. I tried to send an email directly to you; but it didn’t go through. I was re-routed here!
I am SO excited! I got my spoon flower linen cotton canvas yesterday and have just started stitching on it. I will say it is very much a canvas feel; which is ok with me. (I did watch your videos on the sample cloths. I also washed it.)
However, I am finding I really have to pull to get thread through. So far I have used #5 pearl cotton and a wool thread to do two lines. So, I’m wondering if I am using the wrong sized needle or thread that is too thick????? I have changed needle sizes too. It doesn’t look like you are having any difficulty in the video showing the sample.
I’ve not used this type of fabric before so perhaps my expectations are linked to a finer cloth and this will take more effort! I’ll keep experimenting; but, I thought I’d check to see if you have any suggestions.
Even though it’s almost February, I’m going to fill in all the grid lines first as you did this year and just begin the smaller squares when I get there!
I am loving the almost daily videos. Thank you for the time and effort it takes to make them. I’m looking forward to much creative fun ahead.
Kay in Minnesota USA.
thanks so much for your message, Kay.
I rarely use anything above perle 8 so it could be that the thread is a little thick for the fabric. You could always couch the thicker threads, using a finer thread to stitch them down with. I generally use the equivalent of perle 12 thread, which is similar to one or two strands of DMC stranded floss.
The needle just needs to fit the thread, I don’t worry too much about what size the needle is. Of course it needs to be sharp (ie not a tapestry needle, which is blunt) but it might just be worth experimenting with different thread weights and/or different needles. I usually use quilters/betweens or sharps needles, but many people like to stitch with embroidery needles. It’s all about personal preference and what works best for your fabric.
My online course, Intuitive Daily Stitching, goes through choosing fabric, thread, and needles as well as demonstrating a variety of simple stitches. Hope that’s helpful, and I hope you enjoy your stitching.
Your postcard was very moving. Thank you for sharing.
thanks so much, Gail. Dementia is such a cruel illness, perhaps more so for the relatives of the person affected.