Saturday, May 09, 2015

Stitched journal page.

Welcome to my blog, I'm so delighted to have been asked to be the Documented Life Project™ featured artist for May 9th. The theme for this month is Touchy Feely (texture). The art challenge for this week is Stitching, and the prompt is “All that I am after is a life full of laughter.” 




For this theme I gathered up paper, paint, fabric and thread and I set off creating my journal page. I hope you enjoy this time-lapse step by step video of me working on my page,




stiched mixed media journal page from ruth rae on Vimeo.

Supplies you will need: fabric, sewing machine, doll makers needlePearl cotton, Caran d'Ache: NeoArt Water-Soluble Wax Pastel and neocolor II, Acrylic paint: paynes gray, light blue, Golden Regular Gel MatteGolden Light Molding Paste, awl. Instant coffee, muslin (I prefer Nature's Way by Roc-lon), black fabric, black copy paper (this is for the molding paste technique), joss paper, and your art journal.


Life is all about the layers that come together to weave our days. 
For me this holds true in art as well. Texture and layers created with an array 
of mediums transforms average items into amazing treasures. 

For me there is something mysterious, almost story like about the juxtaposition 
of the painted page combined with the papers and fabrics. The addition of 
hand stitches combined with free motion sewing adds an additional layer to the tale; 
creating a fusion of mediums and textures. The layers I used for this journal page
include altered papers and fabrics all of which are connected with a needle and thread
utilizing needle and thread as well as the sewing machine. 




My layerers for this project were: altered papers and fabrics all interconnect with a needle and thread. I like the juxtaposition of the painted page combined with the papers and fabrics and the hand stitches combine with the free motion sewing. 


After my sewing machine I must say that a doll makers needle is my top used tool in my studio its long and sharp and goes threw multiple layers with ease. If unable to locate a doll makers needle or perhaps you have a favorite needle a flat nose pair of pliers is handy to have on hand as this will enable you to pull the needle and thread through any difficult or thick layers.


To complete the page I attached coordinating beads along the sides using Pearl Cotton floss and a needle.Because I am naturally drawn to creating layers, I layered fabric and joss paper together. I then added an array of hand stitched between the journal layers and the free motion stitched fabric for even more texture. 

I hope you enjoyed my post as much I enjoyed creating this page.....
to expand your creative journey be sure  to visit my etsy shop where I offer online workshops 
and check out my latest book with Kristen Robinson titled Explore Mixed Media Collage (F&W)
as well as my newest collection of Video on Demand/DVD's that cover an array
of Mixed Media Techniques, Free Motion Stitching and more. 







Share/Bookmark

26 comments:

Lorraine Bell said...

Hi Ruth! Thanks so much for being our Featured Artist this week! My jaw seriously dropped while I watched your video - it makes me want to pop over to sit with you and watch your unbelievable process! The page is OUTSTANDING! I am still shaking my head at the elements and how beautifully they came together! I know our members will be blown away, just like I was! xoxo Lorraine

Barbara said...

Stunning stitches

Rae Missigman said...

This is just amazing Ruth! I am in love with the fabric as well and adding it to the page this week was over the top. Thank you for joining us as a Featured artist this week. I love everything you do and your video sure did make me want to play in your studio with you! Have a wonderful week!
xxRae

Diane said...

I love your journal pages and using hand stitching and fabric is something that makes me very happy too. You do it so beautifully. Also the music to your video was great!

Jane said...

Very impressive! I am so inspired by the many creative techniques! Writing with an awl in moldering paste and color washing over it is such a stunning element! Your free motion skills spurr me on to create Thank you for sharing,
Jane

Belen Sotelo said...

Ruth, What a joy to watch your process, wow! Seeing your various techniques and how you brought all the elements together was riveting and incredibly inspiring. Beautiful work!

Anonymous said...

Wow, the stitching is out of this world! Gorgeous layers!

Dominike said...

What a beautiful work. C'est magnifique. Congratulations. Félicitations.

Keetha said...

That is so gorgeous! Thanks for your video. I'm really feeling inspired! :-)

Suz said...

That was the most awesome thing I have ever seen.

Sandi Keene said...

First, thank you so much for being a Featured Artist with us today! Now, to this heavenly page. I loved watching the video. Seriously in awe of your free motion skills! I want to be able to do that and need to practice because I so love the look of it. Then when you glued the pages together a lightbulb went off for me - what a great solution to the stitching issue! And the icing on the cake of beading the edges! So inspirational! Thank you, Ruth!!

Fibreartist said...

Love!! Thank you for the video!

Roben-Marie said...

Hey Ruth! Thanks so much for being a part of DLP this week and I hope this finds you feeling much better! Your page is amazing as is all your work. I would know it anywhere. I still have the lovely dress you made me when we did the mail art swap hanging in my studio. Have a blessed day!! RM

Mary W said...

Layers and layers of yummy - ideas and ideas of inspiration - so much eye candy. GREAT page and I want to do it, too, so thanks for all the information. I used to love watching Beryl Taylor and her use of layers and you have added the printing and magic of scrapbooking to a wonderful new level. Thanks for sharing this amazing new path to follow! What fun.

RuthArt said...

wow, that was intense and so interesting to watch. Something like that would take me weeks to do, you made it look easy. Excellent work!

Chesley said...

Hello Ruth! Iam so amazed by what I just saw in your video! I seriously need to frequent your blog and get to know you a little better. I did just buy a new sewing machine that will do free motion, and how creative and smart to sew your sentiments…I am blown away and thank you so much for coming to DLP to show us this. I already knew you were amazing, but … but what? 'now I already know you're amazing' ? Forgive me, dear, I'm still working on my first cup of coffee…*hugs*

Chesley said...

Hello Ruth! Iam so amazed by what I just saw in your video! I seriously need to frequent your blog and get to know you a little better. I did just buy a new sewing machine that will do free motion, and how creative and smart to sew your sentiments…I am blown away and thank you so much for coming to DLP to show us this. I already knew you were amazing, but … but what? 'now I already know you're amazing' ? Forgive me, dear, I'm still working on my first cup of coffee…*hugs*

donna joy said...

love all the layers-thanks for sharing~

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great lesson Ruth!

Kathy said...

Wow,....wow....WOW! Your art is totally stunning! While I don't have the talent to come close to making a page like this, I sure did enjoy seeing you create it! Amazing layering, paint, stitching....a true work of art!

cindy degnim said...

HO.LY.COW!!! I watched your video three times and am still saying...she wrote words with a sewing machine!!! What an amazing feat and the outcome is totally fabulous. Thank you for sharing your talent and so many techniques. My favorite...molding paste, awl, color wash...brilliant.

Loretta said...

OMG!!! This is amazing!

Barbra Joan said...

Loved watching the video.
so much creativity and inspiration!

Unknown said...

You are just amazing! What an imagination you have! Loved watching your time lapse video of this page. Thank you for sharing it!
xo, Teri

Pallas said...

Your time lapsed video was wonderful - I saw techniques I want to try. But of course, I'll watch your video a few more times before I try them. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Awesome mixed media goodness!!! Thanks for sharing!