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 needle, Pearl cotton, Caran d'Ache: NeoArt Water-Soluble Wax Pastel and neocolor II, Acrylic paint: paynes gray, light blue, Golden Regular Gel Matte, Golden 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. 

Stitched journal page.