Something old, Something new

I was really hoping to have an Art Journaling video finished for you today, but I need a bit more time to edit it.  Everything just seems to take me a bit longer to complete these days, but I guess I have the excuse of being almost 37 weeks pregnant.  So I thought I'd give you a sneak peek into some other artsy fun I've been experimenting with lately.  Remember the Flower Embroidery Hoops that I did a while back? Well, that particular idea has morphed into using vintage photos and "painting" on them with thread.  Here is one of them.  I did some fun close up shots of the stitches on the piece.  I am really having fun with a new macro extender tube on my camera.  It gives an unusual perspective on something typical, and I like that. 

 There she is...isnt she so lovely? The photo was an original of a newlywed couple from Germany all dressed up in their wedding attire.  Here's the original photo...

 Arent they gorgeous?  I love how serious people are in old photos.  Most likely because they have been holding that same pose for a ridiculously long time waiting for the image to expose, and couldn't hold a smile the whole time.  So, I scanned it and cropped it down to just the woman's upper torso, printed on fabric, and framed in a vintage metal hoop.  Then I spent days and days with her just letting the colors, shapes, and stitches present themselves to me organically as I kept adding and adding.  She measures 5" across and is hung by a hand dyed silk ribbon.  I have several more of these I will be sharing soon, so stay tuned.  If you are interested in her, send me a message, otherwise I will be saving her for my next show.  Have a splendid day, and remember to look at something typical today in an unusual way! 

XO, HARMONY

Celebrate Your Weekend with ART!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  I dont know what you have planned, but I will be locked away in my art room like a little Santa's Elf, getting things ready for Craft Show season.  I need to make room for all the new artsy goodness that I am currently creating, and I have lots of original works from last year that need to find new homes and someone to love them.  So let's celebrate the weekend with a Super Labor Day Sale to fill your walls with lovely art, and empty my own to make some space in my life.

I know there are many of you just starting a new college semester needing to decorate that new apartment or dorm room, or have a home that could use a unique statement piece.  I'd like to invite you to take a peek at my ETSY SHOP, I just reduced prices on a bunch of original artworks (just check out the SALE section) and much more.  In addition to the reduced prices, you can use code LABORDAY to get an additional 15% off anything (sale items included)!  

I have a bunch of artsy jewelry and more originals that I will be adding throughout the weekend, so keep checking back, you never know what might show up on sale next.

Speaking of new things in the shop, remember the textured fabric painting I did a few weeks ago?

Well I tweaked her a bit and decided to take off the lettering, and she is now available HERE to find a home where she can inspire you to create from your inner child.

I am also currently working on a butterfly series using the same textural technique with bits of vintage fabrics, ribbons, and lacework.  Here is the first one completed and she is now available in my shop.

 

The Flower Hoops from the Embroidered Botanical Series are also now listed in my shop.  They are truly unique and lovely pieces in their vintage frames, and I am excited for them to bring joy to their new homes.

I do have to thank each and every one of you who are here for supporting my dreams.  This has been an incredible adventure so far and I am just getting started.  The opportunity and support to live my passion of creating art and inspiring others to believe in their own dream journeys has truly blessed my heart.  Thank you.  Come back tomorrow for some creative fun where I'll share my new FREE coloring pages!

XO, HARMONY

A Morning Photo Session: New Artwork!

Remember my morning run and impromptu garden photo session a few weeks back?  Well, I have turned some of those pics into art! I was really inspired by this artist and her incredible art yarn paintings, and thought I could do something similar with hand stitching.  I printed the photos onto fabric and mounted them into my newly purchased oh-so-amazing vintage metal hoops, and just plodded along one stitch at a time.  They took me a lot longer to complete than I had thought they would.  Everything on them is done by hand, no pattern, just me slowly painting along with a needle and thread, creating a truly organic pattern that celebrates and tributes the beauty and art that can be found our natural world.  I finished them last night, and so my son and I staged a bit of a photo session with them this morning so I could share a special first look at them with you. 

They measure 4", 5", and 7" and have vintage hand dyed silk ribbon to hang them from.  They are one of a kind original mixed media fiber art, and I couldn't be more proud of them.  I will be listing these on Etsy later this week, so if you are interested in any of them and want them reserved for you, please message me. 

So if you are wondering what happens behind the scenes when trying to photograph art while taking care of a small child, then here's a bit of the other side to our morning.

Here's me on the front porch, because its the only place in my horribly lit Florida home that gets decent light in the morning, and yes I am still in my PJs.  I'll be honest though, I spend most of my days now working at home in my PJs.  What's the point of getting dressed when all my pregnant self wants to wear is baggy shirts and stretchy pants anyway?  I can still just barely see my toes, Yay! - I did have to lean forward a bit though :)

Baby boy was on the hunt for more flowers for me to photograph.  We have very little as far as flowering plants in our yard right now (who has time to garden?) but he did very excitedly produce this lovely purple wild flower discovered under a bush.  He loves to bring me flowers, roots and all.

Then he decided that he needed to paint the cardboard that I was using as a background for my hoop shots, and drug out some white paint and a brush that he swiped from my craft room while I was busy shooting.  Here he is showing me how he painted my flower and made it pretty.  He also apparently made the walkway pretty as well...(somebody should be watching this child more closely).

So there you have it, my latest creations and a bit of our morning.  I have quite a few more of these hoops in the works that I am saving for Fall Craft Show season, but I just couldn't resist sharing these first few with you.  Have a lovely Tuesday everyone! I am off to hose down an exuberant young painter and a walkway. 

XO, HARMONY

Embroidery Hoops Giveaway Winner!

Hello and Happy Sunday! 

I am super excited to announce that the winner for the 3 hoop Giveaway this week was commenter #12.

 

Comment #12: yogiknitgirl said...

Harmony;
I love watching you grow and blossom . . . your art work inspires me always! You know I love you! Thank you for always being such an inspiration. Just wanted to spread the word . . . so I did on my FB page and Twitter . . . everyone needs to know about you!!! I don't stitch or sew, your hoops are so adorable I can't stand it!
Donna :)

Donna has been a long time follower of my blog and supporter of my art and become quite a wonderful friend.  It must have been fate for her number to come up because I just found out that today is Donna's Birthday, and I couldn't be more excited to send these to her. 

Thank you all who participated in this giveaway.  I truly appreciate the support.  I would love to offer a special 30% off discount just for today in my Etsy Shop, to anyone who entered in the contest this week or anyone who wished they had.  Use code HAPPYSUNDAY30 at checkout. 

Well, I am off to deal with this mess.  FYI: 3 year olds + embroidery floss = total chaos!

Hope you have lots of fun plans ahead of you today!

XO, HARMONY

DIY: Embroidery Hoop Messages and GIVEAWAY!!!

Want to give someone a note of encouragement?  Forget the paper card, here's a super cute idea for sending messages to loved ones that they will want to hang on the wall and keep for a very long time.  

The material list is simple and you probably have most of this in your craft stash already.  

Needed: 3 Inch Wooden Hoop, Cotton Thread in various colors, scraps of material (apx 6 inch diameter), scissors, hot glue, epoxy glue, pen or pencil, ribbon.

Cut your material down to fit your hoop, leaving 1 inch of excess around so you can mount it on the hoop.

Next, pick a color to wrap your frame with.  Pull off about 3 arm lengths of cotton thread of your choice and tie an overhand knot on one end onto one side of the hoop, as close to the edge as you can get.

Then start wrapping around the frame, and be sure to tuck in the tail of your knot under your wraps as you go.  Keep the wraps straight and tight as you work your way around the hoop.

Once you get to the other end, tie another knot and then affix tail with a dot of epoxy glue on the underneath.

Next stretch your fabric square on your hoop, and use a pen to sketch out the words you want to embroider on.  Then load your needle and start stitching away.  You dont have to know anything about fancy stitches to do this, just stick with simple back stitch (google it if you are unsure).

Once I finished I decided to make it look a little more aged/vintagey, and used a bit of distress ink to color the edges of the fabric (this is optional).

Then, cut down your excess material until there is only 3/4 inch hanging and fasten to the undersides of the hoop with hot glue.  And finally, cut a 3 inch circle out of a heavy weight paper (I used Kraft paper) to add a more personal note on the inside.  You can also add a pretty ribbon on top, just tie around the metal screw.  

VOILA! Simple and quick and will make someone feel so special to receive in the mail and hang on their wall. 

Here's the fun part! A GIVEAWAY!!  I have these two 3 inch hoops ready to be inscribed with personal messages and sent to surprise someone and make them feel loved.  Just leave a comment on this post with whom you would send them to and why, or what message you would want on your wall, or something else happy and fun you would like to share, and you will be entered to win both hoops along with specially decorated envelopes to mail them in, but that's not all! Since you will be sending these to someone else, I have a very special one just for you!  I will also send you this third 3 inch hoop message I made, for you to put on your wall and remind you to keep reaching for your dreams. 

RULES TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

Leave a Comment on this post by next Saturday 8/20.

More Entries can be added by spreading the word about the giveaway (one entry for every different way you promoted this giveaway, please include a link to your post, tweet, etc)

Make sure that I have a way to get in touch with you, in case you win!

Happy Saturday!

XO, HARMONY

Creative Play...discovering color

So after a bit of technical difficulty (being that my son demolished my SD card reader yesterday and I couldnt get my photos onto the computer), I finally have this week's Creative Play Video up for you to view.  This time it's just me.  My son was very busy this week assisting his Dad with some very important hammering and other manly activities outside (we are doing some rewiring of electrical stuff to our new tool shed), and he couldnt be distracted with any art time with mom.  I tried once to get him focused on a project but he just ended up trying to wear it like a cape.  Go figure.  If you havnt seen the other video's that I did with him, just click HERE to find them.  This week's is a bit of play using an embroidery hoop with stretched muslin on it and lots of fun color work.  I am trying some new techniques with mixing my painting with hand sewing and this video shows me getting the canvas ready to sew on.  The drawing that I start with on the material was just something I free hand drew.  Hope you enjoy the process and maybe get a little creative inspiration from it! :)



Wait! Before you go, dont forget to sign up for my newsletter.  I will be sending it out next week with lots of fun new stuff and an exclusive coupon code for my etsy shop.  (Plus a free gift!)  Just put your email in the white box to the right.  Have a lovely Sunday Evening :)

XO HARMONY

Just Finished! Renew and Delight.

The start to my adventure into mixing embroidery with painting has led me down the path of renewal and delight.

They are both 5 inch circles ready to hang on the wall or mount on a shelf.  I decided to wrap the hoop frames with cotton thread instead of painting them, and I am really happy with the result.

I really fell in love with this process more and more as I continued to work on these two pieces.  It is a tedious practice, and I definitely learned that less is more and to think simply when  designing the stitched pattern as well as when choosing my color palette. 

They are both saturated in gorgeous color and texture, using a variety of mediums including acrylic paint, graphite, oil pastel, and cotton thread and are 100% original work handmade by me.  I have so many ideas coming to me after finishing these two that I am already starting on several more to add to the collection.  If you'd like to bring one of these sweet little guys home, you can find them HERE.

In progress... paint and hand stitching.

Hi there!  I have been just loving the hand stitching process lately.  Here's a little something I've been working on.  I have an old worn out pair of linen pants that I cut a scrap out of and mounted on a small wooden hoop.  I painted the background with acrylic paints and then free hand drew a pattern on the front.  Then it was just following the lines to create the image with 6 ply off-white cotton thread.  I am currently working on a second one painted in reds/yellows/pinks and will show you them both together on the wall.  (the hoop that will mount this one is currently drying from being painted black and white stripes).  I cant wait to see how they turn out on the wall.

Now I have to get back to work.  I have a HUGE mess of an art room, resulting from months of neglect and stuff piling up, and I am ready to get back in there and make some art! Why do I love the mess making, hate the re-organizing process so much, and yet love working in an organized art room?  Anyone else have a process like this?  You love to have your space simplified and clean when you start working but can never bring yourself to consistently keep it that way? (Sigh).  I'll post some before and afters as soon as it's done for you to see my progress.  Happy Sunday everyone!  I hope you have a more relaxing agenda ahead of you today than I do :)

"For the Novice Stitcher"..thats me!

In my creative world lately I've experimenting with mixing paint and sewing, and I've been inspired by the simple beauty and personality of hand stitched embroidery.  So far I've been working on a hand drawn piece that I created on top of some hand painted material.  It's basically a fun sketch of some shapes, flowers, clouds, with the words "Dream in Color" across it.  The work is definitely slow going, totally different than my mixed media painting process, and to be honest, I was finding myself using the same simple stitch over and over, and getting really bored...  (I like many in my generation, struggle with follow through on things that dont produce immediate gratification.  I hate this about myself and am trying to teach myself perseverance and patience, but instead of spending the time reading through the instructive book I bought, I just skimmed a few pages and dove right into the project, figuring I'll get the gist as I go along...not really the best plan.)  Then I stumbled on this creative blog by a talented stitcher, who's done a recent series on the basics of embroidery!  It couldnt have been more tailor made for me.  It's really perfect, small bites of information, beautiful instructive photos, and she also has lots of inspirational patterns and pieces she has made to get the creative juices going.  Click Here to see it for yourself!  I loved it so much that I added her blog to my creative inspiration list on my right sidebar.  I cant wait to keep getting more inspiration from her posts.  If you've got a moment, click on the link and check out "Wild Olive" a blog by Mollie Johanson.  So here are more progress pics of my first hand painted/drawn embroidery piece. 

 I cant wait to start adding more variety of stitches after my mini tutorial.  

Happy Creating Everyone!