Wednesday 3 February 2016

14 days left of house arrest remaining :)

Good evening crafters.

There are days when the craft room just doesn't inspire.  Today was one of those days.  We all get moments when our mind are in too many different places and, well, busy.  So. damn. busy.  The thought of "having" to make something seems impossible.  It's days like those,when doing this challenge can be quite a drag.  I wanted to share this, as I'm sure, as a person who now makes a living from my craft, it would seem I'm always bursting with idea's and creativity.  Does forcing yourself to just get on with it help?

We hear, and talk, of mindfulness, and the calming effect of creating, but sometimes that seems like an impossibility, just the thought of sitting down to craft can be overwhelming.  Attempting to build up the enthusiasm to start a project, when you feel despondent.  Where do you start.

This evening I trotted off to my craft room, with this mood looming.  Yesterday, I had started a project which I completely fell out with - the colours were wrong, and it just looked awful, but for once I didn't just pop it in the bin.  Instead, late on in the evening,  I covered it in gesso - well, that's what I intended to do.  What I actually did (whilst brushing my teeth - ever the multi tasker!), was cover it in a glassy gel.  Not to worry.  I walked away and left it to dry. This morning (again, brushing my teeth!!), I did cover it in gesso, and allowed it to dry.  So, this is where this evenings crafty journey began:

From this:


To the white out:


This was perfect for the mood I was in.  A strange blank canvas.  I wasn't sure what to do with it, but figured I couldn't actually make it any worse - with this in mind, I knew I could experiment freely.  So, I sprayed some bold green


And then a stunning strong blue


And added a red.  I then sprayed a silver shimmer over the top to spread the colours and blend them out a little


These are the spritzers I have used for this project.  They are all Mica based spritzers, so will dry with a sheen


There was ink left on my mat, which I used to colour the little butterfly which I'd actually ripped off the project. I popped this aside to dry


I blasted the card to dry the first layer of ink.  I wanted to build up the depth of colour, so spritzed again, this time I didn't water the ink down with the silver.


I started to dry the ink.  I loved the colours.  They changed when the heat was applied.  I presumed this was a reaction with the gel and the gesso.  


I love it.  The gel has added texture, but also brought all the layers of paper, dies and ribbon together


I did decide the sheen was to much, so added a little black paint.  I did this very subtly indeed.  I picked a little paint on a sponge, which I literally dusted over the piece.  This enhances the textures, and creates extra depth


To finish my piece, I added white and black mat and layers.  


I decided to cut up a lovely magazine, to find the perfect sentiment, and also added my little butterfly back in place 


I didn't want the words bright white, so toned them down with a little ink. You can see the difference here, with the craft being a shade whiter than the magic



I'm really happy with this.  "A restless mind creates curious craft magic".  But, the question remains, does crafting lead to mindfulness, or help with the ability to calm our minds. For me, it worked.  I lost myself in my creativity, and loved it.  The process engrossed my mind, focusing my wayward thoughts, and allowed me to chill out and calm.  And I was so happy with the result - so not only a calmer state of mind, but a sense of achievment.  Now, what shall I start whilst brushing my teeth this evening :)













27 comments:

Unknown said...

loving the finished project, its something i need to learn to do, instead of having everything perfect or in the bin.

love Teejay x

sheila joss said...

This looks like a really old wall that has been painted and painted over many years....like plaster mouldings. Did you ever see the film, The King’s Speech? The walls in Lionel Logue’s office looked like this but paler colours....lovely.

Unknown said...

Love this,and the insight into your thought processes. I hope you don't stop blogging when your sentance is over x

Unknown said...

Love this,and the insight into your thought processes. I hope you don't stop blogging when your sentance is over x

Lorna said...

I've hit a bit of a crafting brick wall recently. Never happy with anything I make, close the craft room door and avoid! Your blog tonight has really made me reevaluate that! Thanks for making me feel like I wasn't alone! Lol! We should love our craft and not feel like it's a chore.... Keep blogging xx

karenlotty said...

Oh oh Leonie you have just described how I feel! I have a few cards that I need to make and can't think what to do The end result is beautiful (I liked it when it was all white too) Perhaps you need to take a couple of days off from craft blogging Don't forget you've not been well either But please don't give up blogging because I love the stuff you do

Leonie pujol said...

Thank you ladies. I'm so pleased you like the post. We all get days when we just don't feel the mood for what we "have" to do - and it can feel a chore. But, once I started I completely lost myself, which then helped me to reign all those thoughts that drive me slightly mad, back in again, and rationalize. Well, for a good 20 minutes at any rate :) xx

Karen Petitt said...

The end result is awesome! I think we all get like that. My problem is that I'm stubborn! I don't give in to it when sometimes I should so I keep pushing and normally end up with a result that I love. I've also ended up with several items in the bin because I pushed myself. Looking back that was the right thing though, it keeps me motivated and my mind busy and positive. Time for you to take a break from forcing it - spend some time with the dogs or take them for a really long walk it will clear your mind Karen xx

kittyedavies47@gmail.com said...

Hi Leonie.
Thank you for sharing your lovely projects with us.
I have not done any crafting all week, maybe at the weekend I will.
I am sorry Leonie you felt the same. I hate deadlines too.
Take care and relax have fun Kitty.

hollyberry said...

What a change! The way the detail of the different layers shows in the final project but it all completely gels together is amazing. And that sentiment,I love it.
I wouldn't wish creative block on anyone,it is so frustrating,but it helps us to know that you get it too. You are so good at letting us into your thought processes both before and as you go through the project,shows what a great teacher you are. Please don't stop.

carol edwards said...

Hi Leoni, love the insight of how you get lost in thoughts good or bad. It's hard at times to free your mind or get yourself going. Funny how sometimes it all fits into place and others no matter what you try doesn't get you there. The magic is when you realise time has slipped by, you manage to do something and things in your head become clearer too. Take care,and enjoy a lovely walk with your dogs, that's magic too. X

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Leonie, What a difference !! I can't believe that this finished project started with the image at the top of your post. What a difference !! I love the finished creation. I admire your determination, mine would have gone in the bin, but maybe after this post I will 'think again' haha.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Paper Art Memories said...

Turned out fab! Goes to show don't throw away your creations just look a them another day. Oh and white Hessian covers anything lol x

Paper Art Memories said...

Turned out fab! Goes to show don't throw away your creations just look a them another day. Oh and white Hessian covers anything lol x

Anonymous said...

Love reading your posts Leonie and how you work through a project. Patience to finish it after restraining from binning it and the final end result is wonderful. Best wishes Jackie x

Jackie S * said...

love this Leonie so looking forward to you back on our screens
Jackie - Highklands x

Magic Maggie said...

So....do you feel better now? We've all been there, thanks for showing us there can be light at the end of the tunnel (which isn't the oncoming train!!)
Just enjoy! (says she who has come to an impasse with a brusho project I started yesterday!)
Love
Maggie
xx

MFM said...

Well done Leonie, you give us all hope when things just don't seem to want to work.

Heather Treble said...

Hi Leonie,
I know exactly what you mean about sitting down to craft and being stuck for what to do. I am currently working on save the date cards for my daughter and nothing that I put together seems good enough. I did get a canvas board out the other day after looking through your blog and just played and came up with something I'm very happy with. I just have to apply the same process to making the cards.
I love your artwork and you are a great inspiration so thanks for sharing,
Heather

Unknown said...

Been there,lots of the time, and come through the other side but still not produced anything as good as this.As you have said before its just card/paper leave it,have a cuppa/walk the dogs,stroke the dogs,blimey get the chocolate out! You will come back and always produce a great piece of art.Still counting your days down!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Leonie- we share our birthdays each year (not the same age as I'm much older) and now you've reassured me that I AM still part of the human race.
Often home alone (I have MS) you'd think I would craft and write every day...but Life's Worries attack me in the same way they've affected you.

Yet I know that when I go into my Croffice, the creation process always makes me better.

Your piece of art was transformed by your sense of play, of discovering new ways with much-loved materials. You are a very talented lady and I enjoy reading your write-ups very much, Birthday Twin!

Anonymous said...

Hi Leonie- we share our birthdays each year (not the same age as I'm much older) and now you've reassured me that I AM still part of the human race.
Often home alone (I have MS) you'd think I would craft and write every day...but Life's Worries attack me in the same way they've affected you.

Yet I know that when I go into my Croffice, the creation process always makes me better.

Your piece of art was transformed by your sense of play, of discovering new ways with much-loved materials. You are a very talented lady and I enjoy reading your write-ups very much, Birthday Twin!

Tracy Welham said...

Goodness, I shall never throw away anything I make that I don't like again...that's so well recovered. Look's beautiful. Creative Blessings, Tracy x

Linda Simpson said...

Afternoon Leonie, gosh where has the time gone, I bet you are getting super excited now! What a fabulous transformation I adore the finished card and loving the texture. Looking forward to seeing what you create tomorrow. Sometimes my mind goes into overdrive with ideas and when I come to sit and craft I get a mental block! I find if I just pick a stamp and colours and play for a while the ideas start to flow again. Phew!
Hugs
Linda xxx

Anne said...

At the start of your blog I wasn't sure at all that I would like the end result but I just love it, Leonie. Amazing.

Anne (Northampton)

Unknown said...

Hi Leonie...your project turned out beautifully in the end...I never thought I would lose my 'mojo' as they say but lately I can't be bothered to get all me stuff out...and I too had a project I didn't like..I had loads of different coloured flowers I had made so stuck them on a canvas and sprayed them...again and again!! You name it I've used it...gilding wax, embossing powders, Inks. ..and I still don't like it!!..but maybe your idea with the black paint might save the day!!So thanks again for the inspiration...hope you're feeling better and not long now!! xx

Myra said...

Oh Leonie!
Thank you! I have learned a lot from your experience. As you say things are thrown in the bin sometimes rather crossly , to put it mildly!!
It's often just - wait , leave it and come back! My other failing is working too late and I can spoil a piece of work just through being too tired.
This is gorgeous and I've pinned it again! Thank you! Xxxx