CQJP July Block

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Around The World Blog Hop (Late)

Barbara tagged me in the Around The World Blog Hop several weeks ago, but I was having technical difficulties with my ISP. I'm happy to say we've changed our internet provider, and I'm back up and posting again! Yay!
So, here's my ATWBH post:
 
1. What am I working on? 
I'm always working on several projects. That way, if I get tired or frustrated with one, I have a whole pile of other projects in various stages of completion that I can jump to........For over a year, I've been working on a wrapping cloth, formed from various found and new fabrics, and embellished with hand embroidery, laces, and needle tatting to create a new cloth.
 
Here's a photo of one of the finished pieces. (#5) I'm currently working on piece #12. I'm not sure just how many pieces I'll need to finish my wrapping cloth, or when that might happen. The joy, however, is in the creating.
 
I just completed a series of projects for StitchMAP's year-long HEX LABS challenge, designing, stitching, then writing(with assistance) the project instructions. I finished 4 projects, and had a lot of fun doing them.  
As well, I'm stitching one of the three HEX LABS projects released each month, and learning/improving my stitching skills. Shady Lady was completed for May. The current HEX I'm stitching is a turtle design.
In progress is a project about painting fabrics.
StitchMAP also has Fun Friday Tutorials  regularly, in which the members are challenged to create a project based on a chosen online tutorial.
The latest FFT was to create fabric boxes.
There is my purple Crazy Quilting project in the beginning stages, which may also incorporate the HEX LABS as a border.
I've been working on a project submission to the Embroidery Guild for an original design concept.
As well, a wedding piece is in progress for a couple who were married last summer. The stitching has just begun, so I hope to show photos of my progress soon.
I paint in oils, watercolours and acrylics. It's fun to show paintings in progress with step by step photos. Currently, I'm working on two watercolours: the Autumn Cabin and the Georgian Bay Beach.
Mixed media is fun to do, and I like to create cards and journal pages using lots of texture.  A recent purchase of a gelli plate means I have another fun tool to play with in creating original prints for cards and journal pages.

Tatting, knitting, and beading are other fun pursuits, and I've been teaching myself how to crochet, although I haven't made too much progress yet. ;-)
Writing stories and poetry are also ways in which I express myself, and I like to take photos of my surroundings. Those photos I've taken are often used as reference for my paintings.
  
 2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? 
I believe we each bring something original to our work. We each see differently. I am fascinated by that. When I attended a painting workshop, all the artists were asked to paint the still life on display. Although we all used the same medium, and we painted the same still life, each work was unique. How does that happen?
3. Why do I write/create what I do? 
Creating keeps me grounded. I think it's a wonderful way to express one's emotions and find that absorbing Flow. To me, creating is meditative, and when I'm in that zone, the world falls away with all its troubles and turmoils, and there is only the fabric, the canvas, the paint, the creation evolving. So, I like to visit that place often, and stay for long periods of time!  ;-)
 
4. How does my writing/creating process work?
Music plays a role in my work process. I find it eases me into the state of Flow, where I am absorbed in creating. Sparks of ideas are ignited and I am oblivious to all but the paint brush, the paint, or the needle whispering through cloth. One idea leads to another or many.
I am influenced by the work of other artists in many mediums. Their creativity sparks my own, and I love to learn new techniques and explore different ways of doing. The desire to learn more and to improve my skills keeps me experimenting.
Nature has always played a role, too. Perhaps it's the grandeur of trees in the forest, the burbling flow of water, the sunlight on wildflowers that captures my imagination. The colours of the plants and wildlife entice me to replicate them in my art.
Walking in nature releases ideas I want to explore. Once I get my new knee, I'll be spending more time under the influence of the nature around me. 
 
I tried to find 3 people who wanted to participate in the blog hop, but those I approached had either already done so, or were not interested. Then, I had technical problems which made it difficult to contact people, so I stopped looking. If you'd like to participate in the blog hop, please leave me a message, and I'll send you the information.
Happy creating!
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs from Suz
 
 
 

18 comments:

  1. Very interesting post, Susan & lovely pics of all your creativity :-)

    Creating is its own best reward ... the pleasure of the journey/process & then the final destination ! The only thing I dislike is the "packing"/gathering of materials & colour decisions one has to make before commencing on the actual journey of creativity ;-))

    Glad that all your internet woes are behind you now ...

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    1. Thanks Muskaan! For me, the gathering of materials is part of the fun. I enjoy sorting through my stash and discovering items I forgot I had! lol....it's rather like going shopping, but without the traffic.
      I'm so happy that my computer connection woes are behind me!

      Hugs

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  2. Glad that you finally have a working internet...welcome back!

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  3. Welcome back from me too, we have missed your lovely work, and this was a wonderful post to read all about your work and how your inspiration and creativity evolve.

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    1. Thanks Shirley! It's good to be back posting. And it's so nice to have a system that works reliably! The other one was frustrating. Hope all is well with you. Have you returned to the farm yet?

      Hugs

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  4. Thankfully your computer woes are gone. I always enjoying learning more about your creative process. Music is always my salvation and soothes my weary soul. What would we do without multiple projects to keep us active and busy and interesting. Creative Blogging Bliss Dear...

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    1. I tell ya, Sherry, it's so nice to not be frustrated every time I turn on the computer, and I'm pleased with the new system. I agree about the music-- there's a style for my every mood. I think the multiple projects keep our minds engaged, as well as our hands. It's good to keep the old noggin working.....lol....thanks.

      Hugs

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  5. so good to read computer worries are long gone, think i have caught them as having problems. Such variety of work here you are both master of the needle and paintbrush

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    1. Sorry to read that you're also having computer woes, Margaret. It can be so frustrating when things don't work as they're supposed to do. I'm still a student of both, I think, as I'm still learning. Thanks.
      Hugs

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  6. I so enjoyed reading this post...nice to learn some new things about our friends! Glad to have you back!
    Deb

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    1. Thank you, Deb. I think sharing some of the things that make us tick creates bonds across the miles with people we may never meet face-to-face, but yet, whom we consider to be our friends. Isn't Blogland wonderful? I'm so glad to be back.

      Hugs

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  7. Lovely work & what a variety. Jumping from one thing to another keeps me interested, too & I love the first sort thru collections! It's making the first mark that' is sometimes difficult ;)

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    1. You're right, Emma. That first stitch or first brushstroke on the paper means we're committed to moving forward. One can always pull out the stitch, and one can usually remove much of the paint, but there's that momentary fear: what if I ruin it? do it wrong? make a mess? It was a roadblock many times. Now, I like to slap that inner critic silly, and just go for it! If I ruin it? It goes into a pile for mixed media, and I begin again. I have a big pile of papers for mixed media... ;-)

      Hugs

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  8. I adore the way your wrapping cloth is evolving, calmly, quietly and beautifully.

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    1. It's a slow cloth, for sure, Karen, but that just means I'm extending the joy of stitching.....Thank you.

      Hugs

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  9. Great to see you back blogging and sharing your inspirational words with us, Suz. Sometimes I wonder why I am doing all this art and craft but as you say, the joy is in the creating and it brings much joy. It is so good to have many irons in the fire and being able to flit from one thing to another to keep our brains stimulated. There are many reasons for having multiple projects - I am sure :)))
    Thank you for sharing some more of yourself with us - and yes, it is lovely to have blogging friends.

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    1. Hi Dianne! Yes, that stimulation is important, I believe, especially as we get older and are no longer in the outside work force. Being stimulated by our occupation, our co-workers, deadlines and more falls away once we retire, so I plan to keep my brain working, by trying new activities and techniques. Being able to create art and cloth is a wonderful bonus. Thanks.
      How are your travel plans going?

      Hugs

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