Moonlit Meadows

New Home

I'm not happy with having to pay to put links onto my Typepad blog, so I'm moving back to Blogger.

Aussie Artist Jo

Please be patient as I get up and running over there.  Thanks.

New Items Listed

 

I have listed two new items this morning.  One is this bag, which is very similar to the fist one I listed.  They are only small, about 8" by 9", but large enough to fit the essentials...providing you don't list "the kitchen sink" as part of your essentials.

Click here to see the listing.

The other is a "Girl Love" wall hanging.

 

This is the first time I've made a wall hanging like this, and I'm really happy with how it came out.  The way I've put this together is inspired by an American textile artist, Danny Mansmith.  I love his textile work.  Please check out his website.

You can see the listing here.

Remember, keep an eye out for that give-away coming up in the next few days.  It will be something handmade.  Haven't decided what yet.

My Etsy Shop is Now Live

 

Moonlit Meadows is now live on Etsy.  I have listed 4 items so far - 3 ACEOs and a bag.  Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Moonlit Meadows

I will be listing at least 1 item each morning Australian time.  Which means I'll be busy making things most days.  Looks like I'm going to be really busy now.

Keep an eye out cause I'm going to run a competition here on this blog in the next few days.

Love Fabric Book

Well, it's been a while since I've posted.  Mostly cause I was frustrated at not having my computer.  But that's all solved now.

I'm hoping to blog at least three or four times a week now.  I'm also hoping to have my Etsy shop up and running early next week.

I've been working on some great sewing projects lately.  I've found lots of inspiration even though I'm going through a dark time at the moment.  It is my sewing and looking at peoples artwork/craft on Flickr and Etsy that is keeping me going.

 
 
 

These are the first 4 pages in my "Love" Fabric Book.  I have 4 more pages to scan in various stages of completion.  I also want to do a cover for the book too.  I haven't yet decided how to bind it together yet either.

Here in Australia there is a big push for equal rights for the Gay and Lesbian community.  The majority of Australians want the Gay community to have equal rights, but it seems that our polititians don't listen to their local community, as they are still resisting the change that is now inevitable.

I'm making this book as a way for me to put forward my voice.  I tend to speak much more clearly through my artwork than I do through spoken word.  What I'm trying to say can be summed up in one small phrase:

Love doesn't discriminate.  Why should we? 

ATCs Galore

I've spent the last week painting in my journal and making ATCs.  I've also prepared a book to use as an altered book.  I'm planning to use the theme of "endangered species" for my altered book.  I have lots of stuff to collect for that, but I do have some good stuff on pandas for it already.

Tara Ross is one of my favourite artists and the figures on these cards are certainly influenced by her artwork.

These are a mixture of painted and collaged ATCs.  The images come from an old National Geographic magazine that I found at one of my local thrift stores.

I've finally put my sewing machine in for a service, and just got it back yesterday.  So later today I'll start making stuff to sell online.  Not sure what I'm going to make yet.  

Textile Experiment No 2

Here is my latest experiment.  It is wool roving needle felted onto black felt.  I added buttons, beads and flower beads this time.  I also hand embroidered it.

I have finally found somewhere to get my sewing machine serviced, and it's within walking distance of where I'm currently living.  I'll be putting it in on Wednesday and I should have it back about a week later.  I'm very happy about this and can't wait to start sewing again.

I've started making some little textile ACEO's which I will be putting up into my Etsy shop in the next few weeks (need to get a new printer/scanner first).  I'm looking forward to selling on Etsy.  I believe I will have good success with this.

ACEO's (Artist Cards Editions and Originals) are exactly the same as ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) but they are able to be sold.  ATC's are for trading only.  I will be doing a post in the near future on these little beauties, so stay tuned.  Photos to come. 

Art Journalling

I've been doing some Art in my A5 journal.  I've been inspired by the July/August issue of Somerset Studio magazine, which is another of my favourite art magazines.  However, I do wish that it wasn't so hard to submit artwork from Australia.  It would make it easier if they accepted credit cards for return postage.

The artwork and articles are always top notch.  I am guaranteed to always find something to inspire me.  I always read the magazine from cover to cover, including all the ads.  I always love the Artchix Studio ads, as well as the Paper Whimsy ads.

Flipping through the magazine is an amazing journey of colour, words and inspiration.  I haven't bought this magazine for a while, so it came as a pleasant shock to discover how many publications Stampington now does.  I can see at least 5 of these I would love to get, including "Sew Somerset" and "Art Journalling."

The artist profile is Anahata Katkin.  OH MY GOSH!!!!  How beautiful is her artwork.  It's just astoundingly fantabulous!  I can't even begin to explain her art.  Do yourself a favour and go look yourself.  Her shop is PaPaYa.

One of my many favourite artists is Tara Ross.  Her article is called "How I Journal".  She uses similar techniques as Teesha Moore (another one of my favourite artists).  Tara's paintings are wonderfully whimsical.  Seeing her artwork again has encouraged me to start painting again.  Below are some of my efforts in my A5 journal.

 

Textile and Felt Experiment

I've been inspired by the June/July issue of Quilting Arts.  This is a wonderful publication and I dearly wish Australia had a similar publication.

Jane LaFazio has a wonderful article called "Needle-felted and Hand-stitched Fiber Art".  I found this article very inspiring, so I had a little play. 

 
I used a hand needle felting tool rather than a machine.  I didn't add all the shee fabrics, rather just used the coloured roving.  I did back by fabric with black acrylic felt.

I really did enjoy this experiment, and I do plan to do more of these. 

Knitting Projects Galore

Finally finished a scarf and matching fingerless mitts last week.  The scarf has button and fabric flower embellishments.  Lots of fun and very easy to make.

 I have been knitting more stuff this week.  Even though I received my sewing machine the other day, it is badly in need of a service and I can't use it until it gets one.  I'll be putting it into the shop in a couple of weeks.  So I am experimenting knitting soft toys.  I have knit two so far, and another is on the needles.

The top one is 18cm (7") and the other is about 20cm (8") from the bottom of their boots to the top of their heads.  I call them "Oddities".

I do hope to put the patten for the small one here on this blog in coming weeks.  

New Books

I love books.  I get a lot of joy and inspiration from books and magazines.  I have books on all sorts of things.  Pictured below is my two latest purchases.

"Living the Creative Life"  is by Rice Freeman-Zachery.  She writes for many of the Stampington & Co publications, such as Somerset Studio.  In the book she has consulted with 15 full-time working artists - such as Susan Shie, Rebekah Hodous, and Michael deMeng.  They talk about such things as "What is creativity?" and "How do I get it?"  The book is a fascinating read on how 15 different artists work at being creative.  There are lots and lots of colour photos of the artists work, as well as creativity excercises for the reader to try.  I give this book 5 stars.  It is definately a must-have book.

"Metal Craft Discovery Workshop" by Linda & Opie O'Brien is a book that I've been after for a number of years now.  I found this one at my local craft store on special for about $10, so I grabbed it.  It's an amazing book with lots of amazing projects.  Section one goes through all the tools and supplies you'll need.  Section two is brimming with great step-by-step projects.  Section three is a gallery to give the reader futher ideas.  Another 5 star book.