The act of slow stitching quiets the noise and brings stillness to the mind
Stephanie Hopkins
In the Presence of Slow Stitching
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Category Archives: #Art
A Weekend of Crafting
Starting this past Friday, we celebrated my father’s birthday. I made him a miniature diorama and he loved it! He is going to display it on his desk. Saturday and Sunday and Sunday I worked on several projects and a couple art challenges.
A little fabric, paper and mesh dyeing was a lot fun! A few of them will go through more color washes soon! They will be used for various mixed media projects-including collage, fabric journal making and hand sewing. Once I get the look I want, I’ll iron these pieces. I’m going to share my method of making these soon at The Ugly Stitch Club Facebook Group.
A little paper crafting for the 100 Day Art Challenge and I really enjoyed creating this piece by adding wonky stitches and mesh from a kitchen liner you can buy at The Dollar Tree.
I’m completely hand stitching the fabric collage when with the many colors of fabric and stitches shown and I’m still working on it. I should have been finished with it by now, but I’m having such a lovely time slow stitching through the different shapes, colors and patterns of the fabric. Do you ever have those WIP you want to spend more time with and not let go quite yet? Like a kindred spirit you can talk with for ages and time seems to stand still and you say, ” Just a little longer…” Yeah, that’s this piece
Sunday afternoon, I spent time on the back porch, I decided to work on a stitch project while enjoying the weather and listening to the birds sing their song. It is becoming that time of year when you can enjoy the outdoors.
The stitch snippet challenge at The Ugly Stitch Club is in full swing and it is going great! Everyone’s snippets are lovely and such creativity from the group! We are having a blast! Here are a few pictures of the snippets I’ve been working on.
Well, that is pretty much a wrap up of weekend crafty events. There are a couple of other crafty things I worked on and you can check them out on my Instagram. I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and will have a great week!
Group Links:
Instagram @theuglystitchclub
For the Facebook group, just type in the search field, “The Ugly Stitch Club” and request to join.
See you there!
Stephanie Hopkins
The Ugly Stitch Club
I have started a new craft club and I’m thrilled to be sharing about it here with you all! What kind-of club is it? The Ugly Stitch Club is a group for stitchers of all levels of experience. Whether you are a stitch smith or total newbie, if you are interested in stitching of various kinds, you are in the right place! We have an Instagram page you can follow and a group on Facebook. Members on Facebook may post images and video to show others their projects or how-to or ask questions about technique or for creative ideas. Above all, we are sharing in order to respectfully support stitchery and encourage those who engage in it. We are a positive group and welcome you with a smile!
Tomorrow, we are currently starting a 20 Day Stitchy Snippet Roll Challenge over on the Facebook group and Instagram. This is a challenge is great for stocking your crafty stash with stitch snippet rolls for various projects! All you really need is 5 to 10 minutes a day to work on your rolls. Even if it’s just a tiny section, it still counts for the daily challenge. This challenge is mixed media and there are loads of material ideas you can use. More information about the challenge on Instagram or on our Facebook Group.
Group Links:
Instagram @theuglystitchclub
For the Facebook group, just type in the search field, “The Ugly Stitch Club” and request to join.
See you there!
Stephanie Hopkins
Exploring the Outdoors
This past Sunday the weather was cool, sunny and windy! Despite the wind, it was a beautiful day for a walk in the neighborhood. I went a little father this time around and enjoyed the leisurely stroll. Everyone’s yards were beautiful and the sun was reflecting off the pond. Even the chipmunks were busy exploring and enjoying the fresh air. It has been a rainy season this winter and spring. It hasn’t been easy to get out and enjoy the outdoors. You have to catch the sun when you can.
I was able to collect quite a few wood things for my mixed media projects and I’m thrilled with what I found. I’m drying them out on the back porch a but before drying them out in the oven. I recommend doing that before crafting with them.
Instructions on How I Dry Them Out:
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Supplies:
Baking sheet(s)
Parchment Paper
Old Paint Brush
Brush your wood findings off really good with an old dry paint brush or tooth brush. I like the bristles to be a bit tough. Not too tough mind you. Put them on a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread them out.
Bake for 20 minutes and then allow them to cool down completely being using them or storing them. Be sure to keep an eye on them while they are in the oven.
Once dried, they are ready to craft with!
This particular process is not for children. Adult super vision is needed.
I hope you enjoyed this post and if you haven’t subscribed to my blog yet, please do so!
Stephanie Hopkins
The Ugly Stitch Club
Hand stitching and slow stitching is a big part of my art and crafting journey. Yesterday, I took half day of reading and hand sewing fabric scraps whilst chilling on my bed! I was tired and needed the rest but at the same time, I still wanted to craft. I began to take scraps of fabrics and sew then together. While making those imperfect, fun and silly stitches, it was then when it came to me. To start a stitch club, or group if you will on Instagram. You don’t have to be an experience stitchery. I just adore those imperfect stitching in my projects. Those stitches are everything! If you are interested in stitching of various kinds, I would very much love to have you join me in this journey. This is a positive and encouraging group to be a member. I’m looking forward to this journey and I have lots planned.
Hand stitching and slow stitching is a big part of my art and crafting journey. Yesterday, I took half day of reading and hand sewing fabric scraps whilst chilling on my bed!
While making those imperfect fun and silly stitches, it was then when it came to me. To start a stitch club, or group if you will on Instagram. You don’t have to be an experience stitchery. I just adore those imperfect stitching in my projects. Those stitches are everything! If you are interested in stitching of various kinds, I would very much love to have you join me in this journey. This is a positive and encouraging group to be a member. I’m looking forward to this journey and I have lots planned.
Please join me on Instagram here or you can search me on IG by typing @theuglystitchclub
Winter Musings and Spring Projects
It is hard to believe that December 6, 2022 was the last postdate! I had decided to take a much-needed break but wow! Time flies! I have missed blogging exceedingly and I am delighted to be back at it. What have I been doing meanwhile? Well, there is so much. I have been story writing a bit, crafting a lot, creating art, reading some and writing in my journals quite a bit. Needless to say, I have been hunkered down this winter. Not that the south sees extreme cold winters mind you. I just use that as an excuse. Ha!
Lately, I’ve been making miniature wood houses, dioramas and dollhouse accessories. I’m having a blast! Back in the mid to late 1990’s I collected miniature tea sets and whatnot. I must confess, I miss those days of collecting miniatures. The combination of that past love and seeing people’s new works of dioramas sparked a fire in me to start creating miniatures. Was it a couple years ago or maybe it was last year, I had worked on a few miniature wood houses but nothing really came of it until now? Yes, indeed.
I’ve got so many ideas and I’m just getting my feet wet. Recently, I’ve made quite a few and I do have many of them available in my Instagram shop for sale. Plus, I have five Book Nook’s I’m creating for family this year. Excited! You should see my list of everything I want to create and the list keeps getting longer. There is simply not enough time on the day! I look forward to sharing more with you all and if you haven’t already, please follow my blog and stop by on Instagram to say hello or you may do so in the comment area below! Blessings to you and yours!
Stephanie Hopkins
Personal Instagram link
Shop Instagram link
The Ugly Stitch Club on Instagram Link
I will be restocking my Ebay shop this coming Monday!
Ebay and Etsy Shop Update
I have lots of lovely items in my shop at Etsy and Ebay! These items make great gifts and are perfect for paper crafting, journal writing, happy mail and the fabric packs are great for various mixed media projects!
Shop Inventory: Journals, Journal Tags, Embellishments, Ephemera Packs, Fabric packs, and Mini Paintings.
I offer discount shipping and a free gift
“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal.”
— Robin Sharma
My wish is for you to be encouraged and to try something new.
Thank you for your support!
Stephanie Hopkins
Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.
Blog and Shop Updates
I have sorely neglected updating Layered Pages but there are reasons The break has certainly given me precious time to reflect and regroup. I have so many new ideas for blog posts and hoping to get started on them in the near future. Meanwhile, I have been working a little on stocking up my etsy shop. I do hope you all visit my shop and I thank you for your support.
My wish is for you to be encouraged and to try something new.
Stephanie Hopkins
Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.
Art Sale
I’m holding a huge art sale today at my @layeredfindsshop on Instagram! I’ll be posting original mini wood art and paintings on Italian paper painted by me. I offer great deals and shipping is included in the price. Free gift included with each purchase.
I work with wood panels, wood blocks, paper and canvas.
Original Art by Stephanie Hopkins
Mixed Media Artist/Abstract Painter/Book Maker
This Weeks Inspirational Journey
“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal.”
— Robin Sharma
This week I have been busy making YouTube craft videos, writing, painting and reading! I’ve enjoyed every step of the way in these pursuits. My videos are geared towards paper crafting and the art of journaling.
The images shown are just a few of what I’ve been creating this week. I’ve recently had a thought about how interesting it is when I’m crafting, the journey inspires new pieces. That in itself is rewarding to find inspiration within your own endeavors. What are a few of the ways you find inspiration in your own creations? If this something you’ve thought about before?
Please like, subscribe and hit the notification bell to my channel to get the latest videos when they are posted. Thank you!
YouTube Recent Craft Links:
Tag Tuesday | How to a Make Mini Pocket Bellyband
Vintage Haul Unboxing | For Crafting and Journal Making
Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.
Etsy Shop – Shop is currently on vacation mode.
At this time, I ship in the US only.
I offer discount shipping and a free gift with all purchases.
(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)
Layered Pages 