Tag Archives: #Art

A Weekend of Crafting

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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

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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

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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

Winter Musings and Spring Projects

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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

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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.

Ebay Shop

Etsy Shop

Writing Exercise

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 “Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding.”
– Jen Williamson.

A little writing warm-up is just the ticket to get you started. When you open your journal or notebook to a blank page, oftentimes you feel as if that blank page is like not knowing a destination to choose. Quite frankly, writing takes you on unexpected destinations. One of the best ways to get started -there are many- is by practicing with questions.

Grab your paper/notebook and preferred writing tool and let’s get started. First, begin writing the words below. Be sure to allow enough space to write your sentences.

Book

City

Mountain

Restaurant

Person

Movie

Start with the first word in the column, which is book. Write the title of the book you last read and your general thoughts on the story or the information you read. Then move on to, city. What was the last city you visited other than the one you live in? What did you do? Below is the selection of questions to answer for each word in the column.

Mountain: What is the name of a mountain you visited and explored? Write your experience.

Restaurant: What is the name of the last restaurant you ate at and were you with anyone? Write about that and what you ate. Was the restaurant busy? Describe the atmosphere.

Person: Who was the person you last talked to and what was the conversation about and feeling?

Movie: What was the title of the last movie you saw? Who were the actors who starred in the show? What was the movie about? Did you like it?

You can have a lot of fun with this writing exercise and there are endless basic topics like these to get you started. Whether you are a beginner writer or a seasoned one, this exercise is great for any level of writing. Who knows, you might find a story idea for a book inspired by the warm-up.

My wish is for you to be encouraged and inspired!

Stephanie

Art Sale

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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

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“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 

Journal Cards Made Easy

Vintage Haul Unboxing | For Crafting and Journal Making 

Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

Instagram Shop

Ebay 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.)

The 100 Day Project and Journals for Sale

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Spring Journals

This year, I decided to participate in the #100dayproject on Instagram. What fun!

I craft everyday but there are some projects I want completed and feel this challenge will help in my endeavors. These are my spring journals for the coming season that I got a jump start on and would like to see them finished by the end of the season. Also, I need to replenish my ephemera stash so I’ve be mass making tags, pockets, clusters, stickers, altered paperclips and whatnot. You can follow my hashtag on Instagram #stephs100projects2022 to keep up with my progress! I’m also making short tutorials and will be posting video on YouTube soon!

I have three newly listed Spring journals for sale in my Etsy shop and will be listing two more this week! These are great journals for you to personalize. Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.

Instagram Shop

Ebay Shop

Etsy Shop

(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.)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

Sonnets from the Portuguese 43, Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The lady in the photos is my grandmother. The picture was taken in the 1940’s in Miami, Florida.