Dandelion seed head canvases - "It is well with my soul"

"It is well with my soul..."

The words

These words are from a hymn, the words written by Horatio Spafford, after he suffered the tragic loss of four daughters as the result of an accident at sea. Only a few years earlier, he lost real estate due to fire and  had mourned the death of a son. He was a very wealthy and successful lawyer that resided in Chicago, and a man that was very strong in his Christian faith. (I sourced a lot of this information from this website).

  The thoughts it evokes

I find that these words are words that exude strength. In my thoughts, I can imagine dark, thunderous storm clouds of turmoil, grief and tragedy and in the midst of the swirling winds, a man quietly, yet firmly stating "It is well with my soul...". To me, it promotes a resolve, that no matter what horrid event develops in life, nothing can rip faith and inner strength away. This in turn provides encouragement and hope.

The canvas collection

 I must admit, the canvas design did not start with the words, rather it started with a photo that I took when I was walking the dog...

 Dandelion seed heads were standing tall in a patch of greenery on the edge of the footpath. I decided to take a photo and add it to my bundle of art inspiration. I then decided to create colourful backgrounds on canvases, trying out different paint techniques. I have been inspired by a number of mixed media artists that incorporate beautiful patches and patterns of colour and I wanted to create art works using similar techniques.

I remembered the dandelion seed head photo and got to work developing simple sketches of dandelion seed heads, until I was happy with the look. This idea was then transferred onto the canvases. I wanted to add a quote or relevant words to the art works and the words of this hymn came to mind. I thought they would match perfectly with the dandelion seed head - standing strong despite being blown in the wind and still holding firm to the majority of the seeds. I also thought that the loose dandelion seeds offered freedom - freedom from the crushing forces of life. All these thoughts combined with the strength evoked by these words.

"It is well with my soul..."

Hoping all is well with you!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

Unique Paper Mache Christmas Baubles

There are 24 hours in everyday, but as I am getting older, it seems like time is flying by ...

Recently, we enjoyed two weeks break from school and that time seemed to pass by like we had only days. Stores are already promoting Christmas decorations, October is nearing an end and countdowns to Christmas are beginning. Christmas is definitely looming!

As thoughts about Christmas began swamping my head, I wanted to create something for Christmas. Amongst my mixed media art creations, I have been enjoying creating with paper mache. I thought that this would be the perfect medium to create a special decoration.

I wanted to create a Christmas bauble that stood out from traditional Christmas baubles. Each bauble is spherical, however, the middle of each bauble cascades reclaimed fabric to add a splash of colour against the white outside. I still wanted each bauble to portray a key feature about Christmas, hence the words: joy and love; the letters cut out of newspaper and adhered to a scroll made from old book pages. I also wanted to retain Christmas colours, but put a modern twist on them, therefore I used red, white and silver.

These baubles have been designed for the person who loves Christmas and decorating, but wants a splash of originality and a modern feel.

Soon available in store. To view what is in store, please click here.

Thanks for viewing!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

Give some encouragement with a paper mache heart!

Did you miss out on the last 'Snail Mail Surprise Challenge'? Well ... good news!

Everything is set and ready to launch! ‘Snail Mail Surprise #2’ is about to proceed.

For this ‘Snail Mail Surprise’ challenge, you are required to surprise someone that is a friend, particularly one that might be going through a tough time.

I’m very excited about this. This is NOT a competition or a giveaway, rather it is a way a way in which we can do something little, yet wonderful to encourage others – to simply show them that someone cares. I’m calling on you and others to join with me to help out.

It’s simple to join! Here are the steps:

• ·         You can now visit the sign up page. To do so, please click here. There are limited places available.

• ·         If you are successful, you will be sent one of the above Tupsy Turvy Designs mixed media decorations and tags (for free!).

• ·         Use this pack to surprise a friend, particularly if they are going through a tough time. As an extra idea, you could team this pack with a cooked meal or a bunch of flowers, or any other idea.

• ·         Take a photo of it – the pack with your gift, or the decoration and tag on your table as you are about to write in it, or as you put the pack in the letterbox, or any other idea. Please do not photograph any names or photograph the recipient as I will post these photos on social media.

• ·         Send me your photo – either by email or post it on Instagram or on my Tupsy Turvy Designs Facebook page and tag me (@tupsyturvydesigns) and add the #ttdsnailmailsurprise2

• ·         Please note: By sending in your photo to me you are giving me permission to use it on social media, my blog and newsletter.

• ·         Make sure you complete all these steps by: 14th October 2016

I will participate in this challenge as well and will follow the above procedure. As a special surprise and as a random act of kindness, I will surprise one of the registered participants with a little gift from me.

You don’t necessarily need to live in Australia to register, as long as you receive post I will send you the pack (still for free) in order for you to participate. By registering, you are prepared to receive the pack and undertake the challenge.

Want to join in the fun? Click here to register.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you want to know more about Tupsy Turvy Designs and receive special offers, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

The benefits of creating art

Life is busy, isn't it?

 Work takes a big chunk of the day or week. Yes, I create artworks, but I also have a busy and demanding part time job and some of the preparation time is after hours. Then, there is the house ... helping to raise two bouncy boys (as well as my husband) and ensuring that they are fed, clean, have clothes and cuddled also takes time. Add onto this housework ... well, trying to ensure that the house is clean and clutter isn't piling up everywhere. Even with my creative works, there is time taken to take photos, edit them, email, blog, etc.

It is busy and I think that it is life.

When I took along my crafty items to markets and people found out that I made them, a popular question would be, 'Where do you find the time?' Good question! I simply make time. For me, art is my passion and my outlet to relaxation. When I create, pressures of life, worries and stresses are momentarily boxed away and creativity, imagination, colour and problem solving reign. I find that if I get too swept up with life and I go too long without sitting down and creating, I begin to get restless. It is like I seek that time to sit still and simply create. Art does not solve my problems or stresses but it helps me to manage them.

Here are a few photos of 'work in progress' pieces that I have been working on lately ...

I hope that life isn't too busy for you and that you have a chance to unwind and relax.

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

New inspiration, new techniques and new mixed media canvases

I find that there are times when artistic ideas and creative inspiration is dry. The next idea for the next product is just not there. Often it is combined with busyness in life and frustration with the inability to sit down, relax and let the creative juices flow.

At this point in time, I am feeling quite the opposite ... not that life is not busy (helping to run a household with a husband, a dog and two bouncy boys produces a busy, more like hectic pace of life!), rather, I am enjoying the artistic processes of the items that I am currently making and am relishing seeing them arrive at completion.

Paper mache has become a love of mine. Yes, it is messy and gooey and takes a long time to complete, due to the time taken to dry each layer, however, I am enjoying getting my hands sticky and am inspired at what can be created using this medium. I just need to remember that this art does take time and if I want to produce items, I have to add layers daily to keep the process going.

I have also enjoyed taking time to research artistic techniques and have enjoyed viewing fellow artists' work, in discovering how they create their art works. I have enjoyed reading a book, that I borrowed from our public library titled 'Wabi-Sabi Art Workshop' (by Serena Barton), that explores a range of mixed media techniques. I have then enjoyed trying out some of these techniques in new designs, to see if they work for me or in adapting them to suit my artistic style.

Included in this, is my latest range of tiny canvases. I have created a few sets of these daisy flowered works, however, with this current set, I wanted to try out a looser daisy drawing style and I wanted to add words to describe daisies around the centre of the flower. I also developed a heart design, with similar, loosely drawn hearts with words to do with love and friendship around the main heart. What do you think of these additions?

These canvases are currently available in store. To view them and other products, please click here.

Thank you for joining me. I hope that you are currently feeling creative and inspired in whatever you are doing.

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

Introducing Fellow Madeit Seller - Ari - from 'Honeysuckle and Lime'

This month I introduce to you Ari - from 'Honeysuckle and Lime'. 

Ari creates beautiful homecrafts including beanbag covers, cushions and bags. They are totally gorgeous! She is one of many talented crafters on 'Madeit'.

Here, Ari shares about her craft and her work on Madeit.

Enjoy!

 

 

Tell us a bit about 'Honeysuckle and Lime'

Honeysuckle and Lime is my "slow food". It is my attempt to make something wholesome, durable, beautiful and personal that will stand the test of time. My background in bedlinen design and product development (pre children) gave me many opportunities to travel and see amazing mills in China and India and work with some incredibly skilled people but the one element that I really had trouble with as the huge amounts of waste involved in bulk production. I really wanted to try to cut down on the waste and make individual special items uniquely for someone which could be valued and treasured. In order to do this I bought myself a beginners screen printing kit and from the very first screen I was hooked! I love the way the different ink colours all have a slightly different consistency, smell and characteristics. It might be a little crazy but I think of them all a little like people.... I have the high maintenance ones and the easy going ones and the super cool dudes.

 

 

What do you like most about being a handmade designer/creator?

I love the flexibility and the fact that I can make to order and customise designs to customers tastes. There is something so special and rewarding about making something especially for someone! I also think it is great for my kids to see that you can make your own clothes, bags, toys etc, My daughter is my biggest fan :)

 

 

Why do you choose to create with fabric?

My mother taught me to sew from an early age and I have such great memories of all her wonderful fabrics. I have a degree in Archeology but it did not take me long after leaving uni to realise that that was not my calling. Hence I ended up in textiles working with bedlinen brands for almost 20 years. Textiles are my happy place!

 

 

What is next? Do you have any new products/designs/ideas planned?

Over the past few years I have used the proceeds of my sales to buy new machinery and this year I have added a lovely new embroidery machine and a heat press which is making life much easier and opening up creative opportunities to combine the screen printing and embroidery on a bigger scale. My latest product addition has been a range of bean bags which my kids are crazy about and I have a new Christmas range which is almost ready. I always have a million ideas but I have to keep things in check because my kids are still little and time with them is really precious so I need to do my best to find a balance.

 

 

Thank you Ari for sharing about your beautiful designs!

To visit Honeysuckle and Lime's Madeit store, please click here. 

You can also view Honeysuckle and Lime's creations on Facebook, here.

Thanks again,

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about other handcrafters and want to know more about Tupsy Turvy Designs, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...

 

Paper mache hot air balloon

Are you the type of person that loves to scale heights? I'm not and I think that I am fearing heights more and more as I am getting older.

 I am the person that is clinging to the handrail of a lookout that incorporates beautiful views of a scenic place, not daring to look at the view, let alone look down. Contrast this dilemma to my two fun loving boys, that will scale any tree or gladly look over any handrail, so much so, that often they need to be encouraged not to climb up so high.

Which got me thinking about the hot air balloon that I have been working on. Would I ever ride in a hot air balloon? Hmm ... as the balloon gently soars higher in the air and the items below shrink smaller and smaller, I can see myself flattening myself on the floor of the basket underneath the balloon. Hence the answer would be a resounding 'no'.

Luckily for me, this balloon is only small scale. This little beauty is made out of paper mache and painted up in a similar style to the backgrounds of my canvases. I made up matching flags to circle the balloon and a hessian basket underneath. This balloon still needs a few adjustments, but essentially it is finished.

I am very happy with the results, although I did accidentally knock it as it was drying and I realise that this mishap has caused a slight split down the bottom of the balloon. It is only my prototype, so I will fix it up and send it on a trial run as I want to be completely happy with the design. I would love to hear your feedback - is this something that you would use/purchase? Would you like to see more the same size in a variety of colours or smaller? Do you like the general look - what do you like the most or least? I would love to hear from you as I can change some of these features before making a new batch.

Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy whatever you are doing - particularly if you are scaling new heights. As for me, my feet are firmly planted on the ground!

~ Jen.

P.S - If you have enjoyed reading about the story behind Tupsy Turvy Designs' products, why not become a 'Golden Ticket Member'? It is FREE and membership entitles you to regular updates, exclusive sales, discounts and opportunities. Simply click here and enter your email address. Easy! I look forward to sharing more ideas with you soon ...