Rabbit Embroidery

How have you been?

It seems like a long time since I have sat down and shared about what has been happening.

I am slowly getting back into the routine of things after a lovely holiday break and embracing a new year that is filled with new opportunities and ideas.

One such idea is the notion in being more active in helping others. Mim from 'Hero Happy Mail' has the wonderful idea of assisting 'little heroes' that have experienced a tough time of late. It has been delightful to join a community that is focused on giving special surprises to these little ones. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to create something each month, especially for a little hero. Everyone loves a handmade gift, right?

Here is my first ... a little bunny nibbling on some grass.

I wanted to merge my love of painting, a different medium to paint on, in this case, some reclaimed fabric and embroidery. Instead of purely painting on an image, I have stitched an outline in part and then added some paint to fill in with colour. The finished product is then framed in a recycled frame with a touch of padded softness added.

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 ...

NEW Freebies for Golden Ticket Members

Last week, I gave a few hints about something that I would love to give to my 'Golden Ticket Members'...

 I have now launched a 'Resource Library' where members can login and access FREE downloadable items that I have created. I aim to update this library monthly with new designs and items.

Existing members would have received login details in the latest update that was sent out.

Not a member? Never fear, signing up is FREE and simple to do. Just click here, and enter in your email address. You will receive all the info about your freebies once signed up.

If you are having any troubles, feel free to email me.

Thanks for viewing!

~ Jen.

A new FREE gift for members

It is November already and Christmas is just around the corner (scary, right?). I love everything handmade and homemade and love to share that with others by making handmade gifts or supporting other handmade artists.

But at this time of the year, I am also thinking about you (yes, you)! I often reflect on the support that I receive from my family and also from people like you that purchase my items and  provide me with lovely feedback. Some of you have signed up to be 'Golden Ticket Members' and for that I would love to give you some freebies as a way that I can say 'thanks'.

I have been busily working on a special resource library where 'Golden Ticket Members' can log in and download freebies that have been designed by me. It is very close to completion and I can't wait to email you so that you can check it out for yourself.

Not a 'Golden Ticket Member'? Don't worry ... you can sign up here! It is FREE and you will receive updates, member discounts, 10% off of your first purchase from the web store ... AND access to the resource library when it is set for launch.

I hope to email you soon, with more details!

~ 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 ...

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 ...