Thursday, September 28, 2017

Welcome - Artist Tribe Blog Hop

Welcome to my post for the Gwen Lafleur's Artist Tribe Blog Hop.

Today and tomorrow each of the members of the Artist Tribe will be posting a project to their blogs. You will see a wide variety of styles and projects all using materials carried by Gwen's shop. See the links at the bottom of the page for each member's post links and the giveaway from Gwen.

I have been a maker from a young age. I grew up surrounded by women who knit, crocheted, quilted,  embroidered, baked pies and got creative in the way they met challenges. One thing about mixed media I love is the ability to incorporate just about anything. Incorporating scraps of this and that into pieces is a passion of mine.

My artistic style tends to be stream of consciousness. While some projects I plan, most happen as I follow my instincts. And so it was with this project. 

Last week I visited the Peace Pagoda in Leverett, Massachusetts. It was a beautiful day. 



Below you can see one of the tiles that circle the pagoda. 



There was a lovely breeze and the prayer flags were beautifully flapping. This is just a small portion of the flags. 



I sat on a rock under the flags and felt them cooling me. This page emerged from the sights around me. The floral pattern of the pavings, the purple that was being used to prepare for an event, the colors of the prayer flags and a sign I saw there "No matter where you are from, we're glad you are our neighbor."




The water lilies were stunning. 


Which leads me to my project. I still had the flapping of the prayer flags on my mind and these elephants that are found all the way around the base of the pagoda. 



One night when I couldn't sleep I looked through my basket of goodies from Gwen and found the digital downloads. There were elephants! I gathered my materials and was ready to go. 

The next day I had the chance to go to a member's weekend event at New England Bonsai Gardens in Bellingham, Massachusetts. There I found this raffia dyed exactly the color I was using. Score. 



Welcome Here emerged. 


I was taken with the hand stamped paper from Gwen that you can see in the middle. The paper is lovely to touch. Paired with a piece of craft paper, it looked great against a piece of burlap. The elephant looked perfect with this combination, but I yearned for more dimension. Looking through my printing box I found this hoop that had been some packing for kitchenware. Knew it would come in handy. 




Taking some of that beautiful raffia from the bonsai garden sale, I wrapped it around the hoop. 


Next I took some of the  Handmade Newspaper Yarn and auditioned it on the inside and outside of the hoop. Once I decided, I stitched it to the outside of the circle with a single floss of thread. 




After securing the hoop to the burlap by inserting the ends and tying them in the back, the paper was secured with jewelry making jump rings. The elephants were secured to the ring by jump rings. This makes it possible to see the paper underneath and for it to flap gently in the breeze.




Next I wanted to add the Turkmen Jewelry pieces to add some movement and sound. They sound lovely in the breeze or in front of the fan I am living next to as we are having a heat wave. 

Using the mustard colored raffia for the dangling pieces the jewelry pieces were placed on and secured by wrapping embroidery floss around the raffia. The floss was waxed to make it more solid. I also added some red beads I had to up the jingle factor. 



More of those beads were added to the ends of the dowel by use of wire. 


Sari ribbon was added on the sides. Isn't uncanny how well these colors went together?




 I had wanted to add the welcome sentiment, but decided to leave it without. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing my project and that you will go visit the blogs of the other members. I very much look forward to seeing what they have come up with. 
Thursday posts:



Friday posts:

Linda W.: 
http://lindaedkinswyatt.blogspot.com/2017/09/earth-angel-warrior-modern-paper-doll.html

Read on to see how leaving a comment could enter you in the contest to win a gift card. 


One lucky winner will receive $20 Gift Card to the Shop at Gwen Lafleur Studios! All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on any or all of the blog posts during the hop - the more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to win! (One comment per person per blog please.)

You have until Sunday, October 1st at 11:59pm mountain time to leave your comments. The winner will be announced on the Gwen Lafleur Studios Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/GwenLafleurStudios) on Monday, October 2nd.*-


42 comments:

  1. What a wonderful hanger and I also love your beautiful photos and the Art Journal page!
    Great to see your art!
    oxo Susi

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    1. Thank you so much for coming over and leaving such a nice comment. Glad you like the wall hanging. It has been lovely to hear the sound it makes in the breeze.

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  2. This is just lovely! I love the different layers!

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    1. Thank you, Jean. The layers kind of found each other. It was fun to see it happen as I am usually not working in this color palette.

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  3. Stunning and I am in love with the process on this so much.

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    1. Thank you, Glenda! I'm glad you enjoyed seeing the process. Sometimes one doesn't know if it is interesting, but since I like reading about thought processes, I thought I'd share. Glad to know it was a good choice.

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  4. I love how you created this piece with so much "movement" available.

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    1. Thank you, Linda! I'm glad you enjoyed the element of movement. It really is fun to see how it flutters in the breeze - or from the fan. Once our weather turns normal and the windows get closed it might not be as much fun, but for now it does move a lot.

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  5. Beautiful. I love the way you covered the circle and the little red beads are perfect.

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    1. Thank you, Karenliz! The circle was like a revelation when I saw the cardboard and the raffia. Isn't it funny how I had beads the same color?

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  6. I loved reading your post about how your creative flag evolved. I love prayer flags and I have a huge corner in my heart for elephants. Your design and colors just make this a fabulous piece!

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    1. Thank you, Kim! I'm glad you liked reading about the process. The design and colors are out of my usual comfort zone, but I like them too. Funny how we find that we can try new things.

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  7. This is beautiful Lynda! I love how it all came together, and what fun inspiration too!

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    1. Thank you, Gwen! It threw itself together. Beautiful materials make it happen! And you certainly have those materials!

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  8. Lynda I just love how you completely interpreted your visit to the Peace Pagoda in this wall hanging. I'll bet it sounds lovely in the breeze. I've actually been to tha Bonsai Garden many times and it's one of my favorite places!

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    1. Thank you, Jill! It's funny how much we end up having in common. The Bonsai Garden is, indeed, a marvelous place. Glad you liked my interpretation.

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  9. I too love prayer flags...and your interpretation as a wall hanging...lovely work

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    1. Thank you, Peej! I'm glad you liked my interpretation.

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  10. Beautiful flag ! I love how you structured it, it must be very cool to hear the sound of the jewelry parts !

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    1. Thank you, Edwige! We have been having hot weather, unseasonable I might add. Windows are open and fan is going. The sound of the jewelry parts at nighttime is such a lovely sound to fall asleep to.

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  11. I love what you made, and the story behind why you were inspired. beautifully done!

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  12. I love this piece of fiber art. It's wonderful to hear the story behind the creation.

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    1. Thank you, Theresa! I'm glad you like this piece and enjoy the story behind it.

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  13. Just lovely! Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets inspiration when not being able to fall asleep!

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    1. Thank you, Sandee! You are certainly not alone in the Inspired by Sleeplessness Club. So many good ideas come when it is dark and quiet.

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  14. Lynda, what a fabulous post! I enjoyed reading about your visits and the Welcome quote is just perfect.
    To read along and follow how you created this fabulous hanging, I swear, I was with you in spirit...I felt like I was there during your process- you were so mindful of the colors and pieces. A very soulful piece that turned out exceptional! I love each and every element you used here Lynda!
    and BTW, your journal page is just gorgeous!!!
    Thank you so much for sharing your steps,my Tribe sister! ")
    hugs,Jackie

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    1. Thank you so much, Tribe Sister Jackie! So glad you followed along and felt the journey. So much fun to know that you enjoyed this piece.

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  15. I love this project!! It reminds me of the Hindu deity Ganesh (who has an elephant head) he is known as the remover of obstacles.

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    1. Thank you, Monica! I'm glad you like it. I am sure I can use to have some obstacles removed. Thank you for sharing your insight with me.

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  16. This project is stinking amazing! How you took all those great finds and made this gorgeous flag is just fabulous! LOVE, LOVE the elephants! Great fun! Thanks for sharing! :)

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    1. Thank you, Felicia! I'm glad you liked it. I don't think anyone has ever told me that my project was stinking amazing before, but I love it! So glad you like the elephant and the project.

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  17. Fantastic.
    I was on safari in 2012 and this brings
    back memories. I have a thing for
    elephants anyway.
    thanks for sharing

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    1. Thank you, Mary! A safari? You must have many memories of amazing sights. Glad the elephants spoke to you.

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  18. The finished piece is lovely, but the process is even more delightful. I always enjoy watching something do something they're passionate about and do it well

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    1. Thank you, Catherine! Glad you liked both the process and the product. You are very kind.

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  19. your art and your photos are all awesome! xo

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  20. Oh my, the handmade nespaper yarn, the elephants and the Turkman jewelry...I could get lost with acquiring new supplies. Happy to meet you here. (Jackie sent me.) What a talented team you are. I like how you created inspired by what you saw in your surroundings. Cheers and thanks for the links on how to find the products you used.

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    1. Thank you, Darlene. Yes, you can get lost in Gwen's shop. (Ask me how I know?) This team has been a really rewarding experience already. I count myself very fortunate to be part of this team. I'm glad you came by and liked what you saw.

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