Thursday, May 10, 2012

Creativity from the Couch

This is a project done while I was relegated to the couch during my recent extended flare up of fibromyalgia and pain.

One of the things that I dreaded about flare ups was that my ability and energy for creating would drastically drop or disappear altogether. I wanted and needed a way to work around that when it happened.

I decided to organize a few supplies that I could easily access, keep near me on the couch, and use on my roughest days. I repurposed several large styrofoam meat trays - the kind you get when you buy a family pack of meat.

They work perfectly, with enough room for a few supplies, and they stack and store well in my craft closet.

The project that you see in the photos here (except for the frames) was made using the supplies on one tray. On that tray, I stored pages from a vintage book and hymnal; homemade alcohol ink sprays, brads, several colors of acrylic paint, tissue paper and thin wire.
Using the book pages, I cut each shape out by hand and then colored them with the sprays (except for the tissue paper). I followed up with assembling each flower and butterfly individually. Each day, I stored whatever I had made in small ziploc bags; partly for organization and partly to keep them out of easy reach of my grandson, lol.

For this project, I painted the backgrounds in acrylic and then layered over that with tissue paper. I used the same tissue paper in both pictures. I arranged flowers and butterflies on the background and, once I was happy with the composition, I attached them to the background. I finished up by stamping a relevant quote or saying on each one.
I have these hanging on the wall above my desk, next to the bulletin board that I posted earlier. I smile every time I look at them!

Shared for Whatever You Want Wednesday at Free Pretty Things For You
Shared for Show and Tell Saturday at Be Different Act Normal
Show Off Your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans

14 comments:

  1. A great idea Cynthia...I can empathise with an illness and frustratingly unable to be as creative as I want to be. I will need to put a kit together. Your pictures make me smile too!! Gorgeous :)

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    1. Love the photo of you and Little Miss M and I'm busy checking out your blog! I love making art with my 3 1/2 yr old grandson and it makes me smile when I 'meet' others that nurture creativity in our children.
      Thanks so much for the wonderful compliments too!

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  2. Love this Cynthia, very good idea. I hope you soon feel a bit better again, i know how hard that can be.
    hugs June x

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    1. Thanks June! I think with warmer weather, I'll be having more good days than bad ;)

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  3. Hi Cynthia, I have a little surprise for you at my blog !!!
    :-)

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    1. Rian, I absolutely love the collage sheet! Thank you so much <3

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  4. I have Fibro too and find I lack the motivation to do anything during a flare-up. I try to bring things to the couch and I love the idea of the little Styrofoam trays!
    Maria

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    1. I totally understand Maria! It's hard to be motivated when pain and fibro fog are present. There have been so many times when I wanted to work on a project, but just couldn't manage to gather things together for it. The trays definitely help! You'll have to share when you put a tray or two together :)

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  5. These are so gorgeous! Love the book paper & the colours. And your idea to use trays, brilliant. Hope today is a pain-free one!

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    1. I've really been enjoying my projects - and having easy access to the materials via the trays. It helps make even the not-so-good days better ;)

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  6. I've spent some time visiting your blog, and was very moved by your story. You are clearly very creative, and it's wonderful that you continue to make things regardless of what you are faced with. Love the flowers you made in this project!

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  7. I love it so much! I especially like the way you used colored paper with writing on it and the double pattern you used for the butterflies! Thank you for visiting my handmade notebook.

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  8. Wow! Cynthia I love all of yours creations, especially those in section ART, really great. When I was younger I always created my own postcards and birthday car, posters for walls in my room etc etc But with time I drifted to my bigger love TRAVELS :)

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Thank you for leaving your comments; I read and appreciate them all! Cynthia