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

Creativity Challenge - Result #1

I've been accepted as a client in a supported employment program.  Supported employment programs are meant to help adults with disabilities find paid positions; work that they can do in spite of challenges, physical limitations, etc.

After more than two years of fruitless job search, I'm excited to be working with an advocate and job development coach!  It's been difficult getting to a point where I could admit and accept that I need the help, just as it's been hard getting to an acceptable comfort level within myself, moving past the "my body is a betrayer" and survival mentalities and finding ways to stabilize my health without the benefits of medical insurance or prescriptions. I've done an enormous amount of self-coaching, lol!

My advocate is taking a two pronged approach.  The first involves helping me find work.  Not just any job, but one that takes into account my interests, skills and passions.  The second involves supporting me in building an online income via my crafts and finding ways to begin utilizing the coaching certificate that I earned over a year ago.

She's given me a challenge - to come up with five ideas for products that I could make, using only what I have on hand.  I've decided on the products and have begun creating the 'prototypes' for each.  I hope to post each item on my blog as they're completed, and will be having a giveaway when all five are ready.

The very first creation is made using three vintage fabric hearts, hand appliqued on muslin and decorated with embroidery, beads or buttons and embellishments.  Each heart is unique and loving stitched. 

The first heart is in blue and white ticking, with embroidery stitches, tiny flowers and seed beads.

The second is a darker fabric with tiny white dots, embroidered with a running stitch, flowers and seed beads.

The third heart is a pink and white stripe, embroidered and decorated with colorful buttons.

I have a stack of the vintage hearts and plan on making each one unique.  I haven't decided whether to mount the hearts in wooden embroidery hoop frames or to mat and mount them in standard frames. 

What do you think - hoop or frame, and why?  I'd love to hear your opinion, so leave me a comment!