Hi Everyone!  Even though the weather is calling my name to come play outside, a bad cold got hold of me and took me down for days.  Feeling better now to share a few napkins that I made, along with a few leaves that I painted, and a download.  Hopefully you will be able to use this info to explore your own ideas.

When I visit Joann, I always take a quick look at their small remnant bin for fleece so I can make blankets for my kitties (more on that in the next post).  I found a piece of 100% cotton fabric one time and picked it up for a new set of napkins.  

I cut 12″ square pieces, then machine stitched all around, 0.5″ from the edges, with matching thread.  After that, I stitched the two lines you can see in the picture with a contrasting thread.   The first line is 2.5″ and the second one is 3.5″ from the edge.  I stitched over each line one more time to make them darker, but not fastidiously.  I think the offset stitching gives them a lovely vintage feel.

Then I had a little too much fun pulling threads on each side until I reached the stitched lines around the border. 

That’s it!  Super easy!  I very much like the red and blue threads I used against the cream background.   The colors of this set make me think of cozy autumn days.

Autumn Leaves

Free Download Autumn Leaves

If you are looking for a quick project, you can download this set of leaves for free from my shop. I had originally made them for an embroidery project. 

These are line arts of generous size.  You can resize them to your need and use them for so many projects – scrapbooks, greeting cards, applique, and embroidery, or just color them for fun.

This is my painted version in my handmade forest green nature journal.

Playing With Paint

The Dragon And The Tree

As you know from the last post, I like to do a little bit prep work before working on the final painting.  

I am working on a new painting for a book cover, so I started trying out different paper and paint for the right look and effect.  In other words, playing with paint and paper.

Marker, watercolor, acrylic ink, watercolor ink, I used them all for these leaves to see which I liked best.   My only objective was to see the effect of each kind of paint on that paper.

I was going to throw out this first set, but then I thought that if I cut them out, I can use them in my journal.  My husband loves these bits and pieces for his journal too. I cut around the shape with a pair of scissors, used a micron pen to add an outline and veins, and they were ready.

Floating Leaves

After that I tested the aforementioned paints on a set of larger leaves.  I didn’t worry too much about painting within the lines on this one either.Then before tossing it out, inspired by Japanese and Chinese brush paintings,  I started painting brush strokes with no purpose in mind. I used blue mostly because it provided a good contrast against the orange.  I got carried away, and the strokes started to resemble water.  I ended up keeping it.

My husband got me the two pumpkins when I was sick.  Two, because one needs a friend.

All of these finishes started as an attempt to learn or experiment with new ideas.  I specially love this time of year because even though the colors are limited, they call me out to explore both indoors and outdoors.

I am feeling a lot better now and I can’t wait to be outside a lot more, collecting ideas.  So I will see you in December!

Until next time,
-Soma

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