Friday, August 24, 2012

Affirmations and Prayer Flags

   Happy Friday! It's over a week I'm home from the beach but I'm still trying to get back into the flow of things here. Of course the lovely summer weather we're having has me outside a lot and squeezing every last bit of summer I can. I swear I can smell the ocean too :)

   I did manage to finish and send off my prayer flags for a swap I joined hosted by my ever talented friend Lenna Andrews. Lenna has been hosting swaps for many years and she truly has it mastered. You can check out her previous and current swaps here. If you've ever thought about signing up for a swap this is the place to go!

   My prayer flags:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   The swap was 3/3 and Lenna asked that we use  an affirmation word or quote. I chose to make 5 similar flags, one for myself and one as a hostess gift for Lenna (what a great idea Frieda Oxenham-thanks!). I had recently purchased these gorgeous batik fabrics especially for making prayer flags as I was completely drawn to the wonderful bright summery colors. I  bought the lace for next to nothing at a country store not far from home. The quote piece and the info on the backs are both t-shirt transfers ironed onto muslin. I used a background I had painted for a journaling project (more on that soon) and typed the quote over it. Thankfully I remembered to make it a mirror image so the printed words would appear correctly. Everything was cut and sewn loosely (my fave way to work so you don't really know if I went crooked or slipped a stitch etc. - I guess I'll never be a quilter) The flags were finished with a silk flower, heart shaped button and little grungeboard swirls I painted white, sewed them on with a few tiny stitches then glittered them.
 
 
  I also made time to create a journal page about an aspect of my time at the beach. Lynne has a beautiful table filled with a variety of affirmation cards and fun little musical instruments, etc. Each of the twelve days we were there I chose a card from about 5 sets and recorded them in a notebook. Once I was home I read over them all and picked out the most prominent words that appeared and went to work on my page.
 
 
 
   The word and affirmation of creativity was THE word that most often appeared. It was followed by the other words and sentences I represented here. The page began with a patterned paper which I sprayed with some Dylusions Pure Sunshine spray ink then did some mark making with gesso. I added some bits of lace mulberry paper (hard to see in this pic). The circles were made by taking the tops off spray inks and using the pipette like an ink pen. I finished it off with a feather I had picked up at the beach.
 

 
   I'm linking this up to Art Journal EveryDay with Julie Fei Fan Balzer. Click on the link to read more about it and visit the talented artists participating. There is a wealth of  inspiration and techniques everyone generously shares on their blogs!
 
   Thanks so much for visiting, and be sure to stop by again soon as I'm preparing  for a  double giveaway within the next few days!
 
           "The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude."  Friedrich Nietzsche



12 comments:

  1. Your flags are so beautiful,Linda. Here's hoping one of them will wing it's way to Scotland. You've used a lovely quotation too! And the beauty is reflected again in your journal page.

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  2. These compositions are beautiful, some beautiful colors, I love.

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  3. Linda, Beautiful Prayer Flags. I have been drawn to that idea for a long time. Maybe you will inspire me! Lovely!

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  4. such a joy to see all the pretty prayer flags!. And I'm still smiling from knowing that you indeed found a white feather too! and used it on your page. So lucky :)). Great colors, Linda.

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  5. Your journal pages are wonderful, Linda. What a great idea to take those affirmation quotes and use them in your journal....that is brilliant.

    I have another prayer flag in the works right now. The group I made one for recently inspired me (as did you) to make more. I find it very creative and satisfying to sit down at the table and construct them. Each one is different.

    SO happy you have a lovely 12 day retreat/respite/relaxing time at the beach. Well deserved, I'm sure.

    Warm hugs
    Jan

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  6. Your Prayer Flags are so beautiful Linda and the quote/prayer is very inspiring and uplifting too.

    I was a little late in joining in Lenna's Prayer Flag swap...she is pretty amazing in all she does

    Your journal page is a beautiful reflection of where you are...Love the feather ... the beach holds so many treasures for us

    and your Nietzsche quote lifts me up too
    thank you as always for sharing your heART
    oxo

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  7. Dear Linda I can see that you've been very busy. Your prayer flags are looking great.their background prints are beautiful. The last one's wordings are soo meaningful.
    Your art journal page is brimming with positivity.I've always loved that quote: "Nothing can stop you except your..."
    I was just going through your older post and those sky pictures are heavenly. Your shell collection and the necklaces too look beautiful.[Are you taking Ode to Nature class?]
    Thank you so much for your kind words on my AJ post. I love Julie's new set of stencils too and am planning to slowly increase my collection:)
    Susan

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  8. Wow, Linda! You've been a busy girl! Such beautiful projects! And I adore all the powerful, meaningful sentiments and words.

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  9. I love your affirmations on your journal page and those prayer flags. I've been wanting to try and make some of those myself. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. Hi Linda! Thanks so much for your visit to my blog - I've really enjoyed reading yours :-). I like how you use so many great quotes and phrases with your fabulous backgrounds on your art journal pages! And those batiks are fabulous in the prayer flags - love those too!

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  11. Oooh! Your prayer flags are so gorgeous! I love how vibrant they are, and the sentiment is so positive. I hope I get one of your beautiful flags!
    Hugs,
    Terri

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  12. your flags are even more beautiful in person...
    je vous remercie beaucoup mon cher Linda (if that is possible)
    oxo

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!