Nearly there

I've been busy working on another painting for a Christmas gift. I think it's finished. I've also added some more decorated paper kits to my Etsy shop. I've been working in my collage journal and I've decorated my workshop table for Christmas, now I'm off to do some stitching.

the new painting, I hope they like it.

more paper kits in my Etsy shop

this is a double spread from my collage journal. I look after my almost five year old grandson on a regular basis, and I'm amazed by his use of words. I decided to write some down the other day in the top white section of the right hand page, not sure if you can read them but they are very amusing

I have two very large tables in my workroom so have been adding a few decorations to keep up the Christmas spirit.

If I don't get to make another post this week have a lovely holiday break and much happiness for whatever you celebrate. Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Thank you for your visits and lovely comments, they really are appreciated.

Wishing you all a very Happy and Creative 2015.

Now I've lost November

I can't believe it's December already. I managed to get in one post for November, I'll see if I can get two in for December.
I've added a bag to my Etsy shop and intend to add two more, some sun printed fabrics to stitch and some stamps. Taking photos of them and writing descriptions, uploading them to my shop all takes so much time, but hopefully it will happen.

I created this piece by stitching lots of strips of fabric together, adding ribbons at the joins, then free motion machine stitching over the whole piece.

this is the front of the bag made from the piece of fabric I created above

the back of the bag

the bright magenta silk mix lining.

the hand dyed doily trim with a vintage belt buckle.

these are some of the sun printed fabrics I'm adding to my Etsy tonight

this is how I use them in my journals, but you could stitch them to canvas or frame them, or add them to art quilts, cushions, bags, clothing etc.

my two studio re-organisers, just when I think I know where things are Charlie and Monty decide to move things around or hide them. Charlie's slowly learning to tolerate Monty, who insists on sleeping next to him whenever he can.

Happy creating and I'll try to write another post very soon.

Thanks for dropping by and for your very welcome comments.

Where did October go?

I can't believe I missed making a post in October, where did it go? I know I was busy with the Stitches and Craft Show, that was a great event, it was lovely to meet so many people who share the same interests. I demonstrated printing on the Gelli plate and sewing a fabric page on my machine. I now have lots more paper kits to add to my Etsy, although five have gone already. I've also added a couple of spiral bound journals. I will have some stamps and bags shortly.

I also taught a two day fabric journal workshop at Sew Bright Alpine Quilting, in Bright, to a wonderful group of students. They produced some beautiful journals, but I didn't get photos, only one of the group.

me with the lovely group of students

some of the papers that are now in the kits

one of the journals

another journal, they both have some decorated papers and lots of blank pages for sketching or journalling etc. They are available in my Etsy

Thanks for dropping by, I really will start to post more as some of the pressure has eased

Craft Fair

I have a very busy couple of months coming up. I'm giving a talk and demonstration to the Mornington Patchworkers in October, as well as being the guest artist (really thrilled) at the Stitches and Craft Fair in Caulfield Vic. from the 23rd to the 26th of October.  I'm making lots of things to have on display, I'll also be doing lots of demonstrations. I'll be teaching a two day Fabric Journal workshop at Bright in Vic on the 1st and 2nd of November, here's the link if you would like to register www.sewbright.com.au/sewingpatchworkclassesworkshops.html
The journals the students made in Berry were beautiful.

these are two of four samples that I'm making for the Craft Fair, they are inspired by Jane La Fazio, they have been stitched onto canvas backgrounds.

this is a close up detail of another piece that will be made into a cushion.

Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.

Happy creating.

Berry Retreat

What an amazing time I had teaching in Berry NSW at their art retreat. I taught my two day fabric journal workshop and had some very talented students, their work was fabulous.

the workshop was held in the workroom at the back of Berry Patchwork shop, such a lovely atmosphere and surrounded by the most gorgeous fabrics, I couldn't resist purchasing some.

this is a small selection of each student's work, they were all lovely.

the front of the house where we stayed for a week

the back of the house, it was surrounded by lots of bush and a lovely little creek, kangaroos and wombats for company

There was also an amazing Quilting Show and Exhibition as part of the retreat, the work was stunning, including some fabulous pieces by Caroline Sharkey and Wendy Williams. I didn't have any textile work to hang so I took my paintings and was shocked to see they all sold on the first day, eight in total. Elizabeth Dubbelde organised the whole Retreat, she did a wonderful job, all her efforts made it an extremely successful event and she's one lovely lady too, as is Sue who works in the shop for her, nothing was too much for her.

I've also added a few more paper kits to my Etsy shop

Thanks for dropping by and your kind comments, back shortly

Another finished painting

I'm heading off to Berry in NSW, to teach my fabric journal workshop, this weekend. They are also holding an exhibition, so I've been working on some new paintings to take. Here's the latest one showing it's progression.

This is the finished painting

I've made up some packs of goodies for the students.

I was teaching a couple of workshops at Art is You Melbourne last week. What a fabulous time we had, I got to meet Seth Apter, Kecia Deveney and Andrea Matus deMeng for the first time (I'd met Michael on quite a few occasions before). Sallianne McClelland who runs Art isYou is amazing, everything runs like clockwork, so well done.

The fabulous Seth and Kecia below, such lovely people.

My lovely group of students in my Beyond Altered Books workshop, they were all so talented in many fields and created some great stamps and pages.

Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comments, I'll have photos next week from the Berry Retreat.

Finished painting

I finished my painting today, complete with newsprint sheep. I've really enjoyed this process and hope to do more paintings like this.

Just letting you know there's still time to join me in my Necklace workshop and Beyond Altered Books workshop at Art is You retreat in Melbourne in two weeks time.

This is the FIRST and ONLY time that I'll be teaching this necklace workshop, it's not one of my regular classes.

I won't be teaching the Beyond Altered Books workshop any more either.

If you'd like to join me please check the details here:

http://www.art-is-you.com.au/mysitecaddy/site3/robruhn-fabricnecklace.htm
http://www.art-is-you.com.au/mysitecaddy/site3/robruhn-beyondalteredbooks.htm

the type of necklace we will be making, you can add as many yo yo's as you desire

another page from my Beyond Altered books class

Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comments.

Catch up soon

Progress of a painting

I'm working on some collage, mixed media paintings to take with me to Berry in August, for the exhibition that will be held while I'm teaching there. I always forget to take photos of the progress, but this time I remembered. Here are some of the stages. The painting isn't finished yet as I leave it for a few days to go back and see it with fresh eyes. I'm adding sheep and cows to the paddocks. It's also my interpretation of the view from our back deck.

I start by gluing a range of papers to the canvas, then add washes of acrylic paint

I sketch in some of the features with paint

It's starting to take shape

Some of the details have been added.

There's still a way to go but I'll post a photo when it's finished.

Thanks for dropping by and for your lovely comments.