Greasing the Artistic Wheels By Accepting A Challenge

I can get overwhelmed by the long list of projects and tasks I’d like to do. When I just have a vague idea of what I’d like to create, I have a difficult time just getting started. I finished up a large project late last week.  I’ve been putting off starting the next big project for the last couple days.

 Then I saw that Altered Arts Magazine on Facebook was having a challenge using a material that I have in quantity, embroidery thread bobbins.

I thought altering a few embroidery thread bobbins might be a great way to ease me into my next big project. To me altering an object is like scribbling in 3-D. It gets my hands moving and once they’re moving I have some momentum to start a larger project.

I decided to alter my embroidery thread bobbins by creating my own handmade altered paper dolls. They aren’t really all paper. I embellished my dolls with scrap fabrics and trims. The bobbins are my dolls body. The extensions on the top and bottom of the bobbin make great shoulders and hips for hanging arms and legs.

I was forced to go through my stuff as I looked for ways to embellish my dolls. As I looked for particular items, I rediscovered some things that I had put away for later. I thought about new designs using some of my forgotten treasures. I did a little research on cold connections and other assembly techniques.  My designs started to come together.  I became inspired to work on some of my larger projects.

Hopefully, I’ll wake up tomorrow ready to work on that next big project.