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Tag: nature
Creating with nature
Over the summer I did a series of posts focused on creating with nature. I really enjoyed looking at the creativity that had been inspired by nature.
I’d like to introduce you to an artist who has mastered the art of creating with nature. Walter Mason is a land-artist from Germany.
Click the link for more examples of Walter’s ingenious art installations.
Snake Grass Weaving
This is a great project to do with kids while camping!
Materials
Snake grass likes a lot of moisture, so look for it near wet areas like creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes. You will only need one long one that has at least 3 sections to it.
Yarn
Scissors
Yarn needle (optional)
1. Find a strong reed of snake grass and take it apart into it’s sections. Make sure that it is big enough to fit the yarn inside.
2. The center of each section has a small “plug”. I was able to use my scissors to scrape it out. You could also use, a yarn needle or even a small piece of driftwood. You’ll find that each section also tapers a little where it joined the section below it. I used my scissors to cut of this section making it easier to slide up and down my yarn.
3. Decide how wide you want your weaving to be. The more strands that you have, the wider the weaving will be. Cut the yarn to the desired length and tie all the strands together. Thread each strand of yarn through one section of snake grass.
4. Tie the working yarn to the last strand, and begin weaving. When you are running out of snake grass, simply slide each section down to provide more work space.
When you have finished, pull the snake grass off and tie the ends together. I just used one big knot to finish, but if you are doing a wider weaving, you may want to do several smaller knots across the bottom.
Have fun!
Creation from an artist’s point of view
While in Alaska, I was often in awe over the beauty that surrounded me. From the rocky mountains, to the lush forest, to the icy glacier fed creeks, it is all magnificent and so very different than what I typically see in the Midwest. I found myself thinking about how much God must have enjoyed creating it all.
It causes me to believe that God did not rushed through the creation of life in just 6 days. For just as I find joy in creating art, I know that God too finds great joy in creating. I believe that just like any master artist, God took His time enjoying each step of the process. He let His creativity run wild, and in artistic abandonment He formed Earth.
Tutorial: Macrame Stones
These are a lot of fun to make, and super easy. Here is how it’s done.
click the image to view it larger.
1. Tie a “belt” around the stone. Then loop 2 pieces of hemp over the belt, making a total of 4 strands hanging down.
2. Tie a square knot. To do this, take the strand labeled {d}. Loop it behind the center two strands, and over the front of the strand labeled {a}.
3. Wrap strand {a} around strand {d} and pull it through the loop on the right hand side of the knot.
4. Do the same thing as before, only opposite. So loop strand {a} behind the center two strands, and over the front of strand {d}.
5. Wrap strand {d} around strand {a} and pull it through the loop on the left hand side of the knot.
6. Slide the square knot that was just made to position it around the belt.
Repeat steps 1-6 as many times as needed for the size of your rock. The rock in this example has a total of 5 square knots.
Using four strands from two neighboring knots, complete a square knot as before. Continue around the rock using strands from two neighboring knots, until the rock is covered with knots.
To finish, you can either collect all of the strands into one large knot at the base of the rock forming a tassel, or you can tie several knots along the base creating a fringe.
You could easily add beads to the macrame or tie on little treasures to the fringe. Be creative and have fun with it!
Creating With Nature
Do you have things from nature that you like to collect? Maybe pretty stones, pine cones or seashells? I certainly do. I have so many of these little collections that our nature table no longer holds it all. I have pretty stones, and feathers tucked all over the house. I don’t know what draws me to these things or why I feel that I should hold on to them. However, I do know that these little treasures make me smile & that is reason enough for me.
This summer I want to focus some time on discovering ways to bring natural elements into my artwork. I have decided to make a challenge for myself experimenting with nature in fiber art. I’m really excited and my mind is swimming with ideas. To keep myself organized, I am breaking this challenge down into 5 categories. My first thought was to spend 1 week looking at each of the 5 categories, but upon further thought I decided not to put a time a limit on them. It is summer after all, and I really don’t want to feel pressured to squeeze everything into a week. So I’ll be taking as much, or as little time as I need to explore ways of creating with nature.
I’d love to have you join me!
Snowy Days
We received a large amount of snow this week, & yesterday, the schools were closed. The kids & I took advantage of the day to go out & play. The sledding hills were perfect & the weather was great, but there were also hints of spring!
As I looked around, I noticed that our trees are beginning to bud, & the birds have been returning to the area. I can hear their songs throughout the day bringing cheer to these last days of winter.
This weekend the temperature is suppose to be 20 degrees warmer, so I know the snow won’t stay for long. I am ok with that. We got our last romp in the snow, so now Spring may come
nature + fiber art = seasonal inspiration
>>>> I came across this beautiful installment this past spring and was inspired to do more outdoors knitting this summer. I didn’t get as much of it done as I had hope. The summer seems to have gotten away from me as it always does. I get to this point in the year and panic. I realize autumn is upon us and I still have a list of summer activities yet to do. This summer, I couldn’t get enough time at the beach! I am still hoping to get at least one more trip in before the weather turns chilly.
I did get some knitting in this summer, and on our last trip I found this lovely drift wood! I have some ideas brewing for next summer, or maybe this autumn yet. I make a vow to myself to slow down, empty my date book, and enjoy the coming season.
>>>> Happy Labor Day my friend! <<<<
Snowy Days
We received a large amount of snow this week, & yesterday, the schools were closed. The kids & I took advantage of the day to go out & play. The sledding hills were perfect & the weather was great, but there were also hints of spring!
As I looked around, I noticed that our trees are beginning to bud, & the birds have been returning to the area. I can hear their songs throughout the day bringing cheer to these last days of winter.
This weekend the temperature is suppose to be 20 degrees warmer, so I know the snow won’t stay for long. I am ok with that. We got our last romp in the snow, so now Spring may come
artbycarriejoy.com 