Author: Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

A Collaboration with Mary of the Daily Sew

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

I’m so excited to announce my upcoming collaboration with Mary Earle-Sigler of the Daily Sew. Mary is a sewing blogger who created her blog back in 2014 after getting aggravated with pattern instructions. Mary says,

“I started The Daily Sew to encourage more people to sew. To show that it isn’t hard to explain better or add some extra pictures. To help people enjoy sewing. To share what I learned and am learning. To inspire anyone to persevere through a project. To encourage creativity, individuality and great fitting clothes. To eventually see such a large sewing movement that home made clothing is taken seriously and given respect.”

When I first approached Mary, I asked her to pick any of my fabric designs. She chose the “Swimming Laps” design and is planning on creating a bag. I can’t wait to see it! Full instructions will be available so you can make one too.

Swimming Laps fabric print. Swim team, swimmers https://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/6301733-swiming-laps-by-eileenmckenna

Mary publishes a monthly newsletter with a sewing tip and useful resources. Visit the Daily Sew to sign up.

Creative break and a horse farm

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Sunset over the fields
Creatively speaking I seemed to lose a week – traveling for a reunion, the funeral services for a beloved aunt, and finally flying from NY to Virginia for the wedding of a niece. The wedding venue was a beautiful horse farm. I’ve loved horses since I was little, although I haven’t had that much contact with them, aside from a week of horse back riding camp in second grade. Sometimes a break is nice and you come back feeling refreshed. I’m certainly ready to get back to painting.
HorseHorse stables

Fabric Design

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Fabric designs by Eileen McKenna. Available for purchase at https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/eileenmckennaI enjoy designing fabric prints and love getting an email from Spoonflower that says someone ordered one. I’m excited to design some new fabrics with summer as inspiration. I have a few collaborations in the works, and am looking forward to seeing some of these fabrics put to use. If you sew, please contact me if you are interested in collaborating.

All fabrics are available for sale at Spoonflower.com.

How to create a repeating pattern in Photoshop. For fabric prints, gift wrap, wallpaper and more.

Creative Epiphany

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Creative epiphany while reading "Crossroads of should and must"
Several years ago I had an epiphany. I read an article about an artist and as I admired her lifestyle – finishing school and dedicating her time to creating art, I wondered, “Who gave her permission to be an artist? Her parents? Her boyfriend? Her teachers?” Sometime later, I don’t know if it was minutes or months, I realized SHE gave HERSELF permission. And the reason I didn’t go to art school wasn’t because my mom questioned the choice, it was because I didn’t believe in myself.

Today I started reading, “The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion” by Elle Luna. Immediately I thought back to my epiphany and the moment I finally gave myself permission to be creative (the catalyst for this blog). Notice I still have a hard time saying “to be an artist.”

In the book Luna makes the distinction between a job, a career, and a calling – “something that we feel compelled to do regardless of fame or fortune; the work is the reward.”

This perfectly explains my desire to be creative. I paint, draw, write, design patterns, etc. because it makes me feel JOY. I don’t do it for others – although positive feedback does propel me forward! I don’t do it for income – although when someone orders a fabric I designed I do feel a thrill. And I’ve been thinking very carefully about selling my work, because I don’t want to jeopardize that joy. I want to continue to make what I feel called to create.

Reading this book I had a second epiphany. I should spend more time doing what brings me joy and stop feeling guilty for the shoulds. The I should work more, clean the house more, etc. Just this week I was thinking about my summer work schedule, and thinking of pursuing additional clients. Instead I’m going to pursue more joy and see where that takes me. 😀

If you’d like to order a copy of the book click here. On a side note – thank you to Yuko of www.honeyberrydiary.com for recommending this book on her blog. Yuko left her job to create art full time! The tagline of her blog is “Do what you love. Be Happy.”

This posts contains affiliate links to products I use and recommend. I earn a small commission whenever you buy using these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Pink Dogwood Flower Fabric Print

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Pink dogwood flower print pattern
I used watercolor paintings from my sketchbook to create this pink flower repeating pattern. I’m keeping my goal to design a new pattern every month this year! See my other designs here.

Do you sew? Designing the fabric is where my skills ends! If you create anything with any of my fabrics, let me know. I’d love to feature you on my blog. See all my fabrics in my Spoonflower shop.

How to create a repeating pattern in Photoshop. For fabric prints, gift wrap, wallpaper and more.

Six Ways to Bring the Beach into your Home

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

The beach is my favorite place and I’ve decorated my house to reflect that. Here are six ways you can bring the beach into your home with links to six DIY projects.
Six Ways to bring the Beach into your Home https://mycreativeresolution.com/2017/05/19/six-ways-to-brin…h-into-your-home/

Beach Signs

Beach Lover DIY wooden sign project. Distress weathered painted wood.
A sign says it all! Learn how to make the “beach lover” sign here.
Similar items available on Amazon:

Click image for details.

Pops of Color


Grab some spray paint in blue, turquoise, aqua, or sea foam green. Paint a wooden coffee table, lamp, or a few picture frames.
Similar items available on Amazon:

Click image for details.

Fabric

sandcastleEM screen-shot-2017-02-08-at-10-49-15-am overlappingcrabnew Crabs in the sand fabric print pillow
Add beachy prints and colors wherever possible – pillows, window panels, etc. Lightweight, breezy window panels and sand colored textured rugs also help create a summer vibe. Click image for details.
Similar items available on Amazon:

Click image for details.

Beach Wall Art

Aerial Beach Canvas DIY acrylic painting project
Create a canvas to hang on your wall, like the simple beach painting above. Learn to paint one here.
Aerial Beach Canvas DIY acrylic painting project 
Learn how to create the “by the sea” cabana striped canvas here.
Similar items available on Amazon:

Click image for details.

Framed Beach Art and Photos

Six Ways to Bring the Beach into your Home Six Ways to Bring the Beach into your Home

Smaller framed art pieces, prints, and photos look good on a wall or placed on a shelf. Want to paint your own beach watercolor? Learn my step by step process here. Frame your beach photos. Mix family shots with landscapes.

Prints available at shop.eileenmckenna.com.
The Blue Collection by Eileen McKenna | watercolor beach ocean landscapes available as limited edition giclee art prints
Similar items available on Amazon:

Click image for details.

Beach Vignettes

   
Group your treasures together to create beachy vignettes with shells, starfish, driftwood, beach glass, rocks, etc. Learn how to create a beach diorama like the one above here.
Similar items available on Amazon:

Click image for details.

Beach Pin – 1″ soft enamel pin with rubber clutch
Beach Pin - 1" soft enamel pin with rubber clutch
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U.S. orders only.

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission whenever you buy using these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

Beach Diorama

| Eileen McKenna {my creative resolution}

Beach diorama craft with DIY steps http://wp.me/p4cmnl-15e
I got crafty today and finished the diorama that was inspired by a quick beach painting in my sketchbook and the cardboard leftover from the Brie cheese.
Beach diorama craft with DIY steps http://wp.me/p4cmnl-15e
I can draw and paint but I don’t think of myself as particularly crafty. I’m a mess with a glue gun in hand. So if I can pull this off anyone can!
You’ll need:

  • Leftover cardboard round with edges (mine is from cheese)
  • Scissors and hole puncher (if you have one)
  • Painting, photo, or patterned paper for the background
  • Shells, rocks, sticks, wood (any beach treasures you’d like) and sand
  • Ribbon, fabric, or paper to line the inner and outer rims
  • Twine or ribbon (or in my case the handle from a shopping bag)
  • Glue gun, craft glue, and double sided tape or scrap booking adhesive

Beach diorama craft with DIY steps http://wp.me/p4cmnl-15e
Steps:
1. Trace a circle on your painting using the cardboard as your guide. Cut inside the circle. Adjust until the paper fits inside the cardboard. (Set painting aside.)
2. Poke a hole through the rim or use the hole puncher. The hole will be the top of your diorama.
3. Glue ribbon around the inner and outer rims, putting seams at the bottom.
4. Thread twine through the hole and knot.
5. Tape painting to the inside of the circle. Pay attention to the “top” (the hole) when lining up the horizon of your painting. Make sure to tape down all the edges.
6. Use glue gun to add all of your beach treasures.
Beach diorama craft with DIY steps http://wp.me/p4cmnl-15eBeach diorama craft with DIY steps http://wp.me/p4cmnl-15e
7. Use glue gun to secure shell to the knot. (See image below.)
8. Add craft glue in between shells and rocks. Pour generous amount of sand on top.
Beach diorama craft with DIY steps http://wp.me/p4cmnl-15e
9. Add craft glue to bottom of the shell (on the knot) and pour sand onto glue.
Beach diorama craft with DIY steps http://wp.me/p4cmnl-15e
10. Wait until fully dry and gently shake off excess sand.
Extra – make a little sign with the name of your special beach to add to your beach diorama.
Inspired by this post? Let me know what you make! Tag me on Instagram @eileenmckenna

Have you read:
Six Ways to bring the Beach into your Home https://mycreativeresolution.com/2017/05/19/six-ways-to-brin…h-into-your-home/ Process for Painting the Beach in Watercolor
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The newsletter goes out every other week and is all the things that are inspiring me – artists and makers, places, crafts and art mediums, tutorials, podcasts, interesting articles, and more. My hope is to inspire you!