Abstractuary: Rex Ray

If, like me, you're not familiar with the work of artist Rex Ray then here's a brief intro via the wonders of YouTube.  

Why am I showing you this?  Because, if you stopped by yesterday's post you'll have seen info about Abstractuary.  The arty prompt for 2nd February was Rex Ray, and I took inspiration from his collages and tried making my own.  

Hmmm ... me and collages don't get along.  I tried cutting out painted papers and glueing 'em down, then switched to colouring pencils and tried that.  But I always end up with stuff that looks like a primary school kid made it.  So instead I took up needle and thread.  

It's not finished yet, but it's a fabric postcard-sized bit of stitching, and is meant to represent one of his paper collages.  I think I'll eventually make a fabric book based on this Abstractuary challenge, and this will form one of the pages.  

Today's prompt is 'print' and as I haven't hauled out the gell plate for ages I got stuck in with that.  I didn't make a huge number of prints, but had fun making the ones I did.  They'll form journal pages, and I'll also print more on fabric so I can construct a fabric book page from one of those.  

In addition to this craftiness, and in between a speedy bit of hoovering and washing dishes - sadly, household chores still need to be done - I continued with sewing my Ann Wood 100 days stitchbook.  

I added another scrap of material, this time it's a tiny piece of machine embroidery from an Accessorize handbag I'd chopped up. There's a use for everything when you're upcycling! 

Apart from the calico, which was bought from Leeds market, all the scraps are from upcycled charity shop clothing.  All bought at bargain prices.  

Talking of bargain prices, I snapped up crafty goodies off Facebook marketplace yesterday.  A lady was selling two bags full at only a tenner.  There was a very generous bundle of blank cards and envelopes, which would've cost far more than ten pounds when they were bought new.  

In addition, there were several rolls of florist ribbon, the sort you get tied around a bouquet.  

There were also these artificial flowers.  

I don't know that I'll keep these as they're a little too sweetly cute for my taste.  If I can't think of a use to put them to I'll donate to the charity shop.  

These are more bits 'n' pieces, some appeal to me and others might get donated.  

I'm certain I'll find a use for these pretties.  The purple 'jewels' on wire will look good wrapped around my boho style beads.  

I absolutely loved these colourful butterflies.  I'm thinking of either fixing them to a mobile, so they can flutter in a breeze, or a wall-hanging of some kind. 

Finally, there were more butterflies, all on thin wire stems.  Despite trying not to buy more craft supplies this year, and aiming to use up what I've got, I couldn't resist a bargain and that's exactly what I got, don't you think?  Are you a Facebook marketplace browser too?  If so, what's your best buy?