Needle Keeper Book with Kirsten Varga

Welcome back to the wonderful world of making books! For this project I created something I desperately needed to keep my various needles organized. As I was going through my bookmaking supplies I realized my needles were everywhere and things needed to change!

When gathering my supplies I limited myself to one fabric, one stencil, a few analogous paint colors and one embroidery stitch. (BTW, in color theory, analogous colors are groups of colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.) My life outside my art studio is in a very busy season so by taking away options and keeping it simple I was able to relax and enjoy the process more.

My book cover is made from gray duck canvas. (It was a scrap I found in my stash!) The stencil I chose is A Day in the Park (LL1049) designed by Susan Rossiter. To keep with my limited options I decided to start with no underpainting and I wouldn't create multiple layers. Just place the stencil down on the plain canvas where I want, apply the paint and don't lift the stencil until I am happy with my blending. The paint I used is Golden Acrylics Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Quinacridone Violet and Titanium White.

When my single layer of paint is dry I grabbed a small embroidery hoop and needle. I picked threads that matched the canvas and paint. I decided on gray, orange and a red violet. The french knot is the stitch I chose and I repeated it over the canvas looking to the stenciled design to help place the knots. 

To cover the hot mess on the back of my fabric (I love simple stitching but am no expert!) I used a fusible webbing to attach it to a plain piece of gray canvas and then cut it down to 4"x6". 

The inside pages are made from pieces of 3.5"x5.5" black felt. You can use one piece of felt or two. Then I used a sewing machine to sew the layers together right down the middle with a simple straight stitch. (This step could be done my hand if desired)

Finished! 

To continue my limited approach I opted not to make a video this time. 😀 

Happy Creating!

Find me on Instagram: @kirstenvarga

Stencil used:

A Day in the Park (LL1049)

Other Supplies:

gray duck canvas

fusible webbing

acrylic paint/paint brush

scissors

embroidery thread

needle/embroidery hoop

iron/ironing board

ruler/rotary cutter

sewing machine

Chakra Prayer Flag Tutorial + 2 Week Sale!

Hello creative soul sisters!

This project invites you to create a set of chakra-inspired prayer flags layered with color, symbol, and sacred intention. Each flag becomes a visual prayer for peace, within ourselves, our loved ones, and in the world.

We’ll begin with the Root Chakra, the energy center that helps us feel grounded, centered, and safe.

Step 1: Paint the Background

On canvas paper, work with a monochromatic palette that reflects the root chakra. Its primary color is red, so I started with a red wash and built up layers of paint. To bring in earthy grounding energy, I added touches of brown and maroon.

• Lay down a watery red acrylic wash using a wide, flat paint brush.
• Use a makeup sponge to pounce red paint over a stencil (here I used SA1006 with a zig-zag design).
• Add words (grounded, rooted, centered) using rubber stamp letters.
• Continue to build color and texture, scraping paint using an old gift card.
• Spray water and scrap the surface with the card to lift some of the paint if it gets too dark.
• I repeated layering with the stencil, scraping paint, alternating with red and brown.

Step 2: Stencil the Mandala Framework

Place the Four Gates Mandala stencil in the center of your background. This sacred pattern represents balance, wholeness, and protection. This stencil has three borders. Trace the outer two borders in pencil, this gives you space to fit the chakra design in the middle.

Step 3: Add the Chakra Mandala

Using the chakra stencil, trace the Root Chakra symbol in the center of the mandala framework. The pencil tracings were outlined using a gold metallic paint pen and here I started painting the center design in red.

Step 4: Embellish with Paint and Pencil

Bring your design to life with color and detail:

• Outline the chakra and mandala with paint pens or brushes.
• Dark gold, light gold, white, and black outlines expand the design. Try varying the line weight.
• Add depth and shading with colored pencils.

Step 5: Assemble Your Prayer Flag

When the paint is completely dry:

1. Flip your flag over to the back side.
2. With a ruler, measure and mark in pencil where you’ll place the holes—¼ inch from the top and 1 inch from each side.
3. Use a grommet tool to punch the holes.
4. Thread ribbon, cord, or string through the grommets.
5. As you complete each chakra, hang the flags in order: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown.

Note: These flags are best suited for indoor display. Hang them somewhere special, where their color and intention will remind you of your connection to peace, within yourself, with your loved ones, and in the wider world.

Root Chakra Meaning & Prayer for Peace

Muladhara – Root Chakra

• Color: Red
• Theme: Grounding, Safety, Belonging
• Prayer:
  May all beings feel safe and protected.
  May we stand strong upon the Earth, rooted in trust,
  anchored in the truth that we belong here.
  Let peace begin where our feet touch the ground.

This is the first in a series of seven chakra prayer flags. Each one carries a color, a symbol, and a prayer for peace.

Download the Chakra Prayer Flag Project Guide

Get a closer look at all seven chakra flags along with their colors, themes, and prayers for peace. This free guide will walk you through the deeper meaning behind each chakra and inspire your creative practice. https://www.truenortharts.com/prayer-flag

For 2 weeks, (9/10/25 to 9/24/25) today's stencils -- along with all my other stencils -- will be on sale!  Here's the coupon code -- KC20.  Use this code to get 20 percent off!  

Shop here —> https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-kathryn-costa-s/2094.htm

May this project lift your spirit and bring you inner peace and joy.

(((soul hugs)))
Kathryn Costa
Instigator of Soulful and Creative Living
www.truenortharts.com

Stencils designed by me and used in this project. These are on sale!

L790 - Four Gates Mandala 

SET11 - 7 Chakras Stencil Set

Stencils by other designers used for this project. (Note, these are not on sale.)

SA1006 - Zig Zag (root chakra background)

S758 - Hexagonal Basket Weave (solar plexus chakra background)

S558 - Mark Making (sacral chakra background)

L578 - Spirit Wind Mask (throat and crown chakra backgrounds)

Supplies Used:

Canvas paper

Acrylic paints - red and brown for root chakra.

Pencil

Ruler

Old gift card

Paint brush - wide, flat for washes, and small for details

Paint Pens - gold, white, black, red

Rubber stamp letters and black ink (optional)

Spray bottle with water

Grommets

Hammer

Ribbon, cord, or string