A bit of a journal

I have recently reached the magnificent age of 50. Last year I wrote a 'Dear Diary' of my last year in my forties. So what this year.. I found a small journal book and decided to paint, doodle and stamp my way through this year. He is my first go, Paris in the spring time as I had a wonderful 5 days there with Nigel over my birthday weekend. I painted blue sky and cherry blossom and added a mini stamp of the Eiffel Tower.

Craft Barn challenge. Knowledge or Hurt

Hi

I have chosen hurt for this challenge. My quote is 'Do you want to hurt me, Do you want to make me cry' by Boy George and Culture Club. An excellent song and takes me straight back to being 18 and having just left school and into the big wide world of work. A very scary time.

I outlined an eye based on a picture of Boy George's eye. I then used water colour paints and pencils. I used the pencil to add definition to the outline. I then wrote the song all over it in a pen similar colour to the background. The chorus is in the tear drop. Finally I sprayed a little water to make bits blur.  It is the first time I have drawn facial features in a journal and I am very pleased with the result.

                                       
                                     

Crochet

Hi

What a wet Easter Day. I have Will home using my craft room as a bedroom so cant go there. So spent a very pleasant afternoon crocheting with Val. She is intermediate/advanced stage making flowers and experimenting and I am very much at the beginners 'how do you do a granny square?' stage. However after many false starts and much perseverance I have made progress. I am beginning to recognise what the rounds should look like but feel a long way from flowers and lace- plus the tips of my fingers have gone numb. Give me knitting any day!

Had great trouble getting the first chain and round.

Beginning to look like it should. The blue wool kept splitting though.

Not perfect but recognisable. Phew.

Craft Barn challenge change/truth

A little late with this one and also not as much thinking time as I have been taken up with 50th birthdays and trips to Paris. I am a lucky girl. Anyway I chose truth and a quote by a much missed fictional character Gregory House. My Husband and I use to watch it together and loved his witty one liners and this made me giggle.

The eyes can mislead, the smile can lie but shoes always tell the truth.  House

I covered the paper in new PaperArtsy chalk paint I bought at Ally Pally at the weekend. I used chartreuse and seaweed for the base and chutney to make the border plus a splash of dylusions. After a couple of failed attempts at getting the stamping in the correct place (this is my 3rd go) I decided to paint a separate piece of paper to stamp eyes and smiles on. Finally I stamped a film strip over them and cut them out. Next were the shoes. I added alphabet washi tape and the quote. I am pleased with the result, almost, but hay ho. Enjoy.

Craft Barn Challenge Travel/Flowers

When I read this challenge the first thought that came into my head was:

 Sweet Dreams are made of these,

 Who am I to disagree,

 I travel the world and the seven seas,

 Everybody is looking for something. 

By Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart.

So my challenge was to come up with a page that reflects how bizarre that could be, and after a week of thinking and annoying two non crafty people at work I got it. I wanted a lady on a bed going around the world with seas at the bottom. Originally the was going to be a sun and moon but that did not fit in. I started with painting the page from light to dark blue in water colour. I added some dyllusions spray in blue and white while the was still wet. Next I added the world using Graphic 45 paper of a steam punk lady and waves made of tissue paper and wool. Then I sprayed with gold sparkle to give a starry night feel. I chose The Lady of Shalott and cut her out of her boat and put her on a rough suggestion of a metal bedstead. I flipped the image around so she is going the wrong way round the world. Some pastels to add finishing touches and I am pleased with the result. I am certain it is 'out there' enough.

Andy Skinner at Jendenink craft shop

Had some great news.... Andy Skinner is coming to my local craft shop on 26th July. Can't wait, went to two of his work shops last year and thoroughly enjoyed them.

http://www.jendenink.co.uk

Craft Barn challenge road or art

These are great words but which quote or lyric to choose? My entry this week is a scrap book page.

Last year I went to Leith Tower and the path back was lined with trees. Even in the some it had a cool gloomy feel. I edited my picture in photo shop and somehow (not sure how) managed to get everything black and white except some of the leaves which remained green. It reminded me of the road Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin were on when they first came across the Dark Rider and had an inkling their quest was quite serious and possibly dangerous.

My quote 'From inside the hood came a noise as of someone sniffing to catch an elusive scent; the head turned from side to side of the road' is from the Fellowship of the Ring by J R Tolkien. One of my favourite books.

I covered some paper in gesso and stamped leaves into and added text from the book printed on handmade paper. (Nigel would not let me tear the book up) and this was also lightly covered. Next I added some green paint splodged through textured ribbon, when it dried it was too bright so more gesso added. I then distressed the edges with forest moss. The middle had a pale grey added with kitchen roll so it did not go too thick. then more leaves added in the forest moss.

Finally it was time for the photo and embellishments. I am very pleased with this.