Crow Maiden

This is one of Nigel's favourite pictures and I thought I could put that on a canvas.

I covered the canvas in texture paste and then painted in a rough mix of white and a little black. Next I added hessian which I covered in gesso and then added a rough mixture of white and black. When dried I used bubble wrap to put slightly darker paint. I printed the picture on cream linen paper, roughed the edges and added some sewing and bead detail.

A bit of lace, pearls, black paint around the edges and I have to say I am pleased with the result. As is Nigel and it sits in the conservatory.

Comfort Zone

I have finished two projects today. The first is a copy of a saying I saw in Cafe Imbizo just along from Jenny French's shop http://www.jendenink.co.uk/ and where we mostly lunch.

I feel this is so true especially with crafting. If I hadn't been encouraged to distress (oh my first go at distressing, I was sooo distressed), paint, tear, sew, bead and much more I would not be where I am now. I may be still learning but having such fun. After all what is the worst that can happen? I throw the page away or keep it as a reminder to not do that again!

As some of you know I went to Tibet and Kathmandu last year and a family member said how would I cope with the food, toilets, the people and hussle and bussle. I have to say the Tibetan toilets were something else....but my what a wonderful holiday.

So take yourself out of your comfort zone. What is the worst that can happen? You have a bad day, or else you experience something wonderful.....

I should not have added the pink around the edge but in the words of the the Ramones 'Hay Ho Let's Go'

Finishing Touches

Hi

After all the Christmas crafting my room was looking well used....

No paper or craft product was harmed or accidentally thrown away in clearing up this space. I did however find a few mugs, plates, wine glasses and an empty wine bottle...









I also found I had about 10 scrap pages nearly but not quite finished. You know the ones, you come home from a class or crop and think I will finish that but then something else takes your fancy. So New Year was spent adding finishing touches.

These three are what I created with the talented Linda Knight at a workshop in Bournemouth. It was was great meeting up with everyone and meeting new people just as obsessed as me.

Spread Your Wings..

 I am not usually keen on painting a whole page in acrylic but this I liked. We put on  texture with paste, ribbons, card and lace. Then painted. We added a gold sparkly stuff (didn't make notes so don't know what it is called!).  Embellishment were added afterwards so you did not have a page all the same colour. These pictures were taken at Highclere on a lovely day spent with Val my Mum in Law.

 

Sculpture in the Gardens.

This was a good old torn paper, embellishments and
splatter of paint. Very much my comfort zone. The photo is a Sculpture from Hillier Gardens. It was perspex hanging in the tree. The way the light shone through changed the colour of everything beautifully.

A Fisherman's Prayer.


This page was done using water colour paints on wet watercolour paper. We were meant to use 2 colours but I used 3. We then stamped on using bleach which was great fun. I loved this. It was going to be for another picture but thought the orange reflected the buoys in the picture of a fishing boat in Mevagissey Harbour. I added the Fisherman's Prayer by Bernard Moore as my main journaling.





I had an excellent day as did the girls I went with Ann and Lesley.

My room is now usable and my projects finished so I am ready for what the New Year has to throw at me.

A Cautionary Tale.

Hi

In my last blog I mentioned an accident involving metallic green paint and a craft knife.

I undid my Stewart Gill Paint (so metallic and shiny just right for Christmas) and the cardboard from the lid was stuck to the paint. So.. held on to pot with left hand and carefully used craft knife to get it off. Unfortunately it slipped and cut my knuckle. It bled a bit..well a lot but stopped and I thought nothing more about it until it started to throb.

The next morning I had a swollen knuckle and could hardly move my finger. It turns out we have tendons that go straight over our knuckles and they are prone to knife damage. Christmas eve involved a morning in day surgery having a tendon repair. I am very lucky as the cut was less than half way and no cast/splint for 6 weeks was needed.

Got me out off Christmas washing up though. I have to be careful for the next 2 weeks but I am sure I can manage some crafting.

Christmas....

Hi

I have not posted for a while. this is because a lot of what I have made are cards and things for people. Thanks to Heather at Jendeninks for card inspiration.

So here is some of what I have been up too..

Every wine bottle needs a jumper. I knitted a proper fair isle complete with raglan sleeves for my Mum. She like Brunello wine and this kept it lovely and warm. Problem is I now have to knit 2 more for my sisters.

Cant fit it all in but this is an advent village. I made 2 one for each girl. I cut out templates of houses and covered with all the left over bits of paper and card stock, a few numbers and decorations all done. The girls loved them. Thanks Creative Stamper for this idea.

This a snow flake from my cricut

This was made with an indigo go blue stamp and flitter flakes

This was another indigo blue stamp and silver embossing.

Thanks Jen and Heather for inspiration. I made other special cards such as a star card and swinging easel but I don't have pictures of them. 

This is an owl mobile I knitted for Heather. She is loves all things owl. It is actual a pattern for a baby but I added brighter colours suitable for my baby of 26.

And Finally....

A table present box. It was a kaiser box that was covered with gesso, then some hessian, ribbons, lace and tags. It was finally painted and I sprayed gold glitter spray on it so it sparkled in the light. It was not quite finished due to an accident involving the green paint on the bird cage and a craft knife. But everyone loved it all the same.

So a busy crafty lead up to Christmas. Which is not including the making of tags, decorations, mince pies and Christmas puddings. 

Hope you like x

Cover everything with Gesso!!

Well there is lots to do for christmas. 2 advent villages, a Christmas box to house table presents and a box of treasures for my niece. So this afternoon has meant covering 48 chip boards house and a couple of boxes with gesso. I have also made a couple of other presents but advertising them here before the big day would spoil the surprise somewhat. So here is a picture of it all. I will show the finished articles hopefully.....

 It will all look better when finished honest!

Do You Do Voodoo

Hi

It has been a while since I have posted anything, but, life is like that sometimes. I have been to Barcelona and the architecture! Gaudi and the other modernistas were very talented. I am a little bereft of pictures as I managed to leave my camera on a city tour bus. What an idiot...

So today I am going to show my Voodoo Box that I made the end of October with Andy Skinner. I dragged my friend Vicky who doesn't do skeletons but we both had a great time. Vicky did not make her painting so dark and replaced the skull with a clock and the words 'Time Flies' instead of 'do you do voodoo' so all was good.

We were give a box, material, chip board and paint. Painting is always the best bit. Seeing what you are making taking shape and not looking like a bunch of stuff randomly stuck together. 

The skull and wings had fine detail added to it. I am pleased how the hinges etc came out as they look quite metallic.

Time ran out so the back had to be done at home. I used texture paste through a skull mask and when dried painted and highlighted and painted again. I very happy with the result. I am suppose to make a voodoo doll to go with this but a bit dubious about doing such things.