LOVE OF COLLAGE

Laugh journal

2012-02-17T09:55:00.005Z

My sons have been off school this week for their half term holiday so havent had much time to create anything but had a little time last night to alter this journal. I am going through all my stash at the moment and found this old leather look file journal..it has ring binders inside it for pages. The cover was just boring so punched holes in it and decorated it with inked and painted grungeboard, crochet & fabric flower, rusty keys, and a little acrylic tag. I am going to fill it with 7 gypsies type paper and photos of myself on bike rides etc. I am scrapbooking my kids and family a lot now but have never done any of those all about me journals. I really like the way this has turned out..all grungy and love the turquoise against the brown.

This is the paint that I used and I really like it as it comes in quite a big jar..I always like using tester paint pots as often I cant get to the craft shop and the local diy shop is only down the road

we have been to the local parks this week where we have been playing on the stepping stones and launching leaf boats down the waterfalls..we are very lucky as we have lots of lovely woodland and parks near where we live. Have a good weekend everyone....

....seek inner calm

2012-02-12T19:02:00.005Z

I am part of a European circle journal group which is a group of women who originally met on Milliande art community. I have been working on Tinas journal from Sweden. She is a stamp designer and has her own range of stamps which she is going to launch soon..here is the link to her blog where you can see her lovely range of Scandinavian stamps. Tina's journal theme is black n white with a touch of red..so here are my pages. They started off as blank white pages but I covered them with black paint and ink and a bit of gesso. The wording on the above page is "in the midst of chaos seek inner calm". Ihave drawn a face peeking out and the page has lots of layers with stencilled and stamped images and layered hearts and flowers.

I decided to make this page heart shaped with a fabric print of happy children with just a touch of red lace and red sewing around the fabric.

This is the sign in tag with one of my fav lost coast wacky images and I have layered it with paint and hearts too. I have stamped the image onto tissue paper first as the image is a lot clearer then over paint. I am posting this off to Mary on 1st March but wanted to make sure I had done it by then - as half term etc is next week with all my sons off school!

Enjoy the moment in time..

2012-02-11T11:52:00.002Z

I have had lots of walks through the woods this week on the way back from the school run as my car broke. I took a picture of these amazing seed heads yesterday so decided to do a digi layout for a change. The title comes from me trying to slow down a little and just enjoy the moment...I have got a mindfulness app on my phone which chimes every now again and the idea is to just savour what is happening at the moment around you and concentrate on your breath...have a good weekend everyone whatever your up to :)

dream ATC

2012-02-09T19:06:00.004Z

Decided to have a go at printing on fabric with my new printer. I ironed plain cotton to freezer paper (from quilting shops) and as you can see it printed great! Its still very cold here with freezing rain! My car decided to have a flat battery this morning so it was a case of getting the bus and then a very brisk walk through the woods which was lovely as I bumped into my parents there walking the other way to the shops! So at the moment I am dreamin of a new car perhaps and a bit of sun!

Laugh tin, swedish journal and ice

2012-02-06T18:16:00.004Z

I have had this little metal tin for awhile so decided to alter it today using flowers, buttons, ribbons, grungeboard and a nice little stamp from my Swedish friend Tina. I am going to put photos in it of my mum and dad and their 3 grandsons. Here is a photo of me and my dad taken last year

Tina's journal arrived from Sweden today..she has the theme of black n white and a little red.

Here are the thick handmade paper pages I am going to alter plus a little tag too...so the first thing I am going to do is get rid of that white by scraping black paint on it!!

As you can see from the photos its been very cold here and we have had lots of ice! Keep warm out there and dont forget to put bread out for the birds!

Happy is the heart that holds a friend

2012-02-03T20:20:00.005Z

Here is an accordion fold mini book I have altered today..I am starting to fill it with photos that have just been lying in a box ready to scrapbook. Its great that I have a new printer now as I can fill all these blank books at last. The idea for this book came from watching a Heidi Swapp demo on my craft channel..she has such a great personality I think and shows some lovely ideas! There are lots and lots of layers on this project as I started with spray inks but then it looked too flat so added stamped and collaged images, gesso, paint, more inks, more gesso and finally sprayed and inked grungeboard, used a fine layer of glitter glue for a bit of bling and added some little flowers with stones. The ribbons are from my Italian friend Letizia and I really like using ribbons at the moment. Over at The Butterfly Effect the challenge is layers hosted by Diane..so be sure to check out the other entries too.

I just love these gates to the woods..when I was little I used to run to these gates from school and drink from the cast iron water fountain in front of them..sadly they knocked the fountain down but the gates are still there!

It was very cold and frosty this morning so decided to have a brisk walk around the woods after dropping the kids off at school. For the first time I could hear woodpeckers in the trees and saw lots of crows and squirrels. Hope you all have a good weekend and wrap up warm in this cold weather!

Practice kindness, mercy and forgiveness mini book

2012-02-01T19:01:00.005Z

I have had this little plain mini book for ages so decided to alter it today using lots of flowers and prima botanicals paper..think I will put photos of my husband and I in it!

Even though the weather is very cold at the moment I have been buying some new clothes for when the weather gets warmer..here I am in my new indigo moon coat which the kids think is ace as its something a magician might wear! I like the quirky designs of this company and bought a turquoise oriental one too..found them on ebay..bargain!

Dont forget to leave food out for the birds in this cold weather..I love my bird feeding station with coconut shell, seed feeders and bread dish..I love watching the birds of a morning in my garden especially the robins and the blackbirds..keep warm out there!

Saw this on Art from the Heart blog so thought I would have a go too!

1. If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Rambling farm house in Cheshire with lots of people to look after the farm so I could paint and go for walks all day!!

2. Last book you read? Currently reading Behind the scenes at the museum by K Atkinson. Fiction makes a change for me as I usually read travel adventure books or biographies.

3. What inspires you? Nature

4. chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate of course but only the high quality stuff!

5. If you could have one magical ability, what would it be? To end wars and cure world poverty.

6. Do you dance? Love my zumba classes at the gym.

7. Do you prefer one on one acquaintances or large social groups? Prefer just a few friends as dont like large groups.

8. Favourite food?Home made chilli

9. What is your favourite season? Autumn as I was born in October.

10. What is your pet peeve? Cruelty in all its forms.

11. If you could live in any era, which would it be? Now as I like the internet!

Well there are my answers..why not have a go:)

quick sketch..

2012-01-31T22:02:00.003Z

Well I havent been able to do any drawing, painting or cutting for a week as I hurt my thumb! Its better now so had a quick go at this sketch. I think she is looking very fed up too!

We have had a lovely few days as our Norwegian friends came over to visit from Thursday to Sunday so we took them to all our fav places inclluding the Cheshire Ice cream farm and the oldest Liverpool cinema to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks which the kids loved. Hoping to post up more arty creations once I get back into the swing of things!

European Circle Journal..beginning

2012-01-24T22:07:00.004Z

I am taking part in a circle journal organised by Palma in Italy..the journal is travelling around the UK, Italy,Denmark, Norway and Sweden...starting in February. I have made a short video showing its beginnings..will make another one when it returns in a year with fab art! Here is the link..click to view or have a look to the right in my vimeo video column:)

....and more trees

2012-01-19T21:36:00.004Z

Some more paintings focussing on trees. Where I live we have so many trees nearby and I like looking at the shadows and textures they create against the misty skies we have been having as its still wintry and cold.

Path through the trees

2012-01-17T23:05:00.003Z

Had half an hour today so did a very quick watercolour painting..as I havent painted with watercolours for awhile so wanted to get back into it. The secret to painting quickly is to use big brushes and a very limited palette..I tend to use just raw sienna, ultramarine blue, burnt umber and a little bit of pale red.

Spring is in the air..well this afternoon!

2012-01-16T14:47:00.010Z

This morning it was very icy and cold but now the sun is out and its quite spring like! I decided to make some ATCs for the vintage photo images yahoo group that I belong to. The theme is "How does your garden grow" so I have added lots of papers, transparencies, brads, paper flowers, grungeboard and lace.

Wendy Aspinall, Michelle Carrier and April Dudko (VPI atc group)

This morning I recieved some lovely ATCs from the VPI group for the Madonna and Child swap..they are superbwith all the detail and have inspired me...so big thanks to Wendy, Michelle and April.

I have been trying to do a sketch a day so here are some of my latest..trying out different expressions..whimsical and scowling!

Quick Sketch by me and the kids..

2012-01-14T20:45:00.003Z

We all watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid this morning which is a fantastic movie all about being yourself and not trying to be the school's favourite. I bought my sons some black journals and was so pleased when they all had a go at drawing. While they were drawing I did this quick sketch as I wanted to have a go at drawing a face looking sideways. Gary Reef has put a new group up in Loving Mixed Media which has the challenge of doing a painting or quick sketch every day..so trying to have a go at sketching daily..have a good weekend everyone

Embrace the Day..

2012-01-12T14:33:00.002Z

When I do journalling I dont particularly like my writing so wanted to incorporate some journalling on a bright layered tag. What I have found that if you write incredibly quick it looks better! so the words on this tag are "just do it dont make excuses" and on the other side "enjoy the sunshine" as we are having quite a nice spring day today..still very cold but with sun. Enjoy whatever your doing today and try writing very fast....without thinking

getting back into the swing of things...

2012-01-10T16:16:00.006Z

Like most people it always takes me a while at the start of the year to get back into things. All my sons are back at school now so have had a little bit of peace and quiet to myself at last. I have been practising doing quick journal pages using paints and this page has the words" listen closely" referring to the silence I had today. I have been playing around with textures with moulding paste ferns and subdued inks and paints.

I have started on the inside cover of my European Circle Journal..I am going to add twinchie size art to these yogi tea pockets along with little tags in each one for the artists to decorate themselves.

Sat in the garden today as it was quite spring like..the danger at this time of year is that we will have yet another very cold spell and the buds on the plants will die

Did this very quick scribble pen sketch in 5 mins on the school run this afternoon...its not perfect but so what its alright for 5 mins! So by doing little bits and pieces I am soon getting back ..what do you do to get back into the rhythm after the Christmas break?

seeking calm from chaos...

2012-01-07T11:20:00.004Z

Just playing around with inks and paints in my journal last night and this page happened in about 10 mins..so have a go journal pages dont have to take an hour to do!

some more paint and ink pages to add to for future quick pages with more stamps and drawings perhaps...have a good weekend everyone

we are all destined for greatness...

2012-01-05T09:59:00.003Z

Playing around with embossed toilet paper again! I like the way that you can sort of hide a stamped image within the layers! I have put this onto one of my pages in my altered book and like all the multi textures. As we throw out the old year and start the new year lets get rid of our negativity and embrace positivity and remember this quote!

Here is another one with the same technique..she looks like a free spirit doesnt she..going to add this one to the European Circle Journal I am taking part in which starts its journey out on 1st Feb....

gracias..

2012-01-04T10:08:00.004Z

Would you believe that the background for this tag was made out of toilet paper? Cuchy did a great demo of squashing wet toilet paper with an embossing folder in the second of the creative jumpstart workshops. She lives in Spain and we are hoping to go camping near Tarragona in Spain come the summer...so this tag holds my dream of doing that. I have painted the dried embossed toilet paper with watercolours and white paint to make it look aged..these colours remind me of my last visit to Spain when I stayed near Cadaques many years ago! I decided to add the tags to my altered book..this is the one I did last year where I used gesso and brown ink to distress the pages.

I made these 2 pages last night as I needed to do some art as I was really fed up..I find art very therapeutic especially when I have had a bad day. I incorporated the bliss tag on to a page just using inks and paints and stamps...I wasnt happy with the square edges of the bliss sticker and found that by holding a heat tool over it for a few seconds that you can scratch the edges to make it blend in the page better..so that is my free tip for you today!

Colour for 2012..creative jump start

2012-01-03T10:07:00.004Z

You know how it is...all your energy gets zapped up by Christmas and with the children being off school so you dont know how to get going again... Well I signed up for the free creative jumpstart 2012 which I found on th prima blog...this first workshop was by Dina. Last night I got my inks and stamps out and had a quick play just messing round with inks and getting messy...results are not bad! and dont take too long to do. I am probably going to put some of these tags in my art ideas journal for when my creativity needs another kick-start...

Layered Metal ATCs

2012-01-01T18:58:00.004Z

Happy New Year to you all..here is to a creative and arty 2012!

Had a little bit of time amongst the Christmas chaos to make some metal layered ATCs. My friend Lisa is hosting an ATC swap so thought I would join in as like getting things through the post instead of just bills! I have used various collage images layered with transparencies and some metal birds cut out of old aluminium cans using my fav martha stewart bird punch.

Hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the New Year...

ATCs and starting on a European journal..

2011-12-28T19:47:00.005Z

ATCs from Wendy, Martina, Trisha

European Circle Journal cover start

Hope you are all having a lovely Christmas and are looking foward to New Year. I recently joined a yahoo ATC vintage images group and today I got these marvellous ATCS.

I am taking part in a European Circle Journal swap starting in January 2012 so have made a start on the cover of my journal today. This will be folded in two and then I am going to put partly decorated sketchbook paper, envelopes, tags, graph paper etc inside it. The journal will be travelling to Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and the UK so am looking foward to this time next year when I will have it back again crammed full of inspirational art and fav bits and pieces.

It is my youngest sons 7th birthday tomorrow so we will be having a big family party for him..this all adds to the madness of Christmas and New Year in our house..hope you all have a good end of year celebration...here is to a creative and arty 2012!

Happy Christmas to all of you...

2011-12-23T20:26:00.004Z

I wrapped a painting up for my dad today ..this is called waterfalls and hope he likes it!

Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and New Year and thank you for all your lovely comments on my artwork throughout the year. I have been busy wrapping presents today listening to carols by the Liverpool Male Voice Choir which my husband is in. I have uploaded a video to my youtube channel of my favourite carol sung by members of this choir...it reminds me of monks in a monastery and is best listen to on headphones with a glass of mulled wine (click on the coloured link)..Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Freedom of the Forest (using a new product called mul.tex)

2011-12-18T19:52:00.010Z

can be printed on

fibres trapped underneath the plastic part and gold foil added

plastic part scratched to distress it and it can also be diecut

plastic part distressed with soldering iron to reveal image underneath

hanging in my garden before I sent it off to sunny california to C&T

I am part of the Creative Troupe at C&T publishing..an American publishing company. I was recently sent a new product called mul.tex which I had great fun playing around with as its very versatile. Its sort of a plastic coated fibre that can be sewn, painted, burnt, distressed and painted with alcohol inks etc. I made an ATC hanger out of it using lots of different techniques on each ATC. For the edges I used a soldering iron to fuse it on to itself to form a ridged edge. For more ideas on how to use this fab new product check out the C&T flickr gallery here.

Cold Winter

2011-12-15T13:49:00.002Z

Did a quick painting today..wanted to do a winter scene. I started painting this with a blue sky but then noticed the very dark grey sky outside so painted that instead. The painting reminds me of our local park except I have added a fence for a sense of perspective. We have had the strong winds and now its icy cold rain with snow on the way soon I think....Hope your nice and warm wherever you are. Think I will have to paint a beach scene next to warm up..ha ha!

windy sky beach...

2011-12-13T14:06:00.003Z

Decided that I like watercolours better than acrylics so painted this quick painting this morning. Its very windy here so trying to capture windy sky, sea and beach. Its a busy week with christmas fast approaching but its nice to just take a bit of time out to do a bit of calming painting...

whimsy tags with attitude...

2011-12-07T16:45:00.006Z

my attitude dont need no adjustin'

happy to be me

thinks I'm pretty

naughty laugh

Went to my friend Pats today and had a great long chat and made some whimsy type tags inspired by the 12 days of whimsy challenge. I bought some lovely gold doilies from sainsburys last night and have used lots of lace, buttons, flowers and vintage images in the whimsy style.

Time out

2011-12-05T13:50:00.003Z

Its been terrible weather here this morning with hailstones and sleet so decided to do a double spread journal page. This page is for my Danish friend Trine for her journal all about Time Out...the words read "time out for making art away from the chaos of life" I have used old book pages, gesso and watercolours. Hope its not too cold where you are..

Whimsy, Rocks n Flowers...

2011-12-02T18:07:00.005Z

Yesterday was the start of the 12 days of whimsy so made this ATC inspired by the design given.

When it starts to get cold I always like to crochet flowers...

Did another rock seascape yesterday..love painting rocks..

Have a good weekend everyone..

Having a go at painting landscapes in acrylic

2011-11-28T19:25:00.004Z

Had a go at painting with acrylics last night. The paint is so different from watercolours but I am enjoying the process of learning from a Frank Clarke book.

I went on a bike ride to the local lighthouse at Hale this morning to take loads of photos for future paintings..at one point a sparrowhawk flew very close it was such a beautiful sight. I love living so near the Mersey Estuary.

Here is a photo of me looking daft but warm in my cycle helmet and dayglo jacket...

Princess Greyce

2011-11-26T18:37:00.004Z

Did another quick watercolour painting... this time with rolled up grunged papers, sewing, lace and buttons. All these paintings are approx 5x5 so are fairly quick to do. I think I am going to put them all in a little book when I have finished..dont know yet!

We all went to another christmas fair today this time at the school. We had a fab time and my two youngest held a barn owl and a large snake around their neck! We were looking at all the toys and we bought another planetarium for shining stars on to the ceiling..this is such a great idea to get them off to sleep! As I was buying that they put out an old easel..so of course I had to buy that as I was looking for an old easel..just had to glue a little piece on but its lovely made from old beechwood with a Paris mark on it.

While on FB noticed that a new event is coming up called the 12 days of whimsy..looks like a lovely thing to join in with and it starts on 1st December for 12 days...

Have a good weekend everyone!

Raven Blue

2011-11-23T19:34:00.004Z

Did another painting today..this one is called Raven Blue and is dedicated to my Italian friend Palma who loves ravens! I have used moulding paste again in the hair but have also added blue glitter too for a change. Various scrollswork stamp images added and glitter fibres sewn on the top.

In case your wondering how I quickly paint a face each day..here is my secret..prepare lots of backgrounds with blank faces then paint each face and add different elements to each depending on your mood!

Roses at the window

2011-11-22T12:53:00.003Z

Another face painted with watercolours..this time a brunette and I have added corrugated cardboard and molding paste for texture. The watercolour paper was quite flimsy so have sewed all my recent face paintings to some card as a frame.

Botanical Blonde

2011-11-21T11:42:00.002Z

Here is another face I have painted using watercolours, napkin flowers and various papers for the background. On the hair I have used modelling paste and added lace and buttons to the bottom. Quite like painting faces at the moment. We had another busy weekend as on Saturday we went to another church christmas fair and had lunch with my mum in law and her friends as it was at her church. We bought loads of board games for 50p! so I have been playing endless games of Simpsons scrabble and Sorry with my sons. We also bought a wormery for 50p and have been digging up worms and adding leaves and soil to it..it has been around most rooms in the house as it has become my sons new pet!

Vintage Madonna ATCs

2011-11-18T00:12:00.003Z

Made some ATCs tonight for the yahoo group I have just joined. Ribbons, stamped arch, vellum, beads and ink. Just reading some of the comments..I was brought up with strict old style Catholicism with catechisms, incense etc so I think that is what influenced these! with the beads echoing the colours of the stained glass windows and the old stone arches. We are going to another christmas fair tomorrow at my mother in laws church so hoping to pick up lots of books and of course my sons will buy more toys..hope everyone has a great weekend.

Fiery Red

2011-11-17T13:51:00.003Z

Had a go at painting a whimsical face with watercolours last night..she is called Fiery Red. I like the way watercolours allow other paper layers and napkin flowers to show through.

Just to explain I like to put up smaller photos of my paintings due to possible problems with sites like Pinterest where others could print off my paintings and sell them..hope you understand...unfortunately this is a problem that we all need to be aware of!

Vintage Christmas ATCs and Tag

2011-11-14T14:44:00.003Z

Decided to make some ATCs this morning for a new yahoo group I have joined called

Vintage Photo Images. I used some offcuts of mountboard I had from cutting my own mount frames for my watercolour paintings..my house now looks like a gallery!

I also made a tag for UK Stampers which my friend Linda is hosting. Its very cold here at the moment so am carrying on with crocheting my blanket to put around me when the house is cold..I have nearly finished and am down to my last 2 balls of wool.

Practising painting moving water and more rocks

2011-11-11T18:46:00.003Z

Had another go at painting watercolours today..this time painting moving water and more rocks. I love painting watercolours but found painting water very difficult so its not bad for a first attempt...going to practise some more soon. I went to the art shop this morning to buy more watercolour pads as I have finished the first one..cant believe I have done 12 paintings already! I also bought some mount board so going to have a go at cutting them out. There are a couple of workshops starting on Monday 14th....a free mandala course and I have signed up for a she-art workshop as love the paintings and I have found that I quite like following workshops and meeting new artists out there as long as they are reasonably priced of course! Have a look at the links just to the right. We are all looking forward to going to the church christmas fair tomorrow as they have a great Santa there and cook the best scouse in Liverpool..lovely to have a family meal all together and no doubt we will come back with all kinds of toys priced at 20p! Hope you all have a great weekend.

Botanicals twinchie box

2011-11-10T16:27:00.004Z

Altered the smaller of the book boxes today with some napkin floral paper. Have painted the inside in one of my favourite calming blue colours and added a tassel and some prima flowers to the outside. The inside has a little twinchie with the word smile on it..I want to make quite a few twinchies as I have a frame that I want to alter to fill with twinchies..so this little box will be ideal to keep them in until I use them! The challenge over at just for fun is fav colour so be sure to check out the other entries too.

Chinese quote box

2011-11-09T12:55:00.003Z

This months alter it monthly challenge is things with drawers, doors etc. I decided to alter a little book type box to hold all my recent Chinese gifts given by my friend Linda. The little box inside holds little washi paper cranes sent to me a couple of years ago while next to it I have made a little book to hold all my yogi tea quotes. Be sure to check the other entries too for some more inspiration...

practising painting boats...

2011-11-07T14:34:00.003Z

Have needed a lot of calm in my life lately so have started to have a go at painting boats. I would just love to sail away on one of these to a lovely warm climate instead of the cold we are starting to have now..

Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber

2011-11-01T12:11:00.006Z

moon river....

calm..

I have just used two paints in my latest watercolour paintings. With these I wanted to leave out paint and have more white showing and use less paint. I am very pleased with the way these have turned out and am quite surprising myself!..the secret as with anything is keep practising....

(my husband has just come in and has told me to keep doing this and not change to something else like I usually do!! so expect a lot more watercolours this month! I think one of the reasons why I took up watercolours was that I could prove to myself that I could do "proper" paintings as well as abstracts, mixed media etc etc)

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T13:56:00.003Z

My sons are off school today as its a teacher training day so while they were playing with their lego I managed to make this quick ATC for Think Monday Think ATC. We have decorated the house, got the costumes down from the loft and are going to carve the pumpkin later after a visit to the park..have a good Halloween everyone.

Here is a photo of my son last night..we went to a lantern festival at a nearby park and it was great to see huge lanterns and moving figures all lit up and with fireworks at the end.

some more watercolour paintings

2011-10-29T00:39:00.004+01:00

sunset..I like the water on this one where I blended lots of colours

study of a cottage..I was trying to make the cottage very grey looking like the ones you see in Wales....I am really pleased with the sky on this one and quite like the different greens of the grasses etc

Here are last nights and tonights paintings. I have come to the end of the frank clarke dvd now and have learnt so much this past week and feel confident to have a go at watercolour painting now as I am quite pleased at my progress. I took my sons to the park today and have even started looking at the trees and sky in a new painterly way! So why not have a look in your local library and see if there are any painting dvds you can have a go at to learn something new

Learning to paint with watercolours

2011-10-25T23:41:00.003+01:00

I recently got some watercolours for my birthday as wanted to learn how to paint with them. I always like to challenge myself to do something new so I have been watching a Frank Clarke DVD that I got from the library and have been aiming to paint a picture every night. Here are my first attempts:

this is a study of an autumnal tree that I completed tonight..quite like the tree trunk

this one is done using just burnt umber paint I love the way the rocks turned out

I like the tree on this one which was my 2nd attempt at a landscape.

These paintings take me less than an hour to do and I prefer painting to sitting down in front of the tv after a long day with my sons who are off school this week.

Winter White

2011-10-23T18:58:00.004+01:00

I went to my friend Pats last week and she showed me how to paint onto plaster. After a couple of experiments I quite liked the background I eventually came up with. I have painted some white grasses onto perspex and added some beads and wire. As with all my paintings on perspex it is quite hard to photograph because of reflections so have made a little video of it..view it on my youtube channel here.

It was my birthday the other day and my sons bought me lots of watercolour paints so I will soon be having a go at watercolour painting. I havent painted with watercolours before so have been watching a dvd by Frank Clarke that I got from the library..I just love his Irish friendly accent at showing the very basics of watercolour painting which you can then adapt to your own style..view the link here and dont blame me if you want to take painting up too after watching him!

Memories

2011-10-20T17:34:00.004+01:00

Made a quick card using inchie stamps. The challenge over at Just for Fun this week is to use lace, buttons etc so be sure to check out the other entries. These lovely inchie stamps are from crafty individuals and I first put them on an ATC then added that to the card with some lace and an old vintage button.

Homage to Autumn altered box

2011-10-17T14:16:00.006+01:00

Its quite hard to see all the detail so have made a little video..click here to view it on you tube.

I recently bought a house box shape and decided to alter it with lots of items from our woodland walks. I have used graphics 45 papers, spray ink, twigs, acorns ,photos of my sons and lots of bark on the roof.

Its typical autumn weather now with lots of rain and gale force winds..hope your nice and warm where you are. I have noticed the challenge over at alter it monthly is boxes so be sure to check out all the other entries too...

Pulling at my heart strings canvas and 5 min sketch

2011-10-11T16:39:00.003+01:00

Finished the canvas I was working on yesterday..added some perspex and wire and its called Pulling at my Heart Strings. I enjoyed working with the perspex in a different way and I like the tension that the wire adds

Went to yoga this afternoon and did this quick 5 mins sketch whilst waiting for the kids to finish school..its called appropriately Relaxed which I was at the time!!

My 6yr old loves to draw too and this is one he drew on the way home..llama he remembered from our camping trip over the summer.

Just playing around with paint

2011-10-10T18:41:00.003+01:00

Playing around with paint and paper strips

Bright paints and torn papers...I think I am going to put some perspex and wire over this one

Various shades of blue/green paints with torn strips of lime green at the bottom..possibly going to have fish or plants over this one on perspex.

I had a chance to tidy all my paints up so now I know where they all are!

Its still proper miserable rain here today and I think I need to get the winter duvet out as have had a cold back all day. Spent most of the morning sewing on my sons scout badges but then had a little play with paint in my shed. These are still backgrounds that I am going to add to later but its sometimes nice to see what a piece looks like when it starts off...playing with paint definitely cheers me up

frozen in the winter

2011-10-09T18:18:00.004+01:00

Its been a really cold and miserable day today. Its also been a busy day with church where we celebrated Harvest festival, shopping, baths and homework..managed to get half an hour to myself to make something. I have made this little card for this weeks Sunday Postcard challenge..be sure to check out the other entries too.

He Loves Me He loves me Not..

2011-10-06T19:21:00.005+01:00

Another perspex (plexiglass) piece I have painted and layered. Have been trying to add a lot more colour in my work so pleased at the way this one has turned out...the title refers to the dandelion losing its petals.

I went to the pictures this morning and saw the fantastic Jane Eyre film..recommend it as its very close to the original book with all its layered themes..this is my fav book and I must have read it about four or five times when I was younger..must read it again soon.

Its National Poetry Day today and I love visiting Pennys blog Creative Overflow..she writes some fantastic thought provoking poems so be sure to visit.

Fairy Tales,a Little House and the Beach

2011-10-04T18:06:00.006+01:00

Made a quick ATC card today with some paper and collage scraps..the challenge over at crazy amigo is animals so can you spot the fairy and the black cat?

I am off to the Happy Stampers show at the weekend but found I have still got lots of stash from my last visit so today I decided to make something with this little house shape. I have painted and stamped it then added a glass tile, beads and a little bird.

My two youngest sons were off school yesterday as it was a teacher training day. I took them to Thurstaston beach and we had a lovely time just playing in the sand and watching the waves come in..just love this photo of them hugging each other as the waves come in to flood the castle moat they had built.

Past Times Nostalgia

2011-10-02T17:53:00.003+01:00

Been working on another perspex piece..This one has lots of paper collage layers in it. I wanted to combine the modern perspex with old materials such as string, pears soap advert, beads, lace and buttons. I really like experimenting with perspex and trying new things out..I have another more modern project I am working on at the moment. This item is also available for sale in my Etsy store..check out link to the right.

Well after 2 scorching hot days the rain has finally returned but its nice to cool the air down a bit..hoping you have had nice weather where you are

Poppies in Autumn and flying kites by the Mersey

2011-09-30T21:01:00.009+01:00

Had fun finishing a painting today. This one is called Poppies in Autumn and is inspired by my love of seed heads and the lovely red colours of the virigina creeper in my garden. I have painted the background then mounted some perspex on the front with some poppies I have drawn.

It has been a glorious hot day today so we all went to the Estuary to fly the kites my sons had made in school. I have been playing around with one true media.com which lets you make little movies for free from some of your photos so click here to watch my youtube little video.

First inside pages of altered book

2011-09-28T21:26:00.003+01:00

Made a start on altering the pages of my altered book using inks, paints and pastels

I love this method of making all the pages grungy and very old looking... what you do is rip the edges of the pages and ink them then paint with gesso and pull them apart when nearly dry and it makes instant layered worn out looking pages like the ones in the photo all ready for more layers

Violet

2011-09-27T16:45:00.003+01:00

Thought I would just make a quick ATC today and mount it on a card. Havent really been in the mood to do anything arty lately as my mum in law is still in hospital recovering from a stroke so have been thinking about her a lot lately. Noticed that the challenge over at Think Monday Think ATC is violet and Crazy Amigos is the letter R...so be sure to check out these challlenges too.

children of the damned plexi shrine and a little video!

2011-09-23T18:55:00.004+01:00

For week 3 of Gary Reef's plexified we had to make a tower. This tower is named after the film based upon one of my fav John Wyndham novels The Midwich Cuckoos. It was really difficult to photograph so I have uploaded a little video to vimeo where you can hear my lovely Liverpudlian accent! so click here to watch it!

vintage altered book

2011-09-21T18:13:00.005+01:00

I have started working on an altered book. The book was originally about kings and queens and it was being thrown out at the library! I have painted and inked the cover and cut out a frame. I have added a floating perspex layer over the face and a transparent butterfly. Just love these prima flowers which I have added some old buttons to. Going to ink and gesso the pages next..I have already ripped most of the pages out and there are some lovely images on them..probably going to add tags, fav quotes, pictures in it etc...The theme over at Crazy Amigos is squares this week so be sure to check out all the other entries too..

Autumn

2011-09-16T11:55:00.003+01:00

Another plexi piece featuring perspex, wire ,beads, rusty cogs, paint, inks, collage etc. Really enjoying working with this new material to me. Have just noticed that the challenge over at Three Muses is autumn so be sure to check out all the other entries too...have a good weekend everyone.

Time for yourself

2011-09-14T20:51:00.004+01:00

Continuing with my experimental adventures with plexiglass/perspex. I was looking at some art by Robert Rauschenberg called reservoir where he used lots of junk and clocks to make a collage piece. I found an old clock and wanted to incorporate it into a plexi piece with lots of layers..the hardest part of this was getting the clock to work and fit! I enjoyed drilling and playing around with nuts and bolts so that the perspex appears suspended...having great fun experimenting having time for myself after the long summer holidays...

Live a colourful life

2011-09-12T23:12:00.004+01:00

Managed to meet up with my friend Linda today and her little craft group so joined in with the papercrafting and made some colourful ATCs.

I am taking part in a page embellishment swap over at UK Stampers so have just finished mine which I am going to post to Effie..her chosen colours were lime green and turquoise. I didnt have any papers in these colours so I have used some chinese newspapers glued to card and painted over them then added further texture with some stamping plus a little bit of bling.

True Passion

2011-09-09T22:51:00.004+01:00

another experiment with plexiglass/perspex which is hanging on my art shed. Used lots of layers on this one with stamped mountboard, transparency, paints, alcohol inks, brads, wires etc etc. I really enjoyed using my knife, hacksaw and drill to construct lots of layers...so whatever you do in life make sure its with True Passion is the message behind this piece..have a good weekend everyone

Plenty more fish in the sea

2011-09-08T15:52:00.005+01:00

I love working with new materials so signed up for the plexified course run by Gary Reef as I had never worked with plexiglass/perspex before (for any info you require on working with plexiglass/perspex be sure to check out Gary Reef). I managed to cut the perspex successfully after a bit of trial and error. I have drawn a fish and used paints for the background. Little collaged dictionary words read "plenty more fish in the sea" and to add to the rustic sea theme I have added shells, driftwood and old rusty cogs..really enjoyed working with this new material so expect to see lots more of my experiments with plexiglass/perspex this month. I might put this piece in my Etsy store soon depending on interest in it...dont know yet! I have noticed the challenge at alter it monthly involves twigs so be sure to check out the other entires and especially Pats who is a friend of mine!

back to school and a little bit of nostalgia

2011-09-05T16:29:00.007+01:00

Two of my sons were back to school this morning. My eldest starts secondary school next monday so we went to pick up his new uniform today..he hasnt stopped wearing it! Had a little bit of time to make a quick ATC...the theme over at Think Monday Think ATC is nostalgia so be sure to check out all the other entries too. This ATC features scraps of paper, an old napkin from a friend, feather, little flowers and some stitching. I quite like mounting ATCs onto cards as then I can use up all my stacks of paper scraps.

Its comments like the following that really make me happy..you just dont know how your little paper creations affect people...thanks Nancy B!

"This really takes me back to my childhood as my Grandmother always used Cashmere Bouquet soap. My Grandmother died when I was 7 years old but it was like I could smell that scent again when I saw your ATC. Thanks for the memories."

Truly Madly Deeply tags

2011-09-02T11:54:00.003+01:00

Just made these quick tags using paint, pastels, newspaper images etc. The challenge this week is newspaper at Three Muses so be sure to check out the other entries too....Have a good weekend the sun is shining here at last so going to make the most of it!

Three boys!

2011-08-30T13:30:00.005+01:00

Saw the challenge over at crazy amigos today which is back to school! Like most mums I think I am ready for my 3 sons to go back to school which is next week! Its been a baths and movies day so far as the weather is a bit overcast as usual and I am trying to persuade them to get their hair cut then its off to the library and the big shop..have a good day whatever your doing

sheep, camping and a chill...

2011-08-28T21:06:00.010+01:00

Just returned from another couple of days camping in Snowdonia at our fav campsite which is full of sheep in the mountains. I wanted to do a quick sketch of sheep from memory and noticed that when I glanced at them in the fields as I did most of the driving I could only see the underneath shadows so wanted to capture this on the page. The journalling is from a poem by Christina Rossetti called "A Chill" which is what I felt as most of the time as it was raining...so glad to get home for a warm shower and my nice warm bed tonight!

What can lambkins do
All the keen night through?
Nestle by their woolly mother
The careful ewe.

What can nestlings do
In the nightly dew?
Sleep beneath their mother's wing
Till day breaks anew

If in field or tree
There might only be such a warm soft sleeping place
Found for me.

Just watching views of Hurricane Irene on the tv.. my thoughts and prayers are with all those struck by the powerful force of nature and have no warm beds to go home to.

Still I'lI rise

2011-08-23T15:18:00.007+01:00

Did a quick journal page with words from one of my fav poems by Maya Angelou called Still I Rise. The words on the page read:

Just like moons and like suns
With the certainty of tides
Just like hopes springing high
Still I'll rise.

Click here to read the rest of the poem on poets.org or here to see Maya reading the poem on youtube.

Snowdonia and a boxing card!

2011-08-20T17:13:00.007+01:00

Just saw this great image over at magic moonlight and wanted to use it on a quick ATC card. The theme over at just for fun is black, white and silver so have used some black n white papers, black thread and silver stars and eyelets on this fun card.

lovely clear water at Benllech

walking through the sheep at the farm we camped at

jumping over the waves at Dinas Dille our fav beach

Have just spent a lovely 3 days camping in Snowdonia jumping over the waves, walking amongst the sheep, visiting Beaumaris castle and my sons holding snakes & tarantulas at Pilis Palace in Anglesey! We came back early though as a storm blew the front of the tent in so glad it was only 2 1/2 hours drive away!

Blue Belt

2011-08-16T22:57:00.003+01:00

So happy as my friend Jackie and I have just passed our blue belts in kickboxing..here we are looking mean! If you have a dream just go for it...dont let life hold you back:)

Back to ATCs

2011-08-16T10:50:00.004+01:00

Like most mums I havent had much time to do much art lately as have been enjoying days out with my sons. I have been busy painting the house of a night time and have one wall in the kitchen to paint and then its all done..I am quite pleased as everywhere looks nice and fresh now. I thought I would use some of my stack of collage images to make some quick ATCs..have added some sewing for texture and put them on some nice background cards. Have a good day whatever your up to..my sons are still in their pyjamas playing with lego which is what tends to happen on school holidays..hoping to get them changed soon and off to the park!

Here comes the rain again..

2011-08-11T00:45:00.004+01:00

It has been non stop rain today but at least its good for the plants outside. I tidied up all my plants in my greenhouse as I have spotted lots of green tomatoes growing and my dad told me to be sure to trim all the foilage so the sun!! can get to the tomatoes. I did this quick journal page while watching the rain. I tend to spray inks and paints on all the journal pages in one go and then its easy to add pastels, paints and collage images on top as I have done here.

experiment with fabric paper

2011-08-08T18:09:00.008+01:00

front cover

middle with lots of pockets

back..just love that wild flower stamp

I went to my friend Pats on Saturday and she had made me some fabric paper to play with. I made this little book and added lots of stamped tissue images on it, sewing and stitches..its full of pockets and tags..I am going to keep adding various photos etc from my woodland walks.

Raining heavily this morning so we made cakes which didnt last long

Just been to play at the local woods with my sons..who needs crowded play areas when you have the woods to yourself with mud slides and finding ways to cross muddy streams!

bonjour amour mirror

2011-08-04T15:55:00.003+01:00

I have been trying to use some of my cupboard full of alterable stash so decided to alter this mirror this morning. I have used old papers, collage images, pastels and paint from tester pots..its all sealed with pva glue. I have been painting the rooms with tester pots trying to decide what colour the room is going to be..I painted a small portion of one wall last night but it looked grey when it dried so glad I hadnt bought a big pot of paint! My sons were really funny in the paint shop this morning as they kept bringing me huge pots of bright red and green paint as I am trying to look at restful colours!!! I havent done any challenges for awhile and over at Theme Thursday its Paris..so be sure to look at all the other entries too..

make time for your life's passion

2011-08-03T11:37:00.002+01:00

A journal page dedicated to all the mums out there finding time for themselves over the school holidays! I did this quick page this morning before my sons had crawled out of their beds..I do love the peace and quiet first thing in the morning..off to take them all out now...enjoy your day whatever your up to...

Inspired by the sea..

2011-07-31T00:25:00.008+01:00

Quick journal page inspired by the sea the journalling reads "may your life be filled with laughter"

I have been tidying up and rearranging all the furniture and found loads of items that I forgot about! I altered a frame using some blue paint and what we found on the beach last week..I am going to put a photo of my son when he caught a huge cod in Norway last year

Little bird hanging using a shell and turquoise sent to me by Lois from the States. Click photos for better view..this was quite difficult to photograph as it kept turning in the wind. The little shells and the faux pearls look lovely on it hanging in the window.

Hope the weather is nice and warm for you this week..I am making the most of it here! Over at Alter it Monthly the them is sirens, mermaids and the deep so be sure to take a look at all the other entries too.

Queen of hearts

2011-07-29T10:24:00.002+01:00

Over at the Milliande art site Palma is hosting another altered matchbox swap with the theme of queen. So I thought why not the queen of hearts..used beads, bottletops and metal diecuts on these with a little glass inchie pendant in them.

Lovely start to the summer holidays..

2011-07-27T09:08:00.004+01:00

Havent got much art done lately as have been having lovely days out with my sons.

We had a lovely day at Sefton Park

Bandstand which looks like a Chinese pagoda

The magical Fairy Glen such a lovely tranquil place

Hoylake beach - we couldnt make sandcastles there which was a shame because of oil pollution as all the sand was black underneath the top

Yesterday we went over to Hilbre Island..it only took us half an hour to walk there from the beach

The rocks there reminded me of Arizona

View at the back of the island..we were looking out for dolphins and seals but didnt spot any today. Hope the sun is shining where you are..we have to make the most before it rains again!!

thoughts and prayers for Norway

2011-07-23T23:56:00.002+01:00

Let us all spend a moment or two sending prayers to all those poor people affected by yesterdays shooting and bombing in Norway.

Edge of Glory

2011-07-21T16:44:00.003+01:00

Havent done a journal page for awhile so thought I would do one inspired by my fav song at the moment..edge of glory by lady gaga. Just listen to this version....forget all the image surrounding her and just listen to that voice...wow!

Seascape

2011-07-18T21:48:00.003+01:00

I have been in an experimental phase lately and I think the heavy rain has influenced a lot of my work with all the colours. This one is a heavily textured canvas called Seascape..it has bandages, coffee, eggshells, pistachio shells on it all encased in pva! and then painted over. Dont know if its finished yet though..

This one is called Leap of Life and I have used altered magazine brassoed pages for the background which were then ripped and covered with gesso, paints and inks..quite like all the textures on this one

reading to escape the rain

2011-07-16T22:40:00.004+01:00

I am so glad that we went camping a couple of weeks ago as this weekend there has been non stop rain which is good for all my plants I suppose!

Here is a quick sketch I have done called reading to escape the rain!

Just been playing around with the photo editor on the LMM site and how cool does this look!

Mother Earth please forgive them for they know not what they do

Over at the milliande site I have joined in with the mother earth ATC swap so here is the ATC I made for that which will be heading to Australia soon where I bet its nice and sunny. The ATC features an earth and nuclear bomb image and I wanted to get the message across of how we need to save the world by recycling etc and look after our planet..the crown and wings are cut from tin and corrugated cardboard and I have used an old cereal box for the ATCs that I have made.

Unn the Deepminded

2011-07-13T13:13:00.004+01:00

I have been watching a tv programme about the Icelandic sagas and have been reading one called The Laxdaela saga which is the fascinating tale of a woman named Unn the deepminded...what an excellent description for a strong woman character. I have downloaded it and am reading it through wattpad which I highly recommend for your mobile as its free! Back to my piece I have stamped a lovely scrollswork image onto tissue then sewed this onto various fabric scraps including dyed bandage, dyed dryer sheets etc. I have been playing around with textures hence the twig, old button and lace..the background is off an old rusty umbrella which I found. Be sure to check out the scrollswork site as its closing down soon and now everything is 80% off. Over at UK Stampers there is a vintage choice competition so have entered this piece into that and which ends today.

Fatsia canvas

2011-07-10T17:17:00.003+01:00

Had another go at making a textured canvas..this one is hanging in my greenhouse along with the huge tomato plants. It has paint, foil, bitumen, crayons, pastels ..everything thrown at it and is for the gary reef site Loving Mixed Media...check out the link to the right. For those of you who have asked how to use bitumen foil technique you can look up Gary Reef videos on Youtube.

Mother Earth please forgive them for they know not what they do..

2011-07-08T21:26:00.004+01:00

Did a 10 minute sketch this morning and have played around with it digitally using serif DSA 2. The title of this post is from one of my fav songs by Ozzy Osbourne called Revelation (Mother Earth) with some great lyrics. Have a good weekend everyone whatever the weather..its still heavy rain here so not camping this weekend!

Woods canvas

2011-07-07T20:10:00.007+01:00

Over at gary reefs loving mixed media site he has a jungle challenge on at the moment.I had a go today on an old canvas I had in the shed..very pleased with the results think I am going to make some more! Click on the orange link to take you to the site to learn how to make one of these.

Below are the layers that I started with lots of bright colours and textures and dont forget to always have your journal to hand to use up all that spare paint!

some amazing art arrived this week..isnt this altered eye matchbox by Mary fantastic she also sent me some great diecuts and a chapter from an old book about old Liverpool

and another gorgeous matchbox from Lois which contained an exquisite turquoise stone

some lovely bluebird ATCs from sharon brown and monika aleksandrowicz from the milliande site

Our first sunflower emerged this week..we have had strange weather really hot sun then heavy rain and just an hour ago hailstones!!

If your not living on the edge your taking up too much room

2011-07-04T12:14:00.005+01:00

Over at the summer of colour the challenge this week is pink so here is my page using lots of layered transparencies, paint, pastels and gu chocolate packaging!

Have just returned from a couple of days camping in snowdonia north wales..we had such a fantastic time and the weather was brilliant.

art for arts sake..goodbye Wednesday Stampers

2011-06-29T11:49:00.003+01:00

Sadly this week it is the last wednesday stampers challenge..this has been one of the best challenge sites to take part in as the inspiration from there has been wonderful..so a big thanks for everyone over there you will be sadly missed! Instead of doing a gloomy tag I wanted to do a sort of happy celebration tag for all the inspiration shared from each contributor..so I have used lots of bright colours. All the stamps I have used are from Scrollswork which is sadly also closing but has a 60% off sale on now.

enjoying the sun and works in progress...

2011-06-28T20:21:00.006+01:00

I have been doing all kinds of stuff lately so many work in progress projects..

I am making a fabric journal using painted lutradur, tumble dryer sheets and decorators coverall material I found in the pound shop...takes paints and inks well so far as well as foil. This is going to be a journal all about my recent bike rides.

Playing around with bitumen, spirits and foil

My garden is looking nice with all my pots

New patio set I assembled this morning in the corner of my garden I bought some little dragonfly lights so will have a look at them glowing later when its dark..such a lovely place to chill and eat dinner and of course read the paper and drink yogi tea!

Bike rides along the Wirral coast this time to Hoylake to see a friend

summer fun at the school fair!

Hope the sun is shining near you..have a good week..I am enjoying this sun before it rains again!

Capturing the Forest

2011-06-22T21:31:00.005+01:00

One of my fav things to do is to have a woodland walk and I wanted to capture all the textures and earthiness in a piece of art. I have used Gary Reef eggshell and foil techniques on this box. Instead of eggshells I used crushed shells and tea leaves and glued it all on with strong pva glue and used aluminum tape for the sides.

I really like the way this box has turned out with all the different textures on it..it is quite hard to photograph so I have created this little collage using picasa to show detail. The theme over at Kristens summer of colour blog is green this week so be sure to check out all the other entries too.

textures, grunge, tomatoes , peppers & peace

2011-06-20T22:33:00.003+01:00

Grungy tag made today at Lindas..didnt have any inks with me so used a teabag to grunge it up

Playing around with textures I used gary reef''s eggshell technique on the top of this box but I used broken up shells, tea leaves and pva..work in progress havent finished it yet

My greenhouse looks great at the moment with loads of tomato plants, peppers, aubergines, courgettes, beans growing in there

so pleased my peppers are growing..never had any luck before

10 mile bike ride New Brighton to Meols on the Wirral this morning so peaceful

yogi altered matchboxes

2011-06-16T22:01:00.005+01:00

Over at the milliande art community Palma is again hosting an altered matchbox swap with the theme this time of symbols. I have been drinking yogi licorice tea lately which is delicious and comes in a lovely box with little quotes on each teabag! So I have used these little quotes along with some altered mah-jong tiles, metal diecut wings, beads, sequins etc to make these little shrines. I have just joined the Gary Reef site Loving Mixed Media and he is also having an altered matchbox challenge so be sure to check out both of these excellent art communities.

I had tidied away my large art table as one of my sons was having a birthday party but decided I couldnt live without it! so got it out of the shed and my sons immediately started to paint again

fireman sams helmet

sun space and lightning

sunflowers

We have had a mixture of torrential rain and sun so typical British summertime! But at least its good for the sunflowers as ours are getting quite tall nownot in flower yet though

baby love altered tin

2011-06-15T22:51:00.003+01:00

Thought I would alter another sardine tin. This one features a lovely Scrollswork winged baby image..I have diecut a little envelope which contains a little message held on with a silver peg and the word Love. Paper and crochet flowers with fake pearls finish this little tin off...dont forget to check out the huge closing down scrollswork sale which is still on with 60% off click here.
The theme over at the Twinkle Twinkle summer of colour blog is blue this week so be sure to check out the other entries click here.

I have had some great bike rides this week..Monday I had a ride in the wind along part of the Wirral coastline by fort perch lighthouse where I watched the windsurfers.

Beautiful blue wildflowers I think they are harebells in pickerings pasture...

Yesterday I had a 19 mile bike ride to spike island next to the mersey estuary...it was such a lovely day with hot sun unlike today when my sons sports day had to be cancelled half an hour into it with a torrential downpour!

lets just get along together genie

2011-06-13T10:16:00.003+01:00

I am taking part in a journal page swap over at the milliande art community and the prompt for this page was genie in a bottle and one wish. The lyrics are from the christine aguilera song genie in a bottle. I have used the brasso wadding technique to blend the magazine images of bottles into the page (check out my vimeo video to the right about altering magazine pages). My wish for this page is that we all get along together in the world..it doesnt matter what type of women we are..dont judge!

7 deadly sins journal page swap

2011-06-09T18:20:00.003+01:00

Over at the Milliande art community I am taking part in a journal page swap. One of the themes this month is the 7 deadly sins so had fun making this page..I wanted it to resemble a chaotic Bruegel Dulle Griet painting. I have used images from several paintings (Angels by Benozzo Gozzoli, Creation of Adam by Michelangelo etc). The words at the bottom are one of my fav biblical quotes "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" full of compassion in contrast with the hellfire and damnation colours and images. The next journal page theme in the swap is genie in a bottle so will make that with lighter brighter colours..good fun doing a very dark journal page though!

The weather here has been very dark and gloomy -here is a photo I took yesterday on one of my bike rides to nearby Halebank..I decided not to carry on any further as was already soaked through!

In the midnight garden of good and evil have faith

2011-06-07T16:13:00.004+01:00

Monika over at the Milliande art community has organised an atc swap with the strange title of "midnight in the garden of good and evil" so had a go at making an atc today with some stamps I recently bought. Now to make 4 more and send them off to Australia.

Had a nice bike ride from Otterspool to the Albert Dock today and had a lovely mug of green tea at the gallery cafe while watching the world go by..then rode back in a downpour laughing in the rain! (Otterspool is at the south end of the city and the Albert Dock is in the city)

bike rides, bird watching, farms and crabbing ...

2011-06-06T22:52:00.004+01:00

It was half term holidays last week so thought I would share some photos for a change of my life besides art:

took this stormy photo of the rain clouds over the Liverpool skyline this morning as had a bike ride the other side of the Mersey

our first blueberries..we are growing lots of fruit and veg this year

bike ride to Hale estuary to watch the birds on the Mersey

chicken with attitude at the ice cream farm where we had a go on the quad bikes and crazy golf but as usual didnt eat any ice cream!

Pete caught a huge crab using streaky bacon and string when we went crabbing at crosby marina...my sons loved watching all the crabs race back into the lake. I had never heard about using bacon to catch crabs before but followed my friends advice and we must have caught well over a 100!

art for arts sake...art journal cover

2011-06-01T17:56:00.006+01:00

I have finished my first art journal which I began in January so decided to make a cover for it. I have used various collage images and a selection of Scrollswork stamps for the title, year etc (be sure to check out their 50% closing down sale..click here). The challenge over at Wednesday stampers is numbers this week so be sure to look at all the other entries too.

Bluebirds of Happiness

2011-05-30T15:34:00.003+01:00

Mary over at the Milliande Art community has organised a bluebirds of happiness ATC swap so made these ATCs for that.

Did another quick journal page too the journalling reads "everbody get so much information all day long that they lose their common sense" by Gertrude Stein..how true is this eg. when they ban conkers or dads playing footie with their kids in the school playground then send out letters about the lack of exercise kids are getting these days!!!

Me on another bike ride in the rain..I discovered this huge hidden pond by Speke Hall this morning so another place to take the kids for some free fun tomorrow perhaps

Smile altered wooden box

2011-05-28T13:19:00.003+01:00

Over at alter it monthly the challenge this month is wood. I recently bought a little wooden chest and have altered it with tim holtz paper and am using it to hold all my little tim holtz inspired charms...be sure to check out all the other entries.