Saturday, June 06, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Busy busy busy .... and UNITY
For some reason, I have had a crafting splurge ... anyway here goes ... everything used including the stamps etc. are from the fabby Sarahscards HERE
Anyway .... off we go ... a couple of layouts of Jack Jnr. just after the 'just chilling' layout, he ate all 6 cushions !!! BOBL !!! The one of me was taken in France at Christmas and turned into black and white in Adobe.
Anyway .... off we go ... a couple of layouts of Jack Jnr. just after the 'just chilling' layout, he ate all 6 cushions !!! BOBL !!! The one of me was taken in France at Christmas and turned into black and white in Adobe.
Anyway, not a lot to add .... except to say, have you checked out UNITY lately ? Angela has the most fabby sale on this weekend, and all the 'Tree' stamps and nature stamps have got a huge percentage off them in honour of Earth Day - AND - there's other bundle offers as well ... so what ya waiting for ... ???
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
New Layouts
Made these two layouts using the lush new Pink Shoebox papers (etc. etc.) from Sarahscards HEREThese papers are fab, and they really really mix well together. I love em !
Good Luck Monica ..... (stampin up candy)
With the new Stampin Up challenge blog - I'm sure it will be a great success xxxxxxxx
By the way, if anyone is reading this ... if you hop on over to STAMP WITH US there is a heap of stampin up candy being offered (above). xxxxxxx
By the way, if anyone is reading this ... if you hop on over to STAMP WITH US there is a heap of stampin up candy being offered (above). xxxxxxx
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I don't believe I'm doing this .........
The wonderfully funny-but-slightly-demented Dyan from Art from the Heart tagged me from her blog ..... The idea being I had to take a photo of myself there and then. No brushing of hair or touching up of anything. Result - one photo taken of me at 6.30am this morning !!! *insert shocked smiley* NOW people know why I won't leave the house until I have my eyeliner and mascara on !!!
I now have to tag a few peeps ..... erm erm .... back in 2 ......
The lovely Maggie, who currently has some beautiful photographs of culzean castle on her blog, which just happens to be my most favourite place in the whole world. Its a great place to repair broken hearts. Maggie's blog is HERE
Secondly, the fantastically talented LISA Hetrick ... please spend a second looking at her fabulous work.
Thirdly, the lovely Julie aka scrappydandydo ... HERE
Fourthly, the gorgeous Gwyneth .. I love this woman to death. I reckon she's a trendy young hip-hoppy-type-gal-in-the-disguise-of-a-pensioner .... she's amazing, she does the most amazing work, and she is mad as a bloody hatter ! I love her !
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wedding Present Canvases
I painted this set of three canvases for my brothers wedding present. He did commission me to do a painting for him, but I figured these would be more appropriate. Each canvas is 3'x2' and are a lot larger than they look on the photo - click to enlarge it.
I must explain that he lives in a traditional French house, and these are (obviously) designed to go in his kitchen.
They were made by first priming the canvases. I then used a selection of medium to form a collage background (newspapers, paper tissue, cardboard). The canvases then were given another priming, and the vegetables roughly drawn on the canvas. I then dabbed on the background using a rough green and yellow cleaning sponge with different shades of green and yellow acrylic paints (mainly Claudine Hellmuth - her fabby blog is HERE ). I built up the layers over a few days. I then started on the vegetables themselves, again building up the layers.
I must state at this point, that I received help from our Head of Art Elaine who helped me build up the layers. I always want to go for pretty, but with this type of artwork, you need to use a 'flowy' painting technique. She also helped me with the lighting and shading, making sure I really made the vegetables 'pop' by using charcoal.
The completed canvases were given a final layer of glaze so that the charcoal wouldn't rub off.
I know these aren't to everyone's taste, but I don't think they're too bad for my first canvases !
I must explain that he lives in a traditional French house, and these are (obviously) designed to go in his kitchen.
They were made by first priming the canvases. I then used a selection of medium to form a collage background (newspapers, paper tissue, cardboard). The canvases then were given another priming, and the vegetables roughly drawn on the canvas. I then dabbed on the background using a rough green and yellow cleaning sponge with different shades of green and yellow acrylic paints (mainly Claudine Hellmuth - her fabby blog is HERE ). I built up the layers over a few days. I then started on the vegetables themselves, again building up the layers.
I must state at this point, that I received help from our Head of Art Elaine who helped me build up the layers. I always want to go for pretty, but with this type of artwork, you need to use a 'flowy' painting technique. She also helped me with the lighting and shading, making sure I really made the vegetables 'pop' by using charcoal.
The completed canvases were given a final layer of glaze so that the charcoal wouldn't rub off.
I know these aren't to everyone's taste, but I don't think they're too bad for my first canvases !
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Amazing ... and I mean amazing Weekend ... at
Art from the Heart !!! OMG it was amazing. I have learnt 40+ techniques using paints, inks, gel medium, gesso, the FAB FAB FAB Claudine Hellmuth paints (which are to die for) and the most amazing alternative for H20s/Pearl-ex/Pearl etc.... the Blonde Moments Minasie Pearl Pigments - wow, the effect they give is amazing.
Need to check with Dyan, but if its ok, I'll put some sample tags on my blog over the next few days.
Dyan is the most amazing teacher. You are on the go the whole time, and all the while, Dyan is giving you hints and tips in an easy to understand manner. I really did think I knew 'quite a bit' about inks and paints - but honestly, hand on heart, I knew nothing. This woman is a mine of information. What she doesn't know about these mediums isn't worth knowing. I was so impressed ... and if I am truthful - totally in awe.
Dyan isn't just a damn good teacher though, the inspiration all around the walls of her studio is breathtaking. Works of art are hung everywhere. Altered books of every type and description are on bookshelves all over. Cards and layouts are displayed everywhere ... and where there is space, the most amazing canvases you will ever see. It really is just like walking into a true artists workshop.
I am buzzing and feel fresh. I can wholeheartedly recommend these classes and workshops ... why not have a look at the up and coming classes HERE For me, this weekend of techniques although tiring, was worth every single penny ..... I have done a bit of begging for another weekend of techniques, so keep your eyes peeled.
On the off chance that you ever pop on here Dy .... thank you, you truly are an inspiration to us crafters..... and Jane - thanks for the wonderful hospitality - i've had a fabby time !!!!
Need to check with Dyan, but if its ok, I'll put some sample tags on my blog over the next few days.
Dyan is the most amazing teacher. You are on the go the whole time, and all the while, Dyan is giving you hints and tips in an easy to understand manner. I really did think I knew 'quite a bit' about inks and paints - but honestly, hand on heart, I knew nothing. This woman is a mine of information. What she doesn't know about these mediums isn't worth knowing. I was so impressed ... and if I am truthful - totally in awe.
Dyan isn't just a damn good teacher though, the inspiration all around the walls of her studio is breathtaking. Works of art are hung everywhere. Altered books of every type and description are on bookshelves all over. Cards and layouts are displayed everywhere ... and where there is space, the most amazing canvases you will ever see. It really is just like walking into a true artists workshop.
I am buzzing and feel fresh. I can wholeheartedly recommend these classes and workshops ... why not have a look at the up and coming classes HERE For me, this weekend of techniques although tiring, was worth every single penny ..... I have done a bit of begging for another weekend of techniques, so keep your eyes peeled.
On the off chance that you ever pop on here Dy .... thank you, you truly are an inspiration to us crafters..... and Jane - thanks for the wonderful hospitality - i've had a fabby time !!!!
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