Napkins, Journals and a little boy

Ever had that feeling when you feel as if your life is about to be derailed and you question how you are going to deal with the crash when it happens. Well that has been my life for the last few months. But I am happy to report that everything is sorted and I now feel like I can exhale and live.
This post is to share with you delightful napkins I received as part of a Paper Whimsy swap. Amazing to think that there are soooooooooo many napkins out there in the big wide world. They work great in art work.



Then I picked up my pens - Coppic pens in this instance and drew this girl in my moleskine. I really want to improve my faces and this is my latest creation. I added napkins to and the John Miles classic "Music was my first love" was playing on the radio so I just added the words. Today was fun, as I felt re-born!




And this gorgeous little boy is the reason that I have been holding my breathe. Due to circumstances there was a possibility that he would have to live with our family for a time. I have been thinking about the changes the family would have had to make to bring him into the fold. Fortunately alls well and he will be staying home with his mummy.
I am happy about this, funny isn't it when you realise why you had your children when you were younger.Forgot what it was like to run around after a little one, how much time they take up in the day. With my children all being "grown up" and not reliant on me I was kinda dreading going back - don't get me wrong I would have done it, I could never have seen this little guy going into the care system... so now I can feel a weight of my shoulders, my head is clear and I can go back to doing me things.

I am happy to say I feel like I am back xxx

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

I was out last night, came home and went to bed without turning on the TV - Then this morning my TV came on as it does every morning to wake me up and I just couldn't believe what I was hearing Michael Jackson had died... Devastating news, the utter sadness that I felt reminded me of my feelings when I learned that Elvis and then Princess Diana had died.
My mind filled with thoughts of all the times that MJ had filled me with delight,wonder, amazement. Here was a special person. His early years when he was with the Jackson 5 and his voice... so special. Then he moved on to his solo career - OFF THE WALL, THRILLER, BAD unforgettable music from an UNFORGETTABLE MAN.
The sad thing is that his life moved into the 3rd stage, where he became Wacko Jacko to many - his court cases, his bizarre behaviour, but to me he was the KING OF POP.
Myself, my children we love his music - I smile as I remember how he was loved by all of his in his time in our life. He was jaw droppingly talented and now like so many others before him his music will sell, his wacko moments will be a footnote to his life. His music will be his legacy. His young family will have to come to terms with his death, that is so sad.
He can be in his own Neverland again, maybe now he can be happy.
One of the happiest moments for me was when I secured tickets to see him in London in February...now I will not have the chance...I seem to be rambling, but it is hard to write when you are crying...
A genius entertainer who delighted millions. He had his flaws, he lived life in a spotlight, built up by the media who then delighted in bringing him down.
R.I.P. Michael, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Michael Jackson wrote this song, he said it was autobiographical




Childhood Lyrics
Artist(Band):Michael Jackson

Written and Composed by Michael Jackson.
Produced by Michael Jackson.



Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for the world that I come from
'Cause I've been looking around
In the lost and found of my heart...
No one understands me
They view it as such strange eccentricities...
'Cause I keep kidding around
Like a child, but pardon me...

People say I'm not okay
'Cause I love such elementary things...
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood
I've never known...

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like pirates in adventurous dreams,
Of conquest and kings on the throne...

Before you judge me, try hard to love me,
Look within your heart then ask,
Have you seen my Childhood?

People say I'm strange that way
'Cause I love such elementary things,
It's been my fate to compensate,
for the Childhood (Childhood) I've never known...

Have you seen my Childhood?
I'm searching for that wonder in my youth
Like fantastical stories to share
But the dreams I would dare, watch me fly...

Before you judge me, try hard to love me.
The painful youth I've had

Have you seen my Childhood....

ART HOUSE CO-OP MINI CANVASES

This is the set for the Arthouse Co-Op Mini Canvas Project that I signed up for. The premise of this was that each participant had to submit 5 words and then received 5 words to interpret. Now that they are completed I have to send them to Atlanta, Georgia where they will be used in a display at the airport; some of the canvases will also be chosen to be published in a book about the event. Now let me tell you my words and see if you can see why I created each canvas.

GRID

I created this using glass tiles on which I drew O's and X's with Viva Pearl Pen. The background was painted with Copper Metallic Acrylic Dauber Paint


AQUA

This canvas was painted in aqua colors, stamped eyes on to the bg for interest. Wrote the words AQUA, AGUA and WATER onto paper and inserted into glass bottles and stuck to canvas.


PURGE

This one has an image of Mary and Child, stuck to a bg colored with distress inks. I then added the words to Hail Mary and overlaid with a transparency of an angel.


OSTENSIBLY

This word means things not what they seem so I chose to do a clown with tears "Tears of a Clown"; after all clowns are supposed to be happy. Hand drawn clown, with glitter added and a button for his nose.

MULTITUDE

I interpreted with a multitude of butterflies, layers of butterflies on a napkin, then vellum and more butterflies.
So they will be going into the post on Wednesday as I am busy tomorrow...
Next project with the Art House Co-Op is a Sketchbook project

As I write this this little fella is watching "Mamma Mia" and dancing around the front room, he is Callum my Great Nephew and he is 4. What a bundle he is! I am looking after him tomorrow, fingers crossed he will be good!






And these images are works in progress for my journal; the plan is to get as many backgrounds prepared in time for my summer holidays. I am busy cutting up images so I can happily stick them onto the pages and Journal my holiday.... I am having FUN with this, I will share the journey with you.
So there you have it, not a lot but a chance for me to chill... be back soon, Thanks for dropping by xxx

My lovely Moleskines

I love moleskines, the way they feel, the way the smell, the quality of the pages - they are just fantastic journals. So I treated myself to A standard size sketchbook, 2 A4 sizes, (one a sketchbook and the other watercolor paper) and a gorgeous A3 size.



So of course I had to have a play in one of them, this spread is done in the A4 Sketchbook. I used Pitt Brush pens in the grey tones... Pam Carricker does a class showing how over on Creative Workshops.
Let the Journalling in this delish book begin.... :)

I had to share this photo of you, it was Hollie's Prom yesterday, who is Hollie, well she is my friend Lorraine's daughter - when I saw her all dressed up I just went WOW! she moved me to tears!!!



Right that is it for today, love ya! Thanks for stopping by xxx

NAPKIN TAG SWAP

Over on Paper Whimsy there is a napkin tag swap that I am participating in. The idea is to send 12 napkins/serviettes for the swap; to accompany it make a tag using one of the napkins as the background, this is my offering. As I was wondering what to do the song "Summertime" was playing on my i pod so I just went with that as my inspiration.

I can't wait for the summer, my villa is calling my name so loudly but alas I can't go yet, China has to do her induction for year 13 at College for 3 weeks from the 29th June.... argghhhh!!!!

I am off to Wembley tomorrow to watch the England School Boys play France. This is so exciting, one it will be my 1st time at the New Wembley and 2nd Robert Carter one of my sons friends is playing in the team. Weather looks promising so should be a good day.

Going to crack on and see what else I can create... Thanks again for dropping by xxxx

POPPIES

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I just thought I would share these glorious poppies snapped whilst walking my dog and to say if you would like to use them in your art then please feel free to do so - I appreciate you visiting me and so this is a THANK YOU.
I have a couple of pieces I am working on at the moment, looking forward to sharing with you.

This past weekend Stuart, Jazz and China went to Lille in France for a football tournament so I had a bit of fun at home on my own.
Went to the Craft Barn at Lingfield and watched a few demos, nice way to spend a day. Bought some Coppic pens, never used them before so looking forward to playing with them. Lisa with whom I spent a pleasant day came over in the evening with Toni, her daughter, Jazz's girlfriend for a crafting evening. I didn't make much, was clucking around like a mother hen looking after Lisa and Toni.






I think they did a fabulous job seeing as they had never done anything like this before.

I am so excited as China went to Ireland recently to visit my mum and she came back with photos of my mum as a child and my great grandmother and grandmother (who was 88 this week) so now I don't have to envy all those people who have family photos.
I can't wait to use some of the pieces in my art work.

On a personal level I have to go for a mammogram in a couple of weeks, so not looking forward to that, it will be my 1st, I know it makes sense to go for it, and I will but that doesn't mean I have to relish the thought!

England are playing Andorra in a world cup qualifying game now so I shall sign of for this post but don't forget to use the poppies if you wish xxxx

WONDERFUL GIVEAWAY

Just thought you would like to know about this blog it is Lesley's Flatwoods Folk Art blog
Click on the name of her blog and be delighted at her wonderful giveway, you will not believe the prizes she has on offer BUT BE QUICK the draw takes place on the 1st June for 10 fabulous prizes.
I shall be posting tomorrow on what I have been up to TAKE CARE AND GOOD LUCK

BUTTERFLY SHRINE

I so wanted to be a part of the new PW Shrine swap but afraid I missed out. My fault, or should I blame the computer lol, I was waiting for an e mail to say I could join in and it never came, saw it today which of course was to late to allow me to play but never mind. I thought you know what I am just going to create my own, the shrine idea gave me the push to jump in and create and so that is what I have spent today doing. Forget the housework for one day just have a blast and I did!!!
Okay it is not quite finished, I want to add some gems to add a bit of shuz to it and then I will be happy, oh yes and I need to find something for that dear little girl to hold.
As you can see it is a reverse canvas. I painted it with Ferro Metal Effect Color in Golden Green. You can't see too clearly here but this paint has a real shimmer to it.
I added ribbons, bows and flowers to decorate and cut up an old dolls dress for the bottom of the canvas. The background is a Paper Whimsy one, designed by Gale and when I saw it I just knew that it had to have butterflies going through the arched wall into the garden.
Anyway I am happy, I have created a piece and it feels good xxx Happy days!!!

I feel like smiling again

The dark clouds have lifted somewhat and I am starting to feel like my old self so I have so much to do and am excited at the prospects.
China went to Ireland last Thursday to visit my mum and I decided to empty my art room into her room and have a good old sort out. I finally finished it today and feel more organised and ready to create. So tomorrow morning I shall be up bright and early and get cracking on some altered books I have to work in. There really was no point in starting them when I was in such a deep hole but now I have emerged like a mole out of the darkness I am ready to work in these beautiful works of art.
I feel excited, really excited - I have done a couple of bits and pieces but I cannot post pictures at this moment in time as they are a surprise for a couple of very special people and so have to stay under wraps.

The sun is shining in my part of the world and it is shining in my heart again too so I want to say a big THANK YOU to those of you who have dropped by my blog and left comments, it means the world to me and you know as down as I have been your presences on my blog has made me smile and that is such a great gift to give someone and I THANK YOU for it.

Watch this space, I am back and boy I am going to get some work done this week xxx
hugs and loves at ya

Dawn x