SWEET BRIDE

I have completed the 2nd spread in Manon's Exchange Journal. Different from my other faces, I am sure you will agree. I am pleasantly surprised by this young lady...she is reflecting on her wedding day...
I used viva paints and stamped into them, stickles, luminere paint (think that is how you spell it, forgive me if I am wrong), flowers and pearl paints. I hope Manon loves her.
I will tell you what else I love about today... and whatever else happens NOTHING can top this - I got the results back from my mammogram and it was all good, so for that I am TRULY THANKFUL! Now I can sleep at nigh, well hey ho, I could get a good nights sleep if it weren't for the darn hot flushes - but I can live with those now!
The weather is so awful, rain, rain and more rain but even that can't dampen my spirits.
The postman also brought another Journal for me to work in today so will have to think about that.
Christmas is fast approaching, boy this year has flown by don't you think? Going to book Spain tonight, yes we are going so will have to start sorting what to take down - only going for 8 days though as Jazz and China want to be back in England for New Year, 1st time I will be home in England in 20 years so that will be different.
Right enough waffling, got to crack on... time is flying, Take care and THANKS again for visiting xxxx

I have a love

is the title of my latest piece, it is my contribution to Manon's Journal in a Journal Exchange with the Hands and Heart Ning.


This image shows the beginning, laying down the background.

Then I added a piece of brocade which I subsequently painted with gold,copper and burnt orange.

Close up of the face, notice the gold hair, used gold acrylic for this to brighen up the painting.

Here is a close up of the heart with the words visible "I have a love I love too well, and all the joy I know - mine for evermore"


And here it is the complete picture. Finished with script, butterflies and flowers.

I have to do another spread in this book, will try a different style I think... who knows!
The weather is turning colder now so perfect for getting in my room and creating.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for a lot of my friends here online so I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday.
More news to share tomorrow, till then take care and THANKS for visiting xxxx

Charms

I made these to accompany the slippers for the swap on PW, slippers, what slippers you may ask if you have not read this blog before. Well here you are the slippers I made

So these shall be going in the post today to the girls in my Grunge group.

I am currently working on another face, but not on a canvas this time but as part of a Journal Exchange...pictures once spread complete.
The postman is going to love me as I have some Altered books to get in the post too, again watch this space for pictures.
Other news from my little world. Well China performed Dear Mr President in a school production with her friend Grace, I would love to be able to tell you first hand how she did but unfortunately she banned the family from going - nerves! I can't tell you how many people said they were the star of the show... she can sing, she just needs the C word in abundance CONFIDENCE. So well done China, really proud of you.
Jazz continues to play football and his team have lost one game this season so far, so Well done.
I should be planning my holiday to Spain but we may not go this year, shock, horror! I haven't spent Christmas in England for 20 years. The reason? Stuart started a new branch of the firm and feels he may not be able to go as he needs to be there. Fair enough, will have to sort out a tree etc. though as all my decs are at the villa.
Right enough for now, must crack on... take care have fun and smile wherever you are xxxx

So what have you done lately

all to often I get asked this and tend to dismiss my day, but now I am embracing my day, my life.
I went to the funeral of my mate Lorraine's dad last Friday. I have to see it was so moving and such a wonderful send off for her dad. Times like that make you take stock and be Thankful, and I am Thankful.
I had been putting off going for a mammogram, I was terrified of the thought of it, so I ignored every letter that dropped on the mat...but I did it, on Monday I went and had it done - just have to wait for the results now, but at least I did it.
I received some wonderful Betty Boop goodies in the post, put the biggest smile on my face I can tell you. Thank you Linda (aka Mom) I used 2 of the items to create a new blog banner xxx

I created this canvas today 8x8. Acrylic paint and decorated with swarovski crystals... enjoyed seeing her develop on the canvas, and now she is hanging on the wall in my room.


Family are arriving home now, so dinner to serve, till next time THANKS for dropping by big hugs and embrace life xxxx

Paper Whimsy Slipper Swap

Well I promised you something different. Today I had a play creating a set of slippers for a swap over on PAPER WHIMSY
There were different color schemes, my group was for rust,gold and verdi gris - this is what I came up with...

The background is glossy card sprayed with glimmer mists. The toe is a piece of rusty mesh adhered to a black background. Then I added the feathers and flowers. To finish put one of my fave images into a rusty bottle cap and voila.
So that was my change for today.
I gave my J'adore Paris to my friend Lorraine, thought she needed cheering up, and to be honest her reaction moved me to tears - she was so touched and it brought tears to her eyes, so glad that she really loved her cos she was one of my favourites.
I am thinking of selling my Senorita, no, I am going to "try" and sell it - think I will put it on my e bay. If it sells it sells, if it doesn't it can stay on my wall, no worries.
The weather was gray here today and I hate days like that, I need sunshine. So not too productive.
I was pleased that my son Jazz played for the 1st team tonight, they lost 2-1 but he was happy to be playing.
My eldest son Dwain is growing a moustache for Movember, this helps to raise money for Prostate cancer research if you feel that you want to support his efforts click HERE whatever he raises his company will double so every little helps.
Right guys I am outta here... be back tomorrow with more of my little ramblings THANKS for visiting xxxx

More faces...?

that was the question posed by Stuart. "Well" I said "practise makes perfect" and I am enjoying it anyway. China was like "I think we should put mum's work up on the walls in the house." Thanks China xxx
So here is what the fuss is about in my house.


This first one is 10x12. I used a napkin for the background and then draw the face over the top. Normally I leave the canvas blank where the face is going to be but decided to try something different this time. It was harder to work the colors but I persevered :-) Not too sure that I like this girl, her skin tone isn't what I wanted but as I said, practise, practise, practise. The hat was painted with fluid acrylic as I wanted the bg to come through - for want of a better name she is "Hat Lady"

Then I started on this senorita. You can't see it but there are napkins in the corners for a bit of texture.

I worked the bg using soft colors, quite pleased with the effect.


Then I added more detail with the flowers, wanted to create a veil like effect of flowers and I think it works quite well...


I then added some scrolls in the corners for balance..hey presto, I left it alone then.

The last 2 pictures are just close up of the lips and an eye.



I shall leave the faces alone for a bit as I have some other projects I am working on so watch this space.
Once again Thank you for dropping by, I know I get lots of visitors from Facebook and I would like to Thank you too...
Till next time, take care xxxxx

Visiting Galleries

Today I had a wonderful day, went up to London with Lorraine to go to the Lori Earley Exhibition at the Opera Gallery in Bond Street. The day was glorious, no jacket required, sun shining much anticipation of the show.
It was billed as a solo show, so we expected to see a fair number of her art pieces as seen on her website click here. Unfortunately there were 4 pieces in total so that was a disappointment to us. That is not to take away from the thrill of seeing her work up close and personal because it is to die for. The way she captures light and all the detail in her work makes the viewer believe that you can touch and feel what you are looking at.
We also went to The Fine Arts Society Gallery, also in Bond Street... and I have to tell you that I was introduced with a bang! to an artist called Leonardo Drew click on his name and have a look around the Gallery... myself and Lorraine were totally gobsmacked by the size of some of his pieces and the sheer amount of work put into each piece.
This piece is similiar to one that we saw at the Gallery
Number 43
1995
fabric, wood, rust
132 x 288 x 7 inches

What a man!..
We popped in to another Gallery, had a mooch around, there were some fantastic huge photos of Marilyn Monroe, some pieces by Bob Dylan, some Picasso Prints on giclee selling for £11,000, something else!

After Gallery hopping we walked to Picadilly Circus to the Waterstones - this is there flag ship store and to be honest even though it is on 5 floors the Craft section is a disappointment. Mainly books on knitting, crocheting, beading - not one mixed media art book, no ATC books, you know the sort of thing that I like, so yes a disappointment. We had lunch and headed back but it was the BEST DAY and it has inspired Lorraine and I to visit more often, I know I have said it in the past but when something is on your doorstep it is so easy to ignore it...not anymore, I shall be hot footing back up there pretty soon. Thanks Lorraine it was a great day!

I am working on another canvas at the moment, obviously didn't get much done today but it should be up here sometime over the weekend... well fingers crossed it will.
As always THANKS for visiting, LOVE YA!

J'adore Paris

is the title of this 8 x 8 canvas I created today. Totally different experience creating a small piece...but practise is the key. The image of the Eiffel Tower is actually a napkin that I received as part of a swap this year. That was the inspiration for the whole piece and then I sketched in this little elfin face girl. She is dreaming of Paris and wishing to be there. I suppose because as I have said previously I really want to go to Paris, I have driven through it umpteen times, but I want to stop and visit, see the sights, you know all that touristy stuff. Sometimes when something is on our doorstep we ignore it.
I am adjusting to my life as it is now, coming to terms with having children who are growing up and not dependent on me anymore. So I pick up my brushes, or book, whatever takes my fancy on any given day and accept that I can do more for me now.
Life is always evolving and changing and we have to go with the flow, I am shedding the feelings of guilt I have had over doing stuff for me and accepting that Yes I can do me things now.
Tomorrow is my DH's Birthday, his 49th so not long till that big 5-0; I need to get my thinking cap on and come up with something special for THAT Birthday.
Tomorrow is also a day for remembering Johnnie a very special boy who used to play football with Jazz until he passed away; I always go and visit his grave on his Birthday because he was so an inspirational little boy and I will never forget him.
So that is my post today, I am determined to get back into writing everyday, I enjoy my blog and reading comments left by friends who visit... so if that is you, THANKS, until next time take good care of yourself

FLOWER LADY

Oh my, I am so proud of myself - I am allowed to say that aren't I? What the heck I am saying it anyway. Why? I created this, me, myself, I and I had such fun doing it!
I just had to share it with you all.
My flower lady is done on a 15" x 15" canvas and I used acrylic paints.


The above collage is from an apron swap I took part in with Paper Whimsy
Beautiful aprons from 4 wonderful ladies. Linda sent a recipe for pumpkin bars. Terri sent a recipe for self love. Heather sent Apple Crisp recipe and Patricia for Pumpkin gingerbread - I need to try all these recipes.
And as they are such beautiful aprons here they are in all their glory...

TERRI - SELF LOVE


LINDA - PUMPKIN BARS


HEATHER - APPLE CRISP


PATRICIA - PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD

Thank you ladies for brightening my day and for Jan for being a wonderful hostess for this swap xxx