China's Prom

So the day of the prom arrives fake tan applied, nails done, hair done and then the magical moment, seeing my baby all grown up in her dress...I can't believe she is only 15 and looking so mature!

 

China was so giggly in the garden having photos taken with her bf Jess...love her in this it is so China...

 

China and her brother Jazz who turned up to witness his sister all done up; he actually didn't like the dress when it was on the hanger but he loved his little sister in it, thought she looked "hench"...

 

China and her gf's Jess, Bianca and Charlie...don't they all look so beautiful? And the picture below is of China and her beautiful friend Danielle.....

 

Paulette Insall 2nd Canvas

This was my second canvas, after all the layering this is my finished result. I confess that I feel proud that I have achieved an end result with these canvases, I learnt a lot and feel sure that I will use what I have learnt in future art.
I can't wait to do Paulette's next class which is a "Faces" class starting on the
30th June....watch this space lol.
Click on title for a link to Paulette's blog. Thanks for dropping by

Paulette Insall Canvas Class

I signed up to do a background canvas class online and these are the results of the 1st canvas I did
{click on title of this post to be taken to Paulette's blog}



Week 1 we had to decide on our color scheme, so i chose a yellow ochre. We then had to stick on images.


The next layer was done.

and another

and this was my finished canvas.

RR BOOK 2nd Spread for Chris

 

Bit of time on my hands today so I worked on the 2nd spread for Chris's book.

RR BOOK - BIRDLAND

 
Working in Chris's book at the moment, her theme is Birdland. Here is the 1st spread I have completed. The colors don't look too vibrant in this picture but they are and the cosmic shimmer on the embosssing powder doesn't really look to good here either. Any way thought I would share with you

Fairy in a jar

 

 

So this past week I have once again felt like I have been disconnected from the world; my internet connection has been intermittent and really, really slow or not available at all, so frustrating.
I had a great time last Saturday. Stuart and Jazz were in France on a football tournament and China was at her friend's house all weekend. So on Saturday Lorraine and I went to the Craft Barn in Lingfield. It was a day for demonstrations and I had a wonderful time, it was so nice to see various products demonstrated. I don't know about you but I see a new product and have to have it and then forget how to use it....at the Craft Barn I learnt how to use some of the products I have for the best results. Spent a lot of money but hey ho a girl can't go to a craft supplier without buying now can she???!
The pictures above were made for precious little Rhosie, her school is having a Summer Fete and she had to take in a jar filled with goodies or decorated, I have wanted to make a fairy in a jar for a while so it was the perfect opportunity. She was fascinated as to where I got the fairy dust, oh to be 5 again!
Apart from this I have been doing Paulette Insall's on line class and this Monday will see the instructions for the last lesson and then I will share what I have been creating with you all.
Finished my Mermaid in a box after adding some minor embellishments and I will found out later today who I have to ship my one to in the swap. Tomorrow I will send of my Row Houses to Kathy for her to swap out. My "Diamonds are a girls best friend" house got chosen for the Paper Whimsy Art of the Week so I was really chuffed!
My thoughts have been over the pond this past week after seeing all the horrendous weather conditions over there, my heart goes out to all those in the Mid West who have had such awful flooding. What with the snow that has fallen over there and the fires it has not really been a good year, hope you are all safe xx
Got to work on a an altered book for Chris, it has a bird theme and to complete a second canvas so I shall get busy. So glad to be back on line and able to share with all my friends what I have been up to hugs to you all

Testing

just seeing if a link for comments comes up

Treasures in the post

The postman has brought treasures to my door this week.
I received beach charms as part of a swap that I did with this yahoo group I was delighted to receive 2nd prize for "Best Presentation".
The group was set up by Melissa and the next swap is based on Birds, if you like charm swaps then check out this group, there is always plenty of time to get creative.



Then I received this delightful Betty Boop from Mary at Green Woman Design
Mary is really talented she creates wonderful shrines, jewelled book marks, affirmation goddesses, rosary rings and much more which you can find in her Etsy shop
So why not check out her blog and shop....
Thank you Mary for my wonderful surprise my dh thought she was fabulous... in your own words PEACE
Thanks for checking out my blog

Row House swap more images

When I was creating these delightful little houses I had in mind a church,post office,seamstress,cottage,beach house, a clock house and a jewellers, hence the end results of my houses

Row House Swap

Well I can tell you I have had the most FUN!!! I have been creating Row Houses for a swap and I have just loved it. I have seen these on others' blogs but never thought I would do them until I signed up for the Paper Whimsy swap and boy have I had the best time!
Will have to do a sceond post for the other images

2nd Spread for Lorraine's book

 

This is the 2nd spread for Lorraine's RR book. The caption reads "Let the wind carry my love to you on the leaves"
So that is this book finished with, it will go in the post tomorrow to Linda East for her to do her magic in it.

Vintage Decos

Here are some Vintage Decos that I have worked on for girls in the Treasure Art Trends yahoo group
The top one is made from a postcard I received from Linda East I have incorporated 2 antique pen nibs and a little bottle with "ink" in it. The background paper is from B-Muse owned by the delightful Vickie Mack at the time of writing this I could not link to her site??!

The second one was created using a Tim Holtz stamp and then adding some small embellishments. Hope the recipients like them

Just thought I would let you know that China went for her audition on the X Factor (for those of you who don't know it is a bit like Pop Idol except that in this competition there are different categories - i.e. Up to 25, Over 25's and Male and female groups)
She waited 9 hours and then got called up. What happened? they asked her a trick question "What is your name?" and she froze. She got the shakes and couldn't sing! Not the end of the world but try telling that to a 15 year old who is angry with herself....! I told her that she can always try next year if she wants to and that she should be proud of the fact that she entered. Time is a healer and I know this won't stop her singing.
Hoops and Yoyo have departed these shores and are heading to their next destination.
God speed

X FACTOR Day

My daughter China left home at 6 a.m. this with her dad to go and audition for the X FACTOR. As I write this it is 2.35 and still she has not had her audition; she said there was about 10,000 people waiting for their chance. I am really proud of her for going for this, it is good that she is doing something that she loves and her attitude is really relaxed so if she doesn't get through she will have learnt by the experience.
So while I have been at home I have been doing a couple of canvases for the online class I am doing, working on some decos too.


Hoops and Yoyo will be leaving tomorrow, they were going to go along for the auditions themselves but slept in and no amount of shaking could wake them!!!
Putting a couple more pics on of them here in England...




Hoops and Yoyo couldn't wait to get into this delightful sweetshop!

Meeting Gale

So today was an exciting day for Lorraine and I, the moment had arrived when we were going to meet Gale, yes Gale "a la Paper Whimsy" - I was so nervous about driving there but Lorraine and I managed to work out how to get there without going on the M25. The day was sunny and bright and we set of like Thelma and Louise with the roof down on my car.
45 minutes later we were pulling up outside the door to Sheila and Peter's house (Just William), set in such a beautiful idyllic location.
Gale came to the door to greet us and she was just sooooooooo warm and friendly, we relaxed in her company straight away. She then introduced us to her MIL and SIL and Draw, it was so cool!
Gale had brought over a PW order that Lorraine and I had placed before she left so we got our delightful goodies all beautifully gift wrapped and an extra little gift too.
Lorraine and I gave her some Belgian Chocolates, Wine and Fairy Cakes (couldn't have given her any other type of cakes now could we!)
The conversation flowed and a great time was had by all, really I cannot believe how relaxed and friendly it was.
Hoops and Yoyo were introduced to Gale and other members of the family and I told them all about their adventures in England, Gale was stoked to hear all about what they got up to.
Took some photos to share with you all....


l to r - Yoyo, Lorraine, Gale, Dawn and Hoops in Sheila's garden.


Draw had to have his photo taken with the delightful duo and their teddy bear.


Hoops and Yoyo couldn't come to England without having a tea party now could they?


Gale presenting Lorraine with her prize for winnng the Fairy Slipper Contest that was held recently. She told Lorraine that she had done a great job and told me that she was so proud of my slippers knowing how I hate sewing, how I conquered my demons!
So there you have it, for those who are going to the PW Sleepover in September, let me tell you all that you will LOVE Gale she is fabulous.
Thanks Gale for a great day and big Thanks to your In Laws for allowing us to impose on their home....

Further adventures of Hoops and Yoyo

 

 

 

 

So what do we have here then? The top picture is Hoops and Yoyo getting all excited as they were being very brave and going out with Jazz in his car on a driving lesson? Don't worry mom they had their seat belts on!
The second picture is of Hoops and Yoyo at Biggin Hill. Biggin Hill is where my kids go to school (about 3 miles from my house) so I thought that they should have their photos taken at this historic site. During the Battle of Britain Biggin Hill was one of the many airbases that the R.A.F. flew out of in the defence of England and I am proud to live near such an historic place, Hoops and Yoyo were really excited about the Spitfires but couldn't get too close so they sat on the roof of my car and posed (very good at posing they were too)
Hoops and Yoyo couldn't get over how small this door was, consider that I am 5' 3" and you can see how small it is, they sat on the jamb above the door squealing with delight!
Now the final picture for today - Hoops and Yoyo are eyeing up a helping of ??????
shall I tell you? One, two, three - JELLIED EELS!!!!! they were sooooooooo not impressed, Hoops went a shade of green darker and I thought Yoyo was going to turn green too lmao. They watched with me in disgust as my husband ate them all YUK!!!! Jellied eels are loved by Londoners and as my husband is a Londoner born and raised he loves them....
So that is it for today, I will share more pics with you tomorrow.
Bye, bye for Hoops, Yoyo and me xxxx

I.C.E RR - Lorraine's book

 

Here is the 1st spread I have done in Lorraine's book "Pre Raphealite Art". The left hand image is on muslin and the mirror image is paper. Crackle bg with some swirls and glitter glue. Embellished with flowers.
Hope she likes this.
Will post later today on the further adventures of Hoops and Yoyo.