Secret Sister Swap

 

So over on Paper Whimsy Forum they had a Secret Sister Swap. Linda K and I both missed the deadline to sign up for it so we became Not So Secret Sisters. The images are the top are the items I sent Linda, housed in the little house container which I covered with Patchwork pieces on the roof - the sides were decorated to represent the seasons.
Linda in turn sent me the beautiful "Joy" hanging piece of art and all the goodies in the Collage. This was a great swap to be a part of as it meant that I got new goodies for my ever growing stash and Linda benefited too...

I went to the dentist yesterday and ended up crying because I am going to have to keep the denture until after Christmas, won't be getting the bridge attached to the implants until the New Year. I was so disappointed as I thought that I would be able to enjoy my Christmas dinner but alas no it is not to be. Today I have got my head around it and accept that what will be will be....

That's it for this post, Thanks for visiting x

PW Victorian Ornament Banner

 

 

Here are my pictures for the PW current swap.
The hardest part was actually cutting out the template... sore fingers!
I am looking forward to getting mine from my swap partners. Then I will have 7 different ornaments hanging on a banner for Christmas...

Nature

 

 

I was so excited last weekend when I went to Pluckley to have another look at the house Stuart loves down there... took the kids to see what they thought and they weren't in love with it so it is not going to be our new home. So why was I excited you might ask, well just take a look at these wonderful toadstools - the stuff of magical fairie rings don't you think. Absolutely glorious and the 1st time in my life I have seen such wonderful examples of toadstools... worth the trip to look at the house just to see these.

 

Then walking the dog with Lorrain and her dog Jake we spotted these 4 pheasants hanging on a gate; obviously someone had been out shooting and dropped these off at the house for the owners. When I showed Stuart this photo (taken on my phone) he was like, "awww, why couldn't you bring one home for me..." he does love pheasant"!
So there we have it a few pictures of all that is beautiful around us, hope you enjoyed looking at my pictures xxx

Great Christmas GiveAway

Join in the festive season and pop over to this site for a chance to win some Festive goodies... Angelina of Angelina's Trinkets is the hostess with the gifts to give away.
Click on the Title to be taken to the Christmas Give Away site and Good Luck!

I should be back on later with another post but I just wanted to share this site with you cos "Sharing is Caring"

Fibre Dreams and more

The top pictures are of a bracelet and a spectacle holder I bought from Jackie at Fibre Dreams, if you click on the title to this post then you can have a look at her site. She makes bags and other jewellery and has fibres for sale too. Jackie is based in England and is just starting out so I thought it would be nice to give her a mention on my blog.
The bottom pictures in this post are of 18th birthday presents I made for Louise, one of China's friends. I had an old photo album and so I decorated the cover; inside I made cards and popped them in some of the photo tabs so that Louise could make this as a journal, she can write memories on the cards, and then she also has room for photos.
The second present was the necklace, used a transparency of the face of a pansy image which matched the one on the reverse.
I have also been working on altered books, will post pictures when complete, Christmas decorations for Paper Whimsy and a Secret Sister swap (although I now who my secret sister is so she is not so secret :-) ) and again will post photos when ready.
My mouth is healing nicely although I hate the denture enormously.... roll on the day that I don't have to wear it again!!! got another couple of weeks or so with it in. As long at is out in time to eat my Christmas dinner I don't mind!

That's all for this post will post again tomorrow ciao! xxx Dawn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 
Today, 5th November, Bonfire Night it is my DH's birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU with all my love.
He is spending the day in bed as he had an hernia op on Saturday so I shall be his "slave" for the day.
Love you xxxx Dawn

Friendships across the sea

 

 

 

Friendships across the sea indeed. I have been fortunate to make many friends in the U.S., Canada, Australia for which I am thankful. One of those friends Barbara sent me these wonderful Betty Boop gifts, I would like to say a resounding Thank you to Barbara, but also take this opportunity to tell her she is a naughty girl, she really didn't have to do this :p. Barbara sometimes you make a connection with a person from the first conversation and that was the case with you so friends are there for each other when needed (you know what I mean) and your words of Thanks were enough.... I LOVE all of these being a Betty gal and will treasure them always.
*******************************************************************
Friendships across the sea part two... so the U.S., Britain and the World have a new U.S.President. I can honestly say that I have never been so nervous in the run up to this election and throughout the day...My bed was calling but I could not face sleep knowing that there was a monumental event taking place across the sea. To say that I was ecstactic when Obama won is an understatement. Not because he is the first black President (although I personally see him as the first mixed race President, after all his mother was white...and in my opinion this makes him a President for all people). No I was pleased that he won because this man exudes an air of calm and reason in my opinion, John McCain lost me when I just perceived him as shouting out his opinions, like he was shouting to make himself heard...he fought the fight but his fight is over and for him that is sad but for the U.S.A. a new chapter in history is about to be faced and may it prove to be a successful,memorable chapter.
I would like to say that there will be those of you who read my blog who will have wanted McCain to win and I hope that my opinions do not stop you from calling back again... it would be a boring place if we all agreed on the same thing don't you think?

I have been tagged 3 times

Oh my I have been tagged 3 times by 3 lovely ladies Jeanie, Christy and Val
Why oh why they would think that there could possibly be anything interesting to say about me... who knows!!! lol
So I have to write 7 things about me and then nominate 7 others to be tagged and that way we all learn more about our blog friends... [I am now sitting here with my thinking cap on so come back later and I will hopefully have 7 things to write about]

1. 9 years ago I had a boob job; I always felt like a boy as I was REALLY flat chested so having the boob job was one of the best things I ever done for ME!

2. My early years I lived in lots of different places as my dad was in the Army, I was born in Aden as he was stationed there at the time. I loved living in Germany.

3. The best job I ever had in my life was nursing; sadly gave it up when my eldest was born but would have loved to have continued with it.

4. I believe in U.F.O.'s, my mum used to worry as I wanted to be one of those people who was "abducted" lol, of course I wanted them to bring me back but I was so fascinated by the whole subject.

5. I love to read, I have to have a new book in the house to start when I finish whatever I might be reading at the moment. I have just started the Secret Life of Bees as recommended by Sam. I love James Patterson and watch for his new books all the time.

6. I love music and couldn't live without it; 2 highlights for me were seeing the Bay City Rollers live in Newcastle and getting waved at by Woody (the one I had a crush on) and seeing Diana Ross live at Wembley... I was one happy girl on both occasions

7. and finally.... I have happy memories of my time at boarding school and I am so glad that I have reconnected with my friend back then (I was 11) on Facebook, so welcome back into my life Rachel.

That's it, as you can see nothing super duper about me just an average person but hey you might have learnt something new about me.

Who to tag?
1. Charline - an American girl living in England, drop by and visit her blog. She is such a warm person and it would be so lovely if she had more visitors to her blog to make her realise that she is a special person x

2.Kelly Kilmer I have recently found Kelly's blog and it has wonderful content, drop by and be inspired.

3. Stephanie Loomis A delightful mix of life and art, I admit to lurking here, must leave more comments x

4.Wendy Vecchi a great blog, you may or may not have visited, give it a go you will enjoy it x

5. Angie Hall Haviland drop by and see what the delightful Angie has been creating, she makes the reader feel so welcome.

6. Linda Cain Pop by and see what Linda has been creating, she always has fabulous eye candy on her blog...

7. Susie Jefferson I enjoy grabbing a coffee and having a read, another great mix of art and life.

So there you have it, 7 nominees. There are so many people in blogland that I like to visit and I can't include them all, doesn't mean I value their blogs any less just think that it is nice to introduce new people to the blog friends who drop by my blog.
Take care all of you xxx hugs from me

Celebrations....

I should have posted this yesterday but the time got away from me. Yesterday Jazz was 18. Can't believe how he has grown up and that he is now an "adult". He didn't go out as a lot of his friends have not yet reached 18 so he couln't go to the pub with them... he is going out on 1st November to have a proper boys night out.
So 18 years with Jazz... he entered the world after an 21 hour labour which was awful, and ended with an emergency ceasarian. He had such a long cord, it was wrapped around his neck and body 3 times and so he was cutting of his blood supply everytime I had a contraction. Suffice to say he was okay when he came out :-)
He has been a football lover/player for as long as I can remember and is busy doing his scholarship at the moment... not many people get to study and play football everyday, his passion.
He received some wonderful presents and loved his cake and cards. We celebrated at home with an Indian takeaway (his choice) as I couldn't go out because of the dental situation! lol. His team Chelsea won in the Champions League so that rounded his day of nicely.

 

Gabby made the cake

 

I made the card, he actually loved it :-)

 

Post Surgery

 

These 2 delightful brooches are from Linda East at her Etsy store

 

And this is of the delightful Charline as a Thank you to me for a present I sent her, she made this delightful scissor holder THANK YOU!

 

And the last is the Collage for a Cure which I bid for and won from Christy

Christy has also tagged me so I will get my thinking cap on and then write 7 things you never knew about me... are there 7 "interesting" things about me? who knows!!!
**********************************************************************************
Just thought I would let you all know that my dental surgery went okay. I sure look a picture at the moment, no top teeth and a mouthful of stitches - but hey the worst is over! Hopefully I will be able to wear the temporary denture by the end of the week and then once the implants have had a chance to settle I will have lovely teeth... I am not a vain person but I never realised how much not having teeth affects your face! Needless to say I have been a recluse this week. I did venture out on a dog walk yesterday with Lorraine but made sure I had a scarf to cover my mouth. Halloween is fast approaching and I would make an excellent witch Trick or Treating lol. I have taken a couple of photos and once the treatment is complete I am going to do what they do on all good make over programmes and show before and after shots (feeling brave or stupid not sure which!)
Anyway enough of my mouth. The pictures here today are what I have received in the post, it is always great to open mail when it is not bills, reminders and junk mail :-)
I have 2 new books to read, Cate Coulacos Prato (Author) "Mixed Media Self-portraits:
Inspiration and Techniques"
Kelly Rae Roberts (Author) "Taking Flight Taking Flight:
Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit
Winginspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings - A girl can never have too many books
Talking of books I finished "THE BOOK THIEF" mentioned in an earlier post and I can only say that it really touched me. I had to compose myself numerous times during the last 20 or so pages and then in the morning I woke up, thought about the book and cried again.... I highly recommend this book :-)

Thought I would blog without pictures

My blog has been neglected as I have not been creating much lately. So I thought I would share with you a little of what has been going on in my life.
People I bump in to often say "Hi Dawn, what you been up to?" to which I normally reply not a lot really same old same old. I don't like to say when I have been creating, not sure that people would be interested so I don't tell them about that aspect to me and a lot of them have no idea that I occaionally produce stuff. I like to blog about it cos I know my friends that I have made in blogland get me, know what I mean. So I share here and with Lorraine, Gabby and Sam.
I have been trying to keep my mind of the impending dental implants that I am having done on Friday; if I don't think about it I won't worry. My main worry to be honest is the anaesthetic...fingers crossed it all goes well and I wake up, and that I don't feel anything during!!!
To keep my mind of the surgery I have been reading a wonderful book "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. I am totally enthralled by this book, it had me hooked from the first page, I was fascinated to read it and see that it was narrated by death,a really unusual way of looking at the characters in the book mainly a young girl, her foster family and a Jew. Set in Nazi Germany in 1939 it is amazing. Click on the book title to learn more about the book.
Started watching one of my all time favourite films last night "Once Upon a Time in America" [Rober De Niro, James Wood] boy I love this film, childhood friendships, betrayal it is all here - a long film but worth watching, and as for the score oh my what can I say the music is so poignant, it went on too late so I Sky+ it and will watch it at my leisure.
I have been watching X Factor which I love (like American Idol but with different groups boys, girls, over 25's and groups) and unusually for me I have been watching the Big Cat on BBC1 following Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards in Kenya. I don't actually like watching animal programmes as I get upset when the animals get killed, but this is fascinating and heart in mouth stuff at times....
Still looking at houses, the one in Pluckley would be my dream home if not for the distance to where I am now and the ghosts... China would so not live any where she thought there might be ghosts, googling Pluckley Ghosts will tell you all about the village.
Seen all sorts of houses but not in a rush till I find "The One".
That is about it for this post, a little of what I have been doing just to let you know that I am still out here lol, take care everyone, love from me to you xxx

A Wedding Gift

 

The family are going to a wedding on Saturday, chance to don some glad rags :-). As might be obvious from the picture the happy couple are Martin and Karen. They have been together for a while now and have two children. Anyway I thought I would make them a canvas which could be used to incorporate a wedding photo. This is a lovely deep canvas and I distressed it with paints and moulding past. Added some metallic letters and some rusted vines from Paper Whimsy and finished it of with a rusty heart tied with co-ordinating ribbon. I have put a temporary picture in it and covered the back with old pages distressed. I have not put anything to hang it as I thought it would work well sitting on a shelf or mantle piece. Hope they like it...what do you think? :-) Dawn x

Decorated Frames

 

So what do we have here? Well I have been decorating some frames. From left to right top row - 1.painted bg, scroll stamp and then some 3d toppers on this one.2.Painted bg then scroll stamps. angelina fibres along the bottom and embellished with seashells.3 Purple bg, embellished with jewels and has stamped crackle effect on it.
bottom row 1.painted burnt orange bg, crackle stamped and then painted foam letters and stuck them on. 2.Painted bg, then I added aluminum tape which had been run through my cuttlebug and embellished with fabric flowers and swavorski crystals.3. green painted bg, added lace and buttons to keep it simple.

 

Again left to right top row 1.Painted bg, crackle stamp; again aluminum tape through cuttlebug and then embellished with flowers and crystals. 2 Painted bg, found jewellery pieces and heart word stamped and edged with gold krylon pen. 3.Distressed bg with friend and friendship stamped on it embellished with silver buttons.
Bottom row 1.Distressed bg with crackle stamp, and foam stamp words painted to embellish. 2 Brown bg, edged with flower ribbon and then fabric flowers and crystals to embellish.3.Finally, a plain distressed painted bg with crackle stamp and a single found piece to embellish.
So there you have them - hope you like them, I enjoyed making them, absolutely fabulous to get into my room and CREATE!! Joy of joys.
Oh and I am so excited I have booked up for a Craft weekend next March...I am so excited; I shall be going with Gabby and Lorraine so it should be a blast. I am so looking forward to being taught rather than my usual muddle through to see what happens :-) Happy Dawn!!!

An Award for me

Carol Stocker gave me this award, Thank you Carol :-) it is wonderful to get this from you xxxx
Here are the rules
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog
2. Link the person you received your award from
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the people you nominated.

So here goes my nominees are......drum roll....
1.Jan
2.Sherry Goodloe
3.Carol Heppner
4.Scrapping the music a new blog I have found
5.Adrienne Goodenough
6.Cynthia Powell
7.Sherre Hulbert

I have put some new people on this list, I still love all of my regular reads and don't want you to feel that I don't enjoy your blogs :-p just thought it would be nice to highlight some new blogs to me that I love to visit

Flowers from me to you

 
 
 
I tried to upload some pictures in my last post but they wouldn't load so I am trying to do it today. These beautiful flowers are from my gardens, the dandelion seed one from my garden in England and the Hibiscus and Passion flower from my villa in Spain. We are expecting sunshine for the next few days so these pictures are in celebration of that. Thank God for the sunshine mind you cos my oil for heating ran out yesterday and I am due a delivery by Tuesday next week. Last night I hunkered under the duvet on the settee watching the football...lovely and cosy lol.

Not much art work going on

But I thought I would drop a line to let my friends know that I am still around lol.
So what have I been up to? Well seeing as you asked I have been mainly getting my house in order. Thought I better do so as Stuart has go it into his head that he wants to move... best be prepared I thought so I have been in the loft sorting out all sorts of weird and wonderful things and getting rid of the old toot!!!
My art room has been a priority too with all the stuff I have I thought it best to have it in a "ready to move " state! 36 Really useful boxes later I still need more to organise....
I have been reading too, need something to help me unwind after the back breaking work in the loft. Currently reading No Time for Goodbye, really enjoying it... good page turner. A good choice for the Richard and Judy book club.
I recieved Exploring the Latest Trends in Mixed Media Art today - I will write a review when I have had a chance to devour it!!!
I have included the flower pictures here for a bit of eye candy as it won't be long before the cold sets in (not that it has been unduly hot here, summer came and went by all accounts!)anyway thought they were lovely pics to share - if you want to use them in your art feel free. [pictures not here at this time, start to upload and then freeze so will try again later]!!!!
Dwain is in the Maldives, having a great time no doubt. Jazz is out and about all the time now that he has passed his test and China has settled into 6th Form so all quiet on the home front.
Been to look at a few houses but none really have the WOW factor so I shall stay put for now.
Must take time to catch up on my fave blogs - give myself some MORE me time.
Anyway that is it for this brief post so take care all of you that drop by xxxx

Shoes and Book Spread

 

Yesterday I was able to work in "How the West was Fun" an Altered Book for the I.C.E. Yahoo group. Being a Betty Boop fan I thought it would be appropriate to make her the theme for my spread - after all it is How the West was FUN! So here it is. I colored Betty using Sakura pens so she has a nice rich glaze and the added the embellishments.
I went shopping to Bluewater on Saturday and found this wonderful shoe that was just screaming out to me to be bought and altered, so I shall endeavour to do just that some time soon.
 
Yesterday evening I was debating whether to stay home or go and watch Croydon F.C. play in the 1st round of the League Cup; staying at home would have given me 6 hours to myself but I couldn't do it as my son Jazz likes me to watch him play. They ended up winning 4 - 1 so worth missing out on those crafting hours lol.
We are experiencing some nice weather at the moment so that is a blessing. I keep seeing the devastation on the news that the hurricane caused in Texas, awful, just awful I am so glad that hurricanes are a rarity here! My son Dwain was supposed to go to Cuba last Monday but had his holiday cancelled because of the hurrican that hit there, instead he flew out to the Maldives with his girlfriend Charlotte on Sunday and I am sure they will love it there!
Anyway that is it for this post - take care everyone, especially if you are in a hurricane zone xxx Dawn

Glad to be back

It has been an age since I have posted. With one thing and another this is the 1st opportunity that I have had to sit down and post.
The summer holiday seems an age ago, since being back I have been busy sorting out the house, unpacking, rearranging my art room. Sorting China out for 6th form, watching Jazz's football team... washing, cooking, cleaning and I have been desparate to create. I managed to make 3 Gothic Arches for a Paper Whimsy swap, the only art I have done since late August - so frustrating. I have a couple of RR Altered books to work on but as my head hasn't been in create mode I have started them as I like to do my best for the book owners, tonight I shall be starting on them - promise!
I have lots of pictures of art received to take, Row Houses that I received from Charline and Jeanie
apologies girls will get round to it... THANK YOU for your art work it was lovely to swap with you both.
That's it for now, gotta get on... hugs
Dawn

Recently received art

 
This was created by Patti - see her blog here http://7rosepetalpath.blogspot.com
 
and this is another Patti creation.
 
This canvas was created by Joanna Pierotti... I have waited an age to acquire one of her pieces, find her here... http://www.mosshillstudio.com/
And this final piece was created by my friend Lorraine for my birthday, Lorraine is talented but doesn't have a blog yet - come on Lorraine finish that blog :-)