Sharing my holiday

Thought I would take a bit of time out whilst it is still cool (can 29 degrees be classed as cool) to share with you my holiday so far.
First rather worrying fact I feel the pounds settling on my hips :) the joys of being on holiday, eating out at fabulous restaurants and having 3 courses! not my usual fare but heck that's what hols are for right, to break from the norm. I did plan to go on the running machine this morning but it was all folded up so will ask hubby to set it up for me and try and do a "little" everyday (and believe me I mean little!
The swimming pool is my favourite place, heavenly to just dip in when the heat gets overpowering... and I have my little spot in the jacuzzi to sit and read, what more can a girl ask for

this will be my reading material today, read the 1st one this week, I was going to dive straight into this but decided to read John Grisham's "The Associate" - that's done so now I can read some more of the Twilight series... I found the 1st book totally absorbing, not my normal read but compulsive reading once you start... Lorraine I will be able to talk to you about it now, bet you are on to the last one aren't you?
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Now I prepped a moleskine before I came away with the intention of journalling, packed it in a bag with my c'arandache crayons (never remember how to spell that) and guess what..... hubby didn't pack THAT bag! I walked the dog, thought he packed everything, trusted that he did - big mistake, HUGE... cos he didn't. Fortunately I did have a moleskine that had not been prepped or anything and my pitt pens in another bag so I started doodling and this is my first effort in that journal. I don't know about you but moleskines are so delicious that I worry about using them in case I spoil them, but hey ho this has been forced on me so I held my breathe, put the first color on the page and now all I have to do is carry on with it.
I still need to work on faces, so practise, practise and more practise is required.


The words in this spread are from the song Never been to me by Charline - I love this song and I think this journal will be based on songs I love...
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Been working on a couple of spoons - in various stages of creation but this is a finished one...


I added a filigree corner to make wings and then rusted the arm of the spoon wit Viva Ferro paints. Added an image to the spoon and embellished with swavorski crystals... voila a finished Angel spoon.

And here I am taking a photo of my reflection, when you live with a teenage daughter with a figure to die for best not to take a photo in a bikini in a normal shot - so cheat and accept that your body is not what it once was.... won't it be funny to take another one further into the holiday to see if all that eating mentioned earlier is visible on the hips lmao!


Anyway girlies (and boys) Thanks for dropping by, will fill you in on my holiday as it progresses - one final thought it is not all about reading and sunbathing, oh no... this girl has also had some retail therapy and got some fab new clothes etc.... hubby thinks he needs to take me in to Alicante to buy some craft stuff as he feels guilty for leaving my beloved crayons at home - bring it on!!! Adios Love Ya xxx

Twilight and More

I think I need to start with the and More part of the title... my birthday on Monday saw me in Spain at the start of my 6 weeks holiday. Before I left my mate Lorraine gave me my birthday present... well I was so moved by it, blown away in fact!


Have you ever seen anything as stunning as this, and let me tell you Lorraine creates the most amazing art and is so thrilled when she realises that her work is loved, she so needs to believe in herself - she is mucho talented, she really needs a blog so she can share her wonderful art with you all... you listening Lorraine??

I so love this piece and I am blessed that she created it for me, and she didn't even hint about what she was working on during our daily dog walk...

The TWILIGHT part of the title pertains to the book by Stephanie Meyer - highly recommend you read it if you haven't. the way in which it is written makes it a compulsive page turner, it takes over your life if I am honest, and hey if my daughter can be so hooked that she read it in a day - believe me that is indicative of a quality read as she rarely reads, she as read the 2nd novel and is on to the 3rd. I have decided to read John Grisham's "The Associate" before reading New Moon.

The weather is pretty much what I had hoped for, wall to wall sunshine and heat, and there has been a severe weather warning issued by Spanish Government as temps set to rise to 45+ this week...

Catch you soon, I am melting so going to have a lovely dip in the jacuzzi xxxx

The Keeping Gallery

I went with China to a delightful Gallery this evening with China and was amazed at what I saw.
The Gallery is in a suburb of London called Shortlands, it is in the home of the actual artist Renate Keeping. Renate came to England in the 1930's to escape Nazi Germany as her family were Jewish. She met and married a gentile, Charles Keeping and was very happy with him. Click on the title to view her work it will amaze you.
Renate told us that she went to art college and was a Water Color painter first, her husband was a renowned illustrator of books. The Keeping Gallery exhibits her husbands work and her own.
I cannot describe to you how enthralled I was by her work. She showed us her life story which is done in a unique way (China took pictures) but if you go to the site go into the Gallery room. Here you will see pieces of her work on display with an explanation.
The apple room, well that shows apples from a fresh, ripe apple to a decayed apple all made out of fabric. Renate has no background in sewing she just did it...
Oh yes when you see her work close up, it is hand painted and hand sewn, inspiration came from objects she found that evoked memories - I am not good at explaining this but I so want you to share the experience I had.
I am going to return to spend time looking at her husband's work, this lady is 79 years old and so enthusiastic and inspirational.
That is my post for today, hope you have flash player on your computer because you so need it to experience her web site
Thanks again for dropping by xxx

MARKS 50th Present

(ooops the bottom image needs turning, will sort out later)
Just having a break from all the summer holiday preparations. As we haven't been to Spain since Christmas I am really looking forward to this holiday. So much to do, documents and papers, clothes and shoes, and not forgetting my crafting supplies.
I have decided this year to take some spectacles and spoons, journals with the necessary pens and pics to record. Books to read and lots of sun creams.
Jazz is going for a week at the start of the holiday and then back home before joining us again at the end of the holiday. Funny to think that he is working and has pre-season football training now, all grown up!
China is not impressed as he won't be in Spain for her Birthday, can you believe that a year has come and gone since she turned Sweet 16 - unbelievable. But time moves on as we all know.
The images in this post are of a boxed canvas photo frame that I made for my mate Sam's husband, Mark - the big 50 for him today. They are in Rome until tomorrow so I shall give it to him on Wednesday, hope he likes it!!! :)

I was so pleased to find a box of clock pieces when I went into town last week, and more so when I got them at a bargain price - the clock in the canvas was in the tin with all the pieces, result!

As I said busy, busy so I shall crack on now. Happy day to you wherever you are xxx

Wahoooooooo I made a sale

I cannot believe it but hey it is true... I was taking my pieces around to show Lorraine and on the way I met a lady called Penny. We got chatting, as we do - her dog is in love with my dog so of course they had to socialise for a while. Then she asked "what have you been up to" and I said well funny enough I was just going to show Lorraine some pieces I have made... so she asked to see and she loved the spoon and then when she saw the spectacle necklace - she was like, "ooh I want it..." so to cut a long story short and so I don't bore you, she accepted the price I suggested and there it was a done deal... I was soooooooooooo happy, boy what a fantastic feeling to know that someone has bought your stuff cos they love it, a right BUZZ! AND.... when she came around she said to me - you haven't charged enough for it, it is so unique so she gave me more than I expected THANK YOU PENNY for your faith in me xxxx
So my spectacle necklace is going to a new home and I am so PROUD!

Another Spoon

here is another spoon I have altered... this one has a metal fleur de lys and swavorski crystals added to it.
I showed my friend the 1st spoon I made and a friend of hers who was also visiting has asked me to create one for her... so you could say that is my 1st commissioned piece, how exciting is that!!!!

 

I have to confess that my eyes are so puffy still from all the crying I did at the MJ Memorial, I thought it was beautiful. I know there are those in the press who think it was a bit OTT but I cannot agree with that sentiment. A fitting tribute to say Goodbye Michael you will be missed by me although you will live on forever through your music and the sentiments you expressed in your lyrics, if the world sat up and listened we could live in a better place - you have gone to a better place of that I am sure. xxx

ALTERED NECKLACES

The rain keeps coming in huge deluges, unbelievable! where is the summer!!! anyway to cheer myself up and in between housework I decided to create something. Saw this spoon sitting on the side, seemed to talk to me so I decided that was what I would do, create with that. I stuck on the stone angel image and covered with 3d crystal clear. Then I used Tim Holtz chain and added a cross, heart and ribbons and voila my necklace was done.
The wooden necklace was a cheapy I picked up thinking that I could personalise it and this is the result. Thought I would share it with you all, Thanks again for looking.
(just a reminder if you click on the images they will become larger)

 

 

 

ATC WOOD BLOCKS

A few months ago I promised a little something created by me to the 1st 5 people to sign up for my P.I.F on Facebook and voila here are the pieces that will be going out to the 5 this week...
They are all ATC size wooden blocks, I love the way you can make the ATCs self standing doing them on wood blocks.
This 1st one is a gyspy theme - I know you would never have guessed right? ;). Basically a painted bg with images and I created a crystal ball with one of the Tim Holtz acrylic round tags, then I transferred an eye image on to it. The reverse has a 5 pence piece because we all know that you have to cross a gypsy's palm with silver for a reading...


This block I love, mainly because of the simplicity of the bg - can you believe that it was created with a napkin... fabulous! A little acrylic paint and a delightful PW girl and there you have it. I recently received lots of napkins as part of a swap (have I told you that before - if I have forgive my repetition lol) and they inspired me..


This one again has a napkin bg with paints added (told you there were so many styles) and a rusty star with the word wish - that's what stars are for huh, wishing on...


This block, well this block is for a special girl who has just graduated and loves keys - so this is a little gift just for her.


This again has a napkin bg, some stamping and an Eiffel Tower charm, simple but sweet I thought - never had Spring time in Paris but i can dream, dreams are good right!


And the last one, I don't know why but Lady Macbeth came to mind and I just had to use the piece where she is trying to wash out the spot of blood from her hand... I read Macbeth at school for my English Literature exam so maybe that is why it came to mind, who knows but I just went with it.


Happy to share these with you - Thanks for dropping by xxx

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