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

Well let's get back to it

It seems like for ever and a day since I last blogged and boy have I missed it. I have had my computer back for a week now but alas not my head... You know how it is, sometimes life just sucks the breathe out of you. Now don't ask me why this happened, maybe a culmination of events but boy I have had the biggest blackest cloud over my head. I have not been in the mood for much of anything except crying lately - but I am trying to get over it and thought that I would come back to my blog. I think my hormones might have a lot to do with it (hormones get blamed for everything I know but truthfully I do think that has a lot to do with it)

So what have I been creating - truthfully? let me tell you zilch, de nada, nothing - again my head and heart have not been up to it. Truth be known last Saturday I thought my heart was going to stop on my, I really did, but I am still here it is still beating so time to pick myself up as I always do, dust myself off and start again.
I have a number of pieces that need my attention so I plan on getting on with those this week to ease myself back into it all.

China got great praise for her photography work at College and this was so wonderful for her, maybe now she will believe in herself.
Jazz played in to Cup finals, got 2 winners awards - so that was a great way to finish the season. He also got the Players Player award for the season - so again all good. Next season should be the start of new things for Jazz depending on which road he choses (I will keep you posted)
Dwain, my eldest is gearing up for a Kenyan Safari with his girlfriend in June, boy that should be the best! Love how they get out there and see the world.

So my kids are happy and that is good for me - don't we want that for our kids?
The British Political scene is up the wall with all the corrupt, greedy MPs and the world is gearing up for a swine flu pandemic (not that I believe that!) but my kids are happy so I can sleep at night.

I still have to sort out all my photos and backed up files to get my computer back to normal but that can wait I want to throw of the shackles of this depression and shout out "I'm BACK!" So don't desert me, watch this space as I get my head back together and start to have some fun...
Thanks for listening to me love ya xxxx

Computer has crashed

So if you are visiting I am posting this to let you know that I have internet access issues at this moment in time.
Fortunately it was picked up this morning and fingers crossed it will be fixed soon. It is not until you can't just pick it up every day that you realise how reliant you become on having it to hand.
I miss just being able to check out blogs etc. and popping by to see how my friends are all doing :(
Just know that I am missing you all and will be back posting as soon as I can! I had backed up my computer so hopefully all my photos and online class videos will be safe and I will be able to put them back on.
China is still at college at the moment ( I had to amend that from school as I still think of her as my baby at school :) ) so I am using her computer to let you have this update. Believe me when she comes home she is on it and I don't get a look in, college work more important than mums socialising lol.
So take care and look out for me - in the words of Arnie "I'll be back"
hugs xxxx

Every little helps...

I am posting a piece from Izabella in respect of Joanna Pierotti's husband Ron. I would like to stress that I have posted the widget to the sidebar to contribute BUT and I cannot stress this enough, having posted this I do not want any one who visits my blog to feel that they HAVE to contribute.
Times are hard globally at the moment and for some people monetary aid is a no no BUT
PRAYERS are FREE and so I hope that if you are struggling at this time that you can keep Ron and Joanna in your prayers. THANK YOU

The following is what Izabella had to say...

"So today, I ask you once again to put your prayers and good thoughts into action - this time for Ron Pierotti, husband of beloved ZNE member, JoAnnA Periotti. Ron has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and this week he and JoAnnA were informed that without immediate surgery, Ron could die within the month.

This is an unthinkable terrifying situation, complicated by the fact that due to the economy, Ron was recently laid off, and he is without health insurance. JoAnnA needs our words of support and encouragement, you can find her ZNE Page, here:

http://zneiscrafty.ning.com/profile/MossyJo

And fellow ZNE-er Izabella Pierce put together a Chip-In widget for those of you who can contribute even a dollar or two - these donations will go directly to the Pierotti's to assist in the expenses they face right now."

Joanna's blog can be accessed by clicking on her name

Oh HAPPY DAY...

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You would not BELIEVE how lucky I was today... I saw the Postman coming up the path with an arm full of parcels ALL FOR ME....JOY OF JOYS!!! Not a bill in sight.
I just have to share with you what he brought from near and far....

So this was from SarahD here in England an ATC Block which was part of a PW swap that Sara hosted and a gorgeous bottle decorated with beeswax,lace, mesh and soldering with a delightful image on it too... THANK YOU Sarah I will treasure them ALWAYS.
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And from DAWN MARIE in the U S of A I recieved a box of never ending artful creations and art supplies.
The cardbox had lavender scattered in the bottom, can you close your eyes and smell it? beautiful; there were music sheets used to wrap the gifts within and old ledger pages... wonderful, so useful too!
Another small package wrapped in vintage wallpaper and tied with the softest, prettiest ribbon held these flash cards and these wonderful bird stamps - can't wait to use them... ooooooooooh!




Ribbons and lace wrapped so lovingly in the music papers, a vintage cotton reel with gorgeous beaded thread and finished off with a button - such attention to detail xxxx
the art work - firstly this miniature canvas with Queen of Hearts on it - is that me lol...
and this one with the most delicate ribbon and I LOVE the color of the canvas. the tiny stars, the gorgeous girl - the sentiment "Believe in You" how could you fail to love this?
and still there was MORE.... this double sided heart creation,STUNNING - can you believe all these goodies - I was in shock, happy shock though :-)

This dye will be fun to use...

Dawn included some paint swatches - the little cards to help y0ou decide on the color of paint you want, well let me tell you here in England the swatches tend to be inchie size if you are lucky or slightly bigger rarely. Now Dawn sent me the swatches but the next 2 pictures show art work she has created using them as backgrounds - AMAZING, LOVE THEM!!!

AND just got to show you the box that all these goodies fit into - soft delicate, lady like paper, with a jewelled centre piece, how pretty is this? and can you see that hessian sachet - filled with lavender! Dawn has thought of it all


In the box of delights there was also a little doll and a HAND MADE Leather journal, the pictures came out blurry so I will add pictures tomorrow when I have the light to take a quality picture.
DAWN and SARAH THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR MY GIFTS TODAY.............YOU MADE ME SMILE FROM EAR TO EAR XXXXX THANK YOU DOESN'T SEEM ENOUGH TO SAY, BUT THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART XXXX

Today I have been..

playing.
I started by making this ATC Shrine; I purchased it a while back from SSP - Small Studio Productions Have you visited the shop yet? if not you really should you will be in for a treat. This little shrine has been decorated with Graphic 45 papers - the papers from here are absolutely to die for, the papers really lend themselves to so many projects and the quality is superb.
This particular paper is called Eden's Symphony from the Botanicabella range. Again if you have never seen these papers then you are really missing out.

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CLICKING ON THE PHOTOS ENLARGES

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and then as the family was out at football I thought "I know I will make my tussy mussy" and so I set to work. Tussy Mussy? what is that? you may ask. Well for those of you this side of the pond it is an american tradition and I will quote Janella here as to the tradition

May Day dates back to early Rome where it was a celebration of "fertility". It was celebrated every year about the same time, honoring the Goddess of Spring ~ FLORA. Over time, the tradition changed somewhat. Americans use the day a bit differently. The custom became more romantic. A basket or cone was filled with flowers and sweet treats and left at a "special someones" door. The presenter rang the doorbell and ran away. The recipient was then supposed to catch the giver and give them a kiss.

So here we are on another PW Project and here are some images of mine...



The inside of the cone is filled with goodies, a marzipan rabbit, a hand painted egg, flowers and more marzipan.





The cone was made using a Graphic 45 paper, some flower ribbon, PW GIRL and lace flowers from the PW shop.


So that has been how I have spent my Easter Monday, hope you had fun too...

And the Prize is...

this Journal.
This is what Jan will be receiving as her prize for leaving a comment on my 300th Post.
I used Golden glass bead gel on the cover and painted it lilac with a metallic paint from Plaid crafter. Strung some beads on to some copper and added ribbon for embellishment.Added some copper paint and stamped the words with a lilac stamp. Used distress stickles for the wings of the little baby. The image is one I got from Patty Van Dorin.
Inside used a page from a vintage Schoolgirl magazine and stamped on it.
The back cover was painted with copper crackle paint - I love this stuff! it crackles almose immediately.
The front and back covers really shine, lost in the photo but Jan will see it...
So that was my happy couple of hours today in my room creating...
Happy Easter xxx