A litle girl

adorns this butterfly canvas, thought I would attempt to create a child for a change.
I used a rose flower napkin for the backgroun, painted the face,arms and legs with acrylic paints and then finished face with c'arandache crayons.
The butterflies are a mixture of textured (the large ones) and K and Co dimensional ones.
I think I prefer to paint adult women rather than children but it was a fun exercise.

Time to see what else I can play with and to watch the rest of the Grand Prix followed by England v Japan (a warm up for the World Cup)

Thanks again for dropping by

Collecting

I have been oh so busy collecting and putting together some items for a piece that I am creating.
It has been such fun hunting down pieces that would be suitable for my little project... I will be able to share it with you soon.

The postman came with a delivery for me today, I received this gorgeous tag from MaryBeth Janisse, what a lovely surprise. She is a Canadian who is part of the Paper Whimsy group, THANK YOU
so much for this surprise. It is the unexpected RAOK in this life that has the ability to make one smile, and I did smile....
I am sooooooooooo looking forward to the World Cup and think it is funny that England's 1st match is against the U.S.A. hope friendships aren't lost cos of it hehehe.
I am going to sign off now as THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST is coming on TV.... the annual night of watching singers from all the EURO countries trying to impress and then me getting really narked when the scores are given out cos the Eastern bloc countries all vote for their neighbours!!!! but hey it is FUN! and I have watched since seeing Sandy Shaw singing all those years ago!
Ciao people, love you xxxx

Meeting up and a Wall hanging

OH WOW! What an exciting day for me today, why? well I met up with one of the girls who I met on blogland a few years ago now. She had let me know her and her DH were coming over to London to connect with a cruise and asked if we could meet. Of course I said "Yes" and ever since have been counting down the days.
Today was the day, I travelled by train up to London and made my way to the hotel they were staying at. Right near Buckingham Palace and all of the wonderful sites we have here in England.
Got to the reception, asked if they had checked in and was told that they had, about 10 mins prior to my arrival.
The front desk then rang her room for me and handed me the phone to speak to her. Anyway she was amazed when I said I was downstairs in the lobby and said they would be right on down.
I had no problem recognising her, nor she me, and straight off we got on. It was just so amazing to be actually sitting down talking with her and her DH, the time flew by, hard to believe that we spent almost 2 hours together and it flew by... what a relaxed pleasant time it was.
We exchanged gifts and I was so blown away but what she gave me, a piece of her art, I can't share it with you until she gets back to the States, but I promise I will once I know they are safely home. If you read this, and you know who you are, THANK YOU for meeting up with me and for being such a lovely lady in real life as you are on blogland xxx

I have been busy creating a wall hanging, I actually hand sewed some lace, so proud of myself lol....there is a crucifix, hearts, lace etc. The words are

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn…
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight…
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive…
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself…
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy…
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt…
But…
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient…
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident…
If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative…
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love…
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is…
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice…
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those about him…
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live.


I am sharing this collage for now, hope to be able to take better pics of it tomorrow....
Anyway, I am still beaming and I hope that wherever you are that you are as happy as I am today,

I'm Back

and want to Thank those of you who expressed your condolences on the passing of my dear Father in Law Charlie. So sad, and hard to believe he has gone, he is in a better place and the family are consoling themselves with that. He had a fantastic send off over in Spain, sure he would have been watching with a smile on his face.
I haven't been creating recently, sure you will understand why but I have received some wonderful art pieces that I would love to share with you.

Would you look at these cigar boxes... I was in the post office sending off the room I created to Karen O and chatting to the Post Master about what I was sending this time (he loves to know) I mentioned about the rooms and he said "hold on a minute" then disappeared upstairs. When he came back down he gave me these boxes and said "you will make good use of these so I would love you to have them" HOW LUCKY AM I!!!

Next I invite you to feast your eyes on this beautiful piece created by Cheryl Dolby if you have never visited her blog well I urge you to do so, she is uber talented! I saw this and had to buy it, in real life the texture and colors are AMAZING! Thank you Cheryl for giving me the chance to own a piece of your art xxx


and last, but not least I was blown away to receive my "Room" from the PAPER WHIMSY swap - my room created by my friend Barbara Burkard. So appropriate for me to get this room as one of the greatest loves of my life is to read, I have to have a book to hand to read, I get twitchy if I don't. Funnily enough I was talking to Barbara on Skype and said to her "let me see the book you created for the PW swap" and when she showed it to me I fell in love with it... that bird took her 4 hours to create! that's dedication. Anyway Gale the owner of PW randomly gave us a swap partner and Barbara had to send to me - it was destined to fly over to England I think! SO THANK YOU BARBARA, I will treasure this always xxx


So even though I have not been creating I have been receiving art... plan for today? to create something, so guess what, I'm outta here... THANKS AGAIN FOR DROPPING BY

CINCO DE MAYO

This will forever be a sad day for me, my beloved Father in Law Charlie passed away at 8.30 this morning. He was one amazing man and has gone to a better place, he will meet up with his son who died age 14.
He was fortunate in his life, he lived his dreams and you can't ask for more than that, but I will miss him terribly - he was a better father to me than my own ever was and a proper gentleman...

Goodnight Dad, God Bless till we meet again, Love you xxx

A little Bird told me..

On Gale's Paper Whimsy Blog there is a little competition going on.... want to know more click HERE



These are my 3 ATC's and as in the title of this post is "A Little Bird told me" the name of this little set of ATCs is the same.
So if you want to join in the fun pop over and see if you can win yourself some PW goodies and another Prize (you will have to head over to the blog to see what the prize is....)
Over on Gale's Blog I also read about a couple of books


What amazes me is the price that these are now going for, well the first one at any rate, and the fact that they are not available at this time.... check out Amazon to see what the current prices and availability are.... The Madame B one had some asking $968.... I was fortunate to get them on Amazon UK for £9.50 and £29.00 respectively.
They are delightful picture books with some text and now I will have to wear gloves when wearing them lol.

This book was a gem that I came across on Amazon.
The book is about Joseph Cornell who used to create Shadow boxes of found items etc.
The book is presented in this shadow box to encourage you to create your own... what fun, and a lovely little book too... don't miss out, go get yourself one!


The box also has small pieces to get you started...
That's it for today going to go do some journalling
Thanks for dropping by

The Beauty around me..

I thought I would share these photos with you, taken whilst walking my dog Stamford. We have had a long old winter but now the signs of Spring and the coming Summer are starting to appear.
At this time of year it is magical to walk through the woods and to see all the Bluebells that have been dormant waiting for the warm rays of the sun to awaken them. Well that time is now, and what a sight it is to see the blue haze, because that is what it looks like, of the Bluebells.
It is a joy to walk and listen to the birds, to see the squirrels jumping from tree to tree and the occasionally deer (if you are lucky). So I say Thank you for this and wanted to share it with you...



Not been very creative the last week or so - working on a canvas when I get the time but on the whole, very quiet.
I did make this ATC this morning for the April lottery over on Paper Whimsy, there are some beautiful cards for this months lucky winner, the theme is Flowers.

I bought the Tim Holtz paper stacks, they are gorgeous let me tell you. I used one of the papers (which was ATC sized)for the background, put crackle paste on it and let it do it's magic, I cut out a chair for the girl to sit on and the words are rub ons, embellished with flowers and swarovski crystals.

So there you have it my completed ATC.

Whatever you have been doing, Hope you have had fun xxx

Eggs and Survivor....

I was walking past a florists in town the other day, it was closed but in the window I spied these twigs and these nests on sticks... fell in love with them and was gutted that the shop was shut. I finally managed to get back in on Tuesday and the twigs were in the window but the eggs in the nest were not.... I walked into the shop and asked the lady if the twigs were for sale, she said they were window decoration but could let me have them for a £1, what a bargain I thought, so of course I had to have them. I then mentioned the eggs in the nest and she stated that they were window dressing for Easter but they were in her store room. She said that there were only 3 but if I wanted them I could have them for £1.99 each, I was so excited and totally agreed on the price . I was egg-cited to see them wrapped up knowing I was taking them home with me.


This is my lastest canvas, a 16 x 16. I started her a while ago but was not happy with her nose so it sat there until I decided the time had come to sort it out.
This piece is my Survivor Goddess, it is for all those women who have had Cancer and survived it... that is why I have done it in the pinks. The headscarf is a paper napkin, I then painted flowers to make it upbeat.
I must admit to taking pleasure looking at it now as I managed to correct it....
That is it for this post as I really must go and do some food shopping (hate food shopping!) but the old man is moaning about being bored so I shall take him with me for a change.
Thanks again for dropping by xxxx

PW Swap and a Canvas

WOW! what a delightful swap gift I received in the post, you may recall I was in a PaperWhimsy "Whimsy Word Journal" swap... well my Journal came today and I LOVE it, check this out.... wouldn't you just love a Journal like this, I love that Lynda Ozzauto personalised it for me, Lynda if you drop by and read this I have to say A BIG THANK YOU for creating such a magnificent Journal xxx


My car was in for a service today, so living where I do it meant that I was confined indoors. Well within the limits of my house and garden. The sun was shining it was such a mild, sunny day that I decided to cut the grass.
I also thought I might see what I could come up with today. I started off sticking papers to a canvas, like a patchwork and following on from the theme of my last endeavour I decided to do a Patchwork Quilt in homage of Nature.
Once I started I couldn't stop. I then painted a Frida Kahlo-esque lady on it, not Frida but inspired by her. Then I added painted butterflies, added strips of shredded paper with text on as a nest, some birds, some flowers and I ended up with a piece that I think is quite good.
I used some jewel beetle wings that I got from Hannah Grey Curiosities The bird at the bottom in the middles was from Kristin Hubick and I just thought it might work on this piece.
Added prima flowers which I got from Paper Whimsy few stamps and rub ons and voila a finished piece.



So that is it for another blog post, Thanks again for dropping by BIG HUGS XXXX

BLOG GIVEAWAY FOR 18,000 VISITORS - WINNER

I was wondering who would be the winner of my Giveaway, there were 27 in the pot and I used Random.Org to choose the Winner....

The number 22 came up - who was the Winner, I counted through and found the name that was alongside No.22....
So I would like to Congratulate the Winner, she will be receiving a copy of Tim Holtz's new book "Compendium of Curiosities" and then something created by me of her choice....what will she choose, a canvas, a shrine, an altered piece - the choice is hers.

A bouquet for the Winner and MANY, MANY THANKS to those of you who visit my blog and share my journey with me... I love to touch base with you all through my blog SO THANK YOU!

Now you are probably wondering who was the winner....without further ado I announce the winner as


TRISH BEE

so Trish CONGRATULATIONS - you need to e mail me with your snail mail addy and to let me know what it is you would like....
ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU ALL - some time soon I will have another Giveaway, but for now, Thanks for entering xxxx

Blessed by Mother Nature

On a recent dog walk with Lorraine we regularly passed a skip as a house was being cleared out.

I rescued this old wicker pram, I was so happy to give it a home.
I also managed to rescue some boards, you know the type that backs wardrobes, I struggled home with them must to the amusement of Lorraine. I then asked my neighbour Gordon to cut them up to workable sizes and today I decided to use one to paint on.
After gessoing it a couple of times I then painted and collaged this piece, as you can see it says "We are Blessed by Mother Nature". I just felt like doing this piece as all around I see the signs of Spring, snowdrops and daffodils (sure Dana sang a song starting off with those words)birds busy collecting for their nests, buds on the trees and it makes me feel so HAPPY.... so as an homage to the beauty of all that is around us I created this....

I am relatively pleased with the results, as I look at it I see places where it could be tweaked, but on the whole - yeah I like it.
Today is supermarket shopping day, banking etc. so don't think I will get much done, oh well the joys of life lol.
Whatever you are doing, whereever you are doing it have fun and accept my THANKS again for visiting xxx Dawn

Suzi Blu Inspired

I am am member of Suzi Blu's Petite Academy and had signed up for the Goddess class. I haven't really done any of my ladies a la Suzi, instead opting for my own style. I have learned so much from her class though in respect of getting the facial features right. Anyway thought that I would have a play last night when everyone was at football and this is the Goddess I created.
I must admit to having such fun doing this. Just to release myself and do the hair green and bright and then to add all the finishing touches was a blast. Strange doing this but I did enjoy creating her. I enjoyed the challenge.

As mentioned previously Stuart and China went to watch Jazz playing, Sutton United were winning 4 -2 and with about 5 mins to go Stuart decided to leave for home, China had driven her brother to the game so had to wait for the match to finish - lucky for her she did because Jazz had to take a free kick. He came home buzzing about the most amazing goal he felt that he had ever scored in his life, 35 yards out, with a 4 man wall in front of him and he struck it into the top right hand corner of the net....I have seen him score some amazing goals but to him this was the best ever. I knew about it before Stuart due to the wonder of Twitter! He was gutted that he missed it - that's what happens when you leave a game before the end! Lesson learned methinks.
I am busy working on a piece on board at the moment and I am pleased with the progress so far, look forward to sharing it with you all.
That's it for today, I try to keep posts brief so as not to bore you - but hey, Thanks for dropping by BIG HUGS XXX

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE GIVEAWAY ON THE "BLOG GIVEAWAY FOR 18,000 VISITORS" which will be drawn on Saturday (scroll down to the relevant post and leave a comment on that post to be entered)

A GIFT AND A JOURNAL ENTRY

The postman came today and left me a parcel, I was bemused because I wasn't expecting anything,and it had an American postmark. Curiosity was piqued so I opened it excitedly and this is what I found....

this delightful flower pot with oh so pretty flowers made out of buttons. So cute. Let me tell you about how I got it; over on Facebook there is a group called Craft it Forward. The idea is that you join the group, post that you want to Craft it Forward or sign up under someones comment that you want to be a part of their Craft it Forward and hey presto you could end up with something magical like this in your postbox. Oh yes, and if you do decide to Craft it Forward you commit to making whatever it is that you wish by the end of the year, simple.
Thank you to Helen Slabodukh who is a Craft Project Co-Ordinator for Blumenthal Lansing Company - more than buttons some fabulous stuff on their website.

Then I thought I better do a bit of catch up with my Zodiac Journal, did a quick spread for Aquarius - here she is


Thought I should get the paints out for this one.
That's it for this post - don't forget about my Giveaway, you have to leave a comment on the post BLOG GIVEAWAY FOR 18,000 VISITORS


you never know it could be you winning.
Thanks for dropping by, I couldn't do my blog without you - you make it all worthwhile by visiting xxxx

BLOG GIVEAWAY FOR 18,000 VISITORS

I didn't have a car today so had to stay in.... what to do, what to do? I decided to whizz through the housework and then get into my room and draw. I created this lady in my watercolor moleskine... love my moleskines. I wanted to draft a painting and this is where my journey took me.
I used my caran d'ache crayons to create my angel and then I cut out some of the Paper Whimsy backgrounds that were surplus to another project and used them for the wings and the plaque. They were printed on Claudine Hellmuth's sticky back canvas sheets and I felt that they would give the piece some dimension.
I wanted to try and get her to look petulant, you know, as if she is saying this is me... take it or leave it. I think it works, what do you think?

I was thinking about it and I think that I have got back into my people cos at the moment I feel like a non person at times, I say something and get snapped at, I question whether I am allowed an opinion - so I find solace in my art. I have my music on and go off into my own little space and come out the other side feeling happy, and hey, that is what it is all about isn't it - creating our own bit of happiness.

I am amazed to see that I have had 18,001 visitors to my blog since I started it - I never dreamed that when I first started that I would have so many people drop by, it is fantastic... and so in honour of that I am having a GIVEAWAY....YEP a good old giveaway.... The prize, mmm not sure yet - well not sure of all of it BUT this is part of the prize click on the hilighted words in brown to see the book....which is part of the prize.
I have 2 copies so one can go to a new home - AND there will be something else - YOU DECIDE. Would you like one of my paintings? a hand made journal, a piece of altered jewellery.... leave a comment to be in with a chance,ON THIS POST and don't forget to say what you would like if you won.
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who visits, and GOOD LUCK

THE DRAW WILL BE ON SATURDAY 16th April 2010 12 MIDDAY UK TIME

Secret Smile

Here is my current work in progress, in a journal. I haven't picked up my pencils since I did the picture of Renee and today I promised myself that come what may I would do so.
Oh what a joy it was to hold the pencils in my hand, this is what I created. My lady has a secret, will she reveal it as the piece progresses or will it remain a secret. I haven't decided yet, I will just go with the flow.
I created her with Prisma pencils and inked the flowers.
I will leave her alone while I decide what more to do with her.

This weekend for me has been mainly about football. F.A. CUP semi finals, Chelsea won yesterday 3 - 0 against Aston Villa, so they go to Wembley for the final. Tottenham playing Portsmouth as I write for the 2nd place in the final, would love to see Portsmouth go through, they have been relegated had awful money worries so a bit of good news would be nice for the supporters.
Jazz is still doing well with his football, played for 1st team on Thursday (Sutton Utd) after winning with the Reserves in the Cup final on Wednesday.... then a trip to Canvey Island yesterday, even though he didn't play. His passion is still there.

My beloved Real Madrid lost the El Clasico against Barcelona so I hope that does not mean that they end up runners up in the League, time and matches will tell.

That's it for this post, Thank you for stopping by - big hugs xxxx

PAPER WHIMSY ENCHANTING ROOM

So here I am partaking in another PAPER WHIMSY project. This time we had to make a room based on a favourite poem, childhoodstory, character. I chose Cinderella as this has always been my fave of the Disney movies, it enchanted me as a child so I thought as I am making an Enchanting Room what better subject for me.
And here it is...

if we pull back the cover to the box we can reveal the inside...


VIEW FROM THE TOP


VIEW FROM THE SIDE with GUS I adored Gus in the film, such a cutie!


VIEW FROM THE BACK
AND THEN WE HAVE THE INTERIOR...


such fun to create and this is for a swap, so I just have to wait and see who my swap partner is going to be.
If you want inspiration to create your own room(s) this is the book for you it is fabulous, lots of Paper Whimsy images and artists were used in the making of this book, along with others - I am so proud of all my friends.
IMAGINE the fun YOUcould have creating a whole house.... give it a go, it's a blast.


Glad to have been able to post about this project as my internet has been on/off since last week, a pain in the backside, but seems to be sorted now....
I have more to share but will keep this post for the project

THANKS AGAIN for dropping by xxx

What's in the box

The clocks went forward today, I was up early to watch the Australian Grand Prix at 6 a.m. and boy did I flag later in the day. But before I had a siesta the family had a lovely day out together, a rarity these days as Jazz and China both drive. We headed over to Bluewater for a mooch around the shops and I managed to pick up a couple of things.
My favourite buy of the day, this box

it had me oohing and aahing in the shop and thinking of the possibilities for it.
What is inside the box? let me show you....

do you see all those little wooden spines, pull one out and this is what you get...

sleeves for photos, yes it is a photo album box, but hey when I saw it I was thinking outside the box and thinking of all the ATC's etc that I have that could be stored in here, or I could totally adapt it and make something unique with it, what would you do with it?
I did get some other items to alter, I do have a few Craft it Forward items to make so I am keeping my other items under wraps for now.

Thought I would share a little ATC I made for the PW Ning Lottery March's theme in Clover....if you haven't visited PAPER WHIMSY to join in the fun you don't know what you are missing. A monthly lottery, fabulous swaps, great gals, a non bitch environment - what more do you want? check it out!


Any way this little ATC has layers and ribbon threaded through it, an ancestry brad which is gorgeous, well I think it is :-)
A delightful PW girl, and the hand of fate above her head. The other ATC's submitted are all so special and some lucky gal is going to win.... keeping fingers crossed.

Well I have blathered on a bit, and no I have never kissed the blarney stone, so I shall say, Thanks again for visiting, till next time have peace and fun where ever you are xxx

Blog Image Change

I have been playing with blogger in draft as I have wanted to revamp my blog for so long now, I wish I had more Betty Boop but I can always create a new header and put Betty Boop into that some more.
Spent so much time playing with this run out of time to actually blog but feedback on what you think of this new look would be appreciated... is it easy to read the text, are the colors okay, just let me know please xxx
Thanks for visiting x

Weekend over

and so I was able to get in to my room today; weekends in my house I am LUCKY if I get to sniff the air in my art room. Saturdays and Sundays are time with my DH, used to be time with the kids and Stuart but invariably the kids are out doing their own thing.
Saturday was sign up day over on PW for a swap hosted by the lovely Christy Laudig. Following all her teasers we learnt that the swap was to make a Whimsy Word Journal. The journal had to have 8 signatures/16 pages so I got cracking today to make mine.



this was the first one I made, I chose my images added them to my background which was made of of scraps which I randomly stick on to cardstock as I cut out for other projects, this way nothing goes to waste and I end up with a textured background; this was then washed over with perfect pearls for a shimmer.
I embellished with Tim Holtz distress stickle, his new one which is clear. Added some jewels, gotta love bling and hey presto first one done.


The second one is more muted, with flowers and ribbon for color. The words say "FRIENDS ARE TWO SOULS IN ONE BODY"

I only have to swap one of these and the other will go to one of the 5 who signed up for my Craft it Forward over on Facebook.
This is going to be a brief post... China bought New Moon on Blu Ray so we are going to sit and watch it.
Will post again tomorrow with some goodies I got from the lovely Mary Ann xx

REMEMBERING RENEE

This post is for my friend Renee...I still can't believe that she is no longer here, but I still feel her and I go back and read her blog when I feel the need to, I find it hard to talk about her without the tears coming. Renee wouldn't have wanted that I know but the sadness is so deep at this time that I can't help it.

Renee LOVED her family, her posts were filled with love for her husband and children. Then there was her sister, her mum, dad, nephews and nieces, such and amazing family who are there for each other and have been through so much sadness these last few years.

I created this canvas as a tribute to Renee, let me explain. This was in the obituary for Renee

"Renée loved her dearest husband, her children and grandchildren, family and friends, Christmas, reading books, drinking tea, watching blizzards, smelling flowers, writing her blog, listening to music, catching fairies, and admiring the sky."
so I tried to incorporate some of this into the canvas. The background represents the color of the sky with blues and pinks, there is reference to her family in the words, there are flowers and above her head there are birds.... her blog Circling my head, without which I would never have come to know Renee last year when our paths crossed due to OWOH.
It helped me to create this, I am going to be sending it to her home to show the family how much she was loved by me. Visiting her blog demonstrates how much Renee was loved, how many people she touched with her words throughout her illness. It was not all doom and gloom, it was inspiring, funny, sad, thought provoking - Renee became a friend to all who visited her blog... she was and will remain to me a WONDERFUL FRIEND, the world is a sadder place without her.
God Bless you Renee, my friend xxx