It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Hello All,

I am sorry I haven't been about much! This time of year I get so busy with other things and Christmas prep I haven't had time for my blog. Its not that I haven't been creating, though my focus switches this time of year to what gifts I can make.

I am finishing a gift for my Mum (can't give any other detail away in case she reads this!) plus I have been commisioned for a journal and a picture so busy trying to finish them in time. The journal is going to be personalised with song lyrics and pictures in amongst the pages that have some meaning to its recipient.

Journal in progress

Picture now finished!

I did however manage to start a journal page last night which so far I am quite pleased with. Here is a detail of it:

 Really liking orange and reds at the mo. This will have a little portrait on it too once its done. Also I have been doing some filming in preparation for some workshops that I hope to run in the new year. busy busy editing them now! :)

As well as all the gifts I have been making Christmas pom poms with my girls and we will start making decorations including our own wreath from this weekend. The tree will be going up and it will all be mulled wine, mince pies and cheesy Christmas music from then on. In our family my husband's birthday comes first (this week) and then we can turn our focus to all things festive :)

I do love Christmas!

Bye for now xxx

September Art Swap

Hello All,

This months art swap on journalworkshops.ning.com  was to create two ATC's (artist trading cards) in an Art Deco style. I was partnered with Tora from Iceland. This was right up my street having just participated in a 1920's style dance show. I do love getting dressed up with all the costumes and make-up :) Here is what I made for Tora:

And here is what I received from Tora:

I particularly like the stained glass one she made me, it's lovely!

Also as promised I did film myself making these cards and so here is my new video, hope you enjoy it!

Bye for now! xx

Workshop Session 4th July 2015

Hello All!,

This session was titled 'Time Capsule' and the idea was to create time capsule letters. An idea inspired by the artist Jenn Garmen. The group wrote letters to their future selves and decorated an envelope to contain this using whatever mixed media their chose.

For the background I demonstrated a wax resist using wax paper and ink sprays and we also rubbed ink pads over the used wax paper and added this to create layers. Here is a little video I made demonstrating these techniques.

The group finished their pages by adding titles, further collage, paint etc and stuck in their time capsule letters with a date on which to open them in the future. Here a few pictures of their work.

Anna's page

Helen's first ever page!

Maxine's page

Birdie Bunting Video

Hello All,

As promised here is my new video showing how I made the Birdie bunting I made for the May swap.

 I hope you enjoy! please feel free to leave comments or ask any questions.

New monthly challenge for June is titled 'pieces of the puzzle' so I will get my thinking cap on about this one! I am also currently planning some more face to face sessions and must MUST get going on making my mini journals to sell at Dovefest festival in August! time is flying by!

See you soon!

And another one!

Hello all, I decided to film my late monthly challenge page (create a mythical creature) as I wanted to try out the new camera and desk tripod. So here it is, another one already!

Please feel free to leave me a comment, it would be nice to get some feedback so I can carry on improving!

New Vid!

Well at last here it is! It is a lot better than the first I think but still could be better. The more I do the better I will get at it. I got a tripod for my birthday so will be trying another tonight with that. This Video shows me making two mixed media index cards, one of which I sent to Katie Reid as part of the Art Swap group as I mentioned in my last post.

This is the piece I sent to Katie Reid 

Progress

Well I posted my art swap piece this morning to Katie in Worcester and will post a picture up in a few days once it has been received (so I am not spoiling the surprise!) I am also very close to finishing my second vid which shows a tutorial of two mixed media index cards, one of which is the art swap.

I have meant to get on and finish my monthly challenge, which was 'create a mythical character' (again cutting it fine) but having been to a spa break for my birthday (absolutely fantastic!) I am a bit behind. I still have two more days so hopefully will get it done.

In other news I have been invited to have a stall at Dovefest 2015 on 29th August where I will be selling homemade journals, and am in the process of trying to get some more art journaling sessions organised through Sheffield Independent School of Art

I will keep you all posted! xx

The Garden At Hoarcross Hall Spa Hotel! What a treat!

The Camera Has Arrived!

Very excited as my new camera has arrived and the picture quality is one hundred times better than the old one! I started filming last night whilst I was making a few mixed media index cards and the footage I got seems good so far. I will get it edited and posted ASAP. In the meantime here is a sneak preview of one of the index cards I made:

Upcoming things!

Well I have finally got around to ordering a camera to start really making my own videos and tutorials. Really looking forward to it arriving and getting started! Luckily I have access to some good editing software so once I have footage and have learnt how to use the software videos will start appearing!!

Also my ongoing projects this month are:

• More homemade journals of various sizes.
• My monthly challenge with Jennibellie - this month it is 'creative your own mythical creature'
• Art Swap (again with Jennibellie) this a new swap group where every month I am partnered up with someone from anywhere in the world. We create something on the months theme and post it out to our assigned partners. This month the theme is 'Positive Affirmation' and we are making 4x6 postcards.

I am really excited about the swap group. The chance to create something and send it out into the world and in return receive someone else's creation, what a fantastic opportunity!
I am also looking forward to creating my own mythical creature. When I was younger I was a big fan of Brian Froud, famous for his drawings off mythical creatures, some famously used in films like The Dark Crystal and Labrynth. I will definitley be looking at his work for inspiration!

I am also looking at arranging some more workshops, possible a full day one in the summer......watch this space!

First Ever Vid!

Well here it is! I am pleased with it considering it is a first attempt but the camera I used wasn't great and therefore the image isn't as clear as I would like. Please have a look and tell me what you think!