Mixed Media Tags

Hello All,

What a busy bee I have been these last few weeks! It has been a bit mad whilst I have been setting up my new workshops and planning the next ones as well as taking on some Aerial hoop classes teaching people to be acrobats (which if you weren't aware is another passion of mine!)

The Art journaling workshops are going really well and I am now 2 weeks in to a 5 week course. The group I have is lovely and the feedback I have been getting so far is good. I love teaching, it is fab to get to know my group and watch their different styles develop. Here are a few snaps of the lovely work they have been producing so far:

One lovely lady has also asked me for a few one on one sessions in abstract art which I will be starting next week. Really looking forward to that, it should be loads of fun.

I have also been busy planning some other workshops, one of which is mixed media tags and I have been really enjoying making these in preparation. Take a look:

These are made from recycled bits and bobs and I adore the results! That workshop should be appearing very soon!

I'll keep you posted!

Bye for now! xxx

Getting Back To The Little Things

Hello All,

Sometimes it's the small scale projects which have the biggest impact. I love working on either index or post cards. They are a small piece of creativity that can be done when you don't have a lot of time for anything else and the results can be really exciting. By restricting yourself to a small area you can really focus on a particular medium or technique and I love seeing where they take me. Here are a few recent cards

In this one I added modelling paste through a stencil then used inks and metallic paint to add colour and gel pens to bring out some of the pattern. I found the text in a magazine which suited it perfectly.

This one is an experiment of adding layers of circles using different mediums and techniques. I finished it with some bottle top art (an even smaller canvas to work on!) and again some text from a magazine.

I hope you like them and hope they inspire you to go out and buy a pack of index cards to have a go!

Bye for now xxx

March Art Swap

Hello All,

Apologies for not posting for a while, it has been the Easter hols and have been busy busy busy with the kids at home.

I did manage to get quite a bit of creating done over the holiday and this included the March art swap. I was partnered with the lovely Lyndsay from Truro and the challenge was to create mixed media bookmarks based on our favorite books. Here is what I made:

The first is one of my favorite quotes from Dr Seuss, the second is Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier and the third is Pride and Prejudice. It was difficult to choose my favorites as I do love books but these are ones I have read several times and always come back to when I want a nice read. Lyndsay received them the other day and was very pleased with them.

Here is what she sent me:

Lyndsay chose Pride and Prejudice as well and the other is based on fairy tales. I also got a lovely little bundle of goodies. I really love these, they are full of colour and texture and I especially like the paper beads.

The swap is always good fun, I love getting a surprise parcel each month and trying to create something special for someone else! I look forward to what this month will bring.

Bye for now xxxx

 

Art Swap

Hello All,

The other day I received my art swap for this month from the lovely Tanja in the Netherlands. It was as if Christmas had come early! The theme this time was 'embellishments'. We were tasked with making (or buying) a bundle of goodies for our partners. I really really enjoyed this one, with the time of year it felt like I was sending off a treat for Christmas. Here is what I sent to Tanja:

The bundle included handmade tags, a mini journal, beads and origami butterflys plus some bought mini tags and little hessian jars.

I was truly overwhelmed with what Tanja sent to me:

Her bundle included Christmas glasses for me and my children, handmade beads, beautiful stencils and tags galore. Stickers, confetti, sequins, felt flowers and a box each for my girls with the components to make their own xmas decorations. 

The postman delivered the box of gorgeous goodies as we were decorating our tree so it really was like Christmas!

It is absolutley fab doing the art swaps each month. I love chatting to people from all over the world, finding out about them and trying to make something that I hope they'll love! Plus, lets face it, who doesn't love getting post! 

Bye for now! xxx

Christmas Stall

Hello All,

This weekend my sister and I got together and ran a stall at my local village Christmas fair. I was selling my journals and labels and Fliss was selling her gorgeous jewellery:

Our stall looked lovely and Christmassy and it was great fun running it with my sister. The fair was lovely and busy and a great success, and it all helped to raise money for our local school.

Hopefully it is the first of many for Fliss and I.

Bye for now!  xx

Art Swap

Hello All,

I seem to be having a bit of a slump the last week or so. Not been inspired to do much and not had much time either! My little girl just turned 4 so its been all about that this last week anyway! I have however received Octobers Art Swap from Audrey in Canada. We had to create a journal page about where we are from. I loved this idea as I enjoy learning about other places and how others live their lives on the other side of the world. This is what Audrey sent me:

It is really beautiful and I got a lovely letter explaining all the different aspects of it. She also included the little double sided tag (above) which I love! 

I found my piece really difficult, I don't know if its just lately and I have lost my mojo a little and feeling bit meh but I couldn't get into it. Anyway this is the piece I created:

I tried to keep it looking quite industrial to reflect Sheffield, the city I live in which is famous for its steel industry, in particular cutlery. I also wanted to include a bit about the countryside as living on the edge of the national peak district has always meant a lot to me. So I added sheep and a millstone with all the lovely purple heather. Not my best I must admit but I really hope Audrey likes it!.

Lets hope I get back into the zone soon!

Bye for now x x 

Dovefest Stall

Hello All,

In a few weeks times I will be selling my wares at a craft stall at Dovefest (free family music festival in Doveridge) I have been very busy trying to get all the stock ready and I feel I am finally getting there!

Another four journals and more tags to go! Fingers crossed I manage to sell some of it!

Also bought my canvasses in preparation for my commissions so looking forward to making a start on them, hopefully within the next few days! eeek.

Bye for now! x

New Video

Hello All,

As promised my new video! This shows me making one of the mixed media tags that I made for July's art swap. In it I use a variety of techniques and mediums. I hope you enjoy it! Please feel free to leave a comment :)

Bye for now! xx

July Art Swap

Hello all,

I just received my art swap for this month from Fran in Essex. we had to make three tags, one bright, one pastel and one tonal. I always really enjoys making tags so this was right up my street! Speaking to Fran I knew she was not a fan of pastels and didn't like pink but liked steampunk and rust colours. She also told her favorite colour is blue so I tried to make tags that I thought she would like and get use out of. Here is what I made her.

Pastel Tag

Bright Tag

Tonal Tag

Fran emailed to say she received them and really liked them. I have made a video of me making the bright tag but it still needs a bit of work so I will hopefully post it up soon.

Now here is what I received from Fran:

I really like them, the colours are great and there is loads of texture on them too! It was a pleasure swapping with Fran! Can't wait for August's swap!

I am in Wales all next week but taking some art stuff with me, so I hope to get some journaling done!

Bye for now x x x