Ward's Show

In the middle of Ward's Show at Dunston. Am exhausted tonight as woke up really early and couldn't get back to sleep. Have spent a great day meeting old and new friends demonstrating for Pebeo www.pebeo.com We have great deals on acrylic paint, I seem to be wearing most of it !!!! Have had a quick soak in the bath to get my finger nails clean. I must admit I really love painting with my fingers, and the feel of the paint. I also love using gold leaf and Empire Gold gilding wax in the Gedeo range to enhance our textured mediums.
I walked around all day with my hair up and paintbrushes in my hair. Got a few silly comments from the male contingent, but most people loved the look. Being just under 5'2" I need all the height I can get.......
Have two more days to go and am thoroughly enjoying myself. Working with Ashley is great, he appears with cups of tea just when you need them !!!!!

Sunday Already

I can't believe it's Sunday already. Where has the week gone? It has been one of those weeks where nothing has gone right. The phones started to play up on Tuesday and I finally got BT to come and look at the outside wall fixings on Saturday. We even went out and bought £100 worth of new phones even though our existing ones were perfectly OK. Kristy has the new ones now as couldn't work out how to transfer internal calls without a PHD......
On Friday I went to Gosforth Park, Crafts for Christmas Show to help out Sue And Harvey. We sold out of the Snow on Snow stamp !!!! That really feels good. I demoed a little bit, shopped a bit and got them their lunch and drinks. The weather was absolutely terrible, torrential rain. I've just read Chriss's blog and she had the same thought, I need an Ark.
It was Jade's 17th birthday yesterday and as my trip to Hull was postponed until December we went out for a drink and something to eat in the afternoon.
Am having a lazy day today in preparation for the rest of the week. This week I am demonstrating at the Wards Show at the Federation Brewery at Dunston on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
We ( Ashley and I) are playing with canvas and acrylic paints of all descriptions and will be inviting the public to have a go. I'm looking forward to it.
Have created a bit of a mess in the studio over the past couple of days so must spend a few minutes tidying it up, so things don't get out of hand. I must say that I've really enjoyed spending time in here this week, and everyone loves the changes I've made.

Glass Painting

Still no sign of our missing cat. Kristy and Mark have brought Archie round to see us, he's really grown a lot since last time we saw him. Daisy isn't too sure about the intrusion though.
Taught Catherine this morning, we played with the new Zyron shape cutter. It's OK, but you are limited to a 4"x4" square. She loved the new set up in the studio,and agrees it feels much nicer in here.
The telephones have been playing silly so-and-so's and we have had to divert all calls to my mobile.
Went on a trip to the pound shop today in search of glass to paint for Sunday's demo in Hull.
Two boxes of canvases and paints arrived yesterday from Pebeo. One box is so big we have to walk around it in the downstairs hallway.
Will have to get cracking tomorrow with Vitrail samples, it's a solvent based glass paint from Pebeo www.pebeo.com . I have several demonstrations booked in the coming weeks for this product. It is purely decorative, and it is possible to paint thinly in order to build up the layers to intensify the colours. Pebeo have recently introduced new colours as well as a lovely gold and a glitter medium. As with all the paints it is best to stir them with a coffee stirrer/lolly stick as they are so pigment rich it sinks to the bottom.
I am looking forward to using them and producing some lovely effects.

Changing Rooms

It's Tuesday lunch time and am feeling a little under the weather. Both Kristy and Mark have had a nasty cold recently and it feels as if I may be the next recipient! Gordon is teaching today, and Jade is at college so have the house to myself for once. I have been back to sleep in a lovely quiet house ..... bliss! Have had a dratted migraine hovering for the last three days which seems to have gone now, but am rather croaky. What a whinger I am, feel better for sharing though.
I've had a few tears about our missing cat Kafka. Gordon says I must get used to the idea that he's gone for good, but I still have a little bit of hope left. Our other cat Daisy is being very chatty and follows me about everywhere, it's as if she knows how upset I am and keeps coming to see if I'm all right.
Yesterday's workshop went really well. My new ladies Sandra and Lisa walked into my studio and said "I'm in Heaven", not the first people to say that either.
Jade is rather taken with the new web cam and spent a chunk of her evening talking to her friends on line. The room has a wonderful new dynamic, and feels totally different, hopefully the creative energies are good too, which judging by the ATC holders the ladies made yesterday evening should be fantastic!!!!!! I'm really looking forward to Denise and Catherine's reaction to the change around when they come tomorrow.
I've still got to clear away the supplies we used last night, but it shouldn't take too long. Have also got to put away some of the stamps I've been using lately, I emptied a couple of drawers last week when I re-arranged the ink pads so that should help.
I can see me spending even more time in my studio than before, all I need is a kettle and a toaster and I'd never have to leave ...........

We did It !!

I am sitting in a lovely tidy re-arranged studio, at my lovely new computer desk, and WOW does it feel good. Why does changing the furniture around always make us feel great?
With the assistance of Mark, Kristy, Robin, Jade and Gordon we got all the furniture moved around, the computer set up ( I even have a web cam), and all my scanners and printers are set up ready to go.
The rest of the house looks as if a bomb has dropped! The hoover is broken and the cat is still missing....... Gordon did a trawl of the local vets and animal shelters, but no luck.
On a brighter note, the canvases went down a storm with Pebeo, which is great as I really enjoyed doing them.
I am teaching the ATC holder workshop again tonight, to two lovely ladies who couldn't make it last Saturday.
I hope they don't look too closely at my stair carpet...... I think it's only the pet hair that's holding it together !!!!!
I've still got to unpack the bags I used on Saturday, and get changed before 6pm. No pressure then .....

Missing Moggie

The last few days have been really busy. I got the canvases couriered off safely, and then set about my preparation for Saturday's workshop at Hexham.
Add to that mix a missing cat, a shower tray that broke before I'd finished washing my hair and washing myself, having to re-arrange the three rooms and their contents overspill today Sunday before teaching in my studio on Monday evening, and throwing a meal together for my potential helpers this evening, I feel under pressure and somewhat stressed. Unusually I haven't been sleeping well, and every time I wake up I have to go and call the missing cat, and then can't get back to sleep.
I really enjoyed teaching the workshop. We made an ATC ( artist's trading card) holder, met lots of old and new friends, and had great fun.
I'm looking at a busy week ahead, as well as my youngest daughter's 17th birthday on Saturday. I am booked to demonstrate at Hull next Sunday, but that is yet to be confirmed. If I am going I will be staying with my very dear friends Pete and Coral, and Jade may come with me for company.
I have glass painting samples to produce before then, and I must do some house-work, as we are running out of undies !!!!!
I have a wonderful fridge magnet which says " Well we can't both look good, it's either me or the house."
I have also conducted a survey into dust, after the first 18 years it doesn't get any worse.
I think I had better have something to eat before starting the great move around, as will need all the energy I can get.
Wish me luck !!!

Getting Plastered !!!!

Spent yesterday morning teaching my Wednesday ladies. Then Mark and his friend Bri helped me to move furniture and rearrange 3 rooms so Keith the plasterer can work his magic.....
Yesterday was one of those misty/chilly/penetratingly damp days of autumn when all you want to do is curl up in front of the telly and cuddle the dog. So that's just what I did. Fell asleep, and felt better for it.
This morning up early as Gordon has a days supply teaching. Keith arrived and as I write is going around the house repairing all the wrotten plaster and filling in the cracks etc. It's a lovely sunny day, still colder than of late, but much cheerier than yesterday.
I've been good and have had another go at the last canvas. I've used gilding wax over existing paint to bring out the texture, and have painted over the gold printed image I had set into the paint as I wasn't happy with the way it looked. When it dries will regild and perhaps write a single word on the bottom right of the canvas..... the great debate will then be what word? Imagine? Discover? Love? All of which have been used many times before.
Have just spent another hour on the third canvas..... it was looking a bit plonked !! So have worked over the whole picture again, adding different blacks and then black sand medium. Had a phone call this morning wondering if I might be available to go to Buxton in Derbyshire for 5pm today. They haven't been back to me,so am plodding on with samples and prep, better than housework any day.
Well it's now 4.18pm and no phone call..... and my turbo-powered broom stick is in for it's annual service, so even if they did call now there's no way I could get there in time.
Have finished my third canvas to my satisfaction, I haven't included a word as it didn't need anything else. I worked more TOUCH in three colours of black into the textured sand paint and then gilded it again, it looks sort of organic and I'd give it house room.
I now have some MDF blanks to decorate, haven't decided what medium to use yet, but probably torn paper, ink, TOUCH, Staz-on, and rubber stamps of course. I might even stain the wood with glass paint which looks really cool.
Keith the plasterer has done a great job on the inside and starts on the render outside tomorrow. Isn't it nice when a tradesman does a good job, and you wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, a rare thing when there are so many cowboys operating out there.
The samples are calling again.......

Almost Done.

I've actually finished two of the three canvas's and have done the base painting on the third...... I've just got to find the tables under the ensuing rubble in order to teach tomorrow.
I'm quite pleased with their overall look, and did a dragonfly for the middle one. I used a lolly stick/coffee stirrer to paint with and a couple of cotton buds to make dots with.
It's been a dismal day outside, rain and fog here at the coast.
Mark will be helping me to re-arrange the rooms tomorrow after I've been teaching.
There will be quite a bit to shift, as well as this computer. Luckily I can use Gordon's laptop if need be.
Will take some photo's of the canvas's before I send them off to Pebeo.
I'm off to play one of my new CD's as I tidy up. I got 12 cd's for £12, which when added up came to £108. It's all classical so I'm working my way through them to see which I like the best.

Busy Doing Nothing

A day spent doing lots of little jobs, but not really achieving anything.
This evening I tidied up my TOUCH ( multi-surface paint from Pebeo www.pebeo.com ) collection by squeezing the last drops of paint from one tube to another...... procrastinating again, and cut open the empty tubes to get the dregs, and then finger painted and sponged onto white card to make backgrounds ( the sign of a true crafter, I never waste a thing !).
This morning I collected a parcel from the sorting office containing the Christmas stamps I designed for DUO DESIGNS. I always get a thrill from seeing my designs become stamps, it's the stampaholic in me I suppose.
I am really dreading the upheaval this week, after teaching on Wednesday morning the three rooms will have to be moved around so that Keith the plasterer can work his magic on our badly treated walls...
I am one of three tutors teaching a workshop next Saturday the 14th at Hexham, the other two lovely ladies being Sue Jones and Jill Johnson. I am looking forward to showing people how to make an ATC ( artist trading card) holder. Easy I hear you cry, not quite, I've had to invent a template as the original design was based on an american sized envelope which we can't get in this country. I am working on this though, one of my Wednesday ladies the lovely Amanda is off to Florida and I've asked her to look in Michael's craft superstore for a proper template for an american size six and three quarter business size envelope. It will be a bit late for the workshop, but nice to have all the same.
I was really pleased to find Micaceous Iron Oxide paint ( made by Golden www.goldenpaints.com) yesterday at the show. It's mentioned in Tim Holtz's second DVD. He uses it on pre-baked polymer clay to hold mica powders. I got it from ART VAN GO who are great for anything unusual or out of the ordinary.
Those black canvas's are still awaiting my attention, so will make a start tomorrow now as I seem to have run out of day again........

There and back again.

Drove down to Harrogate with master blogger Chriss, and had a good day looking at some beautiful embroidery and spending money I haven't got ... as per usual.
I didn't demonstrate today, but the stitched and velvet embossed samples I created last week were on display on the IMAGINATION stand. They looked great !!!
The little tip I picked up today was to iron transfoil onto bondaweb through a stencil, different colour foil/foils were applied in the areas that were left. It created a blended foil effect, and was so simple.
The other idea I liked was to repeat stamp an image on several different papers, slice them up width ways and reassemble the image using the different coloured strips. They had also woven the strips between vertical golden threads. Again, very simple but very effective.
Have really got to get on with the three black canvas's samples I am doing this week.
I am thinking of dividing one of the canvas's up into squares/rectangles and sponging paint through a stencil using several different patterned templates.
Another will be collaged with papers/ gesso/mica mortar and will include chopped and whole sequins and glittery bits, and maybe impressed foam stamps into the mortar.....
The third sample will include gold leaf...... but haven't thought it through yet.
I also have glass painting samples to complete for my visit to Hull...... and a few other samples as well !!!!!!!
Had better see if I can find my work desk underneath the usual rubble, you never know I might actually discover the screw that I've lost ...... from my sunglasses !

Coloured Script

Have been playing around and found out how to use different coloured script. I am so excited with my new discoveries in the land of blog, but no one in the family seems to understand how thrilled I am .....
Forgot to include the web address for DUO Designs which is www.imaginationcrafts.co.uk where you can see my designs and lots of other lovely unmounted stamps.
I'm so inspired I may even have a go at making a new business card, I didn't say today........
Those samples are calling !!!!!!!

About Time Too !!!!

At last I have plucked up enough courage to start a blog. I tried a static web site ( you don't want to know) and really wanted somewhere to show my work, and keep friends and potential friends aware of demonstrations, workshops, and life in general.
My daughter Jade tried to make me have a fancy blog with 'skins'..... I am fairly computer illiterate, so am non the wiser.
As usual I am procrastinating, as I have samples to organise to demonstrate tomorrow at the 'Fashion, Embroidery and Hobbycrafts Show' at the show ground in Harrogate. I will be using the new unmounted stamps I have designed for DUO DESIGNS, and am looking forward to meeting new and old friends.
I will be accompanied by master blogger Chriss, so hopefully I can pick her brains on the journey there and back.
I returned yesterday from Dundee, where I was doing a demonstration for Pebeo. I met some lovely people, but am feeling a little tired after all that driving etc.
Am looking forward to the next few weeks, as am travelling to Norwich, Hull, Leeds, Gloucester, Bristol, Dunston and Gateshead as well as doing a workshop next Saturday at Hexham..... did I mention that the plasterer is coming to sort the mess left by some cowboy builders this Thursday and Friday which necessitates dismantling my studio, the computer room and my bedroom.
In a very full house this will be chaos to say the least !!!!!
I must say for a first attempt it was very easy and straight forward to set this up, and as a person who nearly always has something to say about something, I think I could get used to this.
Watch this space....... I might even get Jade to give me the idiot's guide to including pictures.