Post #98 Celebrations

In true Aussie tradition, our Australia Day celebrations were very relaxed and informal. Also it was a very warm day. The kids spent the day in and out of the pool and apart from braving the weather to do my food shopping, I spent most of the day pottering around in my studio. As you can see here, Madam Page found a nice cool spot on the kitchen floor and spent her day dosing away!

Early evening we decided to have a sing off on Singstar. I tell you, this thing is soooo much fun and even the little kids can join in and have a blast. (thats my score in the blue, just don't tell anyone I was up against a 6 year old!!!)

And here we are, Myself, Courtney and Alyssa, my niece. Excuse the mess but it was a holiday after all!












And while we are all singing away, my darling husband is out the back cooking our meal. Another Aussie tradition... lamb chops on the barbie. Yummm.

It was still very warm when I took these photos at about 8pm!!

Then we met up with Mum and my sister Kirsty and headed off to the bridge to watch the Skyworks.






The kids all oooohed and aaahed as the cars whizzed along behind us on the bridge, tooting at us all gathered there. It was amazing to see all the Aussie flags everywhere. Makes a person feel very patriotic and all warm and fuzzy.












I didn't have a special camera lense but I was quite pleased at how the fireworks shots turned out.












And here are all the kids, that is my daughter Kaitlin with her tongue stuck out. Typical child of mine!!??
And little Lissy.




Over all it was a lovely day and I ended up by staying up til the wee hours of the morning watching two great Aussies, Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger in 'The Patriot'.



Perfect..........................

Post #97 When life gives you lemons...

Two posts in one day!!! I think I have shocked myself.
Just wanted to show you my interpretation of Jen Wordens latest challenge 'Citrus'.



I have used a whole heap of different product here. Obviously, Teesha Moore clip art, painted backgrounds using Golden Fluids, plus some fabric background.

This was loads of fun, just playing around. Think I might put this on core board and hang it on my studio wall!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!

Post #97 HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

It is a beautiful warm day here in Perth Western Australia and we are gearing up for a wonderful evening of fun, fireworks and family!


It is on this day that we celebrate all that makes us unique Aussies. Laid back natures, hard working, loyal, fun loving! Our phrases and our mannerisms. This truly is an amazing country that I am blessed to be living in. And on this day, may we remember all our Anzacs who fought and died so we may celebrate with our loved ones in a free country. I will have fond thoughts of my Grandfather, Ray Johnson, a true Anzac whom I miss every day. Love you Grandpa xoxoxo


And to the family and loved ones of another great Australian, Heath Ledger. The thoughts and prayers of the whole of Australia are with you at this time of great sorrow.

Post #96 - Jen Worden Weekly Challenge

Getting closer and closer to post 100! Don't forget to leave a comment to go in to the draw for a great prize!

Well, I am all in the mood for challenges at the moment, so thought I would give Jen Wordens Weekly Challenge a go. Click on Jens name to visit her blog. Jen has amazing work and details all her techniques.
This weeks was creating monoprints, using a sheet of glass as a printing plate.

This is my first attempt, I decided to make a circle template, that you can see in the 2nd photo. I had thought that by adding a base of gesso to my glass and then the colours on top I would get a more muted shade of colours. Not so!! The gesso had very little effect at all! The colous I used were all Golden, Quin NA Gold, NA Yellow, Quin Crimson and Paynes Gray.

This is the stencil and another sheet that I used with Titanium White as a base. Has toned the colours down slightly. I only used the Quin NA Gold and NA Yellow on this one. I am actually really happy with the effect on the stencil.

This is 3 sheets I Created from one plate, just adding a bit more paint to each one to slightly change the effect.

This is the first plate using Ultramarine Violet and Irrid. Silver. I stamped in to the wet paint using a Fleur De Lis stamp.


To this one I added a bit of Micaceous Iron Oxide and blended it with my fingers. I then drizzled a little Irrid. Silver before laying my paper on to the plate.

This is the final one from the plate. I added a few drops of Paynes Gray to one side and then dragged it through the rest of the paint with my painters comb. I think this one is my favourite, even though it stuck to the plate a bit when I lifted it off. I think I will use these as background in my Gothic Arch Challenge, kill two birds with one stone, so to speak!!

Post #95 Gothic Art Challenge

I have been wanting to join in on the Gothic Art Challenge for quite some time now, but after seeing That Keron was choosing this weeks topic, thought it would be as good a time as any to jump in feet first!!!

I prepared the background with a layer of Golden Light Molding Paste and then textured it up with various things like bubble warp etc..

Then I painted it in a way taught by Jen Worden.
(if you click on her name, it will take you to her blog, AMAZING work!!!)
The theme for this weeks challenge, was 'Music and Lyrics'. As soon as I saw that, this song just popped in to my head. I had originally thought I might do something vintagey, but it ended up like this. I am really pleased with how it turned out and I hope to try and get the other 2 challenged for this year done before the new one next week.
I have Creative Paint Techniques classes to teach on both Tuesday and Wednesday as well as some class samples to get made up. Busy, busy, busy.

Have a great week!

Post #94

Its finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I placed the last finishing touches on last night. This is not the kind of layout I would do all the time, but I will make one for each of the girls and maybe one of my wedding photos.
It was alot of fun to do, love doing all the 'little bits'.
Enjoy!

Post #94

Even after spending the last 2 days on this project, I still haven't finished!!!!!
So, I thought I would just give a few sneak peeks at what I have done so far,


This is how my table looks right this very second, veeerrry messy, but, I tend to know right where everything is when I need to lay my hands on it.

For the background, I glued down this serviette and then painted over it with my own little recipe of Golden fluids and Irridesent Pearl, mixed together and then watered down 50:50.



Here is part of the layout. Unfortunately, as it is early evening, the photos have a golden tinge to them. I painted the chipboard initial with crackle paint and then sprinkled on a little gliteer while the paint was still wet.


Here is a close up of 2 of the tags, these are mounted on a piece of fabric paper that I made a while ago. Really easy to do , very effective and versatile too.


A 7gypsies label tab that has been painted and stamped. Got this idea directly from a piece of Beryl Taylors work!


Here is another tab. Behind it you can see the serviette that has been painted.


This is a swirl from the Tim Holtz Grungeboard. This is stuff is way cool to play with!


Another few little bits on the layout. Hoping to get this finished tonight!


Another hint for the prize? A kit of little bits and bobs that you would use in the above type project!

Post #92 Butterfly Journal

As mentioned in my last post, my friend Nic has started her new business of laser cut products. Over the last couple of days I have been working on this butterfly journal, which is part of her first release. How cool does it look all completed??!
You could join 2 or 3 journals all together to have a fuller journal, which would look awesome.




These are 4 of my 5 daughters when they were babies. I would like to get more pages and add my other daughter, my husband and myself as babies.
Each page includes a butterfly quote.
The papers are BasicGrey Periphery and I have edged each page with a gold Krylon pen.

This page has a few Beryl Taylor touches.
The photo in this page had been raised with foam tape to give more dimension.

It is a bit hard to see, but I have used Tim Holtz Crackle Paint on these pages, and of course some 'Beryl' touches!!


I am sure Nic would love to know what you think of this!

Post #91

Well, what a lovely day I had yesterday. I went out to my friend Di's scrapbook shop 'Scrapbooks to Di For' in Malaga, to catch up and have a coffee. It is always so nice to visit Di as she makes you feel so at home and she is always good for a laugh.
I also caught up with Nic, who I have known for years and who now works for Di.
Nic has just started her own business making lasercut pieces for scrapbooking and paperarts. Nic showed off a few of their new pieces and I also gave her my designs for a range for paper artists. Veeeerrrry exciting. The detail in Nics pieces is awesome, see just 2 pieces below.


This is the Twiddlybird, isn't it gorgeous?????

And these are the skulls. Even though I don't have boys I can see the possibilities of these on a journal. Look at the detail in these things! Just amazing.
These are available wholesale through Nic, or we will be stocking them soon for those who want to buy any.
Just let me know and I can get all details to you.


And finally, here is my poor wounded soldier, Casey. Saturday, week ago, Casey broke 2 bones in her paw and so is in a full length cast for 6 - 8 weeks. She has been so brave, not a single whimper out of her, even when it happened. (I whimpered at the vet bill!!!!)
Even though she is over 11 years old, she is up and about again, thinking she is a puppy.

I am afraid I have not had time to do any more art work, I have been cleaning house and doing SingStar with my kids. What a riot that is!!!

Oh and last but not least, a little prize hint...
It will include some of my favourite paints and something old/vintage.
Stay tuned for more clues next post, and don't forget to leave your comment to be in with a chance.

Saturdays art and a little competition

I have heard from many of you that you do actually read my blog, but hesitate to leave comments. So to encourage you all (hopefully) I have decided to run a little competition.
This is my 91st post on my blog, so everyone who leaves a comment between now and my 100th post will go in to the draw to win a fantastic prize. Each post I will try and give a little hint as to what the prize will be. Every time you leave a comment, your name will go in, so if you leave a comment on every post, you will increase your chances of winning!
Easy!!!!!


Above is the little shrine I mentioned yesterday. It is still a work in progress as I am waiting for just the right pieces to come to hand to complete it. I know that as I start rummaging for another project something will tell me it wants to go on the shrine.

Below is the piece I am working on today, in between hanging out washing and scrubbing my 2 bathrooms. Ever since I did Beryls class last year, I have wanted to do a layout incorporating that style. So this morning I started placing bits and pieces here and there and will fiddle with it periodically during the day. I am sure the finished product will look completely different, but this is how I start something out.


Hoping to show you the completed piece tonight?!
Have a great day.

Todays Art Play

So, here are a couple of things that I had a play around with today.
I wasn't getting caught up in the end result, rather, I just wanted to try a few different techniques.
These first few are from the book 'Artists Trading Card Workshop' by Bernie Berlin.


These two are using Magazine images and the one below is a phone book background painted over with Golden fluids mixed with acrylic glaze.


Below is a magazine image painted over with a thinned coat of Gesso. The images are then filled in with fluid acrylics.

Now, tofay we had delivery of the Tim Holtz Grungeboard. Below is a sample from the Elements - Swirls pack. Aren't they gorgeous? They have the feel of leather and kinda smell like that too.


This a sample I made up using the Grungeboard and the crackle paint. I am in the process of making a few more, they are such fun to work with and I can't wait to make a book using the hinges from the Elements pack!


This is the same piece, on a different background. The background on the above piece is using Moon shadow mist.

I have also started making a couple of the tiny shrines we have in the shop. One of them is going to be very Beryl Taylor and I think I may do the other Nina style.

Well, am off to serve up dinner now.

A Day for fun

Well, I haven't posted for almost a week as I have been busy catching up on a massive amount of paperwork. Trying to start 2008 in an organized manner so all the important events run as smoothly as possible.
It is such a drudge doing paper work and it can really sap the creative muse, but today I have promised myself a day of messy, creative fun.
Hoping to post again tonight with some art to share.
Have a great day.

Whiteman Park

Last weekend Mum, my sister and I decided to take the kids to Whiteman Park for a BBQ. The weather was glorious, the park beautiful and it was a lovely relaxing day. It has so nice having the kids at an age where the are relatively independent and able to do many things without my constant assistance. They were swimming and playing cricket and tennis, going on the playground and expending all that excess energy!!


Here is Maddi watching Kaitlin walking towards the tennis courts.

And here they are deep in conversation, don't they look so grown up??

This is my niece Alyssa and Jessica, fielding in a game of cricket. It was so nice to be able to go to the cafe and have a milkshake, knowing the kids were safe and happy playing.

Hers Courtney having a swing! The weather was so nice in the shade and thankfully Whiteman Park has lots of big trees and these huge recreation areas.

And last but not least my beautiful Sammi!!

It makes me realise we are so fortunate to have this fantastic outdoor lifestyle here in Australia.
Hope you are all having a great weekend. My thoughts to any of you affected by the floods in NSW. Ro, I hope your daughter found here way home and that it wasn't flood affected.