Safe as Houses!

One of my promises to myself, is that from now on I will make what I want when I want...and not put off the little things to make way for big things.... little things are important too.

One thing that really bugs me is not being able to find peoples addresses when I want to post them something. I am terrible, I scribble addy's on scraps of paper and on backs of envelopes, and tear off labels from gifts I have received from friends already. I have been promising to make myself a special little book, just for the addy's of arts and crafts buddies, so today I finally did it :D

A quick and simple altered art project, I bought a pack of 3 A6ish ruled books for £1 from The Range...

and printed off a couple of the gorgeous free backgrounds I have access to as a member of the brand new Ning,One Little House, set up by my brilliant arts and crafty friend Jeanette House. The site opens officcially on January 1st(or tomorrow, if you prefer), but Jeanette asked me to have a nosey first(if I can navigate the site any one can lol)

I chose 2 backgrounds that had sympathetic colour schemes(1 by Jeanette and 1 by a lady named Pascale , who is one of the many amazing artists hosting classes via One Little House ning) and cut them ito small panels...

The book makers had glued a ruled page to the inside covers, so I used a dry brush and added a border of a matching colour to improve the appearance of the inside... 

and added a panel of Jeanette's paper.

Before adding Pascale's paper to the outer cover, I mounted the panels on black card to give it a little frame :D

These papers are printed out on cheap copy paper on text/image, and they still look amazing!

Now I know I am shamelessly pimping my friends new Ning, but it does look to me like a very well thought out safe place to Art and gain skills, whilst receiving encouragement and sensible advice.

...and now all I have to do is collect up all my little bits of paper and copy the addy's into my book of friends :D

Enjoy and wishing you all a Blessed  2013 :D XXX 

Lady Ophelia's tour comes to an end.

This is the final card and therefore the final chapter of Ophelia's adventure.

I didn't know how this was going to work out when Darcy first made the challenge back in December 2011, but I am so glad I chose to join in. I started by choosing an era to set my story in, and 1895 was the year my  Grandfather Henry was born. So it was then a matter of weaving a story around his birthdate...7th November. All other characters and circumstances relating to Henry's birth are totally fictitious.

THANK YOU to Darcy for the challenge, and all the others who started the challenge too, even if they didn't manage to finish. They all had the most amazing and individual ideas of how to handle this challenge, and have been a pleasure to read :D

Week 52 of Darcy's 52 Postcards for 2012 challenge, MEXICO

The national flower of Mexico is the Dahlia.

"My dear Lillian,

Well would you believe it! Our last trip and Richard is working! It seems every other country we have visited is at war, or is about to be at war with the Americans. Miss Francesca is very cross with Richard for bringing us to another potentially dangerous country. But it smells so warm and inviting. The food is extremely spicy, and there is so much colour every where you look. We can't go anywhere without an armed guard, and Miss Francesca looks like she is going to start a fight with everyone who even talks to us. Not exactly the joyful conclusion to our adventure I was hoping for.

It is lovely to relax in the evening in our hotel room. I can hear music playing in the canteena  across the street. It makes me want to dance, and the sound of crickets chirping at dusk is so pretty. There is no need to send a reply, as we should be home by the time you read this.

your ever loving friend, Ophelia xxx"

Lillian stands by her window, card in hand, wishing her friend would arrive soon.

A carriage pulls up at the gate of Peartree cottage. A couple, wrapped up against the inclement weather, carrying a baby, hurry up the path as Lillian rushes to open the door.

When Geoffrey gets back with Marcus they find the 3 adults sitting in silence, Lillian nursing the infant Henry on her lap.

"What's wrong?" Marcus' quiet question goes unanswered for what seems like an awfully long time.

"Where's Ophelia?" asked Geoffrey.

"She won't be coming" Miss Francesca gently replied. "There was an accident. The Clipper was caught in a storm off the Cornish coastline. A wave took her."

Geoffrey looked towards Sir Richard, he saw the pain he recognised in his own father's eyes.

Lillian cleared her throat, "Sir Richard wants us to look after Henry", she said in a clear matter of fact voice. "He feels, at least for the early years, he will be better suited in a stable home. Sir Richard is going to continue travelling abroad as an Ambassador to the nation." She paused a little before announcing, "I have agreed of course."

Again Miss Francesca's gentle voice explained that Sir Richard knew how much Ophelia loved and respected her Governess, and that monies would be provided to cover any material needs while he was overseas. He would call in whenever he was able to check on the boys progress etc. etc....

Sir Richard never spoke a word, kissed his son, and left.....

December 31st 1899

After a joyful and festive week, Henry is bathed and ready for bed, and while his big brother Geoffrey helps Aunt Francesca bring in hot chocolate and biscuits for supper, he snuggles up against Aunt Lillian. Tonight, as on every New Years eve, she gets out her special picture book, and tells the story of a marvellous adventure. Of a happy smiling Lady, with hair as red as his own, and the countries she travelled to before he was born. And in the morning, his father will be coming to visit, bringing him toys and sweets, and tell him of the countries he will be visiting this year.

"When I get big, can I go to other countries too?" he asks Aunt Lillian with a yawn. "Absolutely you can" she replies, just like she has every year.

"You can be my assistant." chips in Geoffrey,"When I qualify as a Doctor, I am going to travel the world and help people less fortunate than ourselves."

And Lillian smiles, content that she has done a good job.

THE END

Now I know some of you will have been shocked by the ending to my story, but I knew this was going to be the ending right from week 1. This is not Ophelia's story, but Lillian's. The story began when she was offended by Sir Richards comments at the wedding

"When Sir Richard married Effie on Christmas Day 1894, he surprised everyone by announcing that they would be leaving immediately, as he had planned the grandest of all Grand Tours for his new bride, and that it would be a great addition to her education.

Miss Lillian was quite taken aback, at the suggestion that she had been lacking in her duties, and promptly left the celebrations. She gave notice of her retirement the next morning."

I hope you have enjoyed the journey, and I wish you all strength to continue and grow on yours

Blessed be :D XXX

Here we go a wassailing........!

Blessed Midwinter/Yule/Christmas to all my Blogging Buddies :D

This is the final double spread in my large Diary Journal, so it seemed only fitting to do a self portrait :D

This time I just added a layer of white gesso to the pages, before sketching with water-blendable pencils.

It was just going to be me...but this group of happy lunatics just leaped out of the page and insisted we sing and dance :D

...and I have to say...they really cheered me up :D

Next, just used water and a small brush to blend the pencil, which immediately intensified the colours...

and then added a wintery background of soft pink and blue pearlescent paint.

Blue pen to highlight and outline, as black seemed too harsh for this happy page :D

And my page is a happy shimmery midwinter gathering of Wassailers, dancing and singing (and drinking Cornish Mead) :D

Enjoy :D XXX

This is a great traditional version of the Wassailing song by the Watersons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggkJTKqboIY

Linking to Inspiration Avenue's "Winter Goddess" challenge

Blessed be :D XXX

Inspired by Angels

I was recently invited to join in a ritual by a lovely friend who genuinely wanted to send me some love and goodness. I agreed without hesitation as I totally trust this friend, but when the information arrived I noticed it was in the form of a chain letter. I have HUGE issues with chain letters ...but the intent was honourable...so I used the experience to make a journal page...

And for those of you wondering why a pagan would even consider discourse with an Angel...one man's Angel is another man's Elemental Spirit...we just choose to see them in one particular form.

Journalling reads:

"I am not yours to command.

Ask what you will of me...

if it is in my power I will oblige...

BUT

I always reserve the right to say NO"

Base layer, more gorgeous shiny pearlescent paint ...

sketched in Angel...

blocked in with metallic acrylics....

added detail with black pen and wrote on journalling.

Very shiny page for angelic creation....

Specially liked the effect of gold acrylic smudged over the pearlescent surface :D

And just for the record....I have great respect for all elemental beings, and would never even attempt to bind them in a contract of words, no matter how well intended. I just ask them nicely, and if they don't see my request as being in my best interest I trust them to let me know.

Enjoy :D XXX

Lady Ophelia is not amused!

Week 51 of Darcy's 52 Postcards for 2012, and Lady Ophelia is in GREENLAND.

The national flower of Greenland is the Purple Willowherb

"My dear Lillian,

well Richard decided we did need to get in the mood for Christmas, and has brought us to Greenland. Apparently, at this time of year you can walk to the North pole!  and Canada! and possibly even Russia if it gets cold enough. I think it is cold enough! Nothing to see but snow and ice. And Geese...Richard says they are the ones that come to the lake in the garden in spring, though I find it hard to believe myself.

Miss Francesca and Richard are behaving like children too. They have built a huge snowman and are presently having a snowball fight "to entertain Henry". They haven't even noticed he has been asleep for the last half hour.

Just one more stop off now on our way home. My mind is such a whirl from all the places we have visited so far. I can't begin to imagine where it will be. I hope it is somewhere sunny, just to thaw out a bit after this magical but cold place.

So excited to be seeing you soon, can't believe how this year has flown by.

Your ever loving friend, Ophelia xxx"

"My dear Ophelia,

just so you know, I have been keeping your postcards and collecting them in a book. You will be able to go through it with me, and tell me all the exciting details you didn't have room to write about.

We haven't had any snow yet this winter, and though a little would be nice, I dread a repeat of last winter.

Geoffrey has been invited to sit his 11+ just after the New Year. The headmaster from the local Grammar School called to see me last week, and was so impressed with Geoffrey's progress, and he isn't even 11 until March 15th. I hope he doesn't forget about us when he is off at school studying, but I am so proud of him. He has even caught Marcus' infectious smile.

Must dash now, as I have to prepare treats for the Christmas Eve carol service.

Your very blessed friend, Lillian xxx"

Next week is the final instalment of "Lady Ophelia's Grand Tour"

Enjoy :D XXX 

Unintentional Art

How many pieces of paper do you own that look like this?

With splodges and splatters and nummy scrapes of colour and texture...

Well I make these unintentional pieces of art all the time. hey are the scrap paper iI use to protect other surfaces when journalling, stamping and generally arting.

Glued to art board they make fabulous first layers to art on :D

 My friend Clare mentioned (subtle hint) that she didn't have one of my "bubble people". I explained that it was because I work big on them and so couldn't afford to post them. So I have made four 4 and a half x 6 inch pieces

more definition + white gesso to background...

Next some colour. I usually select 3 colours...this time I used Mid yellow/Cerulean blue/ Rose madder

then rub a darker neutral colour(dark brown)over with my fingers to "solidify" the background.

After the background dries(usually with hair-drier cos I is impatient) I block in the figure using a single colour let down with glazing medium. This makes the paint translucent and extends the drying time so you can blend and remove any excess(if you want more of the base layer to show through)

Let it dry!..and then add definition with some more of the darker neutral to bind it all together...

and a bit of gold sparkly paint to tidy edges and add love :D

When Clare has chosen which one she wants, I will be offering the other 3 as a giveaway, but will leave that til the New Year

Enjoy :D XXX

Lady Ophelia...feeling good

Wow...can't believe how fast this challenge has passed, but here we are at week 50 of Darcy's 52 Postcards for 2012. This week Ophelia is writing from HAWAII

The national flower of Hawaii is the Hibiscus

" My dearest Lillian,

It is extremely hard to get into the "Christmas spirit" while sitting on an Hawaiian beach. It is so lovely and peaceful on these glorious islands, and the smell of fruit and flowers lingers everywhere we go. The people here seem born to please...not in the formal manner of paid servants, but because they have hearts of gold. I feel truly blessed to be able to relax and enjoy my baby in such a spiritual  place. Henry is very alert already, and gurgles and smiles along with these beautiful people. I think this would be a wonderful place to live....other than Yorkshire.

We should be most definitely home for the New Year. Richard has a Clipper booked, but from where I could not tell you.

Your most contented friend, Ophelia xxx"

" My darling Ophelia,

We are most definitely getting into the spirit of the season here. Marcus has been helping decorate at the Hall, the church and here at home! You would think he was a child the way he is chattering on about our first Christmas together. I felt a little sad about cutting a tree to bring in, as has become the custom in respect of Prince Albert. So Marcus selected one about 5 feet tall, dug it up roots and all and planted it near the front door of the cottage. He says this way we can have Christmas all year round.

The children have been busy making miles of paper chains, and biscuits to decorate their own trees with. Geoffrey says his father can't bring himself to celebrate this year, so he will be joining Marcus and myself on Christmas Day. It is always right to remember that others may be feeling sadness, while the rest of us are counting our blessings. Marcus is going to see if he can persuade Geoffrey's father to join us as well.

You weren't serious about staying in Hawaii, were you dear?

Your devoted friend, Lillian xxx"

I will keep the next post brief as we are all busy, but with be concluding the story along with the final card on Friday 28th.

Enjoy :D XXX

Sketchbook for World tour 2013 complete!

I made a page for my book as there are a lot of pics. Click HERE to see them :D XXX

"Red and Green should never be seen!"

This was a phrase my Gran used quite a lot when I was younger. She actually refused to walk with me one day when I turned up wearing a green top and a red headscarf!!! It wasn't until I was much older that I realised the connotation...she was worried people would think me a witch as the 2 colours combine to represent the Lady and her Lord of the greenwood. My Gran could have saved me a lot of time if she had explained this aversion to me...I am a witch...always have been...always will be :D

This is the thought that inspired today's journal page, a homage to the Greenman :D

The base layer is the scrummy wrapping paper from Clare's gift yesterday(can't tell you what was in it as Darcy is saving hers til Christmas day :D)

Next layer is modelling paste...

which I spread out and "textured" with a mesh bag from some oranges(more yuletide linkage)

oooooow...texture(though boring to wait on as it takes ages to dry!!!)

WHEN it dried, I sponged on green and brown acrylic paint...

and forgot to take pics of building up of Greenman image, but here are a couple of close-ups :D

"How can we exist if we don't believe in ourselves"

Spent a lovely if chaotic day with Darcy and Clare yesterday, thank you ladies :D

Enjoy XXX