Changes for the better...

This is the "Sacred Self Care" art doll I made for a 

LifeBook 2019 class with

Tamara Laporte.

(this class can now be bought individually)

She showed us how to work with clay

(but I decided to embrace my impatience)

and used a "Russian doll" for my base.

 I have had this set for year and don't really

do "Father Christmas"....

 I sanded each one and coated with white gesso...

 then black gesso as I was going to use them 

for a "darker" project.

 I can't go through the "re-decorating" process as 

it is a paid for class....

 but I think you might enjoy a few close-ups

 as she is subtley sparkly

 and I still have 4 little gems waiting for rebirth.

Enjoy XXX

New Year Reboot

So...4 months away from Blogland

 and I was considering just letting the Blog die

 a natural death as I wasn't feeling the need to

post at all.

But death doesn't mean the end of something,

it can also mean rebirth...so I guess I will just 

do a revamp and make this space more just for me

(though visitors are always welcome)

For now I will share some of the art work I 

have been making along with Life Book 2019

at Willowing.org

 (I totally love this moon Goddess piece)

with Tiare Smith

 (a certain Darkness is needed to see the Stars)

with Tamara Laporte

 (Penumbra)

with Melanie Rivers

 (Inner Anchor)

with Donna Downey

 (Archangel Michael)

with Muriel Stegers

 (Wisdom of the Woods)

with Laly Mille

 and this gorgeous "Self care" art doll

with Tamara Laporte....

to remind me that life can be a joyful place :D

So I will be around to visit folks soon

Stay Safe and Well as the Wheel turns again.

Enjoy XXX

Variety is the Spice of LifeBook

Busy , busy, busy....

Days out with Hubby and days In with paint :D

The thing about doing an online art course like

Lifebook 2019

is the variety of styles you encounter...

 Painterly, is a new term to me...

and I'm loving the splodginess of it :D

 Then there is collage (with watercolour painting)

 and finding your own "story" with

Tam's beautiful whimsical style.

 Even within the "whimsical" genre you 

get to learn differing techniques through the 

 uniqueness of each teacher!

Then there are those that teach us to  just

let loose...

 and let the paint do it's own thing!

Can't even describe how much I am enjoying this course.

Should have joined in years ago :D

Blessed Midsummer to all!

May your creative light shine ever on

XXX

Happy Mail equals Happy Play...

In my last post I mentioned the lovely

Brenda Brown (Bumblebees and Butterflies),

and the fabulous "Happy Mail" she had sent me....

Well this is what I have been making with it :D

 I am not posting a step-by-step for this project

as Brenda is much better at it than I am, and

I highly recommend a visit to her blog.

Eileen Hull Notebook Die

 *and yes I will be purchasing the die to make more

of these little books*

I only used 3 of the pre-cut pages for now, but the book 

holds 3 signatures ...

and I stuck to my theme and colour combi for the year too :D

 I thought a compass made more sense than 

a clock face for the legend.

Can't wait to start "arting" the pages :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this book in the following challenges;

A Vintage Journey # May- Book It!

More Mixed Media # AG - optional Pink

Crafts Galore Encore Challenge#63 Anything Goes

A Bit More Time To Craft # 92 Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps and More # 341 Anything Goes

Nurturing Nature.

My April creation for

CRAFTYHAZENUT'S 

PATTERNED PAPER CHALLENGE

The fabulous thing about having a stash of patterned

papers is the ability to up-cycle past makes.

*That doesn't prevent me adding to the stash though lol*

Saw this little booklet in The Works and had to buy it!

Dug out an old project that had gotten a little battered
(OMG 2014!!!!)

and stripped it back before re painting.

Selected some collage pieces from the booklet...

then remembered a conversation about making my own 

"Paper dolls" from old family photos.

The image of my grandparents holding one of their children

was perfect to add to my "Happiness" altar :D

*inspired by Carrie Schmitt LB2019 wk 07*

Spring is a time of "Nurturing" for me...

a time to "start as you mean to go on"....

encouraging, hugging, and appreciating all the 

blessings in your life :D

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share this project in the following challenges;

Through the Craft Room Door # wk 26th March Anything Goes

 Crafty Creations Challenge # 387 Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwndown # 428 Pastel Colours

Try it On Tuesday #  19th March~Say it with Flowers

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge # 423 Anything Goes

Arty update...

Still loving Life Book 2019 with 

Tamara Laporte and friends :D

 "Celebration Bird"

 "Reaching for the Stars" with Lucy Brydon

 "Super Me"

and still playing at the 

EverAfter 2017 workshop

"Glinda" with Tiare Smith

"Fox and Hound" with Micki Wilde

"Persephone" with Ivy Newport

I think Aqua/Turquoise/Teal is definitely

 my defining colour for 2019, but then I 

have always seen "blue skies" as my happy place :D

Oh and on stranger news...I got an email

 claiming to be from a craft company, who liked

my blog and was I interested in doing a review 

on their products? 

Now usually I just bin such emails...but I checked 

this one out, and it was real!!!

They sent me their magazine and some goodies and 

I look forward to sharing them with you shortly :D

Hope you are all well

Enjoy XXX

Finding time...

OMG!!! 

Really struggling to grab my Arting time

lately, but I am fighting back!

Have signed up for my very first Life Book course

with Tamara Laporte next year (come on January!!)

Tam recently headed a short summit to introduce some of the 

teachers for 2019 and Pamela Vosseller has a collection

of free classes...this piece I created after watching her 

"Crave" video.

 Obviously I can't list all the techniques...

 as that would be impolite...

 even from a free class...

 but I loved every minute of the process.

 Doodling can be so restful :D

The word stamps are from 

Kelly Creates Quotes 1 traceable Stamps

(very cheap at the moment for a large text)

Enjoy XXX

Sharing n the following challenges ;

A Bit More Time To Craft #80 Anything Goes

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #406 Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door # wk 13th November, Anything Goes

The Three Muses Challenge# Splashes of Turquoise and Red

Just for Fun...

No sponsor this week at 

Crafting With Friends
#74

so Playtime!!!  :D

I don't often get to use rubber stamps
(of which I have many)
I love this time of year, when the nights are
getting darker...and spooky mwahaha...
Last month I made an envelope journal/storage
thingy, and this was a great opportunity to start
making art pieces to add to it.

Each piece will be 10cm x 20cm and fit

nicely into the envelope folder

(Creepy Clown and Kids stamps from Sin City

Halloween quote stamps from Graphics 45)

Why not take this opportunity to walk on the Darkside 

it can be very therapeutic ;)

Enjoy XXX

I would like to share in the following challenges;

Dream in Darkness # September

SOSS # 119 M is for Monster (creepy clown)

Polkadoodles Crafting Challenge # wk 38 Anything Goes

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge # wk 38 Anything Goes

Always Fun Challenges # 77 Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart # 122 Anything Goes