Christmas & Art!

Well, Christmas is done & dusted for another year.
This year I enjoyed the most stress free Christmas I have had in many years.
Lunch(at restaurant) with family & then afternoon at my brothers home with lots of talk & laughter and the sounds of happy children playing made the day very special.
Now, I am ready to make some ART!!!

Enjoy!!

Challenge No 3

WOW!!! Did I enjoy this Challenge today. Maybe the reason I loved it so much was that I didn't have to draw & paint a face!!!!
Anyway Bevlea & I were joined this week by Elizabeth,Glenda and Barb(online, as she lives in Wagga Wagga) and attempted another page from Kelly Rae Roberts book 'Taking Flight".
We made the dress & bodice using Fimo,some stamping, painting, Pearlex & added some bling,then baked it in the oven.
Then we painted the canvas background using paints, bubble wrap, tops from glue sticks, charcoal pencils etc. etc.
I am really thrilled with the result.
Would like some feedback(good or bad) PLEASE!!

Challenge No 2

Bevlea & I tried our 2nd challenge from Kelly Rae Roberts book 'Taking Flight'. Can't say it was easy, well, actually we really didn't capture the technique much at all. Though, we did have a fun day, laughing at our inabilitiy to follow instructions.
If I was a drinking woman, this would have been the day to just have a few more & a few more & try to forget what we really got together for.
I did however, a day or two later, decide that I wasn't going to be beaten & finished what I had started.
In reality, this painting does not even come close to Kelly's, but, I am proud of myself for soldiering on and not just tossing it in the bin!!!
PS: I am the baby in the photo, with the rather silly bonnet on my head & the coquettish, come hither look!

Art Challenge

My dear friend, Bevlea & I have decided to challenge ourselves to working through Kelly Rae Robets book "Taking Flight". So armed with supplies, we tried a canvas.
Even though I have painted many dolls faces, I am not comfortable painting one on canvas. But, with Kelly's instructions & Bevlea's knowledge, I attempted & even finished the canvas.
I am moderately pleased with the result, but definately need more practice!
Next week, we will be working on another project from the same book, so stay tuned for the result!

My Architectural House

Make a Smilebox photobook

House Book Covers

Thought I would post pics of my front & back covers for my "In This House" book swap.

My theme is "Architecture".

The front cover shows the architect with plans in his hand.

The Back cover has the words:
"It was not just a house,

Not just four walls & a roof,

It was an edifice,

Built on the foundations of Love"

Another page.

Another page arrived for the 'In This House' swap I am involved in. This page is by Evelyn Watt.
Only 1 more page to come!

Tagged!

I have been 'TAGGED' by Beckie.
Becks makes beautiful art & has a great blog.

Here are the rules...
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
4. Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
5. Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.
So, for the 6 quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about me:
1.. I am a neat freak!!!
2.. I am happily married(in this era,boring but true)
3.. I try to obey all the road rules.
4.. I find myself repeating a favourite saying waaaaaay too often!
5.. I am hardly ever late for anything!
6.. I don't think I am any good at art.
OK, thats all I can come up with, so obviously I am a boring,neat,rule following,happily married,punctual would be artist!
So, I tag the following bloggers:
Bevlea, who is my very dear friend, always ready to share her vast knowledge of computers & arty stuff with me.
Elizabeth, also a dear friend, who like Bevlea is always willing to share & have a laugh or two.
Liz, a funny, very irreverent artist who, even though I have only met once, I seem to have known her forever.
Eva, who understands me so well, 'cos she is the most neatest neat freak I know!
Jen, who has a beautiful spirit & taught me to solder without 'frying' my fingers!
Last, but not least is Keron who inspires me nearly every day with her most marvellous blog,

I put my name down for a "Matchbox Shrine Pendant" swap, and as the time was getting closer, I had no idea what to do.

Got some ideas from friends, but, didn't realise that matchboxes were soooo small. I dont 'do' small!!!

Anyway, got stuck minto the project yesterday & 1/2 hour later was really pleased with the result.

I used some Golden Paints, added a Paper Whimsy image, some wings, liitle bottle, words & an antique pen nib.

Am thrilled with the result, but, still don't like 'small'!!

Art

My '"Architectural" In This House' book is filling rapidly. Yesterday I received great pages from Philippa Barr & Linda Schutt.

Aren't they lovely??

More House Pages

More house pages have arrived.
Pages are by Rhonda Clayton, Kylie Mell & Vanessa Henry.
Rhondas have a gate that opens showing the words:"There are things known, and there are things unknown and in between are the doors.
Thank you girls!

More House pages.

Over the last few weeks I have received some more lovely house pages for the 'In This House' swap I am in. The pictures show houses from Glenda Laing(front & back), Kaeren Sutherland & Joanne Hughes.

Hopefully more will arrive this week, its certainly fun going to the letterbox while this swap is happening!

Paperific & In This House pages

Went to Paperific this morning & as I got out of my car, there was Greta who gave me her gorgeous page for the In This House project.

Met my friends and 5 minutes later ran into Gail Smith who gave me her wonderful page.

Didn't find much to buy at Paperific, but, came home with 2 spectacular works of art by Greta & Gail.

Thanks so much ladies, they are WONDERFUL & greatly appreciated.

"In This House"

I am in an "In This House" swap with some fellow artists. My theme is the "Architectural House"

This month I am to receive my pages made by the artists and I am excited!

The page shown here is made by Sarah Fawcett & I think it is STUNNING!!!

Thanks so much Sarah.

I may start stalking our postie now!!

ODD BOD

I sent this canvas to Dawn from W.A. as a Mystery Muse swap.

I knew that Dawn liked the Odd & Quirky, so thought she may get a smile from this art.

It is quite a large canvas. I painted the background with Golden paints and used a Lynn Perella image, added some stamping and some Mica.

Dawn was pleased with it and in March next year, I will get to meet Dawn in person at the Creative Soul Retreat here in Melbourne. I Am really looking forward to this!

Little 3D house book

I am involved in a Mystery Muse swap on a group & the recipient this month loves Vintage, so, I decided to make a 3D house book.

I did a class a while back with the lovely Marg Buhagiar and really enjoyed the whole process.

This book though, I cut myself.
Amazingly, it came together quite easily.

Unfortunately the pics aren't great as I had to scan them.
My dear old camera is dying a slow death, and often refuses to co-operate, just when I need her most!!

Pendant

This is a pendant I made for a swap.

I got the idea from my dear friend Elizabeth.

It is made in the style of Tim Holtz(LOVE the man!).

I used a rusty key, an old washer & some 'things' from a computer motherboard.

Let me know what you think.

A LITTLE BIT OF WHIMSY.

Had some time on my hands today, so found a canvas & painted & collaged this creation.

I have called it "WHIMSY".

I used some Golden paints that I have, can't wait to buy some more, they are so easy to use & I just love the colours.

The image is from a paper by Lynne Perella.

Coloured & attached some gauze, a little bird & some Collections letters.

I am really pleased with it, though, as my DH says"you have a warped sense of humour"!
Let me know what you think.

Junk Bracelet

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A few weeks ago I did a class with the FABULOUS Jenn Crossley.

The class was to make a junk bracelet & I was terrified, having never used a soldering iron before.

My fears were eased with the calm, cool & collected Jenn who made it all so simple.

Jenn approaches jewellery making with confidence which is passed on to her students.

The results of all involved in the class were WONDERFUL. My bracelet is something I will wear with pride.

OTIS HAS ARRIVED

Our new baby, Otis, has arrived & has made himself at home.
We picked him up from the airport on a cold Saturday night where he looked terrified in his cage. A few tears were shed as he came straight into my arms.
Now a few weeks later, he has settled in and is a bundle of MISCHIEF!!
We have booked him into Obedience training as, at 14 weeks old, he is too old for "Puppy Pre school"!!
He is so beautiful & Oh So Tiny, weighing in at 1.7 kilos!
The only thing that seems to bother him, is the ghastly COLD weather we are having in Melbourne lately.
Potty training has started, updates will follow!!!

Update on Otis.

Received a new picture of our puppy yesterday. I looked into his eyes & my heart melted. Have decided on Otis for his name. Our old Min Pin is Olivia and our beautiful boy was Oscar. So have decided to carry on the "O" tradition.
Ain't he BEAUTIFUL!!

Bird Crazy!

I have officially gone "BIRD CRAZY".
Just love making bird inspired art. I am in a Bird swap & have made 2 creations so far, just don't know which one to send! Though, maybe I will have another inspiration & make some new Birdie art!
In the first creation, I used the wrong side of the canvas,so I could make it more 3D. I painted, added a Paper Whimsy image & used German scrap bird house & birds. I also used 2 "Collections" birds & some realistic bird eggs.
The second is a 6" X 6" canvas I painted & collaged. Added some more german scrap birds & some Queen & Co felt fusion that I painted to match.
I am really pleased with the results. Post a comment and let me know what you think.

Our new baby!

Last October we lost our beautiful Min Pin Oscar. He was 12 1/2 years old & a joy to have in our life. Unfortunately he had a brain tumour & after months of loving care, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go. He died peacefully in our arms. We will never forget him, he was one of a kind!
After months of soul searching, we decided to search for a new Min Pin. We decided we wanted a black & tan boy, and we are awaiting the arrival of our new puppy in late July or early August. The picture shows him at 5 weeks old. Such a sweetie!
We have a few names for him, but, will have to wait till we meet him in person.
He will be coming to Melbourne from Darwin, can't wait !!

Well slap me with a wet fish!

Had a lovely day today with Bevlea who came over for lunch... we were talking about the Creative Soul Retreat..and I mentioned I didnt know what Stephanie did.. .Bevlea said 'metal' so I grabbed the latest Somerset Studio to show her something I liked and mentioned that I was off to buy a soldering iron to do....

Well, slap me with the wet fish - because the article I liked was an item MADE BY STEPHANIE LEE LOL... I hadnt noticed the name until then... now I cant wait to do the class LOL (but will be making the bird cage before then, can't wait till March vbg

If you have Somerset Studio current issue.. grab it and check it out .. love it!

More on Misty

Today I went to my friend Bevlea's home where we played around with Misty Mawns techniques.
Bevlea & I attended her class last Friday & then Bevlea went to another class with Misty on Sunday. I was very downcast after my class, 'cos I'm just not a painter, but, today playing with Bevlea and using the techniques she learnt on the Sunday we made a collage.

I am so EXCITED!! I love what we both made. I have named my collage "Playing with Bevlea', very appropriate!

After the many, many classes & workshops I have done over the years, this is only the second time I have ever produced a finished article, and I am RAPT!! (the only other one was little houses with Marg Buhagiar from The Creative Journey)

At Buck House!

Just wanted to set the record straight.
The pic of me outside Buck house is a tad misleading.
No, Bevlea, I do not have blue ear muffs on!
Also, just realized that I look huge!
Well, not that I'm small, BUT, underneath my coat are 3 jumpers & my shoulder bag(safest place to keep it!)
TTYS Lucy

Back to reality

It's taken me quite a while to get back 'into' making art. Have done a few swaps & fiddled around with a few new ideas, more about that later!

I recently attended a workshop with the beautiful & talented Misty Mawn.

Misty is a great girl & she produces brilliant art, but, I decided that I am not & never will be a painter. Ho Hum!!!

I am OK with collages, stamping & some painting, but, not canvas's.

The pics I have posted are of an arch I did for an International swap and a set of altered keys. Just love altered keys!!

I'm back!!

I am back from my FABULOUS trip!
Ireland was lovely, very green, great people & St Patricks Day(my Daughters 40th Birthday) & shopping was a wonderful experience.
London was busy, old, expensive & it SNOWED!!(The locals thought it very strange that 3 grown women could stand out in the snow laughing!).
Italy was marvellous, great sights, art galleries,shopping, Venice(superb), shopping, Florence (unique) shopping, Rome,(busy),Pompeii (Amazing) shopping etc. etc.
Paris was BEAUTIFUL. Loved every minuute of Paris, people were lovely, Arc De Triumphe, Eiffell Tower, Champs Elysses, Le Louvre etc. etc & of course shopping.
All in all a trip of a lifetime!!!

(Above is a pic of moi at Buckingham palace)

Off to Europe!

Today I am off overseas for a month.
First stop is Paris, then Ireland(will celebrate my daughters 40th birthday on St Patricks Day!), then London & 2 weeks in Italy!!
WOO HOO!!!!!!
Will try to log in while I am away.!
TTYT Lucy

Collections again!

Every month on Paperarts Group, we are given some images to produce something. This month there were some great angels. Instead of an ATC, I used a Collections(I know, Collections again!) Photo Fob to create my piece. Hope you like it.

Rusty Collections

The new pic is a set of 4 Collections houses in a frame.
Really hard to scan, but, it has a great rusty butterfly on top & it is hung by a rusty chain.
I know everyone who sees this must think I only make Collections 'stuff', well, I don't, but I do love Julies goodies & find myself drawn to them most times when I am in the mood to create.

MOTHERING

Firstly I want to thank my lovely friend Bevlea for the great banner she designed for my blog page. I really love it Bevlea, such a giving friend!
Secondly,I am involved in an Art Doll swap and I agonized for ages over what I should make.
I just cannot do pretty, no matter how hard I try, so thought what can I do?
Whilst mulling things over I opened a box of 'stuff' and in it were some lovely brown feathers.
Immediately I began to think 'Bird'?
Then, on my desk lay an old & aged cupboard door pull & my thoughts went to 'NEST'.
So, my new creation was born.
I have named her "MOTHERING", hope you like her.

I joined an ATC swap run by Marion from Germany.

The theme is 'Postage People"

I had a few problems as I didn't have a lot of suitable stamps, but, am reasonably pleased with these results.
I, like a lot of others, am insecure about my art attempts, so, I sent pictures of my ATC's to a friend and took her comments on board.

Why am I so insecure???

Maybe because I am not trained, can't draw a straight line or paint properly.
But, I love collage, stamping etc, so will just have to remind myself, that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder' and continue to do what I do, 'cos it make me HAPPY!!!!!

I have been soooooooo busy lately, some family issues & trying to get all my swaps done as I am off overseas soon.

I am involved in a Mermaid Book for a group, so here is the page I have produced.

I used lots of Impasto Medium, paints, beads, Moon Glo etc. I am thrilled with the result, now, can't wait to get the finished book back!

My first post for 2008!!
It has been so hot here that making art has come second to keeping cool.
I have made all my little Collections houses for a swap & had a few left over, so I put them in a frame with rusted paper as the background. I am going to hang this up with some rusty wire.
My next project is a mermaid.
I have just read this months Somerset Magazine, where there is an article in it with an interesting technique for using strips of paper all glued & crumpled. So, I am going to try it for my mermaids tale. Stay tuned for the results!