All sorts!

Smile by Daniel Torrente for Stampotique

Carol's Flower large and small by Janet Klein for Stampotique

Inks and paints by Dylusions

It's the Stampotique Designers Challenge time again! This time Kaz has challenged us to create something using sizzling colours of red, yellow and orange. Here's what Kaz has to say:

"When I took this  week for my challenge back in the winter, I thought it would be lovely and summery so I decided to set a colour challenge using the sizzling colours of red, yellow and orange. I should have known better really as I do, after all, live in England. It's been positively Autumnal this month. Rain, wind and grey skies. Yuk. So I'd like you to help us entice the sunshine back to help warm my cold toes!!"

Although I started out as a 'neat' cardmaker, I rarely make cards these days so I decided to challenge myself a bit further and make a card. I 'smooshed' red and yellow inks on a craft mat and dragged my card through. The colours mixed in places to give me the colour orange too.

All the details of the challenge can be found on the Stampotique Designers Challenge blog. As its the second challenge of the month, it's Stampotique only stamps, and don't forget there's a $30 gift certificate up for one lucky winner!

Yesterday I spent the day with the wonderful Kirsty Wiseman learning how to use my digital SLR camera. I have had my camera for ages but have only ever used it in auto mode *shame on me* but after spending a day with Kirsty I can now shoot IN MANUAL! Yay! I wasn't exactly a natural behind the lens (LOL!) but I'm getting better,  and I'm going to practise loads this summer. Here's a few shots from the day.

An unusual view of a bench:

 The gorgeous Kirsty, with the face of a 16 year old:

Kirsty took this one of me doing my best 'catalogue' pose:

Here's Kirsty again. Check out the railings!

I learned how to take a low down shot like this by balancing the camera on my foot:

Kirsty took me to some of the nicest places ... here we were standing on a motorway bridge!! Here I was learning how to do this:

And freeze frame like this:

Kirsty has the most adorable little sausage of a dog named Eddie. I tried to get a good shot of them together but you know what they say ... never work with animals! Here is Eddie mid-yawn:

But here he is looking gorgeous. Ahhhhhh!

I had such a great day and learned absolutely loads *thanks Kirsty*.  If you want to get to grips with your SLR then I highly recommend it.

Now, talking of taking great photos ...... if you have a spare moment have a look at  Cat's blog because she takes some amazing photos. I taught an art journaling class at Art from the Heart last weekend and we had a blast, but as usual I didn't get chance to take any photos. Cat took great photos of the day and blogged them here. She has a way of really capturing the essence of a day.

And finally, look what's happening in September. Woop woop!

This promises to be a great weekend with loads happening, you can read all about it here. There will be taster workshops from Dyan, Sandy Poppins, Susie Flintoff, Kirtsy Wiseman, and me! It's on the same weekend as the Great Northern Papercraft Extravaganza, and as Art From The Heart is literally just around the corner, if you are in the area you could do both things in one day!!

Right, that's me done. I really must go and get dressed, can't spend the whole day in PJs! Byeeee