Wednesday 2 January 2013

Goodbye 2012, hello 2013!

Well, I'm a little late in my round-up of 2012 but it was such an amazing year for me that I wanted to take a little trip down memory lane ... prepare for a photo fest!

During the early part of 2012 I was featured on the Scrapphusset blog in Norway:


And I also wrote an article for Ett Trykk magazine in Norway:


I was invited back as a guest Designer on the Tiddlyinks blog, for their two year anniversary and created this journal page with a theme of 'Framed':


In May, a dream came true for me. I had the opportunity to attend Ranger U in USA with my lovely (but slightly bonkers friend) Kaz. It would have been rude to go all that way without a little sightseeing in NYC. When in NYC you just HAVE to wear a statue of Liberty hat as you stroll down 5th Avenue!


We did a Thelma and Louise on an open-top bus tour:


After a while Neil joined us from the UK. Spot the moustache imposter:


We met up with the very lovely Marjie Kemper (who waited very patiently for us as we got lost trying to find our way to the Ink Pad in NYC). We went for afternoon tea in Times Square and showed Marjie how a lady should behave in public:


Eventually we made it to Ranger U in New Jersey and met up with the famous, one and only, Dyan:


And the fabulous Tim Holtz:


Kaz and I spotted some of our art on the wall of the education room at Ranger Ink. Woohoo!


And then we graduated as fully qualified Ranger Educators!



 On return to the UK I headed to Traplet Studios to film some more Art Journaling DVDs, which thanks to all of you out there have sold really well. THANK YOU so so much for buying my DVDs and embracing art journaling with such a passion :-))


By mid-summer I was the featured artist on the Stampington blog which was of course, a HUGE honour:


I also featured on Marit's Funky Dutch Summer series and created this as an on-line project:


A real highlight of my year was discovering that my art was featured on the front of Art Journaling magazine Woohoo!! Again, such a huge honour :-)


Throughout the year I have continued to do a lot of art teaching but I spread my wings a little as the year went on. I have taught a lot at the amazing Art from the Heart in 2012, and hopefully will continue to do so:


I also had a frantically busy, fun-filled, inky four days at de Craftorij in Holland where the Dutch enthusiasm for mixed media art blew me away!



I also had a very lovely time teaching at The Stamp Attic in Oxford where I really do hope to return during 2013:



2012 was the year that I re-discovered my love of analogue (film) photography and took some photos that I am really happy with:


The Iron Men at Crosby Beach (and my daughter being a little cheeky!)

Me through a fish-eye lens

  I also discovered Smash journaling which is great for capturing special memories on-the-go:


I took up stamp carving which I definitely want to do more of this year (and I know some of you would like to buy some of my stamps so watch this space!)



I invested in a Gelli-Arts plate and I LOVE it! Great possibilities with this.....


Of course, in the UK we had a very British summer with a Royal Jubilee and the Olympics to celebrate:



And in true British style it p****d it down all summer (and spring, and autumn, and winter) and we have had continual flooding, keeping the emergency services busy ...


So, that's my round-up of an amazing year, and on top of all this I have a part-time day job, two kids and husband to look after (not to mention the rabbit, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and the dog!) When I put it all on a blog post like this it makes me realise why I am always so tired!!

But just to finish here are some peeks of some of my fave art creations from this year:

My kids! heehee!

My hand-carved bunny again!

*Created as part of an on-line class with Mindy Lacefield

It's that bunny again .. !


My final creation as a member of the Stampotique DT *sniff*





A massive thanks to all of you who visit my blog, leave me lovely comments, take part in the calendar challenge (now on facebook too!), buy my DVDs, attend my art classes etc etc xoxoxoxoxo 
THANK YOU, thank you from the bottom of my heart :-)

So, what does 2013 hold for me? After much deliberation I decided to step down from the Stampotique DT after 2 years, just because it felt like the right time to go. Of course I still love the stamps so expect to see more creations with them through the year. Hopefully lots more teaching at Art from the Heart, and maybe more teaching in Oxford, Middlesborough, Sheffield, and maybe even Holland again.  I'd like to sell some of my art creations (Etsy? Folksy? What do you think?) I'd like to carve some stamps to sell, and maybe even design some rubber stamps .....

I'm still a member of the Dylusions DT (look out for a little something by me if you are at CHA this January Shhhh!) so expect lots more inky goodness throughout 2013 ...

And of course I am going to be a part of this amazing and exciting on-line teaching extravaganza (going on sale soon - watch this space!)

Click *here* for more details

Happy new year everyone. Wishing you a joyous, art-filled 2013!







34 comments:

  1. What an amazing 2012 and 2013 doesn't look too shabby either. Enjoy.

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  2. A fabulous review! Your work is amazing. Roll on 2013 and fingers crossed to seeing your stamps to buy.

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  3. Such a busy fun-filled year for you Kate! And you had me smiling throughout! Yeah, go for it, sell some some of your arty stuff missus, and maybe some of your creativity will rub off on us. Have a great 2013!

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  4. Ah Kate, that was a fabulous blog post :o) Amazing art with heart! Happy New and prosperous Year to you. Big hugs x

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  5. Wow! What a year!! I love your blog (first thing I click onto when I get access to the 'pooter). I love your classes, they're sooo fun and I learn so much and I love you too 'cos you are inspirational and introduced me to calendar journaling! Happy New Year Kate, hope its a good one xox

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  6. So many great achievements in just one year...here's to another Creative Journey in 2013! Your work is an inspiration to us all xx

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  7. I'm glad you have had such a successful year! Here is to even more fun in 2013. I would like to thank you personally for all of the inspiration I have received from you in the DVDs and on-line.

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  8. Hi Kathryn, I just found you recently. Girl, you are one talented lady! On my way to grab your DVD's very soon. I love the Bunny. I want to learn how to carve better stamps in 2013 and it sounds like you might be right here to help me with that venture! YAY!! Have a great 2013, my friend! Sharon

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  9. What a lovely blogpost! I hope you come to Holland again!!
    xxx Margo.

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  10. Awesome post Hun! You have had a busy creative year! And u have created some amazing art. Hope he new year is creative and fun x x x

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  11. WOW - what a fantastic year you've had.

    I hope to get to more of your workshops this year.

    You mentioned Sheffield, can you tell me where you might be teaching, as I'd be interested in looking you up there.

    All the very best and Happy New Year.

    Sam xxx

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  12. Fabulous all of it what a great year roll on this year. How about some rubber stamp carving classes? X c

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  13. what a fantastic trip down to memory lane...awesome creations throughout the year
    and i read some very interesting things too....designing rubber stamps (YES YES PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZe) and coming back to Holland (YES Please come again, it was so much fun)
    hugs
    Miranda

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  14. Busy Lady..but with the moustache are we sure lol. You don't need luck Kate you have creativity and I always believe you make your own luck by grabbing what life gives you with both hands and making it work. You have certainly done this. wishing you a happy and fulfilling 2013.x

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  15. Supa dupa
    Happy craftin
    Rebecca

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  16. Wow what a fab round up of the year! I love your blog and only discovered it this year via craft stamper magazine and you have inspired me to have a go at creating a art journal calendar :) I hope you have a very happy and sucessful 2013! Claire x

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  17. What a fab year you have had Kate. Have a fantastic year in 2013 !

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  18. Looks like you had a wonderful 2012...wishing you a blessed New Year filled with art and awesomeness!

    blessings, denise :D

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  19. Me bonkers?! How rude! Lol, lovely memories, what a fab year, so lucky to of got to share some fab days with you, thanks for being a an arm to squeeze mid flight, a riot of fun in NYC and a fantabulous moustache wearing friend! Look forward to seeing what the new year brings for you xx

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  20. Stunning year Kate...
    Wishing you to face the brilliance of your most wonderful creations and dwell on your dreams in 2013.
    xx
    Sarinda

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  21. Gosh Kate, what a brilliant year you have had, hope 2013 is just as successful for you. I made a half-hearted start into journaling last year ans Santa brought me your first DVD. Have just wat he'd part one and can't wait to get started, and buy all the others as well. Love your work- it always makes me smile.
    Thanks
    Ann B

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  22. An exciting year for certain. I just had to stop by and visit your blog...it's been awhile. I miss seeing your creative work and participating in calendar journals (life is crazy). Although, I still get traffic from people looking up calendar journals, so thanks. :) Happy New Year! - Annemarie

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  23. Of course you should sell some of your creations ;-
    Happy New Year Kate.
    I'll be back shortly with a link to my Journal pages for Dec and Jan :-D
    Anne xx

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  24. What a wonderful post- I loved reading through your year in review. Loved seeing some familiar faces (Marjie, lol, what a proper lady!) and you even got to visit The Ink Pad -teehee. Looks like you had fun in the city. As always, enjoyed looking at all your colorful artwork. Best wishes for the new year!

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  25. How great to see your year back in pics! Love to go on the journey with you!
    Very excited about you selling stamps.... So I guess I have to stop by here on a regular base, not that I don't do that anyway!

    Happy New Year, with lots of creativity!

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  26. What a jam-packed year of art and experiences! It was a highlight of mine to meet you. I love following your blog and am always inspired by all your creativity. The dvd's are WONDERFUL and also chock full of inspiration. Wishing you all good things in 2013, Kate. You are flying!!

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  27. A fantastic fun year you should be very proud of!
    x

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  28. Not sure if you actually fitted in sleeping in there anywhere :) So great to look back at the year and see everything you've done. I'm in the process of setting up an Etsy store and it seems pretty easy so far. I'm excited to see what you create in rubber. I think all us arty girls are going to have an amazing 2013 - I can't wait to see what we all create.

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  29. Happy new year. Hope 2013 is as good, if not better than last year. See you soon

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  30. Wow Kate it really has been a cracking year for you! You crammed so much in, I'm glad I witnessed some of your 2012 at first hand, and I'm really glad you stopped and talked to me in AFTH in March. You really did make a very good first impression. Dina was my link to you, and you and your art journal on the table drew me into the inky world of Dylusions and AFTH. I've never looked back since. You've taught me so much this year and I'm very grateful for that. You helped me think like an artist rather than just a crafter. It's just amazing how our imagination touches people's lives without us realising it. My little world has changed dramatically this year because of all this, I hope one day I'll inspire someone the way you did for me. I'm booking a holiday in New York for this April, it's been in the planning for ages, you'll have to let me know where is the best places to visit are. I'd love to see some of your art go on Etsy, I'm sure it wouldn't be there for long! Can't wait to see what you have in store for 2013. See you on the 23rd of Jan, I'll bring Birthday cake! Michelle xx

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  31. What a brilliant year :) congratulations on so many wonderful achievements! Looks like it's been hard work but a blast nonetheless :)
    Wishing you a fantastic 2013 :) (and thanks for the follow on twitter! @alteredorchid)

    Gayle xx

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  32. I loved watching your photo-tour-through-the-past-year. May 2013 be as happy and colourful and creative as last year Kate! Happy New Year!

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  33. So fab to see a review of your year, thank you for all your inspiration, look forward to seeing what you create in 2013!! Hugs Juls

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