Finally ... a little journaling ...

Images by Tumblefish Studio and Crowabout Studio B at Deviant Scrap

Paints and inks by Dylusions

Finally, I have done a little journaling again. Once you fall off the art wagon it can be quite hard to get back on again, and I struggled with this page ... couldn't quite get things to work. The images are from a collaboration by Tumblefish Studio and Crowabout Studio B. What a fabulous collaboration! You can see them here. This inks and paints are, of course, by Dylusions at Art from the Heart.

I added the quote 'keep the faith' because I have made some fairly drastic decisions about my future recently, but I don't think making the decision is always the hard part. The hard part is to keep believing in yourself, and trusting that you have made the right decision. I know that you must follow your heart (because it knows where it's going) but we are only human and sometimes a few doubts creep in along the way ....... 

And here's another page I completed a while ago after overhearing something on my son's favourite TV programme - Total Fishing. Yes, it really is as dull as it sounds, unless you are a 9 year old boy. The two presenters were talking very seriously about fishing, while stood in thigh high water in their waders. One of them actually said 'To catch a fish, you have to be just a little bit smarter than a fish'. This struck me as deeply profound (and very funny), more so than it was intended I think! Of course, to win at anything you have have to be only one step ahead .....

Images by Crowabout Studio B

Thanks all for your get well wishes. I'm on the mend, slowly but surely ...... Byee for now

It's Calendar Time!

OOh, it's that time of the month again! But I must confess I am cheating a little today and sharing with you a collage of some of my previous pages .... you will know from my previous post that I haven't been too well recently so I am running a little behind on my calendar. Tsk tsk! However, I know some of you will be chomping at the bit to get yours up and posted, so here's the link, and I'll be adding my pics soon :-)

Ha ha! Stampotique Challenge time

Mink by Daniel Torrente

Daisy Daisy by Jo Capper-Sandon

Sentiment by Carol's Collection

All by Stampotique originals

Dylusions inks in Bubblegum and Sunshine

Well, its that time again, yes, time for another Stampotique Designers challenge, and this time we have been challenged by Vikki. Here's what Vikki has to say:

So here's the challenge: create a humorous Birthday Greeting! Something funny, sarcastic........perhaps an image that will evoke a giggle or a good belly laugh, which I particularly enjoy! 

It just so happens to be Vikki's birthday today, so happy birthday Vikki!

I used two of the fab new colours by Dylusions (sunshine and Bubblegum) to create my background, and then stamped and coloured Mink with Distress inks. I chose Mink because she looks a bit fed up, like she doesn't WANT another birthday LOL! I added Daisy Daisy hanging upside down (this is such a useful filler stamp) and coloured with Sharpie poster paint pens:

I generated the text on my computer (as usual, having a dig at people's age as they get older!!) before adding my favourite funny sentiment from Carols Collection at Stampotique.

As its the second challenge of the month it's Stampotique stamps only please, and don't forget, as always there is a $30 gift certificate for one lucky person. Have a look at the Stampotique Designers Challenge blog here. Come and join the fun  and join our challenge with something funny!

And just before I go .... just to let you know I haven't been 100% recently .. I'm off work and just taking it easy trying to get sorted. My mojo has gone AWOL and I have been a little absent in blogland. Normal service will be resumed shortly, but in the meantime I am off for a nap zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Bye for now ........

More Tiddly Inks!

Images by Tiddly Inks

Paints and inks by Dylusions

The Tiddly peeps over at Tiddly Inks have got all enthusiastic about art journaling with Tiddly images since my last post (see here), so much so that they changed the challenge this month to a two week art journal special! Have a look at their challenge blog here. You will see that they have gone art journaling crazy (and I mean good kind of crazy!)

The art journaling challenge is still on-going so get your paints and inks out and join in!

Yesterday I had a good rummage through some of my digital images and came across these little beauties by Land of Nod Studios and decided to make another ATC.You can find the exact sheet I used on Flickr here.

Images by Land of Nod Studios

I decided to make this ATC into a miniature hanging by adding a couple of brads and some rusty wire. This one has already been traded,  posted and is currently making its way across the Atlantic.......

Bye for now, have a great weekend wherever you are .................

Stampotique Designers Challenge Time!

Sweetmoves by Daniel Torrente

Daisy Daisy, Crown, Hearts Cubed by Jo Capper-Sandon

'What? Never seen a Diva before?' (inside!) from Carol's Collection

It's the Stampotique Designers Challenge time again, and this time Kaz has challenged us all to use black, white and just a hint of colour. I don't mind telling you that this was one heck of a challenge for me! Just a HINT of colour? WHAAAAT?! As you know I usually work in multiple layers of colour so this challenge s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d me just a little bit!

I used Sweetmoves from the new September releases, because I just love her :-) For my hint of colour I chose to use the new Bubblegum ink spray by Dylusions, because that colour just pops!

As this is the first challenge of the month, you may use any stamps (although of course we do like to see you use Stampotique!), and there will be a $30 gift certificate for one lucky winner. If you'd like to join us in this challenge have a look here where you will see all the details, as well as some fab samples from the design team.

Now, just to answer a couple of questions I have had recently ....

Seems like some of you don't know what 'feely boppers' are haha! If you were around in the 1980s then this was essential headwear at discos LOL. They were attached to a headband and bopped around as you were dancing (it makes me cringe just thinking about it!) My feely-boppers (shown again here) have large bundles of tinsel - can you see?! Actually I pinched them off my daughter but it seems I wear them more than she does .....

Recently 'M' asked me this question:

m said...Hello from France! every time I visit your blog I wonder what you work on; the colours are so transparent. Is it watercolour paper or glossy paper? 

Most often I work in  a Moleskine sketchbook which is a matt, cream coloured paper, about 160 gsm.  I think the transparency of the colours is more down to the paints that you use, and I've been using the gorgeously scrummy Dylusions from Art from the Heart, which are semi-transparent (great for layering) and come in a fab range of bright colours. Thanks for your question M.

And finally, I have had quite a few questions about whether I offer, or will be offering on-line classes. At the moment I don't have any plans to as my DVDs are currently available from Traplet, Art from the Heart, and The Stamp Attic. Can't say that I won't ever offer on-line classes, never say never, and all that....

Thanks for your questions, and if I don't get back to you, give me a nudge! I am often busy, and always forgetful :-) I can't always answer your questions directly as there isn't always a link back to you from your blog comment. If you like you can e-mail me, there is a direct link to my email in my side bar and also on my Google profile. 

Bye for now................