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Paint Party Friday - week 46 check in...

2012-01-27T12:23:00.000Z

Hello,

Friday here again already............it's been a busy week and as usual, on a Friday morning, it has been my time to clean the house but now that is finished and don't have to think about it for another week so can have an arty play for a few blissful of hours............

And as it is Friday it is time to join the Paint Party...

A couple of pages from my sketch book here - coloured with thinned acrylics and Whispers ink pens...

I didn't manage to get around to visiting as many participants as I'd have like last week so hope to fit a few more in this week :) A big thank you to everyone who visited me though....always a pleasure and such an encouragement.

There are LOADs of wonderful artists who take part in PPF so if you have a cuppa tea and a spare half hour why not go and browse their lovely artwork.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Love....a card....

2012-01-24T13:16:00.000Z

Hello,

A simple thing - but 2 engagements to celebrate for friends recently so I wanted a speedy, no fuss card to send to each and used Tim Holtz Visual Artistry Clear stamps and scarlet ink on hammered cream card...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Sketchbook Pages...

2012-01-22T13:15:00.000Z

Hello,

I have decided that I must try to remember to show more of my sketchbook pages...so with that in mind here are 2...

This first was sketched whilst we were away for a few days at Christmas....I just took my pencils and sketchbook with me in case I felt the urge to draw....it's not very good but I'm still practising sketching faces...

...and this I did this morning whilst listening to The Archers omnibus, inspired by the wonderful calligraphy artwork of Martha Lever. Not calligraphy for me but just some doodling...

Any other Archers fans out there?

Happy Sunday.
Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Paint Party Friday...A New Art Journal...

2012-01-20T13:09:00.004Z

Hello,

A brand new A4 Moleskin! I get that same feeling as when at school I started a new exercise book,, or indeed now when a new pretty notebook is fresh and clean and I have my pen poised over the first pristine page....

A small pleasure...

So...what theme this Art Journal? I have been thinking for some time to make one for my children, about me, about all the things they know about me and lots of things they don't know about me and it will be something for them to keep and read and look at when I am no longer here...

Today is a dark and dreary January day and my need for warm, summer sunlight is enormous...a yearning for long, light summer days filled with sunshine so I thought my first page would be about my need for sunlight and warmth...

This is totally done using KaiserCraft Acrylic paints as they have a gorgeous, creamy, quick drying, translucent quality so that building layers is fun ...

...some steps along the way...

I am linking to Paint Party Friday. If your want to see lots of great art why not pop over there and look at what talented artists are creating this week.
Also to Inspire me Fridays where Anything Goes this week.
And Artists in Blogland.
And Just Journals Link Party.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

A walk by the river...

2012-01-18T19:27:00.001Z

Hello,

A walk by the river Exe, which flows through our lovely city of Exeter, is always a treat and only 5 minutes from the city centre. The area has been regenerated in recent years with lots of cafes, artisan shops, water sports and we can now cycle by the river, all the way to the sea at Exmouth, 10 miles away...

I used to live within walking distance of Exeter Quay, where all the cafes and shops are, but now live on the other side of the city and miss evening strolls and early morning hikes - it's not the same when I have to drive for 20 minutes first...

But I still love to walk along the river...down one side and across the suspension bridge, then back up the other side to sit and drink Italian hot chocolate and watch the world go by...

an oasis in the middle of the city...

Where do you like to walk?

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Flutterby Butterfly.....

2012-01-15T09:12:00.004Z

Hello,

I am really enjoying getting back to the basics of papercrafting. Whilst enjoying creating lots of mixed media items and learning new techniques last year I forgot the pleasure I get from designing a card for a family member or dear friend. I have lots of birthdays coming up so decided to simply play...

This card came together using the wonderful Bonjour Collection from Kaisercraft - nothing else except stitching and a simple greeting stamp...

so expect more cards....

I'm entering this for the current challenges:
PaperPlay Challenge 'Stitches'
Inspire Me Fridays 'Anything Goes'
Bloggers Challenge 'Wings and Things'

Happy Sunday
Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Less is More - Week 50 Birds

2012-01-14T15:12:00.001Z

Hello,

A cold a frosty night followed by a sparkling sunny day...winter loveliness at last instead of all the unseasonable mild weather we've been having!

The challenge at Less is More this week is to make a one layer card with the theme of BIRDS...

This is a cream card with the bird and word from Paperartsy HP1105 stamped in Archival Ink - Grape...

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

By the light of the silvery moon...

2012-01-10T10:54:00.002Z

Hello,

I've been writing my Christmas thank you notes...

I used a Stampin Up set but can't remember the name...

I am entering this design at The Craft-Room Challenge who ask for 'Clean and Simple'

Did anyone see the really bright moon last night. I noticed it as I was going to bed and took a couple of photos from the upstairs window...

It was really strange...there were some thin clouds which caused the moon to have a colourful aura...the photos don't do it justice....

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

My Favourite makes of 2011 ...

2012-01-05T13:03:00.001Z

Hello,

I have just been looking back over the last 12 months - the things I've made - and realised that it was 2011 when I started moving away from papercraft and cardmaking into the heady realms of mixed media!!!

Ooo it has been fun learning new techniques and discovering new mediums to play with.

So this post is showing the artwork I am most proud of from the last 12 months be it a card or a painting or a journal page or whatever really...it's interesting to see how my style has fluctuated according to who I have been inspired by over the year too...

My first discovery of the year was Caran d'Ache watersoluble crayons - love em!!!!...

a special birthday...

...then I was dipping in to Tam's Fabulous Faces course...

...and then discovered the talents and tutorials of Christy Tomlinson...

and eventually had the courage to create things for myself - instead of copying...

...but still had time to make a few cards...

...and a christening present for Ellie Rose...

...and then Christmas was upon us...

There you go - a snapshot of my creative year. I wonder what 2012 has in store :) What is your favourite?? I'd love to know!!

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Jack's Treasure Box...and a Banner for Ellie Rose...

2012-01-04T15:44:00.003Z

Hello,

I always try to make something for both Jack and Ellie Rose for their birthdays and Christmas' and for this Christmas, for Jack, I made a box for all his little collections and treasures...

The box itself was bought from IKEA then I went about painting it ...

...and decorating it using Echo Park 'Little Boy' scrapbooking kit...

...then made a selection of matching notebooks and post-it note pads for all his drawing and stamping...

It was great to see that as soon as he'd ripped the paper off his present and said 'WOOOOOW!' he immediately rushed off yo find small things and collections to put into the drawers.....magical :)

...and then of course I needed to make something for our Ellie and as I'd made a banner for Jack when he was smaller I had fun making another for Ellie Rose - for the wall in her room...

I used mountboard to cut out triangles measuring 6" x 4" then covered the triangles both sides using K & Company 'Doll House' Scrapbook Paper. The same paper was used to put through Tim Holtz 'Tattered Flowers' die to create the flowers. My crop-a-dile punched holes for eyelets and it was all tied together with pieces of matching ribbon. The chipboard letters were painted with Eggplant KaiserColor acrylic paint then sprinkled with glitter....it's now hanging in her bedroom :)

The banners I make were inspired by the lovely Kelly, who you can find here and I have a tutorial for the banners here.

Now I just need to find my muse to start creating again................where can she be????

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Happy New Year...

2012-01-03T12:40:00.001Z

Hello,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Well, here we are in 2012! It's been a month since I posted last...a month choc a block with Christmas and New Year gorgeousness...and a month when my creativity has been given a good rest and will hopefully be resurfacing soon!!!!

So our highlights from the Christmas season???

Jack being a star (literally) in the preschool nativity...(sorry about the picture quality)

...while Ellie Rose watched proudly (while her nappy leaked all over Katrina's lap haha!

Then for Ed and me Christmas spent in Falmouth in Cornwall. The first time away from the family and a real treat with spa treatments, cocktails, LOADS of fabulous food, and wonderful walks along the coastal paths at both Falmouth and The Lizard. ...

Christmas morning on Falmouth beach...

We were just amazed to see how many plants continue to flower during our mild winter this year...

...and even a busy bumble bee on a fully flowering hebe on Christmas morning...unbelieveable - he should be fast asleep!!! as should the plants...

Then on our return to the hotel a hamper delivered by Santa himself...full of cornish goodies...

Great hotel - obviously they had more wine than we could drink lol...although we tried hehe!

...a mouthful to far for Ed at Christmas Lunch

Then a long walk on a blustery cliff-top at the Lizard on Boxing Day...

The Lizard is my most favourite place in the whole world!!!!!

I really look like my Mum in this photo...no makeup I'm afraid...

...simply sublime...

Then home and off for presents at J's and the joy at watching Ellie toddling behind her new walker...

...and Jack enjoying a cuddle with his Great Grandad...

...we are blessed!

Ellie with her Great Grandad...

So there we are.....another Christmas gone and a new year beginning.

In 6 short weeks I shall be 55 and that is slightly scaring me....60 on the horizon and I'm not ready.....

I really need to lose some weight. We have a wedding to go to in the summer and I am setting myself the challenge to lose 40lb by then!!! So I have already started counting my weightwatcher points...it's hard...but I am determined!!!!! I shall get Ed to take a 'before' picture and then an 'after' picture when the weight is off and I shall blog it when I've lost the weight!! That is my challenge for this year!

Do you have a challenge for this year of 2012? I'd love to know what it is!!

Once again - Happy New Year and thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas....

2011-12-01T15:20:00.000Z

Hello,

I know it is only the 1st of December but I have decided to take a little holiday from Blogland until the new year...

So I would like to wish all my followers, blogging buddies, friends and rellies the most happy and fun filled festive season and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who reads my blog and leaves me comments. Your continued encouragement is very much appreciated and the inspiration you so generously give is a joy and a delight.

So until January 2012

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS....

Thank you for stopping by.
Lesley x

Devon Countryside in November...

2011-11-27T14:07:00.000Z

Hello,

There's not much art happening in this house at the moment...The weather is so glorious so we are making the most of the autumn sunshine and went for another long walk today in the woodlands just a 10 minute drive from us at Killerton....

After a steady climb - wonderful views out over the Devon Countryside...

...I can zoom in and take good shots with this camera - here is a grey squirrel...there were lots and lots of squirrels all over the place leaping and jumping and climbing and burying their food...

...this little Robin was just asking to have his photo taken...

We can't believe we are still having such wonderful weather just 4 weeks from Christmas...this time last year we were covered in snow!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

A Walk by the Sea...

2011-11-25T17:38:00.001Z

Hello,

Ed has had a few away from work this week to relax and recharge his batteries. It was such a lovely, sunny, November day today we decided to go for a walk along the beach at Exmouth which is just a 20 minute drive away...

I'm getting to grips with my camera and feel really pleased with some of the shots I took today...

I love the contrast of the red sandstone cliffs against the bright green seaweed...

because sandstone is very soft the sea carves some amazing shapes into it...

...and because the tide was way out the rock-pools had been uncovered revealing masses of baby mussels...

...it was really windy and Ed was nearly blown over...

...I love to take pictures of the sky...

snuggling in the shelter of the wall......

Have and great weekend...
...and thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

New Home card...

2011-11-22T21:14:00.002Z

Hello,

My lovely blogging buddie, Zoe, recently moved house so I made her this card to welcome her into her new home...I'm sure she won't mind me showing you...

Stamps used - Claudine Hellmuth Foam and Clear stamps 'Dwellings' - stamped onto a scrap of fabric with KaiserCraft 'Egglant' Acrylic paint then mounted and doodled...

....and two sleepy cats - like book ends - on the sofa in my craft room...and two little teddies keeping watch lol...

Big apologies to all for not having time to blog hop for visits at the moment. Hope to have a catching up session soon.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Christmas .....already???

2011-11-18T14:35:00.002Z

Hello,

Yes it's that time of year again when we are all running round like headless chickens trying to make cards and gifts, buy cards and gifts, organise family parties, cook delicious treats 24/7 and stuff enough food into our cupboards to keep the population of a small town from being hungry and generally being stressed, tired, irritable and worried.....

Usually at this time of the year I am doing and feeling ALL of the above - BUT NOT THIS YEAR - OH NO!!!

Don't get me wrong - I really love it when my family gets together to exchange pressies and eat huge meals and drink copious amounts of alcohol whilst playing all those games that we play only at Christmas....but this year Ed and I are GOING AWAY!!!!

Oh my word...can this really be true?

Indeed - my Dad is going to my Sister's for Christmas, my youngest, who generally comes home for the festive season is taking a couple of weeks to travel and savour the delights of India and the rest of the family are doing their own thing.....so....we are taking the opportunity to OPT OUT of Christmas this year and the relief is HUGE!!!!

So after 35(ish) years of 'doing' Christmas for the family - this year Ed and I will be spending the festive season in a small hotel on the Cornish coast being looked after and pampered.

We shall not even be putting up decorations (apart from a few fairy lights and the cards we receive) and all pressies will be delivered to their destinations before the appointed time and we shall see our grandchildren a few days after Santa has visited them with our own gifts for them.

I can't really believe this is happening and we are so looking forward to this break.

So....not much left for me to do...most pressies have been bought online (I hate to shop in town), and the rest I have made and I have been making Christmas cards too...here's a sample...

I didn't buy any new Christmas Stamps this year. These were made using the Arabesque 2 clear flourish stamps from Artemio and the little snowflake stamps are from Cardi-O. The sentiment is an Anna Griffin stamp...

...This sentiment is by Inkadinkado...

...and this was the free stamp from last month's Craft Stamper magazine...

...and I used up some remnants from last year's Winter Wonderland Speciality paper pad from K & Company...with added doodling...

So I am ready for Christmas now...just have to write my cards and wrap some pressies.

The whole experience, this year, has been so LIBERATING!!! I wonder if I can persuade Ed to do it again next year........

I'm sorry if I'm sounding SMUG - but I am....

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Less is More - One Layer Card 'Leaves'

2011-11-13T11:24:00.000Z

Hello,

Last week my youngest Son, Si, had a big promotion at work which is extremely well deserved. He works long hours and works really hard so I just had to tell him how proud I am of him.....

It's week 41 at the Less is More challenge blog and they are asking for a one layer card with the theme of 'leaves' so I am entering this...

Leaf stamp from Inkylicious
Adirondack Espresso & Lettuce ink pads
Small alphabet stamps were 99p from The Range

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Sunday!

Lesley x

A small canvas...

2011-11-11T07:06:00.001Z

Hello,

Well my large canvas is shelved at the moment while I get to grips with making Christmas cards and gifts along with some birthday gifts.

My lovely blogging friend, Kathy Maximo, has a special birthday this month...I'm sure she won't mind me telling you, so I decided to make her a small canvas as a gift...

It measures just 7" x 5" and I really enjoyed making this one...

The inspiration for this came from the new 'Bonjour' paper collection from Kaisercraft . I have a very big weakness for beautiful designer paper and Kaisercraft is brilliant because of all the added extras within their collections, including the most delicious stamps...

So when this landed on my doormat I could not help but be inspired!!!

I painted the canvas pink then added a layer of the designer paper and from there built up layer upon layer of acrylic paints stencilled through various Crafters Workshop masks then doodled and stamped and coloured and finished by adding one of the collection's wonderful butterflies, some cream pearls and some pink ribbon for hanging the canvas...

...and then, of course, more of the collection was used making Kathy's birthday card.

I shall link this to Paint Party Friday hosted by the ever lovely Kristin and Eva....

Today is also Armistice Day

Each year, on the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we remember the end of the First World War and all those who have given their lives in the two world wars and in conflicts up to the present day. This year is a special Remembrance Day as it falls on a unique day: 11-11-11-11.
The Poppy Appeal
Every year, poppies are worn to support the work of The Royal British Legion who provide practical help to the Armed Forces and their families.

Wear your poppy with pride!!! and remember all those who give their lives that we might be free!

Thank you for visiting and I really appreciate the time you take to leave such warm and encouraging messages. It always makes my day reading them.

Happy Weekend.
Lesley x

Garden progress ...Autumn...

2011-11-06T12:53:00.002Z

Hello,

A cold, sunny weekend was forecast so Ed and I eventually tackled the garden and now it is all ready for it's winter rest.....and us too!!! We are surrounded by trees so there was LOTS of raking to do, then the borders on either side of our garden had to be dug over. Ed dug up a few old shrubs which had either come to the end of their life of were not thriving in our shady area.

We get virtually no sun in the winter and it is limited to a few areas only during the summer so it has been a bit hit and miss with the planting in the 8 years since we have been here.

This year we decided to take it in hand and sort it out once and for all...

Yesterday we stocked up on huge bags of rich, soil conditioner and this morning set to work...a good job done...

...the clematis montana and the jasmine have thrived this year winding their way through the trellis...

...it does look bare now...the grass still needs its final cut as it too long to leave over winter but it is too wet at the moment...it is a lovely day today but we've had lots of rain...we need a few dry days before I can get the lawn mower out...

...all my pots empty of their summer colour ...

...at the end of the garden are some Hazel trees which we coppice and once the leaves have fallen Ed takes the tops off them to keep them to a height of about 20ft...he'll do that later this month...this is where the bird feeders hang and it's a bit of a wild area - lots of ivy as it's left to do its own thing most of the time but it gets a good clear out at this time of year...

...the bird bath needed a good clean...

...Lily cat wondered where her jungle had disappeared to....

...yes...lots of leaves fall into the garden...

...but there is still some colour...this variegated pelargonium had tall spikes of orange flowers all summer...

...and the Pyracantha has OODLES of bright berries - the blackbirds love to eat these...

...and one bright pink geranium is refusing to go to sleep...

...and the camellia already has big fat flower buds for February...

So now my plan is to do some research to look for new shrubs to plant in the borders in the spring. I'd like medium sized evergreen shrubs that thrive in shade and flower at some time during the year.....any suggestions???

I think we'll both be a bit achy tomorrow.....

Thank you for stopping by.
Happy Sunday.
Lesley x

Paint Party Friday - experimenting...

2011-11-04T09:26:00.001Z

Hello,

Another week joining in with Paint Party Friday hosted by the lovely Eva and Kristin...

Continuing from last week (which I forgot to link to PPF) first a recap...

I have bought a 36" x 24" canvas on which I want to create some wall art for our living room, however, this size of canvas is proving daunting but a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been encouraging with their comments - it means a great deal to me to have feedback and inspiration from fellow 'artists' :)

So I was doodling in my sketch book (see here), being inspired by the wonderful artwork of Alisa Burke, and yesterday decided on one of my designs to try - first on some 8" x 10 " watercolour paper, as a trial....to see if Ed would be able to live with my design if I put it onto canvas.

His feedback was....he didn't like the orange/turquoise combination or the design on the right hand side of the picture (i love it but agreed it was too bright to live with) but he did like the left hand side of the picture - its colours and flower shapes....

I would be really interested in your comments too - I welcome constructive criticism...

...so back to the drawing board....I'll keep you posted :)

The Process...
First I pencilled the sketch lightly...

... Then did a colour wash in Antique White acrylic (although it looks a little grey here)...and started painting firstly using Orange and Turquoise Acrylics...

...but then switched to Caran d'Ache Neocolour Water Soluble Wax Caryons...

...and finishing with lots of black and white doodling...

I think I agree with Ed and so will concentrate on softer designs and softer colours and save the turquoise and orange for another time...

Thank you for stopping by.
Lesley x

EEEEK!!!! It's the MUMMY!!!!!..............

2011-11-01T10:32:00.000Z

Hello,

Jack was Trick or Treating as THE MUMMY last evening!!!!

Say no more!!

Lesley x

More inspiration...and a peek inside my sketch book...

2011-10-30T12:47:00.000Z

Hello,

Some of you know I recently bought a really big blank canvas to create some wall art for our living room but this is proving tricky for me and it's still standing in the corner of my craft room... It's the size I think! It measures 36"x24" (60cm x 90cm) and I am feeling out of my depth although I REALLY want to do it!!! It's daunting and scary!!!!

The largest I've attempted thus far is 24" x 16" which I enjoyed but on this canvas there is just SO MUCH SPACE!!!

I think I know what I want to do....

I have recently been bowled over and totally inspired by the art work of Alisa Burke and would encourage EVERYONE to visit her blog and shop.....her designs are just amazing and she offers all sorts of online courses too. Primarily she handpaints fabric although there is no end to her artistic creativity....

...and more inspiration came when Ed brought me home some of my favourite flowers - the scented oriental lily...and they fill the house with their heavenly scent and beauty...

..so with all this in mind I started work in my sketch book....early days yet...but just getting a feel....

I will definitely need to rain in my addiction to tiny detail on so large a canvas...I'm slowly working up to attempting this canvas - using all one colour I think...EEK!!! - still scary......

Will keep you posted.

I also just want to thank everyone for visiting and leaving such encouraging and positive comments. It really helps...

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

A day out with Jack...and a recipe...

2011-10-23T13:10:00.000+01:00

Hello,

As promised here are a few photos of our day out with Jack yesterday when we went to the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm here in Devon. It took a bit of finding as there were no sign posts and it was a tad rustic but lots of hands on animal encounters...

First some lunch at the garden cafe...Jack loves Ed and they are inseparable when we go out...

...then into the farm and we were each given a paper cup with feed for the animals. It was so funny watching sheep running after Jack - paper cup in hand...but once we'd hidden the cup it was easier to feed them by putting some feed into our hands...or as Jack did - scattering it on the ground...

...Jack found the different species of chickens really funny - especially these that appeared to have a large pompom on their heads...

...goats will eat anything....and they are eager and all have fat round tummies...

...Jack loved the old tractor...

...and I particularly LOVED the owls....with is WIZARD...

...we also cuddled Guinea Pigs and visited the red squirrels, chipmunks, pot bellied pigs, donkeys - it was great fun...

...and being right beside the South Devon Steam Railway Jack enjoyed a close encounter with an engine too...

...and then of course we had to visit the park...

...then back to J and Katrina's for a cuppa and a cuddle with Ellie Rose who has just started crawling...

...Ed and I were exhausted when we arrived home haha!!!

The other thing I wanted to share was the recipe for the Fruity Lamb Tagine I cooked last week. It was really delicious so I thoroughly recommend it!!!

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
500g lean diced lamb
1 large onion , roughly chopped
2 large carrots , quartered lengthways and cut into chunks
2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
2 tbsp ras-el-hanout spice mix (see tip, below)
400g can chopped tomatoes
400g can chickpeas , rinsed and drained
200g dried apricots
600ml chicken stock
(in place of the Ras el hanout you can make your own spice mix by mixing together half a teaspoon each of of the following ground spices - cardamom cumin, cinnamon, clove, coriander, nutmeg, tumeric and black pepper. I did this and it worked fine)

To Serve
120g pack pomegranate seeds
2 large handfuls coriander , roughly chopped

Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Heat the oil in a casserole and brown the lamb on all sides. Scoop the lamb out onto a plate, then add the onion and carrots and cook for 2-3 mins until golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 min more. Stir in the spices and tomatoes, and season. Tip the lamb back in with the chickpeas and apricots. Pour over the stock, stir and bring to a simmer. Cover the dish and place in the oven for 1 hr and 30 mins.
When ready, leave it to rest so it's not piping hot, then serve scattered with pomegranate and herbs, with couscous or rice alongside. We had it with couscous flavoured with chopped mint and coriander, raisins and olive oil.

Happy Sunday!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Inspiration - what inspires me???...

2011-10-21T13:36:00.002+01:00

Hello,

This week Inspiration Avenue are celebrating hitting 500 followers by holding a special blog party entitled "On the Wings of Inspiration" and they are asking participants 'What inspires you?' If you take part in their challenge there are giveaways and prizes to be won too.

Creatively, inspiration for me comes in many forms. I get inspired by visiting the abundance of beautiful arty blogs out there in blogland, nature inspires me - particularly pretty things like birds and butterflies and flowers...the wealth of media that is available - especially gorgeous designer papers and stamps I find irresistible. But most of all, I think it is words that inspires me and gets my creative juices flowing......I love poetry, prose, books.....I love to write my own poetry and stories...anywhere, in fact, where the beauty of words fires my imagination and leads me to create something that speaks to me.

So with that in mind, this week I was inspired by 2 things. Firstly these wonderful lines written by Maya Angelou

"a bird doesn't sing because it has an answer

it sings because it has a song"

- Maya Angelou

and secondly by a selection of designer paper offcuts left over from my K & Company specialty paper pack Urban Rhapsody (one of my favourite collections) and I wanted to do a 'bird' on the theme of 'wings'. Of course acrylic paints and water soluble crayons were involved but mainly this is a collage...

The papers are really lovely and I had quite a few assorted bits and pieces left over...

..so first the 10" x 12" canvas was painted with pale aqua acrylic paint then I started to assemble the collage...

...adding french lace bought on holiday in the Dordogne earlier this year, white acrylic paint applied through stencils, cut out some flowers and included some adhesive pearls then shading with water soluble crayons...

...and, of course, lots of doodling with a white paint pen and a black journalling pen...

I really enjoyed the challenge from IA this week. Do pop over to their blog to see more inspiring work from the team there...and join the party...

Another party...this time Paint Party Friday is happening again, too, generously hosted by the lovely Kristin and Eva and if you've not taken part yet then DO as it's lots of fun visiting so many talented artists.

This one has also been linked in to Artists in Blogland

Hope you have lovely things planned this weekend. We are taking my adorable 4 year old grandson, Jack, to the Rare Breeds Farm at Totnes so I shall take lots of pics for a show and tell next week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

One Layer Card...with acrylics

2011-10-18T12:00:00.000+01:00

Hello,

Although there was a tiny touch of frost this morning it is now a lovely, sunny, breezy day down here in Devon. The washing is on the line and there's a lamb tagine in the oven (it's a new recipe so if it turns out ok I'll blog it hear on another day)...

I wanted to make a one layer card and decided to try using acrylic paints but wasn't sure how this would turn out but decided to try anyway...

First I masked a border using low tac tape then sponged the interior with lime green acrylic paint and dried with a heat gun. The surface of the card did buckle a bit so I ironed it with a cool iron through greaseproof paper.

The Tim Holtz bird and sentiment were stamped with Walnut Stain distress ink and the tiny dots stamped with mustard seed. These 3 stamps are in the TH Urban Rhapsody set. The circles are white acrylic paint stippled through stencils then heat gun dried. When the tape frame was removed I used a Stampin Up 'close to cocoa' ink pen to draw my wiggly line around the lime green centre.

The border stamp is by Heidi Grace and stamped in Wild Honey distress ink.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Paint Party Friday - A4 Art Journal spread

2011-10-14T12:20:00.002+01:00

Hello,

It's Friday again so I'm taking part in Paint Party Friday once more...

Just want to say a big THANKYOU to all who took the time to leave me messages last week. I had such fun visiting lots of new arty blogs during the week and look forward to a bit of blog hopping again this weekend - time permitting :)

I am also entering this for Marcia's new 'Just Journals' link party. She is inviting all comers, each Saturday, to link their Art Journals. Thank you Marcia for hosting this new party. :)

Marcia also hosts Artists in Blogland - a great place to see inspiring art from all medias.

So please take to time to pop along to both of these blogs - you'll probably find you want to stay ...

I did not do well, artistically speaking, last weekend!! I was painting a canvas that I was really enjoying working on and it was all coming together and then being an IDIOT I dropped black ink all over my character's face and however much I tried I could not redeem the picture, sadly, so gave up after two days of trying and will paint the whole thing white for another time...

...but then on Tuesday I did manage an hour to create a double page spread in my A4 Moleskin Art Journal, something I've not done for quite a while - and really enjoyed myself ...

The background acrylic paints were spread on using an old credit card and when dry I glued on an image I'd cut from a magazine which I partly painted over. Lots of detail was add to the background using stamps and distress inks and more acrylic paint and then some journalling and doodling with a journalling pen...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Practising with Ink Dusters...and a dead camera

2011-10-11T12:30:00.002+01:00

Hello,

Sad news...

My lovely little Olympus digital camera died at the weekend after many years of faithful service :( I think this is mainly because Jack loves to take photos and is a tad heavy handed (being only 4) and the zoom completely expired!!! Hay Ho! So I can't take any pics at the moment...and I know it's all my own fault for letting my favourite boy play with my camera but what can a doting Grandma do.......

HOWEVER....we have bought a new lovely digital camera :) and it was free!!! Yes indeedy we had enough Nectar points to buy one (for those of you overseas Nectar points are a loyalty scheme at our favourite supermarket). We normally save all our points and spend them on delicious delicacies at Christmas but as Ed and I are going away for Christmas this year we will not be needing to use the points so decided to splurge them on a new Camera.

So we are now the proud owners of a Panasonic Lumix HD digital camera and video recorder and it is FABULOUS!!!!!! but oh so complicated haha!! and as the built in memory only takes 2 photos I have just ordered a 16GB memory card and a lovely protective carrying case.

I have been oooing and ahhhhing all morning over my camera, trying to get to grips with all it does....but being a simple soul I shall probably just keep it in Intelligent Auto mode as this focuses and automatically works out everything with one click of the camera - even macro and night and it has face recognition and LOADS of lovely things AND a video recorder mode too (sigh) - I just hope that I can do it justice.....

As you can tell I am very excited about this as I have never had a really nice camera before. Also it was in the sale with £100 off the price so we were able to get an even better one than we would have been able to get - if you see what I mean hehehe!! AND IT WAS FREE!!!!

Anyway - while I am awaiting the memory card I have one thing to show you - the last from my trusty Olympus - taken last week (not that I've made anything since then anyway lol!)...

More practising with my Ink Dusters....and I think I'm getting the hang of creating these subtle backgrounds and enjoy doing it too :), although I haven't got the tree very grounded in this one and it appears to be floating a bit so I will have to work on that...

Inks used:
Adirondack Denim and Lettuce
Stamps from:
Inkylicious

...and these cute little birds I learnt how to do by watching Barbara Gray on Create and Craft TV the other Saturday morning....

First draw 2 black lines with a fine-line black pen and ruler, then for each bird draw a small heart and fill with ink, draw a small round on top of the heart (for the head) and little line for the beak and 2 little lines for the tails....aren't they fun.....if you're anything like me you'll find yourself adding these little birds to all sorts of things....

It's a grey windy day here today with a dampness in the air and lots of leaves flying around as they leave the trees....I need to go and put on some socks....

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

PS I have accidentally added myself to my followers (I don't know how I did this) does anyone know how I can remove myself????

Edited to say a thank you to Becky for helping me remove myself from my followers :)

Paint Party Friday - meet Wolly

2011-10-07T12:57:00.004+01:00

Hello,

This is my first week taking part in PAINT PARTY FRIDAY. PPF is all about PAINTING!!! Anyone who paints in watercolours, acrylics, oils, mixed media and whether you paint on canvas, paper, in a sketchbook, on walls, wood - anything painted is welcome to be shared at Paint Party Friday...intended as a weekly drop in to inspire us to paint MORE!!!!

Kristin and Eva say...

Paint Party Friday is a fun place to visit and check-in to show off your Works-In-Progress (WIP) and your finished paintings. Let us help you celebrate what you've done! There are no rules, we are here to play, paint, share our efforts with our friends, encourage each other and hopefully accomplish more together!"

So, if you paint and are interested to see what other painters and artists are creating why not drop in too :)

I have also entered Wolly for this week's challenge at Inspiration Avenue which has the theme of OWLS.

Meet Wolly....my new mixed media canvas...I had such fun creating him :)

The process...

I knew I wanted to do a mixed media piece with an whimsical owl so set about creating him.

I used a 12"x10" canvas, covered it with ModPodge and a selection of Crafty Individuals 'Spring' background papers...

...the next layer was Kaisercraft LIME acrylic paint...

..then using lots of different stencils and masks built up the layers with acrylic paints...

...Wolly started off as a piece of patterened designer paper...

...but was soon taking shape...

...the doodles and details on the canvas were made using border stamps, a journalling pen and a white paint pen...

...and Wolly was born :)

Thank you so much for stopping by.
Lesley x

Love is in the Air - new canvas...

2011-09-30T14:47:00.000+01:00

Hello,

Ok what's going on with the weather...There I was - hot water bottle, winter woolies, socks, boots, throws, shawls - chilly nights, dark rainy days then POOF!!!!! summer has returned !!!! 29 degrees C in the garden this afternoon - I've had to come in to cool down!!! All the summer clothes back out, flipflops on, windows and doors wide open to catch any breath of a breeze.....PHEW!!! I was dripping after hoovering the house this morning.....

A little bit of indian summer - just what the doctor ordered - delicious sunshine top up then due to plunge once more into chilly autumn next week I gather from the weather man............weird!!!

Feeling a bit more in the creative groove currently - just no time to let it happen. Next week should be quieter so hopefully will have some time to play then...

I was inspired a couple of weeks ago by another of Christy Tomlinson's Tutorials so had to have a go...

12" x 10" canvas...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Ink Dusters....a review

2011-09-26T14:39:00.002+01:00

Hello,

I have always struggled with a brayer for creating the backgrounds a la Barbara Gray of Clarity Stamps and Tracey Dutton of Lavinia Stamps- you know the ones? Gorgeous! I always get streaks and lines however hard I try to blend etc etc, so when I saw these Ink Dusters from Inkylicious I thought - yay, maybe they will work better:) So I took the plunge and bought some and, in fact, my first trial with them didn't go too badly at all :)

If you are new to the Ink Dusters here are a few tips...

1. Loads of bristles in the brush are loose to start with so flick them around a lot before you start to get rid of any loose bristles.

2. Load them with ink direct from the ink pad (water based dyes such as Adirondack or Distress work well) and dab off some excess ink before you start dusting. (The dusters can also be used for all sorts of mediums such as acrylic paints, chalks etc)

3. Use a light hand to start dusting, holding the duster like a pen and applying the ink in circular motion.

4. I found blending onto white smooth card really easy and now prefer using the dusters to the Ranger Ink applicator and foam and although on silk coated card the dusters start off with quite a scratchy ink coverage, if you keep at it, it works really well in the end with NO LINES OR STREAKS :) This is the big plus for me...

5. The brushes do stain so it is a good idea to keep each brush for a set of colours ie greens on one brush, blues on another etc. If using several shades of one colour on a project the dusters work well just to lay down the last colour that it picks up without contamination of the previous one.

So there you go. On the whole these are easy to use. I can now practice my landscape backgrounds, blending perfectly - or almost... it is all about practice after all :)

On this tag I used Distress Inks Mustard Seed and Wild Honey and stamped Inkylicious stamps with a Momento Black Ink pad...

...Here Inkylicious stamps again stamped with Expresso Adirondack and the background created using Adirondack Eggplant, Lettuce and Citrus...

...on this card, too, the background uses the same colours and the Personal Impressions Lindsay Mason Fairies and Inkylicious nature stamps are stamped in Memento Black...

For my first efforts I'm quite pleased although there are some mistakes here and there.

I'd be pleased to know what you think of the dusters if you have some.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Seeds from my Garden - Giveaway

2011-09-21T10:38:00.004+01:00

Hello,

I have been out in the garden collecting seeds and have so many have decided, as I did last year, to give away 6 sets of seeds to the first 6 people who leave me a message asking for them.

Each giveaway will include 4 handmade seed packets containing the seeds from a plant in my garden - Aquilegia, Yellow Icelandic Poppies, Tall Pink Frilly Poppies and Pink Alium.

Just scatter the seeds around your borders when preparing them this autumn - both poppy species will flower next year and the aliums and aquilegia take a while longer to establlish. You could grown these in little pots first is you prefer.

So - just leave me a message and email your full name and address and I'll get them out to you asap.

Happy Gardening!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Edited to say

seed set no. 1 going to Rosalee in Canada

seed set no. 2 going to Anika

seed set no. 3 going to Rebecca

seed set no. 4 going to Sally

seed set no. 5 going to Sarah

seed set no. 6 going to Polly Polkadot

ALL GONE NOW - SORRY I DON'T HAVE MORE TO GIVE AWAY :)

Struggles with Arachnophobia and a new canvas

2011-09-14T13:58:00.002+01:00

Hello,

Recently I have not been feeling at all creative and I just can't put my finger on the reason why...
I feel unsettled and although my days have been quite busy there have been plenty of opportunities and time to play but it has just not been in me. I find myself procrastinating...then finding other stuff to do just so I don't have to actually have to go into my craft room...in fact, keeping myself busy without achieving anything of any value.

This is not like me so why is it happening?

Maybe it is the onset of Autumn. I do not like this time of year. The darker mornings and evenings, the more inclement weather. I tend to go into hibernation mode and definitely sleep more...and then there is the unsettling fear of battalions of our eight legged friends pouring indoors looking for mates and warmth and cosy corners to hide in just waiting to LEAP OUT at me for a laugh....

Yes I think that is it....I need to collect some conkers to put into the corners of our rooms to stop the infestation of arachnids as apparently they loathe the smell and will not come in...

I am a self confessed arachnophobe!!!

A few evenings ago I went to the bathroom before bed and JUST as I was about to clean my teeth, long dark hairy legs scuttled up from behind the towel rail ON MY TOWEL and the biggest house spider I've seen for many a long year sat there ready to spring!!!!!! I swear that is exactly what it intended to do....so what did I do?......I am ashamed to say that I had hysterics - screaming for my long suffering husband to come and save me from this abomination...this monster...this fiend!!!!! - whilst not taking my eyes off it in case it disappeared to who knows where only to reappear again when I least expected it. AAAGGGHHH!!

So I was rescued, and even Ed had to admit this one was HUGE, its legs probably 4"-5" from tip to tip...and now, realising that it is that time of year again, I am constantly scanning rooms for the tell tail signs of occupation and dread the dark evenings and spend ages checking every inch of the bedroom before retiring each night...it is exhausting!!!! and I loathe having this constant squirming fear in the pit of my stomach.

How did I get to be like this???

Well, when I was growing up we lived in a bungalow with a large garden and there were always spiders in the house but they didn't trouble me too much although I didn't like them...then, when I was about 13 or 14, I was having a shower one evening and a HUGE spider just dropped onto my back from the ceiling and it frightened me so much my screaming brought my Dad busting through the door thinking I was being attacked or something equally awful and he just laughed while I was in tears and traumatised and since then spiders have been my nemesis.

I can't look at them in books or on the TV, I dread tidying and cutting back the garden - especially in the Autumn when the big Garden Spiders are everywhere with their beautiful webs. I have to close all the windows as evening begins, curtains and blinds are closed slowly and carefully just in case these beasties are lurking in the folds, I check behind cushions and the backs of chairs before I sit....it really can be very upsetting....

I shall be glad when the spider season passes and they all hide away again so that I can't see them - just another few weeks then.....

And in the mean time I must MAKE myself sit at my desk - to take my mind off this stupid fear!!!

So...I visited Christy Tomlinson's tutorial page and watched a great video of her making a canvas and then FORCED myself to have a go...no original thought AND I struggled but got there in the end....

The Process...

...at this point I just didn't like the writing or the butterflies so just whited them out...

...then knew the top, left hand corner just needed a little something so stamped some leaves and cut them out and Lily Cat helped (or hindered as she dribbles when purring)...

...and I added lots of texture...

...and doodles...

...and eventually I was happy........

I'd love to know if you are phobic about anything.....

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Jack's Birthday...

2011-09-10T17:36:00.000+01:00

Hello,

Yes it was Jack's birthday on Thursday and we had fun watching him opening his pressies and had tea and cake. Last Sunday he and his friend, Lauren, had shared a Pirates and Princesses party which was such fun, but exhausting, even though it was only for a couple of hours :)

Jack's newest accomplishment is being able to raise one eyebrow and he looks totally adorable when he does it...even if he has tell tale signs of chocolate cake round his mouth...

...and a raffish look of Orlando Bloom about him...

...there were plenty of swashbuckling adventures aboard HMS Bouncy Castle...

...and candles to blow out on the treasure chest cake that Mummy had made...

...it was all too much for Ellie, and Uncle Si...

...but she eventually woke up....gorgeous girl....just started on her baby rice and can't get enough of it lol...

look at those eyelashes....

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

A few cards...

2011-09-08T16:17:00.000+01:00

Hello,

A busy week! After having my marathon craft room clean out I spent all of Monday and Tuesday this week listing items on ebay - SO time consuming - but hoping to make a few pounds to spend on some new stamps :)
If you want to have a look (although there is nothing very exciting on offer) go here.

Here are a couple of cards I made for birthdays and anniversaries over the last month or so.

There is a particular stamp that looks a lot like my drawings on these cards but I couldn't remember where I'd seen it so thought I'd draw something similar myself...

I painted some pieces of french text with Antique White KaiserCraft acrylic paint then drew the designs with a journalling pen, filling the balloons with more acrylic paint. Lots of doodling involved :)

... this black and orange one doesn't look as messy in real life lol!!...

...and with this one I cut out a canvas heart and spritzed it with colour then mixed some red paint into a small amount of moulding paste and dabbed it through a crafters workshop mask. It worked really well. My first attempt at modelling paste...and more doodling...

It's Jack's birthday today - He's 4!!! So off for a birthday tea and grand present opening in a minute. Will post some pics at the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

And back.....a few photos...

2011-09-05T11:50:00.000+01:00

Hello,

It's been a busy few weeks although I have nothing much to show for it creatively (sigh). Lots of clearing out (therapeutic), walks (refreshing), birthdays and anniversaries came and went (expensive), meeting up with family and friends (always a delight)...

I had a huge clear out of my craft room (also doubles as our spare bedroom) knowing Si was coming home for a few days after bank holiday and would need our comfy sofa bed. This had been on my mind to do for ages and was a big part of my lack of creativity I think as I hate to work in a mess and like all things to be clear and tidy (I know I am far too anal to be creative haha!).

I bought some baskets for storage and set to...my main objective was to get all the books on my craft shelving out (or onto shelving in the double wardrobe) and bring all the crafting things in the double wardrobe back onto the craft shelving.

It took 3 days...

But I now have a lovely tidy working area, a huge pile of stuff for ebay, 3 enormous refuse sacks of recycling and rubbish, a calm and tranquil space in which to play and a spare room for Si...

...comfy sofa bed complete with assorted teddies and one of my fav prints - Dreamers by Albert Joseph Moore

I bought a bargain the other day.........A 2m roll of artists canvas for £1.99, a book of 10 sheets of primed artists canvas 12" x 16" (£4.99!!) and a pack of 6 5"x7" canvas boards all available at The Works...

...and BARGAIN OF THE SUMMER!!!!! I went with Dad to a very chic interiors shop to help him choose a roll of wall paper for his kitchen and the very lovely lady there was in the process of THROWING AWAY a mass of obsolete fabric samples.....yes indeed THROWING AWAY!!!!!! So after she offered me the opportunity to rummage and take away as much as I could carry FOR FREE what could I do but dive in....not sure what I shall do with it all yet but, hey, it's there in the cupboard...

...my collection of pebbles has increased this summer. They are just so tactile - I love them and Jack likes stones and pebbles too - sorting them and plopping them into the bird bath - that sort of thing...

...I find them a good aid to meditation and relaxation when feeling stressed....just the feel and texture and colours...

One day out we had recently Ed and I took Jack to Pecorama at Seaton (a must for all little boys who love trains). We had promised him the outing but that Saturday the rain was just emptying from the leaden skies but we couldn't let him down so equipped with wet weather gear off we went...we all got absolutely drenched!!!!

...but by lunch time the skies had cleared and the sun came out just in time for a round of crazy golf....

...unfortunately Jack has inherited one of my traits - that of not liking to be messy. This hole was full of dirty rain water so he refused to hit his ball into it....

and as the sun dried us Jack suddenly shouted 'Grandma you're on fire' as the heat of the sun caused steam to rise from my soggy apparel...

...I'm not sure who won but Jack is sure it was him haha!...

Autumn seems to be arriving very early in England this year - has anyone else noticed? Probably due to the fact that March and April were GORGEOUS!!! and everything erupted in colour so early in the year. The trees are already starting to change colour and I have started tidying up the garden and cutting back and collecting various seeds....

I am in the process of making little seed packets so watch out for some seedy freebies from me in the next week or so.

I hope to get round and visit all your lovely blogs soon and catch up on your summer...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Blog break til September...

2011-08-14T09:43:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I'm taking a bit of a break from blogging but will be back in September.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and let's hope the sun shines on some happy times for us all.

Lesley x

Maybe we can breathe again....

2011-08-12T23:11:00.003+01:00

Hello,

This week has been horrendous! Riots in our cities, buildings burning, people looting, communities living in fear, people dead...

My youngest son lives in Brixton, South London, and when the riots were at their worst I was texting SOOOO many times to make sure he was safe.

On the worst night a couple of his female friends landed on his doorstep, they were too frightened to stay in their homes, so they sought refuge and stayed, feeling safer together...

'Mum it's bizarre!' We can just hear so many sirens and screams and noise!'

How dare the minority do this to us!!!!

Thankfully it now seems to have stopped. Those caught up in the mayhem, drawn into the looting and vandalism and violence are now being rushed through the courts being charged and sentenced!

Communities rallied, streets were cleaned up, buildings will be rebuilt.....

Senseless!! Appalling!! Disgusting!!

How has this happened???

We are all in shock and are sickened by the atrocities committed across our country this week.

It brings shame into our hearts!

There are those who have lost their life, those who are bereaved, those who are now homeless, those who have seen their livelihoods torn apart and destroyed....

We will not tolerate this abuse of our lives and our communities by the senseless greed of the minority...

This is a beautiful and wonderful country. A country to be proud of. A Country we call home. A Country we love...

maybe we can stop holding our breath... maybe we can breathe again....

I just had to say....

Lesley xx

When I am old....

2011-08-11T08:48:00.000+01:00

Hello,

This is my favourite poem at the moment and something I aspire to. I already have a purple jumper that I shall be wearing this winter and I am on the lookout for a red hat......

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickles for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

by Jenny Joseph

Right....I'm off to learn to spit!!!!

What's your favourite poem??

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day.

Lesley x

Summer of Colour Finale - Showcase

2011-08-08T08:58:00.005+01:00

Hello,

Well it is the final week of our Summer of Colour challenge which has been hosted by the wonderful Kristin. Thank you so much Kristin for enabling all of us to be challenged with colour and to share our creations with one another. It has been such fun and I, for one, have learnt a lot about the colours I use and don't use and colours I will use more of in the future (blue!).

I have met many talented and wonderful people on this journey and would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to leave comments each week. It has been a pleasure to visit all of you and see the myriad of wonderful art in all its forms on amazingly creative blogs.

And don't forget to hop over to Kristin's blog to see the showcases of all the participants this summer.

So here they are - my eight pieces in all their variety of mediums....and make sure you read to the bottom of the page for the opportunity to win one of three giveaways....

BLUE

PINK

GREEN

YELLOW

BROWN

RED

PURPLE

ORANGE 3 pieces because I just didn't like using ORANGE!!!

(edited to say Wrightstuff has won this one)

(edited to day - now owned by NatashaMay - I didn't think anyone would want this lol)

(edited to say Harvest Moon by Hand has won this one)

In hindsight, my favourite week was GREEN. I am really pleased with this one...and it'll hang on my art wall. A couple of the other pieces have already been snapped up by friends, but no-one has claimed my three orange delights so far so those are the ones I shall be giving away to celebrate the finale of our Summer of Colour.

The first person to ask for each of my three orange pieces will be the lucky recipient. Three winners. So if you'd like to win please state your choice in your comment and email me, confirming your choice, with your full name and address and it will be winging its way to you later in the week. To email me just click the link 'email me' in my side bar.

And we thought that would be it....but then....Kristin has announced that Summer of Colour will be back next year!!! YAY!!!! Here's what she says...

"That's right! Another Summer of creativity, connection and community based upon the colorful hues, feelings and textures found in your favorite Ice Cream flavors. As with this year, it will be a free event open to all styles of art and mediums. We will begin Monday, June 4th, 2012 with an introductory week followed by six weeks of color prompts, blog hops and giveaways based upon the Summer essential itself. I can picture it now . . . the rich textures and earthy colors of Rocky Road, the sticky sweetness of Raspberry Sorbet or the child-like art that comes to mind with Bubble Gum Ice Cream . . . Oh! How 'bout . . .

Stay Tuned!"

See you there!!!

Thank you, once again, Kristin...............

And thank you, everyone, for stopping by.

Lesley x

A day out....

2011-08-06T11:04:00.000+01:00

Hello,

A day out with family is always a joy. Here's some pics from last Saturday when our grandson, Jack, took his mummy and daddy and sister and us out for the day...

a picnic...

a trampoline...

feeding the otters...

catch me if you can...

hanging around...

Cap'n Jack on the Black Pearl giving his orders...

adventures through the jungle...

enjoying the sunshine...

thinking...

chatting...

ice-cream...

a barn owl...

a Harris Hawk...

a buzzard...

taking it all in...

Thanks for stopping by.
Happy weekend.
Lesley x

Summer of Colour - my struggles with the colour ORANGE

2011-07-31T21:34:00.001+01:00

Hello,

It is our penultimate week for a Summer of Colour, the challenge hosted for the last 9 weeks by the lovely Kristin.

This week's colour prompt is ORANGE and I have struggled......again.....not a colour I reach for automatically...so what to do???

Last Monday I thought I had a plan... the papers, the stamps, the doodles, all thought through in my mind the night before as I lay awake (yes another sleepless night)...so off I went...

and kept going.....

but didn't like the way this turned out at all!!!!! The more I revisited it the more I disliked the busyness and, to be honest, it looked too messy!!!

So nothing for it but to buy some orange hues in KaiserCraft acrylic paint from the lovely Chrissy at Merly Impressions . I just love the slightly runny, creamy texture of their paint. I also wanted to reuse some stamps by Claudine Hellmuth - Foam and outline stamps in the 'Blooms' and 'Dwellings' sets.

This was my first attempt. I loved the acrylic background, dried it with the heat gun then stamped using the foam stamps and more acrylic paint. But alas, when I came to overstamp the outlines I made the error of choosing distress ink pads by Ranger - the error being that the ink from these pads bled into the acrylic and did not give the crisp outline I had hoped for, thus making everything look a bit blurry and muddy so I over doodled the outlines in black. But I still wasn't at all happy with this SEA of orangeness!!!

OK that was my second attempt.

Next I decided to keep the background white, stamped the images in Distress inks and Stampin' Up inks then overstamped with jet black archival ink....AHA!!! This was more like it ....but not so much ORANGE happening and I am fairly pleased with the result at last....and think that with a mount and frame this could look ok. What do you think??

By this time....late Sunday afternoon I had had a week of orange and was quite frankly SICK OF IT! There - I've said it! This has been a struggle and I'm still not happy, really, so, as I needed a card this week I did this - which took all of 10 minutes....

So there you go. My struggles with the colour ORANGE.

I now have lot of orange acrylic paint to use.....ah well...perhaps with some turquoise and pink it could look AMAZING!!!.....

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

You Don't Have To....

2011-07-28T19:12:00.003+01:00

Hello,

Hopping around blogland, as you do, it is always a pleasure for me to visit the very talented Tara Leaver. Her abstract art is just beautiful and she puts so much of herself into each wonderful piece.

Here is one of her gorgeous creations...

Her Blog, Aquamarine, is not only the home of her art but the home of many a thought provoking insight into life and I would urge you to make the time to visit her.

Today, Tara has shared with us a wonderful piece of prose she has written which has resonated with me so strongly I just feel the need to share it with you. Tara is happy for me to publish it here.

you don't have to

you don't have to be 'fixed' in a certain amount of time

{you are not broken, anyway}
it's a process, and tomorrow is ok
so is next year
you don't have to be cheerful and grateful all day long
{but you can be thankful for that, if you like}

you can lie on the kitchen floor,
wracked with sobs and that big hole in your chest gaping,
all morning long;
and go out for tea with a friend and laugh all afternoon.

yes you can change, moment to moment

you don't have to answer "how are you?"
with "I'm fine"
or even "not so good actually".
you don't have to answer that question at all.

you don't have to be afraid ~
of the day ahead
of emptiness
of space
or grey skies.
none of these things can hurt you, unless you say they can.

you don't have to prove anything
achieve anything
'do something constructive'

you don't have to always make sense

you don't have to do it because you said you would

there aren't any rules, actually
there isn't a right order to things
No One is waiting to humiliate you when you make a mistake

you can go for a walk after dark
buy only what food you feel like eating
stare into space, indefinitely.
skip breakfast, eat two lunches and have cereal for supper

you don't have to reply straight away
you don't have to make sure everyone's ok
you don't have to do the thing that makes sense
you don't have to wait and see
you don't have to jump straight in
you don't have to care
you don't have to.

look at your life. look at your life.
that's right, it's yours!
what a gift!
you don't have to listen to what they think it should look like.

that's why you were given a drum
for your own rhythm
a body
for your own dance
and wings
because you can fly, even if today you don't remember how.

What yelled at me very clearly was ...

you don't have to prove anything
achieve anything
'do something constructive'

Do you pile pressure on yourself to be 'doing' all the time? I do and feel guilty if I take the time to just sit and be......

Take art and crafting, for instance, blogging has made me much more aware of what everyone else is achieving and I pile the pressure on myself to be creating all the time and when those times come, as now, and I don't feel like being constructive or artistic I feel a failure.

It is so important to listen to the rhythm of your own body, to listen to the rhythm of your own drum....and if it means, in my case, taking a step back to refind and redefine myself in my creativity then that is what I must do.

It is all too easy for me to see something someone has made and think... I could do that....and go off on that tangent thus losing myself and not being true to my own inner creativity.

So I need to stop, and take a look at myself and think....what is it I want to do that is truly 'ME'?....

Thank you everyone who visits here, it really does mean a lot to me, especially to those of you who leave me messages. I have the need to be encouraged and you do exactly that.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Lesley x

Summer of Colour - Purple

2011-07-25T08:00:00.005+01:00

Hello,

Another week goes by in our Summer of Colour Challenge hosted by the lovely Kristin. This week our colour prompt is purple. Love my purples - me!!

Thank you so much Kristin, for hosting this challenge. I am so enjoying it and if anyone would like to see what others are creating just hop along to Kristin's Blog this week and have a look.

As well as having purple as our colour prompt this week the bonus challenge was to include sparkles, glitter, shiny.....love it! So here's my entry this week...

All sorts of things going on here. First I sketched the girl then covered the background with acrylic paint using an old credit card. Her dress is designer paper...

Adding crackle accents to eyes and lips giving a great effect...

adding glittery eye shadow...

This background was made by using modelling paste and a Prima stencil, applying it thickly then after drying with a heat gun rubbing over some metallic rubon, white acrylic paint and lastly purple stickles...

then using the same stencil applying purple acrylic paint with a stencil brush...

and so as not to waste the paint on the stencil I just flipped it over and used it as a stamp...

Similarly a different shade of purple through this stencil from crafters workshop...

then flipping it over and stamping with the remaining paint gives the reverse design..

these campanulas across the bottom are napkins. I peeled off the top layer of the 4 ply napkin, then ripping around the design glued it in place with Claudine Helmuth multi medium...

Using small letter stamps I stamped some words.

Not many weeks left of our challenge now....Next week's colour is ORANGE!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

A Gadget and some Garden Progress...

2011-07-21T19:17:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I've been noticing, around blogland, that many people have added 'Grab my Button' buttons to their sidebars. Well I didn't want to be left out so thought I'd like to make one for mine (just in case anyone would like to display it lol !!).

Well... I read this tutorial and I read that tutorial and I tried working through some....but I am not techy minded so found it frustrating and gave up in a huff!!! Then...quite by accident I came across a gadget to do the deed for me so off I went...easy peasy...and you can make one for your blog in a couple of easy steps HERE at Grab My Button Code Generator...

Here's mine...I used a photo of a close up of one of my arty pics...

And if you do like my blog and want to let other people find me then I'd be thrilled if you choose to display it in your side bar. Just 'Grab my Button' in my sidebar.

Now, updates on my garden....

I'm so pleased with how pretty it's turned out this year. I'm still having problems getting anything to grow properly against the fence where the sun don't shine, but apart from that all is bright and beautiful...

Remember that dull border back in March...

Hay Presto......

...I worked out that this hosta has been in this pot for 19 years now...

...and my lovely jasmine is just gorgeous at the moment...

Mitzi always loves to lay on the table in the sunshine...

...and my favourite flowers, scented lilies, have just come into bloom, so I just had to pick some to fill the house with their wonderful fragrance...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

A gift...A christening...and a guilty pleasure....

2011-07-19T10:42:00.004+01:00

Hello,

Yes indeedy, Sunday was the Christening of my adorable new Granddaughter, Ellie Rose. At four months and looking beautiful in her special dress the day was such a blessing, even though it was pouring with rain.

As a gift for Ellie I made her this...using the Marianne Design Clear Stamps Cross Stitch set and included some vintage lace my Grandmother had made...

I'm afraid the photos are a bit dark as it has been dark, drizzly and dismal down here in Devon for the last few days...

...and some photos of Ellie's special day...the photos a bit grainy I'm afraid...not sure why!!!

Their lovely vicar, Sue, aided by several small helpers poured warm water into the font...

...and Daddy handed Ellie over...

...the joyful deed was done...

...and J, Katrina and Jack all looked very happy and proud...

...our adorable Jack...

...and I was a VERY proud and happy Grandma!!!

...Katrina had made a beautifully simple Christening cake...

...and here's an extra picture! It's not often my three boys are together in one place so I made the most of it.

Si on the left of J and Ben on the right...

We had such a lovely day.

...And my guilty pleasure.......

I took myself off to see the new Harry Potter film at 10.30 yesterday morning. FABULOUS!!!!!! Loved it! Cried lots, made me jump lots, brilliant film so do go and see it!!!

I just love going to the cinema on my own in the morning with a large cookie and a latte. My favourite guilty pleasure!!! Try it!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Summer of Colour - RED

2011-07-18T09:23:00.000+01:00

Hello,

This week the colour challenge set by the lovely Kristin for our Summer of Colour is RED! I had a sleepless night in the week and lay there, racking my brains to think what redness I had in my craft cupboards. Red is not one of the colours I reach for automatically, but is a colour that I should use more often I think...

So for this week, once again, I made a card using some Cosmo Cricket papers which have been hiding in the depths for quite a long time and which I had forgotten about...

I also got my sewing machine out to combine the papers with stitching.

I had fun!!!

Thank you, once again Kristin, for our Summer of Colour - it is proving to be both very enjoyable AND challenging...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Summer of Colour - Brown

2011-07-11T06:00:00.003+01:00

Hello,

We are already half way through our Summer of Colour event hosted by the lovely Kristin. Making something each week for ten weeks with a new colour prompt from Kristin every Monday.

Our colour prompt, from Kristin, this week was Brown...

I struggled with this as I don't often use dark colours and wondered what to do. Eventually, as time has been a bit short, I decided on a card...

And for those of you who have been asking....

New pics of my adorable Grandaughter, Ellie Rose, now 4 months old and being Christened next Sunday...

...with me looking extremely ORANGE next to her pristine skin haha!...

...the irrepressible Jack, totally scrumptious and now nearly 4...

...and this is my eldest, J, with his beautiful daughter...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

La Belle France part deux...and more sunflowers...

2011-07-08T19:23:00.001+01:00

Hello,

I had intended to be really creative on our holiday in France but only took bare essentials as we were flying so very limited weight....as it happened I hardly felt creative at all whilst away and only managed ONE picture done on our one chilly evening...

I took with me a watercolour pad measuring 12" x 8", my box of Caran d'Ache Water Soluble Wax Crayons, a couple of pencils and paintbrushes, a couple of masks, a small tube of white acrylic paint and my black journalling pen.

I found it really hard to limit myself to these few things and wanted to keep reaching for all the stash I'd left behind but eventually came up with this....

Anyway, a few more pictures of our trip to the Dordogne and the promised photos of the sunflowers...

On the middle weekend of our stay the temperatures soared and got up to 43C in the afternoon, but going out early we visited Issigeac, a small medievil town where they have a fabulous market all through the streets and of course the town square with stalls GROANING under the weight of local produce...Ed's in amongst this somewhere...

One of the most delicious things to buy is a spit roasted chicken, Poulet Roti, which is popped into a foil back with lashings of onion gravy (and keeps hot til you get home) and a similar pack filled with sliced potatoes which have been cooked in garlic and olive oil with lots of herbs.....with some roasted peppers and delicious haricot beurre we had a sumptuous feast when we got back to the cool interior of the Moulin.

The buildings are really beautiful...

and there are many independent arty type shops. This was my favourite, stuffed with handmade fabric items and shabby chic home accessories and lots of lavender filled pillows...

...there was a basket of french lace offcuts so I came away with all these for a little under 10 euros...equivalent to about £10...all absolutely beautiful - I'm itching to use them...

then on the way back after the market we passed this magnificent field of sunflowers...

...I love going out to lunch in France and finding little restaurants tucked away in quiet villages...we stopped here for lunch one day. The set menu of three courses and wine for 12 euros was fabulous. I love that restaurants in France have set menus - no choices - just what they are cooking that day, all locally sourced and grown - so everything in season.

We also visited Baynac - a fortress village built into the side of the cliffs. Lots of villages were built this way and there are several troglodyte sites to visit too...

it was a steep climb to the top but we found small artisan shops and cafe's along the route...

...and at the top came to this beautiful gate and amazing views out over the Dordogne valley...

...the little church at the top has this incredible door...

So there you have it - some highlights of a really lovely, relaxing stay in France. I'd highly recommend it to anyone in need of some serious R&R!!! Here's a last photo - of me and Ed with that spectacular view behind us...

Still not feeling creative yet................

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Summer of Colour YELLOW and a bit about our visit to France...

2011-07-05T13:34:00.002+01:00

Hello,

Yes, here I am again, safely back from a glorious 2 weeks in La Belle France. We had SUCH a relaxing and laid back time it has been hard to wind ourselves back up into work mode once again!!

I have so many gorgeous pics to share I'll probably split it over a few days as I have created NOTHING for AGES!!!!

This week in the Summer of Colour challenge the colour prompt from the lovely Kristin was YELLOW so this week my entry is a photograph. The delicious sunflowers were just coming into bloom in the Dordogne - one of my favourite flowers - and it was such a wonder to see fields and fields of them glowing in the hot sunshine.

So here's my entry...
This is the centre of one of the sunflowers and is just awash with all the multiple hues of this happy colour. If your click on the photo to make it bigger you will see that just above the centre and a little to the right is a tiny yellow spider - I didn't even notice it when I was taking the photo....and look at all that lovely yellow pollen and jewelled drops of nectar.....just so beautiful...more pics of sunflowers in my next report lol ...

So, where did we stay? We flew from Exeter to Bergerac (only an hour and twenty minutes), picked up our hire car and drove for just under half an hour to Moulin de Brisseaux, a delightful, old (bijou), windmill with its own private pool, surrounded by vineyards. Absolutely stunning.

Inside, the windmill measured only about 12 feet in diameter, the 2 foot stone walls kept the interior cool and dark. On the ground floor was a tiny kitchen and the shower and loo were in a tiny (very tiny) room under the curving staircase. No windows - just the front and back doors.

The middle floor was the bedroom. A much smaller bed than we were used to and, I must say, a little too claustrophobic for me, the ceiling was quite low with heavy, wide, dark wooden beams and the tiniest of grilled windows, letting in very little light. We also had a sink and lots of hanging space, once more, under the curving staircase. I really did struggle with the darkness of this room and had to keep a small light on down in the kitchen during the night to stave off the closed in feeling.

On the top floor was the living room which had a much bigger window with this fabulous view out over the surrounding vineyard, towards the distant château. Ed visited the château on one of his walks (while I enjoyed the pool lol) and was sad to find it deserted with windows broken or boarded up. Such a shame...

Here in the living room was a TV, XBox and DVD player which came in handy on one very cold evening and again on the second weekend when the temperatures outside rose to above 40 degrees!!

Every morning, while Ed languished in bed til gone 10, I would get up early and take my breakfast outside to read or write my journal. As this used to be a 'windmill' we always had the company of a lovely breeze which cooled things down a bit and there was shade from 2 almond trees and a fig tree. Each morning a little red squirrel would often wake me with his nut crunching activities in the tree just outside the window.

For a couple of days, when the weather was really hot and sultry, we were plagued by ants, all really busy before the flying ants all left their nests a couple of days later. I had dropped crumbs of pain au chocolat onto the table and a drop of orange juice and before I knew it both were being made into breakfast by the ants...They took no notice of me whatsoever so I grabbed my camera...

At one point I counted a total of 31 ants surrounding the drop of juice, all clambering over each other to drink it sweetness...

Ed and I had visited this area before so had already visited many of the delights of the Dordogne and this holiday was all about taking time out to read, relax, sleep, recharge dead batteries and enjoy the peace and quiet of the remote windmill, so we didn't have many excursions, just enjoyed being together in this ideallic place.

On one of our days out we visited Les Jardins Suspendus de Marqueyssac, The Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac, which had had extensive restoration work in recent years. It is designed for walking and has about 6 kilometres of sinuous walk through woodland, hidden gardens, long tree lined pathways, ever climbing to the Belvedere which overlooks the entire Dordogne Valley from its chalky cliffs and has exceptional panoramic views.

In one of the hidden gardens we came across this gigantic piece of art, in rusted iron, of a stylised girl holding a bird in her hand - really lovely...

We were very hot when we reached the Belvedere but the climb was well worth the effort for the fabulous views...

Here's Ed perched on a wall over a precipitous drop...

We enjoyed a shady lunch under the welcome awnings of the terrace beside another amazing view...

...and wandering down through the topiaries of the lower gardens came across one of the peacocks, obviously posing and wanting his photograph taking...I couldn't resist!

Then it was back to the windmill for a supper of locally made bread and cheese and wine followed by a game of Boules in the garden. Unfortunately Ed lost the Jack in the thick hedge at the end of the garden so that put paid to our tournament. We never did find it....here he is searching lol...

The light, in the evenings, was stunning. Soft and yellow and the day cooled...

Well there's part one......I need some lunch so will continue this in a day or two.

I have no mojo at the moment - completely gone!!! So who knows when I'll have anything creative to show you. I did do one picture of holiday so that's to come.....in a day or two....

I'm looking forward to some blog hopping later to catch up with what everyone else has been up to while we've been away.

Good to be home, though....always good to be home.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Summer of Colour week 2 - Green...

2011-06-18T11:59:00.000+01:00

Hello,

The lovely Kristin, who is our wonderful host for A Summer of Colour has this week given us the colour GREEN so this is my entry.

I have decided to stick with this format for the whole project and then will bind the portraits together to make a book at the end of the 10 weeks.

This again is on 14"x10" watercolour paper and I used a mixture of medium as before - Caran d'Ache water soluble wax crayons, acrylic paints, stamping, collage, doodling, rubons, fabric, crackle accents on the eyes and lips and masking.

I will be away in La Belle France now for the next couple of weeks so won't be able to participate for a while but I would encourage EVERYONE to hop over to Kristen's blog to see what amazing projects everyone who is taking part is coming up with. You can see all last week's entries here...

So off I go - the cats have gone to the cattery, the bags are packed, the fridge is empty and the flight is at 3pm.

See you when I get back.

And a very big thank you to everyone who takes the time and trouble to visit me and leave such very kind comments. I really appreciate it as it spurs me to keep going.

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Bluebirds...

2011-06-16T19:00:00.002+01:00

Hello,

When my son and his lovely family came over for a visit last weekend my DIL fell in love with the canvses I've been doing and asked if I'd do one for the their living room which is decorated in duck egg blue and cream and brown and she wanted something with those colours but keeping it light and this is what I came up with on Sunday afternoon...

Thankfully she loves it and it is already hanging in on her wall lol!...

Edited to say, in answer to Kathy's comment as to how I created this...

White gesso all over the canvas then stamped 2 birds from Martha Stewarts's clear stamps set 'birds' onto tissue paper and stuck them to the canvas with Claudine Helmuth's matt medium then dried with a heat gun.

Then using acrylic paints and water soluble wax crayons I coloured, painted, used masks, rubons, doodles, bottle tops - also stamped a bit too - anything really to create the background.

I often do progress pictures of my art but forgot on this one. Just got carried away.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

More Art for my wall....purples and greens...

2011-06-13T11:55:00.001+01:00

Hello,

This canvas was inspired by the beautiful artwork of the designers at Papaya. Last Christmas my husband bought me one of their year planners and every other page has one of their wonderful pieces of art. This canvas is very similar to one of the pictures in the planner and is to hang in my craftroom. I just loved the colours and design and wanted to know if I could do something similar...so just went for it...

A 12"x12" canvas. I used Caran d'Ache watersoluble wax pastels, kaisercraft acrylics, a fabulous circular mask by Crafter's Workshop and lots of doodling with a white paint pen...then added a few gems.

My two little angels......

2011-06-11T17:39:00.000+01:00

Hello,

Two posts in one day! That's a first for me, but just had to share these new pics of my lovely grandchildren with you after their visit today. Here's Ellie Rose now 13 weeks old and Jack 3 3/4 years old....

Ellie, with her huge eyes, eyelashes to die for, new sprouting of soft black hair and a smile that melts my heart...

...and Jack, adoring big brother who is caring and gentle with a wicked sense of humour and a giggle that's that's so infectious...

When you have your own children there's so much love that fills you up you think that nothing will ever touch it, but then you have grandchildren....intensity of love that's a whole different ball game....

Lesley x

Less is More - One Layer challenge 'FRAME IT'

2011-06-11T10:43:00.001+01:00

Hello,

The challenge this week at Less is More is for a One Layer Card...they say...

Our challenge is entitled

IN THE FRAME

We would like to see a frame of some sort or something in a frame... we'd like you to be as inventive as you like.

You could doodle, draw, emboss, ink, paint, colour, print, stamp, emboss resist, mask or any other method you can come up with to get a frame of sorts into your design.

So, this is on cream card stock, a doodled frame and the bird and word from 'Carte Postale' stamp set by Stampin Up...

This took just five minutes, including cleaning the stamps lol! Sometimes, when there's not much time, we can still make a personalised card....

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Weekend.

Lesley x

Fathers' Day or Birthday........

2011-06-09T19:07:00.000+01:00

Hello,

This is the card I've made for my Dad for Fathers Day. My Dad loves the garden and all the bird life in all its abundance so I knew that Martha Stewart's Clear Stamp Set 'Birds' was perfect for him, and the Blue Tit is just adorable.

The background here is a K & Company patterned paper I've had for ages so I started with that then stamped over with the Blue Tit and Pine Branch Stamps in Jet Black Archival Ink then water-coloured.

Mind you, the card didn't start out that way. I had intended it to be for Ed's Mum's Birthday but once it was finished (below) it just looked too masculine so I reinvented it for Dad lol!

I suppose I could have made the two really.....what do you think?

Thanks for stopping by.
Lesley x

Summer of Colour Blog Event has begun.........Week One Blue

2011-06-07T11:41:00.005+01:00

Hello,

This Summer I am participating in Kristin's 10 week blog event A Summer of Colour. Each week Kristin will be giving a colour prompt and we will be creating art in any form and in any medium.

The Summer of Colour challenge has begun!!! Yes, it's the first week and Kristin's colour prompt in BLUE - beautiful blue in all its myriad hues.

To take part why not pop over and have a look at Kristin's blog to see all the ways you can take part. You can make anything you like... Altered Books, Art Jewelry, Art Journals, Assemblage Art, Artist Trading Cards, Canvas Work, Digital Art, Greeting Cards, Inchies, Moo Cards, Photography, Poetry, Postcard Art, Scrapbooking...the list is endless!!!

This is how Kristin explains it...

And how will this work?

Each week, I will provide a color prompt here. You then will have a week to complete your piece based upon that color. When you are done, simply post about it and link it here (in a widget like the one below) from the following Monday on. Of course, you can also share your work through Flikr. Each week the color will change and we will get started on another piece. There will also be a giveaway each week for the participants of the challenge. Just leave a comment to be considered for the random drawing. The winner will be announced the following week.

Whew, so in the end, it goes like this:

* Come here every Monday to find out what color we are working on

* Create art based upon that color

* Come back here the following Monday (or within that week) to link your work and enter the giveaway

* Discover what the next week's color will be

And...there will be giveaways. Everyone who takes part each week will be put into a draw to win!

So - I kept yesterday free, knowing this was starting, so that I could make a start on my piece. I couldn't wait to see which colour we'd be starting with and it is BLUE!!!!

I haven't yet decided if I shall work to a theme for the whole of the event or do something completely different each week. But at the moment some of you know I am working through Tam's Fabulous Faces course, albeit sporadically, learning how to draw and paint faces with the aim of stylising and coming to grips with my own style which I am currently finding hard to do, so decided my first piece for the challenge would be a three quarter portrait which, which I haven't tried before, in shades of blue.......leading me to think of mermaids....

So this is my piece for....BLUE...Her Tears Were Lost in the Sea...

This is a 14"x10" piece on watercolour paper using graphite pencil, Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Watersoluble Wax Pastels, Kaisercraft Acrylic Paints, and a touch of Crackle Accents on the lips and eyes ( just love the effect this has).

I know that I will not be able to participate in EVERY week of this event as I will be away for a while but I will do as many weeks as I can.

Why not join in..............it's such fun!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Inspiring Nature....

2011-06-06T09:23:00.001+01:00

Hello,

Today is a special birthday for my lovely friend, Sharon, whose blog Livewire Jewelry is wonderful to visit as she makes the most exquisite jewellery. I am sure she will not mind me sharing with you the card and gift I made for her. Our blog land friends are such a blessing and sometimes we find someone really special and even though they live thousands of miles away, it is such a pleasure to know them.

Happy Birthday Sharon.

I think, too, that I will enter this card for the June Challenge over at Scarlet Lime where they are asking for entries to be about birthdays.

This card was made using KaiserCraft Secret Bird Society Collection papers and stamps, as was the little Journal I included in Sharon's package. I added lace and pearls and rubons and some doodling...

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Chocolate and Beetroot Cake..........Delicious........

2011-06-05T13:14:00.001+01:00

Hello,

HOORAH!!!!! I have downloaded Google Chrome as my browser and all now seems hunky dory with Mr. Blogger so I shall be visiting and commenting all over the place when time allows. Thank you for all your comments (smile)!

Anyway....back to today...

Yesterday we visited some friends for breakfast and a trip to the local farmers' market and I came away with not only an array of locally made sausages, gooseberry jam and peach wine, but an armful of magazines passed on to me by my lovely friend, Sandy. Except for Craft Stamper I never buy magazines so spent the afternoon in the garden in the shade having a browse. I didn't know Hello magazine had recipes in it and found the most delicious chocolate cake recipe using beetroot!! And as I had some cooked beetroot in the fridge I thought I'd give it a go this morning and it turned out really well...

So here's the recipe if you have a plethora of beetroot this summer lol!...

Chocolate Beetroot Cake
Serves 8-10

Ingredients
250g/9oz cooked beetroot (fresh or vacuum-packed), chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
200ml/7fl oz sunflower oil
3 eggs, beaten
175g/6oz self-raising flour
1tsp baking powder
75g/3oz cocoa powder
160g/5 1/2 oz castor sugar

Preheat the oven to 180C, 350F, Gas 4 or Fan Assisted oven 160C and lightly grease and base-line a 9" springform or loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment.

Puree the beetroot in a blender then pour into a large bowl and add the vanilla extract, oil and eggs and mix together well with a balloon whisk.

In a separate bowl sift in the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder then stir in the sugar. Pour into the beetroot mixture and stir well until blended.

Pour into the prepared cake tin and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and cover lightly with foil to prevent the cake from over-browning and return to the oven for a further 10 minutes. (I used a 10" tin and the cake turned out a little flatter and cooked for 10 mins less)

Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin slightly before turning out on to a wire rack.

This cake is delicious served either warm or cold, piled high with mixed summer berries, a dusting of icing sugar and a dollop of creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream. (Although Ed and I had a piece on its own while it was warm with our coffee and it really is delicious).

Sorry my photos are a little out of focus...

After 27C and full on sunshine yesterday, today is grey and drizzly and I'm back in my socks and jumper and ten degrees colder. That's British weather for you...

I shall be watching Nadal beat Fedderer (hopefully) in the final of the French Open this afternoon - possibly with another piece of the chocolate and beetroot cake - this time with strawberries and icecream......well a girl needs a treat now and again....and I may have to chill that peach wine...........

Enjoy your sunday, whatever you're doing..........and thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

So frustrating....

2011-06-03T17:59:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I just wanted to vent my spleen and say that it's not for the want of trying but Blogger is just not letting me leave messages on many of the blogs i follow so if you haven't heard from me for a while that is why. AAAGGGHHHHHHH!

Are other people still having the same trouble?

Lesley x

No Place Like Home...

2011-05-31T10:57:00.002+01:00

Hello,

Another 12" x 10" canvas in the style of the VERY talented Christy Tomlinson...if you haven't visited her blog I would really recommend that you do so. She and some friends also have another blog and shop called Scarlet Lime which is also well worth a visit particularly if you're into Mixed Media.

I forgot to take pictures of the process of creating this canvas just because I got carried away and so enjoyed doing it but I'm really pleased with the outcome. Another that Ed is happy for me to hang lol...

Can't wait to get our downstairs decorated now so that we can hang some new art - some of mine and some I intend to collect from favourite online artists...

Cards are taking second place these days as I'm loving doing larger and larger pieces. Perhaps this is the way to go....just waiting for some larger canvases to arrive to see what I can do with them. My creative process is changing and I'm finding it really exciting going in this new direction.

I'm learning so much from people who are so generous in sharing their techniques and projects. I, personally, find it hard to have origional ideas so get really inspired by other people. It is never my intention to copy or 'steal' ideas but, for me, who struggles with origionality, I so appreciate other, VERY talented people who so generously share with us with their blogs and utube videos. Without them I'd not be able to do anything at all...

I'm still struggling to find my own style but again I think that is a process and I'll get there one day...

I am always open to constructive critisism so please feel free to comment. I so appreciate everyone who takes the time to visit my blog and really enjoy your comments so thank you everyone who visits.

I am also entering this canvas for the very first challenge on Craft Room Challenge . Anything goes this week and I know that the gang over there would love to see what you can do so why not have a play.

Right...enough waffling...back to the ironing................

Thanks for stopping by.

Lesley x

Paperlicious delicious

Paint Party Friday - week 46 check in...

Love....a card....

Sketchbook Pages...

Paint Party Friday...A New Art Journal...

A walk by the river...

Flutterby Butterfly.....

Less is More - Week 50 Birds

By the light of the silvery moon...

My Favourite makes of 2011 ...

Jack's Treasure Box...and a Banner for Ellie Rose...

Happy New Year...

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas....

Devon Countryside in November...

A Walk by the Sea...

New Home card...

Christmas .....already???

Less is More - One Layer Card 'Leaves'

A small canvas...

The Poppy Appeal

Garden progress ...Autumn...

Paint Party Friday - experimenting...

EEEEK!!!! It's the MUMMY!!!!!..............

More inspiration...and a peek inside my sketch book...

A day out with Jack...and a recipe...

Inspiration - what inspires me???...

One Layer Card...with acrylics

Paint Party Friday - A4 Art Journal spread

Practising with Ink Dusters...and a dead camera

Paint Party Friday - meet Wolly

Love is in the Air - new canvas...

Ink Dusters....a review

Seeds from my Garden - Giveaway

Struggles with Arachnophobia and a new canvas

Jack's Birthday...

A few cards...

And back.....a few photos...

Blog break til September...

Maybe we can breathe again....

When I am old....

Summer of Colour Finale - Showcase

A day out....

Summer of Colour - my struggles with the colour ORANGE

You Don't Have To....

Summer of Colour - Purple

A Gadget and some Garden Progress...

A gift...A christening...and a guilty pleasure....

I'm afraid the photos are a bit dark as it has been dark, drizzly and dismal down here in Devon for the last few days...

Summer of Colour - RED

Summer of Colour - Brown

La Belle France part deux...and more sunflowers...

Summer of Colour YELLOW and a bit about our visit to France...

Summer of Colour week 2 - Green...

Bluebirds...

More Art for my wall....purples and greens...

My two little angels......

Less is More - One Layer challenge 'FRAME IT'

Fathers' Day or Birthday........

Summer of Colour Blog Event has begun.........Week One Blue

Inspiring Nature....

Chocolate and Beetroot Cake..........Delicious........

So frustrating....

No Place Like Home...