White-out

I had a look at my paintings to see which ones I'd enter into the exhibition in November. And I have to be honest here, there were a few I just didn't like any more. And if I don't like them, what are the chances of anyone else liking them? So I got the gesso out and painted over the lot and now have blank canvases once again. Feels good!!! I have a notion to collage some lace and bits of silk on, now that's really brave hehe!!

Lottery update etc.

I won!!!!! Only £10 but it's still a win hehe! Well, this morning I got an email from a company who would like to make giclee prints of some of my paintings - have asked for more details, not sure if this is legit.

I've listed a couple more things on etsy - an embellished book cover and BACIONE (a big kiss) wall art:

A couple more

I have a sort of asssembly line going with these wall-art pieces in various stages of completion. Here are two more finished pieces which are on etsy

I had a sort of 'lucky' day today, first was the taxi driver who asked for less than was on the meter??, then a quick visit to my favourite charity shop where I found the most beautiful vintage laces and trimmings which were supposed to be sold by the metre -- well she just gave me a total price which was so cheap, I almost felt guilty!! Sooo, will buy a lottery ticket (or two) for tonight's draw.....

Calendar

An international group of artists got together to create a 2008 calendar which is for sale on Amazon. It is all about altered art, collage, etc. Some of the names you'll probably recognize - Linda Koch, Kathy Wasilewski, Sally Turlington, Susan Tuttle, Lou McCulloch and so on. There's no picture yet on Amazon so I'll show you what's on the cover (by Lynne Porter), and January (on the right) which I did. Hope you'll all be tempted, it really is beautiful!!

Finished Another

Here's another fabric collage just finished - SECRETS - and you can find it on etsy. I changed the size of the images for the last post but it was too big and takes too long so I'll rectify that now.

New Collage

I had a lovely day yesterday with like-minded souls - arting, chatting, eating and a little glass of wine (as you do!!). I was preparing some fabric collages and have just finished the first which is listed on etsy - FRIEND and more to follow very soon.

A bit all over the place

I'm finding it hard to concentrate on one thing in my artistic endeavours since DD3 and family went back to Florence on Sunday. I've dabbled in embellishing, sewing, painting, and tidying up so as I can find my stuff LOL.

I've resorted to asking my neighbour for help with the Dremel - he'll come over later today so I hope that all will be revealed!!

Here's a wooden wallhanging I finished - was thinking I should give it a name, might add one later - the plate at the bottom is brass, have no idea what it was for so have given it another chance LOL.

Rockin' Girl Award

Well, you could have knocked me over with the proverbial feather - Kat has awarded me this banner as a Rockin' Girl Blogger - I'm pleased as Punch. So now it's my turn to choose 5 rockin' bloggers:

Sally

Kari

Gail

Janene

Earthtone Studios

OK Rockin's Girls - over to you!!!

Book Covers

Here's a book cover I made yesterday - it fits a standard A6 notebook:

The LHS is embellished but I couldn't get the colours scanned well - it's much nicer in reality and contrasts well with the back RHS.

I can understand how easy it is to become addicted - I've been scouring ebay for antique dolls and have bought a few but this could run away with me!! So I'll have to be 'good' and just not look anymore, promise haha!! I'm going to the Library today to get books on repairing antique dolls, yes, that's the next thing. Will I ever learn LOL.

Doll Phase?

I was looking on ebay for some dolls' limbs (which I got) but sort of drifted into antique and vintage dolls. Oh my goodness - a whole new world opened up!! I never thought I could become so enthralled by old dolls - and I don't like the pristine ones, the more used the better!! Here's a Roddy doll which moves her head when she walks and such a sweet little pouted mouth. Her clothes are all hand made, the dress is silk crepe and the jacket is satin. Quite dirty but not sure if they'd hold up to soap and water. Anyone out there know???

Photograph

I remember reading somewhere that for photography we have one side better than the other. But I'm still not sure which it is - had the family take several in profile but they're all awful hehe!! We had a superb dinner last night and my mother, who is 92, rather over-imbibed and was staggering all over the place - but no hangover this morning -- how did she do that?? All she said was she was very 'unsteady' last night -- I know I'd have used another word to describe it.....

Lovely day

Today is my birthday, suffice it to say there's a "0" on the end. All my daughters and my mother toasted me (and it wasn't even midday hah!) with some bubbly and nibbles and then birthday cake with candles that said 'Happy Birthday' instead of the thousand candles!!

Tonight we're all going to dine at an Italian restaurant but meeting here at home first for - yes - a special bottle of French Champagne. I have a new dress to wear and if any of the photos comes out well (I'm not very photogenic) I'll post one tomorrow.

Some little things

I've made a couple of little wooden things, one is for a friend's birthday - it's nice to be doing something new and different. Life is a bit hectic too with my daughter, partner and toddler here for a visit from Florence - but I still need to do some art.

Beginnings - tile

By chance I found some used metal tiles, and you know when something 'speaks' to you - I brought them home. After a bit of palaver I found something that worked - and here it is, nice and rusty and distressed!

Introducing ...

... Baby Burdie - my first metal assemblage using the Dremel!! I am determined to learn how to use this new toy, but it's not easy (at least for me). Thanks Wendy for your hint, I'll try that!

Getting to grips with ..

.. a Dremel rotary power tool - to be honest, I'm a bit scared of it!! I've been trying to drill holes in different types of metal, it skited around a bit on the coin and although it's left a shiny pattern, it did bore a hole!! Has anyone done this, are you supposed to put the item on a padded surface whilst drilling?? or what??? I need all the help I can get LOL.

Flea Market

The market was great and I think that the low cost to vendors was reflected in the prices. I got some really lovely things - vintage dress clips, lino cut tool with loads of different heads, pearl buckles, collapsible metal ruler (already rusted - aren't we daft), child's school slate circa 1920 and she said she'd bring the slate pencils next week free of charge, pendant with slide out magnifying glass, beautiful river pearl necklace (new), pearl bracelet - and on and on!!! Can you tell I had a great day!!!!!

Here's the art doll I made:

Art Doll

I have to make an art doll for a swap in the Autumn, so I had a practice run. I didn't really enjoy making it although it's turned out OK - just too fiddly for me. The pattern we use is in Cloth Paper Scissors winter 2006, it looks like fun but I didn't have fun. I'll post pictures tomorrow as I've been out all day and a bit tired now. Looking forward to tomorrow because there's a flea market on and it's the first official day of the Edinburgh Festival with lots of street theatre to see.