DIG

I did this LO using a number of the techniques from the Got Paint class at BPS, which ends this week. I have really enjoyed doing this class and will try and use paint more in my LOs. This LO is of the boys at DIG in York last summer. As I mentioned before it is a super place where you get to uncover what was discovered in York from different ages.

I used vaseline resist technique and masking tape to give an impression of age. The background is painted as is the title and the clock faces are stamped with paint.

Connect

This is another page for my Art Journal as prompted by Emily Falconbridge. I painted the background and the jigsaw pieces. The title is also painted.

This is another sample page for Got Paint over at BPS. It is using vaseline resist technique.

Star Climber

Today I did a double LO of John when he did the aerial assault course at Xscape last October.

This one did for Wk 4 of 52 challenges - to make a chipboard embellishment. I handcut the star and painted it.

I have also been playing with paint again.

I used a vaseline resist technique on this page. You put blobs of vaseline on the paper, then paint over it, then when it is dry you wipe off the blobs revealing the paper underneath. I also painted some doodles on it.

Pizza Anyone?

Managing to get caught up with Elsie Flannigan 52 Wk challenge on UKS. This is my LO for week 3 - the challenge was to use ribbons. The photo was taken last April in Rome.

We took the boys to play short tennis at the sports centre today, which was fun. During the week Andrew and I went to see Alvin and Chipmunks which was funny. Its Back to the Books however for me as my next OU course starts today. I am doing a Level 3 course (eek!!!) Religion Today. Looking forward to it but a bit apprehensive too.

More Paint

Have been playing with paints again. Week 3 of Got Paint was to use masking tape on a piece of card then paint over it. It gives a lovely textured feel.

This page was done by painting the background with two different colours, the flower is chipboard and then painted. I made the leaves by using masking tape on card, then painting, then cutting out the shapes. I then used alcohol ink on the edges.

This page is for Week 2 of the Art Journal over on Emily Falconbridge's blog. (Yes, I know I still have to do Week 1!!) For this page I used masking tape over the bottom corner, then painted the page, then added lots of things with different textures.

Graffitti

I've been playing with paints again. Week 2 of Got Paint class at BPS was to try out graffitti stamping technique. This is where you use paint on your stamps and stamp repeatedly over each image.

This first page was done using acrylic stamps from Banana Frog on a painted background.

This page was using foam stamps.

This is a LO using the graffitti stamping technique. The photo is from our trip to Rome last April and is of one of the ruins on the Palatine Hill. I'm really not too sure whether I like it or not.

A is for ...

I'm on a roll today. Just finished my page for A for the Creative World Art Journal. I'm doing an 8 x 8 journal on My Family Life. A has to be for Andrew.

Got Paint

I finally managed to start my Got Paint class by Emily Falconbridge at BPS. I am going to do an Art Journal which will display the different paint techniques in the class.

This page was done using dry brush on background then wiped with a wet wipe, middle bit is pp with a Heidi Swapp mask.

This page is done using a dry brush and Heidi Swapp masks.

This page was done using an acrylic wash with dots of gold paint added, then I added words but from a bit of scrap paper.

This page was done using dry brush for the background, the middle bit is a piece of pp with gesso on it, then the waves etched into it and then painted.

I had great fun doing these pages.

SO

Finished a LO for Wk 2 of Elsie Flannigan 52 challenges on UKS - I'm up to date! Challenge was to convert a photo to black and white. Photo is of John last May at Gardenstown in a typical teenager pose, I can just imagine him saying So.... Background paper is from The Page Coaster Collection, Trendy Stripe, the other piece is from my scrap bag and I can't remember what it is, title is Heidi Swapp stickers.

Rose

I have managed to make a start on the first of my challenge projects for this year - Elsie Flannigan 52 Scrapbooking Challenges, being run on UKS. I have had this book for a year but have really just started looking at it - its great. The first challenge is to put a quote/journalling in strips. The quote I have chosen is "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses" Abraham Lincoln. I liked this quote as I thought it fitted in well with my Positive thoughts for the year. The photo is one I took last summer at Castle Howard. Paper is Basic Grey's Lily Kate.

The other project challenges I am hoping to do this year are the A-Z Journal at Its a Creative World, Got Paint - BPS and Emily Falconbridge Art Journal. I'm going to be busy!!!

Title Page

Here is the cover and title page for my Christmas Journal. I enjoyed doing it again, although found it a bit harder to get into this year. It was also rather difficult using this book as it didn't open straight and I either had to struggle and glue things on one-handed or make the page and then stick it on. But I managed and am pleased with the results.

Finished

Finished and only one day late! On 2nd Jan we went to see Joseph at the Edinburgh Playhouse, it was brilliant. Andrew and John are now going round the house singing the songs (I don't think either of them have a future career in the music industry!).

Instead of making New Year Resolutions this year (cos I always break them!) I decided to follow Ali Edwards this year and choose one word for the year. I have chosen 'Positive' to be my word for the year. I am going to aim to have a positive attitude about all parts of my life this year.

Hogmanay and New Year

Catching up fast. I have done my pages for Hogmanay and New Years Day. My Mum and Sister were down for New Year this year, so we had a party! John stayed up for the Bells and his first taste of Champagne!! Our first foot was a little teddy all dressed up in tartan, bearing Matchmakers and we even had some dancing.

For breakfast on New Years Day we had Bucks Fizz and croissants (very nice) and then a lovely dinner of roast venison. A lovely time was had by all.

Another 4 days

Managed another 4 pages today. On the 27 I went for a Myofascio Release Massage, this was a very different experience from other massages that I have had. It was more theraupetic, but it was good and although I was sore afterwards I think it has done a lot of good. So I will be booking another session soon.

Playing Catch Up

Been busy playing catch up with my Christmas Journal. I have now managed to do up to Day 26. The kids go back to school tomorrow and I dont start work till Wednesday, so what I dont do tonight I will finish then - Im not giving up!

Happy New Year

Had a lovely start to the New Year last night and today with family. Photos to follow once I get them uploaded.

Wanted to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year and to share with you these words that I found on the Internet.

I Am the New Year

I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn't find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn't achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn't dare to do, all that you hoped but not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have - these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said "Behold, I make all things new".