improving thanks to the generosity of a friend

brass faux clocks



Add caption




additional faux rusted chipboard cogs, brass stampings and acetate birds



I know how very lucky I am to have some people in my life, take for instance Rae Cooper...owner of Scrap Matrix. I had begun work on the hat a few months ago before the disruption of moving house and Rae had seen the pics I had posted on Facebook, she asked if she could send some things for the hat...I received more than I had expected and the pieces were all so interesting and ideal for the project which is now complete and perfect thanks to a lady who has never met me but just wanted to do something nice. I hope to one day meet her and say thanks in person...and hand the hat over to her as a gift of friendship.

a funny thing happened on the way to the show...

Scrapware Poinsettia - liquid gold leaf



the nearly complete steampunk hat



Scrapware make n take



faux rusting





Team Scrapware...Penrith Papercrafts Festival 2011


no this isn't an old post, no it isn't my evil twin or crazy half sister in the group photo...the photos are all from November 2011...the weekend just past. I know that some people are scratching their heads, some are sitting there with their jaws locked open...others are wondering what the frickin chicken I'm talking about...soooo to save all the BS, gossip and rumours allow me to set things straight.
Yes I have just worked for Scrapware at the Penrith Papercrafts Festival, yes I did quit Scrapware amid a cloud of shite (thanks mostly to interfering gronks) a while back, yes I do still work for Words Or Whatever and yes those who needed to know do, and did know all that was going on.
I am 40 years old, I do what I want to do and I have nobody to fear or need to answer to but myself. I know there are people out there who don't like me but I don't care because I like me...I like that even though people treat me like dirt I get up and keep on going, I am a good person who at the end of the day can say I forgive but I don't forget and I help those who I know will appreciate it.

Early last week my friend Trizzy asked me if I would help to set up a booth at the show, I said yes.
By the end of the night I was set to do the full three show days as the make and take teacher for Scrapware, I even designed the project that I wanted to do.
I had a wonderful time and it was brilliant to catch up with students and friends...some of whom were a bit confused about where I was. I explained that life is too short to hold grudges and in this industry we all need to work as a happy family. Of course not every family member wants that and it's always funny watching them walk by, avoiding eye contact but obviously in need of some love from their disowned sibling ;)



classes and another animal art doll

floral wedding canvas



shadowbox frame



Owlbert Owlingford



With moving house and a few other distractions I have been fairly quiet but I am happy to let you all know that I have some classes coming up if you are in Sydney.

On the 19th of November I'll be teaching the wedding art canvas, the class will be at

 Fred The Needle in Penrith, from 10:30am to about 1pm.

On the 10th of December we will work on creating a vintage shadowbox frame. The kit comes with additional pieces to create wearable embellishments and time permitting I will demo the construction of some pieces to adorn cards or the frame we make.

For more information or to book in call or pop in: 2/29 York Road, Penrith 02 4721 8833 

I thought I would also share a pic of the second owl art doll I made...it was made as a gift for a store owner...she loves owls! I am actually working on a third but am thinking I might make it female..."Owlizabeth"

Art Doll Swap #2...Professor Owlington

looking rather dapper, Professor Owlington will be flying international tomorrow to his new home

he began as a simple form...a plain calico doll blank, from there he evolved



his eyes are metal buttons, swarovski crystals inbedded in hot glue and all backed with Prima printed flowers.



his colouring comes from Lumiere paint, Lindy's Stamp Gang Moonshadow Mist and a black Sharpie fabric marker



Swarovski bling on his spats...because all the most fashionable owls are wearing them like that




his cape is from a samples book of haberdashery fabrics that I found at a salvage yard



his replica eyeglass and silver plated chain add real charm. His texture comes from...PVA...yup woodwork glue!
The lovely little bow and pearl are from a chocolate Easter rabbit...I knew they would come in handy

I am currently hosting two swaps on Facebook...one is an apron swap and the other is art dolls. The art doll swap is now on to our second theme..."the animal in me", I chose an owl because I feel that I have had so many experiences the last few months that I have become so much more wiser than I was before. This doll is Professor Owlington...and I am so happy with how he has turned out, I really hope my swap buddy likes him.

Pretty Little Posies in my hair and a Christmas Star

JD holds the multi layered posie to show the size...he didn't mind doing that as long as people couldn't see his face...because "...only girls hold flowers..."

torn and tattered soft tulle adds a touch of feminine whimsy to the project



I love over-sized hair accessories and the posy is easily placed in to my pony tail...methinks it would be divine in an up-do




with Christmas looming and the shops displaying decorations I thought this year I would create my own tree topper




it's all about glitz and bling right?!



The Posy:

• Green Tara (Hot Pink Petals)
• Green Tara (Rainbow/Silver Bead Stem)
• Green Tara (Jute Ribbon)
• Green Tara (Suede Leaf Ribbon)

Christmas Star:

• Green Tara (Rainbow/Silver Bead Stem)
• Green Tara (Silver Glitter Star Ribbon)



Mixed Media Apron...my swap project

finished apron



mixed media, repurposed half apron




mixed media flowers created from various surface materials




layered colour and effects

I really enjoy hosting arty swaps and one of them is an apron swap. I had so many ideas about this project and when we moved house and I was pulling weeds in the back yard and discovered an old black apron half buried in a garden bed, I decided it was destined for greater things. I washed it and hung it on the clothes line to study any holes or damage...I was really suprised to find that the only damage was some bleached areas from the sun and exposure to the elements. I used a  6x6 Crafters Workshop stencil (Cosmic Swirl TCW156), deColourant, Lumiere paints for the background, and a variety of experimental materials and varigated threads to create flowers. The Thread Studio has a great range of fun and fantastic products for projects like this.
Tomorrow I am off to the post office to send the apron to my swap buddy, I hope she enjoys it.



Wedded Bliss 12x12 mixed media canvas...it's NOT a layout

the picture is a bit fuzzy because it's small and I can't be bothered retaking a photo right now because I want to finish my apron swap project



texture created through layering...PVA is my friend!



I can't give away too much detail because I am pushing it as a future class but I will tell you I used nearly 120 1.75cm flowers from Green Tara. My project is a 12x12 shallow back canvas...are you shocked I used the front?

Green Tara 1.75cm flowers:
black (CODE: FDV016BL), red (CODE: FDV016R) and white (CODE: FDV016Wh) 1.75cm paper...well worth it I think.

WOW/RW "Raspberry Whirl" flourish

Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Stains and Colorshots

 

catching up and a card

I thought I'd share a pic of a class I'll be running next year...it's a card!

I know I have been pretty quiet of late but I am still unpacking from the move...I have so much stuff that I just can't find a place for, it is so frustrating to go from renting a large house to renting a small house. I don't have a studio any more, so it's back to the kitchen table for me and my crafty stash is in just about every room in the house...yup even the kids rooms have crates of my stuff. I am working on a few projects too! I finally had a play with my new Brother ns50 sewing machine yesterday while working on my apron for the international swap I am hosting through Facebook. I am really excited about 2012 because I have been asked to teach in New Zealand! I have a few friends over there and I really hope I will get to catch up with them.