Having fun with a Online workshop......

A few days ago I purchased a on line workshop with the very talented Kate Crane (check out her blog at) http://thekathrynwheel.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-art-journal.html . The workshop is called Journal Soup and it is an introduction to art journaling. Here is my first page after watching the video for Inky Pages. I didn't have some of the materials Kate used on her page so I had to improvise on a few bits and bobs but I think it turned out ok. Like everything else in the world of creating its all about experimenting and having fun. I really enjoyed messing about and getting all inky today and I'm looking forward to the next lesson.

Oh Dear......

I had a bit of a disaster today with the back ground of my Vintage Charm quilt. I decided to spray it with various water coloured inks. Whoops big mistake instead of nice subtle bright blends of colour I got murky splodges, I have had to re-paint bits with gesso to bring back some pastel shades.  Also I only have a vague idea of what I want on the quilt, I am not sure if this is a good thing and it will turn out great or whether it is better to have a solid planned design. Seeing as I don't have the latter this quilt will continue to evolve with fingers crossed and hope for the best. I thought I'd show you what I have managed to do today, using paints stamps and copic markers.

My take on "Vintage Charm".

The prep work begins.

A page from my sketch book, researching what vintage means to me.

The gesso is dry so I can now commence drawing my images.

Yey! I have finally started my piece for Harrogate this year, so far so good. I need to pop the application in the post first thing Monday as the deadline to receive the application is rapidly approaching. I don't think I will get anymore done today as I am babysitting my gorgeous little man tonight and tomorrow, weather permitting, we are going the beach. However,  I plan to get really stuck in next week and I am really excited about it. 

Beautiful sunsets....

Anthony Gromelys "Another Place"

The photographer setting up.

Last night Colin made us a fabulous dinner "Mediterranean Stew" recipe courtesy of the Hairy Bikers. Wow! it was amazing but I knew that I needed to walk such a meal off, other wise it will show on next weeks scales. We jumped in the car and five minutes later we where strolling along Crosby Marina and then on to the beach. We where lucky the tide was out and if your braved the sludgy bits of sand you could walk out to the Anthony Gormels statues that become complete submerged by the Irish sea. Colin clicked away as I strolled along the beach, it was so still and quiet, then just as he was packing up I suddenly heard the sea. Colin said, "did you hear that the tide just turned its now coming in". They say you learn something new everyday but on this occassion I also experienced it. We made our way off the beach and as we reached the path I turned for a final look at the setting sun just to see it wink out. Who said the best things in life aren't free?

ATC's.

An amazon box

Cut into 2.5 x 3.5 rectangles.

Then transformed into Artist Trading Cards.

I have been playing to my hearts content today with glue, collage, rubber stamps and all other wonderful bits of ephemera. However, whilst I have created some lovely pieces of art I have been avoiding other things that I should be getting on with, like the summer project and my piece for Harrogate.  I had every intention of getting stuck in to both of these projects today but then I watched several You Tube videos whilst eating my breakfast on how to make Artist Trading cards and that was it I was hooked. As well as the Amazon box I also used a empty cereal box which are both ideal weights of card for these little works of art. Sadly I don't have anyone to trade with. Not sure if I want to join an on line forum, need a little time to think about it. In the meantime any one who reads my blog and would like to swap an ACT please email with your details at susan.pierce16@gmail.com and I will pop one in the post.

On our door step....

The Front Entrance to Speke Hall.

The back of Speke Hall

On our recent trip to Wales, Colin and I joined the National Trust. We where members years ago and it is great value for money. We are particularly lucky to have some of the most amazing National trust properties on our door step and Speke Hall is just one of them.  Today we decided to make the most of the great weather and our national trust ticket and visit Speke Hall. We had a great day, the volunteers in the hall where very welcoming and extremely friendly and we found out lots of interesting tit bits about the hall and its last resident Adelaide Watt. Apparently she was quite generous and would give her servants the tea leaves after she had her cuppa tea. She never married and was an extremely wealthy lady with several properties and two sugar plantations. Adelaide devoted her life to preserving Speke Hall and even left a requirement in her will that the property always be maintained and upheld in the best of order. So here here to Adelaide for her fantastic insight into preserving an amazing historical building.

Somerset travels.

The Venue for the Wurzels.

Cheddar Gorge

Climbing Jacobs Ladder at Cheddar Gorge over 200 steps.

Neckerchiefs at the ready for Party on the Pier with the star attraction, "The Wurzels".

I have just returned from a fabulous three day trip to Weston Super Mare with my sister Natalie. The trip was arranged by my brother-in -law who works there quite a bit.  It was a chance for Natalie to meet his work colleagues and enjoy a few days away and where one of us goes the other goes too. We where really lucky because the weather forecast was for thunder storms but we had nothing but glorious sunshine. Whilst there we visited Cheddar Gorge. Wow! what a gorgeous (pardon the pun) place. We had a great day but Jacobs Ladder finished us off, it was a mission to climb the 200 or more steps.  My legs where shaking so much when we got to the top I couldn't go on to climb the further 48 steps of the look out point. We came back down bought an ice cream and sat on the open top tour bus. Later that evening we went to see the Wurzels, Party on the Pier. I made Natalie and I a gingham neckerchief each so we could blend in until we opened our mouths that is (lol). It was a great night the people where so friendly and despite not understanding what they where saying we had a ball and danced our little legs off.  We both fell in love with Somerset and will hopefully go back again one day in the not to distant future.

Drum rollllllll......

And the winner is KATH. Congratulations Kath and thank you all for leaving a comment.  Kath can you email me your snail mail please and I will pop your gift in the post in the next few days x:)