Pass the book

The book Art Saves from a previous post will now be on its way to Jo.C - so Jo if you could email me your address at fionak445@gmail.com then I will get it off to you.

52 Playdates Wk3

I did this page as part of the 52 Playdates week 3. The background was painted using various stencils and acrylic paints. Then I added parts of paper napkins using gel medium, more paint in parts and added some words. I really like the effect this has, so will be out looking for more paper napkins/tissues with nice photos on them.

I will announce who is getting the book Art Saves next on Friday, so if you want to be in the draw leave a comment on the previous post before then.

Pass the Book - Art Saves

As part of Sian's Pass the Book Year One I was lucky enough to receive this book - Art Saves - and I am now ready to pass it on. It is a really interesting book with lots of stories and inspiration from a number of different artists. If you would like to read this book and then pass it on to someone else through your blog leave me a comment and after about a week I will choose someone and send them the book. You can find the details for this in the link above.

Other news this week - was that my eldest son John has got an unconditional offer from St Andrew's University to study Theology starting in September this year. He is one happy boy, but I think enthusiasm for the rest of 6th year has just diminished.

One Line A Day

I have recently subscribed to Ali Edwards weekly newsletter and in week one was the suggestion to use this book - One Line A Day to record something about that day. I really liked this idea and as the book was on Amazon and the price was OK I bought it! There is a page for each day and each page is divided into five different parts for 5 years. So when the book is complete you will be able to see what you wrote on a certain day for each of the five years. There is only about 5 lines for each day, so it should not take too long to do - in fact some days it might be more of a problem condensing what I want to write.

Doodles Unleashed Wk 2

This weeks project at Doodles Unleashed over at Strathmore Artists Online was using watercolours. I used a couple of different colours of watercolour paints and different sizes of brushes and just made marks freely. I then stamped an image a couple of times, then used a flower as a stencil, spritzed with Glimmer Mists, then more doodling on the top. We were supposed to use a really large sheet of  paper but this was the largest I had, so I used it. It was good fun - not as vibrant as last weeks but still enjoyable.

For January's Handmade Item over at thefeltfairyuk I have crocheted another table mat. I did last year and had some cotton left so have made another one in slightly different colours. It uses various cotton wools.

Doodles Unleashed Wk 1

Traci Bautista over at Strathmore Artists is holding a FREE workshop called Doodles Unleashed over the next four weeks. Well as it was free I just had to sign up for it, didn't I? I have just managed to finish week 1 project in time for week 2 going up tomorrow.

This is my first attempt at this sort of mixed media style and while I found it fun, I think I did find it a bit difficult to just 'let go' and probably tried to follow the video a bit too closely.  I think I shall probably try another one and see what happens.

First I used some glimmer mists over various things for stencils and then added lots of acrylic paints, a bit of a colour wash, then some layers of oil pastels, some ink and then used some markers.  Not sure if it is too busy or not.

Be Alive

I did this for week 1 of 52 Playdates over at Jan Fox and it is something different for me. The photo and the word Alive are cut out of magazines. Then I used pastels and some gesso for the backgrounds. It was great fun to do.

Some Christmas Gifts and Knitted Socks

I thought I would share with you some of the presents I got for Christmas. Both husband and eldest son got a Kindle in the summer last year and have really liked it - so I fancied getting one too. So far I think it is great and have downloaded lots of free books! Now to find the time to actually read them!

My sister knitted this lovely  scarf for me.

I am going to be busy knitting something with this lovely coloured Noro wool.

I also got a set of Promarker pens which I am keen to try out.

Over the holidays I managed to finish this pair of socks for myself, knitted with some sock wool bought in Germany.

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One Little Word 2012

Well after much deliberation and much hilarity in our household I have come to a decision about my word for 2012. Although why it is so much easier to choose words for other people in the house I am not sure.

Anyway my word for 2012 is BE

as in Be still, Be content, Be creative.

There are some part of my life at the moment that are not what I would choose yet I have no real control over them, so instead of worrying and fretting I am going to BE content in whatever situation I find myself in. I hope to be able to put more trust in God and to be still and hear what He is saying to me in my life. There are also lots of different ways in which I would like to BE creative this year and some of them start today, as mentioned in a previous post - so watch this space.

Have you decided what your word for the year is going to be?

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy New Year. May you know God's blessing in your life in 2012.