New Stuff ....

Hi Everyone

I'm sooooooo excited as I have finally launched my new product range ready for the Christmas Shopping Evening at the Hertfordshire Craft Collective tomorrow night.

Back in the summer I was feeling a bit out of sorts with my creativity and decided that I needed to spend some time working through different techniques and ideas to create a way of working that I felt really passionate about.  It's been a labour of love and I've discovered artists, books, magazines, websites and blogs that have truly inspired me.  The internet is a wonderful tool for artists and I've learnt so much, particularly through some fascinating online courses which are available worldwide, to work at your own pace, at a time to suit you.  My poor laptop is in desperate need of a holiday ... lol!

So, here they are .. the first tranche of many designs, available to buy in print on a range of products.  I would really appreciate your feedback, good and bad, and suggestions on uses for my prints too.

I hope you enjoy them and thanks so much for your support : )

Until next time ... happy painting : )

Liz xx

WOYWW

Well, it's that time again!  "What's On Your Workspace Wednesday" and my apologies for my absence to all fellow-woywwers.  It's been a busy time with son's exams and leaving prep school ready for the move to senior school!  He's been there 9 years so it's quite momentous and emotional! Added to all sorts of other home stuff,  I'm not even sure I registered June at all!

Anyway, I'm back with my messy desk ... as usual!

Right, let's get the guilty pleasure out of the way first ... I know you spotted them!  A couple of tubs of M&S yummies ... not all for me you understand ... they were left over from a class *cough* !

The panel in the bottom left is one of a few that I'm working on.  I've painted a blended background and shaded some boxes which I'm going to fill with a range of images and 'stuff'' (which really means I don't know yet!).  I'm quite excited about how it's going to turn out though.

There's also an assortment of journals, sketchbooks and pens, pencils, a huge pencil sharpener and the usual variety of paints and mediums.  I've become quite hooked on journalling and doodling courtesy of Joanne Sharpe amongst others, so constantly trying to find time to fit it all in!  Story of our lives eh?

The main thing about this messy 'desk' which is really 2 tables joined together, is that it is where my Thursday morning class do their 'thing' so I now need to get out there and tidy it up!  I tend to spread myself out somewhat : /

Anyway, huge thanks to Julia over at The Stamping Ground for hosting this wonderful event and hope you all have a great week.

Until next time ... happy painting ...

Liz

Blog-Block ...

Hi Everyone ...

...remember me?  It's been a lonnnnnnnng time!  I have no excuse other than a busy time with family stuff, all good stuff I'm pleased to say, but time (and thought) consuming nonetheless.

In more recent days, I started to think "I really should update my blog ..." and found myself immediately stressing ... "But what am I going to say?"  My family distractions have left me with 'blog-block'!  You know, like a 'creative block' but about blogs!  Most disconcerting!  I can't even use the excuse that I haven't been doing anything creative, because I have!  Although I think because I've been playing with some new ideas, materials and techniques, I was being a bit shy about showing them.  I get like that sometimes ...

So, what HAVE I been doing ....

Well, some time ago I discovered Art Journalling and Zentangles and all sorts of cool stuff you can do with pens, pencils, inks and paint!  I've been working on an online course with Joanne Sharpe called 'Color Love 101' (it's not a typo, she's American ...lol).  What an amazing talented lady and full of wonderful ideas and inspiration.  I've been having a fabulous time playing with watercolours, watercolour pencils, pigments and all sorts!  Having a fab time and looking forward to adapting this to some of my acrylics very soon!

So here are a few pics to keep you going ...

I've also been enjoying a really good book called 'Creative Doodling & Beyond'.  Now reading a book about doodling seems a bit daft as I've always doodled ... even got caught doodling by my boss once when I was REALLY bored!  But this book gives some structure to it and I'm looking forward to including these designs in my work.

And the best bit about doodling ... you only need a bit of paper and a pen ... ideal for those waiting idle moments and fantastic for kick-starting your creativity!

So until next time ... happy painting (or doodling!)

Liz x

WOYWW 155

Hi All

It's that time of the week again and what a lovely couple of days we have had!  Keep it to yourself but I think that Summer may have arrived ... shush .... ; )  It's been lovely having the studio door open again! 

I must confess I had a little tidy up before I took the photo this week ... trust me, it wasn't pretty!  But I'm working on a couple of mdf panels for a very good friend of mine to feature her beloved dogs and horse, so watch this space for the finished pieces!!  Top left is my new ribbon storage : )  Somebody last week (and I'm so sorry because I really can't remember who it was, but thank you) was talking about how they organised their ribbons, and it suddenly occurred to me that they really are no good at all stuck in a box where I can't see them!  So hopefully I'll get into the habit of using them now ...

The inspiration for my 'animal collages' was my own that I finally managed to complete after shuffling it around the studio for the past 6 months, having completely lost my way with it!  I'm really pleased how it's turned out, it's all about my gorgeous Jack, a Welsh Sec D horse who I've had for 11 years and is like my other child!  I might have to do one for Buster now!

So, that's me for this week!  Pop over to Julia's (www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk) for a good nosey ... oops I mean 'an inspiring and motivating observation' ... on what everyone else is doing ...

Sorry to say that I won't be able to play next week as I'm off on a 3-day Jo Sonja's product training workshop with  the legendary Vicki Nicholson from Australia ... I can't wait!  I shall miss my blog-hopping but a HUGE thank you to everyone who visits and thank you all for your lovely comments, they are sooooo appreciated : ).   I didn't manage to get around very many last week (tut tut), so will try and do better this week .... 

Happy WOYWW and happy painting ...

Liz

WOYWW 154 ...and the sun is shining ...

... well for now at least!

So here we are again, desk-hopping courtesy of Julia at www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk and it's great fun to see what everyone is up to.  Thanks so much to everyone who visits and for your lovely comments.  I try to get around as many as I can (although with nearly 200 desks, it can become a full-time occupation!), so sorry if I haven't found you yet!

What's on my workdesk this sunny Wednesday morning ...

... err it's a bit of a mess actually!

I've been playing with all sorts of things this week!  Really getting into this mixed media lark so trying out Fimo (top left) and getting to grips with the baking (cakes are sooo much easier!), Sir Tim's inks 'n' stuff (that man is a genius!), Promarkers over acrylic paints and some brightly coloured painted panels ready to play with.  Having a FAB time!

I enjoyed playing with the inks and stamps so much, that I made some cards for the shop ... 

Anyway, thanks for visiting and hope everyone has a great week.

Happy painting ...

Liz 

Mixed Media Projects

Hi All

It was far too nice this afternoon to tackle the washing and general housework, so I escaped to the Studio and spent a very pleasant few hours playing with the door open and the radio blaring ... bliss!

So, here are the fruits of my labours ...

I had such fun with them both and realise that I love to combine paint with texture, stamps and lettering ... so watch out for more!!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine (while it lasts!!)

Happy painting ...

Liz x

WOYWW 153

It has occurred to me that this should be temporarily (we hope!) renamed 'Wet Wednesday' ... will this rain ever end!!!  We have had a few tantalising glimpses of sunshine only for it to be snatched away again and replaced with rain ... rain ... rain ... !  For those of you non-UK woyww-ers, you must by now have realised how much we English luuuurrrrrve to complain about the weather!  If it's wet ... it's too wet, if it's hot ... it's too hot etc etc etc !  Don't you just love us.... lol!

Anyway, back to the task in hand ...

Sadly, not too much going on this week.  I have had laptop and email issues so spent a very pleasant hour or so in the Apple shop with Mr Tim (very nice and not at all dim) at the Genius Bar (and they don't call it that for nothing!).  He was very patient and didn't sigh, roll his eyes or smirk at any of my daft questions and now all is well (although technically there was nothing wrong with it, all user error *cough*).

I thought I'd share with you what WAS on my desk and the finished articles so hope that's ok with everyone ...

Firstly, some sweet little signs for your garden or shed ...

And those dinky little terracotta pots that I just love to paint ... : )

So that's all from me for the moment.  I'm off to carry on playing with my 'mac' ... gotta lot of catching up to do!

Big thanks to all you WOYWW-ers for visiting and for sharing your wonderful work, all courtesy of the fab Julia at The Stamping Ground (www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk) for getting us all together.

Have a great week and ... happy painting ...

Liz x

WOYWW 152 ...

Hi All

Here we are again ... and where did that week go?  I can't believe we're in May already, even though the weather would have us believe it's still February!   So it might be a bit wet and mis where you are, but staying indoors has its advantages ... more time for painting ... yay!!!!

Since the toybox has been reunited with it's happy owner, there has been a bit of a hole in the studio!  So before I fill it up again, I decided that I need to go through a few boxes of 'stuff' and have a clear out.  The problem here is that the stuff that needs to be 'cleared out' are projects that have gone a bit wrong or I don't like and I keep thinking that I'll just go back to them and re-do them .... and of course I never get around to it!  Hence, boxes of 'stuff' which I no longer like or need but can't quite get rid of ... arrrrghhhhhh!  I need help!  

I'm sure this dilemma will be around for a while so in the meantime I've been trying to get a few bits and pieces finished for the shop ...

The trugs are painted with a distressed finish and string glued to the handle.  The same technique has been used for the bin and step too.  The hearts and stars are waiting for some quotes, images and string and they'll be good to go.  The little terracotta pots are there ready for painting ... they are so nice to paint with acrylics so I'm looking forward to getting started on those.  Which reminds me, I should really get back to some of my other 'UFO's (Unfinished Objects) ....

Hope you're all having a great week, whatever the weather!  Huge thanks as always to the talented Julia (www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk) for hosting this desk-hopping, blog-fest.  It's amazing fun and great to see all the different things that everyone is doing.

Thanks to everyone for visiting and particularly for your lovely comments while sharing the toy-box journey with me!

Until next time ... happy painting

Liz x

WOYWW 151

Ooops!  Very late this week, I seemed to have lost a day somewhere!!  So apologies to Julia over at The Stamping Ground http://www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk for my lateness and I look forward to catching up with lots of lovely crafty desks over the next few days.  Oh and huge hellos and thanks to everyone who has taken the time to pop in and say hello.

So, the reason for my tardiness ... 'THE' toybox!  At last it is finished ... hooray!!  As some of you WOYWW-ers have asked to see final pics, here they are ...

The three characters are mouldings on the box, the clown had fallen off so needed re-sticking, but meant he was easier to paint beforehand!  I had to do a bit of repair work with the tie and some of the balancing balls and juggling balls and made new ones out of Milliput!

So not much else to report this week!  I've put some new bits and pieces in the Shop, but will tell you about that another day.

Thanks so much for visiting my desk and ... happy painting ...

Liz

WOYWW150

So, here we are again ...

Welcome to all you WOYWW-ers and Happy Wet Wednesday (well here in the UK anyway!).  I'm running late this week and have only just got around to taking pics.  DS is back at school so there's been more time to play ... although not necessarily in the Studio!!!

First up ... the toybox!  Almost finished now, just a bit of tinkering and varnish and it's all ready to go home.  I've really enjoyed doing it and it's taught me a lot about patience .... grrrrrrr..... lol!  The clown still needs to be stuck on ... will need darling hubby's assistance with this one I think!

I've had a bit of a re-shuffle this week!  I have 2 freestanding tables which I use for my classes and tend to leave them as a big square and work on the whole table, moving around from project to project (know that feeling?).  I then have a rapid clear up on Weds evening in preparation for my regular Thursday morning class!   Well, this week, because I placed the toybox on one of the tables so I could get to it easily, I split the tables up and placed one up against the wall, so I had somewhere else to work.  I actually quite like it, but unfortunately will still need to clear it and move it back each weds evening .... !  I think my Thursday regulars will have heart failure I start moving things around, it was bad enough when I painted the walls!!  Ahhh love 'em really!  

So here is my new (temporary) desk!  Usual neat piles of 'stuff' and some ceramic coasters for the shop that are a work in progress.  For those of you who visited last week, the 'horse' panel is still there, peeking out from underneath that pile on the left... still a 'work in progress'!!!  Thinking about it, that describes me really well!  Perhaps, when the time comes, I should have that put on the headstone!  

Anyway, it's been fun, and looking forward to catching up with all you WOYWW-ers.  If you still think I'm bonkers and haven't a clue what I'm talking about, check out the ultra-talented Julia at The Stamping Ground (www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk).

Until next time ... happy painting ...

Liz x

Shopping Bag Workshop

Hi All

Just to let you know that I am running a one-day workshop to design and create a unique canvas bag, which can be used for shopping, or with the holiday season around the corner, a beach bag!  This fun project involves using Jo Sonja's Acrylic Paints & Mediums and a range of serviettes to create something unique and functional!  Choose your own designs, add colour and embellishments and make it truly your own creation.  No-one else will have one like it!

It will be held at the Hertfordshire Craft Collective (www.hertfordshirecraftcollective.co.uk) at Battlers Green Farm, Radlett on Wednesday 27th June 2012.

If you are interested in attending, please contact me for more details.

Happy painting ...

Liz

WOYWW149

Ok, so it's Wednesday again ... didn't that week go quickly!!  Probably because I've spent most of the time browsing around some of the fabulous WOYWW sites hosted by Julia at The Stamping Ground, what a fantastically talented bunch they all are.  Thanks to everyone for sharing and special thanks to those who visited me too : )

So, what's been happening chez moi this week????

Firstly, THE desk ...

 

This is the large table that I usually work at (but I have a class tomorrow so guess what I'm going to be doing today ...!)  The panel on the right is a work-in-progress, something I've been wanting to do for a while, a piece of artwork about my horse featuring lots of fab techniques, including image transfer cos I've now got a super-duper laser printer!!!!  

I've made a start on the toybox, the clown will have to be re-stuck on, but boy was he easier to paint than the other two!  Once the mouldings are finished, I can seal them and continue with the main part of the box.  

And just for fun ...

... my first 'stab' at Zentangle (although I've been doing this for years on the back of envelopes, diary pages etc etc and never knew it had a name!!) so huge thanks to the world of WOYWWers for sharing!!

That's me for now ... happy painting ...

Liz 

WOYWW148

.... WHAT?  I hear you saying ....

As promised yesterday, a new Wednesday game!  If you trip over to The Stamping Ground you will find 'What's On Your Workspace Wednesday 148' which is todays visit to everybody's desks with sneaky peeks on all their projects.  Because I'm extremely forgetful about taking and posting pics, I thought this would be a fun way to keep you all posted on what I'm doing ... well, we'll just see how it goes shall we?

Anyway, this week's offerings ...

So this is my desk ... all neatly arranged in piles which means it's things I should be working on and, as I've nowhere else to put them, if they stare me in the face long enough ... you get the gist ...lol!   The items on the left-hand side are all the bits and pieces for a project for Andy Skinner's Timeworn Techniques workshop, which I am hoping to get finished in time!  Top left are some items for painting/embellishing and sending to my good pal Lynn at Flutterby Crafts for display and the lovely piece of hessian on the side to include in projects too.  The glass jars I definitely have plans for ..... *cough* sometime soon!

I would love to use my desk as a 'desk' but it just becomes a dumping ground and I tend to work at a big table that I use for my workshops so I can spread myself out and because I need to clear up for my students.  So this pic is a couple of items of 'work in progress' ...

The main one being the toybox which is a commission and needs repair in places, and repainting.  I have been matching colours and photographing it so I'm looking forward to getting going on this one over the next couple of days.  The items on top are some storage boxes, candles and jars which I have been dabbling with for the shop and are in various stages of completion (ish).  

So, that's it for me this week.  Thanks for visiting and I look forward to sharing some more 'workspace' pics next week.

Until then and if not before, happy painting ...

Liz

Blogging from Brighton ...

Hi All

I've just noticed it's been 2 weeks since my last confession ... oops sorry I mean 'blog'!!!  Outrageous!  Don't go thinking I've been lazing around painting my nails ... (now there's an idea!) I have actually been veerrrrry busy in the studio but just haven't actually got around to taking any pics to show you!  So, I've decided to join in a great 'Wednesday' game that I've discovered amongst fellow bloggers which I will share with you tomorrow ... you'll just have to be patient a little longer.

In the meantime, I did manage to get out of the studio and had a lovely day in Brighton yesterday visiting family and browsing around the North Laine, Lanes, East Street, Duke Street and all the fabulous quirky shopping areas.  Everyone else bought something except me!!!!  I saw some gorgeous things but just couldn't make a decision ... hubby is delighted of course!  I'm sure I'll make up for it another time.  Anyway, I thought I'd share this pic with you ... a fabulous mural on the side of a shop ... enjoy.

Until next time, happy painting ... nails or otherwise : )

Liz x

New stock ... and cupcakes ...

Hi All

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend.  I had a great day today at the Hertfordshire Craft Collective, demonstrating napkin decoupage to all the lovely customers.  It was great to meet so many people who turned up to enjoy the cupcakes and demonstrations at their Spring Open Day, despite the weather!

I managed to get some new items finished in the shop too, one of which I'm particularly pleased with ... it's a 'mini-book' which can be used as a dinky little photo album, only 2" square, perfect to fit in a handbag.  I hope you like it.

I made them with inks, stamps, cardstock, stampbord, Jo Sonja's acrylics and some cute little lock and key charms on a chain to hold it all in place ... : )

I also made some little sweet little mdf tags, perfect for that message to a special someone ...

... and for me, this just says it all ....

Anyway, on that note, I hope you have a good week.  I'm off to relax and enjoy Mother's Day ... which may include some more playtime in the studio : )

Happy Mother's Day ... and happy painting

Liz

Mixed Media Canvas ... Part 2

I had such fun creating my Mixed Media Canvas last week that when I found myself with a (relatively) free afternoon yesterday, I decided to have another go!  Well, let's face it, the washing/ironing etc isn't going anywhere and life really is too short .... ; )

So here it is ...

I used Jo Sonja's Acrylics in Storm Blue, French Blue, Warm White, Titanium White, Pearl White, Nimbus Grey and Silver, plus a few torn pages, stencils, masks, stamps and a bit of fancy brushwork too!  Simples ...

Just let your imagination go ...

Happy painting

Liz x

Mixed Media Canvas

Hi All

I had a great time recently with Andy Skinner at The Craft Barn in Lingfield, creating this gorgeous mixed media canvas.  We had loads of fun playing with different techniques as well as catching up with old friends.  We were so busy, there nearly wasn't enough time to shop..... shock!!!!  Don't worry though, I managed to find a few titbits which I will share with you over the next few weeks (once I've had time to play some more of course!).

Hope you like it!  Thanks Andy, for a great day.

Happy painting ...

Liz

Shopping/Beach Bag

As the weather starts to get a bit warmer and sunnier (well today anyway!!), I don't know about you but it makes me think about holidays, sunshine, beaches etc etc.  So how about this for a great unique project for the beach!  Or you can use it as a shopping bag at any time of year!  The great thing is that no-body else will have one like it!

I am planning to run this as a class at the Hertfordshire Craft Collective, Battlers Green Farm in Radlett, in the near future.  It will be a one-day workshop, where you will learn napkin decoupage (seriously addicitive, I warn you now) and how to paint on fabric.  You will design and decorate your own canvas bag, which will be completely unique to you.

If you think you might be interested, drop me a line at liz@applejackcrafts.com and I can let you know dates and details.

Alternatively, if a class isn't for you, but you would like one decorated for you or as a gift, I can make one for you.  Get in touch for details.

Happy painting ...

Liz

Journalling ...

So, as promised in my last blog, here are some of the pages I have completed (so far) in my new Art Journal.  I just want to point out that this is my first attempt, so be gentle with your comments ; ) ... lol!  Anyway, I hope you don't mind my sharing, but if you are like me and get 'stuck' sometimes, I have found it to be so beneficial, and such fun!  I wish I could say I have a big explanation for each page and can describe at length my intentions ... but unfortunately not!  I just got stuck in ....

I'm not sure what a psychiatrist would say .... ho hum !

Anyway, until next time ... happy painting

Liz

The best fun .....

.... I have had in ages !!!  I just had to share it with you!

I have discovered 'Art Journalling' ... and WOW!  It is such good fun, now I've started, I really don't want to stop and I have to collect my son, cook dinner etc etc .... arghhh!

For anyone who is blissfully ignorant (as I was yesterday), art journalling is basically keeping a sketch book and putting in it anything ... and I mean ANYTHING, that you like!  For the first time in a long time, I just 'let myself go' with a paintbrush and stamps and papers and everything and completely lost myself in creating.  I'm so pleased with the results, because I didn't once stop and doubt myself, or ponder over whether I should or shouldn't put that colour there ... you know what I mean?

So, I will post pics soon and look forward to sharing more of my new-found hobby with you (if you don't mind, that is??)!

Until next time ...happy 'journalling'

Liz

Spring Open Day ...

A date for your diary ... Saturday 17th March!  The Hertfordshire Craft Collective are holding their first Spring Open Day ...

So if you're in the Radlett area, come along, have a free cuppa and cupcake and see the wonderful range of jewellery, crafts and vintage items they have on sale.  Oh and yes ... rumour has it that 'yours truly' will be there demonstrating !!!

Hope to see you there !

Liz

New Website

I feel like I've been glued to the computer lately .... first I finished the Jo Sonja's UK website (if you haven't already seen it, do take a look!  There's a prize draw too!), then I set up the blogs and now I've finished my new Applejack Crafts website.  Woohoo!!!

You can find it at www.applejackcrafts.com and I hope you like the new design.

Bye for now

Liz

Happy Valentine's Day !

Hope you're all well and prepared for Valentine's Day ... flowers, chocolates and a heart or two should make an appearance during the day (with a bit of luck!).

In any case,  I thought I'd share with you these cute little wooden hearts that have been painted and distressed with some stamped fimo tiles and finished with some gold spots.  I made them before Christmas and hung them around the house, but now I think they would look good all year round so I will probably have to go and dig them out of the xmas decs !!!  

Happy Valentine's Day  xx

New Blog ...

So I thought it was about time I joined the 21st Century and started 'blogging'!  Well, everybody seems to be doing it ... so here goes!

Perhaps I should tell you a bit about me and my work, just to get going ...

I love to paint and be creative and dabble in all sorts of different art and craft techniques.  Don't get me wrong, that's not to say I'm an expert, but I love trying something new.  Then, when it doesn't work first time, it might get relegated to a cupboard or box for a while and then reappear at a later date!  That means I tend to have quite an eclectic range of stuff (you'll get to see this once I've mastered uploading pics!) although I would say that my style is a blend of vintage, shabby chic with the odd bit of steampunk ... well this week anyway!

I have a small unit at the Hertfordshire Craft Collective in Radlett and sell a range of handpainted household and gift items, as well as the odd piece of furniture.  I also teach classes in a variety of art and craft techniques using the Jo Sonja's range of acrylic paints and mediums (see www.josonjas-uk.com).

I think that's probably enough to be getting on with, but if you want to know more, check out my website at Applejack Crafts.

Happy painting ...

Liz x