Through the Wardrobes ...

... Well not quite 'through' but it has a kind of Narnia theme to it ... intrigued?  Well you'll just have to read on ....

For some time I have been wanting to paint a range of fitted wardrobes in our spare room.  They are quite old, but functional, so worth a little bit of TLC.  I had a dilemma though (and I'm sure most of you can sympathise with this one), what happens if I paint it and then don't like it!!!!!!  It can be scary painting something so permanent, but in the end I just told myself that if I really didn't like it, I could just paint over it!  And if that didn't work ... well, we could always move!!!!

So I set to work with a great range of chalk paint called 'Annie Sloan' which has been manufactured specifically for furniture painting.  No need to prep or prime, just go for it!  They have a gorgeous range of colours that blend well together, for this project I used Old Ochre and Country Grey and then to add a little interest I decided on the Narnia theme and hand-painted branches in Old White on the panels.  My son loved it (and it takes some doing to impress a teenager!!) and decided he wants the same done to his wardrobe in his bedroom!  He said it reminded him of Lord of the Rings, but I prefer the Narnia theme myself!  I finished it by waxing with clear wax and then because the wood was old and quite worn in places, I added an aged appearance with dark wax.

So here is the finished article ...

Needless to say the rest of the room needed painting, so whilst hubby was watching the rugby at the weekend I set to work on the walls, just plain old magnolia but fantastically easy with a Dulux Paintpod!  And because I couldn't stop .... I also painted another wardrobe,  the curtain rail, a stool and a laundry basket!!  Phew!  The problem now is that it highlights all the other rooms that need painting .... oh dear !!!!!

Until next time ... happy painting!

Liz x

PS I purchased my paints from Lavender Blue in St Albans who are Annie Sloan stockists.

Heart and Soul

Yes I know I'm a week late for Valentine's Day (story of my life!!) but I really wanted to share with you this sweet little project which would be a lovely gift anytime of the year.

I took a paper-mache box, covered it with Tim Holtz tissue paper with Jo Sonja All Purpose Sealer and built up layers of wash (a mix of JS Napthol Red Light and JS Magic Mix).  I shaded the edges and toned the red with a mix of JS Burnt Umber and JS Magic Mix and used a die-cut heart and stamped words to add interest.  I shaded around these shapes to 'seat' them on the piece and varnished the entire piece with Jo Sonja Satin Varnish.

If you would like to know more about how to paint your own 'Heart and Soul' box, contact me for details on classes and Jo Sonja products.

Happy painting ... and Happy (belated) Valentine's Day!!!

Liz x

Workshop at Flutterby Crafts

As promised, here are some pics from Saturday's Canvas Workshop at Flutterby Crafts.  We had a fabulous day, the ladies created some gorgeous work and really enjoyed playing with the paint and getting stuck in.   Huge thanks to Lynn and Catherine for all their help and hard work and for always making me feel so welcome.  I had such a great time : D

Butterflies for Flutterby's

Beautiful colour combination

Playtime ....

Stunning travel theme ...

Who needs brushes .... ?

Finished ....

I'm at Flutterby Crafts again on Saturday 11th May where we shall be creating this canvas.  If you would like to come along and play with paint, get in touch with Lynn at Flutterby Crafts on 01635 860900.

Workshop Project - Sat 11th May

Until next time, happy painting ...

Liz x

Live ... Love ... Laugh ...

... words to live by!

I'm looking forward to teaching a lovely group of ladies tomorrow at Flutterby Crafts in Thatcham.  We're going to play with paint in a BIG way and I can't wait to see what they create.

This is the sample of what we're doing, and I'm sure that whilst some will enjoy the process of creating the same and learning some fab new techniques, there are bound to be some who want to go 'off-piste' and adapt it to suit their own style.  This is what I love about teaching these workshops, you all start with the same project and then see what happens .........

I promise to show you pics after the weekend : D

Have a great weekend and happy painting ...

Liz x

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