Faces... Faces... Faces

I've been having the best time playing in the studio this week, although I'm feeling a little guilty because I have loads of other projects that I should be working on ... Still, when you have to paint ... you have to paint!!!!

Here are the fruits of my guilty labours ....

I've been experimenting with different backgrounds; Jo Sonja acrylics, Dylusions inks, Neocolor crayons ... and not forgetting the wonderful 'magic pencil' as recommended by Dina Wakley ...awesome fun!

And the sun has been shining too...life doesn't get any better!

Until next time, happy painting and thanks for popping in ...

Liz x

WOYWW 204

Hi Bloggers, It's Wednesday ... which means a sneaky peak at 'What's On Your Workdesk' courtesy of the great Julia at The Stamping Ground so pop along and find out more.

As for me, it's been a busy week preparing my new Pet Panels for an event on Sunday (see earlier post) so I managed to get in the studio today, had a bit of a tidy-up (again!) and had a bit of time to play using a new book I've just bought ... "Art at the Speed of Life" by Pam Carriker.  The title sold it for me, cos that is just what I need!  And boy, it is AMAZING!  I love this book already and I've only got through the first few pages.  My desk shows the book, open at page which shows you a quick and easy bookmaking technique.  AWESOME!  I've been intrigued by bookbinding since the lovely Dina Wakley workshop at Art from the Heart, and this technique is just so easy.  I made a couple of books with different papers and I'm now practising my 'faces'.  I can't wait to get further into this book, it's so inspiring.  You'll also see a selection of books/magazines that I'm constantly referring to, various materials that I'm enjoying using; Derwent Inktense Blocks and Pencils, assorted Gelly pens and Sharpies as well as the fabulous Stabilo All pencils .... such a plethora of gorgeousness!  Oh and don't forget the Percy Pigs .... yum  ; )

Have a great week everybody and thanks to everyone who visits and for your lovely comments.  I'm sorry if I didn't get back to you last week, I will do my best to catch up this week instead.

Happy Woyww and Happy Painting ...

Liz x

Pet Panels

I had a lovely time on Sunday at the Rescue Me Fun Day organised by Glendee Rescue and Rehoming to raise funds for dog rescue charities.  What a lovely group of people and I met some wonderful dogs too that are now in their 'forever homes'.  They were such gorgeous dogs, that it does make you wonder why they should needed rehoming at all, but I guess people have their reasons.

Anyway, I was delighted to launch my new range of Pet Panels at this event and I was really pleased with the interest and support that I received from everybody who visited my stall.   These are mixed media panels that are custom-made and personalised for each individual.   I use an image and quote that is supplied and/or chosen by the owner, and create a handpainted panel for their pet.

I have attached a few of the designs below and will be posting more details on my website over the next few days.

My gorgeous Jack (Birchcourt Applejack)

Buster as a puppy .... soooo cute!

A more contemporary design using silhouettes

Another contemporary design using silhouettes

Thanks for your visit and I hope to see you here again soon.

Happy painting ...

Liz x

WOYWW 203

It's that time again!  Wednesday's blog-hopping day of fun, nosy-ing and general all round spreading of love and cheer!  It's great to visit other sites and see what everyone is up to and admire all their fabulous crafty-ness.  No matter how you're feeling about your own work, whether you're going through a brain-numbing slump or celebrating masses of creative energy, it never fails to raise a smile and lift the spirits.    So thank you Julia Dunnit of The Stamping Ground, for creating and hosting this inspirational blog-fest.  And huge thanks also to every single blogger who visits and leaves comments, your words inspire me so much.  One of these days I hope to manage to get around EVERY single blogger on the list ... no mean feat I can tell you!  Especially when my paint and brushes are calling me .........

So, what's going on today ....

... the view from my desk to my worktable.  I cleared this up late yesterday because I had made such a mess that I only had about a 6" space to work in!  On it are the pieces that I am creating for a BIG event on Sunday (but more about that later...).  In the foreground, there is a pile of gelli-plate printing pet silhouettes that form part of Sunday's projects,  a cute paw print stamp, some pre-prepared die-cuts in a container and an array of bits and pieces that I haven't yet decided what to do with!  Oh and let's not forget the Percy Pigs ... : D

On Sunday I am launching a series of mixed media designs that incorporate pet images/photos that can be personalised.  I am taking a table at the Rescue Me Fun Day which is a charity event raising funds for animals in rescue centres, waiting to be re-homed.  I am donating 20% of my takings that day to the funds and using the event as an opportunity to get some feedback on this new range of designs.  I've been thinking about these for a while and created a few one-off commissions but this is the first time I've actively promoted it.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed .....!!

Have a great week my fellow bloggers and I'll let you know how it all goes.

Happy painting ...

Liz x

Glass Decoupage

I had a fabulous afternoon with some lovely ladies at The Hertfordshire Craft Collective on Saturday, decorating some glass with napkin decoupage.

We had a great afternoon working with the napkins and Jo Sonja's Glass & Tile Medium, the only problem was choosing which designs to use!

Here are some of the ladies showing off their handiwork, didn't they do well?

Lisa with her African inspired piece

Edwina with her spring garden theme

If you are interested in Mixed Media & Decorative Art classes, get in touch to find out more.

Happy painting ...

Liz x

WOYWW 202

Ola amigos ...

Yes, you've guessed it, I'm just back from a fabulous trip to Cancun where the sun shone (remember that big yellow thing in the sky???) and the pina coladas flowed .... ahhh bliss!  Sadly it meant that I missed last week so a big thank you to everyone who visited me the week before and apologies for not getting around more of you, I'm afraid I was rather knee-deep in packing... ; )

So, no excuses this week!  Unfortunately, there's not a lot going on ..... the studio is looking somewhat like a bombsite ... even more than usual!  The reason for this ....? Firstly, I've not been around so everything has been dumped and left in the rush before my hols, and secondly I have just closed my unit at the Hertfordshire Craft Collective so all the remaining stock has also been dumped in my studio! Sadly, after 18 months I decided that retail was not really me and I was trying to do too many things at once (phew!) so something had to go!  I want to concentrate on my own style and developing new techniques and skills, rather than just painting stuff that I think people may want to buy!  I think a major spring clean is required with just a tad decluttering!  That's a scary thought cos I hate getting rid of stuff!

Anyway, here is the pic of my studio (from a different angle than usual) ....

... the table on the right is the one I use for classes and seats 4 people.  It still has the Big Shot on it from my last class, but notice the restocks of Percy Pigs... yay!!!!!  The table on the left is the one I use as a desk of sorts with paints and bits and pieces to hand.  The box underneath is a toybox waiting to be finished for a friend of mine and the 'hairdressers trolley' is one I use during classes with all the paints and mediums so I can wheel them around.  I'm also lucky to have a small kitchen and toilet through the doorway.

Anyway, enough about the mess for now!  I really must get in there ....... but this week I'm a bit busy with 'mummy jobs' ie dentist appointments, haircuts, vet visits, school stuff shopping .... etc before Toby goes back to school on Monday.  Oh and I nearly forgot ... I have a class on Saturday too!

Help!!!

Until next time and hopefully in a tidier state ....

Liz xx

ps don't forget to visit Julia at Stamping Ground for more blog-hopping fun!

Woyww 200

I'm afraid to say that I can't post a pic from my workspace today as I'm away skiing BUT I do have a pic of those yummy Percy Pigs that some of you don't know about and are usually hiding on my desk somewhere ...

Pop over to Julia's for some more blog-hopping fun at www.stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk.

Have a Happy Woyww and thanks for all your lovely visits.

Liz xx