Holiday Faces

I'm a bit out of sync with this post as I've been back from my hols a week already! But the Tim-fest took priority as I'm sure you'll understand.

Anyway, as I was packing to go away, I couldn't bear to leave ALL my arty things behind cos there's nothing worse than having time and the urge to be creative and having no materials with you!  I put together a 'travel kit' and spent a happy half-hour prepping a small sketchbook with loads of inky backgrounds and stamps, all ready for sketches.  Funny how when time is short, you get the best results!

All I needed to pack was my tin of Stabilo All Pencils in a range of colours, a pencil sharper and my water brush!  Easy peasy ...

So I managed a few sketches sitting round by the pool .... not a bad life eh???

I created the backgrounds using Dylusions Inks and a selection of stencils and in some cases, stamped over them using some of Dyan Reaveley's background stamps.  I'm thinking about adding phrases now and a few additional bits n pieces so will have to show you the final piece later!  I don't know about you but I frequently have work in progress which gets completed in stages ... it used to really frustrate me but now I try and 'go with the flow'.

Until next time ... happy painting ... or in today's case 'inking'...

Liz x

What a day .....

I was one of the lucky ladies to get a seat at the Tim Holtz UK Event yesterday and WOW!!  I had THE most fabulous day.

I arrived on my own which is always a little daunting ... where do I park ... which room do I go to ... am I too early/late ... where are the toilets ... etc etc!!  I could not have been made more welcome.  The Personal Impressions team were so friendly and helpful, explaining everything as soon as I arrived that I immediately felt at ease!  I managed to get some piccies with Tim himself, chat to Dyan Reaveley and do some shopping all before we even sat down!

I took some pics throughout the afternoon, typically my phone had decided to stop working but luckily I had my ipad with me!  A bit more cumbersome but at least I was able to get a record of the day.

First, the stars of the show (excluding me obviously!!) ...

Me & the awesome Tim Holtz ...

Tim doing his stuff ...

Me & the fabulous Dyan Reaveley ...

Me & the wonderful Mario ... (mine's a frappucino!)

All the goodies for our project ...

I had such fun making these tags ...

This is the first class I've attended with Tim and he really is the most amazing naturally gifted teacher. He is so generous with his time and creativity, and so kind, that you really do feel like you can achieve anything.  I had such a fun time, met some great people and came away feeling so honoured to have been a part of it all.  And there's more ... a completely unexpected bonus ... we got to keep our complete kits, including the products we used and an Idea-ology apron .... AND .... Tim gave us all a signed book, messenger bag and a scrubbie (for our inky fingers!!).  

WOW!  Look at all those goodies ....

So, a HUGE thank you to Tim, Mario and all the Personal Impressions team for such a fabulous event.     I was fan before I met him, but now I'm a HUGE fan ;)  I hope to see you all again soon.

I'm off to play with my new goodies ... so until next time, happy painting!

Liz x

Woyww 219

Hi Woyww-ers

Short and sweet post this week ... the holidays have taken over somewhat and I haven't managed to get into the studio as much as I would have liked :(   So if mohammed won't come to the mountain ... etc etc etc ....

This pic isn't really my 'workdesk' as it's the sofa in the living room!!!  But I guessed it would count temporarily as I've been adding lots of faces to my journal backgrounds while watching TV and keeping my son company - not that he needs it, he's a teenager lol but it makes me feel better :)

Have a great week and don't forget to visit Julia for more blog-hopping adventures.

Liz x

Feeling the love ....

Lately, it seems to be all about the hearts!  I must confess that I love them (haha), and I'm always drawn to artwork that includes them.  I even have lots hanging around the house ... wooden ones, fabric ones, basket ones, ceramic ones ... even rusty ones!  My hubby hasn't commented so hopefully they've not taken over too much (yet).

So, I thought I'd share with you some examples of 'heart-work' that I've been working on lately.  Some of the canvases had been a work-in-progess for ages and suddenly I got in the zone and that was that!  Funny how it goes that way sometimes....

Collaged with Tim Holtz tissue paper and painted with Jo Sonja's acrylics.  Lots of stamping and more collage elements,  and had a fab time with oil pastels at the end.

This canvas had been around for ages and I had only prepped the background in dark red.  I suddenly got the urge to go mad with the vibrant orange and yellow and here is the result.  Again, I had a blast with the oil pastels at the end ;)

This canvas was started as a demo piece during a class and then sat around for ages without any purpose ... sad eh?  I went at it with the paints and oil pastels ... great fun!  Although now I'm wondering if it needs a little bit more ..... hmm?

So, there it is ... my hearts on my sleeve ... so to speak.  Hope you like them and don't forget that you can always pick up and revitalise that old UFO (unfinished object), it doesn't have to be finished in one sitting.  Sometimes when you get stuck with something, it's always good to put it to one side and come back to it later ... even if it's much later!

Have a great week and happy painting ...

Liz x

WOYWW 21...something

I think this heat has finally melted my brain!!  Lovely though it is, we are just not suited to long periods of extreme weather in the UK ...lol!  We are so geared up for 'making the most of it' because it's bound to end soon, that all normal routines fly out of the (open) window.  Consequently, I am now behind on absolutely everything .... WOYWW included .... ;)

So, a late welcome to those of you who have stopped by to see the chaos that is my workspace.  And, if you're wondering what on earth I'm going on about, stop by and visit Julia for the inside track....you won't regret it, it's awesome fun!

I am currently working with my regular Thursday ladies on a furniture painting project and last week we worked through some techniques.  They now have to plan their own piece and for inspiration I thought I should get something going myself.... and here it is ....

... an old studio chair almost ready for waxing, and in the background a whole load of stuff to be put away after my last workshop!!  I'd better get tidying in readiness for tomorrow's class, goodness knows what furniture they are bringing ..... 

Oh and in case you were missing Percy, a special treat for you ....

Look what I found in M&S .... Percy Pig is 21 .... doesn't he look young?

That's all folks :)

Have a great week

Liz x

WOYWW 213

Happy Wednesday :)

What a week!  All sorts of stuff going on ... some good, some not so good, but trying to focus on the good and keeping positive :D

The BEST news is from my earlier post ... Tim Holtz is coming to the UK and I'm gonna be there .... woohoooo!  I'm not sure I can keep my excitement under control until then ;) but I will try ... *sigh*

So back to the matter in hand ...

... here is my desk today!  It looks reasonably tidy, but don't be fooled, it's just lots of stuff in tidy piles! I'm very good at that ;)  So, working left to right ...

• pile of half-finished canvases and calendar pages (and book box and door hanger too!)
• pile of paper mache houses ... waiting for inspiration
• Percy Pigs ... say no more!  Helps with the inspiration don't you know ;)
• June Craft Stamper magazine which I found and realised I hadn't got around to reading
• pile of sample boards for a workshop I'm running on Saturday on faux finishes
• mini journal book ... open and waiting ...

Ho hum, there's lots of stuff half-done and waiting .... better get eating those Percy Pigs.... lol!

Pop over to the marvellous Julia for info on what this is all about and have a fabulous time desk-hopping all around the world ... awesome people and awesome fun!

Until next time ...

Liz

Never Give Up...

...that's my motto for the day!

It wasn't the greatest start of the week; feeling sad about my poorly Buster (although he's doing ok in the grand scheme of things), feeling guilty about how I'm going to encourage my teenage son off the sofa/xbox/laptop for 9 weeks of school holidays, overwhelmed with amount of housework that I need to do, frustrated with my pony who wouldn't co-operate when I rode him this morning and the pressure of an upcoming competition .... the list goes on, but the real killer was the 100+ calls I placed to Personal Impressions around 9ish this morning to try and book a place on the Tim Holtz UK Event!  Unfortunately to no avail as the line was constantly engaged :(  *big sigh*

Whilst I made myself a consoling sandwich and cup of tea, I thought 'what the hell, one more phone call won't hurt, the places are probably booked solid but you never know ....'  The phone was answered and I GOT A PLACE ...... WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!! I'm sooooo excited!!  Can you tell....?

So, the motto for the day is 'Never Give Up' :)

*doing a little happy dance right now*

Until next time ...

Liz x