Annie's Friday Smile

One would think I had had nothing to smile about over the past few weeks as I never posted on here but truth is I have been so busy.  We have had a new kitchen done and so were in a pickle with half of my craft room as a kitchen and half of the study as my craft room.  In fact the extra table for crafting which is normally in the utility room is still in the study.  Complete with my sewing machine on it and some fabric I cut out a couple of weeks ago to make something - trouble is now I cannot remember what it is cut out for!

Anyway, today's smile is because I took some 'proper' sewing down to a lovely lady who I once had the fortune to meet in the flesh.  Almost a two hour drive but well worth it to see her and her little daytime companion who had a good chew on my fingers.  I am sure she will be telling you about the marathon pile of sewing I took her.  Have you guessed who it was yet?

Here's a photo of the two of us with someone else:

and the someone else is ... Milly

She was so excited that we could not get her to sit still but then we all get like that when we know we are going to star in a blogland production don't we.  And no, I am not talking about Annie, I mean Milly would not sit still.  [sorry Annie :)]

So I had a big smile on my face when I left home this morning for several reasons.  The sun came out the further we got from Bolton, the scenery was lovely as we drove down and then when Annie opened her door she had a big smile on her face which made mine even wider than it was.

Then I met this adorable excited little dog called Milly.  What a treasure she is.

After tea and cake we set off back for home and had a lovely drive, again in the sunshine - so that was and is my smile for the day because, guess what, I am still smiling - Annie has that effect on you.

Jeudi Journal - Heads - No Bodies

Well, the back pain is still raging so crafting is out for the moment. Consequently I have not done any more to the page I started for this topic.  Sorry.  I did intend putting some more stencilling on and was going to think up a suitable caption but it all has gone to pot.

This all started with the skull that I found in a magazine and decided to use it on a head, then the flowers just kept growing around her.  I am not sure whether or not the top (big red) flower is an actual flower or a skirt from a magazine.

I love messing up the things I cut from magazines, my other half thinks they are weird and last week I told you what little Chloe thought of them.

Did intend doing one of my painted heads (like the ones I am learning to do with Tracy Scott) but I have not even been able to start one. Hopefully the new medication will start to act and I can maybe get one done and add to here before next week.  Now what is next week's topic?

Wendy will put me straight if I forget so now I will go and visit her blog and see what she has done. Hope it is ok that I only did one despite the topic being in the plural.  Ah well, only Wendy to shout at me as it is just the two of us doing this challenge.

WOYWW 378

Got a really bad back so it is hard doing this.

Went to an Oyster Stamps workshop on Thursday and made some lovely cards using the Misti.  The inventor of this wonderful tool was there - over from America.  Here is a photo of me with Iliana.

and one of the many cards we made

Just love how the layering of stamps gives the look that is on the flamingo.  This is my favourite one.

The reason for this start to my WOYWW post is that there is nothing much on my desk.  Worked Saturday and Sunday demonstrating the Misti in Leigh at the show and was fine.  Went home and started making dinner and "Bang!" the back went again.  Spent most of Monday in bed with a hot water bottle clutched to my back and plenty of pills.  Same again on Tuesday but got some extra tablets from the doc.

Consequently nothing to show on my desk

At the back is my new brush holder, for my tall brushes.  I found a few that I needed included so they are sitting on top until I get around to sewing the channels.  In front is the card I did a Make & Take with at the show and then there are my templates that I was hoping to use to do some stamping on circles.  The pretty image to the right is one I have had difficulties with since I got it - have finally got it closer to trying it in the Misti - will let you know (and see) how I get on.

The other side of the L-shape has my Misti on it as I was showing "t'other 'alf" how to use the three stamps to make a delightful Peoni.

Well, that is all for now.  Pop along to see Julia and then you can look at much more interesting desks than mine if you want.  Great idea for a rainy Wednesday.

Jeudi Journal - Include a Bird

Here we are again and with two offerings.  Why do I keep doing two?  Probably because I never feel there is enough work in one that I do and must make up for it by doing another one (again with not much work).  I really need to start painting over my already done backgrounds and then I will be more enthusiastic.

So here goes:

Loved doing the bump technique on the leaves at the bottom but then I messed up with the lettering which is all different sizes.  So I did another of my magazine ones, crazy - using a perfume bottle for her body and putting a wing on her instead of an arm and then a bird in her hair.

Once again I messed up with the lettering which is a bit haphazard but will have to do.  Not a happy bunny this morning with either of these.  On to the next theme - well, to be honest I am jumping a bit and getting on with a future one which I am enjoying doing.

WOYWW 377

Another week has gone swiftly by and I still have not got on with my crafting.  I did make a bag for my Misti however and another 'roll' for my paintbrushes, the BIG ones this time.

Oh, and I made a birthday card for a friend of mine (friend's son actually) who is a Chief Inspector in the Police.  Hope he liked the card!  Here it is

Not sure he has worn a helmet like this one for a while but I did colour the bird in his favourite (claret and blue) colours and tried to keep them throughout the whole card.

So this is my desk this morning.  As you can see I have been using up my Tim Holz fabric.

That's my new Misti bag in the foreground.  I made it padded so that if I drop it it won't break. Behind it is my roll for my large paintbrushes and my small one rolled up is to the right.  You can see my black Misti shopping bag which I got from CHA in January, to the right of it is my big clock which I am supposed to be altering ... and ... my iron.  Must be honest this is staged for you as there was nothing on my desk except the iron and I wanted to show you my sewing.

I'm off to a workshop in Manchester tomorrow and Iliana, the inventor of the Misti tool will be there and also at the show in Leigh over the weekend.  I'll be taking my Misti and my little die cutting machine from last week to Leigh and would love to see some of you if you live within striking distance.  Good opportunity to ask question of Iliana whilst she is in this country.  

Now Jan, Annie, Jo and other fabric people look at this - my favourite fabric stash.  Some is Tim Holtz, some Graphic 45 and one is all cats.  There is one piece that is very orange and is composed of squares with African animals on it.  Apart from the last one (yes, Jan I found it) I do not know what I am going to make with these fabrics.  I'm no stitcher either but as soon as Jan has moved, is settled and ready for sewing she is making me a bag for my iPad with some of the African fabric - arranged months, if not years ago.

If you are good I might show you some next week in more detail.  In the meantime I think it is time to visit our Julia and see what she has to say and then click on to the links for more deskers.  See You!

Jeudi Journal - Time Page

Oh heck - nearly forgot to post.  Was up early to do some baking as a friend is coming shortly and completely got lost in baking and cleaning.

Like a complete ninny I have just gone and taken a photograph of my two pages and turning to my computer find I had already done them. So without further ado here are my two pages - not that we had to do two, just that I did one and then thought of the other.

The first page was one of my "Weird figures" according to Chloe (see yesterday's post)

I do enjoy doing these but realise they do not appeal to everyone, so I did another

using Archie, one of my favourite characters from PaperArtsy

A bit void of colour and looking at it now I wish I had put some more colour on the already inked background, used some stencils - anything.  As it is I just used a piece of scrap (you know, the paper you put underneath your work to catch all the bits of paint, ink etc) to stamp Archie on and then cut him out - minus legs which were stamped direct to the page.  The white clock face has Glossy Accents on the numerals for a bit of texture and that is it.

Now to get on with next week's page and to make sure I blog in time. Oh dear - I really am the original dizzy blonde!

WOYWW 376

This is going to have to be a Julia "special" post - ie short.  I am up to my eyeballs in getting ready for doing a presentation later this morning.  As per usual I am at the last minute and certainly not looking my best.

Yesterday was my day out with my friend Naomi and her little girl (who is growing up so fast and maybe not so "little" these days) so I did not begin what I should have done until this morning.  Woe is me!

We went out but later came back and sat in the garden under the shade of a big umbrella.

That was not until we had had a rummage in my craft room.  Result was Chloe wanted to "draw faces like you do aunty".  So out came the paper and pencils and we spent a happy hour or so learning how to draw whimsical faces.  I dread her asking for painting sessions next time. But I tell you, she did a superb job and for a nearly nine year old her work was impressive.  Now I just need to get her using her pencil lightly.  Wish I had taken some photographs of her work.  

Sorry but this is my desk - no time to clear it from yesterday when Chloe told me in no uncertain terms she thought my art journal was "weird" apart form the cat and dog page which she liked. Animal mad!

close up showing new paints

journal page and my old faces

Well, that is it, must get my shower and up and ready.  Hope you all pop along to see Julia and follow on with some of the links (if not all ...).  Enjoy!

btw if you have time Julia's post from Monday was really informative - great idea re presents.

WELCOME to Mi Schra my newest follower - hope you find something of interest on my blog.