So, here I am holding my latest bag design, with the handles requested by my retailer. Alas the design is still not right, looks like I may well be some time here, certainly keeps me on my toes. This one will no doubt arrive in my Etsy shop at some point, one of the knitting bags will also be there this week at some point, I have edited the photo's just not got around to a listing yet .. still bags a plenty in the shop though http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimJaTa?ref=seller_info.
As usual I am more interested in painting and working in the art journal. Inspired by what I had learnt with Carolyn Dube and using my new stencil I won from the wonderful artist Jessica Sporn, who you can find here http://jessicasporn.blogspot.co.uk/ I had fun with this mixed media painting, after I had added the papers I thought it looked a bit bird like, so that was the look I went for.
What I have found on Carolyn's course is not only is she a great and fun teacher, her and her students all encourage each other which is a really great feeling. I have taken a lot of on-line classes and often due to my being one of the quieter ones (and maybe not quite as good as the others) I am usually on my own, if I do post my work or comment its often overlooked which can be quite disheartening.
Today (instead of working like I should have been) I have been enjoying some art journal pages, plenty of paint, ink and glue - Art just makes me Happy!! I will try devote tomorrow morning to the work thing.
Happy Valentines to all. Its also my 9th wedding anniversary today so a very special day. My BIG news is of course my lovely little new (to me) car that arrived on Monday evening. Isnt she lovely? just short of some designer prints on the sides and a few little problems to sort out... Well, in truth she is in need of major surgery now - just as I was starting to fall in love, disaster struck today and she wont start!!! So, poor Steve is having to come home from work and see what he can do... though if he is late I might persuade him to wait till weekend its only another day and will be easier for him to sort out in the daylight, and warmer daytime. I do think its only something small, as there is 12 months MOT on her, wondering if its an imobliser problem??
I am still enjoying my course work with Carolyn Dube (link in last post) the course is great fun and I joined the flickr group too which is full of lovely people all commenting on each others work, such an encouraging and nice group to be a part of. Here is my second page after watching another class video on the play on words, I had great fun with the lettering.
Finally, we are very lucky in my home town - our local newspaper is showcasing an artist each week, I had no idea there was so many local artists, wonder were they all hide out? This week it was the turn of Lesley Nugent who's wonderful works really inspired me, you can find out more about here and see her work on her blog here http://nuggletonbythesea.blogspot.co.uk/ I have never tried to draw houses before so thought I would have a go, until looking at this picture I thought I had done quite well... now I do think it needs an awful lot more work, and I am starting to regret inviting Lesley here to take a look... still, like most things I enjoyed the process and we do all have to start somewhere ( I keep telling myself).
I did make 'some' progress on my new design of bag yesterday, although the biggest discovery was that I need a new sewing machine.. which wasnt the best news I could have. My poor little machine is no longer capable of getting through all I need it too. Though I am not looking for a new shiny machine but more of an old sturdy one, like they used to be made. I near took my eye out yesterday with broken needles, and had sore fingers from all the pushing of fabrics.. not a good thing. I think I will stick to furniture painting next, less harmful.. its slow going as I really need more ventilation to do the painting and its too cold still to do it outside (this was pointed out to me by a wise man whom I ignored, as I usually do).
That's all for now, off to put my lamb joint in the oven (yes, its certainly lamb I do know the source well), and its roasted organic potato and veg to accompany.
Aside from taking Steve to the train station an hour ago, this is the last time I had to drive the thing.. to the dog walk this morning.. you may note the suspension now sat on the back wheels! My new (to me) vehicle will shortly be on its way, the above old very poorly heap is no longer on the road and in 2 mins time the new (to me) one will be insured and will soon be with me, hurray!!! I will try remember to take photo's for tomorrow. Above car will be on Ebay next weekend, that should be entertaining.
Today I was of course filled with enthusiasm and ready to finally catch up on some long awaited sewing. Now after all this time I really do know better than to try this on no sleep.. but no, due to being so far behind I set to it, and disaster struck not just once but twice, so a good few hours of wasted time which caused a heap of frustration, and me back to the painting.. also the damn cold weather has swelled up the finger joints making them a bit tender so that didnt help much with the sewing either. Painting however, I can do. So, I have done another drawer and a bit more of the letter rack.
This new journal page, which is from a new 'free' course I am taking with Carolyn Dube found here http://acolorfuljourney.com/?p=5360 a fun lady and fun course. This is just my take on playing with words, her's was of course much more impressive but I had fun doing it.
Also finished this page in my scrappy journal, which had started off in one direction and then I watched a you tube video with Andrea Gomell, sketching along with her and the angel she drew.. again its not identical to her's but very similar. Due to not just my, but a few of my friends dogs having left for Rainbow Bridge lately I made my angel the carer of the dogs at the bridge, she is called Michele after my late friend who lived for her pets.
So... not a totally wasted day I did manage to recover it well I thought. Now waiting for my new (to me) car to get here, dinner is in the oven (Its Delia's Beef Curry), so better eat that first then I get to sort out seating in the car for dog space, transfer Alfie's toys to it, music system (priorities!!) and go for a test drive. Hopefully I will have a better night tonight, and make a bit more progress in the sewing dept, the problem is new designs.. very silly to try when over tired.
Hello and welcome to my new followers Jen and Dawn, thank you so much for joining me.
