Extraordinary

'Extraordinary'

I've just had the most wonderful mini break this weekend... so restful and fun. I spent quite some time in the car alone driving to each destination with loads of time to think and I guess the one word that sums up how I'm feeling today after all my thinking would be 'thankfulness'.

So it's Valentine's Day today and despite the fact that I think every day should be a day where we 'love one another'... I do want to thank those people who love and accept me for who I am - I am ever so thankful for each one of you... it can be a difficult day for those of us that do not have a significant other in our lives... but I am constantly reminded that I really am never alone, for the Father in heaven promises to be with me always and He has blessed me with some extraordinary people in my life that encourage and care for me.

I dedicate this piece 'Extraordinary' to a dear Christian lady, Anna who shaped my life in some very significant ways when I was a young teacher. She has had a very difficult path to walk in the past number of years, but I can picture her now rejoicing in heaven with her Lord and Saviour. Thank you Anna for being a true blessing to me and so many others.

Family

'Smith Family'

I love the sentiment on the image 'Being There' by Paperbag Studios ...'Family means putting your arms around each other and being there'.


I am very definitely hooked on the WIRED challenge at Paperbag Studios at the moment... This time I beaded wire to make a hanger and...


an embellishment. You've just got to love that luscious French velvet trimmed ribbon!!!

So wrap your arms around your loved ones and BE THERE for them!

WS - The Past

'Every Life'

The current theme at Wednesday Stamper is 'The Past'. I've been waiting for just the right time to play with the 'Siblings' stamp by Paperbag Studios and as it turned out the WS theme was the perfect opportunity!


Here's a list of all the other PBS rubber I've used to create this piece: 'The Story', 'Lace', 'Ruler', 'Buttons' and 'Knowing'.


And yes, I'm playing with wire once again. This time entwining buttons into the hanger. Don't forget the 'WIRED' challenge at Paperbag Studios for February!

'WIRED' - Paperbag Studios Feb Stamp Challenge

The February Stamp Challenge has been announced over at Paperbag Studios and I have the wonderful privilege of being the host this month :)

The challenge is to embellish/enhance PBS stamped artwork with WIRE. You can use wire to hand make your own embellishments, to create wired hangers, combine beads with wire, or in any other way that takes your fancy.

Please visit the PBS blog for further details.

'Believe'
Here I've handmade wire daisies and painted them black. PBS rubber featured: 'Audrianna' and 'Believe'

'Dream'
I've created a wire hanger with some lovely teal wire and a rusty nut and screw. PBS rubber features: 'Decide', 'Ruled Alpha', 'Holed Punch' and 'Journal Impressions' rubber sheet.


I challenge you to 'get wired' and show me what you can do with a piece of wire!

Happy creating :)

On the sixth day...

On the sixth day of Christmas... it was my turn! We needed to number each parcel so we'd know when to open them. I made a twinchie ornament with the number 6 on the back for my parcels.


I altered some holiday trim stars I found for the top of each tree. The twigs have been painted and beaded with wire. It was the first time I've tried beading with wire and I really enjoyed doing it!

Well I'm officially on holidays... I still have a few bits and bobs to do at school, but am looking forward to having a break and playing in the 'studio'.

On the fifth day...

I've been dying to see what was inside this gorgeous pouch!!! It looks like Celeste has been using one of my favourite Christmas holly stamps :)


On the fifth day of Christmas Celeste created for us... an altered light switch collage.

Isn't this just stunning!!! I was amazed to see how beautiful a light switch can become and I want to head out to the local hardware store to buy some and have a play myself!

Thank you so much Celeste!

On the fourth day...

I can't begin tell you how much fun I'm having opening these beautiful handmade gifts each day.


On the fourth day of Christmas Samm made for us... a gorgeous golden ornament.

I haven't been able to work out what it's made from or how she managed to get such a perfectly shaped border around the hanging angel. Some of the other girls have received angels but others have dangling stars. I'll be popping this on the Christmas tree (once I bring it home from school). Thank you so much Samm.

On the third day....

On the third day of Christmas Nic gave to us.... a gorgeous love heart!

Another very early morning, but what a wonderful way to start it. I've been dying to see what was hidden behind those lovely maps of the USA (and dreaming of visiting some of those places one day)!


This is such a wonderful piece of loveliness. There are layers of hand painted canvas, fabric, tulle and lace here and the stitching really adds an ethreal feel to it. I just love those wings!!!!

Now to find the perfect place to hang it!

Thank you Nic, I love it :)

On the second day...

I woke very early this morning to do some last minute things (reports) for school. Knowing that I'd be up so early, I placed the second gift right at my bedroom door, so that I'd have an incentive to get out of bed and get moving! Let me tell you it worked AND what a lovely gift I found inside!!! Isn't the gift wrapping adorable?!


On the second day of Christmas Kasha made for us... a stunning necklace! I had to put it on immediately, despite still being attired in my pj's...


I love the tree!!!


And it was carefully wrapped in this gorgeous fabric - gotta love it! Thanks Kasha :)

Holly - Sunday Postcard Art

I had a lovely time this morning putting this piece together for Sunday Postcard Art. The theme this week is 'The Holly and Ivy' and I couldn't pass up the oportunity to use this gorgeous 'holly' image by Lazar Studiowerx. I've stamped it in sepia on Basic Grey paper, coloured it with coloured pencils and added glossy accents to the berries. I've kept the composition fairly simple and uncluttered, but just had to add some hand stitching. I'm really looking forward to school holidays and having more time to play - I'm particularly yearning to work with needle and thread!

A friend of mine has challenged herself to send a postcard to someone every day of the year in 2010. She's going to make many of them, but will purchase them when necessary. I love the idea and am contemplating joining her in the challenge too. I've received a postcard from Trish this past week - I think she's already practising! Anyone else want to join in the fun?

Here's how I used the 'holly' image last year.

12 Days of Christmas

Once again I've been able to participate in a '12 Days of Christmas' art exchange - it's so exciting! A large parcel arrived in the mail last week and I've been waiting, oh so patiently, for the 'first day of Christmas' to arrive, so I could start opening a gift each day in the lead up to Christmas.


11 other Aussie artists are participating in the exchange - each one contributing handmade gifts to exchange with the other participants. Look at how beautifully each gift has been wrapped! It's been sooooo hard not to peek at them!


The first delightful gift has been made by Gaye Todd. The gorgeous wrapping has a wonderful 'glow' to it. It looks like Gaye has used stencils and glimmer mist to decorate the paper (in my favourite colour too). And I just love the sweet little image on the front of this parcel - surrounded with gold tinsel - so Christmassy!


I was stunned when I saw the beautiful collage Gaye has made to adorn this calendar. There is so much detail to this piece of work. There seems to be layers of papers and paint in the background. The colour palette includes some of my most favourite colours, so I'm totally thrilled to have such a gorgous calendar for 2010 :)


I especially love the textured nest and the vintage images used in this piece! The calendar is already hanging in my studio... I'm feeling so inspired :)

O Christmas Tree

'O Christmas Tree'

I've been singing the lyrics to this lovely carol today as I put this postcard together. I didn't know all the lyrics, but have located them here - it was great to discover some verses I didn't know. Now I'm finally getting all fired up to start making my Christmas cards... hope I haven't left it too late!

The current Stamp Challenge over at Paperbag Studios finishes in just under 3 weeks. Check out this blog entry to see some gorgeous and inspirational pieces!

I've used two Papberbag Studios stamps for this piece ('Music Tree' and 'Sentiments') and they are available for purchase at The Stamping Queen.

Forest for the Trees...

Over the weekend I've been creating envelopes for the end of year awards at school (to place gift vouchers in).

It's always a challenge to create masculine ones that are suitable for teens. I think these tree images by Paperbag Studios are perfect for the occasion! Both images are available from The Stamping Queen. The postmark stamps are by Stampington - another set of very versatile stamps (6 in the set - mounted on a cube).

Altered Bottles

I'm off on a girls weekend in a couple of weeks and can't wait to catch up with some very special friends. I'm putting together a little treat for each one. Here I've altered water bottles. I think eggplant is the colour for the week, so going with that and a dash of green, I've stamped some card and layered fabric to create water bottle wraps! The rubber stamps are from Paperbag Studios, Stampington and Hero Arts.

Joy

The challenge at Tag Tuesday this week is to create a 'paperless' tag. I found it a little difficult to get started on this challenge because I kept wanting to sneak in some paper. In the end I pulled out some shim, put it through the cuttlebug machine using the ornamental iron folder and worked from there. I've added a few layers of ink onto the shim and heat set it. Then it was a matter of using some favourite embellishments - flower, rhinestone, ribbon and fabric to create some shabby chic-ness.

It seems I've missed... it's great to be back!

Now Proved

Here's a postcard I've put together for a local paper arts exhibition in the new year. There's a touch of Tim Holtz in the background and a favourite Paperbag Studios image 'Imagined' which is available for purchase here at The Stamping Queen!

Fabulous Blog Award and 5 of My Obsessions

My lovely friend Celeste, has blessed me with a 'Fabulous Blog' award. Thank you :) In accepting this award I need to list 5 of my obsessions (hmmm, could be difficult limiting them to 5!) and 5 Fabulous Blogs... so here goes

5 Obesssions

1. Treasure Hunting and Collecting (some would call it hoarding - how rude!!!). Be it vintage or new, it doesn't really matter, if it's a treasure then it often finds its way back to my house :)

2. Creating - I get all twitchy and irritable if I haven't had a good fix of creative time.

3. Solitude - must admit that I like to have some quiet time all to myself - where I can stay in my pj's for as long as necessary, ignore the phone and chill out!

4. One of my latest TV viewing obsessions - Spooks. It's only a recent discovery for me, but I'm now a total fan of the show.

5. Chocolate - just can't get enough of it, ever!

5 Blogs
(Possibly another 5 of my obsessions! - And very difficult to narrow down to 5 I might add!) These 5 blogs I visit on a very regular basis. I don't often leave comments, but I always leave their blogs feeling highly inspired!

1. Roben-Marie Smith Roben-marie takes stunning photographs, has great tips and techniques and her mixed media style is fabulous. I often pick up my camera after a visit :)

2. Audrey Hernandez Audrey has loads of great mixed media work - I love looking at the finer details in Audrey's work. I'm always wondering 'How did she do that?!'

3. Jo Capper-Sandon Jo has a fabulous way with stamps... I'm constantly amazed how she puts her pieces together and I'm always encouraged to try something new when I see her work :)

4. Julie H Julie's jewellery fascinates me, I love all the different elements she uses and she's able to produce work with a great vintage vibe!

5. Sephi Kemp Sephi, my fellow 'The Stamping Queen' design team member has a unique style. I love the sense of fun she adds to many of her pieces and her use of colour is brilliant! I often find unexpected surprises in Sephi's work.

Thanks ladies for generously sharing very such beautiful and inspiring work with the blogging world.

The Love of Family

The love of family, it can drive you crazy at times, but I wouldn't be without it! I got to hang out with my brother for a bit on Friday, it was great to catch up and even better to be able to help him out for a change. My brother is pretty clever with his hands and able to fix things that I couldn't possibly fix! He rebuilt a fence for me a while back. It's so strong and straight and I know there is no way on earth I'd have ever been able to do that!


Anyway, here's a piece I've put together using some fab products from THE STAMPING QUEEN in dedication to the love of family. I was inspired to make this 'Chunky ATC' after seeing the theme at Saturday's Workout.

The Stamping Queens Products: Stamp images - 'Companionship' and 'Love' (Paperbag Studios), German scrap vine, Collections butterfly and Basic Grey fibres

Fish - Sunday Postcard Art

Fish is this week's theme at Sunday Postcard Art which sent me in search for the perfect fish. I was a little astounded to find that there isn't anything too fishy in my collection of treasures, apart from this gorgeous French fish hook, there wasn't much else to work with. A local store owner I know had a recent trip to France and returned home with some lovely bits & pieces and the fish hook was one of them!

I had to avoid hooking myself as I worked on this piece today. It reminded me of the first time I ever went fishing. I was on a school camp out at Camp Quaranup, we hiked down to the jetty, I had a hand line and hooks, I bravely squished the bait onto the hook and sat there for hours (minutes?) - caught nothing! What I mostly remember though, is the trek back up the hill and having to pull the hook out of my arm a couple of times, not realising that if the barb had got in far enough it was going to be much harder to get out - nobody mentioned that 'til much later!

The only stamp image (apart from postage variety) to be seen here is a small section of 'Thistle' by Paperbag Studios.

I hope you're having a lovely Sunday.

New Nest Revisited

A little reminder that the August Stampers Challenge, 'Mix & Match' at Paperbag Studios will finish on the 31st, so time's running out! Details here.


I knew when I posted this piece the other week it wasn't quite finished, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to complete it. There seemed to be an emptiness about it, and a lack of warmth and coziness that I felt was needed for this type of piece. Yesterday I finally found to time (and the right head space) to go back and revisit it and I'm so much happier with it.




The button in the centre of the flower is a treasure from Melbourne. Stitching added greater form and shape for the roof.


Button is another Melbourne find and twigs from a spectacular gum tree out the front of my house.