Unfortunate niggles..!!

I,ve had something milling around in my brain lately, niggling in my mind, so I need to talk about it. I have always felt that I am a very "sharing" person within the craft industry. I love to educate and pass on my knowledge to as many people as I can. I teach a lot of teachers in my workshops and have always said that I am happy for them to reteach my classes in return for a bit of acknowledgement. And the majority seem to. Whenever I teach a class that has been inspired by someone I always give credit. And if ever I teach a class designed by someone then I always buy their official class kits to teach with. And that's where the niggle is coming in. Its the term "designed by". Just lately I have seen a lot of workshops "designed by" me ,on others blogs. And it is more than I now feel comfortable with. Admittedly some people acknowledge me by saying, this is a class taught by Dyan. But it isn't just a class taught by me, it is "DESIGNED BY" me. And there is the difference. As you know I work extremely long hours and spend weeks designing the projects that I teach. A lot of care and preparation is involved and so it is a bit galling when someone attends my workshop and uses the finished sample to profit from teaching another workshop. That seems like a good deal, doesn't it..?? But you are only paying for learning the techniques and not for the design copyright and Intellectual Property. I have been in many a shop and website and seen my own samples there encouraging people to book on a workshop. Please, please, please will you respect all my effort, time, hard work and blood, sweat and tears that goes into them. I,m not saying don't use the ideas, I am merely saying please remake your samples so that they are your work and not mine, and remember always acknowledge people. What goes around comes around. As my workshops are copyrighted, we will be endeavouring to make class kits available later on in the year for tutors who require them. I,m sorry to have a grouch but as I,ve told you all before, this year, I need to say whats bugging me and not just suck it up.

As I quoted above "what goes around comes around", I thought I would give you a little example. I love the images available from Lisa' altered art and use them in my personal artwork. I decided to ask her if she would allow me to use them in my workshops, and I was over the moon when she gave her permission. I have used them in a few and told all my students where to get them from. I have also placed her site on the side bar. The result being she has been inundated with my ladies all acquiring images from her. She wrote me the most lovely email thanking me and asking if ever I needed any thing specific then just to let her know. Well as it happened I did. I have a beeswax article, at deadline, to finish, (ok I have a beeswax article, at deadline, TO START, lmao) and I really needed some bright kooky images. Well she came up trumps and provided me with her new Zetti images. And you know what, they are spot on. So thanks Patti xx and if you haven't discovered her fabby stuff yet then get yourselves on there tonight. But be warned, you will be like a kid in a sweet shop..!!!

And while I am acknowledging people, Ben came across this website earlier today. http://www.mjm-thearttart/ . Its got some cool stuff on it. She seems to specialise in selling down loadable pdf,s for DIY projects. Great idea. She worked in theatre design and her projects include a mini stage and a pirate ship. Anyway on her inspirations page amongst a lot of big, big names, she has included me. How nice of her is that..? I am really honoured to be there, so if any one knows her, please thank her for me.

Now here's a treat for shoe watch. The lovely Barbara aka Bee, came to one of my workshops a short while ago and has now set up her own blog. And look whats on there..

How cool are they..??? They started off white and have been painted, stamped, collaged and generally made absolutely fabulous. I think shes started something there. But as the lovely Sam pointed out to me there is a vital flaw in my plan. I have never owned a pair of white shoes in my life, lmao. Ahh well, the best laid plans..!!! Any way get yourself over to Barbaras blog to see how she did it. Oh and leave her some fabby bloggy comments as well.

Today was our Ben and the lovely Katies first year anniversary. They are out tonight for a meal at a Brazilian restaurant. Oooeer, I've never been to a Brazilian restaurant. Wonder what type of food they serve. Here is some peeks of a card I made to celebrate.

The workshops are absolutely flying out the door, and the Xmas Fabby Dabby weekend is over half full already. Isn't that frightening to think about Xmas now..?? Don't leave it too late to book yours. And if you go ONLINE you have got till midnight to get 10% off them.

Now I know I have reneged on my step by step project, but with the weeks sad events time has just run away with me. But don,t worry I haven't forgotten, honest.

Ha ha thought I would leave you with a stunningly gorgeous picture of me. Those of a nervous disposition, please look away now, lmao

Enjoy xx.