Can you tell who it is yet...??

Ooh I,ve been a bad blogger these last two days. I just don't know where the time has gone to be honest. I am running around like the proverbial blue arsed fly, as usual. I get up in a morning with fabby intentions and then suddenly "poof" its 2 am. Has someone pressed the wrong button and sent my life into X16 fast forward..?? I have had lots of magazine deadlines, a restructuring of the business plan, The Ranger weekend to prep for, Planning for the demo day, cupcake stands to buy, Northern Soul dancing to do, ogling of builders ( just in case a fit one turns up), creating of many masterpieces, lots of blowing of snotty sniveling nose and the usual day to day running of a business and home. Apart from that I cant think where on earth the time may have gone..!!

So this weekend we have the Mini Ranger 2 weekend. Mini Ranger 1 was a great success and I am really looking forward to it. Topics this weekend include, colour wash, Ultra Thick Embossing , Melt Pot, Beeswax, Grunge and the new alcohol ink pens. YES they are finally here. Will get them filled up and played with as soon as and will report back. But we all know they are gonna be a must have don't we..??

I am also preparing for our demo day next Sat 20 th June. It is all to raise funds for Carers Society, a Charity that was very special to my mum. I will be demoing techniques all day, and we will have 3 make and take tables where you can be creative. There will also be a big raffle, with one of the prizes signed by Tim himself. Oh yes..!! There will be tea and cupcakes in abundance ( all contributions extremely welcome) . I,ll tell you more when its organised properly.

Need to show you these pages from one of my students art journals that she is doing at home. I just think they are fabby and looking at them you wouldn't believe that the lovely Katie is only 10 yrs of age.. Wish I could have done this at her age.

Maisie came to the studio today. She was looking gorgeous with her hair all braided, though not sure how Lucy got her to sit still for that length of time..

Of course she heads straight for something arty. Today it was pencils and drawing teddy bears. She gave me a quick crash course in that skill, for which I will be eternally grateful for..And as a big bonus she brought me and Ems a cupcake each. Yayy, I shall be sniffing that tomorrow..

After the drawing she discovered the Scotch tape. I use this tape all the time and she is always fascinated with it. She started off today by taping her mouth up.

Then one eye.

and another

We thought it would be funny to draw these on the pieces of tape.

And loved it so much we went a bit mad, lol

Only one thing missing, some ruby red lips. 2 Min's later and here's my little darling looking irresistibly gorgeous, don't you think..??

Now everyone is aware of one of my addictions. This is the severest of them all. My shoe addiction. I,ve tried to cut down, I,ve tried to go cold turkey, I,ve tried counselling and I,ve even tried HSHA ( high strappy heels anonymous ) all to no avail. I thought I was on the road to recovery , but today's binge just shows that I was obviously in denial. I am not gonna beat myself up about it and as Ems says "Mum just take it one day at a time, you can always start again tomorrow".. With that in mind I bought 3 pairs, lmao. Oops..

Well everyone needs a pair of Gladiator flats, don,t they..??

And you cant live without diamond encrusted, high heeled flip flops, surely..??

And this pair just sort of followed me home..!!

I can see these being a firm favourite already. Very high, very chunky and extremely bondage strappy. Everything a girl could wish for. So tomorrow can be cold turkey day..!!!

Enjoy xx

Start of the tour.

One of the things I promised you last week was a guided tour of my studio. If you remember I ran around the studio late one night taking loads of photos of it. I didn't even tidy up, you'll get to see it warts and all. Oh dear eh. Still its a working studio and that's my excuse, lmao.

Anyway today I,m going to start you off in the corridors outside. Those of you who have never visited the studio before and just turn up are always in for a shock. People see us at the shows with our lovely stand and always expect a nice posh place, lol. Inside the studio is fab, but outside , well, lets just say it leaves a lot to be desired.... We are situated on a business park and we are in the scruffiest factory on the estate. All this will be changing over the coming year. The whole building is getting a radical face lift. We are getting a new lift (hallelujah..!!!), and I think I am moving floors to a studio with , wait for it, WINDOWS...... Yayy..!!! Ooh cant wait...

In the meantime , you pull up outside the grotty factory, walk through the loading bay < yes that's right , that's my entrance, open the lift doors, take one look and decide not to bother, lol. It does actually work but looks dodgier than Arkwrights till..!!! So if you haven't turned around and walked out by now, you need to go through the double doors and up the 4 lots of stairs. Yes 4. We run up them now, ha ha .. Just follow the signs. Oh I forgot to tell you that the lights are all on sensors, so it is all in darkness (it just keeps getting better doesn't it?) as soon as you start to walk the lights do come on, honest. So at the top of the stairs you take a right through the double doors and you are there in a little oasis,lol. you have entered the corridor of creativity. The walls are lined with samples and paintings and display boards. Sometimes people stay in the corridor for ages just looking. But be warned the lights only stay on for so long and then you are in darkness again. Don,t worry, just wave your arms and they should come back on again. If not just shout cos we can hear you. That's the other thing ,for some reason when you are in the corridor we can hear you really clearly. Yes..!!!! THAT clearly, lol.. So anyway we start with the corridor, are you sitting comfortably..? Then let the tour commence. That's one of the show stands lurking there, Plus Maisies toy box that Our Tom made her.

The kids have a clothes rack for their painting T-shirts. Most of the paintings on the wall are Jays. The heart one is on wood and I have always loved it. She was commissioned to do a similar one for a spiritual shop, because I wouldn't let that one go,lol.

The opposite wall with display boards.

More T-shirts

The opposite wall still.

Our entrance. This is about a third of the way down the corridor on the right. But loads of people walk straight past it and continue to the end. Cant understand it because there is a massive sign above it. A sign on the door and a big push sign. Aah well..!!

More display boards further down

And more

This is the wall opposite our doors. There is a large screen print of my Dad as a youngster and more displays.

Lots of Jays artwork.

And a great big pile of my custom whiteboard. Well you can never have too much..!! So there you go, and thats all before you even enter the studio.

Hope that's whetted your taste buds a bit. The grand tour will continue another day.

Enjoy xx

Beautiful Beeswax...

Had a fun day today. I finally started the magazine article that is due Monday..!!! I know. I know, but its normal to me. I work better under pressure, lmao.. The subject was Beeswax and the brief was bright and cheerful. Now Beeswax is not normally known for being bright, so the challenge was on. Ranger do 2 types of Beeswax, the normal neutral colour which gives a lovely amber glow perfect for nostalgic and vintage projects. But they also do a white Beeswax that gives a clear effect. This enables you to have the gorgeous buff of Beeswax without discolouring the brightness of the project. Perfect for what I had in mind.

I melt the Beeswax granules in the melting pot.


The smell of melting Beeswax is so calming and comforting.

So here's some sneaks from the article.

So all I need to do now is write it all up..!!!

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.

Why..??

Sorry I didn't blog last night , I was on the phone to the bootilicious bezzi Kirsty . And yes , you're right , I was all snotty and sniveling on her shoulder. I had some horrendous news yesterday about a good friend , who was in so much despair that he took his own life. It was such a shock and really knocked me sideways. I cant even begin to imagine the inner pain and torment that he must have been in, and just wish he had thought to reach out to some one for help. Keeping fears and worries bottled inside build, like a volcano waiting to explode. This is why I am so passionate about the art journalling and getting those feelings out. I dont for one minute think it is the total answer, but if you know what your worst fears are, then you can take the first step in facing and conquering them. Know thine enemy, as they say. For years I have kept everything bottled up and only let people see what I wanted them to see. Not many people have ever known the real Dy, and I,m not really sure if I have. But now I have taken the steps to open up by talking about my "issues" and although it is really scary it is proving to be extremely cathartic. My fears that people would treat me differently if they really knew me have proved unfounded and it is true that a problem shared is a problem halved (well maybe not halved, but eased slightly,lol). My heart go out to the family and friends that he left behind and my greatest wish for him is that his torment has now ended and he is at peace with himself. God bless babe xx
Unfortunately the news was broken to me at the start of the art journalling workshop, and I apologise to the students for not being my usual loony self. They all still managed to have a fabby time though as you can see from the pics.

L - R Helen, Steph, Janet, Jacqui, Pandora and Sarah.

Sue, Pat, Teresa, Annette and Dawn.

Bezzie Su was also there but had left at this point. On her way she confiscated my pressie from the lovely Steph. It was Thorntons special toffee (sos forgot to take a photo), but it wasn't just a bag, it was a massive box. And the mood I was in yesterday I would have probably opened it up and not stopped till it was all gone, lol. Thanks Steph it will be returned when I can be trusted, ha ha .

The students were completing their inner covers, fabilicious aren't they..??

Su and Sarah were attending their first workshop and were busy making the books structure. I think they must have wondered what on earth was happening, lol. The day was saved by the addition of cake. This was one of the best sniffs for ages. We all use the Asda magazines for images in our journalling , but this time Pat put it to its proper use, by using the recipe for this gorgeous lemon cake.

Mother and daughter Sue and Sarah are mates of bezzie Su, and so she brought along a cake to celebrate Sarah's 24th birthday.

I spent a lot of time yesterday just gluing and sticking, it was about all I was capable off, lol. but I now have tons of new pages to journal on. Its a good job cos I,m sure gonna need them. If ever you have something on your mind, just find a normally mind numbing job to do. You will be amazed how therapeutic it can be in focusing the mind.

Received a lovely email yesterday that I just wanted to share with you.

Dear Dyan and team,

I received my order this morning! Thank you very much for such a prompt service. This is my first postal order (I have always brought from shows in the past). I have been looking forward to the arrival of my CH paints, but the package has been wrapped so beautifully that I am unsure I want to even open it!! My first project planned with the paints has now been bumped to second place, as the tissue paper, raffia and heart have all inspired me to create a completely different canvas first.

Dyan, I am very sorry for the loss of your mum, I still have mine, but suffered badly with the loss of my Gran, 5 years ago now and miss her just as much now as I ever have. It will never be right that your mum has gone and I personally do not believe that time heals and takes away the pain and loss, only that time enables you to learn to breathe through it. Continue to channel all the emotions through your work as I have never seen your work looking more beautiful.Thank you for continuing to inspire!

Kind regards

Lorraine Stone

It is always uplifting to receive praise for what we do, and Emmi (creative manager of pretty parcel wrapping) gets to see all your lovely comments, and we thank you for taking that time.

I also continue to be amazed that people take the time to comment and send words of encouragement on our personal circumstances. I have always said that I have the best students in the world, and I have to add to that. I also have the bestest ever blog followers that could walk the earth.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart xx

Feeling the Healing

Today was such a gorgeous day and I was playing hookie. Oh yes.. I was to be found wandering around the Pine woods.. I find that trees are really healing to me and it was so therapeutic to be wandering in the middle of them. I still smile at the time Mark took me to an arboretum specially for me to just feel the essence of the trees. Nice, you might think.. Even nicer when you find out it was on the coldest day of the year. And if that wasn't bad enough, Mark had one leg potted from hip to toe and was really struggling to walk on crutches. And walk we did.. for miles, albeit very slowly, lol.. Thanks babe you were a star at times. xx

I have been going to these woods since I was knee high to a grasshopper and I haven't come across this until earlier in the year. I have a big thing about religious icons, I just love them. Maybe it was being brought up in a large Catholic family. And yes I did have dreams of being a nun. Can you imagine..?? It would be like Sister Act on acid..lmao.. I think this one, although small, is really beautiful.

We spent a couple of hours exploring and then we went to the famous Betty's for lunch. It was "truly delightful" lol. I think tha'ts what you would say in there..!!

I spent the whole day out in the sun and it was so energising... I think that's what I am missing in my windowless studio. Seeing the sun and bright sunny days.. So there's my June resolution, more trips, even if its only out in the car park with a cup of tea...

I started and ended the day wearing these little beauties. Yes they are high, yes they are strappy, but whats that..??? They aren't black.. Yes I'll say it again THEY AREN'T BLACK..!!

What more evidence do you need that Summer is just around the corner..??

Here we go with the pages I promised you from my Art Journal that I did on Sunday..I'm not going to explain them at the moment as I feel they are really personal to me.

And I have the beginners Art Journal workshop tomorrow. Yayy , just love it..

Don't forget that the workshops go live online at 10am tomorrow morning. We have had one sellout already and a few are getting really near so don't leave it too late.. You have been warned, lol.

Enjoy xx