This weeks classes..

...were both based around books, made from scratch. But 2 very different style of books.

The first was one of my faces, a pocketed star book, made from Graphic 45 Steampunk paper. I knew as soon as I saw this paper what I would make out of it. I accessorised it with Dylusions stamps and Tim Holtz Idea-ology charms.

The second book was constructed entirely of Dylusions techniques tag. We spent all morning doing the techniques and generally having a fabulously inky time.

After lunch was all about the construction and home work is to decorate the finished book...watch this space...

There's just something about hand made books and tags and books and flaps and books and pockets and books, isn't there...??

Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the regular art journaling workshops. This will be the last one until I return again in November so don't miss out. This week we will be playing with these little beauties. The classroom stack of my Dylusion spray ink pads. All shiny and new ready to be covered in gorgeous spray inks and played with. Lickitty split I tell you. !!!

Now I know it's early but look what I am working on...

Enjoy xx

Abstract class

A couple of weeks ago I held one of my abstract painting workshops at The Studio.

We started the day by practising on large boards, a lot less frightening than canvas!! It was a beautiful day so we stuck them on the fire escape to dry.

After lunch they progressed to canvas, and with a little help from me here's the finished results.

Fabulous aren't they ??

Enjoy xx

Home again, home again, jiggety jig....

and jetlagged so off for an early night ..

Enjoy xx

Much needed Oxygen...

I have just spent 2 days in Philadelphia on a mixture of business and pleasure. Bit of a whirlwind trip by anyones standards ( long way to travel for 2 days lol) but needs must.

I arrived Friday evening and got the business part over and done with and then promptly slept for 12 hours...!

I was staying in  a hotel adjacent to the second largest Mall in America...Yayyyy!

I had left all my debit/credit cards at home...Booooo!

So what to do with limited finances.??

I am a Rouge member of Sephora, my most ever ever ever favouritist beauty store, and luckily they had a large store in the Mall. Being a Rouge member entitles you to Makeovers wherever and whenever you want, so that was the plan.

Heres my before, fresh faced from 12 hours much needed sleep.

First step after cleansing, a foaming face mask. Good job I am used to looking ridiculous isn't it?

 Moisturised and creamed to the hilt, work started on my eyes. Subtle hues to lift and open up.

Pin up eyeliner is always a winner

Primed, base coat, powdered and blushed. Now for the eyebrows...Hmmm think I will go for the natural look there.!!

The final look...what do you reckon.?

And heres the gorgeous Ashley who spent a good hour and a half with me.

Proof I only spent money in two stores and everything was for me lol.

Another early night and a lazy morning and it was time to head back to the airport again for the trip home. I feel as though I have had my batteries recharged somewhat. Hopefully jet lag will skip straight past me and I will arrive home raring to teach on Tues.

Enjoy xx

The lost pictures.....

I thought I had lost all the photos from The Stampaway show in Cincinnatti, but a few have turned up on my US phone.

I flew in but my luggage didn't lol, so I had to hang around a few hours to wait for it. Imagine my surprise when it arrived on the same flight as these two characters. We were all there to demo on The Stampers Anonymous booth for the lovely Michelle and Ted Cutts, two of the nicest people in the business.

Its a tough show you set up in the afternoon and the show starts at night lol, so it is all hands on deck

Lunch for an army arrived to keep us going

On the Friday night there is always a dress code, this year it was hats and Mario got into the swing of things with this little number.

I was sporting a beehive made from balloons

 Me lovely friend Lee

And this gorgeous smile belongs to my new bestie Trevor. I think I was a good influence in the food department, lol.

Nothing was too much trouble for him, he brought me drinks and snacks if I needed them.

After watching for a while he seemed fascinated with what I was doing, so I sat him down with a journal and let him play...

...and play...

and play some more, lol

Just look at what he produced. Definitely an art journaler in the making...

I, meanwhile, was journaling on  anything and everything. This is one of Tim's burlap panels

The show was a great success and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, so hopefully will be back again next year.

I am currently in Philadelphia in a town called The King of Prussia and I decided it was time to give myself some much needed R n R. Heres step one...

I'll let you know how I get on, lmao

Enjoy xx