When you wish upon a star...

A mahoosive thank you to every one of you for your fabulous comments, they fair warm the cockles of your heart to read them.!!

To become one of Rangers Signature Designers is a dream come true. Not many of you know my story, my roots or my beginnings, but I have come a long way.

Briefly, my marriage broke down, extremely acrimoniously, when I was 23 leaving me with 4 children under the age of five. I picked myself up, dusted myself down and got on with life as a single mum, always teetering on the breadline, lol, only to become bedridden with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 10 yrs later. Although I wouldn't wish such an illness on anyone, this is what led me into the world of crafting and my ensuing passion
.
Life hasn't been easy, I wasn't handed my business on a plate, it was started around my kitchen table, with 5 students, and slowly over the years has built into the business it now is. It has been as a result of a lot of dedication, hard work, and tears and, at times, has seemed like the longest road ever to travel. One step forward, two steps back... bit like practising the Cha Cha Cha !!!

So why am I telling you all this.??

Because throughout it all, I was determined not to just sit back and accept my lot in life. It wasn't the easiest of roads but it was my frikkin road, and it was travelled how I wanted to travel it. I always had a dream at the back of my mind, that one day I would show those who dissed me as, just another single Mum, that dreams can come true.

If you believe..!!!

" To BELIEVE is to know that every day is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen, and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds.
To know the wonder of a stardust sky and the wisdom of the man in the moon .
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart, the innocence of a child's eyes
and the beauty of an ageing hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength and courage that lies within us,
when it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone, 
that life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just waiting to happen.
And all our hopes and dreams are within our reach.
If ONLY we believe"


Author unknown


My journey to where I am now, has many twists an turns and if it wasn't so frikkin long would have made a good book, lol. But what it has done is, it has provided me with a wealth of material for art journaling, without which, where would I be.

If you are struggling with your lot, just take the time to remember to believe. It might not be just around the corner, but if you believe hard enough it will be there for you.!!!

Enjoy xx

End of a fabulous weekend....

And what a weekend it was. We all had a blast creating the journals and learning the techniques involved. In fact we were so busy having a good time that I forgot to take any photos. Sorry about that...

I have got photos of what we actually did though.

All it needs now is the doodling and the journaling.

Kaz did actually send me this fabby photo of Yvonne and me. Pop over to her blog for her account of the events.

You will also get the story of this next picture and the teeth.!!!!

Not quite sure it's a good look, but I am loving the twisted bandanna..

Enjoy xx

Fun and frolics...

Oooh had a lovely surprise gift this morning from the lovely Kaz... A gorgeous pair of shoes...What more could a girl want. And, unfortunately you can't see them, but they have the most fabulous leopard skin lining. Get in there..!!!

The Journal collage weekend is well underway and as you can see we are as serious as ever...!! Last night a few people were having problems with their flaps, Kaz was even complaining of hers being a bit fluffy..!!! But this morning everyone seemed a bit more relaxed about them..

This was the mad dash for tea and croissants

Lunch, made by the gorgeous Pam, was soup, Vegetable and the world famous Pea and Ham....

And trifle..yum yum..

Here's Yvonne and Jen taking photos of....

Kaz...taking photos of...

Outfit of the day...

I even wore my pinny especially for the occasion...

Kaz wanted to try on my infamous Red or Dead wedges...looking good

Shame she couldn't even walk one step.

Just to prove that they actually did do some work...

And here's a little bit of fun for you...Can you think of a caption for this photo... Best comment will win a prize...

Have a happy and safe Bonfire night...

Enjoy xx

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!

Omg, omg, omg......I hope you are all sitting down, as I have the most mahoosive, ginormous fantabulous, can't frikkin believe it news to share with you. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work, a passion for my art, a lot of trust in me and the culmination of a dream.!!! I feel like Cinders being told she can go to the ball, lol.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo what is this news...????

Press Release Signature Designer Dyan Reaveley Fall 2011 Ranger is excited to announce mixed-media artist Dyan Reaveley as Ranger's newest Signature Designer. Dyan's unique, eclectic style comes through in her vibrant color combinations of inks and paints, using text as an insightful design element, and the clever use of imagery in her artwork. Dyan and Ranger are developing a signature line of craft products called Dylusions, and she is already an integral part of the Ranger Designer Team. Dyan has been teaching and demoing with Ranger for several years and is known for her creativity with layering color, images and thought-provoking collages. Dyan owns and operates a teaching and design studio Art from the Heart in Harrogate, in the north of England. Dyan shares a little about herself: "My mission is to introduce everyone to the fabulous therapy that is art journaling and creating mixed-media art. Art is not the finished result; it is the actual act of creating that emerges when you let yourself play. It is the journey it takes from the soul." "Dyan's an inspiration and I look forward to seeing where she takes the Dylusions product line. Her passion for inks, paints and mediums knows no bounds. Dyan's ability to teach everyone from new crafters to seasoned mixed-media artists will complement all that we do at Ranger."—Alain Avrillon, Sales Director "Creative innovation is always at our core here at Ranger, and we are excited to add the talents and artful stylings of Dyan Reaveley to our team."—Tim Holtz, Creative Director Look for the Dylusions product line debut at the January 2012 Winter CHA Trade Show in Anaheim, California.

Are you squealing with me...???

Yes you read it right. Ranger has appointed a new Signature Designer, and it is MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

It is official HERE

Happy dance, happy dance...

I am beyond excited, I am beyond exhilarated, I am beyond everything.

I just keep thinking of my quote at the top of the page

" you are an extraordinary woman...how can you expect anything ordinary to happen to you."??

I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Ranger for showing their trust in me, especially Alain I will do my damndest to make you proud, and be the best monkey ever.!!!

Thanks to all my friends who believed in me, even when I didn't..!!

My kids for supporting me.

Pam for covering for me through all the discussions.

Thanks to Our Ben for pushing and pushing me.

And to Mum and Dad up there in heaven.......... your little bad girl did good.!!!!

Phew, is my Oscar on it's way...??? lmao

Okay back to reality and teaching the kids workshop.

Enjoy xx

UK Scrappers Blog Hop

Hi all, glad you could join us for the UKS blog hop. If you have arrived at me you should have hopped over from A Trip Down Memory Lane HERE

Here is my step by step. A journal page as usual

Materials

Dylusions paints... Tangerine, Cerise
Dylusions Spray inks... Bubblegum, Granite
Dylusions stamp sets... Further Round the Edge, Birds on a Wire, Bits and Bats
Jet Black Archival Ink
Black Posca pen
Sakura Gelly Roll pen

Method

Add the Dylusions paints to the page with a baby wipe

Spray 3 blobs of Dylusions Bubblegum ink onto the page and let it drip down.

Repeat with the Dylusions Granite ink

Ink up the leaf border stamp from Further round the edge and stamp at the top of the pages.

Ink up the spiders web stamp from Bits and Bats and stamp over the top

Stamp the bats and spiders from Bits and Bats

Stamp the birds and hats from Birds on a Wire. Draw 2 paper hats on old book page, cut out and stick onto the large crows.

Paint in the leaves with Dylusions Grape ink

Splatter and add rings with Dylusions Burnt Orange Mica Ink

Add highlights with the Gelly Roll pen. Write words with the black Posca pen, and go over the top with the white pen.

Hope you enjoyed  my page, and will have a go at creating one of your own.

Please go to the next Blog, The Artistic Stamper HERE

If you go HERE you can see the list of everyone taking part.

Please leave me a comment as we have a set of Dylusions stamps up for grabs.

Enjoy