Plumrose

My wonderfully supportive friend Sharon sent me this beautiful key chain explaining that 'since I have seem to have a foot in many worlds, it would be sure to hold the keys for taking me wherever I wished'. A treasure indeed! It twinkles its spells at me daily. "Believe" it whispers and I close my eyes and wrinkle my nose until I'm whisked off on adventures with the elves and the fairies.

One place I often stop to visit on these travels is Sharon's enhanting Plumrose Lane to meet the creative sprite who dwells in its hidden nooks. We've been working together on weaving some words for her creative business and, of course, she created my new blog template. You really should visit. Come, take my hand and follow me through the whispering mists and take a deep breath of the intoxicating magic... Maybe we'll meet Plumrose herself...

Many ingredients whirled in the air as I waved my paintbrush over this piece - collaged papers, fragments of stories, musical mystery, coloured pencils (prisma and inktense), alcohol inks, rubber stamped script and a new purchase - modelling paste which gave that wild tangled texture to her hair.

This creation serves many purposes. First and foremost it is a thank you to Sharon - I wanted to capture something of the magical spirit of Plumrose Lane for her. I'd also like to enter it into a couple of challenges.

Mixed Media Monday - for trying something new - my modelling paste! What fun this is - although it does take hours to dry... Next think on the shopping list is that crackle stuff...

The Three Muses - the printed word. Well, it seems to be my trademark to include some collaged old book in my paintings so this was an easy one - plus I have my gorgeous old script stamp adding its poetry. There was actually a touch more old book in this painting but I'm afraid it disappeared under layers of paint and paste.

Anyone notice?

Well, I hope you did! What do you think of my new look? I felt it was time for a little refreshment of my blog and really wanted to include something of my own in the design.

What I didn't know though was how to put it on my blog, and make a fancy banner and get the template to work and... you're getting the idea.

So, I clicked my heels three times and called out to the fairy Godmother of Plumrose Lane - she the purveyor of phantasmagorical designs and curator of whimsical treasures. You can find weaving her magic here in her shop hidden in the hedgerow or on her blog.

Just follow the silken trails of enchantment and breathe in the scents of anticipation... She waved her magic wand and the spell was cast....

We took one of my paintings and a photograph I'd taken of a mysterious looking stairway that seemed steeped in story and this is the result. Now, it's probably about time I updated my profile...

New look

What do you think to my new background? It was made by a very talented friend and you can get one too! Just pop over to Plumrose Lane for an amazing selection of banners and backgrounds to delight and amaze! This background was free but for a small fee you can have your own unique design. Watch this space for a fancy banner on its way too.

I've been meaning to make one of these myself for absolutely ages but never got around to it. One of the many 'must learn how to do thats' on the list. Perhaps this year sometime...