Jeudi Journal

Have done this in a hurry again - due not to trips out (although we did have one) but to lack of sleep. I have been having problems with restless leg syndrome for about 3 weeks now and cannot sleep as a result.  The other night, or should I say morning, I was trying to make this page with a banging headache and eyes that felt like they had cinders in them.  So sorry, it is not up to much.  Will try to do better next week.

I just hope that Wendy has had more success than I have.  I should imagine that with her wit she has made something spectacular.

Here is my 'limited edition' duck.

Off for a bit of Acupuncture now!

WOYWW 430

Wish it was last Wednesday and I was on my way to Chester for a few days.  We had such a lovely time I would really like to repeat the experience.

The hotel was lovely, food great and the staff were so nice.  In fact it seemed as if everyone living in Chester and surrounding area went out of their way to be friendly towards everyone.  So many people helped us in some small way and so many seemed to smile at you as they walked towards you.  No, I did not have a silly hat on or a message on my forehead!

We went to the Cathedral (free admission) where we saw an exhibition of sculptures (called The Ark - which means 'vessel' - on until 15th October) including some by famous names eg Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst, David Bailey, Jon Buck.  It was so huge (90 exhibits) we did it in two sessions.  Can recommend the cafe there, impeccable service and delicious tray bakes - but they do do much more food.

Thought these two might interest those who like Steampunk and Ravens.

Then off to the Falconry at the Cathedral.  Wow, what a show.  Four different birds each display and a display at 11 am, 1.30 and 3.30 pm all for £4 admission.  You can stay all day, can leave and go back on the one ticket.  Lots of information and you get to hold the various birds during or after the display.  Such a learning experience for the children (and me).  Cannot praise enough.

Barn Owl (isn't it beautiful) and Chas with a Gyr Falcon after the display (I did hold the same bird but thought I would let Chas have the glory for once).  We were introduced to Tinks, a vulture who was so funny and to Peanuts a tiny falcon who likes to land on people's heads plus another six birds - we watched two displays.  You all know what a vulture looks like, black feathers and white legs - do you know why they have white legs?  I do now.

But, before Julia has my guts for garters here is my desk.  You didn't come here to listen to my trip to Chester but I just had to advertise (ahem) share Chester  it was such a lovely short holiday.

This is my actual desk today.  I had a little visitor yesterday which is why the journal to the right is here and open.  She has a thirst for knowledge and asks so many question about everything - so I left her sat with my small journal.  The lime green is a background page awaiting work on it for my 'Jeudi Journal' with Wendy and at the back you can see my Dyary which needs working on.

This is mainly my ribbon storage. I just fell in love with those boxes at Ikea and having bought one set had to go back for another. Underneath are some little plastic pots on a bar that I already had. These are handy for dropping bits and pieces in that I use quite regularly.

And finally my window wall storage.  You can see all the little cubby holes that contain such things as "Happy Birthday, Thankyou" type stamps, most used ink pads, We Are Memory Keepers boards, glues, sticky labels and coloured A5 cardstock, etc.

Well, it is the 1st September on Friday and at the end of this month is the crop.  Be sure to read all about it if you haven't already on Julia's blog.  Hope to see lots of you there - accommodation booked months ago so all being well .......

Sorry for the long post Julia

Jeudi Journal - Anything Goes

Having finished our travels abroad and returned home last week Wendy and I are a bit stuck as to what topic to do next.  Not that we cannot think of anything but we are both at different places in our Journals with me probably having more pages to do than Wendy.  

So for the time being we are going with an "Anything Goes" theme and just using Dylusion figures until the last (wo)man is standing, ie finished in her book.  Then we are beginning with a new journal and a string of new topics - watch this space.

In the meantime here is my first Anything Goes which I have named "Personality".

Page 1

Page 2

Page 1 is where the figure is saying that the other person has multiple personalities.  Page 2 shows a figure with a few different heads on - ie different personalities.  Or at least my interpretation of that. Guess I could have filled the page up with heads all over and all different but as I have had to do this as a scheduled post, due to taking Chas off to Chester for the night as part of his birthday present, this is as much as I had time for.  Afterall there was cleaning up to do - I am terrible for not wanting to leave a speck of dust when we go away.  And the washing basket has to be empty! (Even for 2 nights?? - I must be crazy)

Now to see what Wendy has done.

Is it WOYWW 429?

Or have I got wrong numbers down somewhere?  I got so muddled last week but then it doesn't take much.

Well, straight to the point - here's my desk - a couple of shots but then another photo (Tee Hee!)

The first is my desk on the left hand side.  I have some pictures (taken down when decorating) waiting to go up again but I don't know what to do with them.  They are only on Scrapbook Paper and I used to have them pinned on my "wire line" but now I am wondering about putting them onto a canvas. The trouble is I have so many pictures and so little wall space now.  They are 12 x 12 and the first is just a picture of a lady from the internet - the second is me when I was a bridesmaid (cough cough) years ago.

This is the bit where I do most of my stamping etc and all I have are the delightful wooden Alice figures from Saturday's show at Leigh. Lorraine came to show me her set and I asked her to get me one too. Bless her, she is a good pal, she did and here they are.  Just got around to spreading them out. Now to look up the correct colours before I begin painting them.  Did try using my Distress Oxides as watercolour paint on Saturday (on the back of Lorraine's watch) and it worked beautifully.

Told you there was a third photo.  Well, on Saturday I was working, demo'ing the Distress Oxides when I looked up into the biggest smile of the day.  It was a very very dear friend who had travelled 70 miles to come and see me - and she had 70 miles to go back!

Is that a lovely friend or what?  And all because I/we had gone down to surprise her one Thursday only to find she had a dreadful cold and was not there.  Unfortunately with working I did not have much time to talk to her and so it was a brief "hello" for the two of us. Hopefully we will get much more time to chat on the 30th of next month because she is hosting the crop.  I would have loved to take her back home to have dinner with us but she was off next morning to see an old friend and then to visit Mrs D on the way back - but I will leave it to Margaret to tell you all about Mrs D.

Yes, it was Margaret - and here we are stood behind my table at the show:

So in just over five more Wednesdays it will be almost time for us to meet up again - the BIG Meet Up will be taking place on the Saturday so pop along to Julia's blog to find all about it.  Join in with your desk and come along to Llandudno!  See you there!

Anyone else got the sidebar missing now?  The one where you do the "Labels, Schedule, etc".  I noticed last week it had disappeared and I want it back|!  Now I just have the icons but they flit about too quickly for my liking - is it just me and have I clicked on something I shouldn't?  Or is it Blogger who has changed things - again!

Jeudi Journal - Home again

Well, they landed at Heathrow anyhow.

Here are our intrepid travellers back from their jaunt around the world.  On landing in London they were rather astounded to find that Big Ben was on strike - or should that be not striking (a bit early I know but serves as a reminder to me when I look through this book at a later date - I try to be topical with some of the posts).

Still, they and their luggage (no comments on the cases being a bit small please) are now safely stowed on the train and heading for home.  They don't look as weary as I look when I am returning from a long journey.  

This was an original page from when I did some pages with inks with Dyan.  I didn't want the stencilling to show up quite as much as it did so I did another spray of the lime green over the page before attempting to put my figures on.  I had a couple of rubber stamps that showed landmarks in London and was quite pleased that one was Big Ben.  Ok so the two landmarks are not so close to one another but it is artistic licence that needs to be used here.  Rather disappointingly the two stamps did not stamp as crisply as I would have liked but we could pretend it was an early hazy morning in our capital city.

So here is my page for this week

Now the girls have arrived home I wonder what we can think of to do next week - Wendy???

WOYWW 428

Well, I hope I managed to return all the comments last week - mean comment on those who commented on my blog. It was late when we got back from Amsterdam and I was so tired Thursday but I think I managed to visit at least those who visited me.

This week my desk has some Distress Oxide pieces on. I have used some of the Crazy animals - cats, dogs, birds to decorate them. These are sample pieces for Saturday when I will be dem'ing at the Leigh Show. The ones on the left are stuck down, the others might get treated to another layer of DO's yet. Depends on how other samples go and whether there is time or not.

They all want mounting up properly though.  You can see some of my storage too the little cubby holes are free standing at the bottom and contain SU sets of stamps (thanks Mary) and all manner of tall tins, bottles etc.

Above you can see a few of my inks.  I say a few because I do have a lot and some day I will show you them all.  There are a couple of things displayed below the inks and the board opposite is a metal pegboard.  To the right of my pink board is my butterfly book and I think my Dyary is underneath.

Well, that is it for this week although I have a few pictures - Zsuzsa asked to see my little drawings in my butterfly book - here they are (not very good but I have not drawn in a long while):

Yes, we had a good time although Tuesday it rained and rained and rained  Everywhere you could go inside was booked up and there were queues that went on forever.  Monday was lovely and sunny and Wednesday it managed to stay dry - that was the day we went to Haarlem on the recommendation of Willy our breakfast lady.  Next time - we won't go in the middle of summer/school holidays.  Lesson learned!

See you over at Julia's!

Jeudi Journal - Venice

Had to be a quickie this morning as I hadn't time before I went on holiday at the weekend (well, early doors Monday).

I always think of the late, great Warren Oates when I see this figure of the bulldog.  For some reason the name 'Windsor' comes to mind but it is not particularly Windsor Davies I think of.  Anyhow, I digress.

This pair are in Venice, one of my most favourite cities and she obviously feels he has his grumpy face on today so she is suggesting he wears a mask.  Do you think he should?  Or is the mask a little too large?

The background was a completely new one.  Painted using Dylusions Vibrant Turquoise and London Blue.  I also used one of Dyan's border stencils (hearts) with the Turquoise paint.  The stamps, apart from the mask and the word 'Venezia' are Dylusions again, the others being Oxford Impressions.

Wonder where you will find Wendy and I next week?

WOYWW 427

OK so last week was not as short and sweet as Julia would have liked it - I do get carried away at times.  But this week it is going to be so - honestly.

This is a scheduled post and I am going to have to ask someone to link it for me as tomorrow morning (it is Sunday now) I am flying off for three days in Amsterdam.  Weather forecast not good - rain on Tuesday early evening and not stopping until we leave.  Story of my life/our lives.

Well my desk does not hold any great things.  Could have shown you my pages in my Butterfly Book that I have drawn ready for Amsterdam but hadn't really time to take photos so it is rather a barren desk but the Tweexy is there for you to see and you can see it is (ta da ....)

a holder for nail varnish when you are doing your own nails.  Now isn't that a clever little contraption?  Got it on a plane when I was flying somewhere - probably America in January.  Now I have no nails to paint - medication seems to be putting paid to any decent growth.

That is it - so off to see Julia now and link in with other desks - have a great time this morning, I will be joining the party a little late this week.  See you around!

Flower Explosion

A bit late with this post seeing that I was at Art from the Heart with Tracy Scott and her workshop shown below.  I sometimes think I/we are Tracy stalkers as we (I am talking of myself and Lorraine my bff here) only ever seem to book on Tracy's workshops.  Truth is that we seem to like her work full stop.  Tracy is the one who I have done the "faces" with in the past.  In fact we did a workshop the week before too which I have not blogged.

Anyway, here is the one from last week:

Not a very good photo as I did have rather a lot of gold speckles on it and they seem to catch the light from the flash and distort the viewing.  

How I wish I had gone along with some lighter colours.  Lorraine worked very pastelly (as in pastel colours - there is no such word as what I have put) and produced a beautiful page.  Memo to self - must do another but this time in pastel colours with a hint of neon.

Anyway, love the concept.  Now to go to the other workshop we did and get a page finished so I can show you.  Shouldn't take long.

Jeudi Journal Italy or Greece

Well, I don't know my Greek from my Roman normally.  Should be able to tell what kind of columns they are as we studied those at college but that was a century ago.  To be honest I thought this was Rome and not somewhere in Greece but I did hope it was a Greek set of stamps.  Chas studied Latin at school so he knew it was definitely Roman figures etc that I was using.  Shucks!

Wendy and I are in a Museum as the weather has turned a little showery and I am appalled at the scantily dressed statues that are about.  I actually thought that was a man sat on the stool and remarked to Wendy about his headgear.  She pointed out that the translucent clothing left her in no doubt whatsoever that this was a woman (I won't say "lady").

The two figures on the left are obviously Dylusion stamps but the others are all Non Sequitur.  Gosh I have had those years and some still had the backing on from when I put them on EZmount.  Shows how much I have used this particular set.

The background is my new Slate Grey Dylusion paint which I intend to use with pink at some time as I love to see grey and pink together. Maybe a bit dull here, especially on the RH side with the figures in the Museum.  Ah well - now we have to leave as we are off somewhere else next week.

WOYWW 426

Welcome Patricia, my newest blog follower.  Sorry I missed saying anything the other week, thanks for following me, means a lot.

Well, this is going to be short and, hopefully, sweet.  Got some new Distress Oxides from Oyster Stamps to play with - because I will be demo'ing them at Leigh Show in a few weeks time (19th) at the Sports Centre Venue. Need to get some samples done before then and this month is proving to be a busy one - then next month I have some special birthday cards to make so it looks like 'no rest for the wicked' for the time being.  If anyone is at the show do come and say hello.

Well my desk reveals my ink pads

but what is that pink thing to the left?  It was there last week and I forgot to mention it.  Wonder if anyone out there knows what it is?

it used to be awfully handy but isn't any more

It's soft and squidgy and useful to put my paintbrush in the end when I don't want to put it on the desk whilst it has paint on it.  That is not it's real use though.

Another shot of my desk to the left reveals "His" birthday card.  Was deleting my emails this morning and got sidetracked into Pinterest, as you do, and came across this sentiment on a card.  I rather liked it and thought he would appreciate it (not that my hair curls).  It's his birthday on Monday so the card was a bit last minute but didn't take long.  More time was spent printing the words on thicker cardstock!!! (Jamming the printer more like)  And there are some of my Distress Oxide experiments. Now to try other things with them.

If you can't see the words I will upload a bigger picture next week.

Well, that's it for this week, see you over at Julia's in a mo.  Should have more time this morning as he is off to the hospital to be with his BFF so I will be 'home alone'.  Mind you my emails have stopped coming through so I will need to go to my server and maybe comment from there too.
See ya!