TMTA: look into a face

Two posts in one day :) Even though it's Tuesday I decided to do the Think Monday Think ATC challenge as although I don't have many face stamps/images, I did buy this gorgeous girl recently. She's by Art Journey and I just love her expression. What I want to know is how could I make this ATC in minutes yet one I have to make with a Paris theme just won't happen!!!

playing with paint and scissors

I'm teaching a workshop on art journalling at Paddy's Stamping Place on Saturday 18th July and Tuesday 21st July '09 and have been working on a journal based on using rubber stamped images. I've been noting down the images I love and so today I worked on using houses -

I did the coloured background in the rain on Sunday and today I added dripped paint (I've been admiring artwork at my children's school using this effect, and Julie from The Land of Lost Luggage also uses this effect a lot). I think the piece is a bit busy but it's ok so is stopping in the journal!! I then discovered a gorgeous image of a Waybuloo character in the Radio Times. I love illustrations in children's picture books, and sketchy pencil drawings, but realised that these don't feature in my own artwork! Hmmm!

I'm much happier with this page. I scraped turquoise paint over it with a top-up card I got in Tesco. Aren't the phone companies generous giving away free paint tools ;) Then I pressed a fairly dry white ink pad down on the page and added some text stamping.

more afternoon bliss!

My daughter Sophie (12) and I spent the afternoon next to this lock near Marple, Stockport with our journals, just painting backgrounds. It was so relaxing, despite the rain. There's something about sitting in the rain when it's warm. The lock is one of a series of 16, all very close together, which I discovered by googling 'days out in lancashire'. It was only 20mins drive away and we'll definitely be returning :)

When I checked my phone I only had a handful of pictures from the Manchester Faculty of Art and Design degree show. My battery was going and I was hoping to go back with the kids but they weren't keen! I loved these ceramic pieces inspired by pebbles on the beach

and this piece was by someone doing a foundation degree. I love all the squares, and the texture of the piece.

The forecast is for a heatwave this week, temps up to 28deg. I don't do hot weather though so I may grab some time in my nice cool cellar sorting out my art materials, it's a tip and I really want to find my crackle paint ;)

an afternoon of pure bliss

...visiting the Faculty of Art & Design degree show 2009 at Manchester Metropolitan University.

My favourite section is always textiles and since you're not allowed to take photos in there I bought a brochure, and I have a fabulous collection of postcards now. I was very taken with the work of Lisa Stannard, so much so that I've ordered a print from her! I love the contrast of black and white with a hint of colour and she has a very painterly feel to her work.

Roses featured very heavily both in the textile exhibition and in the foundation art show. This work is by Laura Walker, BA (hons) textiles.

And how cool is this illustration by Kirsty Wingfield who studied illustration and animation!

More eye candy tomorrow :)

another fairy

This sweet little fairy ATC is for the monthly ATC swap I take part in, and am always running late with!!

Wendy's blog candy

Wendy from the Stamp Attic is offering this fab blog candy. For those who asked about my bird stamp, she's by Stampotique and I got her from Wendy :)

Wednesday Stamper: Spiders

..it's fab shoes and the ability to catch spiders !!!

I came across this spider stamp in my collection the other week and when I caught sight of this bird stamped on a piece of card on my table I knew it would look cute hanging from her beak and would mean I could enter Wednesday Stamper this week :)