Lost for Words

'ANGEL'
ATC
Made for MAMMA's swap

What a day.

It's only 10.47 am, but boy it feels like a whole week's experience has happened in just a few hours.

First off, scrubbed the kitchen floor, and becuase it is mainly white, it takes some cleaning. After the floor had dried, went to put the cleaning materials away under the sink, when noticed that EVERYTHING in the cupboard was soaking wet with water.

Had to completely empty the cupboard (don't know what your sink cupboard is like, but mine is jam packed with cleaning stuff, when only one item is usually used, old tins of paint ((now rusted up))).which made the bloomin floor dirty again.

The trap from the plughole is leaking, and i can't tighten it up. Plumbers coming tomorrow morning.

Then postie arrived with quite a collection of envies.

First one i noticed was an envie practically opened up, with a pair of pinking shears i recently bought on ebay. THE BLOOMIN THINGS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED UP , and won't cut a bloomin thing. (can you tell i was getting angry at this point).

Got onto the seller, and sent him a rather polite letter, and he has given me a partial refund.

So then decided to open the rest of my mail. One was a rather interesting package, and I opened it with anticipation.

WELL YOU WON'T BELIEEEEEEEEEEEVE IT.
Inside was a book, a really really lovely book, a book that i've been slavering and slobbering over since i borrowed it from the library.

A book for me to keeeeeep, and languish over and treasure for always. A brand spanking new book, smelling of freshly printed paper, ALL FOR ME TO KEEP.

So where did this book come from.

MY DEAREST FRIEND JAN. I'm finding it so hard to believe that someone could do something so precious for little old me. THANKYOU, JAN, BIG HEARTFELT THANKS GO TO YOU. MAY LIFE'S JOURNEY BE SWEET AND SECURE WITH EVERY STEP YOU TAKE. XXXX MARGARET XXXXX

Oh, and what book was it, here it is lol

I've now stopped crying and shaking, and have the BIGGEST smile on my face.

Hopefully i will meet up with Jan, and the rest of the 'gang' one day. FINGERS CROSSED

Gifts, Giveaways and dirty hands

I received a beautiful package from my dear friend Cindy

Cindy had a giveaway recently, and lovingly gave away 5 of her beautiful handmade brooches. I received Betty Boop, as she says i remind her of her LOL. oh how i wish i had her looks, body and vitality. lol

She also very very kindly sent me some ric rac, which i will definitely be using after the hols.

Sweet sweet Cindy.

Now another dear friend of mine in Tasmania isBelinda .
She is giving away an absolute humdinger of a giveaway. Not one, not two but...... FIVE ART DOLLS. can you believe it. Woweeee.

Oooh i hope i win one. Here is one of the beautiful art dolls

Today i am learning a new technique known as gouache and ink resist. Hence the dirty hands.

This is from a tutorial from my dearest friend Ange (Agnes the Red). She is an absolute brilliant artist, and jewellery maker and cake maker and........ the list goes on, and she is fantastic at each and every one of her arts.

We both belong to a yahoo group known as New Inspirations, and bi-monthly she gives us GREAT tutorials for new techniques for us to learn.

Here's a link to the resist technique

They are clear and concise with photos of each stage, plus tips as well.


Tomorrow, i will show you the results from my attempts lol.

I had such fun, it reminded me of the days in the print room, at both college and uni. Oh boy did i enjoy printmaking. It really gives you a buzz, mono-printing, collograph, dry etching.

This technique was similar in some ways to acid etching, ie with the building up and washing away. Similar but different. lol

So get on over and have a try at one of her tutorials.

GIFTS FROM FRIENDS

Last week i received some beautiful gifts from friends. I still find it amazing that friends who I havnt even met, send me lovingly handmade gifts. I am very honoured to have such great friends.

First of all i received my House swap from Cindy
I was absolutely blown away with her work. The attention to detail is amazing, with pull-outs, moving parts and doodles and drawings........ FANTASTIC. Even the back was a work of art.

First Floor
Ivory Tower


2nd Floor
An Englishman's Home is his Castle



Bottom Floor
Doorway Home - a refuge from the world
or a gateway to explore it.

ISNT IT FANTASTIC

Cindy also included 2 ATC's, one with a domino on, a domino necklace and a New Home card. (I havn't a scan of this as it is already in my new home.

Also this week i received another 3-part House ATC, this time from my friend Sherry. This was such a suprise, as Sherry backed out of the House swap, and instead sent one to me. I still have to get a scan of this, as this is already hanging in pride of place in my new craft room.
I'll try and remember to bring it home later today and scan it.

THANKYOU SHERRY AND CINDY.
XX