I will be Missing In Action or Absent Without Leave depending on your point of view until 19 April.
If you are kind enough to leave a comment or you email me, I will get back to you 19 April or shortly thereafter. :-)
Happy Easter my lovelies and may our hearts always be open enough to experience Wonder.
Gini
xx
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Gingersnap Creations GC46: Frosting. Run aground in a sea of starlight frosting.
Seeing as we have all this wonderful technology shall we try out putting this story to music and listening and well as seeing the pictures and words. (But not in a video, more like a very short amateurish Jackanory.)
I enjoyed this but then it's all very vivid in my head, and you might think otherwise.
We can but try.
When we rush we can savour nothing.
And I would like to savour this creative life we have.
Take a deep breath.
Maybe do a little spin on your computer chair to shake out the kinks.
Now let's focus our attention together.
Open an additional browser tab and play this song Star of Wonder by Tori Amos through youtube (or you can also find it on Spotify if you are a member).
Come on a little journey with me.
6 birdies are going on an adventure.
They are leaving behind their circus act.
They have packed up the big tent and put their hopes and dreams under their wings,
cast off and set sail.
They are travelling far far away across the sea.
A burning desire is a fire lighting their blood.
They are searching for a star.
"A star of wonder
Star of night
Star of royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding
A star"
It is dark, so very dark and they are tired.
But they are resolute.
They are steadfast.
They have heard whispers they have captured and locked in their hearts.
"Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire"
Suddenly their is an enormous grating sound.
Oh no!
Run aground?
The clouds suddenly part and starlight pours through.
They are surrounded by a sea of starlight frosting, glistening all around them.
"Star of Wonder
Star of night
Star of royal beauty bright."
Click on the pictures to make them bigger.
I am sure those birdies find all their little hearts desires.
Didn't Tori sing that beautifully?
This is my first go at the Gingersnap Creations Challenge.
I am so glad to have found another monthly challenge blog.
I like the extra thinking time it gives me.
I didn't deliberately have a religious theme in mind when I started planning this, it was just that the song "Star of Wonder" seemed to fit this little scene perfectly, and it is Easter.
I will be Missing In Action or Absent Without Leave depending on your point of view until 19 April.
If you are kind enough to leave a comment or you email me, I will get back to you 19 April or shortly thereafter. :-)
Happy Easter my lovelies and may our hearts always be open enough to experience Wonder.
Gini
xx
I enjoyed this but then it's all very vivid in my head, and you might think otherwise.
We can but try.
When we rush we can savour nothing.
And I would like to savour this creative life we have.
Take a deep breath.
Maybe do a little spin on your computer chair to shake out the kinks.
Now let's focus our attention together.
Open an additional browser tab and play this song Star of Wonder by Tori Amos through youtube (or you can also find it on Spotify if you are a member).
Come on a little journey with me.
6 birdies are going on an adventure.
They are leaving behind their circus act.
They have packed up the big tent and put their hopes and dreams under their wings,
cast off and set sail.
They are travelling far far away across the sea.
A burning desire is a fire lighting their blood.
They are searching for a star.
"A star of wonder
Star of night
Star of royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding
A star"
It is dark, so very dark and they are tired.
But they are resolute.
They are steadfast.
They have heard whispers they have captured and locked in their hearts.
"Some say a star will rise again
In the hearts of humankind
Some say we have been in exile
What we need is solar fire"
Suddenly their is an enormous grating sound.
Oh no!
Run aground?
The clouds suddenly part and starlight pours through.
They are surrounded by a sea of starlight frosting, glistening all around them.
"Star of Wonder
Star of night
Star of royal beauty bright."
Click on the pictures to make them bigger.
I am sure those birdies find all their little hearts desires.
Didn't Tori sing that beautifully?
This is my first go at the Gingersnap Creations Challenge.
I am so glad to have found another monthly challenge blog.
I like the extra thinking time it gives me.
I didn't deliberately have a religious theme in mind when I started planning this, it was just that the song "Star of Wonder" seemed to fit this little scene perfectly, and it is Easter.
I will be Missing In Action or Absent Without Leave depending on your point of view until 19 April.
If you are kind enough to leave a comment or you email me, I will get back to you 19 April or shortly thereafter. :-)
Happy Easter my lovelies and may our hearts always be open enough to experience Wonder.
Gini
xx
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Zetti ATCs Jan 2010, The Artist Trading Club
Chriss at The Artist Trading Club suggested watching Teesha Moore's youtube.com videos to see how Teesha goes about journalling Zetti style.
There are 9 videos.
First one is called Layer 1: Paint.
Then a series of 4 called Journalling Collage
and a final 4 episodes called Journalling Pen Work.
They were fascinating to watch, even if you don't like the style they are worth watching to see another artist at work and the processes she uses.
It's one step further along the nosey road of What's on your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW).
Having watched the videos I got organised and followed her instructions to the letter, improvising if I didn't have her craft materials but staying true to the style.
Firstly I painted a background using Reeves soft sheen acrylic.
Teesha recommends soft sheen because pens often bleed and won't flow properly on matt acrylics.
Then using cut up bits of designer paper as I didn't have any magazines I glued on a border with white PVA.
Teesha uses magazine cuttings and copies of previous journalling pages and a tape glue roller.
I took some photos of my progress at each stage.
Then you collage a central image.
After which using PanPastels you add some shading around the border and central images.
They look like that awful 1970's make up to me.
If you're old enough to remember using 1970's make up you'll know what I mean.
Teesha had a PanPastel sponge tipped tool to apply the stuff but I had to improvise as I had neither.
I used Versamagic chalk ink applied with a cosmetic bud then dabbed the cosmetic bud on my tongue so the ink would shade evenly away to nothing.
A little bit of spit did the trick.
For the journalling Teesha recommends Sharpie poster paint pens, in medium nib, fine nib and extra fine nib in white and black. Copic sketch pens. Caran D'ash Crayons.
I have none of those so used a black Staedtler pigment liner 0.1 size and a white Sakura gelly roll med gel pen. These suited the ATC size space.
Teesha explains how to shade your lettering so that it appears that you have a consistent light source.
If the sun is coming in from the top right hand corner then your lettering will have shading on the left side and the bottom. Anything that is facing right is NOT going to have shadow.
The things I found out about my crafting preferences is firstly that I dislike journalling.
I really really do not want to write all over my pictures.
I had to force myself to do it and I only managed to do it on two ATCs before rebellion struck.
I obviously only like my stories on the side or on the back and not all over the front.
I don't mind a quote or title but not writing all over.
I couldn't care less about shading on lettering or lettering styles.
Secondly I don't like doodling at all either.
I have absolutely no desire to create dark or macabre pictures.
Teesha uses absolutely no shiny. None what so ever.
Wot no shiny?
Nope.
The one thing I did like was making up bright, cheerful and funny central characters.
Click on the images to make them bigger if you want.
Despite all this I enjoyed doing the challenge, as I like trying new art styles.
I love the end result and I really didn't want to part with them; but I did, spit and all ;-)
(If you got one and are concerned, they were sent in clear plastic wallets so you don't have to touch them!)
The other thing is I don't really enjoy working this small.
So I don't imagine I will be making that many ATCs in the foreseeable future.
But I retain the right to change my mind, so please don't hold me to it. :-)
Whatever you are up to, happy creating!
Gini
xx
There are 9 videos.
First one is called Layer 1: Paint.
Then a series of 4 called Journalling Collage
and a final 4 episodes called Journalling Pen Work.
They were fascinating to watch, even if you don't like the style they are worth watching to see another artist at work and the processes she uses.
It's one step further along the nosey road of What's on your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW).
Having watched the videos I got organised and followed her instructions to the letter, improvising if I didn't have her craft materials but staying true to the style.
Firstly I painted a background using Reeves soft sheen acrylic.
Teesha recommends soft sheen because pens often bleed and won't flow properly on matt acrylics.
Then using cut up bits of designer paper as I didn't have any magazines I glued on a border with white PVA.
Teesha uses magazine cuttings and copies of previous journalling pages and a tape glue roller.
I took some photos of my progress at each stage.
Then you collage a central image.
After which using PanPastels you add some shading around the border and central images.
They look like that awful 1970's make up to me.
If you're old enough to remember using 1970's make up you'll know what I mean.
Teesha had a PanPastel sponge tipped tool to apply the stuff but I had to improvise as I had neither.
I used Versamagic chalk ink applied with a cosmetic bud then dabbed the cosmetic bud on my tongue so the ink would shade evenly away to nothing.
A little bit of spit did the trick.
For the journalling Teesha recommends Sharpie poster paint pens, in medium nib, fine nib and extra fine nib in white and black. Copic sketch pens. Caran D'ash Crayons.
I have none of those so used a black Staedtler pigment liner 0.1 size and a white Sakura gelly roll med gel pen. These suited the ATC size space.
Teesha explains how to shade your lettering so that it appears that you have a consistent light source.
If the sun is coming in from the top right hand corner then your lettering will have shading on the left side and the bottom. Anything that is facing right is NOT going to have shadow.
The things I found out about my crafting preferences is firstly that I dislike journalling.
I really really do not want to write all over my pictures.
I had to force myself to do it and I only managed to do it on two ATCs before rebellion struck.
I obviously only like my stories on the side or on the back and not all over the front.
I don't mind a quote or title but not writing all over.
I couldn't care less about shading on lettering or lettering styles.
Secondly I don't like doodling at all either.
I have absolutely no desire to create dark or macabre pictures.
Teesha uses absolutely no shiny. None what so ever.
Wot no shiny?
Nope.
The one thing I did like was making up bright, cheerful and funny central characters.
Click on the images to make them bigger if you want.
Despite all this I enjoyed doing the challenge, as I like trying new art styles.
I love the end result and I really didn't want to part with them; but I did, spit and all ;-)
(If you got one and are concerned, they were sent in clear plastic wallets so you don't have to touch them!)
The other thing is I don't really enjoy working this small.
So I don't imagine I will be making that many ATCs in the foreseeable future.
But I retain the right to change my mind, so please don't hold me to it. :-)
Whatever you are up to, happy creating!
Gini
xx
Friday, 19 March 2010
Dress Up 2010 March Spanky does Mardi Gras
Hello Peeps.
The pattern Spanky used was just the basque from this template.
Everything else gets revealed then hidden again as one walks.
Now I did offer to sew some sequins onto some granny knickers for Evangeline to cover her modesty but the pair of them just laughed at me. Just LAUGHED at me.
Evangeline said she would be going commando unless it was really cold and then she would wear a thong for warmth.
I felt obliged to tell her not to come running to me if she catches a cold, but in retrospect I hope that is all she catches. Young people today, I don't know ;-)
Click on the pictures to make them bigger, although that will not make the outfit less skimpy I'm afraid.
At least wearing her mask no one will recognise her by her face.
Just a minute; what have we here, hiding amongst the gowns in progress?
A hottie guy who is obviously lurking about hoping for a sneak peak at Evangeline in her Mardi Gras outfit.
Hmmm looks pretty hauwt, lets have a closer look.
Maybe there IS something to be said for not wearing Granny Knickers after all.
Margaret's Dress Up challenge sure draws in the Stud Muffins as well as the Feed Dogs. (Mwaha)
Did I mention how clever Margaret is?
Happy Creating
Gini
xx
The pattern Spanky used was just the basque from this template.
Everything else gets revealed then hidden again as one walks.
Now I did offer to sew some sequins onto some granny knickers for Evangeline to cover her modesty but the pair of them just laughed at me. Just LAUGHED at me.
Evangeline said she would be going commando unless it was really cold and then she would wear a thong for warmth.
I felt obliged to tell her not to come running to me if she catches a cold, but in retrospect I hope that is all she catches. Young people today, I don't know ;-)
Click on the pictures to make them bigger, although that will not make the outfit less skimpy I'm afraid.
At least wearing her mask no one will recognise her by her face.
Just a minute; what have we here, hiding amongst the gowns in progress?
A hottie guy who is obviously lurking about hoping for a sneak peak at Evangeline in her Mardi Gras outfit.
Hmmm looks pretty hauwt, lets have a closer look.
Maybe there IS something to be said for not wearing Granny Knickers after all.
Margaret's Dress Up challenge sure draws in the Stud Muffins as well as the Feed Dogs. (Mwaha)
Did I mention how clever Margaret is?
Happy Creating
Gini
xx
Friday, 5 March 2010
Opus Gluei Challenge #44 Cultural Inspiration
The challenge this week over at Order of the Opus Gluei
is to be inspired by a language or culture that is not your own.
The two most inspiring foreign cultural things for me are Meditation and Yoga.
That was the easy bit.
But what to make.
Last night I was whining in an email to Electra that I just can't manage anything in a week and nearly all the challenges are weekly and blah blah blah, poor little me...
Then I stopped and thought "stop being so pathetic and make something. "
Seeing as Spanky was in bed getting her beauty sleep, I was on my own. (Do not think about the implications of that statement. Three would be a crowd anyway.)
Draw a bloody arch for a start, free hand it doesn't have to be symmetrical. Just grab a bit of patterned paper and do it.
It needs something more. OK, I'll do Zetti stripes.
Without measuring in millimetres for F's sake!
OK, now do a banner with meditation on it and find a background paper for it.
This took quite a bit of fannying around, but got done.
Ok what about a Buddha. Fine, come on quickly!
I got out another bit of paper and my new nesty circles.
Where are the instructions...
OK, two circles cut out and edged.
Quick, c'mon practice a face on a bit of scrap paper.
Oh shut up while I google Buddha and look at how the faces of the statues are formed.
No, even a Minnie Mouse face will be fine, just do it.
Well, I'm doing a belly button and a crown with bling.
Great, now shut up and do it. No, you don't need coffee, it's 10.30 at night, sit down and do it!
It needs a bit more of something and I need to think of a way to get it to stand up as a card.
I'll finish it in the morning.
No, finish it now.
No; Arse to you. I'm going to bed.
............................................................
This morning.
OK, sod the housework, finish the card.
Voila!! Bullying for one and getting challenges done on time - in a nutshell.
If I had had 4 weeks it would look completely different and Buddha would have been in a little round house of altered art but I GOT IT DONE!
Gini/Gini
xx
is to be inspired by a language or culture that is not your own.
The two most inspiring foreign cultural things for me are Meditation and Yoga.
That was the easy bit.
But what to make.
Last night I was whining in an email to Electra that I just can't manage anything in a week and nearly all the challenges are weekly and blah blah blah, poor little me...
Then I stopped and thought "stop being so pathetic and make something. "
Seeing as Spanky was in bed getting her beauty sleep, I was on my own. (Do not think about the implications of that statement. Three would be a crowd anyway.)
Draw a bloody arch for a start, free hand it doesn't have to be symmetrical. Just grab a bit of patterned paper and do it.
It needs something more. OK, I'll do Zetti stripes.
Without measuring in millimetres for F's sake!
OK, now do a banner with meditation on it and find a background paper for it.
This took quite a bit of fannying around, but got done.
Ok what about a Buddha. Fine, come on quickly!
I got out another bit of paper and my new nesty circles.
Where are the instructions...
OK, two circles cut out and edged.
Quick, c'mon practice a face on a bit of scrap paper.
Oh shut up while I google Buddha and look at how the faces of the statues are formed.
No, even a Minnie Mouse face will be fine, just do it.
Well, I'm doing a belly button and a crown with bling.
Great, now shut up and do it. No, you don't need coffee, it's 10.30 at night, sit down and do it!
It needs a bit more of something and I need to think of a way to get it to stand up as a card.
I'll finish it in the morning.
No, finish it now.
No; Arse to you. I'm going to bed.
............................................................
This morning.
OK, sod the housework, finish the card.
Voila!! Bullying for one and getting challenges done on time - in a nutshell.
If I had had 4 weeks it would look completely different and Buddha would have been in a little round house of altered art but I GOT IT DONE!
Gini/Gini
xx
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Spanky in a Slanket
Seeing as Sherry and Electra and Karen are asking where is Spanky? Because she isn't in my workspace photo, I thought I'd let you know what she's been up to this week. (Karen has given me the most brilliant idea though, she suggested the Spanky could be clipped up on the thingamagig!!!)
Spanky's stayed in the 21st century this week, middle earth was quite tiring last week.
Anyway we were both stunned and amazed to find the SLANKET on our OWOH excursion.
Now to me the slanket is in the same league as the foot slipper.
Anything that has to be put on like a hospital gown has me running for the hills, but I can see the appeal that it must have to some folk.
We found this site theslanket.com
Now whoever wrote the editorial for this site was obviously enjoying themselves immensely and I can only applaud them for that but with humour sometimes the line between funny and squirmingly embarrassing is very small. I think they have their tongues in their cheeks though...
This one is called "Walk the Slank" WTF?? Well, you'll have to read the editorial on it to find out just what they mean. It's a popular one though 'cos it's currently sold out.
Now you and I both know revenge is sweet.
Spanky was far more popular than me on the OWOH and if I was completely doolally I would be sulking about that. Which of course I'm not.
But I remember the Pony pulling gag she made about my OWOH outfit so without further ado let me present to you
Spanky in a Vintage '70's Slanket
You can click on her to get a better look at the carnage :-)
Now I have tried to reflect the clashing patterns and colours of the '70's without making you vomit just a little bit in your mouth.
Did I manage it?
I am not worried about Spanky's reputation and her standing as an ICON of style, she is so very hugely Iconic that I don't think anything could put a dent in her reputation; she is revered in too many countries and beloved by so many millions that she is completely untouchable.
Oh - I think I might have dozed off for a minute there.
So that's where she's been; modelling Slankets with the best of 'em.
Gini
xx
Spanky's stayed in the 21st century this week, middle earth was quite tiring last week.
Anyway we were both stunned and amazed to find the SLANKET on our OWOH excursion.
Now to me the slanket is in the same league as the foot slipper.
Anything that has to be put on like a hospital gown has me running for the hills, but I can see the appeal that it must have to some folk.
We found this site theslanket.com
Now whoever wrote the editorial for this site was obviously enjoying themselves immensely and I can only applaud them for that but with humour sometimes the line between funny and squirmingly embarrassing is very small. I think they have their tongues in their cheeks though...
This one is called "Walk the Slank" WTF?? Well, you'll have to read the editorial on it to find out just what they mean. It's a popular one though 'cos it's currently sold out.
Now you and I both know revenge is sweet.
Spanky was far more popular than me on the OWOH and if I was completely doolally I would be sulking about that. Which of course I'm not.
But I remember the Pony pulling gag she made about my OWOH outfit so without further ado let me present to you
Spanky in a Vintage '70's Slanket
You can click on her to get a better look at the carnage :-)
Now I have tried to reflect the clashing patterns and colours of the '70's without making you vomit just a little bit in your mouth.
Did I manage it?
I am not worried about Spanky's reputation and her standing as an ICON of style, she is so very hugely Iconic that I don't think anything could put a dent in her reputation; she is revered in too many countries and beloved by so many millions that she is completely untouchable.
Oh - I think I might have dozed off for a minute there.
So that's where she's been; modelling Slankets with the best of 'em.
Gini
xx
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Work space Wednesday
I have loved nosing at other bloggers photos of their workspace and crafting stashs so thought I would post mine as it is tonight which is much tidier than it used to be since I got the Clip it Up storage that you can see on the right of my desk for my birthday. I like to surround myself with things I've made and gifts from friends.
The clip it up storage holds everything and has loads of space to spare. To store acrylic stamps I laminated a (slightly undercut on the longest sides) A4 card and then stuck stamped images on one side of all the acrylic stamps that are clinging on the other side. Trim a bit of the laminate off the longest sides so it will slide easily into an A4 plastic wallet and then clip it up. I could hold a whole shop full of stamps this way on the Clip it Up thingymegig!
Last year I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw photos of peoples craft rooms and all their stash. It was more like looking at a craft shop! I couldn't understand how you could have that much stuff unused. What a little innocent I was!!
Now I know exactly what is going on....... ;-)
Happy stash building everyone!
Gini
xx
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