My Creative endevours have moved





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MY NEW ART BLOG HERE I would love your company.

A New Year and a New beginning... I have created a new blog filled with old and new art. It is time for me to focus on something new. I will be leaving this blog open for inspiration and so I can look back at what I have achieved in the future but I will be adding no further content here.

Thursday 3 December 2009

Dedicated follower of fashion....

I never was...lol ...but the words of the song were buzzing round in my brain while I was doing this sketch. Don't think I would have looked good in this style but it was fun to draw :D
I've had lots of fun doing sketches and painty backgrounds but I am doing my pages digitally at the moment (just in case you're wondering )by scanning the separate elements so that I can have more ways of manipulating my images. Eventually I think I will build up some printable sheets so that I can re-use the images and incorporate them into my get down and get sticky journal pages in the future.
hugs
Chris xx

Wednesday 2 December 2009

I almost forgot....

to share with you the scrapbook pages that my DG and niece did last week that had me laughing so much. Kids have such a unique way of doing things and the two of them had a ball playing with their photos. All I said to them was write something about the photos you use and decorate them how you like.... the result... I couldn't have made it up!!
These are two of my nieces pages... this photo is of her mum at a fancy dress party clowning around... Or 'Underwoman' as my niece decided to call her...lol
Next is the 'poorly' page... cough, cough, cough :D
DG page with a photo of him 6yrs ago trying to open my car and his text reads ' I have a car. Guess what I can even open it. Bet you didn't know that. Let's drive off. Leave my Granny behind. Hurry up Man. (I nearly wet myself reading that...lol)

Now just to show how much he loves me... the text... 'Christeen (sp!) What a beautiful Nanna, You're the best. xxxx
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww bless :D
A couple more digital Christmas Atc's to share with you, just so you know I've been doing some crafting :D

Both created from digital kits from Lisa's altered art.
Thanks for looking
hugs
Chris xx

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Sewing ATC

I came across this picture yesterday of one of the atc's I did on a sewing theme for The Artist Trading Club. The background was handmade felt... my first attempt at wet felting (cool and so much fun to do ) I added chain stitch for extra decoration. The main image from lisa's altered art was added by printing onto t-shirt transfer fabric before ironing it on to the background. The only kind of ironing that I like to do...lol
I've been in a much better mood the last few days and I'm heaving great sighs of relief... the black dog seems to have been put in his place and has gone into hiding. I've been experimenting with some altered art...doing some sketches and painting and trying to find a style of my own. I love how you can recognise some peoples artwork and creating straight away, just by the style they have, but because I'm jack of all trades and master of none in my crafting I seem to flit around like a butterfly all of a flutter going from one thing to another without settling into a niche of my own. I do like to experiment as it's half the fun but I really want something I can go back to time and time again which lets out what's inside and gives me a head start. I feel that once I find my 'style' then I will have a starting block and I think you will see lots of journalling pages and altered art on my blog in the future. Wish me luck :D
hugs
Chris xx

Monday 23 November 2009

If I were a rich (wo) man....

la la la la la la la la would I be any happier.... probably not :-D and as I hardly ever remember to play the lottery I guess there's not much chance of me getting rich any time soon... but if I feel like singing then that's good enough for me.
I did just that this evening....spending time with DG and my niece scrapbooking over the weekend definitely put a smile on my face (will show you some pics of their creations later in the week) they were so funny. Kids just seem to have such a unique view of things and I roared with laughter at some of the pages they did. Oh it certainly did me the world of good having that laugh and I was buzzing tonight... yes me!!! buzzing...lol
So I turned on the karaoke machine (okay I can hear you groaning) but I find singing therapeutic... specially when no-one else is listening.
I sang to myself (saddo...lol) for an hour and I enjoyed it soooo much I think I should do it again real soon... either that or I need to get out more!!
On top of that my mojo seems to have returned with bells on so today I'm not complaining (phew bet you're glad to hear it)
I got my hands on the new digital atc kits from Lisa's Altered Art and they are so cool.
I have worn out my fingers with all my previous doodling and journalling so 'doin it digi' was a welcome change. There are two digital atc kits to play with and the Christmas one really rocks my boat... tis BEAUTIFUL.
I can see this kit being one of my all time favourites :D
Hope you all had a fab weekend.
hugs
Chris xx

Saturday 21 November 2009

He sleeps....shhhhhhhh

It just wouldn't do to wake him .... you know who I mean... that pesky black dog. Like a naughty puppy.. he yapped and tortured me... he laid down and was quiet for a while and just when I thought he would give me peace he darn well decided it was playtime. I'm too old for this... believe me!!! Anyway don't know how long for... how long's a piece of string... but finally he decided I deserved a break and settled down to sleep and if we're all very quiet he may just sleep for a while ALL Together now.... SHhhhhhhh LOL

I managed a few more pages in my journal and took time out to smell the coffee
thought about painting my nails
and even managed to get me some beauty sleep
Hope you likeeee.
On a slightly more serious note I appreciate all the support I've received over the last week... thanks to each and every one of you who have left me a comment and/or emailed me. Depression can be a very lonely illness and although it saddens me that I'm one of MANY sufferers it does help to know that others can empathise.
I know that Depression is a difficult illness to understand (hey I don't bl**dy understand it myself and I've lived with it for years... it's become a lodger in my home) but from my own point of view I don't expect people to understand... only to accept. My close family and friends try very hard but often I shut them out completely and withdraw from everyone with my demons, but the joy is that when the light shines again they're there waiting for me no matter how many times the light flickers. That's all I can ask.
hugs
Chris xx

Saturday 14 November 2009

Don't read this if you're in a cr*p mood...

Just look at the pictures.
First go at a journal for when I can't see the wood for the trees.

The black dog had got me and because this is MY blog I feel like taking my frustration out here. I have nothing in the world to whine about but the black dog takes no prisoners and I don't get let off that easily. Two hours ago I was as happy as a pig in muck.... now I'm fed up, can't sleep and wish I had a punchbag tethered to my ceiling to take my frustration out on. I have so often put my happy smiling face out there and pretended there is NOTHING WRONG WITH ME but do you know what... THERE IS and why am I hiding it. Why are we so obsessed with people being happy and why is DEPRESSION a dirty word!! I suffer from depression... I always have.... its part of what makes me me... and part of what makes the good times better. I'm tired of pretending... tired of wearing a face on the outside that doesn't mirror the inside and the confusion that goes on there.
So from today I'm changing the way I blog... I'm going to blog for ME and if you join me along the way then that's great but if you feel like jumping off then that's fine too. If I feel like cr*p I'm going to say so and if I'm happy I'll say so too but WYSIWYG from now on. Some days I wanna blog but I can't... some days I wanna blog hop but I can't and some days I wanna create but I can't and anyone who says there's no such word as CAN'T has NEVER suffered from depression. I'm not feeling sorry for myself and I don't want pity... this isn't a pity party so don't bring cake... it's just a fact. It is what it is... and I am what I am.
Rant over.... could be deleted by tomorrow but what the heck... I did it cos I could... said it cos I wanted too and feel better for it!!
xx

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Doodling or Decorating?

The felt tip pens are getting some hammer right now... so relaxing this doodling lark and all I need is my pens and a sketch pad.... just as well cos I still can't find things. I've a million (ok teensy weensy bit of exaggeration there lol) boxes still to unpack before normality resumes.
It's sooooo nice for all the painting to be done though.... hopefully soon I can do a creative sort of painting instead of the necessary kind. So more pics of the refurb so you can see what I've been up to... my bedroom this time.
Wanted a white bedhead so had to paint it... enamel paint is ace!!

Lots of stripping a preparing to do but this room wasn't as major a job as some of the others...
and as red is my favourite colour of all time I had to use it here although it's more of a deep cherry red so it's not so in your face.

I painted the wardrobes with enamel paint too because previously they were teak effect. The pictures are just framed wallpaper :D Gotta be frugal sometimes and besides I had no time to make any so they will probably be updated when I do.
Had to use another huge paper lantern in this room too cos I loves them.

The curtains were a 'steal' two pair made from a £6.99 quilt cover and there was fabric left over for two cushions on the bed :D

I hate cupboard doors in a room so I painted the door the same colour as the wall so that it would look part of the wall... so need the storage though so glad the cupboard is there.
and now you can see where I'm sitting as I type up this post...lol I have got a chair to sit on only it weren't there when I took the pic.
Finally on my bedside table are these little darlings... I seem to have developed a passion for them :D
Have a great day
hugs
Chris xx

Monday 19 October 2009

Gothic Arches challenge - Risque

It seems like forever since I have taken part in any of the challenges... what with the move and decorating etc. So as I love the Gothic Arches I decided to go for this weeks challenge of Risque. I didn't think you were going to get to see it though!! Just when I'd got my Internet back and thought I was up for some fun bloghopping...huh my computer had other ideas :( I timed my other posts so I could just concentrate on catching up and then everything went tits up. I couldn't get on me blog...waahhhh ... I tried everything I knew but not being THAT computer geeky I was almost giving up the will to live... just ask me pal Chriss...lol Well it seems I needed an update (never thought of that one...lol) to Internet Explorer 8. What the devil is that about!!! Anyway so I'm back again with fingers, knees, toes AND eyes all crossed that I can stay this time :D I got this cheeky lady from Art-e-zine and tarted her up a bit (oooh did I say 'tart' ed...rofl)
I gave her a tattoo but she earned her wings too cos she's a good girl really. She would have been very 'Risque' in her day though eh :D
Thanks for looking
hugs
Chris xx

Ok now I am in shock!!! I'm typing away and without noticing the return key on my keyboard has decided to work again.... oooeeeer there are gremlins in my house....honest!!

Friday 16 October 2009

Halloween fun

I love to doodle and I was in need of some fun me time... so for the first time in ages I've had a play, I scanned a doodle and used photoshop to colour it and with the help of the new Halloween images from Lisa's altered art I had me a hoot. How cool are these babies...lol I did me a couple of atc's too using sections of the doodle
and these little cuties just blow me away. Can just imagine the mischief they could get up too eh :D
Thought you might like a play too so if you like you can grab the doodle sheet below... click to enlarge then right click and save and then you can print it out on an A4 sheet. Each piece is 5"x7" so can be cut into four for atc's or left the size you see. Have fun :D

hugs Chris xx

Thursday 15 October 2009

Before and afters

I now have somewhere to relax and the hard work is over... now that I have time to look around it's difficult to believe that I've done so much... so I'm glad I took the pics so that I can remind myself NEVER to move again...lol Well at least not unless I win the lottery or summat so I can pay someone else to do ALL the work for me :D There were more holes in the walls than in a malteser ;-D The 'before' photos were taken AFTER I had filled in a trillion holes and then used a coat of thinned emulsion to see where I'd missed... as you can see I'd missed A LOT rofl... told ya I needed new specs, I mean look HOW BIG some of them are!!! and I still had to put lining paper on the walls when I'd finished filling and sanding.
Preperation is a pain....
but worth it in the end
The room looks quite small
but it's just the way I've taken the pics.... maybe a bit tooo close up... as it's quite a size really :D
and do you know what tickles me fancy out of everything.... the £1.99 huge paper shades from ikea... my brother is so tall that everytime he comes in, he ends up playing headball with them(no wonder he keeps saying they're the naffest things he's ever seen) rofl
Hugs Chris xx

Tuesday 13 October 2009

Check out my colour scheme... a few photos....

to wet your whistle... just like I promised. Just when I had almost given up the will to live... everything has started to come together nicely aaaaand.... I am back on line WHOOOHOOOO with bloody bells on (pardon me french if you please) I'm so excited that if I only had the stamina I'd be a hop, skippin' and a jumpin all around me newly decorated rooms but as I have little energy left then I will have to satisfy meself with being happy to be back and look forward to getting back into the swing of things in bloggy land and catching up with all my chums Yeeeehaaaaa. Oooooooh it feels like Christmas ;-D First of all thank you all for your continued support and friendship while I've been awol it's really kept me going when I've been hard at work and though I haven't been able to visit any of you online I have thought about you all often :D It has been an uphill struggle trying to do all that I've had to, with moving house but finally I can show you the fruits of my labour. I told you that 'Changing Rooms' wasn't going to get a look in and you will see what I mean as you scroll down.... nowt went untouched....lol I decided to let you see some of the nice bits first cos I have so much to share with you that you would be here for days so I will eke it out over the next few weeks. Don't want ya' all to be getting bored now do I. Crafting of a different kind I call this ;-)
The fireplace didn't fit with what I had in mind for my colour scheme sooooo it had to be re-vamped.
I scrounged this old rocking chair off of my Sister's Father in Law and it got the treatment too....
I think it was worth it.... anyway I will have plenty of use for it in my dotage...lol
Now this little lady gave me nightmares....honestly I jest you not. I have never re-covered a sofa before but let me tell you I will NEVER...NEVER....NEVER in this lifetime do it again. Well actually this one is a sofa bed but I digress.... it gave me the Mother of all headaches!!!
I assumed (wrongly I may add) that it couldn't be THAT difficult... famous last words, It took me hours and a totally sleepless night to finish it.....
but even though I cursed and almost cried and was one step away from launching the whole thing through the nearest window.... I persevered and won through in the end and I reckon the effort was worth it. I LOVE.... LOVE....LOVE me new sofa :D

I reckon you've guessed by now that my new found love of the colour green a few months back hasn't diminished. I'm loving it... in fact if I didn't think I would become really fed up with it too quickly the whole house may have ended up that colour... but I know that I am fickle...lol ... so I went for a different colour in each room. You won't have tooooo long to wait to see what I mean but give me a little while cos boy have I got some catching up to do :D

Okay I'm off to me bed now cos I've got some MEGA bloghopping to fit in tomorrow.... yeeeehaaaa!!!

hugs
Chris xx

Sunday 27 September 2009

Is it a month ALREADY.....

I just can't believe how fast time has flown since I last posted.... it's passing me by at a rate of knots!! Could be that I've been down with the dreaded lurgy which has slowed down my decorating antics and made me take to my bed. The will to keep awake and keep going was in my mind but my body it seems had other ideas. DG began with a cold that lasted 2 days and kindly breathed my way.... the result... almost two weeks of coughing, sneezing and sleeping combined with the headaches from hell that had me wondering if I had succumbed to swine flu... but without the energy to do anything about it if I had.
I'm coming out the other end slowly however, even a short walk to the loo has me feeling like taking to my bed again.... the moral of the story..... never let a snot laden kid within ten miles of you when there's work to be done....lol
Just sharing some pics of an experimental hand crochet beaded necklace, ('nother done before today project....lol)

Hopefully I will be back really soon, as my own internet connection should be up and running in the next couple of week and ALL of my decorating will be FINISHED..... YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA...... did I say FINISHED?....... YEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
I promise you some photies next visit.... it's taken a long time but the transformation is sooooooo worth it :D
hugs
Chris xx

Monday 31 August 2009

eeek!! What a shape....rofl

Fed up and painted out I spent the night at pal Chriss' house, after chatting on the phone and totally on impulse, I left my house as I was ...knowing that no matter how I turned up Chrissy wouldn't turn a hair...lol She kindly decided that I should share with you my fantastic new fashion statement.....so took some pics of my fabby designer trousers to share with you... you don't get to see the rest of me....tooooo painful....lolI freaked when I saw this pic.... but believe me that REALLY ISN'T my normal shape...lol My painter trousers have grown a shape and life of their own after six weeks of hand wiping additions. Don't know what cloths are for me :D
Not really doin' any work here... photo is staged... if you look close you can see there's no paint in the tray...lol
Okay that's enuf from me today.... work to be done and all that.... today sanding walls....uuurrrgh... but one step nearer to having some me time and crafting fun... so onwards and upwards as they say :D
Hope you aren't too envious of my designer duds....lol
Have a fab bank holiday all.
hugs
Chris xx