Out of Order!

Hi everyone, I have been using stamps roughly in the order I first bought a stamp from a particular company. This time I am showing a page using some stamps I could hardly wait to use.

They are new Aall and Create Stamps designed Bipasha.

 I used a page already in my large square journal, gesso, spritzed ink with a few drips.

I added some Distress Oxide ink through a hexagon stencil by Aall and Create. The flowers were stamped onto the page which I smudged as I removed the block so stamping and fussy cutting is starring here.

The words are stamped randomly and the flowers are two stamped images cut up with the little wren balancing on the top.

The word 'Nature' is by Tracy Evans.

I am joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth at Art Journal Journey for the 'What's Your Style?'theme.

Thanks for looking, Chris

Stamping when I shouldn't!!!

Hi everyone, this weeks Wanderlust class by Jeanne Oliver required some sketching but I just wanted to make a quick page so I have used stamps.

One image, the flower is a favourite and you will have seen it in several of my makes. It is from a set by Visible Images and I used some more from that set and couple of others.

There are things in this collage that mean something to me - a wrapper from an Italian chocolate, a map of Paris, an old piece of my Mum's wallpaper, a wrapper from some croissants...

I have made this page for Bleubeard and Elizabeth's theme - 'What's Your Style?' at Art Journal Journey.

I'm also entering at 

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Simon Says - Art Journal

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking, Chris

Not Again!!

Hi everyone, at around 7pm on Sunday we had a call over our intercom system saying that we should prepare to evacuate. The Environment Agency were expecting the Mersey to flood in our area.

Hubby and I decided to prepare to stay! We aren't on the ground floor and anyway there is a slope up to our complex. We charged up our two daylight lamps and got the flasks and hot drink mugs ready. We also charged up the phones and one of the tablets. 

By the time the call came we were actually given the choice to stay, with the warning that services may be cut.

As it happened although the Mersey did break it's banks in some areas it wasn't as bad as expected as some of the river water was taken off the river onto a nearby golf course...and Fletcher Moss gardens!!!

On Monday we had to go to the post box so decided to walk back by the river.

The high water line was through the gate

One of our neighbours told us that on Sunday evening this wire fence was covered.
We didn't walk beyond the old inn as we had seen the road was blocked by debris on TV in the morning - quite a shock to see one of our favourite walks in such state!

This morning we went shopping - we were going to drive past Fletcher Moss but decided to go and take a look as this too had featured on TV.

The gates were firmly closed and one of the Environment agent workers told us that it had been higher and they were hoping to drain some off ready for the next storm and then hopefully with dry weather forecast the rest would be drained by next Tuesday she hoped!

So sad to see the Poplar walk that we love under water, and not a chance of walking on the path to the  Rose garden!!!

Once in the supermarket car park we walked to one of our favourite cafes Delice de France - and it is here I will join Bleubeard and Elizabeth at the Altered Book Lover for T Stands For Tuesday.

We had Americano coffees and shared a croissant

On our way home we had to take a detour as men were removing a fallen tree - it took us an hour to get home as one of the roads we were redirected down was only suitable for four wheel drive vehicles (forgot to take a photo) but we watched as a larger car went thorough and decided to turn round!

That's enough excitement for this week !!!

Thanks for looking, Chris

ps I am still having difficulty making comments on some posts - seems to be easier in the mornings so will leave some till tomorrow!

Add Some Texture ar TIOT

Hi everyone, as you can see from my post title our new theme at Try It On Tuesday is 'Add Some Texture'.

The Design Team have found lots of different ways to add texture.

My journal page started like this

I added white Fresco paint, lace and stamped a favourite Woodware stamp. I added more texture with a piece of black journal paper, some threads, a hessian flower and a die-cut stem. I stamped some Hobby Arts grasses at the bottom of the page and added some white pen marks.

Our challenge runs for the usual two weeks - I do hope you will join us.

I am also Linking to  'What's Your Style?' at Art Journal Journey.

Thanks for looking, Chris

Just playing!

 Hi everyone, now that things are getting back to something like normal I decided just get some paint out and play.

I made a page for Art Journal Journey and Bleubeard and Elizabeth's theme - 'What's Your Style?' 

I scraped some Paper Artsy Fresco paint onto my page. I had already got  a splodge of yellow in the centre of the page and I was intending adding more colour but liked what I saw so let it be.

I don't remember when I first came across Tim Holtz's products, probably at a workshop somewhere but I quickly became a fan. (So much so that I went down to Coventry when Tim came over to teach some workshops)

Here I am with Tim, Lindsay Mason and Heather( Lindsay's sister who used to run an ATC swap that I took part in and is a brilliant artist)

The stamp I use here (Theories) is not such an old one though and I combined it with some leftover paint from another project to add some stencilling using Tim's texture fades.

A little bit of spatter was also added and a Snarky word strip from a Small Talk set.

I also made a tag for Tag Tuesday where Sandie has chosen King, Queen or both as her theme.

I spread some white paint onto the tag then used some more leftover paint to stencil then stamped the Paper Artsy Lynne Perella stamp and added a stamped and fussy cut crown.

Thanks for looking, Chris

A little bit of Wanderlust!

 Hi everyone, I'm pleased to tell you that hubby is beginning to get back to eating a normal diet again. Still gradually introducing new foods.

We haven't had our usual walks this week but are making plans for next week - just as well really as the weather has taken a turn for the worse. I hope everyone has been able to stay safe with the recant storms.

We have had time to make our latest Wanderlust 22 pages

The lesson by Mary Beth Shaw was about making lots of layers - we didn't have everything on the supply list once again, but used Paper Artsy Fresco Finish paints which have a lovely texture of their own.

I also decided to use this page for an Art Journal Journey entry and Elizabeth's theme 'What's Your Style?'

The stamps I used this time are Darkroom Door. Rachel Greig's workshop (years ago at Topaz near Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire) was brilliant and fun and one of my happiest memories of spending a day with like minded friends.

I used Aall and Create stencils and some marks of my own.

I would also like to enter at 

Stamping Sensations - Anything stamped with option of wings and tails

We Love Stamping - Anything stamped with option add stencilling

Hubby is sticking with his wildlife themed pages.

I love the colours he chose and he sensibly knew when to stop (I just got carrried away with the stencilling!)

I didn't show last weeks so here they are-

The lesson was by Soraya Nulliah and used a lot of black and white gesso as well as bright colours.

Week 4 was a lesson by Laly Mille

Lots of collage and white gesso - we both really enjoyed this one.

Another that we enjoyed..eventually was Kasia Avery's class from week 2

I'm not sure whether I have already posted this one though, lots of black and white gesso and dried plants.

We are hoping to see one of our sons this weekend - weather permitting!

Thanks for looking, Chris

 

 

T Stands For Taking Time Out

Hi everyone, it's time for a bit of a catch up...

First my balcony, these photos were taken on Saturday.

I bought these flowers four weeks ago..... 

...these have been on my window sill now for five weeks

This Kalanchoe was reduced to £2.99 - it had a couple of dead head that I removed and since then...!!! 

These were also on sale after Christmas - I have had to tie them up

My Christmas Cactus first flowered in November and as you can see is still producing buds. 

I've picked off some of the older flowers since taking this photo.

Here it is at the start of January

I think you will agree that my balcony has been the ideal climate this year.

During this last week hubby had a few trips to hospital but we did manage to take a walk knowing that we wouldn't be going far for a while.

We took packed lunch which we ate before setting off around the Winter Garden at Dunham Massey.

We came home refreshed and ready for a warm drink - those blue skies are deceptive

This has been one of our favourite drinks over the Winter - Spiced Berry cordial and off course I am joining Bleubeard and Elizabeth at The Altered Book Lover for Tea Stands For Tuesday.

Thanks for looking, Chris