Until 2012!

All organised, just need to pack and I fly out tonight. 15 hours of travelling time, most of that flying.  The nerves are setting in.  I'm not too keen on flying.....  Anyhoo, I'm not sure I'lll have the opportunity to blog while I'm away, so in case I don't I'd like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and everything of the very best in 2012. 

(((hugs)))

Delivered!

Just delivered the order!  Whew - all done and out my studio!  Did a painting the other night - I haven't painted in a  while, what with carnival and all.  It really felt good!

Food for thought: 20 questions to clear your clutter

Hi bloggers!

I'm hectically working to meet THE deadline (which I had to move back to Monday) I want to get everything finished by Sunday night, which by the looks of things entails another 12 or so hours of work.  I have dark circles under my eyes and not looking too glamarous at all.  Sigh.   I'm a bit behind - which happens to me EVERY YEAR, despite my best intentions - I ALWAYS underestimate the time I need to do something.  So, on reflection - the new formula to work out how long I'll need to do something is going to be:  my estimate X 1,5 

I've been working in chaos (my studio is tuiny, tiny, tiny: maybe 9m2) so I've got patterns, fabric and bags of cut costumes EVERYWHERE.  Contrary to popular opinion (ie. hubby's) I actually LOVE order.  So, when I get back from SA in January, I'm totally re-organising the studio.   Which led me to this article I wanted to share.

OK, enough blogging and back to work!  I hope you all have a fabulous CREATIVE weekend!

Food for thought: Wanting to Want

Having a little coffee break and stumbled across a great website and an article that caught my eye:
Wanting to Want

Great sites to reproduce artwork

Good morning my blog friends!  I quickly wanted to share a couple of great sites with you:

• Spoonflower (print your own fabric - I have a 'fabric' shop there - although there are only 2 pieces right now, I still haven't used the pieces I had done, but will get round to it in the new year when I get back from Africa)
• Vistaprint (print your own stationery - watch out for some really great FREEBIES - I use this site for my business stationary)
• Galison (just saw this on Geninne's blog - she's made some amazing goodies - maybe one day when I get REALLY good - I might cross my fingers and submit something)

Hope you're feeling INSPIRED!  Now that my coffee's finished - I'm off to cut a new pile of costumes. 10 days till delivery.... and counting (and trying not to FREAK OUT just a little).  Just NOT enough hours in the day when there's a day job in the middle of it.  Sigh.

Featured on ATCS for all

Every month,  on ATCs for All there's an ATC contest.  In September I entered, the theme was "Hidden beneath the layers" and won!    Woo hoo!  Very exciting for me - and apparently there's a little package of goodies in the post on its way.  

I used mixed media: watercolours, ink, gellyrollers, metallic pastels, silver pen and watercolour pencil crayons - I tried to build up various layers and a sense of depth using the different mediums.

My card is featured on the front page of the site (you have to scroll down to the bottom). 

This and that

Another week gone, and my deadline's drawing closer....I have just under 2 weeks to finish off my Captain America carnival costume order (patterns, cutting and packaging for 60 people).  I think they're going to look great all made up and the kids should be super-cute! Sigh....I just want to get it all done now, so I can relax and get ready for my trip to Africa.  

Last night I finished the shawl I've been knitting for my mum for Christmas - I used a lovely chunky cream magician yarn  - it was such a pleasure to knit up and I'm very pleased with the reslts.  (I'll take some pics of Mum in the shawl when I give it to her). 

I also wanted to share Art Trader Magazine with those of you that don't know about it. It's FABULOUS - chock-full of ideas and inspiration!  There are so many great online courses available - I wish  could do them all!  I haven't been working on any ATCs lately, as I simply don't have the time - but when I get back from SA I plan to start working on some larger watercolours. 

Well, it's nearly pumpkin time and it has been a long day.  Got to get up at the crack of dawn tomorrow (Sunday and all) to do some cutting.  I'm off to bed!  

On my wish list

I haven't been doing much art in the past couple of weeks, as I'm spending all my free time on cutting.  I really miss it!  BUT - I have to focus as I only a little over 2 weeks to go to finish the order.  Sigh.... Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about Copic markers - I remember using them at Tech when I studied fashion - loved them and haven't used them since.  I'd really like to start working with them again. Did a little Googling and have my eye on this set................. (drool).......

Great tutorials using Copic Markers

PS: Pam Garrison has some great tips on her blog