...a little bit of this and a little bit of that..

....the sunshine has been wonderful..it makes everybody smile more especially the gardeners who have been waiting for the sunny days to plant all their plants..the smell of BBQ's fills the air..summer dresses and white legs!!(that's my legs)..and the strange custom that some British men have of taking their shirts off in public(when maybe some of them shouldn't!!)

..i wanted to say a big thank you for all the lovely kindness, flowers,cards and goodies..i'm one of those strange creatures that when i'm not doing too well i kinda want to hide away till everything is ok again..but the nature of the work i love and do means being under the spotlight..so if i don't seem to be showing how chuffed i am i can promise you inside i really couldn't be without everyone.."the hill" is my creative world and all the people that visit are more like family..

..you know how i talk about "life's lovelies"..well here is another one..Mary..

so generous with her smiles,knowledge and fun..and a wonderful grandma too

(this is the talanted Lorna's Grandma)..she is holding the cupcake notice board that she was frightened i would charge rent for!!

..this was one of my gifts this week from a very talented artist..i LOVE LOVE LOVE this canvas

i can pretend that i am the crafty princess behind the door..sometimes i wonder if she thinks i'm mad!..she teaches me things when i watch her work because the nicest thing about her is that she doesn't realise how good she really is..

..this canvas appears on the Creative Friends Blog this week along with a mini tutorial for young artists on simple drawing

..a sample for the shop that was finished this week with the help of my daughter Amy who along with all my family has been helping so much "on the hill"..this would make a fab gift for a wedding,anniversary,valentines or just because

..a sneak peek at the new shape of the month for June..loving the possibilities with this shape..all will be revealed on Friday....

...and a spoon is born...

...back on the hill today...thank you everyone for popping in and your texts and e.mails..flowers and pressies...it really means a lot to me..Lucie was on the hill and we talked and talked took breath and talked some more!!..Stephanie was on the hill as my "bouncer" checking i behaved myself and made teas and coffees,answered the phone and smiled that smile at the world..

she has been my cheer leader today and i love her

 ..i was preparing for the week end children's class and a new spoon was born

..hes a zebra and anyone got any suggestions for a name please send it my way..

..don't let the fear creep in..

... when life takes an unexpected turn..when the day starts one way and then goes horribly wrong..when the ones you love are there one day and then they are gone..when the fear creeps in..

You will gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
Eleanor Roosevelt

..so Stephanie Chimene..both of us must look fear in the face and FLY..

really HIGH 

..and the winners are...

... for the moment you’ve all been waiting for sorry this has been a bit late, we can announce the winners of the Creative Friends companion projects GIVEAWAY.

The winners are: Jackie, Patricia and Terri..

hope you enjoy making your projects..let us know how it goes

New Kits, companion projects and Creative Friends..

I'm really excited to blog about the launch of the first of The Crafts House new kits..

the "Owl Kit"...

..each kit includes:- wood,papers,paint,wire, embellishments,photo and instructions. Cost £7.50

..as well as being able to purchase the kit you will also be able to access a tutorial to show how to make each project..

...there's more.......

We also have more very exciting news for you today...

The Crafts House and Lucie the Happy Quilter have joined the Creative Friends and are launching their very first companion projects. The Crafts House and Lucie the Happy Quilter have decided to create these owl themed projects for your crafty fingers to work on.  Lucie the Happy Quilter is offering the "Owl Block Keeper.”

and....

The Crafts House is offering ........the "Owl Kit" 

“To celebrate the launch of the first Creative Friends companion projects launch we have decided to hold a giveaway. If you are interested in winning one set of companion projects, that means both projects, of which there are three sets to giveaway, please post a comment on both blogs to be entered in the draw. The names will be picked on Friday 11th May..

..a journey of a lifetime begins with one step..

..really liking these words

..i painted these pages a little while ago..quickly brushed on some watered down  jade acrylic paint, when it was dry i added some antique rose with sequin waste and used gel medium to attach tag and paper hearts

..i added shading around tag and hearts with burnt umber water colour pencil...added some very primitive daisy's then painted the daisy's with Antique rose

..i then painted long stems with green paint..

..the flower centers are splodges of black paint with dots of white paint..a couple of words added with gel medium..

..then to the doodling ...the fun time...

..couldn't resist the little heart and swirly doodles..

I will be adding to these pages as i go..i love that in journals you can jump back and forward between pages as the mood takes you..i was asked the other day when is a page finished?? i keep going with a page til i'm happy..art journals i think are about making art for yourself..its a bonus if others like it too..

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2 more sleeps---------

..it's in the words..

Enthusiasm  is excitement  with  inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.

..5..4...3...2..1...

...Shape of the Month..

..the Shape of the Month for May is.....

..a ribbon spool..i thought it would be a good idea to be practical this month

..i have one of these in my kitchen wrapped with jute...so cute

spool before the ribbon went on..

..thinking this might be a gift idea for family this year..

..this one i covered with craft paper..

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..countdown continues..another step nearer..