'Nostalgia' at the Stone House

Today I'm feeling particularly creative. I've been sorting out my baskets filled with fabric, beads and ribbons etc and getting all 'Christmassy'. Well, with only a couple of weeks to go I thought I'd better get cracking! The only problem was 'where to start?'
So I scoured the web for ideas and came across an amazing site. If, like me, you're a lover of collectibles, antique fabrics, pretty china, memorabilia and all things vintage etc, you simply MUST check out this wonderful new book/blog/website:

http://nostalgiaatthestonehouse.blogspot.com/2008/10/welcome-to-my-book-launch-party



It certainly inspired me (and it's firmly on my Christmas list!)

Waxing Lyrical

I apologise if you've already read this post on my 'Painting Skiathos' blog.
As I work in London throughout the winter months, from today, I will be posting all new art (non-Skiathos 'painting holiday' related) posts, here, on my regular art blog, instead. Hope it won't be too confusing!

Last week I spent a wonderfully creative day in the company of friends, making cards.



Usually a fund raising event, it is hosted annually by my dear friend Christina at her gorgeous London Mews house. A group of us get together and with all the cutting and glue-ing, pasting and painting (not to mention constant chatter and laughter!) the hours pass so quickly!



Each brings their own techniques to the table and today the highlight was learning how to use encaustic (hot) wax and iron.



It produces really interesting and unexpected results:



Within every sheet one's imagination can run riot and it's easy to 'see' so many different images,

shapes and forms that, when cut out, can make fabulous cards in their own right:



It was great fun but we managed (without too much difficulty!) to tear ourselves away and clear the decks for a delicious bite to eat and some of Christina's amazing apple crumble



Then it was back to work:




Thank you Christina!

Where it all happens!

Gosh! What a busy, busy week! I didn't imagine it would take so long to get back here but, oh well, here I am. It all began with me having a bit of a blitz on my studio. Normally I'm quite happy to work in 'organised' chaos but when it gets to the stage that I can't find anything - including any free space to work in, well, something's got to be done!
So here's the studio all tidied up: (I thought you might like to see it before it gets all messed up again!)

This is where I do most of my small illustrations. Everything I need is close to hand, including some of my favourite images which help to provide inspiration.
I'm working on three projects simultaneously at the moment; two very humorous books (one about dogs, one about a pig) and a series of small water colour paintings, as well as my own Christmas card!




I've also got two large acrylic paintings on the go. I have to finish them by Christmas and I can't show them yet as they're surprise gifts - but I'll be posting them on here later.

The third area in the studio is the desk where I do all my computer work; sending emails, editing photos, uploading images to all my websites and writing my blogs etc:

And finally, the bookshelves and work table area where I make all sorts of crafts and collages using textiles, ribbons, beads fabrics etc.


Of course I'm not always beavering away in the studio! Often I'm out and about and usually with camera in tow. I've just finished 4 exciting new photography collections You can see in these scrolling galleries in the side bar. All the images are for sale as framed or unframed PRINTS or as GREETINGS CARDS and can be ordered and shipped to your door.