ArtyFartyAnnie

 As one of the Valentine Specials on my YT channel, I did a really quick and easy page in my Wreck This Journal. The prompt for this page was to fold the page, make cuts and unfold ... This is the Technicolor version of WTJ, so the page was already a lovely shade of red - I just added a layer of clear packing tape before I started to fold and cut the paper, to make it more sturdy and give it a nice shiny finish. Very easy and fun to do and I like the different texture in the book.  If you would like to watch the process, check out the video on my YouTube channel . Thanks very much for visiting me today, see you again soon!  Annie xoxo

 Inspired by the wonderful work of Sarah, Rachel and their Mum, Juju, over at Roxy Creations , I decided I just HAVE to join in with their slow-stitching project for 2022 - "Roxy's Journal of Stitchery".  They started back in December with stitch sampler pages and from January onwards they're doing a page each month, with different prompts for background and theme which they pull at random. So I have some catching-up to do, but as it's all fairly easy-paced I'm sure that won't be a problem. I really enjoyed pulling together all my supplies for the project, probably waaaaaaay more than I need ... I started with one of my treasured vintage Ladybird books to use as the cover of my journal, then I picked out a selection of threads, trims, fabrics and scraps, taking my colour scheme from the gorgeous illustration on the cover.  If you would like a closer look at my collection of supplies, check out the video on my YT channel. Hopefully I'll be showing the f...

 Working on another page in my Create This Book, this time the prompt was to create a monochrome page, so I thought I'd have another bash at negative painting, but using Inktense pencils this time to see if it works. Here's how it turned out ... Starting with a layer of white gesso, I built up the painting in five layers, then after it was completely dry I went back in with a black coloured pencil to add more definition and contrast. I like how it ended up, reminds me of a children's book illustration - for a slightly scary book maybe :) If you would like to watch the process, check out my YouTube video. Thanks for stopping by today, see you again soon! Annie xoxo

 Well, my first ever live stream on You Tube went really well, way beyond my expectations. Lots of people joined in, it was so much fun "meeting" some of my subscribers and it was lovely to have everyone chatting away with me and each other.  My son Tom was with me IRL for emotional as well as technical support - making sure everything was working properly and that I didn't chicken out at the last minute! Thanks Tom, I couldn't have done it without you xo The plan was to make three watercolour paintings - two with paints and one with watercolour pencils. As it turned out, I didn't finish a single one of them during the stream, but I made a good start and I've been finishing them off camera. Here's the first one, using the negative watercolour painting technique and finishing with a black fineliner ... This technique is easy and addictive and works really well with other shapes, such as trees or hearts. You need to dry each layer before starting the next on...

 Oops!! I forgot to post pictures of the last FOUR weekly boho bunting pennants. I'm really enjoying these - the fabrics from the Bazaar scrap bags are so colourful and gorgeous and I'm learning new techniques as I go along ... For example, I've learned how to add mirrors with Shisha embroidery and tried stitches I'd never heard of, such as Palestrina stitch. I've particularly enjoyed turning scraps into beautiful things, like the tatty tassels you can see in the photo above and the boho beads I made this week, which you can see in the picture below ... If you would like to see how these came together, check out the Boho Bunting playlist on my YT channel.  Thanks for popping in today, see you again soon.  Annie xo