Published again

Hello, I'd like to Thank everyone for visiting my blogspot and leaving such kind comments.

It seems like ages since I've visited blogland.

I have some exciting news. Today I received my "Fine Art & Decorative Painting magazine" (Volume 16 No. 11) as always I open up to the contents page to see the latest projects and artists and there in print is my name.

OK, another reason why I've been quiet besides some personal family issues. We (my family, friends and I) have been on a short holiday to Tasmania. We visited Hobart, Launceston, Port Arthur, Richmond, Mt Wellington, Salamanca market, Galleries and shopping. Apparently they have just had the worst winter in fifty years. Oh, I can vouch for that! It rained and was freezing most of the time we were there.

This photo was taken from Hobart looking towards Mount Wellington.

One of the highlights for my guys was visiting the Cadbury factory.

Here is a picture of the Cadbury Chocolate shop.

Back into the swing of things today, catching up on washing, bookwork and dreaming about our next holiday.

Take care, Hugs, Anna

Casual Student

My cousin had a lovely young lady-Svenni, come over as an exchange student from Germany nearly two years ago. We all got to know Svenni very well, going on holidays together and keeping in touch with her.
Svenni was the one that had to tell me "My son has broken his leg at the playground" and she did it in an ever sooo sweet way-if that's possible!
She has come back to visit us for six weeks and wanted to come and paint with me.
When Svenni came back, she gave me a great present-A German Painting book. While Svenni was here painting yesterday, I took this photo when she painted this piece out of the book.

Svenni also painted this calico bag from one of my magazines. The original artist is Tracey Sims.

Ah, I think I've got her hooked and she is very artistic and talented.

I gave her some paints, brushes and homework to play with while here. The sad news "Time Flys" and Svenni will be going home in two weeks.

It has been a pleasure getting to know Svenni and I'm grateful she has come into our lives.

Hey Svenni, When are you coming back?????

Hugs,

Anna

Multi Media Art

I've been playing around with Multi Media Art. This is the book before being decorated.
This is the book after adding lace, motifs, rhinestones and fabric puff paint.

This is a piece of MDF cut out. I've added lace to the bottom, then painted over the top.

The top of the cake has Texture Paste in small blobs then dry brushed with pastel colours.

I've added Opal Dust then fine pink glitter over the top for added sparkle.

I just want to add Thank you to the ladies who follow my blog, make comments and cheer me on.

Hugs, Anna

Christmas Painting

I was inspired to start my Christmas painting when the talented Kerryanne published her "Whimsical Doodle Booklet" recently. These designs are from Kerryanne's book.
I painted the designs onto Calico, then used Heat N Bond to adhere the painted piece to Christmas fabric, stitched around the Calico and for added strength and neatness I used Heat N Bond and attached another piece of fabric to the back.

I also want to touch up my skills on portraiture, so decided to do a couple of small pieces on Christmas decorations. These portraits are painted on 4 inch pieces of MDF. I can't decide if small or large portraits are easier to achieve!

What's new

This is my latest scrappy, raggy quilt. Sew easy and so much fun.

I also managed to get this little stitchery done. It's already been posted to New Zealand for a special person that's just had major surgery.

This is a Giggle button design that I picked up at the Craft show last week.

Oh, but I couldn't find which button was suppose to go on here.

Ciao for now.

Hugs,

Anna

Quilt & Craft Fair

Woah, what a weekend. I spent seven hours and ? money at the Quilt and Craft Fair.

My Friend, Michelle and I arrived at 9am on Saturday and I couldn't believe how many other ladies had the same idea of getting there early.

I just had to buy this gorgeous quilt pattern packet from Helen Dafter. It's called The Quote Garden and is along the same idea of scrappy quilting, however I needed to buy new fabrics for this one.

As you probably know I still have learner plates on when it comes to sewing! I've read through the pattern and I'm still a bit hazy about how to achieve scrap quilting. If you have any advice, please come forward!

I had to take a picture of this beautiful quilt. You know I'm into the scrappy thing at the moment. Um, sorry I'm not sure who achieved this beautiful piece of work, I only had room in my bag for my phone/camera and purse.

I stopped by Giggle Buttons and met the lovely Sonja. Oh dear, was this stall packed to the rafters, although I did manage to be served and just had to have a few stitcheries and buttons.

These were my favourite quilts at the show. Both quilts were hand painted then intricately quilted over the whole design. Wow, my mind boggles. Some very talented ladies.

I may have to visit my clever friend Cherrie for another sewing session to learn the scrappy thing, then I'll show you.

Hugs, Anna

Thank you ladies!

Thank you ladies for all the kind words and comments on my last post.

Looks like a need to make a date and book The Yarra Valley Grange for a painting weekend some time soon. It won't be a convention and the weekend will be available for all painters.
You don't need to be a member of any artist group.
Please let me know if you're interested and I'll start making my list.

Thank you Sue from http://sue-niven.blogspot.com/ for my very cute Thumb cushions.
There is a lovely story behind these thumb cushions and a tutorial on how to make them.

I'm off to the Craft and Quilt Fair in Melbourne tomorrow. I hear there is no paint, brushes or anything paint related, however I may find some inspiration or happy faces I know.

I may see you there at the Fair. Have a great weekend, Hugs, Anna

Whimsical Whiskers at The Grange

Hey, you may want to grab a cuppa. This is the longest post I've written.Phew, I think I've recovered from a hectic, wonderful weekend. A great time had by everyone that attended.

The Grange was lovely warm, cozy and had great food over the weekend.

The SFDAV held their convention at The Yarra Valley Grange in Warburton.
We had some lovely interstate teachers come along, they were Wendy Ness and Janet Klepatzki.

Oh dear, so many things to take, think about and organise, I forgot to pack one of the main raffle prizes. I quilted this panel about six months ago for us to raffle on the weekend. I was sooo excited about the convention finally being here I forgot to pack it in the car, Oooops. The lucky lady, Toni was one of the first tickets pulled out and she chose this quilt as her prize.

Hm, I think I need to ask Santa for a new Camera, all my pictures seem blurry!

Up bright and early on Saturday morning for my first workshop.

I painted the Baby Leopard with Robyn Sherer.

If you ever have a chance to paint with this very talented teacher, then don't hesitate. This was a multi media piece using Jo Sonja acrylic paints, pencils and then glazed over with Archival oil paints.

As my title reads the theme for the weekend was "Christmas in July". Here is everyone dressed up for the Saturday night party, games, dancing and fun. I'm the silly snowman front right of the photo.

Sunday morning was my turn to teach. This piece is called "Oriental Theme" I used Jo Sonja Artists Acrylics. Over the top we've used Iridescent paints and Pearl White, then each petal, flower, butterfly is outlined in Rich Gold.

A photo of the class nearly finished. Oh, excuse the light coming off my varnished piece.

Sunday afternoon I attended Effie Carayannis "Santa's Sleigh" workshop. This is an Oil Rouging technique on a ceramic plate using Archival oil paints. As you can see I haven't quite finished. I need to add paint to the baubles and some more shading.

Ok, Everyone that attended had such a great time, I've already been already been asked when is the next weekend. Soooo, I thought I will organise a weekend at the same place for around Spring time without workshops being organised. Just bring along any UFO's or other projects you would like to paint. Of course the cost would be cheaper and this weekend will be open to anyone. Drop me a line if your interested and I'll let you know the details. Email Anna

Ok, now on to some other news; I've been tagged with my first Lovely Blog Award from Shabby Raggy Roses. Actually its my second tag, but I was the new kid on the block then and didn't know what or how to use it.

So now I have to pass on this Lovely Blog Award onto another ten blogs.......................

Hm, this is a hard one. There are lots of lovely, talented, genorous ladies out there, but here goes

1 Shabby Art Boutique

2 Country Wishes

3 Gail & Tony Mc Cormack

4 Tozz's Corner

5 Jenny of Elefantz

6 Sew Useful Designs

7 Tuppence Crafts

8 Mon Cherry

9 Art by Serena Lewis

10 Artistic Acents by Darla

Here are the rules of this award:

*Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

*Pass the award onto 10 other blogs that you have newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Happy Painting, sewing or crafting until next time.

Hugs,

Anna

Whimsical Whiskers at The Grange

I've been working on a committee for a Convention to be held this weekend at The Grange in Warburton.
Its been in the makings for a long time with so much to organise for The Society of Folk & Decorative Artists of Victoria.
The theme is "Whimsical Whiskers at The Grange".
We have heaps of lovely workshops organised, lots of fun, games, and even a fancy dress on Saturday night.
I can't tell you too much because that may spoil the surprise for anyone coming.
I'll be sure to take heaps of photo's and fill you in when I get back.

Hugs,
Anna

Doe a Deer

My latest design was painted for a dear friend of my Mum's.

I used Jo Sonja's Artists acrylic paints and added some Texture Paste medium on parts of the Deer's horns.

Here is a close up photo of the deer. Oh, sorry about the blurry picture.

Do you think my son is feeling better? This is what I woke to find on the bench a few days ago. I had a little chuckle to myself and thought I'd share it with you.

The note reads "Big Hole in this, due to poor sewing, nothing to do with being thrown. Thanks" Very cheeky boys!

This is a wheat bag that didn't have a hole in it before I went to bed.

Now, I must teach my son to sew this up.

Hugs,

Anna