Weekend away

Hi Friends, thanks for popping in*

Last weekend I went on a painting conference held by True Blue Decorative Artists.

On the Friday afternoon I attended Vicky Phelps workshop "Beads, Bangles and Baubles".  We painted our piece onto Canvas using Atelier Interactive Paints then sewed on the beads.  Applied the canvas to the tin and used Glue and lots of coloured Textured Paste to finish off the edges.

On Saturday I attended Lee Clements workshop painting the "Purple Iris" also using Atelier Interactive Paints.  I haven't taken a photo as my piece isn't finished but you can pop over to Lee's blogspot and look at her gorgeous painting.

On Saturday night we great meal and danced the rest of the night away.

Up bright and early on Sunday to attend another great workshop with Robyn Sherer

"By The Old Dead Tree"

This was is a Multi Media piece using a tree branch.  We extended the branch with wire, clay and texture paste.  The painting is done using Acrylic and Oil paints.  Some used pencils over the top.

I recently participated in a ATC swap host by Janet and Lee.  My swap partner was Sophie and silly me forgot to take photo's before posting them. You can pop over to Sophie's blogspot to check out our ATC'S.

Live Joyfully,

Hugs, Anna

Farm & Painting

Hello friends, Thanks for stopping by*

Hubby and I have been spending a bit of time on our friends farm helping erect post and rail fencing.

I was lucky enough to have my camera and take this photo a few days after this foal was born.  Isn't he just gorgeous giving Mummy kisses.

This was the beautiful sunset over the back hill on Saturday evening as we were packing up for the day.

Last week I participated in a workshop run by True Blue Decorative Artists.  The teacher was Rachel Baker who instructed us on watercolour techniques and added some bling to our mermaid. Thank you Rachel, great relaxing workshop.

This weekend I'm taking off for a painting conference held by True Blue Decorative Artists.  You can check out the workshops on offer here: http://www.tbda.org/conference.html

I'm sure we'll have plenty of fun at the "Baubles, bangles and beads" conference.

Happy creating! Hugs, Anna

Paint, OPAM

Hello Friends, Thanks for popping in*
Remember a few posts ago I was telling you about demonstrating at the Craft Fair, Chroma Australia have added a post and pictures to their News page regarding the event!  Oh, what a buzz!

I've probably broken the rules here with Zentangles,{being on a purple background} so lets just call it doodling if your an expert!

Hm, can you tell I like the colour Purple?  This pencil case/make up bag is for a special friend of mine, who also likes Purple!

OK, another OPAM for this month, that makes three.  Oh, I think I'm ahead except if you look at Peg and Kris's blogspot. They are the two lovely ladies running OPAM.

Here is my first handmade Christmas decoration for this year.This design is one of Kerryanne's new designs from her Christmas range.
You can check out Woodberry Design website.
 http://woodberrydesigns.com.au/
See you around blogland,
Hugs,
Anna

Art, Art and a touch a sewing

Hello Friends,

OK, I'm late!  This is a pencil case I made for my July's OPAM. 

I finally decided I should decorate the front cover of art journal {it's nearly full} I've used Texture Paste, Lace, Impasto Gel, Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf and Opal Dust.

This is a Multi media piece using Texture paste, Opal dust, fabric and a piece of Paper towel.

This is the opposite page using different colours but similar techniques.

I'm happy to share any of these tips and techniques with you.  Just leave a comment or email me.

The next two pieces are designs by my creative, friend Lee. This piece was published in the latest Australian Fine Art, decorative painting magazine.

Lee's original piece is painted on three large canvas's and looks absolutely fantastic.

They were very relaxing, stunning pieces to paint.

If you have a chance, pop over and visit Lee @ http://artfulleedesigned.blogspot.com/

Lee has a post {Revitalized Paper Craft} on the Chroma website on how she has decorated three gorgeous pieces which you can get step by step instructions for.

Thanks for stopping by, Happy Creating,

Hugs Anna

Craft Fair in Melbourne

Hi, Thanks for popping in!

I was at the Melbourne Craft Fair yesterday.  WOW-sooo many like minded people to see and chat with.

I demonstrated techniques using Chroma Products on the BFDA stand.  I don't think I've ever spoken non-stop for that long about something I'm so passionate about!

Here's a picture of Rachel and I demonstrating in front of the BFDA stand.

Rachel conducted the Make and Take workshop in Craft Circle, while I continued to demonstrate and she came back with this lovely gift tag for me! 

Thanks Rachel.

After a quick break I did the run around from stall to stall.  I say run around because I normally spend all day at the Craft shows and go back and purchase what I really need after checking out all the stalls.  Hm, yesterday, I only had a couple of hours and it was dangerous!  No running back to get anything, not enough time {I just had to buy it then and there}.

Here's a picture of my goodies I purchased yesterday.  A quick stop by Giggle Buttons and met Kez & Elisa.  I also found a few art supply stalls. 
One lovely helpful lady was Ange at http://www.scrapware.com.au/ I also stopped and introduced myself to Pam from Cottage Garden threads.  Oh yummy, I could stitch almost anything using these threads and of course some pretty lace was purchased from Lace Cottage for sewing and in my art journals.  Oops, Being on the run, I forget to take pictures. Not very good blogging.
Happy Painting,
Hugs,
Anna

Craft & Quilt Fair

Hi, thanks for stopping in for a visit.

This is one of my latest pieces.  Lots of Faux Backgrounds using a variety of different Jo Sonja Mediums, on a large canvas.

Are you going to the Craft & Quilt Fair. 

Its on in Melbourne starting Thursday, 22nd July.

I'll be there on Friday morning demonstrating at the BFDA stand, E18 then helping my friend Rachel conduct a Make and Take workshop in Craft Circle 3 at 12.30pm

If you are at the show on Friday, please stop by and say Hello.  I'd love to meet some more blogging friends!

I'm really getting into the spirit here.  My good friend Robyn suggested I paint a pair of shoes.

So here they are-Crackled Iridescent paints over my old black shoes.  I wore them yesterday and all my students think they're "So Cool" my family of three guys think "I'm nuts".

What do you think?

Thank you for stopping by* Hugs, Anna

Short break on the Sunshine Coast of Australia

Here are a few photo's from our short break on the Sunshine Coast.

We stayed at The Waves in Maroochydore. 

This was the view from the balcony over looking the Maroochy River.

Early morning sunrise over Maroochy River.  I love the reflections on the water in this photo and I would never get sick of this view! Ah, the serenity!

We went four wheel driving along Teewah Beach. 

I just got a glimpse of the camel riders before they took off for a ride along the beach.

The highway here is forty miles of road along the shore. The road is speed limited to 40, 60 and 80 kilometres an hour. The road ends at Rainbow Beach.

One morning was spent at the Eumandi Markets.  This must be the biggest market I've ever been to!

We visited a small town called Montrose with lots of unusual shops and beautiful tree lined streets.

We went on the Catalina, Noosa cruise boat along the Noosa River.  There was a Jazz band playing while we were cruising along, drinking and dancing. OK, now I know I'll dance to anything. Now I'm back to reality in cold, windy Melbourne today.
Looking forward to retiring, becoming a grey nomad and moving to the warmer climate during winter. lol

Self portrait, OPAM

I know it's been a while since I've posted.  I've been very busy in my studio creating.

I've been attending Kerryanne's online class(Embracing the Passion)  in Art Journaling.

If you get the chance, I highly recommend participating in one of Kerryanne's online courses.

After a lot of inspiration and confidence, I started this self portrait last night.  Of course it's not finished.  I think with something like a portrait, I'll be going back looking, and making changes for weeks to come! 

Ah, now that I've posted it, I can see there are changes to be made.

Phew, I've been soooo busy in my studio, I nearly didn't get a OPAM done this month.
These jeans were kindly donated by my nephew AJ, (Thanks AJ) that I've turned into a bag.  I added some simple embellishments.
Happy creating,
Hugs*Anna

Series of birds, ME page

Thank you for visiting my blog spot.  I appreciate every one's visits and comments!

 Brrhh- Its very cold, wet, and windy here in Melbourne today, so I cranked up the heater and spent the day in my studio playing.

This is my second bird in the series I'm painting at the moment.

I am now into my second week of "Art Journaling" with Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique and I'm loving it.

This page is a little bit about "ME" and my visit to Italy.

Pink Roses

I've been busy this week prepping pages in my Art Journal, doodling, and reading notes for the new course I'm doing on-line with Kerryanne. 
I did manage to varnish this piece that I painted last week. 
Do you have free (ME) time these days? 
I feel life rushing by and one day rolling into another now!

There is one thing that has slowed me down this week-a Soft tissue injury to my left hand. (Yes, I'm a lefty)I can't sew, knit and my art work has been limited. I hope nothing serious ever happens to my left hand, I would be one very frustrated, cranky, artist and Mum.
Hugs,
Anna