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

"Embracing the Passion", Mother's Day

Kerryanne is starting a new and exciting on-line course called "Embracing the Passion" http://www.shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

As this is her 200th post Kerryanne has a great offer going on.  You would do yourself a favour by checking out this talented, creative blogspot.

My Mum came down for a few days of pampering over the weekend (late Mother's Day gift)  My three sisters, Mum and I went to Burnbank Estate for a Day Spa retreat.  We had a wonderful day consisting of eating, drinking, facials, massages, pedicures and manicures. 

I feel like a new woman!

Have a great week, Hugs,

Anna

Heaps going on!

Hi Ladies,
You may want to grab a cuppa, I have quite a bit of show and tell. 

There have been a few new baby's arriving in this world.  I've painted some personal gifts with their birth details on them.

The carriage I designed with a boy in mind and the bassinets for the girls. 

Congratulations to all the new parents!

Do you remember the stubborn little purse I couldn't turn out(last post), well that's the one in the front. I decided to make a couple more. 

The one on the left is for a dear friend who LOVES animal print and she's going to Bali on the 1st June-I thought a make up bag would be the perfect little pressie.

I finished off these tea towels that have been waiting for button holes and buttons.

Ah, now that I know how to line a bag and I'm a little bit better at sewing-I had a go at making this little girly bag.

Do you remember the generous Vikki from Sew Useful Designs offered this free pattern for Mother's Day. I did change the design a bit.

Oh, I even had a go at using Parisian Essence and dyed the fabric. (not very clear in the photo).

Yesterday I had a beautiful day out with a couple of close friends.  We went up to the Dandenong Ranges and visited Sassafras and Olinda.  While in Sassafras we had to visit the famous Miss Marples Tea Room and enjoy a scrummy lunch!

Shh, I won't be telling you all how naughty I was, I just about had to be rolled back to the car.

Here are two of my dear friends Heather and Syndi.

We went into every shop in this quaint little town and I purchased a few goodies.

This shop is absolutely gorgeous. Tea Leaves  I purchased a tea pot, cups and of course some China Rose Tea leaves that I shared with my students this morning.  I've now decided I should collect these cute little tea pots!

While I was sitting down having a rest nearing the end of the day, I noticed these Buddha's.  Of course I took this photo thinking of a couple of blogging buddies of mine-Serena and Lee.

Lee "ArtfulLee Designed" has just recently got back into blogging.  She's a very talented artist.  If you have a moment pop in and say hello to Lee.  I know she'll appreciate your comments on her beautiful art work.

Ah, Phew, that was a long post.  A couple of new pieces for OPAM as well.

Happy Painting, Stitching, Creating until next time. Hugs, Anna

Latest Painting and Sewing

Hi Ladies, Thank you for popping over to my blogspot  and leaving your kind comments!

I've just started painting a series of Australian birds.  This is my first piece/design a Kingfisher!

Here is cute little purse I've made after visiting Vicki's at Tozz's Corner blogspot.  Vicki inspired my good, crafty friend, Michelle and I to have a go at this.  If you pop over to Janet from Quiltsalott blogspot, you'll find a fantastic tutorial there. Thank you Janet.

At least once a week Michelle and I get together and sew and/or paint.  You see, Michelle is a very talented patchwork/sewer and I'm the Artist. We share ideas and help each other out.  

Another cute patchwork purse, that I can't turn out the right way (the zipper is stuck) My 19 year old son (mechanic) couldn't get the zip to work either. 

Grrhh, Do you know how impatient I am with things like this? 

 When I figure it out, I'll pop up a picture. 

Here is another piece Michelle and I worked on together. Oh, Michelle made her own bag.  This design was found in the Handmade magazine. This is my first bag with lining, handles and all.  I'm absolutely thrilled with the outcome.

I must add these to my OPAM list now.

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

Hugs, Anna

Frangipani's & Shabby Roses

Hello, Thank you for coming over and seeing my latest pieces!

I've finally finished painting these frangipani's.  There were a bit flat until I added Atelier Oils over the top of the Acrylics, now to wait until the oils dry to Varnish the canvas(that may take a while, it's just turned to nasty cold weather here in Melbourne)

I've been working on this Shabby Roses Quilt on and off for about six months now. Phew, I finally got it finished and I'm very happy with the results. My OPAM for April-Yeah!

 I did choose my own colours, and added Scolloped borders (that's a first for me, I had to learn to cut bias a different way) This pretty design is compliments of Jenny of Elefantz  Jenny very generously offered this design as a Free Block of Month last year.  I'm know you can still purchase the design from her.

I was given this "One lovely Blog award" by Anne at http://elmilagrostudio.blogspot.com/ Thank you Anne.

Anne is a great photographer, artist and comedian. Hm, I'm not sure she means to be a comedian but I quite often laugh at her posts.

Happy Painting, Creating, Stitching or designing,

Hugs, Anna

Another bag, Faux Cakes

Here is another bag I've just finished painting.  I'm going to send the bags to my Mum to sell.  She lives in a small coastal town called Eden.

Have you heard the news? 

Kerryanne of Shabby Art Boutique is selling her "Secret Recipe" for faux cakes.  I have the recipe and I've had soo much fun making cakes this week.

My guys are really dissapointed because they aren't REAL and can't be eaten.

What do you give your son's female friend for her birthday?

I'm giving Donna a Faux cake and a wooden birthday card (Yes, also one of Kerryanne's designs).

Can you tell how much I like Kerryanne's designs?

Oh, maybe I should have called this Kerryanne's post! lol
I hope to post early next week with my latest OPAM.
I'm just adding the finishing touches to my latest quilt.
Hugs, Anna

Latest paintings

Here are a couple of my latest designs painted onto Calico Bags.

Ah, Holidays are great for anyone that needs inspiration.  I have another beach babe in mind, I just wanted to show you what I've been painting.

Now, What will I do with all these bags?  I could give them away as gifts or I could sell them.
How much do you think I could sell them for??
Your comments and advice are always great appreciated.
Hugs,
Anna

South Coast-Eden

Gosh, lots going on while I was away. I came home to Handmade magazine and so many of my friends are in the latest issue.

Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique has a feminine Rose design painted on a picket.
Kris from Tag Along Teddies has the most adorable Teddy named Annie Rose.
Vicki from Tozz's Corner has made a cloth doll named Miss Mipsy, (I didn't know Vicki made dolls)
Jenny from Jenny of Elefantz has made Shabby Roses Cushion.
Vikki from Sew Useful Design has designed a stitchery called "A Mother's Love".
Val from Val Laird has designed a cute bird house pin cushion. Heaps of thing to add to my "TO DO" list.

While I'm on the subject of crafty friends and blogspots I'd I've a friend that's just started blogging. Her name is Michelle from Crafty Chookie. Pop on over and check out her blogspot when you get a chance.My family and I have just come back from the South Coast. We stayed at a place called Eden and visited a lot of the towns near by Pambula, Tilba Tilba, Bermagui, Merrimbula, and I took over 400 photo's(sunrises, sunsets and lots of ideas to paint)I walked along the beach everyday.

I just couldn't believe the price of fuel!

This place was so tranquil,(Quarantine Bay) I could have stayed there for hours watching the Pelicans and the fishermen coming in from out at sea.