Last post in 2012.

My hope for 2013

 

I've made a mandala and put my hope for coming year into it. To me my hopes are clear, but you might read it as you want to. The mandala is made the same way as always, only difference is that I used a A-3 sheet this time.
I planned on using my new ideas but it's so relaxing to make a mandala that I forgot to think about it. Next time I'll have to write myself a note to keep close when I'm working.
Some of the keywords for this mandala are: safety, unfolding, courage, protection, breaking new ground. It didn't turn out as I planned it but that's ok. I'm pleased on how clean it looks and airy. That's new.

We're going to celebrate the new year quitely, as always. Our choise.
I hope your celebration will be a good one too.

Happy New Year to all of you!

FUN!

 

Yesterday I bought some (alot of ) new colorpens,

 and of course I had to try them. I was so facinated by using a waterbrush to wash them out so that's what I did. I made a fairly small drawing to color and had lots of fun. Here is the sketch overdrawn with micron pen.

I used alot of different colors, but still just half of what I bought. First thing first, ehhhh they're not that good together with water. Perhaps some practice will help. Inspite of that I still love these pens. I've used them for nearly two years, it was just that I discovered the water thing a couple of days ago. The background in my painting is done with WS crayons. I love the result and started thinking of doing a sketch a week, make something from my daily life. By the end of the year I would have 52 sketches telling my doings. But, I have turned so wise now that I don't settle for long term doings. I know better than that. Good idea though.

Right now I'm making another mandala, a large one this time. It's so funny that I, impatient me, love to do these tiny little lines. But I really do and it's calming, probably just what I need. You should try it, no rules free to do whatever you want to. I've also learnt that the penwork in the end hides any mistakes or color out of its way. This mandala is made as my wishes for coming year, and I'll share it with you tomorrow as my final post of 2012.
Untill then.

At least some journaling.

 

 It's been too long since I made anything but food!

In between the Holidays, all the meals, the expectations, gatherings, presents and reading the presents I found some time to make a mandala. The first question I ask myself is: why don't I do this more often? It's so relaxing and it gets my creative juices flow.
I had a background page, nothing great, and decided to use it for my mandala. I made the circle and painted over with white gesso. After some time I made the design and below is what it looked like when I started.

Just when I started to write this post I discovered some new ideas that I'll have to try. Probably more mandalas coming. I found my colouring pens and did the color job. Alot of my pens were dry so I'll have to buy some new ones this week. I discovered that my pens can be used together with a waterbrush too and that increases the use of them alot. Finished coloring it looks like this.

Now the real fun begins. Black micron pen 005 is what I used. I spent hours with that pen alone, and that's the best part. My thoughts flew and I was in a completely different world. No expectations, no meal makings, no dishwashing, no nothing. Just me and my pen. I returned to my family refreshened, and with alot of new ideas. Isn't it strange how a few hours and a pen can make such a differens?

Below is the result, not my best mandala but the first one for ages. And the important thing, it made me think new thoughts. What if I try...........

I do look forward to try my new ideas. I think they will lead to new and different mandalas.

I've had a good Christmastime and I hope you you've had too. Now I'm looking forward to a brand new year and what creative stunts that might bring.

Mail Love.

 

I am the luckiest girl on the planet right now!

As I mentioned in my former post I got a package in my mailbox some days ago. The minute I saw who sent it, my heart started beating like a racing horse, and for good reasons. It's funny, in the age of nearly 55 I finally got my own America package. That is, a package in which I didn't know the content. I've heard of it since I was a little girl. America package is a very special and well known term where I live. Way back it was chewing gum that was the hottest, and lots of other stuff too. Now, the hottest is art! ( for me anyway)

See the beautiful handmade card on top?

Janet, my friend, you're my hero!

I first got to know Janet's blog a couple of years ago, and I clarely remember that the first pieces of art I saw were some cute funny girls wearing hats. They were made for a postcard swap. I fell in love instantly and have been following her since then. She makes some pieces called wintergirls too, and I have been dreaming of owning one of them. Guess what??
YES....I'm now the proud owner of one of her wintergirls. Yayyyyyy! And my girl is a real special one too.

Meet Miss. Millie.

 
As you see Millie  likes to be out even in the winter and she is quite a busy bee. She's an entrepreneur and a smart one too. She's in the last stages of opening her own Dress Shoppe and right  now she's on her way to meet with her advertising agents. She has asked them for some good ideas to her new businesscards. You see, Millie has been a great collector of dresses from the 50's and now found it was time to do something serious about it. These days that kind of dresses are more attractive than ever before and, of course, as the smart girl Millie is she knows that.

The next thing I found in the package was this beautiful piece. How cool of Janet to make me a piece that express my profession in such a great way. Janet knows that I'm an educated dressmaker and her idea couldn't suite me better. Have a look at the details, what a clever idea!

First thing that meets Millie, when in the agents office, is this great image of a dress and her newly made sign for the Shop. She emediately fell in love and signed a contract with them to print it as her businesscard. Out of the office again she thought of her next core, perhaps she should call up the models and meet with them as well since she had the time anyway. Yes, she called them and set up a meeting. Millie had been advertising for models for awhile, she need someone professional to the show she's planning. Someone that can show her dresses in a perfect way. Of all the girls that were interested, she has picked out four to be her helpers. And now, she wants to discuss with them and let them try the dresses to see what dresses each girl will be presenting. Oh, I'm so excited Millie said to herself, if only the show will be a success half the job is done.

Last but not least I found these four girls (in my head they are models) included in the package. I remember Janet showed them on her blog, but it was never in my mind that they one day should belong to me. I'm so sorry you can't see the backgrounds properly, they are really something. Perhaps Janet will share her secret with us someday. It looks like the paint has been sanded or something, really interesting. I'm so glad for them and they will be part of a special "Janet display" I'm going to make. Janet is such a generous person, not in my wildest dreams I would think of getting all this art from her. The wintergirl alone was a dream come through, and then all the rest. Janet, a deep and heartfelt THANK YOU!

The meeting went well and Millie had this special feeling she gets when things looks good. Two more days and the show was on. All the invitations sent and everything else in place. Now it was just to wait and keep the fingers crossed. She was more than happy with the models too, so what could possibly go wrong? The show came and went and were a huge success, she opened the shop and  sold more dresses than she had ever hoped for. See, my Millie is a real special one!


If you haven't already been visiting Janets blog I highly recommend it, and not only a short browse. Take the time to dive into her arcives. Make it your Sunday morning routine. There are lots and lots of goodies. Some of the reasons I keep going back is first and foremost her art. I love what she does, and she does it with her own personal twist which attracts me. Another great thing is that she's an entertaining writer, often humourous which I also like. And, another fun thing is that each time I think I know her, she makes another turn and come up with something completely different and surprising. Which means, she owns the ability to renew herself, but still takes care of what's hers. I think you owe it to yourself to get to know this girl. She will surprise you, I promise!  Here is the link.

Are you still celebrating or do you make some art as well?

Oh, I forgot...

 

Just wanted to show you something I made for a private swap this year.

There was so much happening at the time that I forgot to show you. The photo below shows the piece in progress. It's pretty much done the same way as my cards for ihannas swap this autumn. Layers of tissue papers, handsewn (the waves) and painted with twinkling H2O's. The fishes are done using some seed capcules from a plant. That tecknique I learned by watching a film suggestion (inspiration link) from ihanna way back in time. Sorry that I don't remember the link.

Normally it isn't easy to photograph the twinks effect, but I was rather lucky with this one. You can see the shiny parts well. When all the painting was dried I glued the piece onto a sturdy cardboard and sealed it with a sheet of brown paper on the back.

Below is the finished piece. The black line at the bottom is a shadow from something it sits on and the stain in the lower righ cornert is a stain within my camera only. Now removed. Handyman fixed it for me.

The top layer of tissue wasn't pure white but had a shade of sand colour. It was very cool to  work this this way and I'll do it again for sure. I did the details when it was all mounted together, the white bubbles and the fisheyes. I was very pleased with this piece and she who received it liked it too, she told me.

The other day I got a big surprise in my mailbox, I'll tell you all about it in my next post that will be one of the days in between Christmas and New Years eve. Untill then.

Postcard swap.

 

I just had to make another post.

All 5 cards have arrived and they are all unike. That's a great thing with handmade postcards. One never knows  what to expect, and they always surprises me.

Otherwise I have been fiddling with my computer all day to fix an error in my netbank. After 3 hours I actually did fix it, and then I had to dance the Sundance for awhile. Yayyy, ME!!!
Handyman will probably not believe that I did it myself, you see, he knows me better than anyone else. Tomorrow is decorating day and then I'm ready for Christmas.  I'm so eager to enter my studio and make some stamps that I've thought of making for awhile now. Don't know if I can do them but I'll do my best.

Best wishes!

Merry Christmas!

I just want to wish you all a good and joyful Christmas.

Sandra and I have been making stuff this weekend and my Christmascard below is the only one from me this year. It was fun to make and it looks much harder to make than it is. The text, in Norwegian, says of course Merry Christmas. I'll post it on my facebook wall as well and then I'm done with cards this year.

I have these old Christmascards and thought I would share one of them with you.This card was sent from Ottawa Dec. 11th 1930, to Stavanger Norway.
It's a nice card and an envelope made especially to match it. Boy did they know how to do things back then!
It's impossible to buy, something similar to this, today. I had to use a flashlight so the image is a bit overexposed but that was the best I could do.

Otherwise the rain came as usual and now the amount of slush is incredible, but it decreases every minute so I'm glad. We had a blizzard friday night, it was more noisy than I can ever remember.
That's all for today, and I'm not sure I will write another post before Christmas so take care everyone and enjoy!

Oh my.......

Yes, we live in an arctic like country but still, we are not used to this.

Up north they do have alot of snow and winter, but in our parts of the country this situation is rare. Remember the photos from yesterday?

Today is different, now it looks like this.

We've had one meter of snow the last 24 hours. Alot of schools are closed and people are told to stay home from work. That is very rare here. Handyman drove to work early this morning and I wonder if he'll have to spend the night there. The forecast promis strong winds today and that will bring caos.

I'm so happy to stay home, to drive a car in this kind of weather isn't my strenght. Never was!

This was yesterday.

Today it looks like this.

Good to be online, gives us an opportunety to "travel" inspite of the weather. Sandra made it to school today but had to return home. School closed. We didn't see alot of snowmen yesterday, the children stayed indoors.
I just hope that the usual rain won't appear. Think of what slush that would bring. Well, I still have some baking to do, so I better get started.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

12.12.12

Amazing date, don't you think?

Excactly a hundred years till next time someone can use the same numbers to write the date. And 88 years untill the numbers are the same again. 01.01.01. Are you focused on numbers? Are you one of the people that counts everything? Stairsteps? Sidewalk stones? Houses in a row? Kettels in a field? Birds in a tree?

I'm a counter but I don't count everything listed above. My whole life I've been counting, just for the counting itself. Afterwards I don't remember the excact number. I've often wondered about this habit, where do it come from and why is it so? I'm not a person that HAVE TO DO IT, it's more like when I remember to count. That probably means that my counting is soon over, I mean, if remembering is important.

Today it's snowing, these large wet snowflakes you know. When I look out it looks like a Christmascard.

The children will love all the snow. I bet we'll see several snowmen later this evening. Handyman and I are taking Sandra to a photocourse this evening. She has chosen photography as her theme in 4-H next season and we thought it could be nice for her to learn using the camera.

I'm baking and am very pleased to stay indoors today. I never liked the snow. They announce on the radio that there are trafficjam all over today.
Right now I got a phonecall that cancelled the course, the leader was sick. Handyman will be glad to know, he has alot of snow to showel after dinner.

Take care!

The beautiful blue light.

Have I ever told you of the blue light we have around where I live?

It's been said that people do recognice it while driving from east to the south west part of our country. Today I did capture it with my camera. Wasn't planned, just an accident. I was going to photograph my doorwreths, and I didn't use a flashlight taking the first photo. Below you see the one using a flashlight and an irritating wire. It was the wreths I wanted to show you, just to tell that my washing is over and the decorating period has started.

Below you can see the blue light. One could almost believe I shot this photo before the daylight had appeared, but I didn't. It's in the middle of the day and that room is completely white. No other colour that could influence the light.

I did plan to start baking today but had to do other stuff, so tomorrow is the day. I'll make 3 sorts for sure, and maybe a fourth one. Two sorts will be bought, the bought ones are better than I can ever make them......good for me.
With that done I still have 14 days to enjoy. Couldn't be better. Right now I'm knitting a babyblanket. Soft and beautiful.  I'll show it when it's done. Plain white it is.

I hope you don't feel to stressed, it's such a blessing to just enjoy.

Still in hat mode.

I'm still making hats. 

Today I tried some new embellishment instead of flowers and I think it looks great. I'm also preparing for Christmas, so my days are rather busy. I like it though and it's easy when there are no dayjob to attend. This week I'm washing and next week I'm going to bake. After that I'll just enjoy!!

We have the most beautiful weather now, but freezing cold. Good and warm indoors though.  Well, I just wanted to show you what I'm up to and say hello.

I hope you have good days too.

Busy with all sorts of things.

This weekend Sandra is here and she will be next or the next after that too.

I've had my first sale in the new shop and that made my heart beat a little extra. I've sold a bikeseat cover, and many of you might think that I used the pattern from my earlier made cover. Well I didn't, I made a brand new pattern that fits the seat much better. Besides, if I did make a similar to the first one it would be called stealing. I can't hide though that I'm totally inspired from the first one, but I made it my own way.

This weekend I've made some hats. Sandras mum asked me to make one for her, I did and got totally inspired.  I  made the first one out of my head and experience, the second one I made in purpose to have a written pattern. After writing this post I'll start a third one, a white one. The orange one is for Sandras mum, I'm not sure she will like the band and the flower but I made them both removable. She specifickly asked for an orange one which I liked. That gave an oportunety to use the rest of the orange yarn.

As you see from the photo it has been snowing this weekend, and Sandra and I even have been rehursing all the Christmas songs. So, now we are prepared ! I almost feel like saying : Let the game begin!

I hope you've had a good weekend too.

Creative weekend.

I had alot of fun making a new product for my shop.

Even though I've made these small bags earlier, it took me alot of work to make this one. It's lined and that created some problems for me. The crocheted part is stretchy and the lining isn't. But after several tries I managed to make it as I wanted it to be. Have a look.

 The gloves and pearls are stash only, to make a sweeter photo. This particular photo isn't in use in my shop.
It was so fun making this bag, and I've used all kind of fibers. The fabric is linen and the lining is cotton.

I also got my swap-adresses this weekend, so it's time to ship my cards too. I ended up making more than needed so the ones below are the ones that will be sent.

I hope you've had a great weekend too!

Busy days.

 

I have used the last couple of days to prepare the opening of my shop.

For a long period of time I have been thinking of this, and now was the time. I plan to add alot more into the shop, but first I want to see if there are any responce. I have ordered some adverticement the next couple of weeks and hope that will help make my shop known. So, I'll take it from there.

Go have a look and let me know if you have any suggestions for changing things.

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I have made anotherone of my funny folk paintings with old words onto it. Todays word is difficult to translate, or more correctly I'm not quite sure what word to use. Perhaps one of you can help?

She's washing and? have alot going on, could I use the word struggling? You know, being busy with alot of things all day.

Oh boy, just when I was going to upload this photo I was told I have no storagespace left. I lost my head, my courage and my BLOG!! What to do???
Well, handyman fixed it. He simply bought me some extra storage. Oh, I love that man! Normally I don't loose my senses, I'm quite good at fixing things, but when it comes to tecknical stuff I'm lost. But, that's where handyman has his strength. How much luck might a girl have??

Take care !

A new idea.

 

I got some new ideas during the weekend.

A girl standing next to me sold potholders with funny animals on. You know, fabric printed with any kind of funny animals. When I saw them I got the idea to paint funny persons and add some text.
I have been discussing with friends lately about how our language is changing, and that it's sad with all these words disappearing. Old words filled with meaning are no longer in use, like the word Moster as I have told you about earlier. Even my son asks me for these old words. He knows that I know them and still uses them as often as the situation allows it.
My idea is to make some art pieces and include the words. These words are known only to people around where I live, other parts of our country have their own ways of expressing the same things. I have to admit that I take a special interest in these old words, so that's part of it too. It warms my heart that my son seems to have the same interest.  I hope to save the words by using them in my artwork. That's my idea.

Todays word or expression is: haurt saure? which means : heard such thing? Most often it's used when commenting a surprise, good or bad. I won't say it's negative but most often I've heard it used when commenting something as nonsens.
I think this can be a fun thing to do, and I'm also inspired from this blog. I'll never be as good as her to make the funny people but I'll make them my own
The painting abowe is my first try, and I was amazed to notice that her eyes reminds alot of one of my nieces.

Christmas market.

The weekend is over and it's time to sum up.

I didn't sell much. What did sell was the amigurumis, I had seven and could probably have sold more. There were alot of people visiting and there were a good feeling. In beforehand I had good expectations for my dolls but they didn't sell. Many people liked them though and smiled at them while passing. Too expensive I guess.
But, I learned alot and am not sad. I know what to do if I join in next year. This was my first time so I had much to learn, and I did. All in all it was a fun event. Both Saturday and Sunday a male choire visited and sang beautiful hymnes and Christmas songs. I love choires with male voices only, there's something special about that.

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I don't think I've told you about my latest purchase. I happened to stumble upon a book made by my all time favorite Christmas artist. I wrote about him before Christmas last year and wrongly called him Andreas Midthun. His name is Kjell E. Midthun. He has specialized on painting nisser, ( a combo of a gnome and a santa) The book contains alot of new images and I simply love them all. You can see some of the paintings here. if you choose to preview the book.

A favorite of mine, in this book, is a painting called Easy Rider, where Nissen rides a bike. Another one is called National grief, where Nissene are in grief because of July 22nd.

I'm so glad I found the book, and I already have bought some Christmas cards for sending this year.

I hope you've had a nice weekend too.

Christmas market and a trade.

 

 Finally the day has come.

Now I have no more time to speculate on how to do things, and that's good. This evening I was there to set up my space and tomorrow it all begins. This is a new experience to me and I have no idea of what people are searching for. I might have missed out on everything I made. Friends of mine that saw my things speaks well of it, so all I can do now is to wait and see.
It was fairly quick done to organize my things, I don't have too much. Many oyhers had lots and lots of goods. It wasn't easy to photograph in there, so you'll have to see some not that good photos. The bunad sacks are not mine, but I allowed her to use that space.

Can you spot my glasses in one of the shelves? It's so iritating, they're still there. I'll have to do without them untill I'm back to pick them up tomorrow.
 Please, keep your fingers crossed for me for this whole thing, I probably need it.

When I returned home this evening a wonderful surprise waited for me in the mailbox. Lee and I have a trade going and today her part arrived at my home, the same day as I shipped mine. This must be a good sign for coming weekend, I think. Thanks alot Lee for the beautiful card, I love it! And yes, it reached me in one piece.
To the rest of you, have a look, isn't it beautiful ?

Have a nice weekend everyone, mine is going to be busy I hope.

It sort of grew.

I have no idea of how many times I've been trying to write this post.

 

When I first realized  what this was all about, I couldn't find the words to explain it. If I wrote my posts in Norwegian it wouldn't cost me much, but in English it's much harder.
The monsterfish was made without any plans. I just sat down and worked on intuition. But something happened when I, at the end, added the text. I felt it needed some more.

Without further thinking I started to work on the next page and came up with what you see below. Still I had no plans other than to make a matching image. I added a quick little text and thought , yes, this is fun.
It wasn't before hours later it dawned on me what this really ment.
The monsterfish has it's focus on freedom, and the fishes in the bowl feels free too. I think that was what started my thinking.   Freedom, what excactly does that mean?
Why is it that a person loaded with obligations still feels free as a bird, while a person with long hours off duty doesn't feel free at all?
Freedom doesn't always have to be without limitations, to be within a "frame" and still feel free can be just as good and in many ways even better. When it comes to humans, I don't think one can feel real free without knowing and accepting the total of self. It's as easy and hard as that, I believe. This theme could be transfered to alot of other things too, but I'll leave it up to you to think for yourself.
Isn't it unbelievable what some fishes in an art journal can lead to?

See the flowers bottom left and top right? They're cut-outs from a papertowel, glued down with matte medium, drawn and painted when dry. Using the matte medium gives them a very interesting surface.

Sandra and I had a good time painting together. She is nearly done in her first art journal, so Saturday we went out to buy her a new one. Next time, we need to make her a cover for the finished one. She has asked for that. Maby we'll try to make her some paper-cloth for that purpose.

Time didn't excist.

 

I had a fantastic day yesterday.

I was working in my journal and didn't notice a thing before Handyman came back from work. I really felt how much I've missed it, that good feeling to just let go.
It was all about faces, hair (!!) and laces. Can you tell I had fun?
I often wonder how all these girls have enough space in my pencil, eh....they do live in the pencils, don't they? Who are they, why do they look as they do? I also wonder wether my girls looks the same or if they have anything in common. Is it possible to tell that I made these girls? No matter what, I have fun making them and I don't get bored of it either.
Notice her lace dress, I made it with my white pen and added some shadows. It looks quite real, doesn't it? I glued bookpaper patches onto the pages before starting my work. It's not all that easy to paint on top of that but it adds so much that it's worth the extra work.

I almost gave up on the one below. Not at any point she would cooperat. She was a struggle from start to end, but now I like her.  I used much less paint in her face and the letters shines through. At the beginning I didn't like it, but now I think it's cool. Notice her throat too. Sorry that you can't read the text but it says:

It's always a problem figuring out a great hairstyle while drawing.

Some times a rainhat makes a big difference in a girls life.

Her dress is special made for her, one of a kind worldwide. I always end up not knowing what to do below the throat. The dress is from a background paper I made awhile back, cut out and glued on top of something I disliked. Her arms, you ask..........pftttttttttt  she had to amputate them. But let me tell you, she's really good using her feet.

 They live next door to one another, and just as I write this I see that one is out-standing and the other withdrawn. It's the size that does it. My fish/monster had to wait, I so much wanted to make these girls.

I know I have to do this more often, it's just that there are so many other things I want to do too. Isn't that what we call a luxury problem?
Thanks for visiting, it's always so inspiring.

Art journaling.

 

I finally worked in my journal again.

It isn't excactly a Monet and it's far from done but at least I did something in my journal. You probably know how often we're looking for new items that can become good stencils. I found one yesterday. My old and well used glass ( can't find the word) in which I store my glasses. I cut up the sewing and voila........new stencil.

The only thing I need to get hold of is a good roller. Below is my first try, not bad. I'll have to make a new one for storage of my glasses,but these things happens from time to time.

The page was already paint when I start working. I added some clear tar gel to see if I could achieve a certain effect, but that didn't work well. I'll try it over again later on. The Monster / fish is a leftover from earlier projects. I have no clue on how this will end, but then again that's part of the fun.

I think I was inspired from the radio today, a childrens program, they were talking of a monster living under a childs bed.
Sandra is coming this afternoon so perhaps we will continue painting together.  Rainy and stormy so it suits well to stay indoors playing. Enjoy your weekend too!

Celebration.

 

We have a Birthday to celebrate here today.

Handyman was born in 1956 and today he turns 56, once in a lifetime for some of us. I had to make him two cakes, one to bring to work and one for this evening. He so much love a cake I make called Icelandic cake. Easy to make and tastes good.

Eggwhites, sugar, coconut mass and dark chocolate in bits. On top whipped cream with chocolate bits in it.

Whipped cream missing here 

There won't be any artmaking today, but I might continue planning my work for next year. My art journal has been abandoned for such a long time now, and that's the way it will be if I don't plan a bit. I am  making myself a plan for each Sunday next year or for once a week at least. I'm thinking of involving my senses ( pardon the pun), paint a feeling ......... make an ironic comment to last week's headlines, Paint my favorite music at the moment and so on. I think it might be fun and I'm going to vary it so each time will be very different from one another.
What about you, do you have any plans for next year?
I'm also researching another issue, thinking to make a series if I can get enough information.
I have a house to clean up,so this will be it for today.

Good friends are a blessing.

 

I signed up in the postcard swap after all.

The theme for this swap is empowerment, and as I was thinking of what to do/ how to approach it I got serious problems. Empowerment, how does one express that? The excact translation of the word made it even more difficult. Empowerment, it's an idea more than a single word and that's what makes it hard to nail the essence.
In the middle of my thinking a friend of mine came visiting, and she became my rescue. We were brainstorming, (she brained and I stormed.) She told me about the origin of the word, in which circumstances it arose and how it should be understood. Giving people the right tools to take care of their own lifes,among other things.  I'm overwhelmed by her knowledge, far beyond everything I know. Good friends are a blessing, and this particular one is close too.

To discuss with friends makes the whole picture clearer, the essence of things are brought to the surface in a much more effective way. I'm thankful and decided to make a card for her too.

When it comes to the swap, I have chosen to focus the importance of art. Art is an important tool in so many ways, and for some people the only way of opposing against their regimes. I don't think those people will participate in this swap though, but it's worth spending some moments thinking of it.

Four of my five cards for this swap. I used twinkling H2O's  painted and sewed on layered tissue paper. In fact I was in the middle of a process working with tissue paper, so it suited well to test my work making these cards. One more to go and I'm done. Fun doing and learning as well.

Here is the link to iHanna, not too late to sign up if you want to share the fun!

Be well and have fun this weekend!

In motion

 

My girl is done for now. I call it "Over here"

 I'll have to look at it for awhile to see if I'm pleased. It's not always easy to tell when in the middle of working. Her hair is done using Golden fluid acrylics, the fluids are a dream to work with but I'm not that happy for the shiny result though. Her shirt was painted over, mainly because I forgot myself and made the busy background. It's not the first time I paint over a magazine outcut, somehow I never feel comfortable using that when I'm working on canvas.

I'm up for a new trade and that always leads to great inspiration. Right now I'm working with tissuepaper, painting and sewing on it. I strongly consider to sign up for iHanna's postcard swap even though I'm quite busy at the moment. I missed it this spring and so much want to join in.
Things has been settled regarding to Christmas market. My friend and I will have two tables and that mean that I can bring my homemade "shop" I'm pleased with that, the dolls and shoes looks better in that invironment. The market is held 16th to 18th of November.
I'll leave you with this today, I have work to do.
Enjoy your day!

I almost forgot how fun painting is.

 

At last I sat down in my studio.

I started this painting awhile back and have, the last couple of days, been wanting to do something about it.
It's really nice to sit down and work without thinking of anything special. This is a WIP and I don't know how it will end. Right now I enjoy the process of making it.

Isn't it fun to see the changes during ones work, new expressions and new challenges. I never stop wondering how I always forget about all the fun of one thing while doing something else. The only thing I do know is that I'm far too little patient to be really good at anything. To be really good one has to practice all the time I believe. Having fun is the most important thing for me, and as long as I'm pleased it doesn't matter.

This painting is inspired from my blogfriend Janet, over at random acts of ART,she always seems to come up with new and surprising angles and ways to put her girls, so she inspired me to try something different myself.  I always feel it's troublesome to start mixing the skintone, but after some time it becomes easier.
As you see there are alot of work left on this one.

It's far too long since I worked in my journal too, perhaps it's time to do that now. I have a few things I want to try.
Last day in October, where did this month go? Very soon it's time for washing and polishing again, and I feel I just did it. Oh well, not think about that yet.

Have a play and be creative!

Moonwalking.

 

Late last evening we went for a walk in the moonshine.

My plan was to photograph our beautiful citypark, to show you the sculptures. Unfortunately all the water was drained out to have a cleanup so it'll have to be another time.
We have this channel and a pond in the middle of our city and it's a beautiful place. An artist, born and raised here but lived his life in Italy, donated the sculptures to our county.
There are a rich birdlife along the water, mostly ducks and some black swancouples too. Some of the sculptures are placed in the water and have lights mounted to light them up.

 See the moon? It was a clear and frosty night, the snow has gone but the frost is still here. The whole park is full of rhododendron bushes, and in spring during the blooming it's stunning.

This is the sculpture called "Little Sunday Princess" she's placed beneath a kentaur. Little Sunday Princess is much loved of all children, they're giving her kisses and shaking hands with her. It doesn't show well in my photo but her hands and cheeks are very shiny because of all the touching.
The artist, no longer alive, is Fritz Røed. I promise to be back with a full version from the park.

Enjoy your day!