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  I had a few requests after posting this photo on Facebook, people asking if I could explain how I made these paper flowers. Your wish is my command, and here's the info.  It's all very simple and you don't need any advanced drawing skills.  So grab a stack of gell prints, a pair of scissors and off we go!  The type of print that seems to work best is one where there's a fair amount of detail, rather than a block of solid plain colour.  Prints where you've maybe channelled your inner Elizabeth St. Hilaire and 'layered layered layered' as she's always urging us to do.  POPPIES If we start with simple poppy seed heads and stalks, they're cut freehand from paper that's mainly shades of orange and brown.  I glued those on to a sheet of white copier paper, then cut them out, leaving a narrow border around each.  Backing the gell print with the white paper adds that contrasting border, but also strengthens the piece, especially the thin stalks. ...

  I don't know the name of these red berries, but the hedgerows and trees I see on my walks are looking stunning.  They're especially pretty when it's been raining and the twigs and berries have little shimmering droplets of  rainwater hanging from them.  I love the colours of autumn, all the russets and golds.   Today was a getting on with chores day, which meant laundry and tidying up.  Taking advantage of a mild dry day I finally got the last of the tulip bulbs and alliums planted in the back garden, and did a wee bit of tidying up.  (Through I'm conscious of leaving enough stalks and leaves for the wildlife to shelter in.)  I remembered to trundle the green recycling bin out of the front gate, ready for the binmen tomorrow to empty.  If I'm unsure whether it's a black or green collection scheduled, I could go online and check the council website, but it's easier to peer down the street at what our local binfluencer has put out. ...

It's a bitterly cold, grey, drizzly day here in West Yorkshire, though I'm curled up on the sofa with the heating on, so I can't complain.  Especially as the kettle's boiled for a cuppa and there's a supply of chocolate in the kitchen.  I'm trying to resist scoffing the lot!    Let's start off this blog post with a few photos of recent gell prints.  I've been layering up stencils and colours, trying to get some interesting effects.   It's all trial and error, and it's like every day's a school-day as you're constantly learning what works and what doesn't.   I love using the metallic paint colours, especially gold.  You get that shimmer and sparkle (though sadly not on this photo as the light wasn't good enough when I was taking the picture).  Apart from splashing the acrylic around I've also done my usual rounds of charity shops.  I nearly bought a black full length pure new wool coat, originally M&S, which was reduced to ...

I currently have a box of 1,000 white envelopes sat on the carpet nearby.  Why?  Well, it's not because I plan to write an awful lot of letters.  There was a post on a local Facebook group from a lady who runs a greetings card business.  She was doing some clutter-clearing and would anyone like a box of envelopes for free?  I stuck my hand up and a day later I collected 'em.   I think I confused her by wittering on about using them to print on, but that's basically the intention.  I'll add colour with the gell plate, then make them up into booklets, like mini art journals.  The envelopes are approx 15x23cm, so there's a decent surface to decorate.   While we're on the subject of Facebook and arty things, I joined an Artist Trading Cards group, and am taking part in their November challenge.  I need to make six ATCs inspired by the words 'poppy, acorn, apple'.  So today I was trying and largely failing to draw/paint realist...

These are a few of the many paper flowers I've been making, it's quite addictive.  I've now moved on to leaves in autumnal colours, which generated this seasonal collage.  I cut leaf shapes out of gell prints, picking out orange and brown shades, then drew on them with a white Posca-style paint pen.  (It's not actually a Posca pen, but a cheaper brand.  2 black pens and 2 white from 'The Works' for a mere three quid.)  I used a verse from John Keats 'Ode to Autumn' as what could be more appropriate for this time of year?   I hope Storm Ciaran hasn't done any damage to your home or neighbourhood.  Just been watching the news and it's been scary for those further south.  Houses ruined, roofs ripped off.  The power of Nature really is something to behold, isn't it?    

Self care can mean many things, from yoga to meditation, prayer to taking yourself off to a spa.  It's important to find joy in small things, and to find opportunities to do things that make you happy.  That may seem like fiddling while Rome burns to some people, but we all take our different paths through life, don't we?   Which is why I spent yesterday morning crafting.  I'd watched a video on (inevitably) YouTube, by Erin at eb_mixed media.  She was showing how to make flowers from painted paper which could then be used in collages, art journals or on handmade birthday cards.  So I thought I'd have a go.   I rifled through my storage tub of offcuts from gell prints, and pulled out greens and blue/greens for leaves, also pinks, oranges and yellows for flower petals.   I cut vaguely flower and leaf shapes, and got out the glue, sticking them on to a backing of either white copier paper or brown kraft paper.  It's simply a case...