15th January 2021 Mailer

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Picture Perfect by Janice McFarlane

My eldest granddaughter Darcey who is 13 is a keen artist. She has a flair for it. No doubt she takes after her dad (my late son), who was great at art and design. In lockdown Darcey has spent her time when not doing her home schooling lessons practicing her portrait skills. She sent these pictures to me which she said were her practice pieces. To me they are fantastic, if this is what she can do now, shell be amazing as she gets older. Whilst I can draw, accurate faces has always eluded me. I could never get the proportions right, so I do admire anyone who can draw and get a great likeness. Darcey also sent a simple tutorial to me on drawing eyes, noses and mouths to pass on to my 8 year old grandson Alfie, who had to draw a self portrait. I cant wait to see her future artwork. These pictures are perfect to me.

cup1091134_905 by Janice McFarlane

cup1090892_905 by Janice McFarlane

New Education by Vicki Avcin

Recently I decided to try something different for some projects I was doing and decided to investigate what a sugar skull was. Was very interesting to read the origins and how and why they were made. The more I read I decided to try my hand at digitally painting my own designs. I must say it was really quite relaxing drawing them. Fair bit of work but I was really happy with my first couple. The first one I did I kept to just black artwork with pink toned roses. Someone saw those and asked if I could do some colourful ones, so a little more challenging but I completed my first one and to add even more colour added some orange/red roses to it. While researching I saw real people with the artwork on their faces, some pretty basic but some had sequins and jewels added, so using one of my own poser ladies I set out to paint her up. I did add a few jewels but painting the face was a bit of a challenge. But Im really pleased with how she turned out. One thing I learnt was a web means death and roses mean birth so incorporating both into the design was a must. I always did like seeing the Day of the Dead ladies with all the fantastic artwork on their faces but purely as an aesthetic thing…….. I just thought how long it must take and never knew the full reasoning behind it all. Now I know. I think I will paint a lot more of these as they were fun!

Todays designs are two of my centre cutout designs. Each one has different sentiments to add to the centre cutout area. They can be made as a flat design or also made into shaker cards. Check out all of the designs.

cup992937_543 by Vicki Avcin

cup992940_543 by Vicki Avcin

New Education by Vicki Avcin

Recently I decided to try something different for some projects I was doing and decided to investigate what a sugar skull was. Was very interesting to read the origins and how and why they were made. The more I read I decided to try my hand at digitally painting my own designs. I must say it was really quite relaxing drawing them. Fair bit of work but I was really happy with my first couple. The first one I did I kept to just black artwork with pink toned roses. Someone saw those and asked if I could do some colourful ones, so a little more challenging but I completed my first one and to add even more colour added some orange/red roses to it. While researching I saw real people with the artwork on their faces, some pretty basic but some had sequins and jewels added, so using one of my own poser ladies I set out to paint her up. I did add a few jewels but painting the face was a bit of a challenge. But Im really pleased with how she turned out. One thing I learnt was a web means death and roses mean birth so incorporating both into the design was a must. I always did like seeing the Day of the Dead ladies with all the fantastic artwork on their faces but purely as an aesthetic thing…….. I just thought how long it must take and never knew the full reasoning behind it all. Now I know. I think I will paint a lot more of these as they were fun!

Todays designs are two of my centre cutout designs. Each one has different sentiments to add to the centre cutout area. They can be made as a flat design or also made into shaker cards. Check out all of the designs.

cup992937_543 by Vicki Avcin

cup992940_543 by Vicki Avcin

This boy ... by Sue Way

Well our gorgeous Golden Retriever Billy is keeping us entertained and sane during lockdown. He makes us laugh every day. The other day I was relaxing in the bath, when his Golden head appeared and dropped his ball into the water. Here he is sucking on his pink bunny with yoghurt on his nose. Stay safe and keep on crafting x

cup939750_38 by Sue Way

cup869464_38 by Sue Way

A .... by Carol Clarke

.... Lovely Frosty Morning Walk! Winter has arrived with an icy blast from the north! Weve had snow, and ice, and sleet. and frost .... but weve also has some lovely wintery sunshine too! Sooooo we donned our suitable cold weather gear and laced up our walking boots and headed out down the lanes nearby us. We have some lovely, quaintly named ones and these photos were taken down Weavers Lane and Kennel Lane! lol

cup1089690_359 by Carol Clarke

cup1089689_359 by Carol Clarke

One of my many hobbys by Helen Gomm

Things are still very tricky at the moment, so anything we can do to keep our minds busy, lots of craftuprint crafting as normal , i also have a love of photocopy, going for my walk, stopped in my tracks, by a lovely robin singing way up in a tree, not the best photo but got a few. keep safe.

cup1089720_905 by Janice McFarlane

cup1089715_2357 by Sharon Vieira

Big Birthday! by Tina Fitch

I had my birthday this week. A big one too I wont say which but it was huge to me lolI had flowers galore delivered and balloons Id only ever seen in the shops never did I think Id be getting some as lovely as they were.My family spoilt me considering it was lockdown Im surprised I got all that I did, it was the first birthday without my beloved Dad. Oh my how I missed his call Sunday morning:-(. I did have a few tears I couldnt help it they just come when I least expect them too.Anyway thats all my news this week. Not been up to much. We have to keep safe!!!

cup1055763_596 by Tina Fitch

cup952159_596 by Tina Fitch

Stunning Sunset by Anne Lever

I am lucky enough to have a west facing front room, with a large set of patio doors, so we get to see some gorgeous sunsets. This one was especially gorgeous, and I took a photo so I could share it with my crafty friends. It lit the clouds up neon pink and orange and was spectacular. It lasted for a few minutes, colours changing every few seconds. Beautiful!

cup1091387_1763 by Anne Lever

cup1091171_1763 by Anne Lever