A new Challenge at TIOT and much, much more.

Hi Everybody!

Lots going on again today, so I'll jump straight in and get started.

We have a new challenge at TIOT starting today -

Gift bags or boxes.

As always, you have 2 weeks to make something special, and I am sure nicely decorated bags or boxes do come in handy at this time of year,

so please show what you can do!

My project is a recycled bag from last year. I cut and trimmed a panel of gold card to fit the centre front, and disguise the old writing on it. Then I made a Christmas card, decorated with various papers from DCWV, some German scrap and a TH die cut reindeer. Only the back of the card is fixed to the bag, so it can be opened to write a message. I added some seasonal stickers. This will hold a little present for my neighbour.

 Today is time for dear Elisabeth's T stands for Tuesday meeting, so I want to give a big welcome to all of the T gang.

I have made a hybrid page, combining drawing and photos for the occasion. I used 5 different photos, I am sure you can find them for yourself.

I had great fun making this wild face for our private challenge 99 faces from a piece of underlay paper onto which I had already painted, stamped and scribbled. After drawing and painting the face with water colours I added more scribbles and stamps just for the fun of it, things like this are very liberating.

Both journal pages are also meant for Art Journal Journey, inspired by the colours of Autumn.

On Sunday they had an open day - or better, open meadow - at the Alpaca farm in Kalkum, opposite the castle. I couldn't resist taking a peek at these gorgeous creatures, they are so cuddly and pretty:

Love this photo, looks like they are having a gossip:

There was also a booth where they were selling beautiful items made from alpaca wool, unfortunately all way beyond my price range, but I did enjoy looking at them. You can see more pics of the place here

That's all for today, have a good one, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

Monday Mix

Hi Everybody!

The weekend has gone by in a flash. 

Have a good start in the new week!

For Art Journal Journey, inspired by autumn colours, I made an A3 mixed media page. The central image is from Alfons Mucha, I love his colourful and vibrant work. The background was painted with yellow and orange, and the surrounding leaves and flowers were stenciled and then edged with gold. The quote was collaged. It proved really true this year, until last week it was like spring, but the mild temperatures have now been blown away by icy winds. 

For our private challenge, 99 faces, I made a hybrid page. The background is a photo taken from my balcony and an old family document. The moon is also one of my photos. The eye and head-profile are my drawings. The eye is looking straight ahead, but I wanted to do it like the old Egyptian sculptures, where the eyes, even when seen from the side, are shown from the front view. The little cherub is a freebie from Freubel's Freebies.

The pictures are from my Saturday walk. The sky was full of clouds, which often looked threatening, but it stayed dry.

The first of the Christmas decorations have gone up here, and one of the shops had a special Christmas booth in front on Saturday:

The Christmas market is already in full swing, with tempting aromas coming from the grilled sausages, potato cakes, Glühwein (mulled, spiced wine) and other tasty things on sale.

Plenty of 'Lebkuchen' (Gingerbread) and burnt almonds, too.

A roundabout for the kids:

And lots of gifts to buy:

Our market is very small here, but there is plenty of 

opportunity to spend money anyway!

Have a great day you all, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!

A face and more

Hi Everybody!

Hope your weekend is going well.

For Art Journal Journey, inspired by autumn colours, and 99 faces I have an A4 journal page. I found a pile of old papers, which I used as backgrounds for faces. This one has been made minimalist, reduced to the bare essentials, and with a limited colour palette. I added colour with water colours and lots of 'random' stamping, the stamps used are from LaBlanche.

Some photos of my wintry walk today - the temps are falling fast!

I have been watching this tree stump rot and crumble for a couple of years now - it is covered with fungi and drilled full of holes - looks like an insect hotel. It's fascinating to watch how it is being reclaimed by nature.

The birds on the balcony are happily feeling again; the tits think they are the owners of my balcony and try to chase all the other birds away, however big they are!

Have a good Sunday, take care,

and thanks a lot for coming by!