I'm still here!

Sorry it's been a bit quiet around here lately. I had to have some surgery and it has taken me a bit of a while to get back on track. There hasn't been much going on in the craft department apart from my crochet as I haven't felt like sitting at my desk. In the meantime though I have managed some crochet and made great inroads into another blanket for a Christmas present which is already nearly a third done which is great! I have also bought a kit for a beautiful Waterlily Crochet Along blanket project designed by Jane Crowfoot. Although the full design cannot be seen yet, there are some stunning teasers, certainly enough to tempt me to buy the Stylecraft kit from the Wool Warehouse. The patterns will start to be released on 7th April and I have started to collect pictures of the elements revealed so far on a Pinterest Board here. I just hope my limited crochet skills are up to the challenge!

Today I am sharing another couple of pages from my art journal. These were done a while back, but I am pretty pleased with the way they are coming out. Not my usual style, but experimentation is the name of the game!

I am continuing some common threads between the pages. The backgrounds are initially coloured with gelatos and stencilling is added, usually by taking colour off through the stencil with a baby wipe. All my pages also feature butterflies.

The pictures on both pages are from a cheap paperback book of Pre-Raphaelite paintings I bought especially to use for cutting up for art projects. It is great not to have to feel guilty about destroying the book as it is a mass produced cheapie. The second pages also has some added flowers taken from a serviette and both pages feature some stencilling in glitter paste.

I am very excited because next week will be my last week at work. I have decided to retire quite early and concentrate on things at home. I am looking forward to spending much more time in the garden, cooking, walking and generally living a simpler more carefree life.  It might also mean a bit more time for my arty endeavours, but we will have to see! There are lots of cupboards and things that need a good sort out first!

I hope you are enjoying the early spring weather, we are champing at the bit to get some of our vegetables started now I am feeling a bit brighter and tomorrow may see me in the greenhouse with my hands in the compost for the first time this year!

Have a great weekend!

Elaine