The piglets were pretty cute too! These are the ones that Bobbie wanted to steal!Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Farm Visit
We visited Godstone Farm in Surrey today. The part of the trip the children enjoyed the most was going in the barn with the goats, pigs, sheep and calves. The baby goats were just adorable and in this (short!) video they have a little tiny fight.The piglets were pretty cute too! These are the ones that Bobbie wanted to steal!
The piglets were pretty cute too! These are the ones that Bobbie wanted to steal!
The Sketchbook Project
Just popping in to say that thanks to Tara Ross at A Speckle of Twisted Whimsy-well worth a visit by the way-I have found this project. Well Tara found it and I have visited and joined it! I just hope that now I can find the actual time to do it! The Art House send you a moleskin book and a theme and you fill up the book with your art and send it back to them. Then it will become part of a travelling exhibition. It is open to artists worldwide though I think the exhibition is in the States. A good excuse to travel I suppose!
This is the Art House blog. I see they are in Atlanta so Candace you could visit more easily than me!
I visited a farm today and I might be back later to post some cute animal photos. My favourite quote of the day came from Bobbie. We were looking at a particularly gorgeous pile of piglets. "Can we nick one?" she asked-oh if only!
Monday, 13 July 2009
More Bits and Pieces
My little fat computer friend! There is nothing Tiger likes better, than to cosy up next to whichever one of us is on the computer. I tell her to get down but does she listen? Tonight she stayed there the whole time. She knocked my blogger's elbow cushion on the floor so I had to use her!
I have started using the journals I made and it is quite fun. I decorated the cover.
I have done a few little drawings and doodles and trying out lettering-see the calligraphy book? I like trying to do this but need practice!
Drawing number one and its subject. This A is my latest charity shop purchase and I just couldn't resist it. It is a really heavy enammelled metal and is about 12 inches tall. Lying in front is the circus girl-the glue for her hair is drying and then I will do her 'do' tomorrow!
A tiny alphabet-using a very thin new drawing pen. The paper in the book is very delicate so requires a delicate touch. So different to my last book!
Tiger in repose and after food. Two of her favourite states! She often chooses to sleep on the very corner of the rug, tucking all of her legs in so she looks a bit like a furry slug.
Close up of the circus lady. She has very muscular shoulders from all that trapezing.
Latest Forest School update. On Friday we had some office workers come in and do a day's hard labour(with me I might add!) to further improve the site. This was arranged through a community charity. This photo is of the horrible prickly bush being removed. When this was finished the lovely den like area below was revealed!
They also created these steps on another steep part of the site.
This is them! They were really great-hard working and friendly. It was an exhausting but fun day!
I have started using the journals I made and it is quite fun. I decorated the cover.
I have done a few little drawings and doodles and trying out lettering-see the calligraphy book? I like trying to do this but need practice! Drawing number one and its subject. This A is my latest charity shop purchase and I just couldn't resist it. It is a really heavy enammelled metal and is about 12 inches tall. Lying in front is the circus girl-the glue for her hair is drying and then I will do her 'do' tomorrow!A tiny alphabet-using a very thin new drawing pen. The paper in the book is very delicate so requires a delicate touch. So different to my last book!
Tiger in repose and after food. Two of her favourite states! She often chooses to sleep on the very corner of the rug, tucking all of her legs in so she looks a bit like a furry slug.
Close up of the circus lady. She has very muscular shoulders from all that trapezing.Latest Forest School update. On Friday we had some office workers come in and do a day's hard labour(with me I might add!) to further improve the site. This was arranged through a community charity. This photo is of the horrible prickly bush being removed. When this was finished the lovely den like area below was revealed! They also created these steps on another steep part of the site.This is them! They were really great-hard working and friendly. It was an exhausting but fun day! Saturday, 11 July 2009
Shadow Shot Sunday
PINK POODLE SHADOW 
SOME KIND OF ANIMAL-WHATEVER ONE IT LOOKS THE MOST LIKE
NECKLACE SHADOW
STOP!
MIKE'S PIG FROM 'HAND SHADOWS' BY HENRY BURSILL-A GREAT BOOK FOR SHADOW LOVERS!
GOAT
TINY SHADOW OF TINY FLY-NOT SURE IF IT IS A GNAT OR NOT-HOPE NOT!VISIT HEYHARRIET HERE FOR MORE SHADOWS. HAVE A LOVELY SUNDAY!
Friday, 10 July 2009
Paper Bag Journal
Ever since reading about paper bag journals on Judy Wise's blog I have had it in the back of my mind. However I had not actually watched the tutorial so did not realise it is those American big brown paper bags that are used. Then the other day Candace mentioned that she had been making some and it reminded me. So I googled and found this which showcases a lovely video of a brown paper bag journal being made. I love the part wher the man talks about the book he lent his friend! I also looked at Judy's post and then a coptic binding tutorial which I did not understand. The other video was much better! So, from all these sources and using my collection of paper bags (the kind we get here!) I set to work.
Paper bags waiting for me!
Trim the edges off.
Put into water.
Squeeze gently.
Dry. 
Iron on a low iron. I was not sure about this part as there is ink on some of the bags and after the thing in Kelly's post about drying acrylics with heat tools-well-I did it very quickly, used a low iron and used paper towels to sandwich the paper.
I didn't take photos of the next parts. I got groups of six sheets, folded in the middle and placed them together like pages (signatures of six sheets-that is the official term) Then I sewed these.
One of the journals is made up of three signatures and one of four. I made covers from packaging. I punched holes in the cover then punched through these into the signatures to get the placing. I just did it by eye-no measuring was involved! Then I used thin ribbon to sew in and out of the holes then back again, tie it up and Bob's your uncle! I have gessoed the covers and will decorate but they are ready to use. I am going to start collecting my next lot of paper bags now! Two of my favourites are the mushroom bag and the French bread bag. I also have some tiny chop stick paper bags in there!
Paper bags waiting for me!Trim the edges off.Put into water.Squeeze gently.
Dry. Iron on a low iron. I was not sure about this part as there is ink on some of the bags and after the thing in Kelly's post about drying acrylics with heat tools-well-I did it very quickly, used a low iron and used paper towels to sandwich the paper.I didn't take photos of the next parts. I got groups of six sheets, folded in the middle and placed them together like pages (signatures of six sheets-that is the official term) Then I sewed these.
One of the journals is made up of three signatures and one of four. I made covers from packaging. I punched holes in the cover then punched through these into the signatures to get the placing. I just did it by eye-no measuring was involved! Then I used thin ribbon to sew in and out of the holes then back again, tie it up and Bob's your uncle! I have gessoed the covers and will decorate but they are ready to use. I am going to start collecting my next lot of paper bags now! Two of my favourites are the mushroom bag and the French bread bag. I also have some tiny chop stick paper bags in there!
Thursday, 9 July 2009
More Bits and Pieces
Cup of coffee..
and painting. But not together. I think I am quite safe in my use of materials but I could be better. Have a look at Kelly Kilmer's comprehensive list of what not to do when painting and ways to keep safe.
This horse and person are going to be something circussy or fairgroundy. I am working on them now. Well I was until I stopped to write this! 
Another amazing rose from another child in my class. Lucky me! This one smells gorgeous too.
Robbie the scary doll. This belongs to Tilly in my class and he was left overnight in our kitchen. We were very relieved when we came in the next morning to find he had not actually moved on his own in the night. He is a very naughty boy, as he was hitting and kicking people according to Tilly and Jessica, and so spent a lot of time on the time out chair! Poor Robbie!
and painting. But not together. I think I am quite safe in my use of materials but I could be better. Have a look at Kelly Kilmer's comprehensive list of what not to do when painting and ways to keep safe.
This horse and person are going to be something circussy or fairgroundy. I am working on them now. Well I was until I stopped to write this! Another amazing rose from another child in my class. Lucky me! This one smells gorgeous too.
Robbie the scary doll. This belongs to Tilly in my class and he was left overnight in our kitchen. We were very relieved when we came in the next morning to find he had not actually moved on his own in the night. He is a very naughty boy, as he was hitting and kicking people according to Tilly and Jessica, and so spent a lot of time on the time out chair! Poor Robbie!
Finally the box of girls. I actually forgot to do the draw yesterday and am waiting till Andy comes home tonight so he can pick a name. They are all written and waiting in a bowl. When I have done it I will tell you who won!
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